Transformer of the Day for June 28, 2009
CLIFFJUMPER
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto:“Strike First, Strike Fast, Strike Hard”
-Notable Toy: Classics Deluxe (Hasbro, 2007) + Accessories (FansProject, 2008)
Notes: Cliffjumper is best when portrayed as having a chip on his shoulder. He was fortunate to punch above his weight in terms of screen time. That said, it was disappointing that Hasbro’s repaint of Classics Bumblebee was somewhat disappointing due to the absence of a new head sculpt. Takara-Tomy’s Henkei line opted for the Legends mold for his portrayal, so fans everywhere are left to rely on FansProject’s accessory set to do old CJ justice.
Transformer of the Day for June 26, 2009
GRAPPLE
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Architect
-Motto: “Beauty is in Everything Except War”
-Notable Toy: Attacktix (Hasbro, Unreleased)
Notes: Grapple is an interesting Autobot. Originating with the Diaclone line, his is a slight variation of the Inferno mold. Like Inferno’s pairing with Red Alert, Grapple is frequently tied to Hoist for adventures. Strangely, an artistic rendering of his vehicle form shows up in the first episode as “Hauler“, which subsequently led to an eHobby reissue. And yet for all of this, a natural repaint of Universe 2.0 Inferno has yet to arrive, even by Takara, leaving the best plastic rendition still the unreleased Attacktix version. Oh Hasbro, why do you taunt us so?
(Apologies and thanks to jediinsider.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for June 25, 2009
TREADSHOT
-Faction: Decepticon (Action Master)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Gunslinger
-Motto: “A Gun is Only as Good as the One Who Holds It”
-Notable Toy: Action Master (Hasbro, 1990)
Notes: One of the biggest challenges for Transformers has always been the prominent use of gun transformations. Forget the logistics of someone else having to drive Megatron, it’s really hard to be faithful to your primary villain who transforms into a toy that is no longer legal to sell. So don’t expect a proper transforming Treadshot anytime soon. For his fans, it’s looks like we’ll have to hold on to his Action Master form and dream.
Transformer of the Day for June 24, 2009
TWINCAST
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Communications
-Motto: “Takes a Lickin’ and Keeps on Tickin’”
-Notable Toy: Ehobby Exclusive (Takara, 2006)
Notes: Destroyed in an epic battle with Soundwave in the Japanese cartoon continuity, Twincast was literally recasted from the ashes of Blaster. With colours heralding back to one of his original Microchange, he’s an incredible addition to any collection, one that is much more readily attainable thanks to the relatively recent eHobby reissue. In fact, that reissue is the toy in the spotlight here because it brings with it a new character, Flip Sides, an Autobot cassette warrior who is literally a sleeper agent for the Decepticons.
Transformer of the Day for June 23, 2009
BLACK SHADOW
-Faction: Decepticon (Crossformer)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Space Gangster
-Motto: “There is Profit in War and War in Profit”
-Notable Toy: Crossformer (Takara, 1988)
Don’t you wish that your function read as “Space Gangster”? That’s how Black Shadow, a remold of Thunderwing, is described in the translations from his Japanese-only tech spec. This particular Japanese exclusive somehow manages to retain all the coolness of Thunderwing, but come off as more together and in control due to a remolded pretender head sculpt. Amazing what humanoid features can do for a guy. If he’d been released in North America, I imagine he would have played Cyclonus to Overlord’s more sane Galvatron and Blue Bacchus’s Scourge.
(Apologies and thanks to the futuristgroup for the toy image.)
Transformer of the Day for June 21, 2009
SKYFALL
-Faction: Autobot (Action Master)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Weapons Engineer
-Motto: “Flying is the Ultimate Freedom”
-Notable Toy: Action Master (Hasbro, 1990)
Notes: Although other toys have notably tried to wear the proud name of the original animated Skyfire, notably Cybertron Skyblast, Skyfall may be the closest thing to the real thing. Putting aside the face plate, there is a passing similarity with respect to the Skyfall toy and the animated Skyfire, notably in the legs. And someone was certainly thinking of the legendary jet when they worked out his name and certain points in his tech spec.
(Apologies and thanks to tfu.info for the toy image.)
Transformer of the Day for June 20, 2009
SKYWARP
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto: “Strike When the Enemy Isn’t Looking”
-Notable Toy: Target Exclusive (Hasbro, 2006)
Notes: Even with his cool warping abilities, I always manage to confuse Skywarp with his seeker colleague, Thundercracker. That said, there are any number of great toy examples of Skywarp, but I opted to go with the Target exclusive two-pack (with shell-less Ultra Magnus). Even though the Henkei is more faithful to the cartoon, you can’t go wrong with a two figure pack. Particulary one that, although selling for as low as US$15 in 2006, can now fetch upwards of US$65.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com and bbts.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for June 19, 2009
SKYHAMMER
-Faction: Autobot (Pretender)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Ground and Air Assault
-Motto: “There is No Disgrace in Not Succeeding, Only in Not Trying”
-Notable Toy: Ultra Pretender (Hasbro, 1989)
Notes: You have to give it up to Hasbro and Takara - they really did try a number of variations on a theme to keep the line going. 1988 Pretenders gave way to combiner Pretenders (the Monstercons), Classic Pretenders and Mega Pretenders (where the shell also transformed). Is it any surprise then that the two Ultra Pretenders, Skyhammer and Roadblock, featured not only a transforming shell for the inner transforming robot, but a secondary external vehicular shell? Nope. But pretty good bank for one’s buck!
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com and bbts.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for June 18, 2009
SKYSTALKER 
-Faction: Decepticon (Micromaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Interstellar Assault
-Motto: “Terror Reigns from the Skies, the Hapless Rule on the Ground”
-Notable Toy: Micromaster Vehicle (Hasbro, 1989)
Notes: Why Skystalker? Well, three reasons really. One, the animated part of his Micromaster cartoon meant there was an easily retreavable picture of him, courtesy of tfwiki.net. Two, I love the idea of a giant drab space cruiser being piloted by a brightly coloured orange sportscar. And three, he fit the theme of the week. So go Skystalker!
(Apologies and thanks to tfu.info for the toy image.)
Transformer of the Day for June 17, 2009
SKY HIGH
-Faction: Autobot (Pretender)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Scout
-Motto: “Imagination is the Key that Unlocks the Chains of Reality”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe Pretender (Hasbro, 1988)
Notes: Sky High was the first Pretender I had the fortune to play with. Although the inner robot is impossibly thin and limited in his transformation complexity, the concept of a protective shell that could act at the behest of the inner robot fascinated me. Also, he has a great gun. A later release, Sky High is more rare and definitely a keeper.
(Apologies and thanks to botchthecrab.com for the character pic.)
