Beasties! Eat them Up Yum! - Collectible of the Week Pt. 3
Collectible of the Week Part 3
BEAST WARS PLACE MAT
-Special Features: Autographs Not Included
-Manufacturer and Year: Alliance Atlantic, 1997
-Key Words: Transformers, Beast Wars, Placemat
The Story So Far:
To promote the 1997 release of “Beast Wars: A Feature Length Beasties Adventure” on VHS in the Canadian market, Alliance Atlantic had an interesting promotion. If you bought the VHS tape and clipped the proof of purchase located on the back, and sent along a defined amount to coverage postage ($2.95, if memory serves), they would send you a bilingual plastic dinner place mat feature all your favourite Maximals and Predacons.
What can I say? Having infrequent viewing patterns, I took advantage of the chance to bring home a video cassette of my favourite beastformers, clipped the POP and sent the cash. Four to eight weeks later, I received my placemat, which promptly was put back in the original bubble envelop and buried in with other memento gathered here and there. Which is pretty much where it lived for the next half dozen or so years, coming out occasionally during a move, and then going back into the original bubble envelop until the next time it saw the light of day
So that’s I came to get my hands on this particular artifact. The story of its defiling is a little more interesting.
Fast forward to 2002 and the first Canadian Transformers convention takes place in Hamilton, Ontario. Having never ventured to the U.S. for a Botcon, how could I not go to a TF-focused toy show literally in my own backyard. And it was such a good time that I went to the next two, in 2003 (in Hamilton) and 2004 (when TFCon made the switch to Toronto for the first time). Two years later and attendance and space had tripled, and the con was able to bring about its first real guest, the voice of Beasties Megatron myself, David Kaye. Needing something to have autographed, so I of course grabbed my Complete first season on DVD to take with me for David to sign.
I completely forgot about the placemat. Dummy.
Fast forward again to September 2006. I had seriously considered going down for Botcon 2005 in Texas. But I just couldn’t quite bring myself to part with the money required, particularly having just come back from a month long trek in Europe in the Spring (that prevented me from attending that year’s TFCon and affording me the chance to have Gary Chalk’s autograph on the DVD package.) In the end, the events and Fresco weren’t quite enough, and I stayed put. But 2006 was a different story for three reasons. One, the toys (which to be fair had been pretty enticing in 2005 with Ironhide, Ratchet and Deathsaurus) blew me away. The theme was pre-Beast Wars and, having been lured back into Transformers by Canadian produced Beasties, I could not resist the theme. Two, they were going to have the first of their customizing classes and I was keen on picking up new skills. And three, to go along with the theme, they were bringing in Beast Wars guests by the (not quite half) dozen in the forms of Scott McNeil (Rattrap, Dinobot, Silverbolt and Waspinator), Richard Newman (Rhinox), Blu Mankuma (Tigatron, Tigerhawk), and Pauline Newstone (Airazor).
So off I go to my first Botcon, but not before dragging out the DVD collection to get autographed. And somewhere, in the recesses of my mind, I remember the placemat. Truth be told, I’d remembered it in 2004 too, but I think I was in the hotel room getting ready to go out to see Danko Jones at Lee’s Palace and four hours away from doing anything about it. But the fates were kind to me, I was able to remember this time, and the results were pretty cool. There were quite a few impressive noises from the cast to what turned out to be a relatively unique artifact. So I was pretty pleased with myself.
Of course I was now completely hooked on Botcons, so there really wasn’t much discussion about attending the next one in 2007, at which David Kaye (by now having added the voice of Animated Optimus Prime to his considerable repotoire) was in attendance. So I got to make up for past mistakes and add his autograph to the lot.
Suffice to say the bubble envelop is long since lost, and the placemat hangs in my overcrowded study for all to see.
(And if you really want to see the fun that this crowd of actors can have, check out this video I took of them goofing around in 2006: On the merits of a hammer, a ferret and a roulette wheel.)
It has always sort of cracked me up that the show was called Beasties in CA. Did the opening theme song shout “Beasties!” where the US show said “Beast Wars!”?
Comment by E — January 20, 2010 @ 8:21 am
Actually, it did. I’ll try and upload a version sometime.
Comment by fairplaythings — January 22, 2010 @ 10:20 pm
My spouse and i got very delighted Emmanuel managed to do his basic research from your ideas he gained from your own blog. It is now and again perplexing just to continually be handing out procedures that people may have been making money from. So we take into account we have got you to be grateful to for that. The type of illustrations you’ve made, the easy website menu, the relationships your site help instill - it is many terrific, and it’s really helping our son and the family reason why the content is awesome, and that is quite vital. Many thanks for the whole thing!
Comment by jordan outlet — November 16, 2023 @ 7:17 pm
I wanted to send a small remark to be able to thank you for all of the fabulous tips you are sharing at this website. My time intensive internet look up has now been rewarded with incredibly good suggestions to share with my colleagues. I would suppose that we site visitors are undoubtedly lucky to dwell in a good network with so many outstanding professionals with interesting solutions. I feel very fortunate to have used your weblog and look forward to really more brilliant moments reading here. Thanks once again for everything.
Comment by golden goose outlet — December 2, 2023 @ 12:05 am
I have to show appreciation to the writer for rescuing me from this situation. Because of checking throughout the internet and obtaining notions that were not beneficial, I believed my life was gone. Being alive devoid of the solutions to the issues you have fixed all through your article is a serious case, and those that would have badly damaged my career if I had not encountered your web page. Your primary knowledge and kindness in controlling every item was priceless. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t discovered such a point like this. I am able to at this point look forward to my future. Thanks a lot so much for the specialized and result oriented guide. I won’t think twice to propose the website to any individual who would like guidance on this matter.
Comment by palm angels outlet — December 20, 2023 @ 12:21 am
I truly wanted to write down a simple remark to express gratitude to you for all the splendid tactics you are placing at this website. My prolonged internet investigation has now been compensated with wonderful concept to go over with my friends and family. I would express that we visitors are extremely endowed to dwell in a good site with very many perfect professionals with very helpful guidelines. I feel rather privileged to have used the site and look forward to many more enjoyable minutes reading here. Thank you again for all the details.
Comment by hermes outlet — December 27, 2023 @ 4:14 am
I am just writing to let you understand of the great discovery my cousin’s girl went through reading through your webblog. She picked up numerous issues, with the inclusion of what it is like to have an ideal helping spirit to have many more without hassle grasp specific specialized issues. You really surpassed people’s expected results. I appreciate you for producing the helpful, trusted, informative and even fun tips about the topic to Evelyn.
Comment by jordan outlet — December 29, 2023 @ 10:53 am
I wanted to post you that very small observation to finally thank you yet again for those nice solutions you’ve shown at this time. This has been seriously generous with people like you to provide publicly just what a lot of folks could have distributed as an e-book in making some profit for themselves, mostly now that you could have done it in the event you desired. Those suggestions additionally worked like a great way to understand that most people have similar interest much like my own to understand good deal more concerning this problem. I am sure there are thousands of more pleasant opportunities ahead for individuals who looked over your website.
Comment by hermes bag — December 30, 2023 @ 4:35 pm
My spouse and i felt now relieved that Raymond could conclude his survey through your ideas he had while using the web pages. It’s not at all simplistic just to possibly be handing out tactics which often some other people may have been selling. So we fully grasp we now have the blog owner to appreciate for this. The entire illustrations you made, the simple site navigation, the friendships you make it possible to engender - it is everything impressive, and it’s really assisting our son in addition to us understand the idea is awesome, and that is particularly serious. Many thanks for the whole lot!
Comment by off white outlet — January 1, 2024 @ 5:31 pm
Needed to post you that tiny remark to help give thanks over again about the awesome methods you have provided above. It was so particularly generous with you to make easily precisely what numerous people would have offered for sale for an electronic book in making some cash for their own end, most notably considering that you could have done it if you ever decided. Those pointers also worked as the easy way to realize that other people have the same dreams just like my personal own to learn great deal more in terms of this problem. I believe there are a lot more pleasant situations in the future for those who read through your site.
Comment by hermes bag — January 3, 2024 @ 4:34 am
I just wanted to write a quick message to be able to express gratitude to you for the stunning guidelines you are sharing on this website. My extended internet research has at the end been recognized with professional facts and techniques to go over with my co-workers. I would suppose that many of us website visitors are unquestionably endowed to exist in a good community with very many special individuals with very beneficial principles. I feel quite fortunate to have come across your entire web site and look forward to so many more exciting minutes reading here. Thanks once again for all the details.
Comment by paul george shoes — January 4, 2024 @ 11:06 am
I precisely wanted to say thanks once again. I do not know what I would’ve undertaken in the absence of those pointers provided by you over my industry. Entirely was an absolute terrifying situation in my view, nevertheless taking a look at a new specialised way you solved that forced me to weep with gladness. Now i’m thankful for your assistance and in addition sincerely hope you know what an amazing job that you’re accomplishing training the rest through the use of your webpage. More than likely you have never got to know any of us.
Comment by fear of god essentials hoodie — January 5, 2024 @ 5:56 pm
Spot on with this write-up, I really think this web site wants much more consideration. I?l most likely be once more to read way more, thanks for that info.
Comment by golden goose sneakers men — January 6, 2024 @ 7:07 pm
I enjoy you because of all your valuable labor on this website. My aunt delights in carrying out research and it is easy to see why. All of us know all concerning the dynamic form you offer both useful and interesting tactics through this web site and therefore improve response from the others on the situation and our child is undoubtedly becoming educated a whole lot. Enjoy the rest of the year. Your doing a splendid job.
Comment by supreme clothing — January 6, 2024 @ 11:47 pm
Thanks a lot for giving everyone an exceptionally breathtaking opportunity to check tips from this website. It really is so awesome and as well , jam-packed with amusement for me and my office colleagues to visit your blog at the least three times weekly to find out the latest stuff you will have. Of course, I’m just usually contented concerning the powerful hints you give. Certain 3 tips on this page are in truth the best I’ve had.
Comment by jordan outlet — January 8, 2024 @ 9:32 am
I precisely wished to say thanks again. I do not know the things that I might have accomplished without the entire tips and hints shared by you concerning such situation. It seemed to be the terrifying setting for me, but encountering your specialised strategy you treated it forced me to cry over gladness. I am grateful for your information and thus hope that you know what a powerful job that you are putting in training most people through the use of a web site. Most likely you have never met all of us.
Comment by goyard store — January 9, 2024 @ 2:35 pm
I would like to show thanks to this writer for rescuing me from such a incident. After looking through the online world and obtaining techniques which were not pleasant, I was thinking my life was well over. Being alive without the presence of answers to the problems you have fixed through your review is a crucial case, as well as those which could have in a negative way damaged my career if I had not noticed the blog. Your personal knowledge and kindness in dealing with every part was very helpful. I’m not sure what I would have done if I had not discovered such a thing like this. I can at this moment look ahead to my future. Thanks so much for your professional and result oriented guide. I will not hesitate to suggest your web site to anyone who needs and wants assistance on this issue.
Comment by fear of god essentials hoodie — January 10, 2024 @ 7:46 pm
I simply needed to appreciate you once again. I’m not certain what I would have taken care of in the absence of those tips and hints shared by you regarding this field. Entirely was an absolute troublesome issue in my view, nevertheless coming across your well-written mode you managed that made me to jump over gladness. Extremely happy for this work and as well , hope that you know what an amazing job you were getting into educating people using your website. I am certain you haven’t met all of us.
Comment by curry shoes — January 12, 2024 @ 1:39 am
I want to convey my admiration for your kindness supporting those people who really need help on your area. Your personal dedication to passing the solution all-around turned out to be unbelievably beneficial and has regularly empowered regular people much like me to attain their goals. The warm and friendly facts means so much a person like me and somewhat more to my fellow workers. Thanks a lot; from everyone of us.
Comment by bape — January 13, 2024 @ 6:55 am
Thanks for all your effort on this website. My aunt takes pleasure in going through research and it’s really simple to grasp why. My partner and i hear all regarding the dynamic method you make rewarding techniques through this web blog and welcome contribution from website visitors on the point then our favorite daughter is actually learning a great deal. Take pleasure in the remaining portion of the year. You are carrying out a superb job.
Comment by off white outlet — January 14, 2024 @ 2:13 pm
I wanted to create you the very little observation to finally say thanks a lot once again for your personal unique methods you’ve discussed here. This is simply incredibly open-handed with people like you to allow unhampered all some people would have offered for sale for an e-book in order to make some money on their own, notably seeing that you could have tried it in the event you considered necessary. The smart ideas likewise worked as the easy way to understand that the rest have the same keenness similar to mine to learn a good deal more with reference to this condition. Certainly there are many more enjoyable sessions in the future for those who take a look at your blog.
Comment by kyrie 7 — January 15, 2024 @ 5:10 pm
I actually wanted to jot down a brief word in order to appreciate you for some of the awesome tips and hints you are placing at this site. My extended internet search has now been rewarded with sensible concept to exchange with my friends. I ‘d admit that many of us readers actually are very much lucky to dwell in a superb site with many marvellous individuals with very beneficial strategies. I feel extremely grateful to have come across your website page and look forward to plenty of more pleasurable minutes reading here. Thanks once again for a lot of things.
Comment by off white nike — January 16, 2024 @ 5:09 pm
It? arduous to seek out knowledgeable folks on this matter, but you sound like you realize what you?e talking about! Thanks
Comment by golden goose purestar — January 17, 2024 @ 4:06 pm
I am writing to make you be aware of what a awesome discovery my wife’s princess gained studying your site. She realized plenty of details, most notably what it is like to possess an ideal giving nature to let a number of people just know precisely selected complex topics. You undoubtedly did more than readers’ expectations. Many thanks for providing such useful, trustworthy, informative and even unique thoughts on this topic to Gloria.
Comment by bape clothing outlet — January 17, 2024 @ 5:42 pm
I truly wanted to write a small note to be able to say thanks to you for all the magnificent tricks you are showing on this site. My long internet research has now been rewarded with awesome ideas to exchange with my close friends. I would admit that most of us readers are undoubtedly lucky to live in a very good network with so many special individuals with insightful tactics. I feel extremely privileged to have used your entire website and look forward to some more thrilling moments reading here. Thanks a lot once again for all the details.
Comment by chrome hearts outlet — January 18, 2024 @ 7:35 pm
I wish to show appreciation to the writer for bailing me out of such a setting. Just after looking through the the net and seeing things which are not beneficial, I figured my life was well over. Living devoid of the answers to the difficulties you have sorted out all through your good review is a crucial case, as well as those that might have negatively affected my career if I hadn’t encountered the website. Your expertise and kindness in controlling every item was invaluable. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had not encountered such a thing like this. I can at this point look ahead to my future. Thanks very much for this expert and sensible help. I will not hesitate to propose the sites to any person who desires guidelines on this problem.
Comment by jordan shoes — January 19, 2024 @ 8:36 pm