Beast Hunters!

Predacons Galore!

The funny thing about toy lines with promotional media tie ins is the ironic fact that the toys don't ever really have to match the media. Transformers Prime Beast Hunters is a perfect case study into this particular phenomenon. Disregarding all the internet hearsay which states that the entire premise of Beast Hunters was added on clumsily to the already successful Transformers Prime animated show and toy line to extend toy sales, the fact remains that almost the entirety of the Beast Hunters toy line has nothing to do with the show.

In the past, Transformers toys were released to coincide with the animated series. Literally, a character would be introduced and you could go out to the store and buy that character's action figure the same week. A perfect example would is Transformers Beast Wars. Arguably second to Transformers Prime in story telling and maturity, Beast Wars ran for 3 seasons like Prime. However, while Prime introduced re-imaginings of the core characters which did not appear in the show, Beast Wars redesigned the characters from events in the shows cannon. This logical action made it very easy for collectors to buy a second recolored version of the 
character or even buy the same character in a different rendition  
(regular, Trans-metal, Trans-metal 2).

Japan Only

Sadly, Beast Hunters introduced an entire line of figures which represent the core cast of protagonists and villains and a new host of beasts without any appearance on the show. This disconnect seems like it would be a disastrous. Some would argue for or against the results. I can only say that as a hardcore Transformers collector, I have only bought 2 figures (deluxe Smokescreen and voyager Optimus Prime) and I only intend to purchase 1 more in the future (ultimate Predaking). My own preference in collecting dictates I follow the fictional cannon of the show. I purchase the best representations of each character in the show, factoring in the scale of the toys to the show iterations. 

Non-Show Hasbro Figures
*Select Images Courtesy of Seibertron.com

That being said, the biggest question is why didn't Hasbro release figures that Takara Tomy did? Why would they create an entire line of fictional alternate modes for the core cast of characters for Prime and rename the show under the Beast Hunters banner when there was a perfectly good stable of figures that remain unreleased outside of Japan? Some suspect licensing issues or shared costs of the tooling and molds. Some say Beast Hunters was a huge marketing campaign which did not take into consideration the hardcore fans and toy collectors and instead focused on the Transformers brand and the casual consumer (parents who purchase toys for their children). 

The rational does not really make sense since Hasbro released some characters that were not found in the show including Hot Shot, Dead End, Rumble, Kup, Thundertron, or the early version of Ultra Magnus. Why wouldn't they release Breakdown, Unicron, Silas, Nemesis Prime, Jet Vehicon, and Vehicon General? All the before mentioned appeared prominently in various episodes. Then there is the horde of additional characters that were created by recoloring previously released molds. Some of these figures featured entirely new head sculpts, including Swerve, Lio Prime, and Wild Rider.

Wonderful World of Import Characters
*Select Images Courtesy of Seibertron.com

Regardless, there can be no argument that there are still a ton of figures that remain unreleased to the western market. Who knows if they will ever be made available. In the end, it may be too late as many like me turned to the grey market to purchase import products from Japan. 

Review Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Season 3 Finale Episode 13 Deadlock

Wow, so Transformers Prime animated television series has finally ended and what a ending! 

SPOILERS AHEAD! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

The climatic series finale, Episode 13, Deadlock, has it all. We see the death two of major character, resurrection of one of those major characters, the return of some powerful and often forgotten weapons, and even tongue in cheek nods to some past episodes from the previous seasons. It's 20 minutes packed full of explosions, action, drama, and suspense which leads up to a somewhat satisfying ending. Definitely a bitter sweet pill to take as Transformers Prime is, in my opinion, the best Transformers series that has ever been produced in any format.


The main thing I loved is the all out assault nature of this episode which adds a "all or nothing" feeling to the final conflict between the Decepticons and Autobots. It just feels definitive. We haven't seen anything like this yet. Set dramatically over the Earth's orbit, the full Autobot force (both Scout Team and Wreakers) launch an all out assault on the Decepticon Nemesis warship to stop Megatron from cyberizing the Earth. Characters carry both their default weapons, as well as some of their assault weapons load outs, including Bumble Bee's force shield and the Wreckers heavy weapons. It's also a great nod to see both the Star Saber and the Dark Star Saber make their return.

Heroic Bumble Bee about to get shot in the chest.

Another great nod is when Soundwave uses the Space Bridge as a weapon to displace the Wreckers assault on the Nemesis bridge and also how Jack, Miko, and Raph use the same trick to trap Soundwave in the Shadow Zone. Also a nice nod is when Miko shows up in the Apex Armor and takes out several Vehicons.

Bumble Bee falls to his apparent death.

While this is a epic conclusion, there are some things that linger on and bother me about the ending of this series. The main thing that bothers me is how Bumble Bee's seemingly death and resurrection was handled and the death of Megatron. Ultimately I thought the episode was flawless up until Megatron death. Bumble Bee's apparent death was both heroic and poetically tragic at the same time. I felt  he was yet another soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the war against Megatron's tyranny. Resurrecting him in some "magical" artificial Energon pool and having him stab Megatron from behind kind of sucked. It negates both Optimus Prime as a leader and warrior. It negates Megatron as this bad ass cunning gladiator from the pits of Kaon. It give no purpose to Bumble Bee's apparent sacrifice. I understand that Bumble Bee is probably the only character with a vendetta against Megatron. Megatron tortured Bee, maimed him by ripping out his voice box, and also took over his body during season 1. I'm sure there would be physiological damage to Bee after all that but still it just seems like a cop out because Transformers Prime, despite it's dramatic story, is still a children's show geared toward selling toys. I'd rather have had Smokescreen kill Megatron since they heavily eluded to him being Optimus Prime's successor. Why build up Smokescreen as "the next Prime" and then have him get shot in the shoulder and taken out of the battle? Hmm.

Megatron impaled by the resurrected Bumble Bee.

A few other additional loose ends are left hanging too. Predaking is shown escaping to Cybertron. I'm assuming the TV movie Predacon's Rising will spotlight the climatic fate of the last Predacon versus the Autobots. 

Additionally, What happened to the remaining Vehicons? Did they all fall at the hands of the Autobots assault? We see 3 Vehicon Generals escape after Megatron's demise but they are nowhere to be found when Starscream and Shockwave escape the Nemesis. What happened to Knockout? He attempted to defect to the Autobots side when they resurrected Cybertron and he was punched out by Miko in her Apex Armor. Did she kill him? Is he imprisoned?

Lastly, the hugest unanswered question has to do with Season 3 Episode 8, Thirst. What happened to the infected Airachnid and her Insecticons? We last saw her steadily feeding on her Insecticon minions. Did she drain them all of their Energon or did she merely infect her army and is bidding her time on the moons surface to escape?

Who knows. Hopefully we will get conclusions to these answers in the final installment, Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Predacon's Rising TV Movie. The wait till October is going to be a long one. 

Airachnid - Last seen on the Moon gorging herself on Insecticons.

Toy Purchases August 2012

Whelp, I'm still a whole year behind chronicling my collecting habits, lol.

Thinking back, I remember August 2012 being a very slow purchasing month for me. I think that after the insane experience of trying to tackle San Diego Comic-con and grab the SDCC Bruticus set, I was a little burnt out on toys. That being said, I picked up a few things that I had preordered at Big Bad Toy Store and also took one last stab at grabbing some vintage toys from TFSource so i could send some of the Source Points I had accumulated.




The biggest thing I picked up was the release of Maketoys Green Giant (the second 3rd-party Devastator). I specifically went for Green Giant instead of TFC Hercules because of 3 main points. The first was the design. I loved the more anime streamlined design of the separate robots as well as their combined mode. The vehicles also had a certain uniformity that really resonated with me. My second reason for picking up Green Giant over Hercules was quality. While Maketoys was a relative new comer to the scene, TFC has been around for a while and the quality of the plastic and designs are hit and miss. Additionally, TFC released their figures separately over 6 months prior to Green Giant being released and it was reported that Hercules had numerous design and assembly defects, including bad joints and miss assembled figures. The third reason was pricing. At over $100 a figure, the TFC set would set a collector back $650. Green Giant was $360.

While Hercules is a larger figure, in both combined and separate robot modes, I stand by my choice that Green Giant is the better toy. In addition to the standard accessories and combiner parts, he comes with an alternate head that lights up. Also the separate guns from the individual robots combine to become the larger combiner robots main gun. He's a great toy and I dare say probably the best 3rd party robot made to date. He feels and looks better than Fansproject's Corss Fire robot set. Green Giant is a must for any serious Transformer collector.

I also picked up two Japanese Arms Micron Transformers in August, including  Autobot Swerve and the Tokyo Toy Show Exclusive Terrocon Bumble Bee. Both of these purchased were a little frivolous and impulse buys to be honest. Autobot Swerve was purchased because I loved the Arms Micron Breakdown figure that he is based on. They swapped out the head and changed the color palette to Swerves G1 colors, dark red and white. Overall, he's a pretty good figure and I decided I wanted to collect all the Transformers Prime characters, even the non show cannon ones. The only bad thing was, as I described in some of my earlier posts, his head actually broke right out of the package. His neck joint snapped off when I separated him from his zip tie inner cardboard backing. I was pretty bummed out about this and I decided to put him down and leave him where he lay for a night before returning to try and either fix the problem or return him to Big Bad Toy Store.

After a good nights rest, I picked him up and decided I could fix his shattered neck joint. Using a pin and a ton of glue, I refashioned a new neck and securely reinforced the joint. I crossed my fingers and snapped his head back into place. After letting the glue dry, I did a few test swivels and the head was as good as new, probably better considering that new meant broken in this case. Also, his Arms Micron partner is a pretty sweet chain saw weapons too. ^_^

Terrorcon Bumble Bee is a weird oddity. He was a Tokyo Toy Show 2012 Takara Tomy Show Exclusive and the figure I believe references a episode of Prime where Bumble Bee was taken over by the consciousness of Megatron. The packaging make reference of Soundwave somehow converting Bumble Bee into a Decpeticon. Either way he's a black and purple repaint of the regular Prime Robots in Disguise Bumble Bee with the auto transformation gimmick. I think this figure looks pretty cool. It takes on of the most iconic Transformers and literally changes him into a pretty badass looking Decepticon. Terrorcon Bumble Bee comes with Soundwave's Arms Micro partner, which transforms from scorpion to some laser whip weapon. Final word - impressive.

Other than that I picked up a the Kabaya Fortress Maximus set and assembled him. Judging from the assembled figure, he's a pretty good approximation to the original G1 gigantic robot. The Kabaya version stands about 6 inches tall and can fully transform from city, to ship, to robot mode. He comes with both guns and the god sword. Additionally, he has a mini head master that forms his head and a mini Wind Charger and Power Glide figures. These mini figures measure less than a inch high and can limitedly transform from robot to vehicle. Pretty cool miniaturization in this set.

From the TFSource haul, I decided to pick up a few vintage figures which included a mint in box Beast Wars Thunderwing, Transformers Cybertron Overhaul (which I forgot I actually already owned, ugh), 2 Transformers Universe mini bots, Brawn and Beachcomber, and a G1 Deluxe Insecticon Chop Shop. Out of all these bots, really the only one of consequence is Beast Wars  Tiger Hawk. I missed out on him originally when he was out in the stores back in 1999. I finally decided to pick him up and scratch him off my to get list. It's kind of weird to look back at a Beast Wars era Transformer. At the time, Tiger Hawk was one of the most sought after figures in the last wave of toys. He and Transmetal 2 Black Arachnia demand top dollar on the secondary market and they were both extremely hard to find in the stores. I think I saw him a few times but at the time, he was a pretty expensive figure at retail and I believe I had a  ton of my money tied up with the Mobile Suit Gundam In Action figure line that just launched. In the end I'm glad I picked him up but opening him and looking back in time to a 13 year old toy is a little hard to take in. While he was state of the art then, he's a total crappy happy meal type toy now. Ah wells, now I just need to get Beast Wars Scorponok and I can finally close the door on this collecting chapter.

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

2012 Year in Review (Part 2)

Here's part 2 of my 2012 year in review. While I did

Here are my top 5 Stinkers for 2012:

#5 Transformers Kre-O Collection - Yeah the entire collection sucks. From the confusing ill conceived premise to poor design, this entire initiative by Hasbro has been a huge debacle. I can see why someone in marketing would think that combing Lego type sets with their out performing Transformers line would be peanut butter and jelly time but it is not. It takes hours to build, deconstruct, and rebuild these sets to transform them from vehicle mode to robot and back. Do you think kids have the attention span to do this? Do you think adults do? No one does. The sets try to recreate the characters from the classic Transformers series (be it G1 cartoon, Movie-verse, whatever) but with the absence of abundance of specialized block pieces the Kre-O design sets fail. It was no wonder when these sets started going on clearance halfway through the year. It's baffling to me that they have considered continuing to produce a wave 3 of this toy line, albeit with an emphasis on the Kreon mini figures as opposed to full on deluxe building sets.

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

#4 Transformers Prime RID Airachnia - By far the worse Transformer to come out of the deluxe line in a while is Airachnia. I admit the original Transformers Prime character design is really complex since she is technically a triple changer and super slim but what we got was a rigid brick with the same articulation as a 70's Kenner Star Wars figure. While her helicopter mode looks well and her robot mode kind of represents the character, they failed to give her any articulation of playability. There is absolutely no way she can assume her spider mode transformation without buying 2 or 3 of the same toy and augmenting the chopper blades for extra elongated spider legs. Her gun accessories are also horrific in design. Absolutely the worse toy I've seen in the deluxe scale figures in a long time (not counting the horror of the Bayverse deluxe toys).

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

#3 Transformers Arms Micron Autobot Swerve - This toy is not that bad but the fact that his head broke off seconds after I untied this figure from his plastic tray gives him a place on the 2012 fail list. Quality control has been horrible lately with Takara Tomy / Hasbro figures and Swerve is on this list to represent this fact. I paid $50 for this import figure and his head snapped off out of the box with no pressure applied at all. I expect this will happen more and more and we are all f*cked for collecting Transformers.

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

#2 Transformers Arms Micron Unicon - While the figure looks TV show accurate, his transformation into a rock ship with his face on it and the really lame battle suit mode for RID Optimus Prime and Megatron was really poorly designed and executed. Surprise to me, the figure I got has a small tear in the rubber horns on his head. It looks like his horn was assembled wrong and when the rubber was glued to the PVC plastic base someone tried to adjust the horn to point in the right direction which tore the rubber horn. The horn is pretty secure in its glue and the tear is not loose at all. However whomever tried to adjust the position failed and promptly tied the figure down into it's packaging and moved on with their lowly life, thanks for the defective figure mysteriously incompetent factory worker.

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

#1 Transformers Generations SDCC Bruticus - The worse disappointment in 2012 is SDCC exclusive Fall of Cybertron Bruticus. There was so much anticipation for this set. The first combiner Transformers set in years and we got a very poorly engineered misformed hodgepodge of deluxe figures that mangle themselves together into a Frankenstein monstrosity. The set contains 5 combaticons representing a updated version of the classic G1 progenitor combaticon team. While each figure range from average to above average in vehicle mode, robot mode, and transformation, every single figures combining transformation is a compromise which leads to a misformed mess. With uneven limbs, awkward articulation, and a hollow center mass, Bruticus is a unanimous mess. This toy is my #1 failure of 2012 because it has the most promise to be a centerpiece must have toy of the year but sadly a series of design failures and compromise  hampered it's true potential.

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.

2012 Year in Review (Part 1)

Wow, where has the year gone. Originally I wanted to get my entire backlog of 2012 toy journal entries published but by the time December rolled by things just got a little too hectic with the holidays and work travel. Oh wells. I'll continue trotting through my journal in 2013. For now, here's my 2012 year end toy review. Since I didn't get past July 2012 some of this is pretty much band new.

Here are my top 10 toy purchases for 2012:

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

#10 Transformers RID Vehicon - This seemingly simple deluxe class figure wowed me over time. Initially I thought RID Vehicon was overrated with his spindly elbow articulation and anorexic build, but this guy has out-shined most of the figures released in his class in 2012. Even his more deluxe and exclusive First Edition cousin pales in compassion to this little simple guy. With a slim build and extremely show accurate design, RID Vehicon made my top 10 list for 2012. It's a little ironic that his First Edition cousin is now easier to purchase in the store aisles and online than the RID version. More for you guys as I'm not about to army build. That's a whole other kind of toy collector crazy zone I am not about to approach.

*Image Courtesy of CollectionDX.com

#9 MOSPEADA 1/8 Ride Armor - While not a new toy, this vintage specimen of the wonderfully designed Artmic Mecha is a site to behold. This toy brings back a lot of memories since my dad originally purchased one for Christmas for me when I was little. This mecha bike and figure set is the original toy that sparked the entire transforming bike into armor genre and led to Bubble Gum Crisis and Mega Zone 23. One can even argue that Keneda's bike in Akira was directly inspired by the MOSPEADA design. Wonderfully simplistic in design yet complex in transformation this mecha toy combines the tactile play of action figures with the complexity of transforming robot toys. Now, where are those click pen springs? I need to mod mine to shoot missiles!

*Image Courtesy of TFW2005

#8 Transformers Prime RID Dreadwing - Arguably one of my favored characters due to the yin yang opposite nature of his personality (an extremely loyal Deception who puts personal righteousness, loyalty, and his own warriors code over power ... cough <Beast Wars Dinobot> ...cough. It's too bad his character was underutilized and ultimately served as plot fodder. Dreadwing's toy however is a wonder of ingenuity and playability. Everything about this figure is pretty cool from his articulation, design, and near perfect vehicle mode (well he does have hands sticking out of his thrusters in jet fighter mode). Overall, Dreadwing is a pretty imposing character with a really solid toy. Now if only they could get rid of the Mech Tech weapons ... sigh.

*Image Courtesy of TFW2005

#7 Transformers Masterpiece Thundercracker - Finally, North America gets the newly redesigned and augmented Masterpiece Seeker Jet figures. Thundercracker takes everything great about the progenitor Masterpiece figures and adds lessons learned in transformation, figure accuracy, and toy engineering. By deleting the waist tail fins and shoulder bits while correcting the head and arms lends to a near perfect representation of the original Seeker Jet design for the classic Sun Bow G1 cartoon. This mold is the definitive mold for the Seekers and a great work of toy engineering.

*Image Courtesy of TFW2005

#6 Transformers Masterpiece Sideswipe - Sideswipe is notably a return to the super deluxe accurate car robot formula that Takara Tomy / Hasbro started with the Binaltech / Alternator toy line (but in a non-diecast affordable way). While there were reported quality control problems with this release, my toy was superb. This is how Sideswipe should be in all his classic G1 Lambor greatness. He's perfectly to scale with the new Masterpiece scale and just a very solid Transformer toy. I'm happy they are releasing Red Alert but I hope Takara Tomy are planning to expand the line with other G1 characters (Please sign a license with Nissan in 2013 and get the rights to the Datsun 280 ZX, we need Prowl, Silver Streak, and Smoke Screen!).

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

#5 Transformers Botcon Shattered Glass Junkions - As a whole, this set is probably one of the best toy sets to come out in a while. Offered at Botcon 2012, this set includes Wrek-gar, Junk Heap, and Scrap Heap. While Wrek-gar and Junk Heap were available domestically in their regular colors, Scrap Heap was only available as part of a Transformers Untied Japan only e-hobby exclusive set so the character and toy mold is super rare among western collectors. Also, the recoloring from the normal Transformers Movie color scheme to the Shattered Glass purple, black, and yellow Insecticon color scheme is a stroke of genius. All in all, a very exceptional set of toys.

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

#4 Transformers Prime First Edition Optimus Prime - Considering this excellent toy might not have even made it to a US release, this iteration of Optimus Prime is ridiculously cool. He's definitely more show accurate in my eyes and also designed more aggressively than his Transformers RID Voyager counterpart. Also his weapons are traditional weapons designed to look like they are transforming out of his arms like the show (not like the retarded light box that the RID Voyager's Mech Tech gun and gimpy sword are). It still baffles me that this figure was released in North America an entire year after he was released worldwide. What a cluster f*ck your product planning and distribution has become Hasbro. I guess that's what happens when you triple production and distribution since the Bay movies came out. Overall, the definitive Transformers Prime Optimus Prime figure and a must have for 2012.

#3 Macross 1/55 VE-1 Elint Seeker Valkyrie - Another vintage goodie purchased in 2012. Arguably the most rare and sought after Valkyrie from the original Takatoku design era of the 80's, the Elint Seeker takes the standard Valkyrie toy and adds a bunch of unique bells and whistles to make it a one of a kind toy. Featuring a new head sculpt, altered super armor parts and AWACs radar dish, this toy is super special in the eyes of Takatoku Valkyrie collectors and the last piece I needed to complete me collection. This toy is also probably the one toy purchased in 2012 that I am most proud of from a collector stand point. 

#2 Make Toys Green Giant - This thing is a beast. I mean BEAST! The engineering and planning to design, produce, and assemble this third-party set is astounding. While smaller and less expensive than the Hercules figure put out by TFC, Green Giant also does not suffer from balance issues or production defects. In my opinion, Green Giant is the superior toy. Design wise, he fits in more with the other third-party produced combiners by rival company Fans Project and his design is more anime style and less western comic style. Overall a really great set which rises above and beyond the expectations on all fronts from individual robots, vehicle modes, and combined form. This set seriously cements the foundation that third-party companies are here to stay especially when they are producing gems like Green Giant and all Takra Tomy / Hasbro can come up to compete is the atrocious FOC Bruticus set in 3 god awful color scheme flavors.

*Image Courtesy of Seibertron.com

#1 Transformers Masterpiece Optimus Prime (TRU Exclusive) - Last but also the number one on the best of 2012 list it Transformers Masterpiece Optimus Prime (TRU Exclusive). It really goes to show you how much the insane markup is on toys these days. The original Takara Tomy toy MP-10 went for around $200 give or take the international exchange rate. The release of the TRU figure online one year later was $100 (although Toys R Us did raise the price to $120 despite the fact that the shipping cartons of the toys were still marked $100, yeh you know you either messed up or are greedy TRU). While not the size or build of the original Masterpiece Optimus Prime MP-01, this little guy en-capsules all the articulation and design learned from the previous release like the before mentioned Masterpiece Seeker mold. This Optimus is the perfect representation of the G1 character per his scale and comes with his trailer, roller, Energon Axe, Ion Blaster Rife, and a little spike mini figure with 4 points of 6 points of articulation. Definitively, the best toy released in 2012 per price point, accessories, design, and motif.  

Happy New Year all. Hope 2013 will be a even better year for everyone. Putting toy collecting aside, let's all give thanks for what we are blessed to have (loved ones, family, and friends) and work harder for the future. Cheers!

Happy New Years!!!

Arms Micron - Infinite Possibilities!

Transformers Prime Arms Micron toy line released in March 2012 in Japan and while the toys are relatively identical to the international Hasbro versions of Transformers Prime Robots In Disguise toy line, Takara Tomy offered an alternative accessories for the Japanese version of the toys, Arms Micron mini-cons.

Specifically designed and produced in conjunction with decal sheets for the Japanese Transformers Prime toys, Arms Micron mini-cons were aimed to get Japanese kids and parents to play with the toys together. Parents would help decal the figures and assemble the Arms Micron mini-cons which were included on unassembled sprues. It's a pretty neat concept and as a toy collector and a adult, I admire Takara Tomy for this unconventional, by western standards, approach. Additionally, Takara Tomy added mini-con ports to the action figures to allow the Arms Microns to dock with the toys.

Obviously not every one is happy about this. Many in the international Transformers toy collecting community have bemoaned the Arms Micron, decal features, and added Arms Micron ports. Comments included the difficulty of putting together the Arms Microns, the length of time it takes to apply the fairly complicated decals to the toys, and cluttering of the toys original design with port sockets. While the easiest solution is to tell the complainers to just not buy the toys. They are not meant for you. If you don't like them, don't buy them. But Hasbro decided not to release certain characters internationally so there has become a sizeable contingent of Takara Tomy exclusive Japan only released figures. Again, I still believe if you don't like it, don't buy it.

To me these complaints equate to someone saying a Japanese version of a Transformer is inferior because the owner could not figure out how to transform the toy and blaming the Japanese language instructions, "Can't they make the instructions universal just for me?" Again, these toys were not meant for you. If you want this toy of this particular character, suck it up. Pay your secondary market import fee and be happy you got it.

Additionally, Takara Tomy has invested a considerable amount of time and money into the customization messaging. They want kids to think of these toys as limited model kits (very similar to the mid-80's Votoms/  Dougram boom when Gunpla got huge and toy lines started messaging the customization and scale features of their mecha toys). Check out this toy developer video below featuring their own customization including recycling plastic bottles, forks, and printing and cutting their own sticker sheets. You have to admit, this is pretty cool and again please remember this is geared towards kids. How fun would it be to customize your own Transformers with your parents? I for one think it's ingenious and adds a new dimension to the toy line. ^_^

Toy Purchases June 2012

My purchases in June 2012 were a mix match of stuff since June is usually a pretty crazy month for me professionally. With travel for work, Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), and San Diego Comic-con prep, there's not much free time to do a lot of collecting. I picked up a few odds and ends including the first wave of Transformers Prime Arms Micron trading figures, 2 Transformers Animated figures (Swoop and Waspinator), Transformers Botcon 2010 Galvatron and Shattered Glass Thundercracker 2-pack, and a MOSPEADA 1/8th Stick Ride Armor. Oh la la.

Transformers Prime Arms Micron Set 1 *Image courtesy of Seibertron.com

First up would be the Transformers Prime Arms Micron Wave 1 Set. The set includes a mini version of Optimus Prime that transforms into a blaster, a mini version on Bumble Bee that transforms into a bladed forearm gauntlet, a Decepticon snake named Gob that comes in 2 colors (black and pink) which transforms into a chain axe, and a Decepticon named Zod that also comes in 2 colors (black and pink) which transforms into a blaster.

Transformers Prime Arms Micron Set 1 Combined
*Image Courtesy of TFW2005

Optimus Prime and Bumble Bee are solid figures. Bumble Bee in particular has both a female and male mini-con port on him so he can be attached to both First Edition and Robots In Disguise Prime Bumble Bee figures. I really like that a lot. As for Gob and Zod, they seem like throwaway figures. Both figures don't really look good in either beast or weapon mode, although at least the black versions make good weapons for the Decepticon Vehicon figures. Overall, The primary figures are worth getting, the black versions of Gob and Zod are also good as accessories for other figures. The pink versions of Gob and Zod are pretty horrible. Additionally, there is a weird alt mode that combines all of the figures into a single standing figure. I'm not sure if this was intentionally designed to combine since the mini-con ports that connect the pieces are either really loose or too tight. This mode is not worth trying to combine after the first try. It has no articulation and is pretty much just a novelty feature. 

Next up is Transformers Animated Waspinator. I have to admit the only reason I picked up this figure is because he was one of the last I needed to complete my Transformers Animated collection. His name pretty much describes him to a tee. He's a anime version of Beast Wars Waspinator. I admit I began collecting the Transformers Animated series after the show was cancelled and I jumped on board due to the unique designs and re-imagined characters more than the story of the animated show. I've seen the show in it's entirety but the shows plot and back stories don't really resonate with me. Hence my lack of excitement for this figure. I got him loose for cheap to fulfill a empty spot in a collection.

Transformers Animated Swoop *Image courtesy of CollectionDX.com

The second Transformers Animated figure I picked up is Transformers Animated Swoop. While I'm indifferent to the Animated series, Swoop has a pretty neat redesign. I like his re-imagined shape and the articulation for this figure is excellent. Additionally, he comes with a ball and chain accessory with real plastic chain links. Animated Swoop rates pretty high with Animated Grimlock. A must own for any Transformers Animated collection.

Botcon 2010 SG Thundercracker and Galvatron
*Image courtesy of Seibertron.com

My next purchase was something I passed on last year. While I was at Botcon 2011, I opted not to get the Galvatron and Shattered Glass Thundercracker 2-pack. At the time I picked up all the Botcon figure sets, I-Gear Dirge, and a Macross 1/55 Milia Valkyrie. I think I tapped my budget and something had to give. Originally, I really was not impressed by this set. The Galvatron was a recolor of Transformers Cybertron Evac (Galaxy Force Live Convoy) and Shattered Glass Thundercracker looked garishly awful in his hyper glow color scheme. Overall, Galvatron is a nice recolor figure. He's done pretty well and one can hardly imagine the figures design was originally for a Autobot. SG Thundercracker is still pretty horribly colored though. He reminds me of the 80's, Trapper Keepers, and skateboards. My confession is I still think this set is mediocre but I was compelled to pick it up to complete my Botcon 2011 set. I feel like a addict.

Henshin Robo MOSPEADA Armor Bike
*Image courtesy of CollectionDX.com

Last up, and the most exciting, is the MOSPEADA 1/8 Stick Ride Armor I purchased MIB. I had this as a kid but somehow the complicated locking mechanism for the bike struts broke over the years. I still have my original one form childhood but ti's in pretty bad condition. Many will know this toy as the Cyclone from Robotech.

I remember getting this for the first Christmas my dad came back into my life and was living with my mom and I back when I was in eighth grade. I remember sneaking around my house when my parents were out and finding this wrapped up in my dads closet. Ha ha. I could totally make out the orange color of the box under the holiday wrap and I was so excited. I also remember getting pink eye a few days after Christmas and lying on the sofa int he living room trying to transform this toy while my eyes were all gunked out. 

This toy is the seminal transforming motorcycle. It was pretty much the first of it's kind and in my opinion the best still. There have been a few updated versions of this toy including Toynami and CM's Corps figures but like I said this one is the best. It's old school charm, bulk, and 80's design ingenuity lend to a figure without equal. This particular version is the later Gakken version which unfortunately does not have the missile springs. I love this toy. It has many memories attached to it and I'm happy to own a pristine version in it's original packaging. This purchase also happens to complete my Gakken MOSPEADA collection. Yay!

Henshin Robo MOSPEADA Armor Bike