had 2 map this 2 get out of head, orange is stuff that we basically/actually know, black arrows r speculation. this head design map of Arcee only goes up to 2018 & doesnt cover everything. amazed that Blackarachnia is part of this & roots of prime arcee r basically unknown afaik!
would love to know whats going on with prime arcee's lil' upper cheek guard stubs that are like idw1 arcee's but hidden under her pointy cheek guard ridges. she also shares the chin armor that binaltech arcee & art of war #5 arcee were 1st to have followed by idw1 & animated 'cee.
notably, we weren't able to fit Classics, Prime, and Wings Flamewar onto this or anyone else based on the energon and prime molds (besides Elita who shares her mold with SG Arcee)
the arcee singularity is happening again & its happening in the fucking mainline
film rotb arcee is trans by Arcee Singularity logic end of discussion lol (also sincere on the trans iterations of Arcees character &/or physical aesthetic stuff are across Arcees now, starting w/ TR & comic crossovers)
Haven't seen photos or art of Arcee with Leia, who she was based on in part, so with all our blade Arcees and Leia using a lightsaber in eu & canon too we figured a while ago we might as well be the ones to do it. Also, yes, Arcee has had a beam saber before besides thermal blades, in Transformers vs. GIJOE by Tom Scioli and John Barber
Bots helping out trans transformers - yes, all the circumstances depicted in this context are derivable from canon at this point. Also a post about part of how we got deep into transformers after watching Cyberverse, learning about trans ones, and the value of the stories. The thoughts are after the image IDs.
ID 1 of 4: A diorama of toy transformers on a trans flag floor in front of a sci-fi polity backdrop. On the bunk lying down is a IDW1 Arcee with her right hand raised in enthusiasm. Her left hand is held by PRID Arcee, who is also holding an energon goods box near her counterpart while turning to look to her left, as is Anode next to Lug, in turn near BBM, ER, IDW2, and Energon Arcees doing the same. Three medics are standing around PRID Arcee: BBM Ratchet with a hand to his head an MP Ratchet medical arm out his back, Minerva with an arm around him & clenching a wrench, & a custom Velocity sticking a cylindrical accessory into IDW1 Arcee's back stack as if a syringe. That Arcee has a cable running into her back. her sword hilts, a rifle, a red jetpack, & her old Spotlight Arcee back stacks by the bunk. In front is S86 Arcee with a sword over her shoulder & holding Jhiaxus's head, while Q-TF Arcee holds his rifle. Road Rage, Sideswipe, Chromia, & Animated Arcee block the entry of Ultra Magnus. End ID.
ID 2 of 4: On the same background as before is a diorama with boxes and books assembled to resemble two small apartment homes. A door made out of a sketchpaper cardboard cover is open to the apartment on the left, with a custom Velocity (from TR Blurr) standing in the doorway. Ahead of her to the right is a custom Nautica (from WFC Chromia) being embraced by a custom Lug (from TR Rewind) while a custom Anode (from RID15 Warrior Windblade) has her hands raised in excitement. Behind her IDW2 Arcee (from WFC Nightbird) shares an embrace with WFC Greenlight while the two have arms outstretched looking at the open home. Jetpack and prime armor accessories are at the feet of Lug, Anode, Arcee, and Greenlight, imitating luggage, and Anode has a fusion cannon firing chamber/grip stored in her back turbine, also imitating luggage of a sort. End ID.
ID 3 of 4: On the same backdrop with no additional structures are just some transformer toys. To the left is PotP Elita with and TR Overlord with arms on the hips or hanging to the side, and Origins Bumblebee waving. The three are watching with pride as BW Archadis and WFC Vertebreak run towards each other, WFC Acid Storm shares an embrace with Ion Storm and Nova Storm, and BBM Soundwave hugs a BBM Howlback who has leaped onto him, head and front legs on his shoulders. Gathered by those last two are BBM Buzzsaw sitting in bird mode, BBM Ravage sitting on back legs with jaws open in a howl, and BBM Frenzy waving back at Bumblebee. End ID.
ID 4 of 4: On the same trans flag and polityscape background as before, a tense situation is depicted with a transformer diorama. On the left side from back to front is Cheetor holding the Allspark & a sword, Legacy Prime Arcee holding the Omega Lock, & the Forge of Solus Prime is seen raised by a barely visible Smokescreen, standing behind the next row of bots: Legacy Bulkhead with his mace & rotary blaster out, FoC Jazz w/ a pistol raised, & Universe Tread Bolt with shoulder cannons up & his blaster over his shoulders. Next up are S86 Rodimus with a pistol and a blast effect lit Matrix, Siege Rung, WFC Airazor, a Mistress of Flame w/ hammer, IDW1 Arcee w/ swords, & CW Pyra Magna with her ax. Last in front are Cyberverse deluxe Grimlock in Trex mode, and TR Windblade holding the T30 Stormfall sword. Opposite the bots are SG Flamewar with a rotary blaster and shield raised, Cyberverse deluxe Dead End, Kingdom Cyclonus, Siege Megs, & Ultra Slipstream with blasters raised, & Motormaster with sword. End ID.
So- First image: IDW1 Arcee did actually have a reformatting surgery of her own volition from Ratchet in MTMTE #27 Dark Cybertron Chapter 10 The Becoming, and she was happy about it, unlike the extra bullshit Jhiaxus tacked on to her surgery from him! Anode helped her out in between those events for a while. Arcees generally, trans or no, care deeply about ethics and compassion of some sort, helping people out and willing to put their all into it. Showing up for the surgery of someone they care about is the kind of thing they'd do. Magnus is there cuz' he arrested her in Spotlight Arcee. Which well, prison wasn't what she (or anyone) needed for what her situation was. Sideswipe was there because even though he didn't understand her much until the end, HE TRUSTED HER ANYWAY, stood by her choices, risked his life for her as she did for him. Chromia is there because of how close she is with Windblade and how Windblade sees things, more on that later.
The second image is because Anode & Lug had been homeless for at least part of the duration of Great War, & Arcee in An Arcee Sort of Day having had trouble getting a housing loan. We chose Nautica to help them because she eventually understood Anode and Lug’s economic reasons for theft after initially taking issue with them.
The 3rd image doesn't have to do with the characters as much as it does things from IDW1 & AVP (although Archadis, Howlback, and Overlord’s gender expansive stories come up in Ask Vector Prime): in the former, the loneliness of trans characters shown, cut off from or having lost community & understanding from people, & eventually finding family. In the latter, working together for euphoria.
The last image is a bit more abstract/cobbled together. The Decepticons in e.g. Cyberverse, sought to meddle with Cybertron's reproductive autonomy: deciding form & role for new gens ('Perfect' Decepticons) with similar assignment for MTOs in IDW1, and forced weaponization (e.g. FoC). The Autobots have also sometimes been guilty of aspects of the latter two, but they more often champion autonomy as a way of life. Remaking/reforging derived from Solus Prime's story is an important metaphor/value for Camiens like Windblade, who respected Arcee when few would. The collective souls of reemerging generations in a cycle of life and death with the AllSpark parallels that reforging view, as shown by the words of Dai Atlas in the Escape miniseries, and the Matrix of Leadership had a direct link to the AllSpark in IDW2 as well.
From all this one can extrapolate that the fate of the AllSpark, the value of recreation of self and the access to capacity to do so have particular connotations both for trans transformers and all bots, just as building reciprocity, trust, wellbeing, and protection from malpractice do. Thus, to us, it's abundantly clear that while Transformers in regards to transformers does not deal with trans issues as a copy of Earth issues [this includes how in IDW1 Cybertronian androcentrism that (trans) gals face is not the same as ours] they speak to timeless aspects of autonomy. It is no accident that a number of trans people have been drawn to these stories over the years. Apart from enjoying them for other reasons, this aspect is there. Even when Transformers media is not talking about trans people, it is often dealing with things that effect us.
And that goes on a less dire level too. Like, the fact characters usually have two or more modes that are very different & related. And body modification is a deep & regular part of these stories, something a lot of people do. And the theme of change and agency itself in stories. This is say: if you either get what's happening in our world where gender expansive folks are in dire straits but we try to make joy and love anyway, just as the trans characters in these stories do, or if you can connect with how transformers is- there is something related.
If this motivates somebody to think carefully about how political engagement choices in how our lives are effected by issues mentioned prior and gets curious about transformer or robot stories that tackle this stuff, then we've achieved something. Thank you for reading :3 <3 ⚧️ 🏳️⚧️
Image description 1 of 49: three selected Autobot Data Files from the Transformers TTRPG by Renegade Games. They read:
Anode
Xenoarchaeologist
Alt Mode: Bi-Wing Flyer
Anode began life as a blacksmith on Cybertron, but she
reinvented herself into a treasure-hunting adventurer that
specialized in digging up alien cultures and artifacts. She
has a sharp tongue and loves taking risks, much to the
chagrin of her spouse, Lug.
Arcee
Career Warrior
Alt Mode: Motorcycle
Arcee is an Autobot warrior through and through and
will shed Energon as vigorously as any other. Despite
her loyalty, Arcee enjoys defending troublemakers and
outliers. A ferocious and deadly warrior who’s an expert
in hand-to-hand combat, she is also one of the best
sharpshooters on record, never wavering from
her dedicated protection of those she has sworn
to defend.
Lug
Xenogeologist
Alt Mode: Toolkit Backpack
Lug is the bonded spouse of Anode, happily riding
along as her archeology kit and backpack until she herself
is needed. She has a deep understanding of dangerous
environments across Cybertronian territories and gladly
puts her life on the line for science and the safety of
her beloved.
End image description.
As mentioned before, we keep thinking about these data files, and wanted to focus on ttrpg motorcycle Arcee’s character a bit! So here’s part one of a story told through toy photos:
Embraces New and Old
Image description 2 of 49: A kitbash of Anode kneels in front of a computer terminal, looking over at the open passageway while alongside her Conjunx Endura Lug, who is holding eight large fuel rods in her arms. Beside the the terminal are the Golden Disks, an energy sword (from T30 Arcee), and tucked away is a tiny Blaster in cassette player mode. Behind Lug, a round disc is barely visible, with armlets above the wall, where Legacy Prime Arcee sits, watching. Down the nearest hallway, Wheeljack walks casually... End image description.
Image description 3 of 49: A zoom out of the earlier shot- Arcee and the disc are now clearly visible, and Wheeljack is walking alongside a similarly relaxed Nautica who seems to be chatting with Wheeljack. Behind the next wall of the base, Ironhide is gesturing for people to follow while Sunstreaker and Tread Bolt run ahead to turn the corner to where Wheeljack and Nautica are... End image description.
Image description 4 of 49: Anode moves her hands away from the terminal to pick up her sword, while Arcee looks on, face now visible in the frame, and the platform discs on the floor and overhanging the wall start up with blue blast effects, with Lug stepping towards the one on the ground... End image description.
Image description 5 of 49: as Lug steps away she looks over her shoulder to see BBM Wheeljack around the corner arms raised in exclamation, while Nautica stands beside him reaching for her gun on her back, wrench in hand. Sureshock rolls in her motor scooter mode to sneak between Wheeljack and Nautica, with High Wire biking himself in behind, and ER Sunstreaker and Universe Tread Bolt following with rifles drawn. Arcee continues to remain still on the top of the wall... End image description.
Image description 6 of 49: a focus in on Legacy Prime Arcee looking down from the wall (a TR Arcee packaging box) by the overhang arm, her pink tri-crest bright on her blue helm in the room light, silver face in a slight grin... End image description.
Image description 7 of 49: a focus on Anode picking up her blue energy sword in Arcee’s view- and the Golden Disks nearby, while Lug’s foot is seen approaching the activated teleporter (a ground bridge). End image description.
Image description 8 of 49: behind the second wall, BBM Ironhide moves up to join Tread Bolt, followed by Thunderhowl with his sword sheathed and shield out, Legacy Elita One with her guns holsters on her back stacks, and BBM Ratchet with his rifle on his back. End image description.
Image description 9 of 49: Anode snatches up the Golden Disks close to her chest and deflects a blast effect from Nautica with her sword, while Lug leaps into the ground bridge, and Sureshock in bot mode charge at Anode, followed by minibots High Wire and Grindor also in bot mode. Wheeljack is pushing Nautica’s gun out of position to prevent her from getting another shot in- and she has her wrench raised in exclamation. Meanwhile, Sunstreaker is about dip around the corner to aim her rifle, and looks on instead at Ironhide, who has her rifle raised aloft. Tread Bolt holds position, while Thunderhowl and Elita stop behind Ironhide, waiting... End image description.
Image description 10 of 49: Lug now gone, Anode attempts to back into the ground bridge which has now caught fire in several places, while Sureshock wrestle the Golden Desk’s out of her grip... End image description.
Image description 11 of 49 : Anode, now fully on the burning ground bridge, reaches out to the Golden Disk’s in Sureshock’s arms, while Wheeljack outstretches arms in turn towards Anode... End image description.
Image description 12 of 49: Sunstreaker has dropped her rifle, and follows in with High Wire with only hands, Grindor close behind. Ironhide looks over to get a look at what is happening, while Elita starts to rush around him, and Nautica kneels on the ground, face looking down at the floor, gun pointing down. Tread Bolt, Thunderhowl, and Ratchet hold back, Ratchet with an arm out towards Elita... end image description.
Image 13 of 49: A zoom in on Elita stepping in between Ironhide and Nautica, who is looking away. Sunstreaker’s foot rushes onward, rifle behind her. End image description.
Image description 14 of 49: Arcee, with a sniper rifle holstered on her wheel-pack, has slid down onto the ground bridge opening that Anode and Lug crossed through, one arm on the wall and the other towards the bots who had been after Anode and Lug... end image description.
Image description 15 of 49: a zoom up of the earlier shot: Wheeljack’s leg on the ground is now visible, as is Sunstreaker’s arm, - at the top of the photo the ground bridge wall arms have come loose and broken apart... end image description.
Image description 16 of 49: a zoom in on Wheeljack hitting the floor, arms around Sureshock, who is still clutching the Golden Disks... End image description.
Image description 17 of 49: a lopsided, shaky, blurry photo of Arcee on the collapsing ground bridge, the nearby terminal and near-prone Wheeljack in view... end image description.
Image description 18 of 49: just along the corner of the wall, Sunstreaker kneels, covering her head with her arm to brace from the explosion- and perhaps not wanting to see what happens to Arcee. High Wire hits the ground, and Nautica hugs Grindor close after he ran over to her. Meanwhile, Tread Bolt, Thunderhowl, Ratchet, Ironhide, and Elita wait, Ironhide scratching her own helm, while Elita looks on at Nautica, seemingly lost in thought... End image description.
Image description 19 of 49: Blaster still behind the terminal in alt mode, Sureshock, Wheeljack, and High Wire look on at the burning wreck of the ground bridge, Sunstreaker in turn looking at Wheeljack’s drooped posture. End image description.
Image description 20 of 49: A zoom in on Blaster on the ground by the terminal, Golden Disks also on the floor... Blaster’s reflection is visible on the terminal table frame. End image description.
Image description 21 of 49: Elita One’s forearm reaches over the terminal to grab Blaster... End image description.
Image description 22 of 49: An almost top down shot of squarely and roundly robust Elita One holding cassette player mode Blaster in her hands, looking down at him... the wreck of the ground bridge is visible in the background. End image description.
Image description 23 of 49: A front shot of before, Elita’s left hand is clenched in thought, a slight smile on broad-helmed face... end image description.
Image description 24 of 49: In front of a city backdrop elsewhere, Lug holds her fuel rods in hand while Anode steps towards her, sword at her side, big blast effect tears coming out of her eyes under her crested and goggled helm... End image description.
Image description 25 of 49: Engine fuselage armor half skirts turned behind her thighs, winged curvy Anode kneels, still crying, into shorter boxier backpack Lug’s chest, while Lug holds her as well around the shoulders and wings, fuel rods on the ground... end image description.
Image description 26 of 49: Lug leans in closer with her embrace now focus on Anode’s arms and her wings, head inclined as if smooching or whispering Anode’s helm... end image description.
Image description 27 of 49: Slightly blurred from close-up of the same image as before, with Lug’s lips clearly on Anode’s helm. Lug’s blocky right ankle is clearly visible. End image description.
Image description 28 of 49: similar image as before, with more visibility of Anode’s big angled ankles and her inner engine turbine-pack on her back, sword still clutched in her left hand. End image description.
Image description 29 of 49: Lug and Anode, no longer embracing, reach out to pick up the fuel rods. Anode seems to no longer have sobbing droplets down her face. End image description.
Image description 30 of 49: Lug and Anode rush off to the left, fuel rods in hand, four carried by each. End image description.
Image description 31 of 49: Anode following along with fuel rods in her arms behind off-panel Lug. End image description.
Image description 32 of 49: the point where Anode and Lug appeared is empty, only crates, towers, and an elevated highway or rail line visible... end image description.
Image description 33 of 49: same as previous image. End image description.
Image description 34 of 49: Legacy Prime Arcee appears in a plopped crash onto the ground face first where Anode and Lug used to be... end image description.
Image description 35 of 49: Arcee kneels up using the alien bending capability of her powerful torso actuators to look onward with ease in the direction Anode and Lug went... End image description.
Image description 36 of 49: she begins to change modes- her upper half turned around so her head and wheel-pack faces the ground, legs also moving... end image description.
Image description 37 of 49: her sequence continues, her motorcycle shape apparent, one leg outstretched with a wheel at the end instead of a foot... her sniper rifle is affixed ahead on her side, and head inside her fuselage. End image description.
Image description 38 of 49: nearly done actuating her motorcycle shape, Arcee sticks her kickstand down for balance, only one more armor flip is needed... end image description.
Image description 39 of 49: side armor now tucked in and her rifle near her back wheel, still pointed forward, Arcee rushes off with an initial exhaust vapor of a blue blast effect. End image description.
Image description 40 of 49: in front of a wrecked and junk covered landscape, a sitting Lug opens up her chest compartment to reveal a single pink energon cube. Also seated Anode touches her forearm with her hand, while Lug looks at her, fuel rods on the ground between them.
Image description 41 of 49: holding hands with Anode, Lug chomps down on the energon cube with her left hand. End image description.
Image description 42 of 49: a focus on Anode and Lug hands holding each other... end image description.
Image description 43 of 49: Lug hands Anode the energon cube. End image description.
Image description 44 of 49: Anode bites in on the energon cube, while Lug gently rests a hand on her engine armor skirt. End image description.
Image description 45 of 49: Anode holds Lug’s hand again, who is looking down at her own chest compartment, which is empty. Anode nonetheless seems a little cheery, looking up at the sky.
Image description 46 of 49: Lug closes up her chest, and looks over at Anode, still holding hands... end image description.
Image description 47 of 49: the two go about picking up their fuel rods again... end image description.
Image description 48 of 49: the junk covered place is now seemingly without bots again, the two Conjunx rogues gone...
Image description 49 of 49: Arcee wheels in a turn in her motorcycle mode to where Anode and Lug had eaten their last energon cube...
