Transformer of the Day for July 31, 2009
SOUNDBLASTER
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Intelligence Officer
-Motto: “Death Only Amplifies The Sound of Your Cries”
-Notable Toy: Reissue (Takara, 1989)
Notes: Soundblaster was one of those Japanese Transformers that I had to have as soon as I learned of him. Admittedly the cost factor was prohibited until the 2005 reissue. Still, it amuses me how full circle he’s become. A reconfigured repaint of Soundwave with space for two tapes, it’s ironic that Soundwave’s 2007 Toys ‘R Us exclusive reissue was in fact a repaint of Soundblaster.
Transformer of the Day for July 30, 2009
DOWNSHIFT
-Faction: Autobot (Omnibot)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Security Agent
-Motto: “The Best Security is a Good Offense”
-Notable Toy: Diaclone (Takara, 1983)
Notes: How I miss finding an offer or two included with your newly-purchased toy, for a figure not available at retail (a boon for those whom a trip to a toy store was a rare occurance). Imagine! Toys in the mail! Is there a greater concept? While Downshift was a diaclone before he was an Autobot, he never made it into stores as a Transformer. His unique size and hyrid, alternate transformation makes him an outstanding find.
Transformer of the Day for July 29, 2009
VENOM
-Faction: Decepticon (Deluxe Insecticon)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Psychological Warfare
-Motto: “Friends are More Dangerous than Enemies”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Takara, 1985)
Notes: I love the Deluxe Insecticons and never understood why they didn’t get their due in the cartoon. It was only later that I learned their origins were from Bandai and not Takara, eliminating the motivation for advertising what would have been a rival line in Japan. Still, Venom is a great addition to the collection, with flair to spare!
Transformer of the Day for July 28, 2009
FREEWAY
-Faction: Autobot (Throttlebot)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Saboteur
-Motto: “Words Can Cut Deeper than Steel”
-Notable Toy: European Classics (Hasbro, 1991)
Like the other Throttlebots, Freeway’s engineering seems to come directly from the Decepticon Battle Chargers of the previous year, albeit without the automated transformation feature. That said, there is something to be said for the pull-back motors that work in both vehicle and robot mode. Freeway, however, has the unique distinction of becoming my very first Internet-purchased Transformer way back in 1994. It’s been all downhill since then.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for July 25, 2009
GORYU
-Faction: Decepticon (Dinoforce)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Commander
-Motto: “Crush Them Before they Even Rise”
-Notable Toy: Standard Issue (Takara, 1989)
Notes: Like his North American counterpart, Icepick, Goryu is the leader of his respective gestalt team, Dinoforce. Like his team, he’s impossible to find for reasonable prices. He’s exclusive to the Japanese market, you see, where they figured dinosaurs beat monsters for the attention of young kids. He’s a little drab in colour but the dinosaur shells are awesome.
(Apologies and thanks to Prime Sabre for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for July 23, 2009
SUNSTORM
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Aerospace Warrior
-Motto: “The Glories of Victory are Defined by My Will”
-Notable Toy: eHobby Exclusive (Takara, 2003)
Notes: Like Acid Storm, Sunstorm’s origins are found in an animation error in the old Sunbrow production cells. Unlike his rainmaker friend, however, Sunstorm was given life in the Dreamwave comic book as a powerful deranged clone of Starscream. And he’s been oft-repeated, most notably in Transformers: Animated. Still, there is something about his repainted G1 seeker form, particularly given its wider available due to a subsequent reissue in 2009.
Transformer of the Day for July 22, 2009
MIRAGE
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Spy
-Motto:“Who and What I Am I Hide From the Enemy“
-Notable Toy: eHobby Exclusive (Takara, 2007)
Notes: I imagine that no one was more happy with the arrival of Jetfire than Mirage, because it meant he was not the only Autobot to be considered a traitor. But for a group of alleged peace loving mechanoids, there seemed to be a lot of occasion to point fingers at the aristocrat in the group.
(Apologies and thanks to plasticcrack.net for the main image, and tf-1.com for the bonus and wonderful diaclone originals.)
Transformer of the Day for July 20, 2009
SIXKNIGHT
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Ninja Warrior
-Motto: “Power Alone is Not Everything”
-Notable Toy: Six-Changer (Takara, 1988)
Notes: Like Great Shot, Sixknight was a Japanese-only repaint. Unlike Great Shot, however, he does not change alliances with the colour change, but rather appears as a fellow Autobot like his North American brother, Quickswitch. As a personal, both Great Shot and Sixknight recently joined my own collection through separate Botcon 2009 purchases. Ironic then that I don’t yet have the original North American releases. Ha!
Transformer of the Day for July 19, 2009
TRIGGERHAPPY
-Faction: Decepticon (Targetmaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Gunner
-Motto: “Have Gun, Have Fun”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1987)
Notes: In Generation One, Hasbro seemed to enjoy releasing trios of toys. For the Decepticon targetmasters, that meant Slugslinger, Misfire and Triggerhappy. Partnered with Blowpipe, Triggerhappy was also my favourite of the group simply because of the sheer number of cannons at his disposal. He looked futuristic and cool and someone you didn’t want to run up against him in a dark alley.
Transformer of the Day for July 18, 2009
ORION PAX
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Freight Handler
-Motto: “Freedom for All”
-Notable Toy: eHobby Exclusive (Takara, 2005)
Notes: One of the best episodes of Generation One was “War Dawn”, where the aerialbots learn the secret origin of Optimus Prime. While other timelines have spoken of Optimus as a washed-out cadet or a data collection specialist, here the great leader comes from humble beginnings. And even if it is simply a repaint of the reissued G1 Kup, somehow his single toy appearance just works right. It doesn’t hurt that Dion comes along for the ride.
