Transformer of the Day for October 24, 2009
SLING
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Beast Wars Neo (1998-99)
-Function: Shock Trooper
-Motto: “Thinking Only Distracts from Fighting“
-Notable Toy: Basic Two-Pack (Hasbro, 1999)
Notes: I think what I really like about Sling is the spring-loaded fin on his back that doubles as a shield. He’s really close to Iguanus from the early Beast Wars basics, but somehow the shiny colours really add flair. It doesn’t hurt that he can commonly be found hanging out with his Maximal nemesis, Stampy.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy image.)
Transformer of the Day for April 5, 2009
SURVIVE
-Faction: Maximal
-Era: Beast Wars Neo (1998-99)
-Function: Military Strategist
-Motto: “Fall in Line or Fall Out”
-Notable Toy: Two-Pack (Takara, 1999)
Notes: A repaint of Polar Claw, Survive closely resembles his Botcon Japan cousin Barbearian, who himself is a homage to the Polar Claw prototype called Grizzly-One. For some reason, the brown paint applications really suits this mould. Certainly it seems less likely to fall victim to plastic discolouration that is the scourge of plastic toys. And who can resist a grizzly that comes with an evil Triceratops like Killer Punch.
Transformer of the Day for January 23, 2009
LONGRACK
-Faction: Maximal
-Era: Beast Wars Neo (1999)
-Function: First Officer
-Motto: “If You Do Not Think Before You Act, Do Not Act At All”
-Notable Toy: Longrack Vs. Guildedart Set (Takara, 1991)
Notes: If Beast Wars II line minimized costs by repainting off-camera characters and incorporating pre-existing G2 toolings, Beast Wars Neo offered up the goods. Among the standard repaints were new dinosaurs and mammals, including Longrack the Giraffe. Like the new BW Neo toys, Longrack enjoyed a “targetmaster-esque” mid-transformation formation. He was later the inspiration for the Cybertron-era excavator of the same name and colour.