Transformer Reissues

By the year 2000, G1 Transformer toys were yet again achieving cult status and becoming more vintage by the day. Any Transformer from the early years, especially 1984 and 1985, were notoriously expensive and very much in demand.

The secondhand collecting market was on fire. That is until Takara decided to start reissuing Transformers.

The first Takara reissue was C-01: Convoy in a G1 style Japanese box. These retailed at S$100.00 at Clarke Quay on Sunday morning and quickly became S$160.00 by late afternoon. This was followed by a reissue of D-16: Megatron in G1 style box. eHobby quickly followed with reissues of Ratchet & Ironhide, Trailbreaker & Hoist, Grapple & Inferno, Sideswipe & Red Alert, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Ramjet, Dirge and Thrust. Takara continued with G1 style box reissues of Starscream and Ultra Magnus and roughly once yearly, they would do a special – C-310: God Ginrai, ‘New Year’ Convoy, Landcross and the Predaking giftset as such examples. Takara also ‘re-reissued’ selected G1 pieces in ‘book’ form, usually with Dreamwave art on the ‘cover’. This was the TFC (TransFormers Collection) series and at present total 22 G1 reissues (TFC #00 to TFC#21).

The years 2000 to around 2006 were very good years for Transformer collecting because between them, Takara and Hasbro reissued almost all the desirable early G1 toys. For the first time in almost 15 years, fans and collectors could again obtain G1 Transformers at retail and at affordable prices.

I will here try to trace G1 reissues by release dates from the earliest to the most recent. 'Specials' are denoted in italics.

2000

• Jun 2000: eHobby exclusive C-01: Convoy.
  
• Dec 2000: eHobby exclusive C-69: Ultra Magnus, 4980 Yen.

2001

• Jan 2001: C-78: Hot Rod, 2500 Yen.
• Feb 2001: eHobby exclusive Crystal Rodimus.
• Feb 2001: eHobby exclusive Black Rodimus.
  
• Jun 2001: eHobby exclusive Ratchet & Ironhide set.
• Jun 2001: eHobby exclusive Sideswipe & Red Alert set.
  
• Jul 2001: C-22: Starscream, 2980 Yen.
• Jul 2001: eHobby exclusive Ghost Starscream.
• Jul 2001: eHobby exclusive Black Starscream.
  
• Jul 2001: eHobby exclusive Thundercracker.
• Jul 2001: eHobby exclusive Skywarp.
• Jul 2001: eHobby exclusive Dirge.
• Jul 2001: eHobby exclusive Thrust.
• Jul 2001: eHobby exclusive Ramjet.
  
• Aug 2001: eHobby exclusive Trailbreaker & Hoist set.
• Aug 2001: eHobby exclusive Grapple & Inferno set.
  
• Sep 2001: C-310: God Ginrai, 7980 Yen.
• Nov 2001: eHobby exclusive C-310E: Fire Guts Ginrai.
• Nov 2001: TRU exclusive C-307X: Nucleon Quest Ginrai.
  
• Dec 2001: C-77: Rodimus Convoy, 3500 Yen.

2002

• Jan 2002: New Year Special Convoy, 5980 Yen.
  
• Mar 2002: D-98: Sixshot, 4980 Yen.
• Jul 2002: eHobby exclusive Bluestreak (anime accurate colours).
  
• Jul 2002: TFC #01: Meister (Jazz), 3000 Yen.
  
• Jul 2002: TFC #02: Prowl, 3000 Yen.
• Aug 2002: eHobby exclusive gold Jazz and Chrome Bluestreak set.
  
• Sep 2002: TFC #03: Skids, 3000 Yen.
• Sep 2002: TFC #04: Tracks, 3000 Yen.
• Oct 2002: eHobby exclusive Cross Cut (silver Skids repaint).
• Oct 2002: eHobby exclusive Roadrage (red Tracks repaint).
• Oct 2002: Lucky Draw exclusive Black Tracks (limited to 300 pieces).
  
• Dec 2002: TFC #05: Smokescreen, 3000 Yen.
• Dec 2002: TFC #06: Megatron, 5980 Yen.

2003

• Mar 2003: TFC #00: Convoy (Optimus Prime), 6500 Yen.
• Mar 2003: TFC #07: Lambor (Sideswipe), 3000 Yen.
• Mar 2003: Figure King exclusive Tigertrack (yellow Sideswipe repaint).
• Mar 2003: Micromaster Sixliner boxset, 3600 Yen.
• Mar 2003: Micromaster Sixturbo boxset, 3600 Yen.
• Apr 2003: eHobby exclusive Deepcover & Clampdown set (dark blue, white Sideswipe repaints).
• Jun 2003: TFC #08: Inferno, 3000 Yen.
• Jun 2003: TFC #09: Starscream (w/ dvd), 3500 Yen.
• Jul 2003: eHobby exclusive Sunstorm & Road Hauler set.
  
• Sep 2003: TFC #10: Soundwave w/ Laserbeak, 4980 Yen.
• Dec 2003: TFC #11: Astrotrain (white), 3000 Yen.

2004

• Jan 2004: eHobby exclusive Astrotrain (anime accurate colours).
  
• Jan 2004: TFC #12: Mini-bots (Bumblebee, Huffer, Gears, Warpath, Cosmos & Powerglide), 3000 Yen.
• Jan 2004: eHobby exclusive Evil minibots.
  
• Apr 2004: TFC #13: Hot Rodimus & Firebolt, 3000 Yen.
• Jul 2004: TFC #14: Hound, 3000 Yen.
• Jul 2004: Landcross boxset, 4560 Yen.
• Aug 2004: eHobby exclusive Detritus (desert Hound repaint).
  
• Aug 2004: TFC #15: Stepper, 3000 Yen.
• Sep 2004: TFC #16: Insecticons Sharpnel, Bombshell & Kickback (w/ energon cubes), 3500 Yen.
• Oct 2004: eHobby exclusive Insecticons (Diaclone coloured) Salvo, Shot Hole & Zaptrap.
  
• Dec 2004: D-78: Predaking giftset, 14,000 Yen.

2005

• Jan 2005: TFC #17: Blitzwing, 3000 Yen.
• Feb 2005: eHobby exclusive Overcharge (Diaclone colour Blitzwing repaint).
  
• Mar 2005: TFC #18: Soundblaster w/ Ravage & Buzzsaw, 5500 Yen.
• Apr 2005: eHobby exclusive Cobalt Sentry cassettes (Ravage & Laserbeak repaint)
  
• Jun 2005: TFC #19: Perceptor, 3800 Yen.
• Jul 2005: eHobby exclusive Magnificus (black Perceptor repaint).
  
• Aug 2005: TFC #20: Kup (w/ Targetmaster partner) & Wheelie.
• Sep 2005: eHobby exclusive Orion Pax & Dion (Kup & Wheelie repaint).
  
• Sep 2005: C-372: Star Convoy, 8000 Yen.
  
• Dec 2005: D-62S: Galvatron (TFTM colour scheme), 7000 Yen.

2006

• Jan 2006: eHobby exclusive D-62: Galvatron in G1 colours w/ gold trimmings.
  
• Jan 2006: Pepsi Convoy, 5500 Yen.
• Mar 2006: TFC #21: Broadcast (Blaster) w/ Steeljaw, 4500 Yen.
• Apr 2006: eHobby exclusive Twincast w/ Flipsides.

2007

• Aug 2007: Encore 01- Optimus Prime, 5000 Yen.
• Aug 2007: Encore 02- Megatron, 5000 Yen.
• Aug 2007: Encore 03- Soundwave, 4500 Yen.
• Aug 2007: Encore 04- Starscream, 3000 Yen.
• Dec 2007: Encore 05- Ratchet, 3000 Yen.
• Dec 2007: Encore 06- Ironhide, 3000 Yen.
  

Whew! So there it is. A quite complete list of key G1 reissues. I am really happy with them because some of them have some special or extra part/s that the G1 toys never had (TFC #00 with Laser Axe, TFC #06 w/ morningstar, TFC#16 w/ energon cubes, etc), and Takara went ahead to reissue some very rare pieces.

Pieces like God Ginrai, Predaking giftset, Star Convoy, Stepper, Soundblaster and Twincast used to command prices upwards of US$500 before they were reissued. Such prices were way out of most collectors' range. It is great that Takara brought them down to Earth again.

I should note that in between all these Takara reissues, Hasbro through TRU exclusives were also reissuing G1 Transformers. They pretty much followed from what Takara reissues but with figures that are of largely inferior quality.

I may one day include the Hasbro reissues in the list, but for now I'm leaving them where they belong, out.

Takara Transformer Collection series [TFC]

TFC, the Takara Transformer Collection series of G1 based reissues was released from July 2002 till March 2006. They are numbered #00 to #21.

TFC is perhaps the best line of reissues that we've been fortunate enough to get, in my opinion at least.

Here are my reasons for thinking so: (1) nice packaging with nice box art and unique original insert material; (2) faithful G1 toys with arguably better paint jobs and more accurate application of colours; and (3) some TFC reissues come with extra parts that are relevant to the G1 continuity but had never before been made or available.

A prime example of point (3), is that TFC #00 came with Prime's Laser Axe and TFC #06 came with Megatron's Mace- both weapons were seen in More Than Meets the Eye part 2 but never before released with the G1 toys. See here.

Below is a list of all TFCs and their 'specials' (denoted in italics).

• TFC #00: Convoy (Optimus Prime) - includes MTMTE Laser Axe, binder for TFC card inserts.
• TFC #01: Meister (Jazz)
• TFC #02: Prowl
• TFC #03: Skids
• TFC #04: Tracks
• TFC #05: Smokescreen
• TFC #06: Megatron - includes MTMTE Mace, pellet mechanism and pellets, sword.
• TFC #07: Lambor (Sideswipe)
• TFC #08: Inferno
• TFC #09: Starscream - made in G1 anime accurate colours; includes special DVD, to scale Megatron in gun mode, Optimus Prime fist to hold Megatron.
• TFC #10: Soundwave w/ Laserbeak - made with more sturdy tape deck.
• TFC #11: Astrotrain - white painted Astrotrain previously exclusive only to Japan.
• TFC #12: Mini-bots (Bumblebee, Huffer, Gears, Warpath, Cosmos & Powerglide) - Bumblebee with remolded head like in G1 cartoon
• TFC #13: Hot Rodimus & Firebolt
• TFC #14: Hound
• TFC #15: Stepper
• TFC #16: Insecticons Sharpnel, Bombshell & Kickback - includes 3 energon cubes.
• TFC #17: Blitzwing - catalogue accurate Electron Scimitar with sharp tip.
• TFC #18: Soundblaster w/ Ravage & Buzzsaw
• TFC #19: Perceptor
• TFC #20: Kup & Wheelie - includes musket laser and Targetmaster Recoil for Kup, remolded Wheelie face.
• TFC #21: Broadcast (Blaster) w/ Steeljaw

Gratuitous montage of the complete TFC Collection by Takara

Notes & Trivia:
[1] TFC #00: Optimus Prime was released out of numerical sync. It was released between TFC #06: Megatron and TFC #07: Sideswipe. Presumably, Takara planned to release the 2 leaders during the same period.
[2] TFC #11 to #16 has the special '20th Anniversary' silver crest at their top lefthand corner because they were reissued in 2004 (20 years after the beginning of Series 1 in 1984).
[3] The final released cover art for TFC #03 & #04 is different from the initial promotional art (shown here). I suspect that Takara wanted Pat Lee art on all the TFC covers, probably for consistency, and so they changed the cover of #03 and #04 to Pat Lee drawn Skids and Tracks.
My favourites in this series would have to be TFC #00, #06 and #09 for the extra cartoon relevant parts they come with. It's about time they remolded Bumblebee's face, so TFC #12 is great as well. I appreciate Takara coming up with TFC #11, #15, #18 because these used to be Japanese exclusives and before being reissued, command prices in the secondhand market that are way out of reach to most collectors.

Toward the end of 2005 and after repeated shipment delays, there was some doubt as to whether Takara would even reissue Blaster. They finally came through with Blaster in March 2006 but it appears that that will be the final TFC reissue, sadly.

The release of a new line of reissues, Transformers Encore, in August 2007 almost certainly means that the TFC line must have ended with TFC #21: Blaster.

Blastin' with Blaster

Blaster

I have recently been re-reading the G1 Transformers comics by Marvel. When I got to issue #17 and later issues, I started to realize how pivotal Blaster is.

Blaster was up and about from issue #17 (1985) till around issue #47 (1988)- that is to say he was part of Transformer lore for a good 30 months (2 1/2 years), arguably having the most longevity in a time where characters were written into stories to sell toys.

If Galvatron is (Simon) Furman's favourite, Blaster is clearly (Bob) Budiansky's.

I started reminiscing about how Blaster had helped shaped my interest in Transformers when I was reading issue #32. My interest back then was so strong that I was at pains to convince mummy to buy me a Blaster in 1987 (when interest in Transformers was tapering off) for a very expensive sum of S$69.90.

I would like to pay tribute to Blaster with this article, Blastin' with Blaster, which I know should have appropriately, maybe rightly as well, been titled Rockin' with Blaster. I'm not using the latter title because Blaster was more significant in the comics than the cartoons; while his cartoon personality is close to his rockin' and rollin' profile in the tech specs, the comics Blaster is sombre, mature and holds firm to his ideas and beliefs- thus the title Blastin' with Blaster being more appropriate.

I'll do this tribute in 2 simple ways:

• Outline Blaster's significance in the Marvel continuity; and
• Make a Blaster related contribution to the Transformers community/fandom

Next: Blastin' with Blaster's comic persona

***
Read all Blastin' with Blaster chapters
Chapter 01: Blastin' with Blaster
Chapter 02: Blastin' with Blaster's comic persona
Chapter 03: Blastin' with Blaster's box art

The joy of giving...

*this happened around 1 September 2000*

I often talk about buying Transformers.

I talk about buying Transformers from flea markets, garage sales and eBay. Now, what if one of these people who could potentially be selling their wares at one of these places happens to be my friend?

It just so happened that YK and WT had kept their childhood Transformers. It just so happened that they are my friends. I told them somewhere in 1999 that I’ve started collecting Transformers again and guess what? YK said ‘Hey, I have Transformers. Do you want them?’

‘Whoa! Yes, of course!’ was my excited reply almost falling off my chair.

YK invited me over to his place which was a 5min walk from my apartment. He gave me the following Transformers, all complete, all kept tidy in a shoebox: Hot Rod (Targetmaster), Springer, Scattershot, Nosecone and Lightspeed. I was more than overjoyed. A Hot Rod (Targetmaster) back then before the reissues can easily command around S$250 complete; Springer had ever been expensive and still is now; and to top it all off, I suddenly have 3/5 of Computron! At 9pm at night, I was holding a shoebox and walking home with wings at my ankles.

Springer, Hot Rod and 3/5 of Computron. Thanks YK!

WT gave me his Transformers after I gave him a lift home one day. I barged into his room and said ‘Show me your Transformers!’. Bar the reissues, he had the most beautiful Powermaster Prime and Sixshot that I’ve seen till this day.

‘Wow, can I have them?’ I asked.

‘Sure. Take them. I have no use for them anyway.’ Was his matter-of-fact reply.

Grabbed them and ran for it before he changed his mind!

Powermaster Optimus Prime (left). Thanks WT!

Those were the best, biggest and most valuable Transformers I have been given. It’s not much I know, but I think it’s a great feeling to have a piece from my close friends' childhood in my collection. That thought just makes these that much more valuable.

I silently made a promise to myself that I am to be the guardian for their toys, taking care of them and placing them alongside mine but I will never under any circumstances sell them.

I will still not sell these 7 pieces even if there comes a day when I decide to sell all my Transformers. I will either keep them or return them to their original owners.

Haulin' the Sun

*this happened around 25 December 2004*

‘Nah. I don’t think I will want that’ was my reply to RSLH’s questions moments before.

He had said ‘New eHobby releases. Heard they are called Sunstorm and Road Hauler? S$80 per set. You want one set?’ he said pointing to the lot of about 8 Sunstorms and Haulers stacked like a layered cake on the top of the glass cabinet.

Sunstorm

‘Nah. I don’t think I will want that’. What the?!? What was I thinking? S$80 for both Sunstorm and Hauler MISB, C10 boxes – I should have bought them without even blinking. Stupid, really stupid. I had my excuse though.

Back in 2003, the Sunstorm & Hauler set was released, at least in Singapore, at the exact same time as Armada Unicron. I had seen Unicron images on Seibertron and TF Kenkon while in Australia and swore to buy this figure when I returned to Singapore over the Christmas break. This was a figure that I (and most fans) have literally waited 17 years for since Transformers: The Movie in 1986.

I wasn’t going to let the chance slip. In fact, I am going to buy 2 of these babies. They were selling at TFH for S$140 each, meaning that 2 would cost S$280. I had no time for monkey business, I had no time for Sun-whozzat and Haul-whazzit – I-just-wanted-my-Unicrons.

So there it was, a bad mistake for 2 reasons.

Number One, Unicron at S$140 is grossly overpriced. When the general release came out, it was retailing at S$99.90 at all major retailers. This means that I paid S$80 ($40 x 2) more than I should – enough to get me a Sunstorm & Hauler set.

Number Two, I was not short of cash and would normally have bought a seeker even if it were a recolour. That Sunstorm was later featured in Dreamwave’s G1 Vol 3 as the main protagonist making his price skyrocket is another painful reminder to the dreadful mistake I made. Worse of all, I felt my heartstrings pull toward getting the Sunstorm figure after I have read the Dreamwave Sunstorm arc.

I trudged through eBay with a heavy heart for weeks before finally winning an auction for a Sunstorm & Hauler set at a reasonable price. The up side is that this auction included the original eHobby packing box that the set came in. Awhile later, I bought another individual Sunstorm to play with and display.

eBay Sunstorm & Hauler auction win... on the Christmas of '04. Merry Christmas to me!



My 2 Sunstorms MISB
This was all good timing at least because a Sunstorm on its own now costs in excess of US$200.

My Transformer Collecting Objectives

'Objectives are not fate; they are not direction. They are not commands; they are commitments. They do not determine the future; they are means to mobilize the resources and energies... for the making of the future.' - Peter F. Drucker

As detailed in Chapter III and Chapter IV of The Origin Story, my Transformer collecting objectives, subject to my Collecting Principles, are as follows:

[1] To buy ‘back’ any and all Transformers that I wanted as a kid but either was denied or didn’t get around to buying. The Ravage & Rumble set comes to mind.

[2] To buy ‘back’ all Transformers characters not available in Singapore back in the 80s. Some of these include Skywarp, Thundercracker, Ironhide, Trailbreaker and etc.

[3] More specifically, to get ‘back’ every single Transformer from Series 1 (1984) to Series 3 (1986).

[4] To get selected characters from Series 4 (1987), Series 5 (1988) and Series 6 (1989).

[5] To get selected characters from the Masterforce and Victory series’.

[6] Every Series 1 to Series 3 Transformer should be what collectors term ‘110% complete’ – That is with a C9 box, instructions, unapplied or used sticker sheet, tech spec decoder and relevant catalogues (including Glow in the dark poster/s for movie characters).

[7] Every figure to be ‘upgraded’ to C9.5 condition with matching sticker condition (if they are not already in C9.5).

Chapter VI: Crisis on Infinite Fronts (2006)

It was the year 2005. Unicron attacked Cybertron and almost consumed it. The next year is 2006, a year of great change and flux. So it is for them, so it is for me.

I graduated and intended to return to Singapore for good. Surely, it cannot be bad to be near family, friends and ready sources of Transformer toys. Right? As fate would have it, I would leave, work in Singapore for 6 months and return to Australia again in July 2006 where I have remained till now.

I moved jobs and countries twice in a year and ended up back in Australia . It of course follows that all the ‘disadvantageous complications to Transformer collecting’ in Australia would be factors that are once again at the forefront.

For the most part, this was fine because my G1 collecting was becoming more of a gap filling exercise now and because the current Transformers on retail fails to captivate my interest anyway. Rightly or wrongly, I found Armada (2003), Energon (2004), Universe (2005), Titanium (2006) and Cybertron (2006) very stale and uninspiring. At the end of 2006, one line stood out – Transformers Classics.

I bought most of the Classics line over Christmas 2006 and early 2007. These included: Astrotrain, Starscream, Hot Rod, Bumblebee, Mirage, Grimlock, Ultra Magnus & Skywarp and Jetfire. I refuse to buy Optimus Prime and Megatron; the former is overpriced (approx. AU$46.90 = S$57.70) and the latter is overpriced and looks like a piece of candy.

This led into 2007, was followed by the Transformers movie madness and by a corresponding G1 massive acquisition madness.

Next: Chapter VII(1): A Transformers Renaissance (part 1) (2007)

***
Read other Chapters of The Origin Story...
Introduction
Chapter 0: Prologue
Chapter I: Fantasies & Inflections (1984 to 1991)
Chapter II: The Re-awakening (1999)
Chapter III: A New Beginning (1999 to 2001)
Chapter IV: Boxed Agendas (2002)
Chapter V: Coming to Australia (2003 to 2006)
Chapter VI: Crisis on Infinite Fronts (2006)
Chapter VII(1): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)
Chapter VII(2): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)Chapter VIII: 1988 Once More (2009)

Chapter V: Coming to Australia (2003 to 2006)

I moved to Australia from Singapore on 18th February 2003. The move was academic, literally.

It was on the whole a good move, but one that ultimately created disadvantageous complications for my Transformer collecting.

There were hardly had any speciality toy shops and no weekend type flea markets in Australia . Hobby Co. was probably the only ‘toy’ shop but was more focused on model kits and scaled train sets. Suddenly, my Transformers buying world shrank from limited only by your imagination back in Singapore to your imagination is all you’ve got mate in Australia .

Seeing that a flea market or speciality toy shops is all but non-existent, I turned to look at the prospects for new and current releases (eg: Alternators, Binaltech, Cybertron, Titanium and Classics). I soon discovered that new releases comes with price tags that are completely outrageously ludicrous. It seems like the only out is eBay.

Between 2003 and 2006, I continued to fatten my collection using eBay. Which is just as well, because a large proportion of what I needed at that point in time are G1 USA boxes and instructions and maybe the occasional accessory. As a rule of thumb, I mostly buy from US sellers and will avoid using eBay.com.au. This is explained here.

Highlights for this period include obtaining a Thrust box w/ bubble (final seeker box I needed), pre-rub Megatron with perfect unbroken styrofoam, Shockwave box, Bluestreak box, Jazz MIB stickers unapplied, Ravage & Rumble cardback (see below), Frenzy & Laserbeak cardback, Frenzy & Ratbat cardback, Squarktalk & Beastbox sealed, Omega Supreme in near perfect box and Grand Maximus MISB (opened to inspect).

The highlight was of course this (for obvious reasons):

Ravage & Rumble mint on cardback

To fund my activities, I also bought huge lots of Transformers to resell. One example is Lot 1870, here.

2003 to mid 2005 were busy buying periods. I bought almost no Transformers in late 2005, which on hindsight appear to be the calm before the 2006 storm.

Next: Chapter VI: Crisis on Infinite Fronts (2006)

***
Read other Chapters of The Origin Story...
Introduction
Chapter 0: Prologue
Chapter I: Fantasies & Inflections (1984 to 1991)
Chapter II: The Re-awakening (1999)
Chapter III: A New Beginning (1999 to 2001)
Chapter IV: Boxed Agendas (2002)
Chapter V: Coming to Australia (2003 to 2006)
Chapter VI: Crisis on Infinite Fronts (2006)
Chapter VII(1): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)
Chapter VII(2): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)Chapter VIII: 1988 Once More (2009)

Chapter IV: Boxed Agendas (2002)

I want boxes. I want G1 US Transformer boxes. I want G1 US Transformer cardbacks too.

Somewhere along the lines, and it is a blurry sort of somewhere because I don’t know the somewhen of it, I felt that the loose figures I have are notionally missing something. They are missing their boxes! They are missing their beautiful G1 US boxes. I realized that part of what drove me to buy a certain Transformer in the 80s is the box art and to a certain extent the box top, sides and bottom. I just have to have all Series 1, 2 & 3 boxes and cardbacks.

Continuing along the somewhere line, I also found that I could no long tolerate any of my Transformers in a bad/ worn/ faded/ chipped/ broken condition. I just would not stand for it. I’d rather not have that piece. I actually sold off a chunk of my collection due to this new agenda. Pedantic, illogical and irrational I know, but nice toys is satisfying.

This brings us to collecting objective (6) and (7) but before that a recap of Objectives (1) through (5).

Objective (6) Every Series 1 to Series 3 Transformer should be what collectors term ‘110% complete’ – That is with a C9 box, instructions, unapplied or used sticker sheet, tech spec decoder and relevant catalogues (including Glow in the dark poster/s for movie characters).

Objective (7) Every figure to be ‘upgraded’ to C9.5 condition with matching sticker condition (if they are not already in C9.5).

Armed with new objectives, I assiduously collected as much as I could before leaving for Australia in 2003.

Minty Series 1 & 2 Transformers

Minty Decepticon Seekers


Some boxes...

Next: Chapter V: Coming to Australia (2003)

***
Read other Chapters of The Origin Story...
Introduction
Chapter 0: Prologue
Chapter I: Fantasies & Inflections (1984 to 1991)
Chapter II: The Re-awakening (1999)
Chapter III: A New Beginning (1999 to 2001)
Chapter IV: Boxed Agendas (2002)
Chapter V: Coming to Australia (2003 to 2006)
Chapter VI: Crisis on Infinite Fronts (2006)
Chapter VII(1): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)
Chapter VII(2): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)
Chapter VIII: 1988 Once More (2009)

Chapter III: A New Begining (1999 to 2001)

Transformers. I have decided to collect Transformers again.

Well maybe not ‘again’ unless we consider Transformers given to a kid as toys which he smashed into one another, used for fights and Transformed more than a dozen times a day ‘collecting’. This was, I decided, to more serious, more precious, or so I wanted myself to believe.

My objectives were:

(1) To buy ‘back’ any and all Transformers that I wanted as a kid but either was denied or didn’t get around to buying. The Ravage & Rumble set comes to mind.

(2) To buy ‘back’ all Transformers characters not available in Singapore back in the 80s. Some of these include Skywarp, Thundercracker, Ironhide, Trailbreaker and etc.

(3) More specifically, to get ‘back’ every single Transformer from Series 1 (1984) to Series 3 (1986).

(4) To get selected characters from Series 4 (1987), Series 5 (1988) and Series 6 (1989).

(5) To get selected characters from the Masterforce and Victory series’.

On retrospect, it was a great time to start collecting Transformers. On the one hand, a lot of people I knew were into it and so I got good deals on complete toys and parts; on the other hand, Takara was beginning to notice how hot G1 Transformers were becoming and they started reissuing toys.

A $500 budget was all I had to fulfil the dream. Through flea markets, classified ads and eBay, I had to strategically buy cheap and sell high; then reinvesting the profits to buy cheap again and sell high again. I bought entire lots of Transformers from Singaporeans who have outgrown them, kept what I wanted and sold off the remainder in flea markets and on eBay. On top of all these, I bought all G1 reissues (yearly specials, eHobby exclusives, TFC) that Takara had to offer in triplicate.

This period, from 2000 to end 2003, is what I would regard as the ‘Golden Era’ of Transformers collecting if only because of the deluge of reissues of some of the most desirable G1 characters, sometimes over and over again (e.g.: Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream, Sideswipe mold variations, Decepticon seekers), at a cheap and affordable price.

For example, C-310 which included that ultra rare Godbomber retailed at S$120, Japanese G1 styled box D-16 Megatron retailed at S$120, TFC #01: Jazz retailed at S$40, Predaking giftset retailed at S$160 and so on. Any seasoned collector would find these prices a steal.

Of course I bought all the rare reissues and by rolling my money in buying, trading and selling Transformers I soon had a sizable collection by 2003. In fact, Sunstreaker, bought for S$85 from JX, was the final guy that completed my Series 1, 2 or 3 loose and complete but unboxed Transformers.

That was in or around mid early 2002, afterwhich a new objective was conceived...

Next: Chapter IV: Boxed Agendas (2002)

***
Read other Chapters of The Origin Story...
Introduction
Chapter 0: Prologue
Chapter I: Fantasies & Inflections (1984 to 1991)
Chapter II: The Re-awakening (1999)
Chapter III: A New Beginning (1999 to 2001)
Chapter IV: Boxed Agendas (2002)
Chapter V: Coming to Australia (2003 to 2006)
Chapter VI: Crisis on Infinite Fronts (2006)
Chapter VII(1): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)
Chapter VII(2): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)
Chapter VIII: 1988 Once More (2009)

Chapter II: The Re-awakening (1999)

The years 1992 till 1998 were uneventful where Transformers were concerned.

I did various things. These varied from winning Snooker competitions to getting severely injured while doing freestyle bicycle stunts to serving in the army as part of compulsory National Service.

1999 was my first year at University. In it, there is this place called 'The Forum'. It was near my Faculty. On a most normal day in the most normal of climates I walked by the Forum for the most normal of reasons - to get lunch. There was a flea market type bazaar for charity going on. I walked past a table with some indisposing figures on it and... wait. What did I walk past again?

Standing right there in all their grandeur was Star Saber, Snapdragon and another 2 large Transformers I do not recognize. Star Saber! It's a toy I have always wanted from 1989, especially after being inspired by episodes of Transformers: Victory which screened every Saturday morning on TV3.

"How much is this?" I asked pointing to Star Saber.

"$4.00", the undergraduate girl manning the counter replied.

"And this?" I continued, pointing to Snapdragon.

"$4.00." she answered exasperated.

"What about this and this?" I asked pointing to the other 2 large Transformers.

"They are all $4.00! Hey, if you want Transformers, I will give you this 4 and this whole bag for $30.00." she snapped while taking out a plastic bag filled with Transformers and Transformer parts. The bag was about 60cm in diameter and mostly filled with Headmasters, Targetmasters and toys from the Victory line.

"Ermmm... I'll have this 4 for $15.00?" I asked gleefully, not wanting the trouble of carrying a whole bag of Transformers into lessons.

"Yeah, ok. Take 'em. You want you can search for their parts in this bag." she snapped, knowing that she'll get rid of me soon enough.

I paid, said thank you, took the Transformers and left.

Left: Optimus Prime with custom blue eyes by me from my childhood
Right: Star Saber from 1999 NUS Charity flea market

I was really happy. I now have Star Saber! This guy has eluded me for a decade. At this time I had very little Transformers left, but still, I wouldn't mind a Star Saber and this other 3 to keep him company.

I soon started thinking that Transformers were cheap, cheaper than they used to be. Maybe I should try looking for more, looking for all those that eluded me back then. I started going to this flea market where sellers predominantly sell toys - Clarke Quay flea market.

I saw so many familiar faces the first Sunday I was there. It seems that a bunch of my Secondary School classmates were also interested in getting Transformers that eluded them back then. I got one of them over to my place to appraise the 'value' of my $15.00-for-4-Transformers lot.

His eyes widened like he saw a gold mine "You got them for $4.00 each? WHAT?!? You know what you've got? No? You have Star Saber, Snapdragon, Deathsaurus and OVERLORD and they are all complete!"

I have Overlord. Overlord? Who in blazes is that?

"Ok, thanks pal. Are these good stuff?", I tried to be persistent.

Left: Predaking from my childhood
Right: Overlord from 1999 NUS Charity flea market

Deathsaurus from 1999 NUS charity Flea market

Silly me. I would soon discover that the 'cheap' stuff I bought is not only good C9+ stuff but also very very expensive on the secondhand market.

Soon, I was meeting up with this bunch at Clarke Quay every Sunday. We talked purely about Transformers. As weeks rolled into months, I slowly found that I recalled not only more and more Transformer names but also their abilities, profiles and weaknesses.

That was when I realized Transformers was not something forgettable, it was not something I left back in the early nineties with He-Man, M.A.S.K., TMNT, Starcom and that rest... it was something ever close to heart and it was surfacing now, as I re-awaken into the world of Transformer collecting just before the turn of the millennium.

The Cybertronian Collecting Officer called Heroic Decepticon was born.

Next: Chapter III: A New Beginning (1999 to 2001)

***
Read other Chapters of The Origin Story...
Introduction
Chapter 0: Prologue
Chapter I: Fantasies & Inflections (1984 to 1991)
Chapter II: The Re-awakening (1999)
Chapter III: A New Beginning (1999 to 2001)
Chapter IV: Boxed Agendas (2002)
Chapter V: Coming to Australia (2003 to 2006)
Chapter VI: Crisis on Infinite Fronts (2006)
Chapter VII(1): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)
Chapter VII(2): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)Chapter VIII: 1988 Once More (2009)

Chapter I: Fantasies & Inflections (1984 to 1991)

This is a retrospective post, back dated to 1991 to retell overall collecting events from 1984 to 1991.

Events of specific importance, like me getting Optimus Prime after my final exams in 1984 or me getting Grimlock for doing well in Primary 5 or my brother ceding all his Transformers to me in 1989, will be documented in separate posts.

In the 80s, my brother and I collected such toys as He-Man (MOTU), Secret Wars, Super Powers, M.A.S.K., Transformers, Visionaries, Centurions, Ghostbusters, Bone-Age, Dino-Riders, Silver Hawks, TMNT, Starcom and for a time, even She-Ra: Princess of Power. Of all the boys toys available to me back then, Transformers stand out as the most prominent.

I distinctly remember Transformers being notoriously expensive in Singapore. Mini-bots cost $9.90, cassette sets cost $12.90 each, Series 1 & 2 Autobot Cars cost $29.90 each, Dinobots cost $39.90 each, Soundwave cost S$49.90, Megatron cost $69.90 and so on.

This was a time where a bowl of noodles cost $0.40 and a can of Coke cost $0.50- that is to say you could have a meal for $1.00. An Autobot car at $29.90 equals the cost of 30 meals! Transformers were not only from another planet; their asking prices were out of this world as well!

Despite all this, my brother and I still managed to get our hands on more than our fair share of Transformers thanks to the generosity of Dad, Mum, our 4th Uncle and our 2nd Auntie. Thanks guys!

Our 1984 to 1991 Transformers collection can be divided into 2 camps, my brother's Transformers and my Transformers. Below is a list of my brother's and my childhood Transformers collection.

My Transformers: Optimus Prime, Wheeljack, Ratchet, Sunstreaker, Megatron, Soundwave, Laserbeak (Jap), Grimlock, Sludge, Blaster, Powerglide (Jap), Shockwave (diaclone), Shrapnel, Bombshell, Thrust, Scrapper, Long Haul, Bonecrusher, Rodimus Prime, Wheelie, Hubcap (micro-change), Motormaster, Breakdown, Dead End, Drag Strip, Wildrider, Vortex, Brawl, Swindle, Razorclaw (Jap), Rampage (Jap), Divebomb (Jap), Tantrum (Jap), Headstrong (Jap), Chromedome, Cutthroat, Pounce & Wingspan, Scourge (Targetmaster), Backstreet, Quake, Squarktalk & Beastbox, Roadgrabber and Sportscar patrol.

My brother's Transformers: Bumblebee (micro-change), Cliffjumper (micro-change), Huffer (micro-change), Jazz, Prowl, Mirage, Slag, Seaspray, Beachcomber, Cosmos, Warpath, Kickback, Long Haul, Mixmaster, Scavenger, Kup, Sandstorm, Silverbolt, Air Raid, Skydive, Slingshot, Fireflight, Onslaught, Blast Off, Ramhorn (Jap), Steeljaw (Jap), Eject (Jap), Rewind (Jap), Skullcruncher, Cyclonus (Jap), Dogfight, Crankcase, Cindersaur, Cloudbust, Countdown and Air Strike patrol. For the record, my brother loved Slag and Cindersaur!

Transformers we shared: Frenzy & Ratbat (gold weapons), Hot Rod, Springer, Punch/Counterpunch, Flywheels, Slapdash and Slugfest & Overkill.

My childhood Optimus Prime (Mummy bought him for me from Kid's World Wisma Atria in Orchard Road)
Link to previous low resolution pic here.

My childhood Grimlock MIB (4th Uncle bought him for me from Yaohan Plaza Singapura)
Link to previous low resolution pic here.
We have to thank our 4th Uncle who got us Micro-Change 'Transformers' direct from Japan because these characters were not available in Singapore. See Iron-what? Trail-what?: Characters not available in Singapore.

My brother and I were perceptive, or some can say strange, kids. We did not rip out toys right out of their packages, no. For carded Transformers: We used a pen knife to slice off the bubble to remove the toys, without ripping into the cardback at all. If we still had the backing cards we would be able to scan them in for perfect G1 box art. For boxed Transformers: We sliced tape with a pen knife; we then made incisions on the backing card with that same pen knife and removed the toy from the back without ripping off the 'bubble'. All our Transformers can be packed back into their bubbles and displayed as MISB even after play. See The Art of Opening Transformers.

We enjoyed Transformers from 1984 till around 1989 when our interest waned just slightly after the Japanese Victory series. By 1989, my brother relinquished ownership of all his remaining Transformers to me, which in itself is really great if not for what happened next. By 1991, we were in our early teens and had convinced ourselves that toys are no longer cool. There are cooler things like comics, books, role playing games, basketball, roller blading, skate-boarding, cycling, camping, snooker, partying... and girls.

We stupidly, really stupidly, authorised our Mum to give away all, yes ALL, our toys to a worthy cause and to people that need it more than us. And my Mum did just that: she gave to the Salvation Army every single one of our He-Man (MOTU), Secret Wars, Super Powers, M.A.S.K., Transformers, Visionaries, Centurions, Ghostbusters, Bone-Age, Dino-Riders, Silver Hawks, TMNT, Starcom and She-Ra toys.

Every-single-one.

I look back at this period with extreme sadness and pain, tormented till this day. Thinking back, that is one of the worst decisions I’ve had the misfortune to make.

Post 1991 and pre-1999, the only Transformers we had were the ones we managed to stash away. For me, these included Optimus Prime, Grimlock and all the Japanese box Predacons. My brother only kept his Japanese box Cyclonus.

My brother's MIB C-70 Cyclonus (pic added on 26 March 2008)

Japanese Boxed Predacons from my childhood (Mummy bought these for me from Zion Road Isetan)
Note: While I have seen lots of them back then, Liokaiser (at back) is unfortunately not from my childhood.

D-75 Divebomb: Original price S$27.90, sale price S$7.90

Next: Chapter II: The Re-awakening (1999)

***
Read other Chapters of The Origin Story...
Introduction
Chapter 0: Prologue
Chapter I: Fantasies & Inflections (1984 to 1991)
Chapter II: The Re-awakening (1999)
Chapter III: A New Beginning (1999 to 2001)
Chapter IV: Boxed Agendas (2002)
Chapter V: Coming to Australia (2003 to 2006)
Chapter VI: Crisis on Infinite Fronts (2006)
Chapter VII(1): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)
Chapter VII(2): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)
Chapter VIII: 1988 Once More (2009)

The Menace of Megatron [Origin Story prologue]

Megatron

‘Peace through tyranny’ (Tech Specs; MTMTE profiles)
‘Everything is fodder’ (Marvel Universe bios)

Since young, I have been quite torn over which exactly is the motto of Megatron. If the Dreamwave MTMTE profile is any evidence, it appears the ‘Peace through tyranny’ has won out as it rightly should. ‘Everything is fodder’ just sounds a little too shallow for a Transformer with as much depth as Megatron.

Like the colours on a Van Gough, I remember vividly the first time I saw Megatron as a kid. It was evening. Mummy, my brother and I were at OG People’s Park walking through the toys section as usual. We walked by the Transformers section and there being screened on a little TV was an episode of the G1 cartoon episode I would know as Transport to Oblivion years later. It was playing the scene where Megatron and Soundwave (or was it Starscream?) were outside a cave of closed in Autobots; Megatron transformed, Soundwave (or Starscream) held him and blasted the cave roof down to trap the Autobots with finality.

‘What? What?!? What just happened?’ was my first reaction.

A huge robot who transforms into a little gun, blasts a cave down then transforms into a menacing robot again. That must be the most blasted coolest thing (pun intended). From what he did, his general colour scheme and his red eyes, I got the feeling he must be one of the baddies – little did I know that he was the baddest of the baddies, Megatron, the slag maker himself.

‘Oooooohhh. We have to watch this when Channel 5 shows it.’ I told my brother excitedly. He didn’t reply, he was grinning from ear to ear. This moment was where the impetus to watch Transformers came- it is the prologue to The Origin Story.

Sometime down the road (weeks, months, I’m not sure), I managed to convince mummy to buy a G1 Megatron for me while we were on the way to Chinese tuition. I was so excited I opened it and applied all its decals en-route. I later decided that a chrome Megatron just didn’t look enough like the cartoon so I spray painted him white. Hahaha… Miraculously this was passed to my cousin, CF, who volunteered to ‘return’ it to me in 2004! My childhood Megatron can be seen here...

My childhood Megatron, painted white by me

Now, where’s the menace?

The menace is in the styrofoam insert if one wants a MIB Megatron – I wanted a MIB Megatron and because of the history I had with this character I demanded it had to be perfect. At least as perfect as it can get without being MISB. The toy, the box and the foam insert had to be tip top, unbroken and mint at the very least.

I noticed that 9.9 out of 10 Megatron packing foams have a piece broken off (see below). I obtained a MIB Megatron in a C6 box and broken foam in 2000 and it was deeply unsatisfying. I had to hunt for a better piece. The challenge was to find one with a nice box, unbroken foam insert, with a toy in good condition and at a good price.

Example of Megatron with foam piece snapped off (eBay auction #290156157155)

I went through local shops, flea markets, Classifieds, Yahoo! Auctions and eBay for years. It took me more than 3 long years to finally get what was in my heart, the perfect Megatron. To top it all off, I got it during a lull in the Megatron prices. I bought it at US$112.50 (approx. S$220 inclusive of shipping), which is relatively cheap all things considered.

Megatron eBay auction of 6th September 2004

And now...

Here it is in its full glory, the menace of Megatron. I now present from me to myself what to me is the perfect MIB Megatron:

Megatron MIB with perfect foam insert... Peace through Tyranny!

Next- Chapter I: Fantasies & Inflections (1984 to 1991)

***
Read other Chapters of The Origin Story...
Chapter I: Fantasies & Inflections (1984 to 1991)
Chapter II: The Re-awakening (1999)
Chapter III: A New Beginning (1999 to 2001)
Chapter IV: Boxed Agendas (2002)
Chapter V: Coming to Australia (2003 to 2006)
Chapter VI: Crisis on Infinite Fronts (2006)
Chapter VII(1): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)
Chapter VII(2): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)

Introduction

The story of the Heroic Collection introduction

It is a nostalgic fantasy story of dreams and of aspirations;
and the courage, determination and perseverance to chase them.

This is the story of a Heroic Decepticon and the origin of his Heroic Collection.

Toy storage wall #01 of 05 (2004)

New storage/display shelves (2008)

New storage/display shelves (2008)

New storage shelves (2008)

Next: Chapter 0 - Prologue

***
My toy collection photos are hosted here...
My G1 Collection, USA: 1984 to 1986
My G1 Collection, USA: 1987 to 1991
My G1 Collection, Japan: 1984 to 1991
My G1 Collection, group shots of toys and boxes

***
Read other Chapters of The Origin Story...
Introduction
Chapter 0: Prologue
Chapter I: Fantasies & Inflections (1984 to 1991)
Chapter II: The Re-awakening (1999)
Chapter III: A New Beginning (1999 to 2001)
Chapter IV: Boxed Agendas (2002)
Chapter V: Coming to Australia (2003 to 2006)
Chapter VI: Crisis on Infinite Fronts (2006)
Chapter VII(1): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)
Chapter VII(2): A Transformers Renaissance (2007)
Chapter VIII: 1988 Once More (2009)