Speaking of rare items being shared with the fandom this day, 2005 Boards member Monzo has shared with us some rare pictures of Aaron Archer’s napkin of revelation – a napkin upon which he wrote down the first ideas of what would go on to become Transformers Cybertron. Check this out to see the genesis of a Transformers line – the idea from which all else follows. You can see on this ideas that made the final cut of the series – such as the four planets and their themes, the idea of splitting into teams to tackle each world, and the general quest revolving around awakening Primus. You can also see concepts that did not make the final cut, such as a reference to the “Apocalypse” planet, the Matrix forming some kind of armor, and a transforming Vector Sigma apparently having something to do with Primus / Cybertron’s core.
Cardion
Just discovered that this napkin was a thing over on the Drunk Leak post. This is fabulous.All Transformers continuity leaks should now be done via napkin sketch, or maybe on the back of a Denny's placemat. Just imagine how trippy the sketch for Kingdom is going to be.
Trailbreaker77
Nevermore
There's a recent thread over in TFGD which you appear to have missed.
I seem to recall someone over at the Allspark stating a while ago that he had talked to guy who had inadvertently made "Orson" come out of hiding, years after the fact.
Smokescreen38
Do we know anything about the person or persons who took over for him?
Whomever it is, I hope they lean towards the G1 and Beast Wars portions of TF History. If we get some Beast Machines zealot in there, we're all screwed.
Smokescreen38
Oh yeah!!! I totally forgot about that!!!!
Good memory, sir.
Kenucme
I seem to recall getting the rundown on this at BotCon 2006. It stands out to me since it was my first time attending. Plus it was when Cybertron was ending and Classics was just about to begin, so it makes sense for the timeframe.
I enjoyed the varied thought for a treatment we hadn't seen with different planets in the lore.
autobot prowl
Wow I didn't know he left either. Sad for the fandom, he will be missed!
Nevermore
Not trying to be a party pooper, but Steve-o Stonebraker had already posted photos of the napkin years ago as part of his BotCon 2005 coverage. Admittedly, these days it's hard to find because his BotCon 2005 report has vanished of the interwebs around 2010, but I managed to find an archived version:
BotCon 2005 – September 22-25 2005
I fully admit that most likely not many people are even aware of Steve-o or his old site.
tikgnat
Honestly, cracks about handwriting aside napkins usually become the notepad of choice for creatives. Seriously, they go out to have dinner with some chums/clients or whatever, start chatting and spitballing and suddenly great ideas flow but you have nowhere to write it.
Napkins to the rescue! Many Architects and their building have begun this way.
These days though, I suspect the tablet generation will forego napkins altogether and scribble their notes on their iPads or whatever.
Having said that I thought the storylines and basis of Cybertron was a pretty good setup, lots of excuses for new toys.
Kickback
If I still fit in it, I'd wear the shirt Aaron made for me. He's an awesome, awesome fella. Miss him already.
aeleven
He should have wiped his ass with the napkin, Transformers Cybertron and Armada were shit!
Feralstorm
Oh, if only Cybertron was actually a cyclopean smiley face ball.
Pravus Prime
Nifty stuff. Surprising how much actually stuck.
Lumpy
This is pure history. I love it.
AutobotIgnition
It looks better than mine
Monzo
Psst.
Swoop Dogg
That and it is also in the book "Transformers The Vault" as someone else pointed out.
SPLIT LIP
I'm surprised how much still lines up with the show considering how the show makers just ignored tons of the backstory Archer came up with.
Yeah, typical response I expected.
Motor_Master
with all the people who were taking pics of it at Botcon 05 (myself included), it's getting front paged now.
User_93049
Wow. How come most ideas for shows I know of keep starting from paper napkins?