Machine Wars Sandstorm

The first of the two larger Autobots for the Machine Wars toy line is Sandstorm. In the original Generation One toy line, Sandstorm was a triple changer, transforming for dune buggy to helicopter to robot. He also sported an orange and yellow color scheme (I admit, it looked okay but it weakened the look of the character). His Machine Wars figure retains only three elements of the original character: a robot mode, a helicopter mode, and his allegiance.

Over all, he is a good looking figure in both modes. The helicopter mode and robot mode share a military color scheme. His articulation is again limited (just like the Soundwave figure and like the final two figures I'll be reviewing next). I never owned the figure, but I can again imagine that his transformation is not overly complicated. I think it was interesting decision to choose Sandstorm for the Machine Wars toy line as his character was never a huge name in the old toy line. I think the redesigned look worked really well with character and the colors really made him stand out.

The mold for this figure is again from the exclusive European Transformers toy lines from the early 1990's after it ended the U.S. An interesting note is that while the other three large Machine Wars figures have been re-released in other lines (or planned), this mold has not been reused in any U.S. toy line since this one.

Machine Wars Soundwave

This is the first spotlight of the four larger figures from the Machine Wars toy line. Here is the evil Decepticon Soundwave! He has been rebuilt in that he now transforms into a missile transport rather than his classic cassette deck mode, but in robot mode it really did feel like the Soundwave fans grew up with.

I have never owned this figure, so I couldn't tell you how the transformation actually works. However, since the mold is originally from the European extension of Generation One, it is probably fairly simple. The toy looks great in both modes. The robot mode definitely bears a strong resemblance to Soundwave. The only thing I would have changed on the figure would have been the color scheme. With a different color palette, this figure could have been even more believable as a rebuilt Soundwave. However, it still looks great. The articulation is definitely limited to the knees and shoulders.

One feature which would have been great to add if this was a retooled version would have been a chest compartment with the old cassette spies but with new modes. They eventually did this with Soundwave and Laserbeak from the Transformers: Cybertron toy line, but it would have been really cool to see here. Oh well, you can imagine what it would have been like by checking out the previous entry into my blog's art gallery.

Transformers Artwork #11

I plan on concluding my series on the Machine Wars toy line. However, I found this really cool looking art piece of Machine Wars Soundwave (the next toy spotlight). I thought this was neat because it blended the old character of Soundwave with his new body and made it seem like it made sense. There is even a Machine Wars version of Laserbeak, although this is really the Cybertronian version from the first episode of the animated series in 1984. The next toy spotlight will be the Machine Wars Soundwave!

Transformers #63

It has been a while since I looked at the old Marvel Transformers comics, so I thought I would discuss another issue before I wrap up my series on the Machine Wars toy line. This is issue #63 of the original Transformers comics and it is part two of the Matrix Quest story line. Similar to the previous issue, I am not too impressed with the direction of this issue.

This story takes place on an alien planet called Cheyne, and it borrows elements from the old western movies for its story. The Autobot Triggerbots (Dogfight, Backstreet, and Override) save a young child, and they are invited back to the family's farm to recharge themselves. Meanwhile, Thunderwing has hooked up the Autobot Headmasters he kidnapped back in issue #62 to a machine, and he learns of the Matrix Quest. At this point, Thunderwing desires to capture the Creation Matrix for himself in order to gain more power than ever before. Far away, Optimus Prime has a vision of Unicron and of the Matrix being tainted by evil.

Back on the planet, the Triggerbots have succumb to mind control by an psychic vampire. Eventually Thunderwing shows up attempting to learn about the location of the Matrix. However, he learns that the Triggerbots have no idea where it is. The Triggerbots eventually break free of the control of the psychic vampire and escape.

I know this is not the most in depth retelling of the story, but believe me, you aren't missing much. The first two issues of the Matrix Quest story line were pretty poor in my opinion except for the foreshadowing and story building elements. The artwork was nothing spectacular, and this just seemed like an attempt to incorporate a different element into the series. However... I really don't feel like it worked. Fortunately, the Matrix Quest starts to pick up steam in the next issue, and it gets really awesome in the final two parts of the story. Stay tuned to this blog for those spotlights.

Transformers Artwork #10

In 2001, a new Generation One Transformers character made his debut, Sunstorm! This character was an e-Hobby exclusive repaint of the original Starscream mold based on an extra Seeker seen in More Than Meets the Eye (Part 1). The character was given true back story in the Dreamwave comics before they bit the dust in 2004. In the comics, Sunstorm was a clone of Starscream created by Shockwave and fitted with an internal fusion reactor. In order to protect his body from the excessive power surges, the clone was coated with Electrum, which made him near invincible. However, the process drove Sunstorm insane, and he began to think of himself as a god. He is a really great character, and I hope that we will continue to see more of this character in the future. He has appeared in multiple toy lines in the U.S. over the last nine years, and he has always been a repaint of the seeker molds. If you want to read about him and his battles with Starscream, Omega Supreme, and Jetfire, check out the first five or so issues of the Ongoing Generation One Transformers comics from Dreamwave. They are becoming harder to acquire, but you can still get them at a decent price at comic book stores which sell back issues of comics or there is always e-Bay.

Power Master Optimus Prime in Box

I could have easily put this in with the other entry, but I decided to give this image an entry of its own. This is the U.S. 1988 release of Power Master Optimus Prime, but he is in his original packaging. If you read my other entry, you'll know this was my favorite toy as a child. This figure is an absolute classic behind the original 1984 release of Optimus Prime.

Power Master Optimus Prime!!!

Out of all of the Transformers figures across the 25 years of the franchise's history, there is no other toy of which I have such fond childhood memories. I got him for Christmas when I was six years old, and the adventure really began (although when I was a "too cool" teenager, I got rid of him). I am actually in the process of restoring a beat up toy with no accessories I found at a local comic book store for $5.00. This to me is the grand daddy of them all, Power Master Optimus Prime! The version in this pic is the re-issued version released in 2001 which was basically an imported Japanese variant with chrome parts and slider fists.

Power Master Optimus Prime was the first new Prime figure since his original release in 1984. This toy came out in 1988 to "celebrate" the character's return. Although the animated series had ended its run of original episodes in 1987 and Optimus had returned in late 1986 or early 1987, this was still super fun to see! The vehicle mode is excellent, and Prime is armed to teeth! He has a lot of guns on his trailer, and the trailer itself can transform into a battle station.

The Power Master gimmick involves a small Nebulon character transforming into an engine for Optimus and unlocking the toy's ability to transform. To transform the cab to robot mode, you simply plug the engine into the grill (or push the white tab if you don't have the engine), flip down the legs, flip the feet out, unfold the arms, and flip out the head. The figure has next to no articulation, but it still looks awesome! The big surprise was the super robot mode. You simply transform Optimus back to truck mode, and fold the rear section up. Prime now looks like a cube. From trailer mode, remove the guns, flip down the side panels to reveal the legs, flip down and rotate the arms, plug the truck cab into the top section, plug in the gray dual guns for the smoke stacks, and plug in the head. The only articulation is in the robot's arms and legs, so he really is kind of a brick. However, this brick looks great!

There are three Transformers that above all others, I can say are my favorites. One is Overlord (although I have never had one), the next is Cyclonus from the Classics line (I love the mold), and finally is the powerful Power Master Optimus Prime. He sells for a decent price on eBay. His parts are also widely available on eBay, so if you are restoring one (like me, but I doubt anyone is ;) ), you can easily find the parts. Great figure and a true classic!