MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Blackarachnia (Animated)

2008-06-12T23:12:43Z

68.82.9.6: /* non-final character model */

Ep 9 summary

Needs serious work

==New pics and Edits==

I'm uploaded some fine pics of the prototype, and made some minor edits... and it may look good on the page, but the edit page is a mess. Somebody, please, fix it! --[[User:Hepathos|Hepathos]] 21:03, 7 September 2007 (UTC)

==Caption==

In response to ItsWalky on 1/8/07, the problem with the caption is that if you don't know what "Goth Talk" is, then you have to read about it to understand the caption, and that kinda kills any momentum the joke might have going for it.
Also the fact that she doesn't really even look goth. Just spikey and purple.
: And the problem with the replacement caption is that if you don't know what "Come into my parlor etc" references, then you'd have to read about it to understand the caption! What is the difference? They are both references to things. The previous one was nice enough to provide a link, for those who don't know the reference. I don't see why that should be penalized. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 22:17, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

== Added her backstory ==

So, what do you guys think?

[[User:Dynamus Prime|Dynamus Prime]] 16:24, 16 February 2008 (UTC)Dynamus Prime
: I think you probably ruined the episode for a lot of people, since it aired not a few minutes on the east coast before you threw spoilers everywhere. Please use better judgment in the future. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 19:16, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
::And the fact that you expect kudos for it is more than a little odd. -- [[User:SFH|SFH]] 19:51, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
: I think you're a butthole. Is that inappropriate flaming? If so, I redact it, and I think that that kind of behavior might be interpreted as having butthole tendencies. [[User:Hooper X|-hx]] 02:12, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
::''"I think you're a butthole"''...yeah, that's flaming. -- [[User:SFH|SFH]] 21:27, 16 February 2008 (EST)

=== Beast Mode ===
I'm guessing what's needed is a cleaner shot of ''Blackarachnia''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s beast mode, since we don't know what Elita-1's alt mode was...--[[User:Apcog|Apcog]] 20:54, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
:Yeah. That's why I put a comma after Elita-1. -- [[User:SFH|SFH]] 20:58, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
::I get it now, thanks. My at-a-glance parsing needs work.--[[User:Apcog|Apcog]] 23:05, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

== Spoilers ==
I question the use of bold text for "Elita-1" in the summary, considering it is the line immediately after the spoiler tag. The theory behind the tag is that it will catch a person's attention before they begin reading the following text, and that it will thus be processed first so the person can turn away if they do not wish to be spoiled.
But the bold text for that name, I think, has the same attention-capture effect as the spoiler tag. Even though it's only a name, and bolding it might fit with the style guide (hm), I think some discretion might be in order here. --[[User:Sntint|Sntint]] 04:24, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

== Quick Toy Question ==
I'm looking at the Hasbro stock photo and the exposed portion of her face looks rather deeply recessed compared to the rest. Is the helmet removable or did the picture get overly Photoshopped?--[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 04:43, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
:Scratch that, ASM pictures cleared it up.--[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 04:46, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

== Yes, She is an Homage ==

On reflection, do we really need a bit in the Trivia section about how she looks like the previous character of the same name? I mean, that's true for most of the Animated characters. Should we have a trivia point on [[Ratchet (Animated)]]'s page about how he looks like the original Ratchet? [[User:JW|JW]] 14:28, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
:Nah,only for characters that are a visual homage to a character they're ''not'' named after. Like Bulkhead's Hound-inspired colors.[[Special:Contributions/86.87.28.191|86.87.28.191]] 17:24, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

==Opposite Sex==
''"Blackarachnia acts differently around robots of the 'opposite sex' depending on faction; "''<br>
I point out that we have no frickin' clue how she acts around robots of the ''same'' sex, since no such meetings have been chronicled. This sentence probably needs rephrasing. [[User:JW|JW]] 14:26, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

==Transformation==
Do we need a mention of this in trivia? She's hardly the only spinny transformer there. We've seen BB and Prime do it a few times. Ratchet..Bulkhead..Prowl..list goes on.[[User:GWolfv2]]
:Yes, but she's the only one that we haven't seen a full transformation for, unlike all the others. -- [[User:SFH|SFH]] 20:22, 25 April 2008 (UTC)
::Yeah, so why make a huge rigmerole of it. Why not have one line. "Thus far, we have yet to see BA have anything but a spinning transformation" or such?

==non-final character model==
[[Image:AniBlackarachniaPromoModel.jpg | thumb | left | "A non-final character model for Blackarachnia was included in the initial Transformers Animated press kit from Cartoon Network. Her toy appears to follow this one more closely in relation to the spider legs positioning in robot mode than the final model." ]]

Shouldn't we note that that version of the character model WAS used in the first episode? you know, coz it was. (this is Skyglide)<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Talk:Optimus Prime (G1)/toys

2008-04-11T04:57:14Z

68.82.9.6: /* Snarky commentary */

==20TH/MP==
It's a little detail, but the pic used for the 20TH Anniversary MasterPiece Convoy Optimus Prime is kind of wrong: I think it's a testshot model that has never been sold (battle damage with long stacks and wrong light's feet colors) Also, he is a lille misstransformed as the matrix "hidder" is on the wrong side.
:Its a stock photo of one of the longstack protos Hasbro keeps using for promotional images. I chose these photos because its hard to find stock photos of the actual product (I don't want to use somebody else's photos), and they're actually photographed pretty well, with no major posing or transformation problems aside from the bumper in his chest. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 20:11, 5 January 2007 (UTC)
::The errors should be noted, though, so we know we have to replace this photo eventually. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 20:13, 5 January 2007 (UTC)
:::I'd prefer a really good photo, since its the best toy he has, so might as well get the best pics possible. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 20:27, 5 January 2007 (UTC)
::::Do you think we could take a remy pic?

The text for the Masterpiece/20th Prime is a bit... um... --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 22:13, 6 January 2007 (UTC)
: Accurate?
: Abit what? I believe I wrote that at 4am. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 10:27, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

I recently got this and thought there was somet stuff worth noting... I don't know whether I've got what is now the standard, or something specifically "UK". I ordered it off Amazon UK and I've seen the same thing in Forbidden Planet here. Anyway, whatever it is, it has the small smoke stacks, no shiny chromy bits, and much more simplistic paintwork than the battledamaged US release. The Ion Blaster is also a mix of blue, silver and yellow as opposed to black or grey. Oh it comes with a talking stand too, although it's rather obviously not Peter Cullen they recorded... Something I was also curious about is the pair of voice communicators in his arms. On mine he has a sticker of Grimlock on the right, and Megatron on the left, however, the box shows Starscream. Is there just a random assortment that varies from item to item? Well, anyway, I, umm, thought some of this information might be pertinent. Sorry if this isn't the right place to bring this stuff up. DS (sorry, no account) [[User:82.69.45.136|82.69.45.136]] 10:43, 5 January 2008 (UTC)
:That's the Classics DVD version. [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys#Classics|check here]]. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 11:02, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

== Classics ==

The entry for Classics Voyager Optimus Prime (and the matching entry at [[Ultra Magnus (G1)]]) claims that his two guns "can combine together to form a back-mounted shoulder weapon." I've never heard of Classics Prime having such a feature, at least not officially. Can somebody confirm or deny? --[[User:Andrusi|Andrusi]] 23:02, 17 March 2007 (UTC)

:It's true - you leave the wind vane attached to his back, and you can then plug the smokestacks into that, and angle the whole shebang up over his shoulders to make a twin cannon. It's official an' in his instructions and stuff. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 23:22, 17 March 2007 (UTC)

::I never knew that. Cool. --[[User:Andrusi|Andrusi]] 04:20, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

==Flat character==

I always thought so. Compared with Megatron, he had no charisma. He was wayyyy too honorable, level-headed, mature, just, wise, noble, etc.. *blech*[[User:71.34.68.213|71.34.68.213]] 21:57, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

:I'm sorry Prime wasn't evil enough for your tastes, but as far as I can tell that doesn't have anything to do with his ''toy...'' --[[User:Andrusi|Andrusi]] 23:12, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

== Merchandise ==

What about [http://tfkenkon.com/collection/act267/ this guy]? --[[User:Andrusi|Andrusi]] 14:12, 24 April 2007 (UTC)
===Revoltech===
Shouldn't Revoltech be in merchandise? I moved it in that section, but someone else move it back in toys without explaining why.

:By what possible definition is a Revoltech action figure not a toy and a 3" Titanium figure a toy? --[[User:Rotty|Rotty]] 20:52, 14 May 2007 (UTC)
::I know, but Titanium has transformable toys, at least. I think the best definition would be toys=sold directly by Hasbro/takara, that would make Revoltech a merchandise. But what about McDonald Toys, then? Anyway, even if the difference between Merchandise and toys became kind of blur for Mc Donald, [[Titanium]], and Even [[Action Master]], Revoltech is not sell directly by Takara/Hasbro, and neither does it transform. Which clearly set him in Merchandise at the same title than "Metal Force"--[[User:GUIGUI|GUIGUI]] 21:03, 14 May 2007 (UTC)
:::Um, wow. I know we have some idiosyncratic definitions on this Wiki (like "Comics-only character"), but I'd be very much against creating our own peculiar definition of TOY that's "sold by Takara/Hasbro". And "there's a toy that transforms in the package" as a definition would suddenly make 99% of my G.I. Joe collection not toys... --[[User:Rotty|Rotty]] 21:09, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

::Titaniums are directly sold by Hasbro in the same way the Kenner-branded Beast Wars and Machine Wars were. Plus, most of the characters with 3" Titaniums I've seen have them under "merchandise". Puls, while the Action Master figures (usually) didn't transform, their weapons or vehicles ''did'', and they were a mainline to boot. However, there's also guys like [[Enemy]], who has a transforming toy, but said toy is bolted to a radio that keeps his legs pointed outward. --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 21:38, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

::::...In the Transformers line, Of course I don't know why I should even precise that. And I don't want to create my own definition of Merchandise/Toys differentiation, I want one to be officially created, by general consensus (unless there is already one? If so a link to it would be appreciated)! That's why I Talk about it in the Discussion part: What make a Merchandise and what make a Toy? And in which category should Revoltech be put?--[[User:GUIGUI|GUIGUI]] 21:15, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

If we must have a clear criterion, I think "produced by Hasbro/Takara" may be the best we can do. And yes, that would mean moving most promotional toys like Happy Meals out of "toys" and into something else. Sadly, it would also affect toys made by GiG in Italy or by Estrela in Brazil, without some sort of concession. <s>Those were at least the same molds, so, we could base it on who owned the rights to the tooling at the time the item was produced, since GiG and Estrela were licensing them but wouldn't have owned them. (Not who ''made'' the original tooling, since then toys like Omega Supreme and Roadbuster are out.)</s>
:Hasbro '''owned''' the Bandai tooling used to filled out the line in 1985? --[[User:Rotty|Rotty]] 21:55, 14 May 2007 (UTC)
::Whoops -- no, they didn't. Don't know why I even wrote that. So that idea's out completely then. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 22:13, 14 May 2007 (UTC)
Personally though I would rather not have a set rule for it, and instead decide things case by case. We could keep a list in the help pages of what items "count" as toys and what items don't. It's a subjective thing, but, I think we'll end up with the smallest number of silly categorizations that way. As Rotty says, I can't imagine any definition of the word "toy" that would exclude a Revoltech figure. They are nothing like Metalforce Prime. Metalforce is, IMO, very much in the "statue" area and not the "toy" area. A 3" Titanium is pretty much just a statue too, to me, but a SCF/HoC PVC figurine is moving closer to "toy".

--[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 21:37, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

:I basically agree with Steve. The line between the two is fuzzy, but I feel that most everybody would agree with decisions, in this case, made somewhat arbitrarily. I don't think it's too hard to easily discern what was produced to be played with, and what was produced to be a display piece. --[[User:Sntint|Sntint]] 21:44, 14 May 2007 (UTC)
::Yeah, I think we can come up with a pretty good definition in that toys are designed to be played with. You can say of them that they have a "play pattern", as I did at [[Multi-property brand]]. So figures that transform into something else are toys. If you play with them by having them interact with vehicles and accessories, also toys. [[Attacktix]], [[Built to Rule]], [[MyClone]], [[Revoltech]], those are also meant to be played with. There's really no way to play with 3" Titaniums, but it would be nice to keep [[Titanium Series]] entirely under Toys when the same character has both 6" and 3" figures. 3" Titaniums and SCFs are a gray area. --[[User:Rotty|Rotty]] 21:53, 14 May 2007 (UTC)
:::Notice that this "to be able to play with" distinction fall apart for softimus Prime and Optimash Prime, who are definitively done to play with. Yet, personally I would never move them in the toys Section.--[[User:GUIGUI|GUIGUI]] 22:10, 14 May 2007 (UTC)
::::There's a point here, but I really think it needs to be a) signed and b) not phrased as threat of protest in order to weigh it against other opinions expressed. --[[User:Rotty|Rotty]] 22:05, 14 May 2007 (UTC)
:::::I just Forgot to sign (happen from time to time, sorry) and there was absolutely no will of threat when I tipped it.--[[User:GUIGUI|GUIGUI]] 22:10, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

I wonder if Hasbro and Takara have some exact standard by which they determine what's a toy and what's merchandise? Perhaps toys tend to belong to "lines" or assortments, whereas merchandise tends to be a one-off item? There is an assortment of Titaniums, there is certainly an assortment of actual main-line figures, but there is only one Optimash Prime? Certainly we cannot strictly use the amount of "one", but perhaps this is where we can be arbitrary, if not being wholly arbitrary? There are only two Softformers, only one Metalforce... I suppose Masterpiece now has enough items to be considered a line? --[[User:Sntint|Sntint]] 22:17, 14 May 2007 (UTC)
:Nice idea, but the Heroes of Cybertron series goes against that logic.--[[User:GUIGUI|GUIGUI]] 22:23, 14 May 2007 (UTC)
::We're currently counting Robot Heroes as Merchandise, and that line's set to get fairly extensive. SCF would also have to be switched to toys, when you really can't play with them. --[[User:Rotty|Rotty]] 22:25, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

==Wall Statues==
I went to my local Toys Be We today, looking for a Classics Bumblebee, and discovered three Classics Primes, a 20th DVD Anniversary Prime....and Megatron and Optimus Prime Wall Statues. [http://www.toysrus.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&productId=116021&N=27+&nvalue=27 Here] and [http://www.toysrus.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&productId=114687&N=27+&nvalue=27 here]. Pricy, but yummy-lookin'. I wish I had three hundred bucks to blow on all three...but I'll be content (for now) with my Classics Prime. If somebody wants to add the statues to the merchandise for Optimus and Megsy, go ahead. [[User:Kendrakirai|Kendrakirai]] 04:57, 24 July 2007 (UTC)

==Original G1 Toy==
We don't seem to have a picture of the original toy. I think given its importance to the line (and its many releases) It would be great to have a good collection of pictures of it emphasising its many features and variations (ie New Years Convoy, TF Collection version with axe). [[User:Azereal|Azereal]] 03:29, 20 August 2007 (UTC)
:When I wrote this article, I attempted to track down as many images as I could find for all the figures I listed and described. But G1 Prime was difficult, because I wasn't sure any fan photo would be more deserving than any other for it, and I couldn't find a stock Hasbro/Takara photo of the original team was of good visual quality. I think I'll leave if for you guys to figure out, now. - FFN in class

==New additions==
Hi guys. I was just reading thru this AWSOME article and noticed a few more recent things were missing. I hope you like my additions. --[[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]].
:Thank you. I am pretty awesome at writing about toys I don't actually own :D --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 14:28, 21 October 2007 (UTC)
::Well, you certainly do a great job, because I actually do own most of them (not that I'm bragging), and I can't really better any of the descriptions in your entries. Nice work! :-)
::In case you're interested, I'm a Prime/Megsy completist, at least in the sense of I buy each officially produced ''transforming'' (or at least highly articulated) mould. I'd like to think that I'm not a slave to repaints, but if they reflect something that's actually in the fiction I'll sometimes cave, ala Powerlinx Armada Prime. As a sideline I collect ''most'' iterations of Starscream, Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Soundwave and Grimlock. Oh, and Beast Wars/Machines characters who were actually in the shows. All the best, [[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]].

:::To be fair, I've not seriously edited this page since creating it in January, so the sheer majority of the work since then (especially of the new toys released since January) were written by other members, and the entire Trivia section was originally by Nevermore and somebody else who I can't remember, unfortunately. But still, I am very proud of it as toys are a sorely neglected subject on this wiki. A single sentence about toys is not good enough unless the product in question doesn't do anything. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 15:30, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

====Slightly altered how?====
:Me again. Just a question; does anyone know what the actual difference is between the original Japanese [[Pepsi Convoy]] and the supposedly "slightly altered" U.S. release? I've just added the U.S. version here since, unlike Pepsi Convoy, he ''is'' actually supposed to be Optimus. However, I don't know what this small difference is supposed to be, since I only own the Japanese version myself.

:Also, I understand that this was a convention exclusive of some variety, but was it just a BotCon thing, or was it available at ComiCon and/or anywhere else? Purchase or competition?

:Any help?

:Thanks, [[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]]
::The only differences I'm aware of are the character distinction and the packaging. Oh, and I assume the US version has short stacks. (I have the Japanese one.) It was sold by Hasbro Toy Shop at BotCon and San Diego Comic-Con this year. It's something they sold at whatever convention they were at, as part of their normal stock. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 13:34, 21 October 2007 (UTC)
:::Thanks dude! Much appreciated. Yeah, now that you mention it, looking at the picture I added I can see the small stacks. Cheers, [[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]]

==Snarky commentary==
Who the heck put all the snarky commentary in the sections for iPod Convoy, the Nike thing, the Pepsi things ect? I actually have a good idea who did it, but I'll refrain from naming names. For the most part, this article is meant to be informative in comparison to most articles on the wiki, so we should restrain ourselves from adding colour commentary and giving "cute" nicknames for the toys. I would also advise this person to stop displaying the toy images as large as possible. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 05:14, 21 January 2008 (UTC)
:Dear FFN,
:PacifistPrime here.
:I'd like to clear up a few misconceptions. I am responsible for the so-called "snarky" comments that you have unilaterally excised, however, you are incorrect in describing them as having been "put" into the relevant sections such as Nike and iPod Convoy, because I originated all those sections myself in the first place. As the original author, the tone of my writing can hardly be described as an insertion or imposition to pre-existing material, since those whole sections were my own original contributions.
:Regarding the "naming of names", I don't know if I was the user you had in mind or not, but I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from making this all sound like some clandestine snarkfest: I wrote the entries whilst logged in and never made any attempt to make my contribution anonymously.
:As to the "snarky commentary", with all due respect (and acknowledging you're doubtless a more frequent contributor than myself): Are you serious? One of the most pervasive and appealing things about this wiki is its sense of humour and light, joshing tone. My comments are satirical and jovial at worst, hardly snarky. I mean, honestly, you don't want us to become like the mirthless uptights over at Wookieepedia, do you?
:And I challenge you to dispute that my contributions on these toys aren't ''thoroughly'' informative. I believe that my wry comments in no way detract from the article's informativeness.
:Finally, if the image sizes are too large, I'm more than happy to concede that. I just made them a size which seemed adequately large to understand, but if you feel strongly otherwise, I don't much care on this point.
:Rather than just reverting your edits, I'm hoping we can discuss this. I'd be good if some other users will weigh in on this matter. I hope I am not out of line here, but I really believe that FFN's appraisal of my work (and his edits) are excessive (and somewhat contrary to the flavour of this wiki), especially as they have stood intact for several months.
:All the best,
:[[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]]
::The problem is not me wanting to excise humour from the wiki (if you'll noted me in talk pages and on TFW2005, I am a staunch defender of the Wiki's tone and sense of humour), the problem is the jokes got in the way of conveying information with them starting off with commentary about Prime's corporate shilling and the various nicknames you gave to the toys. In any case, the number of jokes didn't fit the tone of the rest of the article, or really, the tone of the toy sections of the rest of the wiki. Now, I really do appreciate you for writing about the Japanese toys, but really, with humour sometimes less is more.
::Oh, somebody needs to find an out-of-box photo of iPod Convoy. I only have stock photos of iPod Optimus Prime. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 12:58, 31 January 2008 (UTC)
:::Well, FFN, what can I say? I disagree. I really don't think you can reasonably argue that the jokes were "getting in the way", as all the useful information was clearly there. Frankly, I think the running gag that Japanese Convoy is addicted to endorsement deals was a perfectly relevant bit of observational humour, given how obviously egregious 2007 was for this fact, and it's a damn shame to have it removed.
:::Does anyone else want to weigh in here?
:::Cheers, [[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]].

:I have no strong opinion on it. I think there were probably too many jokes before, but it would be okay for some of them to be put back in. I do think the "nickames" for the toys are probably a bad idea. Since we're talking about Japanese-exclusive toys that American fans won't know much about, it's probably better to call them by their real names all the time to avoid confusion. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 23:46, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

::That sounds reasonable to me. I can appreciate the point about the excessively cute/smartass nicknames. If I could restore the running note of observational humour about Convoy's excessive number of corporate endorsements, I'd be happy. Whaddaya reckon, FFN? Anyone else?
::--[[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]].
:::Okay, I'd just prefer it if we didn't bash people over the head with the joke like say, the The Chaser's War on Everything or something. I prefer my satire to be more subtle and be left for the viewer to notice, like Newstopia. Funnily enough I love both shows.
:::Edit: Sorry for not replying soon, I didn't notice this talk page had been updated since January. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 06:51, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
::::I take it from the Chaser reference that you're a fellow Aussie TransFan, FFN...? Anyway, I've restored the two header jokes about Japanese Prime being addicted to endorsement deals but ''without'' reinserting any of the name-based jokes, as per our discussion. (n.b. The remaining use of "iPodimus Prime" was actually still there, I didn't put it back in. I assume that means you thought one mention was okay when you were removing all the others. I'd appreciate that one use being left that way too, as I think it rolls off the toungue an is fankly pretty amusing, if I do say so myself...).
::::I hope that's all cool with everyone now.
::::Peace, --[[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]][[User:PacifistPrime|PP]] 09:03, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
:::::Yeah I am. That's fine now. Could you write about the iPod Optimus Prime redeco? Yeah, his name is Optimus Prime [[Transformers (2007)|for some reason]]. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 20:22, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

I am probably a bit late, but i think the whole "convoy loves corporate endorsements" thing is hilarious and does not detract at all from the informative nature of the article. Just thought i would throw my opinion out there--[[User:68.82.9.6|68.82.9.6]] 04:57, 11 April 2008 (UTC)

== Main Image ==

''"We need a more appropriate image, one that only has G1 Primes on it."''<br>
While I agree with [[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] that that would be ideal, the image that ''was'' there is so filled with awesome that I vote we keep it in place until we have something better. [[User:JW|JW]] 14:34, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

:Didn't Remy Rodis do one like this, with a buttillion Primes all together? Maybe you should bug him about it. -hx, still not logged in.<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Gold Plastic Syndrome

2008-04-11T00:34:29Z

68.82.9.6: /* Cause of GPS */

[[Image:GPSSlingshot.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Emoformer: He breaks himself.]]

'''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. This is different from the relatively more common stress-fracture type of plastic breakage that can occur in some [[toy|Transformers toys]]. All noted instances of GPS have occurred in hard, glossy gold-colored plastics that appear to have a "swirl" to their coloration.

==Notability==
GPS is notably widespread among toys made in the tail-end of [[Generation 1]], typically the second year of [[Pretender]]s 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 and Visionaries toys' gold plastics also crumbling seemingly of their own accord.

==Cause of GPS==
[[Mara-Al-Utha|Wizards]].
{{stub}}

==GPS misconceptions==
The most common misconception about GPS is that ''all'' gold-colored plastic can suffer from this rot. Only certain plastic grades (described above) have been noted to be susceptible to GPS crumbling; in the past few years, more durable, pliable plastics have become the norm for toy construction, so the gold plastic on more recent toys like [[Cannonball (UT)|Cannonball]] are highly unlikely to have the flaw.

Also, not every type of plastic breakage is the kind caused by GPS. In most instances of broken toys, visible stress marks appear long before any breakage in the form of discoloration (since these plastics have a bit more "give" to them), and are typically very clean "snaps" due to excess pressure.

Older gold plastics do tend to be rather brittle and more prone than most to snapping under relatively light stresses, but "true" GPS breakages seemingly come from simple decomposition of the plastic without any form of excess force at all, and the breaks tend to leave shards of plastic and dust.

==Toys commonly associated with Gold Plastic Syndrome==

====Generation 1====
* [[Black Zarak]]
* [[Bristleback]]
* [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]
* [[Skyhammer]]
* [[Slog]]

====Generation 1-2 Transitional Phase====
* [[Pyro]]

====Generation 2====
* [[Electro]]
* [[Slingshot]] (Slingshot is infamous for being made almost entirely of gold plastic)

====Beast Wars====

* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]
* [[Randy]]
* [[Silverbolt (G1)#Beast Wars|Silverbolt]]
* NOT Transmetal Megatron. He suffers from something different entirely: Brown Plastic Syndrome.

====Other notable instances====
* [[Predator]] [[missile]] launchers
* [[Serpentor]], while not a Transformer, is also known to suffer from this problem.

==Clear Plastic Syndrome==

There is a similar condition in figures made with translucent and transparent colored plastics. Though it doesn't seem anywhere near as bad as Gold Plastic Syndrome (which can affect ANY part of a figure), it seems to affect mostly the joints, either pivot or ball versions. The main cause of this is the higher friction ratio the plastic has (pin joints seem to be more susceptible) and the lower flexibility of the plastic. Some toys were made entirely of clear plastic and didn't fare much better than ones made entirely of gold plastic. Sorry, [[Starscream (Movie)#Toys|Starscream]].

==Etymology==
The earliest use of the term that can be found in the alt.toys.transformers archives dates to September 2001 in a post by user Sky Shadow [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/2b3d532961b2c2dc], 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 a few months prior in June of the same year,[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6ed7e0f3586f37e4], is the earliest identifiable acknowledgement of the widespread nature of the phenomenon within the Transformers fan community.

[[Category: Diseases]]
[[Category: Toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Gold Plastic Syndrome

2008-04-11T00:33:59Z

68.82.9.6: /* Cause of GPS */

[[Image:GPSSlingshot.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Emoformer: He breaks himself.]]

'''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. This is different from the relatively more common stress-fracture type of plastic breakage that can occur in some [[toy|Transformers toys]]. All noted instances of GPS have occurred in hard, glossy gold-colored plastics that appear to have a "swirl" to their coloration.

==Notability==
GPS is notably widespread among toys made in the tail-end of [[Generation 1]], typically the second year of [[Pretender]]s 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 and Visionaries toys' gold plastics also crumbling seemingly of their own accord.

==Cause of GPS==
[[Mara-Al-Utha|Wizards]]
{{stub}}

==GPS misconceptions==
The most common misconception about GPS is that ''all'' gold-colored plastic can suffer from this rot. Only certain plastic grades (described above) have been noted to be susceptible to GPS crumbling; in the past few years, more durable, pliable plastics have become the norm for toy construction, so the gold plastic on more recent toys like [[Cannonball (UT)|Cannonball]] are highly unlikely to have the flaw.

Also, not every type of plastic breakage is the kind caused by GPS. In most instances of broken toys, visible stress marks appear long before any breakage in the form of discoloration (since these plastics have a bit more "give" to them), and are typically very clean "snaps" due to excess pressure.

Older gold plastics do tend to be rather brittle and more prone than most to snapping under relatively light stresses, but "true" GPS breakages seemingly come from simple decomposition of the plastic without any form of excess force at all, and the breaks tend to leave shards of plastic and dust.

==Toys commonly associated with Gold Plastic Syndrome==

====Generation 1====
* [[Black Zarak]]
* [[Bristleback]]
* [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]
* [[Skyhammer]]
* [[Slog]]

====Generation 1-2 Transitional Phase====
* [[Pyro]]

====Generation 2====
* [[Electro]]
* [[Slingshot]] (Slingshot is infamous for being made almost entirely of gold plastic)

====Beast Wars====

* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]
* [[Randy]]
* [[Silverbolt (G1)#Beast Wars|Silverbolt]]
* NOT Transmetal Megatron. He suffers from something different entirely: Brown Plastic Syndrome.

====Other notable instances====
* [[Predator]] [[missile]] launchers
* [[Serpentor]], while not a Transformer, is also known to suffer from this problem.

==Clear Plastic Syndrome==

There is a similar condition in figures made with translucent and transparent colored plastics. Though it doesn't seem anywhere near as bad as Gold Plastic Syndrome (which can affect ANY part of a figure), it seems to affect mostly the joints, either pivot or ball versions. The main cause of this is the higher friction ratio the plastic has (pin joints seem to be more susceptible) and the lower flexibility of the plastic. Some toys were made entirely of clear plastic and didn't fare much better than ones made entirely of gold plastic. Sorry, [[Starscream (Movie)#Toys|Starscream]].

==Etymology==
The earliest use of the term that can be found in the alt.toys.transformers archives dates to September 2001 in a post by user Sky Shadow [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/2b3d532961b2c2dc], 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 a few months prior in June of the same year,[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6ed7e0f3586f37e4], is the earliest identifiable acknowledgement of the widespread nature of the phenomenon within the Transformers fan community.

[[Category: Diseases]]
[[Category: Toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Gold Plastic Syndrome

2008-04-11T00:29:57Z

68.82.9.6: /* Cause of GPS */

[[Image:GPSSlingshot.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Emoformer: He breaks himself.]]

'''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. This is different from the relatively more common stress-fracture type of plastic breakage that can occur in some [[toy|Transformers toys]]. All noted instances of GPS have occurred in hard, glossy gold-colored plastics that appear to have a "swirl" to their coloration.

==Notability==
GPS is notably widespread among toys made in the tail-end of [[Generation 1]], typically the second year of [[Pretender]]s 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 and Visionaries toys' gold plastics also crumbling seemingly of their own accord.

==Cause of GPS==
...wizards.
{{stub}}

==GPS misconceptions==
The most common misconception about GPS is that ''all'' gold-colored plastic can suffer from this rot. Only certain plastic grades (described above) have been noted to be susceptible to GPS crumbling; in the past few years, more durable, pliable plastics have become the norm for toy construction, so the gold plastic on more recent toys like [[Cannonball (UT)|Cannonball]] are highly unlikely to have the flaw.

Also, not every type of plastic breakage is the kind caused by GPS. In most instances of broken toys, visible stress marks appear long before any breakage in the form of discoloration (since these plastics have a bit more "give" to them), and are typically very clean "snaps" due to excess pressure.

Older gold plastics do tend to be rather brittle and more prone than most to snapping under relatively light stresses, but "true" GPS breakages seemingly come from simple decomposition of the plastic without any form of excess force at all, and the breaks tend to leave shards of plastic and dust.

==Toys commonly associated with Gold Plastic Syndrome==

====Generation 1====
* [[Black Zarak]]
* [[Bristleback]]
* [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]
* [[Skyhammer]]
* [[Slog]]

====Generation 1-2 Transitional Phase====
* [[Pyro]]

====Generation 2====
* [[Electro]]
* [[Slingshot]] (Slingshot is infamous for being made almost entirely of gold plastic)

====Beast Wars====

* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]
* [[Randy]]
* [[Silverbolt (G1)#Beast Wars|Silverbolt]]
* NOT Transmetal Megatron. He suffers from something different entirely: Brown Plastic Syndrome.

====Other notable instances====
* [[Predator]] [[missile]] launchers
* [[Serpentor]], while not a Transformer, is also known to suffer from this problem.

==Clear Plastic Syndrome==

There is a similar condition in figures made with translucent and transparent colored plastics. Though it doesn't seem anywhere near as bad as Gold Plastic Syndrome (which can affect ANY part of a figure), it seems to affect mostly the joints, either pivot or ball versions. The main cause of this is the higher friction ratio the plastic has (pin joints seem to be more susceptible) and the lower flexibility of the plastic. Some toys were made entirely of clear plastic and didn't fare much better than ones made entirely of gold plastic. Sorry, [[Starscream (Movie)#Toys|Starscream]].

==Etymology==
The earliest use of the term that can be found in the alt.toys.transformers archives dates to September 2001 in a post by user Sky Shadow [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/2b3d532961b2c2dc], 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 a few months prior in June of the same year,[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6ed7e0f3586f37e4], is the earliest identifiable acknowledgement of the widespread nature of the phenomenon within the Transformers fan community.

[[Category: Diseases]]
[[Category: Toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Wheeljack (Armada)

2008-03-06T04:45:28Z

68.82.9.6:

{{disambig2|the Armada Decepticon|the Generation 1 Autobot|Wheeljack (G1)}}

:''Wheeljack is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Armada]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Wheeljack-AR-DVD.jpg|350px|thumb|right|"My vengeance will be long-winded and repetitive!"]]

'''Wheeljack''' isn't here for vengeance, he's here for vengeance.

A former [[Autobot]], Wheeljack wears the scarred insignia as a constant reminder of what he left. He believes the supposedly-noble Autobots left him on the field of battle to die (and he's not ''entirely'' wrong about that, either), and particularly blames his former friend [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (''that'', now, he's got dead wrong). He's a fierce soldier with a lot of tricks up his sleeve.

He's accompanied by his [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Wind Sheer (Armada)|Wind Sheer]], who ''also'' used to be allied with the Autobots, but followed Wheeljack over to the dark side.

''Japanese name:'' '''Rampage'''

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''Armada''====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael Daingerfield]] (US), [[Susumu Chiba]] (Japan)

[[Image:AWheeljack-Fire.jpg|left|thumb|Because you're mine, I walk the... oh, wait. Wrong caption.]]

Wheeljack was once an [[Autobot]] in the same military unit as [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], looking up to his peer due to his own inexperience in battle, and they considered each other good friends. However, that friendship was broken one day when Wheeljack was trapped under rubble in the middle of an intense fire. Hot Shot alone could not lift the wreckage, and left to get some help, promising to return, but he never did. An [[arrogant Autobot officer]] forbade Hot Shot from returning, claiming the fire was too intense and they couldn't risk more lives.

[[Image:ArmadaHotShot_Wheeljack_sunset.jpg|right|thumb|"Soon, we'll all go home... You, me, Optimus, some guy - No... Not some guy, he's - Wheeljack?"]]

Meanwhile, Wheeljack saw a figure approaching through the flames, thinking that at last, Hot Shot had returned. But it was [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] who saved him that day, and in return, Wheeljack became a Decepticon.

A million years later, a black-coloured Wheeljack tracks down Hot Shot on [[Earth]] as his former friend is mentoring another young Autobot, [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]]. Managing to aggravate the younger Autobot's temper by laughing evilly and (ha) sideswiping him off the road, Wheeljack leads him on a chase before finally sending him off a cliff. Confronting Hot Shot, he explains what had happened so long ago and why he was here. As Hot Shot begged forgiveness, Wheeljack shot him at point-blank range. {{storylink|Past, Part 1}}

[[Image:ArmadaWheeljack_Sideswipe_hostage.jpg|left|thumb|"This what you get for being a [[G1|G1]] reference!"]]

Later, as Hot Shot tries to deal with these revelations, Wheeljack challenges his friend to a showdown at an abandoned oil refinery. Once again, Hot Shot tries to explain what had really happened and asks for forgiveness, but the Decepticon is both unwilling to listen and has been too bitter for too long to simply let bygones be bygones. At that moment, the hapless Side Swipe attempts to save Hot Shot, only to be taken hostage by Wheeljack, who shoots Hot Shot in the leg before daring him to save his young friend from the burning refinery.

In a touch of what he percieves to be poetic justice, Wheeljack leaves Side Swipe restrained to the main oil tank in the middle of the blazing inferno as he believes Hot Shot will abandon his new friend just as he alledgedly did to Wheeljack on Cybertron. As Hot Shot struggles through his injuries and limps through the refinery to save Side Swipe, [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], who had been watching the confrontation, attacks the helpless Autobot. An enraged Wheeljack shoots him out of the sky for daring to interfere, but soon discovers that Megatron had been there the whole time.

On the [[Moon]], an comically-injured Thrust protests Megatron's decision to allow Wheeljack to join the Decepticons, given his unstable temperament and violent disposition. Wheeljack swears loyalty to Megatron and the Decepticons, to the unease of [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. {{Storylink|Past, Part 2}}

On Cybertron, he seems to have finaly forgiven Hot Shot. When Hot Shot goes for Decepticon help against Unicron, Wheeljack pleads with Megatron to let him speak, and later goes with Hot Shot.

:''('''Note''': Wheeljack claims to have put the past behind him, and that he isn't here for revenge, but at the same time, he '''constantly''' thinks about the incident and has definitely returned for revenge. This is possibly due to bad translation or bad writing of the source script. It's also possible, however, that this inconsistency is caused entirely by Wheeljack's own skewed perceptions.)''

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
====Armada====
Wheeljack, along with [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] and [[Sideways]], guarded the rocket site that was used to launch Megatron's [[solar scalpel]] into orbit.

====Energon====
Millions of years ago, Wheeljack was part of a squad of Decepticons under the command of [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]].

==Toys==
===Armada===
[[Image:Armada_Wheeljack_toy.jpg|right|thumb|Revenge is a dish best served with pinto beans and muffins.]]

*'''Wheeljack with Mini-Con Wind Sheer''' (Deluxe, 2003)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-07'''

: Armada Wheeljack transforms into a gullwing-doored supercar of vague origin. He is cast in dark charcoal plastic in vehicle mode, with white and yellow for robot parts. His most distinctive feature is the large, scarred Autobot symbol on the center of his chest. When his Mini-Con Wind Sheer is attached to his active rooftop [[Powerlinx]] port, both doors either side of the vehicle mode open up like wings, which also give access to the triggers for his door-mounted missile launchers. In robot mode, these missiles can be held in his hands as melee weapons. Unusually, his right wrist features a swivel joint while his left wrist is immobile.

: The [[Takara]] release of Wheeljack, named '''Rampage''', has some major color differences. His predominant vehicle mode plastic is now solid black, with the large yellow paint striping replaced with much smaller light blue stripes, and his eyes are painted blue, matching his cartoon model.

:This mold was also used to make a proposed ''[[Universe]]'' [[Battle in a Box]] [[Drench (Universe)|Drench]], but the toy was never released.

*'''Rampage and Hawk with Air Assault Micron''' (Multi-pack, 2003)
:''Japanese ID number:'' '''MS-08'''

: In Japan, Wheeljack was available both as an individual release, and in a multi-pack with the [[Air Assault Mini-Con Team]], likely to mirror how his rival Hot Shot had a multi-pack with the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]].

==Trivia==
* According to [[Aaron_Archer|Aaron Archer]], the final head design for Armada Wheeljack is unintentional, at least to [[Hasbro]]. Unbeknownst to the American toy company, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] had designed and sculpted the head to resemble [[Generation 1]] [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], no doubt due to the similarity of the robot modes on both toys, and Hasbro's team were surprised when they received the prototype toy from Japan.

* Also according to [[Aaron Archer]], during his ORSON stint, it seems some other things about the final sculpt were unknown to the Hasbro team.
**When a fan asked about Wheeljack having only one articulated wrist, Archer did not know why this was done.
**When asked about Wheeljack having knees whilst most other Armada figures seemed to lack them, the reply was "Wheeljack has knees?"

* At [[OTFCC 2003]], Hasbro noted they had vague plans to release the Takara version of Wheeljack as a running change. This never materialized, however.

* Out of the ''Armada'' Decepticons who came to Earth in the animated continuity who were not shown to be killed off, Wheeljack is the only one who did not reappear in ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]].'' As a result, his eventual fate is unknown.

* The original plan for Wheeljack was for him to be Hot Shot's brother. Even after the episode aired, Aaron Archer, posting as Orson, was unaware of this change.

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/Wheeljack/wheeljack.htm Wheeljack at TFU.info]

[[Category: Armada characters]]
[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Turncoats]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>