Quote Originally Posted by Sky Shadow View Post
The problem was that Drift didn't need to be a new character, McCarthy just needed to use Carnivac, Cancer, Star Saber or any other number of Transformers who already would have fit that role. It's fine to make up a character when existing ones don't work (e.g. Rung, Emirate Xaaron, Botanica, Alice, etc) but not when it's a cliché we already have in abundance in the Transformers universe.
^90%* agree. The G1 universe is chock full of so many characters that writers can tap into and use. I really appreciate writers who take advantage of this. It not only shows a greater awareness of the G1 universe, but also feels far more satisfying for me as a G1 fan seeing G1 characters who've been previously underused (or not used at all) finally getting media appearances. Ironfist, Rotorstorm, Pyro --- Hasbro Overlord!! Phwoar! And of course, finally giving Thundercracker the characterisation he deserved (as per his original tech specs bio from 1984!). Each time I see these things appear in the comics, it makes me think, "I see what you did there."

Quote Originally Posted by UltraMarginal View Post
I don't know who any of those characters are. I've heard of Star Saber. but i've never seen them on the screen or in any comics, not that I've read much of the original G1 comics.
They're all G1 Transformers. Carnivac's toy was never released in Australia, but he did appear in the G1 comics. Cancer is a Japanese G1 character, although his toy is identical to Squeezeplay.

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*My 10% disagreement comes from my personal dislike of non-toy characters making prominent appearances in canon. I'd rather writers just work with existing toy characters as much as possible.