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. 

Aroma of Troma: Teenage Catgirls in Heat (1993)

 Teenage Catgirls in Heat (1993), dir. Scotty Perry, Midwest Productions Groups/Troma Entertainment 

I shudder to think the kind of traffic this is going to bring. 

Aroma of Troma: House of the Rising (1994)

 House of the Rising (1994) dir. Timothy Hines, Acid Rain Filmworks/Troma Entertainment 

This might be a first, in that it is the one Troma film no one seems to have watched. I can't find it anywhere or at least on any streaming service that I trust. The only info seems to be that it takes place at a retro themed house party. 

Even the IMDB seems a bit muddle about the plot details. If you can find a copy, let me know. 

Aroma of Troma: The Troma System (1993)

 The Troma System (1993), dir. Michael Herz, Lloyd Kaufman, and Jeffery W. Sass, Troma Entertainment

Huh. 

Interesting, and while this isn't a feature film it is a pure Troma production so I'm counting it. 

What is the Troma system? Why, only the handiest, dandiest system around! Yes, if you buy Troma films and related products, you too can change your life!*

We open with a gorgeous girl (Theressa Lynn) and a gorgeous guy (Ron Fazio) having an intimate moment, but they stop long enough to inform us that the next thirty minutes are going to blow our minds!

Yeah, this is basically an informercial asking you to buy from Troma directly. This aired a bit on Comedy Central in 1993. That was the new way of advertising back in the day but looking over the ad, you do get your money's worth. A VHS tape, signed poster, cassette, and a sticker. Not a bad haul for the money asked. 

*Offer void in Tennessee and Guam, some restrictions may apply, results not guaranteed