TFtember: Topspin

Topspin  

Prior to this, we've been looking at most just Transformers. Sure, we had cars, minicars, jets, etc. but here we had an actual different line-toys that did something besides just change. 

Jumpstarters! Vehicles that would flip on their own accord and transform-all by themselves! The catch is the parts need for this can wear down and break, so finding one in good shape nowadays is a bit hard. 

Topspin, apparently some kind of hovercraft thing, only had one toy in all of Generation One. His file card paints him as a thrillseeker of sorts, beating the terrain is almost as important as beating Decepticons to him. 

The comic paints him in a similar light. He only ever showed up in the UK books and was part of the Wreckers group, a sort of Dirty Dozen/Suicide Squad. This proved apt as Topspin got his head blown off by Megatron in one issue. 

He never showed up in the cartoon. 

Tftember: Webworld

 "Webworld", the Transformers, October 20th, 19886

The one where Galvatron drives a planet crazy.

During a material raid, Galvatron spends more time firing on his own troops than the Autobots. Back at their base, Cyclonus ponders. If he doesn't do something and fast they could have a full blown rebellion on their hands. A Quintesson appears and mentions the planet Torkulon, renowned for their healing abilities. 

Wonder what kind of insurnace they take?

Galvatron is lured there and the healing begins, or at least attempts. It seems Galvatron is just so darn crazy every technique the Torklons just makes him crazier. They have one last trick, however, and it is basically a lobotomy conducted by the entire planet. 

Of course, opening the planet's mind to Galvatron's particular brand of crazy may not be the best idea...

Pretty good and a nice focus on Galvatron. 

TFtember: GI Joe and the Transformers#1

"Blood on the Tracks", GI Joe and the Transformers#1 (January 1987), with credits to Michael Higgins (script), Herb Trimpe (pencils), Vince Colleta (inks), Nelson Yomtov (colors), Joe Rosen (letters), Bob Harris and Don Daley (editors)

Like chocolate and peanut butter. Seriously, you'd think the two franchises would have crossed over before this but it seems back in the day Hasbro wanted both shows to be on equal footing before they crossed over. When Transformers was popular, Joe wasn't and vice versa. 

For continuity, this takes place around Transformers#19 and G.I. Joe#50.

The Joe team has a new assignment: Protect Power Station Alpha. There are other parties interested, namely the Decepticons and Autobots. Bumblebee is picked, and the minicar spends most of his travel lamenting his lack of physical strength.

The Drednoks have been assigned to watch the power station but as is their want they got bored and kind of wandered off. They decide to highjack the station (it being mobile might have helped) but a group of bikers VS highly elite military fighting force isn't the most balanced battle. 

Bumblebee is forced to exposed himself to avoid Buzzer's chainsaw but the gang manages to escape. Cobra Commander is most annoyed while Megatron is equally annoyed. The latter orders Dirge and Bombshell to take over the station. 

Bombshell manages to infect the son of one of the station protestors and makes the lad walk into traffic. Bumblebee radios for backup and the Aerialbots are dispatched. The jets would never make it in time, so Bumblebee transforms and saves the boy.

This sadly puts him literally in the crosshairs of the Joe team who open fire and blast the brave scout apart just as the Autobot jets arrive. They are not happy. 

Well, that's a heck of an opening. Good set up with a plot that could easily be on either show. 

TFtember: Thrust

Thrust 

Getting back into the jets and this time we're looking at Thrust. Much like the other series 2 jets, Thrust is just a recolor of the first wave jets only with VTOL fans on his legs. According to his filecard, he is a loudmouth braggart who attempts to 'psych out' his enemies by being as loud as possible. Basically, the worst guy you could have in the field. 

Only one toy in all of Generation 1 although there would be others in subsequent lines. 

The comics tell a similar story. In the UK books he is described as an elite warrior although in the American series he just pops up with no introduction and basically just acted as another thug until Blaster blew him up in #41, although he did show up in the background of issue#47. 

Voiced by Ed Gilbert in the show, Thrust popped up with no explanation in season two. He was mostly just another jet, acting more or less just like Ramjet or Dirge. His biggest moment probably came from the film where he was first run over by Optimus Prime (set to "the Touch") then later eaten by Unicron.

He got better, popping up in season three. 

Not the biggest character in the show but he was there. 

TFtember: Ghost in the Machine

"Ghost in the Machine", the Transformers, October 21, 1986

We see the return of Starscream's ghost!

He's still lurking about, this time possessing Scourge and acting amuck. Cyclonus follows but gives up, assuming his comrade has defected to the Autobots, but that isn't Starscream's goal. No, his destination is the severed head of Unicron, now acting as a moon to Cybertron. 

Unicorn needs a few favors and if Starscream wants to be a whole robot again, he'd better do them. First order of business, some eyeballs. They steal Metroplex's eyes but one get busted during the theft, so with some trickery they manage to steal one of Trypticon's eyes. 

The next task is to steal the transformation cog from Trypticon. Seems like he should have told them that while they were there but what do I know?

With Unicron's plans nearly completion will Starscream have a body again?

Honestly better than you'd think. Glad to see Starscream again even if this would be his last appearance in the series. They could have done quite a bit with a ghost transformer but it didn't quite pan out. More's the pity. 

TFtember: The Night Transformers Saved Christmas

"The Night Transformers Saved Christmas" Women's Day (December 26, 1985) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Herb Trimpe (pencils), Nelson Yomtov (colors), and Ellen levine (editor).

A different yarn this time out, in that it was an exclusive insert in the weekly mag Women's Day. 

Soundwave and Laserbeak are up to no good as they are stealing the power from the town of Midvalle's power station. Bumblebee manages to spot them and summons an Autobot war party. In the fracas the Perry family's car gets wrecked. 

The family is thankfully unhurt, but little Meagn is going to be crushed that they won't be able to deliver presents to the needy of Midvalle now. 

Not on Bumblebee's watch! He goes to town to help power the town's Christmas tree while the rest of the Autobot's fix the family's car. 

Decent and seasonal. Low stakes and easy enough to follow. 

TFtember: Tech Specometer Eleven

Tech Specometer Eleven  

Starting this one up again and yeah, got a weird one.

Made by Nasta and rebranded for the North American market, this is a basically a child's first multitool. 

Included:

Telescope 

Periscope

Magnifying class

Tape measure 

Reflector

Altimeter

Compass

Flashlight 

Whistle

 Sundial

Counter

The Japanese version had a working AM radio instead of a reflector, but I guess somethings aren't meant to be. To my knowledge it never appeared in any other format or medium. I never cared for things like this, as the included tools were usually too small to be effective.