#Transformers Refraktor

[transformersandschtuff]

Older drawing but my sort of take on the Reflector trio, Spyglass and Spectro are pretty much just their toy designs but Viewfinder is a combination of his toy and Reflector's cartoon appearance in G1.

[robotshowtunes]

Each member of the Reflector trio has highly developed infrared vision that can record images in darkness, through camouflage, and at great distances. In camera mode, Reflector can emit powerful flash explosions that leave enemies blind and disoriented for up to 15 seconds.

Gun barrel frame from James Bond 007 Museum

[squalamander]

while I was studying for the mcat 2 years ago, I drew some self-motivators after every practice test :)

and now that I've got an interview tomorrow for my dream school, I drew em again!!

these are how my self-pep talks went btw. they went uh.. two very distinct ways.

and of course, a very special guest :)

wish me luck!!! <3

[short-wooloo]

Transformers One concept Art Reflector(/Refraktor/Viewfinder/Spyglass/Spectro)

Makes sense that he/they were in the concept art, they're the only one of the 1984 Cons missing from the film (I also wonder if the Triple Changers exist in concept art)

Also I can't help but notice how similar Reflector's build is to Soundwave's

It's not exact, but it's pretty close

Enough that maybe we'll eventually get a Studio Series concept art Reflector retooled from Soundwave

[churino]

Design for Refraktor and Shudder

A mass produced vehicon based on decepticon social media influencer Viewfinder, they're equipped to monitor all events on earth with their Shudder drones to go places they cannot, intended to match the six clan's Ida and her shuteyes

Without nightbird's inexperienced vision to make the vehicons into experimental works of art, the only thing that differentiates them from their inspiration are technological limitations, under big hoss for the short time he was in charge and later alpha strike and omega doom, the vehicons grow more numerous and indistinct, filling specific tactical roles rather than serving to test new technologies and approaches to things, exemplified by the first vehicons to be successfully mass produced, each Refraktor and shudder identical to the last.

Their personalities are intentionally dulled but Viewfinder's was so strong in the first place they still end up quite chatty, although you wouldn't be able to tell because the Refraktors only communicate on a secure radio frequency inaccessible to anybody but the vehicons that know about it, they have a comment on every piece of information they see and gossip incessantly, the loss of one Refraktor does not mean the loss of information because they likely already told the other Refraktors about it.

Their shudder drones have personalities of their own, small and fragile they embody all of their fears and have one core priority besides observing events, self preservation. But as their cowardice takes up more space than their whole bodies they're quick to run away at the slightest noise or scarry sight, only to be "motivated" by their Refraktor to keep watch, using a controlled shock

[thelastgherkin]

GENERATIONS COMIC EDITION Emirate Xaaron

Wily old buzzard.

More like this:

Sovereign Noraax

Legacy Wreck 'N Rule Collection Comic Universe Impactor

Siege Deluxe Class Refraktor

[driver270]

Photography Fail II 🤖☕️

[frankenwolf1564]

Comic Edition Emirate Xaaron and Autobot Flame: A Marvelous match

Coming at us in a blast from the past, we have two massive nobodies from UK Marvel G1, Generations Comic Edition Emirate Xaaron and (Autobot) Flame!

Starting with the real highlight of this set, Xaaron takes center stage, cast primarily in a light gold with some painted darker gold highlights and a bit of black shading, to make it look as though he came right off the comic page. His joints are cast in an off white, and his thighs are painted silver, which helps bridge the gap between the metallic and matte finishes. His head pops out in that same pale tone, with some small touches of black to highlight his facial features. Xaaron’s overall look is based roughly on G1 Megatron, though he omits the gun mode kibble that would become the classic bucket head to show off that crown crest. It’s paired with a weird iron man mouth that spawned from the confinements of the drawn page, creating a unique head design and a very nice-looking robot, simply. I’m utterly enamored with Xaaron and how he looks. I’m also a fan of the comic shading, a rather divisive aspect of the Comic Edition subline. I think it adds a nice dynamic element to the figures and just looks nice.

Now, while Xaaron was based off Megatron, do not be mistaken, this is no retool of the Decepticon despot. Any modern Megatron would have been both too big and too imposing to sufficiently serve as Xaaron, but Siege Refraktor lets him keep the same form factor in a suitably smaller stature. It’s also boxy and generic enough to make for a smooth transition to other characters. This is evidenced by the only new parts on the main figure being the chest piece and the head, everything else merely getting color swapped. That’s not the whole package however! Xaaron comes equipped with a small slew of additional, purely optional parts to give him a slightly more “traditional” Transformers look, giving you some hint towards what his alt mode might be. He gets a pair of tank treads, intended for his legs, and a cannon alongside the accompanying turret mount to peg wherever you please. They shake up his profile, pulling your eyes down a bit more and making him that touch less blocky.

A fun little tidbit, plus some context for why Xaaron is designed the way he is, he never transformed in the comics. It was briefly teased in his showdown with Flame, on which this set is based, but since it’s been so long since he’d last done it, he was worried the act might kill him. Now that’s all fine and dandy for a character in a comic book! It adds an interesting layer to the conflicts presented, and it’s not like characters from comic books have never gotten toys before. Problem though, this is the Transformers toyline. So, (according to the wonderful Sixo, who revealed this set and this info) the designers went with a simple mold that they could easily add a partsforming element to, letting you have both a comic accurate robot mode and an alternate mode. The extra pieces are even explained as, effectively, combat armor, so he doesn’t kill himself getting ready for battle. And idk I think it’s neat I like when things have explanations.

The actual transformation sure is Siege Refraktor. Too bad that wasn’t the most groundbreaking toy. The hands tuck away, the arms fold back, the waist swivels and the legs turn outwards. Waow. The new tank pieces do a lot for the look, though that’s turning an indiscriminate “space vehicle” into a slightly less indiscriminate space vehicle. I’m not sure if it’s just my copy but I struggle to get the cockpit piece that folds out from the chest to tab securely into the legs. It is also a new piece, which might have an impact, but it’s also only very slightly different. It doesn’t really matter, but still.

Of course, what would a hero be without a villain? That’s where Flame comes in, looking delightfully menacing and twisting what should be a normally nominal Autobot color scheme into something far more sinister. One upping Xaaron by being this sets Megatron retool, specifically the SSGE WFC mold, Flame wears the bulky, brutish shapes of the Decepticon leader in much the same manner, but the new parts help set him apart. That said, his arms stick out a bit, the completely bare plastic and slightly higher amount of mechanical detail compared to the likes of his shins clashing with the rest of the figure.

He poses quite nicely, looking suitable malicious the way only a deranged scientist can, though some of his joints are just. Weird. His elbows don’t bend smoothly, both sets having an unfortunate tendency to jump between positions, though this has lessened a bit with time. His legs are even worse in this regard. The knees have tabs in the front and back of the leg that effectively act as a single big ratchet, giving you a whopping two options of bent and straight. What’s weirder is that if you go past them, the knee does rotate smoothly and tightly, but you’ll only have room for that when you’re transforming him thanks to the big tab in the back. It’s an absolutely bizarre design choice that is no more welcome here than it was on Megatron. Thankfully you can snip them off with zero concern, something I’ve done on my copy. Even if you do keep him stock, he’s still quite expressive, and naturally looks intimidating. My only other major gripe is that his ankle tilt is a bit limited. Like yeah a wrist swivel would be nice but you don’t need it-

The transformation is rather fun! Nothing changes from Megatron, but the way his arms go over his back and under his chest is clever, and it feels great to close his legs over everything like one big clamshell. I have no other notes it’s just a good toy.

This is a great set, and Xaaron is actually my favorite part of it? He’s unbelievably charming. His natural stature gives off a big energy of “I am not built for this” and a constant vibe of “oh god damn it not again”. I love him. Flame’s still plenty fun! I’m just not as enamored with him. The best part of this set though is what it represents. Transformers is a massive franchise, with a lot of characters and some deep, deep cuts that have formed over 40 years. There are plenty of obscure nobodies. Now while Xaaron did feature fairly prominently in the UK Marvel comic, and even showed up in the later stages of the American run, he’s not exactly the face of the franchise. I’d say it’s a safe bet most people have absolutely no idea who he is. Yet despite that, despite not even having an alt mode, he was still able to get a toy! Flame as well. So many enormous dorks have showed up in figure form this year alone, and I hope it’s a trend the current team continues throughout the next ten years, whatever those may look like!

[kudosmyhero]

Transformers vs. The Terminator #3: Enemy of My Enemy - part 3

Read Date: August 26, 2023 Cover Date: August 2020 ● Writer: David Mariotte ◦ John Barber ● Art: Alex Milne ● Colorist: David García Cruz ● Letterer: Jake M. Wood ● Editor: Tom Waltz ◦ Riley Farmer ●

**HERE BE SPOILERS: Skip ahead to the fan art/podcast to avoid spoilers (👏=didn't like it, 👏👏=it was ok, 👏👏👏=I liked it, 👏👏👏👏=I really liked it!, 👏👏👏👏👏=I loved it!)

Reactions As I Read: ● I like the letterer's Gs! (is that weird?)

● 👏👏👏

Synopsis: Inside the crashed Ark, Sarah Connor does what she can to help the Autobots get their base up and running. Although Optimus Prime and Bumblebee have reactivated several more Autobots—Arcee, Wheeljack, Velocity, and Ratchet—there's still a lot to do, and the heroes work together to move stasis locked bodies and get the Ark operational; despite the nominal truce that exists between him and the Autobots, however, the T-800 Terminator refuses to contribute to the repair effort: he is only programmed to eliminate Cybertronians, not help them. Ratchet informs Prime that the other, still-deactivated Autobots will require extensive repairs, time, and energon to get into fighting shape, while Wheeljack chimes in to report that the Ark won't be able to fly anytime soon. Undaunted, Prime rallies his troops and lays down his orders: Ratchet and Wheeljack will remain behind to continue repairs and monitor local transmissions for any sightings of Megatron, while the other Autobots will split up. Prime and Velocity will search for possible energon sources, Arcee and the Terminator will sweep the immediate area for any signs of Decepticon activity, and Bumblebee will take Sarah home.

At the Cyberdyne Systems manufacturing plant in California, Thundercracker reports on their progress to Megatron. Already, Starscream has taken Cyberdyne's scientists hostage to interrogate them for any information about their mysterious robotic foe; Soundwave and Refraktor have harnessed the factory's on-site nuclear reactor to produce energon cubes, while the Insecticons literally tear the factory apart in search of any sign of advanced robotic technology. Megatron demands answers regarding the mystery robot—he will not allow a foe capable of exploiting all of their weak spots run amok.

On Oregon's west coast, Prime and Velocity follow the trail of the Decepticons to a nearby beach, where Velocity finds the discarded optic casing on the ground. The sight of the blasted dune buggy leaves Prime in a somber mood, however; already, he notes, the Decepticons have brought death and terror to another innocent world, and they must find and stop Megatron before he can do any more damage. Far to the south, in the city of Stockton, Bumblebee waits in the parking lot while Sarah goes shopping for street clothes, eager to get rid of the tattered remains of her waitress outfit. As Bumblebee drives her home, Sarah wonders just where she can go now: she can't go back to her old life, but when Bumblebee suggests helping the Autobots, Sarah refuses: she doesn't want to become a warrior, either. But when Sarah turns on Bumblebee's radio, a sudden newsflash warns listeners about a mysterious terrorist attack in Sunnyvale…

In the Ark's armory, Arcee offers the T-800 some Cybertronian-caliber firepower, pointing out that Optimus obviously trusts the machine warrior—but warns him that if he ever turns their own weapons on the Autobots, he'll immediately regret it. The Terminator gladly accepts a heavy-duty Cybertronian blaster and an explosive detonator… but as they turn to leave, neither Arcee, Ratchet, nor Wheeljack notice him placing a Cybertronian explosive next to Wheeljack's workstation. As Arcee and the Terminator make their patrol, the Terminator surreptitiously scatters more bombs around the Ark's perimeter when his partner isn't looking. Finally, the two stop by the Sky Spy probe that the Terminator shot down, and while the Terminator investigates the wrecked machine, Arcee gets a transmission from Bumblebee: they've found the Decepticons!

Observing what remains of the Cyberdyne factory from a nearby ledge, Sarah and Bumblebee keep their distance as the Decepticons ransack the factory; not wanting her to come to any harm, Bumblebee tells Sarah to keep a lookout while he gets a closer look. Unfortunately Skywarp spies the two from above, and promptly teleports in to attack! Thinking quickly, Bumblebee scoops up Sarah and makes a run for it, heading toward Megatron in the hopes that Skywarp will collide with his allies. Skywarp's too smart to take the bait; it seems like the end for Bumblebee, but his stunt has bought time for Optimus, the other Autobots, and the Terminator to arrive and turn the tide! Autobots and Decepticons clash amidst the wreckage of Cyberdyne while Bumblebee shouts for Sarah to get to safety and contact Wheeljack and Ratchet. As Optimus and Megatron have it out, Refraktor advances on the Terminator—but the Terminator pinpoints the weak point on Refraktor's face, hurls an explosive charge at the Decepticon, then thumbs the detonator…

Wheeljack and Ratchet anxiously monitor the fight as they do what they can to try and bring their fellow Autobots back online. As they discuss strategies, however, a beeping noise catches their attention—then, all at once, the bombs the Terminator had planted around the Ark simultaneously detonate—for the second time that day, Mount St. Hilary erupts as a massive explosion consumes the Ark!

Back at Cyberdyne Systems, none of the Autobots realize they've been double-crossed as Velocity commends the Terminator for taking down Refraktor. Before the Terminator can respond, however a null-ray blast lances over his head—a blast courtesy of Starscream, who's finally worked out the truth behind the Terminator's existence. If Starscream shoots his Cyberdyne hostages, then Skynet will never be… so Starscream wants to cut a deal!

(https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Enemy_of_My_Enemy_Part_Three)

Fan Art: Terminator by highdarktemplar

Accompanying Podcast: ● Swerve's Bar Podcast - here

[askvectorprime]

Dear Lord Galvatron, could you give us more information on Galvatron III's panopticon please?

When Galvatron the Triple-Eye conquered Cybertron, he had Crystal City rebuilt as the Panopticon, each sliver of crystal being reshaped into mirrors. There was no place where a prisoner could be out of their own sight, out of sight of the other prisoners. Constant self-observation alone is usually enough to disturb even the most narcissistic of bots, but more potent yet is the constant fear of appearing out of control to one's peers.

Bots who failed to maintain perfect order were taken to Crypticon, the saurian interrogation city/morgue. Over time, the bodies of the criminals were re-smelted into reflective mirrors to coat more and more of Cybertron's surface until my Panopticon covered the world, a shining metal eye in the heavens.

Galvatron III's alt mode is a cannon-shaped telescope, randomly observing every portion of the planet's surface and constantly receiving data from Refraktor Sweeps. Scratch the Data Tracker, who leads them, continually reviews surveillance footage. Criminals detected by Scratch are sent to face judgement at the hands of my loyal lieutenant, Cycl-Ops—giving Galvatron time to expand his gaze to other worlds suitable for conquest.

[robotshowtunes]

🤖 + 🤖 + 🤖 = 📷

Background photo by Alessio Soggetti on Unsplash

[squalamander]

reflector reflector perceptor perflectorrrrrr

[toyboxcomix]

Random Old Comic: Rebranding https://www.toyboxcomix.com/2019/08/16/rebranding/ Rebranding

[ssunvulcan1981]

Three Reflector (Refractor) Shattered Glass are Heroes

[thelastgherkin]

Hello.

I’m sad to report that, after fourteen years of faithful service, the simple point-and-shoot camera I use for most of my photography has given up the ghost.  I have a few galleries in the bag still to edit – including one that I just managed to scrape through, hopefully unnoticeably – but there’s a chance of service interruption until such a time that I can get hold of a new camera.

Completely unrelatedly, does anybody have any recommendations for a good DSLR?