Hasbro surprised a design team roundtable with Buzzworthy Bumblebee Origin Jazz. Chris recaps the call: Skyquake changed after fan feedback, vehicle licenses run by calendar year, and Velocitron Hot Rod has no retail plans. A Studio Series 86 Snarl leak shows unpainted mustard plates, and Metalhawk and Twincast turn up in hand. Matt finally completes Legacy Menasor and calls it miraculous.
News
Buzzworthy Bumblebee Origin Jazz Revealed
Origin Jazz was revealed at the end of a design team roundtable, with preorders due later this month. One host thinks it looks amazing. The crew compares it to Searchlight and loves the show-accurate fake hood chest. [Source: BWTF]
Transformers Design Team Conference Call Highlights
Chris shares what he learned on the two-hour roundtable. Mark Maher wanted toy-based parts for Blaster and Twincast, but chose animation accuracy. Studio Series Airazor engineering followed early, Beast Wars-like movie models. Skyquake was reworked after fan reaction to Legacy Arcee and Bumblebee. Evan Brooks said serious problems like yellowing take six months to a year to investigate. Metalhawk and Crankcase were after-the-fact retools, and most molds plan only one alternate head.
Ben said weapons packs struggle because the brand is retail-first. Netflix Soundwave’s mold is out of its exclusivity window, which made Shattered Glass Soundwave possible. Vehicle licenses such as Volkswagen’s run by calendar year. Sam Smith explained the tinting limits behind Blaster’s red chest door, and Evan added that red is a nightmare. EarthSpark and mainline Rise of the Beasts come from a separate team. Velocitron Hot Rod has no current retail plans. Hasbro Pulse can still turn down an exclusive pitch.
Studio Series 86 Snarl Leak First Look
Leaked screenshots show Studio Series 86 Snarl, the first of the set with unpainted mustard plastic where gold should be. One host thinks the gold paint went where robot mode shows it. Don is nervous after his Studio Series Sludge QC, though his second copy was fine. The crew expects a Leader Swoop and wishes for G2 Dinobots. [Source: Autobase Aichi]
First Look at Rise of the Beasts Mainline Voyager Optimus Prime and Rhinox
In-hand photos show the mainline Voyager Optimus Prime and Rhinox, not the Studio Series versions. The crew finds them small and monochrome, with lots of unpainted gray plastic. The box design looks plain to them. [Source: TFW2005]
Legacy Metalhawk and Twincast In Hand
Metalhawk and Twincast have shown up at specialty stores, especially in Canada. One photo confirms Twincast’s red chest door over a blue torso. Don’s copies are waiting in his Big Bad Toy Store pile. [Source: TFW2005]
2023 Selects and Other Exclusives From JTPrime
JTPrime’s list includes Windsweeper, which the crew bets is a Needlenose redeco. Antagony finally has a home in Selects. A Deluxe G1 Headmaster could be the Topspin to pair with Twin Twist. Medix appears to be a Walgreens exclusive. A Fan Fest item and a Jungle Mission Pack round it out. [Source: TFW2005 boards]
Moore Art Gallery Transformers VHS-Inspired Poster and Prints
One host was excited until he saw the designs weren’t based on the Family Home Entertainment covers. Another finds them interesting but wouldn’t hang one. [Source: Moore Art Gallery]
Transformers Desk Mats From Clackeys
One host likes four of the Clackeys desk mats, led by the Optimus Prime truck and Grimlock designs. [Source: Clackeys]
Icon Heroes Soundblaster Business Card Holder
One host would order business cards just to fill a Soundwave version, though he works with an all-remote team. [Source: Icon Heroes]
What We Got This Week
Diecast
Diecast got a Super7 ReAction Sharkticon to reach free shipping while he waits on ReAction Unicron.
Matt
Matt got Scraphook from Hasbro Pulse in a bag. It’s small, with a right elbow that pops off, but he wants more Junkions. He finally finished Legacy Menasor and calls it miraculous and super solid. A YouTube video from Kenobi showed him how to close Dead End’s car mode.
Rob
Rob had nothing this week.
Chris
Chris had nothing this week. He was on the Hasbro call instead.
Don
Don got Scraphook from Hasbro Pulse and a Super7 ReAction Unicron below retail on eBay. At Walmart he found Retro The Transformers: The Movie Starscream, but no Hot Rod yet.
Brian
Brian got Leader Transmetal 2 Megatron and calls it amazing in hand. He also got the Legacy Evolution Voyager Lio Convoy and calls it the best version of Lio Convoy ever.