Toy Purchases July 2012

Wow, where did the time go? I blinked and 4 months passed by. Back to catching up with this blog.

July 2012 was a pretty big month for purchasing toys. While I'm usually on the road in June and July, mostly for work, I managed to pick up a bunch of stuff, mainly due to preorders and San Deigo Comic-con. July 2012 is noted for the release of the first wave of the Fall of Cybertron toys, final completion of my Transformers Animated toy collection, and a few Transformers Prime toys.

*Image Courtesy of Tformers.com

Top of the list is the notable SDCC Hasbro Exclusive Transformers toys for 2012. They were the early bird "Rust in Piece" Transformers Prime Terror-con Cliffjumper figure and the Fall of Cybertron Bruticus Set in G1 color scheme. First off is the Terror-con Cliffjumper figure. This figure has a dubious origin as it was originally announced in 2011 under the Transformers Prime First Edition toy line. When that line sputtered out due to what really is considered a mismanagement of channel marketing and sales by Hasbro, the figure was shelved for future release. At the time most Transformers toy collectors did not know if the figure would ever see the light of day until Botcon 2011 when collectors found out the figure was going to released not once but twice. The first release is the SDCC 2012 exclusive figure. The second would be the re-release of the Transformers First Edition Prime series in Fall 2012.

The origins of this figure is also quite unique as well. Spoiler alert, in the first episode of the Transformers Prime animated series, Cliffjumper is killed by Starscream. In the following subsequent episode, Cliffjumper is resurrected as a zombie Transformer by Megatron using a fragment of Dark Energon. Poor Cliffjumper has become the first Transformer zombie in the 30 years of Transformers fandom!

Regarding the figure, "Rust in Piece" Transformers Prime Terror-con Cliffjumper, comes in a special box and insert. The box is created to mimic the characters torso and the inner plastic carton that holds the figure is molded and painted in the colors of Cliffjumper's head. Essentially, this give the collector a mini bust of the character to display.

For the toy, the figure takes the First Edition Cliffjumper mold and adds a new damaged paint scheme with a new zombie head. Additionally, the "Rust in Piece" Transformers Prime Terror-con Cliffjumper comes with 2 exclusive accessories, including a clip on shard of Dark Energon that attaches to the figures chest and a separate larger Dark Energon shard piece that the figure can hold. It's important to note that this is the same exact figure that was released earlier in April 2012 under the Takara Tomy Arms Micron Transformers Prime toy line. The only difference is that Japanese exclusive released figure was molded in Translucent Purple, did not come with any accessories but came with his own Arms Micron mini-con. Overall, I like the more show accurate figure than the Japanese version but this figure is not overly necessary for someones Transformers Prime collection unless you think Transformers zombies are cool.

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

The second SDCC 2012 exclusive release is the Fall of Cybertron Combaticon team which combines to form FOC Bruticus. The set includes Blast Off, Brawl, Onslaught, Swindle, and Vortex in what is considered the game accurate G1 color scheme. This massive 6 figure box set was much anticipated and sadly sorely disappoints. While the individual figures are great representations of their in-game selves, the color schemes lack a certain authenticity with the original G1 color scheme. Additionally, the combined form of Bruticus is probably one of the most awful combiner Transformers to be released in some time (that's saying a lot considering the horrible Energon/Super Link combiner era). Sadly, Bruticus' arms and legs are disproportional to his body. Some of this is due to the fact that every single Combaticon figure are deluxe class leading to Onslaught (who forms the torso and chest of Bruticus) being too small and thin for his position on the team.

Another issue that exasperated the above situation is the fact that all the other Combaticons are too big when they transform into their limb forms. The original G1 Transformer Scramble City Transformers were made up of what we can consider a single Voyager class figure and 4 scout class figures which lends the size deferential to a perfectly proportioned combiner Transformers for Menasaur, Superion, G1 Bruticus, and Defensor. It's sad that the lessons learned in 1985 have been completely forgotten in 2012, 27 years later.

*Image Courtesy of TFW2005

On top of that, the set was a limited exclusive that many had to stand in line for up to 6 hours for and shell out $100. AND ... the one I got was defective!!! Yup. My Brawl figure has a huge chunk missing from his head where one of his horns would be. It looks like a piece of plastic was removed from his head while the part was being taken off the plastic sprue during assembly. What a pile of poo.

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

Moving on, I picked up 2 Transformers Prime figures in July. I preordered The Takara exclusive Jet Vehicon and also picked up Airacnid at SDCC. I was surpirsed that Jet Vehicon was so similar to the Robots in Disguise Car Vehicon. He's basically the same figure, with wings and a Arms Micron accessory buddy. Overall, this figure is a good toy though and I'm super happy to add another Vehicon to the Decepticon Army. 

Airachnid on the other hand is pretty horrible. She has a great helicopter mode, no arachnid mode at all, and a basic articulated robot mode. Her robot form is more basic than most of the Cyberverse 2-inch figures that price range easily half as much as this figure's MSRP. While my previous rant about FOC Bruticus was bad, Airachnid should not have been released with her crappy articulation and bad engineering. This figure is probably the worse deluxe class figure, per value and design, that has been released in the last 15 years. Wow, what a turd ... and sadly my dumb ass paid $20 for her at SDCC. Damn my completionist impulses.

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

I also finished up my Transformers Animated collection by purchasing on eBay the last figure I needed Black Arachnia. I have to say this figure is pretty good and probably the best representation of the Black Arachnia character to date. The original Beast Wars figures were either too skinny or way to fat and top heavy. You've read my opinion on the Prime figure in the paragraph above. The Animated figure has a great transformation sequence, a awesome spider mode, and a very well engineered and sculpted robot mode. Over all, pretty top notch for a deluxe figure. 

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

Additionally I picked up Transformers Generations eHobby Scrapheap on eBay. This figure is only available in the eHobby exclusive 3-pack that comes with Battle Damaged Kup and a transparent blue Matrix Hot Rod. Scrap Heap is the rarest of the Junkion warriors and pretty had to come by on his own. I was lucky enough to outbid my competitors and paid $80 (including shipping) to get him. Overall, he shares the same body as Junk Heap and Wrek-gar but comes with an exclusive retooled head and is molded in a darker brown color scheme. I am super happy I got him and he is by far my favorite of the Junkion figures, including the Maiden Japan and Jolly Rodger add on its. 

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

My last eBay purchase for July is Transformers Cybertron Ramble (AKA Transformers Galaxy Force Scrap Heap). I really did not want this guy other than my compulsion to complete my collection. I had previously purchased the Yellow Japanese Scrap Heap at Mandrake Akiba late last year on my trip to Tokyo, Japan. I decided I should collect all the Ramble / Scrap Heaps and took the plunge to pick up the red version. This figure is actually pretty decent for a scout class figure. He has the Force Chip action gimmick which springs out a hidden blade from his barrel and a decent walking tank vehicle mode. I wish he had a little pilot inside his cockpit but for a scout class figure, he's quality. Now I need to keep an eye out on the last blue colored figure. Then there is the infamously difficult to attain Cody Ramble which as a TRU Gift Set Exclusive. Ugh.

The last trio of purchases in July is the first wave of Fall of Cybertron figures, Optimus Prime, Jazz, and Shockwave. I was excited for these figures and they kind of disappointed me. Optimus Prime was very small compared to the War for Cybertron Optimus Prime. The scale comparison was jarring. While I really liked the mold, simplified transformation (because face it the WFC Prime figure was insanely hard to transform right the first few times around), and a competent robot mode, the small stature of the figure really set the product back. when you think of Optimus Prime, you think heroic leader, brave, strong, large and in charge. This guy looks short and lacking. 

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

The same principle goes for Shockwave. He's a great figure. Good transformation. But his short stature and skinny limbs just make him look diminished. This is definitely not the same G1 Shockwave that stands close to 12-inches tall and towers over all other Transformers. Lastly, Jazz. Poor, poor Jazz. Easily the worst of the trio. His huge chest (man breast hood area) stands out like a sore thumb. Transformation is on the level of a Mc Donald's Happy Meal toy and his gun is more of a pistol. 

Well at least I got my eHobby Scrap Metal this month.

Toy Purchases March 2012

Last March was a slow year for additions to my toy collection; however it was still one of the most expensive. I completed my Macross collection by purchased a MIB version of one of my most dearest toys, and continued on my spending spree to pick up Botcon Wings of Honor Set figures ... including the entire 5 piece box set in one swoop.

Leozack *Image courtesy of Seibertron.com

Earlier this year I decided to start piecing together the 2009 Botcon Wings of Honor set. I wanted to do this because the set included a ton of Energon and Cybertron molds which I really gravitated to. This month I purchased a whopping 7 figures. First up is Leozack. Essentially a repaint of Energon Starscream, Leozak is basically also the same as Bonzaitron figure I picked up in January. Based on the Energon Starscream figure, the mold is actually really good with solid design and a great transformation. Leozak is a little harder to get since he was the Botcon Convention attendee figure for 2009. I had been searching for one at a reasonable price for a while and I finally lucked out.

Scourge *Image courtesy of Seibertron.com

The secondary single figure I picked up is Sweep #7. The Sweeps were the army builder 3-pack for 2009 and while the set isn't rare it is expensive. It is however a little rare to see resellers and collectors splitting up the set and selling off the individual figures. I just wanted a single figure to represent the Sweeps for my collection. I have enough figures already. I don't need multiples of the toy even though their names are officially different. Sweep #7 is a recolor of Sideways from Cybertron with a new head sculpt. The new head and body are actually shared with Scourge from the box set (I'll get to him a little later in this article). Overall very nicely done resculpt and recoloring of this particular mold.

Wings of Honor Box Set *Image courtesy of FloatingCat.com

The piece de resistance is the actually 5 figure Wings of Honor box set. The set includes Autobot Elite Guards Kup, Flak, Thunder Clash, and Land Shark, and Deception Scoruge. I love all these figures except Thunderclash who is a remold of Energon Rodimus, who is a bit of a design compromise since the original figure was made with the Energon combination design. This figure has very little articulation and poseability. Additionally the color scheme is a little horrible. Scourge is a dark blue version of the sweeps. Flak and Land Shark look like military versions of their progenitor characters, Scatter Shot and Bulkhead respectively. Overall a pretty good box set and probably my favorite 

out of the Botcon sets I own (2011 and 2012).

Ratchet *Image courtesy of Seibertron.com

Additionally, I picked up the Transformers Robots in Disguise Ratchet from the Transformers Prime series. Originally, Ratchet was announced during the First Edition series release in 2011 and it seems like he was carried over for the 2012 RID line. My initial reaction to this figure was bewilderment regarding his size. He’s extremely small for a deluxe figure and borders close to some of the larger scout class figures. Little did we know that the miniaturization of the deluxe sku figures would be a common trend moving forward indefinitely. Overall design is actually pretty good. I really liked the way Ratchets knives fit in his hands which hearkens back to the Transformers Prime animation and how his knives transform out of his wrists. Additionally, a nice inclusion is the storage for his weapons in bot mode in between his shoulders and back. Ratchet really is one of the better figures in this line.

Snapping Turtle and Scope Dog *Image courtesy of dookie via Flickr

On the convention front, I attended San Jose Super Toy Show in March. It's always a cool experience to browse the aisles and see what pops up. I hadn't gone to the show in several years and it's good to know it's pretty much the same, only more crowded. I managed to pick up 2 1/60 Votoms diecast figures at the show, Scope Dog and Snapping Turtle. I had the 1/60 Brutish Dog when I was a kid but unfortunately it broke when my grandfather sat on it. It was totally my fault for leaving it on his reclining seat in the living room. These guys are fragile especially since they 

are almost 30 years old. Heavy and limitedly articulated, they still resonate 

well with the 80's mecha look and feel. Good pick up at a great show.

Dump Robo *Image courtesy of ToyArchive.com

Another additional ebay purchase was MR-09 Dump Robo. In my previous post I resonantly exposed my love for this particular toy which was the first ever transforming toy I ever owned. I saw one MISB on ebay and it went for cheap so I picked it up. Sure it's basic and blocky but this toy represents a lot to me.

My last purchase in March over ebay is also the largest. I'd been looking for this toy for some time at a reasonable price and low and behold the stars aligned and it found its way to me. The Macross VE-1 Elint Seeker High Metal Valkyrie is the holy grail of Takatoku era Macross Valkyries. While this toy came out well after Takatoku sold the design to Bandai, it is the crowning jewel of the line and the last piece I needed to complete my collection.  It's a masterpiece of 80's variable toy engineering 

and I will forever be ecstatic to own a mint specimen.

1/55 VE-1 Elint Seeker Hi-Metal Valkyrie 

Toy Purchases January 2012

Skyquake *Image courtesy of Seibertron.com

One of the original reasons I wanted to create this blog was to keep track of my collecting habits and try to curb my rampant desire for immediate fulfillment by changing the instinct to make impulse purchases and focus on the core of my collection, especially since the TV shows Collection Intervention and Toy Hunter have put collectors in the spot light. It's pretty easy to spiral into a whirlwind of garbage and I don't want to feel like a hoarder when I look into a mirror. Since I have a bit of time to make up (it's currently October 2012), let's start with January!

Banzaitron *Image courtesy of Seibertron.com

Coming down off the holiday break from  work and also the month long food coma, I started feeling the itch to jump into collecting some of the more appealing Botcon exclusive Transformers. I recently attended Botcon with a few buddies in Pasadena in 2011 and I really liked a lot of the exclusive figures they offered that year. After searching around a bit and familiarizing myself with the past sets I gravitated toward the 2009 Wings of Honor Botcon wave. It's ingenious to use the Energon and Cybertron molds to create some unique updated figures of classic G1 characters.



Since I had a bit of Ebay gift certificate money left over from Christmas, I set about looking for some good purchases and I ended up snatching Bonzaitron and Skyquake double pack. Both of these characters were lesser known figures in the Transformers Universe but I loved the remold and re-branding of them Fun Publications did here. I'm a great fan of the Energon Starscream and  Mirage original molds that were used for Bonzaitron and Skyquake respectively. All together, these two new characters lend an impressive gravitas to the Decepticon Classic-verse seeker armada.

Blurr *Image courtesy of Seibertron.com

The other 2 purchases I made in January 2012 were Transformers Animated Blurr and Grimlock. I'd been looking for a affordable Blurr for a while on ebay. Every time I spotted one I was outbid on it by a significant amount or I missed out due to bad timing. Last year I purchased the Transformers Fan Club Animated Cheetor club figure which was a recolor of the Animated Blurr with a original head. I loved that figure and knew Blurr was a solid toy as well. Luckily, I found one at a  reasonable price.

Grimlock * Image courtesy of Seibertron.com

My last purchase of the month was the before mentioned  Animated Grimlock. By now I really only had maybe 4 figures I needed to complete what I considered my Transformers Animated collection and Grimlock was the last Voyager or larger purchase. I remember looking at him at Mandarake at Nakano Broadway when I visited Japan in 2011. The specimen I was looking at was MIB but the box was pretty torn up. He was cheap at 2,500 Yen (roughly $30 USD). Unfortunately  I had a bunch of purchases already including a Galaxy Force Yellow Ramble, Japanese Animated Ironhide and Ratchet, and a ton of presents for friends and family. I just could not carry another toy with me even if I opened it out of package. So finally, I found one on ebay cheap and pulled the trigger.


Once I had him in my hands I really liked him. It's a simple toy, which is saying a lot for Grimlock figures, but the style and execution of design is superb. He's easily one of my favorite Animated figures.