Venturing into Beast Wars - what to start with first?

[Arcee]

I've decided to study the Beast Wars, regardless of my incomplete knowledge of G1 (and all others).

To begin with I need to start either watching the original cartoon or reading the comics.

I've decided to start with the latter...basically for financial reasons...and if I find myself loving the comics then I'll get the TV series later.

Here is what I've found on the official IDW online shopping catelogue:

Four choice under BWs: The Gathering, The Ascending, The Beast Wars Sourcebook, and an omnibus containing all three of these. About 100 pages for each of the three individual volumes.

I'm wondering if that's all. Are they the complete stories of the entire BWs series, or they are just a collection of random episodes? How many seasons are there altogether, how many volumes in comics?

Thanks for the help again!:)

[Cat]

I've decided to study the Beast Wars, regardless of my incomplete knowledge of G1 (and all others).

To begin with I need to start either watching the original cartoon or reading the comics.

I've decided to start with the latter...basically for financial reasons...and if I find myself loving the comics then I'll get the TV series later.

Here is what I've found on the official IDW online shopping catelogue:

Four choice under BWs: The Gathering, The Ascending, The Beast Wars Sourcebook, and an omnibus containing all three of these. About 100 pages for each of the three individual volumes.

I'm wondering if that's all. Are they the complete stories of the entire BWs series, or they are just a collection of random episodes? How many seasons are there altogether, how many volumes in comics?

Thanks for the help again!:)

No.


You REALLY want the show.

Then maybe the comics.

But the two aren't even comparable.

[Hursticon]

I've decided to study the Beast Wars, regardless of my incomplete knowledge of G1 (and all others).

To begin with I need to start either watching the original cartoon or reading the comics.

I've decided to start with the latter...basically for financial reasons...and if I find myself loving the comics then I'll get the TV series later.

Here is what I've found on the official IDW online shopping catelogue:

Four choice under BWs: The Gathering, The Ascending, The Beast Wars Sourcebook, and an omnibus containing all three of these. About 100 pages for each of the three individual volumes.

I'm wondering if that's all. Are they the complete stories of the entire BWs series, or they are just a collection of random episodes? How many seasons are there altogether, how many volumes in comics?

Thanks for the help again!:)

To really make any sense of the comics dude, you'll need to see the original CG TV Show as the comics are interwoven throughout the storyline of the Cartoon and borrow heavily from it. :o

I currently own both but am yet to get to my BW Omnibus as I'm still going through the Marvel G1 Comics :p, but I'd highly recommend investing in the Madman Complete Beast Wars Collection as it is a great series that is easily the best written TF Visual Media written to date; it may be a little expensive but with the multitude of extras you get with the set it's well worth it. ;):cool:

[Paulbot]

I'm wondering if that's all. Are they the complete stories of the entire BWs series, or they are just a collection of random episodes?

The comics tell a different story altogether about the toys that weren't in the cartoon. It's secondary in every sense to the cartoon.


I've decided to study the Beast Wars, regardless of my incomplete knowledge of G1 (and all others).How many seasons are there altogether

Three seasons (season 1 is twice as long as season 2 or 3)


how many volumes in comics?

Two volumes, and the sourcebook (which is purely character profiles). The omnibus has all three in one book.

Do you take good care of DVDs? Iceburn and STL both borrowed mine to watch the show.

[Firestorm]

I've decided to study the Beast Wars, regardless of my incomplete knowledge of G1 (and all others).

To begin with I need to start either watching the original cartoon or reading the comics.

I've decided to start with the latter...basically for financial reasons...and if I find myself loving the comics then I'll get the TV series later.

Here is what I've found on the official IDW online shopping catelogue:

Four choice under BWs: The Gathering, The Ascending, The Beast Wars Sourcebook, and an omnibus containing all three of these. About 100 pages for each of the three individual volumes.

I'm wondering if that's all. Are they the complete stories of the entire BWs series, or they are just a collection of random episodes? How many seasons are there altogether, how many volumes in comics?

Thanks for the help again!:)

As the others have said it's better to start with the show Arcee, since the comics wont make much sense without knowledge of the show. as far as I know the only comics are the gathering, the asscending and the sourcebook (the sourcebook is just character profiles for EVERY beast wars character including the ones that were not in the show)

Beast wars has 3 seasons and as Paulbot said season 1 is longer than seasons 2 and 3.

I have the whole series on DVD plus the Omnibus

Beast wars is where my Transformers Knowledge started and it's still my faveorate series now

oh yeah, besides the cartoon and comic there are also 2 Japanese exclusive anime Beast wars Second (BWII) and Beast Wars NEO (BWNEO) but they are pretty much unrelated to the original Beast Wars

[Quickstrike]

Don't read any of IDWs Beast Wars stuff, it's not good. Especially the profile books... UGH.

[Arcee]

Do you take good care of DVDs? Iceburn and STL both borrowed mine to watch the show.
I just lost everything I've typed because the damn building's power off...:mad: How is one supposed to survived in 21st century without electricity (and worse if without iPhone at the same time)?!

Basically yes, Paulbot, you don't want to know but I got compulsive obsessive in keeping my own DVDs and books in near mint condition. Could I please borrow them from you? I promise I'll return them in exactly the same condition as they were first placed in my hands, otherwise I'll buy you a whole new set.

[Cat]

Do you take good care of DVDs? Iceburn and STL both borrowed mine to watch the show.

Hahahahaha.


I think even people with OCD look at her and are like ''Daaamn.''


:p

[Paulbot]

I won't have them tomorrow but can bring 'em along to the next lunch meet (next week?).

[Arcee]

I won't have them tomorrow but can bring 'em along to the next lunch meet (next week?).
Can do that. I love lunch meets, they save me trouble thinking what to eat.

Thanks a lot!! :p

[griffin]

(moved posts to be a new topic... for the fans of this great cartoon :p )

[Firestorm]

one could start with theft of the golden disc, that's floating around on youtube somewhere isnt it?

it's a prequel to Beast Wars. isnt there a botcon comic that's also a prequel (dawn of futures past)

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah, I recommend watching the cartoon first. The comics also have some spoilers for the cartoon too - so be warned about that if you choose to read the comics first. The comics also create continuity headaches... the Gathering was okay, but the Ascending gave me a continuity migraine... gah.


one could start with theft of the golden disc, that's floating around on youtube somewhere isnt it?

it's a prequel to Beast Wars. isnt there a botcon comic that's also a prequel (dawn of futures past)
Yes and yes, but it's not absolutely essential.

Arcee could also look into watching Beast Wars II (pronounced "Beast Wars Second") and Beast Wars Neo too, which are Japanese series (and one theatrical movie) that are expansions of the Canadian CGI series - but while they do contribute to the overall Beast Wars mythos, they're by no means essential viewing. Although Theft of the Golden Disk and the Dawns of Futures Past would be more quintessential than BWII or Neo. ;)

But Arcee could definitely just start watching Beast Wars straight away without anything else... ya know, the same way most of us did when BW came out! :D Although it'd be interesting to see how someone would react to Beast Wars if they'd been exposed to the prequel material beforehand... Midichlorians my rear assembly -- oops, wrong prequel :p :p

[Hursticon]

one could start with theft of the golden disc, that's floating around on youtube somewhere isnt it?

it's a prequel to Beast Wars. isnt there a botcon comic that's also a prequel (dawn of futures past)

Yes, indeed there is a Botcon Comic; Dawn of Futures Past, that deals with the Axalon and Nemesis crews before heading to Earth although I'm not sure if that and Theft of The Golden Disc correlate or not? :confused:
Can anyone clarify us on the relationship between Theft of The Golden Disc and Dawn of Futures Past please? :o

[STL]

Definitely start with the cartoon.

I was a big naysayer at the start but I've come to be quite fond of the series. Certainly not in the same breath as G1 but it rates very well story-wise and character development.

Don't want to spoil too much but it is a lot of fun.

And the comics are very fragmented. Confusing even if you watched the show. The good fortune for me was I'd bought a lot of the toys that did not appear in teh cartoon so appreciated seeing these mere toys being in a story for once. However, the comics are still very much an acquired taste.



Do you take good care of DVDs? Iceburn and STL both borrowed mine to watch the show.

I would hardly describe myself as "borrowing" them. A more appropriate term might've been "holding them hostage". :p

[liegeprime]

Start with the CGI cartoon as they've said, then all the other materials will fit/fall into place and go slow in viewing as you tend to appreciate it more rather than just barrel on watching a lot of episodes in one sitting. The third season is more appealing for me as that's when the G1 tie up became more apparent. I admit storytelling wise BW is best.

Ive never been fully a BW fan, but, after watching the series ( the DVD set is cheaper now too) I was able to appreciate the toys ( mainly the show characters) and decided to give em a better display in my collection as well as complete the figures that appeared in the show (as much as possible TM versions) - Im down to finding a cheap affordable priced X9 ravage ( in my dreams but hey it could happen, someday heheeheh) and a Primal Prime.

[Verno]

*Laughter from the shadows in the corner of the thread...*

Excellent, another one...

[liegeprime]

*Laughter from the shadows in the corner of the thread...*

Excellent, another one...

somehow Dr. Claw comes to mind:p:p

[Verno]

somehow Dr. Claw comes to mind:p:p

Really? Damn. I was going more for a Tarantulas vibe. Maybe if I'd addded a 'Tehehehe...'

[GoktimusPrime]

I got the Tarantulas vibe straight away. :) What a jolly villain he is (gotta admire a dude who enjoys his work so much). Tarantulas, Emperor Palpatine and Dr. Evil could get together for an evil chuckle-fest. ;) Apparently Alec Willow really got into character when he voiced Tarantulas - so much so that it freaked out the other voice actors! Some G1 voice actors have said the same about Frank Welker too... heh. ;)


I admit storytelling wise BW is best.
I still prefer the G1 Marvel comics (Furman FTW!), but Beast Wars would be my second favourite - and the best story written for a Transformers cartoon IMO. :)


Ive never been fully a BW fan, but, after watching the series ( the DVD set is cheaper now too) I was able to appreciate the toys ( mainly the show characters) and decided to give em a better display in my collection as well as complete the figures that appeared in the show (as much as possible TM versions) - Im down to finding a cheap affordable priced X9 ravage ( in my dreams but hey it could happen, someday heheeheh) and a Primal Prime.

Even though Primal Prime never appeared in the show... or Australian toy stores. ;) Ravage is nice, but he is essentially a very extensive retool and repaint of Transmetal Cheetor. I'd be more interested in wholly new moulds...

There are lot of really good toys in Beast Wars, many of which never appeared in the cartoon. The Canadian series only ever had a limited cast because CGI animation is a lot more expensive than cel animation. The writers were clever in handling this by making Beast Wars a consequential war. ;) But there have been lots of other neat toys that never got a screen appearance, and I must say that's one cool thing about watching the Japanese Beast Wars series (which are not as well written as the Canadian series, but being cel animated it meant that every toy could appear - even if some of them had different colours and were technically different characters from their Hasbro counterparts) -- also it's something else that made the Beast Wars comics appeal to me too. While the IDW BW comics did create continuity issues, it was cool in how it showcased a lot of toy-characters that never appeared in the show (e.g. Razorbeast, Grimlock, Snarl, Injector etc.) -- in fact, the continuity issues occurred when they did try to include show characters into the mix. Had they just left out any characters who'd appeared in a cartoon altogether, I think it would've worked a lot better. :/

Arcee: here's something to keep in mind while watching the cartoon...
+ The writers (Larry DiTillio & Bob Forward) knew nothing about Transformers when they were first hired to write Beast Wars. But they wanted to do the franchise justice, so they went online and consulted with fans -- getting feedback, tips, advice etc. :)
+ They also did their homework and researched G1 and G2 history, allowing them to link Beast Wars with G1/G2 continuity.
+ The writers realised that by 1997 the kids who'd grown up with G1 in the 1980s were now young adults. As a result the show is written at two levels - it's fun and entertaining for kids to watch, but there's also a storyline that engages adults... character-driven plots, consequential war, over-arcing continuity etc. - and of course, linkage with G1/G2 continuity that only the older fans would get.
+ There's also a lot of adult humour too - but delivered in a clever way that it flies over kids' heads but makes adults laugh.
+ Because Transfans had assisted the writers, there's also a lot of references to the fandom throughout the show too. See how many you can spot. ;)

[1orion2many]

:)You will not be dissappointed Arcee, Show first as this is by far in away the best series in my opinion. This is the show that really reignited my collecting enthusiasm just when it was starting to wain, I can't speak highly enough of it. You may enjoy the show so much Verno might start taking all your money with his sales thread of BW figures;):D

[Arcee]

Paulbot: Thanks a lot for the DVDs! Rest assured that I'll take good care of them, feed them well, bath them clean, and make soft silk sleeping gowns for every single one of them. They'll love me so much they never want to leave me and go back to you any more :p:p:D:D

Thanks everyone for your unanimous advice on starting with the TV show. My mum's leaving next Tuesday and that will be when my treacherous adventure into the deep waters of BWs formally...BEGINS...

[liegeprime]

:)You will not be dissappointed Arcee, Show first as this is by far in away the best series in my opinion. This is the show that really reignited my collecting enthusiasm just when it was starting to wain, I can't speak highly enough of it. You may enjoy the show so much Verno might start taking all your money with his sales thread of BW figures;):D

hence the laughter in the corners of the thread...... you vicious, vicious seller :p:D:D

[Arcee]

hence the laughter in the corners of the thread...... you vicious, vicious seller :p:D:D
That's right Verno; I'm at the edge of bankruptcy and Paulbot's contemplating on selling me his Skywarp at ebay price; so let's hope you'll do better than that :D:D:D:D.

[Verno]

I don't make people addicted. I simply feed it once it's started.

You may not feel the inclination to buy the toys anyway. Transformers isn't always just about the toys. My hope is that you'll find a great appreciation for the show (and comics if you eventually get to them. I quite like them) and then we can have in-depth discussion about *spoilers* what the rest of Megatron's message was or what the Tripredacus' real motives are for example.

[Hursticon]

*Laughter from the shadows in the corner of the thread...*

Excellent, another one...


somehow Dr. Claw comes to mind:p:p


Really? Damn. I was going more for a Tarantulas vibe. Maybe if I'd addded a 'Tehehehe...'

Yep, like Goki I too got you straight away; the image of 8 green eyes emerging from the darkness had me chuckling also. :D


I don't make people addicted. I simply feed it once it's started.

You may not feel the inclination to buy the toys anyway. Transformers isn't always just about the toys. My hope is that you'll find a great appreciation for the show (and comics if you eventually get to them. I quite like them) and then we can have in-depth discussion about *spoilers* what the rest of Megatron's message was or what the Tripredacus' real motives are for example.

Hmm... Sounds to me the Council may need to call another session Verno, we may of found it's newest agent; wouldn't you say? ;):cool:

[Verno]

Hmm... Sounds to me the Council may need to call another session Verno, we may of found it's newest agent; wouldn't you say? ;):cool:

Possibly. We'll see how they take to it.

I'm up for another discussion any time though. Like, what is a Spark in regards to *spoilers* the thing the Vok create and put inside Tigerhawk? Because we see Tigatron's and Airazor's trailing along behind. I thought Spark's were meant to come from the All Spark, which is Primus' domain, yet the Vok show control over it. You know, something like that.

[Arcee]

I don't make people addicted. I simply feed it once it's started.

You may not feel the inclination to buy the toys anyway. Transformers isn't always just about the toys. My hope is that you'll find a great appreciation for the show (and comics if you eventually get to them. I quite like them) and then we can have in-depth discussion about *spoilers* what the rest of Megatron's message was or what the Tripredacus' real motives are for example.
I can't promise anything, honestly; I had for a long time rejected making contact with anything BWs simply because I dislike the idea of cool TF metals shaped into organic animals...(bit like Sideswipe's "racism" against human in the movie comics).


But then almost EVERYONE here that I trust to have a good taste has been telling me how great the storyline is so there MUST BE some serious good stuff there. Yeah...so I thought I should be fair and at least give it a go, just for the story's sake if nothing else.

Curiosity is killing me :D

[Hursticon]

Possibly. We'll see how they take to it.

I'm up for another discussion any time though. Like, what is a Spark in regards to *spoilers* the thing the Vok create and put inside Tigerhawk? Because we see Tigatron's and Airazor's trailing along behind. I thought Spark's were meant to come from the All Spark, which is Primus' domain, yet the Vok show control over it. You know, something like that.

Indeed, we'll have to wait and see but for the time being though; let us return to the shadows and assess the situation. ;):D

*I too am up for further Beast Wars discussion though. :)

[Verno]

I can't promise anything, honestly; I had for a long time rejected making contact with anything BWs simply because I dislike the idea of cool TF metals shaped into organic animals...(bit like Sideswipe's "racism" against human in the movie comics).


But then almost EVERYONE here that I trust to have a good taste has been telling me how great the storyline is so there MUST BE some serious good stuff there. Yeah...so I thought I should be fair and at least give it a go, just for the story's sake if nothing else.

Curiosity is killing me :D

If you're a G1 fan, you'll love the end of Season 2 and Season 3, as people have said earlier.

There's even a little treat early on in Season 1 that you will find once you're in... Possession... of the DVD's.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Awesome cartoon series. Haven't read the comics. Mostly awesome toys. I acquired a fair few last year, mostly from Verno, and the only two that have been notable disappointments were Razorbeast (stoopid one-button transformation designs) and TM2 Cheetor (which is pretty craptastic, must get a different Cheetor to replace him in the Odieverse).
Rampage is one of my favourite TF toys ever, and almost all the rest I have are either great or really good. BW Megs is my all-time favourite TF character and easily in my top 5 favourite characters from any fictional series. Also noteworthy is that TM Airazor is the first intentionally-designed-to-be-female TF figure in the franchise IIRC.

[Cat]

Also noteworthy is that TM Airazor is the first intentionally-designed-to-be-female TF figure in the franchise IIRC.

Minerva/Nightbeat.

[griffin]

In terms of Western TFs, Airazor was the first official Female Transformers character toy that was mass-released (Nightracer was the first, but was a BotCon toy).
And only the head of Minerva was technically female, as we never saw what the robot's gender was after the kids were separated from them.
(but at that time, I think Hasbro would have been taking the lead on toys & characters, so Nightbeat's "masculine" form would have been the original form)

[GoktimusPrime]

And only the head of Minerva was technically female, as we never saw what the robot's gender was after the kids were separated from them.
Post-separation Minerva did appear in four episodes of Victory where she still sounds female - although her voice is different, mostly because they changed voice actress (in Masterforce Minerva was voiced by Yamamoto Yuriko whereas in Victory she was voiced by Maruo Tomoko).


(but at that time, I think Hasbro would have been taking the lead on toys & characters, so Nightbeat's "masculine" form would have been the original form)
I'd say that's true. Ono Koujin did say that Powermaster Optimus Prime was designed for Hasbro first, then Takara improved on the design for Ginrai. My guess is that Takara saw Nightbeat as being rather androgynous looking and realised that it could pass off as female.

Having said that:
"Airazor's gender in the Hasbro line is due to Beast Wars story editors Bob Forward and Larry DiTillio's insistence. The original Airazor toy wasn't developed with a specific gender in mind, and Bob & Larry wanted a larger female presence in the show, and the Airazor toy seemed as good a choice as any. They requested the change early enough that the toy's packaging bio could have its pronouns changed to female (thank god). The later Transmetal version of Airazor was the first American-released Transformer mold created to represent a female character. "
(Source (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Airazor_%28BW%29#Gender))

So there you have it; Transmetal Airazor was really the first Transformer toy explicitly created to be female.

[Verno]

Have we averaged 1 female toy from then on in each subsequent series? The use of Arcee has become the norm from token female character it seems.

[kup]

I agree with everyone saying that to understand the comics, you need to watch the cartoon first - It is the 'back bone' of all BW fiction. Unfortunately the somewhat recent IDW comics are a little bizarre in how plot is handled and the 2nd volume feels really rushed to me, specially at the end.

[GoktimusPrime]

Have we averaged 1 female toy from then on in each subsequent series? The use of Arcee has become the norm from token female character it seems.

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Female_Transformers

:)

[Verno]

I agree with everyone saying that to understand the comics, you need to watch the cartoon first - It is the 'back bone' of all BW fiction. Unfortunately the somewhat recent IDW comics are a little bizarre in how plot is handled and the 2nd volume feels really rushed to me, specially at the end.

You're right, very rushed indeed.

And somewhat unresolved. Doesn't even state how the Maximal mallita get back to Cybertron, it just sort of... ends. Maybe Furman originally tried to stretch Ascending over 2 series, 8 comics, but IDW wouldn't go for the idea so he had to hack it up and back to 4.

At the end of reading The Gathering (and before Ascending came out), I envisioned the out-of-synch Maximals to have eventually hitched a ride on the Ark Shuttle back to Cybertron, but things changed.

But like any piece of Transformers canon, it can be cut up or covered over with later stories.

(I intend to)

[kup]

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Female_Transformers

:)

I don't think this is relevant to what Verno is saying. He is talking about female characters making it into toys and that since BW, there has been an average of 1 female toy character per line.

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah I know that page just generically covers all female Transformers and not just the toys, but it does cover the toys too... I just couldn't be bothered individually listing them. :p

Mmm... so lazy...

[Paul Agnew]

Have we averaged 1 female toy from then on in each subsequent series? The use of Arcee has become the norm from token female character it seems.

Woah, people consider Strika to be female now? :D

[GoktimusPrime]

Actually I quite like Strika as a female Transformer -- she breaks the (arguably chauvinistic) stereotypical female Transformer being all thin and curvacious like a fashion model (who of course don't represent the typical female form anyway). She doesn't screech or squeal or really do anything terribly effeminate or "girly" -- but having said that, she's not entirely emasculinated either... there was awesome moment when Rattrap put her in that VR thingie, and she stopped to admire the beauty that she beheld.

Besides, not every male Transformer looks like beefcake - some barely look humanoid. Why should every female Transformer have to conform to a certain physical form? Transformers are genderless robots anyway... they have masculine and feminine personas.

[Autocon]

Watch any shows yet arcee

[liegeprime]

Woah, people consider Strika to be female now? :D

Yep she always was ;) though I tend to look at Strika as someone like Coach Beest in Glee:D:D

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Actually I quite like Strika as a female Transformer -- she breaks the (arguably chauvinistic) stereotypical female Transformer being all thin and curvacious like a fashion model (who of course don't represent the typical female form anyway). She doesn't screech or squeal or really do anything terribly effeminate or "girly" -- but having said that, she's not entirely emasculinated either... there was awesome moment when Rattrap put her in that VR thingie, and she stopped to admire the beauty that she beheld.

Besides, not every male Transformer looks like beefcake - some barely look humanoid. Why should every female Transformer have to conform to a certain physical form? Transformers are genderless robots anyway... they have masculine and feminine personas.+1 on the Strika appreciation, part of why I was so cut on Animated being cut after S3 was because we might finally have gotten a decent Strika toy.

[Arcee]

Watch any shows yet arcee

See me so silent?:o

I've got the DVDs for first season but haven't got time to watch anything yet. I'll start in a month (after my cursed exam).

You'll see me shout it out loud the minute I tuck the first disc into my DVD player, I promise :p

[Verno]

See me so silent?:o

I've got the DVDs for first season but haven't got time to watch anything yet. I'll start in a month (after my cursed exam).

You'll see me shout it out loud the minute I tuck the first disc into my DVD player, I promise :p

Surely no harm in having it playing quietly in the background while you study :p

[Arcee]

It's been a month already?? :confused::o

Yeah and today finally I've officially started my BWs adventure.

Watched the 1st 2 episodes in Season 1.

Gorilla's name's still Optimus Primal for some reason...not Optimal Optimus. Or they are not the same TF character to begin with...I've no idea. Will sure find out as it goes. I'm eager to see him upgrade into that later powerful form and then supposedly he'd be like Prime and swept all the Predacons.

That's just Prime.:rolleyes:

No spoilers please Verno...:p

[Hursticon]

Excellent, very glad to hear that the journey has begun; I'll wait until you're a couple of episodes further in before asking your thoughts however. ;):cool:
(I expect you're taking notes as there will be a quiz... :p:D)

I will ask though, what did you think of the theme song?

[Arcee]

Excellent, very glad to hear that the journey has begun; I'll wait until you're a couple of episodes further in before asking your thoughts however. ;):cool:
(I expect you're taking notes as there will be a quiz... :p:D)

I will ask though, what did you think of the theme song?

Arrrrrrrrgh....I've had enough exams and quizzes for my life!!!

Theme song...errrrr...at the moment I'd say I'll get used to it, just like I have got used to the G1 theme song and now I find it pretty awesome! :D:D:p:p

[Autocon]

As I shall wait till I ask your thoughts on which bw toys you want to buy :D

[Hursticon]

Arrrrrrrrgh....I've had enough exams and quizzes for my life!!!

Hehe, just kidding dude; I want you to enjoy the series, not rue it. ;):p


Theme song...errrrr...at the moment I'd say I'll get used to it, just like I have got used to the G1 theme song and now I find it pretty awesome! :D:D:p:p

Ah ok, fair enough. :)

I thought the theme was rather cool as it is an evolution, musically, of those that came before it IMO. :o
See, you've got the Original G1 Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVXO1LoqxUs) which was rather catchy and stuck in your head (My parents remember it to this day :eek:), but then it was taken to the next level when it went Metal with the 1986 Movie Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WKV0ep4h7E&feature=related) and then with the Beast Wars theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds7NBsHxBZE), it drops 99% of the lyrical content for simply 2 words but it takes the Metal and mixes it with some Jungle Beats making it sound hella cool! :D:cool:
(The Beast wars theme not being all too dissimilar to these guys (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiwqRSCWw2g) :))

At least to me anyway. :rolleyes::p



*I think I'm going to have to upload some better quality BW intro vids to Youtube, they're all crap quality otherwise. :rolleyes:

[Firestorm]

once you've watched some more I will have many questions :D

[Arcee]

As I shall wait till I ask your thoughts on which bw toys you want to buy :D
I already know that I want Hursti's Optimal Optimus for sure.


I thought the theme was rather cool as it is an evolution, musically, of those that came before it IMO. :o
See, you've got the Original G1 Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVXO1LoqxUs) which was rather catchy and stuck in your head (My parents remember it to this day :eek:), but then it was taken to the next level when it went Metal with the 1986 Movie Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WKV0ep4h7E&feature=related) and then with the Beast Wars theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds7NBsHxBZE), it drops 99% of the lyrical content for simply 2 words but it takes the Metal and mixes it with some Jungle Beats making it sound hella cool! :D:cool:
(The Beast wars theme not being all too dissimilar to these guys (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiwqRSCWw2g) :))

At least to me anyway. :rolleyes::p



*I think I'm going to have to upload some better quality BW intro vids to Youtube, they're all crap quality otherwise. :rolleyes:

I absolutely LOVE the 1986 movie theme. I've got no idea it's Metal though...ask me anything about modern music and I guarantee you I don't know the answer.:o All I know is what I like and what don't...

But yeah, sometimes it just takes time, especially if it's a new genre to me.;)

[liegeprime]

Well if your gonna start ventruing into the toys, prolly get the ones that appeared in the series show itself, those alone are quite satisfying even if you wont be completing the whole line - just the ones who appeared in the show

[Verno]

Well if your gonna start ventruing into the toys, prolly get the ones that appeared in the series show itself, those alone are quite satisfying even if you wont be completing the whole line - just the ones who appeared in the show

I comepletely agree. For the longest time I was perfectly happy with the 31 show toys.

But then I caved in...

[Hursticon]

I comepletely agree. For the longest time I was perfectly happy with the 31 show toys.

But then I caved in...

Yep, me too. :p

[1orion2many]

BW is my favourite series by far followed by G1 and RID. I don't know why these people say they caved in about the figures, They were always going to buy more than the show characters but didn't want to admit it;):p:D. Hope you enjoy the series Arcee, my favourite all time ep is in the second series which I think a few people like, You'll see when you get there;):)

[GoktimusPrime]

Gorilla's name's still Optimus Primal for some reason...not Optimal Optimus. Or they are not the same TF character to begin with...I've no idea. Will sure find out as it goes. I'm eager to see him upgrade into that later powerful form and then supposedly he'd be like Prime and swept all the Predacons.

The explanation really comes from the toyline, but there is a bit of show info there, so I've spoiler tagged it just in case...

The toy was originally called Optimus Primal - first as a Basic Class bat, then as a Ultra Class gorilla, then Mega Class Transmetal -- it wasn't until he became a Super Class gorilla/jet/buggy that he was called "Optimal Optimus". In the cartoon the character's name remains as "Optimus Primal" and doesn't change to Optimal Optimus (although Megatron refers to him as "Optimal Optimus" once as a reference to the toy's name). So basically Optimal Optimus is the name of the Super Class quad-moded toy (who also appears in Season 3), but was never really the name of the character himself



Theme song...errrrr...at the moment I'd say I'll get used to it, just like I have got used to the G1 theme song and now I find it pretty awesome! :D:D:p:p
Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of the Canadian series theme song. Beast Wars II has the best theme music IMO (although the worst animation and story - 'cept for the movie). :)


I comepletely agree. For the longest time I was perfectly happy with the 31 show toys.

But then I caved in...
Yeah. Long time BW fans already know this, but for those who may not, the reason for this is:

+ CGI animation is heaps expensive, thus Hasbro could only afford to support a limited cast number in the show. This is why many characters are killed or in other ways removed or changed in the show to keep the number of character models who appear in the show at a limited amount at any one time. e.g. Terrorsaur and Scorponok were thrown into lava just before the two Fuzors appeared

+ Consequently Hasbro would often select good figures to appear in the show (e.g. Silverbolt and Quickstrike are easily the best of the entire line of Fuzors (not hard, I know :p)

+ Having said that, Beast Wars produced a LOT of good toys and it just wasn't possible for Hasbro to include them all into the cartoon... so little surprise many fans did pick up a lot of great figures that never appeared in the cartoon. In fact, the toy line was already boasting impressive toy sales _before_ the cartoon came out (in fact, it was because the toys were selling so well that prompted Hasbro to commission a new Transformers cartoon - the first for Hasbro's market in a decade). So it comes as little surprise to me that people who are "retro collecting" Beast Wars now would also be drawn by a lot of non-show toys... because there were just so many great figures out there that, once you become a fan of Beast Wars, you can't help but realise that the toys who appear in the cartoon are like the tip of the iceberg. :) And most toys that didn't appear in the cartoon have eventually appeared in the comics anyway. :D Look at B'Boom (or Apache)... freakin' awesome toy... transforms from heavily armed robot to mandrill to battle platform! Sweet! Insecticon is just a lovely Basic figure... etc etc etc.