Transformers: Generation 1
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- This article is about the first Transformers series. For the toy line in general, see Transformers (toy line).
The Transformers is the original Transformers toy line that was produced from 1984 to 1991. It is sometimes titled "Transformers", the word "the" is omitted. The series was simply called The Transformers until the relaunch in 1992 was titled Transformers: Generation 2. Fans applied the name Generation 1 (later made official by Hasbro) as a method of separating the different Transformers eras.
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[edit] Overview
The line was born when Hasbro representatives went to the 1983 Tokyo Toy Show in search of prospective toys that they could import to the United States market. At the time, Takara was showcasing several transforming robots toy lines, most particular the Diaclone and Micro Change series. Hasbro bought the rights to produce the toys. Rather than confuse the market with several series with the same theme, it was decided that the toys will all be released under a single brand: Transformers.
Hasbro was enjoying a healthy relationship with Marvel Comics after the success of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. Marvel was approached once again with providing a backstory for the new toy line which was developed by Jim Shooter and Dennis O'Neil. Bob Budiansky was brought in to create names and profiles for the characters.
When the toy line was released, it was supported by a comic book series from Marvel, an animated series and a gamut of other merchandising tie-ins. The crowning glory to its achievement was a 1986 feature film even though it performed disappointingly.
The series would go on to produce more than 400 figures. It goes on to become one of the most memorable icons of 1980s pop culture. Even though the line ended in 1991, it still continues to pull on the heartstrings of dedicated fans. So dedicated were they,that the first BotCon Transformers convention was started in 1994 and is now an annual event ever since. In the 2000 wizardworld.com vote-out battle for the best toy line series ever, The Transformers was runner-up to Masters of the Universe, beating even G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and Star Wars, both series had equally if not more rabid fans.
[edit] Premise
The setup for Transformers borrows from G.I. Joe in that there are clearly two distinct factions, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons. Both sides are a race called Transformers, robots that can change into vehicles, mechanical devices and even animal forms. They waged war for eons on their home planet of Cybertron. Then, 4 million years ago, a group from each side crash-landed on a prehistoric Earth and reawakened in the present day to do battle once more.
The series started out with that premise, but as it went on, the storylines in all three media (toys, TV series and comics) became more cosmic in scale. More stories began to be set in outer space and alien worlds, especially after the feature film spin-off Transformers: The Movie.
Two characters, each the greatest leader of his side, became the most iconic representatives of the series: Optimus Prime of the Autobots and Megatron of the Decepticons. However, they are not constant, as a new lead character would replace them in their roles. Still, these two continued to appear in one form or another in subsequent Transformers series, where they maintain their leadership roles.
[edit] Line history
[edit] 1984 to 1985
The 1984-85 lines are, arguably, the most memorable and popular editions to come out of the Generation 1 series. All the classic characters and ideas are introduced here. The two years actually comprise one single run, story-wise and thematically. This is most evident in the first and second seasons of the animated series.
The toys made use of molds and designs primarily from the Microman and Diaclone lines. Others were used from Dorvack and Beetras toys. 1985 introduced the idea of special subgroup teams like the Dinobots, Constructicons and Insecticons. Toward the end of the animated series’ second season, several characters from the 1986 line are introduced, particularly the Combiner teams.
[edit] 1986
The year of 1986 saw the last of the Microman and Diaclone molds used and Hasbro began using original designs for many characters. This was a banner year for the toy line as the tie-in movie, The Transformers: The Movie, was finally released. While the movie was not the blockbuster as it was hoped, it marked a change in the direction the series in general was taking.
For starters, new characters Rodimus Prime and Galvatron replaced Optimus Prime and Megatron in their respective roles. Subgroup teams became prevalent with Combiner teams being the most popular. The number of new characters increased from this year on. The TV series follows the movie and is now set in the future while the comics’ storyline continue to be set in the present.
[edit] 1987
As Transformers went on, new characters needed new gimmicks to stand out. The number of Combiner teams have been reduced, the Headmasters and Targetmasters are introduced. Fortress Maximus and Scorponok become leaders of the Autobot and Decepticon forces respectively. The animated series had one more season but only three episodes were produced, leaving only the comics to support the toy line.
[edit] 1988
Transformers continue on despite smaller support and still manage to introduce a plethora of new characters. New Headmaster and Targetmaster characters are introduced but the new driving force for the line are the Pretenders and Powermasters. Optimus Prime makes a return as he becomes a Powermaster.
[edit] 1989
The toy line receives a new logo design for its sixth year. The subgrouping idea is changed as characters are now down to Pretender and Micromaster groups. These two groups are further subdivided into thematic teams. A few classic characters are revamped as Pretenders.
[edit] 1990
In its final year, Transformers last burst was with a more expanded Micromaster line and the introduction of the Action Masters. More classic characters were included as Action Masters, including Optimus Prime and the return of Megatron.
[edit] Overseas market
Of the countries Transformers was imported to, Japan and the UK are the only ones to make some interesting twists to the toy line. Although the popularity of Transformers has waned in these two countries as well, they still managed to make some output in the interim between 1990 and 1992, before the launch of the next series, Transformers: Generation 2.
The UK releases followed closely the American releases and storylines. It was until 1991 when the UK line went in its own direction. Though there were only a few characters introduced, they were toys that none of the US audience had ever seen. Some of the 1991 and 1992 toys did manage to find their way to Asian and Australian stores. 1991 line did away with the Micromasters but had additional Action Master characters. They were followed in 1992 by the Autobot Turbo Masters and the Decepticon Predators. To supplement the minimal releases, several classic characters from 1984 and 1985 line were re-released.
In Japan, it was Takara, the toy company that Transformers originated from, that had the rights to distribute Transformers in their country. Unlike Hasbro UK, Takara had more autonomy in regards to their releases and storyline that were running concurrent with the American line. For example, several characters appeared that were only exclusive to the Japanese market and Toei Animation continued the animated series with their own storylines. Come 1989, Takara departed from the lineup of characters that Hasbro released that year, choosing instead with an even more different set of characters. 1990, the Micromaster concept was embraced wholeheartedly as majority of the toys that year and the next were of that nature.
[edit] Animated series
- See main article The Transformers (TV series).
The animated series was produced by Sunbow Productions and is one of the most memorable shows of the 1980s.
[edit] Comics
Three publishers had or has the license to produce comic books based on the Transformers. Marvel Comics held the license during the original run of the toy line. Marvel's UK branch also published their own Transformers stories. Dreamwave Productions revived Transformers comics in 2002 but went bankrupt in 2005, forcing a cessation. IDW Publishing picked up the rights soon after.
Some controversy surround the fact that each publisher to pick up the comics rights all chose to go with their own continuity than continue the hanging storylines from the previous publisher. As the comics regularly features characters dying, thus far, this is the only way to get around regarding use of characters and issues regarding their place in continuity. Also, the series by Marvel UK used the stories from the US but as the series run weekly, additional stories had to be made to act as supplement. These UK only stories often worked in and around the US stories, offering a different experience.
As such, there are four comics continuities based on the Generation 1 characters:
- Marvel Comics US continuity (1984 to 1991)
- Marvel Comics UK continuity (1984 to 1991)
- Dreamwave comics continuity (2002-2005)
- IDW comics continuity (2006 onwards)
[edit] Legacy
The Transformers continue to hold a place in the hearts of its fans. All succeeding Transformers toy series continue to be based on this series and continue to borrow ideas from it. Most Transformers comics published are based on the Generation 1 characters. DVDs of the animated series are sought after. Transformers: The Movie celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2006 with an all new DVD edition.
