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 11, 2009
CLAMPDOWN
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Diaclone Years (1982-1984)
-Function: Police Officer
-Motto: “Crime Is a Distraction from Liberty“
-Notable Toy: eHobby Exclusive (Takara, 2003)
Notes: One of the many diaclone recolours available before Transformers, Clamp Down’s paint scheme influenced the release of Red Alert. In 2003, he was finally released in an Autobot version more closely in synch with the original diaclone through eHobby.
Transformer of the Day for August 12, 2009
STARSCREAM
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Air Commander
-Motto: “Conquest is Made from the Ashes of One’s Enemies”
-Notable Toy: Masterpiece Exclusive (Hasbro, 2007)
Notes: It was only a matter of time before Starscream was added to the list. And while there can be no doubt that the figure reference would be the store exclusive, recoloured Masterpiece version of the toy, it’s important to remember all the wonderful alternatives that could have been selected. While I’m partial to the 1989 Classic Pretender myself, both the Robot Masters and Classics / Henkei versions are strong representations of a great character.
Transformer of the Day for August 11, 2009
FIRST AID
-Faction: Autobot (Protectobot)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Doctor
-Motto: “An Ounce of Maintenance is Worth a Pound of Cure”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Hasbro, 1986)
Notes: The four original “Scramble City” combiner teams (Stunticons, Aerialbots, Protectobots and Combaticons) were mostly cannon-fodder in the cartoon. Only the leader and one of the regular “soldiers” from each set got any real cartoon face time. First Aid, voiced by Michael Bell in the original cartoon, was the exception for the Protectobots. Of course, while the approved Generation One Hasbro release is included, my favourite reiteration of the character is still the “two-up” bootleg I found in Italy in 2005.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the actual Hasbro toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 10, 2009
HUN-GURR
-Faction: Decepticon (Terrorcon)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Terrorcon Leader
-Motto: “Eat Only What You Need - Destroy the Rest”
-Notable Toy: Legends Five Pack Exclusive (Hasbro, 2009)
Notes: “Special Teams” was a term that came out of the Marvel UK comics and used to indicate the five-transformers Gestalts referenced in the Japanese cartoon, Scramble City. Interestingly enough, Hasbro adopted the brand name for use in its neo-Classics 2.0 line, for a special five pack of redecoed Legend class figures. It’s a truly nice set, even if the molds have been used a few too many times.
Transformer of the Day for August 9, 2009
SENTINEL MAXIMUS
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Universe (2003-2004)
-Function: Matrix Guardian / Armoured Transport
-Motto: “‘Til All Are One“
-Notable Toy: Exclusive (Hasbro, 2004)
Notes: Sentinel Maximus is truly a toy with a history. Originally solicited to serve as one of two toy exclusives to the then-Official Transformers Collectors’ Convention (OTFCC), a controversial successor to Botcon that folded in 2004, he was for whatever reason not ready for the convention itself. Later, when OTFCC declared bankruptcy, Hasbro itself undertook to distribute the toy to pre-paid convention goers as best as possible. A great example of how a truly nice toy can almost get lost in the bureaucracy of an event.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 8, 2009
TERRORSAUR
-Faction: Predacon
-Era: Beast Wars (1996-2000)
-Function: Aerial Combat
-Motto: “If Betrayal is in Your Heart, Keep to the Sky“
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Takara, 1996)Notes: If Terrorsaur took his place as his Megatron’s Starscream, his plans were not quite so ambition, his schemes a little less grand. Makes you wonder if he had survived a bit longer, if things would have been different. Sadly, his passing with Scorponok was barely noted, and his toy never properly realized. Best one can do is Takara’s version. But you just hold out hope for a slightly bigger and slightly redder Terrorsaur. One with a bit more ambition.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 7, 2009
STAR SABER
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Supreme Commander
-Motto: “Let’s Say ‘Go’“
-Notable Toy: Exclusive Box Set (Takara, 1989)
Notes: While we covered his Victory Saber combined form back on March 24, how could we not take a moment to look at the individual robot himself. Star Saber is a brainmaster, a Japanese-only line of toys where a second robot forms the inner part of the robot’s head. Serving as the fifth Cybertronian leader in Japan, it’s a shame North America never got a toy like this on its store shelves.
Tamantha. May 5, 1996 - August 5, 2009. You were my Tuna, my real Tuna. We miss you so much.
Transformer of the Day for August 6, 2009
ICEPICK
-Faction: Decepticon (Pretender Monster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Demolitions
-Motto: “From Today’s Rubble-Strewn Fields Shall Emerge a New Decepticon World”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Takara, 1996)
Notes: Icepick is the North American counterpart to Goryu. Unlike his Japanese dinoforce brethren, Hasbro monster pretenders sport bright colours and colourful rubber pretender shells that are often dramatically affected by age. Though Icepick only lead hisDemolition monsters into battle in an alternate timeline during the Marvel comics run, he’s still a fun figure to own. And, as seen above, believes in the importance of a shirt and tie.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
