Transformers Artwork #15

This is toy artwork from the Japanese Generation One toy line. Here is one of the few Decepticons released for Transformers: Zone. This is Metrotitan, a repaint of the Autobot known as Metroplex. In Transformers: Zone, there were nine Decepticon Demon Generals (not including Metrotitan) who served Violenjiger. However, those generals were never released (or rereleased rather as the generals were Devastator, Menasor, Bruticus, Abominus, Trypticon, Overlord, King Poseidon, Predaking, and Black Zarak) as stand alone figures. Only Metrotitan and the Micro Master Race Track Patrol were released as figures to fill out the Decepticon ranks for the line. I'd say even with the massive Metrotitan, the Decepticon forces in toy form were heavily outnumbered against the likes of Dai Atlas, Sonic Bomber, Road Fire, and all of the Autobot Micro Masters.

Generation 2 Returns!

If you read my 100th blog post, you will know that I have a soft spot for Transformers: Generation 2. You can also imagine that I was a happy camper to hear that theme of this year's BotCon will be Transformers: Generation 2! What this means is that the figures for the convention's exclusives will all be homages to the original characters from the Generation 2 years. Right now, only one has been announced, but get ready for more of the crazy neon color schemes. It's going to be a great convention.

Thanks for the Memories HBK

I know, I know. This post will have nothing to do at all with Transformers. However, out of respect for one of my favorite atheletes since my childhood, I had to do this post today. I haven't actively watched wrestling since probably 2004, but I got hooked in January of 2010 when I learned of the return of Bret Hart to the WWE and possibly a final match against Vince McMahon. At the same time, I learned of another story which was going on. As the wrestling world knows by now, last night at Wrestlemania XXVI, The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels wrestled the final match of his career against The Undertaker. From all reports, their rematch from Wrestlemania XXV seems to have been as good as their match of the year from 2009. The stipulation was that it was Undertaker's undefeated Wrestlemania streak versus the twenty-six year career of Shawn Michaels. The only way to win the match was by pin fall or submission. The Undertaker pinned Michaels, extended his streak to 18-0, and ended the career of HBK.

I first started watching Shawn when he tagged with Marty Janetty as part of the Rockers back in the late 1980's. At the time, I saw Shawn Michaels as a Rocker, not a future hall of famer. Like many kids of the day, I enjoyed his matches but I was a huge fan of the immortal Hulk Hogan. Around 1991, I stopped caring altogether for wrestling. In 1998, a friend of mine told me about WCW, and that Hogan and Randy Savage were still wrestling as part of a group called nWo. I tuned into WCW Monday Nitro every week to check it out, and I was hooked. However, over time my enthusiasm dissipated. I got bored with seeing Hogan in the main event every night, the botched return of the Ultimate Warrior left a lot to be desired, and the infamous Finger-poke of Doom really annoyed me. In May 1999, I tuned into Monday Night Raw to give the ol' WWF a try for the first time in about eight years. I saw Shawn Michaels as the commisioner out causing trouble and having a good time. There was definitely something different about this former Rocker.

I learned that he had been a former WWF champion and was actually one of the most decorated champions in the history of the organization. I started renting old tapes of pay-per-views and getting old Wrestlemania videos, and it didn't take long to realize I was watching the wrong wrestler (Hogan) all along. HBK was different as he had untouchable in-ring ability, great mic skills, and was a great entertainer. I must have watched his 60-minute Iron Man match with Bret Hart from Wrestlemania XII several times over. It was unbelievable to me to actually see what real wrestling was all about. In retrospect, Hulk Hogan had a few moves and a strong in-ring presence. He was the super hero, but not a true professional wrestler. HBK and Bret Hart were the guys leading the charge in the 1990's, but HBK was in a league of his own.

Sadly, I learned that Shawn had suffered a career ending back injury at the 1998 Royal Rumble when he was back dropped out of the ring on to a wooden casket (casket match with the Undertaker), and he herniated several discs in his spine and crushed one completely. He was forced into retirement following his Wrestlemania XIV WWF Championship match against Stone Cold Steve Austin. Months after the match, he had a spinal fusion surgery. I thought that I would never have the chance to see HBK in a match. However, after learning about the outlandish antics in his DX days, I wasn't sure if I really wanted to. I wanted to watch wrestling, not smut.

After seeing the results of his drug problems, an ended career when he was at the top of his game, marrying his second wife, and having a young son, Shawn finally realized that something in his life was not right. After an incident where he was pilled up and forgot memories of spending time with his son, he swore off alcohol and drugs. His wife Rebecca had also gotten him involved with church, where Shawn realized that he needed Jesus Christ and the undeserved gift of the sovereign Lord's grace for the forgiveness of sins. Michaels accepted Christ and became a Christian. Unlike a lot celebrities who have claimed to find Christ, Shawn Hickenbottom (Shawn Michaels' real name) seemed to be one who really got it. His life, his attitude, his devotion, it was all different. Long time fans could see Christ in his life. He made an unexpected return to the WWE (formerly WWF) in 2002 as part of the new nWo. When that angle folded, he entered into program with real life best friend Triple H. This was the start of an unexpected in ring return after a four year absence. HBK returned at Summerslam 2002 in a classic Non-sanctioned Street Fight with Triple H. HBK then returned at the 2002 Survivor Series to become the World Heavyweight Champion. Michaels competed on a limited basis until his classic match with Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania XIX. After that, Michaels finally returned full time to professional wrestling.

Since 2002, Shawn Michaels has competed in some of the best matches the WWE has ever seen (most at Wrestlemania). The second half of his career was arguably as good, if not better, than the first. Shawn had matured as a man and as a performer to a level which many wrestlers never achieve. Although I am saddened to see Shawn Michaels hang up the boots for good and I will be a fan who will always want to see just one more match, I am thankful for having so many great memories of Shawn throughout my life time. His final match against one of the all time greats in the Undertaker was a great way to end his career. You also have to respect the man for knowing when his time had come. Many wrestlers like Hogan and Flair are still going when they should have called it quits eight years ago. HBK went out while he was still at the top of his game. In this fan's mind, there is only one showstopper, one icon, and one main event in professional wrestling. He will always be The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels. Thanks HBK for 26 years of wrestling memories.

Career Highlights:

-5 time Tag Team Champion

-3 time Intercontinental Champion

-1 time European Champion

-2 time winner of the Royal Rumble

-first ever Grand Slam Champion

-4 time World Champion

-10 time winner of Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Match of the Year award (this covers all promotions world wide)

Transformers Artwork #14

It has been a super long time since I posted any artwork from the Transformers. Here is an image from the Dreamwave Comics era. This features the powerful Decepticon army in the new art style by artist Pat Lee. This was a great image because it featured all of the legendary characters from the pre-movie era from the early 1980's. It was also the first time the characters had been seen in print form for over six years. Great piece.

2009 Soundwave Reissue

I met with a friend of mine this morning who had some memories of the classic Transformers from when he was a kid. I decided to dedicate this post to that conversation. At the 2009 San Diego Comic Con, Hasbro released an exclusive figure as part of the Transformers: Universe series. They rereleased the original Soundwave from 1984 with four of his cassette warriors (Ravage, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, and Ratbat). If you are a fan of classic G1 figures, this was the reissue to get. He came in a slick package sporting the 25th Anniversary logo, and Soundwave was proudly displayed in robot mode. He also sported the same dye-cast metal pieces. Although Soundwave definitely couldn't be in disguise in today's modern world (unless he transformed to cassette-deck mode in an antique store), he is still to this day one of the most beloved characters of the original series. I think Hasbro sold this version for a brief period in their online store after Comic Con, but wherever it is or was sold, I highly recommend picking up Soundwave if you can get your hands on him. He is truly one of the all time classics of the Transformers franchise.

Seasons 3 & 4 To Be Released In April

The final DVD box set of the original Generation One adventures of the Transformers is due out in April of 2010. This is exciting because all 98 episodes of the original series have been remastered with corrected animation and fixes to the sound that was butchered in the Kid Rhino releases. Also, this set will be available at a much cheaper price (until the announcement of this release, the season 3 part 2 set was running close to $90.00 on Amazon at the cheapest), and fans will be able to get the entire third season and the three episode fourth season/ U.S. series finale in one box set with a host of new bonus features. Kid Rhino had broken the season up into two parts. Shout! Factory has done an excellent job with their re-issues of the original series, and if you are a fan, you shouldn't miss out on this last box set.

It was drastically different from the first two seasons and it picked up directly after the 1986 movie. Optimus Prime is dead and Megatron has been recreated by Unicron as the mighty Galvatron. Rodimus Prime is the new leader of the Autobots, and he is uncertain of his own role or leadership abilities. Also, the series was thrown twenty years into the future in the far off year of 2005 (we still don't have hover cars or an Earth Defense Force, and it's 2010). It threw off a lot of fans as most of the characters that fans had grown to love (Prime, Ironhide, Brawn, Starscream, etc.) had been killed off in the movie, and the adventures of the Transformers were now on different planets and Cybertron with a host of new characters. However, there were so many new elements in season three that added to the overall story (i.e. the real origin of the Transformers, the Quintessons, Starscream's ghost, the Headmasters, etc.), it was hard to not like this season/ series. Also, Optimus Prime would return by the end of the series, which made a lot of parents happy. If you can get past the big changes and the terrible animation for the first half of the season, you are bound to find the last great Transformers series until 2008's Transformers: Animated. I have always found it best to think of season three as an entirely different series because, let's be honest, it sure felt like one. In fact, in Japan it was treated as a separate series.

Generation 2 Drag Strip

This is another one of those ultra expensive, ultra rare Transformers from the Generation 2 era. Drag Strip was originally planned to be rereleased with the other Stunticons and Protectobots as part of the Transformers: Generation 2 toy line, but all of those figures were ultimately cancelled. Only a few carded samples of the Stunticon limbs (minus the BotCon exclusive Breakdown which has many samples) are known to exist. Drag Strip is a direct remold of the original figure from Generation One. The only difference is he has an entirely new color scheme. He is one of the few Generation 2 combiner repaints that actually looked good with a new color scheme. If you find him on eBay, be prepared to pay a fortune for him (say, well over $5,000).

Roll For It

After taking a short hiatus, here is another entry for the ol' blog. This entry is for the fifth episode of the original Transformers animated series entitled Roll For It. This episode definitely ranks as one of my favorite episodes of the original cartoon. After Megatron's apparent destruction after being pulled into the Space Bridge, Starscream has taken control of the Decepticons. He leads an attack on a power plant, but he is thwarted by Optimus Prime and the Autobots. After their defeat, Prowl and Bluestreak follow the Decepticons as they go to make repairs on themselves. Meanwhile, back on Cybertron, it is revealed that Megatron is in fact alive. He tells Shockwave that he must get back to Earth as he fears what damage Starscream is doing in his absence. He contacts his Earth bound forces, and tells Starscream and Thundercracker that their plan to steal the anti-matter formula will take place when he returns. Megatron then takes the Space Bridge back to Earth.

Rumble meets Megatron, and reports that Reflector is getting the access codes to the laboratory where the formula is housed. Bumblebee and Spike arrive at the same lab with their new ally Chip Chase. The professor gives Chip a disk which will allow his home computer to connect to the lab. After they leave, they are attacked by Laserbeak. After Bumblebee escapes, Megatron decides to attack the lab at once rather than wait for Starscream, Thundercracker, and Soundwave. Prowl and Bluestreak follow Starscream to a jet hanger where they are getting parts to repair themselves. The two are outnumbered, and Soundwave damages Prowl. Prowl then links up with another computer (Chip's) as his battle computer is off line. Chip them "pilots" Prowl, and he and Bluestreak defeat Starscream, Thundercracker, and Soundwave. Meanwhile, Megatron learns that the professor has transfered the anti-matter to Chip's computer. He orders Starscream's squad to find the computer and steal the formula. Chip hears the Decepticons arrive, so he decides to rip up the disc that now contains the formula. Soundwave sends Ravage to capture Chip.

Starscream and company bring Chip to the lab as Optimus Prime and the Autobots arrive. Soundwave scans Chip's brain, and extracts the anti-matter formula. Megatron then orders for Chip's termination. Meanwhile, Prime then enacts a plan to rescue Chip and hopefully stop the Decepticons. Hound and Mirage distract Rumble, and infiltrate the lab with Spike and Bumblebee. The Autobots rescue Chip, and Optimus Prime smashes through the main wall to bring in the other Autobots. However, Megatron detonates a newly created anti-matter Energon Cube and nearly destroys the lab. The Autobots are all heavily damaged, and they retreat to the Ark for repairs. The Decepticons then try to attack the Ark with Megatron absorbing several anti-matter Energon Cubes to become a powerful weapon in gun mode. Wheeljack creates a new device to take over a Decepticon's motor systems, and after Chip attached it to Skywarp (who was using Megatron in gun mode), he fires on the Decepticons. At the same time, the anti-matter is becoming unstable forcing Megatron to abandon it before it explodes within his body. The Decepticons retreat, and the Autobots welcome Chip officially as their new friend and ally.

As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, this episode is one of my favorites. It had a good story, introduced a mainstay character, and the animation was excellent. The episode had a more anime feel than the first four episodes. Unfortunately, after this episode, the animation for season one took a bit of a dive until The Ultimate Doom and Heavy Metal War. This is one of the best episodes of season one to check out.

Post #100!! Reflections on Generation 2

I can't believe this will be my 100th blog post. I know that's not really a big deal, but it is fun to see that I have been blogging this long. I thought for today's post, I would take a look back on probably the one toy line outside of Generation One that had a huge impact on me as a fan. That toy line was 1992's Transformers: Generation 2.

Around 1990, the Transformers brand was dead in the United States. It was still going in Europe and Japan, but in the U.S. it was finished. There were no new toys, comics, or television shows. Also, the line had really gone on out on what many fans would call a low note. The toy line ended with the non-transforming Action Masters and more Micro Masters. There were also the K-Mart Legends, but that was all. The comic book had also ceased printing by this time or by early 1991. The comic ended well, but with everything else in the Transformers franchise gone and the toys being sent to the clearance aisle, there really wasn't much left for the robots in disguise.

In 1992, Hasbro decided to take a stab at reviving the Transformers name in the United States. Hasbro knew that the Transformers brand was a popular one in the 1980's. Maybe they also realized that they strayed too far from the original concept, who knows. They launched a revived Transformers toy line in 1992 with Transformers: Generation 2! In order to capture the magic of the original series, the first wave of toys were all remolds and redecos of a handful of original toys. The first wave consisted of Autobots: Optimus Prime, Jazz, Inferno, Sideswipe, Grimlock, Slag, and Snarl. Also, the first wave saw the Decepticons: Starscream, Ramjet, Scavenger, Mixmaster, Long Haul, Bonecrusher, Hook, and Scrapper (the six Constructicons could combine to form Devastator). The toys were a huge success. This lead to more original molds of several mini-bots being released in the first year. Also, Hasbro imported several European exclusive Autobots and Decepticons to flesh out the first year with all new Autobot cars and Decepticon jets. Megatron was also pulled in with an all new mold and he was now able to transform into a tank.

The line's success pushed Hasbro to relaunch the original animated series (now dubbed Transformers: Generation 2), and relaunch the Marvel comic book (also now known as Transformers: Generation 2). The first season of the show ran on the weekends with episodes selected to promote the current figures. The comics continued the original story, and Marvel did a great job with the new story lines and for growing up the Transformers and making the story much darker. With all of the success of the first year, Hasbro released more remolds in second year with the Airealbots and Combaticons. They also released new molds called the Laser Rods and Rotor Force, and the triple-changing Dreadwing. There were also new molds for Combat Optimus Prime and Combat Megatron. The cartoon was picked up for a second season (now airing every weekday), and the comic book continued on.

By year three, the line had run out of steam. The animated series ended after season two and the comic book ended after only twelve issues. The year three toys were also highly disappointing with the not so interesting Gobots and Autorollers. The Cyberjets did introduce ball and socket joint design to the line which allowed for more articulated figures and more complex transformations in the future. The last great figure to be released was Laser Rod Optimus Prime. With the line fizzling out, Hasbro passed the Transformers property to its boys' division, Kenner to try and breathe new life into the fading Transformers. The line would be reborn in 1996 with Beast Wars, which helped catapult the franchise to an undying phenomenon that is still going strong in 2010.

Why did I write about Transformers: Generation 2? Wasn't Generation One the reason I became such a huge fan? Well...yes and no. Generation One was a fond memory from my childhood. I loved watching the adventures of the Transformers on television and video cassette, loved the movie, read the comics, and enjoyed taking my custom Autobot and Decepticon armies into battle. Transformers: Generation 2 is what got me hooked all over again, but it was in a new way. Generation 2 allowed me to really dive into those great memories, collect classic toys I was too young to have in 1984, and it came at a time when I could truly appreciate the nostalgia. As my Transformers hobby continues to fade into the past, I can always look back on the years of Generation 2 fondly. I will always remember the surprise of seeing the toys return to the toy shelves, choosing Mixmaster over Jazz at Wal-Mart, waking up early on Saturday morning to see Heavy Metal War for the first time, getting new Transformers for my birthday, or even my parents surprising randomly with the Generation 2 rerelease of Optimus Prime. It was a great run, and I will remember those years fondly.

Transformers #68

Don't let the decent looking art on the cover fool you. There are no words to describe the absolute terrible nature of this issue. I don't have any complaints with the writing of Simon Furman, but the artwork done by Dwayne Turner is without a doubt the worst, most disgusting, wretched, filthy, vomit inducing abomination to ever disgrace any Transformers comic. For Turner's Transformers artwork alone, this comic is terrible despite a good story.

This story is called The Human Factor. It brings back long time human character G.B. Blackrock (he was a main character in the early run of the comics). He is currently looking for a man named Hector who has a unique power to tap into energy sources and create powerful energy bursts. This man had singlehandedly defeated the Decepticon Micro Master Air Strike Patrol. In fact, it looks as if this super human knocked them off line for good. Blackrock has also assembled a new team of super humans (The Neo-Knights) to aid him. Currently, there are two members, Thunderpunch and Rapture. Meanwhile, Starscream appears and is also searching for Hector as he wishes to tap the powers of the human for his own purposes. At the same time, Starscream is being tracked by another robot.

Hector is located by Josie Becker (a.k.a. Circuit Breaker). She tries to get him to to join her in destroying all robots, and she tells him her story of how the robots ruined her life (Shockwave attacked an oil rig she worked on way back in Transformers #6, which resulted in her becoming paralyzed and forced to rely on her exo-armor to move). At this moment, Starscream and the Neo-Knights locate them. Circuit Breaker attacks Starscream (she remembers him from issue #9). The Neo-Knights battle Starscream and defeat him. All three sides state their desire for Hector. Starscream offers him power, Circuit Breaker offers him fame, and Blackrock offers the chance for him to fight for what is right. Hector decides to join the Neo-Knights as Dynamo, and Circuit Breaker decides to focus her grudge on only the Decepticons and also joins the team. When Starscream awakens after being placed in a trance by Rapture, he discovers that the robot who has been following him is none other than the long thought dead Shockwave who offers to join with Starscream to take over the leadership of the Decepticons!

The story is pretty good in that it introduces the Neo-Knights, follows Starscream's new schemes for Decepticon leadership, and reintroduces Shockwave. All of these characters will actually play a large part throughout the remainder of the comic's run. However, Turner's artwork is again just awful. He didn't do bad with the human characters, but his depiction of the Transformers literally ruined this issue. I simply can't read because of the terrible artwork. Again, this is sad because the story is actually interesting. It's one thing to have a bad story (parts 1 & 2 of the Matrix Quest), but if you have a good story with art that makes you want to be ill, that's not a good combination. If you can stomach Starscream looking like ... who knows what, you will enjoy the comic's story. However, you have been warned. To the best of my knowledge, because of the negative reaction to Turner's artwork, he NEVER again did the artwork for ANY issue of Transformers over the next twenty years (it seriously was that bad). Simon Furman has also gone on record saying this was the only issue he has ever worked on that he was disappointed entirely by the results. I guess it goes to show that you really can't judge a book by its cover.

European Classics Brawl

After Prime and Sideswipe, why not take a look at one more European exclusive before moving on? This is the European Classics re-release of the Decepticon known as Brawl. The figure is exactly the same as the original release with all of the metal parts and the same molding. To transform him from tank to robot, you pull up the turret, pull back the rear section and flip it back to form the legs, flip down the front section of the tank to form the chest, and the sides of the front section form the arms. Brawl in his Generation One incarnation had a pretty bland paint job for a good figure design. However, once he was combined with his fellow Combaticons to form Bruticus, his bland colors didn't seem bland any more and seemed to fit right in with the powerful warrior. Great toy.

European Classics Optimus Prime

I just posted on the European exclusive Sideswipe, but I had to make a quick post about a line that would have been awesome to see in the United States in 1991. This toy line was the European Classics line which featured re-releases of classic figures from the Transformers Generation One universe from 1984-1987 in 1990 and 1991. This release was of Optimus Prime!

The toy is exactly the same as the original 1984 version. It features the same Optimus Prime mold, all of the same parts, the same die-cast metal, and the same rubber tires. The difference was that this figure featured all new packaging, and it was brought back for a new generation of fans. I remember back in the mid 1990's when eBay was taking off, and I would see this figure up for sale. I always asked myself why Prime was packaged in this way. I got my answer years later after learning of the European Classics line. Fortunately, Hasbro brought the classic toys back in the early 2000's (although over priced) with the Commemorative Series at Toys r Us!

Action Master Sideswipe

I will always believe that one of the great tragedies of the Generation One line was that Hasbro discontinued it in the United States. I understand the line was failing in the U.S. by 1990, but they sure did release some awesome figures in 1991 and 1992 over seas in Europe. Some of those figures included the fantastic former Japanese exclusive Overlord, the Autobot Brain Masters, re-releases of the original toys as the first "Classics", and all new Action Masters. One such Action Master was Sideswipe.

Like all of the previous Action Masters, Sideswipe was designed to be similar in his look to his original animated counterpart. Hasbro did a great job of blending the classic toy version of him with the animated version for a great looking figure. He is painted in primarily red and white with his black helmet. His Action Master partner (like most of them) was just ridiculous. He came with a tank which transformed into a helmet and battle armor. Call it what you want, I think Sideswipe would have gotten decimated by the Decepticons if he went into battle with that thing. Excellent figure, but a really dumb accessory.

Windcharger

Another classic Autobot Mini-bot from the early days of Generation One! Windcharger was featured heavily in the first season of the animated series. His toy was really neat, and as with all Mini-bots, really simple to transform. You simply unfold the legs and flip up the arms. Like I mentioned, quick and easy. Both his car and robot modes looked pretty slick with the red and black color schemes. As with most of the Mini-bots, his toy robot mode looked slightly different from his animated robot mode (mainly in the face). In the animated series, Windcharger would meet his end in Transformers: The Movie off screen. Arcee was seen dragging Windcharger's body to safety after he had already been deactivated.

Transformers #67

With the Matrix Quest's conclusion, the story of this issue jumps into the then future of 2009 and another dimension in Rhythms of Darkness. In this one possible future, the Decepticons have defeated the Autobots and have taken over North America. As the story opens, the mighty Galvatron emerges from the ocean with the Monster Pretenders to enter the crown jewel of his empire, the ravaged New York City. The Decepticons continue to destroy the city while Galavatron taunts his long since deactivated foe Rodimus Prime who has been strung up between the two towers of the World Trade Center.

Outside of the city, a small band of the remaining Autobot forces (Jazz, Prowl, Inferno, Chainclaw, Crossblades, Guzzle, and Getaway) flee with human military members Spike Witwicky and Lisa. Spike continues to challenge the Autobots to keep fighting, but Jazz had heard enough. He states that there is nothing left to fight for as Unicron had destroyed Cybertron and basically gave the Earth to the Decepticons. The humans argue, and Lisa confronts Prowl reminding them of their responsibility to protect the planet to which they brought their war. The Autobots then decide to attack the Decepticon fortress in New York City as a final act to save North America from a nuclear strike designed to wipe out both the Decepticon menace and the entire continent (all human and Autobot survivors included).

Cyclonus and Scourge are wandering around the outside of the Decepticon fortress when they are attacked by Getaway. The battle begins and one by one the Autobots fall. Galvatron's rage is taken out on his own troops for letting the Autobots get as far as they did, and he even destroys Cyclonus entirely. Jazz keeps Galvatron distracted while Spike scales the Decepticon tower to fly the American flag. Military leaders monitoring the fortress see the flag, and realize that there are still fighters against the Decepticons, so they call off their nuclear attack. At that moment, Hook, Line, and Sinker appear and take Galvatron from this reality to theirs. With Galvatron gone, Jazz, Prowl, and Inferno lead the charge to wipe out the remaining Decepticons and save the planet.

After the less than excellent Matrix Quest, this is Simon Furman returning to form with an excellent story that pulls Galvatron into the mix of the coming of Unicron. This issue was well written with good artwork. They also managed to pull in other characters who had not yet appeared in the comics or in the actual Marvel comic continuity. Although he was dead and in pieces, it was great to know Rodimus Prime had a place in the series as well as seeing the Monster Pretenders. This was a great issue, and the events of this issue will definitely have an impact on the looming menace of Unicron.

Warpath

Alright, first things first. Warpath is a truly a classic character from the original animated series, but this toy has some of the worst looking character box art I have ever seen! Not a great way to start this spotlight, but I have never been able to get over just how weird he looks on the package.

The toy itself looks similar, but it doesn't look as disjointed. He transforms from a tank to a robot. The tank mode looks good with its red paint job and gray treads. There is not much else to it in terms of paint apps. To transform him, you pull back on the rear section of the tank, flip it up to form the legs and feet, flip up the arms, and flip up the head. Another simple Mini-bot transformation. The robot mode looks similar to the box art as the arms rest lower on the body. He doesn't look bad though (definitely not in the same category of ugly as Wheelie).

The character played a prominent role in the second season of the cartoon. He is characterized by his love of action and his awkward word choices (i.e. "Let's go baaaash some Decepticons. Wham, bam!"). One of my favorite lines in the series came in the third season and it was delivered by Warpath. After many episodes and adventures with him constantly wanting in on the action and throwing out his sound-effect words, Warpath got left behind by the Aerialbots as they were chasing Scourge and Starscream's ghost. "Aerialbots...wait for...uh...oh..nevermind."

Transformers Artwork #13

This image is a classic poster from the days of Transformers: The Movie. To my knowledge, this was the Japanese poster used for the film when in finally hit Japan in 1990. The artwork is excellent and features Rodimus Prime with his comrades under the gaze of Unicron. I loved the style used for the artwork. It definitely has a Japanese feel, but also a hint of realism in its depiction of the characters. Too bad Michael Bay couldn't draw on this for inspiration. This image was also used on the Japanese video releases of the film.

Acid Storm

This was one of my favorite figures from the Transformers: Universe (also known as Classics 2.0) toy line. Acid Storm is a new Decepticon Seeker who is part of a subgroup called the Rain Makers. Although a toy has never been released for this character until the 2008 toy line, he is based on one of the Seekers from the Generation One animated series. He only appeared once in the season one episode Divide and Conquer.

The toy is really slick. He is exactly the same mold as the previous Classics Starscream/ Skywarp figures. His color scheme is what makes him stand out. His paint job is all camouflage, with some brown Decepticon insignias on the wings and tail fins. To transform him, you remove the wing guns, pull the top side of jet back, turn and flip the nose cone, flip back the top of the cone to reveal the head, flip the wings, pull out the arms, pull down the legs, rotate the tail fins, and flip down the feet. Classics figures were based on the original toy transformations and designs (although much better looking and more articulated), but their transformations were more complex.

Acid Storm is an all around great figure. Although it would be nice to get Thundercracker and Dirge released to complete the Seeker set, it was great to see a new toy for this little known character. There is a ray of hope to completing the Seekers in the U.S. With the all new Transformers: Generations (Classics 3.0) toy line coming soon, Hasbro is finally releasing Thrust in the U.S. Only two more Seekers to go!

Long Lost VHS Identified!

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you may remember that I posted on a Kid Rhino VHS release that I had never seen before which showed up randomly in an auction on eBay. I just discovered what that tape was. It was an exclusive video release for Blockbuster Video which contained not only the three part "More Than Meets The Eye" pilot episodes, but it also featured the episodes "Aerial Assault" and "Cosmic Rust". I know this isn't a big news flash or really interesting item, but I was just surprised to learn what the tape was.