The Energon Pub

[RhA]

Looks better than I expected. Can't wait to get my preorder filled.

[Agamemnon]

Has anyone noticed that Silverbolts nose can turn down, like a real Concorde ???

(I cannot wait to get home and check this out...)

[Cobotron]

Neat factoid, Jelz. Didn't know that. Thanks.

[G1OPT1MU5PR1M3]

Most of these people on this thread saying alpha bravo is ok with the Aerialbots and literally being completely argumentative as if YOU have an alpha bravo limb to stand on can just please sit down and have a seat. You guys are millennials, born in the late 80's or 90's and to an extent (especially the 90's millennials) can't even remember G1, so if you are one of them, then you pretty much follow the IDW series and that's fine and all, but do know that before IDW took over, DREAMWAVE was the BEST iteration of the G1 transformers franchise before IDW came along with these wack replacements of characters. But also know this, as much as these millennials can sit here and dispute things they can't even remember, do know that the reason you are even posting your love for transformers is BECAUSE of G1 and in case you are wondering, this G1 fan was born in 1977. It's not much you can tell me (let alone dispute with me) anything concerning transformers. G1 ALL DAY... till all are one

[Evil Eye]

Alright, who left the doors unlocked on the crazy train?

[MrBlack]

Most of these people on this thread saying alpha bravo is ok with the Aerialbots and literally being completely argumentative as if YOU have an alpha bravo limb to stand on can just please sit down and have a seat. You guys are millennials, born in the late 80's or 90's and to an extent (especially the 90's millennials) can't even remember G1, so if you are one of them, then you pretty much follow the IDW series and that's fine and all, but do know that before IDW took over, DREAMWAVE was the BEST iteration of the G1 transformers franchise before IDW came along with these wack replacements of characters. But also know this, as much as these millennials can sit here and dispute things they can't even remember, do know that the reason you are even posting your love for transformers is BECAUSE of G1 and in case you are wondering, this G1 fan was born in 1977. It's not much you can tell me (let alone dispute with me) anything concerning transformers. G1 ALL DAY... till all are one

That's just, like, you're opinion man...

Seriously, we all feel differently about this sort of thing, and it's all okay. Nobody has an opinion that is right or wrong. I'm around the same age as you. I grew up with G1 cartoon and the Marvel comics. G1 has a special place in my heart, but I love most Transformers fiction. I think the recent IDW stuff blows almost everything else out of the water, and I think Animated was easily the best Transformers tv series. Different strokes, you know.

Alpha Bravo may be the new guy, but he's easily the coolest figure among the Deluxe Aerialbots. I'd love to see Slingshot in the US (he was the only Aerialbot I had as a kid), but he is available overseas to those who want to go to the trouble to have him.

[Syn_13]

Saving the best Aerialbot 'til last, in my opinion. He looks fantastic.

[RiddlerJ]

Can his wings swing back and forth? I thought they were fixed, but I see a hinge now.

[Cobotron]

To the angry G1 fan,
I was born in '75. I think Alpha Bravo KICKS ASS! Change is good. Accept it.

[SimianProphet]

I would not go so far as to start pointing at millennials, as I have a couple years on you, and absolutely love the IDW TF book. I would say they are the best iteration of the franchise yet, with great stories and great characters.

Now saying this, even as a child of 10-12, I pretty much face-palmed my way through the G1 cartoon series. I watched every episode, and was usually entertained even though I felt like my intelligence was being insulted.

The G1 toys, for their time, were pretty cool, but started getting less cool by the year, it seemed. I got pulled back into collecting with the Transmetals Beast Wars line, and these figures just blew me away. And most of the new toys have continued that trend (with a few ups and downs in quality)

I am enjoying the hell out of Combiner Wars, and none of the changes made to characters have bothered me in the slightest. the only mark against it in my opinion is it's heavy reliance on repaints/retools. I generally don't go for either, so I am on the fence for how heavy I will buy into this series in the long run. (Can't wait for Devistator though!)

Anyways, those are my thoughts. I have to go now; those damn kids are on my lawn again!

[Cyberpath]

Motormaster was the perfect fit for the Stunticons because they were like evil Autobots, led by an evil Optimus Prime.

semitrailertrucks.jpg

'sides, it's not like he didn't live up to the name. ;)

motormaster.jpg

The Aerialbots may be "aerial" bots, but thematically they're a jets team.
However, it was reported a while back that TRU will also sell Slingshot, so fans get to choose the character that they prefer -- win-win.

[william-james88]

Most of these people on this thread saying alpha bravo is ok with the Aerialbots and literally being completely argumentative as if YOU have an alpha bravo limb to stand on can just please sit down and have a seat. You guys are millennials, born in the late 80's or 90's and to an extent (especially the 90's millennials) can't even remember G1, so if you are one of them, then you pretty much follow the IDW series and that's fine and all, but do know that before IDW took over, DREAMWAVE was the BEST iteration of the G1 transformers franchise before IDW came along with these wack replacements of characters. But also know this, as much as these millennials can sit here and dispute things they can't even remember, do know that the reason you are even posting your love for transformers is BECAUSE of G1 and in case you are wondering, this G1 fan was born in 1977. It's not much you can tell me (let alone dispute with me) anything concerning transformers. G1 ALL DAY... till all are one

That's just, like, you're opinion man...

Seriously, we all feel differently about this sort of thing, and it's all okay. Nobody has an opinion that is right or wrong. I'm around the same age as you. I grew up with G1 cartoon and the Marvel comics. G1 has a special place in my heart, but I love most Transformers fiction. I think the recent IDW stuff blows almost everything else out of the water, and I think Animated was easily the best Transformers tv series. Different strokes, you know.

Alpha Bravo may be the new guy, but he's easily the coolest figure among the Deluxe Aerialbots. I'd love to see Slingshot in the US (he was the only Aerialbot I had as a kid), but he is available overseas to those who want to go to the trouble to have him.

Also I would add that Hasbro is not interested in catering exclusively to G1 purists, thats a losing man's strategy. They like being inspired by the past but also need the brand to evolve and stay fresh. The Beast Wars line was a complete change to the brand and if it wasnt for that, we would have no transformers today. It would be as dead as the Rock Lords or any other 80s toyline. Those who like G1 only will always have those G1 toys, no one can take them away from you. But Combiner Wars is not a shot for shot remake of G1, it is an homage and a new life in the scramble city concept for a whole new generation while making sure that older fans are not completely alienated.

[Flashwave]

As a child of the early 90s, I am so very much hoping that the slingshot rumor is true. I love AB as a figure, (could use a MUCH better name) but Slingshot was my favorite of the G1 airelbots because Harrier. I really don't see the Harrier in the Sling/Fireflightmold, it's in the wings and tail but the body kills it for me, but his absense is noted because of it. AB will prbably get a blue stripe down the road and become Flyup or something, and remain on the Airlbots as a backup and/or medic.

Personally, I like that Hasbro is supposedly going to make use of the Scramble City side, and simultaneously introduce NEW characters such as Bravo and Offroad for the new generations and then double back and release figures for the Collector crowd as well. Best of both worlds, and I like it. (But then, I'm also the guy who went out and repainted a half-dozen extra limbs for BH Abominus) And they got Groove in with Defensor without jeopardizing scale and still got a new character for Defensor too. Although I like my Rooks as silver Tailgate repaints, but eh

[gothsaurus]

Yeah, it's actually a stroke of brilliance to add a 6th character to each CW team. That actually creates a whole new way to scramble, instead of just swapping limbs around. You can trade out an entire character.

Bottom line, we get a new character ... and the play pattern is expanded and improved. It satisfies the G1 purist and the new fan. Nice.

That was the fun of Headmasters, actually. I never understood why the USA cartoon never explored the swapping feature. Also, that's currently where they fell short with the Classics Brainstorm release. There's no one to swap with. The notion of being able to swap a smart team member for a mission, etc. makes for some rich stories and exciting play. I hope they find a way to work in a full line of Headmasters. It's my favorite gimmick from the past 30 years.

[ZeroWolf]

Why must someone separate the fan base based on age? Alpha Bravo is a brilliant figure, that's why people like him. When people come into this franchise they tend to do their research. Not everything has to play out like it did 30 years ago. We are transformers fans United no matter age, or anything.

[peaces]

i grew up with g1 and i love alpha bravo, rook, and offroad

[prjkt]

I willing to be someone (Vaal) will repaint a G1 Blades or Vortex in Alpha Bravo's colours one of these days...

Oh and, until recently, outside of the movies, the original cartoon was my only exposure to TF fiction. I still have zero problems with a new member of the Aerialbots.

[Agamemnon]

I don't think Va'al is a millennial... I know I'm not. I'm almost older than dirt. I loved the original Aerialbots with Slingshot being my first as a kid. (I never got Silverbolt and Fireflight, so I never got to combine them as a kid. Needless to say, I was giddy when I had the money and G2 came out. Too bad my Slingshot is now crumbling.) So, I was immensely bummed initially learning that AB is replacing Slingshot. (I am happy that it appears we will still be able to get him, even if he is a repaint of Firefly...) All that said, Alpha Bravo is my favorite CW figure at this time. I love the alt mode. I love the transformation. I love him as an option in combining to form Superion. He rocks!

(It sure would be nice to avoid generalizations in either blaming a group of people or using a group of people to supposedly validate our own opinions. Our opinions should stand on their own with sound reasoning. But, then again, this is the Internets I am talking about, isn't it...?)

[Sabrblade]

To G1OPT1MU5PR1M3's post, I will only respond to the following points:

but do know that before IDW took over, DREAMWAVE was the BEST iteration of the G1 transformers franchise before IDW came along with these wack replacements of characters.

Dreamwave SUUUUUUUUCKED...!

The best thing they did was their Armada comics.

But also know this, as much as these millennials can sit here and dispute things they can't even remember, do know that the reason you are even posting your love for transformers is BECAUSE of G1

G1 definitely ain't the root of my love for Transformers. Beast Wars was, having seen it, Beast Machines, and RID 2001 before I ever saw the G1 cartoon. Wouldn't get to see G1 until 2002. And wouldn't read the G1 Marvel Comics until 2010.

And frankly, between the Sunbow cartoon and the Marvel Comics, the comics were superior, especially the UK comics (pre-February 1990).

[william-james88]

Dreamwave SUUUUUUUUCKED...!

Linkara agrees (this is a great video review of that era (seen through 2 comics) if anyone is itnerested)

[Rodimus Prime]

To G1OPT1MU5PR1M3's post, I will only respond to the following points:

but do know that before IDW took over, DREAMWAVE was the BEST iteration of the G1 transformers franchise before IDW came along with these wack replacements of characters.

Dreamwave SUUUUUUUUCKED...!

The best thing they did was their Armada comics.

But also know this, as much as these millennials can sit here and dispute things they can't even remember, do know that the reason you are even posting your love for transformers is BECAUSE of G1

G1 definitely ain't the root of my love for Transformers. Beast Wars was, having seen it, Beast Machines, and RID 2001 before I ever saw the G1 cartoon. Wouldn't get to see G1 until 2002. And wouldn't read the G1 Marvel Comics until 2010.

And frankly, between the Sunbow cartoon and the Marvel Comics, the comics were superior, especially the UK comics (pre-February 1990).

...and these are your opinions. Please stop stating them as if they were facts.

[shajaki]

*liked dreamwave*





*runs away*

[gothsaurus]

I'm not understanding the Dreamwave hate. It wasn't perfect, but there were a few things I think they did right.

They stayed in basic G1 cartoon continuity, which was a really easy jumping-on point for fans. They didn't go drastically changing the look of characters, either. (I hate it when every artist has to put their own stamp on a character and completely redesign their transformation in to some non-existant-toy amorphous mess.)

They did a lot to develop unused characters, like the Micromasters and UK exclusives. The War Within was amazing, as were the GI Joe crossovers. I also agree Armada was a high point.

BUT of course, a lot of this IDW is also doing right. They're doing some great character development for new-fan-favs like Swerve, Whirl, etc. I think my biggest gripe with them is how they seemingly-without-regard change roles for various characters. Megatron, poof he's an Autobot. Bee and Starscream, poof they're leaders. Give young little bumblebee a cane.... he's old now. (huh?) Some of those changes made me feel like the writers of the tv show Lost were running the show. Really random changes... don't sit well with long-time fans.

But I digress. It's all very subjective. I'm enjoying IDW, especially MTMTE and the mini-series runs like Windblade. Looking forward to.... Combiner Wars. (You see how I got it back on topic, there? Smooth, huh?.)

[ZeroWolf]

Bee wasn't a leader for long plus he had development in the previous ongoing. Megatron varied between outright evil or believing that he was doing the right thing and that he's a freedom fighter. Besides Galvatron is leading the Decepticons now? Who needs evil Megatron

[william-james88]

Bee wasn't a leader for long plus he had development in the previous ongoing. Megatron varied between outright evil or believing that he was doing the right thing and that he's a freedom fighter. Besides Galvatron is leading the Decepticons now? Who needs evil Megatron

Woah, they are no longer the same person?!

Also, speaking of Megatron...