02/02/2004 Entry: "New Article: The Transformers Decepto-Pack!"

It's been a long while since the last Transformers-related article, so why the Hell not. Here's a look at the Decepto-Pack Armor Set, a clever pile of plastic that let any kid with a really small nose and a penchant for scratches on their face dress up like an honest-to-goodness Decepticon warrior. The elusive kit included a mask, shield, gun and breast-plate, which could then be transformed into a backpack. And then it all made sense. Article also includes a bonus section on Transformers "Decoys," those small rubbery figures you might've forgotten about. Enjoy.

Chestnuts roasted by Alyssa N @ 02/02/2004 01:03 PM EST

I had that as a kid. That mask is infinitely more horrifying once you've had it wrapped around your head - I cannot stress this enough. After about 5 minutes, the bridge of your nose had either given way, or your snot would totally drip out in a most UNSAVOURY fashion. Mind the U.

Also, your ears would be sliced to ribbons, and most importantly, if anyone actually caught you wearing the damn thing, you'd forever be labelled as a "slow-moving target."

Chestnuts roasted by Niq @ 02/02/2004 01:09 PM EST

Yeah, I don't remember ever seeing this toy, but my brother and I had one of those Ghostbusters Proton Packs and a trap so whenever we wanted to be a cartoon character, we were Ghostbusters.

Chestnuts roasted by Gabbylicious @ 02/02/2004 01:09 PM EST

Wow! Thank you for making me relive the pain of the mask on my nose and ears. It probably did not help that my head was slightly larger than most.

Remember that DJ Swamp wants you to "Worship the Robots"
http://www.djswamp.com/videos/worshiptherobots28mb.mov
http://www.unpop.com/features/int/swamp.html

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 02/02/2004 01:32 PM EST

Another X-E egg in this one: click Rumble's flashing eyes in the logo.

Chestnuts roasted by Secret Searcher @ 02/02/2004 01:35 PM EST

Easy way to tie the two articles together Matt: put the decoys in the backpack and you are a walking platoon! Or a human convoy for decoys. Take your pick.

Chestnuts roasted by jason1551 @ 02/02/2004 01:48 PM EST

I haven't read the article yet, but in my early years I lived for the "smock and cheap plastic mask in a box" Halloween costume. I had a Yoda one which completely rocked. I also had a Cy-Kill one. Sorry, but I loved being a Go-Bot...please don't ban me.

At least, I loved it until my big head broke the thin white string holding the mask on.

Then I would cry...

Crying got me more candy...

I love shitty Halloween costumes.

Chestnuts roasted by Y2JB78 @ 02/02/2004 01:52 PM EST

hey could we get a clean look at the background of the article? just wonderin.

Chestnuts roasted by Trippy the 8th Dwarf @ 02/02/2004 02:13 PM EST

good recal on the bed tents matt... I had an awesome He-man one. I wish i still did, I'd put it on my bed tonight. I wonder if I can find them on ebay... what were the official names of them?

Chestnuts roasted by chad @ 02/02/2004 02:38 PM EST

You think Wreck-Gar could ever host JunkYard Wars?

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 02/02/2004 03:01 PM EST

At Botcon 98, I met the old fat guy dressed as Optimus Prime, only that year he was dressed as Metalhawk, a Japanese Pretender that he managed to far better resemble that year. He was quite polite, actually, which I suppose is one thing cosplayers contribute to the convention atmosphere. If you're tired of the pushy dealers bilking you for your money, go talk to the guy dressed as Fat Buu; he could probably use a friend.

Chestnuts roasted by G'Tron @ 02/02/2004 03:17 PM EST

And by the way: RIRFIB!

Chestnuts roasted by G'Tron @ 02/02/2004 03:21 PM EST

There was a guy dressed up as Optimus Prime 2 halloweens ago here in Austin. Thank god he wasn't fat.

Oh and since people are being picky on the date, I noticed something. Bombshells link is messed up its

http://www.x-entertainment.com/articles/0866/decoys/8.jpg

but linked as
http://www.x-entertainment.com/articles/0866/decoys8/.jpg

Chestnuts roasted by Spiffy McKracken @ 02/02/2004 03:24 PM EST

I shall fix that now, thankee kindly.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 02/02/2004 03:25 PM EST

Here ya go Trippy:

http://www.x-entertainment.com/helloyou.gif

Chestnuts roasted by AlfonsoTheBat @ 02/02/2004 03:33 PM EST

Another great article full of rememberies. When the JC Penney and Sears Xmas catalogs used to come in the mail it was always a full out battle royal to see which of the three kids here got to look first. They were always chock full of everything our little hearts could imagine. I always wanted the coll dressing up kits like this but alas never got 'em. As for bed tents those were another thing I always wanted but having the top bunk it wasn't logistically possible.

Matt- do you still have that thing through Amazon.com where you had a "buy this for me" thing? For the birthday I mean.

Chestnuts roasted by Killer Duck @ 02/02/2004 03:49 PM EST

"And by the way: RIRFIB!"

You crazy! FIRRIB!

Chestnuts roasted by God Animagnus @ 02/02/2004 04:02 PM EST

Oh, good, someone else brought up the birthday (I e-mailed him but wasn't sure if he wanted the exact date of his 'birthdayness' to be known). Yeah, Matt, if you don't tell us what you want, how can we get it for you??

Feel the love!

Chestnuts roasted by purplegirl247 @ 02/02/2004 04:07 PM EST

i must agree with you duck, i always wanted the costumes and and stuff too. I mean why play with your figures when you could BE the figures.

Another catalog i remember was "Service Merchandise" it was kind of a department store i guess.

Chestnuts roasted by heeloyd @ 02/02/2004 04:10 PM EST

I had one of those! It was alot of fun though being an Autobot fan, I wish an Autobot version was released.

Chestnuts roasted by Bert Raccoon @ 02/02/2004 04:40 PM EST

If it had a "light" laser weapon, was there one with a HEAVY laser weapon? Or did that come with the Boba Fett dress-up set?

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 02/02/2004 04:41 PM EST

That's not First Aid in the Decoys comic strip, that's Ratchet! First Aid was an ambulance too, but he was one of the Protectobots, and his robot mode looked nothing like that. It always bugged me when the toy makers would get thier own toys confused.
Also, I just want to say that I thought about plugging my eBay auction for the domain name www.KobeBryant.net, but I won't do that because it would make me look like a jerk.

Chestnuts roasted by Phil the Scumdog @ 02/02/2004 05:13 PM EST

Those decoys are cool! They are like muscle figures and transformers combined!!!!

Chestnuts roasted by swordbourne @ 02/02/2004 05:17 PM EST

Not only did i have the decpto pack but i also had the hordak costume from He-Man. Hordak's set came with a crossbow...A WORKING CROSSBOW able to take down anyone that was within 3 feet. Who wouldnt want this set?
=( good ol' 80's

Chestnuts roasted by nelson @ 02/02/2004 06:11 PM EST

That was a funny fat optimus

Chestnuts roasted by Kalvano @ 02/02/2004 06:38 PM EST

Awww Matt! I was looking forward to seeing you all dressed up in the Decepto Pack. That sure woulda turned my crank! Me-owwww!

Chestnuts roasted by Allie @ 02/02/2004 06:42 PM EST

The whole "cutting up your head" aspect of this mask brings back painful memories of a similar toy I had as a kid, but I can't remember exactly what it was. Other than that it was another great article.

Chestnuts roasted by Goggles Pisano @ 02/02/2004 06:50 PM EST

I never had one of those offical costume sets. I think my neighbor has the She-ra one. I always wanted the she-ra one.

Chestnuts roasted by pikachulover @ 02/02/2004 07:05 PM EST

AHHH... THE DECOYS!!!!! I remember those! I wonder if i still have them in my grandma's attic. Of course, I used to try to use them as erasers, but that obviously didn't work well. Good work, Matt!

Chestnuts roasted by Skitzo from stupid5pin.com @ 02/02/2004 07:32 PM EST

"Another catalog i remember was "Service Merchandise" it was kind of a department store i guess."

Service Merchandise was one of the ODDEST stores I've ever seen. There was one not too far from my house as a kid. You'd walk in and grab this lil clipboard with a mini golf type eraser-less pencil (who's the jackass that came up with those). Walking around the store you would write down the number of the number for the item you wanted, go pay for it, then wait while watching this conveyor belt bring shoots out purchased items. It really seemed friggin wasteful and the whole 'shopping' area was kinda hokey.

I have no memory of those little decoy guys, must have used em after I grew out of toys (for all of a year or two hehe).

Chestnuts roasted by JimCognito @ 02/02/2004 08:15 PM EST

I never heard of the Decoys either, though they look cool. I want some now.

I tried to find a pic of the Austin Optimus Prime but instead I found a link to an army guy who changed his name to Optimus Prime, he's in Iraq now. So everyone remember Prime is fighting for 'merica

http://www.wkyc.com/akron/akron_fullstory.asp?id=3828

Chestnuts roasted by Spiffy McKracken @ 02/02/2004 09:02 PM EST

On a note related to small, rubber figures, I still have somewhere a M.U.S.C.L.E.'s pencil eraser. I don't remember the character's name, but it's this guy in a simpler, more pink form:

http://www.virtualtoychest.com/muscle/mus111.jpg

Chestnuts roasted by Mr. Mr. Mr. @ 02/02/2004 09:07 PM EST

OMG you have refreshed my memory!! I cant believe i forgot about the conveyor belt!! That was my sole purpose in life, to get someone to take me to service merchandise so i could watch that conveyor spit out peoples purchases! You never knew what would be next!!

Chestnuts roasted by heeloyd @ 02/02/2004 09:10 PM EST

I saw the background pic-- Optimus Prime and Rodimus Prime in the same place? MADNESS!!!

Chestnuts roasted by DeathFrogurt @ 02/02/2004 09:14 PM EST

ahhhh my secret to being a decepticon revield

Chestnuts roasted by Scourge @ 02/02/2004 09:20 PM EST

I remember Service Merchandise. My dad used to do his last minute Xmas eve shopping there and then swear like mad because they were out of most everything. Fun!

Chestnuts roasted by Killer Duck @ 02/02/2004 10:03 PM EST

good god smewhere i have a picture of a person standing besdie me in this exact costume.The blackmail willl come swiftly now.

Chestnuts roasted by mattevil @ 02/02/2004 10:19 PM EST

Optimus guy is funny, but he still isn't the prize winner. Check these out:

http://www.boomspeed.com/stringy/_39342766_anglegrinderman3_203.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/stringy/scaryscarynerd.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/stringy/lonelyyoungman.jpg

The top one is just some guy protesting poor council worker town maitenance in northen England somewhere. Angle-Grinder Man!!!

The bottom one (sailor moon i think) is a man. And he has many more pictures like this on his website (which I forget the location).

Chestnuts roasted by Damien @ 02/02/2004 10:22 PM EST

I think the costume was probably designed for the body size and structure of asain kids, thus the pain inflicted to the bridge of a white kid. The marketing people probably never resized it for the US market..

Chestnuts roasted by Mr. Wanker @ 02/02/2004 10:24 PM EST

I didn't have the decepto pack, but i had a thundercats thing like it. It came with both the sword of omens and the claw glove/sheeth. The maks looked damn stupid, but it didn't disfigure your face so the thudnr cats costume play kit kicks the transformers one's ass.

Check this out a fully transformable costume. (some of you have probably already seen this.)

Chestnuts roasted by Bright Noah @ 02/02/2004 11:50 PM EST

Those decoys look around the size of the M.U.S.C.L.E. figures...yeah, why didn't they just dump them in a giant trashcan of transformer goodness for 8 bucks a pop? missed opportunies...

Chestnuts roasted by Jimkaider @ 02/03/2004 12:04 AM EST

Jim: In Japan, they almost did just that. I've seen packages of 10-15 Decoys that look absolutely sweet, but they're of course way too expensive for anyone outside Rich Jesus to buy. There were also a number of larger Decoys, though not in the States.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 02/03/2004 12:06 AM EST

You know, thanks to Matt I do have one of those He-Man toothpaste toppers. Well, it's Skeletor actually. That and the Skeletor bank were probably the best items in the box o' junk I bought awhile back.

Chestnuts roasted by Nemo2342 @ 02/03/2004 01:09 AM EST

...those old "Dinosaurs Attack!" cards...

Oh man...I thought I was the only person who remembered the last vestige of b-movie zaniness. The merge image you refer to haunts my brain to this day, as does "old lady getting brain eaten by giant dragonfly."

I was there. Oh man, was I there.

Chestnuts roasted by Sil no Közi @ 02/03/2004 01:50 AM EST

I remember having a couple decoys, none of them really impressive, but one was a red coloured decepticon. Soundwave I think.

Chestnuts roasted by TheJosh @ 02/03/2004 03:05 AM EST

I found all my decoys in with my other Transformers, but I forgot all about that little comic. The part that got to me as a kid was that First Aid was actually Ratchet.
Excellent review as always.

Chestnuts roasted by Maximus Prime @ 02/03/2004 03:28 AM EST

I know this is probably like asking a 13 year old to masturbate to Brittney Spears, but can someone show me a good Transformers site?

By good, I mean not yours.

Chestnuts roasted by Chopstick Sensei @ 02/03/2004 06:59 AM EST

Matt, if you go over to my site and read my blog, you will realize what a great amount of depression an article related to transformers toy is causing me. In all seriousness though, yours is my absolute favorite site on the entire web. Keep up the good work. And respond to me once in a while.

Chestnuts roasted by Skitzo at stupid5pin.com @ 02/03/2004 08:43 AM EST

Yyyyeeeessssssss! It's been far, far too long since the last Transformers article. Nice! Aside from just providing a funny article, this one also sparked memories of a similar item I used to have- the official Optimus Prime helmet that modified your voice to really sound just like him! You know, in theory. In reality, you sounded exactly the same as you did when speaking through the Snake Mountain microphone, but whatever, that was still cool as hell.

BTW, Matt, been meaning to ask- what's your opinion (if any) on those new Transformers toys, Alternators, based on real car designs? I remember that you weren't a big fan of much of Armada or Energon (can't say I disagree), but these things are pretty cool; complex, but a lot more like the originals. Just curious.

[And CS, try www.bwtf.com, www.cliffbee.com, and www.seibertron.com.]

And those Dinosaurs Attack figures were awesome. Since I was a dinosaur nut, even as a kid I knew how inaccurate they all were (why were all the herbivores eating people?), but the image of that one with the Allosaurus melding with the camper still creeps me out to this day. Gah.

Chestnuts roasted by The Lucky One @ 02/03/2004 11:11 AM EST

D'oh! Make that "cards," not "figures".

Chestnuts roasted by The Lucky One @ 02/03/2004 11:13 AM EST

I used to have that Hordak costume. I don't remember the crossbow actually firing a projectile, though. It was basically a larger version of the figures crossbows.

Now review "Mac and Me".

Chestnuts roasted by A-wel Cruiz @ 02/03/2004 12:18 PM EST

That's not First Aid in the comic, it's Ratchet.

Chestnuts roasted by Fangry @ 02/03/2004 12:21 PM EST

Whoops, it enter too soon. Yeah, I don't care if it says First Aid, that's definitely Ratchet.

Chestnuts roasted by Fangry @ 02/03/2004 12:22 PM EST

Forgive me, it's been a while since I watched the movie, but wasn't Ratchet (First Aid/ambulance boy) get fragged in the first few minutes of the movie? That was one of the most shocking moments of my childhood, seeing the characters get wasted like that. Then again, I'm being picky about a Decoy comic. C'est la vie.

Chestnuts roasted by Deceptamuppet @ 02/03/2004 12:23 PM EST

Decepta -- yes and agreed. :) It was completely shocking at the time. Little tidbit: did you know that Duke was supposed to die in the G.I. Joe movie? (pretty much the same deal as Optimus) Because of the backlash against Prime's death, they upped Duke's condition to a coma. That's why you only hear that he's alive and well through a voiceover where none of the characters are speaking onscreen.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 02/03/2004 12:25 PM EST

I cried when Optimus Prime died... when I was like 17. But I'm a girl, so I can get away with it. At least they brought him back, and in a cool way, not like on a soap opera where people just randomly wake up all the time from comas or wander into a dinner party and explain that they were buried alive but thanks, they're fine now.

Chestnuts roasted by Gabbylicious @ 02/03/2004 12:39 PM EST

Share your ideas with the producer of the new live-action Transformers movie, Don Murphy: http://www.donmurphy.net/board/forumdisplay.php?s=8e33fcfd24efd6559d9279b7660016c3&forumid=8

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 02/03/2004 12:40 PM EST

Yup, and the manner in which they brought him back made half the planet think that their Ultra Magnus figures were actually reborn Optimus Primes. I hope somebody here gets that.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 02/03/2004 12:41 PM EST

Nope, didn't know about the Joe movie and Duke... I do get the Ultra Magnus reference. I always loved how they gave figures a different color scheme (Bumblebee and Cliff Jumper, the Decepticon Jets, etc.) to get us to buy even more of the figures. Great site Matt. BTW, your moment of glory on the old Star Wars arcade game? I had a similiar moment with the Indiana Jones pinball game.

Chestnuts roasted by Deceptamuppet @ 02/03/2004 01:08 PM EST

i got it.

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 02/03/2004 01:21 PM EST

Transformers the Movie is great and all, yes, but what you need to get the Robotix movie! I love it!

Chestnuts roasted by Chad E. Biz @ 02/03/2004 01:46 PM EST

Perhaps the transformed costume backpack was able to hold massive amounts of the Decepticon or Autobot decoy army?

That would work...only it would be weird....and stuff. Then again, sending a child dressed as a Decepticon to delpoy the decoys is a decoy in and of itself and would be something they'd do...

Chestnuts roasted by Ian, Just Ian @ 02/03/2004 03:51 PM EST

I remember those... I never had one though, I was always had those freakin trapper keeper things (which I would slit the thin clear plastic at the bottom and insert KISS pictures in.) But I thought the concept of this backpack was cool, I don't recall ever actually wanting one though. Anything to do with school I usually tried to avoid, even if it did have some kind of gimick into tricking me into learning. Show's you how times have changed now though, you'd probably see college kids with these backpacks now if they were out, and not only that but kids in grammer school where I'm from aren't allowed to have backpacks in school anymore, not even high schoolers.

Chestnuts roasted by Guitarmageddon @ 02/03/2004 05:34 PM EST

I think I saw my uncle frank in one of these once. He wore the it to my Birthday party and he looked quite odd in it. In fact he used twine to strap it to himself. Made it great for my friends, since they needed something to laugh at. Really made my 22nd birthday party.

Chestnuts roasted by Mangus Dangus @ 02/03/2004 05:36 PM EST

I still have my Sunstreaker decoy. They were cute little things. I'm glad Matt put up the minicomic, since I messed mine up trying to staple it to resemble a regular comic book. (I really like the fact that the new toys have minicomics. That's what really killed the new MOTU line--no more minicomics.:)

I never had the Decepto-Pack, or his Autobot cousin. Most of my costumes were homemade. One year my Mom actually made me a costume based on "The Greatest American Hero", since we were all fans of that show. Another year, my Dad turned a cardboard box into a coocoo clock (and another one of those old-style telephones you see in old black & white movies). I could even squash down and you didn't know it was a costume. Knock on the door, person opens door and sees clock, I see them through the coocoo door, and say my line, I get candy. Worked nicely. And don't all little kids like playing in cardboard boxes anyway? :)

Chestnuts roasted by ShadowWing the Technorganic Autobot @ 02/03/2004 07:44 PM EST

Robotix - yes! I re-acquired the R-2000 set a few years ago (Mom threw mine out...had to resort to ebay)...what fun! I loved those things...'cept I was disappointed as a kid when I got it and it didn't make the dinosaur sounds like it did in the commercials. Damn.

Chestnuts roasted by cyberelf @ 02/03/2004 07:50 PM EST

Who'd win in a battle between Muscle men and Transformer Decoys?!

Chestnuts roasted by Thomas @ 02/04/2004 12:11 AM EST

I loved Service Merchandise back in the day. One stop shopping for BB guns, Nintendo games, Legos, GIjoes, TMNT, etc. I kinda miss that place, even though waiting for your stuff to come down the conveyor belt was a pain in the ass.

Chestnuts roasted by Usagi Yojimbo @ 02/04/2004 08:40 AM EST

I loved Service Merchandise back in the day. One stop shopping for BB guns, Nintendo games, Legos, GIjoes, TMNT, etc. I kinda miss that place, even though waiting for your stuff to come down the conveyor belt was a pain in the ass.

Chestnuts roasted by Usagi Yojimbo @ 02/04/2004 08:42 AM EST

I had some of the decoys as a kid... odd thing to me was, it was the Decepticon decoys that came with Autobots, and Autobot decoys which came with Decepticons... I guess it was something for them to shoot. The only exception I can recall was Goldbug coming with his alter-ego, Bumblebee.

As for the Autobot pack, I sort of had that. I can't remember what all it came with, but I remember it had the same gun, a belt with a hook(not a holster, a hook) for the gun, and an Autobot symbol badge, which I've managed to keep to this day... somewhere. Don't remember it having a mask or wristbands, however.

LBD "Nytetrayn"

Chestnuts roasted by LBD "Nytetrayn" @ 02/04/2004 11:20 AM EST

A battle between M.U.S.C.L.E. and the Decoys? The Decoys have lasers! "It's Buffoloman off the top turn buckle, and...ooooh Shockwave burns a hole in his chest!" Quick match. :)

Chestnuts roasted by ShadowWing the Technorganic Autobot @ 02/04/2004 04:29 PM EST

The article was ok. Never saw that Deceptiopack whatever...just something more for Hasbro to milk from parents back then (and now for that matter with all the new TF junk) . . . as for the Decoys . . . ok there too . . . but you got the wrong decoy represented as Starscream. The Starscream decoy had /both/ arms down. After that, one seeker had one arm up and the other had both arms up. So actually you have Thundercracker and Skywarp shown as Thundercracker and Starscream. BUT I cant remember just /who/ had both arms up verses one arm up (I dont have the decoys myself of them and the check list to double check).

So if you ever feel like correcting your article, Starscream has both arms /down/ . . . and the check list should tell you just who the seekers are you have represented. Look at the number on the bottom and then the number on thecheck list . . .

The Starscream decoy was pretty rare and was actually first released in the Autobot red rubber material (that one is more desirable to collectors) then the traditional purple material.

Chestnuts roasted by Starscream @ 02/04/2004 06:36 PM EST

Is it just me or does that blue shield thing look like a deformed/modified TIE Fighter solar panel?!

Chestnuts roasted by Justus Cade @ 02/04/2004 09:14 PM EST

I love the Transformer gear. It works too....I mean it transforms you into a dork...and protects you from objects being hurled at you by cooler people.

Chestnuts roasted by TomAce22 @ 02/05/2004 12:49 PM EST

Neat article, par for the course for Matt, but the Shockwave toy was DEFINITELY Shockwave. The toys always come before their cartoon selves. I have 295 Transformers and would know this. Don't argue with me... I'll break you.

Did you notice that Ultra Magnus, in the Decoy comic, called Ratchet "First Aid?" Well, he did! I really am a nerd!

On a side note, I have a closet FULL of 80's toys, cartoons, and video games, which is what attracted me to the site. It was WrestleCrap that made me stay, however.

Chestnuts roasted by Hollywood Narrator @ 02/05/2004 05:27 PM EST

Aye me too. I was born in 1976, so I was fortunate enough to live through and remember alot of the '80s, and the toys I had..that's why I like this site so much. Now if I could just invent a time machine and go back, oh wait...if I invent a time machine I won't be able to go back farther than when the time machine was first created, then you have the whole paradox's to worry about.

Chestnuts roasted by Justus Cade @ 02/05/2004 05:48 PM EST

Ahhhh! ServiceMerchandise! Slooooowly I turned........

All I remember is that interminable wait for my friggn' item to appear on that grimey conveyor belt. I could have been the only freaking person in the store and I would have to wait 20 minutes.

And those pencils-- They weren't even worth taking home to use for your refrigerator memos.

I actually bought my then girlfriend (and now wife), my first jewelry item there (In Paramus, NJ). Which I thought was a great idea ('bang' for the buck). I learned otherwise when during the Broadway play "Me and My Girl" (great play btw) she suddenly exclaimed: "Oh my! Look at that!" And she looked at the pitch-black floor and said "Look! The clasp suddenly came undone and the bracelet fell to the floor. You had better return this because the clasp is defective!" ...Yeah, right... From that point forward, she buys her own jewelery and charges it on my card.

RIP ServiceMerchandiser. It wasn't worth the wait. And who tought of that GREAT idea anyway? A catalog store that actually takes as long as snail mail. Maybe this was a test to see how the internet would work.

Chestnuts roasted by ibinsomniac @ 02/06/2004 09:46 PM EST

hehe... i know there's an easter egg on the :
www.cliffbee.com

I cant say where it is on the main page, but it is there!

Chestnuts roasted by excelonzero @ 02/07/2004 07:15 AM EST

Any kid who wore that or the Ghostbusters Proton Pack outside on our block (back when we still lived in NJ before the folks broke up.) Was on and only one thing a target for beattings. And ours where two brothers who ran the block with an iron fist. By there rules, no water gun fights cuz there mother wouldn't get them the cool ones that fired water like a German MG-42. No Star Wars blaster/lightsaber fights, cuz again there mother wouldn't let them have them. And oh yeah that went for toys in the backyard too.

Anyhow when those two moved away it was like a kid party on our block. All the toys came out, and me and one of my friends where having Jedi Duels with our Star Wars-Lightsabers (god those where the coolest).

And ahhhh ServiceMerchandiser my grandmothers fav place to shop. One of her little things was taking me and my sister shopping for whatever. And let me say this much, for a kid that was the most BORING place in the world. I mean if we went to the mall it would be boring till we got out of Sears. At that point Arcade here I come! Still we'd go there and spend hours online getting this one thing that was 50 cents cheaper then going to the mall.

Shame she died, she would have been in love with Online Shopping.

Chestnuts roasted by Beaker Mike @ 02/07/2004 07:58 PM EST

Any kid who wore that or the Ghostbusters Proton Pack outside on our block (back when we still lived in NJ before the folks broke up.) Was on and only one thing a target for beattings. And ours where two brothers who ran the block with an iron fist. By there rules, no water gun fights cuz there mother wouldn't get them the cool ones that fired water like a German MG-42. No Star Wars blaster/lightsaber fights, cuz again there mother wouldn't let them have them. And oh yeah that went for toys in the backyard too.

Anyhow when those two moved away it was like a kid party on our block. All the toys came out, and me and one of my friends where having Jedi Duels with our Star Wars-Lightsabers (god those where the coolest).

And ahhhh ServiceMerchandiser my grandmothers fav place to shop. One of her little things was taking me and my sister shopping for whatever. And let me say this much, for a kid that was the most BORING place in the world. I mean if we went to the mall it would be boring till we got out of Sears. At that point Arcade here I come! Still we'd go there and spend hours online getting this one thing that was 50 cents cheaper then going to the mall.

Shame she died, she would have been in love with Online Shopping.

Chestnuts roasted by Beaker Mike @ 02/07/2004 07:58 PM EST

Any kid who wore that or the Ghostbusters Proton Pack outside on our block (back when we still lived in NJ before the folks broke up.) Was on and only one thing a target for beattings. And ours where two brothers who ran the block with an iron fist. By there rules, no water gun fights cuz there mother wouldn't get them the cool ones that fired water like a German MG-42. No Star Wars blaster/lightsaber fights, cuz again there mother wouldn't let them have them. And oh yeah that went for toys in the backyard too.

Anyhow when those two moved away it was like a kid party on our block. All the toys came out, and me and one of my friends where having Jedi Duels with our Star Wars-Lightsabers (god those where the coolest).

And ahhhh ServiceMerchandiser my grandmothers fav place to shop. One of her little things was taking me and my sister shopping for whatever. And let me say this much, for a kid that was the most BORING place in the world. I mean if we went to the mall it would be boring till we got out of Sears. At that point Arcade here I come! Still we'd go there and spend hours online getting this one thing that was 50 cents cheaper then going to the mall.

Shame she died, she would have been in love with Online Shopping.

Chestnuts roasted by Beaker Mike @ 02/07/2004 07:58 PM EST

Does anyone know if the Decepticon Decoys came exclusively with the Autobot toys and vice versa? This would explain my surplus of purple decoys as I was a child only allowed Autobots for reasons yet to be revealed to me from my "loving" parents.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 02/11/2004 03:58 PM EST

It's hard to tell transformers with different paint schemes apart when they're reduced to one color, just thought I'd add that. Woo-hoo, I got to see Warpath in the background! What's cooler than a maroon tank? Great site, Matt, I love the transformers-related articles especially. Keep 'em coming!

Chestnuts roasted by phillip @ 02/13/2004 08:10 PM EST

What a shitty deal! You only got like two fucking accessories? I mean sure, the mask and breastplate are most important, but this package without the light-up laser gun is like a cake without frosting. I'm sorry, Matt, but you should've gone for something better. Either that or nothing at all. I know I would.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 03/25/2004 09:19 PM EST

Your Mum and Dad wouldn't let you have Decepticons, Matt? Did they not like the idea of you idolising evil characters, or did the Megatron toy's rather suggestive positioning of the trigger make them wary of the Decepticons?

Is there any chance that Shockwave's role in the comic could've had something to do with his Decoy's popularity?
After all, in the space of two issues, he defeated all the Autobots bar one, hung their bodies from the roof of their ship, decapitated Optimus Prime, kicked the shit out of Megatron and had sex with Starscream(probably).

Chestnuts roasted by Metronome35 @ 04/01/2004 06:35 AM EST

Your Mum and Dad wouldn't let you have Decepticons, Matt? Did they not like the idea of you idolising evil characters, or did the Megatron toy's rather suggestive positioning of the trigger make them wary of the Decepticons?

Is there any chance that Shockwave's role in the comic could've had something to do with his Decoy's popularity?
After all, in the space of two issues, he defeated all the Autobots bar one, hung their bodies from the roof of their ship, decapitated Optimus Prime, kicked the shit out of Megatron and had sex with Starscream(probably).

Chestnuts roasted by Metronome35 @ 04/01/2004 06:36 AM EST

Your Mum and Dad wouldn't let you have Decepticons, Matt? Did they not like the idea of you idolising evil characters, or did the Megatron toy's rather suggestive positioning of the trigger make them wary of the Decepticons?

Is there any chance that Shockwave's role in the comic could've had something to do with his Decoy's popularity?
After all, in the space of two issues, he defeated all the Autobots bar one, hung their bodies from the roof of their ship, decapitated Optimus Prime, kicked the shit out of Megatron and had sex with Starscream(probably).

Chestnuts roasted by Metronome35 @ 04/01/2004 06:37 AM EST

HAHAHA!

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Chestnuts roasted by card chase visa @ 11/06/2004 09:31 AM EST