Computer Warriors
Encyclopedia
Computer Warriors was a toy
line made by Mattel
from 1989-1990. The storyline behind the toys involves a top-secret government
computer
which unleashes evil Virus
troops. These troops, led by Megahert, hide in everyday household
objects and have the goal of world domination by taking control of computers. The government computer then produces good soldiers, the Computer Warriors, led by Romm to battle the Virus troops. The Computer Warriors tagline
ran "Expect the unexpected!"
Unlike many toylines of the time, Computer Warriors did not feature a tie-in animated series. There was only a single pilot episode, Computer Warriors: The Adventure Begins, which was later released on VHS. Directed by Bill Kroyer
(who also co-wrote with Carl Macek
) it featured his signature style of integrating wireframe CGI
with traditional hand-drawn animation.
The sets commonly featured hinged
, fold-out parts that revealed a micro command center
inside with decals covering the inner walls and a chair for the characters to sit in. The figures
themselves featured four points of articulation
- two in the hips and two in the shoulders. While substantially small, these sets offered a commendable amount of detail in both the figure sculpts and interior decals.
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
line made by Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
from 1989-1990. The storyline behind the toys involves a top-secret government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
which unleashes evil Virus
Computer virus
A computer virus is a computer program that can replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. The term "virus" is also commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, including but not limited to adware and spyware programs that do not have the reproductive ability...
troops. These troops, led by Megahert, hide in everyday household
Household
The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....
objects and have the goal of world domination by taking control of computers. The government computer then produces good soldiers, the Computer Warriors, led by Romm to battle the Virus troops. The Computer Warriors tagline
Tagline
A tagline is a variant of a branding slogan typically used in marketing materials and advertising. The idea behind the concept is to create a memorable phrase that will sum up the tone and premise of a brand or product , or to reinforce the audience's memory of a product...
ran "Expect the unexpected!"
Unlike many toylines of the time, Computer Warriors did not feature a tie-in animated series. There was only a single pilot episode, Computer Warriors: The Adventure Begins, which was later released on VHS. Directed by Bill Kroyer
Bill Kroyer
William "Bill" Kroyer is an award-winning director of animation and computer graphics commercials, short films, movie titles and theatrical films. He and Jerry Rees were the main animators for the CGI sequences in Tron...
(who also co-wrote with Carl Macek
Carl Macek
Carl F. Macek was an American writer and controversial anime pioneer and producer of the 1980s and 1990s.-Robotech and Harmony Gold USA:...
) it featured his signature style of integrating wireframe CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
with traditional hand-drawn animation.
Movie
When a mechanical arm at Parallax Computer Systems drops a software cartridge and inserts itself in its place, it creates a power surge that turns four programs into viruses: Megahert, the leader; Indexx, his advisor; Null, a lackey, and the uncontrollable Minus. The Parallax Computer responds by activating four Computer Warriors, Romm, Gridd, Micron, and Scanner. All eight ride on circuitboard gliders. The Computer Warriors chase the viruses into a telecomm port, and Romm believes the viruses neutralized in the explosion, but they have escaped into the material world and discovered the ability to convert household objects for their own use. Scanner discovers this and the Computer Warriors learn to do the same, capturing the viruses each on his own CD Rom. In a cliffhanger ending that was never resolved, the boy who owns the computer takes the discs to a friend with a better computer, with the Computer Warriors racing through the bitstream to get there first.Sets
- MVP - Soccer TrophyTrophyA trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics...
transforms into "radar rover." Includes "Null" figure. - Beamer - FlashlightFlashlightA flashlight is a hand-held electric-powered light source. Usually the light source is a small incandescent lightbulb or light-emitting diode...
transforms into "flash craft." Includes "Skannar" figure. - LeadHead - Pencil SharpenerPencil sharpenerA pencil sharpener is a device for sharpening a pencil's writing point by shaving away its worn surface. Pencil sharpeners may be operated manually or by an electric motor.-History:...
transforms into "techno-jet." Includes "Minus" figure. - AdAll - CalculatorCalculatorAn electronic calculator is a small, portable, usually inexpensive electronic device used to perform the basic operations of arithmetic. Modern calculators are more portable than most computers, though most PDAs are comparable in size to handheld calculators.The first solid-state electronic...
transforms into "techno-tank." Includes "Dekodar" figure. - Invasion of the Viruses - BookBookA book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
transforms into "evil rocket base." Includes "Indexx" figure. - Pepsi - PepsiPepsiPepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
CanBeverage canA beverage can is a tin can designed to hold a specific portion of a beverage. Beverage cans are made of tin-plated steel or aluminium.- History :...
transforms into "hyper hoverjet." Includes "Gridd" figure. - Clock - ClockClockA clock is an instrument used to indicate, keep, and co-ordinate time. The word clock is derived ultimately from the Celtic words clagan and clocca meaning "bell". A silent instrument missing such a mechanism has traditionally been known as a timepiece...
transforms into "sybcro-blaster." Includes "Micronn" figure. - Computer Base
The sets commonly featured hinged
Hinge
A hinge is a type of bearing that connects two solid objects, typically allowing only a limited angle of rotation between them. Two objects connected by an ideal hinge rotate relative to each other about a fixed axis of rotation. Hinges may be made of flexible material or of moving components...
, fold-out parts that revealed a micro command center
Command center
A command center is any place that is used to provide centralized command for some purpose.While frequently considered to be a military facility, these can be used in many other cases by governments or businesses...
inside with decals covering the inner walls and a chair for the characters to sit in. The figures
Action figure
An action figure is a posable character figurine, made of plastic or other materials, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, video game, or television program. These action figures are usually marketed towards boys and male collectors...
themselves featured four points of articulation
Joint
A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support, and are classified structurally and functionally.-Classification:...
- two in the hips and two in the shoulders. While substantially small, these sets offered a commendable amount of detail in both the figure sculpts and interior decals.