Transformer movies: Massive spectacles of special effects budgets running amok as Optimus Prime rides a massive Cybertronian T-Rex into a Baysplosion. It’s sort of good stuff, in the same way that taking a knife to the head results in the most wonderful of hallucinations. Transformers on TV however? Much, much better. While I’m not too big a fan of the current Transformers: Robots in Disguise series which relies far too heavily on the exact same premise in every single episode, the quality of said adventures is visually stunning.
It carries on from the absolutely superb Transformers Prime series, which to me is the definitive animated version of all that Autobot on Decepticon action. And while some Bayhem in the next Transformers movie is a while away, there is another animated series on the way that is promising even bigger action.
Transformers: Combiner Wars is the name of the new series, which has a start date of August 2 on the social entertainment platform go90 in the US. Hasbro is taking their Transformers franchise to digital streaming shores, as they unveiled a proper look at the series with co-hosts Machinima, at the Cannes Lions Festival. Check out these screens via Collider yo:
So what’s Combiner Wars all about? A four episode series on YouTube, Facebook and go90 told across four distinct viewpoints sets the latest saga up, as the war for Cybertron may be over but a new conflict emerges from the shadows. One that requires bigger, more devastating Cybertronian warriors to fight. It’s something I’ve actually spoken about before, as Combiner Wars happens to be the name of a Transformers toy line which features reedonkulously massive action figures made up of a gestalt of smaller toys.
It’s pretty awesome, and I’ve got an addiction to the toy line as it is. In a press statement, chief content officer of Hasbro Stephen Davis said:
Machinima is known as a leader of the digital content space and has tremendous creative talent within their network. We are excited to partner with them to tell a new kind of Transformers story for the digital generation. The writers, artists and voice actors working on this series are all true fans of the franchise, and their love for these characters really shines through in Combiner Wars.
To which Machinima CEO Chad Gutstein added in equally flowery hyperbole:
Transformers is one of the most beloved franchises in the world and Machinima is thrilled to work with Hasbro to bring Transformers: Combiner Wars to today’s social video platforms. Our audience loves these characters and Combiner Wars has been a true ‘for the fans, by the fans’ effort. We can’t wait to give fans a preview of the series during Cannes.
The idea of animated series being given preferential treatment online isn’t new. In fact, it works superbly. Last year’s Justice League: Gods and Monsters had a handful of prequel minisodes debut on Machinima, while the final season of The Legend of Korra was first streamed on Nicklelodeons online portal to rave reviews. It’s a space that allows a series to actually be a bit more daring. Something that I hope to see more on Transformers: Combiner Wars.
And also giant robots. Everybody digs giant robots.
Last Updated: June 24, 2016
