The Transformers (View-Master reels)
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| "The Transformers" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | View Master | ||||||||||||
| First published | 1985 | ||||||||||||
Using information collected from the Autobots, the Decepticons attack Sherman Dam
Synopsis
[edit]
Out in the rocky wilderness, Spike notices a tape recorder laying around, and pops it into his backpack. Later, at the Autobot hideout, Optimus Prime tells Spike about the tremendous power generated by Sherman Dam. They're recorded by Soundwave, in his tape recorder form. Soundwave also unleashes Ravage to learn more Autobot secrets, and attempts to capture Spike, however the alarm is raised, and the Autobots manage to capture Ravage in an energy net.
Soundwave reports on the dam to Megatron, who announces that it's perfect for filling energon cubes. Rumble is soon using his pile drivers to increase the dam's output by creating a tidal wave, while the rest of the Decepticons crash the power station and begin filling energon cubes. It's not long before the Autobots arrive in force to intervene. Hound goes underwater to fight Rumble, but soon ends up buried under rocks and has to be rescued by Spike. Ironhide diverts flood waters by transforming to vehicle mode and using a rear-mounted laser to carve channels for the water to run down.
The rest of the Autobots fly into the power station and begin blasting Decepticons. On a high platform, Megatron and Prime face off, taking their fight outside onto the top of Sherman Dam itself. Their battle with energy melee weapons — battle-ax versus mace — does not go well for Prime, who loses his balance and falls over the spillway, into the drink. As the Decepticons fly off with their bounty of energon cubes, the defeated Autobot leader is fished from the water by Jazz.
Afterward, Mirage complains that they're not built for combat and asks why they can't go home to Cybertron, but Optimus says that they must stay on Earth until the Decepticons are defeated.
Featured characters
[edit](Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans |
|---|---|---|
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Quotes
[edit]"We'll destroy the dam and steal its energy."
- —Megatron needs to brush up on his "Dummys' Guide to Dams"
"While the evil Decepticons are on earth[sic], we must never give up, and one day justice will prevail!"
- —Optimus Prime gives a stirring speech.
Notes
[edit]- Based on the Sherman Dam sequence from "More than Meets the Eye, Part 2", down to many of the frames being redrawn directly from images from the cartoon.
- If this is a typical example of the Autobots' effectiveness, Mirage may be in for a long wait for a homecoming.
Errors
[edit]- Though the caption for A5 states "Prime captures Ravage", it's clearly Prowl and Jazz throwing the net.
- A wave created using pile drivers is hardly "tidal".
- As Megatron bursts through the wall of the power station, standing next to him is a second Megatron coloured like Soundwave.
- How did the Autobots find out the Decepticons were attacking the dam?
- In one moment of cartoon accuracy, two Starscreams can be seen lying on the floor as the Autobots fly into the power plant.
Notes
[edit]- The "Autobot hideout" is located in "Western U.S.A."
- To give lasers, energon cubes and Megatron's flail a sort of glowing effect, they were given a different colour (magenta and yellow, or red and yellow for Autobot lasers) per eye.
- Skywarp has more toy-accurate colouring, with magenta arms.
- Likewise Rumble has magenta arms and legs for no apparent reason.
- Meanwhile Ravage has orange forelegs.
- Ironhide's vehicle mode has a more old-fashioned front end, including round headlights.
- Not one human is seen to be wearing a hard hat.
- Ravage is never seen to escape, so now we'll never know if he got away.
