Special Beast Wars Sauce

There was a time when the Beast Wars movie seemed like the most amazing thing ever to me. Later when I got a subtitled VHS copy at a local comic con (anyone else miss the bootleg video booths at those?) I discovered it wasn't much more than a new episode of Beast Wars 2.  That and a episode of Metals (what we called season 2 and 3) with a bit of a clip show... but that's kind of what these kids show 'special' movies really are anyway. But at the time, it was nothing short of amazing.

It's funny what the lack of availability does to things. I was in college and working that dreaded Office Max job. Between stocking shelves and selling computers, I'd often cover the copy center. I'd like to say I was multi talented, but the management was so bad that you'd often find yourself doing multiple jobs if you were competent while the slackers got promoted, often to management. Of course the store eventually closed down due to some genius opening a store next door to a Walmart...

It was those times hanging out in the copy center that I'd usually take advantage of the equipment and make various posters from images I'd bring in on a floppy. A particular favorite was a Beast Wars 2 poster I made that found itself on every refrigerator I had for years. 20 something years later I still have it. Though, it's yellowed quite a bit and stuck in a box somewhere. Maybe after I move I'll put it in a frame. Though I might spray it with Lysol first, kinda smells. It old.

A mammoth of a big deal

When I was in college Japanese Beast Wars was one of the coolest things to me. Still is. At the time the world was so new to me still and thanks to the internet becoming more and more a thing, Transformers from around the planet suddenly started becoming a big deal. I already loved Beast Wars, but I've always preferred traditional animation. Suddenly there was more Beast Wars with traditional animation. It didn't hurt that it looked so amazing either.

Big Convoy and Magmatron were just so bad ass that they became a rather big deal to me. Chances are if you're a Transformers fan, you enjoy the look of Optimus Prime. He's always been a really good looking robot and the combination of that Optimus look and the mammoth elements was awesome. After all these years it's still one of the most impressive looking Transformers toys in my eyes.

Then you have Magmatron, we've established I like dinosaurs and dinosaur based robots. Well, what if we had a dinosaur based team of villains led by a pile of dinosaurs? I knew you'd understand. Magmatron just looks crazy and imposing. Crazy, imposing, and amazing. It was hard to imagine such a figure that was made of three different dinosaurs at the time. How did it even work? Well, pretty complicatedly, but ultimately rewarding when I transformed mine for the first time.

Depth Charge

A magnificent giant soars through the oceans in regal silence. Depth Charge was commissioned by Optimus Primal to act as a first line of defense against Predacon undersea aggressors. Though he would rather study military strategies than execute them, Depth Charge is a dedicated fighter and inspired leader. Nuclear cybershark drone conducts recon missions, doubles as reinforcement in battle, and fires dual proton torpedoes. Intermediate space-cruiser mode can achieve planetary orbit or withstand the deepest oceanic pressures. As a robot, he fires shrapnel grenades from his chest and can maintain a force field for five mega cycles. With unshakable nerves and Energon-cutlass in hand, Depth Charge leads his brave platoon into battle.

The Best Wars

This past weekend sadly saw the passing of Larry DiTillio, 1/2 of the story editing team on Beast Wars. Larry was fondly regarded in the Transformers fan community not just for his great work on the show, but for his positive relationship with the fan community. Most members of the Transformers fan community think of Beast Wars as a high point in Transformers and Larry DiTillio is one of the reasons the series is so well regarded.

Rest in peace Mr. DiTillio.

Bat vs Gator

I've always loved the bat Optimus and crocodile Megatron toys. Always wished they got more of a spotlight than they did.

Transmetal Optimal Optimus

Absolutely my favorite Beast Wars toy.

Beast Wars Kabaya model kits commercial

I've been having a slightly busy night tonight, one of those nights that make thinking about fun stuff hard. Though I really felt like showing you all this commercial. Because I'd love to be having some fun right now and look at this stuff. This stuff is fun.

Because I was a cool kid

The Beast Wars video game is not well regarded as a good game. That's fair, as it's not a good game. However, it's a bad game I couldn't get enough of. I've got both the PC and PS version of the game. That's right, I bought both. Why? Well, I'm crazy obviously, but also, I had a great time with it. You see, I mainly played the PS version for the single player mode as I never found a good way to play it on the PC. I've never been a big fan of mouse and keyboard controls, and never found a controller I was totally happy with. But the PS version was by default designed for a standard controller, so I was able to enjoy it more that way, and I did enjoy playing it for all it's faults.

The PC version is the main reason we're here right now. Because I got it first and played it most, despite my earlier complaints about the controls. Why? Because I'm crazy obviously, but also, I had a great time with it. You see, it had a online mode that was a lot of fun. Sure, it was the standard fair death match. But that wasn't what was fun. While I'm sure it could be played online other ways, the intended and main way was through the MSN gaming site at the time that it was designed for. What made that so special? Well, each game had it's channels on the MSN gaming site at the time with several hubs for folks to gather and play. Each hub was basically a chat room until folks would go in to play the game. I spent hours, weeks, months, in those chat hubs.

Those chat hubs for a time were great places for fans to interact that was just fun. Usually free of the fandom drama and gate keepers that were in the usual haunts, the hubs were just a good place to talk Transformers. It eventually fizzled out, but for a time, it was great. I still remember it and some of those old excite/yahoo chat rooms during that time as my favorite places together with other Transformers fans and just enjoy the hobby with others. I guess it's an awkward way to gather, but back in those times talking Transformers was always an extra turn around your elbow on the way to your booty. Avoiding the nonsense made it well worth it though.

Universe Optimus Primal

We will win if we believe in ourselves and our unity.

After his ultimate sacrifice to defeat Megatron, in which he became part of the core of Cybertron itself, Optimus Primal rose to the level of a mythic legend among the grateful populace of Cybertron. Now as the battle against the ancient monster planet known as Unicron has begun once again, Primus himself has called Optimus Primal to be brought back into action to help in the fight for the very survival of Cybertron. Optimus Primal represents a uniquely powerful fusion of the Maximal Forces' advanced technology with the raw power of their mighty Autobot ancestors. In this supercharged form Optimus Primal possesses unmatched strength among the techno-organic populace of Cybertron. His weaponry has also been upgraded significantly: He wields an impressive array of both long range and melee weapons including twin battle blades that can cut through solid rock, a vanadium steel reinforced mace, left arm retractable double barreled plasma cannon, and twin indepently targetable shoulder mounted missile launchers. Rear mounted jets give him flight capability. Energy receptors allow him to absorb much of the damage from energy-based attacks and rechannel it back at his enemies. Intelligence, experience, passion and skill are all crucial parts of what makes Optimus Primal a born leader of the Autobot cause. Serves as an inspiration to help others find their own strength to keep fighting despite the odds.

TFNation 2019 logo is awesome

Realistically, I'll never get to go to a TFNation show. That's a shame because it looks like a really good time, but being a working professional, going a few states over for a convention is hard to fathom theses days let alone another country on the other side of the world. Regardless, they deserve a great deal of applause for the Beast Machines inspired logo for next years show. Say what you will about Beast Machines (and you probably already are), but that was a good looking logo and packaging. Nice to see it getting some love here, specially in these G1 era heavy days.

Sky Shadow bio

An intelligent, brilliant colored robot, Sky Shadow is one of the most charismatic and popular of the Predacons. A good statesman and leader, he acts as one of Megatron's most trusted counselors. In actuality however, he despises everyone and wants nothing more than to rule the Predacons with his own, "more imaginative techniques." He is an expert in concealment and surprise-assault tactics; with reptilian patience he can lie for days in wait and then suddenly attack with a powerful turbo-missile, or convert to robot form and overwhelm unsuspecting Maximals with his devastating saw-edged pincer. Powerful wings allow him to hover over targets, giving him a distinct advantage with targeting accuracy and in reconnaissance missions.

Beast Wars Metals intro (1st and 2nd versions)

1st version

2nd version

Big Blue Wonder

At Wonderfest this past weekend, Takara showed off the upcoming Encore Big Convoy figure. I'm pretty tempted to get him as he's in show accurate colors, but what I really want is that blue version in the picture. There was several versions of that mold already back then and even a few in the US. So far I've got the Korean version of the original. The Nemesis Prime version from Target, and the Ultra Mammoth from the TFCC a few years back (it was something I had wanted since beast era was going on). I hope the Encore blue version is easily obtainable because, seriously, when it's too hard to get something that's currently available. I don't want to bother. There's no reason for that anymore. Convention exclusive, well that's fair. But if it's just online in a second and sold out the next... well, I ain't playing. I'm 40 years old and have a fairly busy personal and professional life. I can't sit in front of a web store all day and refresh it every few seconds hoping to get a purchase in when it's available and before it sells out. I don't feel like being punished for being a functional adult and won't be. So, hopefully that blue version is not too hard to get, because I'd really like to get one.

This is one of my favorite molds, so obviously I'm tempted to get it again.

Optimus Primal (bat)

The Maximals and I have no choice but to stop Megatron and his Predacon minions before they destroy us all! Freedom may be the right of all sentient beings, but to protect the greater good we must vanquish to Earth from these evil Predacon creatures! It won't be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is!

Omega Pointing

Sometimes, as a Transformers fan (or I guess a fan of anything) you get asked what your favorite era of fiction is. I always say beast era and when I specify more, my favorite parts is the Beast Wars cartoon and the 3H comics (even after BM ended their setting was post BM Cybertron). Not that I don't love G1 and other eras (that's probably apparent in these posts here), just that's the pinnacle for me. My absolute. I love the story telling and can go back to it time and time again. I'm taking time to talk about the 3H era stuff as the Omega Point story line is just *kisses fingers* magnifique.

I'll just go ahead and recommend you check out 3H and everything on the wiki. Just so I don't spend too much time going all over that for those of you who don't know and considering the growth of the TF fandom over the last decade, it's easy to understand that some of you missed that and may not know.

One thing that made the 3H comics so fun is they not only featured the BotCon exclusives, but also non show characters. While Beast Wars may look dated now, that mid 90's cgi was pretty big for a syndicated cartoon show budget, and owing to the fact that each character transformed created double the CGI models for each character, made for unfortunately a smaller cast. This during a time when toy lines had more than multiple versions of the main characters. So that really cool toy you bought who wasn't on the show, got a life in these comics.

Adding to the fun, the Omega Point story line was a Unicron story in the beast timeline (this was before he was used to death during the mid 2000's) and in a way similar to his use in the Marvel UK comics. Essentially, Shokaract is empowered by Unicron's dark essence. Not to mention, there's no handy dandy matrix of leadership laying around to run him off. So Unicron is wrecking havoc and the time tested way to deal with him isn't there. So these expanded universe characters go on a most excellent adventure over the course of a few years of fiction.

It's a pretty awesome story arc, and I think a good deal of it can be found online if you ever get curious enough to read. IDW did a slight retelling of the events in their Beast Wars comic series, which hits the main beats, but tells the story differently. I remember reading it being very impressed they bothered to retread it, even as differently as they did.

Optimal Optimus

Optimal Optimus a wise and compassionate Maximal commander developed his trademark valor and heroism during his role in the Beast Wars. Exposure to a nebulous entity reconfigured him into the ultimate four - mode Transmetal, Optimal Optimus reactive smart missile cannons are functional and all modes of operation. In hypersonic attack mode he has upgraded Cybertronian "air guardian" jet technology equipped with scramjet modules specialized for unmatched velocity. In armored ground-assault mode, he transgresses all terrain and overcomes all opposition. Battle-reactive blast shields supply him with an impenetrable defense, making Optimal Optimus the most potent threat ever to face-off against Megatron and his Predacons.

Bantor

Temperamental and solitary, Bantor relishes his Fuzor animalian fusion. Enhanced by the attributes of a baboon's and tiger's instincts, he is a natural warrior in total flux with the ways of combat. Extremely versatile, Bantor combines the cunning patience of a tiger with the near-demented frenzy of a baboon, deleting the need for ammunition in close-range combat. Optimal Optimus's first choice for recon or demolition missions. Bantor can traverse deep into Predacon territory and escape undetected. Largely unknown by the enemy, his reputation for setting undetectable traps exceeds his identity, though his power-ram head and right hook are widely considered devastating.

Transmetals 2 commercial

If it's one thing I wonder, it's that why do those kids have so many tiny disposable cups on hand to play with? A dentist's child perhaps? Is one of them sick and get's his pills everyday in those cups and thought it would be neat to save them for Beast Wars play time? Who knows, but what I do know is that this commercial is another in a series of great examples of 90's Transformers commercials. Those are some solid toys in the commercial to boot. Dinobot 2 and that Cheetor were great figures are the epitome of the Transmetal 2 ideology.

Cybershark was later used as Sky Byte in Robots in Disguise/Car Robots. Funnily enough, I've mentioned not getting the CR toys until they were released here as RID due to broke ass community college kid symptoms. Though most of the Predacons were molds from Beast Wars, so it's not like I didn't technically miss out at first. That Cybershark was totally at my local Kay Bee for 5$. A whole stack of them. So many that I wonder if the manager would have let me take them all for 20$ just to get rid of them. Of course at the time 20$ wasn't as easy to come by as 5$, so I just had one.

Freaking paint rubbed off his chest the first time I transformed him.

Scarem

Megatron's cloning experiments have added a new and sinister member to the Predacon ranks: Scarem. A cold, calculating, cyber-organic beetle, Scarem can travel at extremely high speeds over any type of terrain - even when upside down. His body shell withstands an incredible amount of firepower. When on the attack, Scarem's ultra aggressive fighting methods are nearly impossible to stop. Now, the Maximals must use everything at their disposal to stop the vicious assault of Scarem.

Transmetals Optimus and Megatron

This is a fun one. Subscribing to the G2 commercial train of thought (without the rap, unfortunately) Optimus and Megatron bash around in a setting full of gray desk organizers and sell their action features. I know it's mainly a past it's primal thing, but I really liked this style of commercial for toys. Outright show kids playing with the toys acting out a big ass whooping. The 90's had it's own vibe in general in media presentation, but man it really shows in older commercials.