Steel Core
Steel Core is a fictional character made by FansProject in 2012 for their Warbot line as a third party Transformer.
Contents
FansProject
Steel Core is an original third party Transformer character created by FansProject. Steel is the smaller "Heart Master", while the larger car is called Corer. They combine into Steel Core.
Steel Core is officially an original character, not an homage to any pre-existing Transformers character, although many of its features are similar to other Transformers. His alternate mode has been compared to War Within Optimus Prime and Grimlock. His robot design is often seen as inspired Armada Overload. The Heart Master gimmick is similar to a Powermaster. His colors are nearly identical to Revenge of the Fallen Rollbar.
Development
The toy that would become Steel Core was first teased in January 2011 as HeartMaster HM-001, which was scheduled to come out in 2011.[1]
A prototype of Heart Master was displayed by TFsource in the dealer room at Botcon 2011.[2]
Unpainted prototype images of Heart Master were posted on the FansProject web site in July 2011.[3]
Color art of Steel Core was posted to the web in May 2012.[4]
Promotional images of Steel Core were released on the internet comparing him with Defender and a prototype of Assaulter.
FansProject displayed Steel Core at TFcon 2012, where they promoted a prototype with a different head and chest, resembling Armada Overload. Some Steel Core figures were sold by FansProject at TFcon 2012.
On October 4th, 2012 FansProject Core offered orders for a limited number of Warbot three-packs that included Defender, Steel Core and Assaulter. They sold out by the next day.[5]
On October 27th 2012 FansProject Core announced a second limited run of Steel Core and the development of a trailer.
Promotional photos for the Dr. Wu P-38U weapon depicted it being held by Steel Core.
Reception
In the moonbase2 podcast for January 9th, 2011 Dave and Andy mentioned the upcoming "Heartmaster" toy.[6]
The WTF@TFW podcast for May 11th, 2012 selected Steel Core as one of the New Picture Picks.[7]
The WTF@TFW podcast for June 22nd, 2012 selected Steel Core as one of the New Picture Picks.[8]
The Radio Free Cybertron podcast for June 28th, 2012 discussed Steel Core as part of the Third Party Roundup.[9]
In the TF Beyond podcast for July 19th, 2012 Steel Core was covered as a topic.[10]
The Retro Robot Radio podcast for October 5th, 2013 covered FansProject Steel Core trailer in the news.[11]
Steel Core was featured in the 2013 toy reference book Transforming Collections by Philip Reed.[12]
The Cybercast podcast for October 12th, 2013 discussed the FansProject Steel Core and his trailer in the news.[13]
- Steel Core gallery at TFW2005
- Steel Core review at Youtube by peaugh
- Steel Core review at Youtube by Vangelus
FansProject comics
In the instruction comic called "Corelation" Steel and two of his small friends help Defender against the attacks of his enhanced clone. Steel calls in Corer for the fight and defeats the clone. The story directly follows the story of comic that came with Defender.
The story "Alpha Incorporated" features Assaulter, Defender and Steel Core.
Toys
- FansProject WB002 Warbot Steel Core (2012)
- An original third party Transfomer mold created by FansProject. Comes with "Corer" who turns from car to robot, and the smaller Steel, who becomes his heart. Also comes with a rifle, knife and comic. Corer can tow the FansProject G3 Trailer in vehicle mode. Steel Core was released through FansProject Core in July of 2012. 800 units assigned for sale through the site were sold out before they shipped.
- FansProject WB003 Warbot Assaulter (2012)
- A third party Transformer homage to Broadside was created by Fansproject in 2012. This toy features three forms just like the original Broadside toy.
- Assaulter shipped with a selection of small non-transforming vehicles that resembled other FansProject characters, including Steel Core and Defender.
- FansProject Steel Core Trailer (not released yet)
Gallery
FansProject Defender and Steel Core
Steel Core in car mode with driver
FansProject Steel Core and the G3 Trailer
Steel Core with alternate head and chest at TFcon 2012
FansProject Steel Core and Revenge of the Fallen Rollbar
Render of Steel Core with trailer
FansProject Steel Core with a Dr. Wu P-38U weapon
References
- ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/3rd-party-unlicensed-41/fansproject-website-update-2011-causality-insecticons-171220/?catid=searchresults&searchid=12884
- ↑ http://tformers.com/transformers-botcon-2011-new-third-party-transformers-products-sighted/15851/news.html
- ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/3rd-party-unlicensed-41/new-images-of-fansproject-heart-master-172744/?catid=searchresults&searchid=12885
- ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/3rd-party-unlicensed-41/fansproject-wb-002-warbot-steel-core-175035/?catid=searchresults&searchid=12887
- ↑ http://tformers.com/transformers--warbot-defender-3-pack/18568/news.html
- ↑ Dave (January 9th, 2011). "moonbase2". http://moonbase2.libsyn.com (Podcast). moonbase2. http://moonbase2.libsyn.com/episode-137.
- ↑ Vangelus (May 11th, 2012). "WTF@TFW". http://www.tfw2005.com/ (Podcast). TFW2005. http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/wtf-tfw-transformers-podcast/597323-wtf-tfw-199-may-11-2012-a.html.
- ↑ Vangelus (June 22nd, 2012). "WTF@TFW". http://www.tfw2005.com/ (Podcast). TFW2005. http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/wtf-tfw-transformers-podcast/619357-wtf-tfw-205-june-22-2012-a.html.
- ↑ Brian Kilby (June 28th, 2012). "Radio Free Cybertron". http://www.tfradio.net/ (Podcast). TFW2005. http://www.tfradio.net/podcast/2012/6/30/radio-free-cybertron-06282012.html.
- ↑ TJ Duckett (July 19th, 2012). "TF Beyond". http://kumastyledesigns.com (Podcast). Kuma Style Designs. http://kumastyledesigns.com/three-doods-3d-podcast-4-july-19th-2012-approx-61-min/.
- ↑ Mathew Ignash (October 5th, 2013). "Retro Robot Radio". http://www.youtube.com/user/RetroRobotRadio?feature=watch (Podcast). Mathew Ignash. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olXJXXCXwjQ.
- ↑ Reed, Philip (2013). Transforming Collections. ISBN 978-1-62620-496-6.
- ↑ Josh (October 12th, 2013). "Cybercast". https://www.youtube.com/user/G1Hexatron?feature=watch (Podcast). Josh. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O4AjJOD4MU.
