A reliable leaker says Missing Link Grimlock and Ultra Magnus are coming, and the crew debates how Takara can add articulation without losing the G1 look. A combined-mode image of Studio Series Mixmaster and Scavenger shows Devastator nearly complete, quirks and all, which is probably Sunbow’s fault. Age of the Primes wave 2 turns up early in Canada, and Alchemist Prime gets behind-the-scenes photos. In What We Got This Week, Diecast and Brian both land Age of the Primes Trypticon, John scores Studio Series G2 Grimlock on sale, and Brian gives in to Super7’s Super Shogun Optimus Prime.
News
Supreme x Transformers Optimus Prime Gets an Official Promo Video
Diecast visited a Supreme store and saw a Supreme coffee maker and a bright red Supreme shovel. After that, an Optimus Prime collaboration no longer seems weird to him. The promo video on the Transformers Instagram account recalls 1980s Takara commercials, except Optimus dances instead of fighting Decepticons. The crew admitted they didn’t know Supreme was a high-end U.S. clothing brand. [Source: TFW2005]
Studio Series Constructicons Mixmaster and Scavenger Shown in Combiner Mode
A new image shows most of Studio Series Devastator, oddly missing the already-released Scrapper. Mixmaster’s leg sits off-center, but one host checked the animation model and found it off-center there too. If something looks weird in this round of toys, it’s probably Sunbow’s fault. The chest wing still sits a little low, and the elbows are swivels turned sideways. One host likes it but expects another G1 Devastator in five or six years. Rob says fans are in year 15 of the third-party Devastator wars, with two dozen or so versions. One host would love a Devastator at Volcanicus scale. [Source: TFW2005]
Age of the Primes Wave 2 Deluxes Found in Canada
Age of the Primes wave 2, including Vortex, has turned up in Canada. Nobody expected it so soon, since the U.S. is just getting wave 1. The crew joked about why the finder didn’t also grab Alchemist Prime. [Source: TFW2005]
Age of the Primes Alchemist Prime Behind the Scenes
Mark’s Instagram shared behind-the-scenes photos of Alchemist Prime. The crew thinks it looks good, especially the deco and paint for a deluxe. One host noted some fans wanted Cyberverse colors, which likely means a repaint later. Another thinks the mold could become a Bulkhead. Don hopes it transforms better than Solus Prime. Solus took him 45 minutes, and the shoulder covers went flying. [Source: TFW2005]
Rumor: Missing Link Grimlock and Ultra Magnus Are Coming
A previously reliable leaker on Baidu claims Missing Link Grimlock and Ultra Magnus are on the way. Ultra Magnus would reuse the Convoy cab robot for the fourth time, and one host wants Diaclone colors too. Grimlock would be all new, and the crew hopes for extra dinosaur-mode articulation in the neck, tail and legs. One host pictures Ultra Magnus’s flat robot mode as Judge Doom after the steamroller. Adding leg articulation to that blocky body could look strange. Brian will buy every version, including hoped-for G2 Grimlocks. [Source: TFW2005]
Wild King Energy Weapons Special Campaign
Japanese retailers are giving out Wild King Energy Weapons with Transformers purchases of 5,000 yen. Each store offers a different color, including yellow, blue, red and green. Brian ordered his Wild King figures from Amazon Japan, which isn’t part of the campaign. Don likes Wild King in concept but isn’t importing it. Matt summed it up: just not enough fun to spend money on. [Source: TFW2005]
What We Got This Week
Diecast
Diecast got two more Walmart retro G1 Bumblebee carded figures from Hasbro Pulse, for three total. He also got Age of the Primes Trypticon from GameStop and says he looks super good in person.
Don
Don used Walmart survey cash toward the Devastation Optimus Prime. He also got the Studio Series Sentinel Prime deluxe, which looks impressive but small. From TF Safari, he got the reissued center piece of Unique Toys Ordin, their Abominus. He also added Magic Square Onslaught from Show-Z Store, which refunded a price drop in points. Bruticus is his favorite G1 American combiner, and now he has Brawl, Swindle and Onslaught.
Matt
Matt had nothing this week.
John
John caught Target’s 30% off sale for the blue Studio Series G2 Grimlock, saving about $20. He calls it a really solid toy and looks forward to the G2 recolor two-packs.
Rob
Rob had nothing on topic this week.
Brian
Brian got a second Walmart retro G1 Bumblebee after forgetting to cancel a Pulse pre-order, so it will hang in his office. He also landed the Target exclusive Optimus Prime and Bullseye for about $30 during the 30% off sale. Optimus is throwing one of Target’s bollards to Bullseye. He finally picked up Legacy G2 Breakdown and gave in to Super7’s Super Shogun Optimus Prime for about $140. His Age of the Primes Trypticon from Big Bad Toy Store is gorgeous, with a darker deco than the G1 toy. He also bought an officially licensed one-ounce silver Optimus Prime coin for under $100.