Transformer of the Day for September 9, 2009
PIPES
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Bulldozer
-Motto: “One Being’s Junk is Another’s Art”
-Notable Toy: Mini-Bot (Hasbro, 1986)
Notes: Pipes has always fascinated me as a Transformer. First, he seems so appropriate for collectors, his motto and bio seemingly made to describe much of our collections. But it was the clever reuse of the original Huffer form that truly intrigues me. Same vehicle, and yet, with a slight change of the head transformation (and head), there is a completely different figure sitting on the shelf. Even wilder when you can put him next to the blue version of Huffer that showed up in some markets.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for September 8, 2009
SCORPONOK
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Armada-Energon-Cyberton (2002-2006)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto: “If I Do Not Crush You with my Claws, I Will Finish You with my Sting!”
-Notable Toy: Built-To-Rule (Hasbro, 2005)
Notes: While Scorponok is clearly inspired by his Generation One counterpart, it’s his comic book characterization that wins me over to his side. It’s a shame that Dreamwaves’ implosion prevented us from learning his ultimate fate. While the Cybertron Dark Scorponok repaint was a contender for the toy, I have to go with the rare Built to Rule Scorponok from the ill-fated second series. Such a shame that the line had to die just as a lot of the bugs had been worked out.
Transformer of the Day for September 7, 2009
METALHAWK
-Faction: Autobot (Pretender)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Space Commander
-Motto: “Harmony is a Goal Worth Catching”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Takara, 1988)
Notes: Metalhawk was a Japanese-exclusive Pretender who stands out because of the use of die-cast metal in his construction. This is another example of a toy that is begging for a reissue, even if the jet form could be a little more streamlined.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pics.)
Transformer of the Day for September 6, 2009
MONSTRUCTOR
-Faction: Decepticon (Monster Pretender)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Super Warrior
-Motto: “My Touch is Death”
-Notable Toy: Basics (Hasbro, 1989)
Notes: Originally called Titanus, Monstructor was the last of the G1 gestalts, ironic given that he has been reimagined as the first gestalt in the IDWverse. Interestingly, and unlike his Japanese counterpart, Dinoking, he is the only gestalt to be marketed without a collected giftset, making the special toy pic for his entry simply a combination of the available six limbs.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pics.)
Transformer of the Day for September 5, 2009
WEDGE
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Robots in Disguise / Car Robots (2000-2001)
-Function: Bulldozer
-Motto: “I’ll Shove the Bad Guys Out of the Way”
-Notable Toy: Exclusive Four-Pack (Hasbro, 2003)
Notes: Wedge has to be the strangest choice for a gestalt leader. Interestingly, what he lacks in experience and size, he makes up for in enthusiasm and team support. The build team really seems to get behind their leader, even if he doesn’t always make the best of choices. And although the original release had the advantage of colour differentiation between the four construction vehicles, there is something to be said for the leader coming complete with colour-matching troops in one convenient package.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for September 4, 2009
BATTLETRAP
-Faction: Decepticon (Duocon)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Assault Team
-Motto: “We’re Only Halves of a Whole, but Double the Trouble
-Notable Toy: Basic (Hasbro, 1987)
Notes: Although Hasbro only produced two duocons, you can see the principle idea of two vehicles forming a larger robot in the form of the Slamdance and Squawkbox tape sets. Although not articulate, it was nevertheless rewarding to see an almost automatic transformation in the way the duocons became one. I imagine a lot of inexperienced collectors scratch their heads when they find one half of Battletrap at a yard sale.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for September 3, 2009
GO SHOOTER
-Faction: Autobot (Headmaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Rescue Commander
-Motto: “Only A Careless Warrior Leaves the Wounded Behind”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Takara, 1988)
Notes: Go Shooter was the Japanese equivalent of Siren. Unlike other toy variations between the Japanese and North American markets, there is limited differences between these two toys. Some slight decal recolouration and a lighter shade of plastic colouring comprise the difference. And though his white plastic is likely susceptible to discolouration with age, he’s a pretty neat toy and would look good standing behind his English language cousin.
(Apologies and thanks to toyarchive.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for September 2, 2009
RANSACK
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation Two (1993-1995)
-Function: Reconnaissance Fighter
-Motto: “If There’s A Chance for Destruction, I’ll Take It”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Ransack, 1994)
Notes: One of the new G2 figures produced by Hasbro, Ransack was part of the Rotorforce themed figures and featured launching rotorblades. In a way, Ransack’s vehicle design harkens back to the old style World War Two-era plane that would serve as the basis for the Combaticon’s Blast Off. It’s a shame the master mould is likely too degraded for such an exclusive.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for September 1, 2009
GRIMLOCK
-Faction: Autobot (Dinobot)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Dinobot Commander
-Motto: “Among the Winners, There is No Room for the Weak”
-Notable Toy: Pretender (Hasbro, 1988)
Notes: Grimlock is nothing if not inconsistently written. In the Marvel Comics, any good that came from his shrewd observations of the Decepticons is lost because of the baboonish way he’s portrayed as Autobot leader. His attempts at intellectual growth in the cartoon are undermined for cheap laughs during and after the movie. Similarly, while the Masterpiece version of the toy is clearly a winner, I can’t help but be nostalgic for the Pretender version of 1988.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 31, 2009
QUICKSWITCH
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Assault Warrior
-Motto: “A Confused Enemy is a Defeated Enemy”
-Notable Toy: Six-Changer (Hasbro, 1988)
Notes: One of the trickiest things about this exercise is finding the right picture. While it is relatively easy to find pictures for those characters introduced in movie or cartoon format, it’s something else to have any kind of choice for off-screen characters. Even including the Japanese cartoons, this includes North American toys like Quickswitch. However, tfwiki.net has an incredible picture of the character from one of the Lady Bird books that just fits perfect!
