Transformers Cartoon News on Seibertron.com

Original Storyboards for Generation 1 Cartoon Episode "City of Steel" Up for Auction

Date: Sunday, December 3rd 2017 7:02am CST
Categories: Cartoon News, Collectables, Auctions
Posted by: Qwan | Credit(s): eBay

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Views: 170,600

Many of you may remember the original storyboards for 1986's Transformers: The Movie that went up for auction on eBay a couple days ago (the listing is still ongoing by the way, if you're still interested in checking them out)! Well now, from the same eBay seller, we have an auction of the original storyboards for 1985's Generation 1 cartoon episode City of Steel.

Aficionados of the old cartoon may recognise City of Steel as "that episode where Optimus Prime got disassembled and turned into a robot alligator", and the storyboards up for sale do indeed cover that scene, as well as other memorable moments (like Sideswipe wrestling Starscream's jet mode in midair) and other deleted or revised scenes that didn't make it into the final episode.

Check out some images from the eBay listing (and the item description) below, view the listing here, and place a bid if you're interested and have some money to burn! As always, if you have any thoughts feel free to let us know in the Energon Pub forums, and stay tuned to Seibertron.com for more Transformers news as it comes.

Transformers City of Steel Original Production Storyboards 1985

This is an original set of storyboards for the October 17th 1985 Transformers episode City of Steel, by Douglas Booth. These were obtained from the Sunbow studio back in the late 1980’s and kept in a dry, smoke-free environment far from harmful UV. These boards are hand-labeled Nelson, making this most likely Transformers producer (and AKOM studio owner) Nelson Shin’s personal copy. The storyboard features deleted and revised scenes, giving a rare glimpse into the production process of a three-decade-old cartoon episode. The boards have been authenticated by noted Transformers expert Jim Sorenson.

Transformers storyboards are incredibly hard to come by. They seem to turn up only every few years, and often sell for thousands of dollars. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! If you need any more information just ask. Lots more pictures below, take a look!

Please note this is very heavy, shipping will registered mail, fully insured, due to the rarity and weight. Due to ongoing problems I will NOT ship to anywhere in Asia other than Japan or anywhere in South America or the Middle East.

Transformers The Movie 1986 Original Storyboards Reduction Master for Auction

Date: Friday, December 1st 2017 12:34am CST
Categories: Cartoon News, Collectables, Auctions
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): eBay, Jim Sorenson

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Views: 170,234

We were contacted directly by Transformers collector, archivist, and vault of knowledge Jim Sorenson, with another auction that may interest fans out there who seek for Transformers: The Movie memorabilia and artistic collectibles - such as the original animation cells or scripts previously newsed on this site - and this time, we have something fairly juicy for the right household: a Reduction Master edition of the storyboards for the animated feature!

The full information about the item (which has been confirmed as legitimate) can be read below, and the auction can be found here. If this is something that might interest you, happy bidding!

Transformers The Movie 1986 ORIGINAL STORYBOARDS Full set 1000 pages

This is an original set of storyboards for the 1986 Transformers Animated Movie. These were obtained from the Sunbow studio back in the late 1980’s and kept in a dry, smoke-free environment far from harmful UV. This is the “Reduction Master Storyboard”, meaning it is one of the earliest generations of storyboards made during the production the film. (Storyboards are generally illustrated quite large; to make them more portable, and thus more convenient to be referenced, they are REDUCED in size to fit four illustrations to a page. Hence, “Reduction Master”)

The storyboard script features deleted scenes and incredible production artwork. It also offers a fascinating glimpse at what’s NOT in the movie, as some scenes were boarded and then cut BEFORE the creation of the Reduction Masters, or updated by the artist to reflect changes in the flow of the film. The legacy of these changes are represented by a blank square labeled “Out”.

The storyboards are approximately 500 pages long, each page double sided. The storyboards were created to plan out the design of every shot in the film. (It does not include ALL the known deleted scenes as some had already been cut by this point) The set does have some minor wear & wear to the edges, it is over 30 years old! A rare opportunity to get an amazing Transformers holy grail item. The boards have been authenticated by noted Transformers expert Jim Sorenson.

Please note this is very heavy, shipping will registered mail, fully insured, due to the rarity and weight. Due to ongoing problems I will NOT ship to anywhere in Asia other than Japan or anywhere in South America or the Middle East.

Machinima Transformers Titans Return Episode 4 REVIEW

Date: Tuesday, November 28th 2017 4:02pm CST
Categories: Cartoon News, Reviews
Posted by: Bronzewolf | Credit(s): go90

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Views: 28,435

WOAHHH WE'RE HALF WAY THERE, WOAH-OH! LIVIN' ON A PRAYER.

That's right! Somehow we're already almost half way through the second Machinima Transformers series, Titans Return. The episode brings new threats, the loss of old freinds, and the appearance of some new ones. So, heat up some Turkey Day leftovers, and let's dive into the fourth episode of Transformers Titans Return!

We open with the Mistress of Flame in her Prayer chamber, where she prays to the original 13 Primes. This scene, again, is sort of teasing the next animated series, Power of the Primes, with the name dropping of the Primes and the use of their symbols on the floor. I'd prefer this method of tying the shows together over throwing it in at the last second like the previous series did with the Titans.

Her meditation is interrupted by who she thinks is Megatron, but is really Overlord, a new addition to the series. It is then we are introduced to one of the biggest issues with this episode...


...SPLIT FRAMES!!!

They're so bizarre and out of place, and haven't been used at all in this show (or the previous show, if memory serves), but are suddenly in every other shot. They're not very well framed, either, with the direction of each section being really confusing and not focused on a specific thing. They're quite distracting and I hope this isn't a running change.

Anyway, back to the plot. Overlord arrives, bringing his extremely goofy voice with him. It's this weird sort of Colonel Sanders/New Orleans accent mix that is just so ridiculous for this character it almost kind of works.


He sounds like he's about to play some ragtime in the steamship down by the Bayou,
or offer the Mistress a 5 dollar Fill-Up

The Mistress tells this new threat he's not supposed to be in the sacred chamber, and then just gets punted across the room. She retrieves her hammer and just starts wailing on him to no avail. It is by far the funniest moment of the series so far, and, matching Overlord's character overall, is just ridiculous and incredible at the same time.


This is the equivalent of that old Cartoon cliche where the bigger character yawns while holding the smaller character back with a hand on their forehead

She finally gets one good hit in, but then returns to the inconsequential wailing. She calls in some security drones, but their shots do nothing. I understand what kind of fight scene they were going for here, sort of a Star Wars-like "Bad-ass new villain character comes in and just dominates other character who makes their final stand against him" scene, but it just doesn't work. Whether that's because I'm unable to take it seriously, or some of the direction, lines of dialogue, and movements are just a beat or two off, I don't know. I think it would have been a more emotional scene had we actually seen the Mistress getting injured. Every time she gets tossed around, she just gets back up, looking good as new. Some damage here or there, some energon dripping our of her mouth, anything like that would have gotten the emotion and tone I think they were trying to convey across.

Overlord tosses the Mistress into the light of the Prayer Chamber, which electrocutes her, and she eventually dies, in a pool of Energon, on the floor.


Ooh, she's smokin' and crispy, just like my Nashville Hot chicken tenders, with 11 herbs and spices!

While this is all going on, it's revealed that the missile launched by Fort Max actually has Emissary inside of it. He jumps off the rocket and takes control of Metroplex, telling the titan he's here to help. Metroplex says he's too late to aid in the battle, but Emissary insists, giving him LASER EYES. No, seriously


All I want is Metroplex with frickin' LASERS coming out of his eyes.

While the battle rages on anew, the combiners are still working to fix up Fort Max. Computron discovers that, while all his weapon systems are functioning, his Transformation cog is destroyed. Victorion decides to fire all weapons systems at Trypticon, even though they have the potential to hurt or kill Metroplex in the process. While the lasers are sill soaring through the air, the episode ends.

This episode was...interesting to say the least. I'd be inclined to call it the worst episode so far, but I honestly don't think it is. I mean, sure, it's goofy and ridiculous, but it at least feels like there's something actually happening. That's a quality that past episodes have been lacking, and I've mentioned that all through-out the reviews. When looking at the episode as a whole, the pacing is by far the best of the series. Everything chugs along, with a satisfying amount of action, conflict, and story. New characters are making their way into the story which is a nice change, as well. Very little felt awkward or unnatural. The split screens were annoying, yes, but they're tolerable. It will be interesting to see where the plot goes from here.

...and that's episode four! Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving, and I'll see you in December following the release of episode 5! Thanks for reading!

LA Times Interviews Peter Cullen: Optimus Prime, His Role in Machinima Transformers: Titans Return

Date: Tuesday, November 21st 2017 6:26pm CST
Categories: Cartoon News, People News, Interviews
Posted by: Qwan | Credit(s): LA Times

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Views: 42,654

Not too long after the last interview with Peter Cullen about his role as Optimus Prime in Machinima's Titans Return animated series, we have another one with the great man, coming from the LA Times! The questions cover how he first landed the role back in the days of Generation One; the changes to the voice-acting process over time since he started his career; his bond with frequent (though not present in Machinima's series) voice of Megatron, Frank Welker; and even more!

The article doesn't touch too much on Machinima's series specifically, but it nonetheless contains a fair few interesting tidbits about Cullen's role, and his feelings on the current acting environment in animation. Check out a couple excerpts below, and of course read the full interview here! And as always, stick around Seibertron.com for more news and coverage of Machinima's series (like our review of the recently-released third episode) as it happens!

Did you ever think you'd see the Transformers characters as characters in a live-action/CGI movie?
No. Not really — especially after the 1986 [animated] movie because I was killed off. Frankly I didn't pay much attention to the show after that. I may have checked out a few [episodes] while I was doing it, but I had a family of my own. And my kids — my son — was not interested in cartoons and animation. He was a motocross and jet ski guy. He was not a sit-at-home-and-watch-TV kid. So I didn't get any feedback for years!

Your animation nemesis — voice actor Frank Welker — isn't in this latest Transformers iteration, but playing against his Megatron for so many years must have created a special bond.
A great bond. There's something about voiceover actors ... they're really underestimated and taken for granted. When I'm in a room with these talented guys ... they're really talented people and humble people. They're just marvelous people. Judd Nelson, who did Rodimus Prime or Hotrod in the newest series, what a great guy. Sensational human being and great talent. A great intellectual approach to a lot of his characters. And Frank — that's a bond that has lasted decades. It's such a privilege to be in a room with those people.

A lot of voiceover now is done, as you said, on a microphone in someone's home nowadays. Most would imagine that performing in-studio with other actors adds a different tone as opposed to being strictly digital.
The way I would express it would be like if you played on a football team and you weren't in the main locker room getting ready for a game around all the other players. You were just put in a room with your uniform and told to meet up on the field. You're missing 98% of the whole thing. You're missing the team, the camaraderie , the energy, the spirits, the willingness to combine efforts together and produce something good. When you're with a full group, you're inspired. And not only that, but the amount of laughter that ensued was just — you can't describe it. If it was school, we'd all be staying in detention.

Because it is so recognizable, have you ever thought of your voice as a liability in terms of getting other roles?
No. I never use Optimus Prime's voice for anything else. I studied voice, so I know I can get down and [lowers his voice] add the timber. It's just something I was capable of doing and I've never looked back.The voice is an instrument like any other. It's just about how you play it.

Machinima Transformers Titans Return Episode 3 REVIEW

Date: Tuesday, November 21st 2017 3:25pm CST
Categories: Cartoon News, Reviews
Posted by: Bronzewolf | Credit(s): go90

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Views: 30,855

Welcome back (and to those just joining, welcome) to another Machinima Titan's Return review! Last week saw the release of the first two episodes of this new series, (you can catch up on my review for those here and here) and this week we finally get the resolution to some of the cliffhanging plot threads left over from last week. Let's get straight to it and take a look at Titan's Return Episode 3!

So, we pick up where we left off in episode 2, with Trypticon in the middle of rampaging through Cybertron and Metroplex coming to meet him. And then, finally, we get the big (literally) fight scene between the two titans. It's actually fairly well done and entertaining to watch. Windblade again tries to get Metroplex to stand down, but he knows he must to defend the city.

Mmmm, hot giant robot-on-giant robot dinosaur action

Thanks to a random bit of purple smoke that comes out of Trypticon's mouth(?), we hear Starscream's voice, and Windblade and Metroplex discover that Starscream is the one controlling Trypticon.

Bluhh, sorry, I had Chipotle

We cut away from the fight for a moment to catch up with Perceptor and the Mistress of Flame, who make contact with Hot Rod. He asks how the evacuation is going, even though we've seen no one but the main cast in this entire city. Hot Rod informs them he'll be arriving shortly to aid with the fight.

We then cut to the Matrix of Leadership, now in the hands of the 13 Primes, who send a message to Optimus Prime. He stops, heeding the sign from the Matrix, and realizes what has happened in the city he's left behind. He travels back to the fight, and then, finally, we get the reappearance of Megatron. He remains the greatest, best-acted character in the entire two series, and the dialogue and exposition between he and Optimus in this scene is really good. He gives us some foreshadowing about the next series, Power of the Primes.

AW YISSSS

But all good things must come to an end, as, like a thief in the night, Megatron leaves as soon as he arrived. He decides not to go with Optimus to save the city, but I'd assume this is not the last we'll see of him through the rest of the series.

While this is all happening, we find the Mistress of Flame and Perceptor trying to contact the combiners on their quest to find Fortress Maximus, which they are unable to do.

"[Trypticon] could want one thing, or everything!" .....What?!?!? What is this writing??

After watching the battle for a few moments more, she sends Perceptor to turn on the castle's defense systems, while she goes to her "Prayer Chamber".


#thoughtsandprayers

Perceptor then makes it to the basilica control room, and turns the defenses on.


Orchestrated by Daft Punk, apparently.

The combiners finally make it to Fortress Maximus and attempt to activate it. We hear Youtuber Matpat in the role of Computron for the first time, and there's kind of a unique, fun dynamic between all the combiners hinted at here. Menasor fires off a missile by accident, with no idea where it will land. With that, episode 3 ends.


It's ya boy, DJ P3rcy P, spinning some fresh hits for ya all night long...

This was, again, a good episode. It was nothing exceptional, but the Metroplex/Trypticon battle scenes were very well done, and makes up for some pacing, timing, and writing issues that are pretty regular in this series so far. I honestly think it's biggest issue currrently is that, even though you had a pretty constant amount of action in this episode, it still feels pretty dull. It just doesn't grab you and make you feel like you're involved or invested in these battles you're seeing. The pacing issues coupled with the wide, steady, far out camera angles I think really detach you from the situation, which is not how you should feel. It just makes everything seem inconsequential, when it really isn't. This is still a huge improvement over the last series, though, because we've move on from being "Oh this is just bad" to actual critique, dissecting the actual occasional flaw that presents itself.

Well, that's it this week. What did you think? Watch the new episode over on Go90, and then come back and tell us in the Energon pub forums below! Happy Thanksgiving to you all if you celebrate it, and I'll see you next Tuesday!

Machinima Transformers Titans Return Episode 3 Now Online

Date: Tuesday, November 21st 2017 10:14am CST
Category: Cartoon News
Posted by: D-Maximal_Primal | Credit(s): Go90. Machinima

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Views: 24,766

Another Tuesday rolls around, and with it the next episode in Machinima's Titans Return series! Episdoe 3 has gone live, titled "The Fight Begins", and features a montage of new information for us to look into.

The episode includes, but in no way is limited to, some scenes of Trypticon and Metroplex finally doing battle once more, Hot Rod speeding down the road, the Matrix and its connection to Optimus Prime, the return of a fan favorite Megatron, and a prelude to what is next for the series (after only 3 episodes no less!). You can check out the full episode by following the above link, and stay tuned for a review of the episode from our own series reviewer extraordinaire, Bronzewolf!

Did you miss the first 2 episodes? You can find the links Here.

Transformers: Robots in Disguise Character Art Rundown

Date: Saturday, November 18th 2017 5:51pm CST
Category: Cartoon News
Posted by: Tyrannacon | Credit(s): Walter Gatus' and Jose Lopez Portfolio Sites

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Views: 36,031

With the Transformers: Robots in Disguise series coming to a close after 3 seasons, some of the artists that worked on the series are showcasing some of their artwork they did for the series. That means there’s a lot of character designs to be shared here with the fandom. Of note, artists Walter Gatus and Jose Lopez on their respective portfolio sites. Lopez also includes some of the work he did for Transformers: Prime, the previous series before Transformers: Robots in Disguise. We're mirrored some of the images below for your viewing pleasure, you can click any of them to be forwarded over directly to their gallery and browse the others in it.

Jose Lopez's Work:







Walter Gatus' Work:

Machinima Transformers Titans Return Animated Series Episode 2 REVIEW

Date: Wednesday, November 15th 2017 5:14pm CST
Categories: Cartoon News, Reviews
Posted by: Bronzewolf | Credit(s): go90

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Views: 29,376

The first two episodes of the Machinima Titans Return series premiered yesterday, picking up where the previous Combiner Wars series left off. We've already broken down Episode 1, and it, surprisingly, was not bad. So now it is time to turn the spotlight to Episode 2, "Our Heroes Respond". Let's just jump right in to it, shall we?

After being welcomed again by the overly-fancy title sequence, we find Windblade where we left her last episode, meditating with the newly reawakened Metroplex.

Meditating with Metroplex, coincidentally, is my favorite holistic workout tape

During the mind-meld session, we get the lore of this version of Cybertron built out for us in the form of Metroplex telling Windblade his story and the purpose of the Titans overall. We actually learn quite a bit of useful backstory here, and I think it was executed very well. Not overly exposition-filled, and it succeeded in fleshing out the world quite a bit.

Narrationformers! Exposition in Disguise!

They both finally realize Trypticon has also risen, and Metroplex volunteers himself to go and defend Cybertron again after all those years. Windblade is opposed to this, as Metroplex is in no state to go and do battle with another Titan (even though we haven't seen, and won't see, these supposed injuries she mentions).

Scrud? Is...is that what she said? Does...does she mean Scrap? I've got nothing.

In trying to find another solution, she again goes to see Perceptor in his lab, who's currently studying some of the samples he's collected from Starscream's corpse. She discusses with him Trypticon returning, and the best course of action to stop him from continuing to tear the city apart. My biggest issue with this scene is just some of the animation feels really clunky. Like Windblade looking around Perceptor's lab looks like a video game cut scene. It just kind of pulls you out of the narrative.

They decide to take their case to the Mistress of Flame who, in turn, sends the "Eilte Air Resistance Squadron" to hold Trypticon off. These, we find out, are the seekers. The pretty much instantly die, which is unfortunate, as it would have been interesting to see them cope with Starscream going AWOL. There was also a chance to have an interesting subplot about how Starscream doesn't really want to kill his former comrades, but whatever piece of Trypticon is still within the shell of the giant titan takes him over and makes him do it. I consider that a missed opportunity.

While this is all happening, the Mistress of Flame discovers that Hot Rod has given up the Matrix when they needed it most, and for the first time so far in the series, we can hear Judd Nelson.

Heyyy, that's better!

It's nice to hear the original voice of Roddy return, and I think, while Judd Nelson is obviously older than he was when he originally did the voice for Hot Rod, it still feels the same. He does a great job.

Hot Rod says he'll come and help fight off Trypticon, just as Metroplex starts to move toward the oncoming Kaiju. We do get some nice action scenes here (None with Metroplex and Trypticon yet), and it's pretty much the best part of the episode. Perceptor makes a hint that he will go find Fortress Maximus to help in the battle, which again feels like they're dumping all their material in the first episodes, but we'll see. With a threat like they've never seen before just on the Horizon, Episode 2 ends.

Overall, I think the biggest issue was timing/pacing. There were lines here and there that waited a couple beats too long to be delivered, didn't have the right emotion or movement tied to them, and so on. It's a good episode, certainly better than a lot in Combiner Wars, but it feels underwhelming. It's not good enough to walk away with a sense of "Oh, that was amazing!" and it's not bad enough to be entertainingly so. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather it be the good than bad, but it felt like it just needed to move along a bit quicker. Anyway, that's my take on the (so far) enjoyable first two episodes of the Machinima Titans Return series. I'll be here with another review next Tuesday, when Episode three premiers over on Go90. Thanks for joining me, and thanks for reading Seibertron.com! See you next week!

Fan Interview with Peter Cullen, Voice of Optimus Prime in Machinima Transformers: Titans Return

Date: Wednesday, November 15th 2017 5:34am CST
Categories: Cartoon News, People News, Interviews
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Collider

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Views: 42,138

You should be aware by now that the second animated series from Hasbro and Machinima featuring the Transformers, Titans Return, is being released in the US on the go90 app platform - and surely soon to follow for non-US viewers by other means, like its predecessor Combiner Wars. Our review of the first episode can be read here, and a review of the second will be making its way to the front page later today, too.

With that covered, you may want some more behind the scenes material, and Collider is here to provide the content - namely, an interview conducted and coordinated via Twitter with the voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen, returning to the franchise once more after the live-action movies and the animated shows Robots in Disguise and Rescue Bots. Check out some selected parts below, and read the whole piece here - which touches on a lot more than Titans Return, but always in a Peter Cullen and Optimus Prime shape!

It’s impossible to separate you from Optimus Prime, having voiced the character for over 30 years, but looking into the far-off future, what would make you step away from voicing Optimus?

Cullen: Yeah, well that’s been done before. I’ve already rehearsed that scene. [laughs] I’ve only done five movies since then, so it’s not like we’re talking, in terms of expansive years, since 1986, I’ve done a few games, Machinima, the second series now with them. Other than that, it’s been a very frugal way of making a living as Optimus Prime. What’s in store for him, I don’t know. But I’m not willing to give it up as long as it’s popular and people care for it. I would respect that part and continue on without much debate. But whether or he’s going to? I don’t know. I can’t speak for the multitude of people who are behind the steering wheel of this huge machine. If it all goes well, I’ll be doing it for years to come!

What was his reaction to being approached to play Optimus prime



Cullen: Elation, because I had waited a couple of weeks, which is not uncommon when you’re auditioning for a series and when they inform you that you have that role or that part. But more to the point, I had no idea who Optimus Prime was outside of the small audition that I did. In those days, back in the 80s, we were constantly doing cartoons, Frank Welker and I. We would meet at auditions sometimes or end up on a show and say, “Hey! You got a gig? So did I! That’s great!” That’s how we met by the way. Over the years, you try to add up all those feelings and say, “What actually happened?”

I remember the audition, I remember doing an impersonation of my brother who was a Marine, and heeding his advice, not to be an a-hole. Be real, don’t be Hollywood, that kind of thing. An audition that lasted perhaps a few minutes ended up changing my world, my life. That character has affected many different people’s lives in many different ways; I’m always overwhelmed by that, humbled by it, to tell you the truth.

[...]

What’s his favorite moment or scene as Optimus

Cullen: I would probably have least-favorite scenes. [laughs] I would include, the most important one, when I did the death scene. The other ones are doing all the screaming, yelling, blood-throat scenes; those are my least favorite. My most favorite scenes, which they don’t do enough, are when he’s written to express compassion and understanding. They never really want to express that level of Prime, which I thought was his most important, valuable trait.

Review: Machinima Transformers Titans Return Episode 1

Date: Tuesday, November 14th 2017 7:36pm CST
Categories: Cartoon News, Reviews
Posted by: Bronzewolf | Credit(s): Go90

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Views: 32,607

It's that time of the year, a special day of celebration and the gathering of friends and family! No, not Christmas. Not even Thanksgiving. It's time for a brand new Machinima Transformers animated series!



Yaaaaaay



While I don't hold the original Combiner Wars series in very high regard, I have (potentially blind) hope in it's sequel, Titans Return. Is it Good? Is it bad? Well, pull up a chair, slice some turkey, and pour yourself a tall glass of your strongest Energon, because we're about to dive into the first episode of Machinima's Transformers Titans Return.
("Spoilers" for Machinima's Combiner Wars Series below. If you missed out on that series, I slightly envy you, but I recommend going and reading my reviews for that series, despite some broken images.)

We open on a wide shot of Cybertron, with a general recap (which sounds like it’s potentially narrated by the original G1 cartoon narrator?) of the previous series to get us back up to speed. It briefly runs through the past 8 episodes, and does a good enough job of getting all the important info in there. We get reminded of the cliffhanger(?) In the last show, of Fortress Maximus' face, with a slightly ham-fisted "The Titans have returned" from Windblade overdubbed.




Roll credits! *ding*

After a slightly overly-fancy title logo sequence, we finally get to the new content.


Well, that's half the budget gone, right there.

It cuts to Starscream's mangled body on the side of a mountain. We actually spend a considerable amount of time with Starscream's ghost this episode, which is a nice call-back to the original cartoon. He's just realizing he perished in the previous battle, indicating that this is taking place very shortly after the end of the previous series, perhaps even the next morning. We immediately get another title card, this time with the title of the episode, "Aftermath and Rebirth". That's right, "Rebirth". Pretty confident that's a bad omen.


Because with a name like "Rebirth", it has to be good.

We next see the Constructicons cleaning up Cybertron after the battle. We even see them individually (!), some even in robot mode (!!), and one even talks(!!!), which is a big deal in this series, as it couldn't make up it's mind last time around if it wanted the combiners to be made of individual robots, or just one large entity and even a seperate race from the rest of the characters. They get some help from the other Combiners, with some awkward dialogue thrown in for good measure. We're then reintroduced to two of the main characters from the previous show, Optimus Prime and the Mistress of Flame. Optimus Prime is now voiced by Peter Cullen, the, uh, OP OP, shall we say.



We have to address the Mistress' performance here, because it's not great. Robotic, static, and near emotionless for most of her dialogue in this scene, it’s rather jarring throughout. Windblade chooses this moment to arrive, shocked that Optimus is leaving so soon. Windblade seems to have a complete tonal shift from the previous series, being more of an indifferent young girl with little emotion here than her previous "I hate everything and everyone all the time" character. This, too, is an extremely jarring change, and it makes the dialogue slam to a halt, feeling clunky and badly timed from here on.


okayniceknowingyoubai

So, then, uh, Metroplex appears. Just out of the ground. Yeah. Like that, with very little ado. The city splits open and Metroplex climbs out, which is disappointing, as I think he should be the city itself. I feel like this would have made more of an impact anyway, with buildings starting to move and finally form into this giant robot. She very quickly accepts Prime leaving without much convincing required, and departs with the most awkward line so far and a bizarre transformation sequence that completely feels like filler. Prime leaves, saying goodbye to the Mistress of Flame, and then driving away. He then comes back, sits there in truck mode for a couple beats too long, honks at her, and then drives away the opposite direction. This is the only part I laughed out loud at, just because the pacing is SO ridiculous.


Oh, uh, crap, I drove the wrong way. How do I turn around without making this awkward? Oh, I'll just honk at her then drive the opposite direction. There. Nailed it.

We see a quick cameo shot of Megatron, overlooking the previous characters, and then we move on. Rodimus is dropped off at the home of the 13 Primes by one of Victorion's Helicopters (yay more individual combiner personalities!) to return the Matrix of leadership. Is it just me, or is nothing in this scene understandable? Judd Nelson's voice over in particular is so poorly mixed with the Music (which by itself is too loud), and the 13 Primes have this layered voice effect that makes it so you just can't understand anything any of them say. We get another filler transformation shot of Hot Rod after he's given back the matrix, and then we get the final scenes of Episode One:

While this was all happening, the Gods take Starscream to the hollowed out remains of Trypticon, who actually fills his city role, unlike Metroplex. The gods make Starscream embody the large titan, and give him new life. On a distant hill, Perceptor is meeting with Windblade. He's voiced by Wil Weaton and, uh, he has a large head.


Where else is he going to fit all that science?

He's in the middle of analyzing Starscream's remains, when they both see Trypticon forming in the distance. That's right, while sort of dumping most of their cards on the table, Trypticon makes a fully fledged appearance. With a mighty roar, he brings episode one of Titans Return to an end.

Woahh, slow it down, guys, it's only the first episode.



So, is it bad? I'd argue no. The extended length of the episodes (12 minutes instead of 6-7) makes for a much easier ride, but at the same time, you get some odd pacing issues and some filler shots. You can tell the producers weren't really sure what to do with the extra time in some areas.

The animation finally improves, on many fronts. In fact, the recap of the previous show at the beginning of this episode illustrates that perfectly. You get a taste of that jerky animation and those completely unsynched voice movements and you can see instantly how much better those are here. Over all it makes it so much more enjoyable when those factors aren't constantly annoying you. I'd honestly say the worst part of this is the voice acting, which does not bode well for the show as the VA was by far the best part about it's preceding series. At least, despite her wanting to kill everyone, Windblade had believable emotion and frustration in at least her voice. Here, like I said before, she seems indifferent to everything that's going on.

It just feels like three steps forward, and then a step back.

So that's my take on episode 1 of this new series. If you want to watch it for yourself, you can over on Go90. These reviews are going to be longer as the episodes themselves are almost double what they previously were. What did you think of the episode? What did you think of my review? Let me know down in the comments, and stick around for my review of Episode 2, which also premiered today. Some questions get answered, but even more are asked.

Thanks for reading, and keep your optics and audio sensors tuned to Seibertron.com!