Transformers

G1 Combaticons

Decepticons

03-Feb-2001 Markatron's commentary on the Combaticons

Brawl and Blast Off	Onslaught	Swindle and Vortex
- BRAWL - I didn't care too much for the cartoon portayal of Brawl. He was drawn too lanky in the show. I imagine him more squat/bulky. He never really got to "lay the Smackdown" on Autobots the way he should have. To me, Brawl is the Decepticon version of Brawn. I used more of the toy in this picture. I also gave him some decent forearms instead of one solid stub of an arm. While I could have used a more physically aggressive pose for Brawl, I felt that (in this picture) I would portray his brutality with his readiness to blast everything away with firepower! - BLAST OFF - Most of these "Scramble City" combiners all have the same chests. I rather liked having the shuttle hood become his chest. While the shuttle cockpit obviously still splits to become his arms, the design is preserved. Leg detail is the toy but the booster/feet are from the cartoon. I kept the leg cannons on. The arms are strictly from the toy. I allowed the shuttle hull to become armor on his arms. There is a distinct layer shielding each shoulder. The nosecone also serves well as protection for his hands. Blast Off likes too remain aloof. But he wants a fight just as much as Brawl. Blast Off is sophisticated. Brawl is a brutish ox. But I think these two form the strong side of the Combaticons. Together, these two are truly dangerous foes!	- ONSLAUGHT - Onslaught is by far my favorite Combaticon. He looks mean, he's got firepower, and he had a cool voice on the show. They really dropped a lot of detail when they drew him for the cartoon. (Unfortunate as it is, it's necessary for cel animation.) I've taken care to convey details from the toy. I really liked the bolts on his shoulders and calves -- they worked well. I also liked the toy's rifle so naturally, I would focus on that. I really liked this threat pose. When I was sketching Onslaught I wanted to make sure his rifle and back cannons were "over-empasized". That meant a pose that was leaning forward. When I sketched this one, I knew right away I "got it right".	- SWINDLE - A sniveling little runt. Very annoying character -- well portrayed in the cartoon. He and Starscream were the characters I loved to hate. Self-serving, small-minded punks just irk me. True to form, he's got a little smirk and you know he's sizing something up. He's always got an angle and never goes into a situation without thinking "how can I take advantate of it." Notice his cannon is charging. Maybe he's trying to sweet-talk some idiot into lowering his weapon. I kept two aspects from the cartoon: 1) the cannon/large rifle is a shoulder mounted cannon similar to how Megatron packs but can be wielded like a bazooka 2) the windshield of the jeep covers his chest. - VORTEX - When I think of Vortex, I think of a twisted sense of humor and a mean-streak to go with it. Some might mistake him for being playful. But I imagine him to be a cruel prankster. Firing his arm cannons, he lunges right into battle with the big guns blazing. I didn't take long to decide this pose was best for him. The drawing is strictly from the toy. The only detail preserved from his cartoon portrayal is the vent-like box the upper part of his chest (just under his chin). I guess this pair is the "high, whiney voice pair". =D
Brawl and Blast Off	Onslaught	Swindle and Vortex
BRUTICUS! When drawing any "gestalt", I want to make sure I don't obscure any of the component drawings. Bruticus is no exeption. I wanted to feature a bit about each of the characters as well as convey a theme with Bruticus as a whole. But you know I won't settle for just a boring standing pose. I gotta put some action and/or intensity to my drawings. Haughty Blast Off shakes his fist at you. Vortex's chopper blades _makes_ his vehicle form and is his special weapon. That has to be facing you. Also, remind yourself of the cartoon scene where Bruticus, on his back, shredded some of Shockwave's drones using Vortex's blades. Onslaught's rifle is still in the forefront. The position is also reminiscent of Onslaught's own picture. The theme of firepower is thus preserved. Swinle is right in your face, the most prominent of the Combaticons. What a punk! Brawl is the stomp in Bruticus' step as well as the stabilizing force. But together, I want the viewer to be overwhelmed by Bruticus' height. "Large and in charge." "He's larger than life!" Any cliche you apply to him, the higher you go, the meaner he gets. BRUTICUS!

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The Markatron Megaplex is not affiliated with Takara/Hasbro. The Combaticons are properties of Takara/Hasbro. Fan art by me. Please ask permission before using art. Thanks. ©2001 Mark Wong