Radio Free Cybertron marks its 21st anniversary, 21 years after Brian posted a nine-minute first episode in October 1999. Safety Korea filings reveal Studio Series 86 Blurr, Jazz and Grimlock with Wheelie, ahead of a Fan First Friday stream. Earthrise Bluestreak turns up unannounced at Walgreens. Dr. Wu’s tiny Galvatron and Soundwave arrive with the listing typo that gives the episode its title. Several of the crew finish their sets of Transformers the Manga with volume three.
21 Years of Radio Free Cybertron
This episode lands on the eve of the show’s 21st anniversary. Brian posted the first nine-minute episode in October 1999, before RSS and podcasting existed, as an MP3 and later as raw media files. The crew jokes about plans for episode 700, four shows away.
News
Fan First Friday Returns on YouTube
Hasbro will hold a Fan First Friday stream on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube channel instead of Facebook. Studio Series is expected, and the crew hopes for Galactic Odyssey part two and an official Combiner Wars Devastator reissue. It likely replaces the New York Comic Con reveals, where the Titan Class Ark would normally have been teased.
Studio Series 86 Blurr, Jazz and Grimlock Revealed Through Safety Korea
Images of Studio Series 86 Blurr, Jazz and Grimlock with Wheelie joined the already-seen Scourge, Hot Rod and Kup. Chris explains that they come from Safety Korea, a product safety testing body that publishes its records, so these are legitimate samples rather than factory leaks. Chris stretched the squashed image back to proper proportions on RFC News, and he now likes the Grimlock. He is eager to see whether Jazz can match Reveal the Shield Jazz. The crew sympathizes with live-action movie fans losing their one line to G1. Another host thinks the change will keep Studio Series healthy. [Source: not found]
Earthrise Bluestreak Found at Walgreens
Earthrise Bluestreak turned up at Walgreens with none of the usual lead-up for a Walgreens exclusive. Chris had expected Amazon based on international listings. The crew expects wider availability and a web listing within weeks, so patience should pay off. [Source: not found]
Dr. Wu Galvatron and Soundwave
Dr. Wu’s new mini figures are listed as Destroy Emperpo and Monitor Officer. They are about half the size of Legends, roughly the size of Scorponok’s head. Diecast is interested because this Galvatron, with a Matrix on a chain, would suit Unicron. He wishes the set had a Hot Rod instead of Soundwave. The crew also hears HasLab Unicron could ship as early as January. [Source: Taobao listing]
What We Got This Week
Don
Don found My Little Pony x Transformers Optimus Prime at GameStop and dubbed it Cloptimus Prime. He also got ReAction Grimlock for the card art. Ross had Movie Masterpiece Ironhide for $25, so he bought two in case of transformation trouble.
Matt
Matt bought a Brunt gun barrel on eBay to complete his Centurion drone. He finished his Siege cassettes with Rumble, Ratbat and Laserbeak and calls Ravage absolutely terrible. He also got three more Slitherfangs and Transformers the Manga volume three, whose Battle Gaia and Guard City art he may spam at TakaraTomy.
Chris
Chris found Cyberverse Deluxe Thunderhowl at Walmart. Its transformation unfolds the whole body into a convincing quadruped, which he calls over-engineered but engaging. The lightning effect only fits its sword, though it can also work as breath in beast mode, and the shield locks the elbow straight. He also got Nonnef spoilers for Siege Sideswipe in red and black, plus clear sunglasses for Scorponok.
Rob
Rob got Transformers the Manga volume three. He likes how it reorders the color art by subject and presents Zone’s chapter in its original reading direction.
John
John got Earthrise Airwave, his first of that mold, and likes the break-apart gimmick. He calls Smokescreen as good as a Datsun brother needs to be. He opened only the Bailiff from his Pit of Judgment set and praises the mold as a troop builder that transforms in 20 seconds.
Brian
Brian got Double Crosser, which he calls a sad transformation. He also got the manga’s third volume and a Step into Reading BotBots book. He picked up Energize Bumblebee from an Amazon exclusive Rescue Bots line and a G1 Triggerbot Override. His mint-in-box Machine Wars Optimus Prime arrived crushed in a cluster mailbox, and he has filed a claim.