Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:48PM9 comments ›
Thu Jun 18, 2009 — by Marc Alan Fishman
Transformer Title Fights: Bumblebee!
Transformers... more than meets the eye. This, we know. But what happens when the mighty all-spark malfunctions and sends the Michael Bay Monstrosities to wage war against the Autobots and Decepticons of our shared youth? We've got a few battles in our back pocket ComicMixers... let's let 'em duke it out, shall we?
Round One: Plucky Bug or Caring Camaro?
Next to Optimus, he's the fan favorite who always wants to be your buddy. Touted as the recon vehicle of the G1 series, Bumblebee took form as the lovable VW Bug. And while yes, he was the “little brother bot” to most of the other ARK crew-members... Don't shortchange his abilities in battle. Because of his smaller stature, Bumblebee uses fuel 1.8 times more effectively than his Autobot brethren. Suffice to say the gas guzzling Michael Bay Bot would not be able to boast. And with his trusty sidearm laser blaster... he's got some firepower to back his sharp tongue!
Who'd want to be a compact anyways? Some twenty years later, young Bumblebee gets a bit of an upgrade for his movie version... taking form as a new (and still impossible to get in the dealer) Chevy Camaro. But what about a quick wit? As you recall, the lad is mostly mute, as he was “damaged” during battle. Of course this time around, Bumblebee will be repaired! Voiced by ComicMix's own Amazing Mark Ryan (writer of the amazing series The Pilgrim), who will hopefully add the spunk to the character so missed in Michael Bay's first outing. The movie incarnation of the 'Bee comes to the party with a powerful “combat mode” that the G1 'Bee won't see coming. So, let's open the gates and let 'em duke it out!
So... who takes the crown in the yellow metal throw-down? Generation One's Spunky Chunky Clunker, or Shia LeBeouf's LeBaby? Only you, the cosmically-conscious Comic Mix commenters can conclude! Now cast your votes!
... And don't forget to vote in the previous round, for your favorite Vocoder-voiced-villain Soundwave!
Jump to comments (9) 
More News from ComicMix
- The Point Radio: 'Twilight New Moon' Exclusives11 hours ago, 0 comments
- Review: 'Saga of the Swamp Thing Book Two'12 hours ago, 0 comments
- Why continuity matters, dammit16 hours ago, 4 comments
- Capcom Announces 'Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition'1 day ago, 0 comments
- 'Angel: After The Fall' fan film1 day ago, 0 comments
- ComicMix Six: Best Geek-Themed Games for the Holidays1 day ago, 1 comment
- Review: 'Logan's Run' on Blu-ray3 days ago, 0 comments
- ComicMix and IDW on the iPhone and iTouch3 days ago, 0 comments
- 'Global Frequency' back to TV?3 days ago, 3 comments
- Review: 'Kevin Smith 3-Movie Collection' on Blu-ray4 days ago, 1 comment
Comments (9)
Brian Sokol (2:19 PM on Thu Jun 18, 2009)
G1 Bumblebee is by far more relatable. Bay's presentation of Bumblebee borders on that of a pet. For some reason, his vocal processors are only partially repaired in the new movie, as he does still occasionally use his radio to talk. G1 Bumblebee was definitely more humanesque.
However, Since we're talking fights here, Bay's Bumblebee wins hands down. His hand turns into a gun and he has missile launchers on his shoulders. He also dives head first into hand-to-hand combat, and is apparently pretty good at it. As I recall, G1 Bumblebee had the snot kicked out of him rather easily in the mine in the opening miniseries. Also, Bay's Bumblebee is a few feet taller, assuming Spike and Sam are about the same height, and given the size of the vehicles they transform into.
However, all in all, I wouldn't trust either one of them to guard me.
Eric Garneau (4:19 PM on Thu Jun 18, 2009)
I'm going to reverse my position from yesterday, I think. After all, we're in a recession. Given the impressive fact about fuel efficiency you quote above (good find, Marc!) I will definitely take the G1 Bumblebee. I will not be sinking any of my hard-fought dough into a Camaro, thank you (unless it is a Bang Camaro).
Seriously though... I really dislike Michael Bay's Bumblebee. I think he is my least favorite part of the first movie. I hate that he can't talk and I really hate that for some reason even though he was fixed at the end of the first movie, like Brian said above me, he's not all better this time around. I guess he's kind of comic relief, and I definitely laughed at some of the music gags but... I would pay double the ticket price to have Bumblebee be a real adaptation of his G1 counterpart (and voiced by Dan Gilvezan... who was also Sunbow's Spider-Man in the 80s by the way!).
Kyle Gnepper (7:33 PM on Thu Jun 18, 2009)
I had some issues with Bay's version, but for some reason I just cant get over things talking in radio songs.
Over all, classic bug all the way.
Anonymous (8:19 PM on Thu Jun 18, 2009)
Despite his size, Old School Bumblebee was a bad ass. G1 all the way.
James M. Gill (12:29 AM on Fri Jun 19, 2009)
As much as I love me my G1 Transformers (and I do, trust me), I've gotta give the edge in a knock-down, drag-out fight to Bay's Bee. He's bigger, more aggressive, and has way more firepower (and, really, how many Decepticons did G1 Bumblebee take out? Bay's knocked out Barricade (though why he didn't finish him off kinda puzzles me, since the movie Autobots are a lot more casual about killing than their G1 counterparts) and took down Brawl/Devastator/Whomeverthehellitwas.) So, yeah, it pains me to say it, but movie Bumblebee wins.
Patrick Hughes (11:54 AM on Fri Jun 19, 2009)
I am G1 all the way here. I like Bay's bumble bee enough but G1 is the coolest! Plus VW Bug! I need not say more!
Way (11:31 AM on Sat Jun 20, 2009)
New Bumblebee, G1 was a relatable character but he was small and didn;t pack a punch.
New Bumblebee is much stronger, in ROTF he kicks serious ass at many points in the film.
I voted G1 on Soundwave & Devs
armedstar (9:57 AM on Mon Jun 22, 2009)
G1 Bumblebee was bad ass and now he's a vetran with tons of experience. Its not the size its what u do with it ;)
James M. Gill (12:14 PM on Wed Jun 24, 2009)
Just feeling the need to chime in again now that I've seen ROTF; movie Bumblebee takes it. He kicks so much ass in this movie that it makes it a no-brainer.