Homage

Everybody knows where this art comes from.

In fan terminology, an homage is a toy that is intentionally designed to resemble an earlier (usually Generation 1) toy or character, without being the exact same character. Noted examples of homages include Energon Downshift (based on Generation 1 Wheeljack) and Energon Shockblast (based on Generation 1 Shockwave).

Sometimes, homages are given different names from their predecessors if the rights to the name are lost via trademark murkiness, or if the name has already been applied to a non-homage toy within the same series.

Conversely, in order to protect trademarked names, Hasbro and Takara continue to use the same names over and over again, often on very different toys or very different characters within the official fiction. Since use of the term "homage" within the fandom is almost exclusively in reference to visual similarities, these name reuses alone are not considered homages.

Amusingly, Takara has given homages a new twist with "Ratchet Emergency Green", a redeco of the original Diaclone-based Ratchet toy in the color scheme of the live-action movie Ratchet, and "Ironhide Protect Black", a dual homage to the color scheme of both the toy's Diaclone incarnation and the character's live-action movie incarnation.

Also, the term homage not only applies to toys, but also various things such as dialog or art.

Notable examples

The following list is meant to include all more modern toys that 'visually' represent the Generation 1 characters. Re-uses of names without any visual relevance may be better placed on the trademark page.

Transformers: Armada

• 
  Scavenger is essentially an homage to the Constructicons.
• Powerlinx Hot Shot is similar to Hot Rod.
  Powerlinx Hot Shot is similar to Hot Rod.

Transformers: Energon

• 
  Downshift's design is an homage to Wheeljack.
• Shockblast's appearance heavily similar to Shockwave.
  Shockblast's appearance heavily similar to Shockwave.
• Rodimus's appearance is heavily based on Rodimus Prime.
  Rodimus's appearance is heavily based on Rodimus Prime.
• 
  Galvatron's appearance is an homage to Galvatron.

Transformers: Cybertron

• Blurr's head design is an homage to his original Generation 1 counterpart.
  Blurr's head design is an homage to his original Generation 1 counterpart.
• 
  Longrack's head design is an homage to his original Beast Wars Neo counterpart.
• 
  Runamuck is an homage to his original Generation 1 counterpart's best mate.
• Buzzsaw's head design is an homage to his original Beast Wars counterpart.
  Buzzsaw's head design is an homage to his original Beast Wars counterpart.
• Galvatron's color is similar to Megatron.
  Galvatron's color is similar to Megatron.
• 
  Soundwave is heavily based on his original Generation 1 counterpart.
• 
  Quickmix shares a few physical similarities to his original Generation 1 counterpart.
• 
  Metroplex's head design and robot mode are very similar to his Generation 1 counterpart.
• 
  Brakedown GTS is an homage to Kup.
• Excellion is an homage to Hot Rod.
  Excellion is an homage to Hot Rod.
• 
  The Japanese exclusive Chromia Minerva-Type is an homage to the Super-God Masterforce character Minerva.
• 
  Dark Scorponok is an homage to the Masterforce character BlackZarak.
• 
  Soundblaster is an homage to his Generation 1 namesake.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

• 
  You may think Nightbeat is an homage to the Generation 1 character of the same name, but he's actually decoed to look like some rat guy.
• 
  Brakedown's colour scheme and alt mode is an homage to his Generation 1 Stunticon counterpart.
• Dead End's colour scheme resembles his Generation 1 counterpart and even resembles another Stunticon.
  Dead End's colour scheme resembles his Generation 1 counterpart and even resembles another Stunticon.
• 
  Thrust has a similar colour scheme to his Generation 1 counterpart.
• 
  Dirge's head design and colour scheme is an homage to his Generation 1 counterpart.
• 
  Brawn's overall design and colour scheme is heavily based on his original character.
• 
  The first Pretender to have a badass homage!!!

Transformers (2010 toyline)

• 
  Breacher's overall design and colour scheme is based on the ATV Micromaster base. He was even originally listed as Groundshaker, ATV's partner, at one point.
• 
  Well, you can tell who he clearly resembles now,can't you?

Generation 1

• The colorscheme of the lucky draw item of Primus is based on his appearance in Marvel Generation 1 continuity.
  The colorscheme of the lucky draw item of Primus is based on his appearance in Marvel Generation 1 continuity.
• 
  Ratchet Emergency Green used the color scheme to his Movie counterpart.

Shattered Glass

• 
  Goldbug's color scheme is similar to Stealth Bumblebee.
• 
  Starscream's color scheme is similar to Jetfire.
• 
  And the sextuple homage guy!

Homages in fiction

As well as homages in toy decos or designs, it has become increasingly common for modern Transformers fiction to reference older series. These references are often, but not always, to the G1 cartoon.

Homages in Comics

Dreamwave

Dreamwave comics frequently included concepts or lines which directly referenced the earlier incarnations of Generation One, including:

• Megatron's background as an underground gladiator is derived from his Marvel comics portrayal

IDW

Originally, IDW avoided the temptation to reference older series to a large extent. However, more recent publications have begun homaging in earnest.

• Andy Schmidt confirmed that the cast of Rebirth was chosen simply to reference the original trio of Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge.