Recently in Transformers Category

I just came across this post from PingMag, a Japanese design blog, which interviews Alex Kubalsky, the guy who designed the transformation of the Autobot, Mirage, for the current Transformer movie. I also love his model of Bumblebee - especially with the smile. Pity he didn't turn out that way in the movie!

Copyright TOMY / HasbroYou may recall in a recent post that I possess the original Mirage (produced by Hasbro). And Kubalsky also had strange dreams like some of us - he got into a state where his mind was awake, but his body was still asleep! However he didn't seem to get the chills - instead, he turned his dream into something constructive and that has defined his career. I've woken up with a lovely tune in my head before, and even managed to record it down. However I tend to forget many others :(

Sometimes dreams can shape careers. Kubalsky's story proves it! He doesn't even use 3D software - he hand draws everything. Just like how a few of us like getting away from the computer sometimes (myself included) and jot stuff down in our Moleskines. Coming to think of it, my best ideas are still sketched out on paper...

Technorati Tags: Transformers, Autobot, Mirage, Bumblebee

I was spring cleaning last weekend and discovered more of my old Transformers! I took Sixshot, my favourite Decepticon, along. Little did he realise what he was in for...

Click on the image to view the full-sized comic strip.

Guest stars: Mirage, Quickswitch, Grimlock, Snarl, Sludge, Scattershot.

Technorati Tags: Transformers, Autobot, Decepticon

Watched the second Transformers movie with Monoceros today. It was action-packed. With teenage romance and morphing, organic robots, it was a case of American Pie meeting Terminator 2.

Here are things I liked and disliked about the movie, and other insights. Spoilers ahoy...

This is a really rare sight - Optimus Prime and Megatron team up to save the earth. Taken from Season 1 of the original Transformers. I bought the entire 4 seasons on DVD over the weekend and am still watching it... Click on the photo for a longer story.

And no, I haven't watched the new Transformers movie yet. No kaki. Anybody interested? If not, I'll watch it on my own.

An update on our Koi pond.

Each of us got to choose 3 Koi (carp fish). I chose an orange-black-silver variety, reason being that I wanted my Koi to take after my favourite group of Transformers.

The first two Koi are purely of those three colours. However, the third Koi had to have a blue sheen.

Can you guess what their names are? Read on to find out the answer.

Today I unpacked my first load of Transformer toys. Everybody, say hi to Hot Rod, the first* Transformer I ever owned!

Character-wise, Hot Rod lives up to his name - he is a young Autobot with a fiery temper. He is generally well-meaning. He transforms into a sports car, although he is not very powerful or high-ranking.

In Transformers: The Movie, after my childhood hero/favourite Optimus Prime dies, I recall that Hot Rod turns into Rodimus Prime, a larger robot who takes over the leadership of the Autobots and their battle against the Decepticons. I think it was Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime who was the key figure in destroying Unicron, the huge planetary robot (with the vile Quintessons in him) from the inside out.

In subsequent cartoon episodes, Optimus returns to life and resumes the leadership.

A quick interview with Hot Rod, the toy:

Interviewer: Welcome back, Hot Rod.

Hot Rod: Thank you, it's good to be back. It was getting a little dark in that cardboard box. Stuffy, too.

Interviewer: I can imagine.

Hot Rod: Well, our mistress kept us all together so it wasn't too boring. The other Transformers in my box were all right, though I wish she hadn't lumped me together with that nasty Horrorcon leader.

Interviewer: So what did your mistress do when she took you out of the box?

Hot Rod: She held me up and showed me to the rest of her family! That was something. I think she was really happy to see me again. Then she transformed me into robot mode. I was glad she still remembered how to do it.

Interviewer: What happened next?

Hot Rod: She noticed I was pretty dirty - hey, as a kid she was running my tyres over the streets of Hong Kong! She gave me a sponge bath in the kitchen. That felt really good. I think I haven't been cleaned in over 10 years!

Interviewer: Have the years of wear and tear taken their toll on your body?

Hot Rod: (getting emotional) Just look at me. My back's completely missing. We have no idea where it is. My mistress tried to use U-Tac to stick it back on many years ago, but obviously that didn't work. Now I look like a convertible. Also, because she played with me so often, my joints are loose. My feet flap back and forth, my knees don't click into place, and my crotch is a little loose (see photo above). In other words, I'm screwed. But I'm sure she still loves me.

Interviewer: I'm sure she does. Well it's been a pleasure meeting you, Hot Rod.

Hot Rod: 'Pleasure.

* - I cannot recall if it was Hot Rod or old man KrupKup who was my first Transformer. Both were purchased in Hong Kong, days apart from each other, to keep me occupied in the hotel room.