The Energon Pub

I was originally into the Transformers back in 1984 when I was 6. Around the time I got into high school, I kinda forgot about them (1992-3). After seeing the movie a couple of times, something in my inner child has awakened (and my wife has discovered me to be a huge dork, but she's OK with that). I had maybe 30-40 Transformers over my time, and I think most of them are still at my parents' house, though I have no idea for certain. I oughtta check that out, though...I had a full, complete Defensor, Superion, and Devastator in that bunch...I've looked up every character profile on wikipedia (before I found this place, at least) and I put together a personal list of what I remember having and it numbers 33. Anyway...

I've gone out and purchased all five movie Autobots:

Leader Optimus Prime
Voyager Ironhide
Deluxe Bumblebee (2008 concept)
Fast Action Battlers Ratchet and Jazz (all I can find around here)

I got them in that order. I expected Optimus Prime to be complex to transform and I was not disappointed. Even with the directions, I think my first conversion to semi mode took around a half hour. Back to robot mode was much easier, and subsequent transformations have been much easier.

What I was not expecting was the complexities behind Ironhide and Bumblebee. Bumblebee's head popped off and his body popped at the socket, and fortunately they both pop back on just as easily. It took me a while to figure him out, maybe 15 minutes or so. Ironhide took almost as long as Optimus, though...I couldn't figure out what that 180-degree turn was all about; he's so dark in color it wasn't obvious to me that he had the little plate where you do the rotation. As a result, his feet were backwards. The hood/doors/windshield assembly gave me fits, and that dumb little armor plate that swings up with the little plate on the top keeps folding down.

I don't judge any of those three to be toys I'd give to a 6-year-old kid as I was starting out, or expect them to be able to transform them on their own.

Then I got to Jazz and Ratchet, as the only versions of them I could find were the Fast Action Battlers. These are both more like my old-man speed and more along the lines of what I remember as a kid. Especially Jazz, where the front end of the car folds down. I mean that both in terms of complexity and design. Ratchet is obviously different (considering IIRC Ratchet and Ironhide G1 toys didn't have a head) from his origins, but still, they're both very straightforward. I'd give these to my kid, should such a thing exist in the near future.

An aside: I'm rediscovering my youth and I'm also starting to discover what I'd been missing. It's all wonderful. Embrace me!

is that why you used DorkimusPrime as your user name?

Welcome. I found my youth almost 2 years ago. My collection now has about 80 figures. Just waitng on new BB to hit stores in my area.

Welcome back to the fold, brother. And Welcome to Seibertron, where I was told to leave my sanity at the door, (like I had any). Oh, and

WARNING: SEIBERTRON CONTAINS NUTS

Always wanted to do that big!!

autobot comander wrote:is that why you used DorkimusPrime as your user name?

That's actually what my wife has dubbed me. It started when I brought home the Leader Prime on Saturday. She then proclaimed my dorkitude to my parents on Sunday when we were there for dinner like I was supposed to get embarrassed...I think it honked her off that I didn't.

jaws, that youth-finding experience is great, eh?

I'm OK with nuts, --B--

How often does Hasbro do the classic sets like they did last year (for I'm guessing the movie's 20th anniversary?)? The G1 characters are all I really know and at this point all I have any interest in acquiring, though vintage collector prices aren't my style or budget. I just ordered a whole heap of DVD's from Amazon to get re-acquainted with G1 and to get to know everything post-Rebirth, so I'm sure that'll change.

Welcome! I started out in similar fashion a few a few years ago when the first 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime came out. I have enjoyed this hobby ever since.

Speaking of that figue, you should look into getting one. It is one of the best Transformers ever made and you can still get the latest verion at Hasbro Toy Shop for about $60.

I just want to make sure people know I don't feel stupid for getting back into this; I feel stupid because that's what teh Voyager/Deluxe figures made me feel because I wrestled with them so long.

Lapse of Reason - I just checked it out, it looks pretty awesome. I may just have to pick him up. Interesting that he comes with a Megatron in weapon mode.