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Post by blueshift on Aug 19, 2017 13:24:00 GMT
Okay guys, do we want to do another fanzine? I'm up for it again (as long as I still have a job as I need to finance all the printing!)
To me, the most important thing is that it's a community effort that the maximum number of people contribute to, so it's not just about what I want (though obviously I'd need to care enough to want to print and assemble hundreds of the blighters!).
I thought we could chat about suggestions, and when we have a list, have a separate poll with a vote. Thinking about sticking to anniversaries but by no means do we have to. I also don't want to step on the toes of TF Nation so will be needing Andy to tell me what not to do!
Ideas:
Gobots - 35th anniversary of the toys
Pros
We all love Gobots! No, really, we do! And Toy Fu always has a ton of Gobots! And there's still not enough Gobots love around!
Cons
Feel it might retread some ground from the Rock Lords one, and maybe we want to do a Transformers one?
Masterforce - 30th anniversary
Pros
Masterforce is the best Transformers series full stop. And it has Overlord. Everyone loves Overlord.
Cons
Not everyone has seen Masterforce and may get scared and confused. Also it is legit amazing, so can we keep the slightly irrelevant tone of previous fanzines? Gotta be fun!
Pretenders - 30th anniversary
Pros
Maybe something on the other side of the pond, have a love letter to Pretenders generally. It could cover all of them, from early days to the movie thing to those Collectors Club things.
Cons
Lots of drawing people. Do we like people?
Generation 2 - 25th anniversary
Pros
We all love Generation 2. 'Nuff said.
Cons
Fanzine would most likely be in black and white, nerfing most of the appeal of G2. I think Andy T might be doing something else for TF Nation around G2 and I wouldn't want to tread on any toes
Beast Wars 2 - 20th anniversary
Pros
Sausage!
Cons
Eeeeh does anyone actually care? Thinking about how we all got excited about the subs and then... who actually watched them??
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Post by Bogatan on Aug 19, 2017 13:37:53 GMT
What worked for the last two was building a bit of interest in something unknown or a bit forgotten. Rock Lords probably worked better in that regard and also with Toy Fu having lots of Rock Lords toys.
Gobots, might work, but as you say, a bit to close to Rocklords and we've had loads of the toys for the last few years.
Pretenders and G2 are maybe too well known. Though a strong G2 toyline up would be pretty great and .... did the pretenders sell well this year? I don't think B&W would harm G2.
Masterforce and BW2 remain relatively unknown, but it would be harder to stock the toys.
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Post by Benn on Aug 19, 2017 14:25:07 GMT
I'd say it's got to be Masterforce or Gobots. They both fit the niche interest angle so... GoBots doesn't have quite a much variety to riff on though? Especially now Rock Lords has been done.
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Post by blueshift on Aug 19, 2017 16:42:57 GMT
Masterforce and BW2 remain relatively unknown, but it would be harder to stock the toys. Well don't forget Masterforce includes Powermasters, Headmaster Jrs, Overlord, PM Prime... we do pretty well out of default on that one! BW2... well we finally sold that Starscream /BB box set after how long???!! |
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Post by Pinwig on Aug 19, 2017 17:33:08 GMT
I'm happy to go with anything, but I think what I liked about the Rock Lords one was that I learned something about the toy line from it. I remember Blue's excitement about finding the French cartoon with them in - it led to some unique and interesting articles. Now that's probably because being a relatively obscure and small Gobot sub-line it's something none of us had thought much about, and there aren't many of those to do with transforming robots that we could work with. I'd suggest doing one on Grandstand Convertors, but I'm not sure there's enough on those to fill a zine.
Looking at different aspects of a small, niche subject appeals greatly. So from the suggestions so far I'd probably plump for something like Pretenders to go into just those toys in detail - relating to the way they were portrayed in the West and the East. That would tie in with the fact they'll be back on the toy shelves. However the problem with that is that for TF fans, Pretenders aren't really a forgotten classic.
BWII also appeals for the above reasons - it's a part of the history of the line that isn't hugely exposed, and I'd like to know more about how Japan continued Beast Wars in preference to Beast Machines.
For Gobots - I'd do it as Robo Machines and look at the way those toys were serviced in the UK under that name, rather than going for the whole Gobot empire. Then we could research into media beyond the toys. Actually, I quite like that.
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Post by Pinwig on Aug 19, 2017 17:35:35 GMT
Alternatively - Battle Beasts. I'm going to suggest this every year until someone shuts me up.
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Jim
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Post by Jim on Aug 19, 2017 21:26:45 GMT
Pretenders - 30th anniversary
ProsMaybe something on the other side of the pond, have a love letter to Pretenders generally. It could cover all of them, from early days to the movie thing to those Collectors Club things. Cons
Lots of drawing people. Do we like people? And animals and monsters and vehicles! -Jim |
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Post by Jim on Aug 19, 2017 22:05:35 GMT
I agree with Pinwig, I like the focus of something specific like Pretenders as a subject, and think there's loads of space with that for some fun. It could have a false cover, where the outer one is the shells and the inner one the robots in the same scene... or hand it out in an appropriately decorated envelope...
Also I am a bad fan who has never seen Masterforce.
-Jim
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Aug 19, 2017 22:16:50 GMT
I'm with Jim.
I think Pretenders has a lot of scope. It's an inherently stupid concept at heart which gives scope for a nice tongue in cheek approach. Plus, looking at how they appear in the various media (backdoors Masterforce) but also we could have fun with THUNDERWING. Look at how he just shows up as heir-apparent to the Decepticon crown. There's some fun to be had with that. LONGTOOTH.
Just Longtooth alone could give us a zine's worth of material.
Also - that cover idea is absolutely bang on and needs to be done!
Andy
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Post by Pinwig on Aug 19, 2017 22:35:43 GMT
It is a very good cover idea!
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Post by KnightBeat on Aug 19, 2017 22:46:22 GMT
I'm only slightly better. I've owned the Masterforce DVD set since launch, but haven't got around to watch it. Much of my Masterforce knowledge stems from watching the badly dubbed version in the late 90s.
Battle Beasts would be fun. I'm surprised IDW haven't tried to introduce them into the Hasbro universe.
Another random suggestion: It'll be the 20th anniversary of the Animorphs TV show. How about a fanzine that explores its Beast Wars connection, with a comic that re-imagines some of the more interesting toys as part of an extended BW Mutant group?
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Post by blueshift on Aug 20, 2017 10:54:05 GMT
Oddly enough I had thought of the idea of a 'Pretender shell' envelope to the extent that I'd costed it out (apparently only £15 for 250 printed envelopes, which seems suspiciously cheap so I dunno) but I hadn't thought of doing it the same image with/without Pretender shells, that's great!
Distressed at the number of people who havn't seen Masterforce!!!
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Post by blueshift on Aug 20, 2017 12:06:17 GMT
However the problem with that is that for TF fans, Pretenders aren't really a forgotten classic. See, that's the reason I'm leaning towards Masterforce, as it's honestly the best thing ever but most people seem to have a passing understanding of it at best |
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Post by we66y on Aug 20, 2017 14:44:34 GMT
How about we do one on the 86 movie, it's by far the most popular era? It would generate real interest.
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Post by inflatabledalek on Aug 20, 2017 19:21:35 GMT
I think Pretenders or Masterforce would fit best the Armada/Rock Lords ethos of stradling that line of being remembered but still see as a bit rubbish.
You could do that fab Pretender cover idea for either as well.
Actually yeah, maybe the "Pretender fanzine with a good chunk on Masterforce" idea is the best of all worlds?
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Post by blueshift on Aug 20, 2017 19:26:21 GMT
Actually yeah, maybe the "Pretender fanzine with a good chunk on Masterforce" idea is the best of all worlds? Ah but what about my insatiable lust for Overlord, Browning and Sixknight?? |
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Post by Jaymz on Aug 20, 2017 19:41:18 GMT
Pretenders gets my vote, I'd even contribute something, promise.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Aug 20, 2017 21:02:40 GMT
Ed and I could layout a nice action scene cover and get everyone to chip in a figure or two for both Pretender Shells and inner robots.
A more dynamic class of 84 from T-25
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Post by Jim on Aug 20, 2017 21:17:23 GMT
Oddly enough I had thought of the idea of a 'Pretender shell' envelope to the extent that I'd costed it out (apparently only £15 for 250 printed envelopes, which seems suspiciously cheap so I dunno) but I hadn't thought of doing it the same image with/without Pretender shells, that's great! Distressed at the number of people who havn't seen Masterforce!!! I glance to my left and can see the still shrink-wrapped DVD set I bought a few years back after I last admitted this on the forum. I will have the flat to myself for the next week or so, could be my opportunity at last, a Masterforce binge watch... -Jim |
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 20, 2017 21:20:27 GMT
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Post by legios on Aug 20, 2017 21:52:33 GMT
However the problem with that is that for TF fans, Pretenders aren't really a forgotten classic. See, that's the reason I'm leaning towards Masterforce, as it's honestly the best thing ever but most people seem to have a passing understanding of it at best I'd be inclined to vote with you here Matt. Not that anyone is likely to be surprised. I think Masterforce is probably the first really good Transformers show - and it remains one of my two all-time favourites, and for some reason remains somewhat underappreciated. That said, it does look like Pretenders has caught the imagination of the community here much more strongly, so perhaps that is an indication of where the interest lies. (On the other hand - perhaps that's why we need to proslytise the wonders of the Masterforce more within the precincts of the temple... :-) Either way, if there is something I can do to assist with next years zine, you know where to find me. Karl |
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Post by toadimusprime on Aug 21, 2017 9:04:10 GMT
I may be new here, but if you go for Pretenders I could be persuaded to write about the glory of Longtooth.
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Post by Fortmax2020 on Aug 21, 2017 9:55:20 GMT
There is only one man who could give worthy honour to Longtooth...
I'd be happy to contribute something sciencey to either Pretenders or Masterfoods.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 21, 2017 9:58:38 GMT
Children may pick up our fanzines and I'm not sure I'd be happy with them readin 5 pages of nothing but Very Bad Words.
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Post by blueshift on Aug 21, 2017 10:46:18 GMT
Children may pick up our fanzines and I'm not sure I'd be happy with them readin 5 pages of nothing but Very Bad Words. I know you say it as a joke but I am very careful to ensure it is age appropriate! |
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Post by The Huff on Aug 21, 2017 11:08:09 GMT
  As much as I agree that Masterforce is the best TF cartoon ever, I'm leaning more towards Pretenders as some of them (or most of them) fill that 'sillyness' factor that we play on. As well as drawing anything needed, since I have the entire Uk/US range of toys, I'd also love to do a photo battle scene or something involving all the toys in their shells - sort of like that Masters Of The Universe annual I had when I was young (if anyone remembers it). I also already have a couple of drawings from last year (that I drew just for the fun of it) that could be used if needed. |
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 21, 2017 12:41:10 GMT
Children may pick up our fanzines and I'm not sure I'd be happy with them readin 5 pages of nothing but Very Bad Words. I know you say it as a joke but I am very careful to ensure it is age appropriate! ....which therefore, by definition, bars Burns from writing the Longtooth diatribe article. |
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Post by Bogatan on Aug 21, 2017 12:54:46 GMT
Matt will need to provide a translated from Raging Ralph version for the public.
No, yes, no. Ralph needs to do one of his old youtube videos which can be adapted in to comic form and then Matt does a Jaam style translation of it to make it safe for the wee nippers.
Pretenders are popular it seems, but I'd still go at them via Masterforce. Anything that would fit a Pretenders fanzine will still be appropriate, but allows a bit more scope.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 21, 2017 13:00:33 GMT
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Jim
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Post by Jim on Aug 21, 2017 13:55:05 GMT
How about doubling down on the Pretenders theme and having the first and last pages about Pretenders and a smaller celebration of Masterforce in the middle...
-Jim
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