The Amazon two-pack reveals IDW-style Bludgeon and a heavily retooled Ruckus, and a blurry photo may be the first look at Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime. Transformers: Galactic Trials looks like a Transformers kart racer, and SDCC brings yet another Siege Megatron in the Fractured Friendship two-pack. Chris hosts while Brian moves house and opens with the annual JD Church memorial. In What We Got This Week, Don splurges on Masterpiece Movie Series Brawl.
News
Mayhem Bludgeon and Ruckus First Look
The first look at the Amazon two-pack shows a Bludgeon based on IDW’s take on his inner robot, before the samurai Pretender look. Chris noted the colors follow early concept art more than the comic coloring, and the toy gets a new head. Several hosts said Bludgeon looks wrong, and the jawless face reads as a beard. Ruckus is a much more extensive Beachcomber retool than expected, keeping little beyond the shoulders and thighs, and he gets proper shoulder cannons. Matt and others said Ruckus sells the set. The crew also spotted a face in Bludgeon’s chest that looks like Dr. Robotnik. [Source: TFW2005]
Studio Series 86 Commander Optimus Prime Possible First Look
A low-resolution photo, likely from Weibo, may show Studio Series 86 Commander Class Optimus Prime. It has a white pelvis and thighs, long smokestacks, a white-outlined Autobot symbol and a full-length torso. The crew sees a lot of MP-44 in the look and hopes it is all new tooling. Rob wants official photos before judging, since the backpack makes the Earthrise and Teletraan 1 set more appealing to him. One host likes the posability he can see, and the crew hopes this is the last 1984 Optimus Prime for a while, apart from a Powermaster. [Source: TFW2005]
New Transformers Game Announced: Galactic Trials
Outright Games announced Transformers: Galactic Trials for this fall on all major platforms. The best description so far is Transformers Mario Kart, with racing and some robot combat. Rob likes the idea of a light, pick-up-and-play Transformers game over a live-service one. One host advises grabbing a physical copy, since licensed Transformers games tend to vanish from digital stores. [Source: TFW2005]
Legacy United Fractured Friendship 2-Pack In-Hand Images
The SDCC exclusive Fractured Friendship two-pack includes yet another Siege Megatron mold, by the crew’s count about the fourteenth. The Orion Pax, an extensive and taller retool of Gamer Edition Optimus Prime, looks great and doubles as Stormbringer Optimus Prime. One host wishes he could buy it alone, since the set costs $74.99. The crew joked about releasing a Megatron for every step of the transformation, and Don’s line about Megatrons in pajamas became the episode title. [Source: TFW2005]
Diamond Select Toys Announces San Diego Comic-Con 2024 Exclusives
The SDCC Minimates VHS box set features Shockwave and the Rainmakers, limited to 1,000 units. One host has never bought a Minimate but is tempted because it is the Rainmakers. [Source: ToyHype USA]
SDCC 2024 Marvel Legends Death’s Head
Marvel Legends Death’s Head is an SDCC exclusive at $40, in a box recreating his Marvel trading card art. Don does not love Death’s Head but calls it a brilliant exclusive. One host noted it scales better with Transformers than the 2012 Marvel Universe figure. Recent SDCC exclusives have usually been available on Hasbro Pulse afterward. [Source: TFW2005]
TFCon Toronto 2024 Exclusive Fans Hobby MB-15D Clutch
Fans Hobby’s TFCon Toronto exclusive is Clutch, a Euro G1 Clench on its Armada-style Optimus Prime body, with a new trailer piece. The crew loves it, but no one is going to Toronto. At about $220 Canadian, it is in line with Fans Hobby’s usual pricing. [Source: TFW2005]
Queen Studios Human-Size Bumblebee Movie Optimus Prime Statue Details
The Queen Studios human-size Optimus Prime statue stands 236 centimeters tall, is limited to 99 pieces and costs $20,000. Delivery is estimated for the second quarter of 2025. One host expects most to end up in store windows. [Source: TFW2005]
JD Church Memorial
Chris opened the show with the annual JD Church memorial. JD, who passed in February 2014, messaged Brian in 2009 urging him to bring back RFC, which led to 15 years of weekly shows. Chris recalled their BotCon 2012 road trip through JD’s home in Oklahoma and JD joining him on Superhero Time. Another host remembered JD’s pitch for a CW Wonder Woman show called Themyscira High and his habit of belting out the wrong theme song for Gavin.
What We Got This Week
Diecast
Diecast got the Deluxe Insecticons Barrage and Chop Shop from Amazon. He thinks the reversed Bombshell chest leaves holes, but he likes Chop Shop. He also got the Funko Pop Laserbeak, the coolest Funko Pop he has seen in a while. He congratulated Ben Montano on his new job at The Loyal Subjects.
Don
Don got Nucleous from Amazon and likes its contrast with Magnus. He also got Vector Prime after forgetting to cancel the preorder, though he loves its Jhiaxus look. He picked up Legacy Sideburn because it is Sideburn, plus the Windsweeper and Bulkhead two-pack and the Insecticons. After some good eBay sales, he splurged on Masterpiece Movie Series Brawl from CMD Store with $11 shipping.
Matt
Matt had nothing Transformers this week, but Hasbro Pulse says his Tidal Wave is on the way.
Chris
Chris had nothing new in hand, but Hasbro Pulse charged him for Tidal Wave.
John DeLuna
John got Masterpiece Rhinox and plans to spend about 90 excruciating minutes transforming it with a video guide.
Rob
Rob had nothing on topic this week.