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.
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.)
Transformer of the Day for August 5, 2009
THUNDERCLASH
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One Plus (1991-1992)
-Function: Commander-in-Chief
-Motto: “We’re Ready and More Than Able; Let Them Throw All They Want at Us; We Stand As One.
-Notable Toy: Leader-Class (Hasbro, 1992)
Notes: Although Thunderclash appeared as an exclusive at Botcon 2009, in an appropriate paint application, he somehow seems naked without his trailer. And where the position of Commander-in-Chief fits into the Autobot hierarchy of command is as yet unknown.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 4, 2009
TRYPTICON
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Assault Base
-Motto: “Total Victory Requires Total Destruction”
-Notable Toy: Standard (Hasbro, 1986)
Notes: Five facts about Trypticon. One, he is motorized, able to walk in dinosaur mode and roll in battle platform mould. Two, he was modified and reissued in 1998 as part of the Beast Wars II line as Gigastorm. Three, he is remarkably intelligent in his Marvel Comics’ appearance. Four, it is never made clear what happens to the people who inhabit the earth city from which Trypticon is birthed by the Constructions. Five, it’s rumoured that he likes pie.
(Apologies and thanks to Chi @ BigBot for the incredible artwork.)
Transformer of the Day for August 3, 2009
DOWNSHIFT
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Armada-Energon-Cyberton (2002-2006)
-Function: Evacuation
-Motto: “If I Can’t Beat Ya’ in Battle, I’ll Beat Ya’ on the Road“
-Notable Toy: Deluxe Two-Pack (Hasbro, 1997)
Notes: While Energon Downshift is clearly a homage to G1 Wheeljack, his name becomes more appropriate when he is transformed for his Cybertron appearance as a 1970s muscle car. Possibly the most original and flat out fun original Transformer of the decade, Hasbro really made use of the mold with a Big Daddy repaint exclusive.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 2, 2009
RUNABOUT
-Faction: Decepticon (Battle Charger)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Shock Trooper
-Motto: “A Pretty Car is an Even Prettier Wreck”
-Notable Toy: Battle Charger (Hasbro, 1986)
Notes: You don’t need to look any further than the Battle Chargers to see the evolution of Transformers. Gone are the days of inarticulate, boxy figures that featured automatic transformations. And yet, I’d love to see a modernized version of Runabout. A very minor cartoon and comic character, he’d be an easy repaint of Universe Sideswipe. Let’s go!
Transformer of the Day for August 1, 2009
IRONHIDE
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Security
-Motto: ““High Tech Circuitry is No Replacement for Guts”
-Notable Toy: Botcon Exclusive (Hasbro, 2005)
Notes: Before Kup, Ironhide was the gruff old warrior on the Autobot team. Like Ratchet, his original toy was a holdover from the Diaclone days and looked nothing like his animated appearance. And yet the neo-classics version manages to lose the nostalgia feel provided by the original toy’s disappearing battle platform. Really, it’s the 2005 Botcon retool that gets the character right - a robot that looks like the cartoon, a trailer that reminds us of the toy, and a van that matches our memories.
Some things are best left unanimated.
Transformer of the Day for July 31, 2009
SOUNDBLASTER
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Intelligence Officer
-Motto: “Death Only Amplifies The Sound of Your Cries”
-Notable Toy: Reissue (Takara, 1989)
Notes: Soundblaster was one of those Japanese Transformers that I had to have as soon as I learned of him. Admittedly the cost factor was prohibited until the 2005 reissue. Still, it amuses me how full circle he’s become. A reconfigured repaint of Soundwave with space for two tapes, it’s ironic that Soundwave’s 2007 Toys ‘R Us exclusive reissue was in fact a repaint of Soundblaster.
Transformer of the Day for July 30, 2009
DOWNSHIFT
-Faction: Autobot (Omnibot)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Security Agent
-Motto: “The Best Security is a Good Offense”
-Notable Toy: Diaclone (Takara, 1983)
Notes: How I miss finding an offer or two included with your newly-purchased toy, for a figure not available at retail (a boon for those whom a trip to a toy store was a rare occurance). Imagine! Toys in the mail! Is there a greater concept? While Downshift was a diaclone before he was an Autobot, he never made it into stores as a Transformer. His unique size and hyrid, alternate transformation makes him an outstanding find.
