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Transformer of the Day for November 7, 2009

BRUSHGUARD

-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Armada-Energon-Cyberton (2002-2006)
-Function: Scientist
-Motto: “Toxins are the Weapons I Wield“
-Notable Toy: Basic (Hasbro, 2005)

Notes: Resembling an evil Brawn, with Wolverine-style claws, Brushguard is a pretty sturdy toy given the era from which he originates. I really had to go with the Universe carded figure that was available through discount store Dollar General, just because it really highlights the pale blue in a way that the original packaging does not.

Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy image.)

Transformer of the Day for October 6, 2009

CHEETOR

-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Beast Wars (1996-1998), Beast Machines (1999-2000)
-Function: Jungle Warrior
-Motto: “Attack with Quickness and Leave the Enemy No Time to Think“
-Notable Toy: Titanium (Hasbro, 2007)

Notes: While Cheetor got terribly serious and became a bit of a spoilsport in Beast Machines, it was nonetheless great to watch his evolution over 78 episodes in Beast Wars and Beast Machines. So many good toy choices too, but in the end I went with the much missed (by me at least) Titanium version for the big reason that it was the both the only Beast Machines release in this format and the first official release of swords. And no Night Slash Cheetor doesn’t count!

Transformer of the Day for November 5, 2009

ONSLAUGHT

-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Combaticon Leader
-Motto: “The Mind is the Greatest Weapon“
-Notable Toy: Voyager (Takara, 2008)

Notes: I opted to use the Universe reissue for the featured toy, if for no other reason than the original deluxe 1986 mould has been redone to death. Onslaught in 1986, Great Cannon (for Japan) in 1992, Classics Onslaught (in Europe) in 1992, neon Onslaught in 1994 (for G2), Mega-Octane in 2001, Exclusive Mega-Octane in 2003 and Universe Mega-Octane in 2004. Plus, it’s really cool to see Monzo getting some love. That said, I love this rendering of Octane from the old Marvel comic. A fitting sub-commander pose indeed.

Due to a glitch on the blog, I was unable to get into my planned entries for the latter part of October and finalize them for their debut. Although the glitch was corrected by my webhosting service, I then didn’t have the time to go back in and make the necessary corrections, on account of the work underway on this year’s halloween costume. Which this year consisted of my first ever attempt at a Transformer, in the form of Starscream.

There is a lot of win mixed into a lot of fail in this costume. Suffice to say, there will be a longer future post outlining the work that went into this creation. I am nonetheless pleased to note that all that work did result in a win as best costume at the annual Comic Book Shoppe masquarade ball despite the costume’s flaws. Like, you know, the ability to breathe in that mask.

In any case, I’ve taken today as a chance to go back and correct my previous oversights. Here is your chance to see my thoughts on such noteable transformers as Sling, Doubleheader, Soundwave, Flak, Sixshot, Silverbolt, Bludgeon, Bumblebee, Megatron, Rav and Predatron. And hopefully we can finish up our 25th anniversary run without further interruptions…

Transformer of the Day for November 4, 2009

CROSSWISE

-Faction: Autobot (Spy Changer)
-Era: Robots in Disguise / Car Robots (2000-2001)
-Function: Gravity Ninja
-Motto: “Lighten Up”
-Notable Toy: Single-Card (Hasbro, 2003)

Notes: X-Car in Japan, Crosswise makes the list because he’s my favourite of the first six Spy Chargers mold, which were adopted from the first six Generation Two Gobots. His is the same form as G2 Highbeam, Botcon Nightracer and G2 Goldbug Bumblebee. And given the multitude of package and colour variants for him, he nonetheless just looks so sharp on this single card release.

Transformer of the Day for November 3, 2009

PREDITRON

-Faction: Go-Bots
-Era: Playskool Gobots (2002-2005)
-Function: Aerialbot Leader
-Motto: “There is Freedom in My Loss of Control”
-Notable Toy: Go-Bots (Playskool, 2004)

Notes: Preditron is a Go-Bot gone bad. He is a transformed Beast Bot who makes mischief across the universe. Released at the tail-end of the Go-Bot’s line as a modified Cheetor, he has clear plastic limbs that make him stand out in the crowd. Plus, evil. In a Go-Bot kind of way of course.

(Apologies and thanks to tfu.info for the toy image.)

Transformer of the Day for November 2, 2009

RAV

-Faction: Maximal (Deployer)
-Era: Beast Machine (1999-2000)
-Function: Evacuation
-Motto: “Keep To Yourself, Protect From Enemies“
-Notable Toy: Basic Repaint (Hasbro, 2000)

Notes: If minicons can get love, then why not Deployers. Particularly when they represent that rare occasions when Transformer accessories were sold without being packaged with Transformers. It’s a shame that no one opted to take advantage of the moulds to do some kind of exclusive, in the vein of the odd partnership frequently implied between Rav (Chro) and Cryoteck. Although Rav will always be a hero in my books.

(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy image.)