TRANSFORMERS: Revisiting The Characters Of Generation 1 - CHROMEDOME

TRANSFORMERS:  Revisiting the Characters of Generation 1

    "A battle plan is only as good as it's programmer" - Chromedome, 1987. 

AUTOBOT

Name - CHROMEDOME

Function - Computer Programmer

Nebulan Partner - STYLOR

Series Debut - 1987 / Wave 4

Sub-Group - Headmaster

BACKGROUND...

    For a long time, Chromedome was content with his job "crunching numbers" at the Institute For Higher Programming on Cybertron.  When a Decepticon attack left it in a pile of smoking ruins, Chromedome decided to join the Autobots with a hope to put an end to the war.  

    Chromedome was one of the members of an Autobot team that ended up on the planet Nebulos.  Teaming up with some of the native Nebulan people, the concept of "Headmaster technology" was soon created.  This provided a unique opportunity for the two species to work together - the Nebulan would be able to transform into the head of the Transformer.  This would enhance the abilities of the Transformer in various ways.

    When it was time to receive their Headmaster partner, Chromedome was paired with the Nebulan - Stylor.  This is a bit of an odd combination.  Where Chromedome prefers to do his work for the Autobot cause behind the scenes and go unnoticed.  The vain and egotistical Stylor on the other hand, would rather stand out from the pack and be seen.

    Working together only seems to be successful for Chromedome and Stylor when they are in battle.  The two can be quite a formidable team.  Yet, in the quiet times, they would probably rather go their separate ways.

    Chromedome transforms into a Cybertronic sportscar.  While he is fully capable of driving himself, Chromedome often allows himself to be driven by Stylor.  In vehicle mode he can reach speeds of 478 mph and is armed with dual laser rifles that he also uses as a robot.  

MY THOUGHTS...

    I never had any of the Autobot Headmasters back in the day.  I just was a bit on the fence with the whole Headmaster storyline.  I've said it before, that while I liked the Headmaster concept, I really felt the entire Nebulos / Headmaster story should have been separate from the main line.  It's already been documented that several groups of Autobots fled Cybertron during the war.  While Optimus Prime's group were marooned on Earth, why not another story with a team of Autobots on Nebulos?  

    Anyways, the figures seemed pretty cool, but I only picked up a few of the Decepticon Headmasters back in 1987.  By the 2000's, it seemed the Headmaster concept had faded and been all but forgotten.  Yet in 2018, they came back in a big way!  The Titans Return storyline featured most of the original Headmaster cast back in action.  Plus, now many other characters from the Generation 1 series had a head that could transform into a "titan master" like Optimus Prime and Astrotrain.

    Chromedome here is represented by the 2018 Titans Return version.  This figure is an amazing update over the original.  The "blocky" G1 style has been replaced with a sleeker look and superior articulation!  It would appear Chromedome has gotten a new lease on life!  An excellent figure!

    (Information on the character's lore was taken from the Sunbow Transformers cartoon series, including the Movie and the figure's original Tech-Spec.)

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