Transformers turns 30 this week, since Marvel’s Transformers #1 hit newsstands in May 1984. Age of Extinction toys start appearing early, though Brian’s local Kmart refuses to sell them to him. Walmart’s Age of Extinction exclusives dig up Beast Wars molds like Terrorsaur, and Target pairs a chrome Fall of Cybertron Grimlock with a chrome Optimus Prime. The crew explains why Hasbro cannot call Jetfire “Skyfire,” and Mega Steel shows its not-Megatron.
This Week in History
In May 1984, Marvel’s Transformers #1 hit newsstands, though its cover date was September. Brian calls it the first Transformers product released, making this week the brand’s 30th anniversary. The crew notes how much of Transformers came from Marvel, including Bob Budiansky’s tech specs and Jim Shooter’s original treatment. In 2003, Robert Stack, the voice of Ultra Magnus in the 1986 movie, died of a heart attack.
News
Legends Cosmos and Swerve Ship
Generations Legends Cosmos and Swerve are now available, and Big Bad Toy Store preorders are being filled. One host’s preorder filled today, and Brian’s is ready to ship. [Source: not found]
Age of Extinction Toys Appear Early
Age of Extinction Deluxe figures, plus Evasion Mode Optimus Prime and Grimlock, are turning up in stores ahead of launch. Brian found them at a Kmart, but the cashier said the store was told not to sell them, and they were pulled from the shelf. Rob Springer had better luck, since Toys R Us let him buy what he found. [Source: not found]
Leader Class Jetfire In-Box Photos
In-box photos show the new Leader Class Jetfire. One host likes it but is not in love with it, since the Classics Jetfire did a cleaner vehicle mode at a smaller price eight years ago. Another host prefers the new head sculpt, and the crew worries about the red chrome flaking. One host explains that Mattel registered the Skyfire name for a Max Steel toy just before Hasbro tried to claim it in 2001. Everyone expects to buy it anyway. [Source: not found]
Walmart Age of Extinction Exclusives Bring Back Beast Wars Molds
New Walmart-exclusive Age of Extinction Legion figures and Dinobot two-packs revive old molds. They include Beast Wars Terrorsaur in blue, an Energon Terrorcon mold and Triceradon. One host recalls that Hasbro could not find the Terrorsaur mold for the 2006 anniversary line. Another wishes the Triceradon used the Killer Punch version of the tooling for something different. [Source: not found]
Target Exclusive Chrome Grimlock and Optimus Prime
Target gets a two-pack of Fall of Cybertron Grimlock and a Dark of the Moon Optimus Prime, both covered in chrome. One host calls the Optimus Prime terrible. Brian likes the chrome Grimlock, while another host would rather see the mold become Megatron. [Source: not found]
Toys R Us Singapore Gold Optimus Prime
A Lion City Roar event exclusive from Toys R Us Singapore is a gold chrome Optimus Prime. Brian says it hurts his eyes, like something from the end of DuckTales, but he still wants it. The crew worries about fingerprints and damage on heavy chrome. [Source: not found]
AMC Theaters Age of Extinction Display
AMC Theaters are getting an Age of Extinction display of Optimus Prime riding Grimlock. Brian says a truck riding a dinosaur gives him hope the movie will focus on being fun. [Source: not found]
Construct-Bots Dinofire Grimlock and Optimus Prime
Official images show Age of Extinction Construct-Bots of Grimlock and Optimus Prime. One host notes the Dinobots seem to use new skeletons, though Grimlock’s transformation looks minimal. [Source: not found]
Kre-O Combiners Spotted at Toys R Us
New Kre-O combiners turned up at a Toys R Us in Illinois: Volcanicon, Obsidian, Grimstone and Laserbolt. Brian will buy them out of completism and leave them sealed. The crew notes Hasbro keeps inventing new names ending in “con” because they are easy to trademark. [Source: not found]
Mystery of Convoy Anniversary Clear Figure
A Toys R Us Japan midnight exclusive pays tribute to the Famicom game Mystery of Convoy with a clear-colored Optimus Prime. It hides a metal pin that will enable some unknown feature. Exvee guesses a magnetic trigger for a larger electronic toy. [Source: not found]
Transformers Battling Figures at Toys R Us
Brian was surprised to find a new line of Transformers figures that fight like Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots at Toys R Us. He passed at $15 each. [Source: not found]
Mega Steel MS-01 Not-Megatron
Mega Steel shows the MS-01, a not-Megatron based on his Stormbringer design. Brian calls it nice-looking but is not buying it. One host would rather have Megatron’s current More Than Meets the Eye body and guesses a price of $90 to $110. A black, retooled Hexatron repaint is also coming. [Source: not found]
BotCon Registration Coming Soon
BotCon registration is not open yet, but emails say it is coming this week. Brian will not make it to Pasadena, but Don and probably John DeLuna will.
Q&A with Rob Springer
Rainbow Warrior asks why so many companies make add-on kits for Metroplex. Rob Springer says the big Generations Metroplex came with few accessories, which leaves room for Six Gun, Slammer and more. He would love an add-on that lets combiner team leaders plug in, Scramble City style. He likes kits that make toys look like the version of the character fans love.
What We Got This Week
Brian has his Big Bad Toy Store preorder of Generations Legends Cosmos and Swerve ready to ship.
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.