Would you buy it?

I mean I always knew things here were more expensive than they have a right to be.

A couple of days ago, my colleague who's on secondment here from Hong Kong remarked about how expensive things were here. I said 'yeah', went on a little rant and forgot about it.

So I was at Books Kinokuniya today looking to buy some Neil Gaiman books in preparation for his book signing next week, which I reckon would be an earth shattering moment... then I saw it.

Encore Starscream.

AU$144.95.
AU$144.95? WHAT in the name of the universe?!? $145 for an Encore Starscream? Suddenly, my colleague's words and all that I've said in 'How do prices like these make commercial sense?' hit me like an epiphany.

If expensive comes in gradations, it would range from expensive, to very expensive, to very very expensive, to ridiculously expensive, but this instance would go beyond the final gradation- $145 for an Encore Starscream is stupid expensive- it is so expensive it goes beyond ridiculous and enters the realm of stupid.

That amount of dosh can buy 3 Encore Starscreams from BBTS US, shipped to Australia; it can buy 4 Encore Starscreams from any shop in Singapore or Hong Kong with change to spare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The proliferation of the internet and internet shopping means that a person can choose to buy a product from anywhere in the world and at anytime. It means that retailers must compete in the global marketplace rather than confine themselves to the local market. It is not a choice they can make, it is a reality. Why would any reasonable person with internet access and spending capacity buy a cash-and-carry item from a shop here when they can with a few clicks of the mouse have the very same item shipped to their doorstep? And why don't retailers realize that?

I just cannot understand how Encore Starscream and most every other thing for sale here can be thus priced. Where is the basis? What is the justification? Are the people pricing it (1) oblivious to market price; (2) mistaken about its relative availability in Australia; or (3) just plain vultures?

I suspect I'm going to lose sleep thinking about the whys and wherefores...

Megatron Origin - issue #04 easter eggs (part 2)

Previous chapter: Issue #04 easter eggs (part 1)

This is the second part of the issue #04 easter egg hunt.

*Spoilers from here forward*

***

Megatron's inspiration...
So the million dollar question- how did Megatron coin the term Decepticons for his band of renegades? (pun intended)

The answer- ironically, was Sentinel Prime. It was Sentinel Prime who probably gave him the inspiration here... he was going to say 'the worst deception', but got cut off short by Megatron.

Megatron doing a karate 1-2 on Sentinel Prime (not that I know what a karate 1-2 is) (page 21, last panel)

***

The best line...
This must be one of my all time favourite lines in the entire series: 'I will create desolation, and call it peace'.

It even trumps my favourite Megatron line from Transformers: Infiltration (issue #06) where on Starscream's bidding, Astrotrain, Thundercracker, Runabout and Runamuck wanted to take Megatron on and he said to them- 'You will stand down. If you fight, you die... In the end you are all expendable. Choose'.

'I will create desolation, and call it peace'; it has a ring that sounds like
'Peace through tyranny'...

... which is Megatron's motto from his G1 Tech Specs. That is his vision for Cybertron, for the Decepticon cause. I need look no further than why old kings fight wars, in particular the reason why the first emperor of China united the 3 warring Kingdoms (the gist of the movie Hero is an illustration)- it is to unite all dissenters, even if it means tyranny, to bring about stability and peace. This is not my view but is certainly attributable to them.

It appears that the intent is not evil. It may be ignoble, but it may not evil in the malevolent, nefarious sense.

Eric Holmes managed to plumb the very depths of Megatron's motivations, go to the core of his very character, and in doing so tied it inextricably to G1. If anyone accuses him of not knowing Megatron, this is the line which he should hit them in the head with.

This is one of my favourite panels (page 21, panels 4 & 5)

***

Decepticons by choice
And... on the last page of the last issue, the Decepticons are officially formed. So begins the first Great Cybertronian War.

If I'm not too far off mark, Dreamwave's War Within vol. 1 'picks up' shortly after the events here. As was obvious, Megatron ripped the spark core out of Sentinel Prime a few pages back. In WW (vol.1) #01, Bluestreak tells Optronix 'Sentinel Prime is dead... Megatron himself ripped the spark core from his torso', fully confirming the events of Megatron Origin #04.

It may be a retcon, but its a pretty darn good, and I think it works, and I like it.

The first Great War beings... (final page, panels 2 & 3)

Next: The Quotes

***
Read all Megatron Origin chapters!
Chapter 01: The Mini Series
Chapter 02: Issue #02 easter eggs
Chapter 03: Issue #03 easter eggs
Chapter 04: Issue #04 easter eggs (part 1)
Chapter 05: Issue #04 easter eggs (part 2)
Chapter 06: Quotes from Megatron Origin

Megatron Origin - issue #04 easter eggs (part 1)

Previous chapter: Issue #03 easter eggs

Issue #04 was packed with easter eggs and G1 tribute moments. I attempt to record some of them here.

*Spoilers from here forward*

***

Fusion Cannon
I think its fair to say die-hard G1 fans grew up with the notion that Megatron always had his fusion cannon. Here, we see how, why and from whom he got it from- it was, ironically, a gift from the treacherous Starscream!

Starscream arming Megatron with his fusion cannon (Page 6)

***

Squarkbox
The first comic appearance of Squarkbox? (Other than in Dreamwave's MTMTE)


Squarktalk appears on Soundwave's right!

***

A TFTM moment
There prima facie isn't anything special about this panel until I quickly recognized how much it reflected the moment in TFTM when Megatron and Starscream were conversing after decimating the crew of the Autobot shuttle.

There are certainly a lot of similarities in terms of the way both are laid out.



Top: Megatron talking to Soundwave (page 7, last panel)
Bottom: Megatron talking to Starscream (TFTM)

***

The Cybertronian social life
An insight into how Cybertronians enjoyed life and socialized before the first great war and before factions. The ladies seem to have pretty interesting headgear... kind of like Melbourne Cup day here.


Cybertron high society (page 7, panel 1)

***

Autobots can't fly?
Just like what Galvatron said to Optimus Prime in The Return of Optimus Prime (part 2), Starscream here tells Trailbreaker- 'I just remembered... you can't fly'. For the record, Galvatron said 'I just remembered... Autobots can't fly'. =)

This at least confirms 2 things in IDW's TF continuity:
(1) a flying Transformer is rare among Cybertronians, as is also alluded to issue #03 when Megatron specifically asks Soundwave to source for 'flight-capable combatants'; and
(2) Autobots generally cannot fly.

This gives an added dimension to my theory in Autobots can't fly, can they?


Starscream ditching Trailbreaker (page 9)

***
The origin of Ratbat's mode
Ratbat was not always a cassette, that is, before he was betrayed and made into one.

This here actually made me think that Dreamwave's War Within vol. 2 & 3 does not fit into IDW's continuity. Here is why:

If Ratbat is already a cassette before the first great war, then it is unlikely for him to have the robotic mode he had during War Within vol. 2 (see issue #02), and then later have a cassette mode again during the regular G1 continuity. What I'm saying is that, it is unlikely, but not impossible- after all, it would hardly be fuel efficient to keep morphing from one mode to another.

It is reasonable to assume that he became a cassette here, which is before War Within vol. 1, and remains as one. At the very least, it casts doubt on whether elements and plot points from War Within vol. 2 (and vol. 3) are to be considered part of IDW's TF continuity.


Soundwave betraying his former master Ratbat and surreptitiously turning him into a cassette (page 13)

***

That's a wrap for the first part (of 2) of issue #04's easter eggs. Gosh, there are just so many of them this issue that I had to split them into 2 parts. Next, I will look into the final part of Megatron Origin and the formation of the fearsome Decepticons!

Next: More issue #04 easter eggs!

***
Read all Megatron Origin chapters!
Chapter 01: The Mini Series
Chapter 02: Issue #02 easter eggs
Chapter 03: Issue #03 easter eggs
Chapter 04: Issue #04 easter eggs (part 1)
Chapter 05: Issue #04 easter eggs (part 2)
Chapter 06: Quotes from Megatron Origin

***
And a little shameless advertisement:

The next series of articles will be on...

Megatron Origin - issue #03 easter eggs

Previous chapter: Issue #02 easter eggs

Issue #03 was packed with easter eggs and G1 tribute moments. I attempt to record some of them here.

*Spoilers from this point forward*

***

Rub-sign
This was one of those 'Wow' moments. After it sank it and I thought about it. I was totally awestruck at how well Holmes used what was an 80s marketing gimmick, the rub-sign, in a totally justifiable way in terms of the plot. Kudos! I tip my hat to you Eric.

Soundwave using his rub-sign to reveal his allegiance (Page 1)

***

Energon flail
This was another moment where I raised both arms in a Hiro Nakamura moment with my jaw simultaneously hitting the ground. No more need be said.


Page 6

I recall these moments...

Left: Megatron versus Optimus Prime atop Sherman Dam
Right: The same Sherman damn battle seen from a matrix induced vision (Issue #05, War Within vol. 1, Dreamwave Transformers)

***

Autobots
Left to right: Sentinel Prime, Elita-One, Orion Pax, Alpha Trion, Prowl, Wheeljack and Ironhide.

In terms of who Optimus Prime previously was, Alex Milne (or Eric Holmes) seem to favour the G1 cartoon, War Dawn, more than Dreamwave's War Within vol. 1, even though the plot and a vast majority of the Cybertronian modes originate from the latter series.

The third robot from the left has no mouth guard and looks more like Orion Pax in War Dawn than Optronix in War Within vol. 1. Personally, I'd prefer Orion Pax over Optronix and so I'm happy here.


Page 7, panel 5

***

The Autobot brothers
This is such a cool moment because I've always liked the Autobot brothers Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. The fact that they might have been gladiators themselves and that they could have started off as Decepticons would go a long way to explaining their proficiency at hand to hand combat and their rebellious attitude.

After all, Sideswipe's motto is 'I don't break rules, I bend them- a lot'.

After the panel below, Sunstreaker says 'C'mon, its me. I never lose', further alluding to his G1 motto- 'They can't beat the best'.


Page 12, panel 2

***

Grimlock and the Dynobots
Grimlock and his Dynobots answers Megatron's call-to-arms, echoing Starscream's assertion that Grimlock used to be a Decepticon (Issue #0, War Within vol. 1)

Page 12, panels 7 & 8

***

G1 design goodness
Blast-Off on the extreme left, with the 3 spots on his chest, bears an uncanny resemblance to his G1 Floro Dery designed self rather than any of the more recent styles.

... and, the guy on Razorclaw's right... is that Sunstorm by any chance?!?


Page 16, panel 2

***

Origin of the Decepticon insignia
Megatron, at this point, stills wears the insignia like a necklace but now hints that it should be worn as a symbol of their allegiance.

***

The Predacons
The Predacons appear again- Razorclaw, Rampage and Divebomb (that is if the 'What's in a name' story in Marvel UK has happened and he's already taken that name from Swoop).



***

That's a wrap for Issue #03 in terms of easter eggs, links with G1 and other little conclusions.

Next: Issue #04 easter eggs

***
Read all Megatron Origin chapters!
Chapter 01: The Mini Series
Chapter 02: Issue #02 easter eggs
Chapter 03: Issue #03 easter eggs
Chapter 04: Issue #04 easter eggs (part 1)
Chapter 05: Issue #04 easter eggs (part 2)
Chapter 06: Quotes from Megatron Origin

Bluestreak (part 01) - A (re) introduction

Bluestreak

'Bro, look at this. It's so nice.' I voiced in excitement as I was pointing out the Bluestreak box to my brother, 24 years ago.

The Bluestreak toy, after Sunstreaker, was one of the first Transformer toys I ever laid eyes on within physical proximity. It has a special place in my heart, but I never had him during childhood and that adds to the bitter-sweet relation I have with this 'bot. Bluestreak is so ingrained in my mind that he ranks within the top 10 'Transformers I really wanted as a kid... but were denied'.

Of course, I now have him, together with his oh-so-beautiful-box, and even his eHobby exclusive'black hood' edition. But that is besides the point.

Not only does Bluestreak have a special place in my heart, but I'd like to think that he has a very place in G1 as well...

Next: His special place

The Bluestreak boxart - one of the most beautiful pieces of G1 Transformer art.

Next: His special place in G1

***
Read all Bluestreak chapters!
Chapter 01: A (re) introduction
Chapter 02: His special place
Chapter 03: What's in a name?

The Big Move (part 04) - Epilogue

Previous chapter: Shelves zoom in!

So the displays were finally up.

So its all nice, all good, all excellent.

Or is it?

There I was relaxing, sitting, admiring the shelved Transformers and... I was dissatisfied. I found something is not right. Something is not right with this picture...

What's wrong with this?

I was turning my gaze from left to right and from right to left. Left to right is fine. Right to left is... not fine. At the top, I see Korean box Brave Maximus, Japanese box Brave Maximus, Grand Maximus, then Overlord. Overlord?!?

Not that I have anything against Overlord but that space to the left of Grand Maximus appears to be crying out for another 'Maximus'. Nay, it must be filled with another Maximus!

I now saw it this way. That grey area that must be filled.

I must fill it with another Maximus.

Yes, that's what I'll do. That will be my new quest- a Fortress Maximus!

Next: The New Quest (Deadpool, this chapter is dedicated to you!)

***
Read all The Big Move chapters:
Chapter 01: The Big Move
Chapter 02: Their New Home
Chapter 03: Shelves zoom in!
Chapter 04: Epilogue
Chapter 05: The New Quest

Megatron Origin- issue #02 easter eggs

Previous chapter: The Mini Series

Issue #02 was packed with easter eggs and G1 tribute moments. I attempt to record some of them here.

*Spoilers from this point forward*

Megatron versus Cy-Kill
What can I say? As mentioned here, this is a great moment. Megatron going against Cy-Kill for real and its not some obscure thing in the background like the damaged Cy-Kill in Dreamwave's Transformers Armada #16 (page14, panel 1).

Here, we see the future leader of the Decepticons go toe-to-toe with the leader of the Renegade Go-Bots. And Megatron kills him just as surely as Transformers killed the Go-Bot toyline. A metaphorical and literal victory of Transformers over the Go-Bots.

Megatron versus Cy-Kill in gladiatorial combat

***

The Audience
Here (from left to right), we see unknown (probably Go-Bot), Spinister, Sunstreaker, Slugslinger and, interestingly... a Transformer that appears to be Overlord.

Page 4, panel 5

From the comparison below, I am, myself, quite convinced that the guy on the extreme right is indeed Overlord. If that is correct, this would mark his first ever appearance in US continuity perhaps even foreshadowing his future role as the Decepticon Ambassador of Destruction- woohoo!

Left: Robot suspected of being Overlord. He has a distinctively similar headsculpt with the Overlord toy (right). He even has a 'cone' on his shoulder like the toy.
Right: Head close up of Overlord toy.

***

Terrocons and Predacons
The Terrorcons and Predacons were with Megatron from the beginning. This panel shows Hun-Grrr and Tantrum; Blot appears to be in the background as well.

The beginning of the Predacons' ascension as the Decepticons' elite cadre of hunters and crack strike team perhaps?

***

Scrounge
Look! It's Blaster's buddy from the G1 Marvel Transformers comics!

Left: A Scrounge looking robot scavenging for energon? (Page 14, panel 1)
Right: Scrounge from page 5, Marvel Transformers #17

***

An empty
This here (top picture) appears strikingly like an empty from the Dead End region of Polyhex- not just any empty, but the empty that supplied Blaster with the whereabouts of Scrounge! (bottom picture)

Top: An empty empty in the vicinity of Megatron's latest gladiatorial arean (Page 14, panel 3)
Bottom: Apparently the same empty from page 12, Marvel Transformers #17

***

Weapon enhancements
An offering of Decepticon weapon enhancements. Present, are Megatron's energon flail/ morningstar/ mace, Starscream's null ray, Shockwave's arm cannon and other assorted weapons that I don't exactly recognize.

For me, the highlight of this issue is definitely the Megatron- Cy Kill fight at the beginning- that in itself is worth the dollars and cents I shelled out for this issue.

That's a wrap for Issue #02 in terms of easter eggs, links with G1 and other little conclusions.

Next: Issue #03 easter eggs

***
Read all Megatron Origin chapters!
Chapter 01: The Mini Series
Chapter 02: Issue #02 easter eggs
Chapter 03: Issue #03 easter eggs
Chapter 04: Issue #04 easter eggs (part 1)
Chapter 05: Issue #04 easter eggs (part 2)
Chapter 06: Quotes from Megatron Origin