Optimarcus Prime's Transformers

Transcanning a new form

2011-06-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

It's been a good 4 years blog.

But it's time to move on.

Email me for my new blog add.

Bye bye!

Hauls for December

2010-12-17T09:25:00.000-08:00

4 December 2010

Sangokuden - 35 Lu Meng & Gan Ning Assault Navy set

Sangokuden - 36 Trinity set (Golden Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei)

Sangokuden - 37 Guo Jia

6 December 2010

Energon - Scorponok

11 December 2010

Power Core Combiners - Icepick with Chainclaw

17 December 2010

Superlink - SD20 Galvatron G: General

Hauls for November

2010-11-14T00:57:00.000-08:00

11 Nov 2010

Energon: Alpha Quintesson

15 Nov 2010

Autobot Alliance - AA-06 Sidearm Sideswipe

Autobot Alliance - AA-07 Breacher

27 Nov 2010

Transformers 2010: Unicron

Transformers 2010: Predaking

28 Nov 2010

Power Core Combiners: Sledge with Throttler

Power Core Combiners: Leadfoot with Pinpoint

Universe: Legends G1 Starscream

HFTD: Long Haul

HFTD: Override

HFTD: Sandstorm

HFTD: Tracker Hound

Sangokuden Action Figure: Liu Bei

Sangokuden Castle Playset x 5

Superlink/Energon VS Battles

2010-10-31T01:36:00.000-07:00

First, a list of all the Superlinkers.

AUTOBOTS

Supreme

Omega Supreme

Leader

Grand Convoy

Combiner

Superion Maximus

Ultra

Sprung

Landmine

Voyager

Skyfire

Roadbuster

Wing Saber

Overdrive

Deluxe

Rodimus

Hot Shot

Inferno

Roadblock

Wheeljack

Prowl

Tow-Line

*Grand Convoy

DECEPTICONS

Supreme

Unicron

Leader

Galvatron

*Megatron

Combiner

Buildron Maximus

Bruticus Maximus

Ultra

Megazarak

Megatron

*Galvatron

Voyager

Shockwave

Six Shot

Shock Fleet

Deluxe

Nightscream

Irontread

Snowstorm

* means optionally can be left out

RULES

Pretty much the system goes like this.

2 Deluxes = 1 Voyager

2 Voyagers = 1 Leader

Autobots must either win, or be on par with the Decepticons. That being said:

With the * characters, the Decepticons win. Without the * characters, the Autobots just barely win.

Like me show you (Deceptions first)

Unicron vs Omega Supreme

Galvatron (Leader) vs Grand Convoy

Megatron (Leader) vs Wing Saber & Overdrive

Bruticus Maximus vs Superion Maximus

Buildron Maximus vs Rodimus & Wheeljack & Grand Convoy

Galvatron (Ultra) vs Sprung

Megatron (Ultra) vs [WALKOVER]

Megazarak vs Landmine

Laserwave vs Skyfire

Six Shot vs Roadbuster

Shock Fleet vs Prowl & Two-Line

Nightscream vs Hot Shot

Irontread vs Inferno

Snowstorm vs Roadblock

Hauls for October

2010-10-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

11 October 2010

Animated - TA-44 Armourhide

Autobot Alliance - AA-01 Battle Blade Optimus Prime

Autobot Alliance - AA-02 Battle Blade Bumblebee

Autobot Alliance - AA-03 Ironhide

Autobot Alliance - AA-04 Insecticon

Energon - Energon Kicker with Highwire

19 October 2010

Energon - Six Shot

30 October 2010

Henkei - Sons of Cybertron Crystal Convoy & Rodimus

Transformers 2010 - Primus

Alternity - Thundercracker

31 October 2010

HFTD - Optimus Prime (Leader)

HFTD - Payload

Hauls for September

2010-09-05T19:08:00.000-07:00

3 September (Friday)

Power Core Combiners - Mudslinger with Destructicons
Power Core Combiners - Doubleclutch with Rallybots
Hunt for the Decepticons - Battle Blades Optimus Prime

5 September (Sunday)

Alternity - A01U Ultra Magnus
Armada - Air Assault Minicon Team
Animated (Takara) - Sons of Cybertron Optimus Prime and Rodimus
Star Wars - Yoda/Republic Assault Shuttle

Sangokuden 21 - Giant Liu Bei
Sangokuden 22 - Crimson Lotus Armour Cao Cao
Sangokuden 23 - Fierce Tiger Armour Sun Quan
Sangokuden 24 - Yuan Shu

6 September (Monday)

Animated (Hasbro) - Arcee

Animated (Hasbro) - Cybertronian Ratchet

Animated (Takara) - TA20 Blackout

Animated (Takara) - TA33 Rodimus

Animated (Takara) - TA25 Soundblaster

ROTF - RA-32 Human Alliance Jazz with Captain Lennox

26 September (Sunday)

Animated (Hasbro) - Shadow Blade Megatron

28 September (Tuesday)

Animated (Takara) - TA38 Wingblade Optimus Prime

Animated (Takara) - TA39 Jet Pack Bumblebee

One Step Closer

2010-08-15T09:58:00.000-07:00

Really, all I need is a 10th Anniversary Beast Wars - Megatron.

Then I will have completed my Galaxy Force Quest!

Well it's more like Hasbro Mass Retail Transformers: Cybertron Recolours Quest, but that sounds so unwieldy.

And then it will be complete until... Undertow is released.

Gotta catch'em all!

Hauls for August

2010-08-09T01:51:00.000-07:00

2nd August (Monday)

2007 Movie - Armorhide

4th August (Wednesday)

HFTD - Legends Cyberfire Bumblebee

HFTD - Legends Fireburst Optimus Prime

HFTD - Legends Ravage

HFTD - Legends Rampage (red)

ROTF - Clear Bumblebee

G1 - Hot Rod Patrol (Micromasters)

G1 - Military Patrol (Micromasters)

G1 - Monster Truck Patrol (Micromasters)

8th August (Sunday)

Star Wars Crossovers - Captain Rex/Freeco Speeder

Brady Games - War for Cybertron Game Guide

Activision - War for Cybertron

Sangokuden 17 - Sun Shangixiang

9th August (National Day!)

G1 Commemorative - Decepticon Piracon

Disney Label - Buzz Lightyear

11th August (Wednesday)

Beast Wars 10th Anniversary - Optimus Primal

14 August (Saturday)

2007 Movie - Hardtop

22 August (Sunday)

Galaxy Force - GC01 Galaxy Convoy

Animated Demise

2010-08-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

At this point, I'm pretty irritated with Hasbro.

You mean that instead of scrapping all those ROTF repaints (ANOTHER ROTF Bumblebee? Warming shelves to no-end), you can't release moulds that you've already made?

I understand, yes, you want to streamline everything. Either it's Movie or Universe. At first.

Now you've evolved the Movie line to HFTD. Ok, I'll bite.

Your other line is Generations. Oh, that's the line that evolved from Universe? OK, OK, sure.

Hey wait there's that new line, what's it called - Power Core Combiners! But wait, didn't you say that you DIDN'T want to diversify your lines?

And then you have your Masterpiece Grimlock coming out. And your Piranacon.

My point is, if you could spend the marketing and the money and the risk of diversifying your fan base and market share by creating the Power Core Combiners, which have no cartoon to advertise them... why couldn't you do that with Animated?

Look at all the unused moulds that you promised but ended up actually producing in quantities so little, it's hardly worth the investment put into them.

Hydrodive Bumblebee

Come on. You mean you couldn't take Payload (a recolour of Long Haul, who wasn't that popular to begin with since he's still warming shelves) and replace him with this?

Blackout

This one is even more unjust. It's a completely new mould, for crying out loud. It shares the name of a popular figure from the original movie, and ostensibly ROTF as well. You couldn't take Night Ops Ratchet (which ain't even a homage, like Rescue Ratchet was) away to make space for this?

Wingblade Optimus Prime

It's a Prime. Don't you love releasing recolours of Primes again and again and again? Why couldn't you give this one to us? Of all the toys you decided not to release, you had to pick Optimus Prime! You couldn't scrap Defender Optimus Prime or Grindor (or even both) for this?

Rodimus Minor

I don't know what to say. I don't like Rodimus, but many do. He's a flaming red sports car. He's got projectiles and a pretty cool bow for a weapon. Yet you'd willingly release a recolour of an unpopular figure based on a character that didn't appear in the movie instead?! What hair-brained people work at marketing? Who makes these decisions?

Cybertronian Ironhide

Yeah, he's a recolour. More accurately, he's a retool. But you gave me Tuner frigging Mudflap instead. Why? What makes you think I want to buy a recolour of a retard instead of Ironhide? Ironhide, it's Ironhide, the guy you make out to be all flavours of awesome in the film, who you'd create an entirely new mould for because he's just so cool. But you gave us Mudflap instead.

Cybertronian Ratchet

Seriously. You'd give us shit like Night Ops Ratchet but you won't give us Cybertronian Ratchet? The one you made two heads for so you could recolour him into Cybertronian Ironhide? You know the marketing possibilities of selling Ratchet & Ironhide as a two-pack? Nah, you decided to give us a gay recolour of Dirge, Jetblade.

Arcee

Apart from Wingblade Optimus Prime and Rodimus Minor, I think Arcee is one of the most unfortunate victims of the lot. And in return for her, we got April O Neil's skinny spindly helicopter with a name that makes no sense. Or maybe it was a vampiric recolour who, oops, already shares the same name with another original figure!

What's my point? My point is that instead of releasing all those fugly recolours, we could have gotten these Animated repaints. And if they can diversify the Transformers brand with cheesy named subline like Power Core Combiners (who are good toys in and of themselves), they can diversify it by continuing their EXISTING LINE. We could have gotten

Hydrodive Bumblebee instead of Payload

Blackout instead of Night Ops Ratchet

Wingblade Optimus Prime instead of Defender Optimus Prime

Rodimus Minor instead of Autobot Gears

Cybertronian Ironhide instead of Tuner Mudflap

Cybertronian Ratchet instead of Jetblade

Arcee instead of Dead End

Even if, let's say, I removed Tuner Mudflap and Dead End (both recolours of Movie characters), that doesn't explain bloody Thrust or Evac making the cut over Animated, both recolours of non-Movie characters. Isn't there a rule somewhere that says that characters who have appeared in fiction before trumps characters who haven't?

And then instead of properly releasing the PROMISED 6 Activators from Animated (Fireblast Grimlock, Soundwave, Cliffjumper, Dirge, Armour Up Optimus Prime, Battlefield Bumblebee) (and Soundwave is a brand new mould too), you give me 2 KNNCCB recolour twinpacks of Scouts and 1 KNNCCB recolour twinpack of Deluxes!

More salt in my wound! No Freeway Jazz or Electrostatic Soundwave or Toxic Oil Slick or Fugitive Waspinator or Vortex Blurr or Mercenary Swindle! Roadbuster Ultra Magnus or Shadow Blade Megatron! None of that! For my poor Leaders, you gave me Shadow Command Megatron (not even battle damaged lah, screw you), and Battle Charged Ultimate Bumblebee (did not the previous shelfwarming teach you ANYTHING?) I get Sea Attack Ravage and Backfire and Brimstone and Crankstart and Oil Pan and Tuner Skids (!!! WHY???) and Electrostatic Jolt?

To summarise, of all the recolours, we could have gotten

Roadbuster Ultra Magnus instead of Battle Charged Ultimate Bumblebee

Shadow Blade Megatron instead of Shadow Command Megatron

Freeway Jazz instead of Sea Attack Ravage

Electrostatic Soundwave instead of Electrostatic Jolt

Toxic Oil Slick instead of Tuner Skids

Fugitive Waspinator instead of Blowpipe

Vortex Blurr instead of "Road Rival Showdown" Beachcomber vs Deadlift

Mercenary Swindle instead of "Windy City Chase" Slapdash vs Trenchmouth

Fireblast Grimlock instead of Backfire

Soundwave instead of Brimstone

Cliffjumper instead of Crankstart

Dirge instead of Oil Pan

Armour Up Optimus Prime instead of Thrust

Battlefield Bumblebee instead of Evac

That's $633 you could have gotten from me, Hasbro, and from many other collectors, had you used some sense in your marketing. Even with 20% off, it's still $506.40. $500 per collector. You lost it for some shelfwarmers! Sigh.

That is why I have lost so much faith in you, Hasbro. Please do something right about your unreleased moulds for Animated. Please.

Hauls for July

2010-07-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

Such an expensive month.

3 July (Sat)

MP-04S - Convoy Sleep Mode

MP-03G - Ghost Starscream

28 July (Thurs)

Energon - Unicron

HFTD - Cyberfire Bumblebee

HFTD - Fireburst Optimus Prime

HFTD - Rampage (red)

HTTD - Ravage

Sangokuden - 15 Sima Yi

Sangokuden - 17 Sun Ce

Sangokuden - 18 Liu Bei

Sangokuden - 19 Guan Yu

Sangokuden - 20 Zhang Fei

Primus & Unicron

2010-07-02T04:44:00.000-07:00

If you don't know, I love the myth of Unicron & Primus. Maybe it's the idea of giant planet-sized robots fighting each other.

I mean, while the Unicron Trilogy was cool in that it had Unicron fighting a bright green Minicon-composed Unicron, Unicron fighting a Primus-infused Omega Convoy, Primus fighting a Primus Spark-infused Super Starscream... it never had Primus fighting Unicron.

So never mind, the only time I've ever seen Primus fighting Unicron is in the G1 comic, the Primal Scream. And even then, they were kind of in rather humanoid, non-robotic form. It didn't give a sense of their massive, epic size.

So I'll never see it happen again. Not in the foreseeable future, since everyone thinks that Unicron is overused. Feh.

But they're getting new toys!

Primus

A G1-inspired Primus! In planet mode, he looks like Cybertron. Take a looksee and tell me that it ain't like G1 Cybertron. Tell me!

Cybertron as it was first seen

Anyways, yes. I'm going to get a planet that pays homage to the one I saw in a cartoon long, long ago. I will have five planets. FIVE planetformers!

Unicron

And then here we have Unicron. Just as he looked like in the Movie (and in Season 3 of Transformers). No more purple, no more translucent parts, no more grey rings. Just plain orange and black. All the way.

Even his Minicon looks like a little Moonbase 2.

Moonbase 2

Squint a little. Really.

And so this ends my gush about the new Primus & Unicron that'll be out. This year. And I'll have even less money. Tralala.

Hauls for June

2010-05-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

It's really in May, but I want to roll it over to June. Because I want to say I spent two months not buying Transformers. LOL.

1 June

BTS - Teletran Kit

Beast Wars - Optimus Primal (bat) & Megatron (alligator)

ROTF Hasbro - Defender Optimus Prime (vertical box)

2007 Movie - Mudflap (yellow)

18 June

Generations - Drift

Robot Heroes - I Am Optimus Prime

25 June

Attacktix - Super Optimus Prime (robot)

Attacktix - Super Optimus Prime (vehicle)

Attacktix - Megatron (robot)

Attacktix - Vector Prime

26 June

IDW - For All Mankind

Power Core Combiners - Huffer with Caliburst

Power Core Combiners - Searchlight with Backwind

Power Core Combiners - Smoulder with Chopster

Power Core Combiners - Bombshock & the Combaticons

Power Core Combiners - Skyburst & the Aerialbots

Sangokuden 005 - Cao Cao

Sangokuden 006 - Sun Quan
Sangokuden 009 - Gongsun Zan

Sangokuden 010 - Gold Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, Guan Yu

Sangkouden 011 - Dong Zhuo

Sangkouden 012 - Lu Bu

Sangokuden 013 - Xiahou Dun

Sangokuden 014 - Xiahou Yuan

30 June

Generations - War for Cybertron Optimus Prime

Generations - War for Cybertron Bumblebee

TFX - G3 Trailer

Sangokuden 007 - Soldiers

Sangokuden 008 - Horse

Artwork for Robot Heroes Victory Saber & Deathsaurus

2010-03-21T04:31:00.000-07:00

Chibi & Detailed!

I would buy 10 of these. More, if I can find them.

1 for my office.

1 to display with the Robot Heroes.

1 to display with the Victory guys.

1 to display unopened.

1 for my room.

1 for the car.

2 to keep safely away.

2 for replacement/spares.

Oh heck. Why not 20 of them?

Hauls for March 2010

2010-03-07T07:59:00.001-08:00

7 Mar (Sun)

ROTF - RA26 NEST Jungle Attack Ironhide

ROTF - RA27 NEST Alliance Bumblebee

ROTF - RD19 Demolishor Shanghai Attack

ROTF - RD20 NEST Bludgeon

ROTF - RD24 Human Alliance Barricade & Frenzy

WST - Convoy & Megatron VSX

Disney Label - Donald Duck

2007 Movie - Legends Ratchet

21 Mar (Sun)

Galaxy Force - Hyper Galaxy: Galaxy Convoy, Super Mode

Galaxy Force - Hyper Galaxy: Galaxy Convoy

Galaxy Force - Hyper Galaxy: Master Megatron

RiD/Beast Machines - Megatron Megabolt

ROTF - Rampage, Red (Hasbro)

ROTF - EZ Collection Constructicon Devastator, Green (TakaraTomy)

27 Mar (Sat)

ROTF - RD 21 Decepticon Rampage Desert Combat

28 Mar (Sun)

Victory - Landcross, Black Stealth Version

ROTF - RD 22 Dirge

ROTF - RD 23 Breakdown

ROTF - RD 25 Mindwipe

ROTF - RD 26 Lockdown

ROTF - RA 28 Ratchet

ROTF - RA 29 Brawn

ROTF - RA 30 Scattorshot

Still need a Skystalker!

31 Mar (Wed)

ROTF - RD 27 Skystalker

Universe - Special Team Leaders

Hauls for February 2010

2010-02-07T07:02:00.001-08:00

6 Feb (Sat)

Henkei - Ghost Starscream

25 Feb (Fri)

ROTF - Legends Jolt

ROTF - Legends Bumblebee & Shadow Striker

ROTF - Legends Rally Mudflap & Offroad Skids

ROTF - Legends Starscream & Smokescreen

ROTF - Strike Mission Sideswipe

Sangokuden - 22 (324) Bulu Bing

Sangokuden - 35 (356) Guo Jia

Sangokuden - 36 (357) Lu Bu

Sangokuden Gaiden - 9 (358) Yan Yan

Sangokuden Gaiden - 10 (359) Ling Tong

The Exodus

2010-01-25T09:19:00.000-08:00

One of the many things that I wanted to do was to craft a scene where all my Minicons (well, I have one of every unique mould, I hope/think) flee Earth in their starship, the Exodus.

The Exodus was seen in the first episode of Micron Legend.

Anyways, here you go! The realisation of my dream of having the Millennium Falcon, at least.

Here you go.

Blast Off!

Admittedly, my living room is not the best backdrop for a blast off into space.

Back View

Although it looks like the front view.

Starboard
I hope I got this right.

Front View
Looks more like the back though.

Port
Ditto for the Starboard comment.

Pilots

Bottom (L to R): Overrun (Deluxe Class Optimus Prime), Sparkplug (Leader Class Optimus Prime)

Top (L to R): Leader 1 (Megatron), Run-Over (Nemesis Prime)

Escape Pod

Dead End (Unicron)

Main Cast

Dead End (Unicron)

Close Up I

My photography skills are atrocious

Close Up II

The last one!

Hauls for January 2010

2010-01-05T08:20:00.001-08:00

This year is when Rodimus Prime ascends to the Supreme Commander of the Autobots.

2 January 2010 (Saturday)

Henkei - Ghost Starscream

Music Label - Rumble & Frenzy Earphones

Encore 19 - Cassettes Big Mission 4: Rumble, Frenzy, Overkill, Laserbeak

25 January 2010 (Monday)

Animated - Roadbuster Ultra Magnus

28 January 2010 (Thursday)

ROTF Hasbro Legends - Power Armour Optimus Prime

ROTF Hasbro Legends - Stealth Bumblebee

ROTF Hasbro Legends - Arcee

*Crap, I forgot to get Jolt.

30 January 2010 (Saturday)

Beast Machines - Optimus Primal (blue)

Beast Machines - Blast Punch Optimus Primal

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2009-12-27T09:17:00.000-08:00

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Twelve Victory Saber giftsets,

Eleven Robot Heroes Victory Sabers,

Ten Godmasters & Godbomber,

Nine Headmasters,

Eight Pretenders & Thunderwing,

Seven Galaxy Force exclusives,

Six Headmaster Juniors,

Five prototype Unicrons...

Four gestalts from Victory,

Three Sixchangers,

Two Masterforce recolours/retools from Headmasters,

One golden Galaxy Convoy.

Hauls for December 2009

2009-12-06T09:36:00.000-08:00

3 December 2009 (Thursday)

Revenge of the Fallen

RA-24 - Buster Optimus Prime
RA-25 - Human Alliance Skids & Mikaela Banes (and Arcee)

6 December 2009 (Sunday)

Robot Heroes - Optimus Prime & Ravage

Robot Heroes - Starscream & Mirage

Robot Heroes - Rodimus & Insecticon

Mighty Muggs - Optimus Prime (Movie)

Mighty Muggs - Bumblebee (Movie)

Mighty Muggs - Jazz

Mighty Muggs - Shockwave

Revenge of the Fallen

Hasbro - Swerve

10 December (Thursday)

Revenge of the Fallen

EZ Collection DX01 - Decepticon Overload

EZ Collection DX02 - Decepticon Mixmaster

EZ Collection DX03 - Decepticon Rampage

EZ Collection DX04 - Scavenger

EZ Collection DX05 - Scrapper

EZ Collection DX06 - Long Haul

EZ Collection DX07 - Hightower

12 December 2009 (Saturday)

Alternity - A03 Bumble (Champion Yellow)

Alternity - A03 Cliffjumper (Pearl Red)

13 December 2009 (Sunday)

Music Label - Frenzy & Rumble Playing Earphones

HONG KONG HAUL

20 December 2009 (Sunday)

Beast Machines - Megatron (Red Dragon)

Kabaya Transformers Candy Kit - 01 Convoy

Kabaya Transformers Candy Kit - 02 Henkei Convoy

Kabaya Transformers Candy Kit - 03 Star Saber

DX Micromasters - Landcross

2007 Movie - Grindcore

Classics Legends - Fireflight

Classics Legends - Trypticon

Classics Legends - Perceptor

Classics Legends - Leo Prime

Universe Legends - G1 Starscream

Universe Legends - Onslaught

Universe Legends - Red Alert

Universe Legends - Aerial Rivals 5-Pack

Revenge of the Fallen

Hasbro - Interrogator Barricade

**** Non-Transformers ****

BB Senshi Sangokuden - Metallic Liu Bei

Revoltech - 028 EVA-01 Type F AFC Experiment

24 December 2009 (Thursday)

ROTF Hasbro - Optimus Prime (Voyager)

25 December 2009 (Friday)

IDW - All Hail Megatron Vol. 2

IDW - Classic Transformers Vol. 5

28 December 2009 (Monday)

ROTF Hasbro - Stalker Scorponok

ROTF Hasbro - Legends Bluesteel Sideswipe

ROTF Hasbro - Legends Wheelie

ROTF Hasbro - Legends Soundwave

Star Wars Crossovers - Y-Wing/Y-Wing Pilot

Star Wars Crossovers - Anakin Skywalker/The Twilight

***Non Transformers***

BB Senshi Sangokuden - #33 Sun Ce

BB Senshi Sangokuden - Five Tiger Generals

BB Senshi Sangokuden Gaiden - #5 Ding Fung

BB Senshi Sangokuden Gaiden - #6 Ma Dai

BB Senshi Sangokuden Gaiden - #7 Ma Su

29 December 2009 (Tuesday)

Henkei - C16 Dinobot

Transformers: Galaxy Force Returns, Part 4

2009-11-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe it. Neither should you.

But here we go - a list of Galaxy Force recolours I'm aiming to get. Thing is, they're not Transformers with Force Chips.

They're the Legends recolours.

Haha. Never, never ends.

1.1 Bumblebee (Hot Shot/Exillion) (HAVE!)

Classics (2006)

Well, they do say it's full circle. Like how Hot Shot was inspired by Hot Rod, but given Bumblebee colours (in Micron Legend), and then eventually became the "new" Bumblebee for generations who grew up on the Unicron Trilogy.

1.2 Red Alert (Hot Shot/Exillion)

Universe (2008)

It's interesting how they used his Force Chip Slot as a siren, to account for him as Red Alert.

Me? I think he looks more like Minerva. But then, I'm currently watching Masterforce.

2.1 Menasor (Optimus Prime/Galaxy Convoy) (HAVE!)

Classics (2006)

I always think it's interesting how old, G1 figures can be "recreated" using existing moulds.

Anyway, he looks like an ancient, black and white version of Optimus Prime. Shades of Shattered Glass!

2.2 Hot Zone (Optimus Prime/Galaxy Convoy)

from "Special Team Leaders"

Special Team Leaders Multi-Pack, Universe (2008)

Another glaring reminder of "buy first, regret later". Sigh.

If you're wondering why the pics of the release from multi-packs are so small, it's all been photoshopped from a much larger picture.

3.1 Ramjet (Starscream)

from "Aerial Rivals"

Aerial Rivals Multi-Pack, Universe (2008)

I like the Ramjet redeco, mainly because it also sort of bears homage to the burgundy Starscream in the Vector Prime-Starscream TRU exclusive (that we never got, sigh).

3.2 Thrust (Starscream)

from "Aerial Rivals"

Aerial Rivals Multi-Pack, Universe (2008)

As if to drive home the point that this is a really cool mould, they have two recolours in the same multi-pack, and both are roughly inversions of each other's colour scheme.

4.1 Whirl (Evac/Live Convoy) (HAVE!)

Classics (2006)

Whirl is... I'm not sure who Whirl is. He looks like he might be a Protectobot, although he isn't.

4.2 Blades (Evac)

from "Aerial Rivals"

Aerial Rivals Multi-Pack, Universe (2008)

But Blades is a Protectobot! And not the first Blades in the Universe line, either.

5.1 Fireflight (Jetfire/Dreadrock)

Classics (2006)

I honestly think he looks more like Powerglide, and surprise! That was his original name. But IP law is such a bitch, so he was renamed Fireflight - an Aerialbot. But when you can't really read his bio, it doesn't matter that much, no?

5.2 Skydive (Jetfire/Dreadrock)

from "Aerial Rivals"

Aerial Rivals Multi-Pack, Universe (2008)

I think that most of Jetfire's recolours are really stretching things - in that it's not immediately recognisable who he's supposed to represent. I guess not too many Transformers were cargo planes, and the G1 Jetfire's name would be really confusing to slap on the Galaxy Force Jetfire.

Still... who else could there have been? Hm. Astrotrain?

6.1 Leo Prime (Leobreaker/Ligerjack)

Universe Classics (2007)

Leo Prime/Lio Convoy has been seeing a lot of love, thanks to the fact that a large liger mould exists. Why not a blue/red lion? Sigh. White lions are rare.

6.2 Razorclaw (Leobreaker/Ligerjack)

from "Special Team Leaders"

Special Team Leaders Multi-Pack, Universe (2008)

Razorclaw is so cute. He's like Gloomy Bear - fierce but cuddly. Or a Twilight werewolf. Take your pick.

7.1 Trypticon (Scourge/Flame Convoy)

Classics (2006)

Oooh, Trypticon! A tiny little Decepticon city. But who would his nemesis be?

Mmm. I think a recolour of Optimus Prime as Metroplex would have fit nicely.

7.2 Hun-Gurr (Scourge/Flame Convoy)

from "Special Team Leaders"

Special Team Leaders Multi-Pack, Universe (2008)

At least I know he's a Terrorcon. As for other details... no, Hun-Gurr never really made an impression on me.

8.1 Perceptor (Red Alert/First Gunner)

Classics (2006)

Ah, only a red robot with a giant cannon on his shoulder (as opposed to his arm, which would be a Megatron shout-out) can be Perceptor. Nothing else.

8.2 Onslaught (Red Alert/First Gunner)

Universe (2008)

Should have bought him. Back when there was so much Onslaught love.

9.1 Air Raid (Soundwave)

Aerial Rivals Multi-Pack, Universe (2008)

Um. OK. Why not a white Silverbolt? Might have fit better. I'm not very sure about this colour scheme.

I know! What about Blaster? He is ostensibly a Special Team Leader... of the Cassettebots.

10.1 Scattorshot (Vector Prime)

Special Team Leaders Multi-Pack, Universe (2008)

This is Scattorshot. Although I think he might have fit Silverbolt a little better. The whole white and red thing colour scheme.

Although I wouldn't have minded a Galaxy Force Vector Prime colour scheme as a recolour.

11.1 Jetfire (Thundercracker) (HAVE!)

Classics (2006)

This is a very classic example of how a change in colour scheme can really create a completely different feel, and therefore toy, to sell.

11.2 Silverbolt (Thundercracker)

from "Special Team Leaders"

Special Team Leaders Multi-Pack, Universe (2008)

Oh. After all my whining, they did make a Silverbolt! Although I don't think Thundercracker was the best mould to use. Then again, I'm not a designer.

11.3 Starscream (Thundercracker)

Universe Classics (2008)

If the irony that a Thundercracker recolour is Starscream doesn't strike you...

Bonus #1: Exclusives

As far as I can tell, Hasbro only made two exclusives with the Starscream mould. They are:

Ramjet

Botcon 2005

Looks more like Thrust, really. Ramjet's name gets a lot of love, eh?

Skywarp

San Diego Comicon 2005

With him, the Skywarp-Thundercracker-Starscream triumvirate is complete.

Will I get them? Yeah, sure, if I get all the Botcon exclusives. Haha.

Bonus #2: Multi-Packs

Just some pics of the multipacks that hold about half of my wants.

Special Team Leaders

Razorclaw, Hot Spot, Hun-Gurr, Scattorshot, Silverbolt

I always like these "planet-themed" packs. Like, the leaders of different teams get together or face-off or such thematically similar groupings. Although, yes, they are all recolours.

Aerial Rivals

Ramjet, Blades, Thrust, Air Raid, Skydive

This one... not so, because there's a pair of recolours inside it. Although they are cool recolours.

That's it for this post! Next up - Galaxy Force EZ series! The sinkhole continues.

Want List

2009-11-06T20:52:00.000-08:00

I'm looking to buy the following.

If you're keen on selling, do contact me at victorysabervictorysaber@yahoo.com

Thank you!

Preferably at least loose complete.

Transformers: G1
1)Galvatron's accessories - black gun, cannon (barrel and attachment)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
1)Fast Action Battler - Cannon Force Ironhide

Transformers: Cybertron

1)Shadow Recon Mini-Con Team

2)Vector Prime vs Starscream (burgundy) Toys R Us Two-Pack

3)Landmine

4)Undermine

5)Evac

Transformers: Universe

1)Bumblebee (Legends)

Transformers: Beast Wars

5)10th Anniversary Megatron

Transformers: Robots in Disguise/Car Robots

1)Brave Maximus

=The Expensive Stuff=

Botcon 2006: Dawn of Future's Past

1)Cheetor

2)Dinobot

3)Megatron

4)Optimus Primal

5)Rattrap

6)Rhinox

7)Tigatron (Unit 2)

Botcon 2007

1)Alpha Trion

2)Huffer

3)Springer

4)Weirdwolf

Botcon 2008: Shattered Glass

1)Blurr

2)Goldbug

3)Jazz

4)Richochet

5)Starscream

Botcon 2009

1)Elita 1

2)Flak

3)Kup

4)Razorclaw

5)Scourge

6)Sweeps

Sell List

2009-11-06T20:48:00.000-08:00

Want to buy the following?

Prices may be negotiable; you can improve your chances by buying more than two.

Please contact me at victorysabervictorysaber@yahoo.com if you're keen.

Transformers: Masterpiece

1)Starscream (anime colours) MISB $99

Transformers: Fiction

1)Beast Wars Sourcebook $35

2)The Ark II $29

Bundle Offer! Both for $59!

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

1)Fast Action Battlers - Sand Attack Bumblebee MISB $27

2)Hasbro - Rampage (red version) MISB $27

Bundle Offer! Both for $49!

Transformers: Robot Heroes

1)Grimlock & Shockwave MISB $15

2)The Final Battle 5-Pack (2007 Movie) MISB $25

Transformers: Movie 2007

1)Transformers Movie 2007 Jigsaw Puzzle MISB $9

2)Optimus Prime, Leader Class, First Release MIB $89

3)Transformers Legends AllSpark Battles - Ironhide* vs Desert Blackout MOC $15

*Missing one wheel.

4)Robot Heroes: The Final Battle 5-Pack MISB $25

Bundle Offer! All 4 for $125!

Transformers: Classics

1)Treadbolt (Jetfire recolour) MIB $39

2)Jetfire & Grimlock Twinpack MIB $79

Bundle Offer! All 3 for $109!

Transformers: Animated

1)Activators Ratchet Loose Complete with Card $14

2)Activators Bumblebee Loose Complete with Card & Instructions $16

Transformers: Armada/Micron Legend

1)Sea Minicon Team (Blue Version) Loose Complete with Instructions & Card $19

2)MM12 X-Dimension Air Military Microns Loose Complete with Instructions & Card $19

3)MC-12 Ratchet Supermode with Spark Hook (Powerlinx Red Alert with Longarm) MISB $49

Bundle Offer! All 3 for $79

Transformers: Cybertron/Galaxy Force

1)Coby Rumble (Cobybot) Loose Complete with Instructions $89

Star Wars Transformers

1)Anakin Jedi Starfighter MOSC $39

Transformers: Robots in Disguise

1)Landfill giftset (yellow) MISB $99

Hauls for November 2009

2009-11-05T01:02:00.000-08:00

New month, new toys.

4 November 2009

Universe - Leo Prime (red and blue)

ROTF - DVD with Transforming Bumblebee cover

5 November 2009

Transformers Crossovers: Star Wars - Shock Trooper/V-Wing Starfighter
Transformers Crossovers: Star Wars - Battle Droid/AAT

****Non-Transformers****

SD Gundams

BB Senshi Sangokuden - 30(340). Taishiji Dom (Taishi Ci)
BB Senshi Sangokuden - Ryofu Tallgeese (Lu Bu) (Crystal Edition)
BB Senshi Sangokuden - 31(345). Kyou-i Gundam F91 (Jiang Wei)
BB Senshi Sangokuden Gaiden - 3(341). Juniku Gundam (Xun Yu)
BB Senshi Sangokuden Gaiden - 4(342). Kyocho Gundam (Xu Chu)

14 November 2009

Beast Machines - BR 11 Noble Savage (Savage/Noble)

****Non-Transformers****

Neon Genesis Evangelion - Revoltech

Revoltech 005 - EVA-00

Revoltech 067 - EVA Test Type-01 New Movie Edition

Revoltech 068 - EVA Production Model-02 New Movie Edition

Revoltech 076 - EVA-01 New Movie Edition Awakening Ver.

Revoltech 077 - EVA-05 New Movie Edition Movie Color Ver.

Transformers: Galaxy Force - Toy List

2009-11-02T19:52:00.000-08:00

Taken from a valuable resource, the Japanese ID Numbers entry on tfwiki.

C-00 Primus

GC-01 Galaxy Convoy

GC-02 Exillion

GC-03 Vector Prime

GC-04 Dreadlock

GC-05 Jackshot

GC-06 Backpack

GC-07 Micron Team

GC-08 Auto Microns

GC-09 Guardshell

GC-10 Nitro Convoy

GC-11 First Aid

GC-12 Skids

GC-13 Autolander

GC-14 Fangwolf

GC-15 Saidos

GC-16 Ligerjack

GC-17 Autovolt

GC-18 Live Convoy

GC-19 Exigeyser

GC-20 Backguild

GC-21 First Gunner

GC-22 Sonic Bomber

GC-23 Megalo Convoy

GD-01 Master Megatron

GD-02 Thundercracker

GD-03 Starscream

GD-04 Landbullet

GD-05 Gasket

GD-06 Inch-Up

GD-07 Flame Convoy

GD-08 Dino Shout

GD-09 Demolishor

GD-10 Terashaver

GD-11 Chromia

GD-12 Roadstorm

GD-13 Rumble

GD-14 Master Galvatron

GX-01 Noisemaze

GX-02 Soundwave

EX-01 Dark Ligerjack

EX-02 Sonic Convoy

GS-01 Blurr vs Buzzsaw

GS-02 Longrack vs Runabout

Force Chip Attacks

2009-11-01T17:14:00.001-08:00

Because the wonderful people at tfwiki think that it's not important enough to be on the page itself...

Galaxy Convoy (Optimus Prime) - Galaxy Cannon, Full Burst

Liger Convoy (Optimus Prime, Savage Claw Mode) - Liger Ground/Grand Break

Sonic Convoy (Optimus Prime, Sonic Wing Mode) - Sonic Double Impact

Galaxy Convoy with Megalo Convoy's axe (Optimus Prime with Sparkdrinker) - Galaxy Giga Crush

Master Megatron (Megatron) - Death Claw & Death Machine Gun

Liger Megatron (Megatron, Dark Claw Mode) - Liger Death Strike (once, Liger Death Break)

Master Galvatron (Galvatron) - Death Claw & Death Machine Gun & Death Cannon

Nitro Convoy (Override) - Nitro Boost & Mach Shot

Flame Convoy (Scourge) - Death Flame & Flame Strike

Live Convoy (Evac) - Jet Booster & Falling Missile & Homing Missile & Jet Missile

Megalo Convoy & Horribull (Metroplex & Drill Bit) - Megalo Crush & Axe Crusher & Megalo Boomerang

Super Starscream (Starscream) - Vortex Blade & Vortex Cannon

Noisemaze (Sideways) - Unnamed

Soundwave (Soundwave) - Blaster Gun

Primus (Primus) - Unnamed

Rumble (Scrapmetal) - None

Coby Rumble (Cobybot) - Hissatsu Coby Shot

Exillion (Original Hot Shot) - Accel Wing

Backpack (Original Scattorshot) - Ground Shot Up & Land Shot

First Aid (Original Red Alert) - Photon Beam

Jackshot (Overhaul) - Anchor Shot

Dreadrock (Jetfire) - Dread Cannon, Full Burst & Jetstream

Guardshell (Landmine) - Tornado Cutter

Vector Prime & Roots (Vector Prime & Safeguard) - Repulsion Field & Time Relief & Action Field

Starscream (Starscream) - Vortex Blade & Vortex Storm

Thundercracker (Thundercracker) - Thunder Hell & Super Hell Special Deluxe/Big Spinning Thunder Hell Scattering Fireworks/Sure Kill Ultra Hurricane Slash And Crush Shoot/Drill Spinning Thunder Hell Electric Drop/Hissatu! Super Electric Lightning Shock Electric Thunder Cracker Punch!/Hyper Ultra Big Missile Full Burst Maximum Alpha!/Hyper Ultra Big Missile Full Burst Maximum Beta Two

Demolishor (Mudflap) - Mega Crane Blade

Exigeyser (Cybertron Defense Hot Shot) - Double X Shot & Battle Dagger

Backgild (Cybertron Defense Scattorshot) - Twin Search Missile

First Gunner (Cybertron Defense Red Alert) - Giga Vanisher

Vanguard Team (Cybertron Defense Team) - Triangle Attack

Ligerjack (Leobreaker) - Platinum Claw & Ultra Liger Drop

Sonic Bomber (Wing Saber) - Flap Sword & Galaxy Caliber

Dark Ligerjack (Nemesis Breaker) - Unnnamed

Autovolt (Crosswise) - Force Missile

Chromia (Thunderblast) - Phantom Wave

Roadstorm (Lugnutz) - Side Machine Gun

Skids (Clocker) - Smash Burner

Autolander (Brakedown) - Motor Blade

Inch Up (Dirt Boss) - Shoulder Vulcan

Landbullet (Crumplezone) - Land Bazooka & Ultra Tune Up Level 2 Ignition

Armbullet (Dark Crumplezone) - Arm Bazooka

Gasket (Ransack) - Exhaust Shot & Exhaust Boost & Reverse Tune Ignition

Saidos (Backstop) - Bloody Horn

Fang Wolf (Snarl) - Power Fang

Dinoshout (Undermine) - Crest Sword

Terashaver (Brimstone) - Slash Knife

Blender & Killbull (Quickmix & Stripmine) - Mixing Cannon

Moledive & Bullbull (Menasor & Heavy Load) - Giant Drill

Hauls for October 2009

2009-10-04T06:59:00.001-07:00

October 4th

Alternity - Black Diamond Megatron

Mighty Muggs - Optimus Prime (SDCC)

Encore 18 - Skids

Classics - Legends Bumblebee

Classics - Legends Menasor

Classics - Legends Jetfire

Classics - Legends Autobot Whirl

Revenge of the Fallen

RA-21 - Human Alliance Sideswipe & Sam Witwicky

RA-22 - Human Alliance Bumblebee & Tech Sergeant Epps

RA-23 - Arcee

RD-17 - Long Haul

RD-18 - Grindor

October 7th

Revenge of the Fallen

Fast Action Battlers - Sand Attack Bumblebee

Fast Action Battlers - Missile Assault Grindor

Fast Action Battlers - Missile Attack Skids

Universe - Mini-Con 10 Pack

October 18th

Marvel Transformers: Crossovers - Iron Man & Spider-Man Giant Super Bomber

Revenge of the Fallen

The Fallen (burning colours)

October 23rd

IDW - Transformers: Escalation (3)

Hauls for September 2009

2009-09-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

And it was supposed to be a lean, lean month.

1 September 2009

Henkei - Electro Disruptor Ligier (Mirage)

Marvel Transformers Crossovers - Captain America

IDW - Transformers: Energon Vol. 1

12 September 2009

Revenge of the Fallen

RA-17 Stratosphere
RA-18 Blazemaster
RA-19 Jolt
RA-20 Ice Cream Truck

RD-15 Ejector (gotta love the name)

Swerve

Robot Heroes - Cheetor vs Tankor

13 September 2009

Revenge of the Fallen

Legends - Enforcer Ironhide

Legends - Recon Bumblebee

Legends - Sideways

Legends - Autobot Skids

Legends - Straightaway Shootout (Swerve, Mudflap, Ironhide vs Runamuck, Sparkcrusher)

Robot Heroes - Ironhide & Mixmaster

Robot Heroes - Chromia & Megatron

Robot Heroes - Autobot Ratchet & Barricade

Robot Heroes - Jolt & Ravage

Fast Action Battlers - Sword Slash Starscream

Fast Action Battlers - Battle Blade Sideswipe

19 September

Revenge of the Fallen

RD-16 Devastator

Banpresto - Optimus Prime Plushie

Banpresto - Bumblebee Plushie

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Chapter 4

2009-09-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you a secret.

I don't really like the ROTF toys. I think they're ugly, and not very creatively designed.

Case-in-point - Megatron (either one), the Fallen, Soundwave and Ravage. Yes, they're Cybertronian. Doesn't mean that it has to look like some spiky insect. It's alien, true - but you need some point of reference for people to even know what it's supposed to transform into.

Still, my principle is - buy one of each mould. I'd like to collect new moulds. Just to see how it's done.

Though I must say, the design aesthetic for the smaller ones, Deluxe and below, really is a matter of - see how we can shove their limbs in weird ways when it's in alternatve mode. Kind of like RiD. If they were coloured the same way, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

Especially the twins. Gah.

1)RA-10 Skids

It is very difficult to convey the irritation I have with the Twins. Not that I have anything against black guys, or low class fellows.

But gosh, two of them? And they don't even really do much. They (possibly) died offscreen during the fight with Devastator. They don't actually fight anyone besides each other.

Sigh. Transformers were supposed to be cool. Not idiots.

Skids, Robot Mode

His right hand is a giant fist. OK.

He's ugly.

However, he is the better balanced twin, in that he can actually stand up by himself and not get blown over by any little breeze. The downside? No missiles. I guess you can't have everything.

Skids, Alternate Mode

So basically, how Skids transforms is - put his shell together, stuff all his limbs under the car so they fit nicely and don't protrude out.

He's a Chevy Beat. Beats me, I don't know what that is either. But it's not even a real car. It's a concept car - meaning, it doesn't exist.

I don't like hatchbacks. So I don't like his alternate mode.

2)RA-15 Mudflap

How do you remember which Twin is which?

Mudflap is the the brown one, because he's Mudflap, so he's shit-coloured.

Really! That's how I remember them, anyway.

Mudflap, Robot Mode

Mudflap is horrible in robot mode. He's ill-balanced. He's shorter than Skids (because if you want him balanced properly, you have to make him hunch forward. He's got elephantitis in his left arm. He's a hunchback.

The only saving grace is that his left arm fires a missile.

Mudflap, Alternate Mode

Again, it's a concept car. A Chevy Trax. It looks like a brown version of the Beat - I really cannot tell what are the specific differences. I mean, yes, there are differences, but the general look of either is the same.

It's amazing how both Skids & Mudflap share the same basic transformation steps. You could see it as - they're twins, so they transform similarly. Or you could see it as lazy designers. I prefer to see it as a designer nod to the fact that they're twins.

The Twins

Sigh. If they were loveable, maybe I'd like them. If they were funny, maybe I'd laugh at them. Right now, they're neither.

May they rest in peace wherever they are.

3)RD-03 Demolishor

Demolishor is one of those quirky Transformers that becomes a robot that can't really do anything.

Move? Pose? Shoot? Punch? I'm sorry, Demolishor can't do any.

Because he will fall over very easily. Look at his robot mode. Look at it.

Demolishor, Robot Mode

The fact is, Demolishor will fall over unless you use his shovel arms for support.

It's because in the movie, Demolishor gets around by rolling on his giant wheel-for-leg. But you can't really replicate that very well in real life - so his arms have become his support. He's a three-pronged thing.

No. I don't like him, either. Too alieny.

Demolishor, Alternate Mode

However, to sort of compensate for his weirdass robot mode, his alternate mode is actually not bad.

And if you look carefully at the windows, the scale is huge. Demolishor really towers over any Transformer, were there some way to replicate their relative proportions.

4)RD-12 Mixmaster

Mixmaster is a tad small, for a cement mixer. At least, compared to the other Transformers. Then again, relativity and sizing and proportions have never been a strong suit for the series.

Mixmaster is touted as a "triple changer"... in so far that if you mish mash his robot mode a little, you get his "third" mode. Right. I don't buy that. If I did, all my Transformers would be 9999-changers.

Mixmaster, Robot Mode

Horribly taken picture, I know.

Mixmaster has humanoid proportions, and really long, menacing arms. I wish the cannon on his back could somehow point forward - but it's all right. Mixmaster can always go on all fours and aim his cannon at whoever's attacking.

Mixmaster, Alternate Mode

Having a giant Decepticon logo doesn't really help with the whole "blending in" thing.

But his alternate mode is pretty awesome. Well detailed, realistic, and makes me want to buy a real-life cement mixer too.

5)RD-01 Megatron

Esteemed leader of the Decepticons. Hello.

You look a little slimy and algae-covered. Must be all that time in the sea.

I like you. At least you're a new, original mould, not like Optimus Prime.

Megatron, Robot Mode

Cannon arm? Check.

Sword arm? Check.

Wings/cape? Check.

Vicious face? Check.

This is Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. And he's a much more fun, and cooler toy, than his Leader class variant. Fun fun fun!

Megatron, Alternate Mode

Honestly, Megatron looks like some fossilised crab here.

But he's a planetank! Meaning, he's got the wings to explain his flight in the movie.

Now, if he only could actually kill somebody this time.

6)RD-10 The Fallen

By far the most anticipated character in the movie (for me, at least), the Fallen comes from a time before our own, from a place beyond our reach.

The Fallen, Robot Mode

The thing about the Fallen, like with Megatron, is that he looks alien. But unlike Megatron, the Fallen actually looks menacing as an alient robot - while Megatron looks weird for the sake of looking weird.

Pity he doesn't come with his staff.

The Fallen, Alternate Mode

The Fallen's alternate mode is quite scary, in that it at once looks like a plane, yet at once looks like it could, or would kill people.

And he's bigger/broader than Megatron.

Here's to hoping that a Leader class version of the Fallen is made. Even Supreme class.

And it's time for me to go to bed. Night!

Hauls for August 2009

2009-08-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

It's been a kind of busy month, without a lot of time to sit down and blog about Transformers. Still, no month is complete without some sort of record of the money that's gone to pieces of plastic.

8 August 2009

Revenge of the Fallen

RD-09 Ransack

RD-10 The Fallen

RD-11 Megatron

RD-12 Decepticon Mixmaster

RD-13 Ravage

RD-14 Scalpel

RA-13 Jetfire

RA-14 Cannon Bumblebee

RA-15 Mudflap

RA-16 Dune Runner

13 August 2009

Robots in Disguise - Hot Shot & R.E.V.

Robots in Disguise - W.A.R.S. & Crosswise

Robots in Disguise - Ironhide & Mirage

Robot Masters - eHobby Victory Saber (black)

16 August 2009

Universe - Leo Prime

Encore - #16 Bruticus

Encore - #17 Cassettes Vol. 2

29 August 2009

Transformers Generations Vol. 3

Where did all my money go? September is going to be a lean, lean month.

Call You... Kimi to Boku no Mirai

2009-08-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

Call You... Kimi to Boku no Mirai (Call You... The Future of Yours and Mine) is the opening theme song for the first half of Galaxy Force, episodes 1 to 27.

To grace this occasion, we have Sonic Convoy to greet us. The Hasbro version. Hello, Sonic Convoy!

Sonic Convoy

Yes, my photography skills are atrocious.

I present to you the lyrics (plus translations) for the TV sized version of the song. TV size means the 1 minute version you here on the show's opening.

The original words are bolded and italicised.

Kaze no Uta Hibiku Haruka naru Daichi

The song of the wind resounds across the land

Kikoeru daro Yume Kizamu rhythm

You can hear it right? It's the rhythm of the dream

Donna Teki Kite mo Bokutachi no power

No matter what enemy comes, with our power

Ignition Hi o Tsuketa Yuuki

Ignition! The flame of courage is lit

Kono hoshi o Mamoru Nani ga Okotte mo

I will protect this planet no matter what happens

Boku mo Kimi mo Ikiteiru Akashi! Dakara!

Because! It proves we're alive!

Kakenuketeku Yuushi wa

These journeying valiant warriors

Kizuna de Musubareta Seigi sa

Are connected by a bond of justice

Issho ni Ikou ze

Let's go together

We just call you Transformer

We just call you Transformers

Transformer

Transformers

Ride on!

Ride on!

So repeated listening of this made me feel so emo. It made the Transformers sound so tragic, so noble, so sad... travelling so far from the comforts of their home, in order to save the universe. The sacrifices they must have made, the pain they must have felt seeing their home planet eaten by the Grand Black Hole, and the sheer determination to make it past another day.

All so that we, the denizens of the universe, could survive and live another day.

Super Sonic Convoy (the metallic, clear version) will lead you into the next section of the blog post.

Super Sonic Convoy

I love him. EX-02 Sonic Convoy. The only thing cooler would be a golden Primus.

I mean Primus kind of golden Primus, not a Rodimus kind of golden Primus.

So here are the lyrics to the full version of Call You. No English translation exists (that I can find), so... all you can see are sounds. Haha.

Kaze no Uta Hibiku Haruka Naru Daichi

Kikoeru Daro Ume Kizamu RIZUMU

Donna Teki Kite mo Bokutachi no PAWAA

IGUNISHON hi wo Tsuketa Yuuki

Kono Hoshi o Mamoru Nani ga Okotte mo

Boku mo Kimi mo Ikiteiru Akashi! Dakara!

Kakenu Keteku Yuushi wa

Kizuna De Musubareta Seigi sa

issho ni ikou ze

We just call you TORANSUFOOMAA

Kono Souna no ao wo Oinaru Kunoga

Nomi Kondeku Kiresona Konowo

Ima Boku ha Chikau Tori Mose Mirai

Asu he Nukau Shinjitsu no Torira! Akero!

Mugenu Tai no Yuuki ga

Tatachi wo Kae Nagara Tamidatsu

Kosae wo Sanashini

We just call you TORANSUFOOMAA

Kakenu Keteku Yuushi wa

Kizuna de Musubareta Seigi sa

Issho ni Ikou ze

We just call you TORANSUFOOMAA

TORANSUFOOMAA

Ride on!

Now, you think I only have two Sonic Convoys right? At most I could have a third Takara version, but it'd still look the same.

But no. I have another. Dark Sonic Convoy, I call him.

Dark Sonic Convoy

He looks like a twisted, evil, alternate universe version of Sonic Convoy, doesn't he? That's because he is. In a way. I don't know what's my in-universe story for him, but I'm thinking of borrowing a few ideas from the Dead Universe saga.

He's comprised of two Hasbro products.

Cybertron: Galaxy Force Optimus Prime

Movie (2007): Wingblade

As unlikely as it was to find someone who was mad enough to buy two recolours when he already has two versions of each... someone, it happened. Me.

But I collect Galaxy Force recolours, remember?

And so top it all off...

Sonic Convoy(s)

Just to fulfill the fundamental urge to show off, that all collectors have.

No point buying if nobody sees right?

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Chapter 3

2009-08-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

If it isn't obvious yet... I'm not a fan of the Decepticons in this movie. I mean sure, there's Megatron, Starscream, the Fallen, and... and... who else again?

Nobody really gets named. You really need to read all the accompanying media and such in order to know their names, and even so, fans can't tell who's who. At least in the first movie, I could. Here? Not a chance.

Who exactly is there? Good question. Besides Devastator's components, there's

Grindor (Blackout lookalike)

Sideways

Demolishor (a Constructicon)

Soundwave

Ravage

Scalpel

And hordes of generic Decepticons in the final battle.

Sigh.

1)RD-05 Sideways

Poor Sideways. People thought he would be a Decepticon spy that posed as Sideswipe.

But in the end, he was the first casualty of the movie. Sigh.

And he was the apparent Barricade stand-in, too. Sigh sigh sigh.

Sideways, Robot Mode

Sideways' head is a dead ringer for Barricade. Perhaps the miracle of trans-scanning has brought about Barricade in a new body?

Sideways is quite a dainty robot, thanks to how his legs stand. I'm fairly impressed although a little annoyed at how unstable this all makes him.

He's also a little reminiscent of Car Robots days, when Transformers were really, really difficult to transform. He's got little buttons that really require you to read instructions to figure out, and even so... transforming him's a little bitch.

But I like the nastiness eh brings. Spinning saw blade hands. Spiky back that could cut you apart. Just the general thinginess of him all scares me.

Sideways, Alternate Mode

Admittedly, I'm not very familiar with their alternate modes this time around. He's an Audi R8, I believe. Not a bad car, if not very similar to Sideswipe.

Actually, it's just because they're both silver cars, haha.

Overall, Sideways isn't a bad toy to get. Just that he's not one of the top tier bad guys in my world... and maybe not in your world, either.

3)RD-04 Soundwave

I like the whole idea of Soundwave as a satelite... except that it wasn't very well executed. Yeah... he's a triple changer but in the same way that Car Robots Devil Gigatron was a 10-changer that looked like a mess.

Again, Cybertronian modes are not a license to make starfish-esque alternate modes. Starro the Conqueror, meet your cyborg self.

Soundwave, Robot Mode

He's really short and stocky, not like the other Decepticons who are usually sleek and tall and thin. However, he's stocky in the hobbit way, not the chunky dwarf way.

Still, there's an amazing amount of detailing on him. And for that, I'd forgive the rather... subpar robot mode.

Soundwave, Cruiser Mode

I think this looks like the satellite mode. But apparently, it's the cruiser mode. OK. I guess they do things a tad differently on Cybertron.

It looks much nicer than his satellite mode, imho.

Soundwave, Satellite Mode

Flip flip goes a few panels, and... tada! Third mode!

I know. I think it's weird, too.

But since it's all Cybertronian modes, and it looks like nothing on this Earth, it's apparently... forgiveable. Haiyah.

I'm going to group all the Cybertronian mode dudes together and take a photo.

And so that's about it for the Revenge of the Fallen Transformers so far. I'll take a break before the next lot!

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Chapter 2

2009-07-31T20:27:00.000-07:00

Today we look at some Autobots. Small, but they all appeared in the Movie.

Actually they aren't small. They're larger than Star Wars figures, but you know, let's not go there. I have too little money as it is.

1)RA-03 Bumblebee

There's really nothing more to be said for Bumblebee that I haven't already said 2 years ago, seeing that it's the same mould, after all. Except for the amputated arm (replaced by a cannon). But then, he kind of grows on you.

Bumblebee, Robot Mode

When I first got him, I didn't think much of him (that is, his original mould).

Then I ended up getting 3 more copies of him. Stealth, Premium, Cliffjumper... and now, him. What does this show? How endearing his mould is, I'd say.

I don't know why. Maybe it's all the hype. Maybe it's because his other toys are really not that playable. But anyway, I made him a ninja in my attempted and aborted web comic.

His head, however, gives me nightmares. Those big, bulging blue eyes! They don't make him look more human, they make him look downright alien. Luckily, you can't tell from this picture.

Bumblebee, Alternate Mode

I'm not much of a car person, so no comments here. There really isn't any much difference that I can tell between this and his prior incarnations.

Excited about Cannon Bumblebee, though!

2)RA-04 Sideswipe

Sideswipe's the kind of Transformer you'd love to hate. Born with a good alternate mode, and a good robot mode, he's really been blessed by Primus with everything. Good looks, good body, and everybody loves him.

Except that he doesn't talk much in the movie. Oh well, life is fair... to an extent.

Sideswipe, Robot Mode

See, he's a sleek silver and black. That's already a +1.

Then's got nifty feet wheels! No, no, his feet are wheels! He can run faster than any landbound Transformer already.

He's got double blades on each arm. And not some pitiful excuse for a blade, these are long blades, swords even, and even if you jabbed some Supreme class dude, it's going to hurt. Melee power to the max. Who needs missiles when you've got four swords?

Finally, he's got wings. Some people like the kibble, some don't. I'm ambivalent about kibble generally - it depends on how well it integrates in. But here, his kibble performs very well as a cape/wings.

If I were a female Transformer, I'd be in love with Sideswipe already.

Sideswipe, Alternate Mode

Sideswipe is a cool Corvette Stingray. Although it doesn't technically exist, since it's a concept car, like Bumblebee's Chevrolet Camaro.

Not being a car person, I ordinarily wouldn't gush about car modes. But I will about Sideswipe. He just looks so sleek and streamlined, I'd buy another Sideswipe just to keep in alternate mode. Really. And all subsequent recolours, too.

I'm a sucker.

3)RA-11 Chromia

I like female Autobots. Female Transformers, in general. They are nice to kidnap, and everyone likes to see butt kicking females. And how else is their race going to reproduce?

Chromia, Robot Mode

I'm not entirely a fan of Chromia's robot mode - mainly because you need a stand to prop her up properly. She's generally not very well put together, imho. Her back/chest tends to split apart, because her left arm is a very heavy cannon, compared to her regular right arm.

Still, with rumours of her impending combining powers, I'd like to see how it all plays out (and get suckered into buying the giftset, of course).

Chromia, Alternate Mode

I'm not a fan of needing a stand to prop up any sort of mode. Heels on legs, I can dig. A whole dedicated stand? What happened to plain old-fashioned engineering?

Score one for bikeformers though! She's the heftiest one I have by far. I'm not sure why she's so bigger than the rest (though only slightly), though.

4)RA-09 Wheelie

I was OK with Wheelie, in G1. Not a fan, but OK. He was cute and eager.

Then came this movie. And I am highly annoyed.

Wheelie, Robot Mode

Wheelie's characterisation annoys me. As if we didn't have Mudflap & Skids as comic relief... now we need Wheelie? A nasal brat? Who reminds me of... touche.

At any rate, I believe that Transformers are, first and foremost, intended to be cool. Strip that away, and you could be a Roadbot. Or any other number of clone lines of transforming robots. Maybe even a Gobot.

Mudflap & Skids do have their cool moments - and that is the battle with Devastator. But Wheelie has no such saving grace. He's defeated by a human, and then humps her like a dog. He is utterly useless in battle. All his mission goals? Fail. He does nothing except to be a plot device that isn't funny.

I don't like his droopy eyes, so I placed them in a frown, for his robot mode.

Wheelie, Alternate Mode

The irony is that Wheelie transforms into a toy. The most useless of alternate modes. Not a gun, not a camera, not even a toaster. An RC car.

So if a Supreme Wheelie comes out that transforms into an RC car, I will not be very amused. Ha ha. Funny. Yes. But not amusing.

I don't like Wheelie. Sorry.

And he's so freaking huge compared to the others.

That wraps up this chapter. Next chapter, we'll see the Decepticons! All... 2 of them. Haha.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Chapter 1

2009-07-31T09:05:00.000-07:00

And so it begins. I dedicate this opening post to Stephy.

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.

But here we go.

1)RA-01 Optimus Prime

Sometimes, I think an English translator needs to work at Takara's offices. I understand the designation of RA (Revenge of the Fallen Autobots), but still somebody should have told them that in English, it means other things, too. Oh well. Breastforce, anyone?

Optimus Prime, Robot Mode

I really need to put more effort into photo taking.

Anyway, back to Optimus. Compared to his chunkier previous model, this mould gives him anime proportion legs, and generally creates a sleeker look for him. Really long legs. Like, Megan Fox legs. OK her legs aren't that long, but you get the idea. Isabel Lucas legs. There you go.

I also like his double blades! Really, guns are cool only if they are massive cannons. Having melee weapons gives a more visceral feel to him. And who isn't going to re-enact the Optimus vs Megatron & Starscream & Grindor battle? Slashing with his nifty blades, too.

Even for the first Movie, I preferred Premium Optimus Prime - simply because he had a knife/axe/sharp melee weapon. I felt his gun didn't do him justice. If you give him a gun - giant cannons please. Which is why I think Buster Optimus Prime is such a great idea - dedicated giant cannons specially incorporated into the design.

After all, weapons are really important to any Transformer. Weaponless Transformers are kinda... well, look at Minicons.

Are those ribs or serratus anterior?

At any rate, Optimus is not without his flaws. See those ribs of his? Or muscles. I don't actually know - he's a robot, after all.

How they all connect

What happens, in the process of transforming, you have to dislodge his ribs.

And it's not an easy task.

Surgery

Either you master the skill of pulling something bigger through a hole that's smaller (useful for making love too, I'm sure), or you just use brute force to drag the peg through the hole.

The problem with brute force is that it will wear out the peg sooner or later, and then you'll have droopy ribs for Optimus. So here I'm scared of transforming him too many times. Just let him fight, that'll be enough for me.

Optimus Prime, Alternate Mode

It's amazing how his first movie and this movie have the same alternate modes - but transform into completely different looking robots.

At any rate, I think Optimus is lots of fun to play with. Largely because of his sexy long legs, and mostly because of his giant blades.

Rip!

2)RD-01 Megatron

I'm very sad to say this, but...

Megatron wasn't really much fun.

He's not that poseable, neither does he have alot of... gimmicks? He's also not very well balanced, weight-wise. So there aren't a lot of things you can do with him.

Megatron, Robot Mode

The biggest beef I have is with his general design aesthetic. Chunky legs, one huge arm, and one... er... not-so-huge arm.

Now, I have fat legs. But I'm not a toy. Or a cool robot. Megatron has huge legs, and I'm not entirely sure what purpose that serves. It just looks awful. It's not like Megaman legs, where it's a really muscular calf, but a small thigh. Megatron's legs are just triangular slabs of metal that don't look very... agile. Powerful, maybe, but not agile.

And then the assymmetrical arms. I'm OK with a little assymmetry, but this is ridiculous. A massive cannon arm is cool. But the other withered arm looks awful - enough to overshadow the coolness of the cannon arm. It makes Megatron look slightly cancerous, or that he's on steroids gone wrong.

He also looks like he might fall over anytime.

Megatron, Alternate Mode

Sigh.

Cybertronian vehicles are nice, if they're like Galaxy Force Soundwave or the Fallen. But not this.

I've said it before... please, designers, don't let "Cybertronian" be an excuse to throw aesthetics out the window and do whatever you want with the design. Creativity is good. Creativity without limits is just chaos.

Oddly, the tank looks like Animated Shockwave's design.

Megatron vs Optimus Prime

Hm. When you place them side-by-side... Megatron looks like a really wussy, mismatched tank. I evidently don't like the design, and I really think some more thought needs to be put into the Decepticon leader.

More to come when I next blog! Soon. Hopefully.

Transformers: Galaxy Force Returns, Part 3

2009-07-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

Today we talk about... Botcon exclusives. Since I uploaded the photos sort of backwards, we must start from the last. Then again, I shall go by... year. Since it is thematically easier, since same year = same continuity.

A short note - since Cybertron only came out in 2006, it stands to reason that the exclusive recolours (what an oxymoron) only started in 2006.

Botcon 2006

Dawn of Future's Past

They're basically the same characters from Beast Wars - before they got beast modes.

1)Axalon Rattrap

Rattrap

Gasket/Ransack as Rattrap? Not a bad choice, considering their similar charaters. Of course, the colours help alot to transplant one image onto another toy.

And also, remember Rattrap's Transmetal alt mode? It sort of fits the motorcycle theme. I guess painting buckteeth on also gives that image.

It's a nice homage. :) Is the word even homage? I don't know.

2)Axalon Rhinox

Rhinox

Taken from the Guardshell/Landmine and given a green spin on it. Does it work? Mmm...

Not really. I can't offhand say who would have made a better mould - perhaps Moledive/Menasor, actually. I always thought of Rhinox as this big green brown lug - kind of like the Hulk, actually. So this doesn't really fit my impression of him.

And where are his giant chain guns? Or at least some overdeveloped weaponry. Oh well.

3)Axalon Cheetor

Cheetor

Even before this redeco, I've always thought of Skids/Clocker as having this berserker mode - where his tailpipes would become claws and he'd go all Wolverine. His recolour, Swerve, gave more of that feel.

So when I saw that Cheetor was using the Skids mould... oh. Somebody had the same idea, evidently. Haha.

4)Darksyde Dinobot

Dinobot

Hmm using the Longrack mould really, really doesn't work for me. Surely a figure with more features could have been chosen? After all, Dinobot really had an arseful of weapons - spinning sword, tail shield, eye beams.... the list goes on. An arseful arsenal.

I think... Noisemaze/Sideways would have been a better choice. Especially with his wing/shield weapon accessory.

5)Axalon Optimus Primal

Optimus Primal

I got to say that features-wise, Landbullet/Crumplezone really nails it. The over-the-shoulder cannons. That is the one reason to use Landbullet's mould.

But the whole feel of it is a little strange. Maybe because I thought Optimus' alternate pre-beast mode would be more of a... Inch Up/Dirt Boss kind of vehicle. Not something that is ostensibly sleek.

Nevertheless, not a bad choice, really.

6)Unit 2/Tigatron

Tigatron

I don't know why it's sideways, either.

While #1 to #5 were part of a set, this figure was only available to those who picked up their box set in person. Sweet. A recolour of a recolour. Haha.

7)Darksyde Megatron

Megatron

This is good stuff, really. Megatron alone is bigger than any of the Maximals (althought that isn't the case in the show) (not until Dragon Megatron anyway), and he could probably take them all on.

Yes, I like First Gunner/CD Red Alert's mould for Megatron. It's apt and it's really a very mould. Countdown is simiarly spectacular.

I guess it's the phallic cannon. The massive power it wields... Yeah.

Good stuff. Pity his underling, Waspinator, wasn't a Galaxy Force recolour, otherwise I'd include him. As it stands, I have to get them both anyway - since they came as a set. And only 500 in the world! Sigh.

Botcon 2007

Timelines

Apparently, Timelines is the catchall umbrella category for "alternate timelines". Works for me. It's also the least thematic of the Botcon exclusives, in that they're not really along the same lines.

1)Alpha Trion

Alpha Trion

Finally, an Alpha Trion toy!

But he's a recolour. Of a nifty character, no less. I've always liked Vector Prime. He's the quintessential Cybertronian Transformer. Although here, he is the Shattered Glass version.

And his Minicon is called Beta Maxx! ROTFLMAO.

Nice. Although he was packed with Weirdwolf, and there are only 1, 400 of them in this universe. Oh well.

2)Weirdwolf

Weirdwolf

What I said about Fang Wolf/Snarl's mould has come back to haunt me.

Why Weirdwolf? I still remember this horrid Malaysian commercial for Headmaster toys, and the narrator saying Weirdwolf in that weird Malay accent. Really spoilt my image of the Decepticon Headmasters (I thought they originated in Malaysia).

He doesn't even have a Minicon partner or something. Why Weirdwolf? Why not Steeljaw or one of the Predacons?

Sigh.

3)Springer

Springer

This is one of the oddest recolours I've seen. Springer? Using the Exigeyser/CD Hot Shot mould? But Springer is almost always a helicopter. What happened this time?

Indeed, even the colouration is odd. Ah well. Hit or miss.

He came packed with Huffer, and yes, 1, 400 only on this planet.

4)Huffer

Huffer

OK lah. An Armourhide recolour (gets more repainting love than Saidos/Backstop), he does remind me of that small guy. Points for the effort

But the colour scheme is just weird, to me.

Botcon 2008

Shattered Glass

So Shattered Glass was cool because it was one of those worlds where the good guys were bad, and the bad guys were good. It's basically the logical extreme of why Nemesis Prime is so appealing to so many people. Make everyone a Nemesis!

Except that here, they're born evil. And Megatron is good! Heh. I like it already.

The problem is that the entire boxset only has 3 Cybertron figures, with the rest being from other lines. Meaning that if I want to get those 3, I must get the entire boxset. Ouch.

1)Goldbug

Goldbug

Nicely done! A Stealth/Elite Guard Bumblebee colour scheme always looks good. The Exillion/Hot Shot mould is already wonderful. So to have these two together...

Except that Goldbug isn't that cool. But then, this is the Rule of Cool. If it is cool, you can get away with it.

Thus Goldbug gets away with being just so uber cool.

2)Autobot Jazz

Jazz

Once again, nicely done! Sweet Autovolt/Crosswise mould, spiffy Jazz colours. And it really does fit a Jazz look. I think it's the chest.

I wonder if JazzyMartini has this.

3)Starscream

Starscream

Jetfire as Starscream as Jetfire as Starscream. Except this Starscream is good. As in, he's a good guy, not just that he's a cool mould to begin with.

I saw him before. And I didn't buy him. *SLAP*

I love all Starscream moulds now. Gotta catch em all!

4)Ricochet

Ricochet

Ricochet is a recolour of Jazz who is a recolour of... you know, as pretty as a Transformer might be, you can only sell him a limited number of times. And Ricochet kind of wears out that welcome.

Mainly, of course, because I do not know who Ricochet is a homage to.

5)Blurr

Blurr

Armada though he may have been from, but then he got a Cyber Key augmentation, so here he is now from Cybertron, or so I count him.

But he comes with two others I'm not that interested in. Sigh. Money money money.

The Blurr mould is actually not bad, as in it isn't dated. And the Force Chip update makes it cool again. So hey, thumbs up for Blurr playing... Blurr.

Botcon 2009

There was no discernable theme this time. Oh yes, there was! Wings of Honour, and the Elite Guard. This one had the most Galaxy Force recolours yet.

1)Kup

Kup

Getting First Aid/Red Alert to play Kup was a really good idea. The vehicle looks so retro and old, while the figure itself is really less than imposing.

And he bears more homage than Brakedown GTS, really.

2)Flak

Flak

OK, I'll admit I don't know who Flak is.

But when you have Backgild/CD Scattorshot kind of arms, nobody's going to wonder who you are. They're just marvelling at all that raw power you wield.

3)Scourge

Scourge

The irony is that there is already a Scourge in that line, but intended to pay homage to a completely different character (I believe).

And you know, when there is a Scourge... how could you not have an army of clones to follow?

The Noisemaze/Sideways mould is also a good fit. The alieny, Cybertrony goodness just screams Unicron sometimes. And who made Scourge, again?

4)Sweeps

Sweeps

When you have a Scourge, you got to have his troops, the Sweeps.

And remember Noisemaze, everyone? He had an army builder figure too - Noisemaze Mass Production Type. Expensive, but then so are the Sweeps here!

5)Elita-1

Elita-1

Nevermind that Chromia/Thunderblast don't look like Elita-1 at all. At least she's pink, and she got made.

I think I will like her in the days to come.

6)Razorclaw

Razorclaw

Finally! The last figure. Although I'm not too sure who Razorclaw is, besides being a Predacon... maybe if I got 6 of him, I could make a Predaking who only had arms but no other limbs.

And that rounds it all up (for this year) (or till they announce new Botcon figures).

How much would all this cost? At least $10,000, I say. Mad? Possibly.

Transformers: Galaxy Force Returns, Part 2

2009-07-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

Right. So, after a 3 month hiatus, this series continues.

I'm on a new quest, and that is to collect everything with a Force Chip.

I might start collecting all Legends... but we'll see about that in a while.

That might mean choking abit as I scramble to get all the Botcon exclusives... but really, we'll see how it goes. Now, on to the show!

1)Starscream (Burgundy)

Starscream

As I understand it, it was released in a twin pack with Vector Prime, as part of a TRU exclusive.

Slap me for not getting it then.

It's the only time Hasbro released a Voyager sized Starscream. And for some odd reason, Vector Prime has traditionally been paired up against Starscream for Cybertron/Galaxy Force.

Personally, I think Vector Prime should fight Soundwave - both being intergalactic and interstellar warriors and all.

2)Gasket Police Type

Gasket, Police Type

I don't know why Police Type, either.

But I think he makes a nice complement to Ransack GTS.

GTS means what, by the way? Grand Tour Series, right?

And you know what?

I have him. Heh.

Heh heh.

HEH HEH HEH.

OK enough.

3)Soundblaster

Soundblaster

I used to call him "Black Soundwave". Aiyoh, how ignorant. But nevermind.

The original, Soundwave, has always been one of those weird toys to me. Weird as in, I'm not entirely in love with it, but I can't deny how cool he looks in that really alien way.

Which is the point, isn't it? To look alien.

And then it got recoloured into the only feasibly logical characters - Blaster, Soundblaster. I guess the only real issue is - will there be a Twincast recolour?

And Laserbeak (or Hell Buzzsaw in this case) isn't really a Minicon. He doesn't have the Minicon pegs status.

4)Red Exillion

Red Exillion

For a very long time, I didn't want him. I mean, come on. I already have a Cybertron Excellion, so why would I want him? I don't like Hot Rod. Why would I want him?

Because my mad quest is now to get everything. Which means, everything for Cybertron, everything for Galaxy Force.

Gah. Madness.

He looks nice, though.

5)Noisemaze, Mass Production-Type

Noisemaze, Mass Production Type

I wasn't really enamoured of him, mainly because his colours aren't exactly show accurate. In that the mass production Noisemazes didn't look so white.

So I never bothered to check up on Noisemaze, until skylink whispered in my ear.

Now, if you watch Evangelion, you'd realise his colours look very much like the Mass Production EVAs.

Meaning... well to me, it's a homage. And I like homages. And Evangelion.

Oops. US$400 for him? Sigh.

6)Flame Convoy, Sky Lynx Edition

Flame Convoy, Sky Lynx Edition

This is perhaps one of the rarest items to collect. But I will whine about it anyway.

I have no idea what is the difference between "Edition" and "Type", in Japanese terms. For all I know, they could be different translations of the same word. But anyways.

Sky Lynx colours? I don't actually know why, nor do I think it looks very good. But as one of the four Flame Convoy recolours I know... well, I'd call this one Wind Convoy. Cryo Scourge = Ice Convoy. Predacon Bruticus = Rock Convoy.

And then you have all four elementals.

7)Black Fang Wolf

Black Fang Wolf

I've talked about him to death already, so no need to go on at length.

He's the only recolour I know of for the Fang Wolf mould. Poor animals. They get no love. Well, unless they are large and gigantic, like Flame Convoy or Ligerjack.

8)Dark Nitro Convoy

Dark Nitro Convoy

What exactly is the difference between Dark and Black?

Apparently, Black just means a stealth colour. Dark, while chromatically similar, means that it is evil. EVIL. So here we have an evil Nitro Convoy.

Do all Convoys have an evil counterpart in Galaxy Force?

Not Megalo Convoy, at least. Or Live Convoy. Who is in every primary colour now. Red, green, yellow... oh wait, we need a blue!

9)Chromia, Minerva-Type

Chromia, Minerva-Type

There is only so much you can talk about for recolours, I've realised.

But anyway, Chromia is a shellformer. Nothing bad about it, except it makes her a little difficult to pose at times. But female Transformers are always a good thing. It's just... you know, now there's a damsel in distress.

Or more importantly, something for the horny males to interface with.

Regardless, Chromia is one of my favourite characters in Galaxy Force. She's such a bitch at times, you just want to see her actually win. Heh.

Now that rounds it up. A little bimbotic, I know, but my fingers hurt somewhat. The keyboard I have needs replacing.

Next up - Botcon Exclusives!

Hauls for July 2009

2009-07-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

3 July 2009

IDW - Transformers: Spotlight Vol. 2

5 July 2009

Movie (2007) - Jetstorm

Movie (2007) - Wingblade

Movie (2007) - Divebomb

Universe - Springer & Ratbat

11 July 2009

Movie (2007)- Big Daddy

18 July 2009

IDW - Megatron: Origin

IDW - Maximum Dinobots

IDW - Stormbringer

21 July 2009

Armada - Nemesis Prime

31 July 2009

Star Wars Crossovers: Magnaguard Starfighter/Magnaguard

Star Wars Crossovers: AT-TE/Clone Trooper

Revenge of the Fallen

Legends - Mudflap

Legends - Grindor

Fast Action Battlers - Grapple Grip Mudflap

Victory Saber

2009-06-21T23:46:00.000-07:00

This is why I love Victory Saber so much.

Hauls for June 2009

2009-06-13T10:28:00.000-07:00

3 June 2009

Universe: Battle for the Cyber Planet Keys
Mr Potato Head: Bumble Spud
Movie (2007): Warpath
Movie (2007): Crankcase

7 June 2009

Revenge of the Fallen

RA-01 Optimus Prime

RA-02 Ironhide

RA-03 Bumblebee

RA-04 Sideswipe

RA-05 Breakaway

RA-06 Rollbar

RA-07 Knockout

RD-01 Megatron

RD-02 Starscream

RD-03 Demolishor

RD-04 Soundwave

RD-05 Sideways

RD-06 Rampage

RD-07 Dead End

RD-08 Dirt Boss

7-11 - Bumblebee/The Fallen Cup

13 June 2009

IDW - The Transformers: Evolutions Hearts of Steel

IDW - The Transformers: Spotlight Vol 1

IDW - The Art of IDW's Transformers

Music Label - Blaster Black Soundwave Playing Audio Player

20 June 2009

Animated - Pencil Case x 02

Animated - Pencil Bag x 02

Animated - Colour Pencils (12)

Animated - 5 Pc Stationery Set

Animated - Notebook

Revenge of the Fallen - Official Movie Adaptation

Revenge of the Fallen - Defiance

Revenge of the Fallen - Alliance

21 June 2009

Movie (2007) - Jolt

Movie (2007) - Clocker

Universe - Dirge & Roadbuster

27 June 2009

Revenge of the Fallen

RA-08 Desert Tracker Ratchet

RA-09 Wheelie

RA-10 Skids

RA-11 Chromia

RA-12 Depth Charge

RD-09 Ransack

Alternity - Megatron (Silver)

Alternity - Megatron (Blue)

28 June 2009

Cybertron - Hightail

Galaxy Force - Police-Type Gasket

29 June 2009

Marvel Crossovers - Carnage

Galaxy Force Decepticons

2009-05-12T06:22:00.001-07:00

Finally got my anime accurate set!

Transformers: Crossovers Wishlist

2009-05-07T11:12:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a while since we went through any of my endless wishlists, right? I'll be doing a "summing up" post in a bit, but for now, this is the Wish List.

It's generally composed of items that may very well never reach the shores of Singapore. But anyways, here we go!

1)General Grievous/Grievous Starfighter

Robot Mode

Well, it's not like I don't already have a General Grievous - except he's a Wheel Bike. I'm not sure if I like this design better either - it's not mechanical enough for me. He looks like he's cloaked.

However, there is another Sith Lord of whom I have no figure of, who is a dual wielder as well... Count Dooku. I'll get this Grievous, but I'll call him Count Dooku. Makes things slightly easier for me, no?

Alternate Mode

His ship isn't all that spectacular either. In fact, it sort of looks... non-Star War-ish. More Star Trek-y. I don't know, I'm not that well versed in spaceships of the SW universe. I'll give his vehicle mode a pass... or two... or three.

OK, right, since I'm blogging about it, I should muster up some more enthusiasm. Well, I'm not actually sure I've seen a Girevous Starfighter, and a quick search on Wookipedia turns nothing up as well. So I'm not a hot fan of the robot, not familiar with the alt mode, and just generally... not sure, at all.

Packaging

General Grievous has fought many enemies in the Clone Wars, but none has been so difficult to defeat as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Every duel has ended with Grievous on the run and the Jedi still alive. Piloting his starfighter, Grievous launches an all-out attack against Obi-Wan then morphs into mech mode to defeat the Jedi once and for all!

With two galactically great battle modes to choose from, this mode-changing figure is full of surprises – including two launching projectiles! Press the buttons to blast the enemy! Slide the General Grievous pilot figure into the starfighter vehicle and plan your attack. Convert the vehicle into General Grievous mech mode and prepare to do battle right from your living room! The fate of the galaxy is in your hands!

Figure comes with two projectiles.

2)Clone Pilot/V-19 Torrent Starfighter

Robot Mode

His robot mode looks like some republic gunships I could name, which almost made me do a double take. Was this secretly some sort of recolour?

Well, it wasn't. Some parts were recycled, maybe, but it's definitely a new mould. Again, it doesn't look like it's going to be able to balance very well, but then SWTF were never really know for their fantastic stability, either.

Alternate Mode

Again, this looks like somebody's imperial shuttle, so I'm once again in that "um" mode when it comes to commenting on it. It looks a little like cobbling together two similar looking robots/alt modes, and then creating a new one. I mean, kudos if it's a new mould and all, but if robot mode and alternate modes look like they were stolen from elsewhere... then the newness doesn't show, does it?

Packaging

The clone pilot flies his V-19 Torrent starfighter toward the Separatist army, pouring down blaster fire from the sky above. The Separatists launch their own fighters into the air, sure of an easy victory against the lone attacker – until the clone pilot morphs his fighter into a powerful mech that quickly scatters the Separatist forces in all directions!

With two galactically great battle modes to choose from, this mode-changing figure is full of surprises – including two launching projectiles! Pose the figure in Clone Pilot mech mode and press the button to “blast” the enemy! Convert the Clone Pilot into V-19 vehicle mode and prepare to “fly” into battle right from your living room! The fate of the galaxy is in your hands!

Figure comes with 2 projectiles.

3)Captain Rex/AT-TE

Robot Mode

I don't really know what Captain Rex looks like. Presumably he's a Clone Trooper... which means he looks like all other troopers. But, er... doesn't that mean that he's no different, visually, then his men? Confusing.

At any rate, it does mean he should look like Jango Fett. Or at least, a tad more imposing, like Clone Commander Cody. He does have the bulk and the mass to pull it off, so I guess, yes, he can be a Captain.

Alternate Mode

I'm not sure where I saw this clip of an AT AT being felled because they tied ropes around the legs. Ever since then, the AT series of vehicles kind of lost its appeal to me. They were felled by Ewoks, by the way.

Again, I'm not sure what an AT TE is, really. To be fair, it does look menacing and fearsome enough to actually do some damage, were it to be unleashed on a bunch of Ewoks, so I'll give it credit for that. Pretty good robot modes, pretty good alternate mode. I think we have a winner (of the three new Star Wars moulds).

Packaging

The clone trooper marches into combat against the droid army, firing his blaster into the thick sea of battle droids and super battle droids. The clone trooper is surrounded on all sides but has a devastating surprise for the unsuspecting droids: he changes into a huge AT-TE and blasts the enemy with his projectile cannon!

With two galactically great battle modes to choose from, this mode-changing figure is full of surprises – including a launching projectile! Pose the figure in Clone Trooper mech mode and press the button to “blast” the enemy! Convert the Clone Trooper into AT-TE vehicle mode and prepare to continue the battle right from your living room! The fate of the galaxy is in your hands!

Figure comes with projectile.

4)Thor

Thor

One of the most hotly debated comic book fights is this - Thor vs Superman. Who would win?

Me, I say Superman. Super speed, plus heat vision should defeat anything. In theory. Of course, there's good old magic, and Kryptonite... but like I said, super speed. If you're faster than radiation, it won't hurt you.

Alternate Mode

I guess I should talk about the alternate mode, which I will.

Aside from the fact that it looks slightly dated (the plane model), the colours are... hideously garish. I understand, there's a need to give them Thor colours. But the plain fact of the matter is that there's no sort of subtlety or disguise there. A rainbow coloured plane isn't going to help you fake anything.

And it's not like his robot mode is fantastic, or anything.

Packaging

Basing their designs on alien technology, Mr. Fantastic and Iron Man create powerful new battle suits for the heroes of Earth.

Ultimate power — that’s what you get when you combine the strength of a Norse god with state-of-the-art battle suit technology. This mech was built to channel the thunder god’s control over lightning, making it many times more powerful than any battle suit ever constructed. In vehicle mode, Thor can rain justice from above, bringing the weather itself down on his enemies!

One look at this thunder god hero’s hammer smash and you’ll know that he means business! Convert the mighty Thor figure from hero to vehicle mode to unleash an awesome assault jet vehicle that’s ready to soar into action!

5)Captain America

Robot Mode

Well, he's got the standard, heroic red-blue colour scheme. He looks durable and rugged, if not a little bit... unposeable. I think we have a winner here.

This is one of those moulds where you can clearly see what he transforms into, but there isn't any kibble that "cheats" its way into robot mode. What you see is what you will eventually get.

Alternate Mode

I like the alternate mode. I wish it were a little bit more Roadbuster-ish, but the fact that he transforms into an all terrain, truckish vehicle is good enough for me. It's simple, but different enough not to be one of those overused vehicle designs.

I think I like him.

Packaging

Basing their designs on alien technology, Mr. Fantastic and Iron Man create powerful new battle suits for the heroes of Earth.

Sometimes world-class threats require world-class power. That’s when Captain America steps into his specially built mech suit. Fast, made of the same indestructible Vibranium alloy as his shield, and attuned to his perfect reflexes, only a Super Soldier like Captain America could control the awesome power of this battle suit. Plus, the vehicle mode is rugged and stealthy, giving him the drop on evildoers!

One look at this Captain America hero’s pop-out shield and you’ll know that he’s ready to save the day! Convert the mighty figure from hero to vehicle mode to unleash a fighting 4x4 vehicle that proudly displays the pride of the Red, White and Blue!

6)Iron Man (silver)

Robot Mode

I mean, well, he's a recolour, so there isn't much to comment unless you want a rehash of all the mould issues. Suffice to say that it is a nice, metallic colour to be repainting Iron Man in, and it really brings out the "Iron" in "Iron Man."

Alternate Mode

Except... those are more War Machine colours, aren't they? Wasn't he originally touted as War Machine, originally?

Those colours do make his alt mode look a tad Movie Starscreamish, though.

Packaging

Basing their designs on alien technology, Mr. Fantastic and Iron Man create powerful new battle suits for the heroes of Earth.

It takes brains as well as brawn to engage an enemy like Doctor Doom. That’s why Iron Man’s mech hides its true nature in flight, making him look like a normal fighter jet. He lulls his enemies into a false sense of security, then converts into the most powerful Iron Man yet to take them down.

One look at this hero’s firing projectile in hero mode and you’ll know that he’s ready to take on the enemy! Convert the mighty Iron Man figure from hero to vehicle mode to unleash a fierce-looking fighter jet that’s ready to soar into action!

7)Carnage

Robot Mode

I must say, it was a fairly brilliant idea to recolour Venom as Carnage. After all, they're both symbiotes, both have roughly the same powers, and are roughly the same bad guy, just with different identities, right? So just take Venom, and recolour him as Carnage. Ta da!

Robot Mode

Except that Venom and Carnage have vastly different body sizes.

Venom is big, bulky, muscular, and physically imposing. His size relays his strength.

Carnage is skinny, wiry, and not broad. His unassuming size belies his incredible physical prowess and ability.

And that's kind of why this recolour fails, because you end up getting a bulky, muscular Carnage. So out of character.

Packaging

Based on prototypes stolen from nemesis Mr. Fantastic, Doctor Doom builds a series of mechanized war-suits for the use of the world’s worst Super Villains.

The evil of Carnage is matched only by his thirst for power. By melding his alien symbiote with the war-suit given to him by Doctor Doom, he can greatly enhance his already impressive strength and achieve ultimate devastation. He can even disguise himself as a muscle car, making him a formidable foe for the likes of Thor and Iron Man.

One look at this vicious-looking villain and you know he’s looking for his next victim! Aim this Carnage figure’s firing projectile and unleash supervillain-sized attack! Convert the “fiery” figure from villain to vehicle mode to unleash a mean muscle car vehicle!

That rounds it up for non-TF TFs, at the moment.

On My Desk: Energon Roadblock, Takara Tow Line

Hauls for May 2009

2009-05-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

1 May 2009

Universe - Dropshot

2 May 2009

Cybertron - Scrapmetal (red)

9 May 2009

BTS01s Mobile Command Base

BTS01b Nemesis Command Centre

Henkei - C-20 Alert

Henkei - C-21 Smokescreen

21 May 2009

Animated - Blazing Lockdown

27 May 2009

Literature - Transformers: Generations 2009 Vol 2

Literature - Beast Wars Omnibus

Literature - Transformers: Armada Vol 3

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" - TF.SG Fan Screening

2009-04-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

TF.SG will be holding a fan screening of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

The Fallen

Excited? I am! It's for the fans, by the fans. The screening, I mean. Not that the movie isn't.

At any rate, do contact me for details if you'd like to attend, by May 9th, 2009, at victorysabervictorysaber@yahoo.com.

Megatron

So far, the details are sketchy (since the movie release date isn't even confirmed). But I can tell you so far is:

Date: 24th or 25th June 2009

Time: Unconfirmed, probably evening

Venue: The Cathay Picturehouse

Price: Regular movie ticket price

There'll even be a goodie bag! No Transformers inside though... or will there?

Optimus Prime

Can't wait? Check out the official trailer here, and more details to come about the fan screening at TF.SG too!

Transformers: Galaxy Force Returns, Part 1

2009-04-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

We all knew this day would come. When the realisation that the GALAXY FORCE LOVE would never end.

And so it won't. Not as long as recolours exist. Oooh, sends chills up your spine, doesn't it?

Today, we'll be looking at mass retail recolours - mostly in Universe and the 2007 Movie. Recolours that I will one day, get 'em all. ALL.

1)Armourhide

Autobot Scout

Movie

Armourhide (originally: Armourhide)

Armourhide had very sad origins. He was an original mould for Cybertron - but somehow, he didn't make the cut for the anime. He never appeared in the anime, even though recolours like Buzzsaw and Longrack did. Poor dude. Maybe the casting director screwed up. Maybe he didn't make it through the auditions.

And unlike another Decepticon original mould non-anime character, he didn't even receive a recolour. Given that his Cyber Key gimmick, an 8-missile rack, was pretty impressive... I feel sorry for him, somewhat.

2)Big Daddy (Downshift)

Autobot Deluxe

Movie

Big Daddy (Downshift)

Like Armourhide, Big Daddy was an original mould, non-anime Cybertron release. To make things worse, he was actually a homage to a G1 character, Wheeljack. Why he was never given any love, I don't know. Perhaps, like I said, the casting director was a screw-up.

But then the Movie paid him some homage and love. He looks evil in black and orange, and could be mistaken for a Decepticon at first. But no! He is an Autobot, true to his Autobot G1 roots.

3)Blades (Evac/Live Convoy)

Autobot Voyager

Universe (Classic)

Blades (Evac)

Ah, now we're getting somewhere good. Evac, or Live Convoy, as I prefer to call him, was a pretty suave and cool character in Galaxy Force. His toy was pretty feature-laden, although it doesn't seem so. He's got spinning rotors, retractable grappling hook, spring-loaded missiles, missile/booster Force Chip action, and his rotors could detach to be a weapon in its own right.

He was a Planet Leader, too! I wonder why he never got any love in the Cybertron line - Override & Scourge, both Planet Leaders, saw recolours in that line. Metroplex didn't, but that could possibly be because he came out so late in the series. But now, in Universe... two Evac recolours! Love, love, love.

4)Blaster (Soundwave)

Autobot Voyager

Universe (Classic)

Blaster (Soundwave)

A straight up recolour, with absolutely no change to the head sculpt. Hence, Blaster looks like a Decepticon. Kinda lazy, if you ask me. Although the colours aren't bad, either, they also make Blaster look like a Decepticon.

Side-by-side with Soundwave, I guess he'll look nice. But he doesn't really merit anything much on his own. Soundwave was a great Galaxy Force character, though short lived, and it's nice to see his Autobot counterpart here. The problem is that his mould already looks so alien and hostile, it doesn't really work for an Autobot.

5)Bruticus (Scourge/Flame Convoy)

Decepticon Ultra

Universe (Robots in Disguise)

Bruticus (Scourge)

Bruticus is one of those recolours that are really pushing it. If you said he's a homage to Beast Wars, I'll bite. A homage to Beast Machines, OK. Even a homage to G1, say Trypticon or Predaking, still good. I can see where the colours and transformation pay homage.

But Robots in Disguise? I mean, there were only 3 dedicated beast mode Transformers, 4 if you count Gigatron. And yet it's a homage to Robots in Disguise. It's really pushing it - is there no other homage you can do for Robots in Disguise? How about some Car Brothers love?

However, this marks Scourge/Flame Convoy's third colour scheme as his second recolour. As of this, Nitro Convoy, Flame Convoy, and Live Convoy each have three separate colour schemes, spread across various lines.

6)Clocker (Skids)

Autobot Scout

Movie

Clocker (originally: Clocker)

Clocker sees a lot of recolour love. I'm not sure why, but I'm guessing because he's one of the few Scout-sized cars around. His original colour is white, he's got a red Swerve recolour, and now this blue colour. Fire and ice themes, perhaps?

Clocker was never really that important a character in Galaxy Force.

7)Countdown (Cybertron Defense Red Alert/First Gunner)

Autobot Ultra

Universe (G1)

Countdown (Cybertron Defense Red Alert)

I like the idea of Countdown's homage. Nobody had to explain it to me - he was in reference to Victory's Countdown/Shuttle Base. The problem is... this Countdown isn't a rocket base. He's a giant friggin missile launcher. What gives?

There are some homages which are nice, in theory, but don't do the original any justice. This is one of them. Countdown of today doesn't do justice to the Countdown of my memories.

This is in complete contrast to the other Universe homages, like Storm Cloud or Treadbolt, which overcompensate for the wimpy (Micromaster) homages they are supposed to be reminiscent of. Countdown was a BASE. Make him a base.

8)Crankcase (Red Alert/First Aid)

Decepticon Deluxe

Movie

Crankcase (Red Alert)

I must say, Red Alert, in his original and upgraded forms, is certainly getting a lot of recolour love here. Then again, so did Hot Shot. And Scattorshot. Only the original Scattorshot didn't get loved - Backpack, he was, in Galaxy Force.

But I digress. Red Alert - or First Aid, I'd prefer to call him - is another of those recolour magnets. He was space pirate Cannonball previously, and now another Decepticon - Crankcase. He looks so Autoboty that I guess it's only natural to want to step up to the challenge and make him as Decepticonal as possible. And it works. :)

9)Dirge (Starscream)

Decepticon Voyager

Universe (War Within)

Dirge

I love the Starscream mould. Who doesn't? Guns, missiles, detail, plane, big, blade - it's got all the requirements for a winner of a toy. And of course, Cybertron never released it - only Galaxy Force did. So here, we have Dirge - a character that isn't frequently featured or repainted.

In fact, for the Unicron Trilogy, Dirge & Ramjet were never featured (unless as Minicons, and even then I'm not 100% certain). So Dirge here is a bonus, of sorts. Now for Ramjet! I wonder how long that'll take...

Of course, there had to be a Sunstorm (Legends) before a Dirge & Ramjet. Oh well.

10)Divebomb (Thundercracker)

Decepticon Deluxe

Movie

Divebomb

Divebomb is in really awful colours. Yeah maybe, just maybe this is the colouration for camouflage planes or stealth bombers... but sacrificing aesthetics for realism is a little overboard here. Some may like it, I don't begrudge them. Just not me.

Thundercracker now has another brother. Then again, they're all brothers here, aren't they? Being recolours and all. Or clones. If I had to write all these characters into a script, there's only really two possibilities - clones or siblings.

11)Dropshot (Scattorshot/Backgild)

Decepticon Voyager

Universe (Classic)

Dropshot

Fess up! How many of you knew who Dropshot was before Classics gave him a make over? All 3 of you, raise your hands. You, my friends, are to be praised as veritable walking encyclopedias of Transformers knowledge. I am proud to have known you. Me, however, I didn't know Dropshot. In fact, besides Countdown & Sky Stalker, I didn't know any other Micromaster.

It's amazing how many small Transformers have made the ginormous transition into gigantic Voyager or Ultra sized "remakes". Tread Bolt, Powerglide, Dropshot... I'm sure I'm missing a few more, too. What happened to tiny goodness?

I'd have recoloured him into Megatron. Then again... didn't they do that for First Gunner?

12)Grindcore (Landmine/Guardshell)

Autobot Deluxe

Movie

Grindcore

Construction vehicles inevitably come in two colours these days - green, like Grindcore; or yellow, like his original, Landmine. Maybe these harken back to Constructicon days of green G1 or yellow G2.

Nevertheless, I always thought Landmine was born to be a Gigalonia Transformer, rather than an Earth Transformer. He truly fits the theme of construction vehicle with the others, and he was even made large by the Gigalonia Planet Force. So... aborted plan to be a Gigalonian? We will never know.

13)Hardtop (Swindle)

Decepticon Scout

Movie

Hardtop

Hardtop is a recolour of Hardtop from Cybertron, who in turn was a recolour of Swindle, who was a toy-only character in Cybertron (not even cameo appearance like the 4 Armada recolours). Amazing! Was his toy that popular? Maybe that's how Movie Landmine came to be - he certainly seems to be a larger "version" of Hardtop.

Swindle & Hardtop variants never really had an alternate mode that impressed me - it seemed more like a kid's vehicle than a real war machine. Still, I suppose it sells well, since so many of them have been made.

14)Heavy Load w/ Drillbit (Quickmix w/Stripmine//Blender w/KillBull)

Decepticon Voyager

Universe (Classic)

Heavy Load w/ Drillbit

Continuing with the theme of yellow or green construction vehicles, we have Heavy Load - a recolour of Quickmix, who was originally orange. And he does round out the Gigalonia Decepticon ranks - all 1 of them. Haha. The head sculpt does work as a Decepticon.

Except... the colours are a tad drab, aren't they? Even with the Photoshop, they're rather bland. Like the colour of blended rubbish. Like what happens when you mix all your leftover watercolours together. Oh well, it... does give a sort of worn out look.

15)Jetstorm (Jetfire/Dreadrock)

Decepticon Ultra

Movie

Jetstorm

I'm not really sure what colour cargo planes usually are. The only ones I've seen are on cartoons, and they're a dirty yellow. Ducktales. The original, Jetfire, was green - a WWII-ish kind of plane, and I didn't really realise it was a cargo plane, until this recolour came out.

Perhaps a bit more white and a little less off-white would have helped. I'm not entirely sure the blue highlights help, but at least he doesn't look so monochrome now. Yes, I'm hard to please, aren't I?

16)Jolt (Crosswise/Autovolt)

Decepticon Deluxe

Movie

Jolt

I love this mould. I've never seen a Bugatti Veyron in real life before, but it's a slick, chic, and yet classic car. I liked it better as the black Crosswise though, but purple and silver's good too.

His transformation is excellent. He wields a shield, and a giant gun. If that's not enough, his Cyber Key power deploys a second pair of missile sets, and you can flip some kipple behind him to become another pair of laser cannons. Not bad for just a regular sized guy.

17)Leo Prime (Leobreaker, Nemesis Breaker/Ligerjack, Dark Ligerjack)

Autobot Voyager

Universe (Classic)

Leo Prime

Hmm. Red and blue. You know, he's a beast, and I've never actually seen a red and blue beast before. Red one, yeah. Blue one, yeah. Not a red and blue one.

I'm kind of disappointed he wasn't done in Leo Convoy colours, ie white and gold. I mean, the Legends version was white and gold. But I guess the "Prime" is more important than the "Leo", hence... the colours. Just like Primal Prime.

Oh, and he's got no electronics. Which is OK, I suppose. Roaring ain't all that... roary. Haha.

18)Mudflap

Decepticon Voyager

Movie

Mudflap (originally: Mudflap)

How many times can you reissue a mould that doesn't sell well?

Many times, apparently.

And construction vehicles only come in green or yellow, so guess what he looks like? A banana. Sigh. I'm not really a fan, not even of the original Mudflap... so... oh well.

19)Optimus Prime (from "Battle for the Cyber Planet Keys")

Autobot Deluxe

Universe (Armada)

Optimus Prime

It's another recolour of the STD Micron Legend mould, but this time in G1 colours! Excited or not? Excited or not?

I'm not.

20)Overload (Cybertron Defense Scattorshot/Backgild)

Autobot Voyager

Universe (Cybertron)

Overload

Overload? Who's Overload, and why are they issuing a Cybertron toy as a homage to Cybertron by giving it another paint scheme? Huh? Mind boggling. Yes that camouflage might work in the Movie line, but not here.

Really, who is Overload? Wasn't he in Armada? And red? And a tractor trailer? How is the homage even a homage here? What? Where? HUH???

21)Ratbat (Sideways/Noisemaze)

Decepticon Deluxe

Universe (War Within)

Ratbat

Ratbat is a repaint of Sideways/Noisemaze, who in Galaxy Force was a pretty cool character. Cool in the "keep switching sides" way, and that he was unpredictable. The only problem was that it was apparent the writers didn't know what to do with him - he was so unpredictable because he really just mucked around doing pointless things. But it all paid off in the penultimate arc of the story.

But a pink Ratbat doesn't strike me as very... pleasing. Yes, he's technically purple. But it's really all pink, to me. Eep.

22)Roadbuster (Cybertron Defense Hot Shot/Exigeyser)

Autobot Deluxe

Universe (War Within)

Roadbuster

All this Roadbuster love is a little suspicious, no? Is he really going to come out in ROTF?

Nevertheless, this is a nice recolour of Exigeyser. It's in muddy, soily, tanky colours ~ which are pretty evocative of a tank and all the grime and dirt that it has to go through in the course of war. Still, I love Superlink Roadbuster the best. Such an enthusiastic punk!

23)Springer (Evac/Live Convoy)

Autobot Voyager

Universe (War Within)

Springer

He's not a triple-changer. Why he carries the name Springer, I don't know.

Or maybe I do, because in War Within he isn't a triple changer yet. But it's such a... I don't know whether it's a rip-off, or it's fan service. Fine, I'll say it's fan service.

24)Storm Surge (Shortround)

Decepticon Scout

Movie

Storm Surge

Sometimes, recolours really suit the character - whether as a realistic vehicle, the general aesthetic mixing of the colours, or the homage.

Sometimes, none of these exist, and the recolour makes no sense whatsoever.

Storm Surge is one of those characters. And he's a recolour of a... what? Toy only character? Sigh. Let's move on.

And I hate his hands, for the record.

25)Vector Prime

Autobot Voyager

Universe (Robots in Disguise)

Vector Prime (originally: Vector Prime)

I will always love Vector Prime because he is one of the original 13 Transformers. Which makes him cool by default. And the fact that his name never changes, although his colour scheme does, makes him even cooler. He's the immortal warrior who lives across all time periods, changing his appearance for that.

And now, a stealth Vector Prime! Woot. Black recolours just rock my world.

26)Warpath (Overhaul/Jackshot)

Autobot Scout

Movie

Warpath

You can't deny that red is usually a good recolour for, er, recolours. Mainly because the heroic characters are usually red - Optimus, Rodimus, and so on. So any red recolour of a car automatically evokes Optimus or Rodimus images, and hence confuses the consumer into buying it.

Which does work in this case, for Warpath. Coupled with the stealth black scheme, I'd say it's a pretty good recolour. Pity the mould's Cyber Key gimmick is kind of irritating. Oh well.

27)Wingblade (Wing Saber/Sonic Bomber)

Autobot Ultra

Movie

Wingblade

I really don't like the drab alternate mode colours and the slightly brightly garish robot mode colours. It doesn't flow, and it really makes him look kind of... schizophrenic. Mismatched. Like they had no more paint left, and they just threw whatever was leftover to create Wingblade.

Which is such a pity, because Wingblade's original mould can combine with Galaxy Convoy, and as fate would have it, I do have a Galaxy Force Optimus Prime with no combining partners...

So that's it for this installment of the Galaxy Force Returns! In the next episode, I'll bitch/whine/dream of

Soundblaster

Dark Nitro Convoy

Dark Fang Wolf

Mass Production Edition Noisemaze

White Gasket

White Chromia

Burgundy Starscream

Who are all "official" Galaxy Force toys. Ah.

Hauls for April 2009

2009-04-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

10 April 2009

Robot Heroes - Jazz and Thundercracker

Mighty Muggs - Optimus Prime

Mighty Muggs - Megatron

Mighty Muggs - Bumblebee

Mighty Muggs - Starscream

Mighty Muggs - Grimlock

Mighty Muggs - Soundwave

Henkei - C-06 Skyfire

17 April 2009

Superlink - SD10 Snowstorm

Energon - Tow-Line

19 April 2009

Encore - 15 "Big Mission" Cassettes

Henkei - Dirge

Henkei - Ramjet

Robots in Disguise - Prowl (original colours)

23 April 2009

Universe - Blades

Universe - Blaster

Universe - Bruticus

Universe - Heavy Load w/ Drillbit

Universe - Vector Prime

Universe - G1 25th Anniversary Optimus Prime

29 April 2009

Animated - Samurai Prowl

Animated - Waspinator

Animated - Blurr

Animated - Swindle

Animated - Atomic Lugnut

Animated - Wreck Gar

Hauls for March 2009

2009-04-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

2 March 2009

Alternity - Convoy (Silver)

Alternity - Convoy (Red)

Henkei - C-14 Ratchet

Literature - Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 1

8 March 2009

Henkei - C-15 Inferno

Disney Label - Mickey Mouse

14 March 2009

Literature - War Within Omnibus

Literature - Transformers Spotlight Volume 4: Revelations

Literature - All Hail Megatron Volume 1

28 March 2009

Masterpiece - MP-08 Grimlock

Henkei - C-16 Hot Shot w/Jolt

Henkei - C-17 Dinobot

Henkei - C-18 Minibot Attack Team

Henkei - C-19 Minibot Spy Team

29 March 2009

Animated - Shockwave (Purple) [with Activators Bumblebee]

Energon - Roadblock

Hauls

2009-03-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

3 January 2009

Armada - Sideswipe

17 January 2009

Perchance to Dream

Encore 13 - Trailbreaker

Encore 14 - Hoist

Henkei - C12 Cheetor

Henkei - C13 Hound

Marvel Crossovers - Hulk (Green)

Micron Legend - MM-15 Sea Microns

Galaxy Force - EX-02 Sonic Convoy

16 February 2009

Henkei D7 - Cyclonus

Micron Legend - MC-08 Silverbolt

Robot Heroes - Grimlock & Shockwave

Robot Heroes - Bumblebee & Soundwave

Animated - Sunstorm

Universe - Legends Rodimus

19 February 2009

Animated - Safeguard (Jetfire & Jetstorm)

21 February 2009

Beast Wars II - VS-16 Lio Convoy vs Galvatron

Beast Wars Neo - VS-35 Big Convoy vs Magmatron

2 March 2009

Alternity - Convoy (Silver)

Alternity - Convoy (Red)

Henkei - C-14 Ratchet

Transformers Generations 2009 - Volume 1

8 March 2009

Henkei - C-15 Inferno

Disney Label - Mickey Mouse

14 March 2009

War Within Omnibus

Transformers Spotlight: Revelations Vol 4

All Hail Megatron Vol 1

Aims for 2009

2009-02-08T08:48:00.000-08:00

I really should start making a wish list, again, huh??

Animated

Activators

Cliffjumper

Dirge

Deluxe

Blazing Lockdown

Blurr

Swindle

Waspinator

Samurai Prowl

Voyager

Shockwave/Longarm

Shockwave/Longarm, purple (giftset with Activators Bumblebee)

Wreck-Gar

Atomic Lugnut

Sunstorm (giftset with Activators Ratchet)

Safeguard: Jetfire & Jetstorm

Leader

Shadow Blade Megatron

Roadbuster Ultra Magnus

Universe/Henkei

Legends

Minibot Attack Team (Beachcomber, Bumblebee, Brawn)

Minibot Rescue Team (Wheelie, Cosmos, Warpath)

Rodimus

Deluxe

Thrust & Dirge

Cyclonus

Ratchet

Dinobot

Hot Shot

Cheetor

Red Alert

Smokescreen

Voyager

Inferno

Ultra

Storm Cloud (evil Powerglide recolour)

Transformers Crossovers: Marvel

Thor

Captain America

Carnage (Venom recolour)

War Machine (Iron Man recolour)

Alternity

Convoy (Red)

Convoy (Silver)

Megatron (Red)

Megatron (Silver)

Masterpiece

Grimlock

Robot Heroes

Cheetor vs Tankor

Victory Saber vs Deathsaurus

Encore

Cassette Strategy Team

Bruticus

Haul for 1 February 2009

2009-01-31T11:13:00.000-08:00

Victory - Deathsaurus. Deathsaurus! DEATHSAURUS! (I only got 1 piece, btw)
Armada - Emergency Minicon Team
Armada - Air Military Minicon Team
RiD - Wedge (Landfill)
RiD - Grimlock (Landfill)
RiD - Heavy Load (Landfill)
RiD - Hightower (Landfill)

Micron Legend - MC-02 Ratchet with Hook (Red Alert with Longarm)
Micron Legend - MC-04 Grap with Lift (Smokescreen with Liftor)
Transformers: Armada Vol 2
Transformers; Saga of the Allspark

Haul for 1 Jan 2009

2008-12-31T12:25:00.001-08:00

Robot Heroes Autobot Blaster & Thrust

Robot Heroes Ironhide & Kickback Robot Heroes Optimus Primal & Predacon Tarantulas Robot Heroes Silverbolt & Megatron

Minicons

2008-12-28T23:55:00.000-08:00

Mini-Con, Minicon, Mini Con. All variations on the same thing - the cutest little bots alive! Haha. I sound so gay. They are called Microns in Japanese.

I love Minicons (my preferred spelling). They are like Mark II versions of Micromasters, with more poseability and forms. And, their transformations are not all similar (box with arms and legs). Some of them actually do have quite innovative transformations - others, not so.

And my newest quest is to collect all the Minicons - and then collect anime accurate ones. I know, I know, shooting myself in the foot here. But let's begin with a listing of Minicons. We'll do them by series, and alphabetically.

If I don't have them, or I have an alternate recolour, I'll note them here.

I'm not including recolours, unless they are anime accurate (a la Dark Saber, Energon Saber, etc... )

Micron Legend/Armada

Adventure Minicons

Team Megatron
Each has geared moving parts that can Powerlink with Cyclonus/Sandstorm

They are pretty decent, and sturdy Minicons, who can Powerlink with Cyclonus/Sandstorm to activate the special gimmicks, via some special connecting gears. I'm not entirely sure how it works - but I know it works, and that's what counts, right? Haha.

Aerial Extermination Team

Team Nemesis Prime
Can combine to form the Dark Saber

They are the evil, alternate universe duplicates of the Star Saber/Air Defense team, and they can form the Dark Saber/Vorpal Saber. I think they're pretty nifty, and giving both the Star Saber & Dark Saber to one guy to wield is just... teh cool. Hahaha.

Air Defense Team

Team Hot Shot
Can combine to form the Star Saber

They form the mighty Star Saber, homage to the giant robot Star Saber, and probably the mightiest weapon in all of the Unicron Trilogy. My original concept had Galaxy Convoy wielding both the Star Saber & Skyboom Shield... but perhaps a Star Saber & Dark Saber would be just as teh cool.

Air Military Team (only have the black recolour)

Team Thrust
Each has an additional weapon alternate mode

I've got the cool black versions - but not the original ones. Ooh. I might get the original ones - or I might not, depending. Oh heck. Perhaps I will. They've got no gimmick - but when you transform into a bunch of jets, you don't really need one.

Destruction Team

Team Cyclonus/Sandstorm
Each has geared moving parts that can Powerlink with Cyclonus/Sandstorm

Yes, I'm assigning Transformers to all the teams. So that when the Micron Legenders are freed, they'll have friends to play with! They've got gimmicks that work when you roll them on the ground, I believe... but I haven't actually opened them yet. Need my shelves! I think, if I'm not wrong, they can Powerlink with Cyclonus too for their special features.

Emergency Team (not acquired yet)

Team Red Alert
Each has an additional weapon alternate mode

Emergency Minicon team! Well, I don't have them yet. Can't say much either, but I'm pairing them with Red Alert since they fit the "rescue vehicles" team.

Land Military Team

Team Ironhide/Demolishor
Each has launching missiles

I think these are one of the most awesome Minicon teams yet (besides the combiners), for the simple fact that they have launching missiles. That makes them the most useful, and devastating (firepower-wise) for "blank" Minicon ports that don't activate anything.

Race Team

Team Smokescreen/Grap
Can combine to form the Skyboom Shield

They are nifty, individually, as robots, as vehicles, but as the shield... not so convincing. Still, since the Skyboom Shield is a defensive weapon, I guess it doesn't have to be as flashy as the other Minicon weapons, I suppose.

Sea Team (only have the blue recolour)

Team Tidal Wave/Shockwave
Each has launching missiles

Besides the Race Team, the Sea Team is the other awesome Minicon team because at that point, I only had Transformers with "blank" Minicon ports that didn't do anything. But with these new Minicons, they'd act as additional firepower, and shoot the wazoo out of anyone else.

Space Team

Team Overload/Ultra Magnus
Can combine to form the Requiem Blaster

The Space Team forms the biggest gun (well, Galaxy Convoy has arguably bigger cannons) in the Unicron Trilogy. I'd give them to Overload - but I have to muse about it, since he combines with Monster Convoy already.

Street Action Team

Team Optimus Prime/Monster Convoy Can combine to form Perceptor

I personally think they have the second most useless powers in the Armada Minicon teams. They are already pretty, well, useless robots. And they combine to form a larger, but equally puny Transformer. Sigh.

Street Speed Team (have the Cybertron recolour)

Team Blurr/Silverbolt Has additional poseability

They have officially the worst gimmick of all the Minicons. That is... they do nothing. At all. Haha. They have "additional poseability". That's a nice way of saying - more joints, less powers. Ah well.

That rounds up the Micron Legend releases for Minicons. 11 release + 1 recolour - more than enough to fill any Unicron up. If you take away the 3+1 weapons, that leaves 8 teams - enough to fill Unicron's rails but not his sides. But that doesn't really matter, since you have the other lines to fill up the Minicon "gaps".

Super Link/Energon

Energon Saber: A recolour of the Star Saber

Perceptor: A retool and recolour of Perceptor

Well, we wouldn't really get new Minicons until Galaxy Force, really. That's not to say I don't have them both.

Galaxy Force/Cybertron

Street Speed Team: A re-release of the original Street Speed Team

Recon Team

They're... really cute.

And so we have the Recon team. Who have no special gimmicks at all, but were made up for by giving them very prominent roles in Galaxy Force. As a result... you just had to get them.

Giant Team

I guess they accompany the Gigalonians.

Giant Planet Minicons were a mixed bag. I guess they were to add additional play value to the Gigalonians. They have mixed powers - either you fire a missile, had a hook, or... nothing. Haha. But they were also, I suppose, the Decepticon counterpart to the Autobot Minicons.

Oh yes, I have them all. Except the Shadow Recon Minicon Team, which is a recolour. So... no. No Shadow Recon for me. Yet.

And then we go on to a hitherto forgotten series of Minicons - the Classics!

Classics

Clear Skies Team

They are also included in the 12-pack Universe release.

Demolition Team

They are also included in the 12-pack Universe release.

Dinobot Team (not acquired)

They are **not** in the Universe 12-pack release! Which means, gotta catch this one!

Dirt Digger Team

They are also included in the 12-pack Universe release.

Night Rescue Team

They are also included in the 12-pack Universe release.

Predator Attack Team

I have them! I have them! I have them! And they are not in the 12-pack Universe release! Phew.

And so that makes 4 of them rereleased for Universe. Thank goodness I discovered this before rushing to buy them all! Haha.

Thus, my friends, we have 13 x 3 unique Minicon moulds (39), not including those that came along as Minicon partners. If you do count those, that's 26 more - bringing the total Minicon count to 65. That's 65 different Minicons designed, my friends - enough to put any series into syndication. Haha.

Haul for 29 Dec (no more till 2009 I hope)

2008-12-28T23:43:00.000-08:00

Right, and I said I wasn't going to spend anymore on TFs. Silly me.

7 Dec
Henkei C-06 Skyfire (fucking missing a wing ARGH)
Revoltech 032 Test Type 01 (New Movie Edition)
Revoltech 033 Prototype 00 (New Movie Edition)
Revoltech Extra Positron Rifle + ESV Shield Set

12 Dec
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Vol 2

23 Dec (Taiwan)
Transformers Crossovers: Star Wars
General Grievous/Grievous Starfighter
Luke Skywalker/Snowspeeder
Clone Commander Coby/Turbo Tank
Imperial Trooper/AT-AT

Transformers Crossovers: Marvel
Hulk (grey)

Transformers: Movie
Robot Replicas: Optimus Prime & Megatron

Beast Wars Neo
Heinrad

26 Dec
Titanium The Fallen

27 Dec
MP-4 Commander Package

Yet Another Update on Ambitions

2008-12-04T10:09:00.000-08:00

So for the rest of the year, I still need to get. Sigh.

Animated

Deluxe
Blazing Lockdown

Voyager
Longarm
Jetstorm & Jetfire

Leader
Shadow Blade Megatron
Roadbuster Ultra Magnus

Universe

Legends
Beachcomber
Cosmos
Bumblebee (if not a recolour)
Brawn (if not a recolour)

Voyager
Treadbolt (evil Jetfire recolour)

Ultra
Stormcloud (evil Powerglide recolour)

Special
25th Anniversary Optimus Prime

Henkei

Deluxe
C-06 Skyfire
C-12 Hound
C-13 Cheetas
C-14 Ratchet
C-16 Dinobot
C-17 Hot Rod
D-07 Cyclonus

Voyager
C-15 Cybertron Inferno

Encore

13 - Trailbreaker
14 - Hoist

Robot Heroes

Optimus Primal & Tarantulas
Blaster & Thrust
Ironhide & Kickback
Silverbolt & Transmetal Megatron
Cheetor & Tankor
Optimus Prime & Megatron (RiD)

Marvel Crossovers

Hulk, Green
Hulk, Grey
Captain America
Thor

Haul for 4 December 2008

2008-12-04T08:51:00.000-08:00

It never ends. Here are they in their batches

Dec 4
TM-03 Cheetor
TM-05 Dinobot
TM-06 Blackarachnia
Robot Heroes Arcee & Decepticon Rumble
Robot Heroes Rhinox & Waspinator
Transformers: Armada Volume 1 (graphic novel)
Transformers: Infiltration
Transformers: Devastation
Transformers: Spotlight Volume 3

Dec 1
Animated Swoop
Animated Stealth Lockdown
Animated Rescue Ratchet
Animated Activators Megatron
Animated Activators Grimlock
Animated Activators Bandit Lockdown
Animated Legends Optimus Prime
Animated Legends Prowl
Animated Legends Bumblebee
Animated Legends Starscream

29 Nov
Universe Bruticus Maximus
Universe Superion

27 Nov
Optimal Optimus

23 Nov
Masterpiece MP-07 Thundercracker
Henkei Galvatron
Henkei Ironhide
Henkei Hot Rodimus
Henkei Grimlock
Henkei Rijie
Armada Hoist with Refute
RiD Sky-Byte
RiD Towline and Skyfire
RiD Skid-Z and Wind Sheer
RiD Sideburn (original colours)
RiD X-Brawn (original colours)

22 Nov
Beast Wars Magnaboss
Beast Wars Tripredacus

21 Nov
Reign of Starscream
Beast Wars Sourcebook

16 Nov
Henkei D-04 Ramjet
Movie Legends Blackout
Movie Legends Bumblebee
Animated Elite Guard Bumblebee
Animated Sentinel Prime
Galaxy Force Kabaya (Mini Blockformers) Galaxy Convoy
Galaxy Force Kabaya (Mini Blockformers) Ligerjack
Galaxy Force Kabaya (Mini Blockformers) Nitro Convoy
Galaxy Force Kabaya (Mini Blockformers) Flame Convoy
Galaxy Force Kabaya (Mini Blockformers) Live Convoy
Acrylic Case (30 by 83 by 65)

13 Nov
Superlink SD-15 Shockfleet
Superlink SC-08 Energon Saber

Primus

2008-11-18T01:46:00.001-08:00

Primus is Cybertron - Cybertron is Primus. Remember all those times you marvelled at the matte paintings of Cybertron in the series? That was actually Primus.

It's no secret that Primus is one of my favourite Transformers, and also one of my favourite Transformer toys. Yes, there has only been one mass retail toy of him (two, counting exclusives), but that only serves to make him that much more desirable.

What's there not to like about him? He's the Transformers' creator, their deity, and the only object of their worship. He's big, he's powerful - in fact, he's probably the most powerful Transformer there is. Unicron? Pffft. Unicron needs to eat planets to live. Primus doesn't. He just exists.

Existing largely in the G1, Beast Wars (ostensibly), and Unicron Trilogy continuities, Primus is not known to exist in the Car Robots continuity. As for the Movie & Animated universes... that remains to be seen.

Primus is known as Primus for both Hasbro & Takara - one of the rare few to have the same name across both countries. Given that for Takara, the Supreme Commanders are Convoys instead of Primes, it is odd that Primus' name was not changed.

Worshippers of Primus are known as Children of Primus.

Marvel Comics - G1

The Primal Scream cover

Primus first appeared in the original G1 comics, entitled "The Primal Scream". It was published some time in the 80's, and was one of the first Transformers comics I had ever read. It had an awesome, evocative cover - Primus screaming as the three Autobot Classic Pretenders get thrown off by the power of his mere voice. That was what bought it for me - a being so powerful, that the mere sound of his voice was enough to throw mere mortal Transformers off their feet.

In the story, he was a sleeping head within Cybertron,. Given that Unicron's head is much, much larger in comparison to the Transformers, Primus' face is a little out of scale here. But it's all in the telling of a good story.

The Keeper (of Primus) related the origin story of the Transformers. Primus & Unicron were brothers, the children of The One (originally called the AllSpark). Primus was born when the original Unicron was cut in half, and he came to embody good, while Unicron embodied evil.

Primus led a series of deities known as the Light Gods, while Unicron was leader of the Dark Armies. Very possibly, Dark Nova was one of the Dark Armies, while the Chronarchitect could have been one of the Light Gods - but this is only speculation. Eventually, the battle fell to just Primus & Unicron.

Their battle took them across time and space, but neither could prevail. So Primus took the battle to the Astral Plane, where he fared no better. But he had a plan in mind.

Primus' head, deep within Cybertron

Primus returned to the physical plane in astral form, and Unicron followed. He managed to trap their respective astral essences into a pair of planets. While Unicron eventually learned to transform and eat planets, Primus slept, because he knew Unicron could detect him if he were awake. And so, Primus created the Transformers.

Primus' face bears a striking resemblance to Rodimus Prime, perhaps in homage.

Primus would be awoken within that very issue, as a stray laser blast ricocheted off Grimlock's armour plating, and hit Primus right in the face. He unleashed the titular primal scream, which alerted Unicron to his presence, and began the chain of events known as the Matrix Quest.

Transformers: The Ultimate Guide would further elaborate on the Transformers' origins and creations, more than 20 years later. Until then, Primus existed purely as a comics character - and fans (like me) held out hope that he would one day become a full fledged toy.

Me, personally, I was enthusiastic about a Primus toy than a Unicron toy. True, Unicron is a villain, and a planet - an animated planet, at that. But Primus was the Creator of all Transformers! Who would you root for, honestly?

G1 Movie (1986)

One of the original scripts for the animated Movie was entitled "The Secret of Cybertron". In it, Optimus Prime would merge with Cybertron, and Primus would awaken to battle Unicron.

Sadly, it never materialised. But once this news leaked out on the Internet, hope arose that Primus might finally make his appearance in the series. This proved to be... a false hope, sadly.

Dreamwave Comics - War Within

Primus as he appears in War Within

Primus doesn't actually appear in the War Within series, but this was the original design for him, which led on to his actual appearance in Galaxy Force/Cybertron.

The War Within fleshed out the connection between the Transformers' origin and Primus.

Before creating the Transformers, Primus terraformed Protos, a moon that orbited a dead planet known as Methuselah. A base was established there, known as the Sanctuary, and within that base were the twelve prototype transforming robots, known as the Covenant.

They were based off the Zodiac signs, and named: Leonicus, Taurnotron, Ariex, Capricun, Scorpius, Libras, Geminator, Virgol, Cancix, Piscor, Sagittarii, and Aquator.

Later, Primus would create the first 13 Transformers. Their origins and identities were even more cryptic than that of the Covenant, but confirmed members include: Vector Prime, The Fallen, Maccadam, and Prima. Possible members include: Liege Maximo, the Last Autobot, Alpha Trion, the Keeper (of Primus), and Boltax (of the Underbase).

It was then that Primus began creating the Transformers - animating them with Sparks, fragments of his own lifeforce. He also gave the Creation Matrix (also known as the Matrix of Leadership) to them, and gifted several other artifacts to his creations.

Following these events, Primus would go into hibernation to prevent detection by Unicron, notably by employing the Seal of Primus.

The creation of the Covenant and the 13 Original Transformers by Primus bring to mind elements of the Christian faith - notably, the Covenant members as the 12 Tribes of Israel, and the 13 Original Transformers (plus a traitor, The Fallen) as Jesus Christ and the Apostles (plus a traitor, Judas Iscariot). Other elements include Unicron as the Transformers' version of Satan.

Galaxy Force/Cybertron

Known as Galaxy Force in Japan, and Cybertron to the US audience, this was the defining series which revealed Primus in all his glory. Given that Cybertron really is Primus, this means that Transformers: Cybertron was actually named after Primus! It is fitting, after all, that a whole series be dedicated to the Transformers' deity.

Primus' animation model

Primus also exists in the Unicron Trilogy continuity, and here he is also the creator of all Transformers. His Spark is comprised of five objects - the Chip Square (Omega Lock), and four Planet Force (Cyber Planet Keys). In order to colonise other worlds with more Transformers, his Spark is dismantled and the four Planet Force are sent to four different worlds, with his Chip Square also sent off-world.

Without his Spark, Primus remains in planet mode, known as Cybertron. It is a dense, metallic planet.

Primus, Galaxy Force DVD cover art

This would prove to be disastrous, as when Unicron dies and the Grand Black Hole appears in his stead, Primus is unable to stop it, and Cybertron is sucked into it.

This triggers the quest for the Planet Force, as the Autobots discover on four differently-themed planets - Earth, Speedia (racing and cars), Animatros (animals and jungles), and Gigalonia (giant Transformers and construction).

Primus, in robot mode

Primus would eventually be revived with just 3 Planet Force and the Chip Square, but he was not at full power. Still, it was enough to defeat a planet-sized Starscream and hold back the growing Grand Black Hole.

The Autobots would eventually gain all the 4 Planet Force, just in time for Master Galvatron to steal it and use it to accelerate the growth of the Grand Black Hole. With his defeat, Primus' Spark was whole, and he combined the four Planet Force starships (Atlantis, Mu [Ogygia], Lemuria [Hyperborea], Pangaea [Lemuria]) into a massive starship/cannon, the Noah (Ark).

With that weapon in hand, he sealed the Grand Black Hole, and reverted back to planet mode - his true planet mode, combining the aspects of the four planets that his Planet Force had been sent to.

Primus, in.... worldship mode

Primus was a Supreme class toy, and he sported three different modes - planet, robot, and a worldship. Admittedly, the worldship mode seemed more like an afterthought, but it stil looked pretty awesome - especially when pitted against Unicron's jaws.

Probably unintentional, but Galaxy Convoy can stand on Primus in worldship mode, just like how God Ginrai used to ride Grand Maximus in Masterforce.

Primus in planet mode, with Unicron head

The second release of Hasbro's Primus saw the inclusion of a damaged Unicron head - reminiscent of Season 3 of G1, where Unicron's battered head orbited Cybertron as a moon.

As Cybertron, Primus had several prominent cities carved on his surface - notably Iacon and Kaon. He also came with four towers that coincedentally became stands, so that his planet mode would not roll away. He also had 7 Minicon ports in planet mode.

Primus on Primus

This has to be my favourite picture of Primus. Who can resist seeing a planet-sized robot sitting on a planet?

In robot mode, Primus can sport up to 9 Minicon ports, although 5 are sort of hidden. He also has two Force Chip activated forearm blasters, in addition to a pair of firing shoulder cannons. His legs come with six missile launchers apiece, and two grappling claws (strange addition, but welcome). All that's missing is a pair of moons for him to wield as morning stars.

Together with the Chip Square, he can hold 6 Force Chips - 1 Autobot, 1 Decepticon, and 4 Planets. And he's the only Transformer who can hold 6 Force Chips. I wish he could hold 27+1 Force Chips, like Unicron can hold 27+1 Minicons... but Force Chips aren't all unique, so I guess you can't complain there.

Cybertron Primus - Packaging

His box is pretty awesome, being Supreme-sized and sporting the words "Cybertron Primus". I guess calling it Primus alone might not warrant as many sales - now, calling it Cybertron Primus was a more accurate description befitting him, since he is both a planet and a Transformer. He came with a pair of missiles, the Chip Square, and a unique grey Autobot Force Chip.

Box art for Takara's Primus

For the Takara release, he was numbered C-00, which befits his designation as the Creator, and thus the First Transformer. The box art behind also shows every single Autobot/Maximal leader posing together with Primus.

Sadly, the Takara version doesn't come with a Unicron head. But the box art alone is enough to command the, er, rather hefty price tag.

Miscellaneous

God Primus

A special gold version of Rodimus Prime was given out as a lucky draw prize for Transformers: Generations, a pictorial guide to all G1 Transformer toys.

The only connectionc I can think of is that Primus' G1 face looks like Rodimus Prime, and "Primus" and Rodi"mus Prime" sound the same.

Other than that, I think it's a crying shame that a more appropriate Transformer wasn't recoloured. Even Gnaw would have been better. At least he looks like a ball.

Verdict

With only 1 mass retail toy of Primus available (and a fantastic one at that), it should be very clear what my answer is.

Get a Primus. It's worth every single cent.

On My Desk: Superlink Shockfleet

Haul for 15th November

2008-11-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

Henkei D-04 Ramjet
Movie Legends Blackout
Movie Legends Bumblebee
Animated Elite Guard Bumblebee
Animated Sentinel Prime
Galaxy Force Kabaya (Mini Blockformers) Galaxy Convoy
Galaxy Force Kabaya (Mini Blockformers) Ligerjack
Galaxy Force Kabaya (Mini Blockformers) Nitro Convoy
Galaxy Force Kabaya (Mini Blockformers) Flame Convoy
Galaxy Force Kabaya (Mini Blockformers) Live Convoy
Acrylic Case (30 by 83 by 65)

And of course, with my new obsession to replace ALL my Classics with Henkei, I am so screwed for the rest of the month.

Update On Ambitions

2008-11-12T10:24:00.000-08:00

So for the rest of the year, I still need to get.

Animated

Legends (nominally under Universe)
Optimus Prime
Bumblebee
Prowl

Activators
Grimlock

Deluxe
Swoop
Sentinel Prime
Elite Guard Bumblebee
Rescue Ratchet
Stealth Lockdown
Bandit Lockdown

Voyager
Longarm
Jetstorm & Jetfire

Leader
Shadow Blade Megatron
Roadbuster Ultra Magnus

Universe

Legends
Beachcomber
Cosmos
Bumblebee (if not a recolour)
Brawn (if not a recolour)

Voyager
Treadbolt (evil Jetfire recolour)

Ultra
Stormcloud (evil Powerglide recolour)

Special
25th Anniversary Optimus Prime

Henkei

Deluxe
C-11 Ironhide
C-12 Hound
C-13 Cheetas
C-14 Ratchet
C-16 Dinobot
C-17 Hot Rod
D-06 Galvatron
D-07 Cyclonus

Voyager
C-15 Cybertron Inferno

Encore

13 - Trailbreaker
14 - Hoist

Robot Heroes

Arcee & Rumble
Rhinox & Waspinator
Optimus Primal & Tarantulas
Blaster & Thrust
Ironhide & Kickback
Silverbolt & Transmetal Megatron
Cheetor & Tankor
Optimus Prime & Megatron (RiD)

Masterpiece

07 Thundercracker

Marvel Crossovers

Hulk, Green
Hulk, Grey
Captain America
Thor

Haul for November 12

2008-11-12T10:19:00.000-08:00

Largely due to Robo Robo.

Micron Legend MD-03 Ironhide with Search
Micron Legend MS-04 Sandstorm with Cannon & Destruction Microns
Micron Legend MM-02 Air Defense Team (Star Saber)
Superlink SD-15 Shockfleet
Superlink SC-08 Energon Saber
Animated Activators Patrol Bumblebee
Animated Activators Thundercracker

City Commander Transforms!

2008-11-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

Sheer awesomeness.