TransMasters FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TransMasters?
TransMasters is a Transformers® fan club. The TransMasters fan club was established
in 1986, and recognized by Hasbro in 1991. For more information about the
fan club, read the TransMasters Background Information by Tony "Auto
Forse" Buchanan.
TransMasters Background Information
The Transmasters fanclub began in 1986
shortly after the TF Movie. It was organized by several TF fans in a
local area at the time (Dawn Reeder, Randi Darklord etc). They got in
contact with each other and other fans through the original TF comic.
The small group of fans expanded to as many as 40 fans before one fateful
day….the day the club got a letter printed in issue #79 of the comic….the
second to last issue but the last issue with an actual letters page!
The numbers quickly raised to at least 300 fans from various states,
provinces and countries! As committed as the fans of the time were the
club was set up to handle such an influx and it wasn't long before the
club collapsed under it's own weight. Organizers of the club sort of
vanished from sight or graciously bowed out to take real life matters
into consideration over their hobby interests. Having joined the club
in May of 1991 on the edge of all the newcomers, I was committed to
keep things going. Upon the cancellation of the old newsletter and it's
short lived predecessor I began my newsletter with the blessings of
the old club officers and called it "Auto-Update". Beginning it just
2 years after I joined , in May of 1993, I attempted to bring together
some of the fans I was in contact with and keep the club informed. Later
I got in contact with the remnants of the club officers and became head
officer creating a new questionnaire for new members and pushing the
club with various places…(The Fandom Directory….promoting the club at
Botcon conventions etc.) Even with the short lived Generation 2 comic
(and numerous letters I sent to get the club recognized were not printed
other than one outdated one) the club didn't get the influx it needed.
Another club was began by Liane Elliot (former head officer for Transmasters
and it's newsletter of the time Trans Action) called Survivors and it
lasted until recently.
The British branch of the club got an
influx of new members similar to what we had in 1991 when they received
a short lived Generation 2 comic that advertised the UK club and its
Continued Generation 2 fanzine they created. They however were able
to handle their influx of fans much better than we did (though I don't
think they got as many fans as we did at once).
Through all of this the club has remained…the
powerful medium known as the Internet helped to connect many fans electronically
but did little for the fanclub. It actually served to degrade it more
as many fans cut down on the classic "snail mail" fanzines and newsletters….many
fans could now set in their homes and scan through what was going on
in the fan scene without participating as such. There is so much potential
of the net to add to the club though. It is also important to note that
TransMasters is the ONLY TF fanclub which was recognized by Hasbro in
1991 and given a legal contract to use the Transformers likenesses for
our club in a non-profit manner!! (no kidding, I'll mail anyone who
questions this a copy of the contract!). It is for this reason if no
other that the club MUST survive! I beseech fans to answer the survey
which I have posted here and help to bring the club back to its feet….make
it a club for all of us to be proud of! Make the club work for YOU!
I hope this history informs some fans and inspires them to continue
the spirit….Keep Transforming!
--Tony "Auto Forse" Buchanan, 2000
Mission Statement
We, the members of TransMasters,
resolve that our sole purpose for existing is to further the cause of Transformers.
We commend any fan activity--newsletters, conventions, etc.--that is intended
to spread the fame and increase the enjoyment of the Transformers for us all.
Keep Transforming!
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What is/are TRANSFORMERS®?
Transformers® transcended from the Japanese toy line called Microman.
Transformers ® was a toy line phenomenon in the middle of 1980s; its
popularity continues today. Since 1992 new incarnations of the original
Transformers series have emerged--Generation 2, GoBots, Beast Wars, Beasties,
Beast Machines, etc.. The Transformers remain as one of the strongest toy
line for Hasbro-Kenner (a toy merger).
To most Transfans the common appeal of these toys are: (1) story lines, myths, and legends created
in the original TV show series and comic books, (2) the most unique quality of these toys are the transformable figures for each character, changing from robot
to vehicles modes (vice versa), and (3) the unique characters of the sentient
robots that contradicted their metal and machine facade. See Bob Budiansky's Interview by Charles Ellis, February 2003, for more information on the development of these Transformers®. Transformers ®
(toys, videos, books, and parapharnelias) are manufactured and distributed
by Hasbro, under licensed from Takara Toy group of Japan. For more information
see the Transformers
FAQ by Steve Stonebraker.
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How can I contact the representatives?
(1) Visit the TransMasters Central,
our main headquarters. (2) Follow the link to TransMasters
Representatives. Contact the nearest fan club representative in your
part of the world.
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Who are the members?
(1) Visit the TransMasters Central,
our main headquarters. (2) See the member roster at The
TransMasters hyperlink. Are you listed? Not a member? Be advised, some
of the early members have been dropped off from the roster, because the
former archivist left the fan club, and he took along the fan club archives.
(3) To be re-enlisted, see the TransMasters
101 link.
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What are the fan club activities?
Here's our list. If you have more, write to us at transmasters@hotmail.com,
or use our feedback form.
- BotCon, the official Transformers convention. See www.botcon.com for
the next annual meeting.
- TransMasters Forum. Visit your
fellow transfans at our message boards. You may also see some of us
at USENET Newsgroups--i.e., alt.toys.transformers newsgroup.
- Fan medias--writing fanfictions, fanzines, creating art works, kitbashing
toys, video games, internet videos, internet radio, role playing games,
et cetera. See TransMasters
Fan Media Collection, and find a collaborator for your next project.
One of the many projects is the TMUK (TransMasters UK) timeline continuity
for fan-created stories. The best example of this genre is the Transformers
Continued Generation 2 (edited by Matt Dallas, featuring new artists
and writing teams each month/issue). This famous story continuity began
where Marvel Transformers Generation 2 comic book stopped. Contributors
are generally from TMUK and some U.S. Transfans. For more information,
follow the TMUK link from our TransMasters
Fan Club Website.
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How can I get in touch with my fellow Transfans and TransMasters?
- TransMasters Fan
Club Website
- BotCon, the official Transformers convention. See www.botcon.com for
the next annual meeting.
- TransMasters Forum. Visit your
fellow transfans at our message boards. You may also see some of us
at USENET Newsgroups--i.e., alt.toys.transformers newsgroup.
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The TransMasters logo?
 |
Originally designed
by Tony Buchanan. This sample was rendered by Iggy Drougge. 1998.
Size: 72 dpi. |
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Do you have newsletters and fan-fictions?
Yes. See TransMasters Fan Media
Collection. See the TransMasters Forum
for announcements of new fan medias and general discussion. TransMasters News, our automated fan club news page; The Hub by Graham Thomson for the TMUK.
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How do I join this world famous Transformers® fan
club?
To be considered a member, one must have a registration form
submitted to the current club archivist, Tony Buchanan. For a copy of the
Registration Packet, contact the nearest TransMasters
Representative in your area. Former members may have to re-enter their information,
especially those whose records that were lost, along with the former
archivist. Inactive members were dropped off from membership as well.
However, all are welcome to re-join. For more information, see TransMasters 101. Look for the "join" button.
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TransMasters WebRing?
Yes, we have a webring. Join the great link. For members only! See
TransMasters WebRing
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TransMasters Mailing List?
Yes, we have mailing lists. For members only!
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UPDATED: April 11, 2003
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