Transformers News on Seibertron.com

Technology aids in production of Trans-Forum

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Views: 435,454

Trans-Forum International has done what no other Transformers newsletter has done before. It brings the readers full color images and graphics of the Transformers in each and every issue. Images of everything from the cartoon series, the comic books, Japanese cartoons, the catalogs and many other sources are displayed proudly on every page. However, none of this would be possible without the aid of the Internet and several other computer aids.

Through the Internet, images can be downloaded to a personal computer with a click of a button. These images and much, much more are available and readily accessible thanks to the Internet.

One may ask, "How are the images duplicated from the original sources to computerized images displayed in CyberSpace?"

The answer is rather simple. A computer tool called a "scanner" is able to convert real images to computer images in a matter of minutes. A scanner works in a similar fashion to a photocopy machine. Within seconds, images are scanned from the original document into the computer where one can do just about anything with that image.

With the continued support of Trans-Forum's subscribers, I plan to purchase a scanner (as well as my own personal computer versus using my parents' PC this fall. Utilizing a scanner, I can contribute my own artwork or my own Transformers nostalgia to the pages of Trans-Forum.

Some of the things I would like to share with Trans-Forum's subscribers are images from the Transformers record album, the movie CD soundtrack, a Japanese Transformers catalog made by Fumihiko Akiyama, a comic on which I am currently working, artwork from the comic book series, the Arcee mini-comic from the model kit, and many more items (just to name a few).

The Real Heroes Of The Story

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Views: 454,977

Written by Raksha, the plumed serpent

You hear a great deal about "heroic Autobots." That label is pushed on the toy boxes, in the comics, and in numerous voice-overs in the cartoon. In other words, someone wants to make absolutely sure you buy into this notion and accept the labeling, without even examining the situation for yourself. Makes it much easier for them to tell their story, if they present half the characters as simpleminded "designated good guys," and the other half as simpleminded "designated bad guys." Never mind that nothing is ever that clear-cut. Let's strip all the labels and the prejudices for a moment, and take a look at what's really going on.

Consider Cybertron, in the so-called "Golden Age" that was shown in "War Dawn." I'll remind you that it was the *Autobots* who labeled the era the Golden Age; something tells me the Decepticons had a very different perception. After having fought off the Quintessons a few million years earlier, in a struggle where the major advancement could only have come from the Decepticon side (being designed as war machines, after all, in contrast to the "domestic" Autobots), the two groups must have settled down to an initial peace, perhaps on originally equal footing. But by the time "War Dawn" rolled around, probably after several cycles of war and peace, the Autobots were clearly in control of the planet, and the Decepticons were in the minority. Probably their talents and warriors' natures were considered something out of Cybertron's barbaric past by the ruling class, and so they were more and more crowded out into being second-class citizens on their own homeworld. Finally a leader arose who wouldn't stand for it anymore, and struck back.

Megatron himself is one of the most heroic individuals I have ever encountered in life or fiction. He stood up against almost insurmountable odds and inspired his followers to rise up against a powerful opposition that felt the Decepticons were somehow morally inferior, and had done their best to keep them suppressed and restrained all these years. He has the ability to make his vision a reality. He cares enough about the future of his species and his planet to go against the status-quo, no matter *how* much his enemies malign him for it, and no matter how much propaganda is spread against him. He never accepts defeat, no matter how many times he faces devastating setbacks -- because he believes in his dream, and he has the strength of character and the dedication to his homeworld and to his Decepticons to bring his goals into existence, no matter the odds.

Much of the Transformer story that we know, is pure propaganda -- all told from the Autobot and human perspective. There's the insidious notion that this perspective is, in some universal sense, the "right" one, forgetting entirely that there are other ways of interpreting the world, that are just as "right." To that end the Autobots among themselves are usually shown when they're being chummy and friendly with each other, and the Decepticons are usually focused on when there's some kind of internal squabble, giving a totally skewed picture of them. It's all designed to suck the viewer's sympathies in with the so-called "good guys" - leaving out entirely that the Autobots are just as much responsible, maybe more so, for the Cybertronian civil wars, and far less "heroic" as individuals or as a group. These guys are cowards and isolationists, happy to cling to their little planet and watch it slowly deplete itself of energy, and perhaps become easy prey for any strong alien fleet that happens to wander by - while the Decepticons were wanting to gather resources and strengthen the defenses, and then go out and spread the empire outward. But the Autobots thought this was "wrong," and as a result painted the Decepticons as these wantonly vicious and greedy beings who were bent on destruction for its own sake. That's the viewpoint that's always shoved across in the "official" work.

But even those biases can't obscure the fact that much of the propaganda simply isn't true. If you watch the Decepticons on the cartoon, see their interactions with one another, see Megatron's leadership and his relationship to his followers, and if you haven't entirely closed your mind with pre-set biases, or at least have ever stopped to consider the opposite perspective, you'll see that the Decepticons are a closely-interacting team, dedicated to a cause that will forge a better future for them and their descendants, loyal to one another and to their leader, and standing together against anyone who labels them "evil" and then feels justified in trying to wipe them out, simply because their outlook on the world differs from some arbitrary, currently-accepted social standard.

It's much easier to stay stagnating in place, than to reach for the stars. It's much easier to bow your head and act as you're "supposed to," according to others, than to stand up and follow your dreams in the face of all opposition. It's much easier to present yourself to the rest of the universe as a "designated good guy" in order to mooch fuel from the gratitude of other species, than to refuse to debase yourself like that and have the courage to be true to your own nature. *That* takes true heroism. (And, I will also say - it's much easier to accept a label without question, than to examine the situation critically and check out the facts for yourself.) And that's what the Decepticons are all about. Courage, loyalty to one another, and *honesty*. They make no pretences about who they are, regardless of who disapproves. They're willing to forge their own path. And they refuse to conform themselves to someone else's demands. Even with all the designated biases in place, if one looks at the situation objectively, their true nature comes through. And it's a far more admirable nature than that of their hypocritical and pretentious opponents. The *real* heroes of the story - are the Decepticons.

The End

Originally published in TRANS-FORUM #6 (May 1997) by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

The Convention Battles: Botcon '97 vs TransCon2

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Views: 466,137

The Hartman's BOTCON '97 Sponsored by: Jon and Karl Hartman with help from Gene Hallit and Pet Sinclair Location: Rochestor, New York Building: Riverside Convention Center Dates: July 18th - 20th, 1997 Convention Experience: The creators and sponsors of the original BotCon '94 What to look for: Voice actors from the original cartoon series and from the Beast Wars, Stan Bush in concert, comic writer Simon Furman, comic artist Andrew Wildman, Hasbro, Mainframe Entertainment, art contest and auction of fan create material, a charity auction to benefit the Shriner's Hospital, dealer tables, and guest panels. The Pros: Botcon 1997 appears to be the preferred convention of the two. Many guests scheduled for Botcon '97. The Hartmans are true fans of the Transformers themselves and are dedicated to bringing the convention "back to the fans." The great, professional, full color advertisements (one drawn by Andy Wildman just for the convention) have developed a good deal of excitement themselves. Great location for poeple out east. Best convention if interested in the workings of the Transformers. The Cons: Botcon '97 may be bringing it back to teh fans, but at what cost? The convention may be shock full of exciting guests, concerts and other features but is it worth the pretty penny you'll spend here? Besides the fancy costs, New York City might not be worth the drive (or the time) for anyone out west. Not a great location for a majority of the country. Are the guests for real? The Costs: $40.00 for regular attendance. $120.00 for regular attendance plus the fan appreciation banquet, concert with Stan Bush, and the theatrical showings of the Transformers: The Movie.

Men-In-Black's TRANSCON 2 Sponsored by: the Men-In-Black, Dennis Barger (president) Location: Rosemont, Illinois Building: Clarion Resort Dates: July 4th - 6th, 1997 Convention Experience: the sponsors of the successful Botcon '96 What to look for: Transformers dealers from around the world, a 24 hour video room, fan art showcase, custom figure, art, and diorama contests, panels and discussion groups, special surprise guests, two exclusive Beast Wars toys, charity auction to benefit the US Marine Corps. The Pros: Transcon 2 may not have received all the fan hype of publicity that Botcon '97 has but it sure "plans" to pack a punch. Many surprise guests are advertised to come forth. The central and familiar location should be convenient for most Transformers fans. The fans may be attracted to TransCon2 over BotCon '97 just because of the simplicity behind the show. Best convention if interested in working on your Transformers collection. The Cons: TransCon2 has done just that: made "plans" for many surprise guests. A lot of uncertainties just three weeks away from the convention's debut. We want specifics, not possibilities. As long as the dealers show, this will be a nice convention still. Many fans were displeased with the Men-In-Black's lack of organizational skills last year. Will this scare fans away this year? The black-and-white ads for TransCon2 are "cheap" looking and unprofessional compared to the BotCon ads. The Cost: $35.00 for regular attendance.

This article originally published in TRANS-FORUM #7 (July 1997) by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

Men-In-Black's TransCon2

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Views: 486,721

Written by Dennis Barger

Do you remember the first time you saw a commercial for this really cool toy? Robots who changed into vehicles and back. There were the good guys, the Autobots, and the bad guys, the Decepticons, with the fate of the Earth rested in the outcome of their struggle. At least that's what you thought you said, but it was probably closer to "Omigosh that's so cool!"

Do you remember the joy you felt the first time you bought a Transformer? You just sat their, transforming it over and over, figuring out all the tricks, reading the tech spec over and over, until you knew it by heart.

Megatron? Thundercracker? Optimus Prime? And even Gears? It doesn't matter. You taped the show, collected the comic books, went and saw the movie the day it opened, and sat at the edge of your seat the whole way through!

It doesn't matter whether you managed to collect everything with the name Transformers on it or only had one special toy. Regardless, you are a Transformers fan and we have something for you.

The Men in Black, the people who brought you BOTCON '96, are inviting you to Chicago, IL this July 4th, 5th, and 6th for TransCon2, the Transcontinental Transformers Convention and "the best 'bot for your buck!"

For one pre-registration price of $35, you will receive an all access pass for the whole weekend, an exclusive convention toy, a convention T-shirt, and other exclusive convention merchandise. This includes the dealer room, 24 hour video room, fan art showcase and contests, panels and discussion groups by including special surprise guests. The Men-in-Black have secured two exclusive toys for this years show, one will only be available at TransCon2. Catch a special sneak preview of the convention toys on the Men-In-Black web site at http://www.htonline.com/Men_in_Black.

TransCon2 will be held in the Clarion Resort Rosemont, providing easy access to the City of Chicago during the July 4th weekend. The Rosemont Resort Clarion is offering a special rate of $69 per night for convention attendees. Only 200 rooms are available, so register early by calling 800-221-2222 or (847)297-1234 and tell them that you are registering for the Men-in-Black's TransCon2. The Clarion Resort Rosemont is just a free shuttle ride from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

This is just minutes from the Chicago Comicon, one of the country's biggest comic book conventions, featuring every comic book imaginable, and then Men in Black are attempting to arrange free shuttle service between the two conventions. Always wanted that hard to find Transformers title? If you can't find it at the Chicago Comicon, you'll never find it.

Also, the 4th, 5th, and 6th is the world renowned Taste of Chicago weekend, a city wide food festival featuring food from Chicago's diverse cultural make up.

TransCon2 will also see the return of the Toys 4 Tots Charity Auction. Exclusive exclusive convention items, rare Transformers toys, and other Transformers items will be auctioned off at the end of the weekend, with proceeds going to the United Marine Corps Toys 4 Tots Charity, to purchase toys for the needy children of the Chicagoland area, "Because every kid deserves a little Christmas." The generosity of Transformers fans is already well known, as last years auction raised nearly $6,000.

TransCon2 will be the first major show of the year devoted to the Transformers, bringing together collectors and fans from around the world. All the hottest Transformers, and all the best trades will be taking place at TransCon2 first. Don't miss out on that last piece to your collection, or a favorite old memory from the past. Why wait for another convention when you can get it at TransCon2 first?

For more information, you can reach Men-In-Black via e-mail at MIB141@aol.com.

And remember, TransCon2: "better 'bot for your buck!"

This article originally published in TRANS-FORUM #6 (May 1997) by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

Beast Wars Season 2 Is In Works

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Views: 497,811

Beast Wars will return for a tentative thirteen new episodes for a fall 1997 second season. It is unknwon at this time which characters will be in the show.

What did everyone think of episode #21 titled "Possession" starring the Decepticon Starscream? I felt it was very well done and stayed true to Stascream's original character. I was a little disappointed that his old form wasn't featured (other than for a brief moment), but hey, Galvatron and Unicron were mentioned which further cemented the ties between the original Transformers and the Beast Wars.

How about the season finale two parter titled "Other Voices"? This is what the whole season has been boiling down to and I thought it was worth the wait!

The Unicron form which the Alien entity portrayed was awesome! The voice was even similiar to Orson Welles' Unicron voice from the Transformers: The Movie. I thought it was kind of cool that the Aliens found this "file" of Unicron is Optimus Primal's memory banks from the episode "Chain of Command". Unicron truly did make an everlasting presence upon the Transformers. I wonder what ever happened to Unicron's head after the Technobots were created by Grimlock prior to the Rebirth trilogy.

The Blackarchnia/Tarantulas situation is certainly original. I'm assuming that Tarantulas must have the more powerful mind of the two (reference to "Other Voices" Part 2). I can't wait to see how this is resolved next season.

And speaking of next season, how about that awesome cliffhanger at the end of "Other Voices" Part 2? I thought Megatron was going soft in the last few episodes, but he pulled off one of the coldest, most evil moves I've ever seen by trapping Optimus Primal in the stasis pod. Worse yet, he was mocking Optimus Primal during his final (?) moments. Let me hear your feedback on Optimus Primal's situation.

This article was originally published in TRANS-FORUM by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

Machine Wars are HOT!!!

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Views: 514,767

Have you picked up all twelve of this year's Machine Wars Transformers assortment exclusively available at KayBee toy stores? All twelve are out including the delayed Optimus Prime.

Included with all four of the large Machine Wars Transformers (Optimus Prime, Starscream, Soundwave, and Sandstorm) have label sheets which have the original Autobot and Decepticon symbols.

Sandstorm is my favorite representation of the four large Machine Wars Transformers. He's the only one that seems "right". Starscream and Soundwave are injustly done in these new forms. By right, Soundwave should be a tape deck. Optimus Prime is awesome in truck mode and even sports the blue and white stripes with the Autobot symbol on both sides of the trailer. His robot mode, however, is a sad representation of an Optimus Prime, let alone any Transformer for that matter! His body is short and stocky and he has a face, mind you! Argh!

The small Machine Wars have very original molds, despite the fact that each mold is shared by two recolored characters.

Megatron was surely made to be a Megatron. The figure's head closely resembles the head of the cartoon Megatron from Generation One. I'm not sure how I feel about Megaplex. I guess his character reminds me of Faker from the He-Man toy line. In the case of Megatron and Megaplex, the clone is on the same side as the original. Skywarp and Thundercracker are very nice molds. Other than the color choices, I feel these are good representations since they were recolors in the original molds from 1984 (not to mention Thurst, Ramjet, and Dirge from 1985).

The Machine Wars appear to be selling very well. My local KayBee store has stated that the Machine Wars are one of the most popular lines at their location. Other local KayBee stores seem to be experiencing this as well.

Rumor has it that if sales continue to do well, the Machine Wars Transformers line may possibly expand to other stores with future assortments.

This article was originally published in TRANS-FORUM by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

Two new garage kits to be released in 1997

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Views: 525,364

Two new garage model kits will be released by M.C. Axis in 1997 available exclusively in Japan.

Hot Rod, the Autobot Cavalier, is the neweset addition to these stunningly beautiful model kits.

At BotCon '96, the Arcee model kit, which was in low supply and in high demand (I can't image why), was priced anywhere from $75.00 to $100.00 depending on the dealer.

The molds are exquisitely designed and are highly detailed. Each model kit comes complete in a very nice packaged box, similar in design to the packaging year from which each character was originally created. Also included with the model kits is a one page mini-comic with directions on how to put the model kit together.

If you can possibly get your hands on one of these kits, do it!!! It will definitely be worth your money.

This article was originally published in TRANS-FORUM by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

Transformers Entertainment News

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Views: 543,770

At last! The moment all Transformers have been waiting for!!! The re-release of the Transformers: The Movie on home video!!! The Candian-exclusive movie was re-releasedon February 25th, 1997 and can be ordered through a company called Video Flicks out of Canada. It runs around $18.00 US after all costs have been figured. Again, this movie is available only through Canada at press time.

In addition to the movie's re-release, a Beast Wars Transformers CD-ROM video game is being developed by Hasbro Interactive, a division of Hasbro, Inc. It is being made for personal computers (IBM, Packard Bell, etc).

The Beast Wars Transformers game includes a one-on-one fighting sequence and has over 30 levels of play. This game utilizes the same graphics from the number one cartoon which is fully computer animated. The packaging is pictured below, and features the Beast Wars slogans: "Maximize! Terrorize! Destroy!"

The tentative release date for the Beast Wars Transformers game fall 1997. It will retail for approximately $30.00 US and will be available at all fine stores which carry computer games.

This article was originally published in TRANS-FORUM by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

Starscream?!?

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Views: 554,443

In a recent phone conversation we conducted, Beast Wars' producer John Goodwill shined some light on upcoming episodes. One of the episodes he discussed was "Possession" which features Starscream, which contributing writer Ben Yee referred to last issue. For those of you with severe lack of memory, Stascream was one of the original Decepticon Transformers, an ancestor or the Predacon Transformers. Yes, Starscream had charm and perhaps he "whined" a little but he was one of the most curel and vicious Decepticons that ever functioned!

And the best part? He's back!!

Do you remember the last time we saw Starscream in the cartoons? It was almost 10 years ago in an episode titled "Starscream's Ghost". In that episode, Starscream tries to regain his physical body by performing threee tasks for Unicron. Starscream's ghost receives a new body, but is destroyed moments later by Galvatron and the Decepticons as a blast hurls Starscream through Decepticon firepower. Starscream was last seen screaming endlessly through the black void of space.

This is where "Possession" begins, only it's three centurires in the future. 300 years later, Starscream's ghost is still floating through space until he reaches the mysterious planet the Beast Wars Transformers inhabit. Starscream soon finds a new host body (as he did with both Cyclonus and Scourge in the original episodes ten years ago). His victim this time? Waspinator!

"Possession", the third part of Starscream's Ghost, is scheduled to air on February 3rd, 1997.

This article was originally published in TRANS-FORUM by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

Japanese Variations

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Views: 574,559

While most people are aware that the Trasnformers were not only produced in the US, but throughout the world, there were some pretty drastic takes on our favorite robots in disguise in Japan!

In Japan, the history of the Transformers started in 1985, a year after it did here in the US. Not all of the Transformers were made in both the US and Japan. The 1986 series was titled "Transformers: 2010". Storyline variations continued after the "Rebirth" pilot premiered in 1987, debuting the Headmasters and Targetmasters. The japanese cartoons continued from where the American cartoons left off.

One fundamental difference between Japanese and American Transformers: the Autobots are called "Cybertrons" and the Decepticons are referred to as "Destrons". According to an article by Thomas Wheeler in Attic's Collectible Toys and Values Monthly, each warring faction originally resided on planets of the same names. According to the article, Hasbro did not follow this element of the story because of the similarity between the term "Destron" and G.I.Joe's "Destro".

Some of the Transformers toys were not original toys in Japan. A variety of the characters came from other popular toy lines produced by Takara. One of the lines was the Diaclone toy series. The Trainbots were the last Transformers to be released in Japan that originated from the Diaclone series. Ultra Magnus was the last in America.

Were you aware that the Battle Beasts by Hasbro were a part of Takara's Transformers line in Japan called "Beast Masters"? In the US, the little critters had rubsigns that displayed wood, fire, and water. In Japan, they had the traditional Autobot and Decepticon rubsigns instead. These Japanese Battle Beasts run about twenty dollars or so MIB. The American ones are difficult to find but aren't worth quite so much.

In 1988, a atruly fascinating version of Fortress Maximus was released in Japan. This version of Fort Max was recolored in dark blues and reds, comes with a sword, and has a Pretender shell for Cerebros. I am despereately trying to get my hands on one.

The Headmaster Nightbeat (1988) was the only gender variation form the US to Japan for Generation One. In Japn, Nightbeat was a female Transformers named Minerva. She is colored like an ambulance with a white body, red highlights, and an orange face.

The Autobot Targetmasters Kup Hot Rod and Blurr were never released in Japan. However, some other Autobots did become Targetmasters in Japan. Jazz and Inferno came with the Targetmaster guns of Scourge and Cyclonus.

According to Hasbro's PR spokesperson Holly Ingram, the Beast Wars are indeed being produced for not only America but for Japan and Europe.

Editor's Note (2003): Obviously some of the information in this article is inaccurate. I was just learning about the Japanese Transformers and had a few of my facts mixed up (as did Mr. Thomas Wheeler). The Battle Beasts were called Beast Formers and DID NOT have Autobot or Decepticon symbols. They were exactly the same as the American figures except they came packaged in Autobot or Decepticon styled packaging. Nightbeat was available as a mail order item in Japan. The "fascinating Fortress Maximus" repainted from 1988 is Grand Maximus, a separate character. It is also worthy of mentioning that Cyclonus and Scourge were NOT released in Japan either.

This article was originally published in TRANS-FORUM by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com