1984's Transformers Are Forty!

[Shockprowl]

May 29, 2024 8:21:27 GMT Pinwig said:

May 29, 2024 7:37:54 GMT Philip Ayres said:

Iron Fist?

Do either side have a statistician?

I know Prowl is strategy rather than statistics, but I'd have thought his role would mean maintaining an internal database of Transformer abilities and skills would be essential in forming away teams for missions. He needs to know his crew inside out for the most effective deployment.

Word.

[Fortmax2020]

I think you'll find someone just left the computer running when they went out to the can.

[Shockprowl]

May 29, 2024 7:51:48 GMT The Doctor said:

Pink Floyd are rubbish.

-Ralph

You will pay for this, Dockotor.

[Philip Ayres]

1984's Transformers Are Forty: Week 10 - Bluestreak
Function: Autobot Gunner
Japan: 8 Streak
tfwiki.net/wiki/Bluestreak_(G1)/toys
www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Bluestreak/bluestreak.htm

"I never met a Decepticon I didn't dislike."

Bluestreak often talks incessantly and inanely. Lightens the situation for all Autobots with his good-natured manner. Despite formidable weaponry and blazing speed, he hates war. Haunted by memory of Decepticons destroying his home-city. Fires bombs up to 8.3 miles and lightning-like 80,000 volt beam up to 12 miles of limited accuracy. Often inhibited by his disdain for combat.


Strength
6
Intelligence
6
Speed
7
Endurance
9
Rank
5
Courage
2
Firepower
9
Skill
7

[Philip Ayres]

There's two "variant" colours for Bluestreak, both found in the Diaclone line

One has been adopted by Transformers as his Anime colours and was used on an EHobby version

The other is the legendary blue version used on the catalogues & packaging art but never on a Transformers version of the Diaclone toy

Anime tfwiki.net/wiki/Bluestreak_(G1)/toys#Collector.27s_Edition
Blue tfwiki.net/wiki/Bluestreak_(G1)/toys#Color

[Benn]

Ah, for me the platonic ideal of a Transformers car. There's a reason this body type is what the Alternators line launched with.

[Jim]

The first bigger Transformer I ever saw - a memory that remains vivid for me!

I love that he's a relatively normal Datsun - among the police car and racing car he's the one who feels most "in disguise" which in many ways, for me at least, was a bigger spur to the imagination than a Lamborghini which is effectively a fantasy already.

Sadly I've never owned one, despite having collected most homages to it over the years.

[that_bluestreak]

Obv. Bluestreak is a personal fav of mine. Never saw one as a kid, but when I jumped back into TF-fandom when I was at uni I found that Bluestreak's tech-specs personality matched where I was in my life... More like Crankcase these days

Picked up a boxed Bluestreak in collection 3 and have added a few more Bluestreaks along the way because I don't know why I just love it so much. Actually I do intend to custom one into cartoon colours, one day maybe. I have loved this mold since getting Prowl as a kid, its pure G1 loveliness. I do think that the paintjob that got released wasn't as good as the anime or diaclone version, but its still lovely. A new one, or one that has been cleaned up properly really looks amazing. Chromed, Anime and Diaclone Bluestreaks are on my Grail list, if anyone ever has one to sell please let me know! I wish he'd got a TF Collection appearance rather than a TRU appearance but what can you do?

Fantastic tech specs by Bob B as usual. Bluestreak could have been a great character in the comics but like most characters didn't really get much time to shine... a good line or two in the opening story, a co-starring role as Jetfire turned up (including two covers, one badly miscoloured), and then maybe two minor appearances, plus a squishing off-screen in Dinobot Hunt, before Starscream did him a bad turn and that was that. Though his appearance in the first TF Annual with Fusion was fantastic. Would dig a Cybertronian version of Bluey for sure... Hasbro yeah? I never saw the cartoons so I can't comment on his appearances there outside of his blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance in TFTM. In my headcanon he totally survived and helped see off the Cons and stayed on Earth with Blaster etc. I liked his appearances in the IDW-verse, especially working the bar in Swerve's, and being a valley girl in his human holoform. And he survived Getaway's mutiny without having his brain et, which I would have been tres upset about.

Yes, Bluestreak is one of the finest Transformer toys ever. No-one can argue with this, for it is fact.

[Philip Ayres]

How much does MP Blue Bluestreak go for nowadays? I've got one and it's very nice.

[Shockprowl]

Bluestreak is a fascinating character. Tons of weaponry, a 'Gunner', sounds like a fun bot to be around, yet he's carrying some deep psychological trauma. Sad we never had this explored to any degree whatsoever in media (well, no media I'm aware of). In the cartoon he was just generally a bit of light relief, using infrequently (I'm reminded of his surfing scene). Chasing after Ironhide doesn't really fit his character profile..? There's a great shot of him in Fire on the Mountain, standing tall ready to blow the Bumblebee hunting Laserbeak out of the sky!

Interesting his weaponry is all long-ranged.

And numbers-wise, 9 for firepower! Yikes! But only a 2 for courage..? That's very low, the joint lowest ever that I'm aware of. Not sure it fits; he's not a coward, he's an honourable freedom-fighter. It's just he's carrying a lot of baggage. He'd get stuck in if one of this chums was under attack without hesitation.

And yes, an absolutely iconic toy mold and transformation.

[that_bluestreak]

Jun 3, 2024 17:16:49 GMT Philip Ayres said:

How much does MP Blue Bluestreak go for nowadays? I've got one and it's very nice.

80 quid plus. i would like one of them too!

[that_bluestreak]

Jun 3, 2024 18:33:26 GMT Shockprowl said:

Interesting his weaponry is all long-ranged.

And numbers-wise, 9 for firepower! Yikes! But only a 2 for courage..? That's very low, the joint lowest ever that I'm aware of. Not sure it fits; he's not a coward, he's an honourable freedom-fighter. It's just he's carrying a lot of baggage. He'd get stuck in if one of this chums was under attack without hesitation.

And yes, an absolutely iconic toy mold and transformation.

IIRC from Milligan, gunner is an artillery title!

he might not be a coward but he's got trauma out the tailpipe and sometimes that shuts a person down!

[Llama God]

Jun 3, 2024 17:16:49 GMT Philip Ayres said:

How much does MP Blue Bluestreak go for nowadays? I've got one and it's very nice.

Will second it being very nice. As characters go Bluestreak isn't one that interests me at all (although the tech specs do indeed show a lot of potential), but when I saw that deco I had to get it.

For similar reasons, I also picked up the Buzzworthy Bumblebee repaint that's in similar colours. Sadly that doesn't work nearly as well, with a lot of the gorgeous silver now just being (possibly faded off-)white...

[Jim]

Thirded! I think it was my favourite masterpiece until Skids came along. We are long overdue a G1 reissue in those colours - but maybe we'll get a Missing Link version?

How much does MP Blue Bluestreak go for nowadays?

The problem with aftermarket MP toys, especially a few years down the line, is that they're mostly KOs even at quite high prices, which makes it hard to judge.

[Philip Ayres]

Jun 4, 2024 8:15:15 GMT Jim said:

Thirded! I think it was my favourite masterpiece until Skids came along.

The Angry Bot is VERY Angry at you!

But yes the MP of Blue Bluestreak is great. Just a shame the Buzzworthy version is just not quite right

[Philip Ayres]

Seeing them together makes it a lot easier to see what's wrong with the Buzzorthy Blue Bluestreak.

White bits in feet, hands and upper arms should be blue.

Silver should be more silvery

And te car should use the Bluestreak/Prowl body not the Smokescreen one

[Jim]

Also, unpainted (and cheap-looking even in black) wheel trims. It makes a real difference; so many current releases are cheapened by the lack of care and attention to the wheels of vehicle modes. We're lucky if they roll, let alone look good!

I'm sure this is a big part of the reason Legacy Beachcomber was so warmly received, and I hope the design team noticed.

[The Doctor]

Crap car modes (some can't even roll!) seemed to come in with the shift to releases being super-articulated robot action figures rather than *toys*.

-Ralph

[that_bluestreak]

I like Buzzworthy Bluestreak but I can't disagree too hard with your assessment of its flaws.

[Cullen]

Bluestreak is another G1 toy I don't recall ever having in hand.

[Andy Turnbull]

Jun 4, 2024 12:24:30 GMT Jim said:

Also, unpainted (and cheap-looking even in black) wheel trims. It makes a real difference; so many current releases are cheapened by the lack of care and attention to the wheels of vehicle modes. We're lucky if they roll, let alone look good!

I'm sure this is a big part of the reason Legacy Beachcomber was so warmly received, and I hope the design team noticed.

I am of the opinion any compromises should be in the robot mode, never the alternate mode. It's one of the reasons the earlier TF's are more appealing.

Sick of Jazz and Ironhide's with feet sticking out.

DISGUISE! ROBOTS IN DISGUISE it's in the bloody tag line.

Eagerly awaiting Missing Link Bluestreak and the Diaclone variant.

[Llama God]

Jun 5, 2024 10:33:12 GMT Andy Turnbull said:

I am of the opinion any compromises should be in the robot mode, never the alternate mode. It's one of the reasons the earlier TF's are more appealing.

Sick of Jazz and Ironhide's with feet sticking out.

DISGUISE! ROBOTS IN DISGUISE it's in the bloody tag line.

YES. THIS.

[Philip Ayres]

1984's Transformers Are Forty: Week 11 - Frenzy & Laserbeak

Frenzy
Function: Decepticon Warrior
Japan: 18, D-58, D-103, VSY
tfwiki.net/wiki/Frenzy_(G1)/toys
www.tfu.info/1984/Decepticon/Frenzy/frenzy.htm



"Sow panic and surrender will bloom."

If Frenzy needed to breathe, war would be his oxygen. He knows no cause, only craves to spread fear and destruction. His efforts are appreciated by other Decepticons. His devotion to warfare makes him hard to deal with on a personal level. Can roll his drums to produce high-pitch, grating sound of 200db. Disorients and disrupts electrical flow in opponent's circuitry which makes them malfunction. Physically weak. His manic attack can be countered with cool logic.


Strength
2.5
Intelligence
5.75
Speed
3.5
Endurance
6.25
Rank
6.25
Courage
10
Firepower
9
Skill
6

Laserbeak
Function: Decepticon Interrogation
Japan: 20, D-60, D-105 Condor
tfwiki.net/wiki/Laserbeak_(G1)/toys#Generation_1
www.tfu.info/1984/Decepticon/Laserbeak/laserbeak.htm



"The only point I like in Autobots: melting point."

Laserbeak takes pleasure in hunting his prey -- usually the straggling survivors of a battle. Noticeably not brave. Will run for safety if threatened. Flies at speeds up to 250mph. Uses two independently targetable laser cannons with extreme precision to get information from capitves. Shortage of ruby crystals that powers the lasers can panic his systems into shutting down.


Strength
5
Intelligence
6
Speed
8
Endurance
5
Rank
6
Courage
2
Firepower
8
Skill
9

[Philip Ayres]

Japanese versions:

[Llama God]

Two small toys, packaged together, but both receiving detailed bios? Can you imagine it? Well you'll have to, because it'll not ever happen again.

Anyway, had these two after finding them in a random toyshop in Havant that I never saw again, when I had some holiday money to hand. Not sure why I picked them instead of the Rumble/Ravage pack, but I did - maybe I just wanted to have a Laserbeak that could perch on Megatron's arm. Whatever the case, I was very excited to see two figures packaged together - felt like a good deal to me at the time. It probably wasn't, but what did I know, then? And what do I know now..?

[Bogatan]

Jun 3, 2024 11:48:56 GMT Jim said:

The first bigger Transformer I ever saw - a memory that remains vivid for me!

I love that he's a relatively normal Datsun - among the police car and racing car he's the one who feels most "in disguise" which in many ways, for me at least, was a bigger spur to the imagination than a Lamborghini which is effectively a fantasy already.

It seems to me Hasbro agreed with you based on how much of the early merchandise he appeared on. Sadly Marvel and Sunbow had different ideas.

I dont think I had a Bluestreak until the reissues. Or if I did it was a complete junker.

The first time I got the mould* was the Classics release of Prowl and even 5 or 6 years into collecting I was blown away by the mould. Its not that different from Jazz but is far more refined.

*unless the junker Smokescreen came first but there wasnt enough lef to really appriciate the design.

If Im honest I dont have much connection to Bluestreak as a toy, because I didn't have one for so long and because I grew up with all that Blue Bluestreak imagery being slapped on things when I did get one it didn't look right.

But amazing mould. Pretty much the definition of Transformers to me.

[Bogatan]

The tapes are another early subline that I didn't get my hands on till much later. This time the Chinese reissues. Soundwave came from the legendary magazine ad that the TMUK newletter directed me to. (Was it CollectorsMart or HobbyMart something like that?)

And probably a bit earlier than thatI got Frenzy when he appeared at a local market along with a insane amount of other carded Transformers. I remember Aerialbots and probably other combiner limbs and Soundwave and Blasters tapes. I had no concept of how so many could have shown up at a random market at the time.

I came away with Frenzy and Ratbat and Steejaw and whoever he came with.

Frenzy is a great little figure though lets be honest the alt mode is, at least as a stand alone item not the most interesting. As I had a second hand Soundwave making it part of a larger play feature its amazing but I wonder how I would have felt about Frenzy (or any other tape) if I didnt have a Soundwave.

Not long after getting them I moved a bedside draw and Frenzy wound up under it and his leg broke off. Gutted.

I probably didnt get Laserbeak till the TRU Classics Soundwave release. But I did have Buzzsaw and I think that mould has always been my favourite of the tapes. Sure its weapons are doing a LOT of the heavy lifting, but its still the one that looks the least like an unfolded cuboid.

And its the most stable. Transformers that dont stand up really annoy me. Especially ones with four legs.

[Jim]

Love these two, but I had no experience of any of the tapes until I got the TFC reissue of Soundwave as an adult. I remember seeing them in the shops, but without owning a Soundwave they were never a high priority. I don't recall every playing with a Soundwave or the tapes at any friend's house either.

Iconic in the fiction for me as a young 'un between the all-time great of Laserbeak's Fury and Frenzy's memorable turn in the Robot Buster storyline.

Looking at them as an adult I just love the designs and the details we get. Frenzy's chest, looking a bit like Kirby-esque tech greebling from comics of that era, his leg stickers, the head sculpt. Laserbeak's sculpt is generally great, and the wing stickers are wonderful - tech greebling which maybe evokes Byrne more than Kirby. And both have proper cassette modes!

[The Doctor]

The original cassette moulds have never been bettered.

-Ralph

[Benn]

I don't think I had any of the cassettes until adulthood, and for me the Condor is the standout. It looks good and is pleasingly swooshable.

As for not being bettered... the MP's come close, and I think they do surpass the Frumble, but I think the engines are too small on the birds, so the originals still take it.