The Super-Duper Fan-Canon Questions Bonanza

Wingwolf77 · Apr 21, 2010

SMOG said: ↑

Alright, here I go...

Bear in mind that this is coming from a GeeWunner perspective.

Obviously some of the later lines have firmly established how things work in their canon, but in the G1 canon, there's always been a LOT of room for interpretation. I have to admit, I like it that way.

1) Do you consider the Transformers' names their real names or their army codenames?

I think that they are Earth approximations of their Cybertronian code-names. Naturally "Sideswipe" in english means nothing on Cybertron, but his nickname is probably based on the actual act of sideswiping in the vehicular sense, and the attitude it conveys. "Bumblebee" is trickier... though perhaps Cybertron has inoffensive little hover-droids that have a similar association, and BB's native nickname reflects that.

Of course, what IS a code name? I don't see them as strictly military classifications, like GIJOE, but rather a shorthand nickname that each TF takes on or is given, since their official designation is probably a line of code.

It's like a culture where NOBODY goes by their "true" names... informal nicknames are instead a cultural institution.

2)Do you feel every Cybertronian is involved in the war as a soldier (Autobots vs. Decepticons + special factions) or do you envision a whole group of civilians who are not rallied into the fight? And if so, do you consider these Autobots?I consider Autobots and Decepticons to be distinctions that are entirely based on political associations, though Decepticons probably subscribe to a "survival of the fittest" philosophy of supremacy that elevates them beyond simple ideological ties.

Are non-military neutrals all Autobots? I'm not sure. I think I see "Autobot" as the name for the national identity of Transformers under the pre-war governance, but there might be numerous sub-distinctions based on what city you're from, which social class, technological generation, etc... after the war tore the status quo apart, I could see some civilians holding on to their "Autobot" identity, or reverting to whichever other identity holds more meaning for them. And of course, many civilians decided to become warriors, and carry the Autobot banner. The Tech Spec profiles are full of such stories.

3)Do you feel the 'disguise' is just outward appearance (robot bits visible right underneath the hood) or should it be a perfect one?

Imperfect. Some TFs might have more detailed interiors to effect a more complete disguise, but it's all superficial. The steering wheel shouldn't exert any control, the seats will not be comfortable or smell like leather, the pedals will not be connected to anything (if they are there at all). Under the hood, assuming the hood opens at all, a human mechanic might find the facade of a recognizable engine, but closer inspection would reveal something completely different.

I mean, there is literally no way to explain or accept that a TF car could pass for a real car upon examination. The metals would be different, thicker, heavier, etc...

Sometimes, the disguise gives the robot some extra advantages (a fast sports car makes the robot faster in alt mode), while sometimes it adds nothing.I think vehicle speed and robot agility are separate things. Sometimes a robot is fast in both modes, sometimes not. In some cases a robot has a very fast alt-mode even though a real Earth vehicle would never be able to attain those speeds. The alt-mode is an outward disguise, nothing more. One example would be Whirl and Vortex's ability to fly in ways that are impossible to duplicate for real helicopters. Another would be the fact that Ironhide, Motormaster and Sunstreaker (look it up!) are far more durable and heavily armoured than any Earth tank (and indeed, probably many TF tanks!).

4)What is your preference when it comes to the robots' births? Being built in some way (full robot or protoform)? Being spawned by some kind of energy?Built... by industrial or mechanical means, none of that "nanotech" bullshit. Keep it real, keep it oldschool.

I'm not really sure where I think the "Spark" comes from though... I have some ideas, but I've never really decided.

5)What is your preference when it comes to the Transformers origin? Being created by gods, or being created by a different species? Or maybe those 'gods' aren't gods at all? Or maybe something different, like the evolution of cogs and gears!I'm a "tiny cogs and gears" man myself, though I couldn't tell you why, in the midst of all my pseudo-scientific realism, that origin just always resonated with me the most. I guess I'm an evolutionist at heart, so the idea that life could evolve similarly, albeit from much different building blocks, appeals to me.

I hate the Quintesson origin, though probably just because I never much liked the Quintessons or the Season 3 setting in general. I'm divided on Primus/Unicron. I can see them as part of the origin of Cybertron, but I don't seem them as true "gods"... just powerful space entities on a pseudo-mechanical motif.

6)Do you prefer the Autobots and Decepticons to be two different kind of races within a species (workers and soldiers), or do you prefer that they are one and the same, where picking a side is an intense, personal decision?As I mentioned above, totally a personal decision. There is no physical difference between Autobots and Decepticons, though bots of certain classes and occupations might be more attracted to one side or the other. I don't even see Transformers as one OR two races... but actually probably MANY different "races" from various parts of Cybertron, where mechanical life evolved along many different lines. Are Ravage and Laserbeak different types of Cybertronian life? Are Skylynx and Trypticon related? How about Whirl and Shockwave? When war swept across the planet, Cybertronians of all types were pressured to pick a side... and many of them did!

7)In your vision, are they born with natural ways to defend themselves, do they upgrade themselves in wartime or do they carry loose weapons?Since they are not "born" but rather designed and built, they can come into the world with weapons and military programming. However, their "Spark" is the randomization factor. A spark might be "too big" for the body it was grafted to, and you might end up with a little powerhouse like Brawn or Windcharger... or it might be too "weak" and you might end up with a walking arsenal who can't manage his weapons systems efficiently.

And yes... upgrades for those who can handle them, and hand-held weapons for whoever can carry them. However, since traditionally most TFs have fixed "Firepower" ratings, I do find myself wondering if part of that might be a factor of their personal power output. Hm.

8)How do you feel about Cybertronian wildlife, such as 'turbofoxes'?

I love the idea of Cybertronian fauna. I hate the notion that Bots and Cons are the only form of life on the planet, or even the FIRST forms of life for that matter (a bit Biblical, eh?).

I'm undecided if Ravage might be a hyper-intelligent member of a distinct Cybertronian species, or simply a Decepticon warrior designed to resemble a Cybertronian predator. But I am certain that Ravage, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, Ratbat, and company are NOT simply "animals" or "pets" as they are sometimes depicted, but rather fully sentient members of their faction.

zmog
Click to expand...

I like this quite a bit, Very much how I see things

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