#48: Razorclaw (1986)

One of my favourite books whilst growing up was my copy of the collected Transformers: Universe comics, a profile by profile look at all of the Transformers in the Marvel comics (and by extension the toys and cartoons) up until 1986. It was great to see all of the characters, and get to know them through their personalities, strengths and weaknesses. However, it was a bit rubbish to see characters that you knew weren't going to get released in the UK. One of these was Razorclaw. And considering how cool both he and the Predacons were, this majorly sucked.

In the cartoon, the Predacons were frequently shown to be badasses. The cartoon played this up to the hilt. While most of the Predacons didn't get too much screen time, Razorclaw did, and even got an episode to himself (kinda) with season 3's Nightmare Planet, where he and Springer had to team up against the machinations of the Quintessons, who were brainwashing Daniel into having bad dreams, and then making those dreams take actual form. Razorclaw made it very clear that he hated the Autobots, and hated Springer, and only teamed up in order to survive. Even then, he was being a badass, and I loved him for it. Aside from that, he was very much just part of the Predacon team, but they were awesome, so it's really ok.

In the comic, he was no less of a badass, but again, just part of the team. They worked with Shockwave, betrayed Megatron, and worked for Ratbat, but sadly they were soon relegated to the role of buffoons (but not before Razorclaw shot a soldier dead. No, really.), as they got outwitted by the Throttlebots. This actually happened.

IDW has yet to see any true Predacon badassery (they've come close, though. They're currently in capitvity, so it could happen, but I wouldn't expect it anytime soon. But that's ok. Razorclaw will just keep on waiting, until his time to strike comes near...

Razorclaw's toy just looks so dense and tough and durable, like the Transformers version of a Tonka toy. Sadly, I've never owned or played with any of them (one day, Glenn, one day). But that will hopefully change next year. I'mma save up and get them, if possible. Hopefully. We'll see.

Razorclaw is my favourite Predacon. There, I said it. This is mainly because of Bob Budiansky's marvellous profile of him in Transformers: Universe. Seriously, go check it out. And fall in love with Razorclaw, Rampage, Tailgate, and even Arblus. He's in there too.