The Encore line from Takara is continuing to build steam with releases upcoming in the next few months. The next release includes a love it or hate it mold, which shared duties with Ironhide and Ratchet. In this blog, we'll look into the first release of the two characters, Ironhide.
History
Ironhide was originally released as a black Nissan Onebox vannette in late 1982. Upon release in Italy, he also gained the familiar red coloration. This is the color that stuck when Hasbro imported the figure to the US as part of the original G1 lineup. Interestingly enough, the Nissan C20 (the US version of the Vanette) was released in 1985. Ironhide's US patent was filed in August of 1983.
In the animated series, Ironhide was always the rough & tough veteran of the earthen Autobots. He was one of Optimus' oldest friends and warriors and would take a bullet for him at any given time, as illustrated in "Roll For It". If not seen in battle, he could also be seen exchanging dialogue with his "twin" Ratchet while seeking repairs. Ironhide could be alittle hotheaded, but always was the first to apologize if he was in error. Although listed as Security in his tech spec, there were times where Ironhide would also show leadership capability, such as "A Prime Problem". Ironhide's voice was played by Peter Cullen. Ironhide was brutally killed within the first 15min of Transformers-The Movie by Megatron.
In the Marvel world, Ironhide had basically the same function as he did in the animated series. He lasted through Target:2006, then was unseen and supposedly deactivated in the Underbase battle until reactivated with Nucleon by Grimlock. Although Ironhide had one appearance in the Marvel world using his toy-correct "Sled" look (with his head peering through the windscreen in robot mode), later versions of Ironhide in the Marvel comic; as well as the animated Ironhide; showed him in his humanoid type form. Also, Ironhide never used his "battle station" gimmick, which was the roof of the vanette.
Figures
Ironhide was first released as a black colored Diaclone in Japan in late 1982. He was later brought to the US using the red variant sold in Italy. With the original, the top half of the van (or camper for lack of a better term) formed a battle station while the chassis transformed into the robot. A drill attachment could be used on his chest. His next variation came in 1995 with the G2 release shown as a pickup truck. Meanwhile, Europe and the South Pacific saw a Power Master version of Ironhide in 1996 guised as a HumVEE (remember, the vehicle that was formally only for the military?)
In 1997, Ironhide was brought into the Beast Wars universe as a Mastadon. He was part of the Magnaboss gestalt group that included Silverbolt and Prowl. However, he wasn't given much of a profile. In 2000, his G2 mold was reused for the RiD series. He was known in Japan as Ox. Besides one speaking appearance in "Betrayal of Mirage", Ironhide was normally a support character.
In 2004, Ironhide was used for the Energon arc. He was portrayed as a completely different character from his G1 days, being a rash and young warrior whom just joined the Autobot ranks. The very next year, BotCon released a redeco'ed TowLine as a G1 colored Ironhide. Much anticipation was held that the Alternators Skids mold would be used as an Ironhide, but this never came to fruition. There is rumor that Ironhide may be part of the revamped Classics 2.0/Universe lineup in 2008.
Trading History
Ironhide can be one of the harder figures to come by complete, has he had several pieces that came with him. Also, the liberal use of chrome foil also makes it hard to fine a pristine model. Prior to the announcement of the Encore series, Ironhide had no official reissue in the US. Prices could be seen in the range of $10 for a loose and incomplete figure up to $105 for a complete unit.
Currently, you can find a complete Ironhide figure for as low as $35.00. For $100, you can even get him with the original box and clamshells. Should you be completely off the rocker and wish for an AFA grade figure, you can spend close to $1000! The Encore figure will retail at $34.99
