Transformer of the Day for May 3, 2009
OVERDRIVE
-Faction: Autobot (Omnibot)
-Era: Generation One (1984-92)
-Function: Strategist
-Motto: “The Key to Victory is in the Mind’s Eye”
-Notable Toy: Diaclone (Takara, 1983)
Notes: Billed as Reinforcements from Cybertron, the Omnibots were a trio of Autobots exclusives available as a direct mail order. Reissues of original Diaclone figures, the Omnibots were smaller than their deluxe Autobot brethren and didn’t get airtime. That they were unavailable in stores added to their appeal. Overdrive, the lamborghini, came with three guns and, best of all, a front cannon and wings. Tracks was not the only flying car in these days!
(Apologies and thanks to tf-1.com for the images.)
Transformer of the Day for April 24, 2009
BLACK ZARAK
-Faction: Decepticon (Headmaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-92)
-Function: Dark Emperor
-Motto: “You Shall Not Survive”*
-Notable Toy: Regular (Takara, 1989)
Notes: Black Zarak is a modified Scorponok, featuring a giant spear and a modified head piece. Released as part of the Japanese Masterforce cartoon, Black Zarak is the counterpart to the Grand Maximus and menacing in black, gold and red. The Energon repaint, Dark Scorponok, are a tribute to the original and as close as Black Zarak has come to invading North American toy shelves.
Transformer of the Day for May 1, 2009
RATCHET
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Animated (2008 - Present)
-Function: Medic
-Motto: “Hold Still - This Won’t Hurt a Bit
-Notable Toy: Crystal Prime (Takara, 2003)
Notes: Ratchet never got his due in Generation One cartoon, where he was always left to fix the bots. Now, in the early days of the comic, that was a different story. Taking on Megatron alone, or even the Mechanic, before being passed over for the latest and greatest. Animated Ratchet is a medic too, but he’s one with a past, and he’s probably my favourite character on the show for it. Plus the Activator toy is a pretty nice piece.
