A Transformers Thread (2024)

I haven't heard good things about the Earthspark toy series

So what would you like to see in this potential new toyline? A return to size classes (Deluxe, Voyager, Leader)? Some kind of accessory-powered gimmick (e.g. Mini-Cons, Cyber Keys)?

"Clarity of thought before rashness of action."

Honestly the Generations line has been incredible. Studio series rocks. I have no complaints about those.

But the Earthspark toys specifically haven't been the same level of quality I find. Elita One's was infamously mediocre.

I mean nowhere near as divisive as the psychopathic film version.

I... *remembers The Last Knight* no, I see your point. XD

"Clarity of thought before rashness of action."

The eternal "GIVE ME YOUR FACE"

Like Optimus just screaming "ILL KILL YOU" while fighting is so offputting.

Edited by Ghilz on May 17th 2024 at 3:12:00 PM

Optimus in general is kind of trapped in "Iconic Hero Syndrome" where there is a lot of pushback if he is anything but a noble, upstanding paragon. Personal doubt is fine but giving him any Shoot the Dog type moments is off the table.

The fact the vast majority of shows will have him, Megatron and Bumblebee (or a Bumblebee analog) means the notability of any given show rests more on the interpretations and liberties taken with the supporting cast. TF Animated was popular for Bulkhead, Prowl, Ratchet, Lockdown, Blitzwing and Lugnut. TF Prime had Bulkhead, Arcee, Breakdown, Knock-Out and Soundwave.

Do you not know that in the service one must always choose the lesser of two weevils!

I gotta read the Skybound comics. Been hearing a lot of good things.

I've said it before but I don't like how many stories uphold Optimus as this chosen christ figure. The original cartoon that a grew up with (Barring The Movie that probably started the whole thing thanks to the matrix of leadership) Optimus Prime was less "Ultimate embodiment of justice" and more "Dude who gathered his drinking buddies together to go beat up the local neo-nazis" it was a weirdly down-to-earth portrayal of a giant alien robot.

Then you might like Optimus in Skybound. Or at least appreciate how they try to reimagine it.

Yeah, he's still a giant robot leader man hero trying to do the right thing…but there's some catches to the concept that previous iterations gloss over, come to think of it.

Shouldn't spoil too much, though.

Edited by TargetmasterJoe on May 17th 2024 at 5:24:49 AM

Skybound is also a massive improvment over the 2nd idw series. Due to actually doing new stuff.

Starscream and Soundwave actually leading the decepticons is hype.

"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."

Skybound is also a massive improvment over the 2nd idw series. Due to actually doing new stuff. Starscream and Soundwave actually leading the decepticons is hype.

Can't argue with that logic.

"Clarity of thought before rashness of action."

Although that new stuff is re-hashing Autobots and Decepticons land on Earth and start fighting each other.

But I admit, it's put some interesting spins on it so far, or rather, it feels old school even while new.

I'm curious as to how things will continue to play out in this series, especially since Megatron is still on the sidelines right now.

One Strip! One Strip!

Hey after a series where that didn't happen. Which wasn't popular. You can now see why earth is so intergral to the franchise

"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."

True enough.

Though IDW 2 was doing a slow burn. Considering how much effort they were putting into re-buidling the Autobots as good guys (and the cons as villains) after years of Grey-and-Grey Morality (that did provide some interesting stories, mind you), I was curious to see how they would have rebuilt how the battle affects humans.

But I guess that wasn't meant to be. Skybound is doing a good job though, and I'm liking how things are going so far.

One Strip! One Strip!

I like that this version of Cybertron isn't so hoplessly corrupt that you end up thinking maybe it should have been destroyed.

That, and a lot of characters who were pretty awful in the previous universe were changed a lot.

Even Sentinel Prime seemed decent, since he actively protected another race seeking refuge from their enemies. He wasn't perfect mind you, but it seemed he was trying to be a good leader, which is a far cry from the Sentinel of previous continuities.

I'd have love to see more of how this world would have played out, so it's a shame IDW botched it.

And now I'm wondering if we'll see any of the IDW characters (Windblade, Drift, Aileron, etc) in Skybound.

Probably not, though I hope we at least get some female decepticons in Skybound soon.

One Strip! One Strip!

I think Idw 2 just took way too long to get started. Like theirs only so long you can tempt people with all the juicy bits like the war and not give it to them. Which is why sky dance leaps into it

"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."

TBH that was a problem with IDW 1 too.

I know we all bask in the glory that were the Wreckers stuff, and MTME / Last Light, but pre "All Hail Megatron" is an uneven slog that is very often terrible or unreadable.

IDW 1's lack of an easy jumping on point is also maddening. Like talking to friends who arent deep into transformers lore about comics I like and MTME comes up and they are like "Oh, I'd like to read those, where should I get started" it baffles my mind to this day that this is a question that doesn't have a one sentence answer.

IDW 1 had a lot of continuity. it was pretty nuts. Though it also provided some good stuff. It's the current basis for Earthspark Megatron.

I think the only thing we're still missing is Shattered Glass in terms of stuff adapted from the comics.

Also, anyone know what the deal is with the Optimus beats up everyone while I'm Still Standing plays meme?

Cause I've seen a lot of those videos. I want to know how it started?

One Strip! One Strip!

In third party new, got my Occular Max Ignis, their Hot Spot for their all-in-one Combiner line. Great fig. you can see the shared design dna with their earlier onslaught. But also all the ways they've upped their game since then.

3/5 down. 2 to go.

Okay so seen clips of the latest Earthspark stuff. I can see they've given the kids power-suits so now they can join the action.

Never a fan of that. While I don't mind the humans being relevant in some way to the conflict, I draw the line at having them being able to straight up fight Cons one on one.

Kinda misses the appeal of the series being robot on robot action. Seeing little kids fighting giant robots isn't really that appealing compared to the actual giant robots themselves. Granted it is a kids show so I know I shouldn't harp on it that much.

Edited by slimcoder on May 20th 2024 at 3:37:15 AM

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."

I mean you're late for that they already gave the kids weapons to fight the cons (and the one human) in season 1. Watching the 6 year old girl try to shiv a grown man with a lightsaber was surreal lol

Also going by season 1, the Malto kids are nearly undestructible coz man those kids tank some falls and blows.

Plus kinda give the show a pass, Mom fought and still fights with the autobots, and their 5 robot siblings also fight with the autobots. The human ones as nominally the "elder" kids aren't gonna sit it out. It makes sense they want to stick by their family.

Plus even story wise the kids get targeted all the goddamn time. Strap Powered Armor on em.

Edited by Ghilz on May 20th 2024 at 10:28:27 AM