INTRODUCTION
Parallel Worlds...
Looking back on the early history of the Transformers
it’s interesting to see the design choices made when they first
launched the line. Certain toys were chosen from the Diaclone
and Microchange lines. For example, the Walther P-38
would become the evil leader Megatron, while the revolver toy
was ignored all together. The truck who become Optimus Prime had
an optional armor version (Powered Convoy) but was released as
the standard version.
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If the powers that be at Hasbro had decided differently, the
Transformers could’ve been a much different (if familiar) line.
Would it have fared differently with a blue Optimus Prime? A
white one? What if the Revolver had been the bad guy leader?
What if the jet mold had been instead?
Does the color of the toy really matter
ultimately? Do certain colors have more marketing appeal to the
general public then others? (I’ve heard it said people like
signs with red lettering on them and are more likely to buy
stuff when it has that). Clearly companies like Pepsi
seem to think so (they have a patent on their particular shade
of blue in some countries). Hopefully, it was the characters
personalities and their stories that got people engaged all
those years ago–but I bet somebody somewhere deliberately chose
the colors they did.
I remember as a kid noticing how colorful the
Transformers all were–they had a red and black cassette and a
blue one too! TFTM’s colorfulness was one of its cooler things
to the ten year old me. In more recent years, the Michael Bay
movies seemed to throw out the palette entirely, choosing
grey/steel and drab tones over the rainbow of G1 (likely trying
to make it seem more “real” and gritty then kiddie). I also
found the toys boring and generic looking because of this trend.
Of course, as an adult I don’t care about
colors so much anymore. I have more important concerns such as
characterization and stories. (Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have
to go look at my red MP Sideswipe and compare it with my yellow
one. :)
Til All Are One!
Thunder
Transmasters Magazine.
Issue #18, SPRING/SUMMER 2013
REVIEW: Recent TF
toys (part one)
PROFILE: Cart Trail
(by Peter Phelps)
REVIEW: Recent TF toys
(part two)
PROFILE: Violet (by Peter
Phelps)
COMIC:
Transformers Legion, part four (by Johan Piest)
REVIEW:
Transformers Prime:
Season Three Episodes
COMIC: Transformers Animated:
Predicaments (by Peter Phelps)
PROFILE:
Defcon (by Jay Gutzman)
PROFILE: Feral (by Jay Gutzman)
PROFILE: Horsepower
(by Jay Gutzman)
PROFILE: Luminas (by
Jay Gutzman)
PROFILE:
Mother Khai (by Jay Gutzman)
PROFILE: Narcissa
(by Jay Gutzman)
PROFILE:
Parasitron (by Jay Gutzman)
PROFILE: S-Blade (by
Jay Gutzman)
Comic
Round-up
Unless noted, this issue was produced by Tony "Thunder"
Klepack. Contributions for future issues are welcome and
encouraged!
(Some stock graphics were designed by Peter Phelps. Thanks
to him for his many efforts).
The TransMasters are a Non-profit club for and by
Transfans. All content appearing in this issue is copyright its
respective contributors and published with their permission.
The Transformers are Copyright and
Trademark 2013 Hasbro/Takara Tomy. All rights Reserved.
This publication is not affiliated with nor endorsed
by the above companies nor any of their licensees.
Magazine
Index