Transformer of the Day for October 19, 2009
CAMSHAFT
-Faction: Autobot (Omnibot)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Scout
-Motto: “The Fallen Shall Be Remembered as Cybertron’s Finest”
-Notable Toy: Alternator (Hasbro, 2006)
Notes: It’s hard to believe it now, but back in the day, it really did seem like Hasbro had created three brand new transformers just for us to clip and our robot points for, rather than recycling old diaclone orginals. In the case of Camshaft, he would later return to us as an Alternator. Ironically, while the car body seems right, it’s just weird to see him as another Prowl brother like Smokescreen and Bluestreak.
Transformer of the Day for October 18, 2009
MEGA-OCTANE
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Robots in Disguise / Car Robots (2000-2001)
-Function: Flatbed Truck
-Motto: “I Command You To Destroy“
-Notable Toy: Giftset Exclusive (Hasbro, 2004)
Notes: Robots in Disguise was an entertaining toyline because of the variety of sources from which it drew its figures. Generation One and Generation Two, Beast Wars and Beast Machines, new Car Robot toys and previously unreleased toys, they all seemed to find a home in Robots in Disguise. Interestingly though that the Decepticon logo for Mega-Octane and his crew, Generation One transformers all, were inversions of Generation Two Autobot symbol
Transformer of the Day for October 17, 2009
MEGATRON
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Shattered Verse (2008-Present)
-Function: Leader
-Motto: “Peace will Come for all Cybertronians“
-Notable Toy: Botcon Exclusive (Hasbro, 2008)
Notes: Not only is this a case of another perfect Botcon exclusive Megatron, but it’s a nice treat to find a North American, albeit limited, release of the smaller size Armada Megatron / Galvatron mold. But what makes this Megatron really stand out is how much his face, from sculpt to paint application, look like the early Marvel Comics renderings. That alone is worth any price.
Transformer of the Day for October 16, 2009
CRUMPLEZONE
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Armada-Energon-Cybertron (2002-2006)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto: “There is No Fear I Cannot Outrun”
-Notable Toy: Voyager (Hasbro, 2006)
Notes: For some reason, I like Crumplezone. I think it might be that his head reminds me a bit of Tankor. I certainly love the shoulder missiles that come into view at the push of a button. But there is something particularly juicy about his “dark” version. The repaints makes a superior toy even better.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy picture.)
Transformer of the Day for October 15, 2009
OVERCAST
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Armada-Energon-Cyberton (2002-2006)
-Function: Evacuation
-Motto: “We Must Fight Alongside Our Enemy Against a Common Threat“
-Notable Toy: Ultra (Hasbro, 2005)
Notes: Each part of the Unicron triology offered something for fans. Armada offered up mini-cons and Unicron. Cybertron gave us a massive tetrajet Starscream and a fresh Soundwave. For Energon, though, it was not the gimmicky spark of combination, but repaints that had new identities, rather than serving as reincarnation of the original figure. In this case, it was nice to bring home a new addition of Overcast, even if he and Jetfire were brothers.
(Apologies and thanks to tfu.info for the toy picture.)
Transformer of the Day for October 14, 2009
DIRGE
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Movie (2007, 2009, 2011)
-Function: Infiltration
-Motto: “You Cannot Catch What You Cannot Find”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 2009)
Notes: Friends of fairplaythings.com are aware of my repudiation of the 2009 movie. But while there were few on-screen characters that peaked my plastic fetish, a fact not aided by the fact that returning characters so closely resembled their 2007 counterparts, the same cannot be said for a number of the non-screen follow-up toys. Given my love of all things Dirge, it’s little surprise that this little wonderful rendition of a Harrier jet would be on my must-have list, right down to his little gold-tipped wings and coned-head.
Transformer of the Day for October 13, 2009
AIR HAMMER
-Faction: Maximal (Fuzor)
-Era: Beast Wars (1996-1998)
-Function: Aerial Reconnaissance
-Motto: “From the Sky, I See; From the Sky, I Strike”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Hasbro, 1998)
Notes: Air Hammer almost makes you wonder why a hammerhead shark and a hawk evolution never came about. Everything from the choice of animals to paint applications seems so natural and smooth. It’s enough to make you wish she had made it onto the silver screen.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com and bbts.com for the toy image.)
Transformer of the Day for October 12, 2009
AIRWAVE
-Faction: Decepticon (Micromaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Aerial Defense
-Motto: “My Price is Too High and You’re Going to Pay”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1989)
Notes: Given their size, Micromasters introduced us to the concept of bases and platforms that had not been previously available to the Transformers. Of course the basis transformered themselves, but what was really fun was their ability to link up to form a kind of Transformers City in their “disguised” form. Airwave’s little airport seemed to work particularly well with him, providing him a massive gun battery as well as a natural hiding place to land.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com and bbts.com for the toy image.)
Transformer of the Day for October 11, 2009
FORTRESS MAXIMUS
-Faction: Autobot (Headmaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Headmaster Leader
-Motto: “Prepare for War but Strive for Peace”
-Notable Toy: Supreme (Takara, 1987)
Notes: Adjusted for inflation, Fortress Maximus was a behometh of a purchase. Costing over $100 back in the day, and sitting at more than two feet tall, he comes with his own crew, namely Cerebros, Cog and Spike. He’s a must buy, particularly if you can get your hands on the Japanese version that comes with a master sword. Because nothing says victory like a giant sword!
Transformer of the Day for October 10, 2009
THUNDERWING
-Faction: Decepticon (Pretender)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Aerial Espionage
-Motto: “Cover Yourself With Lies and No One Will Find You”
-Notable Toy: Mega (Hasbro, 1989)
Notes: Joining the animated Scourge, Thunderwing was also corrupted by the power of the Matrix, which made for an interesting storyline in the U.S. comics. As a result, he has emerged as one of the most memorable of the pretenders. It’s a nice touch that his pretender shell itself is a transformer, of which he can become a part. And of course, he is the basis for the brilliant redesign known as Black Shadow that was available in Japan.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com and bbts.com for the toy image.)
