The Energon Pub

Let's face it. G1 is very much a well loved franchise in the Transformers brand, being the franchise that started it and the one that many/most grew up with.

While one who devoutly loves G1 to the point where he/she scorns anything not faithful to G1 is called a "Geewunner", does there exist such a thing as the opposite: One who dislikes G1 and puts every post-G1 franchise above it? Essentially, a G1 hater?

I don't just mean that they dislike the G1 cartoon, but G1 in general. The cartoon, the toys, the comics, the 1986 movie, anything that has to do with G1 instead of a post-G1 series.

Has anyone ever come across someone who genuinely disliked G1? Or at least liked everything else better than G1?

Though, not simply someone who just bashes G1 for the sake of bashing, but who has real reasons that sounded legitimate enough to make a compelling argument against G1.

Also, if you were to ever meet any anti-G1 person/people, how would you interact with this person/these people?

I have literally never met a transformers fan who puts all post-g1 stuff above G1. I don't think you can like transformers without acknowledging that without G1, transformers as we know it wouldn't exist. So if you hate G1...then I guess you hate transformers as a whole.

Short Answer: I don't think so.

I can't say I have. I know a few people who put a couple of series (Beast Wars, Galaxy Force) above G1, but not everything. Honestly, I never thought such a fan might exist.

I know it may sound mind-boggling to some, but I don't think it's impossible. Think about it. Suppose someone grew up liking a later series like the Beast Era, the Unicron Trilogy, the movies, etc. and did not see G1 before any of these. Then, when they finally do get to see G1 media, they do not like what they see and so go back to what they do like. I wouldn't be surprised if one found the G1 fiction (cartoon/comics/etc.) to be "archaic" or "too 1980s" compared to any of them more modern series.

In regards to the toys, it'd be very understandable to see why one who was raised on ball joints and show-accuracy wouldn't like many of the inarticulate bricks and out-of-date engineering of the G1 toys.

Though, there are some G1 things that were created in more modern years (like the Dreamwave and IDW comics, and the Classics-style toys), but I can still see an argument against these things. A non-G1 fan could go, "These comics/toys are based on an old series with characters that I did not grow up with and am unfamiliar with. If I read comics/buy toys, I want to read about/buy what feels familiar to me, like the Unicron Trilogy or the movies. I'll read/buy THOSE comics/toys, but not these ones."

It kinda makes sense to be drawn more to something one recognizes and knows about than what they don't. And if someone doesn't know much about G1 and isn't interested in it, I wouldn't see them pursuing it much unless they did take some interest in it. But it's entirely possible for them not to.

I'm one, kinda.

I grew up with G1 and loved it, I still like the characters and concepts and designs but I just grew up to dislike the following:
the toys
the original comics

Don't get me wrong, I still like the cartoon, mostly due to my nostalgia towards it, and I do understand and respect everything G1 for what it is and having started it all, but I just can't stand the old toys and the comics.
I recently got out my reissues and the few originals I still have and just looked at them questioning why I didn't just throw them away or why I bought the reissues in the first place instead of better, more modern toys which are cheaper anyway.
Comics wise (G1), I never liked them I've tried getting into them a couple of times but never managed to really enjoy myself while reading them or even care enough to read following issues.

G1 really only has nostalgic and "historic" value for me any more, for instance I would prefer it that HasTak would stop reissuing G1 toys and just focus on making better modern representations of the characters.

I always burst out laughing when someone mentions that G1 (as in 80s comics, cartoon, toys) is superior and made with more love than things like Beast Wars, Prime, Movies, Animated etc....


It's kinda odd really, but I guess I just grew out of it now.

I'll come right out and say it: I sort of am one.
In that, I lke/enjoy G1 for what it is, but tbh coming in to TFs with armada (BTW DON'T start ranting about armada please guys, I've been there, done that, got the tshirt. I know that it is somewhat hated. I don't care. It's still my faviorute series.) if I look back at G1 I can see that a lot of it was rubbish

So basically, I like it, but its really rather bad.
But tbh, at least to me, the bad-ness has sorm sort of a clunky charm I can't really imagine people having the heart to hate on much.

And also, if i came across a g1 hater, I would LEAVE THEM TO THIER OWN OPINION. Everyone must have different views on things, or, IMO, society as we know it would collapse.

Growing up with G1 I loved the cartoon, and I loved the UK comic stories. I used to scan over the US reprints because generally the artwork and especially the colouring (or lack therof) was awful. And the comics were so human-centric, I hated that! Endless episodes with GB Blackrock doing whatever, who cares.

As for the toys, Some were great, some awful (I guess it's inevitable because of the varius amalgamated toylines initially) I also disliked most of the gimmicks they came up with in later years (I did like the 'masters' though)

So personally that I have always disliked elements of G1. I suppose you could call me a hater of the US comics, Actionmasters, most Pretenders, and the more garish toys towards the end of the line. I feel all the G1 comics have been surpassed by IDW, and I can't deny how excellent TF: Prime is, even if I'm not in love with the character models.

But then there are aspects of G1 that I will always love as well, such as the artwork of Jeff Anderson, Geoff Senior and Lee Sullivan, Target: 2006, Timewars, Legacy of Unicron. Death's head. G1 Prime. The original toy of Mirage, Tracks, and the Lambo brothers which still look cool today.

Ultimately, G1 has been like every other series which has succeeded it: some good, some bad. Although I unashamedly dislike pretty much all munky shellformers

Dead Metal wrote:Comics wise (G1), I never liked them I've tried getting into them a couple of times but never managed to really enjoy myself while reading them or even care enough to read following issues.

That's interesting, since I've been reading the Marvel Comics for the first time recently and found them to be better than the cartoon for the main reason that they told a story. Each issues, more or less, matters to some degree in regards to the overall story of the series. Whereas the cartoon, aside from the first few episodes, some multi-parters, some new character debut episodes, and the movie, was largely just filler stories with little-to-no nutritional value or development to the overall story. It felt to me that the Marvel Comics told an actual story, while the cartoon merely told a ton of sidestories.

Still, that isn't to say that the Marvel Comics were superior in every way. There were plenty of stinkers throughout its run. I'd say the best stuff came at the beginning and at the point when Simon Furman took over after Bob Budiansky. There were some few good issues here and there in the middle, but the best ones came near the start and towards the end. And in the UK. Oh MAN, the UK stuff rocks! The Marvel UK comics are SO much richer in story and character than most of the Marvel U.S. stuff.

Though, the Marvel G2 comics weren't of the same caliber as this. They felt kinda disappointing, being "dark for the sake of being dark" with less gravitas than Furman's G1 stuff.

Haven't read the Dreamwave or IDW G1 stuff yet, so I'm still working on that.

But there is one thing I will say the cartoon handled better than the Marvel Comics: Characterization. While Marvel did characterize some characters, the couldn't get all of them. The cartoon, however, gave personality to many of them, even if some of them were mere archetypes. Though, there were still some that the cartoon didn't develop as much, so I guess they both kinda fall short of this, with the cartoon being less so.

Still, it was the comics that made me really come to appreciate the likes of Ratchet, Shockwave, Soundwave, Ravage, Bumblebee/Goldbug, Blaster, Zarak/Scorponok, Thunderwing, Bludgeon, Carnivac, Ultra Magnus, Unicron, and others. whereas the cartoon didn't give them the great portrayals that the comics did.

ArmadaPrime wrote:I'll come right out and say it: I sort of am one.
In that, I lke/enjoy G1 for what it is, but tbh coming in to TFs with armada (BTW DON'T start ranting about armada please guys, I've been there, done that, got the tshirt. I know that it is somewhat hated. I don't care. It's still my faviorute series.) if I look back at G1 I can see that a lot of it was rubbish

I like G1 and I really liked Armada. The cartoon, the comics, and the toys all reminded me of G1 for some reason. Yeah, Armada had better art, better story, and better toy articulation, but the colors and some of the designs reminded me. Armada is one of my favorite series, right behind Beast Wars. Matter of fact, Hedgeclipperhead and ol' Grapeface are my 2 favorite Megatrons, toy- and character-wise. I guess it helps that they're voiced by the same guy.

And I still enjoy the PS2 Armada game more than WFC. Maybe FOC will change that, but I doubt it.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

ArmadaPrime wrote:I'll come right out and say it: I sort of am one.
In that, I lke/enjoy G1 for what it is, but tbh coming in to TFs with armada (BTW DON'T start ranting about armada please guys, I've been there, done that, got the tshirt. I know that it is somewhat hated. I don't care. It's still my faviorute series.) if I look back at G1 I can see that a lot of it was rubbish

I like G1 and I really liked Armada. The cartoon, the comics, and the toys all reminded me of G1 for some reason. Yeah, Armada had better art, better story, and better toy articulation, but the colors and some of the designs reminded me. Armada is one of my favorite series, right behind Beast Wars. Matter of fact, Hedgeclipperhead and ol' Grapeface are my 2 favorite Megatrons, toy- and character-wise. I guess it helps that they're voiced by the same guy.

And I still enjoy the PS2 Armada game more than WFC. Maybe FOC will change that, but I doubt it.

As far as the cartoon go, I'd say I find G1 and Armada to be about equal. Though, I hear Dreamwave's Armada comics were "amazing", so i'll be looking forward to reading them.

Sabrblade wrote:does there exist such a thing as the opposite: One who dislikes G1 and puts every post-G1 franchise above it? Essentially, a G1 hater?

I don't just mean that they dislike the G1 cartoon, but G1 in general. The cartoon, the toys, the comics, the 1986 movie, anything that has to do with G1 instead of a post-G1 series.

Has anyone ever come across someone who genuinely disliked G1? Or at least liked everything else better than G1?

Though, not simply someone who just bashes G1 for the sake of bashing, but who has real reasons that sounded legitimate enough to make a compelling argument against G1.

Also, if you did meet a anti-G1 person/people, how would you interact with this person/these people?

I have met a few peoplr [online anyway] that claim to hate/dislike G1 as much as some hate the Bay-films.

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:I have met a few peoplr [online anyway] that claim to hate/dislike G1 as much as some hate the Bay-films.

Yikes. What kind of things did they say about G1 (aside from the obvious, "It is teh suxx!")?

Sabrblade wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:Comics wise (G1), I never liked them I've tried getting into them a couple of times but never managed to really enjoy myself while reading them or even care enough to read following issues.

That's interesting, since I've been reading the Marvel Comics for the first time recently and found them to be better than the cartoon for the main reason that they told a story. Each issues, more or less, matters to some degree in regards to the overall story of the series. Whereas the cartoon, aside from the first few episodes, some multi-parters, some new character debut episodes, and the movie, was largely just filler stories with little-to-no nutritional value or development to the overall story. It felt to me that the Marvel Comics told an actual story, while the cartoon merely told a ton of sidestories.

Still, that isn't to say that the Marvel Comics were superior in every way. There were plenty of stinkers throughout its run. I'd say the best stuff came at the beginning and at the point when Simon Furman took over after Bob Budiansky. There were some few good issues here and there in the middle, but the best ones came near the start and towards the end. And in the UK. Oh MAN, the UK stuff rocks! The Marvel UK comics are SO much richer in story and character than most of the Marvel U.S. stuff.

Though, the Marvel G2 comics weren't of the same caliber as this. They felt kinda disappointing, being "dark for the sake of being dark" with less gravitas than Furman's G1 stuff.

Haven't read the Dreamwave or IDW G1 stuff yet, so I'm still working on that.

But there is one thing I will say the cartoon handled better than the Marvel Comics: Characterization. While Marvel did characterize some characters, the couldn't get all of them. The cartoon, however, gave personality to many of them, even if some of them were mere archetypes. Though, there were still some that the cartoon didn't develop as much, so I guess they both kinda fall short of this, with the cartoon being less so.

Still, it was the comics that made me really come to appreciate the likes of Ratchet, Shockwave, Soundwave, Ravage, Bumblebee/Goldbug, Blaster, Zarak/Scorponok, Thunderwing, Bludgeon, Carnivac, Ultra Magnus, Unicron, and others. whereas the cartoon didn't give them the great portrayals that the comics did.

Yes I know that the G1 show sucks story wise, that's why I mostly like it for it's nostalgic factor, that and the sound of it. I really like they way it sounds, the voices, the sound effects and the music just make me feel like a child lying on the carpet in a dim lit very early 90s living room again.

The thing is, this dislike of G1 is very new for me, I guess it started about 2 years ago while catching myself laughing at G1 Galvatron, Cyclonus and Megatron while someone said they where superior to their Classics and Masterpiece iterations in every way.

Dead Metal wrote:Yes I know that the G1 show sucks story wise, that's why I mostly like it for it's nostalgic factor, that and the sound of it. I really like they way it sounds, the voices, the sound effects and the music just make me feel like a child lying on the carpet in a dim lit very early 90s living room again.

Oh, yes! The voice acting and music score was very well done for its time. Above average, even, I'd say. That's why I like to apply most of the cartoon voices to the comic counterparts (save for a few exceptions like how some of the animal bots once growled in the show while speaking in the comics, or how Marvel Blaster is nothing like Cartoon Blaster).

Dead Metal wrote:The thing is, this dislike of G1 is very new for me, I guess it started about 2 years ago while catching myself laughing at G1 Galvatron, Cyclonus and Megatron while someone said they where superior to their Classics and Masterpiece iterations in every way.

LOL.

Sabrblade wrote:

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:I have met a few peoplr [online anyway] that claim to hate/dislike G1 as much as some hate the Bay-films.

Yikes. What kind of things did they say about G1 (aside from the obvious, "It is teh suxx!")?

complaints very similar to what you might here about the Bay films.

"stories with no plots"

"horrible BLOCKY designs"

"continuity issue"

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:"horrible BLOCKY designs"

Aren't they just as blocky as those of RiD and the Unicron Trilogy?

Sabrblade wrote:

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:"horrible BLOCKY designs"

Aren't they just as blocky as those of RiD and the Unicron Trilogy?

I guess, but the guys I was talking about were more in favor of the Bay designs.

And not all the RID's are that blocky.

Well, as seen in this thread, yup. They exist and are just as legit TF fans as anyone else.

I don't hate G1, but I do regard all other franchises as 'superior'... well, the ones I've seen myself, at least.

I have no nostalgic ties to G1 (grew up with Beast Wars, got into TFs with the Movies), have no interest in the aesthetic (I prefer... organic shapes), and like my cartoons/movies to be graceful in advertising toys.

I'm not a G1 hater but many..toys at least over 60% of the toys share two annoying flaws which i do dislike to a great deal .

1- Very limited poseability(only shoulders move but have no elbow) or there is hindered poseability(elbow or knee movement is limited due to the design),or even no knee or head poseability at all.

2- Bottom of feet are fused together making them look like they're "mono-legged" or only have a single leg(despite having visible upper thigh gap).
This is common in toys with no splittings to make distinctive lower feet halves on characters such as Nightbeat and Punch/Counterpunch. along with a large sum of Gestalt members and a huge majority of Generation 2 robots.

While I respect every inch of it, I'm just not much of a fan for G1. My childhood was in the BW era, and when RID rolled in, I flipped out.... robots transforming into cars? That's boring! After essentially learning about the lore and the existence of what preceded BW, I grew to understand it. But there was just no way to connect towards it. So in came Armada, which conveniently was about the same time when I started getting allowance.

While BW was what I grew up with, the robots/car concept was more appealing to me, (and because BW was no longer in retail), Armada was the only thing that I could get into. As of now, it's Armada that's my foundation, Animated which I want to keep expanding with my customs, and then maybe Prime/WFC.

Even if I had all of the $$$ to go back and recollect Transformers from the past, G1 would be the last on the list. The only figures from the series that I have are the HasTak reiterations of my favorite character and presents I received. Just the era we grow up in, I suppose.

I grew up with the unicron trilogy, when the first movie came out I was confused at the characters, (why is ironhide old, where are hotshot and red alert) but around that time I was able to look back and g1 and beast wars became my favorite series, I only have about 10 g1s but they are my most prized transformers completing the g1 line has become my holy grail.

I dont know anyone that hates, but I've met people that completely dismiss g1. I do know some hardcore BW fans, who dont like transformers that turn into cars/jets ect.

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:"horrible BLOCKY designs"

Aren't they just as blocky as those of RiD and the Unicron Trilogy?

I guess, but the guys I was talking about were more in favor of the Bay designs.

And not all the RID's are that blocky.

Only the Predacons' and the Autobot Brothers' character models aren't as block as the G1 character models. Everyone else is pretty G1 model blocky.

Noideaforaname wrote:I don't hate G1, but I do regard all other franchises as 'superior'... well, the ones I've seen myself, at least.

Would one of those that you've seen be the Energon cartoon?

Screamfleet wrote:I dont know anyone that hates, but I've met people that completely dismiss g1. I do know some hardcore BW fans, who dont like transformers that turn into cars/jets ect.

"Munky, not Trukk"?

Sabrblade wrote:Only the Predacons' and the Autobot Brothers' character models aren't as block as the G1 character models. Everyone else is pretty G1 model blocky.

again, I dont agree.The Bullet train team isint very blocky, nor was the build team all that blocky.

the spychangers,Fort max and the Decepticons are blocky.