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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