The crew remembers David Schleinkofer, the G1 packaging artist behind the iconic back-of-box battle scenes. HasLab Omega Prime starts shipping, and Diecast may beat Don to it. Transformers x NFL wave 1 turns one mold into a whole league, while Supreme Optimus Prime sells out in minutes and Age of the Primes Vortex shows up in hand. In What We Got This Week, Don builds out Unique Toys Ordin, Chris finally gets Studio Series G2 Grimlock, and Brian lands a Beast Wars Neo Elfa Orca and an overpriced Supreme Optimus Prime.
News
G1 Packaging Artist David Schleinkofer Passes Away
David Schleinkofer, a G1 packaging artist, has passed away. He is best remembered for the back-of-box battle scenes that fans adore. The crew called it probably the most used G1 Transformers art, found on posters, mouse pads and boxes. The crew thanked him for what he did for the fans. One host urged listeners to thank the people from their childhoods while they can. [Source: TFW2005]
HasLab Omega Prime Starts Shipping
UK backers got a shipping update, and some Discord members already have tracking. Diecast received tracking and a Hasbro Pulse shipping email, with delivery set for Tuesday. Don placed three separate orders but has seen nothing yet. The crew joked that Diecast, who decried the HasLab’s very existence, will have it before Don. One host warned that labels often sit for days before the package moves. [Source: TFW2005]
Transformers x NFL Collaboration Wave 1
Wave 1 of the Transformers x NFL collaboration turns football helmets into robots. One host bought the Steelers figure for JD, then the rest of the wave, because he genuinely likes them. Another host was disappointed the Super Bowl champion Eagles aren’t in the first wave. Every team shares one mold, with two head options and different decos. Each robot also gets a removable mini football helmet. The crew called it a smart business move, with 32 potential uses from one mold and sales in stadiums and sports shops. [Source: TFormers]
Cyberworld Wave 1 Stock Photos and Amazon Listings
Cyberworld wave 1 is now listed on Amazon. One host said he needs the Sky-Byte. The current Earthspark packaging nearly matches Cyberworld’s trade dress, which explains some confusion at Target. On a tangent, Blade Raider reported Earthspark Deluxe Soundwave and Hashtag turning up at Target. [Source: Snakas Blog]
The Supreme x Transformers Optimus Prime sold out in about two minutes at $98. Discord regular Panda Strong got one, but nobody on the show did. Don can’t shake the idea that it is hate plague Optimus. The crew loves the red cab and, for once, the silver window framing. One host thinks it needs yellow eyes. [Source: Snakas Blog]
Age of the Primes Vortex In Hand
Age of the Primes Vortex has turned up in Canada, and Mark shared behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram. The helicopter mode looks Voyager-sized, though the robot mode is a deluxe. The Vortex helicopter mold is compatible with the Superion frame. The arm kibble and rotor blades pop off. Brian says he needs it. [Source: Snakas Blog]
Earthspark Mini Plushes in Tin Balls
Earthspark mini plushes are arriving in tin ball packaging, like a Kinder Surprise with a plush instead of chocolate. Each holds a character head or vehicle plush and appears to be blind-packed. The crew traded memories of randomized prizes in Happy Meals, cereal boxes and Cracker Jack. [Source: TFormers]
TeeTurtle Reversible Transformers Plushes
TeeTurtle’s reversible Transformers plushes flip between a round character head and a round vehicle. One host summed them up as low-effort Popples, which became the episode title. One host noted the Cheetor plush looks like a plush Swapticon. [Source: TFormers]
The Last Knight Barricade Mustang For Sale
Diecast found the Barricade Mustang from Transformers: The Last Knight for sale. He called for a price, and the seller wants $499,000. One host had expected closer to $200,000 for a screen-used car. [Source: TFW2005]
Transformers: The Movie Soundtrack on Unicron Marbled Vinyl
A new release of the Transformers: The Movie soundtrack comes on 180-gram Unicron marbled vinyl. It is limited to 4,000 numbered copies with a linen laminate finish. Brian found it at Deep Discount after Amazon sold out. He collects the soundtrack on vinyl, including the original retail, reissue and Scotti Brothers promo copies. Diecast ordered one during the show. [Source: TFW2005]
What We Got This Week
Diecast
Diecast had nothing this week, apart from ordering the Unicron soundtrack vinyl during the show.
Don
Don got Bonecrusher. He likes the well-hidden head and solid build but wishes the joints were tighter, since the shoulders splay into a V. Python Patroller Nathan in the Discord said Bonecrusher wears lima bean leggings. Thanks to Show-Z Store reissues, Don also got the other four members of Unique Toys Ordin, their Abominus, for $30 to $40 less than the original price.
Matt
Matt had nothing this week.
Rob
Rob used a Suruga-ya sale to get a sealed Earthspark Deluxe Thrash for about $17, plus 20% off.
Chris
Chris finally received the Studio Series G2 Grimlock he pre-ordered from Amazon last year. The blue is a bit darker than he expected, but he loves the G2 deco and the Wild Boy of Quintessa accessory. He calls Grimlock the best of the Studio Series Dinobots. He also found a loose Legacy Dragstrip at a 2nd & Charles in Tuscaloosa for $15 to replace a copy with worn stripes.
Brian
Brian got a Transformers Colorforms set and Bonecrusher, which stays boxed until he moves to a bigger office. From Suruga-ya, he got two Car Robots Super Spy Changers, Eagle Killer and X-Car. Their heat-sensitive rubsigns no longer work. From Mandarake, he finally landed the Beast Wars Neo Blendtron Elfa Orca, which avoids the gold plastic problem of the Hasbro Torca. He also bought Supreme Optimus Prime on eBay, paid too much and found the box corners dinged in shipping.