From the Artist
May 3rd, 2005
Transformers X Vol. 2 by Gedeon Maheux
If you are a child of the 80's, then you most likely remember the cartoon series The Transformers. If not the cartoon, then most certainly the ultra-cool toys. Transformers were robots that like their name-sake, could transform into everyday objects like cars, planes, walkmans, and of course German Lügers. The story follows two groups of robots, the heroic Autobots led by their courageous leader, Optimus Prime, and the evil Decepticons, led by the power-hungry Megatron. The series ran in Japan before coming to America and spawning an entire industry of frenzy for boys age 5-15. The cartoon that aired in the US followed the Transformer's epic battles to reclaim their distant home world of Cybertron while they waged battle here on Earth.
When I was a kid, I had a bunch of the Transformer toys and I couldn't get enough of the cartoon. One of my Classic OS 9 icon sets was based on the Transformers, and people have been asking for an OS X version for some time. I didn't want to simply translate the older icons up to 128x128, so I've taken the time to draw them in consistent poses with unified line weights and color treatments. These icons also make great forum, chat room and instant message avatars.
This is the second set in my Transformers Icon Collection series. If you like these icons, be sure to stop by the factory warehouse and search for Volume 1 which contains such favorites as Optimus Prime, Megatron and others.
Vol. 1 Autobots
Ultra Magnus - Ultra Magnus is all soldier. He is most comfortable when he is carrying out Optimus Prime's orders- giving it all of his magnificent fighting skills, courage and gift for battlefield improvisation. And he is uncomfortable when the mantle of leadership is placed over his broad shoulders. He sees himself as a follower, not a commander, and is reluctant to assume authority until it is clear that he has no choice but to lead. And when he does finally lead, he is resolute, fair and courageous beyond reproach. He is ever-ready to sacrifice himself for the good of his companions and mission, and unstinting in his preparedness so that his "people" will be as protected as possible.
Hound - Hound would just as soon be sniffing around the Grand Canyon or Big Sur as he would a secret Decepticon base. Perhaps more than any other Autobot, Hound takes pleasure in being on Earth. Unlike his home planet, which is entirely composed of metal and machinery, he finds the natural wonders of Earth endlessly fascinating, and uses his topographical skills to store every sight he sees within his memory circuits. Hound's bravery, fearlessness, and loyalty are unwavering, like any good advance scout. But his secret desire is to be human.
Bumblebee - Bumblebee is the Autobots' little brother. He's small, eager and at times can be a bit of a smart-mouth. Yet for all his wisecracks, he obviously idolizes the bigger robots, especially Optimus and Prowl. He is useful as a messenger and a spy; he can go where other vehicles would not dare because he does not look threatening. And his relatively small size occasionally enables him to use routes not available to the others. More than anything, Bumblebee wants to be accepted, and this sometimes causes him to take chances he shouldn't.
Skyfire (a.k.a. Jetfire) - With a reckless daring that comes from being the swiftest of all the Autobots, Skyfire is the most eager of his comrades to plunge into battle. But his bravado is tempered by one overriding thought: he sincerely believes that victory over the Decepticons can only come through advancements in Autobot technology. As the first of a new generation of Autobots such a credo is perhaps only natural. Also, because he was created on Earth, Skyfire is one of the few Autobots who has no memory of his home planet. His allegiance to his cause is only matched by his devotion to scientific research.
Vol. 1 Decepticons
Scrapper - Scrapper is a wizard at designing fortresses and energy production plants for the Decepticons. Disguising his creations to blend unnoticed into the surrounding alien human landscapes comes almost as easily to him. He modestly shrugs off the acclaim these talents inspire from his comrades. After all, he feels he is just fulfilling the requirements of his job. But overcoming an enemy Autobot and secreting his body in the foundation or structural skeleton of one of his buildings is another story. It is in such cases that Scrapper exhibits his true malevolent genius and relishes the admiration and praise it garners. Megatron considers him the most valuable of the Constructicons.
Onslaught - Perfection is what Onslaught seeks. He believes the key to a mission's success lies in its planning, not in its execution. Thus, a perfect plan virtually guarantees a victory. Onslaught prefers the intellectual battlegrounds of the mind, where he can carefully devise and polish his sinister schemes, to the physical battlegrounds of the war, where events don't always unfold as expected. The four Combaticons under his command consider him aloof, even dreamy, but a brilliant tactician. Typically, Onslaught takes a backseat role in the assaults he plots, choosing to observe and re-evaluate his strategy rather than actually engage in combat. But, when stirred to action, he is a relentless, furious fighter, a terrifying contrast to the reserved thinker he is otherwise.
Rumble - Rumble is your basic street punk. He compensates for his small size by always acting tough. And he is tough. Cross him and he'll punch your optic sensors out. He has a quick temper and a mean disposition. The other Decepticons try to keep their distance. Yet, this unpleasant, swaggering little hoodlum is one of Megatron's favorites. Rumble follows orders blindly and hungrily; he always waits impatiently for Megatron's next assignment. A good time for Rumble is shaking a building into a heap of rubble. "I love the sight of crumbling bricks," he says.
Brawl - Brawl is loud. Whether he's talking, shooting, or merely moving, he makes a lot of noise- grating, clanking, booming noise that irritates all those nearby, friend and foe alike. As unpleasant as that side of him is, there are other aspects of his personality that his fellow Combaticons consider even worse. He has a hair trigger temper and expresses his frequent anger with a savage fury truly terrible to behold. But, at least this seething rage that drives him, that makes him so unpleasant to be with also makes him a terrifyingly effective warrior. He makes no secret of his blustering belligerence, the mere sound of his approach is enough to unnerve Autobots.
Legality
The Transformers are registered trademarks of Hasbro Inc. The icons contained in this set are intended for personal desktop use ONLY. These icons MAY NOT BE REDISTRIBUTED, SOLD OR EXCHANGED FOR ANY GOODS OR SERVICES WHATSOEVER. In addition, the read-me file must accompany the set at all times. By downloading this file you are agreeing to be bound by these terms of use.
Copyright © 2005-2006 The Iconfactory, All Rights Reserved.
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