Beast Machines
Encyclopedia
Beast Machines is an animated television series produced by Mainframe Entertainment
and distributed by Universal Pictures
. Hasbro
has the full distribution rights to the show as of 2011. It was a direct sequel
to Beast Wars
taking place within the continuity of the original Transformers series
. The cause of much controversy among the fanbase, the show ran for two seasons, airing on YTV and Fox Kids
from 1999 to 2000. Of the Transformers animated series produced in North America
, Beast Machines was the only one to have been completely conceptualized and outlined in advance, lending it a more serialized and linear storyline than the others. The Beast Machines intro theme was "Phat Planet
", by Leftfield
.
The first season begins shortly after the events of the third season of Beast Wars, and the second season begins immediately after the first season.
/
Beast Machines - Transformers: The Complete Series
/
Beast Machines - Transformers: Series 1
Beast Machines - Transformers: Series 2
Beast Machines - Transformers: Season 1 - Volumes 1 & 2
Classification: PG (Parental Guidance)
Beast Machines - Transformers: Season 2 - Volumes 1 & 2
. Appearing only in this book, he is a side character to the Beast Machines story and was later written into the toy lines of both Beast Machines and Transformers: Universe. In the Universe story line he eventually gains a new body, which combined with Apelinq to create Sentinel Maximus.
The head writers used to post and answer questions on a message board known as Bottalk.
Many of the characters created as toys never made it on the television series, although some did appear in the comic books. Oddly, the transforming plant Botanica from the television series was not made into a toy for any of the related toy lines.
Another characteristic of this toy line was its packaging. Unlike other Transformers lines, wherein each toy had a photo or illustration of themselves on the front of the packaging, almost all Beast Machines packages had an illustration of Cheetor on the front - regardless of character or faction. The one exception was Nightscream.
The toys released in the Beast Wars Returns (a release of Beast Machines in Japan) toy line by Takara were recolored to more closely resemble the show colors. Molds from the drones in the Vehicon Army, which bore more resemblance to the Vehicon Generals, were recolored and used as the Vehicon Generals instead in the Beast Wars Returns toy line.
A line of simple McDonald's Beast Machines toys was sold which did look more like the show characters, and this line was recolored for release in other countries by other fast food restaurants.
A number of characters appeared in the Beast Machines toy line who didn't make appearances in the television series. These included:
. The series was supposed to bring back some of the characters who died in Beast Wars along with some characters from the original '80s cartoon, all in new, organic-looking bodies, with vehicle alternate modes instead of the animals used in Beast Machines. Many concept sketches and even a few toy prototypes were made, but Hasbro scrapped the idea, bringing Car Robots
to American markets as a placeholder until Transformers Armada.
Concept sketches or prototype toys have been seen for Blackarachnia, Cheetor, Depth Charge, Megatron, Nightscream, Optimus Prime
, Scavenger
, Shockwave
, Soundwave
, Starscream
and a new character called Immorticon. There were also rumors of a Transtech Dinobot
.
It is generally believed that the concept for Transtech Cheetor
inspired the design of Transformers: Cybertron
Brakedown
and the concept for Transtech Megatron inspired Armada
Megatron.
by 3H Publishing, which has stories taking place during the second season of Beast Machines (In the Transformers: Wreckers comic) and after the Beast Machines story (in the Transformers: Universe comic).
While Beast Machines has always been a controversial series and has gradually become more popular over time with some Transformers fans, particularly in retrospect after the Unicron Trilogy
which was met with even heavier abuse for its general low quality, it is considered a failure with a majority of the fanbase due to the derailing of the momentum of both the Beast Wars toys and cartoon. Hasbro has since retconned much of Beast Machines events in fan-exclusive convention comics such as Transformers: Universe
, and fanclub publications, reviving many characters killed and redeeming those "corrupted" during the series like Rhinox. Nevertheless, Cybertron remains technorganic.
Mainframe Entertainment
Rainmaker Entertainment, Inc. is a Canadian computer animation and design company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and Los Angeles, California. It produces computer animation TV series and movies. They are best known for producing the first ever CGI animated series ReBoot, as well as the...
and distributed by Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
. Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
has the full distribution rights to the show as of 2011. It was a direct sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to Beast Wars
Beast Wars
Transformers: Beast Wars is a Transformers toyline released by Hasbro between 1995 and 2000, and a Daytime Emmy Award winning full-CG animated television series spawned by it that debuted in 1996...
taking place within the continuity of the original Transformers series
Transformers: Generation 1
Transformers: Generation 1 was the original Transformers toy line that produced from 1985 to 1992 and actually lasted longer than the G1 1980s television series itself...
. The cause of much controversy among the fanbase, the show ran for two seasons, airing on YTV and Fox Kids
Fox Kids
Fox Kids was the Fox Broadcasting Company's American children's programming division and brand name from September 8, 1990 until September 7, 2002. It was owned by Fox Television Entertainment airing programming on Monday–Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.Depending on the show, the...
from 1999 to 2000. Of the Transformers animated series produced in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, Beast Machines was the only one to have been completely conceptualized and outlined in advance, lending it a more serialized and linear storyline than the others. The Beast Machines intro theme was "Phat Planet
Phat Planet
"Phat Planet" is the second track from the 1999 album Rhythm and Stealth, the second studio album of English electronica duo Leftfield. It is based around an insistent, two-note bassline, and the heavily-distorted vocal of "phat planet", spoken by Daley...
", by Leftfield
Leftfield
Leftfield are a British duo of electronica artists and record producers, namely Paul Daley and Neil Barnes, who formed in 1990 in London, England...
.
Episode list
The show ran for two seasons with a total of 26 episodes (13 in each season). The second season was subtitled Battle for the Spark.The first season begins shortly after the events of the third season of Beast Wars, and the second season begins immediately after the first season.
Season One
| Episode Number | Title |
|---|---|
| 01 | The Reformatting |
| 02 | Master of the House |
| 03 | Fires of the Past |
| 04 | Mercenary Pursuits |
| 05 | Forbidden Fruit |
| 06 | The Weak Component |
| 07 | Revelations Part 1: Discovery |
| 08 | Revelations Part 2: Descent |
| 09 | Revelations Part 3: Apocalypse |
| 10 | Survivor |
| 11 | The Key |
| 12 | The Catalyst |
| 13 | End of the Line |
Season Two - Battle for the Spark
| Episode Number | Title |
|---|---|
| 14 | Fallout |
| 15 | Savage Noble |
| 16 | Prometheus Unbound |
| 17 | In Darkest Knight |
| 18 | A Wolf In the Fold |
| 19 | Home Soil |
| 20 | Sparkwar, Part 1: The Strike |
| 21 | Sparkwar, Part 2: The Search |
| 22 | Sparkwar, Part 3: The Siege |
| 23 | Spark of Darkness |
| 24 | Endgame, Part 1: The Downward Spiral |
| 25 | Endgame, Part 2: When Legends Fall |
| 26 | Endgame, Part 3: Seeds of the Future |
DVD releases
Beast Machines: Transformers (Episodes # 1-5)- Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
- Language: English
- Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Audio: 2.0 Dolby Surround
- Number of discs: 1
- Rating: PG in Canada
- Studio: Anchor Bay EntertainmentAnchor Bay EntertainmentAnchor Bay Entertainment is a U.S. based home entertainment and production company and is a division of Starz Media, which is a unit of Starz, LLC. It was previously owned by IDT Entertainment until 2006 when IDT was purchased by Starz Media. Anchor Bay markets and sells feature films, series,...
Canada - DVD Release Date: August 10, 2004
- Run Time: 107 minutes
/
Beast Machines - Transformers: The Complete Series
- Format: Box set, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
- Language: English
- Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Audio: 5.1 Dolby Surround & 2.0 Stereo
- Number of discs: 4
- Rating: Not Rated
- Studio: Rhino Theatrical
- DVD Release Date: February 28, 2006
- Run Time: 700 minutes
/
Beast Machines - Transformers: Series 1
- Format: Dubbed, Full Screen, PAL
- Language English
- Region: Region 2
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Audio: 5.1 Dolby Surround & 2.0 Stereo
- Number of discs: 2
- Classification: PG (Parental Guidance)
- Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- DVD Release Date: 16 July 2007
- Run Time: 264 minutes
Beast Machines - Transformers: Series 2
- Format: Dubbed, Full Screen, PAL
- Language English
- Region: Region 2
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Audio: 5.1 Dolby Surround & 2.0 Stereo
- Number of discs: 2
- Classification: PG (Parental Guidance)
- Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- DVD Release Date: 19 November 2007
- Run Time: N/A
Beast Machines - Transformers: Season 1 - Volumes 1 & 2
- DVD Release Date: 20 June 2007
- Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Region: Region 4
Classification: PG (Parental Guidance)
Beast Machines - Transformers: Season 2 - Volumes 1 & 2
- DVD Release Date: 23 October 2007
- Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Region: Region 4
- Classification: PG (Parental Guidance)
Other information
Written into a special edition comic book was a character by the name of Primal PrimePrimal Prime
Primal Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers universes and a repaint of Beast Wars, Optimal Optimus.-Beast Machines:Forged from the remnants of a control suit used to manipulate Optimal Optimus during the Beast Wars, Primal Prime is a hybrid of Maximal and Autobot spark-replication...
. Appearing only in this book, he is a side character to the Beast Machines story and was later written into the toy lines of both Beast Machines and Transformers: Universe. In the Universe story line he eventually gains a new body, which combined with Apelinq to create Sentinel Maximus.
The head writers used to post and answer questions on a message board known as Bottalk.
Toys
The Hasbro toys for Beast Machines are infamous for the fact that many bear little resemblance to the characters on the show, in both shape and color. They were also scaled out of proportion to each other. The reason for this was that although basic concept sketches were made of the major characters, the show creators and toy creators developed the characters independently from that point in the first year. After the first year of toys was released, a number of slightly more show-accurate toys were released.Many of the characters created as toys never made it on the television series, although some did appear in the comic books. Oddly, the transforming plant Botanica from the television series was not made into a toy for any of the related toy lines.
Another characteristic of this toy line was its packaging. Unlike other Transformers lines, wherein each toy had a photo or illustration of themselves on the front of the packaging, almost all Beast Machines packages had an illustration of Cheetor on the front - regardless of character or faction. The one exception was Nightscream.
The toys released in the Beast Wars Returns (a release of Beast Machines in Japan) toy line by Takara were recolored to more closely resemble the show colors. Molds from the drones in the Vehicon Army, which bore more resemblance to the Vehicon Generals, were recolored and used as the Vehicon Generals instead in the Beast Wars Returns toy line.
A line of simple McDonald's Beast Machines toys was sold which did look more like the show characters, and this line was recolored for release in other countries by other fast food restaurants.
Non-show groups
A number toy sub-groups didn't make it into the animated series, but had small stories on their toy boxes.- Beast Riders
- Two deluxe sized vehicles that resembled heads of animals and could be ridden by larger figures. Both were redecoed once each, but their boxes remained unchanged.
- Deployers
- Three sparkless Maximal drones that turn into weapons useable by larger toys. All three were redecoed in new colors, but their boxes remained unchanged. The dark blue recolor of Rav was used to represent the character of Chro in the 3H Comic series.
- Dinobots
- A set of Maximals, all recolors of older toys from the Beast Wars, Beast Wars Neo lines. Commanded by MagmatronMagmatronMagmatron is a Transformers character who first appeared in the Japanese Beast Wars Neo series, was later released in the American Beast Machines Dinobots toy line, and most recently in official Beast Wars comic continuity.-Beast Wars Neo:...
and T-Wrecks, members included Airraptor and others.
Non-show characters
- Blastcharge - A Vehicon who turns into a six-wheeled missile truck. The character does appear in the Wreckers comics.
- Buzzsaw - A Maximal who transforms into a wasp. The character does appear in the Transformers: Universe comics.
- Battle Unicorn - A Maximal who turns into a unicorn.
- Che - A Beast Rider whose form is a cheetah head. The character was to appear in the un-produced Wreckers #4.
- Chro (Name given to purple Rav repaint) - Appears in Wreckers comics.
- Dillo - A Maximal Deployer who turns from an armadillo into a weapon. The character does appear in Wreckers comics.
- Geckobot - A Maximal who transforms into a flying lizard.
- Hammerstrike - A Maximal who transforms into a hammerhead shark.
- LonghornLonghorn (Transformers)Longhorn is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Beast Machines:Longhorn is the name of a Maximal who turns into a technorganic bull.-3H Enterprises:...
- A Maximal who turns into a bull. The character was to appear in the un-produced Wreckers #4. - Mechatron - A Beast Rider whose form is a dragon head.
- MirageMirage (Transformers)Mirage is any of several distinct fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Mirage is one of the single most re-used names in the Transformers series, and is almost entirely synonymous with characters possessing Formula One racing car alternate modes.-Transformers Generation 1:Some...
- A high speed Vehicon race car. The character appears in Apelinq's War Journals, his drones appear in Wreckers comics. - Mol - A Maximal Deployer who turns from a mole into a weapon. The character did appear in Wreckers comics.
- Nightviper - A Maximal who transforms into a cobra.
- Primal PrimePrimal PrimePrimal Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers universes and a repaint of Beast Wars, Optimal Optimus.-Beast Machines:Forged from the remnants of a control suit used to manipulate Optimal Optimus during the Beast Wars, Primal Prime is a hybrid of Maximal and Autobot spark-replication...
- A repaint of Beast Wars Optimal Optimus. The character does appear in the Wreckers comics. - QuickstrikeQuickStrikeQuickStrike is a collectible card game gaming system developed by Upper Deck Entertainment for use in their games. This system made its initial debut in 2006.-Compatibility:...
- A Maximal who transforms into a wolf. The character does appear in the Transformers: Universe comics. - Rav - A Maximal Deployer who turns from a bird into a weapon. The character does appear in the Wreckers comics.
- ScavengerScavenger (Transformers)Scavenger is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Scavenger is usually depicted as a villain who turns into a construction vehicle.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
- A Vehicon Demolitions expert. The character does appear in the Wreckers comics. - SkydiveSkydive (Transformers)-Transformers: Generation 1:Skydive was part of the Aerialbot team able to form a limb of the combined robot Superion.Skydive would rather read about jet fighters than be one, and is fascinated by the science of aerial warfare. He can, within the limits of his design, duplicate the flying motion of...
- A Maximal who turns a pterodactyl. The character was to appear in the un-produced Wreckers #4. - SnarlSnarl (Transformers)Snarl is the name of several different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Snarl is one of the members of the Autobot sub-group called the Dinobots led by Grimlock...
- A Maximal who turns into a lion. The character does appear in the un-produced Wreckers #3, and the Transformers: Universe comics - Spy StreakSpy StreakSpy Streak is the name of a Vehicon, a Transformers character who appeared in the Beast Machines toyline .-Beast Machines:Spy Streak's bio presented him as single-minded in the pursuit of the Maximals...
- A Vehicon stealth jet. The character does appear in the Wreckers comics.
Transtech
After Beast Machines ended, Hasbro planned a follow-up series called TranstechTranstech
Transtech is an unreleased line of toys under the Transformers umbrella.-History:After the Beast Machines line ended, Hasbro planned a follow-up series called Transtech. The Transtech concept was a line intended to take Transformers to their most futuristic looking bodies and more plausible designs...
. The series was supposed to bring back some of the characters who died in Beast Wars along with some characters from the original '80s cartoon, all in new, organic-looking bodies, with vehicle alternate modes instead of the animals used in Beast Machines. Many concept sketches and even a few toy prototypes were made, but Hasbro scrapped the idea, bringing Car Robots
Transformers: Robots in Disguise
Transformers: Robots in Disguise, known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime television series and serves as a self-contained universe separate from any of the other existing Transformers universes...
to American markets as a placeholder until Transformers Armada.
Concept sketches or prototype toys have been seen for Blackarachnia, Cheetor, Depth Charge, Megatron, Nightscream, Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
, Scavenger
Scavenger (Transformers)
Scavenger is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Scavenger is usually depicted as a villain who turns into a construction vehicle.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, Shockwave
Shockwave (Transformers)
Shockwave is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Throughout his incarnations, he is usually distinguished by a laser cannon in lieu of one of his hands and his distinctive face, which is featureless save a single robotic eye...
, Soundwave
Soundwave (Transformers)
Soundwave is the name of several characters in the various series Transformers series. His most famous disguise is that of a microcassette recorder and has an iconic voice done by a vocoder.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, Starscream
Starscream (Transformers)
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
and a new character called Immorticon. There were also rumors of a Transtech Dinobot
Dinobot
Dinobot is a fictional character from the Beast Wars Transformers universe.-Beast Wars:Dinobot originally debuts in the series' premiere as a subordinate of Megatron, leader of the villainous Predacons. However, Dinobot challenges Megatron's leadership, and is shortly expelled from his crew. He...
.
It is generally believed that the concept for Transtech Cheetor
Cheetor
Cheetor is several fictional characters from various Transformers universes.- Beast Wars :Cheetor's original tech spec indicated he was a seasoned and confident warrior always in search of battle with the Predacons, seemingly in contrast to his youthful and impulsive portrayal in the original show...
inspired the design of Transformers: Cybertron
Transformers: Cybertron
Transformers: Cybertron, known in Japan originally as , is the 2005-2007 Transformers toy line and animated series, another co-production between Hasbro and Takara...
Brakedown
Brakedown
Brakedown is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers: Cybertron series. They should not be confused with Breakdown, a Decepticon from the Generation 1 toy line and fiction, who was a member of the Stunticons....
and the concept for Transtech Megatron inspired Armada
Transformers: Armada
Transformers: Armada, known in Japan as , is a Transformers animated series, comic series and toy line which ran from 2002–2003. It was originally scheduled for 2001, however was delayed until early-2002...
Megatron.
Transformers: Universe
The storyline of Beast Machines is continued in the short-lived comic book Transformers: UniverseTransformers: Universe
Transformers: Universe is a line of toys that consists of re-painted and re-released toys from various Transformers lines of toys. For the comic book series see Transformers Universe .- Toy line :...
by 3H Publishing, which has stories taking place during the second season of Beast Machines (In the Transformers: Wreckers comic) and after the Beast Machines story (in the Transformers: Universe comic).
English Cast
- Optimus PrimalOptimus PrimalOptimus Primal is a fictional character from the Transformers toyline, and the leader of the Maximal forces and the main protagonist in the Beast Wars television series. He is sometimes called Optimal Optimus...
, voiced by Gary ChalkGary Chalk (actor)Gary Chalk is an English-born Canadian actor, tri-national US-Canadian-UK citizen and voice artist. He has lend hit voice in over 30 animated television series and has been in films such as The Fly II and Freddy vs. Jason.... - CheetorCheetorCheetor is several fictional characters from various Transformers universes.- Beast Wars :Cheetor's original tech spec indicated he was a seasoned and confident warrior always in search of battle with the Predacons, seemingly in contrast to his youthful and impulsive portrayal in the original show...
, voiced by Ian James CorlettIan James CorlettIan James Corlett is a Canadian animation voice artist, writer, and musician. He is the creator of Studio B Productions' animated series Being Ian and Yvon of the Yukon.... - Rattrap, voiced by Scott McNeilScott McNeilScott McNeil is a Canadian actor and voice actor. He currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
- Blackarachnia, voiced by Venus TerzoVenus TerzoVenus Terzo is a Canadian actress best noted for her role as Detective Angela Kosmo in Da Vinci's Inquest and its spinoff, Da Vinci's City Hall. She was nominated in 2002 for the Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role in that same role...
- Silverbolt, voiced by Scott McNeilScott McNeilScott McNeil is a Canadian actor and voice actor. He currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
- NightscreamNightscreamNightscream is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Beast Machines:Nightscream is a young Maximal and a member of the cast of Beast Machines. He turns into a bat....
, voiced by Alessandro JulianiAlessandro JulianiAlessandro Juliani is a Canadian actor, singer, and voice actor. He is notable for playing Tactical Officer Lieutenant Felix Gaeta on the Sci Fi Channel television program Battlestar Galactica, and Emil Hamilton in Smallville... - BotanicaBotánicaA botánica is a retail store that sells folk medicine, religious candles and statuary, amulets, and other products regarded as magical or as alternative medicine...
, voiced by Kathleen BarrKathleen BarrKathleen Barr is a Canadian voice actress. She is also the sister of Professor Mark Lyle Barr at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.-Filmography:... - Savage/Noble, voiced by David KayeDavid KayeDavid V. Hope , known professionally as David Kaye, is a Canadian American actor who is better recognized for his work as a voice actor...
- MegatronMegatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)The Beast Wars and Beast Machines version of Megatron is the main antagonist from the aforementioned parts of the Transformers animated series, toy lines, and multiverse...
, voiced by David KayeDavid KayeDavid V. Hope , known professionally as David Kaye, is a Canadian American actor who is better recognized for his work as a voice actor... - Diagnostic DroneDiagnostic DroneThe Diagnostic Drone is a character from the fictional Transformers Series. It was featured in Beast Machines TV Series.-Beast Machines:-Season One:...
, voiced by Christopher GazeChristopher Gaze-Biography:Gaze is a the founding Artistic Director of the annual Bard on the Beach Shakespeare festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.Best known as Artistic Director of Vancouver’s Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, Christopher Gaze has performed in England, the USA and across Canada...
/Paul DobsonPaul DobsonPaul Dobson, of the Dobson brothers , is an accomplished Canadian voice actor, one of the many who work with Ocean Group, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Paul is frequently cast in one of two roles: a brilliantly cunning, evil villain, or a thuggish strong guy... - TankorTankorTankor is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:This version of Tankor, initially called Octane, is the Decepticons' fueler, in charge of storing and distributing fuel among Decepticons with vehicle modes. He is characterized as...
, voiced by Paul Dobson (1-9) and Richard NewmanRichard NewmanRichard Newman is a voice actor with numerous voice roles in Transformers cartoons.-Career:Newman started his career in voice acting in Beast Wars voicing Rhinox and the Vok...
(9-onward) - Thrust, voiced by Jim ByrnesJim Byrnes (actor)James Thomas Kevin "Jim" Byrnes is a blues musician, guitarist, and actor.-Life and career:Byrnes was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to a homemaker mother and a municipal accountant father. He has lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, since the mid-1970s...
- Jetstorm, voiced by Brian DrummondBrian DrummondBrian Drummond is a Canadian actor. He also serves on the board of directors for the New Westminster-based Urban Academy along with his wife, Laura Drummond, also a voice artist. He and his wife serve as vice-president and president, respectively.- Career :Drummond was born in Salmon Arm, British...
- ObsidianObsidian (Transformers)Obsidian is the name given to several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Beast Machines:Oddly Obsidian's tech specs have little or nothing to do with the character as seen on the show, instead being described as a simple drone-general attaché.His biography indicates that he...
, voiced by Paul Dobson - StrikaStrikaStrika is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers series. The first was one of the main villains in the animated Beast Machines television series, voice by Patricia Drake.-Beast Machines:...
, voiced by Patricia DrakePatricia DrakePatricia Drake is a TV/Voice actress working on TV and in animated shows, mostly with Ocean Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.-Anime Roles:* Black Lagoon as Balalaika* Dragon Ball Z as Android 19, Young Trunks... - WaspinatorWaspinatorWaspinator is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes called Wasp. The original Waspinator was voiced by Scott McNeil in the Beast Wars animated series.-Beast Wars:...
, voiced by Scott McNeilScott McNeilScott McNeil is a Canadian actor and voice actor. He currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
Reception
As early as its premiere episode, Beast Machines provoked much debate among fans about whether the new series' creative team was portraying the individual characters and the broader Transformers backstory as accurately as the creators of Beast Wars had done. Much of the criticism focused on character portrayals and actions that were seen as inaccurate and inconsistent with how the characters were established in Beast Wars. For example, the wise-cracking Rattrap is portrayed as "not enlightened enough" to transform at first. In addition, there was much debate over perceived continuity errors in regards to the broader Transformers backstory, such as the claim to Cybertron once being an organic planet. While this had some foreshadowing in the original series episode The Dweller In The Depths, it contradicts the comic continuity where Cybertron was created by Primus from a meteor. The ending of Beast Machines proved to be extremely controversial. Detractors believe that the "reformatting" of Cybertron, from purely metallic to technorganic, diminished the traditional qualities that had made the Transformers mythos special.While Beast Machines has always been a controversial series and has gradually become more popular over time with some Transformers fans, particularly in retrospect after the Unicron Trilogy
Unicron Trilogy
The Unicron Trilogy is a series of television programs, comic books, and toy franchises in the Transformers maxi-series. It deals with the approach of the Transformer chaos-bringer Unicron and the aftermath of his destruction...
which was met with even heavier abuse for its general low quality, it is considered a failure with a majority of the fanbase due to the derailing of the momentum of both the Beast Wars toys and cartoon. Hasbro has since retconned much of Beast Machines events in fan-exclusive convention comics such as Transformers: Universe
Transformers: Universe
Transformers: Universe is a line of toys that consists of re-painted and re-released toys from various Transformers lines of toys. For the comic book series see Transformers Universe .- Toy line :...
, and fanclub publications, reviving many characters killed and redeeming those "corrupted" during the series like Rhinox. Nevertheless, Cybertron remains technorganic.