Strange robotic creatures from another planet. Fighting their centuries old war on our very world. And they turn into various objects. This time around we’re looking at Transformers.

 

 

 

Given that 2014 is the 30th anniversary of the Transformers franchise, anybody else feeling old yet, I figured we do things a little differently this time around. Instead of looking at just one series I thought we’d take a look at things as a whole. Well, at least the series that was shown over here in various forms on television and movie screens. Now I do know there are a series of comic books, but I only read a good chunk of the original Marvel run and maybe one issue of… it was either the Dreamwave or Devil’s Due run, I don’t really recall. So it wouldn’t be right, or fair, to give my opinion on something I have never read.

 

Before we get going a little backstory on how this particular series came about for those of you who don’t know. The toy company Hasbro bought the rights of two toy line from the Japanese toy company Takara, Microman and Diaclone. Combining the two lines they hired writers to came up with the story concept for the Transformers and the rest is history. That being said let’s get on with the show.

 

Transformers (1984-1987)

This is the one most of us grew up with. Where most of us, well those who weren’t reading the Marvel comics first, were first introduced to Optimus Prime and the heroic Autobots, including the like of Bumblebee, Prowl and Jazz, and they fought Megatron and his evil Decepticons, such as Starscream and Soundwave. We’re also introduced to Spike and his dad Sparkplug so the show would have an ongoing human element. Season 1 had a nice bit of continuity going as events from one episode was generally mentioned in the next until they started doing more one and done stories with season 2. A lot of episodes dealt with the Decepticons trying to get Energon, the life blood of the Transformers, and return it to their home planet of Cybertron. Outside of a couple of specific episodes in season 1 and 2, such as the creation of the Dinobots, most new Transformers just showed up with no real explanation at how they got to Earth.

 

Then there was Transformers the Movie that jumped thing forward to the year 2005, with season 3 taking place after that. The movie killed off several longtime favorites, including Optimus himself, and introduced a new generations, or upgrades versions, of Autobots and Decpticons, such as Hot Rod who goes on to become Rodimus Prime and Galvatron, who was an upgraded Megatron. Season three was interesting because it delved more into the history of the Transformers in the opening five-parter, bringing in the Quintesson and brought back Optimus Prime, twice. What has become known as Generation One ended with a three part mini-series that was basically season 4 that introduced A new batch of Transformers and their eventual partners, beings from the planet Nebulus who wore a speacil robotic suits to become the the head or weapons of the various Transformers, called Headmasters and Targetmasters respectively. And while the Autobot won the day and their home planet of Cybertron was restored the Decepticons were still out there so evil still existed. Like most things in the entertainment media episodes were hit or miss, but generally it was very enjoyable as a whole and I would recommend highly, granted I grew up with this and I’m biased. Just a word of warning if you’re seeing it for the first time don’t expect modern style storytelling, it was 30 years ago.

 

Transformers Generation 2 (1992-1994)

This one is a bit of a weird entry, because the episodes shown were from the original Generation One series. the only really difference that there was this CGI cybercube that served as a scene change, replacing the flipping Autobot and Decepticon symbols. Since there nothing new here to discuss let’s just move on.

 

Beast Wars: Transformers (1996-1999)

The first real departure from the standard Transformers format, such as the the title suggest they transform into animals. It was also the first to be shot entirely in CG. This version introudced us to Optimus Primal and the Maximals and well as Megatron, not the same one, and his Predacons. Once most of us got past the fact that they turned into animals, it was latte revealed that this takes place centuries after the original series therefore evolved from the Autobots and Decepticons with the ability to take on a organic from, we found out there was some decent storytelling here. Taking place on a prehistoric Earth, after the original Transformers crashed and right around the time humanity started to emerge, the animal forms were needed as there was so much pure Energon at the time it would send them into stasis lock if their robot forms were exposed to it for too long. Several concepts were introduced that are still used today, such as each Transformers has a Spark, or a soul if you will. They also got around the whole adding new Transformers by putting a bit in the opening episode say the ship Primal was in charge of was carrying a bunch of Protoforms in stasis tubes. And depending on which side got to them first generally decided if it was a new Maximal or Predacon. Protoforms were Transformers who didn’t have a true body until they scanned one. This was another concept that is also still used in current shows. They also found a way to show the original Transformers for a brief cameo, in fact Megatron’s original plan was to use these golden disk that he stole from Cybertron to locate and kill the original Optimus prime to ensure the Decepticons won the original war. Although Ravage was somehow still around as he had himself upgraded into a Predacon.  And as I said the storytelling was excellent With character changing side, and one dying as various plots and twists happened. I would highly recommend the series if you haven’t seen it before.

 

Beast Machines: Transformers (1999-2000)

This one and took to the next level as the Maximals find themselves turned into completely bio-organic creatures. Megatron had also taken control of Cybertron and it is now a more barren planet outside of his Vehicons and his new quest to destroy all organic life in the universe. The Maximals also had to relearn how to transform using some sort of inner searching mumbo jumbo thing. While done by the same company that did Beast wars, the storytelling was more serialized. It also introduced a transformer who’s group landed on planet that was mainly vegatation, therefore she transformed into a plant. After Beast wars this one was mostly seen in a negative light, last I seen. The general opinion might have changed over the years. It also introduced a concept that Cybertron was originally organic until the Transformers came along. The first episode had a regular moon in the night sky, despite the fact moons in the original series was also metallic, and a flower growing between the metal plates in one spot. The regular moon had been seen only one other time in Transformers Prime, but more on that series in a bit. But the planet’s organic past has never been mentioned again to my knowledge. I should also add that this and Beast wars have been the only series so far without a regular human character, relying solely on the Transformers themselves. As a whole, not one of my favorite series. And while I wouldn’t personally recommend it if you want to check it out, more power to you.

 

Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2000)

Originally Car Robots in Japan this is a retelling of the Transformers story. Returning to the hand drawn style this one features Optimus Prime, who is a fire truck in this version, and his Autobots and they defend the Earth against Megatron and his Predacon. Unlike Beast wars these Predacons turn into more robotic animals instead of actual animal. Although later on he captures some older Autobot protoforms and reprograms them into a new breed of Decepticons. This is also the first time a show had Optimus merging with another robot to have a super mode, in this case with his “brother” Ultra Magnus, becoming Omega Prime. While the concept of robots merging together isn’t a new thing in the Transformers franchise, such as the various combiners teams and the Japanese series, more on those later, this is the first time Prime had done so. The show itself is average at best.

 

The Unicron Trilogy

A trio of series that supposedly took place in the same universe. Supposedly, again more on that later. Created by both Hasbro and the Takara each show also had it’s own gimmick during it’s run. The series consist of…

 

Transformers Armada (2002)

Yet another retelling of the Autobots and Decpticon war that had come to earth this one had included the idea of the Mini-cons. Smaller robots that can combine with an Autobot or Decepticon and either power them up or unlock a special ability. Much of the show centered around the race to collect the minicons, Pokemon trainers can’t have all the fun after all, before the other side did. Certain ones even combined into a special weapon such as the Star Saber and the Skyboom Shield. The series also brought back Unicron, the planet eater from the original movie, as a unifying threat near the end of the series. Another average series but had some good character bits, such as Starscream, traditionally more of a backstabbing and conniving type of character who has a bit of a good streak in him. I would say check it out if you have the time.

 

Transformers Energon (2004)

The first sequel series since Beast Wars to Beast Machines it takes place 10 years after Armada. The first show to combine hand drawn animation, for the humans and the rest of the environments, and CG, for the Transformers themselves. The gimmick for this was that the Autobots had the power of the “Spark of combination”, meaning that they could combine with a similar sized ally, becoming either the top or the bottom of the combination. Or in Prime’s case an attachment, either his mini team in his trailer or with Omega Supreme for example, His frist appearance since G1. The Autobots also had a human ally in Kicker, a hot headed teenager who could detect Energon (his hair turned yellow I believe) thanks to a chance meeting with Primus, essentially the Transformers “God” and creator of the original 13 Primes, depending on what series you’re watching. Most of the Transformers from Armada returned with new designs, and there was some after effects from the end of armada, such as Optimus becoming a much sterner commander. A little below average so check it out if you want to see how things progressed from Armada.

 

Transformers Cybertron (2005)

Remember that thing I said earlier about supposedly being in the same timeline? This one was the reason why. The Japanese version of this show, Galaxy Force, was a separate entity, basically it’s own timeline much like Car Robots/Robots in Disguise. Hasbro had the dialogue reworked for the American release in some spots to make it seem like it was a continuation of Armada and Energon. In this one lost colonies have been discovered, each evolving into it’s own way of life being separated from Cybertron for so long. Basic plot of the show was that a black hole was threatening to destroy the universe and Vector Prime, a Transformer from an earlier age who could shift through time, revealed that it could only be stopped by collecting the four Cyber Planet Keys. Which in turn must be inserted into the Omega Lock to awaken Primus’ power. Now the four locks were on four different planet, Earth being one of them. Other being Velocitron, a planet where speed is supreme. They decide who the leader is with a race. And a Jungle Planet where the Transformers there take on a more beast like form. And Gigatron where everyone is giant sized. This one is pretty much the best of this particular bunch and I would say you should try and see it.

 

Transformers Animated (2007-2009)

Yet another new timeline, in which the Autobots had defeated the Decepticons centuries before. This Optimus Prime is in charge of a salvage crew, unlike most other series the title of Prime is not put on the one in overall charge, that would be Magnus, for this Prime if basically the rank of unit commanders. After finding the Allspark, were every transformer spark comes from at birth, and ambushed by a group of Decpticons lead by Megatron they find themselves on Earth, specifically Detroit. Using a more, shall we say stylized art style than previous series we are greeted by a smaller group of Transformers, but like previous seasons those number eventually grow. And for the first time the Autobots face more human villans as they protect their adopted city. While the art style was considered somewhat groan worthy when it first debuted, and trust me there were some grips at the time. But much like Beast Wars, once you got past the look you realized there was decent story telling here with some some good character twists. Bulkhead, for example, a newer addition the character mythos, ws large and clumsy, but to the surprise of all his teammates also happened to be the foremost expert on Space Bridge calculations. A better example would be Sentinel Prime, a rival and former friend of Optimus, who had an almost racist like aversion to anything organic thanks to an event in both their past were they both thought they lost a dear friend. Or their human friend Suri, who ended up being a small protoform who scanned the DNA of her eventual father. This one is good to seek out and I would also highly recommend it.

 

Transformers Prime (2010-2013)

The latest series as of this writing and the first one done totally in CG since Beast Machines. Taking the basic look of the live action movies but simplified in appearance and some character cues, Bumblebee is not able to talk for example but instead of searching the radio for the proper example of what he wants to say this one uses a series of buzzes to communicate. The human contacts weren’t that annoying but things had me wondering, Like the youngest of the three kid Raef who can understand Bumblebee’s buzz talk perfectly. And much like Beast Wars and Animated it was very well written with Characters growing a bit. It also had some nice ideas like Unicron, the mortal enemy of Primus being the Core of Earth and other thing, thus making the connection between Earth and Cybertron stronger than in previous series. And it was a little on the more mature side as several characters died throughout the series’ run.  And were not brought back because they’re just machines. And like Animated there was a human threat seen sporadically throughout the series, an organization called MECH that was trying to bring about a new world order when they debut but quickly switched to trying to study and recreate Transformer’s tech. I should point out here that season’s 2 and 3 delved into a get the items before the other side type of story ark, for Iocan relics and fossilized Predacons bones respectively. The show was officially ended with the TV movie Predacons Rising. I would highly recommend this one and suggest you check it out.

 

The Live Action Movies (2007-2011, 2014)

Eventually Hollywood decided to try and cash in on the Transformers fandom and released a live action version into movie theaters. Taking a familiar story of Optimus and the Autobots protecting the Earth against Megatron and the Decpticons. For the first three movies, haven’t as of this writing I haven’t seen the fourth one, we get the standard summer blockbuster spectacle. For whatever reason decided to focus their attention on the human characters, which takes up most of the movies’ screen time. Whatever Transformers action there is well done, Prime in this one doesn’t seem to have a problem ripping Decepticons apart. Then again in the original animated movie he was running them over in his truck mode on his way to battle Megatron, so there is a bit of a precident there. And it had it’s problems, such as in certain shots you couldn’t tell which Transformer was which. I am personally not a fan of these movies but I would say at least check out the first one as it is semi decent, they rest… well if you liked the first one then go ahead.

 

Now you would think this would be the end of this article but, as the infomercial goes, wait there’s more. There is a show for smaller children called Transformer Rescue Bot. Having not watched an episode I can’t really comment on it. However I felt you should know it was there. And after G1 ended Japan kept going with three more series, released over here on DVD, all set in an alternate timeline after season 3 ended. These trehe series are

 

Transformers the Headmaster (1987-1988)

Going for a different take than the mini-series that ended the American run, this picks up roughly were season 3 lefts off. During yet another battle with Optimus and crew taking on Galvatron and company different transformers show up. Headmasters from the planet Nebulos, led by Fortress Maximus, but in this one instead of organic beings wearing exosuits the heads are the Transformers themselves, having created bigger bodies called Zectors. Slowing the old cast is written off, Optimus dies… again. Blaster and Soundwave pretty much punch each other to death but thanks to Headmaster Tech they get reformattedand reborn. Why couldn’t they do that with Optimus?. After Cybertron is destroyed Rodimus, Kup and Blurr fly off in search of a new home, and they don’t take a spaceship either they pretty much Superman it out of there. Target Masters are introduced later on but they’re mini robots escaping from Nebulos and thanks to an explosion get bonded to the nearest Autobot or Decepticon, and this they don’t really speak it kind of makes them an early version of the Minicons. This show was pretty good, and despite the fact Spike pretty much becomes one of the worst parents ever. You will know it when you see it. also a bit of a weird thing as the Headmasters can switch bodies mid battle and can hold hands as they join their mental energies for a mega attack. I would try and check this one out.

 

Transfomers Masterforce (1988-1989)

Taking place after Headmasters, yet earth tech looks a bit more contemporary for the most part, we find that Fortress Maximus had left four Autobots behind to defend the Earth. Here they take human size and shape, these would be the pretenders ladies and gentlemen. Although they are able to grow to their natural size. When Decepticon Pretenders show up they go into action, eventually both sides are joined by the Headmasters Juniors, much like the American take with people in suit but this time young kids. But before long we are on a quest to find the Godmasters, known as the Power Masters over here. Including one named Ginrai who transformers with a truck who takes a striking resemblance to Optimus but it isn’t. After the Godmasters are found the Pretenfers pretty much takes a back seat barely being mentioned at all. Well except the Decepticon ones who pretty much becomes the comic relief. There is this weird bit where the humans, and even the human pretender’s shell, henshin or transform into their exosuits. I would say this one is pretty good too and worth checking out.

 

Transformers Victory (1989)

The last of the trio this one follows new Autobot Supreme Commander Star Saber as his team faces Decpticon warlord Deathsaurus as he tried to steal enough energy to free his massive battle fortress that Saber locked away in a nebula. This one is a bit more comedic than previous series, mainly due to the Decepticon’s Dino Force. And just about everything combines with something else. Star Saber fellow Brain Master, think really funky Headmasters, form up to into a giant robot. The unfortunately named Breast Masters, called Chest Master in the states and subs, whose chest pop off forming a little animal partner that can also form their weapons, form a giant robot. The Dino Force form a giant robot. Star sSber can get a supermode by combining with the back part of his jet mode and with Ginrai, who gets reformatted into Victory Leo. A process that both kills and rebirth him. In fact the only ones who don’t combine are Deatrhsaurus, although he is a Breast Master himself, this giant robot shuttle and the Micromaster rescue team. And to be honest I kept expecting the micros to go all Voltron like the rest of them. And there is this strange bit where the human kid in the series is Star Saber’s adopted son. He found the kid in a life pod after Decepticons destroyed his parent’s research/mining star ship. Definitely one of the more weirder entries. But fair warning if you do watch it, they reuse footage a lot and there’s at least 5 recap clip show episodes, and they’re spaced really weird. I saw one and three episodes later there was another one.

 

And we’re still not done. Beast Wars had a couple of sequel series in Japan as well. Beast Wars 2 and Beast Wars Neo. As you probably have guessed I haven’t seen these either but again I felt compelled to mention their existence. There’s also Transformers ,Go! in Japan. This one a bit weirder as it follows two teams of Autobot, the Shinobi Team and a Samurai team. Both tell the same story but from their prespective angles, and the human kids, one from a line of Shinobi and one from a linreof samurai. At best you can say this is a side story to season 3 of Transfortmers Prime, since Beast Hunter Optimus makes an appearance. And just so you’re aware, the Shinobi part is four episodes long while the Samurai is six.

 

And Finally Transformers Prime is getting a sequel series titled Transformers: Robots in Disguise. Not to be confused with the previous show of the same name. In this on Bumblebee leads a new team of Autobots to protect Earth from a new batch of Decepticons. I’m sure to some Bee may be a strange choice for a team leader, but of you watch Predacons Rising you see Leader Bumblebee start to take shape. Granted I’m not sure they thought that far ahead but the seeds are there.

 

And that is my look at the transformers franchise. If there is something there you haven’t seen hopefully I piqued your interest enough to at least check out an episode or two to gauge them for yourself