Category Archives: Fan Interviews & Art

Interviews with Trev & Transformer Fans alike, along with a nice dose of Fan Art sent in to tickle your artistic sensibilities.

Fan Interviews & Art, Transformatorium

Transformer Fan Interview – Chris

Leave a comment

Welcome to the latest in a series of interviews with Aussie Transformer Fans.  Last time we talked to Michael, an absolutely brilliant customizer!  Today we talk to someone who has also had a crack at the customization game – as well in his spare time brushing up on his Metallikato skills – today we talk to Chris.

Name or what friends call you?

Christopher Turner.

 

State you live in?

Queensland.

 

Your age?

33.

 

How did you hear about www.bigangrytrev.com?

Transformers Collectors Club Australia.

 

Transformers Allegiance, if you had one?

Decepticons.

 

Your Techspec motto if you had one?

“Do not scorn the weak cub. It may grow to become the brutal Tiger.”

 

What existing, official Transformers character best describes you?

Bludgeon. He’s a Decepticon warlord bound by a strict code of honour.

 

Which special ability of any Transformers character would you want to have for yourself?

Bludgeon’s mastery of Metallikato. His supernatural skill with the blade makes him a match for even the most powerful Transformers.

 

How would you rate yourself on a C scale, C10 being MISB Mint perfection to the lowest C1 ‘junker not worth it even for parts’?

C7 – Out of the box but in good nick.

 

Fan/Collector since (year)?

I’d like to say 1984, but that was the year I was born so my interest didn’t truly develop until about ’86-’87.

 

What drew you to Transformers, making you become a fan/collector?

I used to watch the G1 cartoon and I was always drawn to the Decepticons. I always thought characters like Soundwave and Starscream were so cool. I also had a lot of hand-me-down G1 toys that belonged to my older brother and my Uncle.

 

Do you think you will collect Transformers until you die?

Without a shadow of a doubt!

 

Were your family/parents supportive of collecting toys or did you have to hide your passion from them and friends?

No one among my family or friends really shared my passion for Transformers but I never hid it nor was I ashamed of it. I have made friends in the TCCA now so I have a lot of fellow collectors in my life. My fiancè is very supportive of my hobby. She’s bought me several Transformers as gifts and lets me display my collection in our living room. My stepmother once remarked that our house looks like a “museum for Transformers”.

 

Have you attended any fan-meets, Fairs, Conventions?

I was lucky enough to meet Peter Cullen at Supanova a few years ago. He’s a really great guy and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I hope to meet Frank Welker one day so my life can be truly complete. As the current QLD Rep for the TCCA I have hosted a couple of meet-ups for local members.

 

Any creative endeavours with Transformers (drawing, writing, customising, etc)?

I recently collaborated with the very talented John Ryan to customize a G2 coloured FoC Bruticus. Our next joint project is going to be a Decepticon throne.

 

Favourite series/era/year, and why?

I will always have a soft spot for G1 but I actually like most TF series out there, including the obscure Japanese ones. And yes, I even like the Bay movies and the Machinima cartoons. Transformers Prime is probably my favourite of the most recent series.

 

Least favourite series/era/year, and why?

I could never get into Transformers Animated. The childish humour, simplistic style, and general “wackyness” didn’t appeal to me.

 

Collect any comics (which ones)?

I have a fair few of the Marvel G1 comics, and a couple of IDW releases.

 

Favourite Comic issue/story, and why?

It’s a three way tie between Dreamwave’s War Within: Dark Ages (still the best version of The Fallen to date), IDW’s All Hail Megatron (a fantastic re-telling of G1’s origins), and IDW’s Stormbringer (Bludgeon and Thunderwing… ’nuff said).

 

Favourite Cartoon episode/story, and why?

Does the G1 movie count? I love everything about that story.

 

Favourite Board/Video game?

War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron were amazing games. Best Transformers games of all time in my opinion.

 

Favourite Character, and why?

Bludgeon. He’s a skeleton samurai that turns into a tank. I don’t know what else you need to make him any more badass. Though he’s never appeared on screen, in the Marvel, Dreamwave, and IDW comics he’s an absolute beast. Has to be one of the greatest villains in Transformers history.

 

Sexiest Transformers (robot) Character?

I don’t really get how some people can find robots sexy. I guess I like Airachnid in the sense that the woman who voices her in Transformers Prime (Gina Torres) is really hot.

 

Which Transformers character would you want to exist for real?

Optimus Prime. I’d like to say a Decepticon but let’s face it, the reality is an actual ‘con would probably just kill me.

 

Approx TFs toy collection count (or give a range like 200s, 300s, etc)?

Around 200 or so.

 

Sealed collector or out-of-packaging collector?

Out of box all the way. I like to display my bots.

 

How much do you think you’ve spent on your collecting habit?

It has to be in the thousands.

 

Any rare/expensive figures in your collection?

I have quite a few but the ones that spring to mind are my TFCC Barricade, Titans Return Trypticon, Universe Unicron, most of my Unicronian figures (Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge etc) are Takara Henkei, CW Devastator, Jinbao OS Predaking and Bruticus, Micron Arms Galvatron… that’s the tip of the iceberg.

 

 

What interesting Licensed Merchandise items do you have?

I have the Takara Soundwave that transforms into a fully-functional Mp3 player. I also have a G1 print signed by Peter Cullen.

 

First Transformers toy?

G1 Duocon Battletrap.

 

One toy you most want?

At the moment I’m keen to get my hands on Power of the Primes Rodimus Unicronus.

 

The centrepiece/favourite toy in your collection at the moment (and why)?

It’s a tie between my MMC Kultur (3P Tarn) and my DNA Susanoo (3P Bludgeon). Both fantastic Decepticon figures that look amazing on display.

 

Favourite toy in your early years of collecting (if it was more than 10 years ago)?

Probably G1 Soundwave + tapes.

 

Worst toy(s) ever in your opinion?

Probably the little crab dude from RID. What even is that? What were you thinking Hasbro?

 

Toy(s) that were most disappointing when you got them?

I hated CW Menasor. Sold him pretty quick. His individual bots were quite nice but in Combiner form he was a dumpster fire. No amount of upgrade kits could make that eyesore look good.

 

Thoughts on gimmick and non-convertable Transformers toys?

I think certain gimmicks really detract from toys. Sometimes they go to so much trouble to get a figure to launch a projectile or do something flashy that it just ends up ruining it.

 

Thoughts on unlicensed fan-project figures/accessories?

It’s great to have those options as a collector. Especially when official avenues leave gaps in the market. The fact they exist at all is proof of a thriving hobby.

 

Thoughts on the Transformers Brand over the last five years?

I think Hasbro needs to pick a direction and stick with it. They seem to change their minds so rapidly about where they want to take the franchise. Constant cancellations and re-boots are antagonizing the fanbase. On a positive note, I think Titans Return has been the best line yet for CHUG collectors.

 

Which single TFs toy should every fan own?

Any of the CHUG Deluxe Seekers. HasTak nailed it with that mold.

 

Which Transformers toy/product would you give as a wedding present?

Maybe some Decepticon cufflinks.

 

 

Got any extra questions for Chris?  Pop them in the comments section below and I’m sure he will do his best to answer them.

 

Related Articles:

TF Fan Interview: Raymo

TF Fan Interview: Lisamaree

 

Fan Interviews & Art, Games & Competitions, Transformatorium

Transformer Fan Interview – ‘I wanna be like Mike!’

4 Comments

Last time we talked to Con, a fan up in the far north of Australia.  This time we head back down south to talk to Michael, one of the true Kings of Customization in Australia and a helluva nice guy a few years ago I got the pleasure of meeting!

Oh, and don’t forget to check at the bottom of this post for your chance to be a future interviewee on www.bigangrytrev.com!

 

Real name or what friends call you? 
Michael. Mick to my family (literally only blood relatives call me this).

State you live in? 
Victoria

Your occupation? 
I’m a community nurse, that is, I deliver nursing care to people in their homes.

Your dream job? 
Writer.

Your age?
41, or as I like to think of it, old enough to know better.

Single/married/kids?
Married, 2 teenage step-kids, 2 boys of my own, 3 & 5 years old.

Any websites/blogs/picture/social sites? 
My customising work is at Facebook.com/MsToyCustoms. Twitter @michaelfouche. Working on a Twitter and Instagram profile for my customs work. I had a writing blog (a considerable body of work to which I have not added for some time) at michaelfouche.blogspot.com.au. It was/is little more than an exercise in writing and not much use to anyone, to be honest. There’s a couple of TF based pieces in there if you want to dig a bit. I keep promising myself and my editor that I’ll write more, but it hasn’t happened yet.

What other (non-toy) interests do you have? 
I love writing and I’m a (very amateur) singer and musician. I used to love illustration, too, but haven’t adequate skill to pursue it as fervently or productively as I would like. Dyed-in-the-wool Western Bulldogs (AFL) supporter*. Obsessively follow politics, which intrigues and disgusts me in equal measure. I enjoy cooking but my fussy family means I don’t get to stretch those muscles nearly as much as I’d like.
*All TF fans should be Essendon supporters – our mascot is a Bomber Jet!

What type of music/movies/TV/books do you enjoy? 
I’m a huge music fan, pretty eclectic tastes. I have all my most favourite music on my phone – about 3,300 songs. I love to read but struggle to find time. Got 3 books going (on and off) at the moment. I devour podcasts, if I’m doing anything like housework or gardening or driving I usually have one on. Love movies, all kinds, my favourite being The Incredibles. I have little time or patience for most TV, but my favourite show of all time that I could watch over and over and over again would be The West Wing.

Do you collect anything besides Transformers? 
TFs are definitely my first love, but a part of my heart belongs to Masters of the Universe and Lego.

 

How would you rate yourself on a C scale? With C1 being ‘Junker not worth it even for parts’ to C10 being ‘Perfection’. 
C6? Could do with a pretty good reno, but there’s bits that will never ever be mint. An argument could be made for flawed straight off the factory floor due to poor QC.

How would you rate how sexually attracted you are to Trev? With 1 being ‘Very’ to 10 being ‘I make my wife dress up in a Trev costume whenever we make love’.
Are you kidding? I met my wife after she won first prize in a Trev look-alike competition*. Where else would one go to find a suitable partner? Can you think of somewhere better? Well? Go on. I’ll wait.
*I was in that competition – I came fourth 

Transformers Allegiance, if you had one? 
Autobot

Your Techspec motto if you had one?
The one listed in my high school yearbook remains apt: “What are we talking about again?”. I’m perpetually distracted.

Which special ability of any Transformers character would you want to have for yourself?
Skywarp’s teleportation. There’s no ability that tops it, not even close.

Fan/Collector since (year)? 
I collected as a boy, ’84 & ’85 mostly, then lost interest as a teen and gave all my (beautifully kept) TF collection to a younger step-brother who destroyed them (the snotty little brat that he was!). I’ve regretted that desperately ever since. Recommenced collecting in 2007, at the onset of the Bay films.

What drew you to Transformers, making you become a fan/collector? Back in the day, I was the perfect age at the birth of the brand – about 7-8 years old. I used to watch the G1 cartoon from the very first episode on The Early Bird Show with Marty Monster.
More recently, around ’07, my wife bought me one – a Movieverse voyager Ironhide. I bought my second one, she bought the 3rd, and we were off to the races.

Do you think you will collect Transformers until you die?
I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately and don’t have an answer. It’s certainly possible I’ll reach a stop point, but I haven’t got there yet. To me, toys are about joy. Who wants to stop having joy?

Were your family/parents supportive of collecting toys or did you have to hide your passion from them and friends? 
Not really an issue, although my wife has facetiously asked me on a couple of occasions “Haven’t you got them all yet?”. She also reminds me that I really am out of space to display my collection, and I have more space than many do.

Have you attended any fan-meets, Fairs, Conventions? 
Mostly local fan meets, most of them Ozformers ones, a few TCCA ones. They are always a joy.

Any creative endeavours with Transformers (drawing, writing, customising, etc)?
No. Nope. Nada. Never. Wouldn’t dream of it. Why do you ask? Ridiculous notion…

…Actually, come to think of it, it’s suddenly coming to me, I do rather enjoy customising Transformers*
*To understand the depth of this smart-arseary, check out the pics in the Questions from other fans section

Favourite series/era/year, and why?
G1 (for the nostalgic reasons above) but I absolutely do not begrudge fans of any other era. If things (brands like Transformers) don’t evolve and open themselves up for reinterpretation, they die. Simple. Not all of it is my cup of tea, but I’d rather it exists for the enjoyment of others so that the brand lives on.

Least favourite series/era/year, and why?
I’m pretty cold for The Unicron Trilogy. I’m really ambivalent towards the Bay-verse stuff, because I feel it is deliberately disrespectful at its core (in so many ways, but not in the sense of “Michael Bay raped my childhood!”, which is utter nonsense). On the other hand, it is also responsible for reigniting my passion for all things TFs. My biggest TF confession is that I’ve never seen a single episode of Beast Wars* (even though I believe many people who say it’s some of the best TF fiction ever). One day.
*There is a monkey that talks and a wasp that explodes a lot – that’s the main jist of it.

Collect any comics (which ones)?
I have a bunch of the newer IDW stuff that I got cheap via a Humble Bundle, but haven’t had the time to read it yet. I own a few thousand comic books (mostly Marvel circa 1990-2005 or thereabouts) in a cupboard. I still collect and read Kurt Busiek’s Astro City via TPBs.

Favourite Comic issue/story, and why?
Target 2006, from the old UK Transformer comics (also foolishly disposed of when I was younger. I swear if I met a younger version of me I’d fully smack some sense into myself). It seemed like the *perfect* sequel to the ’86 animated movie, all edge-of-your-seat excitement.

Favourite Cartoon episode/story, and why?
The animated ’86 movie was more or less a feature length episode of the G1 cartoon, so I’ll say that one. Still the best TF movie ever!

Favourite Character, and why?
I always had an affinity for G1 Hound. Gentle, softly spoken, but unlike most of the Autobots of his time, he’s a military vehicle (as opposed to a sports car of a truck or a sedan or something). There’s an interesting dichotomy there. Also love the Protectobots.

Approx TFs toy collection count (or give a range like 200s, 300s, etc)?
Around 350.

Sealed collector or out-of-packaging collector?
Out-of-package.

How much do you think you’ve spent on your collecting habit?
I try not to. I am lucky in that due to my customising and commissions work, I have earned enough to effectively pay for my collecting for the last 2 years. No impact on the family budget means the good lady wife is (relatively) happy.

Any rare/expensive figures in your collection?
Not really. Not that kind of collector I guess.

First Transformers toy? 
Can’t fully remember. I think it might have a G1 minibot, Brawn springs to mind.

One toy you most want? 
At the moment, it’s an MP11ND Dirge. Ordered from PC (so yeah, flying pigs anyone?), and now it’s at a price that I can’t justify spending on what is basically the 328th repaint/remould of MP11.

The centrepiece/favourite toy in your collection at the moment (and why)?
MP10 will be exceeding difficult to surpass in my eyes. It’s so damned beautiful a toy.

Favourite toy in your early years of collecting (if it was more than 10 years ago)? 
G1 Defensor (because I hunted for him over several weeks and got him piece at a time) or G1 Hound (for reasons above).

Worst toy(s) ever in your opinion?
DOTM HA Thunderhead. Not only an idiotic toy, but my hatred of it also comes from a sense of self-loathing in that I also bought the recolour of it in Crosshairs, during a fit of anal-retentive completionism.

Toy that was most disappointing when you got them?
A recent disappointment of staggering proportions was POTP Starscream. The robot mode is insanely out of proportion, the jet mode doesn’t tab together at all neatly, his stickers are bad quality and uniformly poorly applied, and worst of all, I can’t get the SS head to fold away in torso mode (so it looks like he’s giving birth to himself… eeeeewwwwww). Feels like a first draft that was accidentally released before it was ready for public consumption.

Thoughts on gimmick and non-convertable Transformers toys?
Mildly worthwhile, if only as cute curios. But they have to be charming to work.

Thoughts on unlicensed fan-project figures/accessories?
Cautiously accepting, in limited circumstances. That’s probably a much longer discussion than what there is time or space for here. I am a huge fan, and I mean massive, of Reprolabels (via Toyhax.com) as enhancements to toys in my collection.

Thoughts on the Transformers Brand over the last five years? 
If you’d told me 6 years ago we’d have this many modern Headmasters (ahem, sorry, Titan Masters) toys, Trypticon, Fort Max, so many extraordinary G1-inspired Masterpiece toys, I’d say you were dreaming. We are so damned lucky, spoiled for choice really. The Bay-verse is limping to an inevitable death, which was somewhat predictable, but going out with a bang toy-wise, with the Studio series. Overall, I’m optimistic that the brand is in good shape.

Which single TFs toy should every fan own?
MP10 Optimus Prime. Easy choice.

 

QUESTIONS FROM FELLOW FANS:
Big Angry Trev: I really enjoyed going to see TF4 in Gold Class with you a few years ago. It has been announced that the current Movieverse will end with this year’s Bumblebee movie and there will be a reboot in a few year’s time. What would you like to see in the reboot to make it something that truly does the Transformers justice?

That meet was a highlight for me too! It was the first time I went to see a Transformers film with a passionate TF fan*
*And one that looks like your wife apparently

I don’t think it needs to slavishly adhere to any previous versions of the fiction (as I said before, re-imagining and re-interpretation keeps the brand fresh, and every iteration is someone’s first). Having said that, the single biggest factor that first exploded TFs as a brand and secured it’s place in popular culture, in my view, was the introduction of individualistic personalities, characteristics, and abilities for each character. It elevated them from mere toys with a gimmick to something far more weighty, that really captures the imagination. Spectacle is an absolute necessity, but without character and story, the spectacle is empty and can only be maintained for a limited time – and I would argue that Michael Bay has stretched the public’s patience with respect to the movies as long as is possible, possibly to the next movie’s detriment (the Bumblebee stand alone and even beyond).

Focus on giving us an amazing and gripping story, filled with intriguing characters (robot characters for the love of Pete!) that we can care about and let the spectacle take care of itself.

 

Dallas: You are clearly very good at customising. I would consider myself a dabbler at best. I’ve done 2 of the Botcon Custom classes, and I’ve got to say they don’t come close to the level of complexity you constantly apply. 

Therein lies a tale. I feel like I’m asking for even more indulgence than I’ve already been given thus far in this interview, but here it is:

I started dabbling, and my first efforts were utterly abysmal because I essentially had little clue what I was doing. The first complete TF figure I did was a ROTF Brawn (see attached pic). I went out and bought another afterwards and did it again, so I could correct mistakes I made the first time, which were plentiful. The thing that kept me going was curiousity, a desire to improve and a bone-headed willingness to royally screw things up in order to get better. There’s a writer’s saying that you need to write out a million bad words before you get to any of the good ones. Put differently, you have to wade through a river of excrement (of bad customs) in order to get to clean waters (of good customs). With TF customs, I’ve been prepared to make ten year’s worth of mistakes in order to get at a level I’m almost happy with. That takes a tremendous amount of time, effort, frustrations and money.

Man alive, that really sounds really self important. Sorry.

Have you done one of the Botcon classes, if so were you disappointed?

I’ve never done a Botcon customising class, but I did enrol in a series of online customising classes by a famous and extremely talented customiser. After the first one I had learned all I was going to learn from that individual, but I enrolled in another 6 of his classes in order to make a combining Defensor (this was before Combiner Wars). He did the first few classes but then essentially lost interest in completing the others. He strung everyone (including me) along with false promises until it was too late to be able to initiate chargebacks and has disappeared from the TF customising scene owing me and a heap of other participants hundreds of dollars each. His name is mud now, and rightly so. Screw that guy.

I did get some early advice from a friend that was into Warhammer and the like, but other than that it was online tutorials and YouTube videos (of which there is a metric crap-tonne). One of the best places I found in the early days as a learning resource was http://h<a href=”http://www.jinsaoto…ustoys.com</a> (provided you are happy checking out that content despite that particular creator’s past controversies…). From there, the best teacher I had was experience, doing and failing, doing and failing, again and again, with a little less failing each time.

 

Trent: As a customiser, what sort of things tickle your interest? You seem to have enjoyed the custom you completed for me a few years ago and have expressed interest in my next one but there would no doubt be concepts that you aren’t keen on based on either the design or the work involved.

Simply put, I am intrigued by anything that pushes me creatively. Each and every custom HAS TO be better than the last one. HAS TO. Another confession: the last 2 commissions I’ve accepted and completed required me to perform techniques and skills I did not yet possess at the time of the request. Some stupid bravado there, perhaps, but fortune favours the brave (or the stupid, you decide) and now I have new skills I can employ next time. If I stagnate, I’ll look for something else to put my hand to.

There are some requests I get that I am not particularly keen on, but one can always say no. I’ve not traditionally been good at that, but I’m learning. I can find benefit and interest in every project regardless of my feelings about its value, and there isn’t a project I’ve done that I haven’t enjoyed to a degree. The love of customising is in the doing, not the end product. Not to say that that the final result isn’t important, but it’s not the be all and end all, for me anyway.

(And just quietly, I’m looking forward to your next project as I don’t quite yet know how I’m going to make it special. But it will be special.)

What’s your all time favourite custom that you’ve completed and why?

I’d have to say the Metrotitan custom (from a Generations Metroplex). That was tough and long and it changed tracks on me a couple of times before ending up as it did. I think the length of time it took to complete was the thing that has made it stand out for me. I was supremely pleased when it ended up in the hands of an Aussie collector.

If the question had been “what is your favourite custom work”, the answer is always “the next one”. It sounds trite, but I swear it’s true.

 

Raf: As a parent, would you like your children to follow your passion for transformers? And as a follow up, how did you start breaking them in so to speak?

While I would love my kids to carry on my passion for TFs, I am learning from older, wiser and more experienced parents to find a way into their hearts by loving the things they love rather than trying to make them love what I love. They do often like to come into my man-child cave and play with my toys though. A good many of these answers were typed with my three-year-old on my lap playing with “my” stuff, asking me about my Minicon deskbots and swapping the hair between Lego Mr Incredible and Lego Marty McFly. He told me later that it was the best part of his day. It may well have been mine too.

The boys do, from time to time, like to play with my TFs – I have a small collection of deluxe figures (mostly from the recent RID line) that I keep especially for such purposes so they’ll leave my more expensive or precious ones alone, but they are usually pretty gentle with them anyway. I have also bought them a few TFs from time to time, like from the Rescuebots line (awesome cartoon by the way! Especially good to watch with the little ones).

 

The Gambler: Do you have other creative endeavors outside of customising Transformers?

I really feel an innate need to be creative and have a constant creative outlet, like a shark that sinks if it stops swimming. I enjoy music, illustration (but not for a while now), customising other toy lines (such as MOTU – I have a killer MOTU idea that uses the Shattered Glass concept from TFs but haven’t had the time to really get stuck into it as deeply as I would like). And of course writing, although again I haven’t written as much as I have answering these questions for some time. I suspect writing will be my ongoing creative outlet of choice one day.

 

Raymo: I think some of your creations are amazing, the crossover He-Man Prime Transformers was such a great concept and well executed, has someone ever come up with a concept and your first thought is….are you high? Or do you think nope I’m gonna have a crack and give it time?

Not really. Occasionally, a commissioner might make creative decisions I may not be in total agreement with, but in the end, the figure is going to sit in their collection, so they get the ultimate say. Sometimes, I get a really cool idea and float it with them, and rarely do commissioners say no if the idea is good enough.

Sometimes people see something I’ve done and ask “can I get you to do one of those for me?”. It’s not out of the question (I have made multiples of things before) but usually I want to move on to something new, not just rehash the same old stuff, even though I’m reasonably confident I can always do the second one better than the first.

The He-Man idea (and the figures involved) were such a no-brainer for me, I’m stunned nobody thought of the idea sooner (that I am aware of).

Speaking of, do you want to see more He-Man/TF crossovers? I have all the base figures for series 2 and 3… (16 more characters planned).

Which leads me to my next question, do you get complete timewasters in the custom world?

Most people I have encountered make an enquiry and when I respond they either say thanks but no thanks (ie the quoted price might be too high for them) or I don’t hear back. Time wasters haven’t been a big issue for me. There was this one guy (not anyone associated with this forum) who, every 6 months or so, says he’s desperate for me to do a particular project for him. Each time I’ve said yes, he stops communicating and it doesn’t happen. Then, after a little while, he comes back with the same request. We’ve been at this particular tennis match about 3 or 4 years now.

Lastly, when are you going to clean up your house?
Fair question. For those following at home, I have 2 kids under 5 and my house can be appropriately described as “lived in”. My youngest is 3, so I expect the house to be tidy around January.

January 2035.

I am reliably informed (like, I’m sure it was on the internet somewhere) that brainy people have messy desks. That’s truth man. 

 

Kevin: If someone were to create a movie about your life, what would it be about and who will be playing the lead characters?

I’m not very sporty and have a distinct lack of co-ordination. There’s even a way of falling over my mates have named after me (“The Fouché Flop”, trademark, copyright). Put that together with the fact that I have a good face for radio, and I can’t think of anyone better to portray me than a Mr. Bean-era Rowan Atkinson. Safe to say it would be a comedy of errors involving misunderstandings, tomfoolery and pratfalls.

 

Got any other questions for Michael?  Pop them in the comments section below and I’m sure he will do his best to answer them!

 

COMPETITION TIME!

All the answers to the crossword below can be found in the interview above.  Be the first to put the answers in the comments section and it will be YOU appearing in a future fan interview!

Across
1. A Transformers Custom
2. What his family calls him
3. A beloved 80’s cartoon

Down
1. His first name
2. A MOTU Custom
3. Claims to be an amateur

 

Related Articles:

Fan Interview: Lisamaree

Fan Interview: JP Martin

Fan Interviews & Art, Transformatorium

Transformer Fan Interview – Con

1 Comment

Welcome to the next in a series of interviews with different Aussie Transformer fans.  Last time we chatted to JP, a younger fan from Victoria.  Now we are heading right to the other end of the country; right up to the tippy-top of the continent to talk to Con – showing collectors are spread all over this wide brown land!

Name or what friends call you?

Con Kosta Iliou

 

Where do you live?

Darwin N.T.

 

Your age?

34

 

How did you hear about www.bigangrytrev.com?

I heard about Big Angry Trev from Transformers Collecters Club Australia.

 

Transformers Allegiance, if you had one?

DeceptiCONS

 

Your Techspec motto if you had one?

‘Justice is a idea not a moral’ or ‘…..YEAHHH!!!’

 

What existing, official Transformers character best describes you?

Blitzwing from G1, he is a warrior but when times comes for doing the right thing he see past his leaders beliefs and ultimately does the right thing.

 

Which special ability of any Transformers character would you want to have for yourself?

Mirage’s invisibility

 

How would you rate yourself on a C scale, C10 being MISB Mint perfection to the lowest C1 ‘junker not worth it even for parts’?

C5, no box but in good condition

 

Fan/Collector since (year)?

1985 when I was 3

 

What drew you to Transformers, making you become a fan/collector?

I became a fan when I was in hospital in Adelaide I had to have an operation and my mum and dad were there for me as well as my older sister and so we’re the Transformers to get me through a tough time.

 

Do you think you will collect Transformers until you die?

Awwww yeah I will do it for a very long time.

 

Were your family/parents supportive of collecting toys or did you have to hide your passion from them and friends?

No my parents, sisters and friends know how much I love the franchise and I don’t hide that fact from anyone lol.

 

Have you attended any fan-meets, Fairs, Conventions?

No unfortunately but would absolutely love one day, to meet people and friends I have made through a community would be a really special memes to hope someday have soon.

 

Any creative endeavours with Transformers (drawing, writing, customising, etc)?

I really like kit-bashing and repainting characters that Hasbro haven’t done yet or 3rd parties haven’t gotten around to like my custom Tarn…then a few months after Master Mind Creations brings one out lol – he is one of my favourites and don’t think I will get a the official knowing what I did to make the one I have, he may not transform but have the way he looks aesthetically.

 

Favourite series/era/year, and why?

Favorite is G1 from 1984 because the story and character development they took with each character.

 

Least favourite series/era/year, and why?

Least favorite if I had to choose is 2001 Robots in Disguise mainly because the show did that anime style too much and alot of the characters where to kiddy for me, some episodes are ok but in all I can give it a miss.

 

Collect any comics (which ones)?

I don’t collect any of the comics even though I have a few IDW’s from early 2000’s mini issues.

 

Favourite Comic issue/story, and why?

I don’t have a favourite comic but like the universe jumping one with Deaths Head where I think he goes from the Transformers universe to the Dr Who’s, then to a mediaeval Earth and then the doctor leaves him into of the roof top of the Fantasic Four. I like when franchises can merge like that.

 

Favourite Cartoon episode/story, and why?

My favourite episode is Web World and I like how Cyclonus takes Galvatron to the planet because he thinks he’s starting to go more Loooney Tunes then before and how those Planet of the Apes looking creatures psychoanalysis his brain and he turns a simple object into a gun and start shooting up the place and says “Let me outta here!”

 

Favourite Character, and why?

I really like Blitzwing because he can turn into a tank, jet and sword wielding gun shooting giant robot, he is the one robot army.

 

Sexiest Transformers (robot) Character?

Sexiest I would go Firestar as she is a firecracker and not afraid to get a job done.

 

Which Transformers character would you want to exist for real?

The Transformer I would like to wish exist would be Sideswipe, that way I could have a Autobot friend and a Lamborghini countach lol

 

Approx TFs toy collection count (or give a range like 200s, 300s, etc)?

300 and counting

 

Sealed collector or out-of-packaging collector?

Out of the package because I like to display them.

 

How much do you think you’ve spent on your collecting habit?

Alot…maybe $8000 worth probably

 

Any rare/expensive figures in your collection?

A rare figure I have is a sealed 1984 Soundwave with Buzzsaw, that is never coming out of his package prison.

 

What interesting Licensed Merchandise items do you have?

I think the most interesting licenced product I have is a plate that I think came with a mug, it has G1 Optimus and Megs on it.

 

First Transformers toy?

Optimus Prime was my first Transformer.

 

One toy you most want?

A really big (like as big as a building) size Unicron.

 

The centerpiece/favourite toy in your collection at the moment (and why)?

My centerpiece figure I would have to say would be my Knock Off Oversize Predaking because I think that the 3rd party ko guys got it right with the size and the look of each character and Predaking as a whole.

 

Favourite toy in your early years of collecting (if it was more than 10 years ago)?

Early years my favourite transformer was the Autobot Grotesque because of the gimmick he came with you push the button on his head and sparks come out of his mouth that was cool back then it still is today actually.

 

Thoughts on gimmick and non-convertible Transformers toys?

I like gimmicks done right but when they are done wrong like mech tech then yeah not a fan.

 

Thoughts on unlicensed fan-project figures/accessories?

I really like what they have done outside of the licensed of Transformers because I believe that a lot of these guys and girls designers and Engineers I pretty much fans like us and get that image and look of what we remember from the G1 days but then there are other guys out there that do really good interpretations of characters that we remember and I really like that a lot too. I also want to say that if you want to buy knock offs it’s your choice as a collector, if it makes you happy I don’t see the harm in collecting them.

 

Thoughts on the Transformers Brand over the last five years?

Over the last 5 years I have really like what Hasbro has done with bringing the old school G1 look back and also pleasing the new generation as well as the older generation so everybody can enjoy that aspect I really do love. I hope one day that when I have a family of my own that we can sit there and play together old and new.

 

Which single TFs toy should every fan own?

Optimus Prime is a must for any collector or fan of the franchise.

 

Which Transformers toy/product would you give as a wedding present?

A transformer that I would give for a wedding present would be Trypticon because who doesn’t like big robotic dinosaurs I know why do I’d love one for wedding present even though I already have one.

Got any other questions for Con?  Pop them in the comments section below and I’m sure he will do his best to answer them for you!

 

Related Articles:

Fan Interview: JP Martin

Fan Interview: Raymo

Fan Interviews & Art, Transformatorium

Transformer Fan Interview – JP Martin

Leave a comment

Welcome to the next in a series of interviews with different Aussie Transformer fans.  Last time we chatted to Paul, a near 20-year veteran of the Online TF community.  Today we will be talking to JP – a younger fan of the genre who shows a real love of giant shape-changing alien robots!

 

Name or what friends call you?

JP Martin

 

State you live in?

Victoria

 

Your age?

23

 

How did you hear about www.bigangrytrev.com?

I’ve read a few of your reviews and interviews. Always a great read!

 

Transformers Allegiance, if you had one?

Decepticon

 

Your Techspec motto if you had one?

“Don’t stop until you’re the last one standing”

 

What existing, official Transformers character best describes you?

Hm, if I had to choose one character, I would say that Ultra Magnus would be the best fit. A strong and by the book warrior, that has some leadership qualities but would rather work on the ground to get the job done.

 

Which special ability of any Transformers character would you want to have for yourself?

I would really like to have the Insecticons’ ability to clone themselves. Would give me the chance to keep up and do all the things I want to do all at the same time.

 

How would you rate yourself on a C scale, C10 being MISB Mint perfection to the lowest C1 ‘junker not worth it even for parts’?

C8, Pretty good condition, missing box but have all the accessories

 

Fan/Collector since (year)?

I want to say 1999 when my brother introduced me to it but 2001 was when I really started as a kid. Fell out roughly around Transformers Cybertron and Dark of the Moon. Really got into collecting December 2016 when so many Christmas Clearance Sales drew me back in.

 

What drew you to Transformers, making you become a fan/collector?

My brother had a few G1 toys from when he was a kid. I remember playing with his Optimus Prime trailer and being a huge fan of Bumblebee. I really loved the mythos and lore behind each series and toyline. As I’ve grown older I’m really into the more obscure and side stories that help create the Transformers Mythos.

 

Do you think you will collect Transformers until you die?

Absolutely! The Autobots and Decepticons war will never end and they will need more troops for the shelves!

 

Were your family/parents supportive of collecting toys or did you have to hide your passion from them and friends?

Family is quite open to my collecting so when I swapped back into Transformers it was welcome. However they are beginning to notice the tubs and boxes coming in the mail. Friends love their own collections (Warhammer, Game Memorabilia, Star Wars etc) so this is my “thing” in our group.

 

Have you attended any fan-meets, Fairs, Conventions?

I attend most of the big conventions in Melbourne. I do take the time to stop by and say hi to the TCCA guys, see how things are and if it’s available, get membership on the spot. Will need to see the guys next time since I haven’t joined up for 2018 yet!

I have yet to attend a fan-meet as they always seem to fall on days when I have some type of event going on beforehand. Hope to head to one eventually!

 

Any creative endeavours with Transformers (drawing, writing, customising, etc)?

Oh boy! I’m a huge fan of the universe so me and a friend have been playing a Transformers RPG over the last year using bits and pieces from each series/reality.So I have quite a few dozen characters that I aim to eventually make figures of.

My main character is a Decepticon Gladiator named Treadcrusher who acts as a Decepticon Drill Sergeant that takes on new recruits and tempers them for the war before sending them to different Warzones and battle groups.

Regarding actual figures, I have created three of my bots so far. First up is Raidwave, an Autobot Communications Specialist and Conspiracy Theorist focusing on secret Quintesson plots both within the Autobots and Decepticons.

I also have made the main characters of the RPG: Gearzone and Warsmith. Gearzone used to be a guard on Garrus 9 before a Decepticon breakout destroyed his body. Warsmith is a former elite guard and Decepticon general who surrendered to the Autobots after becoming disillusioned with the Decepticon cause and Megatron. Here’s a pic of the two in their Wrecker Campaign colour scheme.

 

Favourite series/era/year, and why?

It would have to be Armada. It was the series that I was so invested in as a kid and I absolutely love mini-cons and the whole fight to control or save these little bots between the two factions.

 

Least favourite series/era/year, and why?

Bayverse transformers after Dark of the Moon. The trilogy was okay but Age of Extinction and Last Knight really frustrated and confused me with how weirdly humans acted towards the transformers and even the Autobot groups themselves. The movies had the Autobots become progressively more and more like movie Decepticons in their actions and disregard for life and property so there was very little justification for any of the characters or war anymore.

While I am not a fan of the movies, I will say the bayverse toys are amazing and I do love those bots. A personal favourite would have to be the scout class Hubcap and Depth Charge who remain on my main Autobot shelf.

 

Collect any comics (which ones)?

I collected the old Dreamwave Comics as a kid. Big fan of the Age of Wrath series before the big bankruptcy. Today I pick up the IDW Lost Light series each month. Likewise I am also a subscriber to the Definitive Generation 1 comic series so I can have a read of the original Marvel US and UK series as well as the early IDW stuff before the big renumbering back to 1.

 

Favourite Comic issue/story, and why?

Last Stand of the Wreckers is an all time favourite for me. I was always a big fan of the Wreckers and to see a story arc dedicated to the team and their final battle on the Prison of Garrus 9 was absolutely amazing and quite heart-wrenching. WRECK AND RULE!

Another contender would be the Dreamwave Armada ‘Worlds Collide’ story arc with  dimension hopping heralds of Unicron wiping out different universes. Since Armada is my favourite series, it was awesome to see G1 bots go head to head with the Armada crew.

G1 kicking the other universes butts!

 

Favourite Cartoon episode/story, and why?

My favourite cartoon episode would have to come from G1. The Golden Lagoon. Seeing the Decepticons becomes so overpowered and indestructible was quite entertaining. Even when watching the episode I always get giddy when the Autobots are repelled and have to outlast the Decepticons to defeat them.

 

Favourite Character, and why?

My favourite character would have to be Punch/Counterpunch. Something about an Autobot Double Spy tricking Decepticons sounds amazing. Also, with recent FunPub stories, I like the whole idea that he may have started as a Decepticon Spy but the Autobot persona has taken over and he’s just in this morally gray world where he is not sure who he truly is.

A seriously overlooked character by the comics

 

Sexiest Transformers (robot) Character?

G1 Arcee for sure.

 

Which Transformers character would you want to exist for real?

I would like Armada Demolisher to exist in real life. He would be an awesome and loyal friend to hang out and just have to help when things get tough.

 

Approx TFs toy collection count (or give a range like 200s, 300s, etc)?

I…Hm. I think I probably have 300ish bots on me. They are all in different boxes that get cycled out to sit on my shelf every few weeks.

 

Sealed collector or out-of-packaging collector?

Out of Packaging! Free the bots from their cardboard and plastic prison! I can understand why people would want to keep them safe in the box but I think that people should go and have a play with their bots. Especially if they spend heaps of dollars on them to have them in their collection.

 

How much do you think you’ve spent on your collecting habit?

That is a very dangerous and thought provoking question. Probably far too much but hey, it’s a collector’s hobby so you are bound to spend a lot to fill out your collection.

 

Any rare/expensive figures in your collection?

A few Japanese exclusives I picked up while I was in japan earlier this year but nothing too special or rare. I actually am not a big hater of retools and repaints so if a simple construction green repaint of Scoop now flipped into a Decepticon, that will find a place in my collection.

 

What interesting Licensed Merchandise items do you have?

I also like little rubber figures so I own an old Soundwave Eraser. I’m also a big fan of the old Ladybird G1 books and they hold a very fond place in my heart and collection.

 

First Transformers toy?

That would be Robots in Disguise 2001 Two pack Spychanger Mirage and Ironhide. Two of my first bots and they still from a special place within my collection.

 

One toy you most want?

At the moment, I am looking at picking up a few random Combiner Wars sets but the most important thing I currently want is a G1 Punch/Counterpunch or the FunPub Botcon exclusives.

 

The centrepiece/favourite toy in your collection at the moment (and why)?

At the moment I am loving my CHUG G1 Cars. I recently picked up Sunstreaker, Bluestreak and Red Alert and they look amazing together. There’s also the Fall of Cybertron Sideswipe that I absolutely adore his giant path blaster and alt mode.

 

Favourite toy in your early years of collecting (if it was more than 10 years ago)?

Every battle that I had when I was a kid always featured the RiD Spychangers. Just having a wide range of simple, cheap price point bots were always awesome to have starting my collection and just having such great designs and colour variations.

 

Worst toy(s) ever in your opinion?

G1 Broadside. That thing is an absolute brick. Thank goodness for the Titans Return remake.

 

Toy(s) that were most disappointing when you got them?

I got a Movie 1 Scout Class Warpath. I thought the Alt Mode looked quite nice but then the bot mode was an absolute ugly mess. Which is honestly strange since I liked most of the Cybertron scout figures. More recently, it would be Titans Return Blitzwing where parts kept falling off out of the box. On the shelf he looks amazing but I don’t bother transforming him as pieces keep falling off or disconnecting from their housing.

 

Thoughts on gimmick and non-convertable Transformers toys?

Not a big fan of non-convertible transformers but happy with gimmicks. I know shelves are chock full of One-Steps and Simple transformation bots but people still buy them and certain gimmicks can be heaps of fun i.e. Power Core Combiners

 

Thoughts on unlicensed fan-project figures/accessories?

Transformers is honestly a weird world regarding 3rd party things. Before returning to Transformers, I was heavily into building Gundam/Gunpla. In that community 3rd party and KO kits are heavily frowned upon and often a source of tension within the community, so when I came back to TFs, I was amazed by how open and welcoming towards 3rd party/KO Oversize and Add-on stuff.

For my own thoughts, I do not mind them as they are quite interesting but on the whole they do not interest me due to their high price points and fragile nature. I love to play and transform my figures rather than having them sit on a shelf due to their price and fragile nature.

 

Thoughts on the Transformers Brand over the last five years?

Overall I think it has been a strong five years of TFs. Between the Prime Wars Trilogy stuff and the cartoons and toys on the shelf, things seem to be going quite well.

The same however cannot be said for the movie franchise and the recent news about the possible cancellation of further movies. While I may not have the most love for Bayverse stuff, I do hope a reboot occurs and helps revitalise the movie franchise into something awesome and coherent.

 

Which single TFs toy should every fan own?

Hmm, that is a tough one. I think everyone should have a G1 Bumblebee or similar minibot as these guys are always timeless and fun to just have sitting on your desk. For a more modern pick, I would say CHUG Thunderwing as that figure is just so well done.

 

Which Transformers toy/product would you give as a wedding present?

As a wedding gift, I think I would be Energon Omega Supreme or any of its retools as you need both parts to make it into its bot mode and a nice symbol of two coming together.

 

Got any other questions for JP?  Pop them in the comments section below and I’m sure he will do his best to answer them for you!

 

Related Articles:

Fan Interview – Raymo

Fan Interview – Lisamaree

Fan Interviews & Art, Transformatorium

Transformer Fan Interview – Paul

Leave a comment

Welcome to the next in a series of interviews with different Aussie Transformer fans.  Last time we chatted to Raymo, a country lad like me who is a big collector.  Today we will be talking to Paul, a stalwart of the Aussie TF community who has been part of the online forums for nearly 20 years!

Transformers Allegiance, if you had one? 
Autobot

Your Techspec motto if you had one? 
“Be kind, be brave and be yourself” 

What existing, official Transformers character best describes you? 
Beast Wars Rhinox, which for a while was a username I used with Ozformers. He’s big but quiet, smart and caring. Someone dependable and constant. Good with the tech. When needed he’ll take charge but he would happily just sit in the background.

Which special ability of any Transformers character would you want to have for yourself? 
Skywarp’s teleporting ability would be great. I love to travel to new places but I hate the travel part of it.

How would you rate yourself on a C scale, C10 being MISB Mint perfection to the lowest C1 ‘junker not worth it even for parts’? 
C6 – needs some repairs, some paint touch ups, but generally ok.

Fan/Collector since (year)? 
I have some confusion over the exact starting point. I definitely was a fan in 1985, and I have proof of that. I think I may have got Ravage and Rumble as a Christmas present in 1984, but I think of Powerglide as my first Transformer and that would have been a 1985 purchase.

What drew you to Transformers, making you become a fan/collector? 
Originally some combination of the cartoon and toys would have got 5 year old me interested, but the thing that cemented me as a fan/collector was the comics. I was given issues 79 and 80 of the UK comic as a Christmas present in 1986; Target 2006’s first official two parts days before I would have seen Transformers The Movie. I followed the comics as the definitive G1 story as a kid and that kept me going with TFs long past when others moved on as the cartoon finished.

When the Transformers comic ended, and I moved onto X-Men, I would plot out the new comic stories based on the toys (like the Turbomasters) that kept coming out. Nowadays there’s so many TF comics, more than I could have ever imagined there’d be. I buy Lost Light monthly but for the other series I wait for the hardcover IDW Collection series.

Alongside the comics I kept buying Transformers every year from when I started. I’d still get excited when each new year of toys would come out and buy several each year. The Movie year was a point where “toy collector” would probably have started to apply. I bought all the movie stuff because it was buy it or miss out with the rate those toys were flying off the shelf back then. It was also the year I started buying toys online and I quickly increased my TF count.

Do you think you will collect Transformers until you die? 
I have seen so many say how they had TFs as a kid and then moved on, and then came back when older. I never had that gap and at this point, I can’t see myself ever having one unless something about my life drastically changes. I was so young when I became a fan I have barely any memories of a time when Transformers were part of my life and I can’t see a reason that I wouldn’t want to keep seeing the new figures 20, 30, 40 years from now.

Were your family/parents supportive of collecting toys or did you have to hide your passion from them and friends? 
I wouldn’t say they were that supportive as I kept buying TFs into adulthood but they never gave me any grief about it either as they knew it was a hobby that made me happy.

Have you attended any fan-meets, Fairs, Conventions? 
I’ve been to a lot of fan-meets. The first one was back in 2001 when some out of town visitors came to Melbourne. We didn’t really do a lot in Melbourne though until around the time the first movie came out. Around that time we started frequent lunchtime catchups, several visits to the Sandown Fair, and the Christmas get togethers.

Outside of Melbourne, I got to BotCon twice (2009 and 2011). It was an amazing experience to be in a place with so many others who shared my passion. I went to the OTCA convention in Sydney in 2006, as well as visiting the SupaNova booth in 2003, and attending the Parramatta Fair in 2008, and a catchup in QLD in 2010.

Any creative endeavours with Transformers (drawing, writing, customising, etc)? 
My primary would be writing. All through my childhood I was coming up with Transformers stories, some written down, some as notes, and some just in my head. I only ever “published” two fan fic stories on A.T.T. just to force myself to complete them.

Back when I was at Uni in the late 90s I was mapping out a new TF comic book series, coming up with story beats and concepts but never actually completing a full story. The comic book series was going to be called More Than Meets The Eye, it was set after the Autobot/Decepticon war had finished, with a group of Autobots and some ex-Decepticons, including Megatron, aboard a space ship having space drama hijinx. Of course this now ACTUALLY EXISTS and is 1 million times better than I was planning or could ever have done!

I had one attempt at a custom figure, repainting and some stickers to make Cabcharge but it was enough to tell me it wasn’t my thing. I prefer to digibash (although it’s been a while) and some fun TF bios.

Favourite series/era/year, and why? 
In some ways I hate to say this as I support the franchise moving forward, but G1’s 1985 line set such a high standard of ideas and characters will never be beaten for me. When it comes to Transformers toys that 1985 catalogue is always my starting point. Sure some of those toys don’t compare to their MP and Classicverse reimaginings, but they are the foundation of the brand (even more so than 1984’s). That said the 2008-2010 period where we had Animated, ROTF/HFTD and Generations 2.0 lines was a pretty close second

Least favourite series/era/year, and why? 
There’s some I don’t like such as Dark of the Moon, Energon, Beast Machines*, but to pick one I’d say Armada. It’s a toy line I didn’t buy much of at the time, although I did pick up some later, but I currently have only one figure from the line in my collection (and that’s a repaint from Cybertron). The Mini-Con gimmick meant all the figures are limited in some way and they feel bulky and plastic-y after the Car Robots/RID toys the year before. The supporting fiction was also pretty poor (the cartoon did get better towards the end).
(*If you can find a fan who loved Beast Machines the best keep them MISB – they are so rare they are worth a fortune!)

Collect any comics (which ones)? 
Transformers comics are what got me in to this game. I currently buy Lost Light each month and other series digitally when they are on sale. I buy all the IDW hardcover collections and am currently enjoying the Definitive G1 Collection coming in each month. I’m also anxiously waiting the long-delayed next volume of the Classics UK series. I would love to complete my actual UK comic collection but those remaining issues are getting harder to find and I’ve pretty much accepted that won’t happen.

Favourite Comic issue/story, and why? 
Transformers 75 “On the Edge of Extinction!” – such a great climax to Simon Furman’s run on Marvel US. Funny and sad, violent but triumphant with some of Geoff Senior’s finest TF art too.

Favourite Cartoon episode/story, and why? 
Beast Wars “The Agenda” – it raised the stakes of the series by linking it to the previous series in a way we wouldn’t have expected. It respects the past while being something new and has a great cliffhanger ending.

Favourite Character, and why? 
G1 Ratchet. He was one of the most fleshed out Transformers in the comic, conflicted between wanting to save lives and also having to be a warrior. Not afraid to backchat his commanders and never getting the chance he wanted to just have a party. I find the cartoon Ratchet pretty bland and I’m a little annoyed Animated makes people think of Ratchet as old and grumpy, but James Roberts done a good job having a mix of both in MTMTE/Lost Light.

Sexiest Transformers (robot) Character? 
G1 Sideswipe. That vehicle mode and that athletic robot mode.

Which Transformers character would you want to exist for real? 
G1 Jazz. If a Transformer came to Earth I’d hope it was one that loved Earth culture and wanted to expierence it all.

Approx TFs toy collection count (or give a range like 200s, 300s, etc)? 
A little over 650 toys at the moment.

Sealed collector or out-of-packaging collector? 
Primarily out-of-packaging, but as I have a growing backlog I am kind of a sealed collector by accident. Nearly all my MP toys for instance are sealed awaiting a good glass display for them.

How much do you think you’ve spent on your collecting habit? 
Far too much to even think about, tens of thousands of dollars? It’s a scary thought.

Any rare/expensive figures in your collection? 
The most expensive figure in my collection is my original Fort Max, purchased from another Ozformer member not long before the Encore was announced* , as these things often go. I guess the most rare TF in my collection is a G1 Overlord I purchased from an European seller – who sent me the toy in wrapped shoe boxes! — which I think is still pretty rare for people to have.
(*Me too – 5 months before, wasn’t it a kick in the guts!)

What interesting Licensed Merchandise items do you have? 
I’ve got all the colouring books and story books from my childhood. I’ve got some miscellaneous stamp sets, puzzles and things like that from the heyday of G1 merchandise. Some of the more random things are some of the chocolate wrappers with temporary tattoos. I also have a Transformer balloon from the Royal Melbourne Show that’s still intact.

First Transformers toy? 
For a long time I have thought it was Powerglide, but I’m starting to think it was maybe Rumble and Ravage at Christmas 1984.

One toy you most want? 
Of existing toys the thing I’d most like to get is a G1 Swoop. It’s the only one of the Dinobots I don’t have (although three of the ones I do have are G2 versions) but with his fragile nature and the knock off versions around I am reluctant to purchase one, but if an Encore came out I’d jump on it. Same goes for the original Mirage and Wheeljack toys too the only 1984 figures I’ve not been able to get.

The centrepiece/favourite toy in your collection at the moment (and why)? 
The TakTom Devastator. Looks great and too big to put away.

Favourite toy in your early years of collecting (if it was more than 10 years ago)? 
In my early years I think Beachcomber was my favourite toy, followed closely by Prowl and Ravage.

Worst toy(s) ever in your opinion? 
Supreme Devastator from ROTF. Ugly and too big for it’s own good and no robot modes for the constructions? Totally inferior to the Legends-sized version.

Toy(s) that were most disappointing when you got them? 
First one that comes to mind is TF Prime First Edition Vehicon. The other First Edition deluxe toys were so good, but this one was clunky and disappointing – especially when the TF Prime’s regular line came out with such a perfect Vehicon toy.

Thoughts on gimmick and non-convertable Transformers toys?
I know they are not for me so I don’t even bother given them a try. I do at times think there are far too many clogging up the toy aisles. Because the gimmick toys are often the same characters also released as deluxes, voyagers, they seem less important to me, like they don’t count. I’d rather the Autobot and Decepticon ranks be boosted by new characters/subgroups built around gimmicks. The way we got toys and characters like the Throttlebots, Triggerbots, Battlechargers etc in the G1 years.

Thoughts on unlicensed fan-project figures/accessories? 
I think some of them look great (Green Giant, Quantron, Lost Exo-Realm) but the cost and perceived fragileness of them put me off. They look good on the shelf but don’t look like toys to play with. I have owned some but I much prefer to spend my money on the regular Transformers.

Thoughts on the Transformers Brand over the last five years? 
I think there’s a bit of stagnation. I think the diversification is good for the brand in theory, but it does create so many buying options that must compete with each other for parent dollars. I think Hasbro’s push for a “shared universe” has hurt the comics and I wonder if they’ll pull back from it. G1 fans are generally being treated pretty well but that also means the line isn’t progressing into new areas either, just retreading the same concepts.

Which single TFs toy should every fan own? 
I think it’s MP10 Convoy/Optimus Prime. It’s the most iconic Transformer character. The toy captures the feel of the classic figure combined with a great cartoon accurate design. (And if you don’t like red that toy comes in pretty much every colour now!)

Which Transformers toy/product would you give as a wedding present?
If I was buying someone a present today, I’d go get either the Crash Combiner PrimeStrong (for a male/female union) or Dragbreak (for a male/male union) or Skyhammer (for a female/female union).

SUBMITTED QUESTIONS
Michael from Melbourne
You’ve been part of the online fandom for a very long time – how has it changed? How is it different? What trends have you noticed? What prediction can you make about where fandom is going? Any other insights? 
The biggest shift was the movies. They increased Transformers fandom considerably both in numbers and visibility. It brought back fans from the earlier years and brought in young fans who are just becoming adults today. Some of them telling the same story about how their parents got rid of their childhood toys and they are coming back into being a fan, it’s just now they are talking about a Leader Movie Optimus Prime toy not a G1 Optimus Prime.

At the same time the rise in social media has broadened the places for fans to discuss TFs so what was once pretty centralised has become pretty splintered, but I think people find the place that best suits them: a forum, a facebook page, a twitter group, whatever it is. Of course social media has also raised the amount of “internet outrage” that also means there’s a lot more negativity around too, the nerd rage and entitlement stuff. On the positive side there’s a lot more diversity about thanks to the various channels open to people which is great.

Dallas from Sydney
Over the last couple years you’ve put in a massive effort in reducing and streamlining your collection. I’ve seen you take lot of consideration in what you keep and what you move on .
– are there any big regrets? 
No big regrets, when I make up my mind to move a Transformer on it is well considered. I think about what about the toy makes me want to keep it and if I can’t think of that reason, it’s good to go.
– are there any you’ve sold and then decided to re-purchase? 
There’s been one or two I’ve thought about briefly, Generations Blurr was one, but when I really think about it I’m happy not to have the toy.
– of all the lines you’ve cleared out which one did you keep the least toys from and which one did you keep the most. Titans return doesn’t count because it’s too recent. 
I didn’t keep any of the Armada toys (although I have two repaints from later lines – Longrack and the CHUG Unicron). In fact the Unicron Trilogy is a very small part of my collection now (1 Energon toy and 3 from Cybertron). I stripped my Alternators down to two figures as well (Smokescreen and Decepticharge).
– a large % of my collection is not on display for various reasons, is any of yours off display or are you trimming down to the point where you can keep it all on display? 
I have the most recent purchases on display while they are still my new stuff that I want to fiddle with.
Nearly everything else is sorted into various by toyline storage tubs. I don’t think I’ll ever have everything on display, but I’d like to have a good space that I could rotate series every couple of months.
– As time goes by, will you have to trim further to make room for new purchases or are you leaving some shelf space now the you can fill up later?
The lines I have most from are the CHUG ones but I sometimes think I’m not been harsh enough with those and with some of the recent lines providing new versions of characters I will need to revist. It is much easier to be critical of the older toys then the more recent ones.
– based on your long term selection of favorite toys from each line you’ve kept are you finding patterns in the types of transformers you prefer? is it a certain level of complexity, poseability or is it character or alt mode based preference? 
The ones I keep tend to have a fun or clever transformation and looks great in one or both of the alt modes, or it has some special sentimental value to me (which is why I’ve not sold any of my childhood toys (anything prior to Beast Wars). Character can play a part in it as well. Poseability not so much but is always nice to have. A transformation that’s frustrating to the point where the toy is not fun to change, is often the main reason I’ve got rid of something.

D-Dawg!
If you could go back in time to meet your 20 year old self, what would be the one thing you would tell him about Transformers in the future?* 
(*Great question! Tempted to answer it myself)
As a 20 year old I wasn’t all that keen on the current toyline, Beast Machines, and it didn’t really seem like the future of the brand was all that strong. I would tell him to cast those fears aside, that there would be so much new stuff to come, new toylines, new cartoons, comics, movies and video games, than he could ever imagine there could be so relax and enjoy all the unexpected shapes Transformers will take over the next two decades.

 

Got any other questions for Paul?  Pop them in the comments section below and I’m sure he will do his best to answer them for you!

 

Related Articles:

TF Fan Interview: Raymo

TF Fan Interview: Lisamarie

Fan Interviews & Art, Transformatorium

Transformer Fan Interview – Raymo

Leave a comment

Welcome to the next in a series of interviews with different Aussie Transformer fans.  Last time we chatted to Lisamaree who was at the time living abroad.  Today we will be talking to Raymo, a country lad like me who now, luckily for his hobby, lives a lot closer to the big TF shops up in Northern Australia.

 

Transformers Allegiance, if you had one?
Autobot

Your Techspec motto if you had one?
All too easy. Which is sort of opposite of my own personality and more like my alter ego, or as I say my wrestling personality, cocky but relaxed about it.

What existing, official Transformers character best describes you?
I always go with G1 Brawn, although Bayverse Jetfire is probably more accurate now, old, slow but will do a solid if someone needs it.

Which special ability of any Transformers character would you want to have for yourself?
Flying, which in bot mode makes me a dirty con

How would you rate yourself on a C scale, C10 being MISB Mint perfection to the lowest C1 ‘junker not worth it even for parts’?
C6

Fan/Collector since (year)?
1984

What drew you to Transformers, making you become a fan/collector?
The box art and the cartoon, I do remember though that my friends and I would get pissed off because rather than the dynamic poses we saw on the boxes and cards the toy itself was a glorified brick.

Do you think you will collect Transformers until you die?
I will certainly have them until then, and maybe one will go with me, but I’m not sure if I’ll be actively collecting, even in the last three years my actual accumulation/collecting of them has slowed, I still have a good collection though. Confused?

Do people outside of the hobby know you collect TFs (like at work/school)?
For sure, I’m actually more comfortable sharing pictures outside of the collecting community with others, and any chance to show someone “the room” I take it.

Were your family/parents supportive of collecting toys or did you have to hide your passion from them and friends?
Everyone has been supportive, despite some very heavy spending periods it never became a financial problem. I think most people have seen it as a positive and fun influence on my life. We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.

Have you attended any fan-meets, Fairs, Conventions?
Yep……………………

oh you want more info?

2004 Sabretron in Sydney, loved it, here is a picture of my young self

Went to NYCC in 2015, hated it, but got to see the Toy Hunter and he truly loves what he does.

Any creative endeavours with Transformers (drawing, writing, customising, etc)?
Does dusting and building fancy cabinets count?

Favourite series/era/year, and why?
G1, I think as time has gone on I became something I hated previously, an f’ing geewunner!! Yep, I had it all, everything up to stinking animorphs and then some, and over the years it’s all been pared back to something a geewunner would own. I love the Transformers Prime series and the toys and was hoping it was the first step to making a canon TF universe, but no, it was a one off, but a brilliant one, I also like the 2001 RID, it’s a bit more of a JP based cartoon but being a big fan of the rising sun it’s my style. But yeah always come back to G1, it’s the original; it’s what created a juggernaut. It’s classic good versus evil with the greatest hero ever G1 Optimus Prime.
Least favourite series/era/year, and why
The movieverse has taken a big steamy Sludge like dump over what could have been something amazing, I get the attraction, and considering now that someone who was ten when the first one came out is now 20 and still loving it is probably more the demographic they were aiming at rather than us old farts. But to me as a toy collector a lot of the figures look like melted plastic with a shitty head stuck on top.

Collect any comics?
Had a good stash of the IDW/Dreamwave stuff but got rid of it, was good when it came out but has no personal connection. I do still have a tonne of 90’s x-men and some very large G1 TPB’s. My brother knows more about my comics that me, I’m pretty much a toy guy these days.

Favourite Comic issue/story, and why?
IIRC the one where the Dinobots were already on earth as well as Shockwave, something, something darkside, I’m not so good with stories and have forgotten how much I hate space travel.

Favourite Cartoon episode/story, and why?
Fire in the Sky, as explained earlier

Favourite Character, and why?
Optimus Prime, the most noble of heroes, something any kid should aspire to be, certainly shaped who I am today.

Sexiest Transformers (robot) Character?
A typical perv question from Big Angry Trev.
G1 Arcee (does anyone think her voice sounds like Tea Leoni from the movie Bad Boys?) and TF Prime, although BW Blackarachnia, grrrr baby grrrr, that voice…………droooooooooooool.

Which Transformers character would you want to exist for real?
Black Zarak, bad ass looking, and huge.

Approx TFs toy collection count (or give a range like 200s, 300s, etc):
A lady never tells

Sealed collector or out-of-packaging collector?
Varies, if it has a window it’s sealed, if not it’s opened. Mostly.

How much do you think you’ve spent on your collecting habit?
A couple of bucks

Any rare/expensive figures in your collection?
Black Zarak, both Goodbye sets MIB for all of them, lurve my boxes.

What interesting Licensed Merchandise items do you have?
Nothing out of the ordinary, bed sheets, bed tent, board game, Soundwave tape deck etc.

First Transformers toy?
Now this is something, I’m not 100% on this. No matter the time I put into working it out I can’t nail it but it’s either Brawn or Bluestreak.

One toy you most want?
Powered Convoy Giftset MIB

The centrepiece/favourite toy in your collection at the moment (and why)?
The custom Metrotitan that a guy named Michael did, it may not mean a lot to most, but to have G1 Metrotitan and Metroplex as well as their modern gigantic counterparts all together is just so perfect.

Favourite toy in your early years of collecting?

Brawn

Worst toy(s) ever in your opinion?
Some piece of junk bayverse one step Prime my mum thought would be good to get me for xmas a few years ago.

Toy(s) that were most disappointing when you got them?
MP-09 Rodimus Prime, the literal version of ambition out weighing talent.

Thoughts on gimmick and non-convertable Transformers toys?
Non-convertible transformer, oxymoron central. At least action masters had something that transformed.
They went too complex with the early Bay movie toys and now it’s gone too simple with the crap being put out now, some look like a giant bar of soap or those old shampoo bottles shaped like TF’s.
Thoughts on unlicensed fan-project figures/accessories
I used to be totally against them, but they certainly fill a collecting gap for the addicts, and as we’ve seen are also free R&D for Has/Tak.
Thoughts on the Transformers Brand over the last five years
It’s in a balance, it’s good we have Beast Wars MP figures coming out but the bread and butter movies need a re-boot, even when they are released the shelf space and hype has dwindled. Now we’re going back to the old chestnut of Bumblebee, FFS we have already been saturated with his toys in the first three movies, now, more. I get it he sells, but most kids already have him.

Which single TFs toy should every fan own?
G1 Optimus Prime

Which Transformers toy/product would you give as a wedding present?
MISB G1 Optimus Prime

Do you collect other toys?
I have a very good MOTU collection and an ok Voltron one which has recently been majorly downsized. Oh yeah and Lego, enough to sink the Titanic.

What other interests do you have?
Science (Physics (not bloody quantum though) and astronomy) Nature and the environment, AFL, NFL, health and fitness, fishing, Star Wars and the family.

What type of music/movies/TV/books do you enjoy
Cranking psytrance as I type this, love metal, some old hip hop, K,C,J-Pop, very eclectic, will even rock some country. Movies, we have been spoilt for choice lately, marvel stuff, Star Wars, then the earlier stuff Avatar, Terminators, Alien series, Pacific Rim, all the usual nerd stuff. TV is Battlestar Galactica new and old version, Star Treks, Law and Order, Brooklyn 99, Seinfeld, House, Stargate, Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, it’s a big list J Books, I have generally been a non-fiction reader but since the flow of canon Star Wars novels have come out I am into those, as a huge fan of Ventress the Dark Disciple novel was off the chart awesome. Lots to read still but unlike Transformers where I can say my love these days is really with toys, with Star Wars it is with the mythology…….but not the legends stuff, the new canon, it’s like the Marvel CU, we need a continuous story to get invested……..Transformers I’m looking your way!

If you died today, what would your tombstone say?
Solid (pun intended)

Questions from other Fans

From Dallas:

What is your preferred design for G1 Jetfire? the animation model or the toy? please elaborate. 
It’s the toy, so cool, tall, sleek, powerful and proud, a true warrior. But the anime version is certainly up there, even now that we sort of have a combo version from the generations toy as well as FT Phoenix I can still say the G1 toy is the one for me. Here’s the funny thing, I grew up in a very small town, about 3000 people, our local news agent was the toy shop. There was a massive area of Transformers, but there was a secondary area of Robotech fighters, I looked at them with disdain, what the hell is a gerwalk mode!? But if I could go back now I would buy the entire section! For its time the toy had superior articulation, size and quality, plus the badass look in bot mode with all the armour.

How Many Jetfire toys do you have?
Only nine, but my Energon and Armada versions are in the “to sell pile” so really seven. I’m a small fry in the toy collecting department of Jetfire, there is a fella on TCCA who has a ridiculous amount of the G1 toys MIB, loose, or whatever. I’d love a sealed one, but in the past few years I’ve managed to get one with the painted Robotech symbols, as well an MIB version that only had one owner from Australia who told me the history of it, to me that is something special, toys can pass through many hands, even sealed ones could have had 10 owners previously, but I got this Jetfire from the only person who had ever had it, the guy who opened it as a kid, almost as good as opening an old case found in a warehouse somewhere in China full of sealed boxes.

From Marty:

Has your collecting rate increased since you moved from a rural to a more suburban setting?
There have been two collecting phases in my life, childhood and adulthood. Both coincide with pre-internet and intra-internet, as well as rural then urban. I will expand on this….. as an adult the internet has essentially gone from a rural service to metro, so yes this change has made finding things easier, in 2002 when I first got onto ebay it was like a small country town, and it was full of friendly people, now, especially post movie era, it is a place where scammers and dickheads live. While you can get more, the prices are higher and the risk of dodgy goods is everywhere.
So to answer the question, my peak was between 2002 and 2004, I was living in Canberra, there were a lot of good TF toys in the stores, RID and Alternators, as well as very good prices for G1 stuff online and a huge second hand market at garage, car boot and market sales. That was a golden era for collecting for me.

Have you been able to draw your daughter into the world of giant transforming robots at all?
I have tried, she’s not a big fan, she knows I love them but the common toy interest we share is Lego, she loves building them and playing with them. We have amassed a decent train collection, as well as her friends sets.

Besides Big Angry Trev, is there anyone that you admire in the world of Transformers (fellow collectors, actors, comic artists, toy designers etc)?
I love the writings of a guy called Maz, he is a true TF historian and someone who I genuinely think I would get along with in real life. Heroic Decepticon is good too due to his ability to financially accommodate his G1 collecting, but probably out of mine and most people’s league. I’ve got to know a few guys through TCCA on facey who have similar collecting interests to me, they have mostly lurked in the shadows as I have, people who are humble in their collecting impress me.

From Trent:

Name one thing about the TF community that you don’t like.
I can name two things. The…………… how do I put this…………..dick waving shit of my collection’s, bigger, worth more, better than anyone else’s crap.
Here’s a fun fact, I had 1500 Transformer toys in 2004. At the time from what I could tell one of the biggest in Oz, did it give me anything? No……… (unlike my collection now, which when I look at it gives me genuine happiness)
It took up a lot of space and cost a lot of money. Now this is pre-movie era, so I had every Western G1 to Animorphs and whatever was coming out at the time, PLUS, most figures I had two of to display in both modes, if it was a triple changer or combiner then there were more figures I had, it was out of control, and the display was bots just jammed up against each other, with boxed stuff from Armada getting stored away. That’s not collecting, that’s an addiction and a hoarding issue. Luckily I had the income to support this insanity, and when push came to shove a couple of years later I was able to sell most of it and take a pause for the better.
So yeah, back to the question, there are many fans out there, some might collect era’s we don’t like, some may have 10, or 1000, or 5000 figures, that doesn’t matter, we all love the same thing, people use “till all are one’ a lot but let’s mean it. We are ALL ONE, we love Transformers, lets embrace it.
Old man rant over, for now,…………………oh wait my second, or third point, or wherever I’m up to.
I don’t like how there is a secrecy around parts of the TF collecting community, I’m not saying that some departments should open their doors for all and sundry, but when an important topic that effects all collectors in that area regardless of personal connections comes up it should be shared, I’m a massive fan of the history of the toys, but some of the people who have the knowledge choose to not share it. What’s the point?!

Conversely, name the thing (or things) that you really like about the TF fandom.
There is a guy named Kelvin who really embodies passion for the hobby and I think that kind of passion is great!  To go further I can easily say that 90 plus percent of the people I have met in the TF community are so similar to me and that they share a passion for what is basically a toy line, but being nerds we fear human interaction so most of my contact while on the whole is positive and online only.

From May:

What was your opinion of ROTF Jetfire?
Loved him, based on one of my favourite planes the SR-71 Blackbird, merely a spy plane, but the fastest ever. He was such a good character, since the movie I have toured the US extensively and got to see Jetfire in person and it was so good, smaller than I expected but beautiful and sleek despite the age. He made the ultimate sacrifice to help Prime, he got so elevated in my opinion when that happened, he’s the only Bayformer toy I own.

What is your favourite Jetfire toy?
G1 all the way. I have to give positive mention to the Generations version, looks amazing and did well to not get sued by the a-hole from Harmony Gold.

 

Got any other questions for Raymo?  Pop them in the comments section below:

Fan Interviews & Art, Transformatorium

Transformer Fan Interview – Lisamaree

Leave a comment
One great thing about being a Transformers fan is getting to meet other members of the fandom.  Of course that was all but impossible in the pre-internet days (yes kids – some of us are old enough to remember that) unless they went to your school.  Nowdays you can meet Transfans from around the globe without ever having to leave your laptop!
Someone I have had great conversations online with over the years is fellow blogger Lisamaree.  Being a former Sociology major (one of many degree’s I have that proved to have no value in the real world) she fascinates me since she is a Kiwi who was living in Australia and now is raising a family in China.  As a Transformers fan she is a great person to chat to and debunks the theory that you have to be some sad virgin male living in his parents basement to be ‘one of us’.
Here are Lisamaree’s answers to questions about her passion for all things Autobot.

Transformers Allegiance, if you had one?
Where Optimus Prime goes I go… so I guess I have a tendency to show extreme bias to the Autobots
.What existing, official Transformers character best describes you?
Movie Optimus Prime. Honest, caring, loyal to a fault but have a tendency to rip peoples heads off and tear them in 2 when they piss me off.
How would you rate yourself on a C scale, C10 being MISB Mint perfection to the lowest C1 ‘junker not worth it even for parts’?
C7/C8 with C10 tendencies I guess. I’m not much one for the junker stuff at all.Fan/Collector since (year)
Fan since 1984. Collector since 2013. My parents wouldn’t let me have Transformers (specifically Optimus) when I was a kid and my husband believes that has lead to my “over-compensating” now.What drew you to Transformers, making you become a fan/collector?
The G1 cartoon when I was a kid. Optimus Prime. First time I saw the cartoon and saw/heard him I was hooked. It was my “must run home from school to watch TV” show.
Lost touch while I grew up/worked/uni’ed/worked, refound my passion when the first Bay movie came out and I was sitting in the cinema almost wetting myself in excitement when I heard that voice say “Before time began, there was… the cube!” Turned to my husband and said “that’s the REAL Optimus Prime!” with giddy excitement to which my husband had no clue what I was talking about. Didn’t think much about the toys though as I was still adulting my way through life. Then in 2013 we kept walking past YoTH Optimus Prime at various places like Toys’R’Us and I kept drooling all over it with my husband dragging me away… he ended up getting it for my birthday that Christmas and I’ve never looked back. Or as my husband like to say – I’m now making up for lost time.Do you think you will collect Transformers until you die?
Yes. And my kids have already planned how they will divide some of the figures in my collection between them when I drop dead. Thoughtful aren’t they?!Do people outside of the Fandom know you collect TFs (like at work/school)?
Yes.

Were your family/parents supportive of collecting toys or did you have to hide your passion from them and friends?
My husband supports my collecting. He says, and I quote, ”If all you want is one or 2 Optimus Prime figures a month I’m getting off lightly compared to my colleagues whose wives spend a fortune on handbags, jewellery and makeup.” Of course… every now and then there MAY be more than one or 2 figures in a month… but he’s cool with it most of the time.
My parents on the other hand think I’m mad and that I am wasting my time and money on “stupid kids toys” (which they wouldn’t let me have even when I WAs a kid). But they also think the same thing about my kids having Transformers toys… so whatever. *shrugs*
My friends think it is weird and cool. People who see the VERY small portion of my collection on display when they come over LOVE it, even if they think I’m nuts.

Have you attended any fan-meets, Fairs, Conventions?
Yeah. Cybertroncon in Shanghai last year (2016) to meet “Sir” Peter Cullen. That was a blast and fulfilled a childhood dream for me… and my daughter!
I’ve met up with Ozformers in Sydney a couple of times when I’ve been over and had a chance to escape the in-laws. They’re a great group of guys and it’s always fun to catch up and I learn so much.
I’ve been to several of the HK ani-con’s where Hasbro and a lot of the licensed toy designers have booths and you generally get the SDCC figures for sale, get to say hi to Bimbo-bee, etc.
I’ve also been to some exclusive Hasbro toy events for Transformers ranging from Toys’R’Us movie nights  to private toy preview events where I’ve been the only “westerner” and definitely the only chick there.
I went to the Transformers Expo in Macau in 2014.
Never been to a big US event but would really like to do that at some point.

Any creative endeavours with Transformers (drawing, writing, customising, etc)?
I’m learning to draw ballpoint & ink pen line art from a famous Hong Kong artist so my first endeavour was my favourite bot of all time.

Currently working on a Transformers 5 Megatron … because my art teacher said I needed something more challenging than my previous pieces… and good grief is it challenging all right.

Favourite series/era/year, and why?
Give me a G! Give me a 1! G-1! G-1! G1!
I love the original 2 seasons because Optimus Prime … DUH!
Seriously though, as dated as they are now, they were and still are FUN. Silly sometimes, nonsensical but great whimsical concepts, interesting characters and fun good vs evil cartooning with kick arse designs and super cool bots. It’s the show that started it all and will always have a special place in my heart.

Least favourite series/era/year, and why?
Animated. I hate it. Haven’t even collected any of the Primes from that series and don’t intend to despite several people trying to convince me I should have an Animated Optimus in my collection.
I dislike the characterisations. Sari is an annoyance and I hate how they portray Optimus and Megatron. I don’t mind that Optimus isn’t leader and I’m open to alternative versions of characters but there’s something about this series that just makes me shake my head and go NO! Having said that I have watched one episode of Energon and that looks even worse so that could jump to number 1 if I ever had the will to watch it.

Collect any comics (which ones)?
Not really. I have started collecting the Optimus Prime series, not just because of the title but because I’ve finally been able to find a comic store here that gets comics in at a reasonable price with regularity (thanks to another amazing Ozformer) and I could start collecting from part 1. Also brought a few compilations recently while in the US.

Favourite Cartoon episode/story, and why?
Oh gosh… just one?
The episode where Wheeljack builds the dinobots was funny.
So was the one where Optimus & co pretended to be Menasor…
Oh – and the one where Megatron turned Optimus into a giant alligator.
… and the one where the decepticons got drunk on energon…
Also loved the episode of Transformers Prime where Agent Fowler was trying to drive Optimus … Convoy.

Favourite Character, and why?
Optimus Prime.
Because he’s Optimus Prime!
Ok – seriously? Because he’s the same archetype as Superman (who happens to be my favourite superhero).
He’s “perfect” as a hero – strong, brave, enabled and yet you know there is something vulnerable underneath that metallic exterior and hiding behind that faceplate – he’s full of compassion, honesty and sincerity yet he’s not full of himself.
G1 Optimus in particular is quite prone to making mistakes but unlike a lot of other characters he ADMITS his faults which ironically makes him more human than a lot of the humans around him. I just love that about him.

Sexiest Transformers (robot) Character?
Uh… what? I guess I have to say Optimus but honestly I don’t think of my bots in that way.

Which Transformers character would you want to exist for real?
G1 Soundwave or Movie Prime.
G1 Soundwave because he’s so portable and lethal all in one hand carry sided package.
Movie Prime because I’m a sucker for a Peterbilt.

Approx TFs toy collection count (or give a range like 200s, 300s, etc)?
Um… 200+ (excluding my son’s collection of which he has *cough* a few *cough cough*)
I’m not sure of the exact number as I haven’t catalogued them all yet. That’s a current ongoing process right now.

Sealed collector or out-of-packaging collector?
Both. I used to like being a SMIB gal but recently thinking about the fact all these figures need to be relocated to OZ and space running out here I’ve started cracking many of my beauties open. Certain figures I haven’t opened because I enjoy knowing they’re minty new and want to display them at some point in their original state. Having said that there are also quite a few figures that I open because I just love playing with them. Sooooo… yeah… both.

How much do you think you’ve spent on your collecting habit?
Let’s not think about that, especially around my husband ok??? … too much, but given I’m in Asia and tend to only collect Optimus not as much as a lot of you folks I’m guessing.

Any rare/expensive figures in your collection?
Most expensive figure is Ultimetal Optimus Prime – my hubby gave him to me for our wedding anniversary… does he count given he can’t transform?
Rare – I have one of the limited edition black box dinobots prizes from Age of Extinction.
Priceless – My Peter Cullen autographed Optimus Prime and Ironhide.
I may have other rare/expensive pieces but I honestly wouldn’t know as I don’t collect them for that reason.

What interesting Licensed Merchandise items do you have?
I have a fair number of t-shirts and I seem to be accumulating a decent collection of movie drinking containers too.

First Transformers toy?
Year of the Horse Optimus Prime. My hubby gave him to me as a birthday present because every time we’d walk past one I’d drool over it and complain about how he was the ONE TOY I wanted as a kid. My parents didn’t believe girls should have “boy” toys which is why I was never allowed any Transformers when they first came out in the 80’s.

One toy you most want?
One thing I’d really love to get one day is one of the gold Optimus Prime prize figures.
I don’t have any one toy I specifically want as I know there are so many out there I’d like to have. I’m kind of spontaneous in my buying. If I see something I don’t have and the price is right I will probably buy it.

Worst toy(s) ever in your opinion?
One steps and the non transforming titans. My god those things are FUGLY. I got a non transforming titan Optimus Prime for AU$3… and still feel like I paid too much for that piece of plastic.

Thoughts on unlicensed fan-project figures/accessories?
Personally I don’t collect unlicensed figures normally. I’ve only gone out of my way to buy one – Positum (Croctimus Prime). I got him because of my fondness for the G1 episode and the assumption Hasbro would probably never release such an obscure Optimus representation.
I do collect licensed 3rd party figures from companies like Kidslogic, Herocross, etc as long as Hasbro or Takara officially approve/endorse them.
Insofar as unlicensed stuff in general, whilst much of it is nice I tend to be one of these people who likes to support the licensed figures in the hope of keeping the momentum of popularity in the Transformers brand alive.

Which single TFs toy should every fan own?
A Masterpiece figure. I’m obviously bias and think MP-10 or MP-27 as they are my 2 favourites. Ask my son and he’d say you should own an MP Megatron or MP Soundwave.

Do you collect other toys (which ones)?
Not anymore. I used to collect Jurassic Park toys and Buffy figurines. They’re all in storage back in Sydney. I’ll probably keep the Jurassic Park stuff but I’m seriously considering selling the Buffy figures when I move back to Oz.

What other (non-toy) interests do you have?
I bake and decorate cakes that people actually seem to enjoy eating.

Love to write (NOT fanfic) but haven’t had time or commitment for it recently.
What type of music/movies/TV/books do you enjoy
Music: Icehouse, Midnight Oil, Tears for Fears & movie soundtracks
TV: Currently enjoying the show Lucifer. It’s written to cater to my perverse sense of humour. One of the shos my hubs and I love watching together. *
Books: Anything by Michael Crichton, Anne Rice or Ken Follett.

If you died today, what would your tombstone say?
No idea, but it would probably make colourful use of the F word.

Given that a lot of Fandoms, especially ones like Transformers, can often have huge ratios of men compared to women, how do you find being a female Transformer fan?
Gender doesn’t play much of a role when engaging in online forums, which is as it should be.
Unfortunately I can’t say the same for Hong Kong. I’ve been to events where a few collectors have been taken aback and somewhat upset that not only a westerner but a GIRL westerner is at an event with them and they will go out of their way to ignore me. I’ll be treated with scepticism by some until they hear me talking and then I’m suddenly acceptable because I can talk the transformers lingo or speak Cantonese. Hasbro HK love me because I’m such a novelty to them when they see me at events… and obviously as the only female collector they always remember me.
I think the biggest issue I have is collectors in general have a hard time believing a woman or girl could have a passion for a “boys toy” so I feel like I have to prove myself before being accepted.

What stands out as some of the big differences between the AU/western fandom and the Hong Kong/China fandoms? Conversely, is there anything that you would have expected to be the different but was the same?
As I mentioned above the Oz fans are far more tolerant. I also find the Oz collectors aren’t as rabid as the Hong Kong collectors. The HK guys have to have their toys the DAY they come out. They’ll line up waiting for stores to open to be the first to get their hands on a figure (even if they’ve pre-ordered it!!) or in extreme cases fight over the last of a figure on a shelf. I’ve witnessed 2 grown men fighting over a Combiner Wars figure at a store in Wan Chai. I was in a store once and as I went to grab a Warpath Legend sized figure off its hook a guy shot his hand out in front of me grabbed it, gave me a cheeky “I got it first” smirk and bounced off to pay for it. I wasn’t that desperate and just laughed in amusement. I also find the HK guys collect everything. When I say everything I mean not only the official figures but the unofficial licensed and unlicensed figures and some pretty garish KO rubbish as well. They will pre-order and queue for ages at Action Robo just to pick up their unlicensed 3P stuff. This amuses me as the apartments here as so small I couldn’t figure out where they store it all. I’ve since learnt some pay for storage units and fill those up while others have their satisfaction of being the first to get a hold of a figure then when they grow bored of it a few weeks/months later take it to a store like Toyzone and put it on consignment to be sold off.
The mainland China (Shanghai) fandom surprised me in how different they are from the HK guys. They guys I met were more like Ozformers – easy going, truly passionate and fun-loving. They surprised me in the fact they prefer the English versions of the shows and movies and used me as an opportunity to practice their English – one guy had even learned English by watching Transformers!

How do non-TF collectors react to your Transformer hobby?
Generally with confusion. A lot of the expat woman here think I am truly the weirdest person they’ve ever met because of it. How odd am I that I have no idea about their latest designer handbags because I’m too invested in my odd plastic toys! My husbands work colleagues and friends generally think it is unusual but cool.

What are some of the things you have put your partner through with your hobby, in terms of events and toy-hunting?

My poor hubby has been through it all with me.
He’s been through the Transformers Expo in Macau (twice) when it was on.
He’s been to several of the HK Ani-cons to hold my purchases while I continue walking around.
He’s carried the box for Ultimetal Optimus Prime from Yau Ma Tei (Ins Point) to Mong Kok (about 800 metres) where we parked our car one time. Anyone who has seen or tried lifting the box (not just the toy) will know that packaged up that figure is EXTREMELY heavy.
He’s gone out of his way to venture with me to toy areas in countries including Taiwan, China, Japan, Vietnam, Philippines and most recently Bangkok in Thailand. In some cases this has meant a special trip in a taxi to areas off the beaten track. He now allocates time in our travel itinerary (especially in Japan) for us to detour to at least one of the Transformers shops he knows I will want to go to.
He’s also gone out of his way to get things for me during his free time on work trips – eg he got some Transformers mens beauty masks (yes you read that right peoples!) while away for work in South Korea one year because he noticed they had Optimus Prime on them.When I was ill and immobile last year he ventured over to Mong Kok for me a couple of time to pick up Transformers I had pre-ordered on my behalf. He will reluctantly come with me to Sino Centre and Ins Point on the odd shopping trip as long as we go and have a nice dinner afterwards.
He has come to a couple of Hasbro VIP events, including a Star Wars event I was invited to. He’s not a collector nor is he a huge fan of Transformers… but love is love… what can I say? I know what a lucky woman I am.
Oh – and the poor bastard has to deal with one corner of our bedroom towering up with boxes of Optimus Primes I don’t have room to display.
I’ve never had to sneak anything into the apartment. I HAVE asked his approval a couple of times before outlaying on figures if they’re on the pricy side. The only time I’ve hidden MY Transformers from the kids is when I’ve brought figures for my husband to give to me as presents so the kids think he’s gone out and brought them. This always impresses the kids when they help him wrap the presents; daddy is so thoughtful he’s able to get exactly the right Optimus Primes for their mum.
 As a Transformers fan, when you move back to Australia, what are you going to miss most about Hong Kong… considering that you have easy access to both Hasbro and TakaraTomy Transformers in toy stores, along with a plethora of collectable cubicles, selling old and new toys, and the occasional fan events?
What will I miss most about Hong Kong? Hobbybase and In’s Point. The convenience of walking into a store to pre-order all my Takara figures (and the odd Hasbro figure) I will miss greatly. I haven’t even thought about how I’m going to replace that luxury when we move back. I’ll also miss the ability to shop around and price check stores (all in the same mall) to find the best deals on figures. But mostly I’ll miss the easy and relatively cheap access to Takara merchandise. That and some of the local food that I’ve never had replicated correctly elsewhere.
If we look at my non-toy Transformers items it’s well up over the 300 – 400 mark. If you add in my children’s Transformers collections it would be over the 600 mark. My son probably has well over 200 of his own Transformers…
My favourites… Ultimetal Optimus Prime is my favourite non transforming figure. I absolutely love it. MP-27 is my favourite masterpiece figure to transform. My autographed 2002 New Years Encore Optimus Prime is my favourite SMIB figure.

Which item in your collection do your kids most envy and want in their own collection?
My son has his eye on my Kidslogic Grimlock. My daughter has her eye on MP-27 Ironhide and loves setting up Ultimetal Prime in interesting poses.

What started it all for you? Was it an episode, a toy or a character?
It was the G1 show that I fell in love with and the asthetic/voice/characterisation of Optimus Prime. He was the one toy I always, ALWAYS wanted as a kid (other than K.I.T.T) but was never allowed.

 

Don’t forger to check out Lisamaree’s blog:  http://www.lisamaree.com – well worth a read!

And if you have any other questions for her, pop them in the comments section below and I’m sure she will do her best to answer them!

Ask Trev!, Fan Interviews & Art, Transformatorium

Fanscan interview with Big Angry Trev

Leave a comment
This is a transcript of an interview I did where I answered questions from fellow Aussie Transfans – enjoy!
Women want him (to stop belching mainly)
Men want to be him (so that his toys becomes theirs)
He is the Alpha Trion and the Omega Supreme. He is all things to all peoples. As he travels the globe he brings a sense of hope and the scent of heavily fried bacon into the lives of all he touches.
He is a hero of the fanbase
Big Transformer Trev!

Fanscan Interview: August 2017
Subject: Big Angry Trev
Interviewer: Dr. Hook, PhD, OBE, FIBRIR
Master of Processes: Mr. S Megatron

Dr. H: (takes a seat) Thank you for joining me here today.
BAT: (takes the seat opposite) No probs.
Dr. H: Care for a water? Or tea?
BAT: Na. Got any beer? Maybe some jerky or a couple of rissoles?
Dr. H: Er… no.
BAT: I take it a fried egg & bacon sandwich is out of the question?
Dr. H: We have no meat or alcohol on the premises
BAT: Shit, really? Don’t worry then
Dr. H: Ok, we are going to go through some of what are referred to as the ‘stock’ questions, then some questions from some of the Aussie Transfans out there.
BAT: (leans back) Go for it.

Dr. H: Getting straight onto the topic of Transformers, if you had an Allegiance, what would it be?
BAT: Decepticon. I find humanity for the most part to be made up of fricken idiots! I’d love to rule the planet and thusly run it the way I think it needs to be run, under the threat of force from my giant army of killer shape-changing robots from space!

Dr. H: (Underlines ‘messiah complex‘) What would your techspec motto be?
BAT: All shall love me and despair
Dr. H: You stole that from LOTR didn’t you.
BAT: (shrugs) Don’t give a f*ck – always really loved that phrase.

Dr. H: Which existing, official Transformers character best describes you?
BAT: Back in my hippy/backpacker years I would have said Beachcomber. When I was a brash young man I would have said Hot Rod. Now, I dunno, I guess maybe Brainstorm from The Lost Light? Good deep down but a smart arse, slightly amoral and thinks he is more intelligent than everyone else. Chuck in a bit of Whirl psychoticness for good measure andSwerve’s obsessive need to amuse in the hope he will be accepted by his peers.

Dr. H: Which special ability of any Transformers character would you want to have for yourself?
BAT: Blurr’s super speed, I reckon that beats almost every other power if you are too fast to stop or hit. But since I’ve been a kid I’ve dreamed about flying. To have personal flight like the G1 cartoon Cons (a Disney-Movieesque sparkle enters his eyes), what freedom that would be!

Dr. H: How would you rate yourself on a C scale, C10 being MISB Mint perfection to the lowest C1 ‘junker not worth it even for parts’?
BAT: For a long time I’ve felt like C3 at best. In the past few months with no booze, smokes and energy drinks I reckon I’d be a C7 or 8. Or as close to as someone my age can be. I’ve lost nearly 10 kilos and do physical work all day with breaking nary a sweat.

Dr. H: How long have you been a fan of Transformers?
BAT: Since the very first episode aired on TV here in Australia back in 1984 – love at first sight!

Dr. H: And how long have you been a collector?
BAT: As a kid you just take what toys you are given so I reckon I started being a ‘collector’ as a teenager. I started collecting a lot of the reissues that I had originally missed like the combiner groups and stopped when G1 finished. I then started collecting again when a friend gave me a G1 Optimus for my first wedding in 2001 and have been going ever since.

Dr. H: Do you think you will collect Transformers until you die?
BAT: Is that a threat?! (smashes bottle on side table and brandishes it) IS THAT A THREAT YOU FILTHY BASTARD?!?!
Dr. H: (looking shocked and slightly disgusted) No! Now sit down sir.
BAT: F*CK YOU!
Dr. H: I SAID SIT DOWN SIR!
BAT: (sits, looking properly chastised) Ok, no need to be snippy.

Dr. H: Ahem. Now. Do people outside of the general Transformers fandom know you collect TFs?
BAT: (grinning again) Oh my yes, have you seen my ute?

Dr. H: Were your family/parents supportive of collecting toys or did you have to hide your passion from them and friends?
BAT: Mum ran a little toy shop so during my teens I got all my TF’s at cost price. I vaguely remember her being annoyed once when I bought my 3rd pack of Micromasters in the one fortnight. Dad, well, Dad stayed on the farm all his life and had a few issues so to be honest probably couldn’t have told you what I collected, since if it wasn’t related to the farm he wasn’t interested. My friends have always been really supportive of my collecting as an adult.

Dr. H: Given your rather gregarious nature, have you attended any fan-meets, Fairs, Conventions etc?
BAT: When I lived in Melbourne I used to go to Supernova each year but was never aware of any Transformer-specific events.

Dr. H: Being creative, do you do any such endeavors with Transformers such as drawing, writing, customising etc?
BAT: I used to write fanfics about 15 years ago. My Soundwave vs The Borg one was the top rated on Lexicon for quite a while. But no, not really, except for reviews on my blog.

Dr. H: What is your favourite series, era or year, and why?
BAT: I’m a geewunner through and through. I have enjoyed pretty much all the iterations of the Transformers, even the movies, but G1 wins hands down for me.

Dr. H: And your least favourite series/era/year, and why?
BAT: I really didn’t like the first Robots in Disguise series back in the naught-ies. I found the cartoon awful and while many of the toys alt-modes looked fantastic – the best I’d seen since early G1 – I found the majority of the toys had needlessly complicated transformations, especially the 3 Autobot brothers.

Dr. H: Do you collect any of the comics?
BAT: I’ve collected most everything from the Marvel G2 run onwards and have since gotten a lot of reissues of the Marvel G1 ones.

Dr.H: And what have been your favorite comic stories?
BAT: I really loved the first half of the IDW ‘All Hail Megatron’ storyline. It was great to see how easily the Decepticons handed humanity their arse! I quite liked the Sunstorm story arc from Dreamwave and am currently enjoying MTMTE/The Lost Light. And since they were the first comics I ever owned the entire run of, I really enjoyed the G2 twelve-parter, even if the second and third issues were pretty weak.

Dr. H: Collect any cartoons?
BAT: (looks up a pic on his phone and holds it up smugly) You tell me doc.

Dr. H: Er, yes, well done. Do you have a favorite cartoon or episode?
BAT: G1 is da bomb baby. Do people still say that? F*ck it – I’m bringing it back! The mutha-f*cking bomb yo! Optimus Prime actually sounded happy and used to laugh back then! Call of the Primitives was an awesome episode from season 3 but I could happily watch nothing but seasons 1 & 2 for the rest of my days.

Dr. H: Who is your favourite character, and why?
BAT: Aw man, that’s like asking a guy to pick his favorite kid again. Don’t have an absolute favorite but I really dig Soundwave, Swindle, Shockwave, Starscream, Grimlock, Hot Rod, Omega Supreme, etc.

Dr. H: Who do you think is the sexiest Transformer?
BAT: (looks aghast) Dude. They are giant alien robots. There is nothing sexy going on.
Dr. H: I took the liberty of looking at your blog before this interview started. Care to explain this image from one of your reviews then?

BAT: I..I like to have a comfortable mousepad for my wrist is all.
Dr. H: So why did you need two?
BTT: I’ve…. got two wrists?
Dr. H: (sotto voce) And I bet they both get worn out pretty often.
BAT: What was that?
Dr. H: Nothing.

Dr. H: Which Transformers character would you want to exist for real?
BAT: Omega Supreme. Always loved him, plus he is big enough to intimidate entire countries and get me off planet if needs be.

Dr. H: Favourite TFs movie?
BAT: The animated one from 86’ – I can recite every word off by heart and have the soundtrack in my twincab CD player permanently.

Dr. H: Which was your very first Transformers toy?
BAT: G1 Dirge. Got given it for my birthday from a lady my mum used to babysit for. I went that nuts that when it was Xmas the next month I scored both a Mirage and a Cyclonus from my siblings.

Dr. H: Given you have been collecting for over 30 years then, approximately how many Transformer action figures in your collection now?
BAT: I haven’t done a database update for a while but I know earlier in the year I passed the 2000 mark. And I’ve got about a thousand other TF items like clothing, books, mugs and stuff.

Dr. H: Do you keep the action figures sealed or do you take them out to play with?
BAT: I reckon I’ve got maybe 100+ that have never been opened. Half of those would be because I never got around to it, like a lot of the DOTM Human Alliance toys.

Dr. H: Given your impressive collection, how much do you think you’ve spent on your collecting habit all up?
BAT: Oh f*ck knows – thousands, probably tens of thousands all up.

Dr. H: Are any of these particularly rare or expensive?
BAT: The MP Coneheads were stupidly expensive. I spent about $500 on a MIB G1 Scorponok about 5 years ago and over a grand on a 100% complete G1 Fortress Maximus the year before that. Of course 5 months later they announced the reissue that was going for a quarter of that price – was kicking myself. Also got the Botcon Stunticon lot shipping as we speak. As for rare, I do have a G1 Bumblebee red-variant somewhere.

Dr. H: What interesting Licensed Merchandise items do you have?
BAT: I have a tshirt from the actual visual effects team from the first live action movie. An American mate of mine had a friend who worked on TF1 and he passed it along. I’ve also got Big Grim from TF4 as well of course, though he is currently awaiting repair.


Dr. H: What’s one toy you most want?
BAT: One? Bwah haha! You are joking mate – there are bloody tons! If I was to make up a list off the top of my head though from different continuities I’d say:
G1 Overlord
G2 Megatron
BW Blackarachnia
BM Obsidian
RID(01) Scourge
Armada Powerlink Thrust
Energon Beachcomber & Galvatron
Cybertron Skywarp
Animated Blackout & Ratbat
Prime Bludgeon
RID(15) Cyclonus
RescueBots Salvage
Movieverse TLK Leader Megatron
Timelines Slicer
Henkei Ratchet
Arms Micron Breakdown
Titanium Prowl

Dr. H: Whoah – that’s quite a list! I can’t believe you came up with that off the top of your head! One would almost think you Googled the toylines in advance in anticipation of my question.
BAT: (looking shifty) Na, I wouldn’t do that. Hey look over there – that wall is pretty rockin eh!

Dr. H: Moving on. What is the current centerpiece or favoured toy in your collection at the moment?
BAT: Titans Return Trypticon with G1 Overdrive an honorable second.

Dr. H: What was your favourite toy in your early years of collecting?
BAT: As a young kid it was the Stunticons as it was the only combiner group I had.

Dr. H: Which Toy do you like transforming most and why?
BAT: The reissue Powermaster Optimus Prime. That’s so much fun and so satisfying.

Dr. H: What’s the worst toy in your collection?
BAT: RescueBots Quickshadow – what a f*cking piece of shit! Only one damn movement to transform and it still f*cks up!

Dr. H: Along those lines, which toy was most disappointing when you got it?
BAT: Masterpiece Star Saber. Paid a ton for it and its just such an underwhelming toy.

Dr.H: What do you think about gimmicky and non-convertable Transformers toys?
BAT: I have almost zero interest in toy gimmicks, like I’d probably be happier if a lot of the Titans Return toys were not Headmasters. As for non-convertible, if it’s a display piece like a bust or statuette that’s cool, otherwise I don’t see the point of them. I do have most of the Robot Heroes though and love those little guys!

Dr. H: What do you think about unlicensed fan-project figures and accessories?
BAT: I don’t touch’em usually. I got an upgrade kit for my CW Menasor because frankly he looked shit compared to the other gestalts. I also picked up some 3P Quintessons simply as otherwise I’d have no toy of them at all.

Dr. H: Thoughts on the Transformers Brand over the last five years?
BAT: Pretty damn good – it’s an awesome time to be a collector, even if it hits the wallet pretty hard. The Beast Hunters cartoon and the Generations toyline are the definite highlights of the last half decade. The fact we have had two high-grossing live action movies bodes damn well for the franchise as well.

Dr. H: Best Memory with Transformers?
BAT: I’m forming new ones with my son every week.

Dr. H: Worst memory with Transformers?
BAT: When I was a kid I scored Omega Supreme because I literally got down on my knees and begged when I saw him in the shop on a family holiday. A few weeks later the movement gimmick of him stopped working and my mum returned him. A few days after that I was telling a mate at school and he said “Why didn’t you just keep it anyway?” It was such an obvious thing to do, I was kicking myself! Think I even went away and had a little cry.
These days it’s all the fighting and negativity that seems to permeate the fanbase. People seem to think that making personal insults to strangers, over something like a difference of opinion about toys, is fine because its online.  My motto: ‘If you wouldn’t say it to someone in the pub because you’d get a smack in the mouth – don’t say it online!’

Dr. H: In your opinion, which single TF toy should every fan own?
BAT: There are two, both masterpiece. MP Optimus with the trailer and MP Soundwave with the cassettes.

Dr. H: Which Transformers toy/product would you give as a wedding present?
BAT: I got a G1 Optimus for my first wedding and was thrilled, can’t think of a better one to give anyone else.

Dr. H: Do you collect anything else?
BAT: During the post-G1 years I collected memorabilia from the TV show Home Improvement. Clothing, mugs, board games, trading cards – the lot! A few years ago I was collecting anime figures like Super Sonico & Pochaco but it was cutting too much into my Transformers budget and stopped.

Dr. H: (subtly Googles ‘Pochaco’ on his phone, then writes under the other observations ‘probable mazophiliac’) What other interests do you have that are non-toy related?
BAT: Mainly hobby farming. For every minute I spend playing with my Transformers I probably spend a full day working on my farm. Everything from building cubby houses, pirate ships and sandpits for my kids to organically growing fruit, vegetables and the like. I have goats, chooks, ducks etc. I really do love living on a farm in the nice, quiet, beautiful countryside and growing plants and animals. I’ve quit teaching to see if I can make a go of it as a living.
Other stuff? Well I love meat – like I REALLY love meat! My wife was a vegetarian when I first met her 15 years ago – didn’t take me long to lure her back to the winning side. I intend to start making my own sausages soon as well as brewing my own beer.
I’m a big fan of Deadpool and also The Tick.
I’d say my family but that’s not an interest – that’s my reason for existence.

Dr. H: What entertainment do you enjoy for leisure? As in music, movies, tv, books and the like?
BAT: When it comes to music I don’t give a damn what is popular or what genre it is, it’s whether I personally like it. So back in the day I was just as likely to listen to The Spice Girls as I was hard rock. If I have a particular genre I like best it’s probably Speed Metal. The best way to describe it is, if the song makes me want to charge into battle and headbutt a tank then that’s the music for me! If I have a favorite band at the moment I’d say it is Baby Metal. What it will be in 6 months I honestly don’t know. Quite like Hilltop Hoods, Rammstein and The Wombats as well. Best show I’ve seen live was the Jon Butler Trio a few years back.
Movies, my tastes are fairly wide but generally action and/or comedy are the ones that appeal to me. A good sci-fi/horror gets my vote as well. Anything that talks about feelings – no thank you! Anything animated – yes please! I don’t watch movies that much because frankly you can figure out the plot and the probable ending in the first 5 mintues of a flick these days. I really liked Seven because it didn’t have a happy ending.
Television, I don’t really watch much as I’m an outdoors person and of a night we have the kids routine to work through. The shows I make time for would be Criminal Minds, Law & Order SVU & Mad as Hell. Just finished season 2 of Arrow. My fav show at the moment would be Rick & Morty – it’s awesome! I’m really hoping the new version of The Tick does justice to such a great character. The only reality TV show I’d ever watch would be if it chronicled me hunting down the f*cker that invented reality TV in the first f*cking place and shoving a movie camera forcibly up his bastard arse! Stupid f*cking shit that it is!
Books, don’t have much time for sadly which is a shame because I’ve always been a prolific reader. I enjoy reading classics that I’ve never encountered before, the latest one would be The Day of the Triffids and before that it was Animal Farm and One flew over the Cuckoos Nest. I’ve read the Discworld series to death and when younger used to read Footrot Flatsover and over. I like Deadpool comics as well.

Dr. H: If you died today, and no that’s not a threat, what would your tombstone say?
BAT: Realistically, and most accurately, probably ‘Loving Husband and Father’. But I wouldn’t mind it saying ‘Trev’s on his way – duck and cover God!’

Dr. H: And before we move onto the submitted questions from other Aussie Transfans, is there anything else you would like people to know about you?
BAT: Not really, I’m a very private person.
Dr. H: Yes, evidently so.

 

Quote:
Question by Bas View Post
Did you really get shitty at the thought of Prime being a primate?
Quote:
Question by ‘The Raider’ View Post
Monkey or Truck? 😛

BAT: Ok, let’s put this Beast Wars thing to rest once and for all.
My G1 collecting massively slowed down in the late 80’s as the majority of the Decepticons became weird monster things rather than vehicles. A few monsters and animals I didn’t mind being in there for variety and loved groups like the Dinobots and Predacons, but it was getting too much by 1988 and taking up too much of the line. Hence why I had groups like the Triggercons but not the Decepticon Headmasters. Then came the Pretenders and I absolutely hated them – organic shells seemed so stupid! Where were the armies of giant robots that turned into jets and trucks and sports cars and stuff that I fell in love with in 84’? So my collecting slowly died and I bid Transformers what I thought was a final sad farewell, with the Predator team being the last lot I collected that I really liked.
Animorphs came and went which I didn’t even credit as being Transformers. Then one day in 1996 I was flicking channels and there was some talking rat who looked up to a gorilla standing next to him and called him ‘Optimus’. What. The. F*ck!? I watched a bit more and found out that THIS was the new version of Transformers and that Optimus turned into a gorilla and Megatron turned into a T-Rex and both they and their armies were all really small and had organic alt-modes now. Also they were called Maximals and Predacons instead of Autobots and Decepticons which seemed to be just a bunch of new-age bollocks.
It was blasphemy! It was bullshit! It was a kick in the face to everything I had loved about the franchise! I was beyond pissed off and ranted, usually over several beers at the Uni pub, that this was everything that was wrong with the world and they might as well start dropping the bloody nukes right now!
Of course many years later on I learned better. I learned that these were not the original Optimus and Megatron and that the series actually paid a lot of homage to G1 and was a continuation of it rather than a replacement. Then came Transmetal bodies, The Ark, appearances by Ravage etc and I got right into it. So now I have the DVD box sets, a couple of toys, some comics, a poster etc. Yeah it’s not my favorite iteration of Transformers, not even in my top 5. But I can appreciate it for what it is and there are some episodes from late in S3 I’d happily watch again and again. I really like Depthcharge and have a soft spot for Waspinator.

Question by Scott View Post
So I hear you’re the current Ozformers Member of the Year (2016). The website owner has held this prominent position for many a years. Do you think the voters got ‘boss fatigue’ & voted for a non-traditional member? (just like Donald Trump for the White House)

BAT: I am nothing like Trump!

I don’t think I was Boss fatigue per’se, it was just a bit of fun to vote for someone different. In fact I think he himself had been encouraging people for years to not vote for him. If there is any element of what you are suggesting involved, at most it may be that the site owner is often forced into the teacher role trying to control peoples behavior whereas I’m often at the other end of the spectrum in the naughty-scamp role, stirring shit hither and yon.

Question by Scott View Post
The elections on that site are always shrouded in mud slinging & dirty campaign tactics but never get the light of day. Can you give an insight on how your campaign team was so overwhelmingly successful to achieve 29% of all primary votes.

BAT: It was all a bit of fun really. I Give all the credit to Scotty for doing campaign art!

Question by Megatran View Post
You’ve got more Transformers apparel than most people. Which Transformers apparel are you most fond of? How’d it come into your possession?

BAT: Well I already talked about the tshirt from the visual effects team. I’ve got a light-up Autobot tshirt somewhere that I like for the novelty value and about 8 different G1 Soundwave tops. I think my favorite one at the moment is my Optimus one where he is a Truck because of the message on it.

It’s not remotely PC which always gets my vote but also is self-mocking via the fact that anyone wearing a Transformers tshirt in public is actually very unlikely to be mobbed by the opposite sex.

Question by Michael View Post
My question: It’s no secret you have young kids. What do you do (if anything) to pass the torch of TF fanship to the next generation? Is it a concern for you if they decide to not pursue TFs as a hobby/interest?

BAT: Well considering my sons given names the poor little sod never had much of a chance to avoid the Transformers world. He truly loves it though and to be honest sharing it with him is now the highlight of the hobby for me! I never open a new toy without him and he loves putting the trading cards in my folder, holding the Titan Masters and weapons while I transform the figures and playing with them in both modes. He has a pretty extensive collection for a 4 year old, with the majority of the Rescue Bots, a lot of the Happy Meal figures and a few huge figures like the Stomp’n’Chomp Grimlock and RID(15) Bumbebee. He’s got tons of TF clothing himself as I buy it for him whenever I see it.

I have a crate up in the cupboard full of Transformer stuff for him for future birthdays, many based around his namesake.

My daughter has not fully escaped either. At only two years of age I’m getting her right into my little pony and even made a display of TF/MLP comic crossover covers for her wall.

If they hated Transformers I’d be disappointed but it doesn’t concern me if neither of my kids pursue it as a hobby or interest. They are awesome little individuals with their own lives and their own tastes. After all, I love my wife and I still haven’t managed to get her to even watch AoE yet! It was a major disappointment to my family that, despite me actually giving everything a go such as being on the school cricket and basketball teams, that I had bugger all interest in sport – it wasn’t who I was. I don’t wanna inflict that kinda judgment on my kids or try and force them into something they won’t enjoy – I’ve been there.
Question by JUST CHILEN YO View Post
If you could go back in time to collect a MISB Transformer, either Hasbro or TakTom, what would it be?
BAT: • If it was for desire I’d say G1 Overlord since that is one toy I will probably never own and I’d absolutely love to get my hands on – it looks so damn cool!
• If it was for profit I’d say G1 Fort Max, I’d bring him back to the future and flog him for a fortune!
• If it was out of bitterness, I’d say G1 Soundwave. I gave one to a close mate in my early 20’s and a couple of months later he turned into a total bastard and we weren’t friends anymore, so I regret giving him such a special gift – especially since I may have two G1 Soundwave’s myself but neither have their box.
• If it was MOSC instead of MISB I’d say Squawktalk & Beastbox since they are the only Hasbro Con cassettes I am missing.
Dr. H: Big Angry Trev, thanks for joining us today.
BAT: No wukkas, can you call me a taxi?
Dr. H: You’re a taxi
BAT: Oh, just fu*k off would ya!
__________________
Fan Interviews & Art, Games & Competitions, Transformatorium

Transformers Trump Card Competition Winners!

Leave a comment

Well done to the winners of the Transformers Top Trumps Competition!  People had to either write a poem or create a picture that involved me and the Transformers somehow.  We have our two winners below: Brody wrote a poem chronicling the dramas I had getting my PC fixed when I turned up and the old owner, who was also a Transformers nut, had sold the business.  Scottie (our resident fan artist extraordinaire!) has created a simply awesome pic which hopefully bodes well for the future casting decisions of upcoming Transformer movies.  Well done guys, your Top Trump cards will be sent out to you soon!

 

A poem by Brody

You took your pc to get fixed,
The owner was new,
And he you knew,
He also liked Transformers
It took you a while to remember the former
Rhyming is hard,
I’m not Wheelie,
Really!!
Thirty-Five words,
I’m not the Riddler
I am not a Fiddler
Don’t linger,
Just be careful of Dipstick’s finger!

 

A picture by Scottie 

ScottiePic