The Bumblebee movie teaser trailer is out, and even skeptical hosts like its tighter, G1-inspired robot designs. The crew finishes Power of the Primes Abominus and ranks the Terrorcons. Toys R Us Australia cancels Masterpiece Shadow Panther pre-orders without refunds as it goes under. TakaraTomy’s Encore Air Attack Optimus Primal costs about $200, and Ocular Max’s Hellion brings a Masterpiece-style Cliffjumper. Plus the RFC T-shirt store opens.
News
Matt likes the Bumblebee design, calling it a vast improvement over earlier movie robots, but Paramount’s track record keeps his hopes low. Don says the designs finally look like robots in disguise rather than robots made of car parts. The crew debates whether the seeker is Starscream or Ramjet. One host notes the director made Kubo and the Two Strings, though Paramount may still force a formula. Don floats a theory that the film could quietly reboot the movie universe. One host wants a post-credits scene teasing B.O.T. Several hosts now plan to buy more Bumblebee toys if they match the screen. [Source: TFormers]
Australian Release of Masterpiece Shadow Panther Canceled
Toys R Us Australia canceled Masterpiece Shadow Panther pre-orders as it goes out of business, without offering refunds. Customers can take store credit while inventory lasts, file as creditors or dispute the charge with their bank. One host calls the bank the most direct option. The crew adds that pre-orders opened in February for an October release were a bad idea from the start. [Source: TFormers]
TakaraTomy November Releases: Encore Air Attack Optimus Primal
TakaraTomy’s November releases include an Encore Air Attack Optimus Primal at about $200. It is the toy’s first direct Japanese release, since Beast Wars Returns used Blast Punch Optimus Primal instead. Don will pass, since he paid $43 for the Primal Prime version. One host warns that the original’s brown plastic is decaying. Another expects it to fare better than the Encore God Fire Convoy because the toy is simpler. [Source: TFormers]
G1 Hot Rod Walmart Reissue on the Way to Stores
The G1 Hot Rod Walmart reissue is shipping in cases of six. Someone on Twitter pointed out that the trays look like they went in backwards. [Source: TFormers]
Generations Special Edition Repugnus: New Details Revealed
A new Amazon listing says Repugnus comes with a Titan Master, so Chris expects a third Doublecross retool. He is fine with all three Monsterbots sharing a body type. Updates to the Blast Off listing suggest a stealth launch around SDCC. [Source: TFormers]
Toilet Troop? Techie Team? New Codenamed Transformers Listings Hit Amazon
Amazon lists four mystery products, Toilet Troop, Techie Team, Greaser Gang and Jock Squad, at $10 to $15 each. One host theorizes they are Micromaster patrols for War for Cybertron, since Hasbro seems to be recreating 1988 after recreating 1987. The crew wishes TakaraTomy would revisit World’s Smallest Transformers instead. [Source: TFormers]
Barricade in the Bumblebee Movie
Voice actor Jess Harnell made a quick comment suggesting Barricade will appear in the Bumblebee movie. [Source: TFormers]
Ocular Max Hellion: Masterpiece-Style Unofficial Cliffjumper
Mastermind Creations’ Ocular Max label shows Hellion, a Masterpiece-style Cliffjumper. One host will probably buy it, since TakaraTomy seems unlikely to make the character. Don wonders whether TakaraTomy’s long wait for a Masterpiece Jazz involves licensing both Porsche designs at once. [Source: TFormers]
New Optimus Prime Classic Scale G1 Statue From PCS Collectibles
Don loves PCS Collectibles’ new classic-scale Optimus Prime statue, which captures the cartoon’s run-and-transform intro. The crew jokes it looks like he is carrying a basketball. [Source: TFormers]
RFC T-Shirt Store
The RFC T-shirt store is open at tfradio.net/shirts, set up by John. Designs include Radio Free Cybertron logos, I’m a G1 Guy and G1 Gal, and the popular Professional Robot Collector. More designs, possibly a 1950s-style Massey Attack, will come if enough shirts sell. TFormers.com also launched a faster, mobile-friendly redesign.
This Week in History
In 2011, BotCon 2011 opened in Pasadena, one of the few BotCons Brian missed. That year’s set was the Animated-style Stunticons, which turned out to be a really nice set despite the fight over which mold to use for Motormaster. Don’s favorite part was the voice actor script reading.
What We Got This Week
Matt
Matt finished his Power of the Primes Abominus.
Don
Don’s Terrorcons, ordered from Toy Dojo during last week’s show, arrived Saturday. He likes Blot best, with Rippersnapper and Sinnertwin tied for second. He calls Cutthroat terrible, since its legs will not hold together and its head pops off. He is happier with Abominus than he was with Combiner Wars Menasor.
Rob
Alex Milne sent Rob a signed copy of Unicron #0 with a sketch on the cover, plus a separate Bumblebee sketch, since Rob and Chris missed Free Comic Book Day. Rob calls it only the second piece of original art he owns.
John DeLuna
John DeLuna had nothing yet. His Street Fighter figures arrive tomorrow.
Brian
Brian found Kre-O transforming Grimlock and Shockwave at Dollar General, years after they came out. He also bought the small Authentics Bumblebee, Starscream and Optimus Prime and the $10 Optimus Prime, and he calls them all garbage. His Hun-Gurrr from Big Bad Toy Store is still unopened.
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.