Project Yellow is revealed as the Tonkanator, a Target exclusive Devastator in Tonka yellow. Hasbro’s livestream shows the full Velocitron range, including Cosmos and Road Rocket.
Listings point to a second Velocitron wave and 2023 Legacy figures like Skyquake and Armada Megatron. The crew also remembers JD Church on the anniversary of RFC’s return.
The JD Church Memorial Episode
This episode marks about 13 years since RFC returned to regular publication, which makes it the JD Church memorial episode. Brian explains that JD, who died in 2014, asked him to bring the show back so he could be on a podcast. The crew remembers his outsized personality, his love of interviews and his Superhero Time antics. Brian plans to add a JD-hosted RFC episode to the audio.
News
Target’s Collector Con revealed Project Yellow as the Tonkanator, a Target exclusive Transformers Collaborative Devastator in Tonka yellow. Chris calls it the most boring possible answer and the most wonderful one at the same time. Don grew up with steel Tonka trucks and loves it, and one host has ordered two and hopes for a window box. Target is also reissuing the 2018 Street Fighter crossovers, and Chris suspects a licensing team arranged that rather than the brand team. [Source: Target]
Hasbro Livestream Reveals Roundup
Hasbro’s livestream showed the full Velocitron range: Cosmos, Burnout, Road Rocket, Clampdown and Road Hauler, plus a Scourge now named as such. The crew loves Cosmos. One host calls Road Rocket a better use of the Arcee mold, and Clampdown comes off bland without its red. New R.E.D. figures got windowless boxes, and Brian is out on R.E.D. A surprise deluxe Slicer was also shown, and one host loves its blue. The Maverick reissue keeps its original deco, which disappoints Don. [Source: Autobase Aichi]
Cosmos Began as a Saucer Bumblebee Retool
Mark Maher’s Instagram shows Cosmos started as a retool pitch of Origin Bumblebee’s flying saucer. Chris likes that the concept looked like a classic Cylon Raider. Slicer’s weapons, per the design team, nod to Energon Downshift. [Source: Instagram]
2023 Legacy and Velocitron Wave 2 Listings
Listings shared by JT Prime point to a second Velocitron wave with Crasher, Shadow Striker, Hot Rod and Leader-2. Legacy adds Core Soundblaster and Slug, Deluxe Needlenose, Hot Shot and a Junkion, and Voyager Tarn and Lio Prime. The leaders are Prime Skyquake and Armada Megatron. One host calls Skyquake his most anticipated leader. Brian doubts any new take can top the original Armada Megatron, and he still names Armada the best toy line of its decade. [Source: TFW2005]
Target Creatures Collide Four-Pack Photos
Photos of Target’s Creatures Collide set show Goldbug, Ransack, Scorponok and a Waspinator redeco. Chris notes Goldbug uses the Netflix Volkswagen mold with the Shattered Glass Goldbug head, another retailer exclusive for that car. [Source: Autobase Aichi]
Niantic Cancels Transformers: Heavy Metal
Niantic cancelled Transformers: Heavy Metal, its AR game, as one of four games cut. Brian had forgotten it existed. Chris mentions a Transformers VR game for Dave and Buster’s and a PlayStation VR title with little recent word. [Source: BWTF]
What the Bandai and TakaraTomy Collaboration Became
Chris follows up on the Bandai and TakaraTomy teaser. Takara is making a tiny Tomica White Base from Gundam. Bandai is making a Soul of Chogokin Liger Zero from Zoids, which Chris finds lopsided. [Source: not found]
What We Got This Week
Brian accidentally bought a second sealed green and black Cliffjumper Happy Meal toy. He loves Legacy Leader Blitzwing and calls it the best Blitzwing ever. He also got a G1 Victory Greatshot from Mandarake listed as damaged, with barely visible flaws, and found its box separately on eBay.
Don also got Legacy Leader Blitzwing. He is disappointed in Studio Series 86 Sludge. The front feet sit on tiny pegs, the wings flop on a rubber hinge and the hips are weak, so he is considering upgrade kits.
Diecast got Masterpiece Shouki through Amazon Japan and has already seen reports of breakage.
Matt had only a non-Transformers pickup this week.
Chris got Core Class Shockwave and G2 Megatron at about $11 each. He calls Shockwave a miniature Siege Shockwave with a huge satellite dish. Both share the loose joints of Core Class Hot Rod.
Rob had only non-Transformers pickups this week.