The new Bumblebee movie trailer shows G1-style Optimus Prime, Soundwave, Shockwave and Ravage on Cybertron, and even the crew’s skeptics are cautiously hopeful. Siege Leader Class Ultra Magnus stands only 8 inches to the shoulders, and Hasbro teases a new Titan for 2019. Siege Deluxe Ratchet looks headed to Walgreens, and Perfect Effect shows an early Jetpower Revive Prime prototype. Plus Robots in Disguise’s The Fish Test turns 17, and Transformers: The Movie returns to theaters.
Transformers: The Movie Back in Theaters
The Fathom Events screening of the 1986 movie is the next night. Brian is making the long drive to the AMC at Concord Mills with Chris Triplett and their friend Ricky. Don will skip it, since he has seen the movie hundreds of times. One host has never seen it in a theater and calls it one of the most striking animated films on a big screen.
This Week in History
In 2001, the Robots in Disguise episode The Fish Test premiered in the US. Brian credits Saban’s dub for turning Car Robots into a watchable, very funny show. The episode follows an online fish personality test, and Sky-Byte turns out to be a jellyfish. The crew also loves the Predacons disguised as Autobots, with three trains strapped to one of them for Rail Racer. RFC covered the episode on Transformers Rewind.
News
Transformers Bumblebee Movie New Trailer Released
The trailer shows G1-style Optimus Prime, Soundwave, Shockwave, Ravage and several Seekers on Cybertron. One host passes along a point from Twitter: those characters do little beyond the flashback, so the designs could have been swapped in late. Online reaction is overwhelmingly positive, even among fans of the Bay films. One host points out that Hasbro now has these models ready for a planned CG animated Cybertron movie. Diecast thinks a shot of Charlie running looks like a green screen. Another host praises the long, readable action shot. Jason says his four-year-old lost it when Optimus Prime appeared. The crew hopes for a PG rating. A friend’s comment to a young child at Deadpool 2 gives the episode its title. [Source: TFormers]
TFormers also has a screencap gallery from the trailer. [Source: TFormers]
Generations Siege Deluxe Ratchet to Be a Walgreens Exclusive
A Walgreens listing from Rob Springer’s contact shows Siege Ratchet at $19.99, while the other Siege Deluxes are listed at $17.99. The crew warns tipsters to crop cost details out of screenshots so they do not lose their jobs. They expect a repaint with a new head, likely sharing parts with the Ironhide already shown. [Source: TFormers]
Siege Leader Class Ultra Magnus Q&A Reveals Height, Plus a New Titan in 2019
Ultra Magnus is 8 inches tall to the shoulders, about a head taller than Voyager Optimus Prime in Figure King photos. Adam Pawlus also confirmed that Magnus has mass but not much height. One host expects Hasbro to frame it as keeping characters in scale. Another suspects the armor could suit a Fire Convoy homage for the Leader Optimus Prime. Hasbro also teased a new Titan for 2019. Most of the crew guesses Omega Supreme, while one host hopes for Unicron. [Source: TFormers]
Movie Masterpiece MPM-7 Bumblebee In-Hand Photos
One host has mixed feelings and will stick with the Studio Series Volkswagen Bumblebee and his Masterpiece version. He has never bought a Movie Masterpiece figure. Another host would need to handle it first. [Source: TFormers]
Perfect Effect Jetpower Revive Prime: First Look at Early Prototype
Perfect Effect plans more ratcheting joints and cosmetic changes after this prototype, plus a small drone that detaches from the trailer. The combined form should top Ultra Magnus in size. The crew calls $135 surprisingly reasonable for Perfect Effect. One host sees a touch of Battlestars manga in it, and Don now wants a Super Megatron in this style. [Source: TFormers]
What’s on TFormers
Rob covers NYCC 2018 exclusives. Super7 has a 12-inch vinyl Super Cyborg Optimus Prime with a transparent chest, plus blind-boxed Autobot and Decepticon Keshi Surprise assortments. [Source: TFormers] Furai Model’s Nemesis Prime Attack Mode kit is $36 and stands 6 inches tall. [Source: TFormers] Diecast is interviewing Hasbro at New York Comic Con on October 4 and will tweet what he can.
It’s a Don Deal
After the outro, Don’s segment argues that fans now value capturing a character in robot mode over transformation. He points to Flame Toys’ non-transforming figures. He also answers listener questions on Cyberverse toy quality and knockoffs that fix official toys. He gives a buy on Machine Wars figures and a maybe on the Walmart G1 reissues. His Leaving Money on the Table pick is convention exclusives sold through overloaded websites, such as Hasbro Toy Shop.
What We Got This Week
Diecast got Unique Toys Challenger, its unofficial movie Optimus Prime. It is good quality and a nice size, though the head swap needs a hard-to-reach screw. The preorder came with three surprise bonuses, including a large staff Optimus Prime can hold. He also found Studio Series Shadow Raider at Target, a small unofficial Soundwave and two tiny Magic Square figures he loves.
Jason got another Toyhax sticker order for his Power of the Primes figures. He also found a non-transforming diecast G1 Optimus Prime at Walmart and will grab G1 Bumblebee when it appears.
Chris had nothing this week.
Don found the new Cyberverse Legends-size Optimus Prime and Barricade locally, but passed on Bumblebee.
Rob got a Dollar Tree knockoff transforming battleship that may be an upscaled Micromaster. He says the plastic is barely better than the blister.
Brian had no toys this week but picked up the Star Trek vs. Transformers comic, which he calls a nearly pitch-perfect take on Star Trek: The Animated Series.