Who out there doesn't remember the Transformers, one of the most popular toy lines/ animated shows of the 80's?
In 1984, the Toy Company Hasbro devised a new line of toys that could alternate appearance by hand manipulation- the
Transformers. Using molds from Takara, Diaclone, and Micronaut lines, Hasbro introduced us to legendary figures- Optimus
Prime, Megatron, Starscream, Ironhide.....the list of names goes on forever. The Transformers made an impact on just
about every little boy (and some girls) when they debuted, and have held a steady place in our hearts ever since.
Going through several genres and incarnations, the Transformers have endured, thanks to the following lines:
Generation One: the originals; the masters, the first impression that was firmly implanted in most fans'
minds.
Generation Two: not as successful as G1, but it still provided the fan with interesting repaints
and newer characters, adding to the mythos that is the Transformers.
Beast Wars/Beast Machines/Machine Wars: Throughout the 90's, these were the predominant TF lines, branching
off into a whole new world of Toys, with endearing computer-generated shows to back up the new mythos.
Armada: taking a heavy cue from Japanese Anime, a new show and new toyline emerged, bearing close resemblence
in both toy and character development to its G1 ancestors.
Energon: the logical conclusion of Armada, and the predecessor to the as-of-yet unproduced line,
Cybertron.
Universe: in a totally different timeline, older characters are re-released with new paint jobs, new names,
and a whole new backstory involving Unicron, the chaos bringer who was born out of G1 and rekindled in Armada/Energon.
So what is it that is so special about Transformers? What is it that has held our interest for 20 years now and
will most likely hold it for another 20? Quite simply, it is the appeal that "in a world where things are not what
they seem, there is more.......much more than meets the eye!"
