Legacy Evolution Animated Prowl and a second Motorcycle Junkion leak, and one host is thrilled to finally get a G1-style Animated Prowl. A G1 Hound reissue in animation colors surprises everyone. Funko’s digital-only Mr. Potato Head Optimus Prime and Bumblebee Pops draw outrage at 0.28 percent odds. Plus Kingdom Red Alert at Walgreens and Victory Saber verdicts from Matt and Chris.
News
Toy Fair New York Moves to the Fall
With Toy Fair moving to September starting in 2023, the crew wonders what fills February. Matt suggests Hasbro move a Pulse Con there. Others note Hasbro has used its own Pulse events since 2020. [Source: TSNN]
Legacy Evolution Deluxe Animated Prowl and Motorcycle Junkion Leak
Leaked photos show Legacy Evolution Deluxe Animated Prowl and a second, motorcycle Junkion. One host prefers Prowl, while another host thinks the Junkion resembles Demolisher. One host loves the G1-style Prowl robot. He finds the motorcycle mode messy next to the original Animated toy. He is irritated there is no traffic light flail. He plans to swap parts across all three Deluxe Junkions for a sidecar, as the Legacy Evolution poster showed. [Source: Allspark]
G1 Hound Reissue in Animation Colors Leaked
A G1 Hound reissue in animation colors turned up from an Asian seller. JTPrime had said it was part of the Walmart Retro G1 line with Hot Rod and Starscream. The crew agrees the cartoon colors help the toy, and they hope for more molds that haven’t been reissued in years. [Source: Allspark]
Licensed Autobot and Decepticon keycap sets are coming for MX-style mechanical keyboards. Brian warns that custom keycap sets often cost as much as the keyboard. [Source: CannonKeys]
Retro The Transformers: The Movie Hot Rod Out in Canada
Retro Hot Rod has reached Canadian retail. Diecast has not found one yet. [Source: TFW2005]
Funko Brings Back Digital Collectibles With Mr. Potato Head Optimus Prime
Funko’s new digital collectible drop includes Mr. Potato Head Optimus Prime and Bumblebee Pops, redeemable only with rare digital packs. With 999 available, one host puts the odds at 0.28 percent and calls it gambling. One host says he only put it in the notes for the outrage. [Source: Funko]
Kingdom Red Alert Out at US Retail
Kingdom Red Alert is out at US retail, though one host notes Walgreens stores have rarely carried it since July. He expects Minerva to show up mostly on Walgreens’ website. [Source: TFW2005]
New Zealand Mint offers a Grimlock 1oz silver coin. The crew guesses the art is Guido Guidi working in a Pat Lee style. Brian is not buying it. [Source: NZ Mint]
What We Got This Week
Don
Don got a copy of The Transformers: The Movie from Brian. He found Authentics Wheeljack at Big Lots and calls it a chunky, charming fiddle toy. He also picked up the second run of Walmart’s Maverick so he has one to open.
Matt
Matt used a Walmart gift card on the red Walmart Galvatron and got Coronation Starscream from the Pulse sale. He also opened a Target sale Tonkanator. His Victory Saber is a good copy with minor paint flecks, a slight lean and some chrome rub. He loves it and was surprised by how good Victory Leo is on its own.
Diecast
Diecast got the first three EarthSpark Deluxes: Bumblebee, Twitch and Megatron. He likes their colored twist ties and Autobot-printed wrapping paper. He also got two Galaxy Shuttles, the Walmart Maverick and Fans Toys Jive. Jive’s tight shoulder ratchets pop panels loose, but he is very happy with it.
Chris
Chris’s Victory Saber is mechanically sound but has a chrome blemish on Victory Leo and factory paint wear on Star Saber. He finds the transformation fuzzy rather than clicky, and the V-Star mode is covered in screw holes. That experience is why he passed on Deathsaurus. At Marshalls he found the Walmart reissue Tigatron and a Cyberverse Deluxe Bumblebee at half price. His highlight is Dr. Wu’s Sword Dancer, an unofficial Slamdance cassette combiner, which he calls even more solid than last year’s set.
Rob
Rob’s pickups this week were not Transformers.
Brian
Brian’s Victory Saber arrived with no obvious QC issues, but it is still in the box. He has started transforming HasLab Unicron. He also got Shattered Glass Soundwave, which may be his favorite of the line.