Transformers at 40: four decades of giant stompy robots in disguise
Optimus Prime – Of Life? The Autobot leader might not think that once we’ve rattled through 40 years of Transformers history
“The Transformers! Robots in disguise! The Transformers! More than meets the eye!” If you’re of a certain vintage, that hummable theme will transport you back to a world of epic battles between the heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons. Which began 40 years ago. Blimey.
And it’s still going strong. What began as a gimmick in Japan – robots that turned into vehicles, tools and household objects – became a cultural giant. We’ve now had four decades of toys, comics, films and games. So let’s pour one out for Prime and pals and see how the franchise itself has transformed over the years.
The toys
Transformers has its roots in several Japanese toy lines. Hasbro snatched the concept and mashed it into a single brand. Which explains why Optimus Prime had spots for pilots (he was originally a mech) and why the chibi-like mini Autobots looked so weird next to the likes of Jazz and Prowl.
Early designs were basic – medical officer Ratchet didn’t even have a head. But the line evolved, ramping up details and gimmicks until Hasbro went a step too far with non-transforming Transformers – an ignominious end to the original line.
Revamps and reboots ensured the property never stayed away for long. The 1990s gave us Beast Wars. In 2003, ludicrously detailed (and complicated) Masterpiece Transformers made collectors drool. But even the more affordable sets have transformed from their basic origins, such as the Studio Series and the intricate yet wallet-friendly Cheetor.
However, if money’s no object, there are all kinds of new Transformers experiences to try. Robosen will sell you a self-transforming, programable Transformer that costs as much as a phone. Lego has an Optimus Prime. And Hot Wheels will relieve you of 80 bucks for a tiny 1:64 scale Optimus. All while laughing maniacally, like Megatron sitting atop a pile of gold.
The comics
The toys had the gimmicks but the comics brought the lore. Bob Budiansky expanded his toy-box mini bios into a four-issue limited series of good vs evil. And it might have ended with the Autobots triumphant had it not sold so well. Instead, Shockwave – whose alt form was a massive space gun – unexpectedly showed up and blasted the Autobots to pieces.
Then things got weird. Optimus’s brain was saved to a floppy disk. Decepticon leader Ratbat hit upon hypnotising humans with his ‘car wash of doom’. (Seriously.) Thankfully, the UK comics were keeping things interesting with superior fill-in stories, and chief scribe Simon Furman eventually took over the US title until its conclusion – “#80 in a four-issue limited series”.
His penchant for increasingly sophisticated themes took root and informed subsequent Transformers comics, which are now mostly aimed at adult fans. IDW’s lauded run used giant robots to explore everything from identity to redemption. Skybound recently rebooted the property yet again, to critical acclaim. Although don’t get attached to any of your old favourites – because it’s clear writer Daniel Warren Johnson has other plans.
The movies
Back in the 1980s, every toy line needed a cartoon, and Transformers was no exception. The exploits of the giant robots were goofier than in the comics, with a safety net that ensured the Autobots would always emerge triumphant while Decepticon leader Megatron would growl that he’d win next time. He wouldn’t. Well, not until 1986.
By that point, Hasbro was eager to replace its line of toys, and cunningly planned to wipe out the old guard in a feature-length movie. The Decepticons suddenly learned how to aim. Within single scenes, scores of old favourites were mercilessly slain in gruesome fashion. Just to drive the point home, Megatron executed a defenceless Ironhide at point-blank range. So much for ‘PG’.
Two decades passed before the collective psyche of Transformers fans had healed enough for another feature-length outing. Michael Bay’s live-action take started well, with a tense opening scene of a helicopter approaching an army base, before – Surprise! – it transformed and murdered everyone.
Alas, the movie itself then transformed into a random jumble of explosions, juvenile jokes, racism and sexism, and the sequels were even worse. Travis Knight’s Bumblebee (part prequel, part reboot) was a rare bright spot though – a love letter to the original series.
The games
The first Transformers video game arrived in 1985. It was created by Denton Designs, who’d later craft classic fare Shadowfire, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and The Great Escape. Alas, Transformers was terrible – a twitchy platform game where the last few Autobots battled endless Decepticon clones. And although you could transform, the Autobots in vehicle mode moved so quickly that you’d inevitably drive them off a platform to instant death.
Fortunately, things got way better in recent years. High Moon Studios created a pair of crackers in War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron, packed full of eye-popping battles and exciting set pieces. If anything, Transformers: Devastation then one-upped those titles, with PlatinumGames crafting tight, focused action that felt like an interactive episode of the classic 1980s cartoon. And even on mobile, Transformers got some action, with Forged To Fight dispensing with plot and instead having Transformers punch each other in the face, like a robot take on Marvel vs Capcom.
So 40 years on, the Transformers universe keeps evolving, roping in newcomers and keeping old-school fans (relatively) happy. So pick your favourites from the choices above, grab an Energon sandwich, and get ready to roll out.
Craig Grannell
Contributor 
