Hey everyone. I was watching a behind-the-scenes video today about the design of Roger Rabbit and the designer talked about his influences. What was especially interesting is that he wanted to subconsciously evoke the American flag in his design.
And that got me thinking about something I have often wondered about. Lion-O was designed in the 80’s in the midst of the Cold War, is it possible his color scheme of Red, White and Blue is somehow designed to evoke patriotism? Keeping in mind that part of what made Thundercats stand-out was its intention to be pro-social programming, I don’t think its entirely far-fetched. Then again, we will never know for sure. And I’m not married to the idea myself, I just think its an interesting coincidence.
The same could be said for Optimus Prime, and while I know his toy was imported from Japan, I am uncertain if his color scheme was already in place or if it was changed once Hasbro bought the toylines that eventually became Transformers.
Can anyone else think of American properties from the 80’s that had main characters that were red, white and blue?
Cy-Kill from Gobots.
Ultra Magnus from Transformers.
If I am not mistaken wasn’t the very first original Lion-O design done in a red-ish brown outfit?
The original Optimus Prime (Convoy in Japan) was red and purple-ish navy colour with chrome parts. The mould got recoloured several times in the Japanese Diaclone line. Black, yellow, green etc.
Ultra Magnus who shares part of the Optimus mould was a blue and black truck and his trailer was grey with Red, black and blue parts but he was recoloured to have an all white cab and the car transporter to be red, white and blue.
G.I Joe was probably the most patriotic of all the 80’s cartoons. Even with Action Force UK release maybe that is why it wasn’t as big of a hit show here in the 80’s.
If I remember correctly, there was a phone interview about 5-10 years back with Masters of the Universe mini-comic writer Gary Cohn, in which he mentioned there’s an entire industry devoted to figuring out how to imprint on the minds of youngsters via media, etc.
I’ve thought the same thing about Transformers. Optimus Prime’s a truck tractor (representing the blue-collar hero, like B.J. & The Bear), painted in patriotic colors (yet emphasizing red, for communism), and given a voice like John Wayne (eliciting the heroism and moral fortitude of yesteryear). If that doesn’t engender instant patriotism and social approval, I don’t know what would. Consider also that Autobots are basically the UAW, and their logo is red (again, communist/socialist, like most unions). Think of the language used on the Tech-Specs, too: Megatron is vilified for being a “leader”, while Optimus Prime is lauded as a “commander” – a switch from the typical American belief in strong character and resistance to dictated authority. There’s lots to play with, and none of it is particularly far-fetched, once you know the history of propaganda.