The Transformers Collaborative line goes bonkers with a yellow smiley-face J Balvin Soundwave. A Jurassic Park set pairs Tyrannocon Rex with a Ford Explorer. Product copy also details a Universal Monsters Dracula and an Amazon Prime Optimus Prime.
Ron Perlman is cast as Optimus Primal in Rise of the Beasts, and Origins Bumblebee is revealed. The crew opens with its annual JD Church memorial, and Brian unboxes a homemade Webworld psychoanalysis playset from Sean Hamilton.
The JD Church Memorial Episode
The end of June marks the anniversary of RFC’s return to regular publication in 2009, which makes this the JD Church memorial episode. Brian explains that JD, who died in 2014, pushed him to bring the show back. He remembers JD as a force of personality who challenged him. Don recalls joining JD episodes after first appearing on Superhero Time, and Chris recalls a marathon drive from JD’s home in Oklahoma City.
News
J Balvin Soundwave Collaborative
A Transformers Collaborative with musician J Balvin turns G1 Soundwave yellow with a smiley face and stripes. It comes with two cassettes plus a Commander Class Jetfire rifle and blast effect. One host identifies it as the leaked Project Jam, and the crew expects a Hasbro Network exclusive. The crew calls it hideous and wonderful. One host calls the Network the worst purchasing experience he has had. John, in Discord, says it should cost at least $100, since exclusivity is the point. [Source: TFU.info on Twitter]
Universal Monsters Dracula and Amazon Prime Optimus Prime
Project Bat is now known to be a Universal Monsters Collaborative Dracula. Product copy describes a grayscale robot that turns into a bat, in a VHS-style box. One host notes it comes with a claw shield, a hint it may retool Mindwipe. Product copy also points to an Amazon Prime Optimus Prime, an Earthrise Optimus retooled into an Amazon Volvo truck. One host is excited, and another wants a Pepsi Prime on the same mold. [Source: not found]
RFC News Desk 143: Licensing Finds a Way, Jurassic Park Collaboration Revealed
Target and Hasbro revealed the $104.99 Transformers x Jurassic Park set. It pairs Tyrannocon Rex, in the movie’s red and black marketing colors, with a Ford Explorer from the park tour. The crew loves Tyrannocon’s Grimlock-like head sculpt. One host credits a Twitter user with spotting that the Explorer reuses Cyberverse Deluxe Prowl’s engineering with all-new parts. The crew blames the price on double licensing from Ford and Amblin, plus the display box. The crew doubts the mold will see a later non-licensed use. [Source: TFRadio]
Ron Perlman Cast as Optimus Primal
Rise of the Beasts casts Ron Perlman as Optimus Primal. The crew likes Perlman but wanted Garry Chalk, and hopes a sequel could correct that. Much of the talk turns to a mock fund to make Matt see the movie. [Source: not found]
Buzzworthy Bumblebee Origin Bumblebee Revealed by In Demand Toys
Origins Bumblebee was revealed, the flying-saucer-car Bumblebee many wanted from Siege. One host loves it but worries it looks small in its Deluxe box. Another expects an Arcee-style shell with removable parts and a small robot. It also includes a Dinobot Island jetpack and Energon rods. Separately, Kingdom Red Alert was found at EB Games in Canada, ahead of its expected Walgreens release. [Source: BWTF]
What We Got This Week
Chris got Core Class Soundwave for $13 on eBay, with uneven joint tolerances but a great simple design. Dr. Wu’s Chatter set, its Beastbox and Squawktalk, feels like an official product with rounded edges. Its gorilla must transform just right to fit Soundwave’s chest. Kingdom Wingfinger disappoints him as a skinny figure without Deluxe plastic mass. He also got a full display box of Bot Bots from Dollar Tree for $25.
Matt got an eHobby Sunstorm in eye-searing orange at a decent eBay price, keeping it boxed for now.
Diecast got Masterpiece MP-52 Starscream 2.0, which looks great so far. Kingdom Galvatron feels like a Voyager sold as a Leader, and his copy was misassembled. Kingdom Wingfinger looks sad, and Kingdom Rhinox’s legs look so ugly he put it back in the box. He also got Kingdom Scorponok and a second Quintesson Pit of Judgment, which he calls the best set ever.
Rob got Generations Selects Hubcap, the one available Minibot he lacked, and will leave it boxed for now.
Don found Core Class Soundwave at Target and the green Dracodon. Big Bad Toy Store delivered Action Toys Buggy Robo, the Netflix Nemesis Prime set at retail and Action Toys Tough Trailer. His big find is a boxed Sam’s Club Robots in Disguise Universe yellow Optimus Prime for about $190. He also announces that he and his fiancée are buying a house.
Brian unboxed a birthday package from Sean Hamilton. It held a Kre-O Jazz and Bumblebee set he did not know existed and a custom Kiss Players Alpha Trion with a tiny Brian. It also held a Webworld psychoanalysis playset, with a couch, chair, ropes and a Planet of the Apes doctor. He also found his Netflix Earthrise Optimus Prime to pair with his G2 trailer. He bought a sealed G2 Megatron and a G1 Sixshot boxed with a Brendle’s label from a store near his hometown. Unite Warriors Megatronia, bought mid-show weeks ago, has gorgeous colors.