TakaraTomy reveals two Missing Link Soundwaves, a vintage-toy version and a cheaper anime version, and the crew can’t explain the price gap. Target cancels a wave of Studio Series More Than Meets the Eye preorders, including Starscream and Prowl. TakaraTomy also shows New Legends EarthSpark Cosmos and a police-themed Adamas Machina Magna Regulus. The Battersea Transformers store mascot gets a 5,000-piece Yolopark figure.
This Week in History
Fifteen years ago this week, in 2011, Dark of the Moon crossed $1 billion worldwide. The crew notes Revenge of the Fallen and Age of Extinction did too, and that no Transformers movie has since. The Transformers: The Movie returns to theaters in September for its 40th anniversary, with about five days of showings. Brian found tickets through his local theater rather than Fathom Events and will see it on a laser projector.
News
Takara Tomy Missing Link D-01 Soundwave, D-02 Soundwave (Anime Version) Full Reveal
The two versions differ in eye color, deco and cassette, with AutoScout and a Cybertronian-mode Laserbeak split between them. On Amazon Japan the anime version is 19,900 yen against 27,104 yen for the toy version, and the crew cannot work out why. One host bought both from Amazon Japan and calls Missing Link his favorite line ever. Another says it is fully accurate to the original toy with upgraded articulation and a lamppost mode. TFSource lists it at $180, and one host suggests prepaying with Amazon Japan gift codes to lock in today’s strong exchange rate. Another host spots that the button panel is a separate part, which suggests a Soundblaster is planned. [Source: TFW2005]
Target Pre-Orders for MTMTE Starscream, Prowl Being Cancelled
Target is canceling preorders for Studio Series More Than Meets the Eye Starscream and Prowl, and reportedly some Insecticons. Brian got his from CMD Store. Don approved a delay notice at 6 a.m. and had the order canceled about three hours later, along with nine other cancellation emails. One host recalls Target canceling its Earthrise Skywarp and Thundercracker exclusive the same way and believes the cancellations run automatically once a preorder is overdue. PandaStrong in the RFC Discord heard from Target that it is a vendor supply problem. A few Starscreams reached the West Coast and Insecticons have hit shelves, but Prowl has only surfaced through CMD Store and resellers. [Source: TFW2005]
Takara Tomy Transformers New Legends EarthSpark Cosmos, Soundwave Full Reveal, Pre-Orders
Two hosts each bought two Cosmos from Amazon Japan. One host explains the releases fold into TakaraTomy’s New Legends webcomic, which pairs this Soundwave with Sideways as a take on Planet X Soundwave from Galaxy Force. Miguel in the RFC Discord says the New Legends Soundwave deco is slightly more show-accurate. [Source: TFW2005]
Takara Tomy T-Spark Adamas Machina AM-T02EX Magna Regulus Official Reveal
Magna Regulus repaints the Adamas Machina Predaking mold as a police combiner, and the crew dubs it Predacops. Divebomb’s wings carry red and blue panels like a light bar. At $376 per TFW2005, one host calls it so stupid he loves it. Don wants to know the story behind such an unexpected deco. [Source: TFW2005]
Takara Tomy Transformers MPG-26 Decepticon Rhinox Full Reveal
The Dark Designs Rhinox includes the mutant mask face and the toy sword. One host notes fans have asked for this deco with every new Rhinox, but he does not need a $223 figure for one fun episode. [Source: TFW2005]
Transformers Age of the Primes Deluxe Joyride, Hotwire Additional In-Hand Images
New in-hand photos cover Joyride, Cliffjumper, Bumblebee, Soundwave and Megazarak, and one host loves Joyride most. Another wishes someone would make better Powermaster partners than a Targetmaster with an engine block, while a third likes them because they are so badly done. One host will wait until Megazarak is half price. [Source: TFW2005]
Age of the Primes Commander Armada Jetfire Additional In-Hand Images
The crew agrees Jetfire looks good and “makes a fine pair of pants.” [Source: TFW2005]
Transformers Battersea UK Launches Exclusive Powerplex Toy and Comic
The mascot of the Transformers store at London’s Battersea Power Station gets a Yolopark figure. It is $200, 20 centimeters tall and limited to 5,000 pieces. Brian calls it his real second-favorite news item, preordered one and hopes Yolopark makes more original characters. A tie-in story features artists including Andrew Wildman, Nick Roche, Jack Lawrence and Guido Guidi. One host will skip the toy but wants to see the comic. [Source: TFW2005]
The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary DVD
Matt shared that a 40th anniversary DVD is coming, and Brian assumes a Blu-ray will follow. Brian notes most characters on the cover either die or become someone else. [Source: not found]
What We Got This Week
Chris
Chris got two gifts. Target had sent him Scourge instead of his More Than Meets the Eye Hot Rod, so Don caught Hot Rod on CMD Store and sent it to him. Chris loves the animation-accurate look. Rusty Cross from the RFC Discord found an extra Studio Series 86 Starscream in a store and mailed it to him.
Don
Don’s Insecticons three-pack made it through from Target, and he got it on sale for about $59. The rest of his haul is Tobot. Smart A is a $25 non-electronic figure that turns into a licensed Hyundai sedan. Sidewinder, from AliExpress, is a hard-to-find speedboat that becomes a knight with a lance that stores nowhere. His Tachyon may be a knockoff, with wrong paint, missing flaps and a wrong-colored key, and he is talking to the eBay seller. He also got a bus figure and King Titan V, a combiner that reminds him of Computron.
Matt
Matt had nothing this week.
Rob
Rob caved and bought the Blokees Shining Wave 5 assortment for its accessories, including Perceptor with Optimus Prime’s deathbed and a Sharkticon on Hot Rod’s fishing pole. He pulled the chase Optimus Prime, with metallic and clear parts. He ordered a second assortment, hoping for the toy-colors chase.
Brian
Brian got Yolopark’s Beast Wars Megatron and Blackarachnia, which pair with the Dinobot and Optimus Primal he already has.