Why are you a Transformers fan?

[Paulbot]

An interesting question is: If someone likes Transformers for the toys only, does it make him less a "Transformers fan" than others? On the other hand, if someone likes the Transformers story, the characters, the universe and mytho but has no toy whatsoever, does it also make him less a fan? I reckon being a fan is about enjoying what you like, in your very own way.

I think it's unlikely there'd be anybody that would say they like toys or stories to the complete exclusion of the other. I don't think you have to be even actively buying, collecting, reading, watching to be a Transformers fan. I am curious though what got people into it and what keeps people going.

The responses coming through are what I pretty much what I expected, although I thought there'd be a bit more sway to mostly toys as a lot of converstation on the board is focussed on the toy collections, much more so than comic or dvd or merchandise collections.

[jaydisc]

I think it's unlikely there'd be anybody that would say they like toys or stories to the complete exclusion of the other.

I think I'm purely toys. I do keep up with watching Animated, but it's still due to toy interest (e.g what new characters might eventuate into toys). When I was a kid, maybe it was different. I dig the movies, both then and now.

Perhaps "purely" or "exclusion" are strong words. I'd put myself at 95% toys.

[Paulbot]

Perhaps "purely" or "exclusion" are strong words. I'd put myself at 95% toys.

If someone has a good collection of toys then it's very hard to ignore the characters and their stories. If someone is so into the story, characters and the mythos then it's hard not to have any toy either.

Agree, that's why I used "mostly" in the poll options. The Animated episode discussions are kind of the odd ones out when a lot of other discussions are toy related. Maybe that's because it's so new/different people want to talk about them.

[SilverDragon]

I'm not actually sure. The fiction is nice, but the toys are also quite nice.

[Robzy]

I love the Transformers mainly because of the G1 characters (Cartoon and comics).

But, as an aside, I just LOVE "transforming" toys (ie, not just the Transformers brand)! I think they are the best action figure/toy ever created!!!

[dirge]

Toys. The rest is details.

Who the slag voted for Machine Men?!?!?

[Kyle]

Toys. The rest is details.

Who the slag voted for Machine Men?!?!?

Probably roller...

[STL]

Finally have more time for a reasoned response.

The reason I chose the Machine Men was... oh wait...

Anyways, more seriously, this was a topic I had floating around in my head for a column i'm hoping to start doing. I think that really what it comes down to is that most people who collect the toys base their collecting on already established mythos. They accept caricatures of Ironhide, Prowl etc. which are the basis of their affection for TFs. That's why most of us discuss the toys rather than the fiction. For the majority of us, we already have established feelings about the TFs themselves.

And given the priceand accessibility of comics, it makes it hard for those to make a meaningful impact. So generally we just stick to the cartoons - good or bad b/c they're utimately free and don't require us to devote time to read. So yeah, it short, most ppl talk toys b/c it continues their affection of the franchise which especially helps when new toy lines carry pre-existing names.

For me personally, I've developed from a purely character/fiction mindset to a broader universe of TF toys one. I'm pretty much after anything that transforms and looks good these days. But the stuff that really gets me is the Henkei/Classics stuff. I'll by doubles, triples, you name it. I think I have at least 2 of each figure from those lines and my enthusiasm comes purely from the fact that I'm G1 nutjob and it gives me a bundle of joy chasing them down .

Galaxy Force is probably the best example of where I've never even been exposed to an iota of the fiction yet am keenly pursuing the stuff. I think they're great toys and I enjoy hunting them down even tho I have the Cybertron versions already.

So yea, I think I have a more segmented collecting habit now. Different lines for different reasons which all have different priorities. But alas, I'll save that for another column.

[kup]

I am the type who would buy a toy knowing its crap just because I like the character. However if I don't like a character/universe that has a good toy(s), I will not buy it. The fictional representation is my mayor motivator when buying toys. For example, many of the Marvel UK Wrecker character toys are absolute crap like Whirll, Roadbuster (due to accessories) and Broadside but I will search and buy them because I liked their appeareance in the comics.

On a few occations however I will buy an appalingly bad toy despite a complete lack of a propper fictional representation. I will have no idea why and complain about how crap it is but for some unknown reason it will sing to me. Quickswitch for me was such a toy.

[Kyle]

I think it's unlikely there'd be anybody that would say they like toys or stories to the complete exclusion of the other. I don't think you have to be even actively buying, collecting, reading, watching to be a Transformers fan. I am curious though what got people into it and what keeps people going.

If someone has a good collection of toys then it's very hard to ignore the characters and their stories. If someone is so into the story, characters and the mythos then it's hard not to have any toy either.

The responses coming through are what I pretty much what I expected, although I thought there'd be a bit more sway to mostly toys as a lot of converstation on the board is focussed on the toy collections, much more so than comic or dvd or merchandise collections.

This is similar on the HK forum as well. Maybe people prefer to review a toy than to review an episode of cartoon or an issue of comic? But then we also have review threads of Animated episodes here.