417

TFSource repaints its MP-23 Exhaust stock so it can sell in the US, without telling buyers first. The crew objects to the surprise more than the paint. First color photos of MP-26 Road Rage impress everyone, and Combiner Wars Leader Starscream shows up wearing a crown. Titan Class Devastator looks short on paint, and Takara’s Legends Ultra Magnus swaps Minimus Ambus for Alpha Trion. Chris hosts while Brian takes the week off.

News

TFSource Repaints MP-23 Exhaust for US Sale

TFSource gave its Exhaust stock an aftermarket paint job to cover the Marlboro-style deco, then told customers afterward. The crew thinks the result looks fine but says buyers should have been told first, even with returns offered. They note Philip Morris has to defend its trademark. Chris’s idea of removable stickers wins praise, and the crew expects a label to cover the repaint. [Source: not found]

First Color Photos of MP-26 Road Rage

Road Rage and her Twincast accessory look great in red. One host has wanted the mold anyway and plans to buy her. Another suggests looking for G2 Sideswipe on BotCon Sunday, when dealers dump Masterpiece cars. [Source: not found]

First Look at Combiner Wars Leader Starscream

Starscream comes with a crown, matching an Australian Toys R Us bio that calls him king of the Seekers. The crew jokes about how small that kingdom is and hopes Sunstorm follows in the eHobby colors. [Source: not found]

New Photos of Titan Class Devastator

Several hosts think Devastator needs more paint. Don argues elbows would make him fall over and that the kids getting him for Christmas will love it. The crew questions why Mixmaster changed while the other five stayed so close to G1. One host says his MakeToys Devastator still looks better on his shelf. [Source: not found]

New Photos of Leader Ultra Magnus

The crew loves how Magnus balances G1 and IDW and how well he scales with Classics Optimus Prime. Robot Kingdom ships him May 29, which likely puts US stock after BotCon. One host worries the white plastic looks waxy, though camera lighting may be to blame. [Source: not found]

Combiner Wars Legends Wave 4 Preorders

Wave 4 adds Rodimus, a red Blackjack, and Skywarp, with Warpath and Groove repeating. The pair runs $32 and the set of three $42. Toys R Us has raised Legends to $13 each. Don notes Seeker collectors like Matt may end up buying two size classes to finish their trios. [Source: not found]

Takara Legends Ultra Magnus Comes With Alpha Trion

Takara’s version follows the first year of More Than Meets the Eye, with red thighs and painted lights. It includes Alpha Trion instead of Minimus Ambus, the first non-convention Alpha Trion toy. Don spins a theory about Alpha Trion’s motives, and one host prefers the Hasbro version for its Minimus Ambus. [Source: not found]

Images of a Black Skids

The redeco follows the black Diaclone Skids and surfaced alongside Packrat and General Optimus Prime, so it may be BotCon. A second photo shows subtle gold shading that wins over one skeptical host. [Source: not found]

BotCon Registration Delayed Again

Fun Publications pushed registration back again, and the hotel block is full. If it opens Monday, there will be exactly one month until BotCon. [Source: not found]

Subscription Service 3.0 Carzap and Creon In Hand

Carzap comes with GB Blackrock’s Creon, and Diecast loves that one connector port is a gas pump. He wants to buy the figure from a subscriber who does not want it. [Source: not found]

Third-Party News

Perfect Effect Upgrade for Masterpiece Star Saber

The kit adds a more detailed Brainmaster figure and possibly metal sword blades. The crew calls it unnecessary, though one host likes the little Brainmaster. [Source: not found]

Combiner Hands and Feet From Perfect Effect and Nonnef Productions

Perfect Effect adds a white set of its combiner hands and feet. Nonnef Productions will sell simpler combiner feet with ankle tilts for $10 in three colors. One host praises Nonnef’s Superion antenna for its quality and color match. [Source: not found]

FansToys Stomp Gets Pop-Out Eyes

Stomp’s bonus accessory recreates the eyes popping out when Devastator hits him in the 1986 movie. Diecast cannot wait to stage that scene. [Source: not found]

Mastermind Creations Commodus Test Shots

Commodus is MMC’s take on Turmoil from IDW comics. The crew notes Impactor came from the same mold and would rather see the DJD or Overlord. [Source: not found]

X-Transbots Apologizes for Apollyon

X-Transbots apologized for Apollyon’s plastic quality and fit, citing a new quality control overseer. It promised to avoid ball joints in future Masterpiece-style figures. One host says his list of trusted third-party makers is very short. [Source: not found]

Also on TFormers

Joe Moscone, formerly of Hasbro’s PR firm, is auctioning items for charity. Pieced-together Combiner Wars Optimus Maximus art shows Ironhide’s deco. Metal Earth posted Transformers model kit images, and Prime 1 Studio’s movie Optimus Prime and Megatron busts appear out of the box. [Source: TFormers]

This Week in History

On May 16, 2011, the first wave of Dark of the Moon toys hit its official street date. The crew remembers that wave sitting on shelves all summer. They still like a few molds from it, including the small Deluxe Optimus Prime reused for Target’s Silver Knight Optimus Prime.

What We Got This Week

Rob

Rob got the Deluxe Protectobots and calls them a solid wave. First Aid is his least favorite of the four, but Rook turned out great.

Diecast

Hasbro sent Diecast Quickslinger and Brake-Neck for review. He also combined Fierce Attack into Bruticus, which towers over DX9’s Chigurh. His set came with two right feet, and Big Bad Toy Store is replacing it.

John

John opened Combiner Wars Viper, a blue Powerglide with a new head and copper-gold missile pods. His hips are solid, though one shoulder pops out easily.

Matt

Matt’s Quickslinger has tight joints and landing gear that works.

Don

Don also picked up Fierce Attack but has only looked at the vehicle modes so far.