Based On Toy Archives | Otaku No Culture

Transformers One Failure to Rewrite The Past

Only newcomers need apply to become Transformers One. It’s tough to accept a new origin story and retelling of Optimus and Megatron’s relationship when it’s been well established in other fronts.

Transformers One Movie Poster Long time fans of Transformers can forget about Michael Bay changing everything that’s beloved from the original cartoon series. Instead, it’s Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari who can take the blame on everything that is wrong in Transformers One, rather than director Josh Cooley. When he can write and win an award for Inside Out, he can craft imaginative worlds. But as for getting actors and talent pools to give their all, that part of the film is at least done right. Since he’s not responsible for the story, that’s when things go wrong.

It seems the writers room knows nothing about what makes past takes of this IP, namely Generation One and Prime, great. Bearing in mind this animated take is supposed to be a loose prequel to the live-action movies–and said to eventually morph the voices we hear now to the infamous duo of Peter Cullen and Frank Welker–I suppose some liberties can be allowed. This origin story takes place before the Autobots and Decepticons became a faction. Their war hasn’t even started.

Technically, that history was presented in an excellent trilogy by Alex Irvine and I’ll reiterate this fact time and time again! He improved upon what was established instead of changing a lot of things around. Sadly, this film retcons everything that I believe is sacred. Orion Pax is no longer a clerk/librarian. D-16 (Megatron) never fought in the gladiatorial pits. They are now miners (with Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry as the ‘new’ voices) who get bored with their role, want to figure out where they came from, and understand who the Primes are. Their interest in the Matrix of Leadership sort of drives the story, as only one can possess it, and I feel that’s the reason for their rift.

Continue reading “Transformers One Failure to Rewrite The Past”

In Masters of the Universe Revolution #1, Whose Power Staff is it, Anyways?

The trend this year for fans of (animation) and toy franchises may well be to give villains a chance to shine, and in Masters of the Universe Revolution, we get just tha

Release Date: May 15, 2024
Spoiler Alert

Dark Horse Comics and Mattel have teamed up to bring fans another story to Netflix’s Masters of the Universe Revolution (and Revelation, which was released in 2021), and this latest concerns how two great evils have met! Here, Hordak is making his mark upon the realm that has yet to fully become Eternia, and I like how this story has started by showing creation as “a glowing ember in the night’s cold.”

Some mythical beginnings are recounted in the animated series, but I had to rewatch the animated series run to find them. It’s not as easy as flipping through a comic book, and what’s revealed in the first few pages concerns the formation of three forces to rule the universe, and who would emerge a mortal vessel to represent them. One episode to pay note of is “Hope, for a Destruction” and the other is “Ascention.”

Continue reading “In Masters of the Universe Revolution #1, Whose Power Staff is it, Anyways?”

Cobra Commander is More Than Ruthless in #2 and #3 of Image/Skybound’s Mini-Series!

In the Energon Universe, Cobra Commander is a lot more cunning and ruthless than anyone realises, and could he be be an anti-hero?

Image Comics & Skybound Entertainment
Spoiler Alert

In issues #2 and 3 of Cobra Commander, just what kind of relationship he will have with the Dreadnoks gets dissected and broken down! Those moments will have a few readers cringing, and others like myself cackling with laughter like The Joker. It’s about time we have a story that can crawl underneath your skin!

The latest issue is all about about who can take the pain. Whether that’s physical or psychological, there’s lots to like with this latest issue. The shock from Buzzer says it all! Unlike the cartoons where this gang are nothing but buffoons and you don’t get to know them, this version offers a bit of backstory and reveals in how bloody ruthless they can be. We see some carnage in #2, but in this continuation, what I loved witnessing is how CC is establishing himself in this hierarchy. This up and coming leader of a global terrorist network needs to prove why he is this motorcycle gang’s superior.

As for Zartan and what he is up to, I do not know! This air of mystery from series writer Joshua Williamson has me rereading the comic in search for clues. It’s easy to see his sister Zarana holding all the cards, but as for what she knows, she’s not telling. Although Destro, Major Bludd, Storm Shadow and Dr. Mindbender have yet to make their entry into this reimagined comic book universe, I am eager to see how the creative team behind this Energon universe will update them.

Continue reading “Cobra Commander is More Than Ruthless in #2 and #3 of Image/Skybound’s Mini-Series!”

After IDW Comic’s release of Cobra Commander #1, There’s More Than Meets The Eye In Store!

Yo Joe! It’s about time there’s a retcon and reimagining on why Cobra Commander must be feared, and IDW Publishing and Skybound delivers!

Cobra Commander #1 Comic Book Cover Spoiler Alert

The reason behind why I think Cobra Commander ranks as one of pop culture’s greatest villains is because of the performance by the incomparable Chris Latta. Not only has he provided the voice to Starscream in Transformers, but also voiced Mr. Burns when The Simpsons first premiered! Although the personalities are somewhat similar for the first two, the latter is vastly different. And while reading Skybound and IDW Comics’ updated origin story about this character, I can only hear his warcry resonating in the back of my head!

This take written by Joshua Williamson takes what’s from the animated movie–for better or worse–seriously! He’s a renegade and a scientist from Cobra-la, a lost civilization cut off from “the world,” and it leads me to think it’s located somewhere on Earth rather than be another planet. After getting chided by Golobulus, he’s given a chance at redemption. He must build a secret militia, and so begins the first issue.

Continue reading “After IDW Comic’s release of Cobra Commander #1, There’s More Than Meets The Eye In Store!”

G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra Continues the Ongoing Battle!

The story behind G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra will excite some fans as will this be the final showdown?

GI JOE Wrath of Cobra Poster Image Fans of long running IPs can get a dose of what being an elite special force is like with G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra, a retro-style beat ‘em up side-scroller set in the legendary Hasbro owned universe. Developed Maple Powered Games and publisher Freedom Games, videogamers have to get ready for G.I. Joe’s biggest mission yet!

This game will be available on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG as well as Nintendo Switch in Q1 2024, as revealed at The MIX Next, a showcase expo where indie developers can show off their works in progress.

From the Press Release:

This legendary franchise returns for arcade-style beat’em up action with Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Roadblock, and other beloved franchise favourites. Navigate land, air, sea, and even space through iconic locations like Cobra Island, the Pit, Cobra’s top-secret underwater base, and more as you thwart the devious Cobra Commander’s latest scheme to take over the world.

Continue reading “G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra Continues the Ongoing Battle!”

Transformers. When The Rise of the Beasts Must Help and More Than Meets the Unicron!

Just how much of a threat are The Rise of the Beasts, or should that be Maximals vs Unicron? #transformers #moviereview #hasbro

Transformers Rise of the Beasts Movie Poster Paramount Pictures

Ever since I saw Transformers The Movie back in 1986, my love for Unicron only grew! To learn that he’s the big threat in Rise of the Beasts only got me excited, and since I knew this ancient threat is tough to take down, some new warriors must be borne!

In the original, various Cybertronian factions worked together to sever this giant’s link to his robotic self. As a result, his spirit would always linger. His head looms over Cybertron as a reminder of how he simply lays sleeping. To bring some of that omnipresence in Rise of the Beasts is a highlight and Steven Caple Jr. certainly delivers what we both adored from the animated film!

However, to show just how nasty this intergalactic level threat truly is can be tough. Short of using artificial intelligence to bring Orson Welles’ voice back, Colman Domingo has big shoes to fill! What’s presented is very satisfactory. But to show why he matters to the Maximals, the new robot guardians of the peace, is part-way explained, even though it breaks the original canon.

Continue reading “Transformers. When The Rise of the Beasts Must Help and More Than Meets the Unicron!”