Transformers

Transformers is an entertainment franchise owned by Hasbro that began as a toy property and expanded into television, comics, books, video games, and film. Most series in the franchise are about Optimus Prime and his Autobots fighting Megatron and his Decepticons, although the reasons, stakes, and supporting characters vary depending on the series.
== Transformers Universes ==
=== Generation One ===
"Generation One" includes the 1984-1987 animated series The Transformers and the 1984-1991 comic book series published by Marvel Comics. Three direct sequels to the animated series were produced in Japan from 1987 to 1989, "Headmasters", "Super-God Masterforce", and "Victory". These series were first released in the US from 2011 to 2012. The Generation 2 comic book, the Dreamwave comics, the Beast Wars TV series and its sequel Beast Machines, and various spin-offs are also part of this same universe. Material continues to be produced in this universe to this day with the IDW comics, and it is still the most popular part of the franchise to write fic for.
=== Robots in Disguise ===
Robots in Disguise was imported from Japan, where it was known as Car Robots. It aired from 2001 to 2002 in the US. It was intended as a placeholder between the end of Beast Machines, the last series set in the Generation One universe to air in the US, and the Unicron Trilogy.
=== The Unicron Trilogy ===
The "Unicron Trilogy" is made up of three TV series, Armada, Energon, and Cybertron. Between them they aired from 2002 to 2006. The entire Unicron Trilogy, although especially Energon, is widely considered awful among the fanbase. This link provides a summary of the criticisms.
=== Live-Action Film Series ===
The live-action film series, usually called the "Bayverse," began in 2007. It consists of Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and Transformers: Age of Extinction, among others. The films are directed by Michael Bay, and display many of his hallmarks. They are often maligned among the fandom for giving too much screen time to the humans, but despite this they made incredible amounts of money at the box office. Some fans consider the 2018 live action film "Bumblebee" to be a part of the Bayverse, even though it was directed by Travis Knight and had a different, arguably softer, tone.
=== Transformers Animated ===
Transformers Animated began airing in late 2007, months after the live-action movie came out. It is set in Detroit, many years into the future. It aired for three seasons, until 2009, before being canceled. The creators of the show have released a pair of books, The AllSpark Almanac and its sequel The AllSpark Almanac II, which provide background material.
=== Transformers: Prime ===
The Transformers: Prime TV series began airing in 2010 and ended in 2013. It is set in the same universe as the 2012 Transformers: Rescue Bots TV series, the 2010 War for Cybertron video game and its sequel Fall of Cybertron, and the books Transformers: Exodus, Transformers: Exiles, and Transformers: Retribution, making it one of the few Transformers series to have a true expanded universe. In 2015, its sequel series Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015) (not to be confused with the earlier series of the same English name, known in Japanese as Car Robots) aired and ended in 2017.
=== Transformers: Combiner Wars ===
Transformers: Combiner Wars was an animated web series created by Hasbro Studios and Machinima that aired in 2016. The series seemed loosely based on the IDW comic series of the same name. There are two sequels: Titans Return (2017) and Power of the Primes (2018).
=== Transformers Earthspark ===
Transformers Earthspark is an an animated television series which was released on the Paramount Plus streaming service in 2022. Its second season is in production as of 2024.
== Fandom ==
Despite the size of the fandom, it is proportionally under-represented in fandom circles. There is a trend more towards discussion and cataloguing of the canon as well as toy collection and customization. A dramatic increase in store prices and corresponding decrease in toy quality, both in construction material and resemblance to the character, has led to a number of high-quality 3rd party Transformers toy creators. Fan-made plushies are popular, several well known seamstresses sell out in minutes and have lotteries for commission spots. The main wiki for the franchise, TFWiki, has roughly 20,000 articles; the "Transformers - All Media Types" tag on AO3 has over 60,000 fics. Being an old fandom, it also has fandom-specific forums such as Transformer World 2005,Transformer World 2005, tfw2005.com. (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Jan 8, 2023) which tend to be more popular than multi-fandom sites such as Livejournal, Dreamwidth, or Tumblr. Some attribute Transformers' relatively small transformative fandom to its higher ratio of male to female fans.
While there is less than the size of the fandom would suggest, there is fanfic for Transformers. As usual, it covers the whole wide range of character popularity, ship popularity, genres, and ratings. Despite the fact that most of the characters are giant robots, there is plenty of porn in the Transformers fandom. Although the majority of fan-approved sexual methods of intercourse are either non-cannon, or not expanded upon in universe, the fandom has many agreed upon ideas of what make up the xeno-biology of these robots. There is a 2009 overview of the ways fans make this work discussed in a Livejournal entry by Dunmurderin.How Transformers Have Sex -- Teal Deer Alert (Updated 01/30/2009), Livejournal. Jan 30, 2009 (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Jan 30, 2021) The most common of these is stickyfic, found under the tag "Sticky Sexual Interfacing", which roughly makes up one-tenth of all fics tagged under "Transformers - All Media Types" on AO3, although stickyfic often incorporates one or more other potential methods of sex.
A list of fandom resources (fanfic, conventions, MUSH, fan clubs) can be found on archives saved on the Wayback Machine.Transformer Links Dec 10, 2004 (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Dec 10, 2004)Transformers Fanfiction, Open Directory Project. Apr 14, 2002 (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Apr 14, 2002)
=== Conventions ===
BotCon was an officially-recognized fan convention. It was a mono-fandom convention, often featuring reveals of new series or products, exclusive products available only at the convention, and panels featuring the people behind various Transformers series and products; it was essentially a fandom-specific version of San Diego Comic-Con. In 2017, Hasbro discontinued BotCon in favor of HasConhascon, hasbro.com. (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Oct 21, 2016) which featured all of its franchises. As of 2023, the website for Hascon redirects to the Hasbro store.
Other Transformers conventions include:
* Auto Assembly (Birmingham, England)Auto Assembly. (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived May 31, 2022)
* Auto Assembly Europe, previously NTFA NordCon (Sweden & Denmark)Auto Assembly Europe. (Accessed 1/8/2021) (Archived Feb 21, 2015)
* B.O.T.S. (Netherlands)B.O.T.S.. (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Jan 8, 2023)
* C.O.N.S. (Germany)C.O.N.S. (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Sep 27, 2022)
* CybCon (Washington, USA)CybCon (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Jan 26, 2021)
* Cybercon Expo (New Jersey, USA)Cybercon Expo (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Nov 28, 2020)
* Cyberton Con (China & Singapore)Cyberton Con (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Feb 24, 2016)
* CybFest NW (Washington, USA)CybFest NW (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived 1/10/2023)
* DairyCon (Wisconsin, USA)Dairycon (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Apr 23, 2005)
* DutchBotCon (Holland)DutchBotCon (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived May 23, 2003)
* Iacon One (Indiana, USA)Iacon One (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Jun 7, 2017)
* OzFormers (Australia)OzFormers (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived May 15, 2022)
* TFcon (Illinois, USA)TFcon (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Mar 21, 2022)
* TFCon Canada, previously TransformersCon (Ontario, Canada)TFcon Canada (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Jun 2, 2005)
* TFExpo (Kansas, USA)TFExpo (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Mar 29, 2013)
* TFNation (Birmingham, England)TFNation (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Apr 22, 2022)
* TraFest (Nagoya, Japan)TraFest (Accessed 1/8/2023)
* Transforce (England)Transforce (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Mar 20, 2004)
* TransForMarket (Tokyo, Japan)TransForMarket (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived Apr 20, 2014)
=== Fan Polls ===
Hasbro started fan polls in 2010. The first fan polls were to nominate and elect Transformers into the Transformer Hall of Fame, announced at Botcon. Fan polls were conducted on various large fan sites. Hasbro would make videos featuring the top contenders, which once included a Transformer named Erector,Erector, tfwiki. (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived 1/10/2023) then announce the winner at Botcon/Hascon. This poll occurs every year.
In 2013, Hasbro created a fan poll allowing fans to vote to create a brand new Transformer, who would get a toy and a 4-issue comic miniseries with IDW. The first round of voting was for faction, vehicle mode, signature weapon, color scheme, and personality. Fans wanted a valiant, red and black Autobot jet who wielded a sword.
The second round of voting asked fans to decide the new Autobot's name, gender, city of origin, and specialty. Fans declared WindbladeWindblade, tfwiki. (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived 1/10/2023) was a telepathic female Transformer from Kaon. This posed a bit of a problem for IDW. Writer Simon Furman, fandom-famous for writing many of the Marvel Transformers comics and semi-controversial person among the current fandom due to his views on women and their inclusion in Transformers canon, had already written into IDW Transformers canon that female Transformers didn't exist. And now IDW was contractually obligated to write a 4-issue miniseries starring a female Transformer. The miniseries debuted in 2014.The Transformers: Windblade, tfwiki (Accessed 1/8/2023) (Archived 1/10/2023) The miniseries was so popular Windblade got a second series and became Starscream's co-star in one of the ongoing series. She also made appearances in two cartoons and various other Transformers media.
The second fan built Transformer poll was conducted in 2015. This time, the poll would create a 6-member team able to combine into one giant Transformer. Fans refer to such teams as "Gestalts". The resulting team was female, Autobot, cyan/red/white, had an independent personality, and was from the Sea of Rust. Her name, when combined into the larger Transformer, is VictorionVictorion, tfwiki (Accessed 1/8/2023) and her rival is Galvatronus. Victorion and her 6-member team were made into toys and introduced into the IDW comic continuity.
=== Shipping ===
The original cartoon introduced male/ female Transformer couples (Optimus/Elita One), male Transformer/ human woman (Powerglide/Astoria), and male Transformer/ mermaid couples (Seaspray/ Alana). Many American-produced Transformers cartoons have featured at least one male/ female Transformer couple. One of the most contentious of these being Starscream/Alexis, a human schoolgirl, from Transformers Armada, which verges close to loli.
A Japanese manga tie-in to Victory introduced the idea the Decepticons have wives and children. Radio show and manga Kiss Players began a trope that the Transformers are 'powered up' through physical contact with underage-appearing girls.
The IDW comic More Than Meets The Eye introduced the first official homosexual Transformer couple (Chromedome/Rewind) as well as the first trans Transformer couple (Anode/Lug). The comic also gave the fandom the term "conjunx endura", meaning "spouse", and "amica endura", meaning "best friend", ritualizing friendship and making the idea of 'marriage' a trope.
Sexual intimacy is a subject of interest in the fandom that has led to the creation of a variety of fanon types of sex between Transformers. The most popular types are sticky, plug'n'play, and spark merging (see Transformers Sex).
====Popular ships====
*Megatron/Optimus Prime (MegaOp)
* Megatron/Starscream (MegaStar)
* Jazz/Prowl (JazzProwl)
* Drift/Ratchet (Dratchet) 
* Cyclonus/Tailgate (Cygate)
* Breakdown/Knock Out (KOBD)
* Starscream/Skyfire (SkyStar)
* Chromedome/Rewind (CDRW)
* Sunstreaker/Sideswipe
* Optimus Prime/Ratchet
* Red Alert/Inferno
* Drift/Wing
* Rodimus Prime/Megatron (MegaRod)
* Rodimus Prime/Ultra Magnus (RodiMags)
See also List of Transformers Relationship Names.
== Example Fanworks ==
===Fanfiction===
* Turning PointsArchived Version by Alathea2—Prowl endures the long process of switching sides
* The BotosphereArchived Version by Darthishtar, Eowyn77, kateydidnt, and SpiritOfEowyn—a large cooperative Bayverse AU
* War Without EndArchived Version by Dracoqueen22—after Dark of the Moon, Ratchet begins to lose faith in Optimus' leadership
* BridgesArchived Version by Dwimordene—in the aftermath of the first Bayverse movie, Mikaela distinguishes herself to the Autobots
* PatronusArchived Version by femme4jack and Merfilly—Bayverse series set after Dark of the Moon
* Sound and FuryArchived Version by fractalserpent and HopeofDawn—Soundwave will do anything to ensure his cassettes' survival
* Where You and I CollideArchived Version by Hearts of Eternity—two very different people join forces to face the corrupting force of Shockwave
* An Adjustment of PlansArchived Version by L. Mouse—G1-inspired, Soundwave is captured by the Autobots after being severely and permanently damaged in battle
* MasksArchived Version by L. Mouse—mingling a large ensemble of G1 characters with a Bayverse setting, even this first version of the fic is widely read
* The Brave Shall Heed the CallArchived Version by Mllemusketeer—after the events of Transformers Animated, Optimus becomes aware of serious flaws in the methodology and philosophy of Autobot government
* The Quality of MercyArchived Version by Mllemusketeer—a Transformers: Prime AU in which Optimus and Megatron repair their relationship in the face of a human threat
* FalloutArchived Version by nan00k—a post-apocalyptic Bayverse Fallout AU series
* five million yearsArchived Version by razordragonfly—precanon, early war, a long Thundercracker- and Skywarp-centric drama
* EugenesisArchived Version by James Roberts—a fan novel written by Roberts in the years before he went hired to write canon comics
* Things We Don't Tell HumansArchived Version by Sinead Rivka—a widely popular Bayverse adaptation
* Best FirstArchived Version by SkyShadow—Thundercracker tells a story in exchange for his life
* BorealisArchived Version by tainry—very AU since Revenge of the Fallen, the Cybertronian species adapts to a new method of repopulation
* PygmalionArchived Version by Velvet_Glove—a take on the origin of the Cybertronian species
* A Day in the Life of Dr. Rafael Esquivel, Ph.D.Archived Version by White Aster—Soundwave needed a nanite specialist, so he kidnapped the best.
* And I Alone Have Escaped To Tell YouArchived Version by astolat—very popular G1 movie/season 3 AU
* House DividedArchived Version by spaceliquid—A 2015 Megatron/Optimus fanfic from the Animated universe, with 74k+ hits and 3k+ kudos
* The Echo GardenArchived Version by AltraViolet—A very popular Transformers Prime and IDW comics crossover Soundwave/Rodimus Prime slash fanfic, with 232k+ hits and 6.4k+ kudos
===Art===
===Vids===
* More Than Meets the Eye Season One Animated TrailerArchived Version by Alex Cole—based on the IDW Publishing continuity
* Transformers: the BasicsArchived Version by Chris McFeely—panfandom intro videos
* wanna play? meme (TFP)Archived Version by totalchaosmeg—Example of Transformers being used in an "animation meme"
* Random Transformers Skits III/Three/3Archived Version by absurdlyawesome—Transformer toys being used to make stop motion skits
* Transformers Prime Dank MemesArchived Version by RoBUSTMyAFT—A popular Transformers meme video from 2017 that became a video series
* Transformers: EliteArchived Version by Transformers Elite—a fanproject focused on celebrating the numerous female-identified Cybertronian characters established over the years.
* Optimus Prime -x- ProwlArchived Version by AskyPanda—a slash fan animation from 2012 featuring Optimus Prime/Prowl slash.
* Arcee : Dreams of DaiconArchived Version by 87render—a fan animation centering Arcee from 2023.
* Starscream OVA 4KArchived Version by 87render—a fan animation centering Starscream. Reuploaded by the original creator.
===Kitbashing/Customization===
* Marvel Comics style Masterpiece Soundwave repaintArchived Version
* Bluebolt, repainted from Kingdom SkywarpArchived Version
* Beast Wars Nyx fan toyArchived Version
===Doujinshi===
* Fly Over
* Sound of Music
* Superblender
===Zines===
Also See List of Transformers Doujinshi and Zines
More zines are listed offsite.TransMasters Fan Media Collection, Geocities. (Accessed 1/12/2023) (Archived Jan 12, 2023)Transformers, DMOZ. (Accessed 1/12/2023) (Archived Mar 4, 2017)
* Animazine
* Androidz
* Auto-Update (1993, newsletter)
* BotCon
* Cillacon
* Con-Quest
* Matrix
* Overlord II
* Transformers: Poetry and Verse
* Snapshots (Transformers zine)
* Trans-Forum International
* Transaction
* In RepairIN REPAIR - a Drift x Ratchet Fanzine, Big Cartel. Accessed 1/12/2023 (Archived Jan 12, 2023)
* The Cybertronian Times[www.autoassembly.org.uk The Cybertronian Times], autoassembly.org. Accessed 1/12/2023 (Archived Jan 12, 2023)
* Matrix - The World's Premiere Transformers FanzineWorld’s First Transformers Zine?, Tumblr. Accessed 1/12/2023 (Archived Jan 12, 2023)
* Transtech: An Unofficial Guide to the Forgotten Franchise[transtech-zine.tumblr.com Transtech Zine has gone digital!], Tumblr. Accessed 1/12/2023 (Archived Jan 12, 2023)
* TF Community Fanzine Project[tfcommunityfanzineproject.tumblr.com TF Community Fanzine Project], Tumblr. Accessed 1/12/2023 (Archived Jan 12, 2023)
* Transformers ZineTransformers Zine, Twitter. Accessed 1/12/2023 (Archived Jan 12, 2023)
* TF Zine - A Transformers Fan AnthologyAn annual Transformers zine project., Tumblr. Accessed 1/12/2023 (Archived Jan 12, 2023)
* Detroit Daily - A Transformers Animated Zine[https://linktr.ee/detroitdaily Detroit Daily
A Transformers Animated ZIne], Linktree. Accessed 1/12/2023 (Archived Jan 12, 2023)
* Spectrum: A Queer Culture Charity Zine (2021)
* The Collected Myths & Legends of CybertronThe Collected Myths & Legends of Cybertron, Carrd. Accessed 1/12/2023 (Archived Jan 12, 2023)
* Transformers Femme zine 2k16 Transformers Femme zine 2k16, Itch.io. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* Towards Peace - A MTMTE/LL Fan ZineTowards Peace - A MTMTE/LL Fan Zine, Dropbox. (Accessed 1/16/2023)
* REDACTED TF Horror ZineREDACTED, Tumblr. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* More Than We Realized - A Dratchet FanbookMore Than We Realized - A Dratchet Fanbook, Tumblr. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* The Power of Love - A Cygate ZineThe Power of Love - A Cygate Zine, Itch.io. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* TF Lifelines Medic ZineTF Lifelines Medic Zine, Tumblr. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* Transformers Rarepair ZineTransformers Rarepair Zine, Twitter. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* Takes Two - A Driftrod ZineTakes Two - A Driftrod Zine, Tumblr. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* Tempered Steel - an idw rodimags zineTempered Steel - an idw rodimags zine, Tumblr. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* Rise Up: A Decepticon AnthologyRise Up: A Decepticon Anthology, Kickstarter. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* Reruns Transformers Fan ZineReruns Transformers Fan Zine, Tumblr. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* Snapshots Transformers FanzineSnapshots Transformers Fanzine, Tumblr. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* Fractured: Transformers fanzineFractured: Transformers fanzine, Tumblr. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* In Repair - A Drift X Ratchet FanzineIn Repair - A Drift X Ratchet Fanzine, Tumblr. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* Proximity: A Starscream And Friends FanzineProximity: A Starscream And Friends Fanzine, Tumblr. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* TF-OC ZineTF-OC Zine, Twitter. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* Specialties from Maccadam's - Transformers Drink Fan Book Specialties from Maccadam's - Transformers Drink Fan Book, Twitter. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* HOMEMADE: A Transformers AU ZineHOMEMADE: A Transformers AU Zine, Gumroad. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* Equinox MegOP fan zineEquinox MegOP fan zine, Tumblr. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
* Transformers Zine JamTransformers Zine Jam, Itch.io. (Accessed 1/16/2023) Archived 1/16/2023
*Femme Metale: A TF Girls FanzineFemme Metale: A TF Girl Fanzine, Tumblr. (Accessed 2/13/2023)
*Doctor, I Love You!: A Ratchet Ship FanbookDoctor, I Love You!: A Ratchet Ship Fanbook, Itch.io. (Accessed 2/13/2023)
*Monochromantic: A Jazz/Prowl ZineMonochromantic: A Jazz/Prowl Zine, Tumblr. (Accessed 2/13/2023)
=== Podcasts ===
* Radio Free Cybertron
* More Than Meets The Pod
* WTF @ TFWArchived Version
* Four Million Years LaterArchived Version
* Sound.wavArchived Version
* AARGH! MY OPTICS!Archived Version
* Seibertron.com Twincast / PodcastArchived Version
* Transformers University - a TFU.INFO PodcastArchived Version
* TransMissions Podcast NetworkArchived Version
* Moonbase 2 PodcastArchived Version
* Podcast MaximusArchived Version
== Archives & Communities ==
*Archive of Our Own tags:
** Transformers - All Media TypesArchived Version
** Transformers Generation OneArchived Version
** Transformers: Beast Wars (Cartoon)Archived Version
** Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001)Archived Version
** Transformers (Unicron Trilogy)Archived Version
** The Transformers (IDW Generation One)Archived Version
** Transformers (Bay Movies)Archived Version
** Transformers Animated (2007)Archived Version
** Transformers: PrimeArchived Version
** Transformers: CyberverseArchived Version
* Movies > TransformersArchived Version and Cartoons > Transformers/Beast WarsArchived Version at FanFiction.Net
* Lexicon: Transformers Fanfics, Essays, Author Interviews and More...!Archived Version
* TFArchive Fandom FeaturesArchived Version
* Beast Wars Anonymous (now defunct)
*TransFictions.net (defunct)
===Fansites===
* The Allspark
* Cybertron.ca
* Seibertron
* TFormers
* TFW2005
* Unicron.com
==References==
*