Shafter (TFcon)
Shafter is a fictional character created by iGear in 2012 as a third party Transformer available at TFcon. A second toy of Shafter was made by X-Transbots in 2014. He is an homage to the 1989 Autobot character Erector.
Contents
iGear
Shafter is an homage to the Transformers Autobot Erector created by iGear as a TFcon 2012 exclusive and by X-Transbots as to TFcon 2014 exclusive.
According to his tech specs Shafter is incredibly brave, as well as being intelligent and strong. He lacks speed and endurance.
According to officials from TFcon Shafter's left gun is named James Westfall and the right one is named Dr. Kenneth Noisewater. This is a reference to the 2004 film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
Box art for iGear Shafter was done by Silas Zee.[1]
Development
The iGear Shafter is a recolor of Rager, who was designed by Bal Dillinger.
In April 2012 TFcon announced that one of their 2012 exclusive figures would be a recolor of Rager called Shafter.[2]
The first images of Shafter were released in May 2012.[3]
Shafter was released at TFcon in July 2012.
The X-Transbots Shafter is a recolor of X-Transbots Krank.
Reception
The WTF@TFW podcast for May 24th, 2012 selected a picture of Shafter as one of the New Picture Picks.[4]
In a multi-forum survey taken at the end of 2012 the Rager/Shafter was judged to be the second best third party Transformer of 2012 that cost under $50.[5]
Shafter was featured in the 2013 toy reference book Transforming Collections by Philip Reed.[6]
- Shafter review at Youtube by Vange1us
- Shafter review at Youtube by peaugh
- Shafter review at Youtube by PurdueAv2003
Fictional biography
When his teammates need something special built, they call Shafter. After a stunning defeat and exile from the Savage Land, Shafter was determined to redeem himself. Called on by Stronghold to completely redesign all fortifications after the breakout of Toxin and his companions, Shafter is hard at work making sure every possible hole is plugged tight. His small size allows him to access many areas others can’t, but belies a strength that allows him to accomplish even the hardest jobs. Shafter’s mastery of civil engineering allows him to construct a solution from the ground up, drawing inspiration from the monuments of his home world and the wonders he’s found on Earth. Shafter’s abilities at design aren’t just limited to blueprints, either, and his cunning strategies have turned defeat into victory numerous times. Even with all his defensive skills, Shafter is no stranger to the front lines. Shafter is durable enough for the most toughest jobsite, and can shrug off enemy fire while “giving as good as he gets” with his powerful hydraulic arms or his induction rivet-guns. Shafter intends to make sure that the next enemy spy looking for trouble finds a lot more than they bargain for, and to prove once and for all that great things can come from small packages.
TFcon comics
Shafter was a main character in the TFcon 2012 comic story "Hardworker". In this story he rescues Garrison from Shadow Bat then meets up with a group of displaced Seibertron warriors.[7]
Toys
- iGear Shafter (2012)
- A recolor of Rager, colored to look like Generation 1 Erector. Tursn from robot to semi-truck. He comes with two guns and is packaged in a box with a collector card. Limited to 500 pieces sold exclusively at TFcon 2012. [8]
- This toy was recolored into Black Rager.
- X-Transbots Shafter (2014)
- A recolor of Krank, colored to look like Generation 1 Erector.
Gallery
iGear Shafter biography
Generation 1 Erector and iGear Shafter toys
iGear's Bee 02 and Shafter
References
- ↑ http://www.silaszee.com/shafter.html
- ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tfcon-2012-exclusive-toy-will-be-shafter-174956/?catid=searchresults&searchid=13058
- ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/3rd-party-unlicensed-41/tfcon-2012-exclusive-shafter-first-images-revealed-175091/?catid=searchresults&searchid=13058
- ↑ Vangelus (May 24th, 2012). "WTF@TFW". http://www.tfw2005.com/ (Podcast). TFW2005. http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/wtf-tfw-transformers-podcast/608510-wtf-tfw-201-may-24-2012-a.html.
- ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-3rd-party-discussion/742740-best-third-party-transformers-2012-survey-test.html
- ↑ Reed, Philip (2013). Transforming Collections. ISBN 978-1-62620-496-6.
- ↑ Daniel Arseneault (w), Johnson (p), Wang (col), Cristof Hideg (ed). "Hardworker" TFcon (July 27th, 2012), TFcon
- ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/3rd-party-unlicensed-41/tfcon-2012-exclusive-shafter-in-package-image-175210/
