Well, what made me write this thread, is the fact that I’ve been writing a Transformers, Generation 1 Fanfic, and I’ve gotten back into Transformers.
Now, there’s been quite a few different Transformers series available, from the classic (and best in my opinion) Generation 1 to Generation 2 to Beast Wars to Beast Machines to Robots in Disguise to Armada. I’m not knocking the other series, and, hang on, guess I am. I mean, I’m a traditional Transformers fan, and I remember Optimus Prime as a truck/trailer and Megatron as a Walter P53 Handgun/Sniper rifle. NOT the Optimus Prime who is a fire engine, a Gorilla or whatever. Same with Megatron, A Tyrannosaurus Rex (Only ONE Transformers was a T-Rex, and that’s GRIMLOCK, Leader of the Dinobots subgroup of the Autobots.), A Dragon, etc, etc.
The Original/Generation 1 era of Transformers was brilliant, at least it was to me. It was within that period, that the Transformers Movie was released way back in 86, and introduced new Autobots and Decepticons, as well as new leaders for both groups. The Autobots had Rodimus Prime (Reformatted by the Matrix, within the planet devourer Unicron, from Hot Rod.) and the Decepticon had Galvatron (Reformatted from Megatron by Unicron.).
Add in, the amount of times Optimus Prime returned from the dead, as well as all the top voice actors, and the original/Generation 1 series of Transformers was and is still excellent. While not on the level of some anime nowadays, it still has a certain charm to it.
Oh, and Transformers was originally Japanese. Optimus Prime was originally called Convoy. What a cheesy name, yes? The reason I say that, is because I had a fight with someone over it. **sigh**
What’s your favourite Transformers series and why?
Optimus Prime as a fire engine i though was stupid because he should always be a truck
So it wasn’t just me that didn’t like Optimus as a firetruck, I remember watching 1 episode of them ones and go "ahh no" and just stopped watching it period.
Don’t really like Beast Wars either, coz of the whole 3D look, I hate 3D cartoons.
But Transformers rocked, they recently released the movie down here in Australia on DVD which I bought of course. That movie also has an awesome 80’s soundtrack with Stan Bush doing most of the songs.
PS. Keep the transformers talk going… All they need it to re-release the original figures/toys and I will be a happy camper.
I just got Ultra Magnus, Generation 1 figure today. Happy about that. I got Starscream yesterday, and I’m planning to get the greatest Autobot of them all, OPTIMUS PRIME on Saturday. I don’t know if Hasbro is going to release any more Generation 1 Transformer figures, as I heard only Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus and Starscream were being released. I pray they release Megatron, and the others, particularly Shockwave and Jetfire.
Incidentally, a comic company by the name of Otter Press has released a Transformers Generation 1 comic. I purchased volume 2 yesterday as well, and it’s very impressive.
I would love to pick some up, price isn’t really a factor, but I ain’t paying an obscene amount for them.
Green Arrow I got those figures from Toys ‘R’ Us. Starscream and Ultra Magnus retail $69.95 AUS, while Optimus Prime is $89.95 AUS.
I had a generation 2 Optimus Prime, which I was stupid enough to sell. Got $250 AUS for it, but it wasn’t worth it. I should’ve kept it. **sigh**
Transforms and drives off.
Uhmm, Anyway I liked Generation 1 and Beast wars the best. Generation one because it’s a classic and it has the autobots and the decepticons plus that silent robot with his tapes :E
And by far it’s the best, although the graphics could use a little tune up around now :E
Beast wars is my other favorite because Mainframe created it and I have a weak for mainframe. Not to mention the uber scheming ultra secret agenda having Megatron (The T-rex) which Imho fits the name better then a gun.
Well, I haven’t posted in this thread for some time. Been busy with my Transformers Fanfic (There’s a link to it, in The NEW writer’s and book club), and I’ve also been busy with other things as well.
I’ve got some rumours to spill here, one’s which I pray are true. Still, knowing how the comic industry and anime/cartoon industry is at the moment, I think they need some ‘traditional’ characters brought back. I mean, let’s face it. Gen 1 Transformers (Including the monster planet, Unicron.) would, IN MY OPINION!!!, kick the Aramda and the RiD (Optimus as a Fire truck transformers), from here to Cybertron, to Nebulos and back again.
Rumour One : At the current moment in time, the biggest Transformers toy ever made, was Fortress Maximus, at just under 1 metre in height, with the ability to transform into multiple battle stations, as well as robot. And with the added bonus of being a Headmaster, he is a very impressive figure, yes? Apparently, a figure of Unicron, yep a figure of HIM, is being made. As soon as I find out more info, I’ll post it here.
Rumour Two : Apparently, the Generation 1 Transformers, are set to make a big comeback. Not only with figures, comics and a series, but also another movie. Here’s hoping it’s true, yes?
I found these rumours, on another forum, which, knowing my luck, were probably posted as a joke, but the rumour about the Unicron figure, is actually the second time I’ve heard of it.
Although, even though it’s a comic rather than an animation, ‘Transformers: The War With-In’ from DreamWave rules. The art is fantatsic, probably the best work I’ve ever seen in a comic, and the story is top notch (Set on Cybertron before the evacuation in G1). Includes everyone in original cyberton form, Optimus receiving the matrix and becoming the new prime and, best yet, Grimlock as a fuck-off trackless tank!
Get now!
In the modern age all of my love goes to Transformers Animated.
Megatron: DECEPTICONS! I have returned…
…Goosebumps
this is only partially correct. the toys were originally from a Japanese line called Diaclone, and the toy that became Optimus was called Convoy. but Transformers, as far as the storyline, personalities of the characters, and everything that happened after 1986, is an American creation (with Marvel Comics coming up with most of the premise of the first year). Although even when Diaclone became Transformers and Hasbro and Takara made it a partnership, Optimus was still known as Convoy in Japan until the Bay movies came out.
BUT to answer the original question. I mostly prefer the comics over the cartoons (and especially the movies). my favorite series is the More Than Meets the Eye series that’s currently in print from IDW, but I also like the Marvel G2 series and the Devil’s Due GI Joe crossovers. as far as cartoons go, it’s nearly a tie between Beast Wars and Animated. also the original 86 Movie is a great guilty pleasure.
Rage of the Dinobots picks up the story of Grimlock and his team where Fall of Cybertron left off (post-exodus) and sets the stage for Ultra Magnus’ debut in the series proper.
The two-volume Beast Hunters series continues the story through Season 3 and into the aftermath of Predacons Rising.
Note: we have seen a lot of transformers the 80’s movie and so on, but we never watched the original G1 tv series
edit: here is a pic of my pillow case. it is still in great condition kept that clean for so many years.
http://imgur.com/jS2Uy7y