Kistler on The Transformers: Movie vs. Cartoons/Comics

This is a companion piece to an Interview with Optimus Prime, in which Peter Cullen talks about the upcoming movie.

A while ago a bunch of toys came out called the Transformers. To help advertise, a cartoon show and a Marvel comic book series came out featuring the characters in parallel but distinctly different continuities. Later on, a few different comic book series followed, each with their own take on continuity. The cartoon TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS showed us the descendants of the beings from the original cartoon series and even later than that, other cartoon series (ROBOTS IN DISGUISE, ARMADA, ENERGON and CYBERTRON) were created that re-envisioned the Transformers universe from scratch. And we’re not even talking about the U.K. and Japanese versions or the alternate universe G.I. JOE/TRANSFORMERS series that’s going on to this day.

Although all the stories differed on the origins of certain characters and how their robotic race was created, all agreed on the same basic premise: on the planet Cybertron, a civil war raged between a race of living robots. These robots later came to Earth and made it their final battlefield. There were the Autobots, who were all about living in harmony with everyone, and the Decepticons, who wanted military conquest.

"But Alan, why did Transformers turn into Earth-based vehicles and devices if they were aliens? How does that make sense?"

Simple. In the original cartoon and comic book series, the Autobots and Decepticons originally had "Cybertronian forms" that looked like alien vehicles and tech. For instance, in the very first episode, we saw Starscream turn into a futuristic jet and Bumblebee shift into an alien hover car. Eventually, the two sides were fighting on a spaceship that crashed to Earth and sent them all into a coma-like state. After lying in stasis for a few million years, the ship’s computers eventually came back online and sought to repair the Transformers within. It sent out probes that scanned Earth’s technology and used that as a basis for its repairs, allowing the Autobots and Decepticons to now camouflage themselves as Earth technology.

So as we all know, there’s now a new movie is coming out and both screenwriters have talked about being big fans of the original cartoon series and are taking a lot of influence from it. What’s more, they also revealed just WHICH Autobots and Decepticons they’re going to use. We’ve got eight Decepticons vs. five Autobots, which would certainly fit with the idea of the original cartoon that the Autobots were fewer in number and were trying desperately to fight a more powerful army.

So anyway, for you folks who grew up on the cartoon and are curious, or if you don’t quite remember just who did what back in the old days, here’s a look at those who will be in the Transformers film and how their movie versions will compare to the cartoon/comic versions.

One change that will be across the board is that the Transformers will have more anthropomorphic eyes so that they can emote more for the audience. Another change is that it looks like most if not all will have two versions of their faces. There will be their normal robot mode face, which will have a mouth, and a battle-mode face which involves visors and/or face-plates flipping up.

So let’s begin the comparisons!

DECEPTICONS

SCORPONOK - In the original cartoon series and comic series, Scorponok was a Transformer who could shift between being a Decepticon battle-station and a robotic scorpion large enough to crush buildings in his claws. He was one of the "Headmasters", meaning an organic being would pilot him, adding to his resourcefulness. In the new comic series, Scorponok is a Decepticon terrorist who does turn into a robotic scorpion but is no larger than most Transformers and is often increasing his level of technology.

In the cartoon series BEAST WARS (which starred the descendants of the Autobots and Decepticons), a Transformer created generations later also took on the name of Scorponok. He turned into a large, organic looking scorpion that was larger than a man. It is this version of the character that the film is going to take note from. The movie version will have pincer claws that can rotate as drills.

Beast Wars Scorponok and the new film-version

BLACKOUT - In the original cartoon series and comic series, there was a Decepticon called Vortex. Vortex was one of the specialized group known as Combaticons and could transform into a military helicopter. Later on, a toy was introduced called Blackout who could turn into a bomber jet.
ARMADA Blackout
In the cartoon ARMADA, Blackout was introduced as a Mini-Con who could become a mobile missile platform and often teamed with the Decepticon called Demolishor. Despite being smaller than most Decepticons, Blackout never obeyed an order he didn’t agree with.

A character named Blackout will be in the movie who bears more resemblance to Vortex than anyone (and was even originally referred to as "Vortex" in earlier drafts). Blackout will be the largest of the Decepticons on-screen and will transform into a MH-53 Pave Low helicopter. He will also be equipped with EMP blasts and will serve as transport for several of the Decepticons.

DEVASTATOR - In the original cartoon and comic, Devastator was actually a gestalt being who was created by the merging of the Constructicons, which was basically the demolitions force team of the Decepticon.

In the movie, Devastator turns into a triple-barreled turret and is described as having a "pissed-off" personality. In the comics, the Decepticons known as Brawl and Blitzwing were the villains who turned into tanks and so for this reason some early versions of the script referred to him as “Brawl” instead.

FRENZY - In the original cartoon and comic, Frenzy was one of the cassette Decepticons who served under Soundwave, specializing in espionage and destruction. In the cartoon, he could turn his arms into pile drivers like his comrade Rumble, allowing him to bring down entire buildings within minutes. In the comic series, he wielded sonic blasts instead. Due to his small size, he was only as tall as a human being when he shifted into robot mode. Frenzy had an intense hatred of humans, referring to them as "meat" in some of the comics, and loved causing chaos. In a Generation Two toy, he could turn into a Porsche.

Scriptwriters Orci and Kurtzman said that they originally intended fan-fave villain Soundwave to be in the movie. But as were making sure he performed certain functions in the story, he began seeming more and more out of character. Rather than be untrue to the Soundwave they remembered from the cartoon, their solution was to have Frenzy (who was more likely to behave in certain ways) perform his role in the movie instead. They still intend to use Soundwave for a sequel where he can be presented properly and in the way that cartoon fans will think is faithful.

In the film, Frenzy will be a bit more stealthy than his original cartoon counterpart. He will turn into a small boombox and will turn into a man-sized, spikey robot who throws CD-like blades.

BARRICADE - Barricade was not in the original cartoon or comic. He was introduced later as a toy in 1990 and was part of a Decepticon race track patrol team and could turn into a formula one racing car. He later showed up in the cartoon TRANSFORMERS: ENERGON, where he could turn into a missile truck.


In the movie, Barricade will be the hunter/scout of the Decepticons. Transforming into a Saleen S281 Ford Mustang, Barricade has himself modified to look like a police car, playing on the fact that he will be more easily accepted by humans due to their comfort with authority symbols (which I guess means he never visited Detroit or D.C.).

BONECRUSHER - Bonecrusher was one of the Constructicons, a specialized demolitions force of the Decepticons. Bonecrusher could turn into a bulldozer, which suited his psychotic need to destroy everything in his path, believing he had to remove anything imperfect so that something greater could stand in its place.

In the movie, Bonecrusher will not be a bulldozer but will transform into a mine-protected military vehicle known as a Buffalo, which can take a Hell of a pounding. The screenwriters have described Bonecrusher as a complete maniac, so he should be fun to watch.

STARSCREAM - Originally a scientist, Starscream had a lust for power that made him a natural Decepticon. Although he served as Megatron’s best warrior, Starscream desperately wanted to lead the Decepticons himself and made no secret about it, constantly criticizing his leader’s orders in public. If Megatron was injured even a little, Starcream was ready to proclaim himself the new Decepticon leader. He could turn into an F-15. In the cartoon, he was later murdered by his own leader, though his ghost returned in both the next season and the later cartoon series BEAST WARS.

It has been stated that Starscream’s personality in the movie will be faithful to the cartoon series, which means he and Megatron will trade insults more than once. For the movie, Starscream will turn into an F-22A Raptor.

MEGATRON - The main villain in nearly every incarnation of the Transformers. The original toy had Megatron turn into a handgun that had been seen in THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. When the cartoon and Marvel comic series began, he turned into a variation of this gun and could shift size so that he could be used by both human or Transformer hands.

You’d think turning into an immobile gun would make him weak compared to his troops, but the Decepticons followed Megatron faithfully (for the most part) due to his battle prowess, intelligence and high level of intuition. Megatron hated the Autobot leader Optimus Prime but also had an obvious respect for him.

In the animated Transformers movie, Megatron was seriously damaged in a battle to the death with Optimus Prime. To survive, he was rebuilt as “Galvatron.” In this new form, he turned into a huge frickin’ cannon capable of blowing a hole through just about anything. Thanks to later being submerged in a plasma pool, Galvatron’s circuits got a bit crossed and he wound up somewhat insane. It wasn’t until Optimus later bathed him in the energies of the Matrix of Leadership that Galvatron regained his original personality.

In the Marvel comic series, Megatron didn’t become Galvatron but he did get rebuilt later, thanks to help from the terrorist organization known as Cobra (yeah, the same guys who fought G.I. Joe). Thanks to Cobra scientists, Megatron now had a new camo paint job and could shift into a powerful tank. And in his new robot mode, he now wielded a big-ass sword (because having a fusion cannon ain’t enough, you need a damn sword). In the comic series WAR WITHIN by great Transformers scribe Simon Furman, it was revealed that Megatron’s original Cybertronian form was an alien looking tank. This is also what he changes into in the new comic series.

In the later cartoon series ROBOTS IN DISGUISE, Megatron could turn into a dragon, a two-headed dragon and a weird-looking jet plane depending on his mood. In the later ARMADA series, he turned into a tank. In one of the toy lines, Megatron turned into simple Earth jet. Later, this toy was re-issued as a new character called Megaplex, who was explained as actually being a clone-decoy of Megatron.

Jet Megatron and ARMADA Megatron

In the new movie, Megatron can transform into an alien looking jet, a nod to the Megaplex toy incarnation. This jet is based on actual designs for possible future military technology. It’s also been stated that while this jet will be Megatron’s Cybertronian form, he may still adopt an Earth-based form later. It’s been said that the current toymakers at Hasbro said that in this day and age they refused to make a toy that resembled a gun or a toy of a robot who turned into a gun.

An interesting note: when the studios leaked the designs for Megatron, fan reaction was so intense in their dislike for his face that the movie immediately went to work doing some basic redesigns, particularly concerning the head. This is the new head design:

And by the way, the movie version of Megatron will be voiced by actor Hugo Weaving, who also gave voice to the character of V in the film V For Vendetta and played the villain Mr. Smith in The Matrix.

AUTOBOTS

“Autobots: ROLL OUT!”

IRONHIDE - Every team needs a grizzled old veteran who fits into the category of “tough old bastard.” The gruff strongman of the group, Ironhide (called "Rhino" in Canada) was the guy who would be the first to rush into action, even if he did complain about it the whole time. He turned into a mini-van, back when mini-vans were still called "vanettes." In the cartoon and comic series, Ironhide was seen as an old and trusted friend to Optimus Prime, often serving as his bodyguard (though whether this was out of loyalty or was his actual job wasn’t made clear). In the continuity of the original cartoon, he was killed by the Decepticons in the animated Transformers movie. In the later Dreamwave comic series, it was said that Ironhide had been a construction engineer before the war began.

In one of the toys, Ironhide turned into a Ford pickup truck. In the European toy line Powermasters, he turned into a Hummer. In the recent TRANSFORMERS: INFILTRATION series, he turns into a full-sized Ford van. In TRANSFORMERS: ENERGON he was a young hotshot who turned into a Ford Explorer Sport Tac equipped with weapons (described as a "Cybertronian truck"). In the movie, Ironhide will turn into a GMC Topkick pickup truck.

RATCHET - As the medic, Ratchet didn’t fight as much of the other Autobots in the original comic and cartoon. You usually saw him in a lab, working to repair his fellow Autobots after a battle. Naturally, he was able to transform into an ambulance. Unlike most of the other Transformers, he wasn’t featured in the cartoons ARMADA, ENERGON and CYBERTRON. The Autobot called Red Alert (who was also in the original G1 cartoon) took over Ratchet’s role as medic (and, in fact, his name was Rachet in Japan). One of the toy versions of Ratchet was able to transform into a Mercedes-Benz.

In the movie, Ratchet will transform into a Search and Rescue vehicle based on the Humvee. He will act in his familiar role as Autobot medic and mechanic/scientist.

JAZZ - The cool-headed warrior who loves music and has a talent to improvise, Jazz enjoyed his work and made sure that the Decepticons knew it. In the original series and cartoon, he turned into a Porsche 935 Turbo. In later incarnations of the toys, he was a laser cycle and a Mazda RX-8.

In the film, Jazz will turn into a Pontiac Solstice and is supposed to be the hipster of the group, fighting Decepticons with a smile. His motto is that if you can’t do it with style, it’s not worth doing. He is also the team’s resident expert on assimilating the culture of alien worlds and gives the impression that he’d rather be dancing and partying than fighting if given the choice.

BUMBLEBEE - The most human of the Transformers, the small Bumblebee often hung out with Spike Witwicky, the teenager who befriended the Autobots in the original cartoon. Originally, he turned into a yellow Volkswagen Beetle. Later on, he was seriously damaged and had his robot body rebuilt and redesigned, after which he was renamed Goldbug.

In the movie, Bumblebee will turn into a Camaro since the filmmakers thought the design of that car worked better for the effects they had in mind. He will, fittingly, spend a lot of time with Spike and apparently will be the Autobot who becomes most connected to the human race and is the most protective of them. When asked why Bumblebee wasn’t going to be a VW bug in the movie, Michael Bay said it was to avoid comparisons to Herbie from fans who may not have seen the Transformers as kids. Bumblebee will not speak in the movie due to battle-injuries having left him without a voice. He communicates via his car radio.


Normal face vs. battle-mode face

OPTIMUS PRIME - The man in charge. If John Wayne were reborn as a giant ass-kicking robot with a gun, his name would be Optimus Prime.

In the original cartoon and comic, Optimus Prime (Latin for "good leader") was both a general and a father-figure to all the Autobots, constantly imparting the wisdom of a man who only wanted peace while never backing down from a fight when it came to him. He was friendly, gentle and understanding, but if you threatened lives, he whipped out his giant frickin’ cannon (cuz it’s not intimidating enough being a huge robot, you’ve also gotta have a huge damn gun) and would take you down.

In the original cartoon and comic, he turned into a semi. In the cartoon TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE, he turned into a fire truck. ARMADA showed him as a futuristic truck. In some of the toys, he turned into a Lamborghini Diablo, a pick up truck or a dump truck. One of the most recent Optimus Prime toys has him turn into a Ford pick-up truck.

RID and ARMADA versions

In comics by Simon Furman, it was shown that before coming to Earth, Optimus was able to transform into a Cybertronian truck-like vehicle.

It has been said by the filmmakers that Optimus Prime will be treated as a King Arthur-like figure. He will turn into a semi-trailer truck that will be blue with red flame artwork. He will also be voiced by Peter Cullen, who voiced him in the original cartoon series. And let’s face it, how cool is that, huh? Peter Cullen himself has said that this is a faithful adaptation of Prime. In fact, several times during script readings, Director Michael Bay asked Cullen “Do you think Prime would do this?”


So while I understand some of you may go "Well, Ironhide needs to be a mini-van, not a truck!", I hope I’ve shown that many of the Transformers have never had one stable form. A lot of people who are going to see this movie have gotten to know the Transformers through different incarnations and different media, so there’s no single answer anymore as to what’s "right."

Hopefully the movie will be something all of us can enjoy. Personally, I think it will be. It’s a civil war between giant robots who turn into cool stuff. How can you not have fun with that?

Optimus Prime VS. Bonecrusher!

Alan Kistler is a New Yorker in his mid-twenties. He is an aspiring film-maker who works freelance as a "comic book historian", a label he got from several of his readers and from articles of Wikipedia.org. He enjoys the title very much and loves the opportunity of writing these articles for Monitor Duty, run by the ever-patient Michael Hutchison. His livejournal/fan-fiction can be found HERE. He would love to write for DC and Marvel some day. He also wants to time travel.

Alan Kistler

Other articles by Alan Kistler, including various other Profiles posted on Monitor Duty, can be found HERE.

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