Necronomitron
@necronomitron.bsky.social
The Book of Dead Robots.
Transformers Generation Zero historian. Pre-Transformers / Takara SF Land information & translated documents.
Transformers Generation Zero historian. Pre-Transformers / Takara SF Land information & translated documents.
Most of Takara’s 1986 G.I. Joe file cards had minor changes (often related to making G.I. Joe a multi-national task force), but Snake Eyes had one especially notable addition. See if you can spot it in this English translation.
Larry Hama would be happy, and Henry Golding might deserve an apology.
Larry Hama would be happy, and Henry Golding might deserve an apology.
December 12, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Most of Takara’s 1986 G.I. Joe file cards had minor changes (often related to making G.I. Joe a multi-national task force), but Snake Eyes had one especially notable addition. See if you can spot it in this English translation.
Larry Hama would be happy, and Henry Golding might deserve an apology.
Larry Hama would be happy, and Henry Golding might deserve an apology.
In 1986, Studio OX drew the art for a G.I. Joe picture book which features Flint smoking, and Gung Ho flipping you off.
“Strongest Expert Team on Earth: G.I. Joe, Big Illustrated Encyclopedia”, English translation.
(Exporting remainder of translated G.I. Joe from previous account)
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“Strongest Expert Team on Earth: G.I. Joe, Big Illustrated Encyclopedia”, English translation.
(Exporting remainder of translated G.I. Joe from previous account)
1/2
December 10, 2025 at 10:31 PM
In 1986, Studio OX drew the art for a G.I. Joe picture book which features Flint smoking, and Gung Ho flipping you off.
“Strongest Expert Team on Earth: G.I. Joe, Big Illustrated Encyclopedia”, English translation.
(Exporting remainder of translated G.I. Joe from previous account)
1/2
“Strongest Expert Team on Earth: G.I. Joe, Big Illustrated Encyclopedia”, English translation.
(Exporting remainder of translated G.I. Joe from previous account)
1/2
1/3
The Keibunsha G.I. Joe Encyclopedia was a resource devoted mostly to the cartoon, and had no direct connection to the Comic BomBom manga.
The simply-written short comic included could be generously described as an origin story, which wasn’t really touched on in the show
(Reposting by request)
The Keibunsha G.I. Joe Encyclopedia was a resource devoted mostly to the cartoon, and had no direct connection to the Comic BomBom manga.
The simply-written short comic included could be generously described as an origin story, which wasn’t really touched on in the show
(Reposting by request)
December 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
1/3
The Keibunsha G.I. Joe Encyclopedia was a resource devoted mostly to the cartoon, and had no direct connection to the Comic BomBom manga.
The simply-written short comic included could be generously described as an origin story, which wasn’t really touched on in the show
(Reposting by request)
The Keibunsha G.I. Joe Encyclopedia was a resource devoted mostly to the cartoon, and had no direct connection to the Comic BomBom manga.
The simply-written short comic included could be generously described as an origin story, which wasn’t really touched on in the show
(Reposting by request)
BTW, because social media compresses images so much, and downloading one page at a time is tedious, I usually also post hi-res versions on Archive: archive.org/details/gi_j...
(Reposting since the URL changed after I rearranged the images in the correct order)
(Reposting since the URL changed after I rearranged the images in the correct order)
Comic BomBom G.I. Joe manga, issue 1 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
G.I. Joe manga, Comic BomBom 09/1986 - 02/1987, by Hisaji Ueda. Issue 1, English translation.
archive.org
December 8, 2025 at 7:42 PM
BTW, because social media compresses images so much, and downloading one page at a time is tedious, I usually also post hi-res versions on Archive: archive.org/details/gi_j...
(Reposting since the URL changed after I rearranged the images in the correct order)
(Reposting since the URL changed after I rearranged the images in the correct order)
The G.I. Joe manga is just like the Marvel comic, with a few key differences:
The names are different
Not many of the toys are featured
It follows an original character
It isn’t very good
With that in mind, enjoy the English translation of G.I. Joe manga Issue 1, by Hisaji Ueda.
1/5
The names are different
Not many of the toys are featured
It follows an original character
It isn’t very good
With that in mind, enjoy the English translation of G.I. Joe manga Issue 1, by Hisaji Ueda.
1/5
December 8, 2025 at 6:21 PM
The G.I. Joe manga is just like the Marvel comic, with a few key differences:
The names are different
Not many of the toys are featured
It follows an original character
It isn’t very good
With that in mind, enjoy the English translation of G.I. Joe manga Issue 1, by Hisaji Ueda.
1/5
The names are different
Not many of the toys are featured
It follows an original character
It isn’t very good
With that in mind, enjoy the English translation of G.I. Joe manga Issue 1, by Hisaji Ueda.
1/5
So, everyone already knows Takara changed Duke’s name to “Grunt”, made minor alterations to most characters’ real names (like Snow Job from "Harlan Moore" to "Harlan Nykänen"), and changed the name of basically every vehicle… but one of the stranger choices was changing “Snake Eyes”, to “Snake Eye”.
December 5, 2025 at 9:41 PM
So, everyone already knows Takara changed Duke’s name to “Grunt”, made minor alterations to most characters’ real names (like Snow Job from "Harlan Moore" to "Harlan Nykänen"), and changed the name of basically every vehicle… but one of the stranger choices was changing “Snake Eyes”, to “Snake Eye”.
I don’t know what I expected the Japanese version of Shipwreck to sound like… but somehow, it’s the actual things he’s saying which are more surprising.
December 4, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I don’t know what I expected the Japanese version of Shipwreck to sound like… but somehow, it’s the actual things he’s saying which are more surprising.
More Transformers designed by kids, from 1986
“Sniper Dester: Transforms into an M-16 assault rifle. He is the father of the Destrons”
What? That’s a GREAT idea, and it looks like he holds a full bayonet as a weapon?
When I was a kid, you just drew some extra guns on Grimlock, and called it a day
“Sniper Dester: Transforms into an M-16 assault rifle. He is the father of the Destrons”
What? That’s a GREAT idea, and it looks like he holds a full bayonet as a weapon?
When I was a kid, you just drew some extra guns on Grimlock, and called it a day
December 3, 2025 at 7:25 PM
More Transformers designed by kids, from 1986
“Sniper Dester: Transforms into an M-16 assault rifle. He is the father of the Destrons”
What? That’s a GREAT idea, and it looks like he holds a full bayonet as a weapon?
When I was a kid, you just drew some extra guns on Grimlock, and called it a day
“Sniper Dester: Transforms into an M-16 assault rifle. He is the father of the Destrons”
What? That’s a GREAT idea, and it looks like he holds a full bayonet as a weapon?
When I was a kid, you just drew some extra guns on Grimlock, and called it a day
During the 1940s, there were a surprising number of toy “Junior Air Raid Warden” novelty kits, based on preparing for when bombs would be dropped on your friends and family.
Note this advertisement makes no mention the helmet and gas mask are nonfunctional, made of cloth and cardboard.
Note this advertisement makes no mention the helmet and gas mask are nonfunctional, made of cloth and cardboard.
December 3, 2025 at 2:27 PM
During the 1940s, there were a surprising number of toy “Junior Air Raid Warden” novelty kits, based on preparing for when bombs would be dropped on your friends and family.
Note this advertisement makes no mention the helmet and gas mask are nonfunctional, made of cloth and cardboard.
Note this advertisement makes no mention the helmet and gas mask are nonfunctional, made of cloth and cardboard.
I was going to share several 1986 Transformers designs by kids… but it’s not fair to steal focus from “Dreamer”.
She’s a female transformer who changes from a bed, to a centaur, and can destroy her enemy’s brain. Also, if you want to ride her, she’ll put a pillow on her back.
She is everything.
She’s a female transformer who changes from a bed, to a centaur, and can destroy her enemy’s brain. Also, if you want to ride her, she’ll put a pillow on her back.
She is everything.
December 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I was going to share several 1986 Transformers designs by kids… but it’s not fair to steal focus from “Dreamer”.
She’s a female transformer who changes from a bed, to a centaur, and can destroy her enemy’s brain. Also, if you want to ride her, she’ll put a pillow on her back.
She is everything.
She’s a female transformer who changes from a bed, to a centaur, and can destroy her enemy’s brain. Also, if you want to ride her, she’ll put a pillow on her back.
She is everything.
There are days when Buzzer is the most relatable character in G.I. Joe.
December 1, 2025 at 1:55 PM
There are days when Buzzer is the most relatable character in G.I. Joe.
The Mini-Spies began their lives as Takara’s Mecha Senshi (Englishized as “Mech Soldier”), a series of low-cost robots, originally developed and sold to Takara by a company called “Koma Co. LTD”.
(Photo of display box from a collector way more hardcore than me)
(Photo of display box from a collector way more hardcore than me)
November 26, 2025 at 11:54 PM
The Mini-Spies began their lives as Takara’s Mecha Senshi (Englishized as “Mech Soldier”), a series of low-cost robots, originally developed and sold to Takara by a company called “Koma Co. LTD”.
(Photo of display box from a collector way more hardcore than me)
(Photo of display box from a collector way more hardcore than me)
Yes, even I think this is excessive.
No, it didn’t stop me.
All 12 versions of the 1985 Mini-Spies.
No, it didn’t stop me.
All 12 versions of the 1985 Mini-Spies.
November 26, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Yes, even I think this is excessive.
No, it didn’t stop me.
All 12 versions of the 1985 Mini-Spies.
No, it didn’t stop me.
All 12 versions of the 1985 Mini-Spies.
1/7
The paint job on this boxer’s face is driving me mad. Even on a tripod, his face still looks blurry.
Zoom in and you see it’s just the way he’s been airbrushed. It’s like an optical illusion, was he painted to look like he’s in motion?
The longer I look, it actually starts to hurt my eyes…
The paint job on this boxer’s face is driving me mad. Even on a tripod, his face still looks blurry.
Zoom in and you see it’s just the way he’s been airbrushed. It’s like an optical illusion, was he painted to look like he’s in motion?
The longer I look, it actually starts to hurt my eyes…
November 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
1/7
The paint job on this boxer’s face is driving me mad. Even on a tripod, his face still looks blurry.
Zoom in and you see it’s just the way he’s been airbrushed. It’s like an optical illusion, was he painted to look like he’s in motion?
The longer I look, it actually starts to hurt my eyes…
The paint job on this boxer’s face is driving me mad. Even on a tripod, his face still looks blurry.
Zoom in and you see it’s just the way he’s been airbrushed. It’s like an optical illusion, was he painted to look like he’s in motion?
The longer I look, it actually starts to hurt my eyes…
Part of the 2000’s Microman revival, “Military Force” was a series army builder droids, utilizing a standardized body, with tons of mix and match accessories.
Each figure had an environment or mission specific theme, and they were endlessly customizable.
Each figure had an environment or mission specific theme, and they were endlessly customizable.
October 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Part of the 2000’s Microman revival, “Military Force” was a series army builder droids, utilizing a standardized body, with tons of mix and match accessories.
Each figure had an environment or mission specific theme, and they were endlessly customizable.
Each figure had an environment or mission specific theme, and they were endlessly customizable.
The internet has always existed in some form or another.
October 23, 2025 at 8:16 PM
The internet has always existed in some form or another.
1980’s memo to Hasbro from Larry Hama, pleading to let him say new figures are just older figures who dress differently now, to lighten his burden on adding new huge numbers of new characters to the comic every twelve issues.
Reproduced from Mark Bellomo's Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe - 2nd Edition
Reproduced from Mark Bellomo's Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe - 2nd Edition
October 22, 2025 at 9:55 PM
1980’s memo to Hasbro from Larry Hama, pleading to let him say new figures are just older figures who dress differently now, to lighten his burden on adding new huge numbers of new characters to the comic every twelve issues.
Reproduced from Mark Bellomo's Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe - 2nd Edition
Reproduced from Mark Bellomo's Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe - 2nd Edition
In a stunning example of the lack of oversight Takara used to exercise over fiction, in the 1986 G.I. Joe manga, artist Hisaji Ueda made the baffling decision to make the focus of the comic a completely new main character: “Tate Musashi”.
The rest of the G.I. Joe team basically becomes his backup.
The rest of the G.I. Joe team basically becomes his backup.
October 22, 2025 at 5:50 PM
In a stunning example of the lack of oversight Takara used to exercise over fiction, in the 1986 G.I. Joe manga, artist Hisaji Ueda made the baffling decision to make the focus of the comic a completely new main character: “Tate Musashi”.
The rest of the G.I. Joe team basically becomes his backup.
The rest of the G.I. Joe team basically becomes his backup.
Artistic accuracy is important. That’s why I don’t display Onyx Prime in bipedal OR centaur mode.
Obviously, the correct option is to have the front legs just kind of hang out in front, so you aren’t quite sure what the hell is going on.
Obviously, the correct option is to have the front legs just kind of hang out in front, so you aren’t quite sure what the hell is going on.
October 20, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Artistic accuracy is important. That’s why I don’t display Onyx Prime in bipedal OR centaur mode.
Obviously, the correct option is to have the front legs just kind of hang out in front, so you aren’t quite sure what the hell is going on.
Obviously, the correct option is to have the front legs just kind of hang out in front, so you aren’t quite sure what the hell is going on.
Blast Effects can be a lot of fun, but unfortunately no matter how much I love them, they will never love me back.
Let’s talk about plasticizer migration.
1/6
Let’s talk about plasticizer migration.
1/6
October 20, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Blast Effects can be a lot of fun, but unfortunately no matter how much I love them, they will never love me back.
Let’s talk about plasticizer migration.
1/6
Let’s talk about plasticizer migration.
1/6
tfw Target will pay you $15 to add a random Hot Wheels car to your order.
October 19, 2025 at 2:22 AM
tfw Target will pay you $15 to add a random Hot Wheels car to your order.
Translating pop culture jokes is exhausting.
October 17, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Translating pop culture jokes is exhausting.
And it only took 40 years!
I really enjoy the new Deluxe Insecticon “Venin”, but I’m still perplexed by the silly name change Hasbro went with.
Obviously it’s supposed to be “Beetras 04: Battle Expert Emergency Task Ranger Anthromobile System, Beet-Zeguna”.
But apparently that was unavailable?
I really enjoy the new Deluxe Insecticon “Venin”, but I’m still perplexed by the silly name change Hasbro went with.
Obviously it’s supposed to be “Beetras 04: Battle Expert Emergency Task Ranger Anthromobile System, Beet-Zeguna”.
But apparently that was unavailable?
September 28, 2025 at 2:58 AM
And it only took 40 years!
I really enjoy the new Deluxe Insecticon “Venin”, but I’m still perplexed by the silly name change Hasbro went with.
Obviously it’s supposed to be “Beetras 04: Battle Expert Emergency Task Ranger Anthromobile System, Beet-Zeguna”.
But apparently that was unavailable?
I really enjoy the new Deluxe Insecticon “Venin”, but I’m still perplexed by the silly name change Hasbro went with.
Obviously it’s supposed to be “Beetras 04: Battle Expert Emergency Task Ranger Anthromobile System, Beet-Zeguna”.
But apparently that was unavailable?
In Takara’s 1983 Tokyo Toy Show catalog, the prototype art of Cassette Man shows the original Micro Change Rumble / Frenzy cassette deco was… Enemy?
September 27, 2025 at 2:31 AM
In Takara’s 1983 Tokyo Toy Show catalog, the prototype art of Cassette Man shows the original Micro Change Rumble / Frenzy cassette deco was… Enemy?
Remembering Ron Friedman
September 23, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Remembering Ron Friedman