Hasbro reveals the G.I. Joe x Transformers Dreadnok Thunder Machine Soundwave, and the crew hopes the third collaborative is finally a good one. A HasLab Deathsaurus update video shows the first engineering pilot sample. JTPrime leaks an Amazon Javelin and Cascade two-pack and Walmart’s Retro Skywarp. Skybound teases its Transformers comic cast, and EarthSpark gets a video game. Legacy Devcon earns rave reviews in the hauls.
News
HasLab Deathsaurus Backer Update: Prototype First Look
Hasbro’s update video shows the first engineering pilot test shot of HasLab Deathsaurus. Most of the video covers articulation and transformation. Diecast says it needs tweaking but is excited, more than he was for Victory Saber. One host likes the plastic color separation but calls the chest-animal release, a finger hole behind the monster head, a little low end. Another likes that there is no spring to wear out. Hasbro also hinted that the next Transformers HasLab would suit the 40th anniversary, and guesses include Devastator and Metroplex. [Source: TFW2005]
G.I. Joe x Transformers Soundwave Dreadnok Thunder Machine Revealed
The third collaborative pairs Soundwave with the Dreadnok Thunder Machine, plus Zartan, Zarana and a Masterpiece Ravage recolor. The crew calls it the nicest looking of the three. One host says the vehicle looks more like 1992 G.I. Joe than peak-era Joe. One host wants the collaboratives to get good and become a regular thing. JTPrime says to expect at least two more releases. Don will buy it and sell Zartan and Zarana, as he did with the Baroness from Megatron. [Source: Hasbro Pulse]
New Exclusive Transformers Listings Found: Amazon Javelin and Cascade, Walmart Retro Skywarp
JTPrime’s listings reveal an Amazon two-pack of Javelin and Cascade and a Walmart Retro Skywarp. One host explains both are minor characters from the 2019 IDW comics. He guesses Javelin is a Velocitron Blurr retool and Cascade another Prime Arcee mold reuse, with new sniper rifles likely. Another host wanted new characters but is underwhelmed, though he will still buy them. The crew hopes it opens the door to more comics originals. [Source: TFW2005]
Skybound Teases the Cast of Its Upcoming Transformers Comic
Skybound’s teasers show Wheeljack, Ratchet, Arcee, Cliffjumper and Optimus Prime for the Autobots. The Decepticon tease shows Soundwave, Starscream, another Seeker and a cassette. The crew notes there is no Megatron yet. They like the art style, but one host is not ready to invest in another comics continuity. [Source: Skybound]
Transformers: EarthSpark Deluxe Nightshade In-Hand Images
In-hand images show EarthSpark Deluxe Nightshade, which does not reuse Kingdom Airazor’s transformation after all. One host likes the clean robot mode and plans to buy it. The arms do not integrate as cleanly as he hoped on the owl. The crew agrees that wanting new characters to exist is not the same as wanting to buy them. [Source: TFW2005]
Legacy Strongarm Behind the Scenes From Mark Maher
Mark Maher’s own photos make Legacy Strongarm look much better, with wider shoulders that bulk her up. One host explains everything from the waist up is new, so it is 50 to 60 percent a new toy. Another still wishes she were bigger. One host says the photos make him more hopeful for deluxe-scale Rescue Bots. [Source: Instagram]
New Transformers: EarthSpark Expedition Video Game Revealed
EarthSpark is getting a video game from the publisher of Transformers: Battlegrounds, with a different developer. It looks like a beat-’em-up with driving, and Bumblebee appears to be the only playable character. One host expects a younger-skewing game that could still be solid, like the Transformers: Prime Wii game. [Source: TFW2005]
Hasbro Clarifies Its G1 3D Scan Licensing Plans
One host follows up on the Licensing Expo news about G1 3D scans. Interviews with the Transformers team indicate licensees may only make non-transforming products from the scans. That could mean very toy-accurate figures, such as a hypothetical Super7 line. Another asks whether a licensee could reproduce lost G1 molds. The answer: Hasbro would demand ownership of any such molds, which leaves no profit for a licensee. [Source: TFViews]
What We Got This Week
Brian
Brian finally opened a gift from his wife and kids: an Ollie’s spring-loaded Starscream jet launcher with Autobot symbols. He also received Masterpiece Trainbot number four, which gives the episode its title. He has two to go.
Diecast
Diecast got Legacy Beachcomber, with the little bird that can ride on the engine. He also got Nemesis Leo Prime, which he sees as more of a night-mode Leo Prime. He bought a $55 Leader-class figure at Target that he likes but finds small for the price. From a sale, he added MPG-03, a Reflector Canon EOS camera figure and Buzzworthy Bumblebee NEST Autobot Ratchet.
Rob
Rob’s pickups this week were not Transformers.
Matt
Matt bought two Legacy Crashbars at Target and Legacy Devcon from Amazon. He calls Devcon a super nice figure with the right blue, reds and head sculpt. From the Pulse sale, he got Retro Hound and Retro Thundercracker for about $23 each. He also added another Scraphook and Crashbar, now three Scraphooks and six Crashbars. Matt also finally got Animated Prowl and preordered third-party samurai armor for him and Senator Crosscut.
Don
Don imported two Chinese-made transforming figures from AliExpress: a Korean War-era troop transport and a staff car robot. He also got a ship-based transforming robot of the Yamato and finally picked up G1 King Atlas, which he never owned.