GENERIC: US ISSUE #1

 

The first picture of generic Transformers, from the first page, of the first issue. Cool. (Click to enlarge.)

 

Issue Title: 

The Transformers

 

Artist:  

Frank Springer

 

Synopsis:  

Megatron forms the Decepticons and starts a war on Cybertron. The greatest champions of the Autobots leave Cybertron to save the planet from an asteroid storm. The Decepticons attack, and both Decepticons and Autobots crash land on Earth. 4 million years later they revive, so that they can summarise their tech specs, and begin their war anew. 

 

Rant:  

Issue 1. This comic pretty much started it all for Transformers. Here is where it all began. (And no, More Than Meets the Eye wasn't where it all began. The comic came out shortly before the TV show.)

 

It was a raw start, in almost every respect. The art is incredibly rough and raw, and one gets the impression that the character models weren't finalised completely at this stage. (It's not until at LEAST issue 5 that the character models really start to stabilise, even then new characters like Shockwave and Jetfire go through some random changes as the issues go by.)

 

Generic Decepticons get refitted for war.But we're here to talk about the generics, right?

 

Surprisingly, the generic Transformers here are pretty good. Probably the best you'll see by a US artist until Derek Yaniger makes the scene. They certainly look more like Transformers than Delbo's poor efforts. More importantly; they fit in perfectly with the aesthetic of the other Transformers Springer is drawing. Admittedly, there are some problems with these robots. Not the least of these problems is the fact that they don't seem to have alt mode features unless they're copies of  existing Transformers. (They don't seem to have faction insignias, regardless of who they're copied from.)

 

These are the first generic Transformers ever. And some of them are very nice. Some of them, on the other hand, are absolute trash. But take a look and see what you think.

 

 

Gallery:

(Already on this page.)    The Decepticons head into their secret recruitment building. (Noting, of course, at this point the Autobots probably had no idea what the Decepticon insignia stood for.)  (Already on this page.) 

 

Some generic Decepticon jets. Note; from the very beginning the fact that all Transformers are different is established. At least in the comics. Cartoon generics tended to be either recolours of existing TFs, or recolours of basic generic designs. However in the comics, from issue one on, all TFs, even the Generics, are different.  A big image, with a tonne of text and a tonne of different generics. Just look and see what you think for yourself.  The Autobots face defeat.    Optimus Prime flanked by a bunch of generic Autobots. One of them looks suspiciously like Soundwave.

 

A couple of Generic Autobots, from behind, running away. One of them appears to be the same design as your basic Decepticon tape robot.  Some more generic fighters. Note that both Optimus Prime's cannon and Megatron's Fusion Cannon are standardised weapons for these warriors. EVERYONE's got an FC!  An Autobot elder telling their great hero and general, Optimus Prime, about a mission. Note all the thousands of Autobots which can just be seen in the background - and are gone in the next picture. The figure next to Prime appears to be a Bumblebee-coloured Bluestreak.  Another angle on the elder, and the emptiness behind him.  Generic Autobots blasting asteroids. Note what seems to be Ironhide's platform on the Ark!

 

Some generic Autobots.    The Ark comes under attack, shaking the Autobots up!  Generic Autobots and Decepticons battle.  More generic battle between Autobots and Decepticons.

 

 

 

 

 

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