Bot a Day: Daily Drawings

Quickmix is an homage to a Generation One toy, still turning into a cement mixer but now at a larger scale and more complex design, fitting the lore that he hails from the 'Giant Planet'. In a throwback to Armada toys, he comes bundled with a Mini-Con, Stripmine, who turns into a treaded laser drill tank. His Cyber Planet Key opens up Quickmix's drum arm, revealing a missile launcher. Quickmix was available in 2006, towards the end of the Cybertron line.  And with that, we're wrapped September 2023!

A radical redesign of Scattorshot, previously a scout , this upgraded version is larger with a more complex transformation. Now he turns into fully tracked missile delivery tank, with a Cyber Planet Key that exposes even more missile launchers. His robot mode carries his hefty launchers on his arms, making him a formidable opponent. This Scattorshot was available in 2005/2006. In Japan, he was named Backgild. 

The design that inspired the Legends of Cybertron figure posted earlier , this larger and more detailed incarnation of Evac also turns into a Eurocopter Dauphin rescue helicopter. He is loaded with features and gimmicks, including a push-button activated spinning rotor that becomes an arm-mounted blade in robot mode. A rescue winch with a real retractable string adorns his other arm. His included Cyber Planet Key unlocks pop-up missile launchers in both modes. Evac was available in 2005.

So this is the full-sized Leobreaker design that inspired the scaled down Legends of Cybertron toy. It is much larger that the Overhaul scout toy that represented the character's earlier form. This Leobreaker turns into a mechanical lion (or liger; in Japan, he's named Ligerjack). This plussed-out toy has electronic lights and sound features, a Cyber Planet Key that unlocks spring-loaded claws on his arms, and a third mode, "Savage Claw Mode," that turns him into an arm that can fit onto larger figures like a combiner of sorts. 

Circling back to the Legends of Cybertron subset of Cybertron toys to draw Leobreaker, and there was a reason I skipped him the first time around. In the Cybertron mythology, Leobreaker is an upgraded version of Overhaul, the scout , radically transformed from his earlier off-road vehicle incarnation to become a mechanical lion (or liger, actually). So, I wanted to get Overhaul out there first, but Overhaul had no Legends of Cybertron version. The full-sized Leobreaker is next on my to-do list, and I figured getting his simplified Legends version out of the way first was in order, so here he is. He was released in 2005.

The mighty Vector Prime is done justice in this incarnation, far more detailed than the previously posted Legends of Cybertron design. A larger size and price point allows for more intricate detail and sophisticated transformation. He transforms into a Cybertronic star cruiser, and comes with both a Cyber Planet Key and a Mini-Con partner, Safeguard, who turns into a laser cannon/starship. Vector Prime occupies an important role in Transformers lore, appointed by the god Primus to protect the sanctity of the timeline. 

Here is Downshift in all his 1970s muscle car glory. This is an update of the character who first showed up in the Energon series as an homage to Generation One Wheeljack. He continues to fit that mold - especially with his head design - but his body is all-new to accommodate his super funky alt-mode. This Cybertron -specific Downshift was available in 2006, and came with a Cyber Planet Key that opened up his car-mode grill / robot-mode chestpiece to reveal a grasping claw. 

A redeco of Crosswise, Smokescreen turns into a Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron sports car. Given the rarity of the model, it may seem odd to turn one into a touring car racer, but the red and blue paint job and the number 38 make it an homage to Generation One Smokescreen . Given that Cybertron and Armada are the same storyline, this means this Smokescreen is a different character from the l arger crane truck Smokescreen elsewhere in the series. This Smokescreen was available in 2006.

Hailing from Animatron, the Jungle Planet in the Cybertron mythology, is the beast-ified incarnation of Optimus Prime that turns into a techno-organic gorilla. Release in 2006, he is a redeco of a concurrent Optimus Primal toy meant to celebrate 10 years of Beast Wars. He came with a flying hoverboard that can accommodate a Cyber Planet Key, extending weapons from the board.

Excellion is an Autobot warrior from Velocitron, the Speed Planet in the Cybertron mythology. A redeco of the deluxe Hot Shot toy , Excellion is done in red and yellow colors as an homage to Generation One Hot Rod . Confusingly, a Legends of Cybertron-scale version of this design was part of the lineup, but it bore the name Hot Shot and not Excellion. The deluxe-scale Excellion was available in 2006. He turns into a Chrysler ME 412. Plugging in the Cyber Planet Key deploys wings in his car mode.

Already released previously in the Cybertron line as a Legends of Cybertron figure, and a larger, more detailed version of the same , this incarnation of Hot Shot is a departure from his sports car models. The Cybertron Defense version turns into M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle, with thick armor plating and blocky design. Using his Cyber Planet Key activates pop-up missile launchers. Hot Shot was released in 2005. The Japanese release of this design was named Exigeyser. 

A sleek and ultra exclusive Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron sports car (with enough slight modifications to genericize it out of trademark), Crosswise is a gleaming dark stylish Autobot. The Cyber Planet Key unlocks pop-up missile launchers in both car and robot mode. Crosswise was available in 2006. In Japan, he was named Autovolt.

A bit of a deep cut, Longrack is inspired by a Japanese-only release from the 1999  Beast Wars Neo line of the same name: Longrack the giraffe.  Longrack has similar coloration as his Maximal incarnation, and does turn into a long-necked vehicle of sorts - a hefty steamshovel with a long reaching scoop. Longrack's robot form is a redeco and retool of Armada  Hoist . Longrack was available in 2005.

Blurr races back to the toy store as a follow up to his last appearance in the Armada collection in 2003. His Cybertron incarnation is a retooling and redeco of his earlier figure, with a new headsculpt that's more expressive and mimics the look of the Generation One Blurr . Turning into an extensively modified Saleen S7 sports car, Blurr now hails from the planet Velocitron and comes with a Cyber Planet Key that unlocks his play features, replacing the Mini-Con play feature that his original figure came with. Cybertron Blurr was available in 2005.  

Hailing from Animatron, the Jungle Planet, Snarl is an Autobot who turns into a mechanical wolf. Plugging in his Jungle Planet Cyber Key opens his lupine jaws to reveal pointed fangs within. Snarl was available in 2005, and in Japan, he was given the name Fang Wolf. 

Red Alert continues to have a presence in this particular storyline, stretching back to his Armada release. This Cybertron release qualifies as a "Deluxe" scale figure, and turns into an emergency vehicle similar to a Dodge Magnum. Plugging in his Cyber Planet Key unlocks pop-out weapons in both vehicle and robot mode. He was available at US retail in 2005. In Japan, he was named First Aid.

The leader of the Autobots from Velocitron, the Speed Planet, Override is quick, quick-witted, and sleekly designed. She turns into a futuristic racecar (not too dissimilar from the Mach-5 from Speed Racer to my eye) and her Cyber Planet Key unlocks pop-out weapons in her car mode. She was available starting in 2005 in the US; in Japan, she was named Nitro Convoy and was a male character.   

A heavy hitter from Armada, Landmine returns for Cybertron in a more streamlined body but just as tough as ever. He turns into a front end loader with large wheels and an articulated shovel. His Cyber Planet Key deploys blades from said wheels. He was released in 2005, and in Japan was named Guardshell. 

Many of the previously illustrated " Legends of Cybertron " figures are actually scaled down and simplified incarnations of larger, more expensive Deluxe Class toys. That is the case with Hot Shot, who is larger, more detailed, and more articulated in this version, released prior to his Legends version . Hot Shot turns into a Chrysler ME Four-Twelve sports car. He comes with a Cyber Planet Key that plugs into his back and deploys a set of wings. He was available in 2005. 

Motorcycles tend to be tricky designs to execute in Transformers toys. Play value and appropriate scaling are often at odds, since cars typically form the baseline scale of the figures, the motorcycles have to be outsized in order to be producable as poseable, transformable toys. Hightail is no different -- turning into a rather big motorcycle. But, as added play value he is perfectly scaled for 3 3/4" action figures to ride. So your G.I.JOE or Star Wars figures can ride Hightail around. Hightail was available at retail in 2006 and came with a Cyber Planet Key that unlocked additional weapons systems. 

A bizarre design that reminds me of some of the odd body shapes I would draw when tackling the Beast Machines line, Repugnus is an Autobot scout from the Cybertron series. I honestly don't really know where his face is. He turns into a bio-mechanical spinosaurus, and comes with a Animatron Cyber Planet Key (the Jungle Planet) that unlocks a pop-out switchblade like weapon from his crest. He was available in 2006.

Swerve is a redeco of Clocker , but in a red and black scheme. From Velocitron (the Speed Planet), he turns into a convertible sports car. As part of that design, Swerve has exposed seats that rest on his arms in his robot mode. Swerve was available in 2005. 

The beasts are back! Backstop is an Autobot scout that turns into a robotic rhinoceros, but patches of pebbly skin on his armored hide recalls the techno-organic days of Beast Wars. Backstop hails from Animatron, the Jungle Planet, and comes equipped with the appropriate Cyber Planet Key that unlocks his spring-loaded ramming horn. Backstop was available in 2005, and in Japan was named Saidos.

His sleek lines and massive drag racer tires give away his origins from the Speed Planet, Velocitron, but there's more to Brakedown than just speed. He's also a retired racer, and a cranky old-timer -- a common personality type in Transformers storytelling. He turns into a futuristic dragster and comes with a planet key that unlocks a flip-out blade in his engine block weapon. He was available in 2005. In Japan, his name was Autolander. 

The name Armorhide gets repurposed from its Robots in Disguise Commando origins  and Armada Mini-Con usage to become an Autobot Scout in the Cybertron line. This version is delightfully boxy and transforms into a Volvo FH Globetrotter tractor-trailer cab.  Released in 2005, he comes with a Cyber Planet Key and curiously was not made available in Japan.

Repping the Speed Planet of Velocitron is the Autobot Clocker, who turns into a candy-colored convertible race car. Released both in the US and Japan in 2005, his Japanese incarnation was named Skids. A Scout-class toy, he came equipped with a Cyber Planet Key.

Scattorshot is a former game developer turned Autobot warrior, who turns into a missile-launching halftrack armored truck. His name is likely a spelling change from the previously used Scattershot due to trademark issues. In Japan, he was named Backpack, for his back-mounted missile launcher. He was released in the Scout assortment of the Cybertron line in 2005.

Moving onto a larger scale of Cybertron toys -- the Scout-class. First up is Overhaul, a gruff, elder Autobot warrior who turns into an off-road truck-like vehicle. The gimmick in the Cybertron assortment was the use of "Cyber Keys," small plastic props that serve a similar function to the Mini-Cons in Armada in that they unlock play features. In the Cybertron fiction, the keys also help denote planetary allegiance (Overhaul had a "Jungle Planet" key). Overhaul was released at US retail in 2005. In Japan, he debuted at the end of 2004, and had the name Jackshot. 

The Cybertron incarnation of Optimus Prime is a large toy worthy of the title Autobot leader, but its price point may have kept it out of the youngest hands. Enter the Legends of Cybertron scale version of the toy, which is tiny in comparison. It's a simplified design, without the bells and whistles, but still turns into a Cybertronic truck. It was released in 2005 .  

An ancient, cosmic guardian of time and space in Transformers lore, Vector Prime turns into a Cybertronian starship. A larger version of the character was available as a toy in 2005, but this illustration is the more affordable "Legends of Cybertron" edition, released in 2006.