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Talk:Maximum Dinobots issue 2

2011-09-14T03:32:09Z

24.11.148.187: /* 86 movie homage? */ new section

= Jim-Bob's Diner =
Jim-Bob's Diner (seen in ''Maximum Dinobots'' #2) is a reference to '''Jim''' [[Jim Salicrup|Salicrup]] and '''Bob''' [[Bob Budiansky|Budiansky]].
'''Jeff Steele "Jeff39042"'''
:And what is your reference? Jim Bob is also just a stereotypical southern name. --[[User:MistaTee|MistaTee]] 02:09, 23 July 2009 (EDT)

== I thought of 'Jim-Bob' as a reference to Jim Salicrup and Bob Budiansky--NOT as a first name ==

'''Jim''' Salicrup and '''Bob''' Budiansky were instrumental to Marvel's ''Transformers'' series (and its spinoffs) of the '80s.

Jim Salicrup wrote ''Transformers'' #2-4 (1984) and edited ''Transformers Universe'' #1-4 (1986).

Bob Budiansky edited ''Transformers'' #1-4 (1984); wrote ''Transformers'' #5-15, 17-32, 35-42 and 44-55 (1984-1989); wrote and consult-edited ''Transformers Universe'' #1-4, edited ''Transformers: The Movie'' #1-3 (1986), drew the covers of ''Transformers'' #14, 29, 31, 45 and 47; and co-penciled ''Transformers'' #55. --[[User:Jeff39042|Jeff39042]] 23:51, 25 July 2009 (EDT)

:It COULD be, but let's not postulate unless Simon states so somewhere, it's reaching a little.--[[User:MistaTee|MistaTee]] 18:17, 28 July 2009 (EDT)
::[http://www.google.com/search?q=Jim-bob+diner "Jim Bob" is the name of LOTS OF THINGS.] --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 18:23, 28 July 2009 (EDT)

== Nick sez ==

"Way off, sir. It '''is''' a reference, but '''not''' to either of these gents. The target of my affection is my current co-writer on ''Last Stand of Them There Wreckers''."

Nick Roche said ''Jim-Bob's Diner'' is a reference to ''The Last Stand of Wreckers'' co-writer '''James Roberts'''.

link: [http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=161572#161572 See Nick's post]

'''Jeff39042'''

== 86 movie homage? ==

Not sure of the page (looking at the IDW collection #4, pg 133) I think the cell of Grimlock pounding Snarl's head into the ground is an homage to Devastator similarly pounding Sludge in the 1986 movie. In the movie, there's the loony toons effect on Sludge's eyes popping out, in this cell, there's a glowing effect. Two cells later Grimlock pounds Sludge's head into the ground without the glowing effect. Thoughts? Can I add this to the items of note?

[http://i51.tinypic.com/xqm2va.jpg image for comparison]

Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1

2011-05-14T21:54:45Z

24.11.148.187: /* Animation or technical glitches */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|prev=The Transformers: The Movie
|ep=66
|series2=2010
|ep2=1
|prev2=The Transformers: The Movie
|next2=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2
|image=FHE-FFoD.jpg
|caption=Boy, I sure did love that part in "Five Faces of Darkness" where [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Powermaster Prime]], [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]], [[Cloudburst]] and [[Rev]] fought a giant floating Quintesson head.
|title="Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1"
|production code=#700-86
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|airdate=[[September 1]], 1986
|written by=[[Flint Dille]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''In the wake of Unicron's defeat, the battered Decepticons struggle to survive, and the Autobots enjoy a period of peace and celebration. But peace never lasts...'''

:''Japanese title:'' 新たなる戦い (''Arata Naru Tatakai'', "The New War")
:''German title:'' "'''Die fünf Gesichter der Finsternis, Teil 1'''" ("The Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1")
:''Russian title:'' "'''Pyatj likov tjmy (Chastj 1)'''" (''Пять ликов тьмы (Часть 1)'', "Five Faces of Darkness (Part 1)")
{{TOCclear}}
==Synopsis==
''The closing scenes of [[The Transformers: The Movie]] show us the destruction of Unicron and the Autobots escape, along with their victory celebration on Cybertron.''

It is the year 2005. Autobots have reclaimed [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] while the Decepticons, now squabbling with each other for [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], retreated to the planet [[Chaar]]. Astrotrain returns to the planet with a pitiful number of energon cubes, resulting in a tussle as the Decepticons fight for their share. Cyclonus realizes that to return the Decepticons to fighting form, they need drastic measures.

[[Image:Blurr watching jazz.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Blurr would have that not-Jazz eat his vapor trails... instead he gets a date with rhyming boy.]]

Somewhere else, the first [[Galactic Olympics]] are being held. Blurr is griping about being stuck in a mission with [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] when he wants to join the events. But [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] wants them to go to [[Autobot City]] on Earth, to deliver the new [[transformation cog]] for Metroplex, as his old one was damaged during the [[Battle of Autobot City|battle]] the [[The Transformers: The Movie|year before]].

Meanwhile, the Galactic Olympics are being sabotaged. A [[Skuxxoid]] detonates the Olympic flame, raining smoke down on the area and allowing a group of Sharkticons to land. The Autobots fight back, but in the confusion, Spike, Kup and Ultra Magnus are kidnapped. Rodimus Prime immediately suspects Decepticon shenanigans and orders the planet quarantined, but they are unable to prevent the Skuxxoid's spaceship from taking off. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] set off to find a spacecraft of their own so they can pursue it.

[[Image:FFOD1 Cyclonus in Unicron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cyclonus is looking for free porn.]]

Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps sneak into [[Unicron]]’s head, still orbiting Cybertron. They're able to access Unicron's memory banks and watch footage of Rodimus's battle with Galvatron, culminating in the Decepticon leader being flung into space. Cyclonus then does some fast calculations and works out that Galvatron would eventually have reached the planet [[Thrull]]. There they see their leader soaking in the hot lava pools.

On Earth, Blaster and Outback go to the [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Federated Republic of Carbombya]] to investigate [[Earth Defense Command|EDC]] reports of Decepticons in that country. Despite the country's ruler, Abdul Fakkadi, claiming that they would never harbour such criminals, the Autobots land. Outback, equipped with a “[[Decepticon detector]]”, then flushes out Dirge and Ramjet. The two Autobots get the coordinates of Chaar from them... which they report to Rodimus Prime who wants to go there to investigate.

[[Image:FFOD1 Springer Arcee threaten Skuxxoid.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]

Arcee and Springer, meanwhile, have pursued the Skuxxoid to an asteroid, which he ducks behind. The Autobots follow, only for their ship to be seized by a huge claw. They evacuate the ship, only to find that the "asteroid" is actually a disguised spacecraft. Springer hijacks it from the Skuxxoid, who escapes in his smaller ship and then calls his benefactor to confirm that the Autobots indeed suspect the Decepticons to be behind the disruption. The [[Quintesson|tentacled, egg-shaped benefactor]] listens to the report and then tunes out as he sees their prisoners, Spike, Kup and Ultra Magnus, being led by a [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]].

[[Image:FFOD1 Cyclonus Astrotrain energon.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]

Cyclonus, Scourge and the [[Sweep|Sweeps]] return to Chaar, where the rest of the Decepticons are convinced that the solution to their problems is to have a strong leader again. They cheer when they hear that Galvatron lives, and are desperate enough that they give their remaining scraps of energon for reviving him. Rodimus Prime and Grimlock are spying nearby. Rodimus almost pities them, while Grimlock finds it funny (giving a rather possessed-sounding chuckle). Rodimus realizes that the Decepticons are too down on their luck to be the ones responsible for the kidnappings. Their cover suddenly gets blown and the Decepticons attack.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (2)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (3)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (4)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (5)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (6)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (7)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (11)
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (12)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (13)
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (14)
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (15)
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (24)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (25)
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (26)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (29)
* [[Outback]] (30)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (34)

|c2=
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (16)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (17)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (17)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (17)
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (17)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (17)
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (17)
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (18)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (19)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (20)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (21)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (22)
* [[Sweep|Sweeps]] (23)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (28)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (32)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (33)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (35)
* [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (36)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (37)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (38)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (39)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (40)
* [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (41)
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (42)
* [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (43)
* [[Octane]] (44)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] / [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (45)
* [[Tantrum]] (46)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (47)
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (48)

|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (9)
* [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] (10)
* [[Carly]] (28)
* [[Abdul Fakkadi (G1)|Abdul Fakkadi]] (31)

|c4=
* [[Unicron]]'s head (8)
* [[Skuxxoid]] (27)
* [[Quintesson]]s (34)
}}

==Quotes==
"Let's do it!" 
"Didn’t you want to say something about concord and tranquility in the galaxy?" 
"Aww, give me a break. ''Start the games!''"
:—'''Rodimus Prime''' and '''Ultra Magnus''' open the Galactic Olympics

"Ah, Rodimus is missing a few chips." 
"Nah, I was the same way until I got blown apart a few times."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Kup'''

[[Image:Grimlock happy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Perceptor and Rodimus watch as Grimlock does a jaunty jig on the enemies' heads.]]
'''Cyclonus''': There’s nothing to fear; Unicron is dead. 
''[They hear a groan]'' 
'''Cyclonus''': Must be the wind. 
'''Scourge''': There ''is'' no wind in space. 
'''Cyclonus''': Quiet!
:—Cyclonus and Scourge learn that [[Unicron|daddy]]'s still home.

"Our charts don’t show any planets in that sector—no, wait. Here it is. I thought it was a smudge on the screen. 
"Yeah, that fits the description of Chaar."
:—'''Rodimus Prime''' and '''Outback'''

"I say we pulverowderize the Autobots! I say we powderulverize 'em!"
:—'''Rumble'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s inspirational rally.

"If we surrender our energon, we're doomed." 
"If we don't, we're doomed, too." 
"Face it. We're doomed."
:-'''Dead End''' and '''Breakdown''' realize they're screwed.

"These guys are hurtin'. I never thought I’d feel sorry for the Decepticons." 
"Me Grimlock, not feel sorry. Me Grimlock laugh!" ''[snickers]''
:—'''Rodimus Prime''' pities the Decepticons, while '''Grimlock''' mocks them with a disturbing chuckle.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
"Five Faces of Darkness" is one (five) of the most notoriously error-plagued episodes in the entire series. Brace yourself...
* Quite a few Transformer voices appear to be processed with a very heavy bass end in this episode, including Rodimus, Arcee, Outback, and Springer.
* Chaar's moon and sun are bizarre. If the opening animation is to be believed, the moon takes about 20 seconds to orbit the planet, yet when we see it again later, it's just sitting there. The moon also appears to set with the red dusk sky ''behind'' it. The red dusk sky is a red dusk sky despite the sun having passed overhead in the opposite direction. The red dusk sky is also visible along the horizon in all directions. Maybe Chaar sits in a nebula?
* Long Haul is missing when the Constructicons combine.
* After he knocks Astrotrain away from the energon cube, Devastator's mouth does some lip-flapping, but there's no dialog to go with it.
* Menasor's "hi-yah!" sword grunts aren't in his voice. He sounds more like an unprocessed Astrotrain or Bonecrusher. When he finally speaks a non-grunt line, he suddenly goes to his own voice, right after a generic-voice grunt.
* Devastator goes from his usual eyeband, to two large separate eyes as he grabs the energon cube, to two small separate eyes as Menasor whacks him apart.
* Menasor's first sword strike clearly knocks Devastator into his components (well, ''some'' components, anyway; none of them look like actual pieces of Devastator.) Devastator then re-forms with no transformation noise.
* When Menasor smashes Devastator apart the second time, only Bonecrusher, Scavenger, Hook and Long Haul are shown. Bonecrusher shouldn't be there (he didn't "have the energy to hang on"), and Scrapper and Mixmaster are totally unaccounted for.
* As a shot hits the energon cube next to him, Kickback grunts with the same generic voice that Menasor had earlier.
* Kickback is drawn with the more toy-centric version of his insect mode, wherein his robot face is clearly visible on the bottom of his insect head; he even visibly emotes and looks around with it. Most episodes portray him with his robot face concealed in his insect mode.
* The vehicle-mode Sweeps first show up in their incorrect "early" models, with their robot-mode heads sticking out of the top. This model would appear again and again and again through the series.
* As Cyclonus and company approach, Astrotrain finally completes his transformation to robot mode, but with no transformation noise.
* The first Sweep to transform and land is also missing his transformation sound.
* As Jazz races towards the finish line, the Autobot symbol on his hood is colored in reverse (it's white with red inlays).
* Jazz is shown winning the first race in the Galactic Olympics, but a few seconds later an announcer declares that "the winner is [[Munka Spanka]]." It's possible a generic character was intended for use in the scene and Jazz was mistakenly picked at random; however, given Jazz's prominent survival of the movie, it seems more likely that an editing mistake failed to portray the passage of time (and other races) after Jazz's win. Fans also have speculated that this was an intentional name change, prompted by the fact that [[Scatman Crothers]], Jazz's voice actor, had recently passed away, though why this would be necessary for a non-speaking part is unclear.
* The Quintesson monitor shows Magnus and company against a blue sky, when they'd been standing against an orange wall a second earlier.
* Improbable viewpoints:
** How did the Quintessons get that footage of the Autobots, anyway?
** Okay, ''maybe'' Unicron can monitor and record events within his own body. But does he really have a camera ''outside'' himself to show things like Galvatron flying out of him and off into the distance?
* In addition to lighting up, the button that the Quintesson pushes changes shape when pushed.
* One of the scrambling Olympians walks right through a column during the torch attack.
* Arcee and Springer's "cooking my sensors" lines carry an echo that shouldn't be there, as if they were in a soundproof room.
* When Rodimus starts shooting, he gets the second half of Optimus Prime's laser rifle sound effect. A second later, he gets the whole sound effect. Later, his rifle has the generic laser sound.
* How are the Sharkticons so consistently in shadow when ''everyone'' else is not?
* Rodimus is missing the "age lines" on his face as he threatens to trash the Decepticons, which basically makes him Hot Rod.
* The center piece of Rodimus's spoiler is yellow instead of orange as he watches Springer and Arcee leave the stadium.
* Cybertron's appearance has changed a LOT since the movie. The first shot shows it looking like one of its own moons, with almost no detailing. The second shows it with much more detailing, but still very different than its previous appearance.
* Cyclonus is far too large as he stands on Unicron's face, taller than Unicron's eyes. He should be a speck at that distance.
* One of Scourge's helmet rims is white instead of blue as he says the "no wind in space" line.
* Unicron's snoozing groan is recycled as Scourge spots Galvatron's hand on Thrull. Is Scourge supposed to be hearing Galvatron snore from across millions of miles of space?
* The first time we see Blaster, his left eye has a line through it.
* The helmet rim around Outback's eyes is consistently colored blue instead of light gray. This could be an alternate model sheet, given its consistency. Later episodes would show him with his eyes the same color as the rest of his face.
* Rodimus's "smudge on the screen" is a sharp, glowing, blinking dot. He's also shown wiping it, but is too far away from it in the subsequent shot to have been able to reach it.
* As Preceptor tells Rodimus to take Grimlock with him to Chaar, his Autobot symbol is all-gray (it's usually red with a slim gray outline).
* The Skuxxoid's ship is white when it leaves the Olympics planetoid, but light orange as Arcee and Springer pursue it through space.
* In an odd moment of [[Humanization|humanizing]], Springer and Arcee clench their eyes shut when their ship is grabbed by the claw.
* Springer and Arcee's ship is clearly shown facing to the left of the claw before the commercial break, but afterward it's facing to the right.
* A repeat of the establishing shot of Chaar includes its moon (which, by the by, is a recycled Cybertron moon design.) This time, instead of warping around the planet, the moon is hanging in the sky, stationary.
* Two different pans across the assembled Decepticons show quite a few robots that don't correspond to any actual character. The characters are distant enough that the animators probably figured we wouldn't notice.
* Dirge is with the Decepticons on Chaar as they debate leadership. How'd he get back there from Earth? In the same shot, Soundwave's shoulder button is blue instead of white.
* Cyclonus has consistently had three Sweeps up to this point, but as they return to Chaar there's suddenly half a dozen of them.
* Drag Strip has a gray optic visor during the "I'll think of something" line. It should be red.
* The subsequent shots of cheering Decepticons are infamously screwed up. The first one features:
** Tantrum well before the Predacons have actually been introduced to the series. To be fair, the Predacons' later introduction is so ambiguous that it might not be a genuine screwup to have one of them present.
** An off-model non-conehead Seeker in Ramjet's colors
** Octane also makes his inauspicious debut here, without any sort of explanation or introduction, though it doesn't actually contradict anything to have him there.
* The second cheering shot has Soundwave with a malformed, half-colored visor.
* When Motormaster throws down his energon, Hook and Long Haul are standing nearby. When he falls over in the subsequent shot, they've both been replaced by generics in the same pose. Also, after the Energon is thrown, Motormaster's mouth moves without us hearing any dialog.
[[Image:Decepticons w galvatron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Yeah! We're going to save that guy on the left from the deadly lava pools of Thrull!]]
* The third cheering shot ("Giiiiive till it hurrrrts!") features two more made-up Seeker models, a random blue guy, and ''Galvatron himself'' cheering for his own imminent rescue.
* As the Decepticons rally to attack Rodimus and Grimlock, two Motormasters run past the camera.
* When Cyclonus fires on the rock outcrop, some guy in Fireflight's colors is behind him. The subsequent shot of charging Decepticons includes several made-up guys.
* The line of charging Decepticons at the end includes a Seeker in Silverbolt's colors.
* The final shot has Soundwave colored mostly in purple instead of blue. Also, his chest door disappears for a moment.

===Continuity errors===
* Most of the character screwups on Chaar are probably just cheap/lazy/screwed up animation; in fact, all the off-model and made-up designs could really be excused as generic Decepticons we've never met before, if one is so inclined (and one is prepared to accept that for some reason, we never see them again, either.) However, Kickback and Shrapnel have a whole sequence dedicated to them landing, trying to munch an energon cube, and then fleeing, which is far too long and explicit not to be a scripted appearance. Both characters were supposedly reformatted into Sweeps during ''Transformers: The Movie''.
* Why does Astrotrain wait until he's landed to gobble some of the energon he's struggling to reach?
* So why didn't Menasor grab and eat the energon cube he just fought so hard for?
* Perceptor's description of the transforming cog is rather confusing. He introduces it as ''Autobot City's'' transformation cog, but then says "it controls ''Metroplex'''s ability to transform". This begins an ongoing trend of the cartoon dialog treating the two as if they were one and the same, despite the animation showing them as two distinct (though [[:Image:G1 Autobot City.JPG|sometimes related]]) entities.
* "How we gonna find the Decepticons? It's like looking for a needle in a haystack!" It would be, Blaster, except that they conveniently left their Decepticon insignias in place for you to see.
* How do Arcee and Springer hear the Skuxxoid's voice? He's inside a ''space ship'', and they're on the outside. Does the ship have its own external atmosphere?
* Voice consistency for the show's more obscure characters took a nosedive after the movie, starting with this episode:
** Ramjet has nearly the right voice, but it lacks the clipped mannerism that characterized his speech throughout the second season. Instead of sounding like an enforcer, he sounds... cheerful. In fairness, he occasionally lost that mannerism during Season 2.
** Onslaught's lines, beginning with "I admire your passion, my friend...", are provided by [[Terry McGovern]] in this episode, as opposed to his regular actor, [[S. Marc Jordan]]. Jordan would later be replaced again by [[Steve Bulen]] for Onslaught's final line of the series in "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]".
** Terry McGovern tries on a brand new voice for Wildrider's two lines. He'll also develop a hick accent that he didn't have before in "[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]".
* We never do find out why Cyclonus is carrying around a big black box. It's not present in the next episode.

===Continuity notes===
* This episode picks up an unspecified amount of time after ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (which had played in theaters during the summer preceding this episode's debut), and draws directly on many of its events. References include the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Unicron's head orbiting Cybertron, the loss of Optimus Prime, the rise of Galvatron, and more.
* The episode even opens with some of the closing scenes from the movie. The scenes were re-soundtracked with the cartoon's standard background music for television airing. A second movie excerpt, also resoundtracked, is used to show the end of Rodimus's battle with Galvatron.
* First appearances: Outback, Octane, Tantrum (who probably shouldn't be here yet) and Abdul Fakkadi.
* Dirge's "Death comes to he who crosses me," line is a slight paraphrase of a line cut from the original [[The Transformers: The Movie|Transformers The Movie]] script, "[http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/tidbits/tftm_script.txt Death comes to anyone who crosses me.]" It was to be delivered aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)| Astrotrain]] as the Decepticons squabbled over leadership. Another iteration comes in the later episode "[[Starscream's Ghost]]" ("I know, I know - 'Death comes to anyone who hides behind my marker!'"), though Dirge is not mentioned by name.

===Real-world references===
* The [[Galactic Olympics]] are, obviously, based on the modern Olympic Games, including the opening parade of "nations" and the Olympic torch presiding over the events.
* Middle East tensions in the 1980s resulted in the poorly made (depending on [[Casey Kasem|whom you ask]]) spoof called [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]].
* In one scene, Blurr asks why Metroplex's new [[transformation cog]] wasn't shipped via [[Galactic Express]], an allusion to the fact that [[John Moschitta]] had previously appeared in a series of Federal Express commercials.
* ''Star Wars'' sound effects:
** Kickback and Shrapnel fly in with ''Millennium Falcon'' engine whine, and take off with the ship's engine burst noise.
** Ramjet and Dirge get the TIE Fighter engine sound as they lose control amid Outback's explosive. Some ''Millennium Falcon'' engine whine can be heard as well.

===Trivia===
* In an interview with Flint Dille, he said that the Quintesson origin story came from "[[The Secret of Cybertron]]," an aborted script for the movie by him and his fellow writer, [[Jay Bacal]].<ref>[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint_dille_2.html Flint Dille interview on the Cybertron Chronicle]</ref>
* When originally aired, this and the other four parts of the story all had a unique set of opening credits. Unfortunately, the DVD release of the mini-series only includes this opening on parts 3 and 5.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness (Family Home Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness: Parts 1-5 (Sony Wonder) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 4: Series 3.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482022/ IMDb's page for this episode]
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/five_faces_of_darkness_part_1.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1

2011-05-14T21:38:12Z

24.11.148.187: /* Animation or technical glitches */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|prev=The Transformers: The Movie
|ep=66
|series2=2010
|ep2=1
|prev2=The Transformers: The Movie
|next2=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2
|image=FHE-FFoD.jpg
|caption=Boy, I sure did love that part in "Five Faces of Darkness" where [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Powermaster Prime]], [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]], [[Cloudburst]] and [[Rev]] fought a giant floating Quintesson head.
|title="Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1"
|production code=#700-86
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|airdate=[[September 1]], 1986
|written by=[[Flint Dille]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''In the wake of Unicron's defeat, the battered Decepticons struggle to survive, and the Autobots enjoy a period of peace and celebration. But peace never lasts...'''

:''Japanese title:'' 新たなる戦い (''Arata Naru Tatakai'', "The New War")
:''German title:'' "'''Die fünf Gesichter der Finsternis, Teil 1'''" ("The Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1")
:''Russian title:'' "'''Pyatj likov tjmy (Chastj 1)'''" (''Пять ликов тьмы (Часть 1)'', "Five Faces of Darkness (Part 1)")
{{TOCclear}}
==Synopsis==
''The closing scenes of [[The Transformers: The Movie]] show us the destruction of Unicron and the Autobots escape, along with their victory celebration on Cybertron.''

It is the year 2005. Autobots have reclaimed [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] while the Decepticons, now squabbling with each other for [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], retreated to the planet [[Chaar]]. Astrotrain returns to the planet with a pitiful number of energon cubes, resulting in a tussle as the Decepticons fight for their share. Cyclonus realizes that to return the Decepticons to fighting form, they need drastic measures.

[[Image:Blurr watching jazz.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Blurr would have that not-Jazz eat his vapor trails... instead he gets a date with rhyming boy.]]

Somewhere else, the first [[Galactic Olympics]] are being held. Blurr is griping about being stuck in a mission with [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] when he wants to join the events. But [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] wants them to go to [[Autobot City]] on Earth, to deliver the new [[transformation cog]] for Metroplex, as his old one was damaged during the [[Battle of Autobot City|battle]] the [[The Transformers: The Movie|year before]].

Meanwhile, the Galactic Olympics are being sabotaged. A [[Skuxxoid]] detonates the Olympic flame, raining smoke down on the area and allowing a group of Sharkticons to land. The Autobots fight back, but in the confusion, Spike, Kup and Ultra Magnus are kidnapped. Rodimus Prime immediately suspects Decepticon shenanigans and orders the planet quarantined, but they are unable to prevent the Skuxxoid's spaceship from taking off. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] set off to find a spacecraft of their own so they can pursue it.

[[Image:FFOD1 Cyclonus in Unicron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cyclonus is looking for free porn.]]

Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps sneak into [[Unicron]]’s head, still orbiting Cybertron. They're able to access Unicron's memory banks and watch footage of Rodimus's battle with Galvatron, culminating in the Decepticon leader being flung into space. Cyclonus then does some fast calculations and works out that Galvatron would eventually have reached the planet [[Thrull]]. There they see their leader soaking in the hot lava pools.

On Earth, Blaster and Outback go to the [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Federated Republic of Carbombya]] to investigate [[Earth Defense Command|EDC]] reports of Decepticons in that country. Despite the country's ruler, Abdul Fakkadi, claiming that they would never harbour such criminals, the Autobots land. Outback, equipped with a “[[Decepticon detector]]”, then flushes out Dirge and Ramjet. The two Autobots get the coordinates of Chaar from them... which they report to Rodimus Prime who wants to go there to investigate.

[[Image:FFOD1 Springer Arcee threaten Skuxxoid.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]

Arcee and Springer, meanwhile, have pursued the Skuxxoid to an asteroid, which he ducks behind. The Autobots follow, only for their ship to be seized by a huge claw. They evacuate the ship, only to find that the "asteroid" is actually a disguised spacecraft. Springer hijacks it from the Skuxxoid, who escapes in his smaller ship and then calls his benefactor to confirm that the Autobots indeed suspect the Decepticons to be behind the disruption. The [[Quintesson|tentacled, egg-shaped benefactor]] listens to the report and then tunes out as he sees their prisoners, Spike, Kup and Ultra Magnus, being led by a [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]].

[[Image:FFOD1 Cyclonus Astrotrain energon.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]

Cyclonus, Scourge and the [[Sweep|Sweeps]] return to Chaar, where the rest of the Decepticons are convinced that the solution to their problems is to have a strong leader again. They cheer when they hear that Galvatron lives, and are desperate enough that they give their remaining scraps of energon for reviving him. Rodimus Prime and Grimlock are spying nearby. Rodimus almost pities them, while Grimlock finds it funny (giving a rather possessed-sounding chuckle). Rodimus realizes that the Decepticons are too down on their luck to be the ones responsible for the kidnappings. Their cover suddenly gets blown and the Decepticons attack.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (2)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (3)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (4)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (5)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (6)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (7)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (11)
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (12)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (13)
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (14)
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (15)
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (24)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (25)
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (26)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (29)
* [[Outback]] (30)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (34)

|c2=
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (16)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (17)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (17)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (17)
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (17)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (17)
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (17)
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (18)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (19)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (20)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (21)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (22)
* [[Sweep|Sweeps]] (23)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (28)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (32)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (33)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (35)
* [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (36)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (37)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (38)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (39)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (40)
* [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (41)
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (42)
* [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (43)
* [[Octane]] (44)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] / [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (45)
* [[Tantrum]] (46)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (47)
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (48)

|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (9)
* [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] (10)
* [[Carly]] (28)
* [[Abdul Fakkadi (G1)|Abdul Fakkadi]] (31)

|c4=
* [[Unicron]]'s head (8)
* [[Skuxxoid]] (27)
* [[Quintesson]]s (34)
}}

==Quotes==
"Let's do it!" 
"Didn’t you want to say something about concord and tranquility in the galaxy?" 
"Aww, give me a break. ''Start the games!''"
:—'''Rodimus Prime''' and '''Ultra Magnus''' open the Galactic Olympics

"Ah, Rodimus is missing a few chips." 
"Nah, I was the same way until I got blown apart a few times."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Kup'''

[[Image:Grimlock happy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Perceptor and Rodimus watch as Grimlock does a jaunty jig on the enemies' heads.]]
'''Cyclonus''': There’s nothing to fear; Unicron is dead. 
''[They hear a groan]'' 
'''Cyclonus''': Must be the wind. 
'''Scourge''': There ''is'' no wind in space. 
'''Cyclonus''': Quiet!
:—Cyclonus and Scourge learn that [[Unicron|daddy]]'s still home.

"Our charts don’t show any planets in that sector—no, wait. Here it is. I thought it was a smudge on the screen. 
"Yeah, that fits the description of Chaar."
:—'''Rodimus Prime''' and '''Outback'''

"I say we pulverowderize the Autobots! I say we powderulverize 'em!"
:—'''Rumble'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s inspirational rally.

"If we surrender our energon, we're doomed." 
"If we don't, we're doomed, too." 
"Face it. We're doomed."
:-'''Dead End''' and '''Breakdown''' realize they're screwed.

"These guys are hurtin'. I never thought I’d feel sorry for the Decepticons." 
"Me Grimlock, not feel sorry. Me Grimlock laugh!" ''[snickers]''
:—'''Rodimus Prime''' pities the Decepticons, while '''Grimlock''' mocks them with a disturbing chuckle.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
"Five Faces of Darkness" is one (five) of the most notoriously error-plagued episodes in the entire series. Brace yourself...
* Quite a few Transformer voices appear to be processed with a very heavy bass end in this episode, including Rodimus, Arcee, Outback, and Springer.
* Chaar's moon and sun are bizarre. If the opening animation is to be believed, the moon takes about 20 seconds to orbit the planet, yet when we see it again later, it's just sitting there. The moon also appears to set with the red dusk sky ''behind'' it. The red dusk sky is a red dusk sky despite the sun having passed overhead in the opposite direction. The red dusk sky is also visible along the horizon in all directions. Maybe Chaar sits in a nebula?
* Long Haul is missing when the Constructicons combine.
* After he knocks Astrotrain away from the energon cube, Devastator's mouth does some lip-flapping, but there's no dialog to go with it.
* Menasor's "hi-yah!" sword grunts aren't in his voice. He sounds more like an unprocessed Astrotrain or Bonecrusher. When he finally speaks a non-grunt line, he suddenly goes to his own voice, right after a generic-voice grunt.
* Devastator goes from his usual eyeband, to two large separate eyes as he grabs the energon cube, to two small separate eyes as Menasor whacks him apart.
* Menasor's first sword strike clearly knocks Devastator into his components (well, ''some'' components, anyway; none of them look like actual pieces of Devastator.) Devastator then re-forms with no transformation noise.
* When Menasor smashes Devastator apart the second time, only Bonecrusher, Scavenger, Hook and Long Haul are shown. Bonecrusher shouldn't be there (he didn't "have the energy to hang on"), and Scrapper and Mixmaster are totally unaccounted for.
* As a shot hits the energon cube next to him, Kickback grunts with the same generic voice that Menasor had earlier.
* Kickback is drawn with the more toy-centric version of his insect mode, wherein his robot face is clearly visible on the bottom of his insect head; he even visibly emotes and looks around with it. Most episodes portray him with his robot face concealed in his insect mode.
* The vehicle-mode Sweeps first show up in their incorrect "early" models, with their robot-mode heads sticking out of the top. This model would appear again and again and again through the series.
* As Cyclonus and company approach, Astrotrain finally completes his transformation to robot mode, but with no transformation noise.
* The first Sweep to transform and land is also missing his transformation sound.
* As Jazz races towards the finish line, the Autobot symbol on his hood is colored in reverse (it's white with red inlays).
* Jazz is shown winning the first race in the Galactic Olympics, but a few seconds later an announcer declares that "the winner is [[Munka Spanka]]." It's possible a generic character was intended for use in the scene and Jazz was mistakenly picked at random; however, given Jazz's prominent survival of the movie, it seems more likely that an editing mistake failed to portray the passage of time (and other races) after Jazz's win. Fans also have speculated that this was an intentional name change, prompted by the fact that [[Scatman Crothers]], Jazz's voice actor, had recently passed away, though why this would be necessary for a non-speaking part is unclear.
* The Quintesson monitor shows Magnus and company against a blue sky, when they'd been standing against an orange wall a second earlier.
* Improbable viewpoints:
** How did the Quintessons get that footage of the Autobots, anyway?
** Okay, ''maybe'' Unicron can monitor and record events within his own body. But does he really have a camera ''outside'' himself to show things like Galvatron flying out of him and off into the distance?
* In addition to lighting up, the button that the Quintesson pushes changes shape when pushed.
* One of the scrambling Olympians walks right through a column during the torch attack.
* Arcee and Springer's "cooking my sensors" lines carry an echo that shouldn't be there, as if they were in a soundproof room.
* When Rodimus starts shooting, he gets the second half of Optimus Prime's laser rifle sound effect. A second later, he gets the whole sound effect. Later, his rifle has the generic laser sound.
* How are the Sharkticons so consistently in shadow when ''everyone'' else is not?
* Rodimus is missing the "age lines" on his face as he threatens to trash the Decepticons, which basically makes him Hot Rod.
* The center piece of Rodimus's spoiler is yellow instead of orange as he watches Springer and Arcee leave the stadium.
* Cybertron's appearance has changed a LOT since the movie. The first shot shows it looking like one of its own moons, with almost no detailing. The second shows it with much more detailing, but still very different than its previous appearance.
* Cyclonus is far too large as he stands on Unicron's face, taller than Unicron's eyes. He should be a speck at that distance.
* One of Scourge's helmet rims is white instead of blue as he says the "no wind in space" line.
* Unicron's snoozing groan is recycled as Scourge spots Galvatron's hand on Thrull. Is Scourge supposed to be hearing Galvatron snore from across millions of miles of space?
* The first time we see Blaster, his left eye has a line through it.
* The helmet rim around Outback's eyes is consistently colored blue instead of light gray. This could be an alternate model sheet, given its consistency. Later episodes would show him with his eyes the same color as the rest of his face.
* Rodimus's "smudge on the screen" is a sharp, glowing, blinking dot. He's also shown wiping it, but is too far away from it in the subsequent shot to have been able to reach it.
* As Preceptor tells Rodimus to take Grimlock with him to Chaar, his Autobot symbol is all-gray (it's usually red with a slim gray outline).
* The Skuxxoid's ship is white when it leaves the Olympics planetoid, but light orange as Arcee and Springer pursue it through space.
* In an odd moment of [[Humanization|humanizing]], Springer and Arcee clench their eyes shut when their ship is grabbed by the claw.
* Springer and Arcee's ship is clearly shown facing to the left of the claw before the commercial break, but afterward it's facing to the right.
* A repeat of the establishing shot of Chaar includes its moon (which, by the by, is a recycled Cybertron moon design.) This time, instead of warping around the planet, the moon is hanging in the sky, stationary.
* Two different pans across the assembled Decepticons show quite a few robots that don't correspond to any actual character. The characters are distant enough that the animators probably figured we wouldn't notice.
* Dirge is with the Decepticons on Chaar as they debate leadership. How'd he get back there from Earth? In the same shot, Soundwave's shoulder button is blue instead of white.
* Cyclonus has consistently had three Sweeps up to this point, but as they return to Chaar there's suddenly half a dozen of them.
* Drag Strip has a gray optic visor during the "I'll think of something" line. It should be red.
* The subsequent shots of cheering Decepticons are infamously screwed up. The first one features:
** Tantrum well before the Predacons have actually been introduced to the series. To be fair, the Predacons' later introduction is so ambiguous that it might not be a genuine screwup to have one of them present.
** An off-model non-conehead Seeker in Dirge's colors
** Octane also makes his inauspicious debut here, without any sort of explanation or introduction, though it doesn't actually contradict anything to have him there.
* The second cheering shot has Soundwave with a malformed, half-colored visor.
* When Motormaster throws down his energon, Hook and Long Haul are standing nearby. When he falls over in the subsequent shot, they've both been replaced by generics in the same pose. Also, after the Energon is thrown, Motormaster's mouth moves without us hearing any dialog.
[[Image:Decepticons w galvatron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Yeah! We're going to save that guy on the left from the deadly lava pools of Thrull!]]
* The third cheering shot ("Giiiiive till it hurrrrts!") features two more made-up Seeker models, a random blue guy, and ''Galvatron himself'' cheering for his own imminent rescue.
* As the Decepticons rally to attack Rodimus and Grimlock, two Motormasters run past the camera.
* When Cyclonus fires on the rock outcrop, some guy in Fireflight's colors is behind him. The subsequent shot of charging Decepticons includes several made-up guys.
* The line of charging Decepticons at the end includes a Seeker in Silverbolt's colors.
* The final shot has Soundwave colored mostly in purple instead of blue. Also, his chest door disappears for a moment.

===Continuity errors===
* Most of the character screwups on Chaar are probably just cheap/lazy/screwed up animation; in fact, all the off-model and made-up designs could really be excused as generic Decepticons we've never met before, if one is so inclined (and one is prepared to accept that for some reason, we never see them again, either.) However, Kickback and Shrapnel have a whole sequence dedicated to them landing, trying to munch an energon cube, and then fleeing, which is far too long and explicit not to be a scripted appearance. Both characters were supposedly reformatted into Sweeps during ''Transformers: The Movie''.
* Why does Astrotrain wait until he's landed to gobble some of the energon he's struggling to reach?
* So why didn't Menasor grab and eat the energon cube he just fought so hard for?
* Perceptor's description of the transforming cog is rather confusing. He introduces it as ''Autobot City's'' transformation cog, but then says "it controls ''Metroplex'''s ability to transform". This begins an ongoing trend of the cartoon dialog treating the two as if they were one and the same, despite the animation showing them as two distinct (though [[:Image:G1 Autobot City.JPG|sometimes related]]) entities.
* "How we gonna find the Decepticons? It's like looking for a needle in a haystack!" It would be, Blaster, except that they conveniently left their Decepticon insignias in place for you to see.
* How do Arcee and Springer hear the Skuxxoid's voice? He's inside a ''space ship'', and they're on the outside. Does the ship have its own external atmosphere?
* Voice consistency for the show's more obscure characters took a nosedive after the movie, starting with this episode:
** Ramjet has nearly the right voice, but it lacks the clipped mannerism that characterized his speech throughout the second season. Instead of sounding like an enforcer, he sounds... cheerful. In fairness, he occasionally lost that mannerism during Season 2.
** Onslaught's lines, beginning with "I admire your passion, my friend...", are provided by [[Terry McGovern]] in this episode, as opposed to his regular actor, [[S. Marc Jordan]]. Jordan would later be replaced again by [[Steve Bulen]] for Onslaught's final line of the series in "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]".
** Terry McGovern tries on a brand new voice for Wildrider's two lines. He'll also develop a hick accent that he didn't have before in "[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]".
* We never do find out why Cyclonus is carrying around a big black box. It's not present in the next episode.

===Continuity notes===
* This episode picks up an unspecified amount of time after ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (which had played in theaters during the summer preceding this episode's debut), and draws directly on many of its events. References include the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Unicron's head orbiting Cybertron, the loss of Optimus Prime, the rise of Galvatron, and more.
* The episode even opens with some of the closing scenes from the movie. The scenes were re-soundtracked with the cartoon's standard background music for television airing. A second movie excerpt, also resoundtracked, is used to show the end of Rodimus's battle with Galvatron.
* First appearances: Outback, Octane, Tantrum (who probably shouldn't be here yet) and Abdul Fakkadi.
* Dirge's "Death comes to he who crosses me," line is a slight paraphrase of a line cut from the original [[The Transformers: The Movie|Transformers The Movie]] script, "[http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/tidbits/tftm_script.txt Death comes to anyone who crosses me.]" It was to be delivered aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)| Astrotrain]] as the Decepticons squabbled over leadership. Another iteration comes in the later episode "[[Starscream's Ghost]]" ("I know, I know - 'Death comes to anyone who hides behind my marker!'"), though Dirge is not mentioned by name.

===Real-world references===
* The [[Galactic Olympics]] are, obviously, based on the modern Olympic Games, including the opening parade of "nations" and the Olympic torch presiding over the events.
* Middle East tensions in the 1980s resulted in the poorly made (depending on [[Casey Kasem|whom you ask]]) spoof called [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]].
* In one scene, Blurr asks why Metroplex's new [[transformation cog]] wasn't shipped via [[Galactic Express]], an allusion to the fact that [[John Moschitta]] had previously appeared in a series of Federal Express commercials.
* ''Star Wars'' sound effects:
** Kickback and Shrapnel fly in with ''Millennium Falcon'' engine whine, and take off with the ship's engine burst noise.
** Ramjet and Dirge get the TIE Fighter engine sound as they lose control amid Outback's explosive. Some ''Millennium Falcon'' engine whine can be heard as well.

===Trivia===
* In an interview with Flint Dille, he said that the Quintesson origin story came from "[[The Secret of Cybertron]]," an aborted script for the movie by him and his fellow writer, [[Jay Bacal]].<ref>[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint_dille_2.html Flint Dille interview on the Cybertron Chronicle]</ref>
* When originally aired, this and the other four parts of the story all had a unique set of opening credits. Unfortunately, the DVD release of the mini-series only includes this opening on parts 3 and 5.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness (Family Home Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness: Parts 1-5 (Sony Wonder) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 4: Series 3.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482022/ IMDb's page for this episode]
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/five_faces_of_darkness_part_1.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Talk:Hubcap (G1)

2011-03-07T01:44:42Z

24.11.148.187: New page: Is it worth mentioning that Hubcap appears really briefly in the 86 movie? He's on the conveyor belt inside Unicron behind Jazz and Cliffjumper, and is presumabely saved from an acid pit d...

Is it worth mentioning that Hubcap appears really briefly in the 86 movie? He's on the conveyor belt inside Unicron behind Jazz and Cliffjumper, and is presumabely saved from an acid pit death by Daniel...

The Transformers (toyline)

2010-07-21T15:44:10Z

24.11.148.187:

{{disambig2|the original toyline|other uses of ''The Transformers''|Transformers (disambiguation)}}
{{Nav-G1}}

{{bigquote|Look! Two more Transformers to add to our collection!|[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] is excited to find [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]|"[[Starscream's Brigade]]"}}

'''''The Transformers''''' (retroactively called '''Generation One''' or '''G1''') started as a joint venture between two companies: [[Hasbro]] of America and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] of [[Japan]]. After an idea to rebrand and sell Takara's ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]'' [[Toy|robot toys]] as a whole new line with a new concept behind it, Hasbro unknowingly would wind up creating what would be one of its longest-running [[franchise]]s.

[[Image:Seekers ad.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Ahh, 1984's book of dreams.]]

In contrast to today's franchises, which tend by design to run 12 to 18 months, ''Generation 1'' was essentially an unbroken line from 1984 to 1991; its logo and packaging format only underwent one major change in that time. Toys tended to linger longer in the line; a few (Starscream, Bumblebee) were even sold for three years in a row (the record for non-re-issues is four years, set by cassettes [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Rewind]], [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]], [[Ramhorn]], and [[Eject]]). The changing circumstances of retail have made this a thing of the past; toy lines now require yearly rebranding.

The ''Generation 1'' line introduced a number of concepts which would stay with subsequent iterations of the brand. Most prominent among these were [[package art]] showing the character's robot form, [[Tech Spec]]s rating the character's abilities, [[bio]]s giving a personality profile of the character represented by the toy, and (in the Japanese toylines) [[Japanese ID number list|ID numbers]] for each figure to identify them. Other "premiums" which didn't survive the 1980s included [[Robot Point]]s and various mail order exclusives.

In addition to the toy and its weapons and accessories, ''Generation 1'' toys typically included a sticker sheet, instructions showing how to transform the toy and apply the stickers, and a [[Catalog|toy catalog flyer]] showing the entire year's toy line. In the early years of the line, a red plastic "tech spec decoder" and various [[Pack-in material#Mail-order flyers|mail-away offers]] were included as well.

The line began with toys already designed by Takara and other companies, but over time it expanded into numerous original designs and concepts though. While its run ostensibly ended after seven years with the advent of ''[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', it was resurrected almost a decade later in Japan via the ''[[Transformers Collection]]'' line of reissues, supplemented by [[e-Hobby]]-exclusive reissues and new creations. A year later, Hasbro began retooling many of those reissues and selling them in North America as the ''[[Commemorative Series]]''. Even after Hasbro discontinued that line, TakaraTomy continued selling reissues under the ''[[Encore]]'' label. This toyline has changed direction and focus so many times that a year-by-year breakdown is the only way to get the full picture.

See also:

* Japanese ''Generation 1'' mini-franchise toylines:
** 1985—''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)]]''
** 1986—''[[Transformers 2010 (toyline)]]''
** 1987—''[[The Headmasters (toyline)]]''
** 1988—''[[Super-God Masterforce (toyline)]]''
** 1989—''[[Victory (toyline)]]''
** 1990—''[[Zone (toyline)]]''
** 1991—''[[Return of Convoy (toyline)]]''
** 1992—''[[Operation Combination (toyline)]]''

* ''[[Generation 1 (European toyline)]]''
* ''[[Generation 1 (Chinese toyline)]]''

==1984==
===Overview===
[[Image:G1Prowl toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Prowl, one of the 1984 line's more iconic toys. In today's secondary market, he's usually found with his roof broken off. Prowl was redecorated to make two other characters as well, which was pretty common in the first two years.]]
The first two years of ''Transformers'' product in America mostly consisted of toys from the two Takara lines. A wide range of sizes and price points, from $3 Mini-Vehicles up to larger toys costing $20 or more, ensured that every kid could pick up at least a few Transformers, and still have a few left for the Christmas wishlist -- a marketing strategy that continues up to the present day.

The early G1 toys were largely marked by attention to vehicle mode detail, rubber tires, the frequent use of [[die-cast]] metal (particularly on larger toys), and a variety of loose parts which had to be kept track of and attached separately. The early toys were also marked by a lack of posability -- not a single one of the [[Autobot Cars|Autobot cars]] had knee joints, and most had feet that were fused together. The Decepticon jets couldn't do anything but raise their arms forward.

The combination of heavy die-cast and the brittle plastics of the time also made many of the toys fragile; toys such as Prowl and Mirage are infamous for winding up broken.

Due to products coming from different pre-existing product lines, the 1984 toys were highly inconsistent in terms of relative [[scale]]. Later years would not do much to mitigate this issue.

Many of the 1984 toys included the pack-in brochure [[Reinforcements from Cybertron!]]

===Autobots===
'''Autobot [[Mini Vehicle|Mini-Cars]]'''

{{columnlist|3|
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]]
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]}}

{{note|Although the official catalogs and the box artwork depict Bumblebee in yellow and Cliffjumper in red, both toys were actually available in both colors. Additionally, a third toy of a similar design was also available in yellow, and sold on Cliffjumper cards. That toy was not officially marketed by Hasbro as a separate character, but was later dubbed "Bumblejumper" by fans, which was shortened to just "[[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]]" by the time he was officially integrated into the fiction as a character in his own right.}}

'''[[Autobot Cars]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Bluestreak]]
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
* [[Ironhide (G1)/toys|Ironhide]]
* [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]]
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
* [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]]
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]}}

'''Autobot Commander'''
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]

===Decepticons===
'''Decepticon [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|Cassettes]]'''
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] & [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (available as a two-pack)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] & [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] (available as a two-pack)

{{note|Another Decepticon Cassette, Buzzsaw, was available with Soundwave.}}

[[Image:Redeco.jpg|right|150px|thumb|L to R: Skywarp, Starscream, Thundercracker]]

'''Decepticon [[Seeker (body-type)|Planes]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]]
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]}}

'''Decepticon Communications'''
* [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] (with [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]])

'''Decepticon Leader'''
* [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]]

{{-}}

==1985==
:''For the toyline released in Japan this year comprising many of these toys and the 1984 figures, see: [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)]]''

===Overview===
[[Image:1985catalogue-diorama.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The 80s! When toy companies actively encouraged you to play with fire!]]

The initial toyline was wildly successful, making "Transformers" a household word for the rest of the 1980s and leading to an ever-expanding product line. 1985's offerings more than doubled those of 1984. Additional cars, jets, and mini-vehicles were released; many of the standard cars and jets were retooled versions of 1984 toys (or of each other, in the case of Grapple and Inferno.)

The line also veered into mechanical dinosaurs and insects, and futuristic vehicles. Some of these toys were designed and manufactured by companies in competition with Takara, among them Jetfire, the Deluxe Insecticons and the Deluxe Vehicles. These toys are among the few G1 toys with good articulation. However, their conflicting origins doomed most of them never to appear in the cartoon, as Takara did not wish to sponsor a show advertising its competitor's products. See ''[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'' for more.

This year's toys primary pack-in brochures were "[[Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now!]], and later [[Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all?]].

In 1985, the Transformers line (with a few deletions) was ported back to Japan, as [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]].

===Autobots===
'''Autobot [[Mini Vehicle|Mini Vehicles]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]]
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]}}

{{note|The "Mini-Cars" were renamed into "Mini-Vehicles" beginning with 1985. The 1984 Mini-Cars/Mini-Vehicles were re-released. 1985 Mini-Vehicles were briefly available with extra [[Mini-spy|Mini-Spies]], later replaced the Autobot symbols with rubsigns like the ones first featured on the Mini-Spies, and later shipments of the rubsign versions were available with iron-on patches. The versions of Bumblebee and Cliffjumper that came with the Mini-Spies were available in both yellow and red; the rubsign versions still featured color variants. The Bumper mold was no longer available.}}

'''[[Autobot Cars]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
* [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
* [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
* [[Grapple]]}}

{{note|The 1984 Autobot Cars were re-released. All 1985 Autobot Cars sported rubsigns. The European version of Tracks released by Milton Bradley was originally available in red.}}

'''[[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]]
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]}}

'''[[Jumpstarter|Jumpstarters]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]
*[[Twin Twist]]}}

'''Autobot [[Deluxe Vehicle|Deluxe Vehicles]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Roadbuster]]
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]}}

'''Autobot Air Guardian'''
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]

'''Autobot Communicator'''
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]

'''Autobot Scientist'''
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]

'''Autobot Motorized Defense Base'''
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]

'''[[Powerdasher]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* "Drill Type"
* "F-1 Type"
* "Jet Type"}}

{{note|The Powerdashers were only available via mail-order. Figure names are in quotes because these figures were not officially named. Names are taken from the Diaclone versions.}}

'''[[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]]
*[[Downshift (G1)|Downshift]]
*[[Overdrive]]}}

{{note|The Omnibots were only available via mail order.}}

'''Promotional toys'''
* "[[PepsiCo|Pepsi]]" Optimus Prime

{{note|A limited-edition variant of Optimus Prime was available with additional "Pepsi" stickers on the trailer. The [[Canada|Canadian]] version sported yet another variant with a large sticker covering the entire side of the trailer.}}

* "Cookie Crisp" Jazz

{{note|A variant of the Jazz toy was available as a Cookie Crisp promotional premium via mail order. Unlike the regular version, the "Martini" decals are missing from the doors.}}

====Notes====
* The entire 1984 lineup was still available in 1985, only now sporting [[rubsign]]s.
* Curiously, though animation models exist, Topspin and Twin Twist were also not shown in the cartoon, or even animated for commercials.

===Decepticons===
'''[[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]}}

'''[[Insecticon (G1)|Deluxe Insecticons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]]
* [[Chop Shop]]
* [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]]
* [[Venom (G1)|Venom]]}}

'''[[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]]
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (giftset)}}

'''[[Triple Changer]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]}}

'''Decepticon [[Seeker (body-type)|Planes]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]}}

'''Decepticon Military Operations Commander'''
*[[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Shockwave]]

====Notes====
* The entire 1984 assortment of Decepticons was still available in 1985, in updated packaging, now also sporting rubsigns.
* The Deluxe Insecticons made no appearances in the animated series.

==1986==
:''For the nearly-identical toyline (minus Sky Lynx) released in Japan this year, see: [[Transformers 2010 (toyline)]]''

===Overview===
[[Image:Protectobots-collectallfive.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Collect all five! The little ones are cheap, and you can bug your mom to buy you the big one!]]
1986 broke more ground with multiple [[combiner]] teams, two large "city" robots, and a full-length feature film to push a new crop of toys. By this point, Hasbro had gone through almost all of the "suitable" ''Diaclone'' and ''Microman'' toys, and were using up the last of the pre-existing (yet previously unmade) Takara design concepts, mostly in the form of the [[Scramble City]] combiner teams and the two citybots; thus the toys for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' became the first original designs developed by Hasbro (and also the first of a ''very'' few times that characters' in-fiction designs predated their toy designs). That year also marked the end of rubber tires and die-cast metal in the toys, as shipping and manufacturing costs dictated an all-plastic approach; many toys from that year were available both with and without rubber and die-cast. Though many fans regard this as a drop in quality, it had the effect of creating much sturdier toys.

Starting with 1986, the first Transformers toys - the Mini-Cassettes, the Triple Changers, the newly introduced Special Teams Mini-Vehicles and the [[Special Teams]] Large Vehicles - were available in mixed assortments that contained both Autobot and Decepticon characters. The 1986 toys are still listed as Autobots and Decepticons for simplicity's sake.

Some assortments of the movie character toys included one of four free [[posters]] promoting the [[Decipher the Decepticon]] contest. Many toys included the S.T.A.R.S. advertisement [[You Have Been Chosen.]] Mini Vehicles included an iron-on patch promoting the [[Prizes in Disguise]] contest.

===Autobots===
'''Autobot [[Mini Vehicle|Mini-Vehicles]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]
* [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]]
* [[Outback]]
* [[Pipes]]
* [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
* [[Tailgate]]}}

{{note|Bumblebee, Beachcomber, Seaspray, Cosmos, Powerglide and Warpath were re-released. All twelve 1986 Mini-Vehicles were alternatively available with or without an iron-on patch.}}

'''Autobot [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassettes]]'''
* [[Rewind]] & [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (available as a two-pack)
* [[Ramhorn]] & [[Eject]] (available as a two-pack)

'''[[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]]
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]]
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]]
* [[Slingshot]]
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]
* [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (giftset)}}

'''[[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]
* [[Groove (G1)|Groove]]
* [[Blades (G1)|Blades]]
* [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]
* [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]
* [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (giftset)}}

{{note|The smaller Aerialbots and Protectobots were alternatively available with or without an iron-on patch. Silverbolt and Hot Spot have never been found with a poster.}}

'''[[Triple Changer]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]
* [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]
* [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]}}

{{note|All 1986 Triple Changers were alternatively available with or without a poster.}}

'''[[Autobot Cars]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]
* [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]]
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]}}

{{note|All three 1986 Autobot Cars were alternatively available with or without a poster.}}

'''Heroes'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus Prime]]
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]}}

'''Autobot [[City Commander|City Commander]]'''
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys|Ultra Magnus]]

{{note|A variant version of Ultra Magnus was available exclusively from KB Toys stores, replacing the diecast parts and rubber tires with plastic parts and sporting unpainted heads.}}

'''Motorized Autobot Space Shuttle'''
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]

'''Autobot [[City-bot|City]]'''
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] with [[Six-Gun]], [[Slammer]], and [[Scamper]]

====Notes====
* A limited edition version of Optimus Prime was available with a "Movie Edition" certificate.
* Sunstreaker, Mirage, Ratchet and Wheeljack, none of which were shipping to regular stores anymore by this point, were made available again via mail order.

===Decepticons===
'''Decepticon [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassettes]]'''
* [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] & Frenzy (available as a two-pack)

{{note|Frenzy was a re-release of the 1986 Decepticon Cassette, now available as a two-pack with the new mold Ratbat rather than with Laserbeak. The two-pack of Ravage and Rumble was also re-released.}}

'''[[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]]
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]
* [[Wildrider]]
* [[Drag Strip]]
* [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (giftset)}}

'''[[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]]}}

{{note|While packaged samples might exist, Bruticus was presumably never officially released in giftset form in the USA. The smaller Stunticons and Combaticons were alternatively available with or without an iron-on patch. Motormaster and Onslaught have never been found with a poster.}}

'''[[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]
* [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]]
* [[Headstrong]]
* [[Tantrum]]
* [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]]}}

{{note|Predaking was never available in giftset form outside of Japan.}}

'''[[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]]'''
* [[Gnaw]]

{{note|All five Predacons as well as Gnaw were alternatively available with or without a poster.}}

'''[[Triple Changer]]s'''
* [[Octane]]

{{note|Blitzwing and Astrotrain were re-released. All 1986 Triple Changers were alternatively available with or without a poster, and Astrotrain and Blitzwing are very difficult to find.}}

'''Decepticon Planes'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]}}

{{note|Starscream, Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust were re-released. Only Scourge and Cyclonus have been found with or without a poster. The other four jets in the asortment have never been found with a poster.}}

'''[[Battlecharger]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Runabout]]
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]]}}

'''Decepticon [[City Commander]]'''
* [[Galvatron (G1)/toys|Galvatron]]

'''Motorized Decepticon [[City-bot|City]]'''
* [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] with [[Brunt (G1)|Brunt]] and [[Full-Tilt]]

'''[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Spectro]]
*[[Spyglass]]
*[[Viewfinder]]}}

{{note|Reflector was only available via mail order.}}

====Notes====
* A limited edition version of Megatron was available with a "Movie Edition" certificate.
* Thundercracker, who was no longer shipping to regular stores by this point, was made available again via mail order.

==1987==
:''For the marginally different toyline released in Japan this year, see: [[The Headmasters (toyline)]]''

===Overview===
[[Image:Technobots-specialteams.jpg|right|250px|thumb|28 dollars?! But in 1987, that was like... um... factor inflation... multiply by 2.1314159... carry the 1... um... a LOT!]]

1987 was dominated by two sublines, the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster]]s. It also marked the peak of the line's ambition, as it introduced the two-foot-tall [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] toy -- still the largest Transformer ever produced and, at nearly $100 in 1987 dollars, still one of the most expensive.

At the other end of the price scale, the $3 Mini-Vehicles of previous years were replaced by the [[Throttlebot]]s. Apart from them, the line was dominated for the first time by fictional vehicle modes (variously explained as "Cybertronian" or "futuristic") and mechanical monsters and beasts.

The smaller carded toys were sometimes available with a rubber [[decoy]] figure, as well as a bonus mini-comic. Larger toys included the pack-in mail-away brochure [[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]].

===Autobots===
'''[[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]]
* [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]]
* [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]]
* [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]]
* [[Scattershot]]
* [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] (giftset)}}

{{note|The Aerialbots and Protectobots were also re-released. All individual Aerialbots, Protectobots and Technobots were alternatively available with or without a rubber decoy.}}

'''[[Throttlebot]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Goldbug]]
* [[Chase (G1)|Chase]]
* [[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]]
* [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]]
* [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]]
* [[Wide Load]]}}

{{note|The Throttlebots were alternatively available with or without a rubber decoy.}}

'''Autobot [[Clone (subgroup)|Clones]]'''
* [[Fastlane]] & [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]] (available as a two-pack)

'''Autobot [[:Category:Spies|Double Spy]]'''
* [[Punch (G1)|Punch-Counterpunch]]

'''[[Monsterbot]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Grotusque]]
* [[Doublecross]]
* [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]]}}

'''Large [[Targetmaster]] Autobots'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Pointblank]] with [[Peacemaker]]
* [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] with [[Spoilsport]]
* [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] with [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]]
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] with [[Haywire]]
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] with [[Recoil]]
* [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]] with [[Firebolt]]}}

'''Large [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] Autobots'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] with [[Stylor]]
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] with [[Duros]]
* [[Brainstorm]] with [[Arcana]]
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] with [[Gort]]}}

'''Headmaster Autobot [[City-bot|Base]]'''
* [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] with [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Cog (G1)|Cog/Gasket/Grommet]]

====Notes====
Metroplex, Rodimus Prime, Wreck-Gar, Ultra Magnus and Sky Lynx were also still available. The Autobot Mini-Cassette two-packs of Rewind/Steeljaw and Ramhorn/Eject were re-released.

===Decepticons===
'''[[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]]
* [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]]
* [[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]]
* [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]
* [[Hun-Gurrr]]}}

{{note|[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] was never officially released in giftset form in the USA.}}

{{note|The Stunticons and Combaticons were also re-released. All individual Stunticons, Combaticons and Terrorcons were alternatively available with or without a rubber decoy.}}

'''Decepticon [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassettes]]'''
* [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] & [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] (available as a two-pack)

{{note|The two-pack of Ratbat and Frenzy was also re-released.}}

'''[[Duocon]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Battletrap]]
* [[Flywheels]]}}

'''Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clones]]'''
* [[Pounce]] & [[Wingspan]] (available as a two-pack)

'''Decepticon [[Six Changer]]'''
* [[Sixshot]]

'''Large [[Targetmaster]] Decepticons'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Triggerhappy]] with [[Blowpipe (G1)|Blowpipe]]
* [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] with [[Caliburst (G1)|Caliburst]]
* [[Misfire]] with [[Aimless]]
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] with [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]]
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] with [[Fracas]]}}

'''Large [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] Decepticons'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Skullcruncher]] with [[Grax]]
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] with [[Vorath]]
* [[Weirdwolf]] with [[Monzo]]}}

'''Headmaster [[Horrorcon]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Apeface]] with [[Spasma]]
* [[Snapdragon]] with [[Krunk]]}}

'''Headmaster Decepticon [[City-bot|Base]]'''
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] with [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Zarak]] and [[Fasttrack (Scorponok)|Fasttrack]]

====Notes====
Galvatron, Trypticon, the Predacons and the Sharkticon figure Gnaw were also still available.

==1988==
:''For the noticeably different toyline released in Japan this year, see: [[Super-God Masterforce (toyline)]]''

===Overview===
[[Image:G1Bomb-Burst toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Bomb-Burst, a typical full-sized Pretender.]]
[[Image:PowermasterOptimusPrime toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Finally! They're selling Optimus Prime again!]]
1988 introduced a new logo design and tagline (More... MUCH more than meets the eye), but otherwise continued the directions of 1987, with a new line of Headmasters and the new [[Powermaster]] gimmicks, and a mixture of realistic and fanciful vehicle forms.

1988 also introduced the [[Pretender]]s, bringing non-transforming figures into the line for the first time. The Pretenders tended to have ''very'' simplified transformations and often unconvincing vehicle modes, though their designs make them among the most well-articulated of all G1 toys. The outer shells, by contrast, rarely featured any articulation beyond a swivel joint at the shoulders.

Other sublines of note included the [[Triggercon]]s, [[Triggerbot]]s, [[Sparkabot]]s and [[Firecon]]s, which took the Throttlebots' place as the line's low-end offerings.

G1 tended to be extremely non-self referential; until 1988, only one existing character, Bumblebee, had ever been revived with a new toy after having his older toy discontinued. That year, however, Hasbro seemingly began to realize the strength of the characters they had developed, as the line featured the return of Optimus Prime in Powermaster form following his death in ''Transformers: The Movie'' two years prior. The following two years would see more 1984/1985 characters return in Pretender and Action Master form.

This year's toys included the pack-in mail-away brochure [[The Autobots Are Under Attack!]].

===Autobots===
'''[[Sparkabot]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Fizzle]]
* [[Sizzle (G1)|Sizzle]]
* [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]]}}

'''[[Triggerbot]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Backstreet]]
* [[Override (G1)|Override]]
* [[Dogfight]]}}

'''Autobot [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|Cassettes]]'''
* [[Grand Slam]] & [[Raindance]] (available as a two-pack)

{{note|The Rewind/Steeljaw and Ramhorn/Eject two-packs were also re-released once again.}}

'''Small [[Targetmaster]] Autobots'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] with [[Flintlock]] and [[Silencer]]
* [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] with [[Boomer]] and [[Ricochet (Nebulan)|Ricochet]]
* [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] with [[Holepunch (G1)|Holepunch]] and [[Tracer (Nebulan)|Tracer]]}}

{{note|The Large Targetmaster Autobots Pointblank, Sureshot and Crosshairs were also still available.}}

'''Small [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] Autobots'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] with [[Muzzle]]
* [[Siren]] with [[Quig]]
* [[Hosehead]] with [[Lug]]}}

{{note|The Large Headmaster Autobots Chromedome, Hardhead, Brainstorm and Highbrow and the Headmaster Autobot Base Fortress Maximus were also still available.}}

'''[[Powermaster]] Autobots'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Getaway]] with [[Rev]]
* [[Slapdash]] with [[Lube]]
* [[Joyride (Autobot)|Joyride]] with [[Hotwire]]}}

'''Powermaster Autobot Leader'''
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] with [[Hi-Q]]

'''Autobot [[Six Changer]]'''
* [[Quickswitch]]

'''Large Autobot [[Pretender]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]
* [[Cloudburst]]
* [[Waverider]]
* [[Groundbreaker]]
* [[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]]
* [[Splashdown]]}}

{{note|Groundbreaker, Sky High and Splashdown were not released in Japan.}}

'''Autobot [[Pretender Beast]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]]
* [[Catilla]]}}

'''Autobot [[Pretender Vehicle]]s'''
* [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]]

====Notes====
The Autobot Double Spy Punch-Counterpunch, the Autobot Clones two-pack of Fastlane/Cloudraker and the Monsterbots Grotusque, Doublecross and Repugnus were also still available. The Technobots were re-released.

===Decepticons===
'''[[Firecon]]s'''

{{columnlist|3|
* [[Cindersaur]]
* [[Flamefeather]]
* [[Sparkstalker]]}}

'''[[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]]
* [[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]]
* [[Nautilator]]
* [[Skalor]]
* [[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]]
* [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]]
* [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] (giftset)}}

{{note|The Piranacon giftset only included five of the six individual Seacons; Nautilator was left out for reasons unknown.}}

{{note|The Terrorcons were also re-released.}}

'''[[Triggercon]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]]
* [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]]
* [[Windsweeper]]}}

'''Decepticon Cassettes'''
* [[Squawktalk]] & [[Beastbox (G1)|Beastbox]] (available as a two-pack)

{{note|The Slugfest/Overkill two-pack was also re-released.}}

'''Small [[Targetmaster]] Decepticons'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] with [[Hairsplitter]] and [[Singe]]
* [[Needlenose]] with [[Sunbeam]] and [[Zigzag]]
* [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] with [[Tiptop]] and [[Heater]]}}

{{note|The Large Targetmaster Decepticons Triggerhappy, Slugslinger and Misfire were also still available.}}

'''Small [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] Decepticons'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Horri-Bull]] with [[Kreb]]
* [[Fangry]] with [[Brisko]]
* [[Squeezeplay]] with [[Lokos]]}}

{{note|The Large Headmaster Decepticons Skullcruncher, Mindwipe and Weirdwolf, the Headmaster Horrorcons Apeface and Snapdragon and the Headmaster Decepticon Base Scorponok were also still available.}}

'''[[Powermaster]] Decepticons'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] with [[Hi-Test]]
* [[Darkwing]] with [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]]}}

'''Powermaster Mercenary'''
* [[Doubledealer]] with [[Knok]] and [[Skar]]

'''Large Decepticon [[Pretender]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Skullgrin]]
* [[Bomb-Burst]]
* [[Submarauder (G1)|Submarauder]]
* [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]]
* [[Bugly]]
* [[Finback]]}}

'''Decepticon [[Pretender Beast]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]]
* [[Snarler]]}}

'''Decepticon [[Pretender Vehicle]]s'''
* [[Roadgrabber]]

====Notes====
The Deception Clones two-pack of Pounce/Wingspan and the Decepticon Six Changer Sixshot were also still available.

==1989==
:''For the totally different toyline released in Japan this year, see: [[Victory (toyline)]]''

===Overview===
[[Image:G1Thunderwing toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Thunderwing, a Mega Pretender. This toy commands shocking secondary market prices as a result of the character's prominent appearances in the later Generation 1 comics.]]
By 1989, Hasbro's Transformers releases had been effectively split into two almost distinct sub-lines - Pretenders and Micromasters - that were available concurrently, a separation that was stronger from a marketing standpoint than the Autobot/Decepticon distinction from previous years.

The Pretender subline expanded to include [[Pretender Monster|a combiner team]] and increasingly complex gimmicks, including robots with multiple shells, and outer shells which could transform themselves and even combine with their inner robots.

The 1-inch-tall [[Micromaster]]s attempted to capitalize on the popularity of the Micro Machine toyline. They were originally sold in carded 4-member "patrols", and later with various bases and vehicles. Micromasters tended to have realistically styled vehicle forms. Though the first five patrols featured relatively diverse transformation schemes, as the subline proliferated, their designs would become extremely standardized.

===Pretenders===
====Autobots====
'''Small Autobot [[Pretender]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Pincher]]
* [[Doubleheader]]
* [[Longtooth]]}}

'''Autobot [[Pretender Classic]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]]
* [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]]
* [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]]}}

'''Autobot [[Legends (G1)|Legends]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* Bumblebee
* Grimlock
* Jazz}}

{{note|The Legends figures were identical to the Pretender Classics' inner robots, but lacking the Pretender shell. They were exclusively available from KMart stores. Curiously, Jazz and Bumblebee appear to have switched weapons.}}

'''Autobot [[Mega Pretender]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]]
* [[Vroom]]}}

'''Autobot [[Ultra Pretender]]s'''
* [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]]

=====Notes=====
* Powermaster Optimus Prime, the Autobot Cassette two-packs of Rewind/Steeljaw, Ramhorn/Eject and Grand Slam/Raindance and the Large Autobot Pretenders were also still available.

====Decepticons====
'''[[Pretender Monster]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Icepick (G1)|Icepick]]
* [[Bristleback]]
* [[Wildfly]]
* [[Scowl]]
* [[Slog]]
* [[Birdbrain]]}}

'''Small Decepticon [[Pretender]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Octopunch]]
* [[Stranglehold]]
* [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]}}

'''Decepticon [[Pretender Classic]]s'''
* [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]]

'''Decepticon [[Legends (G1)|Legends]]'''
* Starscream

{{note|The Legends figures were identical to the Pretender Classics' inner robots, but lacking the Pretender shell. They were exclusively available from KMart stores.}}

'''Decepticon [[Mega Pretender]]s'''
* [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]

'''Decepticon [[Ultra Pretender]]s'''
* [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]

=====Notes=====
* The Decepticon Cassette two-packs of Slugfest/Overkill and Squawktalk/Beastbox and the Large Decepticon Pretenders were also still available.

===Micromasters===
[[Image:Micromaster-sportscarpatrol-toys.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Here a novelty; soon an infestation.]]
====Autobots====
'''[[Micromaster]] Autobot Patrols'''
* [[Off Road Patrol]] ([[Highjump (G1)|Highjump]], [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]], [[Powertrain]] & [[Tote]])
* [[Race Car Patrol]] ([[Tailspin]], [[Free Wheeler]], [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] & [[Swindler]])
* [[Rescue Patrol]] ([[Seawatch]], [[Stakeout]], [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] & [[Red Hot]])
* [[Battle Patrol]] ([[Big Shot]], [[Sidetrack]], [[Sunrunner]] & [[Flak]])

'''Micromaster Autobot [[Micromaster Transport|Transports]]'''
* [[Erector]] (with [[Crane]])
* [[Overload (G1)|Overload]] (with [[Car carrier trailer]])

'''Micromaster Autobot Stations'''
* [[Hot House]] (with [[Fire station]])
* [[Ironworks]] (with [[Construction station]])

'''Micromaster Autobot Bases'''
* [[Groundshaker]] (with [[ATV]])

'''Micromaster Autobot Rocket Base'''
* [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]] (with [[Rocket Base|Rocket base]])

====Decepticons====
'''Micromaster Decepticon Patrols'''
* [[Air Strike Patrol]] ([[Nightflight (G1)|Nightflight]], [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]], [[Whisper (G1)|Whisper]] & [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]])
* [[Sports Car Patrol]] ([[Detour (G1)|Detour]], [[Blackjack]], [[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]] & [[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]])

'''Micromaster Decepticon [[Micromaster Transport|Transports]]'''
* [[Flattop (Decepticon)|Flattop]] (with [[Aircraft carrier]])
* [[Roughstuff]] (with [[Military transport]])

'''Micromaster Decepticon Stations'''
* [[Greasepit (G1)|Greasepit]] (with [[Gas station]])
* [[Airwave]] (with [[Airport]])

'''Micromaster Decepticon Bases'''
* [[Skyhopper]] (with [[Helicopter]])

'''Micromaster Decepticon Jet Command Center'''
* [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] (with [[Interstellar shuttle]])

==1990==
:''For the totally different toyline released in Japan this year, see: [[Zone (toyline)]]''

===Overview===
[[Image:Actionmaster Jazz.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Action Master Jazz, reintroducing a character from the line's early years.]]
Like 1989 before, 1990 also effectively saw two almost distinct Transformers sub-lines being available concurrently: the vastly-expanded Micromasters, and the non-transforming [[Action Master]] figures. The Micromasters came both in the $5 carded patrols and with transforming bases, some of which were quite large. The Actionmasters likewise came as carded figures with small transforming partners, and also with larger boxed vehicles.

The [[Generation 1 (European toyline)|European version of the "G1" line]], which continued after Hasbro had abruptly cancelled the line in the USA, would furthermore add the "Classics" sub-line to the mix.

Waning popularity led to the line's cancellation at this point; ''Transformers'' disappeared from shelves for two years, not returning until the debut of ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]''.

===Micromasters===
====Autobots====
'''[[Micromaster]] Autobot Patrols'''
* [[Construction Patrol]] ([[Neutro]], [[Groundpounder]], [[Crumble]] & [[Takedown]])
* [[Air Patrol]] ([[Sky High (Micromaster)|Sky High]], [[Eagle Eye (G1)|Eagle Eye]], [[Blaze Master]] & [[Tread Bolt]])
* [[Monster Truck Patrol]] ([[Hydraulic]], [[Slow Poke]], [[Big Hauler]] & [[Heavy Tread]])
* [[Hot Rod Patrol]] ([[Big Daddy (G1)|Big Daddy]], [[Trip-Up]], [[Greaser]] & [[Hubs]])

'''Micromaster Autobot Combiner Squads'''
* [[Metro Squad]] ([[Wheel Blaze]], [[Roadburner]], [[Oiler]], [[Slide]], [[Power Run]] & [[Strikedown]])
* [[Astro Squad]] ([[Phaser]], [[Blast Master]], [[Moonrock]], [[Missile Master]], [[Barrage (Micromaster)|Barrage]] & [[Heave]])

'''Micromaster Autobot [[Micromaster Combiner Transport|Combiner Transports]]'''
* [[Missile Launcher]] (with [[Retro]] & [[Surge]])
* [[Tanker Truck]] (with [[Pipeline]] & [[Gusher]])

'''Micromaster Combiner Autobot Battlefield Headquarters'''
* [[Battlefield Headquarters]] with [[Full-Barrel]] & [[Overflow]]

=====Notes=====
* The Micromaster Transports Overload and Erector, the Micromaster Stations Hot House and Ironworks and the Micromaster Autobot Rocket Base Countdown were also still available.

====Decepticons====
'''[[Micromaster]] Decepticon Patrols'''
* [[Race Track Patrol]] ([[Roller Force]], [[Barricade (G1)|Barricade]], [[Ground Hog]] & [[Motorhead (Decepticon)|Motorhead]])
* [[Military Patrol]] ([[Bombshock (G1)|Bombshock]], [[Tracer (Decepticon)|Tracer]], [[Dropshot (G1)|Dropshot]] & [[Growl (G1)|Growl]])

'''Micromaster Decepticon Combiner Squads'''
* [[Battle Squad]] ([[Meltdown (G1)|Meltdown]], [[Half-Track (G1)|Half-Track]], [[Direct-Hit (G1)|Direct-Hit]], [[Power Punch (G1)|Power Punch]], [[Fireshot (G1)|Fireshot]] & [[Vanquish (G1)|Vanquish]])
* [[Constructor Squad]] ([[Stonecruncher (G1)|Stonecruncher]], [[Excavator (G1)|Excavator]], [[Sledge (G1)|Sledge]], [[Hammer (G1)|Hammer]], [[Grit (G1)|Grit]] & [[Knockout (G1)|Knockout]])

'''Micromaster Decepticon [[Micromaster Combiner Transport|Combiner Transports]]'''
* [[Cannon Transport]] (with [[Terror-Tread]] & [[Cement-Head]])

'''Micromaster Combiner Decepticon Anti-Aircraft Base'''
* [[Anti-Aircraft Base]] with [[Blackout (G1)|Blackout]] & [[Spaceshot]]

=====Notes=====
* The Micromaster Transports Flattop & Roughstuff, the Micromaster Stations Greasepit and Airwave and the Micromaster Decepticon Jet Command Center Skystalker were also still available.

===Action Masters===
====Autobots====
'''Autobot [[Action Master]] Figures'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]] with [[Anti-tank cannon]]
* [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]] with [[Turbo Board]]
* [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] with [[Lionizer]]
* [[Rollout (G1)| Rollout]] with [[Glitch]]
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]] with [[Heli-pack]]
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] with [[Flight Pack]]
* [[Jackpot]] with [[Sights]]
* [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] with [[Push-Button]]
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] with [[Hydro-Pack]]
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] with [[Tyrannitron]]
* [[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]] with [[Top-Heavy]]
* [[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Off]] with [[Turbo-Pack]]}}

'''Autobot Action Master Action Blasters'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Turbo Cycle]] with [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]]
* [[Attack Copter]] with [[Over-Run (G1)|Over-Run]]}}

'''Action Master Autobot Vehicles'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Turbo Racer]] with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
* [[Attack Cruiser]] with [[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]]}}

'''Action Master Autobot Armored Convoy'''
* [[Armored Convoy]] with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]

====Decepticons====
'''Decepticon [[Action Master]] Figures'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] with [[Wingthing]]
* [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] with [[Catgut]]
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] with [[Scorpulator]]
* [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] with [[Gatoraider]]
* [[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Shockwave]] with [[Fistfight]]
* [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] with [[Razor-Sharp]]}}

'''Decepticon Action Master Action Blasters'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Off-Road Cycle]] with [[Axer]]
* [[Turbo Jet]] with [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]]}}

'''Action Master Decepticon Attack Vehicles'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]]'s [[Neutro-Fusion Tank]]
*[[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]]'s [[Stratotronic Jet]]}}

==2000==
:''For the line of ''Generation 1'' reissues begun in Japan this year, see: [[Transformers Collection]]''

==2001==
:''For the supplementary, store-exclusive Japanese line of ''Generation 1'' reissues and new creations begun this year, see: [[e-Hobby]]''

==2002==
:''For the North American counterpart to the Japanese ''Generation 1'' revival, see: [[Commemorative Series]]''

==2006==
:''For the ''Titanium Series'' toys with a "Generation 1" sub-label, see: [[Titanium Series]]''

==2007==
:''For the line of ''Generation 1'' reissues begun in Japan this year, see: [[Encore]]''

==2008==
:''For the "Generation 1 Series" toys, see: [[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (toyline), The}}

[[Category:Generation 1| Transformers (toyline)]]
[[Category:Toys]]

The Transformers (toyline)

2010-07-21T15:41:02Z

24.11.148.187:

{{disambig2|the original toyline|other uses of ''The Transformers''|Transformers (disambiguation)}}
{{Nav-G1}}

{{bigquote|Look! Two more Transformers to add to our collection!|[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] is excited to find [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]|"[[Starscream's Brigade]]"}}

'''''The Transformers''''' (retroactively called '''Generation One''' or '''G1''') started as a joint venture between two companies: [[Hasbro]] of America and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] of [[Japan]]. After an idea to rebrand and sell Takara's ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]'' [[Toy|robot toys]] as a whole new line with a new concept behind it, Hasbro unknowingly would wind up creating what would be one of its longest-running [[franchise]]s.

[[Image:Seekers ad.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Ahh, 1984's book of dreams.]]

In contrast to today's franchises, which tend by design to run 12 to 18 months, ''Generation 1'' was essentially an unbroken line from 1984 to 1991; its logo and packaging format only underwent one major change in that time. Toys tended to linger longer in the line; a few (Starscream, Bumblebee) were even sold for three years in a row (the record for non-re-issues is four years, set by cassettes [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Rewind]], [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]], [[Ramhorn]], and [[Eject]]). The changing circumstances of retail have made this a thing of the past; toy lines now require yearly rebranding.

The ''Generation 1'' line introduced a number of concepts which would stay with subsequent iterations of the brand. Most prominent among these were [[package art]] showing the character's robot form, [[Tech Spec]]s rating the character's abilities, [[bio]]s giving a personality profile of the character represented by the toy, and (in the Japanese toylines) [[Japanese ID number list|ID numbers]] for each figure to identify them. Other "premiums" which didn't survive the 1980s included [[Robot Point]]s and various mail order exclusives.

In addition to the toy and its weapons and accessories, ''Generation 1'' toys typically included a sticker sheet, instructions showing how to transform the toy and apply the stickers, and a [[Catalog|toy catalog flyer]] showing the entire year's toy line. In the early years of the line, a red plastic "tech spec decoder" and various [[Pack-in material#Mail-order flyers|mail-away offers]] were included as well.

The line began with toys already designed by Takara and other companies, but over time it expanded into numerous original designs and concepts though. While its run ostensibly ended with after seven years with the advent of ''[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', it was resurrected almost a decade later in Japan via the ''[[Transformers Collection]]'' line of reissues, supplemented by [[e-Hobby]]-exclusive reissues and new creations. A year later, Hasbro began retooling many of those reissues and selling them in North America as the ''[[Commemorative Series]]''. Even after Hasbro discontinued that line, TakaraTomy continued selling reissues under the ''[[Encore]]'' label. This toyline has changed direction and focus so many times that a year-by-year breakdown is the only way to get the full picture.

See also:

* Japanese ''Generation 1'' mini-franchise toylines:
** 1985—''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)]]''
** 1986—''[[Transformers 2010 (toyline)]]''
** 1987—''[[The Headmasters (toyline)]]''
** 1988—''[[Super-God Masterforce (toyline)]]''
** 1989—''[[Victory (toyline)]]''
** 1990—''[[Zone (toyline)]]''
** 1991—''[[Return of Convoy (toyline)]]''
** 1992—''[[Operation Combination (toyline)]]''

* ''[[Generation 1 (European toyline)]]''
* ''[[Generation 1 (Chinese toyline)]]''

==1984==
===Overview===
[[Image:G1Prowl toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Prowl, one of the 1984 line's more iconic toys. In today's secondary market, he's usually found with his roof broken off. Prowl was redecorated to make two other characters as well, which was pretty common in the first two years.]]
The first two years of ''Transformers'' product in America mostly consisted of toys from the two Takara lines. A wide range of sizes and price points, from $3 Mini-Vehicles up to larger toys costing $20 or more, ensured that every kid could pick up at least a few Transformers, and still have a few left for the Christmas wishlist -- a marketing strategy that continues up to the present day.

The early G1 toys were largely marked by attention to vehicle mode detail, rubber tires, the frequent use of [[die-cast]] metal (particularly on larger toys), and a variety of loose parts which had to be kept track of and attached separately. The early toys were also marked by a lack of posability -- not a single one of the [[Autobot Cars|Autobot cars]] had knee joints, and most had feet that were fused together. The Decepticon jets couldn't do anything but raise their arms forward.

The combination of heavy die-cast and the brittle plastics of the time also made many of the toys fragile; toys such as Prowl and Mirage are infamous for winding up broken.

Due to products coming from different pre-existing product lines, the 1984 toys were highly inconsistent in terms of relative [[scale]]. Later years would not do much to mitigate this issue.

Many of the 1984 toys included the pack-in brochure [[Reinforcements from Cybertron!]]

===Autobots===
'''Autobot [[Mini Vehicle|Mini-Cars]]'''

{{columnlist|3|
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]]
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]}}

{{note|Although the official catalogs and the box artwork depict Bumblebee in yellow and Cliffjumper in red, both toys were actually available in both colors. Additionally, a third toy of a similar design was also available in yellow, and sold on Cliffjumper cards. That toy was not officially marketed by Hasbro as a separate character, but was later dubbed "Bumblejumper" by fans, which was shortened to just "[[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]]" by the time he was officially integrated into the fiction as a character in his own right.}}

'''[[Autobot Cars]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Bluestreak]]
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
* [[Ironhide (G1)/toys|Ironhide]]
* [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]]
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
* [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]]
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]}}

'''Autobot Commander'''
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]

===Decepticons===
'''Decepticon [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|Cassettes]]'''
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] & [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (available as a two-pack)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] & [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] (available as a two-pack)

{{note|Another Decepticon Cassette, Buzzsaw, was available with Soundwave.}}

[[Image:Redeco.jpg|right|150px|thumb|L to R: Skywarp, Starscream, Thundercracker]]

'''Decepticon [[Seeker (body-type)|Planes]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]]
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]}}

'''Decepticon Communications'''
* [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] (with [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]])

'''Decepticon Leader'''
* [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]]

{{-}}

==1985==
:''For the toyline released in Japan this year comprising many of these toys and the 1984 figures, see: [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)]]''

===Overview===
[[Image:1985catalogue-diorama.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The 80s! When toy companies actively encouraged you to play with fire!]]

The initial toyline was wildly successful, making "Transformers" a household word for the rest of the 1980s and leading to an ever-expanding product line. 1985's offerings more than doubled those of 1984. Additional cars, jets, and mini-vehicles were released; many of the standard cars and jets were retooled versions of 1984 toys (or of each other, in the case of Grapple and Inferno.)

The line also veered into mechanical dinosaurs and insects, and futuristic vehicles. Some of these toys were designed and manufactured by companies in competition with Takara, among them Jetfire, the Deluxe Insecticons and the Deluxe Vehicles. These toys are among the few G1 toys with good articulation. However, their conflicting origins doomed most of them never to appear in the cartoon, as Takara did not wish to sponsor a show advertising its competitor's products. See ''[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'' for more.

This year's toys primary pack-in brochures were "[[Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now!]], and later [[Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all?]].

In 1985, the Transformers line (with a few deletions) was ported back to Japan, as [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]].

===Autobots===
'''Autobot [[Mini Vehicle|Mini Vehicles]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]]
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]}}

{{note|The "Mini-Cars" were renamed into "Mini-Vehicles" beginning with 1985. The 1984 Mini-Cars/Mini-Vehicles were re-released. 1985 Mini-Vehicles were briefly available with extra [[Mini-spy|Mini-Spies]], later replaced the Autobot symbols with rubsigns like the ones first featured on the Mini-Spies, and later shipments of the rubsign versions were available with iron-on patches. The versions of Bumblebee and Cliffjumper that came with the Mini-Spies were available in both yellow and red; the rubsign versions still featured color variants. The Bumper mold was no longer available.}}

'''[[Autobot Cars]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
* [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
* [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
* [[Grapple]]}}

{{note|The 1984 Autobot Cars were re-released. All 1985 Autobot Cars sported rubsigns. The European version of Tracks released by Milton Bradley was originally available in red.}}

'''[[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]]
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]}}

'''[[Jumpstarter|Jumpstarters]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]
*[[Twin Twist]]}}

'''Autobot [[Deluxe Vehicle|Deluxe Vehicles]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Roadbuster]]
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]}}

'''Autobot Air Guardian'''
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]

'''Autobot Communicator'''
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]

'''Autobot Scientist'''
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]

'''Autobot Motorized Defense Base'''
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]

'''[[Powerdasher]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* "Drill Type"
* "F-1 Type"
* "Jet Type"}}

{{note|The Powerdashers were only available via mail-order. Figure names are in quotes because these figures were not officially named. Names are taken from the Diaclone versions.}}

'''[[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]]
*[[Downshift (G1)|Downshift]]
*[[Overdrive]]}}

{{note|The Omnibots were only available via mail order.}}

'''Promotional toys'''
* "[[PepsiCo|Pepsi]]" Optimus Prime

{{note|A limited-edition variant of Optimus Prime was available with additional "Pepsi" stickers on the trailer. The [[Canada|Canadian]] version sported yet another variant with a large sticker covering the entire side of the trailer.}}

* "Cookie Crisp" Jazz

{{note|A variant of the Jazz toy was available as a Cookie Crisp promotional premium via mail order. Unlike the regular version, the "Martini" decals are missing from the doors.}}

====Notes====
* The entire 1984 lineup was still available in 1985, only now sporting [[rubsign]]s.
* Curiously, though animation models exist, Topspin and Twin Twist were also not shown in the cartoon, or even animated for commercials.

===Decepticons===
'''[[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]}}

'''[[Insecticon (G1)|Deluxe Insecticons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]]
* [[Chop Shop]]
* [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]]
* [[Venom (G1)|Venom]]}}

'''[[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]]
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (giftset)}}

'''[[Triple Changer]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]}}

'''Decepticon [[Seeker (body-type)|Planes]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]}}

'''Decepticon Military Operations Commander'''
*[[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Shockwave]]

====Notes====
* The entire 1984 assortment of Decepticons was still available in 1985, in updated packaging, now also sporting rubsigns.
* The Deluxe Insecticons made no appearances in the animated series.

==1986==
:''For the nearly-identical toyline (minus Sky Lynx) released in Japan this year, see: [[Transformers 2010 (toyline)]]''

===Overview===
[[Image:Protectobots-collectallfive.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Collect all five! The little ones are cheap, and you can bug your mom to buy you the big one!]]
1986 broke more ground with multiple [[combiner]] teams, two large "city" robots, and a full-length feature film to push a new crop of toys. By this point, Hasbro had gone through almost all of the "suitable" ''Diaclone'' and ''Microman'' toys, and were using up the last of the pre-existing (yet previously unmade) Takara design concepts, mostly in the form of the [[Scramble City]] combiner teams and the two citybots; thus the toys for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' became the first original designs developed by Hasbro (and also the first of a ''very'' few times that characters' in-fiction designs predated their toy designs). That year also marked the end of rubber tires and die-cast metal in the toys, as shipping and manufacturing costs dictated an all-plastic approach; many toys from that year were available both with and without rubber and die-cast. Though many fans regard this as a drop in quality, it had the effect of creating much sturdier toys.

Starting with 1986, the first Transformers toys - the Mini-Cassettes, the Triple Changers, the newly introduced Special Teams Mini-Vehicles and the [[Special Teams]] Large Vehicles - were available in mixed assortments that contained both Autobot and Decepticon characters. The 1986 toys are still listed as Autobots and Decepticons for simplicity's sake.

Some assortments of the movie character toys included one of four free [[posters]] promoting the [[Decipher the Decepticon]] contest. Many toys included the S.T.A.R.S. advertisement [[You Have Been Chosen.]] Mini Vehicles included an iron-on patch promoting the [[Prizes in Disguise]] contest.

===Autobots===
'''Autobot [[Mini Vehicle|Mini-Vehicles]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]
* [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]]
* [[Outback]]
* [[Pipes]]
* [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
* [[Tailgate]]}}

{{note|Bumblebee, Beachcomber, Seaspray, Cosmos, Powerglide and Warpath were re-released. All twelve 1986 Mini-Vehicles were alternatively available with or without an iron-on patch.}}

'''Autobot [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassettes]]'''
* [[Rewind]] & [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (available as a two-pack)
* [[Ramhorn]] & [[Eject]] (available as a two-pack)

'''[[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]]
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]]
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]]
* [[Slingshot]]
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]
* [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (giftset)}}

'''[[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]
* [[Groove (G1)|Groove]]
* [[Blades (G1)|Blades]]
* [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]
* [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]
* [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (giftset)}}

{{note|The smaller Aerialbots and Protectobots were alternatively available with or without an iron-on patch. Silverbolt and Hot Spot have never been found with a poster.}}

'''[[Triple Changer]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]
* [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]
* [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]}}

{{note|All 1986 Triple Changers were alternatively available with or without a poster.}}

'''[[Autobot Cars]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]
* [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]]
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]}}

{{note|All three 1986 Autobot Cars were alternatively available with or without a poster.}}

'''Heroes'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus Prime]]
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]}}

'''Autobot [[City Commander|City Commander]]'''
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys|Ultra Magnus]]

{{note|A variant version of Ultra Magnus was available exclusively from KB Toys stores, replacing the diecast parts and rubber tires with plastic parts and sporting unpainted heads.}}

'''Motorized Autobot Space Shuttle'''
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]

'''Autobot [[City-bot|City]]'''
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] with [[Six-Gun]], [[Slammer]], and [[Scamper]]

====Notes====
* A limited edition version of Optimus Prime was available with a "Movie Edition" certificate.
* Sunstreaker, Mirage, Ratchet and Wheeljack, none of which were shipping to regular stores anymore by this point, were made available again via mail order.

===Decepticons===
'''Decepticon [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassettes]]'''
* [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] & Frenzy (available as a two-pack)

{{note|Frenzy was a re-release of the 1986 Decepticon Cassette, now available as a two-pack with the new mold Ratbat rather than with Laserbeak. The two-pack of Ravage and Rumble was also re-released.}}

'''[[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]]
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]
* [[Wildrider]]
* [[Drag Strip]]
* [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (giftset)}}

'''[[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]]}}

{{note|While packaged samples might exist, Bruticus was presumably never officially released in giftset form in the USA. The smaller Stunticons and Combaticons were alternatively available with or without an iron-on patch. Motormaster and Onslaught have never been found with a poster.}}

'''[[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]
* [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]]
* [[Headstrong]]
* [[Tantrum]]
* [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]]}}

{{note|Predaking was never available in giftset form outside of Japan.}}

'''[[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]]'''
* [[Gnaw]]

{{note|All five Predacons as well as Gnaw were alternatively available with or without a poster.}}

'''[[Triple Changer]]s'''
* [[Octane]]

{{note|Blitzwing and Astrotrain were re-released. All 1986 Triple Changers were alternatively available with or without a poster, and Astrotrain and Blitzwing are very difficult to find.}}

'''Decepticon Planes'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]}}

{{note|Starscream, Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust were re-released. Only Scourge and Cyclonus have been found with or without a poster. The other four jets in the asortment have never been found with a poster.}}

'''[[Battlecharger]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Runabout]]
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]]}}

'''Decepticon [[City Commander]]'''
* [[Galvatron (G1)/toys|Galvatron]]

'''Motorized Decepticon [[City-bot|City]]'''
* [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] with [[Brunt (G1)|Brunt]] and [[Full-Tilt]]

'''[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Spectro]]
*[[Spyglass]]
*[[Viewfinder]]}}

{{note|Reflector was only available via mail order.}}

====Notes====
* A limited edition version of Megatron was available with a "Movie Edition" certificate.
* Thundercracker, who was no longer shipping to regular stores by this point, was made available again via mail order.

==1987==
:''For the marginally different toyline released in Japan this year, see: [[The Headmasters (toyline)]]''

===Overview===
[[Image:Technobots-specialteams.jpg|right|250px|thumb|28 dollars?! But in 1987, that was like... um... factor inflation... multiply by 2.1314159... carry the 1... um... a LOT!]]

1987 was dominated by two sublines, the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster]]s. It also marked the peak of the line's ambition, as it introduced the two-foot-tall [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] toy -- still the largest Transformer ever produced and, at nearly $100 in 1987 dollars, still one of the most expensive.

At the other end of the price scale, the $3 Mini-Vehicles of previous years were replaced by the [[Throttlebot]]s. Apart from them, the line was dominated for the first time by fictional vehicle modes (variously explained as "Cybertronian" or "futuristic") and mechanical monsters and beasts.

The smaller carded toys were sometimes available with a rubber [[decoy]] figure, as well as a bonus mini-comic. Larger toys included the pack-in mail-away brochure [[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]].

===Autobots===
'''[[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]]
* [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]]
* [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]]
* [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]]
* [[Scattershot]]
* [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] (giftset)}}

{{note|The Aerialbots and Protectobots were also re-released. All individual Aerialbots, Protectobots and Technobots were alternatively available with or without a rubber decoy.}}

'''[[Throttlebot]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Goldbug]]
* [[Chase (G1)|Chase]]
* [[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]]
* [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]]
* [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]]
* [[Wide Load]]}}

{{note|The Throttlebots were alternatively available with or without a rubber decoy.}}

'''Autobot [[Clone (subgroup)|Clones]]'''
* [[Fastlane]] & [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]] (available as a two-pack)

'''Autobot [[:Category:Spies|Double Spy]]'''
* [[Punch (G1)|Punch-Counterpunch]]

'''[[Monsterbot]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Grotusque]]
* [[Doublecross]]
* [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]]}}

'''Large [[Targetmaster]] Autobots'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Pointblank]] with [[Peacemaker]]
* [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] with [[Spoilsport]]
* [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] with [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]]
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] with [[Haywire]]
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] with [[Recoil]]
* [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]] with [[Firebolt]]}}

'''Large [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] Autobots'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] with [[Stylor]]
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] with [[Duros]]
* [[Brainstorm]] with [[Arcana]]
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] with [[Gort]]}}

'''Headmaster Autobot [[City-bot|Base]]'''
* [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] with [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Cog (G1)|Cog/Gasket/Grommet]]

====Notes====
Metroplex, Rodimus Prime, Wreck-Gar, Ultra Magnus and Sky Lynx were also still available. The Autobot Mini-Cassette two-packs of Rewind/Steeljaw and Ramhorn/Eject were re-released.

===Decepticons===
'''[[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]]
* [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]]
* [[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]]
* [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]
* [[Hun-Gurrr]]}}

{{note|[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] was never officially released in giftset form in the USA.}}

{{note|The Stunticons and Combaticons were also re-released. All individual Stunticons, Combaticons and Terrorcons were alternatively available with or without a rubber decoy.}}

'''Decepticon [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassettes]]'''
* [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] & [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] (available as a two-pack)

{{note|The two-pack of Ratbat and Frenzy was also re-released.}}

'''[[Duocon]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Battletrap]]
* [[Flywheels]]}}

'''Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clones]]'''
* [[Pounce]] & [[Wingspan]] (available as a two-pack)

'''Decepticon [[Six Changer]]'''
* [[Sixshot]]

'''Large [[Targetmaster]] Decepticons'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Triggerhappy]] with [[Blowpipe (G1)|Blowpipe]]
* [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] with [[Caliburst (G1)|Caliburst]]
* [[Misfire]] with [[Aimless]]
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] with [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]]
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] with [[Fracas]]}}

'''Large [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] Decepticons'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Skullcruncher]] with [[Grax]]
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] with [[Vorath]]
* [[Weirdwolf]] with [[Monzo]]}}

'''Headmaster [[Horrorcon]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Apeface]] with [[Spasma]]
* [[Snapdragon]] with [[Krunk]]}}

'''Headmaster Decepticon [[City-bot|Base]]'''
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] with [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Zarak]] and [[Fasttrack (Scorponok)|Fasttrack]]

====Notes====
Galvatron, Trypticon, the Predacons and the Sharkticon figure Gnaw were also still available.

==1988==
:''For the noticeably different toyline released in Japan this year, see: [[Super-God Masterforce (toyline)]]''

===Overview===
[[Image:G1Bomb-Burst toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Bomb-Burst, a typical full-sized Pretender.]]
[[Image:PowermasterOptimusPrime toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Finally! They're selling Optimus Prime again!]]
1988 introduced a new logo design and tagline (More... MUCH more than meets the eye), but otherwise continued the directions of 1987, with a new line of Headmasters and the new [[Powermaster]] gimmicks, and a mixture of realistic and fanciful vehicle forms.

1988 also introduced the [[Pretender]]s, bringing non-transforming figures into the line for the first time. The Pretenders tended to have ''very'' simplified transformations and often unconvincing vehicle modes, though their designs make them among the most well-articulated of all G1 toys. The outer shells, by contrast, rarely featured any articulation beyond a swivel joint at the shoulders.

Other sublines of note included the [[Triggercon]]s, [[Triggerbot]]s, [[Sparkabot]]s and [[Firecon]]s, which took the Throttlebots' place as the line's low-end offerings.

G1 tended to be extremely non-self referential; until 1988, only one existing character, Bumblebee, had ever been revived with a new toy after having his older toy discontinued. That year, however, Hasbro seemingly began to realize the strength of the characters they had developed, as the line featured the return of Optimus Prime in Powermaster form following his death in ''Transformers: The Movie'' two years prior. The following two years would see more 1984/1985 characters return in Pretender and Action Master form.

This year's toys included the pack-in mail-away brochure [[The Autobots Are Under Attack!]].

===Autobots===
'''[[Sparkabot]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Fizzle]]
* [[Sizzle (G1)|Sizzle]]
* [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]]}}

'''[[Triggerbot]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Backstreet]]
* [[Override (G1)|Override]]
* [[Dogfight]]}}

'''Autobot [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|Cassettes]]'''
* [[Grand Slam]] & [[Raindance]] (available as a two-pack)

{{note|The Rewind/Steeljaw and Ramhorn/Eject two-packs were also re-released once again.}}

'''Small [[Targetmaster]] Autobots'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] with [[Flintlock]] and [[Silencer]]
* [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] with [[Boomer]] and [[Ricochet (Nebulan)|Ricochet]]
* [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] with [[Holepunch (G1)|Holepunch]] and [[Tracer (Nebulan)|Tracer]]}}

{{note|The Large Targetmaster Autobots Pointblank, Sureshot and Crosshairs were also still available.}}

'''Small [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] Autobots'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] with [[Muzzle]]
* [[Siren]] with [[Quig]]
* [[Hosehead]] with [[Lug]]}}

{{note|The Large Headmaster Autobots Chromedome, Hardhead, Brainstorm and Highbrow and the Headmaster Autobot Base Fortress Maximus were also still available.}}

'''[[Powermaster]] Autobots'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Getaway]] with [[Rev]]
* [[Slapdash]] with [[Lube]]
* [[Joyride (Autobot)|Joyride]] with [[Hotwire]]}}

'''Powermaster Autobot Leader'''
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] with [[Hi-Q]]

'''Autobot [[Six Changer]]'''
* [[Quickswitch]]

'''Large Autobot [[Pretender]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]
* [[Cloudburst]]
* [[Waverider]]
* [[Groundbreaker]]
* [[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]]
* [[Splashdown]]}}

{{note|Groundbreaker, Sky High and Splashdown were not released in Japan.}}

'''Autobot [[Pretender Beast]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]]
* [[Catilla]]}}

'''Autobot [[Pretender Vehicle]]s'''
* [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]]

====Notes====
The Autobot Double Spy Punch-Counterpunch, the Autobot Clones two-pack of Fastlane/Cloudraker and the Monsterbots Grotusque, Doublecross and Repugnus were also still available. The Technobots were re-released.

===Decepticons===
'''[[Firecon]]s'''

{{columnlist|3|
* [[Cindersaur]]
* [[Flamefeather]]
* [[Sparkstalker]]}}

'''[[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]]
* [[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]]
* [[Nautilator]]
* [[Skalor]]
* [[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]]
* [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]]
* [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] (giftset)}}

{{note|The Piranacon giftset only included five of the six individual Seacons; Nautilator was left out for reasons unknown.}}

{{note|The Terrorcons were also re-released.}}

'''[[Triggercon]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]]
* [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]]
* [[Windsweeper]]}}

'''Decepticon Cassettes'''
* [[Squawktalk]] & [[Beastbox (G1)|Beastbox]] (available as a two-pack)

{{note|The Slugfest/Overkill two-pack was also re-released.}}

'''Small [[Targetmaster]] Decepticons'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] with [[Hairsplitter]] and [[Singe]]
* [[Needlenose]] with [[Sunbeam]] and [[Zigzag]]
* [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] with [[Tiptop]] and [[Heater]]}}

{{note|The Large Targetmaster Decepticons Triggerhappy, Slugslinger and Misfire were also still available.}}

'''Small [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] Decepticons'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Horri-Bull]] with [[Kreb]]
* [[Fangry]] with [[Brisko]]
* [[Squeezeplay]] with [[Lokos]]}}

{{note|The Large Headmaster Decepticons Skullcruncher, Mindwipe and Weirdwolf, the Headmaster Horrorcons Apeface and Snapdragon and the Headmaster Decepticon Base Scorponok were also still available.}}

'''[[Powermaster]] Decepticons'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] with [[Hi-Test]]
* [[Darkwing]] with [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]]}}

'''Powermaster Mercenary'''
* [[Doubledealer]] with [[Knok]] and [[Skar]]

'''Large Decepticon [[Pretender]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Skullgrin]]
* [[Bomb-Burst]]
* [[Submarauder (G1)|Submarauder]]
* [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]]
* [[Bugly]]
* [[Finback]]}}

'''Decepticon [[Pretender Beast]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]]
* [[Snarler]]}}

'''Decepticon [[Pretender Vehicle]]s'''
* [[Roadgrabber]]

====Notes====
The Deception Clones two-pack of Pounce/Wingspan and the Decepticon Six Changer Sixshot were also still available.

==1989==
:''For the totally different toyline released in Japan this year, see: [[Victory (toyline)]]''

===Overview===
[[Image:G1Thunderwing toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Thunderwing, a Mega Pretender. This toy commands shocking secondary market prices as a result of the character's prominent appearances in the later Generation 1 comics.]]
By 1989, Hasbro's Transformers releases had been effectively split into two almost distinct sub-lines - Pretenders and Micromasters - that were available concurrently, a separation that was stronger from a marketing standpoint than the Autobot/Decepticon distinction from previous years.

The Pretender subline expanded to include [[Pretender Monster|a combiner team]] and increasingly complex gimmicks, including robots with multiple shells, and outer shells which could transform themselves and even combine with their inner robots.

The 1-inch-tall [[Micromaster]]s attempted to capitalize on the popularity of the Micro Machine toyline. They were originally sold in carded 4-member "patrols", and later with various bases and vehicles. Micromasters tended to have realistically styled vehicle forms. Though the first five patrols featured relatively diverse transformation schemes, as the subline proliferated, their designs would become extremely standardized.

===Pretenders===
====Autobots====
'''Small Autobot [[Pretender]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Pincher]]
* [[Doubleheader]]
* [[Longtooth]]}}

'''Autobot [[Pretender Classic]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]]
* [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]]
* [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]]}}

'''Autobot [[Legends (G1)|Legends]]'''
{{columnlist|3|
* Bumblebee
* Grimlock
* Jazz}}

{{note|The Legends figures were identical to the Pretender Classics' inner robots, but lacking the Pretender shell. They were exclusively available from KMart stores. Curiously, Jazz and Bumblebee appear to have switched weapons.}}

'''Autobot [[Mega Pretender]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]]
* [[Vroom]]}}

'''Autobot [[Ultra Pretender]]s'''
* [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]]

=====Notes=====
* Powermaster Optimus Prime, the Autobot Cassette two-packs of Rewind/Steeljaw, Ramhorn/Eject and Grand Slam/Raindance and the Large Autobot Pretenders were also still available.

====Decepticons====
'''[[Pretender Monster]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Icepick (G1)|Icepick]]
* [[Bristleback]]
* [[Wildfly]]
* [[Scowl]]
* [[Slog]]
* [[Birdbrain]]}}

'''Small Decepticon [[Pretender]]s'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Octopunch]]
* [[Stranglehold]]
* [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]}}

'''Decepticon [[Pretender Classic]]s'''
* [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]]

'''Decepticon [[Legends (G1)|Legends]]'''
* Starscream

{{note|The Legends figures were identical to the Pretender Classics' inner robots, but lacking the Pretender shell. They were exclusively available from KMart stores.}}

'''Decepticon [[Mega Pretender]]s'''
* [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]

'''Decepticon [[Ultra Pretender]]s'''
* [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]

=====Notes=====
* The Decepticon Cassette two-packs of Slugfest/Overkill and Squawktalk/Beastbox and the Large Decepticon Pretenders were also still available.

===Micromasters===
[[Image:Micromaster-sportscarpatrol-toys.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Here a novelty; soon an infestation.]]
====Autobots====
'''[[Micromaster]] Autobot Patrols'''
* [[Off Road Patrol]] ([[Highjump (G1)|Highjump]], [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]], [[Powertrain]] & [[Tote]])
* [[Race Car Patrol]] ([[Tailspin]], [[Free Wheeler]], [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] & [[Swindler]])
* [[Rescue Patrol]] ([[Seawatch]], [[Stakeout]], [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] & [[Red Hot]])
* [[Battle Patrol]] ([[Big Shot]], [[Sidetrack]], [[Sunrunner]] & [[Flak]])

'''Micromaster Autobot [[Micromaster Transport|Transports]]'''
* [[Erector]] (with [[Crane]])
* [[Overload (G1)|Overload]] (with [[Car carrier trailer]])

'''Micromaster Autobot Stations'''
* [[Hot House]] (with [[Fire station]])
* [[Ironworks]] (with [[Construction station]])

'''Micromaster Autobot Bases'''
* [[Groundshaker]] (with [[ATV]])

'''Micromaster Autobot Rocket Base'''
* [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]] (with [[Rocket Base|Rocket base]])

====Decepticons====
'''Micromaster Decepticon Patrols'''
* [[Air Strike Patrol]] ([[Nightflight (G1)|Nightflight]], [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]], [[Whisper (G1)|Whisper]] & [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]])
* [[Sports Car Patrol]] ([[Detour (G1)|Detour]], [[Blackjack]], [[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]] & [[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]])

'''Micromaster Decepticon [[Micromaster Transport|Transports]]'''
* [[Flattop (Decepticon)|Flattop]] (with [[Aircraft carrier]])
* [[Roughstuff]] (with [[Military transport]])

'''Micromaster Decepticon Stations'''
* [[Greasepit (G1)|Greasepit]] (with [[Gas station]])
* [[Airwave]] (with [[Airport]])

'''Micromaster Decepticon Bases'''
* [[Skyhopper]] (with [[Helicopter]])

'''Micromaster Decepticon Jet Command Center'''
* [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] (with [[Interstellar shuttle]])

==1990==
:''For the totally different toyline released in Japan this year, see: [[Zone (toyline)]]''

===Overview===
[[Image:Actionmaster Jazz.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Action Master Jazz, reintroducing a character from the line's early years.]]
Like 1989 before, 1990 also effectively saw two almost distinct Transformers sub-lines being available concurrently: the vastly-expanded Micromasters, and the non-transforming [[Action Master]] figures. The Micromasters came both in the $5 carded patrols and with transforming bases, some of which were quite large. The Actionmasters likewise came as carded figures with small transforming partners, and also with larger boxed vehicles.

The [[Generation 1 (European toyline)|European version of the "G1" line]], which continued after Hasbro had abruptly cancelled the line in the USA, would furthermore add the "Classics" sub-line to the mix.

Waning popularity led to the line's cancellation at this point; ''Transformers'' disappeared from shelves for two years, not returning until the debut of ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]''.

===Micromasters===
====Autobots====
'''[[Micromaster]] Autobot Patrols'''
* [[Construction Patrol]] ([[Neutro]], [[Groundpounder]], [[Crumble]] & [[Takedown]])
* [[Air Patrol]] ([[Sky High (Micromaster)|Sky High]], [[Eagle Eye (G1)|Eagle Eye]], [[Blaze Master]] & [[Tread Bolt]])
* [[Monster Truck Patrol]] ([[Hydraulic]], [[Slow Poke]], [[Big Hauler]] & [[Heavy Tread]])
* [[Hot Rod Patrol]] ([[Big Daddy (G1)|Big Daddy]], [[Trip-Up]], [[Greaser]] & [[Hubs]])

'''Micromaster Autobot Combiner Squads'''
* [[Metro Squad]] ([[Wheel Blaze]], [[Roadburner]], [[Oiler]], [[Slide]], [[Power Run]] & [[Strikedown]])
* [[Astro Squad]] ([[Phaser]], [[Blast Master]], [[Moonrock]], [[Missile Master]], [[Barrage (Micromaster)|Barrage]] & [[Heave]])

'''Micromaster Autobot [[Micromaster Combiner Transport|Combiner Transports]]'''
* [[Missile Launcher]] (with [[Retro]] & [[Surge]])
* [[Tanker Truck]] (with [[Pipeline]] & [[Gusher]])

'''Micromaster Combiner Autobot Battlefield Headquarters'''
* [[Battlefield Headquarters]] with [[Full-Barrel]] & [[Overflow]]

=====Notes=====
* The Micromaster Transports Overload and Erector, the Micromaster Stations Hot House and Ironworks and the Micromaster Autobot Rocket Base Countdown were also still available.

====Decepticons====
'''[[Micromaster]] Decepticon Patrols'''
* [[Race Track Patrol]] ([[Roller Force]], [[Barricade (G1)|Barricade]], [[Ground Hog]] & [[Motorhead (Decepticon)|Motorhead]])
* [[Military Patrol]] ([[Bombshock (G1)|Bombshock]], [[Tracer (Decepticon)|Tracer]], [[Dropshot (G1)|Dropshot]] & [[Growl (G1)|Growl]])

'''Micromaster Decepticon Combiner Squads'''
* [[Battle Squad]] ([[Meltdown (G1)|Meltdown]], [[Half-Track (G1)|Half-Track]], [[Direct-Hit (G1)|Direct-Hit]], [[Power Punch (G1)|Power Punch]], [[Fireshot (G1)|Fireshot]] & [[Vanquish (G1)|Vanquish]])
* [[Constructor Squad]] ([[Stonecruncher (G1)|Stonecruncher]], [[Excavator (G1)|Excavator]], [[Sledge (G1)|Sledge]], [[Hammer (G1)|Hammer]], [[Grit (G1)|Grit]] & [[Knockout (G1)|Knockout]])

'''Micromaster Decepticon [[Micromaster Combiner Transport|Combiner Transports]]'''
* [[Cannon Transport]] (with [[Terror-Tread]] & [[Cement-Head]])

'''Micromaster Combiner Decepticon Anti-Aircraft Base'''
* [[Anti-Aircraft Base]] with [[Blackout (G1)|Blackout]] & [[Spaceshot]]

=====Notes=====
* The Micromaster Transports Flattop & Roughstuff, the Micromaster Stations Greasepit and Airwave and the Micromaster Decepticon Jet Command Center Skystalker were also still available.

===Action Masters===
====Autobots====
'''Autobot [[Action Master]] Figures'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]] with [[Anti-tank cannon]]
* [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]] with [[Turbo Board]]
* [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] with [[Lionizer]]
* [[Rollout (G1)| Rollout]] with [[Glitch]]
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]] with [[Heli-pack]]
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] with [[Flight Pack]]
* [[Jackpot]] with [[Sights]]
* [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] with [[Push-Button]]
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] with [[Hydro-Pack]]
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] with [[Tyrannitron]]
* [[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]] with [[Top-Heavy]]
* [[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Off]] with [[Turbo-Pack]]}}

'''Autobot Action Master Action Blasters'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Turbo Cycle]] with [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]]
* [[Attack Copter]] with [[Over-Run (G1)|Over-Run]]}}

'''Action Master Autobot Vehicles'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Turbo Racer]] with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
* [[Attack Cruiser]] with [[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]]}}

'''Action Master Autobot Armored Convoy'''
* [[Armored Convoy]] with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]

====Decepticons====
'''Decepticon [[Action Master]] Figures'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] with [[Wingthing]]
* [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] with [[Catgut]]
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] with [[Scorpulator]]
* [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] with [[Gatoraider]]
* [[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Shockwave]] with [[Fistfight]]
* [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] with [[Razor-Sharp]]}}

'''Decepticon Action Master Action Blasters'''
{{columnlist|3|
* [[Off-Road Cycle]] with [[Axer]]
* [[Turbo Jet]] with [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]]}}

'''Action Master Decepticon Attack Vehicles'''
{{columnlist|3|
*[[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]]'s [[Neutro-Fusion Tank]]
*[[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]]'s [[Stratotronic Jet]]}}

==2000==
:''For the line of ''Generation 1'' reissues begun in Japan this year, see: [[Transformers Collection]]''

==2001==
:''For the supplementary, store-exclusive Japanese line of ''Generation 1'' reissues and new creations begun this year, see: [[e-Hobby]]''

==2002==
:''For the North American counterpart to the Japanese ''Generation 1'' revival, see: [[Commemorative Series]]''

==2006==
:''For the ''Titanium Series'' toys with a "Generation 1" sub-label, see: [[Titanium Series]]''

==2007==
:''For the line of ''Generation 1'' reissues begun in Japan this year, see: [[Encore]]''

==2008==
:''For the "Generation 1 Series" toys, see: [[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (toyline), The}}

[[Category:Generation 1| Transformers (toyline)]]
[[Category:Toys]]