“The Music of Christmas” By Steven Curtis Chapman Nearly fifteen years ago, I started writing this exact same musical exploration on LiveJournal. The song that inspired that journey was first in the list, and it’s the same today — “The Music of Christmas” by Steven Curtis Chapman. I first heard this song over twenty years ago, when a brand new radio station started broadcasting. While they waited to debut their true format, they played Christmas music 24/7, and I enjoyed it so much, I made it one of my presets on my car radio. This was one of the songs
Continue readingThe Music of Christmas – The Prelude
Ah, it’s the holiday season. Everywhere you look, people are getting ready for their holiday celebration — or multiple holidays and/or celebrations. One of the things I love about the holidays is the music. I’m a big fan of Christmas music… within reason. I used think it was a bit ludicrous for radio stations to flip to their 24/7 Christmas music format before Thanksgiving, but it’s 2020, time is meaningless, so hey, radio stations playing holiday music in mid-November? Sure, why not? That aside, now that it’s December, I can truly enjoy the music of the season. So each day
Continue readingThanks for Twenty Years! A Look Back at Two Decades of ASM
July 13, 1999: –NEWS RELEASE from SkyJammer Enterprises– I’d like to announce the latest offering from SkyJammer Enterprises. It was to be the latest offshoot of CMTF, but instead, it has taken a life of its own. Introducing — Altered States Magazine, the newest online ‘zine about Transformers and Transforming robots. It’s unique because it’s not a parody or a news-only site. No, it’s opinions and fun stuff that you’ll enjoy reading — and contributing to. It will cover all aspects of Transfandom — from G1 to BW and beyond. And with that, ASM was born! Twenty years ago, I
Continue readingHasbro Unveils Transformers 35th Anniversary “More Than Meets The Eye” Campaign
TRANSFORMERS is 35 years old this year. In fact, today marks the 35th anniversary of what could be the first print ad for the robots in disguise. Thirty-five years is a lot of robots, a lot of battles, a lot of fun — and Hasbro wants to celebrate all that encompasses the brand. The kick-off features Angela Bassett, the voice of SHATTER from BUMBLEBEE, in the video you can see embedded below. Future videos will showcase creators, celebrities, and others involved throughout all of Transformers history. Hasbro, in the press release shown below, invites fans to post their own videos
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Quantum Leap: Thirty Years of Putting Things Right
Or “Where the Hell Is My Reboot Already?” So, thanks to a tweet by Mill Creek Entertainment, I was informed that yes, I was old going to die soon. I mean, “Quantum Leap” premiered exactly thirty years ago, March 26, 1989. Wait wait wait wait 30 years ago today? OH MY GOD I'M OLD AND WILL DIE SOON. Wow. 30 years. I remember being at my grandparents' house and watching the premiere on the TV in their bedroom after Easter dinner. Didn't know then it would become one of my favorite shows. https://t.co/N4LtnKOITa — ASM (@ASMzine) March 26, 2019
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In Memory of Larry DiTillio, The Man Who Helped Save Transformers
Larry DiTillio, writer and story editor of “Beast Wars”, has passed. We celebrate his life, as he was the man who helped save Transformers and gave so much to us.
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Comic Review: Transformers (2019) #1
Everything New Is Old Again…. When the announcement was made that IDW was going to end their run of Transformers comics, there was a very loud reaction from the fans. When James Roberts posted his last soundtrack listing, people were saddened. Even before the final page was read, tributes came flooding in from huge numbers of readers. I was not one of them. Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against IDW’s the content or quality of the stories spanning over a decade. Nothing against Roberts or Barber or anyone who put fingers to keyboard. Nothing against the artists or letterers
Continue readingHasbro and ASICS Team Up for New GI Joe Shoes at Foot Locker
Friday morning, Hasbro and ASCIS announced a new partnership. I admit, I wasn’t surprised that a deal was made to create shoes and apparel featuring a Hasbro brand; that’s nothing new. It’s a way to get a Hasbro property out into the world past the toy room or aisle. I was extremely surprised when I heard that the property in question is GI Joe. Unfortunately, the Joe line has seen better days. There’s been no new retail product in a long time, the convention had its last hurrah last year, and the club is starting to wind down operations. It’s
Continue readingToy Fair 2019 – Jakks Pacific – Mega Man
Part time ASM reporter, full-time Transformers Wiki Guru Extraordinaire Matthew Karpowich was at Toy Fair this past weekend and ended up at the Jakks Pacific booth, and he thought we would like these pictures of their Mega Man offerings. “Mega Man Fully Charged” is the name of the toy line. Mega Man himself comes with his normal buster, but if you buy other toys in the line, you can use their busters to transform and upgrade Mega Man! It’s a great play pattern that really mimics the video game. Pictures by Matthew Karpowich
Continue readingToy Fair 2019 – NECA – Miscellaneous
Finally for NECA, have a few miscellaneous pictures from their booth including “The Golden Girls”, Marvel, DC, and music! Pictures by Steve and Penelope Kushnir
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