Pre-Transformers

Back when Diaclone and Microchange was NEW, the creators of the series created, the mini catalogs. They apparently wanted to promote their toys so quickly that they used production art, instead of pictures of the actual toys. In the quest to complete my collection, some of my toys came with these catalogs, and as such showing some of these really interesting proto images. - switching to non fanatic mode - CHeck out the WEIRD picts of these TF's!Â

I've been thinking about buying one that's in a near mint box, stickers unapplied, and the toy looks pretty minty. Basically dead stock. But I'm not sure what's the going rate for one. I know they're expensive, but I'm not sure how expensive, and it seems like there hasn't been on on Ebay in a while. You guys have any idea how much one goes for? Thanks in advance!

If you thought the Decepticons were always the most out numbered army in most of the series and toy lines, think again. The original Diaclone line had tons and tons of machines on the side of good...and a few enemy forces in the Waruder Army. Though their numbers were many, there was not a lot given to us in the form of new molds. About all that is know of these creatures is from what we can see in the toy line and what was translated from the Diaclone series. The drivers for the Waruder fortunately were 3 different aliens. Solid metal bodies with colored plastic arms and legs, with the magnet block boots. These had 3 different heads, however are n…

I was looking at someone elses collections picts today, and saw the Japanese Shockwave box...you don't fully notice the differences until you put them side by side. The shockwave looks like a cross between the G1 US art and the Pre TF art. Its in the PRE pose sort of. And the fake Cassette man posting earlier I found the Japanese Soundwave art is the MM version, not the US version (at least as far as how he holds the gun). I don't think I have scans of all the Japanese G1 boxes in my archives. Anyone know of others out there? I'll make an even BIGGER art collection/comparrison page.

I got a little bored. I will be honest. So I went out and bought one...a new board. Making my shelves bigger to fit my G1 car collection on 1 (I hope) but its raining so I can't paint it. I was reading posts, and XJunky has been using the Diaclone Powered Convoy aka Ultra Magnus's art and I figured I'd tweek it a bit. I took the hand gun shown in the TF insctructions sketch of this very same artwork, and placed it in his empty hands. Just having some fun.

I just posted on my custom Blue Diaclone Hoist. It is mostly original, used a blue Trailbreaker and intended to have a repro head made in blue and use that. Even had a more yellow tow truck hitch cap, but Ken got ill and TransRepro went down before I could even send the doner parts. At any rate, I posted all about the project in the Custom section. BUT I wanted to mention or show the SPRING difference in Diaclone VS TF. AS you can see below in the pict, the spring is nearly twice as long in the original version as in the TF. The clip I believe is pretty much the same, its all in the spring action. It was really a simple swap, well it would h…

Origin of the BOPPER MISSILE. In the early age action figures new details were given to developing toys. No more were they solid pieces of tin or plastic but intricate and detailed toys, with more and more accessories and gimmicks. And as such many new FUN choking hazards for kids all over the world. Starting in one of the first, small scale action figure lines, the Micronauts (or Microman) we began to see spring loaded missile launchers on various toys and their accessories. And with that, more things for little kids to put in their mouths and choke on or swallow. Fearing law suits and innocent deaths, the toy industry went on a severe clamp down on a…

In my review of the Japanese art vs the US, I have found a few differences, based on my limited review. First off, Optimus Prime. Not only does he go by a different name in Japan, but the box art is totally different. Looks like similar pose, different artwork. See for your self below. Next on the list is Shockwave. I believe in the US quest to have all the boexs matching (window on the left, and art on the right) they flipped or altered picts so that the robot was facing in towards the left. Shockwave here was flipped like this, and its a flaw since his gun arm should be his left, reverse the image and its his right. The Japanese art is correct hav…

Here's a look at most of the rest of the G1 line. I omitted items such as the power dashers and the omnibots because they did not come with art, not till later at least and that was borrowed from the diaclone line, either model kits for the dashers or box art for omni. Here are some other differences I didn't remember. Megatron holds his gun at a different angle. Soundwave also holds his gun at a different angle (and doesn't have Cassetteman written on his chest as in the micro change versions) Starscream is reversed. Thundercracker is also reversed. Topspin is reversed (and different colored) Twintwist is different colored. Bombshell reversed (differen…

There does not appear to be any rhyme nor reason for what they did with the TF instructions. The first series appears to be all re-used TF art for the covers, back when they were all nice and color photo's of the transformation (with the classic Bluestreak card used at the end to explain tech specs). But series 2 and up used sketch work. Some appear to be sketched copies of the Pre-TF box art, and some are TF art, others are sketches of the toys them selves... There is no pattern to the art, a couple surprises along the way as well. Differences I have noticed so far: Ultramagnus used Diaclone art, reversed image Kickback (reversed) Shrapnel Diaclon…