Transformer of the Day for February 17, 2009
ASTROTRAIN
-Faction: Decepticon (triple changer)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Military Transport
-Motto: “In Confusion, There is Opportunity”
-Notable Toy: e-Hobby Exclusive (Takara, 2005)
Notes: The only Decepticon triple changer who doesn’t go over to the Autobots, Astrotrain’s toy never quite synched up with his animated self. It would take almost twenty years for everything to line up. Now if we could just find it… and the secret to mass conversion that allows an average size robot to transform into a shuttle capable of holding Devastator…
(For more information on Astrotrain, check out the Generation One Transformer Bible.)
Transformer of the Day for February 16, 2009
BLASTER
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Communications
-Motto: “When the Music is Rockin’, I’m Rollin’”
-Notable Toy: Hasbro Deluxe (Hasbro, 1985)
Notes: Blaster is the quintessential example of how the same character can get very different characterizations. On film, Blaster is a simple communications officer with a penchance for rhymes. In the Marvel Universe, however, he is a hardened soldier who is seen as a capable leader by his colleagues. Even if the eject button did not always function, there’s no better toy than the original.
(For more information on Blaster, check out the Generation One Transformer Bible.)
Transformer of the Day for February 15, 2009
SOUNDWAVE
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Communications
-Motto: “Cries and Screams are Music to My Ears”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1984)
Notes: Soundwave was the very first Transformer I ever received. That he could carry around a virtual army of soldiers behind his cassette door just added to the allure, particularly when the tapes kept coming long after he left store shelves. Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, Ravage, Frenzy, Rumble, Ratbat, Overkill, Slugfest, Squalktawk, Beastbox, you’ll always have a place to call home. Naturally, we’re going with the original toy here. Bring on Masterpiece Soundwave!
(For more information on Soundwave, check out the Generation One Transformer Bible.)
(Apologies and thanks to whoever put together this amazing CGI-like graphic image.)
Transformer of the Day for February 14, 2009
POWERGLIDE
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto: “To Stop Me, You Have To Catch Me First”
-Notable Toy: Henkei (Takara, 2009)
Notes: What could be more appropriate for Valentine’s Day than the Autobot’s very own cupid, Powerglide. He may be bombastic, but he has a heart of gold (see below) and now the size to back up his boasts thanks to the Henkei/ Universe upgrade. Although the Hasbro version is pretty, it just isn’t Powerglide in the same way as the Takara version.
(For more information on Powerglide, check out the Generation One Transformer Bible.)
Transformer of the Day for February 13, 2009
THUNDERCRACKER
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto:“The Deadliest Weapon is Terror”
-Notable Toy: 6″ Titanium (Hasbro, 2006)
Notes: Thundercracker was among one of the first Decepticons to appear in the original cartoon, where he proceeded to strafe Bumblebee and Wheeljack with his partner, Skywarp. It’s appropriate then that the toy spotlight falls on the much-missed die-cast transformable Titanium line, which provides an illusion to his pre-Earth tetrajet form. Although the neon European Action Master bad self was given serious consideration!
(Since I don’t know when I will get to Skywarp (and certainly have a different toy in mind for him, it’s appropriate that I dedicate this page to the father of the anti-establishment convention tetrajet, Evil King Macrocranios. Long may he reign.)
(For more information on Thundercracker, check out the Generation One Transformer Bible.)
Transformer of the Day for February 6, 2009
BEACHCOMBER
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992), Generation Two (1993-95)
-Function: Geologist
-Motto: “Know the Conflict Within Before Facing the Conflict Without”
-Notable Toy: G2 Mini-Spy (Hasbro, 1993)
Notes: Beachcomber was the Autobot’s resident environmentalist, so it was little surprise that his blue hues became metallic green for his G2 incarnation. Of course, I always presumed this meant the Guardians of the Universe had given him a familiar emerald ring to patrol the galaxy. If it can work for Dirge… in blackest day, in darkest night, no evil shall escape these megabites…
(For more information on Beachcomber, check out the Generation One Transformer Bible.)
(Apologies and thanks to the shmax.com and bbts.com for the toy images.)
Transformer of the Day for February 11, 2009
BLITZWING
-Faction: Decepticon (triple changer)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Ground and Air Commander
-Motto: “Destroy First, Think Later”
-Notable Toy: Reissue (Takara, 2005)
Notes: Not to be confused with the Animated character of the same name, Blitzwing was featured prominently in the final episode of “Five Faces of Darkness”, the sequel to the animated movie. It was he who stood between a battling Rodimus Prime and Galvatron, a move that ensured he would “never be welcomed in the ranks of the Decepticons again.” The Takara reissue is a treat!
(For more information on Blitzwing, check out the Generation One Transformer Bible.)
Transformer of the Day for February 10, 2009
ARCEE
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto: “Looks are Always Deceiving”
-Notable Toy: Binaltech (Takara, 2008)
Notes: Like Reflector for the Decepticons, Arcee has the distinction of holding a significant presence in the original cartoon without the benefit of a marketable toy. That has not dissuaded a few valiant efforts at rectifying this situation, notably the Cyberfembots, the MC Axis Garage Kit, and a WST-style transformable Japanese garage kit on the fandom side, and unreleased Titanium Arcee and the WonderFest 2008 Movie Arcee repaint. Although not pink, the repainted Binaltech is as close to a mainstream release of a G1-style Arcee as we have seen.
Transformer of the Day for February 9, 2009
DIRGE
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto: “Fear is the Element That Unites All Losers”
-Notable Toy: Henkei (TakaraTomy, 2009)
Notes: Dirge is my favourite seeker and one of my favourite Transformers. Pity he ends up as the short pack in so many assortments like the myclone and Japanese PVC lines, or exclusives to Botcon or Ganbo stores. I even took a stab at a Classics version for TFCon 2007. Death comes to those who don’t make a play for his impending (and colourful!) Henkei release.
(For more information on Dirge, check out the Generation One Transformer Bible.)
Transformer of the Day for February 8, 2009
SILVERBOLT
-Faction: Autobot (Aerialbot)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992), Generation Two (1993-95), Beast Wars (1996-98)
-Function: Aerialbot Leader
-Motto: “Don’t Look Down, Look Straight Ahead”
-Notable Toy: Universe (Hasbro, 2008)
Notes: For a bot afraid of heights, Silverbolt certainly gets around. Leader of the Aerialbots in G1 and G2, he proved you don’t easily take the gestalt out of the Transformer when he showed up as a component to the Maximal combiner Magnaboss. He was an early edition to the Go-Go-Gobot line too, and his namesake was a key character in Beast Wars and Beast Machines. I’m sure he feels right at home back on the toy shelves in Universe. It’s like he never left.
