Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise): Difference between revisions
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'''''Universe''''' is a ''Transformers'' [[franchise]] | '''''Universe''''' is a ''Transformers'' [[franchise]] running primarily from 2003 to 2005. It was conceived as a supplement to the runaway success of ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', and consisted of [[redeco]]es and [[retool]]s of older [[toy|Transformer toys]], both creating new characters and re-creating old ones. This approach allowed Hasbro to meet increased retail demand for ''Transformers'', without having to greatly increase the brand's development staff and budget. | ||
The franchise | The fictional storyline for the franchise was written to accomodate the toyline's wide-ranging nature. Set in a ''[[Generation 1]]'' universe sometime after the events of ''[[Beast Machines]]'', ''Universe'' deals with a struggle between the [[:Category:Minions of Unicron|Minions of Unicron]] and the [[:Category:Children of Primus|Children of Primus]]. [[Unicron]], injured and floating in deep space, plucks Transformer warriors from across the multiverse and deposits them on his surface. The Transformers are forced to fight each other, and as they do so, Unicron absorbs energy from them in order to repair himself. | ||
The ''Universe'' | The line lacks a clearly-defined starting and ending date. The name ''Universe'' first appeared on toys released in 2003. However, in 2002 the [[BotCon]] exclusive toys bore the name ''Expanded Universe'', and BotCon characters extending as far back as 1996 were all portrayed as being in-continuity with the convention's ''Universe'' comics. | ||
The franchise largely ended in 2005, although a few more ''Universe'' toys trickled out to discount stores with a low frequency in 2006 and even in mid-to-late 2007 toys from the [[Cybertron]] franchise were still appearing at discount under the Universe label. | |||
The ''Universe'' franchise consists of only two components: | The ''Universe'' franchise consists of only two components: | ||
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The comic series was published by [[3H]] as part of their [[Official Transformers Collectors Club]] (OTFCC). | The comic series was published by [[3H]] as part of their [[Official Transformers Collectors Club]] (OTFCC). | ||
Word from [[Botcon 2007]] was that Hasbro would revive the Universe label in 2008 as a catch-all-banner for any product outside of their [[Animated]] universe offerings. Whether this revived "Universe" will be in any way continuous with the old in package dress or fiction remains to be seen. | |||
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[[Category:Universe| ]]<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> | [[Category:Universe| ]]<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> | ||
Revision as of 01:40, 17 February 2008
| The name or term "Universe" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Universe (disambiguation). |
Universe is a Transformers franchise running primarily from 2003 to 2005. It was conceived as a supplement to the runaway success of Armada, and consisted of redecoes and retools of older Transformer toys, both creating new characters and re-creating old ones. This approach allowed Hasbro to meet increased retail demand for Transformers, without having to greatly increase the brand's development staff and budget.
The fictional storyline for the franchise was written to accomodate the toyline's wide-ranging nature. Set in a Generation 1 universe sometime after the events of Beast Machines, Universe deals with a struggle between the Minions of Unicron and the Children of Primus. Unicron, injured and floating in deep space, plucks Transformer warriors from across the multiverse and deposits them on his surface. The Transformers are forced to fight each other, and as they do so, Unicron absorbs energy from them in order to repair himself.
The line lacks a clearly-defined starting and ending date. The name Universe first appeared on toys released in 2003. However, in 2002 the BotCon exclusive toys bore the name Expanded Universe, and BotCon characters extending as far back as 1996 were all portrayed as being in-continuity with the convention's Universe comics.
The franchise largely ended in 2005, although a few more Universe toys trickled out to discount stores with a low frequency in 2006 and even in mid-to-late 2007 toys from the Cybertron franchise were still appearing at discount under the Universe label.
The Universe franchise consists of only two components:
The comic series was published by 3H as part of their Official Transformers Collectors Club (OTFCC).
Word from Botcon 2007 was that Hasbro would revive the Universe label in 2008 as a catch-all-banner for any product outside of their Animated universe offerings. Whether this revived "Universe" will be in any way continuous with the old in package dress or fiction remains to be seen.
