New photos show Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime at full size, and Brian is giddy to recreate his Galvatron standoff. Legacy United G1 Universe Optimus Prime shows up in hand as a cheaper alternative to Missing Link Convoy. Star Raider Lockdown turns up on Walmart pegs, Monogram returns with Transformers bag clips, and Skybound introduces Ballpoint. In What We Got This Week, Diecast completes his Superion and Don scores Masterpiece Rhinox for $145.
News
More Pictures of Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime Show Its Size
New in-hand photos compare Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime with other recent toys. Brian is giddy and wants to recreate the Return of Optimus Prime standoff with Galvatron. He looks great next to Studio Series Grimlock and Ultra Magnus, though not next to Earthrise Megatron. Don would rather see a new Commander Class Megatron than another use of the Earthrise mold. Carl Vollmer in the Discord suggested Megatron as the Action Master Neutro Fusion Tank with a Targetmaster driver, and the crew loved it. The scale talk turned to Motormaster, who Don says never worked next to G1 Optimus Prime. The crew agreed Menasor will be a mess to complete, with limbs split between retail and Walmart capsule sets. [Source: Snakas Blog]
Transformers Legacy United G1 Universe Optimus Prime In-Hand Images
Brian still wants Legacy United G1 Universe Optimus Prime. It does not compare favorably to Missing Link Convoy, but it costs about a quarter of the price. He plans to keep it on his desk as a fiddle toy and leave Missing Link on display. He hopes for upgrade kits with chrome smokestacks or a die-cast chest. Don asked why anyone with Missing Link would buy it and then upgrade it to look like Missing Link. Rob wants a lineup photo of every transformable G1 Optimus Prime mold, from the World’s Smallest Transformers to Missing Link. [Source: TFW2005]
Transformers Legacy United Star Raider Deluxe Lockdown Out at US Retail
Star Raider Lockdown has been spotted on Walmart pegs. One host suspects people ordered multiples on Walmart.com for free shipping and returned the spares to stores. Several hosts already have their Lockdowns from preorders. Filch is the figure everyone is chasing and may be short-packed. The crew noted that capsule figures usually turn up in stores with patience, recalling Clampdown at Ross a year later. [Source: TFW2005]
Monogram Transformers 40th Anniversary 3D Foam Bag Clips
Monogram is doing more Transformers foam bag clips, this time with a 40th anniversary toy-design theme. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Hot Rod are in the set. One host just likes bag clips, and the crew was amazed that Swerve made the cut. [Source: TFW2005]
Skybound’s Transformers Worst Bot Ever: Meet Ballpoint
Skybound announced Transformers Worst Bot Ever, an original graphic novel starring Ballpoint, a Decepticon pen. It is the first in a series. One host assumed it was a picture book at first and loves that it is a real graphic novel he can read to his kids. [Source: TFW2005]
What We Got This Week
Diecast
Diecast completed his Fans Toys Superion. The final jet, Jester, came with the remaining Superion parts for $399, and he estimates the whole set ran about $1,000. His tip: a Lego brick remover pops out the mispackaged clear parts perfectly. His first Suruga-ya order brought Takara Tomy EarthSpark Aftermath, which he prefers to the Hasbro version. He also got Walmart exclusive Lockdown and Masterpiece Movie Series Brawl at about $140 with a Target discount. He calls Brawl probably the best movie Masterpiece for the money.
Don
Don’s Suruga-ya order included a clear Optimus Prime Mini-Con from a Japanese convenience store giveaway for about $10. He added the Iron Factory Jaguar and torso piece from the Show-Z Store, giving him three of six for his Liokaiser. He also got an APC Toys silver Vehicon Air General for $24 shipped, a reproduction the crew called a knockoff. He bought one Marvel Legends Death’s Head for the trading card box art. His big get was Masterpiece Rhinox for $145 on Amazon, about $80 less than retail. Don praises its hidden Gatling gun, spark crystal, adjustable eyes and wonderfully emotive ears.
Matt
Matt also made his first Suruga-ya purchase, EarthSpark Aftermath. He does not watch EarthSpark, but he loves the character design and the truck-side leg transformation. At Walmart he found Studio Series 86 Bumblebee. It is boxy and hurts at $25, but he likes it and hopes for a Cliffjumper retool soon.
Brian Kilby
Brian got a boxed G1 Masterforce Wilder and a boxed Japanese Targetmaster Sureshot. He also landed a sealed Hasbro Magnaboss, a box he has always loved. Brian then left the show early for a family matter, and Chris took over.
Chris
Chris had nothing on topic this week.
Rob
Rob had nothing on topic, but he thanked Random Hero 64 in the Discord for first pointing him to Suruga-ya.