#dreadwind

(Spoilers for Transformers: Super-God Masterforce)

Overall Impression

Every complaint that I had with Transformers: Headmasters is not an issue in Transformers: Super-God Masterforce. While it's not a perfect series, Transformers: Super-God Masterforce is a clear step up from the original G1 Transformers and Transformers: Headmasters.

Action Scenes

The action scenes are certainly an improvement. The action sequences feel more dynamic and better choreographed.

Character Designs

(I crack headcanon Cancer and Buster as trans because of their designs and Cancer's feminine voice in the Omni dub.)

The designs are great. I adore Hydra and Buster's designs.

I love King Poseidon (Piranacon)'s design.

Bomb-Burst, Skullgrin, and Submarauder are fun, expressive villainous henchmen.

I wouldn't say they're as fun as Waspinator, Inferno, and Quickstrike from Beast Wars. But they're more entertaining than Thrust, Jetstorm, and Tankor from Beast Machines or Weirdwolf, Skullcruncher, and Mindwipe from Transformers: Headmasters on average.

I think the Decepticon junior headmasters being portrayed as a gang of youthful troublemakers with little real ties to the Decepticon ideology is very interesting.

Themes and Character Arcs: The Power of Humanity

I like how Cancer's redemption arc is particularly well-handled. It begins early (Episode 12) and develops gradually throughout the series. Although Cancer wanting to spread kung fu is a weird motive to join the Decepticons.

I think the Decepticon junior headmasters fit and inform their respective Decepticon form much better than G1.

For example: Wilder being a juvenile delinquent biker seemingly doesn't have much to do with Fangry as a bat-winged wolf monster at first glance. But Wilder being an anti-authority loner absolutely informs every aspect of Fangry’s psyche.

In contrast, in G1, Brisko being a Nebulan cartographer has...pretty much nothing to do with the rebellious nature of Fangry. While in Transformers: Super-God Masterforce, Transtectors feel like expressions of the human character's internal psyches which is a REALLY cool idea.

Darkwing and Dreadwind transforming themselves into true robot really emphasizes the theme of humanity.

Later, Cancer influences Wilder and Bullhorn to abandon the Decepticons, although Wilder makes it clear they're not joining the Autobots. Which I think is the right choice.

In the final two episodes, BlackZarak punishes Darkwing and Dreadwind for failing to defeat Optimus Prime (Ginrai) until they pass out from pain.

Overlord steps in to defend Darkwing and Dreadwind, arguing since as their commander it's his duty to protect them and he doesn't agree with BlackZarak's punishment.

Optimus Prime defends Overlord.

That's what Optimus Prime is all about in my opinion, standing up for what's right, even toward enemies.

The sequence captures compassion extends even to enemies when it’s about protecting life.

Optimus Prime tells BlackZarak that he underestimated the human mind. After BlackZarak's defeat, the Transtectors separate from their human partners, and Overlord and the Decepticon Transtectors leave into outer space.

A triple sided card? What do you do with this? Find out here:

AGE OF THE PRIMES Deluxe Alchemist Prime

You don't have to go home but you can't stay here.

More like this:

Power of the Primes Prime Master Class Alchemist Prime

Thrilling 30 Deluxe Class Trailcutter

Is there a Cybertronian named "Magnum Boost" or "Steam Hopper"?

Dear Roamin' Rider,

I can't say I'm familiar with Cybertronians by those exact names, no, but I have encountered some with similar designations. Magnaboost was a Maximal scout who transformed into a Transmetal red fox—or, in some universes, an Autobot with a turbofox alternate mode. Incredibly swift and an excellent marksman, Magnaboost was near-untouchable on the battlefield, unloading a volley from her arm-mounted laser blasters—formed from her fox-mode's front legs—then dashing away before her enemies knew what had hit them. Unfortunately, Magnaboost's undeniable skill also made her incredibly arrogant, and her constant boasting would invariably grate on her teammates' nerves.

As for "Steam Hopper"… well, I know of a number of Transformers named "Smokejumper", if that's at all helpful. You may know of the Decepticon analyst who can combine with his partner Dreadwind, but another Smokejumper I don't believe you would have heard of is an Autobot rescue worker stationed in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, who transformed into a fire-fighting train. A kind and empathetic spark, Smokejumper's isolated posting meant that he could go for months or years without contact with other Cybertronians, and he spent much of his time contemplating the beauty of his natural surroundings; he was even inspired to compose poetry, though few would speak to its quality. Regardless, Smokejumper was a courageous sort, never hesitating to dive into harm's way to help others—even if doing so risked blowing his cover.