Transformers

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:darkblue">I know about Transformers because of my brother. I have seen all the Episodes of Beast Wars, and Beast Machines. My brother bought me the Transformers Movie. I love Transformers. What does everyone think about Hasbro re-releasing the Transformer toys from the 80's? And do you know anything about the new show coming this August to Cartoon Network called Transformers Armada? Has anyone on here ever heared of Transformers?</span>

[JediBendu]

I watched Transformers in the 80s :crazy:

[bring back robotech]

[Nathan Butler]

I watched Transformers as a kid, then just recently started watching them again. At present, I've got a full run of the original series, seasons 2 and 3 of Beast Wars, all of Beast Machines, and all of Robots in Disguise here that I'm slowly rewatching.

What I really got into most back then, though, were the American run Transformers comics from Marvel. They were a separate continuity from the TF/BW/BM cartoons (just like RID was a separate continuity), but by the end, it was truly epic, and, in my opinion, much better than the cartoons. I just finished my Generation 2 comic set (I'd had the original series for ages) a month or two ago.

Currently, I'm following Dreamwave's new G1 comic that takes place between season 2 and the movie from the original cartoon series, and I've picked up the first issue of Armada. If the new cartoon premiering this month is anything like the comic, then it should be great. I guess we'll find out on the 23rd.

And as to JediBendu's Robotech comment . . . They sorta did bring back Robotech. The old novel series by McKinney (Daley and Luceno) was supplemented in the last few years by three new bridge novels, and the entire American series was recently released on DVD. Personally, if you're getting them, I'd recommend getting the 7 boxed sets instead of the 14 individual DVDs, because the box sets each come with an "Elements of Robotechnology" bonus DVD, one of which includes the Sentinels telemovie.

[nerfer]

<span style="color:c1007e"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms">My brother used to have some of the toys as a kid. :p ;)

Moocats been collecting the comics by Dreamwave. THe G1 I think and he just got issue 1 of a comic called Transformers Armada. The artwork is sooooooo kewl.</span></span>

[JediBendu]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>They sorta did bring back Robotech[/b][/quote]

ya - they re-run the Harmony Gold series every few years over here as well. *
What would be cool is to see it in the original Japanese.

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">Today I got the first issue of Transformers Armada. It is so cool. It looks awesome. I can not wait for Transformers Armada to start coming on Cartoon Network. Only 21 days left until the battle of Armada begins. So who is your favorite Transformer? I like Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal.</span>

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">The countdown continues. Only 20 days left until Armada premires on Cartoon Network.</span>

[Lonesabre]

For me its got to be the film of the original series. Ive watched that sssssooooo many times and have just got it on DVD!!!

The best bit has to be the final showdown between Hot Rod and Galvatron and the transformation of Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime - true quality.

The soundtrack, which I also have, is brilliant as well!!!

"Autobots, transform and roll out!"

"I knew you had potential lad!"

Rodimus Prime and Kup - Transformers the Movie.

[Nathan Butler]

Favorites for me . . . hmm . . .

Generation 1 Cartoon Series: Starscream. The guy couldn't even stop sheming after he was dead.

Beast Wars: Silverbolt. Half of a love story, and a great introduction in Coming of the Fuzors.

Beast Machines: Megatron. He's like the Borg Queen of Beast Machines.

Robots in Disguise: Omega Prime, with its components, Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus. The relationship between these two characters was one of the best in the series, and the fusion mode was the key to the series' end.

Original Comic Books: Optimus Prime. It's a hard choice, but by the time the Unicron Saga is in full swing and the final battle in issue #80 is taking place, Prime stands out as the best developed character overall.

Generation 2 Comic Books: Grimlock. He leads, he learns, and it's his discoveries that leads the Autobots to realize the extent of the Cybertronian threat.

Generation 1 Comic Books: Megatron. Very little has really happened in this series, but Megatron's disdain for humanity makes for some great lines.

Armada Comic Book: Hot Spot. It's hard to say so far, but Hot Spot looks like a major factor in the series. In fact, he's the only Autobot to do a lot of speaking in the series up to this point.

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">I will put down all of my Favorites.

Generation 1 Cartoon Series: Optimus Prime. He was always the coolest. He was the leader of the group. He was powerful, smart, and he looked really cool.

Beast Wars: Rattrap. He was so funny. He may have been small but he could still get through anything.

Beast Machines: Optimus Primal. He had the coolest form. He was very powerful. He had the power of the Matrix. He was the first one to know how to Transform. He was able to survive on Cybertron. He was awesome.
Robots In Disguise: Optimus Prime. I don't really know what to put on him. RID was okay. But it was not great.

Transformers Armada: Optimus Prime. I really liked how he was only on one page. They did not show to much on him. But I know he will awesome.

Those are all of my Favorite Characters.</span>

[Nathan Butler]

Didn't follow the comics then?

Speaking of Transformers, there's an awesome book available if you're into the comics or non-RID cartoon series out there. It's called Prime Targets: The Unauthorized Story Guide to Transformers, Beast Wars & Beast Machines. It's by Lars Pearson of Mad Norweigian Press. It's excellent. If you've ever seen the Nitpicker's Guides to any of the Star Trek series, or if you've ever seen Andy Lane's Babylon File guides to B5, this is a very similar format used for TF. It covers the first three cartoons (no RID or Armada), plus the entire runs of the Marvel comics, Marvel UK comics, and Generation 2 comics. I've had it since it came out a month or so ago, and I've read through all the info for the comics, and now I've gone back to read up on the cartoons. I'm near the end of Season 3 of the original series in the reviews/articles.

It's a great guide if you've got access to the episodes to watch as you read. I'm just finished my RID and Beast Machines sets, so now I'm finishing off the last few episodes of Beast Wars, then going back to get the Season 1 and Season 2 episodes of the original TF.

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">Ye, I do read the Comics. I am going to order the new Transformers comic in just a litte while. Where is that book at?</span>

[Nathan Butler]

Did you read the old comics, or just intend on reading the new ones? The Generation 1 and Armada comics that are out now have nothing to do with the old comics. They're tied into the cartoons (G1 to old continuity, Armada to Armada continuity) instead.

And that book can be found just about anywhere or at:

http://www.madnorwegian.com

[Darth Darthy]

Transformers is back on Fox Kids in the UK but it's not the original cartoon. Instead it has some of the worst animation and art I have ever seen in any cartoon and all of the characters have changed. Why must they mess with these classics and not even be bothered to do a decent job? They better not scew up Thundercats if they make it again.... :angry:

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">I read the new ones. I can not find the old ones. And the old ones I do find are around 100 dollors. Thanks for the help on that book. I think I might order it.</span>

[Nathan Butler]

Darthy: Is the one over there right now called "Robots in Disguise"? That's the latest one here, until Armada debuts in a few weeks.

Obi-Wan: $100 is pretty steep for those. Luckily, the epic "Unicron Saga," which was from about issues 60 through 80 of the Marvel U.S. series, plus the epic Generation 2 12-issue arc are both being reprinted by Titan Books.

The Unicron Saga is broken into four separate TPBs: Primal Scream; Matrix Quest; All Fall Down; and End of the Road.

The G2 TPBs, which will be released in a month or two, are called Dark Designs and Rage in Heaven.

There are also two of the more sought-after Marvel UK stories being reprinted now, called Target 2006 and Fallen Angel.

Actually, now that I think about it . . . Drop me a PM about it if you get a chance.

[Darth Darthy]

If that's the one that looks like a bunch of stoned students drew it then yeah. Robot's in Disguise? Ain't that the truth...

[Nathan Butler]

Well, what is Optimus Prime? A semi or a fire truck? If he's a fire truck, it's RID. If he's a semi, it should be the original.

If he's a CG gorilla or big yellow and blue guy, that's either Beast Wars or Beast Machines, alternately called Beasties in some countries.

[Brian]

I used to like the original Tranformers cartoon when I was a kid. Isn't the Transformers Movie one of the best cartoon flicks of all time? Yes!!!

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">The Transformers Movie is the coolest cartoon Movie of all time. I love it. Does anyone know where I can find the Return of Optimus Prime on DVD? I know they have it. I just don't know where to find it at.</span>

[Nathan Butler]

You can probably order it online at Amazon.com or somesuch.

(Also: Yahoo! I just finished my TF Season 1 and Beast Wars collections. All that's left is Season 2 of the original series, then it's on to the Japanese episodes!)

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">The countdown goes on. There are only 16 Days left until the premire of Transformers Armada!!!!!!!</span>

[Mann]

I missed the episode of Beast Wars cuse What happened to Scorponox? And what about Beast Machines?

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">Beast Machines is awesome. I have every Episode of that. That was a real cool show.</span>

[Mann]

Questions not answerd Obi-Wan!

[Nathan Butler]

You remember the big kaboom that changes the alien looking Energon-loaded world into being recognizable as prehistoric Earth? The cause was in Other Voices, Part 2. The actual surge and change took place in Aftermath. WHen that happens, Cheetor, Rattrap, Tarantulas, and Megatron become Transmetal 2 transformers, but Terrorsaur and Scorponok get knocked into a lava flow, giving them one of the fastest death scenes in Transformers history.

As for Beast Machines . . . what about it?

(Nathan now has the first half or so of TF Season 2. Almost there . . . )

Also, Obi-Wan, you never PMed me about the TF Comics. ::ahem::

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">Sorry. I have been real busy with other stuff. I will try to do it Tomorrow.</span>

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">The countdown contiues. Only 14 Days left until the premire of Transformers Armada.</span>

[Nathan Butler]

Argh! I just read the Dreamwave Preview 2002 section with a preview of Transformers: The War Within. It's supposed to be about Optimus Prime in the very early days of the war.

If it's meant to be in the cartoon continuity like the new G1 comics are, then it has to be after he goes from being Orion Pax to being Optimus Prime, thanks to Alpha Trion, but, barring how he looks kinda different in other TWW promos, the series timeframe looks screwed up.

Somehow, it's in the early days of the war on Cybertron, but Grimlock exists as a former ally of Starscream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker, who ended up being swayed to the Autobot cause. But that doesn't jive with the cartoon continuity at all. Grimlock is supposed to have been created by Wheeljack.

UNLESS this new series is meant to be part of the Marvel and Marvel UK comic series continuity (which would rock, and would make sense, given that Simon Furman is writing it), which had Grimlock among the Autobots that crashed on Earth, but who were revived early and given dino forms to go seek out the disturbance caused when Shockwave came in search of Megatron's missing ship.

So, we could very well be having three new Transformers comic series out there, all taking place in a different timeline. G1 in cartoons, Armada in Armada, and The War Within in the old comics timeline.

Curiouser and curiouser.

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">I found out that if Transformers: The War Within sells good Hasbro will make toys of it. So, lets hope it does real good.</span>

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">The countdown goes on. There are only 10 Days left until the premire of Armada.</span>

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">The countdown is getting closer to ending. Only 6 Days left until the premire of Transformers Armada.</span>


* * * * *<span style="color:silver"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Trans</span></span>
* * * * * *<span style="color:silver"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Formers.</span></span>

[Nathan Butler]

Yep, the trailers look pretty interesting. They were running during the new MOTU premiere this weekend.

As for me, I've now got my hands on all the G1, BW, BM, HM, RID, and Zone episodes, so I'm working my way through collections of Masterforce and Victory as we speak. Personally, I think Masterforce looks excellent. I always wondered if Powermaster Optimus Prime showed up in a Japanese cartoon, and it looks like he did. "Super Ginrai!"

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">Yeah, the preview was awesome. I am so glad Gary and David are coming back to do voices. Only 5 Days left until the return of Optimus Prime and Megatron.</span>

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">The countdown is drawing to a close. Only 4 Days left until Transformers Armada premires. And we see Optimus again.</span>

[Nathan Butler]

I dunno. I think the Ultra Prime (or whatever he is) for Armada looks somewhat odd. The Omega Prime from RID looks better to me. But the overall look and feel of Armada seems to be more like RID than any of the other series.

[Nathan Butler]

::leaps back in::

And it's now less than 24 hours until the premiere of Armada. Remember to set your VCRs. :)

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:blue">I got my tape ready. As soon as I get up Tomorrow I am sitting my VCR. Armada is almost here! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif</span>

[Nathan Butler]

ARGH. I had the timer set, but I left it on Fox News when I left today, so it missed the first half hour. Oh well, they'll reair it as soon as the first airing ends, I hope, just like with MOTU.

Also, I finally have all the episodes I was hunting! Woohoo! Generation 1, Beast Wars, Beast Machines, Robots in Disguise, Headmasters, Masterforce, Victory, and Zone. Wahooooooooo.

[Nathan Butler]

ARGH again. TV Guide says it was to have a re-air tonight. Cartoon Network's site says no.

And so far, it hasn't appeared.

TV Guide also says there's a re-air tomorrow.

CN's site says no.

We'll see.

If nothing else, I'll get it from one of the TF Archive guys so I can see the opening.

[Obi-Wan]

<font style='width=80%; filter:glow(color=blue)'><span style="color:white">I finally got Armada Optimus Prime. There was only one left. He is awesome.</span></font>

[Nathan Butler]

Maybe the toys are better than the show presents them. I hate the way the new Optimus looks. Even the RID Optimus or "Optimal Optumus" from BW looks better.

[Obi-Wan]

<font style='width=80%; filter:glow(color=blue)'><span style="color:white">I like the way the new Optimus looks. But I love his G1 form. There's a Transformers game due out on PS2 in 2003. It is called Transformers: Generation Zero. There going to use there G1 forms in the game.</span></font>

[Nathan Butler]

Obi-Wan: Two things.

1.) You're typing in white font. For those of us using the normal skin, it's almost impossible to see, as the posts are on a very light gray background. You need to change to a different color if you want your posts read.

2.) You also might want to take the image in your sig and shrink it down a bit. Even on my large monitor, it takes up almost the entire screen. That makes threads rather long and, for 56k users, it'll slow down their thread viewing considerably.

As for Optimus, I preferred his Powermaster form, the one he has in the Masterforce cartoon series.

[Obi-Wan]

<font style='width=80%; filter:glow(color=blue)'><span style="color:purple">I don't know how to make it smaller. Optimus Prime's Powermaster form was okay but his Armada and G1 form are awsome</span></font>

[Obi-Wan]

<font style='width=80%; filter:glow(color=blue)'><span style="color:purple">Has anyone seen pics from the new Transformer game coming out?</span></font>

[Obi-Wan]

<font style='width=80%; filter:glow(color=blue)'><span style="color:white">Going Up!</span></font>

[Streen]

Anyone of you notice that Starscream (from the orginals) has the same voice as Cobra Commander from GI Joe. Just a little thing I noticed.

-Streen

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:darkblue">TF: Armada will be ending this year! Thank god! And a new series will debut in early 2004! The 2004 series will not go back to the original G1, but we will see the return of Optimus Prime! And this will have no connection to Armada! I hope Hasbro has learned from their past mistakes that TF shows aimed at little kids suck! Let's hope 2004 shows how good TF can be!</span>

[jedi_freak]

Optimus rules all!!

[Obi-Wan]

<span style="color:darkblue">Totally dude!</span>