Brian and Diecast review the Transformers 40th anniversary theater event, where a re-recorded More than Meets the Eye Part 1 felt like a BotCon script reading with video. Frank Todaro’s Starscream steals the show. The crew remembers Marvel artist Don Perlin, who died at 94. Transformers Tuesday brings Comic Edition Straxus, Studio Series 86 Springer and Bumblebee, and a deluxe G1-style Optimus Prime in the pipeline. Mattel Creations’ $80 Hot Wheels Optimus Prime puzzles everyone, and Brian lands a G2 Megatron watch.
Transformers 40th Anniversary Theater Event
Brian and Diecast saw the event the night before; others go Saturday. The program showed More than Meets the Eye and Transport to Oblivion, with Hasbro team members on screen and too many ads and trailers. Part 1 was re-recorded by surviving cast and stand-ins, which Brian likens to a BotCon script reading. Frank Todaro’s Starscream channels Chris Latta and is the best performance. Peter Cullen and Frank Welker hold up well, while Michael Bell has aged. Some fill-in voices sound generic.
Parts 2 and 3 used the original audio, which felt comforting, and Brian slept through Transport to Oblivion. The Teletraan frame cost some screen size. Watching with fellow fans was a joy, from laughing at animation errors to the Hound resuscitating Spike scene. Chris argues a proper HD scan of G1 would beat upscaled SD on modern 4K TVs. Brian and Chris want Carnage in C-Minor and Five Faces of Darkness on Blu-ray.
News
Perlin drew much of Marvel’s Transformers run from about issue 13 through 35, including the Return to Cybertron arc in issues 17 and 18. One host says Perlin’s art is what he pictures when he thinks of the Marvel G1 comic, and others also credit Jose Delbo. [Source: CBR]
Studio Series and Comic Edition Reveals
Comic Edition Straxus is retooled from Galvatron, likely tooling from when he was planned as a Legacy leader. The crew loves the flying cannon mode, though one host finds the round limbs clash with the boxy torso. Comic Grimlock and Shockwave, who comes with Optimus Prime’s head, round out the set. A fourth Comic Edition is teased on the box mural, and speculation points to Flame and Zarak. One host wants Spanner. Core Class Steeljaw is $10 on Pulse and was the first item to pre-sell out. Don wants a second speaker to recreate Autobop. [Source: TFW2005]
Studio Series 86 Leader Springer In-Hand Images
Springer is heavily retooled, with new thighs, chest, shoulders, backpack and head, plus his sword and a Wrecker hammer. One host is shocked how much better he likes it. Another sees it as a Voyager-plus at Leader price, and the crew wishes for a price point between Voyager and Leader. One host would rather pay more than get a compromised figure, and Don does not want another Coronation Starscream chair situation. [Source: TFW2005]
Studio Series 86 Deluxe Bumblebee Sample Images
It is boxy and avoids Volkswagen cues; one host calls it a yellow Cliffjumper, and Diecast finds it too boxy. Brian says it is far and away his favorite deluxe G1 Bumblebee. Chris sees Cliffjumper, Bumper and Hubcap potential. Don pitches Goldbug, and others want Wasp or a new Bug Bite. The Gamer Edition Decepticon soldier uses the Barricade mold. [Source: TFW2005]
Transformers Stream Pipeline: Deluxe G1-Style Optimus Prime, Leader Soundwave and More
A deluxe Optimus Prime based on the original G1 toy surprises everyone, and one host thinks it should be the year-round deluxe Prime. Metalhawk returns with a more toy-accurate deco. Leader Soundwave uses the Earthrise mold with three cassettes, and the crew hopes one is Buzzsaw. Also coming are Armada Galvatron, a Quake that may borrow Skullgrin’s chest, Core Class Energon Galvatron, Animated Motormaster, a Windblade-mold Slipstream and a purple Rock Lord recolor. [Source: TFW2005]
Mattel Creations Hot Wheels Optimus Prime Official Reveal
The 1:64 scale, mostly die-cast G1 Optimus Prime costs $80 with no trailer. The crew agrees it is for Hot Wheels collectors, not Transformers fans. One host notes it is almost unprecedented for another company to make a transforming Transformers toy. Chris suggests Missing Link Optimus Prime with trailer on Pulse as better value. Another host thinks it comes from the original-mold renders Hasbro licensed out, down to the screw rib on the back. [Source: TFW2005]
Transformers One Exclusives and Bot Shot Reissues
The Transformers One line reissues older molds, including Bot Shots and a 2015 Robots in Disguise One-Step Blurr passed off as Mirage. One host notes TakaraTomy is also making Bot Shot-style Shinkalion trains, which Rob Springer posted about. [Source: TFW2005]
Star Raiders Collection Leader Thundertron
Thundertron gets a new head and hook hand and comes with a repainted deluxe Rock Lord and Nightstrike, a Ratbat repaint. Fans are mad the better head was not on the solo release. One host is tempted mainly by the cassette, and the crew expects it to hit clearance. [Source: TFW2005]
40th Anniversary Funko Pop Laserbeak and Buzzsaw
Buzzsaw is a one-in-six chase. Diecast will pick up Laserbeak, and one host says Funko Pops work best when they do not look like Funko Pops. [Source: TFW2005]
What We Got This Week
Diecast
Diecast got the Nemesis bridge set with Megatron, Shockwave and Netflix Soundwave. The Megatron mold is showing its age, but he loves the chair and the slipcase art. He also got Sandstorm on sale for $45, which feels like the right price.
Don
Don got nothing this week.
Matt
Matt got Dr. Wu’s Sword Dancer, an unofficial Slamdance with Grand Slam and Raindance. It fits in Blaster’s chest, and Dr. Wu’s Grand Galvatron is on preorder.
Chris
Chris had nothing this week.
Rob
Rob had nothing on topic this week.
Brian
Brian got a minor grail from a Singapore dealer: the 1995 Woolworths-exclusive G2 Megatron watch that came taped to the G2 Megatron box.