Transformer of the Day for December 5, 2009
CALCAR
-Faction: Decepticon (Trakkon)
-Era: Generation One Plus
-Function: Battle Analyst
-Motto: “It Doesn’t Matter Who Suffers, It Only Matters That Evil Wins the Day“
-Notable Toy: European Exclusive (Hasbro, 1993)
Notes: While Calcar reminds me a bit of the Autobot Vehicle Pretender Gunrunner in vehicle mode, they are quite clearly not the same guy. Given he was part of the second wave of non-U.S. exclusive, the wave that didn’t make it to Canada, he’s harder to find than some of his contemporaries. And he’s certainly worth the chase, even if he has a face only a mother could love.
Transformer of the Day for September 29, 2009
FLASH
-Faction: Autobot (Turbomaster)
-Era: Generation One Plus (1991-1992)
-Function: Decoy
-Motto: “Don’t Blink - I Was That Blur on the Horizon”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Hasbro, 1992)
Notes: Like his G.I.Joe, Flash is an example of the difficulties in modern copyrights. In the 1980s and early 1990s, depending on the market in question, it seems you could get away with a lot. Sadly these days copyright concerns mean that Flash, particularly one garbed in red and regardless of the current status of the speed force, will never be named as such again. Flashpoint is probably not available either. Maybe Flashzone is free…
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pics.)
Transformer of the Day for September 25, 2009
DELUGE
-Faction: Autobot (Aquaspeeder)
-Era: Generation Two (1993-1995)
-Function: Rear Guard
-Motto: “If We Don’t Finish the Job and Flatten Them - We Might as Well Not Be In The fight at All”
-Notable Toy: European Exclusive (Hasbro, 199?)
Notes: Deluge is simply the European release of Drench, done better. Why the powers-that-be at Hasbro Europe switched names is not known, but it does make for an interesting landscape for G2 Transformers. In a way, ShatteredVerse Sideswipe has two dads in Drench and Deluge. Strangely appropriate for some of us.
Transformer of the Day for September 21, 2009
DRENCH
-Faction: Autobot (Colour Changer)
-Era: Generation Two (1993-1995)
-Function: Defence Strategy Export
-Motto: “Give me More Action — It’s no Fun Unless I Can See the Whites of Their Eyes”
-Notable Toy: Standard Release (Hasbro, 1993)
Notes: Drench was one of four Colour Changers released in the North American market as part of Generation Two. It’s often noted that he was also the inspiration for the inspiration for an unreleased Battle-in-the-Box set, with his colours applied to Armada Wheeljack. Popular with some in the fan community, this repaint eventually inspired the Shatteredverse Sideswipe. And of course he had a double…
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pics.)
Transformer of the Day for August 14, 2009
TALON
-Faction: Decepticon (Predator)
-Era: Generation One Plus (1991-1992)
-Function: Advance Fighter
-Motto: “Don’t Get Me Mad - When I Get Mad I Get Even”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Hasbro, 1992)
Notes: Like his leader, Skyquake, Talon was an exclusive to Europe, Australian and Canadian markets. Like his brethren, he seems to be more than a tailender, particularly given that the last breath of the Generation One line was the Action Masters (for which tailenders like Tracks and Bombshell appeared in Europe in 1991). The reason why Hasbro decided to create brand new transforming toys that featured none of the gimmicks of the later years of the Generation One line, and then relegate them to “foreign” markets, is as yet unknown.
Transformer of the Day for August 5, 2009
THUNDERCLASH
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One Plus (1991-1992)
-Function: Commander-in-Chief
-Motto: “We’re Ready and More Than Able; Let Them Throw All They Want at Us; We Stand As One.
-Notable Toy: Leader-Class (Hasbro, 1992)
Notes: Although Thunderclash appeared as an exclusive at Botcon 2009, in an appropriate paint application, he somehow seems naked without his trailer. And where the position of Commander-in-Chief fits into the Autobot hierarchy of command is as yet unknown.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for June 16, 2009
SKYQUAKE
-Faction: Decepticon (Predator)
-Era: Generation One Plus (1991-1992)
-Function: Air Commandant
-Motto: “Break Them, Crush Them - Grind Them to Dust”
-Notable Toy: European Exclusive (Hasbro, 1992)
Notes: Recently back in the spotlight thanks to his exclusive Botcon pairing with Banzai-Tron, Skyquake is another European and Canadian-release, which I’ve dubbed Generation One Plus. Although his main robot form would eventually be used for Machine Wars Starscream and new character, King Atlas, these releases wouldn’t carry all the features of the original. Like a rocket-firing pistol. The ability to drop bombs on your toys is also a pretty neat effect.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for May 9, 2009
BOSS
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One Plus (1991-1992)
-Function: Force Leader
-Motto: “Never Underestimate Your Enemy… He’s Always Worse than You Could Ever Imagine”
-Notable Toy: European Basic (Hasbro, 1992)
Notes: How cool is Boss? Very cool. Let’s look at the facts. One, his name is BOSS! Two, he transforms into the flippin’ Batmobile (circa Tim Burton). And three, he’s part of the legendary Generation One-and-a-Half, making him an European and Canadian exclusive. Cool? Very cool.
Transformer of the Day for April 15, 2009
ROTORSTORM
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One Plus (1991-1992)
-Function: Guide and Strategician
-Motto: “Get Into Your Enemy’s Mind and Then Beat Him at his Own Evil Game”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1991)
Notes: Rotorstorm was part of a dozen post-Action Master transformers that made up the first wave of Gen 1.5, a wave that made its way onto Canadian toy shelves. As a result it was not particular uncommon to find a well-loved Rotorstorm on offer at a yard sale. But good luck finding those pieces removed from subsequent reissues as Machine Wars Sandstorm and Universe Whirl.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy image.)
Transformer of the Day for March 7, 2009
COLOSSUS / CLENCH
-Faction: Decepticon (Obliterator)
-Era: Generation One Plus (1991-1992)
-Function: Leader
-Motto: “I Will Not Rest Until the Last Autobot is Crushed and the Decepticons Rule”
-Notable Toy: European Exclusive (Hasbro, 1993)
Notes:Like Pyro, I don’t think it is fair to label Colossus as either Generation 1 or Generation 2. He transforms and therefore has no Action Master links, yet he doesn’t resemble the G1 repaints that constituted so much of the first year of G2. He is clearly a transitional toy, a member of a two year collection of which all or parts limited release in Europe, Australia and even in Canada. A pleasure for any collection.*
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* Personal note: I am particularly fond of the Gen one-and-a-halfs, as I call them. Granted, we only received the first wave of toys - Thunderclash, Skyquake, Rotorstorm, Stalker, and the smaller Predators and Turbomasters that hit Canadian shelves - but it still a thrill to find the body of a Rotorstorm at a yard sale, knowing full well that this is a transformer not released in the United States. The second wave, that includes the likes of Pyro and Colossus, are harder to find, which makes me particularly proud to have managed to acquire G2 MIB versions of both characters from the Hartmans in 2006. Unlike so many Transformers, they both sit proudly on shelves, though I must occasionally resist the urge to free them from their cardboard homes.
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