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I, Robot-Master!

2007-03-22T00:14:37Z

71.63.51.116:

[[Image:MarvelUS-15.jpg|thumb|250px|right|"I'll control the Transformers when I feel like it! GOSH!"]]

=Marvel US issue #15=
''(Story also appears in: Marvel UK issues #55-56)''

'''Script:''' [[Bob Budiansky]] <br>
'''Pencils:''' [[Don Perlin]]<br>
'''Inks:''' [[Keith Williams]]<br>
'''Lettering:''' [[Janice Chiang]]<br>
'''Colors:''' [[Nelson Yomtov]]<br>
'''Editor:''' [[Michael Carlin]]<br>

*''Major characters (in order of appearance):'' [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Walter Barnett]], [[G.B. Blackrock]], [[Donny Finkleberg]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]
*''Originally published:'' April, 1986

==Synopsis==

Megatron, not yet having rejoined his fellow Decepticons, is rendered immobile when he runs out of fuel. Meanwhile, [[Intelligence_and_Information_Institute|III]] scrambles with a way to explain the presence of giant robots to the public that will calm panic. Despite the efforts of G.B. Blackrock to convince III that the Autobots can be Earth's allies, III decides to go with a cover story, inspired by the ''[[Robot-Master_(comic)|Robot Master]]'' comic book, that '''all''' Transformers are controlled by a terrorist supervillain with an army of robots under his control. The first broadcast to the public of "Robot Master's" exploits takes advantage of the inert Megatron, whose presence bolsters the government's claims. This broadcast gains the attention of both the Autobots and the Decepticon Soundwave, who undertakes to free Megatron. The Autobots, knowing the presence of Megatron to be a threat, attempt to collect him, but are met with resistance not only from Soundwave, but from the human military, which does not recognize the Autobots anything other than a threat. Soundwave frees Megatron and the Autobots are forced to retreat. Although Megatron wishes to kill Finkleberg for claiming to control him, Finkleberg is able to appeal to the Decepticons that, by continuing to convince the humans that the Autobots are as much a threat to them as the Decepticons, the Autobots efforts might continue to be thwarted. Finkleberg is spared, for now....

==Errors==
TBAe?

==Items of note==
*''References to other Transformers continuities/issues:'' III has been looking for a way to deal with the issue of the Transformers since [[Rock and Roll-Out|last issue]].

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]<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>

GoBots

2007-03-21T23:15:17Z

71.63.51.116: /* Cartoon */

{{disambig3|GoBots}}

[[Image:TonkaGoBotsLogo.jpg|right|thumb|Here they come to save the day!]]

The original '''GoBots''' were the main competition for [[Hasbro]]'s ''Transformers'' in the 1980s. Notably, their launch actually preceded that of the ''Transformers'' own, although they ultimately proved not to have the same level of lasting popularity.

==Toyline==
Premiering in 1984, [[Tonka]]'s ''GoBots'' toys were mostly small, similar in size to ''Transformers''' [[Mini Vehicle]]s, although they were generally more complex than similarly-sized Transformers. After the line's initial success, a series of larger ''Super GoBots'' toys was also released, featuring both new characters and larger versions of some pre-existing toys. Tonka also released a number of supporting toys such as spaceships, bases, the monster "Zod", and later a set of combining "Power Suits" which ''GoBots'' figures could be placed into.

In 1991, [[Hasbro]] bought Tonka and its subsidiaries (including [[Kenner]]), and at that time acquired all of Tonka's intellectual property, including jurisdiction over GoBots-related names and trademarks. The rights relating to the toys that made up the GoBots line, however, are still owned by Bandai, who had merely licensed them to Tonka for ''GoBots'''.

=Pre-GoBots=
''GoBots'' got its start as a Japanese toyline called ''Machine Robo'' which was created by [[Takara]]-competitor [[Bandai]]. ''Machine Robo'' toys were initially marketed in the United States under the name ''Machine Men'' by Bandai themselves, but the line didn't see widespread success until Tonka adapted the toyline into ''GoBots'' and created a new animated series for the brand, as well as an array of supporting merchandise such as coloring books, stickers, and even an official GoBots magazine.

''(For Transformers fans, this situation is similar to how some [[Generation 1 (toyline)|Generation 1 Transformer]] molds were released by Takara in the [[Diakron]] toyline before their partnership with [[Hasbro]] began.)''

=International=
Besides distributing them in the United States as ''Machine Men'', Bandai also sold the ''Machine Robo'' toys in other non-Asian countries before their partnership with Tonka began. Bandai appeared to retain the international marketing rights to the series following the change to ''GoBots'', and so adapted their international toylines when the line was rebranded.

In Europe, where the toyline began as ''Robo Machine'', the packaging changed over a period of time to reflect Tonka's developments, eventually touting iself as ''Challenge of the GoBots: a Robo Machine product''. In Australia, however, the toyline began with the ''Machine Men'' title, which it evidently retained even after the rebranding in the United States.

=Cartoon=
The cartoon, called ''Challenge of the GoBots'', was produced in the United States by Hanna-Barbara. It aired in some markets outside the US (possibly just Australia) with the title ''Challenge of the Machine Men''.

The cartoon focused on the interstellar struggle between the friendly Guardian GoBots, led by Leader-1, and their enemies, the Renegade GoBots, commanded by Cy-Kill.

In addition to the leaders, the main GoBot cast included Turbo (a rough-and-tumble Guardian), Scooter (a cowardly young Guardian), Crasher (a cackling Renegade madwoman), and Cop-Tur (a thuggish Renegade). The series was rounded out with human allies and enemies, along with various GoBot guest stars and other aliens.

Of note is the fact that though their tagline was "Mighty Robots, Mighty Vehicles", the cartoon supported the background material established by the toyline's first minicomic, wherein the GoBots were not true robots but rather alien cyborgs. The GoBots began as a race of alien humans who slowly learned to replace their organic parts with mechanical ones.

The GoBots appeared in one theatrically released film, ''Challenge Of The GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords'', where they met the Rock Lords, a spinoff line Tonka was launching involving alien humanoids that transformed into rocks.

=Impact on Transformers=
Following Hasbro's acquisition of Tonka and Kenner, the GoBots universe has largely remained idle - with some notable exceptions.

*Hasbro first put the newly acquired trademark to use on the G2 Color-Changer figure [[Gobots (G2)|Gobots]] in 1993, then again (albeit in hyphenated form) on a G2 subline titled [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] in 1995.

*The most prominent GoBots-specific reference, beyond use of the brand name itself, came in the form of the ''[[Armada]]'' [[Mini-Con]] [[Leader-1]], who was under the control of [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] and shares his name with the leader of the heroic Guardian GoBots.

*At one point, [[Unicron (Armada)|Unicron]]'s Mini-Con [[Dead End (Armada)|Dead End]] was going to be called "Gobotron", in reference to the home planet of the GoBots. The idea, however, was ultimately discarded.

*Unexpectedly, the most direct usage of the GoBots characters in Transformers has come not from Hasbro, but Takara. As part of their [[e-Hobby]] line of collector toys, six [[redeco]]ed [[Mini Vehicle]]s were released as the "Dimensional Exploration/Experimentation Team [[GoBots (G1) | G1 GoBots]]". The included Bio and Tech Spec card alludes to concepts and technology from Tonka GoBots fiction, with the toys themselves representing various GoBot characters. However, the individual character names were dropped just prior to release, making their official status somewhat blurry.

*Several GoBots appear in the background in a number of [[Dreamwave]] Transformers comics as visual jokes.

*In the third volume of [[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]], [[Cobra Commander]] refers to the Autobots as "glorified Go-Bots".
[[Category:Franchises]]<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>

Robot Buster!

2007-03-21T09:38:05Z

71.63.51.116: /* Synopsis */

"Robot Buster" is a Marvel UK Transformers story that was printed in issues 59 - 60 of the UK Transformers comic.

==Synopsis==

[[Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet]] ask [[Optimus Prime]] to visit their lab to see their newest creation-- a large mechanical suit for [[Buster Witwicky]] that will allow him to fight alongside the [[Autobots]]. Optimus Prime is outraged at the notion of endangering Buster's life in battle and orders the suit dismantled. Buster commandeers the suit that night, convinced that Optimus will change his mind if Buster can defeat a [[Decepticon]] on his own. Approching the Decepticons' mountain base, he finds [[Frenzy]] alone and manages to defeat him, although the fight alerts current Decepticon commander [[Shockwave]] to Buster's presence.

After spending most of the night running from Shockwave and making futile attempts to combat him, Buster escapes momentarily by throwing sand in Shockwave's optic sensor. Shockwave recalls his recent burial at the hands of the Dinobots, augmenting his fury toward Buster. Buster reconfigures his suit to channel all of its energy into one blast against Shockwave, but the effort proves futile as Shockwave recovers and prepares to kill Buster. The Autobots arrive in time to save Buster and he agrees to resign from fighting the Decepticons. Shockwave, retreating in humiliation, concludes that the Autobots' concern for humans is a weakness he can exploit at a later date.

==Notes==

*The story idea for "Robot Buster" is attributed to artist Barry Kitson.<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>

Robot Buster!

2007-03-21T09:36:35Z

71.63.51.116: New page: "Robot Buster" is a Marvel UK Transformers story that was printed in issues 59 - 60 of the UK Transformers comic. ==Synopsis== Wheeljack and Ratchet ask Optimus Prime to vis...

"Robot Buster" is a Marvel UK Transformers story that was printed in issues 59 - 60 of the UK Transformers comic.

==Synopsis==

[[Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet]] ask [[Optimus Prime]] to visit their lab to see their newest creation-- a large mechanical suit for [[Buster Witwicky]] that will allow him to fight alongside the [[Autobots]]. Optimus Prime is outraged at the notion of endangering Buster's life in battle and orders the suit dismantled. Buster commandeers the suit that night, convinced that Optimus will change his mind is Buster can defeat a [[Decepticon]] on his own. Approching the Decepticons' mountain base, he finds [[Frenzy]] alone and manages to defeat him, although the fight alerts current Decepticon commander [[Shockwave]] to Buster's presence.

After spending most of the night running from Shockwave and making futile attempts to combat him, Buster escapes momentarily by throwing sand in Shockwave's optic sensor. Shockwave recalls his recent burial at the hands of the Dinobots, augmenting his fury toward Buster. Buster reconfigures his suit to channel all of its energy into one blast against Shockwave, but the effort proves futile as Shockwave recovers and prepares to kill Buster. The Autobots arrive in time to save Buster and he agrees to resign from fighting the Decepticons. Shockwave, retreating in humiliation, concludes that the Autobots' concern for humans is a weakness he can exploit at a later date.

==Notes==

*The story idea for "Robot Buster" is attributed to artist Barry Kitson.<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>

Dan Reed

2007-03-21T01:17:25Z

71.63.51.116: New page: Dan Reed is an artist who worked on the UK Marvel Transformers comic book series. Perhaps the most unconventional artist to work on the series, Reed was known for his "wobbly" Transformers...

Dan Reed is an artist who worked on the UK Marvel Transformers comic book series. Perhaps the most unconventional artist to work on the series, Reed was known for his "wobbly" Transformers, rendered in an organic style that was either loved or despised by readers.

Story arcs either partially or entirely illustrated by Reed include "Burning Sky," "The Legacy of Unicron," "City of Fear," "Space Pirates" and "Time Wars."<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>