Writer Mike Costa’s interview on The Underbase set off a fandom flame war, and the crew digs into why on this December 15, 2011 Radio Free Cybertron. News covers the first Transformers: Fall of Cybertron trailer, the Rescue Bots trailer, a January 10 US date for Shout! Factory’s Japanese collection and a new wave of third-party figures. Cole Sickler of Krave announces a Magic: The Gathering catalog and new seller deals. The crew says incoming writers James Roberts and Nick Roche get Transformers.
News
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Trailer
The crew watched the first Transformers: Fall of Cybertron trailer. One host thought it looked awesome and wants great CGI cut scenes in the game. Another says he never gets excited about trailers without gameplay, since this one told him nothing about the game. A third host says the music reminded him of Firefly. Others compare it to the gloomy acoustic music in Gears of War trailers. [Source: not found]
Rescue Bots Trailer
The Transformers: Rescue Bots trailer is out, and the series debuts this Saturday. One host wants his son to watch it, and another wants to watch it himself. The crew plans to talk about it next week. [Source: not found]
Japanese Collection Gets January 10 US Release
Shout! Factory confirmed the Japanese collection will be released in the US on January 10. One host is thrilled despite the lack of English dubs, after months of thinking it would never come out here. Another is annoyed by Amazon reviewers who are glad the dubs aren’t included. The crew says the subtitles are accurate-ish, though the different names are distracting. [Source: not found]
Third-Party Seaspray, Powerglide and Cosmos
Brian admits he’s getting tired of third-party toys, but they keep getting better. One host pre-ordered the MakeToys Seaspray and Powerglide. One host also wants the iGear Cosmos, which gives Cosmos the most arm movement ever. [Source: not found]
Another Goldbug Repaint
A new alternative Goldbug is coming. The crew complains these gold Bumblebee repaints always use Bumblebee’s head instead of Goldbug’s. One host says Reveal the Shield Legends are about $2 at Ollie’s, and Five Below has Legends and Scouts cheap. [Source: not found]
Krave Corner
Cole Sickler of Krave says Magic: The Gathering is now live, alongside Transformers, G.I. Joe and Star Wars. The next catalog will also be cards. Top fan picks include Xavier Fernandez’s custom Wreck-Gar and Blurr kit and Jason Tong’s custom-painted Animated Arcee. New Krave Seller Deals let sellers run promotions, like a free Windcharger with a purchase. New buyers get $5 back on a first purchase in December. A new share button lets you send your want list to family for the holidays.
This Week in History
JD Church marks December 15, 1984, when the G1 episode “Heavy Metal War” premiered in the US. He ties it to the new Encore Devastator. The crew calls it one of the most iconic early episodes. One host says it shows Megatron using Optimus Prime’s sense of justice and chivalry against him.
Watch RFC on Xbox 360 and Roku
Brian notes the Xbox 360’s new interface includes YouTube, so listeners can watch RFC on the TF Radio Network channel. RFC is also on Roku through blip.tv and on TiVo.
Topic: The Mike Costa Interview Fallout
Aimee explains that The Underbase interviewed IDW writer Mike Costa last week, and parts of it set off days of fandom rage. She and her co-host didn’t think it was that bad. JD Church says Costa argued that Transformers comic readers don’t read other comics, and the comics world looks down on Transformers books. JD agrees with both points. What bothered JD was Costa calling fan criticism crazy fan rage. Costa also framed Transformers as nearly impossible to write because the robots are so alien. One host argues the best Transformers stories make the robots relatable, and that Simon Furman figured that out. He says Costa never understood why fans prefer space opera to Spike and the humans. The crew also discusses when human characters matter, from the Headmasters Nebulons to Tigatron’s first episode. JD says Costa just didn’t get it and was more candid than he should have been. Aimee notes her show has often been critical of Costa’s run. The crew is excited about incoming writers James Roberts and Nick Roche.
Radio Free Cybertron is the world's first and oldest toy and action figure podcast — broadcasting from the heart of the Transformers fan community since October 1999. What started as a scrappy fan show has grown into an institution, with nearly 1,000 episodes and over 25 years of coverage. Every week, host Brian Kilby and the RFC crew dig into the latest Transformers news, toy reveals, collecting, and everything hitting shelves from Hasbro, Takara, and beyond. No fluff, no hype — just informed, passionate collectors who have been doing this longer than anyone else on the planet. The original. The longest running. Till all are one.