MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Transformers brand

2012-07-26T09:20:51Z

96.40.235.41: /* Spelling and capitalization */

[[Image:Transformers brand.jpg|center|475px|]]

The '''''Transformers'' brand''' is the umbrella term for all products or media involving the [[Transformer|transforming alien robots]] from the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] developed in 1984 by [[Hasbro]] and [[Marvel Comics|Marvel Entertainment]] (then Marvel Entertainment Group) under license from [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], including any lineal descendants thereof.

''Transformers'' has been in almost continuous circulation since its launch 28 years ago, never absent from American toy shelves for more than 18 months. Unlike many 80s brands relaunched in the 2000s to capitalize on the 20-year nostalgia cycle, the ''Transformers'' brand is truly evergreen. As a result it has grossed Hasbro more than $1 billion [[wikipedia:United_States_dollar|USD]] since its launch.<ref>Hasbro executive [[Brian Goldner]] in the special features of the [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'']] DVD.</ref>

Related articles:

* [[Franchise]]
* [[Toy]]

==Spelling and capitalization==
In the various ''Transformers'' [[logo]]s used over the decades, the word is often split across two lines, with no hyphen, thus suggesting (by the rules of normal punctuation) that it's two words: "Trans Formers". This is reinforced by an [[:Image:STARS-FanClubUK-Advert.jpg|advert]] for the UK offshoot of the [[S.T.A.R.S.]] fanclub, which explicitly parses it as "TRANS FORMERS". Other logos are explicitly [[Wikipedia:CamelCase|bicapitalized]]: "TransFormers". Further, when Hasbro is being strict about the word's [[trademark]] status, [http://www.hasbro.com/home/copyrightold.html they write it in allcaps]: "TRANSFORMERS".

Despite all that, it's generally agreed that the correct rendering is "Transformers", and that's the way it appears in this wiki.

{|width=100%|
|-
|
[[Image:G1logo.jpg|thumb|center|225px|An Autobot face does not a hyphen make.]]
|
[[Image:Universelogo.jpg|thumb|center|225px|Also known as CamelCase.]]
|}
{{-}}

==Recognition in the wider world==

Transformers is a genuine cultural phenomenon. When the online [[fandom]] came together in the 1990s, it was fun and feasible to try and list all the appearances and references made to Transformers in popular culture, and [http://www.angelfire.com/ego/zobovor/pop_culture.html some fans did]. However, after the 80s nostalgia boom of the early 21st century brought Transformers back to the public eye and the incredibly successful [[live-action film series]] made the series a household name that was impossible to miss, Transformers are now absolutey ''fricking everywhere'', and such a list is no longer a remotely feasible thing for TFWiki.net to try to catalog. Odds are, it would require a wiki all on its own!

Some diverse prominent examples of public figures name-dropping ''Transformers'' include UK Prime Minister [[wikipedia:Gordon Brown|Gordon Brown]]<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/4208838/Browns-hero-is-Transformer-Optimus-Prime.html The Telegraph (Jan-09-09)]</ref> and US Army Generals<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2003-03-21-weblog.htm USA Today (May-20-05)]</ref> commenting on one or another aspect of the brand. The brand has also made numerous appearances in other media, ranging from straight clips of the cartoon (such as in the film [[wikipedia:Léon (film)|Léon]]) to original comedic sketches and parodies (the two most well-known authors of which are easily ''[[Wikipedia:Family Guy|Family Guy]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Robot Chicken|Robot Chicken]]''.)

The Transformers brand has become so well known that the [http://www.oed.com/ Oxford English Dictionary] has added the following sense to its entry for TRANSFORMER n.:
<blockquote>Chiefly in ''pl.'' With capital initial. A proprietary name for a type of children's toy, first manufactured in Japan, consisting of a model robot which can be transformed into another toy (as a motor vehicle, gun, etc.) by manipulating its component pieces.</blockquote>

The specific "proprietary" note, coupled with an explicit reference to [[Hasbro]] in the name etymology, probably means this poses no threat for Hasbro's exclusive claim of the [[trademark]] (Oxford gives the same treatment to Mattel's ''Barbie''). Since the OED's policy is to never discard material, this means that Transformers are now a permanent part of the historical record of the English language. Take ''that'', Thundercats!

SETI have also said alien hunters should look for artificial intelligence rather than organic life. Score!<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11041449 BBC News article on the search for artificial alien life, Aug-23-2010]</ref>

== Footnotes ==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.facebook.com/transformers Facebook page]
*[http://www.youtube.com/user/transformers YouTube]

[[Category:Franchises| ]]

Loose Ends, Part 1

2012-07-22T10:49:02Z

96.40.235.41: /* Quotes */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' #81
|prev=Counterpoint
|next=Loose Ends, Part 2
|title="Loose Ends" Part 1
|image=RG1 81 cvrA.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 11]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=July 2012
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[Jean-Paul Bove]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Frustrated by Optimus Prime's pacifism, Kup goes rogue in order to tie up as many loose ends as he can.'''

==Synopsis==

At the [[Wrecker]]s' headquarters, [[Debris]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] runs through a holographic training session in which he takes down two of the biggest unresolved threats left over from the war—[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]—but the session is stopped by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] just before the third and final holo-opponent, [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], takes Kup down from behind. Springer brings news that a group of Neo-[[Decepticon]]s have holed up in a weapons-decommissioning depot in [[Kalis]], and are threatening to detonate a clutch of reclaimed warheads. The Wreckers ready for action, only to have [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] inform them that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s refusal to permit hostile action against insurgents is still in effect.

Meanwhile, inside the facility, the insurgents in question—the [[Skyscorcher]]s—are arguing amongst themselves over their raid going wrong. [[Windrazor (G2)|Windrazor]] contacts Ultra Magnus in order to arrange a surrender, intending to then trigger a small explosion using a warhead detonator cap that will cover their escape, but before terms can be arranged, [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]], [[Chop Shop]] and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]] infiltrate the depot and take all four of them down. The three [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s have been sent into action by [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] with the order to make martyrs of the Skyscorchers by detonating one of the warheads, but the Wreckers suddenly burst into the room in defiance of orders, restrain the Insecticons in a [[detention sphere]], and with a little off-site help from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], disarm the ticking warhead.

Presently, Ultra Magnus and Kup visit [[Nova Point]], where Optimus Prime grudgingly admits that the Wreckers' actions saved countless lives, leading him to refrain from handing down punishment. Magnus presses the issue, concerned about the influence of the Wreckers' war-hero reputation is having on his cadets, but Prime does not hear him, his mind consumed by a vision of [[Unicron]], threatening to return and kill him again. Outside Prime's chambers, Kup and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] argue about over Prime's new outlook, with Kup angrily concluding that Prime's decision to mentor Hot Rod is a case of him looking for someone to take over leadership so that he can forget about the war entirely. Deciding that a more proactive attitude—like that displayed by the currently-absent [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], off looking for a cure for [[Nucleon]]—is needed to deal with the threats that still exist, Kup returns to Debris and gathers up the other Wreckers. He announces his intent to visit [[Earth]], [[Nebulos]] and the other worlds touched by the war to try and actually make a difference, and the whole team elects to join him.

Kup is not the only one going proactive—at [[Fort Scyk]], Soundwave receives a communication from Bludgeon, off in the depths of space, who announces that he has gathered together the means to take revenge on the Autobots for his defeat on [[Klo]]. Only one element remains, and if Soundwave can acquire it for him, Bludgeon promises him all the firepower he will need to wage his campaign...

Kup and the Wreckers hitch a lift with the [[Cosmic Carnival]] to Earth's [[Solar System]] in return for a favour to be collected on later, and once at their destination, quickly release surveillance drones to scan Earth. The images the drones beam back are nothing short of horrifying: the entire planet has been devastated, great cities laid to waste, bodies of water boiled dry. And amidst the devastation, on a throne of rubble... sits Megatron! Remotely taking control of one of the drones in order to address the Autobots, Megatron mockingly wonders why it took so long for his actions to be noticed before launching a volley of nuclear missiles at the Wreckers and blowing their ship out of the sky!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (2)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (5)
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (6)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (7)
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (8)
*[[Rack'n'Ruin|Rack 'n' Ruin]] (9)
*[[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] (10)
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (11)
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (12)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (13)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (22)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (23)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (25)

|c2=
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (1)
*[[Galvatron II]] (3)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (14)
*[[Venom (G1)|Venom]] (15)
*[[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]] (16)
*[[Chop Shop]] (17)
*[[Windrazor (G2)|Windrazor]] (18)
*[[Afterburner (G2)|Afterburner]] (19)
*[[Terradive (G2)|Terradive]] (20)
*[[Eagle Eye (G2)|Eagle Eye]] (21)

|c3=
*[[Berko]] (26)

|c4=
*[[Unicron]] (24)

}}

==Quotes==

"What do '''I''' think? I think Prime's '''lost''' his edge. His death and subsequent rebirth have turned a visionary leader into a '''blinkered, unrealistic optimist.''' And those years spent "mentoring" you are just symptomatic... of him '''passing the buck!'''"
:—'''Kup''' gives Hot Rod a talking-to

==Notes==

[[Image:Soundwave Insecticons.jpeg|right|200px|thumb|Surprise! We've been hiding in here since 1985!]]
*Kup's hologram version of Bludgeon is missing the left prong of its helmet-crest, just as Bludgeon was when he was last seen at the end of the original Marvel run.
*We get to see the Wreckers' base, [[Debris]], for the first time—up until now, it's only been mentioned in passing, or appeared in prose stories.
*[[Twin Twist]] is conspicuous by his absence from the ranks of the Wreckers. He ''did'' die during the [[Time Wars]], but we know that the UK stories don't count for ''Regeneration One'',<ref name="nouk">[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/rg1-81-is-here/#comment-6607 Simon Furman]: "There are no direct follow-ons from UK stories in RG1."</ref> as evidenced by the fact that Topspin, Roadbuster, Rack 'n' Ruin and Sandstorm all died during that conflict as well and appear alive here.
*Taking Twin Twist's place on the Wreckers is Leadfoot, which is probably a reference to [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|''Dark of the Moon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Leadfoot]] being part of the movie universe's version of the team. Leadfoot was created during the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comic, but as the events of that story didn't occur in the ''Regeneration One'' timeline, where he came from here is as yet unknown. Maybe he's just a pre-existing guy!
*The provincial term "[[Polities of Cybertron#Orbital Torus State|Orbital Torus State]]", which originated with [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s comics, makes its Marvel continuity debut here.
*Kup refers to Ultra Magnus as (formerly) "Cybertron's greatest warrior", the appellation he bore in the Marvel UK series.
*The [[Dark Ages]] get a mention, a portion of Cybertronian history that also originates with the Dreamwave comics.
*Ransack makes his Marvel continuity debut with this issue; Chop Shop and Venom previously appeared during the Time Wars, and like a chunk of the Wreckers, died. Just as the more famous Insecticon trio were able to do in the Marvel comic, these three are able to shrink to the size of actual insects, an ability Soundwave exploits to smuggle them around in his chest compartment!
*Hot Rod's color scheme has been changed since issue #80.5, and he now sports an orange chest and silver fists, more in-line with his cartoon appearance. Below the waist, he's still rocking the Marvel-originated silver thighs and magenta boots.
*Kup notes that instead of inhibiting transformation across the board, Nucleon left other Transformers "mental or physical wrecks". The idea that Nucleon would have various different effects on those dosed with it was a story hook Furman was intending to explore back in the 90s before the Marvel series was cancelled, and he's obviously returning to it here.
*Some kind of mold-thingy is mounted on the wall behind Bludgeon, and is pretty clearly cast in the shape of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]. The idea of Bludgeon attempting to resurrect a former Decepticon leader as part of his revenge scheme isn't new, as he did the same thing with Megatron in the original post-#80 continuation, "[[Another Time & Place]]". But Megatron isn't dead in this timeline!
*Seems that Berko returned to the Cosmic Carnival and took control of the whole shebang since his last appearance in "[[Recipe for Disaster!]]"
*That the first ruined city we see in this issue is [[San Francisco]] seems intended to echo the Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic, where Frisco was blown to atoms in [[Dark Shadows!|issue #11]].
*Megatron still has a black helmet! Woooooooooooo!
*A few elements from IDW's own [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|Generation 1 continuity]] have evidently filtered into this universe in the intervening twenty-one years, including Kup as a member of the Wreckers, Ultra Magnus as an officious bureaucrat and Bludgeon engineering the return of Thunderwing.

===Errors===

*The shape and design of Springer's chest constantly changes throughout the whole issue.
*As Terradive and Afterburner argue, either their speech bubbles are mixed up or Wildman has drawn in the wrong characters, as their names are swapped.
*On the penultimate page of the story, poking between Kup and Springer, is what appears to be the face of Sandstorm’s toy.

===Cover===
* '''Cover A:''' Megatron on his throne amid the ruins, asking the audience "What kept you?", by Andrew Wildman and [[Jason Cardy]]
* '''Cover B:''' Hot Rod, Kup and Ultra Magnus by [[Guido Guidi]], in authentic retro-Marvel style, and featuring the Optimus Prime "corner box" that was a staple of the original Marvel run
* '''Cover RIA:''' Optimus Prime charges into action, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Cover RIB:''' Blank white cover featuring unique hand-drawn sketches by [[Dan Khanna]]
<gallery>
Image:RG1 81 cvrA.jpg|
Image:RG1 81 cvrB.jpg|
Image:RG1 81 cvrRIA.jpg|
Image:RG1 81 cvrRIB.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' #8
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*IDW ''Mars Attacks'' comic
*IDW ''Popeye'' comic

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Regeneration One issues]]