Watching Transformers G1 was amazing, especially to see the subtle differences to mannerisms compared to then and now. The ‘oh wow’ moment for me was when I noticed that everyone were speaking to their wrists when using comms, which is reminiscent of Dick Tracy and early James Bond movies with the wrist watches. But in TFP/RID15 and probably TFA as well, we get the “fingers to the ear” gesture as technology has evolved and miniature radio equipment is now in our ears instead of small gadgets.
Do you think that mean you can identify how old a mech is by watching how he uses his comms? Like, older models like Ironhide or Ratchet talking to their wrists while newly build ones like the Aerialbots speak with the ‘fingers to the the air’ gesture?
I’ve been thinking off an on about Cybertronian Fauna, and wondered to myself: what if instead of there being a version of most mammals, there were instead crustaceans and gastropods??
I love world-building and I have tons of headcanons that have nothing to do with anything but are just funny and cool things I’d like to add. This post is about a sub-genre of Cybertronian novels that I named “gladiator romance”, where true love is priceless and the object of the hero’s affection has nothing else to give.
I like the idea of it being bitter and I forgot it’s considered a disease oops. Maybe there are like different strains of rust? and some of the strains aren’t toxic or damaging to the TFs so they eat it? Or maybe it’s like sour patch kids and some tfs find rust disgusting and terrible to eat and others really like it.
@betarayatlas Oooooo. When I was thinking of a rust inspired drink I was thinking along those lines. I wanted it to be kind of gritty and spicy. But I couldn’t pick if I wanted spicy like hot peppers or spicy like cinnamon or cloves. And I love your idea of the spiciness depends on the metal type, quite like peppers. I’m very partial to this, if you can’t tell.
@dynasty-of-primes The idea of certain types of rust/metals being poisonous is really nifty. Like how if you don’t ferment stuff correctly you can get some nasty
C. botulinum. Plus, some molds to us are beneficial while others are beyond unhealthy. That’s a very good idea, I love it. And I’m all for some tfs hating the taste of rust because it’s bitter.
About the rust and it affecting transformers. It’s really weird because generally TFs are indeed not made of the same materials that our cars are. And overall, I think the idea of rust affecting transformers like it does on our cars, only really occurred in the G1 Marvel comics.
Apparently all metals rust (I didn’t know that till now, forgive me science teachers), typically by oxidation (but not always). Many just forming tarnishes very slowly.
So the ability for variety is definitely there.
I did a quick search and TFWiki and reread MTMTE issue 43–”The One Where They Go To Earth”. First Aid inquires Velocity how Swerve could have gotten a rust infection and she says: “A scratch? A stabbing? He must’ve patched himself up without cleaning the wound.” I know of one other time in IDW where they refer to rust as an infection.
But generally it looks like how we get infections. Which when you think about it, is pretty much how our cars get rust. Expose the flesh/metal to bacteria/water-or-whatever makes it corrode and ta da an infection/rust.
And with my new found knowledge of ‘every metal rusts’ I think it’s safe to say they can rust like our cars–just it occurs less often due to constant maintenance and usage of their parts, probably regular cleaning, and they may be made of metals that don’t typically rust like iron. Or metals that don’t rust via exposure to oxygen? Or…
I’ll stop. I’m very divided now…
I’m so sorry for this essay and I apologize if I’ve annoyed anyone. Also someone smarter and more knowledgeable than me please get up in this and correct me.
Y’know, people have been popping Minimus Ambus into TFA, having been operating the Magnus armor the whole time, and that’s awesome and I love it and what people are doing but consider:
TFA has some of the most screwed up morally ambiguous Autobots. What if someone said “We need Ultra Magnus up and moving to preserve the stability of the commonwealth, and we have a loadbearer here…”
Gimme that sweet body horror of the Autobots literally scrapping Ultra Magnus and reworking his internals so that Minimus can pilot him for “the greater good” 😀
The thing about older comics like Marvel’s Transformers series is, they don’t tend to break down into neat, small arcs like modern books do, with defined start- and endpoints. Any such delineation would be fan-conceived and contentious, so that’s why we don’t have articles for something that doesn’t really exist. Loosely speaking, the various periods of the book’s history would best be described as follows:
Issues #1-4 – the original mini-series, telling the story of the Transformers’ arrival on Earth, and the Autobots triumph over the Decepticons with the aid of the Witwicky family.
Issues #5-12 – Shockwave overthrows Megatron as leader of the Decepticons and Ratchet is left alone to rescue his captured fellow Autobots from the villains. Introduces the Dinobots, Construticons, and Jetfire.
Issues #13-26 – Megatron and Shockwave vie for Decepticon leadership as the new 1985 range of toys are gradually introduced. A two-part story in #17-18 revisits Cybertron and looks in on the Autobot rebellion there. The Scramble City combiner teams are introduced, and Megatron and Optimus Prime die after a video game duel.
Issues #27-37 – Grimlock becomes Autobot leader. Goldbug and Blaster reject his tyrannical leadership and go it alone, becoming wanted ‘bots.
Issues #38-46 – Spinning out of The Headmasters #1-4 mini-series, the Headmasters and Targetmasters arrive on Earth and help restore Optimus Prime to life.
Issues #47-50 – “The Underbase Saga”. A four-issue deck-clearing exercise in which Starscream attains cosmic power and kills everyone who doesn’t have a toy on shelves anymore.
Issues #51-55 – Writer Bob Budiansky runs out the clock on his time on the comic with silly one-shot adventures starring Pretenders and Micromasters.
Issues #56-61 – New writer Simon Furman comes on board. The Classic Pretenders are introduced, and the Primus/Unicron origin story is related for the first time in the US comic, setting up the plot that will run to the end of the series.
Issues #62-66 – “Matrix Quest.” A four-part story in which the newest toys search for the lost Matrix to combat the approaching threat of Unicron.
Issues #67-75 – Decepticon in-fighting causes trouble as Optimus Prime tries to unite all Cybertronians in preparation for Unicron’s coming.
Issue #76-80 – Wrapping up the loose ends post-Unicron.
Wow, thank you!
I was gonna read some of this to get context for Regeneration One. Now I’m not sure if I should just read some choice bits or try and skim read the whole thing.
For Generation One, at least. The Autobots do seem to follow a strict military structure. With references to officers, special operations units, intelligence, as well as various specialist in their fields.
I am going to attempt to explain how this structure works and how many of the top ranking Autobots fall into and their actual positions other than the generic “officer” title.
Let’s start from the bottom and work our way up.
Enlisted personnel: E1 – E6
These would be your more basic soldiers. You’re “frontliner” if you will. These are the ranks where most of the grunt work comes from. They often have no say in the command they are assigned and are strictly there to follow orders and do their job. Not to say there is no authority within these position, but they are the most common.
E1s are the fresh from bootcamp soldiers. Which Grimlock and his team would be. Making them the lowest ranking Autobots right next to the Aerialbots. Though with their own unique cybertronian military structure, the Aerialbots’ gestalt leader would likely have been advanced to that of an E6, without the usual preamble of time in rank and qualification tests. Same with the Dinobots’ Grimlock. As an E6 is typically put in charge of small groups, squadrons or units. One step below and actual Chief/Gunnery Sargeant. Which we will get to next.
Enlisted personnel: E7 – E9
These are your Chiefs/First Sergeants/Master Gunnery Sergeant/Marines have too many names for the same rank. They are held in high regard and are positions of authority. They are often tasked with the real work of the . Making decisions and commanding the army on a more personal level than that of an officer. They take a direct role with the lower enlisted personnel.
It also explains why a seasoned veteran like Kup would take direction from someone as seemingly inexperienced as Hot Rod. As while a Master Chief/Master Gunnery Sergeant ( E9 ) is one of the most respected and revered of ranks. As they are titles earned by only the best of the best and only after putting in many, many years of service. Even a fresh to the service Ensign would outrank him. As all officers outranks all enlisted personnel regardless of time spent serving.
Also, yes Bumblebee is a Chief.
Warrant Officers: W1 – W5
Warrant officers are rare, as it it more difficult to become a Warrant Officer than any other rank. Barring that of the highest officer ranks. They do not hold actual sway over the direction the army goes unless it pertains to their own specialization. Within the army itself, Warrant Officers are highly respected and revered for their skill.
They are subject experts in their chosen field. No one knows more than they do about their particular topic. With Ironhide, it would be weapons. Meaning he is the point of reference for all things involving weaponry within the Autobot army. The same would be for Wheeljack within the scientific side of the war effort. Blaster for communications, etc. This explains that while they obviously hold authority and their opinions are so highly regarded by the Prime. While they don’t hold an actual command over the army as a whole. Though this does vary for cybertronians. As Ironhide has been placed in charge due to the high death rate of the Autobot army officers and there being a lack of qualified officers to fill a command role.
Officers: O1 – O4
These would be the Junior Officers. Your Ensigns to your Lieutenant Commanders. Not much experience is needed for theses ranks and they joined by way of contract and specialized schooling. This is not to say those who have these ranks are to be disrespected. They hold authority over even the most senior of enlisted soldiers. They also can be appointed positions of higher authority than their rank would typically allow. Depending on skill set and how they present themselves as an asset to the command they are assigned.
Officers: O5 – O6
Your Captains and Commanders. Captain does not automatically mean they are in charge of a ship. They hold that capability, but do not always act as the XO (Executive Officer) of a vessel. These are the second rarest next to Warrant Officers. Usually, they are the highest ranking at a command. With the exception of a Flag Ship, which the Ark arguably is. The hold the utmost Authority over a command. With Ratchet this would be the medbay of the Ark. Though with within the medical field reaching such a high rank is rare, meaning he would be the point of contact and set standards as far as all medbays within the army are to uphold.
Officers: O7 – O11
The leaders. Admirals. Though with cybertronian variants of the term. They take ultimate responsibility over the entire army. Their orders are not questioned and their authority absolute. With Fleet Admiral (O11) being the rank of Prime. Giving Optimus Prime a special kind of authority, though only during times of war. Where their call is the ultimate call, even over other Admiral’s.
Elita-1 would be a Four Star Admiral. Giving her command over the war effort still ongoing on Cybertron. Then there is Prowl and Jazz, who fall in the middle. With Prowl being a three star and Jazz either two or one. This would make them report and be accountable to none other except Optimus Prime, as they are part of the Ark crew and the command on earth. However were they to be reassigned to Cybertron, it would still be Optimus Prime, but also Elita-1 right after him.
Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen: S.W.C.C
The all-stars. Especially the Wreckers, which could be equated to that of a Navy Seal. So when they have the lower ranked bots excited for the Wreckers, treating them like celebrities. It’s actually a fairly accurate representation. These are the soldiers with the strongest wills and best skill sets to carry out a mission. They still have to adhere to rank, same as the enlisted soldiers, but they are given their own specific commander. And when an enlisted soldier meets one, even if it’s only for a few minutes, it’s all that soldier will talk about for the next several weeks. (Not an exaggeration)
Then you have the HUMINT agents, the ones who gather the intelligence and spy. Though the army wouldn’t actually call it spying. Though they cybertronian equivalent would likely be called CYBINT. As this stands for cybertronian intelligence gathering. Meaning they get up close and personal with the enemy. Their identities are often not known. Though even an agent with a blown cover can still be useful. Especially if they have the unique ability to become invisible or create holograms.
There.
Now, if there are any questions regarding this, mun is free to answer them. This wasn’t overly detailed, as there are special nuances to each rank, within that rank. Such as rates. Which seem cybertronians seem to differentiate from conventional norms on that front. There is no “science” rate. Though the officer’s positions being mostly political outside times of war they got spot on.
@agatharights said: Kaon apparently still has Trypticon Prison and a still-active gladiatoral ring…which is…curious.
I forgot about Trypticon Prison. (Which is a bad move on the Autobot Council’s part honestly. “Let’s keep all of our enemies in their home! Ah ha! They’ll never escape now! This will never bite us in the bumper!”)
And yes… the gladiatorial ring is very curious…
I wonder who these “gladiators” are… especially so close to the Prison…
And I wonder who exactly approves of this…
I was gonna say “I think they just use it for like general sports and autobots now” but oh jeeze.
…listen, I think what’s important is that we can all agree that Kaon is a scrapheap no matter what.
No they do not. Not only did they exile all the Decepticons, but anytime they find one, they get thrown into the ruins of their former capital and are forced to watch Gladiator fights.
The Allspark only knows who exactly these gladiator are. Probably a couple of strong, “heroic” Autobots to represent the power of the Autobot Commonwealth, but possibly some unruly Decepticon prisoners.
The game of “Keep the Decepticon Lord as far from the serious fighting as we can without him noticing” started when Megatron came to power, because for the most part the frontliners really liked him and didn’t want him dead. They were also well aware that the Chief Strategist of the Decepticon Empire would be very loudly upset if his mate came back seriously damaged. Strika and Lugnut are expert at this; sure, let Megatron have his fun, but don’t let him end up dead. That way, you get a nicely de-stressed leader and not a dead one.
Megatron does not appreciate this.
To put it mildly.
Megatron is well aware that this is a thing. Megatron tries to undermine it at every turn. Which just escalates the whole situation, because there’s the leader actively trying to get into even worse situations than they were trying to keep him out of in the first place! So Strika and Lugnut have had to take drastic action on occasion. Rare occasion.
Drastic action involves physically removing Megatron. Neither party particularly enjoys this, and as such, it’s only used in the direst of emergencies, when Strika’s realized that they’re really truly slagged and Megatron’s still trying to rally the troops. Megatron hates it because it’s undignified. Strika hates it because a stout blow with the flat of a sword may not be fatal, but it hurts…and wounds on the back are embarrassing as Pit.
Not gonna lie, the more I re-read The Complete Allspark Almanac the more I’m…kinda starting to think that the Autobot Commonwealth in TFA might be…kinda feudalistic? Or more accurately, whatever the equivalent political system where it’s military power = direct political power. Every Magnus we know of is considered the military leader just as equally as the social leader, and they all seem to have arrive at that position solely through rising through military rankings. I mean, there’s…approximately no discussion of actual voting or democratic conventions, and if there is it seems to be limited entirely to the senate- which by all accounts looks like it’s lifelong-held positions.
I wouldn’t be surprised if being “at war” constantly has been great for military-based leadership to continue assumed command long enough to be regarded as normal, considering how much of the actual social structure and economy seems to revolve entirely around the Autobot-Decepticon War and, uh
…
i
wait
is the autobot commonwealth a shogunate??????? Somebody who actually knows how politics and government work please help me figure out what to call this sort of political system.
According to tfwiki (which cites a panel from Derrick Wyatt at TF Con 2009), “The Magnus has to answer to the civilian government, but their ability to actually remove an incompetent or reckless Magnus is limited.”
The Magnus is probably both the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State. (Kinda like the USA President, but without the extra powers for checks and balances.) After millions of years of war and a lot of anti-Decepticon sentiment, the Magnus would be seen as the most respectable, powerful person in the commonwealth. Its not clear how much control he has legally over the government or the passing of laws, but he might not need it. Ultra Magnus fought the Decepticons. He led us to victory. If you question him on certain issues, are you against the Autobots? Do you have secret Decepticon feelings? Maybe you should have a couple conversations with the Elite Guard to be sure.
Also, are you going to tell the guy with an army what to do? Probably not.
You clearly become Magnus by rising through the military ranks. As for the other Council Members, nothing is mentioned. It’s probably a similar “rising though the ranks” or “seniority” type of mentality. Probably not democratic at all.
Plus, there’s not much opportunity to challenge the government. You might be able to petition some stuff, but you’re either with the Autobots or against them. There’s a reason they constantly push the “Cog in the Machine” stuff.
However, who knows how long that will last after the Battle of Detroit and Sentinel Magnus’s reign.
tldr: I don’t think Magnus has that much legal control, but considering his military power and the Autobot Society, he’s probably a hard person to say “no” to without political backlash. There’s definitely no democracy.
I have genuinely no clue if that answers your question.
Cybertronian Database 