The Cliffjumpers

A few months ago, when I still had funds for buying toys and models, I was able to get these three versions of an iconic, but lesser known Transformers character, Cliffjumper:

Armored hero with car theme

Just sharing a drawing of another original character. I plan to ink and color it later. This will go to Deviantart when it's done.

I tried to design his armor in a way that's like a car. Somewhat like a transformer. hehe

I have always liked the way the Japanese design their costumes in tokusatsu (live action science fiction shows). The design often combine particular motifs with aesthetic angles and shapes on the armor. The effect is, just as I said above - they look like transformers. Humanoid shapes with vehicle parts on them that fit. I am trying to capture that on my character designs.

Fall of Cybertron Optimus Prime

We're often used to Transformer character Optimus Prime in his Earth truck mode. But now here's a sort of flashback of him.

Spiral Zone: Proudly made in Japan

One thing I discovered about the Spiral Zone series is that it was actually based on a Japanese series, also called Spiral Zone.

Here's the Japanese version of the Zone Runner, simply called the Monoseed:

Here's the basis for Commander Dirk Courage's Rimfire, the Monoseed 2:

And it even had SD (Super Deformed) toys!

Even Spiral Zone is an example of how many great ideas start in Japan, the most notable being Transformers and manga/anime.