Hasbro Canada reportedly will not distribute Legacy Evolution Deluxe wave 3, and nobody knows why. JT Prime’s retailer data maps out upcoming exclusives, from a Studio Series Dark of the Moon Grimlock reissue to more Walmart Retro G1 reissues. Gamer Edition War for Cybertron Optimus Prime’s exposed fists stir controversy, and Devcon turns up in hand. Plus Diecast tries on the Rise of the Beasts Optimus Primal mask, and Legacy Evolution Armada Optimus Prime hits preorder.
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Rise of the Beasts Optimus Primal Mask in Hand
Diecast’s Rise of the Beasts Optimus Primal mask fits his face, straps and all, but the nose piece is uncomfortable. It costs about $30, and he finds the transformation basic. Another host calls the robot mode ingenious for a mask. Hence the episode title: a mask made for Krillin.
Hasbro Canada Reportedly Not Distributing Legacy Evolution Deluxe Wave 3
GameStop Canada told a customer that Hasbro Canada is not moving forward with the wave, and other small Canadian retailers back that up. The Voyagers and Core Class figures are not affected, and shops that source from US distribution will still get them. Chris calls it a backslide for Canadian collectors and urges fans to find a fair US-sourced retailer. [Source: TFW2005]
Retailer Data for Upcoming Exclusives
JT Prime’s data lists Target’s Buzzworthy Studio Series Deluxe Hound and Hatchet and an Amazon Studio Series multipack. E-commerce capsules include a comic two-pack, which the crew guesses could be Marvel Soundwave and IDW Miner Megatron, and a Voyager Nacelle in Thrust prototype colors. Walmart gets Retro reissues 6 and 8, which JT Prime hints are Perceptor and Shrapnel. Pulse’s direct-to-consumer items are this year’s Shattered Glass figures, including Shattered Glass Grimlock. [Source: TFW2005]
Studio Series Dark of the Moon Grimlock Reissue
Target’s Buzzworthy line is reissuing the early Leader Class Studio Series Dark of the Moon Grimlock, long out of production. [Source: TFW2005]
Devcon looks surprisingly nice in hand. One photo next to Smokescreen is aimed straight at Don. [Source: Autobase Aichi]
Gamer Edition War for Cybertron Optimus Prime In Hand
In-hand photos of Studio Series Gamer Edition War for Cybertron Optimus Prime show his fists exposed at the back of the truck. Brian is not bothered, since it is not a real vehicle. Another host accepts it at Core Class but not at Voyager size. A third wonders if it is a mistransformation. [Source: TFW2005]
Studio Series Gamer Edition Barricade
Barricade drew some criticism too, but the crew does not see a problem with it. [Source: Autobase Aichi]
More Photos of Battle Master Optimus Primal
The Rise of the Beasts Battle Master Optimus Primal looks nice, and one host plans to buy it. Walmart’s Rise of the Beasts floor display had no Battle Masters. [Source: TFW2005]
Transformers: More than Meets the Eye Exhibition in Sydney
The officially sanctioned exhibition mixes licensed art with private collections, including boxed G1, Happy Meal toys and the Goodbye Convoy and Megatron sets. Brian may have spotted art by the late Andrew, a friend of 20 years. [Source: TFW2005]
Legacy Evolution Armada Optimus Prime Hits Preorder
The $89.99 figure sold out on Hasbro Pulse but is still on Amazon. Two hosts got their Pulse orders in early, one thanks to a tip from Paladin. [Source: Toy Hype USA]
What We Got This Week
Chris had nothing in Transformers this week.
Don got Core Class Grimlock at Target and Studio Series 86 Hound from Pulse. He likes Hound’s improved box art.
Matt got Masterpiece Burnout from Pulse and calls it the best Masterpiece ever. He now has four of the mold.
Rob got Legacy Evolution Metalhawk as a gift from patron Jason Highley. He rates it about equal to Cyclonus.
Diecast opened Masterpiece Burnout, his first of the mold, and loves the simple engineering. Core Class Ironhide arrived with a leg loose in the package. He loves Masterpiece Skyfire, which looks straight off the cartoon, though its stand cannot hold it.
Brian got Core Class Grimlock, plus Retro Thundercracker and Hound from Pulse and a vintage G1 Hound to compare. He also got Scavenger toward an orange G2 Devastator. From Mandarake he got sealed Machine Wars Skywarp, Prowl, Thundercracker and Mirage. He also picked up a complete G1 Bluestreak and a sealed 1991 Classics gold box Springer.