AARGH! MY OPTICS!

Welcome to a very special CROSSOVER episode of AARGH! MY OPTICS! Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia are joined by Galactosh and Sleeves (also know as Orion Ghia, I know its confusing but deal with it!) from comics podcast We're Got Back Issues, plus special guest host Michael Quintesson to chat about the first 6 issues and story arch of Skybound's brand new ongoing Transformers comic book! You'll find our discussion of issues 4 to 6 here on AARGH! MT OPTICS! and issues 1 to 3 over on We've Got Back issues... Fun right!? Anyway please do join us to hear our hot takes on the latest reboot of the Transformers franchise as we talk robots, wrestling and PTSD! Hear part 1 on We've Got Back Issues https://linktr.ee/wevegotbackissues Credits Transformers created by Hasbro Inc. and arguably Bob Budiansky Creative talent: Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer and Rus Wooton Hosts: Virtual Dave, Orion Ghia AKA Sleeves, Galactosh and Michael Quintesson Editing and production: Orion Ghia Episode art: Daniel Warren Johnson (Image/Skybound) Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION] WE'RE BACK! After eleven months off and some deliberation over a topic Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia return to the podwaves to discuss a firm favourite of theirs.. Transformers Robots in Disguise! No not that one! Or that one! No the first one the one from 2001 the one that Hasbro essentially disowned for 20 years.. YES that one! YES we heard about the Haslab! YES Orion has a controversial opinion on it! Join us as we delve into the 'wacky' TV show and the random delight of a toy line that really had no right be as good as it was. Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Watch Transformers Robots In Disguise https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlcmNU-jCJ6O9V5oAqboIhpUYobts1ZUl Watch Transformers Car Robots https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPNHgwrrD-gg7B-s1sGCOFrCuCXKVlY8O Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[TOTB/DISCUSSION] Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! What's this in the toe of you Christmas stocking? Why it's the third annual AARGH! MY OPTICS! Top Of The Bots Podcast! As is customary this time of year Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia get together IN REAL LIFE and discuss the previous year.. Dave and Orion exchange presents and shoot the shit about 2023 and run down their favourite 5 action figures of the year, yeah that's right FIVE we shortened it so we could talk about other stuff is that ok with you?! We're doing this for free you know! Check out Orion and Dave's Instagram profiles for images of their choices: https://www.instagram.com/orion_ghia/ https://www.instagram.com/virtualdave26/ Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Into Music and Stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Play House Brighton (Where Override came from) https://www.facebook.com/modelshobbiestoysgames/ Jay AKA Robot Garbage https://www.instagram.com/robotgarbage/ Dave's Comics Brighton https://www.davescomics.co.uk/ Retroblasting video: https://youtu.be/Ev7IhRRFVTM?si=UU2QaQZOBhXx4KvS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION] ...And now for something completely different! Having grown a little tired of talking about a massively popular and long running toy line and media franchise, Orion Ghia retreats to a much less well remembered and far shorter lived toy line of his youth... Coleco's STARCOM. Join Orion as he takes Virtual Dave along for the ride! They discuss the cartoon, the toys, the reason it failed and lament a toy line that was, all told, is one of the great hidden gems of the 1980s. Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave, Orion Ghia/Sleeves Editing and Production: Orion Ghia/Sleeves Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter The Cartoon Series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCUzHub1p1Y&list=PLR_H6J1r9l5hKDIthbgUmZbBLyhkM2X5 Selection of Adverts https://youtu.be/Ya3UJGqy8Kg?si=GzV1ypcYb1VBH9IP Transformerland https://www.transformerland.com/wiki/starcom-the-us-space-force/starcom-the-us-space-force/ Figure Archive http://figure-archive.net/toyline.aspx?toylineID=1219 Stacom HQ http://starcomhq.com/ Triple Takeover do Starcom https://www.tripletakeover.com/1730823/12170228-48-starcom Secret Galaxy do Starcom https://youtu.be/7Fw2ZgNwlIE?si=gChoDn-NJoBBXrK6y Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION] It's TFNation time again! This time Virtual Dave and Virtual Amy go (so Orion Ghia doesn't have too) and report back on their experience on UKs biggest and BEST Transformers convention! Hear 'live' updates from the con, custom made stings by it's guests and patrons and Orion quizzing them both on that actually happened the other weekend in Birmingham! A huge thank you to everyone Dave and Amy meet over the weekend, especially those who recorded 'stings' for us... we love you all! Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave, Orion Ghia Guest Host: Virtua Amy Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Stings: Various... including Gary Chalk, Thew Adams, Jeremey Levy, Jack Lawrence, Gav Spence, Plastic Craic, Lucan Tees and more! Visit TFNation: https://tfnation.com/ Thew Adams: https://www.youtube.com/@UCP3AVTw_73U_8jMzLw5TbEg Chris McFeely https://www.youtube.com/@UCAPhTcmL-a69jL1KWOPe7GA DiamondBolt https://www.youtube.com/@UCaPGKhms7rUVjpBceeJUdUQ Gav Spence https://www.youtube.com/@UC64sMcUNRWAUlKeEceZOlRA Matrix Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhBfSJ54rro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION/REVIEW] Couldn't quite fit this all into one show, so here is part 2 of our deep dive into the Spider-verse movies. In this part Orion, Dave and special guest host Galactosh tell you what they really thought of Spider-man: Across the Spider-verse and do their version of a Spider-man movie hit parade! Tangents include, 90's comics, video games and of course... toys. Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia Guest Host: Galactosh Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music, stings and TOTP music: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION/REVIEW] So Spider-man: Across the Spider-verse FINALLY came out. So we thought it was about time we FINNALLY get around to talking about Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse and it's sequel, cos we just haven't got the time to wait for the final one! Join Orion and Dave AND returning guest host Galactosh as we talk, Miles Morales, Spider-gwen, Peter B Parker, Spider-Ham etc etc as well how nonsensical Canon Events truly are. Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia Guest Host: Galactosh Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION] Way back in episode 16 we made a rod for our back by talking about Transformers Armada, the first in a trio of Transformers franchises that would become known as the Unicron Trilogy. Thus dooming ourselves to talk about the subsequent two parts.... and this is episode covers the much maligned second part of the trilogy... Transformers Energon! We discuss the show, the 'plot' the bad dubbing, the Japanese Superlink show, the terrible pacing, the lazy theme tune, the surprisingly overlooked toys and much much more! Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia Clip of Episode 25 features: Simon Furman Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Clips taken from: Transformers Energon and Transformers Superlink Links Transformers Energon episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33ww_XWhJ-Q&list=PLDDB6F272B52928F6 Transformers Superlink episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvCBKFpf6jM&list=PLPNHgwrrD-gjUCy6_rtUK0dPAkGlP5bfy The 'missing' episode "Return! Our Scorponok": https://youtu.be/AwbazKWUzjw TFwiki page on the comic featuring AARGH! MY OPTICS!: https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformers:_Energon_(comic) Our interview with Simon Furman: https://youtu.be/BEEj48ciYM4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION] YO JOE! In this episode Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia get together with guest host and friend of the podcast James “Soap Star” Donovan to talk G.I JOE! More specifically G.I. Joe the movie. Expect insane battle cries, itty bitty ditty bags, giant stick insects, men turning into reptiles and much much more! Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia Special Guest: James "Soap Star" Donovan Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Links GI Joe the Movie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eg3JoP0a6yg Buzz Dixon Commentary: https://youtu.be/dckdGi-U2sI Yo Joe! Database https://www.yojoe.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION/INTERVIEW] Hot on the heels of Simon Furman we have yet another 'Conversation with...' podcasts, this time in the guise of TFNation Event Planner and MC David Wallace! Having worked the UK's premier on Transformers convention TFNation since it's inception David chats with us about the convention, it's origin, how he got involved, what we have to look forward to from them this year as well as massive tangents on Hasbro, DC comics, Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, various movies and his toy collecting habits. Frankly we couldn't shut him up! Seriously thank you David for coming on, it was a blast! Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia Special Guest: David Wallace Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Images borrowed from TFNation Ltd. Links TFNation Information and tickets: https://tfnation.com/ David Wallace on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kalelprime TFNation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tfnationltd TFNaton YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeamTFNation Thew Adams: https://www.youtube.com/ @toygrind Chris McFeely: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisMcFeely Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION/INTERVIEW] Continuing our new series of 'Conversations with...' podcasts, Orion Ghia sits down with the daddy of Death's Head, the genesis of Jhiaxus, the progenitor of Primus, the mastermind of Marvel UK… the one and only Simon Furman! Arguably one of the most influential creators and certainly the most consistently present and prolific throughout the now almost 40 years of the franchise, Simon chats with Orion about his work on the Transformers comics from the original Marvel run to Dreamwave to IDW... plus his creator owned work like To The Death, the forthcoming Astrobots and much more! nb. Due to a nasty chest infection Dave was unable to attend the interview... but he is better now so we have a nice chat about Simon's work and the interview afterward. Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia Special Guest: Simon Furman Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Links Simon Furman Profile: https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Simon_Furman Simon Furman Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimonFurman3 To The Death! https://getmycomics.com/ToTheDeath Astrobots Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0aoNJVZksc Astrobots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Astrobot08 Whatnot Publishing Astrobots Solicits: https://whatnotpublishing.shop/blogs/news/transformers-simon-furman-does-astrobots-whatnot-publishing-march-2023-solicits Bleeding Cool Article on Astrobots: https://bleedingcool.com/comics/transformers-simon-furman-does-astrobots-whatnot-march-2023-solicits/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[TOTB/DISCUSSION] Happy New Year! In this very special festive episode of AARGH! MY OPTICS! Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia get together IN REAL LIFE and discuss 2022. As part of their second annual Top of the Bots, Dave and Orion run down their favourite 10 action figures of the year, exchanging Christmas presents, share their highlights, Lowlights, disappointments, surprises, regrets and new years resolutions before hitting the pub! Featuring a special guest appearance from Virtual Amy and for the second year running the neighbour's dogs! Check out Orion and Dave's Instagram profiles for images of their choices: https://www.instagram.com/orion_ghia/ https://www.instagram.com/virtualdave26/ Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Into Music and Stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION/REVIEW] Ho Ho Ho! And welcome to the AARGH! MY OPTICS! Christmas Party! Join Virtual Dave, Orion Ghia and a full complement of guest hosts as they get a bit merry and discuss Transformers Arrival From Cybertron! AKA the cartoon mini-series that kicked off the franchise on TV known by most as More Than Meets The Eye (parts 1-3). We've invited Virtual Amy, Michael Quintesson AND Galactosh back into the studio for a few festive drinks and nibbles while we deconstruct this iconic piece of Transformers Media. Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave, Orion Ghia Guest Hosts: Virtual Amy, Michael Quintesson and Galactosh Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter More than Meets the Eye part 1: https://youtu.be/Y1ujpoDlgRU More than Meets the Eye part 2: https://youtu.be/NdskAJwHdLw More than Meets the Eye part 3: https://youtu.be/V6XpDmtizL0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION/REVIEW] The topic of episode 22 of AARGH! MY OPTICS! was penciled in for the longest time and was recorded weeks before the tragic passing of Kevin Conroy. Now it serves as our tribute to the definitive on screen Batman. Featuring returning guest co-host Galactosh, our discussion of Batman Mask of the Phantasm covers the all the bases. From legendary voice actors to spolieriffic toys and everything in-between. Thank you Kevin, you were the the best goddamn Batman there ever has or likely will be. Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave, Orion Ghia and Galactosh Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Theme and opening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xgDpesd428 Making of Batman Mask of the Phantasm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydv8TS2wids Tim Curry as the Joker https://youtu.be/mgnbbiENLbQ from Stay Tooned documentary https://youtu.be/OyTiWwJtvw0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION] In Episode 21 Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia discuss 2007's Transformers Animated! the often overlooked and underrated Transformers series and toyline that, for those in the know, is now a firm fan favourite. In part two of this bumper podcast we discuss the cancelation, what might have been season 4, the theme tune, the toys and other miscellaneous nonsense! Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Support the podcast at www.patreon.com/aarghmyoptics TFNation 2019 Season 4 "Trial of Megatron" Part 1 https://youtu.be/sDO_0U7Fwcc US Theme and Into https://youtu.be/8NWqFKHxW4k and outro https://youtu.be/MjbDfAEkCXw Japanese Theme and Intro https://youtu.be/CXisqAk1VKE and Outro https://youtu.be/WxP0kRHEOoo Japanese Otoboto segments https://youtu.be/Sd7NewDkgn4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION] In Episode 21 Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia discuss 2007's Transformers Animated! the often overlooked and underrated Transformers series and toyline that, for those in the know, is now a firm fan favourite. In part one of this bumper podcast we discuss the television series.... in excruciating depth! The plot, the characters, the voice actors and everything in-between. Part 2 will follow in a couple of weeks! Although it is be available in FULL on our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/aarghmyoptics NOW! Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Due to a number of factors Dave and Orion were not able to provide a new episode for September, so while we get Episode 21 ready for you guys here... have a freebie! This mini episode was recorded a while back as a short YouTube friendly Top Of The Bots but was later abandoned. This countdown of our favourite (and least favourite) Transformers opening sequences and theme tunes is one of out OPTIC BLASTS! AKA Bonus content available on out Patreon, but is now available for FREE for a limited...

[DISCUSSION] Virtual Dave, Orion Ghia and special guest host Virtual Amy all went to TFNation 2022 and they can't wait to tell you all about it in excruciating detail! TFNation is the UK's premier Transformers convention and it's been way for 2 years! Which explains our host's excitement over getting down to Birmingham and 'nerding out' with their 'people'. Hear about the panels, the dealers room, the guests, the getting lost in carparks and listen as Orion's misanthropy slowly melts. A huge thank you to everyone we met over the weekend, especially those who recorded 'stings' for us, we don't have all you names but you are loved... deeply. Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave, Orion Ghia and Virtua Amy Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Stings: Various Chris McFeely “Beyond your wildest imagination” thread https://twitter.com/chrismcfeely/status/1561079478771748865 Jack Lawrence https://twitter.com/JLawrence_Art James Roberts https://twitter.com/jroberts332 Simon Furman https://twitter.com/SimonFurman3 Garry Chalk https://twitter.com/GarryChalkTalk Cannedice Santora https://www.instagram.com/cannedice.santora/ Triple Takeover Toycast https://www.tripletakeover.com/ Go Go Andy Robo https://twitter.com/GoGoAndyRobo Thew Adams Awesome Transformers Reviews https://youtu.be/zB9cqM94EM4 Kris Cater https://twitter.com/Drivaaar Toy-fu https://twitter.com/ToyFu332 and https://www.facebook.com/toyfu332 Lucan’s Tees https://twitter.com/ZombiWorkshop and https://store.zombiworkshop.com/ Norfolk Miniatures https://twitter.com/Norfolk_Minis Chess and Claude’s Workshop https://twitter.com/Captain_Ogilvy and https://twitter.com/Claudovel and https://ccworkshoppy.shop/ Gavin Spence https://www.youtube.com/c/GavinSpenceTRDQ and https://twitter.com/GeshGav Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[DISCUSSION/INTERVIEW] Due to some rather unbelievable friend of a friend nonsense, Superstar Transformers writer James Roberts takes 90 minutes or so to chat with Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia about his work on IDW Publishing's Transformers titles including fan favourites More Than Meets The Eye and Lost Light! Amazing right!? Amongst other things James talks to us about his writing, interactions with Hasbro, toys influenced by his work, 90's indie music and his love of the Marvel Transformers comics and WHAM Bars. Supporter questions submitted by Chrissy Saunders-Browning, James Donovan, Michael McGreish and Galatosh Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia Special Guest: James Roberts Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro music and stings: Oliver Prime Outro Music: The Vidiprinter Comprehensive MTMTE/LL playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5AeUaSNwOWOABdUOtTCcnW?si=cce75513905e4017 'Lost Light' by Retronym and The Empyrean Choir https://open.spotify.com/track/3qDVuj1IVfdZAdxaUftjBy?si=sZqBsRMvT5aFlokqUCcVJQ 'Tonight We Fly' by The Divine Comedy https://open.spotify.com/track/2DPWQEfEW4ptmAQfTbZE76?si=b522bf08574b4f05 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[TOP OF THE BOTS] In this episode Virtual Dave and Orion Ghia take a break from the 'heavy' researching that goes into AARGH! MY OPTICS! and simply wang on about our vacuous opinions on Transformers leaders by arbitrarily organising into a spurious hierarchy! Everyone likes a 'best of' list don't they? Dave and Orion run down they favourite 5 Transformers leaders from across the entire franchise, musing on what make a good or entertaining leader and how they've been best represented in toy form. Expect a cordial discussion with occasional disagreements and pedanticism from you know who... also a great cover of Phil Lynott's Yellow Pearl by our ace musical collaborator Oliver Prime. Credits: Hosts: Virtual Dave, Orion Ghia and Michael Quintesson Editing and Production: Orion Ghia Intro and outro music and stings: Oliver Prime Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.