MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Gold Plastic Syndrome

2010-01-11T13:25:11Z

68.212.171.96: /* Generation 1 */

[[Image:Electrogoldplasticsyndrome.jpg|right|450px|thumb|Ouch.]]
'''Gold Plastic Syndrome''' (commonly shorthanded to '''GPS''') is fandom terminology used to describe the phenomenon of a toy's [[plastic]] decomposing and becoming brittle to the point of shattering or crumbling under minimal-stress conditions. In the most extreme cases, toys have been reported to spontaneously crumble to small bits without any applied force at all, even if they're fresh out of their [[Mint in sealed box|unopened package]].

This breakage is different from the relatively more common stress-fracture type of plastic breakage that can occur in some [[Toy|Transformers toys]]. The condition takes its name from the gold plastics of late Generation 1 through to ''Beast Wars'', that have proved the most prone to this sort of breakage. However, despite the name, gold plastic syndrome has been known to affect other types of plastic—most of them noted for a pretty metallic swirl in the plastic.

==Notability==
GPS is widespread among toys made in the tail-end of [[Generation 1]], typically the second year of [[Pretender|Pretenders]] and even some European-market exclusives, but examples have surfaced from lines as recent as ''[[Generation 2]]'' and the ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' series. Transformers toys are not the only ones to suffer from this; there have been reports of ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' and ''[[Visionaries]]'' toys' gold plastics also crumbling seemingly of their own accord.

The toys most likely to suffer from Gold Plastic Syndrome are those with gold or bronze plastics with a metallic swirl in the plastic. There are other known cases with different colours of plastic—though usually there is a tell-tale swirl.

==Cause of GPS==
Because this is not exactly an area of scientific notability there aren't any causal studies into Gold Plastic Syndrome that we know about. Basically, what we have is a theory that goes something like: Certain plastics weren't mixed as well as others, possibly because of the metallic pigment or colouring, so they break down more quickly.

It's not much of a theory, really. Here's a more detailed attempt:

{{bigquote|The problem likely arises, as with many composites, when the bonding between the polymer and the dye/particles breaks down. This could occur do to a natural chemical/phase change of the plastic, due to oxidation, for example, or by another mechanism, say the forces incurred by the toy being played with, or more likely, due to some combination thereof. In any case, when the bonds between the particles and the polymers break down, you would get small voids in the plastic structure. If this occurs frequently enough, the structure would become effectively porous (that is, it would be filled with lots of tiny voids/cracks where the polymers and particles have come apart). With even a slight amount of force, some of these cracks/voids could expand, even slightly, to the point where they intersect another void and join, making an even bigger crack. Once a critical crack length is reached, the sample fractures.

So effectively, the plastic becomes more brittle, and this would also explain it "crumbling" as well as cracking.}}
:-Aernaroth suggests a cause for GPS [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=57191&view=findpost&p=1174876 on the Allspark]

So what it amounts to is: "The plastic crumbles a'cause it ain't very good."

Hasbro have attributed it to "the amount of gold fleck included in the plastic", and have apparently reduced the amount in similar plastics of more recent vintage to prevent further occurrences.<ref name="hasbrogps">[http://www.transformerland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3481 Hasbro Transformersland.com Q&A, August 2009:] "When we used gold metallic plastic in the past we discovered, along with many of you, that it becomes brittle over time. As we became aware of this situation, we took the necessary steps to reduce the amount of gold fleck included in the plastic to eliminate this issue. Ultimately, this should no longer be an issue due to these corrective steps that we have taken."</ref>

All in all, the actual causes of Gold Plastic Syndrome aren't a very big deal to Transformers fans—it's really pretty academic. Of more concern is the RESULTS (IE, crumbling like a soggy Tim Tam in a cup of coffee), and what to look out for. There's no cure here, no fix. If a toy has GPS it will die.

==The Symptoms==
Gold Plastic Syndrome usually has a few clear signs. Knowing how to tell the difference between Gold Plastic Syndrome and normal plastic breakage is very important for a Transformers fan who is collecting vintage toys. It's the difference between giving up on that toy completely (since if it has GPS so will any other sample of the toy) and buying a new copy.
[[Image:GPSSkyquakescopeclose.jpg|thumb|Nooo!]]
*GPS usually takes place in metallic coloured plastics, most notably gold plastic and bronze plastic.
*GPS breaks are NOT accompanied by stress fractures. There is usually NOT any visible wear before the breakage. This is really important. Plastic breaks. This is a reality of toy collecting, plastic gets old and it breaks. Gold plastic syndrome is breakage without warning.
*GPS breaks often leave a powdery residue and shards of plastic (though not always), the result of the plastic actually physically crumbling. Take a look at the picture of Skyquake's scope... okay, the bits of his scope... to the right. You can actually see some of the left-over shards of plastic. Keep in mind this picture was taken years after the break actually occurred—these are new shards of plastic which came off these pieces of scope during the process of moving the parts around for photography. Plastic should '''not''' be that brittle or delicate.
*GPS breakages don't need to involve any excess stress or force on a toy—simply handling a toy can cause the breakage. Looking at it funny, sometimes does it. Spitting on it, maybe. Opening its box. ''Anything.'' If your toy breaks despite careful handling it's more likely to be GPS.
[[Image:SkyquakeGPSback.jpg|thumb|Gleargh]]
*GPS breaks often have rough, uneven edges with no stress lines around them. This is important—usually when plastic snaps it snaps cleanly (as is common with clear plastic), or it bends first (leaving a torn-off piece, or clear stresses around the break). If a break is uneven, with different colours and textures in it, yet there are no stress fractures around the wound, and especially if it leaves a powdery residue as well, it's almost certainly a GPS beak. Take a look at the photo of Skyquake to the right for a good example of the ragged break. Okay... not good. What's the other word that's LIKE good, but not actually good? Oh yeah. Horrifying. A HORRIFYING example.
*GPS plastics will sometimes feel brittle to the touch, sometimes making cracking noises as they're handled.

A really easy test to tell if you have GPS breakage is this—if a piece breaks off, try snapping it again. If it's normal plastic breakage the broken piece should bend or bow instead of just snapping like dry wood; there should be some give in the plastic, even if it's a brittle clear plastic—so you should be able to glue it back into place, or at least get a replacement part. On the other hand, if the broken piece snaps like your grandmother's ankles in a rugby match, then you've almost definitely got Gold Plastic Syndrome.

==GPS misconceptions==
[[Image:Brownplasticsyndrome.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The one image for the wiki you don't want to be able to make.]]
'''ALL GOLD PLASTIC WILL DIE!'''
:Not true. It's gold plastic from certain eras that will die. It's plastic from about 1989 (second year Pretenders are notorious for it) and through to about the end of ''Beast Wars''. As far as we know later toys do not suffer from GPS, due to a reduction in the amount of metallic flakes in similar, but more recent toys<ref name="hasbrogps" />. ''As far as we know.'' But just you wait... oh yes, just you wait. Toys with flexible nylon-based gold plastics, such as [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Superbase Optimus Prime's]] elbows, are not susceptible to GPS.

:Even on toys well known for GPS some of their gold plastic is less prone to break. Gold plastic which is nice and thick is much less likely to snap than gold plastic which is thin. Gold plastic which is under constant stress—like that at a joint—is also more likely to break. That said, some really nice solid parts can shatter like eggshell if it's real GPS we're talkin' about.

'''MY TOY BROKE, IT MUST BE GOLD PLASTIC SYNDROME'''
:There are plenty of ways for plastic to break that aren't related to gold plastic syndrome. Repeated stress on a plastic, dropping a toy, a toy with metal parts that damage the plastic parts, thin plastic, or simply the use of transluscent plastic, which is more brittle. Just because a toy breaks doesn't mean it's gold plastic syndrome. Look for the symptoms (listed above) and ask around before assuming that every single copy of this toy is destined to die a painful and horrible death.

'''ONLY GOLD PLASTIC GETS GOLD PLASTIC SYNDROME'''
:Sadly untrue. This sort of plastic breakdown has been reported in other plastics. Notably in the brown plastic (which doesn't even have a metallic sheen!) of Transmetal ''Beast Wars'' Megatron. Just take a look at the horror show to the right. SOMEONE'S TOY HAD TO DIE FOR YOU TO RECEIVE THIS WARNING.

:Most of the time it's plastics with a metallic swirl in them that break—bronze and gold are just ''the most common''. However, any colour of plastic could be susceptible, given time. Keep an eye on your Fire Convoy, kids, that pretty metallic swirl in his plastic isn't promising.

'''MY TOY IS DOOMED!'''
:Okay... not exactly a misconception. Your toy is, in fact doomed... but there is a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

:You see, the thickness of the plastic seems to affect GPS. Also, the amount of stress on it affects it. While some toys are known for breaking just by having their packages opened—guys like Randy, Roadblock and ''Generation 2'' Slingshot—others like Skyquake and Pyro can remain very strongly intact because the parts that are made of GPS plastics are large and thick and otherwise robust. GPS is an inconsistent process—eventually your toy '''will''' crumble, but there's no telling how long it will take. With delicate handling (read: almost none) you can maintain a GPS afflicted toy in your collection for quite some time.

==Toys commonly associated with Gold Plastic Syndrome==
====Generation 1====
* [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]]
:Rather depressingly, Black Zarak's feet and shield tend to shatter. Since both parts have to be under stress to function as intended, this particularly expensive toy is almost never intact. The Black Rorichi repaint of Fasttrack included with him is almost ''entirely'' made of gold plastic. Good luck...
* [[Bristleback]]
:Bristleback on his own isn't in much danger as he has a fairly minimal amount of moving parts. However, when combining with the other Monster Pretenders, sliding the Monstructor fist in place will usually be enough to create a large crack through his legs, sometime even splitting them entirely.
* [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]
:The innermost robot has three peg holes, two in the fists and one on his back, that are particularly susceptible to cracking and shattering, leaving many a Roadblock hand-less.
* [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]]
:One of the most notorious toys. The entire bottom of his large vehicle shell is made of gold plastic and it is very prone to breakage. Not to mention how much gold plastic is on his inner shell and his robot mode.
* [[Slog]]
:Slog is notable because his gimmick requires another toy (Birdbrain) to be inserted up inside his gold sections. His thin gold sides will crumble like a good fruit cake, just not as moist, if Birdbrain jostles around too much.
* [[Killbison]]

[[Image:GPSSkyquakescope.jpg|thumb|Well, crap.]]

====Generation 1-2 Transitional Phase====
* [[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]]
:Skyquake is another toy notable for having a gimmick which makes the whole thing worse. Skyquake actually has two colours of metallic plastic on him. One is a dark bronze the other a light bronze. It is the light bronze plastic that is most likely to break. Unfortunately the light bronze plastic also forms Skyquake's scope. You're supposed to put a Predator jet's scope slide into that part of him. But the union is not pleasant for the one on the receiving end. Take a look at the picture to the right. These are the parts left of Skyquake's scope after another Predator tried to unite with him. Actually... that's not even all the parts, that's just all that could be found.

:This is a gimmick which should never be used by modern collectors. Never, ever, ever, ever. Watch out for the moveable panel on the back of his head, too, it's the same light bronze plastic.

* [[Pyro]]
:Although he can be something of a trooper in comparison to other victims on this page, Pyro's waist can break very easily if not handled with care.
[[Image:Electrobrokenknee.jpg|thumb|Oh god my knee! MY KNEEEEEEE!!]]

====Generation 2====
* [[Electro]]

:There's a reason that Electro sits up at the top of this page. Poor guy just can't catch a break.

:Wait... actually, no. That's the entire problem. The poor guy totally can catch a break. All the time. Because he is designed to die.

* [[Slingshot]]
:Slingshot is infamous for being made almost entirely of gold plastic, and has been reported to come apart straight out of the package.<ref>http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/2b8b3dec846e5479?hl=en</ref> Worse, he's known for being another toy whose gimmick will destroy him. Slingshot's head is a post which is designed to plug into [[Silverbolt_(G1)|Silverbolt]] (or any other Scramble City leader), so that Slingshot can form an arm or a leg. Doing this will destroy your Slingshot. This may be the only case of Gold Plastic Syndrome that cripples two transformers at once—Slingshot ''and'' [[Superion_(G1)|Superion]].

====Beast Wars====
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]
[[Image:Goldplasticgrimlock.jpg|thumb|Don't worry, kids! He still has courage!]]
:Take a look at the picture to the right. Grimlock's gold plastic can break pretty damned hard. The fact that he uses a gold plastic ball joint for his hips is not really a good thing.
* [[Randy (BWN)|Randy]]
:Poor Randy. this is one of the legendary Gold Plastic Syndrome toys. Imagine if you will, a toy with an entirely spring-loaded transformation made entirely out of gold plastic. Ouch, right? Well, don't worry. You'll never have to see what a mess that could be, because this toy will shatter into a million pieces the moment you open it. Ouch.
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]
:Despite having a dangerously large amount of bronze plastic, Magnaboss Silverbolt IS fairly stable. The main breakage point is where his tail connects to his body. As well, [[Skywarp (BWII)|Skywarp]], his Japanese counterpart is just as likely to suffer from this. That said, just... be careful, okay? Be careful.
* [[Soundwave (BW)|Soundwave]]
* [[Torca]]
:His legs, tail hinge and sides are prone to Gold Plastic Syndrome.
[[Image:Beastwarssilverboltgps.jpg|thumb|My tail! Aslan, how can I live without my tail?]]

====Other notable instances====
* [[Serpentor]]
:While not a Transformer, he is also known to suffer from this problem—especially through his hips, given the leg construction found on G.I. Joe toys of the era.

==Toys often mistaken for having GPS==

A number of toys have gold parts that easily break not due to the plastic used, but due to structural problems with the part design itself.

* [[Predator]] [[missile]] launchers
:The Predator launcher pegs are notorious for breaking off, but this is due to their size. Those pegs are ''tiny''; many other weapons with a similar peg have the same problem. However, the Predator launchers are worse off as they are also used by larger figures like Skyquake. Also, the "false" trigger is known to break off as it doesn't have a hinge, relying on the plastic to bend. (The actual trigger is a small black internal piece.) If the Predator launchers actually had GPS, the strength of the spring would cause them to literally explode.

* [[Thunder Clash]]
:Thunder Clash's gold feet are often broken due to the design of the ratcheting transformation joint. The ratchets are so stiff that you're more likely to pry his feet apart before the ratchets budge. Like the Predator launchers, if this ''was'' due to GPS, Thunder Clash's launcher barrels would literally explode due to the very strong springs.

==Etymology==
The earliest use of the term that can be found in the [[alt.toys.transformers]] archives dates to September 2002 in a post by user Sky Shadow,<ref>http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/2b3d532961b2c2dc</ref> though it is unclear from his usage of the term whether or not it was already in use. A post by Dave "Zobovor" Edwards, meanwhile, made in June of the previous year,<ref>http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6ed7e0f3586f37e4</ref> is the earliest identifiable acknowledgment of the widespread nature of the phenomenon within the Transformers fan community.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Diseases]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Flash-Bot

2010-01-10T23:44:40Z

68.212.171.96:

{{factions|gogogobot}}
:''Flash-Bot is a [[Go-Bots (toyline)|Playskool Go-Bot]] in the [[Go-Bots (toyline)|Go-Bots]] [[Continuity family|continuity]].''
{{mainpic|13 November 2006}}
'''Flash-Bot''' is a hotshot thrill-seeker with legendary off-road driving skills.

Word is still out on whether he'll save every one of us.

==Toys==
===Playskool Go-Bots===
* '''Flash-Bot''' (Botropolis, 2003)

: A turquoise pickup truck. He was later [[Remold|remolded]] in 2004 as [[Truck-Bot]], and ''again'' in 2005 as [[Strong-Bot|Strong-Bot (pickup)]].

==External links==
* [http://www.gobotsarepurelove.com/toys/flash-bot.shtml Flash-Bot at Playskool Go-Bots are Pure Love]
* [http://www.tfu.info/2003/Gobots/Flash-Bot/flash-bot.htm Flash-Bot at TFU.info]

[[Category:Go-Bots franchise characters]]
[[Category:Toy-only characters]]

Wrench (Cybertron)

2010-01-10T23:33:07Z

68.212.171.96: /* Notes */

{{factions|minicon}}
:''Wrench is a [[Mini-Con]] from the [[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''
{{mainpic|23 April 2006}}
'''Wrench''' is one of the many Mini-Cons hailing from the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] caught up in the events caused by the [[Unicron Singularity]].

==Toys==
===Cybertron===
*'''Wrench''' (Micron Booster, 2005)
**''Booster ID number:'' '''6'''

: Wrench is a [[redeco]] of the Mini-Con [[Incinerator (Armada)|Incinerator]], transforming into a Cybertronic drag racer. Available only as part of the fourth [[Micron Booster]] assortment in Japan, Wrench came in a "blind-packed" box that prevented the buyer from knowing the contents of the box until it was opened.

: This mold is also used by ''[[Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Roadhandler (Universe)|Roadhandler]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Micron/Wrench/wrench.htm More information on Wrench at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
* Many fans place Wrench as the Mini-Con partner of the ''Cybertron'' [[Autobot]] [[Blurr (Cybertron)|Blurr]], as Wrench's mold is the [[Gang-molding|gang-molded]] partner to the [[Blurr (Armada)|original mold]] used to make Blurr. However, the packaging for the assortment Wrench was available in does not give any of the Mini-Cons a faction affiliation, so there is nothing to officially say who these Mini-Cons work with, if anyone. Even though Wrench has [[Velocitron]]-style clear tires, his packaging states he is of Cybertron origin.
* For some reason, Wrench is the only one of the four gang-molded Mini-Cons to keep his Japanese name (the partners for Longrack, Buzzsaw and Runamuck were renamed to Grip-Lock, Heavy Barrel and Skidmark, respectively.).

[[Category:Cybertron characters]]
[[Category:Japanese-original characters]]
[[Category:Micron Boosters]]
[[Category:Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Toy-only characters]]

Mister Regan

2010-01-04T00:12:07Z

68.212.171.96:

{{factions|quintesson}}
:''"Mister Regan" is a torturer in the [[Marvel Comics UK]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:Mister regan body.jpg|right|250px|thumb|I haven't had my dinner yet ]]
'''"Mister Regan"''' is reputed to be the galaxy's greatest torturer. He's been known to string up victims for mysterious benefactors, without asking too many questions about who's employing him. While he's good at inflicting pain, his judgment as to the veracity of his victim's stories is questionable at best.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}

''"Mister Regan" was employed to extract information from [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] as to the whereabouts of the [[Quintesson Journal]]. "Regan's" main concern was maintaining his reputation with his mysterious bosses. He bantered playfully with his victim, noting that the Junkion will break sooner or later, so perhaps sooner would be better. Wreck-Gar then proceeded to relate the story of "[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]]"''

''"Regan" was quite pleased with himself. That is, until his taskmaster, a [[Quintesson]] judge, pointed out the inconsistencies in Wreck-Gar's story. "Mister Regan" was accused of feeble-minded stupidity and sentenced to death.''{{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

==Trivia==
*"Mister Regan" was the moniker given to an unnamed torturer by Wreck-Gar. He is named for Jack Regan, the main character in the seminal British police drama, ''[[wikipedia:The Sweeney|The Sweeney]]''.

[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[Category:European-original characters]]

Susan Hoffman

2010-01-01T02:03:47Z

68.212.171.96: /* Notes */

:''Susan Hoffman is a [[human]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:SusanHoffman1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|This never would've happened if Winston had been there.]]

Doctor '''Susan Hoffman''' is an archaeologist and explorer. She doesn't like to dilly-dally and prefers to get directly to the point on all matters.

Strictly by happenstance, many of her expeditions have thrown her into contact with the Transformers, much to her dismay. While she does get along with the [[Autobot]]s, the fact that their intergalactic war with the [[Decepticon]]s continually interrupts her next big discoveries drives her up the wall.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics UK continuity===

[[Image:Susan_scarlett.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Susan is comforted during her post-traumatic stress.]]

While exploring ancient Roman tunnels beneath the streets of [[London]], Dr. Susan Hoffman encountered an ancient relic of a decidedly different kind than she was expecting—a deranged [[Straxus (G1)|clone of Megatron]], who lashed out, collapsing a portion of the tunnels and killing the rest of her exploration team.

Fleeing to the surface, Hoffman called upon the anti-terrorist squad [[Action Force (team)|Action Force]] and ventured back into the tunnels with them, attacking what they believe to be the clone, but which was in actuality the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]] [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], investigating matters himself. When "Megatron" then attacked and a larger battle erupted between him, Action Force, the Autobots, and the mechanoid [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]], Hoffman fled. {{storylink|Ancient Relics!}}

[[Image:Susanjoycindy.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Short skirts and big guns are a winning combination.]]

Some time later, investigating the unnatural eruption of [[Mount Verona]], Susan discovered the author of the event, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], entombed in lava within the volcano alongside his constant foe, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Susan showcased her find on Ladies' Night, a TV vehicle of reporter [[Joy Meadows]], which caught the attention of viewer [[Cindy Newell]]—both Joy and Cindy had also encountered the Transformers before, and Cindy recognised Galvatron from the previous battle that ended with the volcano's eruption.

Cindy headed for the volcano, arriving at the same time as two other groups who had witnessed the broadcast—the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], charged with destroying Galvatron, and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and the [[Throttlebot]]s, who ultimately chose not to act on the possibility of rescuing Ultra Magnus for fear Galvatron would be saved as well. Susan, Cindy and Joy instead took matters into their own hands, commandeering some military vehicles from the army cordon surrounding the volcano and attacking the Combaticons with them.

Susan, in particular, sought to save the greatest archaeological find of her career, and sent jeeps loaded with explosives careening down the mountain into [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], but a misjudged tank blast from the other two women saw Susan caught in one of the explosions and captured by Onslaught. Impressed by her fortitude, Onslaught considered it a pity to have to kill her, but was prevented from making good on his threat by the return of the Throttlebots, who saw off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Ladies' Night}}

Dr. Hoffman's last recorded encounter with the Transformers happened while she and her assistants were in search of the [[Juluth]] tribe. The mountains they were searching also happened to be where the corpse of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] had crashed after the [[Underbase]] incident. The Juluth tribe thought the giant walking corpse shooting everything was a sign from the heavens and they attempted to sacrifice Hoffman's assistants. Hoffman and the [[Triggerbot]]s defeated Starscream's zombie and saved her assistants. {{storylink|Race with the Devil}}

==Related characters==
===Assistants===
[[Image:TransformersGhostbusters1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Who ya gonna call?]]

Dr. Hoffman's assistants include three scientists with a tendency to be involved with paranormal activity and some random chick.

The four assistants accompanied archaeologist Dr. Susan Hoffman on an expedition for the Juluth tribe. They were soon greeted by the reanimated corpse of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. The Juluth tribe considered the giant walking robot zombie that was screaming and destroying everything to be a sign from the heavens, so they figured sacrifices were in order. All four of Dr. Hoffman's assistants were taken hostage by the tribesmen and tied to the ground, prepared to be stabbed through the heart.

Luckily, the Triggerbots arrived and sorted things out just in the nick of time to save themselves and Dr. Hoffman's assistants. {{storylink|Race with the Devil}}

==Notes==
* Three of the four assistants are obviously meant to be the [http://ghostbusters.wikia.com/wiki/The_Real_Ghostbusters Ghostbusters]: they resemble the animation models for [http://ghostbusters.wikia.com/wiki/Egon_Spengler_Animated Egon Spengler], [http://ghostbusters.wikia.com/wiki/Peter_Venkman_Animated Peter Venkman] and [http://ghostbusters.wikia.com/wiki/Ray_Stantz_Animated Ray Stantz]. The female assistant isn't drawn to resemble Janine Melnitz, their secretary, and obviously isn't Winston Zeddemore, so it's uncertain who she's meant to be. It's worth noting that ''The Real Ghostbusters'' had a comic being published by Marvel UK at the time "[[Race with the Devil]]" was printed in ''Transformers'', so the appearances of Hoffman's assistants may have been an in-joke by artist [[Andrew Wildman]], who worked on both books.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hoffman, Susan}}
[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[category:European-original characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Scientists]]

Susan Hoffman

2010-01-01T02:03:15Z

68.212.171.96: /* Notes */

:''Susan Hoffman is a [[human]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:SusanHoffman1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|This never would've happened if Winston had been there.]]

Doctor '''Susan Hoffman''' is an archaeologist and explorer. She doesn't like to dilly-dally and prefers to get directly to the point on all matters.

Strictly by happenstance, many of her expeditions have thrown her into contact with the Transformers, much to her dismay. While she does get along with the [[Autobot]]s, the fact that their intergalactic war with the [[Decepticon]]s continually interrupts her next big discoveries drives her up the wall.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics UK continuity===

[[Image:Susan_scarlett.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Susan is comforted during her post-traumatic stress.]]

While exploring ancient Roman tunnels beneath the streets of [[London]], Dr. Susan Hoffman encountered an ancient relic of a decidedly different kind than she was expecting—a deranged [[Straxus (G1)|clone of Megatron]], who lashed out, collapsing a portion of the tunnels and killing the rest of her exploration team.

Fleeing to the surface, Hoffman called upon the anti-terrorist squad [[Action Force (team)|Action Force]] and ventured back into the tunnels with them, attacking what they believe to be the clone, but which was in actuality the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]] [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], investigating matters himself. When "Megatron" then attacked and a larger battle erupted between him, Action Force, the Autobots, and the mechanoid [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]], Hoffman fled. {{storylink|Ancient Relics!}}

[[Image:Susanjoycindy.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Short skirts and big guns are a winning combination.]]

Some time later, investigating the unnatural eruption of [[Mount Verona]], Susan discovered the author of the event, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], entombed in lava within the volcano alongside his constant foe, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Susan showcased her find on Ladies' Night, a TV vehicle of reporter [[Joy Meadows]], which caught the attention of viewer [[Cindy Newell]]—both Joy and Cindy had also encountered the Transformers before, and Cindy recognised Galvatron from the previous battle that ended with the volcano's eruption.

Cindy headed for the volcano, arriving at the same time as two other groups who had witnessed the broadcast—the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], charged with destroying Galvatron, and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and the [[Throttlebot]]s, who ultimately chose not to act on the possibility of rescuing Ultra Magnus for fear Galvatron would be saved as well. Susan, Cindy and Joy instead took matters into their own hands, commandeering some military vehicles from the army cordon surrounding the volcano and attacking the Combaticons with them.

Susan, in particular, sought to save the greatest archaeological find of her career, and sent jeeps loaded with explosives careening down the mountain into [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], but a misjudged tank blast from the other two women saw Susan caught in one of the explosions and captured by Onslaught. Impressed by her fortitude, Onslaught considered it a pity to have to kill her, but was prevented from making good on his threat by the return of the Throttlebots, who saw off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Ladies' Night}}

Dr. Hoffman's last recorded encounter with the Transformers happened while she and her assistants were in search of the [[Juluth]] tribe. The mountains they were searching also happened to be where the corpse of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] had crashed after the [[Underbase]] incident. The Juluth tribe thought the giant walking corpse shooting everything was a sign from the heavens and they attempted to sacrifice Hoffman's assistants. Hoffman and the [[Triggerbot]]s defeated Starscream's zombie and saved her assistants. {{storylink|Race with the Devil}}

==Related characters==
===Assistants===
[[Image:TransformersGhostbusters1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Who ya gonna call?]]

Dr. Hoffman's assistants include three scientists with a tendency to be involved with paranormal activity and some random chick.

The four assistants accompanied archaeologist Dr. Susan Hoffman on an expedition for the Juluth tribe. They were soon greeted by the reanimated corpse of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. The Juluth tribe considered the giant walking robot zombie that was screaming and destroying everything to be a sign from the heavens, so they figured sacrifices were in order. All four of Dr. Hoffman's assistants were taken hostage by the tribesmen and tied to the ground, prepared to be stabbed through the heart.

Luckily, the Triggerbots arrived and sorted things out just in the nick of time to save themselves and Dr. Hoffman's assistants. {{storylink|Race with the Devil}}

==Notes==
* Three of the four assistants are obviously meant to be the [http://ghostbusters.wikia.com/wiki/The_Real_Ghostbusters Ghostbusters]: they resemble the animation models for [http://ghostbusters.wikia.com/wiki/Egon_Spengler_Animated Egon Spengler], [http://ghostbusters.wikia.com/wiki/Peter_Venkman_Animated Peter Venkman] and [http://ghostbusters.wikia.com/wiki/Ray_Stantz_Animated Ray Stantz]. The female assistant isn't drawn to resemble Janine Melnitz, their secretary, and obviously isn't Winston Zeddemore, so it's uncertain who she's meant to be. It's worth noting that ''The Real Ghostbusters'' had a comic being published by Marvel UK at the time "[[Race with the Devil]]" was printed in ''Transformers'', so the appearances of Hoffman's assistants may have been an in-joke by artist [[Andrew Wildman]], who worked on both books.
* Incidentally, Ray Stantz was voiced by [[Frank Welker]] in the animated series.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hoffman, Susan}}
[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[category:European-original characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Scientists]]

Universal stream

2009-12-29T13:47:06Z

68.212.171.96:

{{disambig3|Universal}}
The Transformers [[Continuity| multiverse]] consists of at least 15,962,782 cataloged '''universal streams''' (1,176,325 of which have "come to termination"), according to the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] Cybertronians' exhaustive records.<ref>This information, and most of the bulk of the article, comes from the text story "[[Withered Hope]]."</ref> There are at least 59,927,225 realities that the TransTech Cybertronians have yet to catalog.<ref>In [[Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4| "Worlds Collide, Part 4"]], the Autobots scanned 75,890,007 realities in addition to their own before locating [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], adrift in the multiverse.</ref> [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]] claims that there are fifteen quadrillion concurrent realities.<ref>[[Games of Deception]]</ref>

These are the handful of as-yet officially-named universal streams and the [[continuity family]] or individual [[Continuity|continuities]] they refer to:
* Malgus—the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated continuity family]]
**Malgus 1207.26 Alpha—the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]] cartoon continuity.
* Primax—the [[Generation 1 continuity family]]:
** Primax 984.0 Gamma—the [[Marvel Comics]] US continuity
** Primax 207.0 Epsilon—the ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' continuity, a [[splinter timeline]] of the [[Marvel Comics]] continuity
** Primax 1291.0 Zeta—the "[[Another Time and Place]]" text story continuity, a dead-end splinter thread of the Marvel Comics continuity
** Primax 095.0 Beta—the universal stream that's home to ''[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' [[Bulletbike (G2)|Bullet Bike]]'s [[Tech Spec|tech spec]] bio
** Primax 787.3 Alpha—the Japanese [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'' cartoon]] continuity.
** Primax 109.0 Beta—Original home of ''[[Alternity (toyline)|Alternity]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Convoy]].
** Primax -408.24 Epsilon—if one breaches "the dimensional barrier between the Positive Polarity Universes" and the Negative, one can reach the [[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] universe.
** Primax 903.0 Beta—the [[Alternators|Alternators/Binaltech]] continuity.
** Primax 406.3 Eta—the [[Kiss Players]] radio drama.
* Quadwal—a [[Transformers timeline|strangely divergent]] continuity family.
** Quadwal -3760.925 Theta—The world in which [[Jim Sorenson (Quadwal -3760.925 Theta)|Jim Sorenson]] and [[Bill Forster (Quadwal -3760.925 Theta)|Bill Forster]] were recruited to write the [[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|AllSpark Almanac]].
* Tyran—the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] continuity family
** Tyran 707.04 Delta—The [[Transformers (2007)|2007 film]] itself.
** Tyran 407.01 Beta—"[[To Die Game!]]" mentions this stream, corresponding to the tech-spec of [[Optimus_Prime_(Movie)/toys#Deluxe_Class_toys|Protoform Optimus Prime]].

==Deciphering the terminology==
Each universal stream's name consists of three parts, beginning with a noun which refers to the continuity family of origin, a number that indicates the "real world" date of creation, and a Greek letter that denotes the form of media. For example, "Primax 984.0 Gamma" refers to the Generation 1 Marvel Comics continuity, with "Primax" referring to the Generation 1 continuity family, "984.0" indicating a publication date of September 1984 (with "0" indicating an unknown day of publication), and "Gamma" denoting a comic book or manga series.

List of known continuity family indicators:

* '''Primax'''—the Generation 1 continuity family
* '''Tyran'''—the live-action movie continuity family
* '''Malgus'''—the ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' continuity family<ref>Mentioned in "[[Withered Hope]]", but confirmed as ''Animated'' in "[[Bee in the City]]" and ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|AllSpark Almanac]].''</ref>
* '''Aurex'''—the [[Unicron Trilogy]] continuity family<ref>Mentioned in "[[I, Lowtech]]" as the origin cluster of the [[Omnicon]]s.</ref>
* '''Quadwal'''—the "real world".<ref>Established in the ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|AllSpark Almanac]]''.</ref> "Quadwal" is a pun on the term "fourth wall", the barrier between fiction and reality which is "broken" when characters in a work of fiction acknowledge either the audience or their fictional nature.

Supplied by writers [[Greg Sepelak]] and [[Trent Troop]], a list of Greek letters and the media to which they refer:

* '''Alpha'''—animated series
* '''Beta'''—tech spec/toy/pack-in comic only ("box")
* '''Gamma'''—comic book series
* '''Delta'''—motion picture/live action
* '''Epsilon'''—club/convention fiction
* '''Zeta'''—text stories, storybooks and other prose works (printed)
* '''Eta'''—radio/audiocentric universes, books on tape
* '''Theta'''—live performance/spoken word
* '''Iota'''—Internet-only information (not involved with club/convention)
* '''Kappa'''—games (video and otherwise)

Using this information, we could, in theory, determine the names of yet-unnamed universes on our own. For example, the Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity would be Aurex 0802.23 Alpha.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Dimensions]]
[[Category:Timelines]]

Operating Table

2009-12-26T12:12:27Z

68.212.171.96: /* Animation Errors */

{{episode|
|seriess=[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]] ''animated short''<nowiki></nowiki>
|image=Ratchetworksonbulky.jpg
|caption= Ratchet puts the finishing touches on Sari's Ultra-Supreme Class Bulkhead toy.
|prev=Bulkhead Plays with Grimlock
|title="Ratchet Performs Surgery on Bulkhead"
|airdate=N/A
|directed by=errr...
|animation studio= [[Studio 4°C]]
}}

'''Ratchet gives Bulkhead a tune-up.....''more or less''.'''

__TOC__

==Synopsis==

[[Image:RatchetExpressionofHorror.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Ratchet and Sari discover [[Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]] finally got a TV show.]]
[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] is performing surgery on [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]], with [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] acting as his ''(ever-suffering)'' assistant/nurse, struggling to pick up each Autobot-sized tool as he calls them out. A few minutes later, Ratchet declares the operation a success and welds up Bulkhead. All ''seems'' well until Bulkhead notices quite a few body parts got left out. Being in a hurry, Ratchet quickly takes the entire shelf of parts, opens up Bulkhead's mouth like a trash can, and pours the loose parts down his throat, causing the poor Autobot to swallow them. Ratchet then whistles as he walks off, leaving behind a very stupefied Sari and a worried-looking Bulkhead.

All in a day's work!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (1)
* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (2)

|c4=
* [[Sari Sumdac]] (3)}}

==Notes==

===Animation Errors===

* The wrench that Sari picks up is a rather....odd size. It's way too big for a human to wield, but it also seems way too small for an Autobot like Ratchet to use effectively. (Perhaps it's the Cybertronian equivalent of an eyeglasses screwdriver.)

===Transformers References===

[[Image:Sariwithscalpel.jpg|thumb|right|300px|They don't pay me enough to do this...]]
* The [[laser scalpel]] that Sari holds up for Ratchet looks an awful lot like the wheel sword accessory that came with the [[Prowl (Animated)|Samurai Prowl]] toy.

* As Ratchet walks off, he's whistling a rather [[theme song|catchy tune]].

[[Category:Animated episodes]]