The Ultimate Hero: G1 Transformers Fortress Maximus (1987)

"Prepare for war, but strive for peace." ~Fortress Maximus
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Special Thanks:
Hans Chow for the original Fortress Maximus "Walk On" artwork: / hans_chow
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Intro theme "Broke Down Automobile" by
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Website: seanpinchin.ca
Available on iTunes
#fortressmaximus #transformers

[@davidmreyes77]

Years ago I stumbled upon images of a Fort Max with G1 Worlds Smallest Transformers placed on him and it looked pretty cool scale wise.

[@omegasupreme1970]

I have Brave Maximus. but mine is from Korea. The Korean one has a sheet instruction sheet but the reverse is a "mat" that has city streets on it and RR tracks for the trainbots to use...

[@robvegas9354]

Great Video. I remember seeing the box at our local toyshop back in about 1988. Absolutely unbelievable how massive it was. He was about 90 aussie dollars at the time which was a bit more than my pocket money would allow which was more a thottlebot price range LOLs. Fort Max was awesome in the comics especially that last battle with time travel insanity Galvatron. Good times. Thank you for another fantastic video Michael!!!

[@MichaelMercy]

Glad you enjoyed it! That final battle between Max and Galvatron in the comic was great.

[@drewwilliams9332]

I remember saving to get this as a kid. I can't explain the amount of happiness this toy brought me when I bought him.

[@brandonandcharlene9527]

Ok, since 1987, Ive struggled to try to convince people just how powerful Fortress Maximus is, just because he strives for peace, this does not make him weak, in fact it makes him one of the strongest transformers of all, having the will to hold back. This video perfectly conveys how I've felt about the character since 1987. Thank you so much for your time.

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@HERITAGE12]

this has been a grail of mine since is was 16. thanks to the way international markets work max NEVER went on sale here in Ireland (or the uk) though we DID have the opportunity to partake in a raffle for the chance to win him as one was given to every toymaster shop in the country for that purpose. man i can still see the display in the window in my minds eye. i never thought i'd get him till i snagged the encore re release a few years back. thank god for the internet and adult wages :D :D :D he's pure nostaliga to me and has pride of place in the collection.

[@TheNightBadger]

We got stiffed on a lot of really great TF's back in the day. If I recall correctly, no Predacons either. We got his nemesis though - I can still recall Scorponok being in Argos...

[@tubetop123]

The amount of research you do for these videos is unbelievable. Thank you

[@MichaelMercy]

Thanks, glad you enjoy them.

[@dyl_pickle16-mta48]

The best Autobot ever made. There’s a store not far from where I live in Sylvania Ohio that sells retro toys. They have G1 Fortress Maximus on grand display as soon you walk into the building. There was even a custom painted Shattered Glass version there too.

[@MichaelMercy]

Great one to display. He's not just a toy, he's art!

[@wonderwaffle93]

“Groceries and bills come first” Honestly the best advice you can give out to us toy collectors especially with prices nowadays. Also YES Fort Max has to be my favorite Titan aside Scorponok. Funny enough I got the “mini” Fort Max knock off that was floating around a few years ago. Can’t wait till the reissue drops for the titans return, and eventually work my way to a G1 Fort Max (probably the reissue as that one seems more prominent and easier to get) Great video as always! Always love your dive in both toy and lore

[@MichaelMercy]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Enjoy the reissue and good luck with the hunt for an affordable G1 version, and with the groceries and bills! 😊

[@RabbiJoeInJerusalem]

I wasn't expecting a 37-year-old toy to inspire so many profound thoughts about war and peace. Thanks, Michael!

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@afj3283]

Great video. I still have mine from 1987. A great heavy bot. So many play options. Still one of my favorites.

[@MichaelMercy]

Thanks! 🤝

[@audiebavington8789]

Love this video. I enjoyed Fort Max in the Titans Return cartoon. Especially watching him fly towards Trypticon, not wanting to partake but doing what needs to be done. Thanks Michael!

[@MichaelMercy]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@craigdavidson5613]

My home country never got this in, for some unknown reason. We got Scorponok, but the local catalogues never included it, at least as far as I know. Yet ever since seeing it in the G1 series, I always wanted to get one, somehow. Thankfully the opportunity came with the Encore rereleases. I benefited from Amazon, and was able to get one of these for cheap for a birthday present. Lucky!

[@filmandpage1138]

I’ve been eyeing up the Fort Maximus on big bad toy store. I’m really tempted to get it.

[@muigokublack6487]

Fort Max reminds me of The Doctor. Strong and has terrible destructive power but would rather talk or run away than fight. That's a bot I can respect. "I now know why this machine who had fought with gods and demons why he'd run away from us...He was being kind."

[@MichaelMercy]

Great quote.

[@valentino1215]

Still have mine as a kid. Complete

[@garinsparks7041]

OUTSTANDING as always my friend

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@artfire28]

The TF trilogy anime are some of my most fond memories. Headmasters introduced me to Train bots and Sixshot. Fortress Maximus had a cool Master sword.

[@seabassmastermatt80]

Thankful for your channel, this review and my parents for purchasing fortress maximus for me when i was a kid. 🙏

[@MichaelMercy]

Lucky! God bless your folks. Must have been incredible to have as a kid.

[@sean9115]

I recall seeing this in the shops as a child never got my hands on one so nice seeing a video about it!

[@carlambroson8872]

Was never really a transformers guy in my youth, but I love listening to your videos where you talk about toys with such passion!!

[@jsttv]

Excellent video as always. Well done bumpers. The History Channel should hire you for future episodes of The Toys that built America.

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@jsttv]

@@MichaelMercy 🤝

[@bertieo.4379]

I grew up with beast wars as my intro to transformers, but when I learned about G1 and the lore I was amazed by Fortress Maximus. Fort Max and the other city titans were the first to be added to my nascent collection. Needless to say Fort Max is the centerpiece of my collection.

[@gijoedavec-straightfromthepit]

What a massive toy. So great that you have one in your collection in such nice shape. I have seen them at shows often broken or missing a lot. 👍

[@zetaandnazboojunkie]

Great video. I have Takara's Encore version of Fort Max, which came with the swords.

[@MichaelMercy]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. That was a great reissue. Very close in quality and colours to the original, plus the swords were a huge plus.

[@zetaandnazboojunkie]

You're welcome. I also bought the massive sticker upgrade sets Toyhax released for both G1 and Titans Return versions.

[@MichaelMercy]

@@zetaandnazboojunkie That G1 set looks amazing. Love all the windows in city mode.

[@omegasupreme1970]

I have 4 fort maximus(maximi?) The original G1 the Korean version of brave max and the encore fortmax..all are awesome... god I need help. I wish I could get grand maximus but he is way out of my price range

[@bingbongtoysKY]

great video! definitely needed it today!

[@MichaelMercy]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. Have a great Sunday!

[@AlexSeesing]

Probably the most complex personality of all Autobots and therefor my favorite I never owned

[@tardiscommand1812]

Anyone ever collect the toys from the back of a comic? Like the X-ray glasses, sea monkeys, that cardboard log cabin, stuff like that.

[@lizsargent1554]

Picked mine up at the eatonCenter in toronto, Canada all the way back in nov.’87

[@MichaelMercy]

Epic mall. Haven't been in it in decades.

[@211inprogress]

This is brilliant, I didn't even know about this. What a Great transformer. 🇬🇧

[@corbietron4831]

great work these videos are amazing

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@clobberonline6812]

Great video about a childhood grail !!!

[@AnthonySanchez-k9s]

That is the best review of a bot that I am trying to complete. Thanks

[@MichaelMercy]

Good luck!

[@TomMSTie1138]

"Spaceship Bruce." LOL, cue the Monty Python references.😄

[@MichaelMercy]

Nice one, Bruce! 😆 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mH-lqmR6Zr5jnpY

[@p.a.u.l.555]

Awesome upload Michael, Fort Max is a behemoth of a toy

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@Steven-ip8xo]

Hi Micheal and good afternoon Great video about the Ultimate Autobot Hero Fortress Maximus(1987), keep them coming, Also your video was magnificent, Also Fortress Maximus, Cerebros And Spike Witwicky are three of my best and favorite Transformers characters of all time, Also The Best Autobot ever made. Also Probably the most complex personality of all Autobots and therefore my favorite I never owned. Also Awesome upload Micheal, Fort Max is a Behemoth of a toy, Also your latest Retrospective of Fortress Maximus was superb, keep them coming, Also when I get the time I'll pre-order G1 Fortress Maximus from either Big Bad Toy Store or Amazon later this year, Also your Review of G1 Fortress Maximus was incredible, Also that was fantastic I still have more respect for Fort Max.Also Fortress Maximus is one of the best Titan Autobots of all time, but also one of the Best Autobot Headmaster Commander and Leaders of all time, Also Fortress Maximus is one of the best City Bots ever, Also the following bio and Handbook entry is: Fortress Maximus Allegiance(as of 2024): Autobot, Subgroup(as of 2024): Headmaster, Function/Primary Function(as of 2024): Headmaster Leader,Guardian of Nebulous, Autobot Component(as of 2024): Cerebros, Human Component(as of 2024):Spike Witwicky(6'3"(cah), 225ibs(caw)), Transformation(as of 2024):1.City/Battle Station,2.Space Cruiser,/Spaceship, Fortress Maximus also remote controls two armored maintenance vehicles, 1. Gasket and Grommet who combine to form Cog Cog is also under Fortress Maximus control and often acts as his surrogate on the battlefield when in city mode. Cerebros Allegiance(as of 2024):Autobot, Function(as of 2024): Pacifist, Guardian of Nebulous,Headmaster Leader,Human Component(as of 2024): Spike Witwicky, Autobot Component(as of 2024): Fortress Maximus, Transformation(as of 2024): Mini city, Spike Witwicky Allegiance(as of 2024): Autobot, Function/Primary Function(as of 2024): Human Ambassador, Autobot Component(as of 2024): Cerebros, transformation/Exosuit(as of 2024): Cerebros Head, Also thank you for sharing Micheal, keep up the good work stay safe out there in Canada have a goodnight Nerdmaste and TILL ALL ARE ONE.🙂🟢🦸🇺🇲💪🏋️🇨🇦 7:22 pm.

[@jtom68]

When I was a kid all I ever wanted was Fortress Maximus but never got one but got Trypticon and the Arielbots as runners up Love your channel

[@masterfarr8265]

I would love to own the G1 fig

[@joehenry9546]

Always such well done and detailed histories of cool toys. Love it.

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@Brainstorm_2002]

Im so excited to get my hands on the TR reissue this august

[@MichaelMercy]

Congrats & enjoy!

[@hackusprime]

Another great, informative, and enjoyable vid my man.

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@ericsonofjames4573]

I remember a RID transformer, maybe megaton turning into a giant head with spider legs, he could fit on the G1 fort max and take over his body

[@MichaelMercy]

Yup, that was Megabolt: tfwiki.net/wiki/Megabolt

[@Hektols]

I wonder if the Titans Return reissue will be available outside the US.

[@171QA]

Cool.

[@evsportsman5478]

Awesome! Thank you

[@ZedMazaus480]

I really love this figure, and have very fond memories of the one I had. Especially since my Dad got him with me at a yardsale when I was really little. I absolutely miss it since most of it got stolen almost a year & half ago with most of my collection. All I have left of it is Cog, Cerebros, and headmaster spike. The jerk even took the titans return version too, but left my other 3 titan classes behind. (Arc, Scorpinok, and Predaking) It kinda feels like they were trying to hit me where it hurt the most. I can say if you're thinking about getting him. He is really worth it. Even if you have to get him piecemeal over time.

[@MichaelMercy]

😔

[@ZedMazaus480]

@@MichaelMercy Yeah that's the feeling I get thinking about loosing the situation. ...well more sad than pensive actually. It was one of the more important things that I had to my Dad that reminds me of him....😢

[@Darrendrozdoff]

I recently acquired this guy hes so big but so awesome

[@MichaelMercy]

Congrats!

[@tommieboi707]

I was able to find the brave max version at sf chinatown back in the early 2000s. Bought it for around 80 bucks. I regret selling it but it was definitely an awesome toy. City mode beats out the titans return version in every way.

[@SamGuthrie1977]

Michael, another good video. I never had Fort Max as a kid, but I bought an Encore Reissue a few years ago. He was expensive, but worth it. The Head Masters mini-series can be somewhat hard to find. I rarely see them for sale in comic shops or online. I've often wondered if the print run was lower than the regular Transformers series.

[@1koolkat76]

Great review of Fort Max. I’m lucky to own all 3 versions currently (Fortress Maximus, Brave Maximus, and Grand Maximus). I’m still at awe when looking at it. I will have to put all of them into city mode along with Omega and Metroplex.

[@TheNightBadger]

That's no toy... that's a battle station...

[@MichaelMercy]

The Battle Station Bruce! 😊

[@jimbodeek]

It’s too big to be a battle station!

[@lokithegecko9434]

I am very happy for everyone who is looking forward to that reissue.

[@brianstepnowski5775]

Love the video

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@songsan807]

Fortress along with Metroplex are two of my favorite G1 TF. Back then it cost an arm and leg to buy one of them. Last time at a convention saw a Fortress for $700 so that is still an arm and leg to get one :).

[@FinnGreenland]

This is one of my most wanted and unwanted thing of all time. Like this thing is sick as hell, but where am i supposed to put this thing? My shelves cant even fit RID 2001 Omega Prime.

[@MichaelMercy]

With some toys, you make room. Fort Max is one of those toys.

[@supermoduleprime]

Awesome review as always.

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@RejonMunchausen]

walk on? surely HEAD-ON!!!!

[@MichaelMercy]

That too. 😊

[@tardiscommand1812]

Call me odd but my absolute favourite moment and voice is Fortress Maximus. Just the way he says it has stuck with me forever now. Was awesome to hear it again!

[@singagency1481]

I miss the car elevator.

[@sergioinoa1421]

WOW!!!! So impressed!!! Love the in depth video!

[@MichaelMercy]

Thanks Sergio, glad you enjoyed it.

[@CarriganCooper]

Awesome transformers toys Michael mercy

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@MochaProductionsMTL]

Love your videos Michael. Your use of sound effects in the video are solid. I highly recommend that people hit that SUBSCRIBE button here.

[@MichaelMercy]

Thank you, glad you enjoy them. 🤝

[@trevorjenkins2176]

Fortress Maximus has two brothers, Optimus Maximus and Gluteus Maximus

[@foresta-2684]

That was fantastic I have more respect for fort max now

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@Firedrake-SP]

I wish FM's alt mode was a Sphinx (or a Brachiosaurus).

[@lcathey5523]

When Fort Max was build, I think he became One with Cerebros. telling him in his thoughts about peace and understanding about each other, When Cerebros is out Fortress Maximus is in his Thoughts, When Fort Max is out, it’s Cerebros.

[@Springfield1225]

What version of the cartoon are you using here and where can i find it?

[@MichaelMercy]

Japanese Headmasters cartoon from 1987. They put out a DVD of it with English subtitles a few years ago. I edited in Arthur Burghardt's lines from the Robotix cartoon.

[@christianengest7283]

I always wonder about one thing when spike transforms into the head how does he bend like that without breaking his legs and back?

[@MichaelMercy]

Lots of yoga.

[@GuiOmania]

Very nice review Michael .After watching this video i really want a G1 Fortress Maximus but i dont have the money and the space i think instead i will order the small undersize ko from alliepress its only 30$ cad dont gonna hurt my pocket 😂

[@MichaelMercy]

🤝

[@michaelpalmer5351]

SPACESHIP BRUCE FOREVER!!!!!

[@MichaelMercy]

😁

[@scottcampbell9515]

Where are the English clips of Fort Max from?

[@MichaelMercy]

Canadian exclusive Headmasters show. 🇨🇦

[@scottcampbell9515]

@@MichaelMercy Interesting. Thanks!

[@prowlus]

Robotix

[@MichaelMercy]

@prowlus 🏆

[@danielguardiola6492]

How much was this in 1987?

[@MichaelMercy]

Too much. About $100US back then which would be $270US today.

[@OfficialTransformers]

⚡️⚡️GREAT STUFF⚡️⚡️I’m glad I found your channel I look forward to seeing more of your videos📺 I do mostly TRANSFORMER Stop Motion 🎬📸🎞️ I hope you enjoy my animation‼️ 20:39

[@t2former786]

Titans Return version looks awesome in robot mode but otherwise the G1 version is SOOOOO MUCH MORE interesting. More features. Better alt modes. I was and still am disappointed in the Titans Return Fotress Maximus.

[@robertfrancois6064]

We all know that You are the real G1 hero

[@CorbinLeonard-rp4et]

Auto bot,s combined and help

[@TurtleTrackin]

Good character. Just too darn big for a kid to play with (or store). I wanted FM when I read the comic. Then I saw the toy. I was seriously not interested in it as a kid because it was just too darn big. I had the same reaction to the USS Flag.

[@carrigancooper9562]

Do more amazing videos on transformers toys

[@MutantsInDisguise]

I love and resonate with pacifists who have a hidden warrior within themselves, ready to fight for those they care about.

[@MichaelMercy]

✌️💪

[@Takeshi357]

Sunbow was pretty bad with writing pacifist characters. First Aid was like that too, although maybe not quite as bad.

[@gazz_N7]

😘👍

[@MichaelMercy]

🤙