Talk:Mini-Vehicle
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Is 'Minibots' actually an official term? I'm pretty sure they were never called that in any catalogues or fiction. -RolonBolon21:11, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
- I had the same question.--G.B. Blackrock21:16, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
- I believe it was used in the Marvel comics, at least early on. Does anybody have them handy? I mostly read 'em at the library or from the used-to-was scan archives online. --Autobus Prime21:19, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
- The toy catalogs list them as Minicars and then Mini Vehicles, as toys like Powerglide and Cosmos were added. If it's not from there, I wonder where "Minibots" came from. --ItsWalky21:29, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
- "Minicars" I'm quite familiar with. Perhaps we should change the name? That still leaves "Mini Vehicles" but it's reasonably clear, as Walky suggests, that this is simply because the year 2 "mini-whatevers" were no longer cars. "Minibots" may be an attempt to bridge the gap, but then we must consider it a "fan" term.--G.B. Blackrock21:44, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
- The toy catalogs list them as Minicars and then Mini Vehicles, as toys like Powerglide and Cosmos were added. If it's not from there, I wonder where "Minibots" came from. --ItsWalky21:29, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
What was the Takara reissiue called?X-BoB5823:27, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
Don't forget the Sparkler Mini-Bots. That, at least, is official.
er, that was me.Chip00:46, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
Folks:
Hm. I couldn't find the term "Minibot" in any of my comic issues, but then I don't have many, and none of them are the 'character' pieces that I (think I) remember the term from. It may be a fan term, but it's a fan term with wide comprehension, so perhaps we should keep using it, and try to find the history of the term, as was done with 'seeker'? I don't think 'fan' terms are a bad thing; after all, the fans are the 'scholars' of this branch of knowledge, and if a fan term is in common use then why not use it? Comprehension is the important thing with language, and even logic or consistency must bow before it, except with the French, but who counts them, really! --Autobus Prime11:59, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
- I think we should have the main page at "Mini Vehicles" (sp?), and redirects at "Minicars" and "Minibots", and mention that "Minibots" is a fan term, at least until someone can find any offical mateial that says otherwise. --FortMax17:07, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
- Fortmax -- Well, I for one tend to respectfully disagree on this. I guess we are looking at this from different angles: enlightening the heathens vs. pandering to the masses. It's true that a fan term (if this is indeed a fan term) doesn't have the 'canonical' sanction of the official one, but I believe that in this case the term "Minibots" has the widest recognition, and will be clear to the most people, which (I believe) is what an encyclopedia such as this is all about. For a similar example, take the term 'combiner'. I believe, though I am not sure, that the only canonical term used was 'special teams' (until recent times, that is) but the fan term is understood by many more people. On the other hand, the question of promoting the proper term is a valid one. Hmm. I need to find time to go to the library and read up on my early G1 comics. The phrase 'the little yellow Minibot' comes to mind, somehow. --Autobus Prime18:12, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
- Sorry, Autobus, but the others are right. "Minibot" deserves a section in the fandom category, but it's not an official term, and so we shouldn't use it on the Wiki. --ItsWalky18:14, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
- Fortmax -- Well, I for one tend to respectfully disagree on this. I guess we are looking at this from different angles: enlightening the heathens vs. pandering to the masses. It's true that a fan term (if this is indeed a fan term) doesn't have the 'canonical' sanction of the official one, but I believe that in this case the term "Minibots" has the widest recognition, and will be clear to the most people, which (I believe) is what an encyclopedia such as this is all about. For a similar example, take the term 'combiner'. I believe, though I am not sure, that the only canonical term used was 'special teams' (until recent times, that is) but the fan term is understood by many more people. On the other hand, the question of promoting the proper term is a valid one. Hmm. I need to find time to go to the library and read up on my early G1 comics. The phrase 'the little yellow Minibot' comes to mind, somehow. --Autobus Prime18:12, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
- "Combiner" was used in an official capacity duringRiD.So, even if it was originally a fan term (I would guess so), it is now canonical. "Special team" is a more restrictive term, applying only to Scramble City combiners. Regarding Seeker: that term is now official also, although just barely, I will admit. Prior to its inclusion in a War Within comic, there was a movement within the fandom to switch from Seeker to Skyraider, a term with an official basis (beyond just appearing in one JC Penny's catalog) and a more accurately evocative feel. As others have noted, I absolutely think the term Minibot should be mentioned in the Mini Vehicles article, and there should be a Minibot article to redirect here. We don't want to obscure the term, we just want to give preference to the official one. --Steve-o22:06, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
- I'll get right on that a few hours ago.;) --ItsWalky22:09, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
- "Combiner" was used in an official capacity duringRiD.So, even if it was originally a fan term (I would guess so), it is now canonical. "Special team" is a more restrictive term, applying only to Scramble City combiners. Regarding Seeker: that term is now official also, although just barely, I will admit. Prior to its inclusion in a War Within comic, there was a movement within the fandom to switch from Seeker to Skyraider, a term with an official basis (beyond just appearing in one JC Penny's catalog) and a more accurately evocative feel. As others have noted, I absolutely think the term Minibot should be mentioned in the Mini Vehicles article, and there should be a Minibot article to redirect here. We don't want to obscure the term, we just want to give preference to the official one. --Steve-o22:06, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
In the UK Comic, they were pretty consistently called 'Mini-Autobots'. --Ratbat03:48, 10 May 2006 (UTC)
Actually, the term "Minibot" WAS used officially at least once... in the Marvel UK comics, issue #44, Laserbeak refers to Bumblebee as a Minibot. http://i50.photobucket /albums/f321/venjix/laserbeak_minibot_panel.jpg
Category:Mini Vehicles
(Originally at Talk:Fastback)
I know he shares a character model with Outback, but I'm not sure he belongs in the Mini Vehicle category. "Mini Vehicle" is kind of a toy-only concept it—doesn't really mean anything in the comics, so I don't think comic-only characters belong. -Starfield00:13, 29 October 2009 (EDT)
- Perhaps we should take this to the Mini Vehicle talk page, given this is talk about the definition of 'Mini Vehicle'. My opinion is that whatever shares a mold with the officially designated Minibots (a term, btw, used in fiction in the Marvel comics, so that's one argument against the removal of Wipe-Out from the category at least) can be classified a Minibot, whether they have a toy or not. Much as fiction doesn't do much with the concept, it doesn't completely ignore it either. And also, I'm pretty sure there's no telling whether a Mini Vehicle has to be an Autobot or not - I'm pretty sure faction never was part of their definition.Geewunling02:19, 29 October 2009 (EDT)
- Yes it should be discussed there. Right now Fastback,Wipe-Out,Subsea,andFlattopare not listed as Mini Vehicles on the Mini Vehicle page. Maybe they should be added. -Starfield02:35, 29 October 2009 (EDT)
- AlsoSedan (Robocar).He is a Robocar. Whatever a Robocar is, it doesn't appear to be a Mini Vehicle. -Starfield02:56, 29 October 2009 (EDT)
- I figured Sedan was good to go as Mini Vehicle, seeing as he appears to be a more or less official release of Bumper. Now, unless that is not agreed upon, we only have the fiction-only characters left to discuss: Subsea, Flattop, Fastback and Wipe-Out. As stated before, while fiction doesn't do much with the whole idea of Minibots, it is not entirely ignorant of it either, sometimes naming the group or otherwise intentionally teaming them up. As such, I feel that just because there is no toy, that does not mean fiction-only characters automatically are not Mini Vehicles. Especially in the case of mold-sharers Fastback and Wipe-Out I'd find it off not to declare them Minibots as well, given that "height & vehicle altmode" pretty much are the only defining traits for Minibots that we know of. Moreso, "Autobot", far as I know, is not a Mini Vehicle trait, even if most belong to that category. What withMalignus=Decepticonand those characters apparently viewed/stated to be Mini Vehicles, I think the intro paragraph should be altered to reflect that.Geewunling03:19, 29 October 2009 (EDT)
- Sedanis a "Robocar." I have no idea what that is. The TakaraGoBotsuse Mini Vehicle toys but are something completely different. Robocars could also be something completely different as far as I know. I really don't know how Marvel UK treats Mini Vehicles (what makes a Mini Vehicle a Mini-Vehicle fictionally?) I haven't readUnderworld!,but Flattop and Subsea seem like good candidates since they are teamed with another Mini Vehicle and are all the same height. But unless they are all called Mini Vehicles in the issue, that is circumstantial evidence.
- As for Wipe-Out, Shockwave asked Ratbat for one Decepticon warrior and Ratbat sent two. So Wipe-Out might be a guy that just comes along with Trypticon, likeFull-Tilt.In which case he might be more of a component transformer. But Wipe-Out seems fully autonomous, so I don't know. -Starfield10:41, 29 October 2009 (EDT)
- I am not familiar with the GoBots' story. Did they keep their original bodies or did they adapt them when they came to the G1 verse? Because in the latter case I'd say there's room to consider them Mini Vehicles too.
- Aside from the earlier description, I don't think there's any clear definition for "Mini Vehicle" ever given in-fiction. Members of the toy-group get named 'so' once in a while, but that's about it. Only the name appears a straight answer to what they are.
- Even better, all of the Autobots appearing in Underworld! are Mini Vehicles: Tailgate, Outback and Pipes. Since Flattop and Subsea are of the same height and story-circumstance... well, you know my opinion.
- In the case of Wipe-Out, it seems to me the guy is Trypticon's personal servant. Where the cityformer goes, he goes (because he has no other use), so if you send Trypticon as "one", you automatically get two (well, until the end of KotH at least). There is no hint he'd be a part of Trypticon like Full-Tilt is.
- I figured Sedan was good to go as Mini Vehicle, seeing as he appears to be a more or less official release of Bumper. Now, unless that is not agreed upon, we only have the fiction-only characters left to discuss: Subsea, Flattop, Fastback and Wipe-Out. As stated before, while fiction doesn't do much with the whole idea of Minibots, it is not entirely ignorant of it either, sometimes naming the group or otherwise intentionally teaming them up. As such, I feel that just because there is no toy, that does not mean fiction-only characters automatically are not Mini Vehicles. Especially in the case of mold-sharers Fastback and Wipe-Out I'd find it off not to declare them Minibots as well, given that "height & vehicle altmode" pretty much are the only defining traits for Minibots that we know of. Moreso, "Autobot", far as I know, is not a Mini Vehicle trait, even if most belong to that category. What withMalignus=Decepticonand those characters apparently viewed/stated to be Mini Vehicles, I think the intro paragraph should be altered to reflect that.Geewunling03:19, 29 October 2009 (EDT)
"altered them to match the local life forms"
That line from the write up of theG1 GoBotswould seem to me to indicate the possibility that the new forms of the characters are Mini Vehicles as well. At least enough so that a mention should be made somewhere on this page.Khajidha11:33, 10 December 2009 (EST)
- That might mean they disguised themselves as Mini Vehicles, but they are still GoBots—for example: they are still cyborgs. So maybe a "disguised as Mini Vehicles" section? -Starfield11:44, 10 December 2009 (EST)
- Sounds good to me.Khajidha11:46, 10 December 2009 (EST)
UK comic
The "Notes" section inUnderworld!sound kinda like "Mini-Autobots" might have been acknowledged in the comic something relevant to fiction and not just the toys. I never read the issue. Are the cadets called "Mini-Autobots" or anything? -Starfield12:20, 18 October 2010 (EDT)
Mexican releases
Should we list the Mexican variants? Especially seeing as how one has been retconned into a proper character,Rest-Q.--Terrortron22:46, 20 December 2010 (EST)
Variant Cliff & Bee?
hey all, been a while since i've been around, but i was just perusing some articles, and noticed that no mention is made of Yellow Cliffjumper or Red Bumblebee on the Mini Vehicle page. It seems kinda like a glaring oversight, so i thought there may be a reason they were left out and should ask before adding them. They are referenced on the individual CJ & BB pages, so it seems rather curious. o_OEvil-yuusha15:50, 7 April 2012 (EDT)
1st release case count
What was the case count on the first year minicars? Was it 6 (1 per case of each) or 12 (2 per case) or something else? Could this be why Bumper was bumped? Just an attempt to make a more convenient distribution of figures? --Khajidha(talk) 21:18, 21 February 2019 (EST)
"M" for Mysterians?
With the info revealed in Chris McFeely's new video on some previously unknown aspects of the history of the Transformers brand, Muffy and the Mysterians, that the toys that would later become Brawn, Huffer, Windcharger, and Gears may have been designed not originally by Takara, but by Knickerbocker for their Mysterians line and somehow the designs made it to Takara, and the stylized "M" molded on those 4 of the original 7 Microchange robots may not stand for for "Microchange" as originally thought, but for "Mysterians", should the notes section of this page be updated to reflect that? --Jeddostotle7(talk) 01:19, 18 August 2020 (EDT)
Name/Move Proposal
The 1985 US pack-in catalog (the main image on the page) is the only instance of "Mini-Vehicle" not having a hyphen in it. The hyphen is present in the 1985 Hasbro Toy Fair catalog, the 1985 UK pack-in catalog, the pre-1986 and final 1986 Hasbro Toy Fair catalogs, and the 1986 pack-in catalog. By preponderance of evidence, this page needs to be moved, and... something done with the "Mini-Vehicle" redirect that goes toRobot Powered Machines.Compared to the G1 subgroup, nobody's ever going to look those up. --Monzo(talk) 17:07, 19 June 2023 (EDT)
