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Legacy Pointblank Coming Soon !!!

August 31st, 2022 Comments off

I love it when Hasbro hears our demands! More than 2 years ago, when the pandemic first started, I wrote a piece on the top 10 Transformers that needs an update. Hasbro has obviously heard me and responded with my top suggestion: Pointblank! Yours truly has the kind of TF influence that rivals the Autobot Matrix itself.

All joking aside, I obviously think that Pointblank is a great choice to be released in Legacy. Based on the pics, looks like Pointblank will be faithfully reproduced as a Targetmaster as we will get Peacemaker too. And he will be a new mold and not a lazy repaint off of current Battlemasters. Bravo!

I’m posting all the pics below. Images courtesy of Amazon. Though they probably came from Hasbro.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am so looking forward to this and I have mine pre-ordered. Thank you Hasbro! Transform and Roll Out!

 

Categories: Pics, TF News

Transformers: War For Cybertron – Siege Starts Today !!!

July 30th, 2020 Comments off

The title says it all! The long awaited Netflix series that I first reported here is finally upon us.

The first chapter is Siege. It’s made up of 6 episodes, at 22 min each. How quickly will I watch through this? Possibly one day. I’m really gonna savor this experience, so maybe I’ll stretch it to two. If I can control myself.

Go watch it now!!! Transform and Roll Out!
 

Categories: TF News

Netflix TRANSFORMERS War For Cybertron Siege Trailer

February 28th, 2020 Comments off

Oh my god! Or should I say Oh my Primus! I kinda heard that this was coming, but nothing could have prepared me for how awesome the end product would look. See this fantastic trailer for yourself.

I am guessing the name of the series is TRANSFORMERS: War For Cybertron, and Siege is the first chapter. Hopefully the first of 3 chapters.

There’s been some decent Transformers material in the last 15 years. There were 6 feature length movies, of which I only liked the first one, and Bumblebee. Transformers Prime was a good series, but it felt radically different from true G1 roots. TF prime also took many cues from the movies, especially in the character design. I mildly enjoyed TF Animated. Some of the later toys were decent, but the show itself was done way too cartoony. And don’t even get me started on Robots in Disguise and TF Cyberverse. Those are very obviously marketed to children. In the last 15 years there were no movie or series catered specifically to fans of Transformers that grew up with G1.

That all changes with TRANSFORMERS: War For Cybertron. This is the kind of TF series that I have always dreamed of. It’s dark and serious in tone, like the 1986 G1 Movie. It’s animated with modern day CG. And best of all, it’s G1 inspired! This series takes cues from G1 only. No movie influences, no TF Prime influences, no Beast Wars influences, nothing! G1 and G1 only! They finally got this right.

What we know for sure is that this takes place on Cybertron. How much time this is before the original G1 series is unclear. And it’s also ambiguous if this will really tie into G1. I’m sure if it does, there will be all kinds of continuity errors. But right now I don’t care. This a true G1-ers dream come true. I know I’ll be watching. And if you’re reading this, you know you will too.

Some take aways from watching this trailer:

  • Like I said already, this how feels dark and serious. There will probably be casualties in this series.
  • Optimus is not voiced by Peter Cullen. I don’t know who they got, but he does a great homage to Peter Cullen. No complaints here.
  • This is not a simple black and white show of heroic Autobots vs evil Decepticons. It feels like even the Autobots don’t agree on their overall strategy. Optimus wants to fight to win, but Ultra Magnus and Bumblebee are happy fighting just to survive. Megatron is seen rallying the troops in a grand speech, and he could be feeding them politically charged propaganda about how it’s the Autobots that are escalating the war. Very nice to see a TF show that incorporates some hot topics of the day.
  • Jetfire appears as a Decepticon. We know he will switch sides at some point. Or if this really does tie into G1, he will just leave for Earth before the faction switch. This will be fun to see.
  • This is a talking Bumblebee, like G1. The non-talking Bees started in the movies were cute, but I had enough of that schtick. This is Bumblebee like how he’s meant to be.
  • One scene has Wheeljack and Bumblebee surrounded by a bunch of Seekers. This is obviously a homage to how those 2 Autobots were the first ones we see in the original 1984 G1 series, then later on their way back to Iacon they get attacked by Seekers. Bravo.
  • Elita-One and Chromia appears in the trailer. It’s nice to see they included 2 fembots – having only one always feels like one was included just to be the token female. Both of them get some nice fighting action too. If this does tie into G1, it will be interesting to see how and why they got left behind and not join Prime.
  • No stupid whiny humans in this series. Nothing but robot action.
  • None of the top Decepticon lieutenants (Starscream, Soundwave, Shockwave) get any speaking roles in the trailer. Hope they play a bigger role so it’s not just Megatron calling the shots the whole time.
  • I am so glad Netflix is picking this up. I heard something about Hasbro’s The Hub Network getting acquired by Discovery, which would make TRANSFORMERS: War For Cybertron not entirely suitable. This is all for the best. Everyone I know already has Netflix, and no one I know has access to The Hub Network. Thank you Netflix!

As of this writing I already have most of the WFC Siege figures, so it will be fun to see them get animated on-screen. I heard that some repaints made for the show are coming too. But it will be with the same molds.

I cannot wait for this show!

And I cannot wait for Optimus to utter this line… Transform and Roll Out!

 

Categories: TF News

Transformers Bumblebee New Trailer

September 27th, 2018 Comments off

A new trailer for the upcoming Bumblebee movie was just released 2 days ago! Check it out!

I gotta say, after seeing this trailer, I am once again excited about Transformers on the big screen! I got so many random thoughts in my head after seeing this. I’m gonna try to capture them all in bullet points.

  • Transformers needed a new director and bring new life into the franchise, something I’ve said over and over on this blog. Bumblebee is directed by Travis Knight, best known for directing Kubo and the Two Strings. I didn’t see that movie, but everyone I talked to who saw it says it’s good. Personally, I’m just glad Michael Bay is not at the helm. His absence is already making a difference.
  • Bumblebee is back to being a VW Bug! Yeah this is old news, but it’s worth repeating. I do like the concept of the modern Camaro Bumblebee, but we need to get back to the roots and have perhaps the most iconic Transformer return to his original alt mode.
  • I like both Hailee Steinfeld and John Cena for this movie. I don’t know much about Hailee, other than seeing her in Edge of Seventeen. And I know some of her songs, such as “Love Myself” and “Most Girls”. OK maybe I know more about her than I thought. I think it’s about time we got a human female lead for a TF movie. John Cena as some military guy works for me. He is way more suited to be a solider than Josh Duhamel.
  • And now for the one big reason I look forward to this movie – all characters on Cybertron look like their G1 selves! From Optimus Prime to Soundwave to Shockwave, this is how to translate these beloved characters to the big screen! And this is how they should have looked all this time, instead of the machinations that Michael Bay morphed them into.
  • It’s worth pointing out that the characters only look G1 when they’re on Cybertron, and they look more like typical Bay-formers when they’re on Earth. Is that by design? Are they saying that the G1 look only applies to TFs on Cybertron, and coming to Earth and transcanning they look more like Bay-formers? It will be interesting to see if the movie offers any interpretation here. And while we’re on that topic, the Cybertron TFs does look more like cartoony CG, while the TFs on Earth look more realistic. That may also be an artistic choice.
  • When Prime first appeared in the hologram, I didn’t think much of it, since that’s how I am accustomed to seeing Optimus. But then I had to remind myself that this is a live action movie. And then it hits me that I’m looking at a G1-styled Prime! This movie will be such a good G1 homage I can practically wet myself. Peter Cullen is obviously back as the great Autobot leader.
  • Soundwave! If that’s not a G1 homage Soundwave, I don’t know what is. And Ravage ejecting out of him! Though that’s still on Cybertron, and Ravage is already some kind of jaguar or panther type animal. How is that gonna be explained? Are there animals like that on Cybertron?
  • That scene with Shockwave with a army of Seekers behind him is amazing. The one standing mostly in the foreground is probably Starscream. There are some other various colored ones, think I see a purple one and a green one. Are they supposed to be the Rainmakers? The green one is a Conehead too. That will be interesting. The Seeker Cybertronian alt mode is taken directly from the very first episode of G1. Very very cool! They obviously did their homework here.
  • When Bee is going through a tunnel, there is a green repair truck. Is that Hoist? Or just a homage to Hoist?
  • We still get a non-talking Bee in this movie. I guess that’s one Michael Bay contribution to the TF franchise that just won’t die.
  • This movie is set in 1986, pretty close to the date that the Transformers entity came to be, in 1984. It doesn’t really look that 80s to me, though. Maybe I’m expecting that stereotypical 80s look and this movie is trying to avoid that. That may be a good thing.
  • Bumblebee is supposed to be a prequel to the Bay movies. If this movie is well-received, maybe the studio will just consider this a reboot and then continue off of this. I’m hoping that happens. As it is, there will probably be so many continuity issues if this movie is really just a prequel.

 
I can’t wait for Bumblebee. This will be a great Christmas gift to the hardcore G1 Transfans that have been with the franchise through thick and thin. Transform and Roll Out!
 

Categories: TF News

Power of the Primes

August 22nd, 2017 Comments off

Hasbro recently released these images of their next batch of figures, after official completion of Titans Return. Apparently the next line will be called Power of the Primes. I don’t know if I care for that name, but these rendered images are looking awesome! Check it out.

These are beautiful renders, and the images are big enough to double as wallpaper at 1920 x 1080. Very nice job Hasbro!

Here are some of my initial thoughts as I look at these:

Beachcomber – looking great. This figure will complete the last of the G1 Season 2 Mini-Bots. Both modes look good, and a Titan Master can ride in alt mode. Must get for me.

Dreadwind – it’s good to see Hasbro bringing back more Powermaster characters. This mold is really just a re-worked Aerialbot fig from Combiner Wars, but they did enough changes to justify this release. Plus they also plan to release Darkwing. And if you’re the G1 purist asking if the jets will combine into a super jet -the answer is YES! Hasbro did not forget their roots. I saw a vid of someone on YouTube doing this. The super jet does look kinda awkward, but I’m not sure the guy did it right. Another must get for me.

Jazz – I love Jazz. Don’t know how many times I mentioned that on this blog, but Jazz was my favorite Autobot growing up in the 80s. Any Jazz figure released in the CHUG-verse is an automatic purchase for me. Now the only question is how he will fare against Reveal the Shield Special Ops Jazz. I know Hasbro can’t call him Jazz on the package for licensing reasons, so they go with Autobot Jazz. I never liked that. Calling him Special Ops Jazz was much better.

Liege Maximo – I normally don’t care for Titan Masters as an individual purchase, but this guy is obviously Skullgrin so I might make an exception here. The name Liege Maximo may have its origins in a Marvel or IDW continuity.

Rodimus Prime – Finally! A worthy update of everyone’s Autobot leader not named Optimus Prime! This is the leader class Rodimus Prime we have been waiting for. This figure is both Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime, kind of like the Classics Rodimus figure with the FansProject Protector add-on kit. This is the figure that everyone will be buying. At leader class, I guess he won’t scale so well with TR Galvatron. But maybe that means a leader class Galvatron is coming? I hope so.

StarscreamI love Starscream. At voyager class he is finally the right size. They’ve made voyager class figures for the Movie-verse, but this may be the first in CHUG-verse. And a F-22 Raptor no less! Robot mode looks awesome, but the jet mode may have a lot of bulk underneath. I’ll reserve final thoughts for when I see the figure.

So yeah, all are required purchases for me. Maybe not Liege Maximo, but you never know.

Here’s a good look at these figs at SDCC. Man I wish I could go to SDCC. I will get there one day.

It’s time for Power of the Primes! Transform and Roll Out!

 

Categories: Pics, TF News

Titans Return Trypticon with Metroplex

March 17th, 2017 Comments off

Quick post today. A few weeks ago I made a post about the upcoming Titans Return Trypticon. If you’re wondering how he scales with Metroplex, here’s a pic.

If you ask me, that’s pretty darn good. Can’t wait for Trypticon to be released.

In other unrelated news, today is St Patrick’s Day. This is usually the day I take some shots of my green Transformers. Last time I did this was in 2015. I flaked on this last year, and unfortunately, I’m also too busy this year. I was gonna do it, and I made a list of my green TFs and everything. But life happens and other priorities got in the way.

Still, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy St Patrick’s Day. Celebrate responsibly! Transform and Roll Out.

 

Categories: Pics, TF News

Titans Return Trypticon

February 28th, 2017 Comments off

OMG! News recently broke that Hasbro will release a new Trypticon figure in the Titans Return line! The Decepticons now finally have a city-sized bot to counter Metroplex. Early pics look nothing short of spectacular! Check it out for yourself.

Dino Mode

City Mode

Spaceship Mode

MSRP will be $149.99. Planned release is Fall 2017. I can’t wait!

Based on early pics, it’s nice to see that this new figure is so G1 accurate. The Dino mode and City mode are pure G1 homages, but updated to modern standards. I’m really diggin’ that new spaceship mode too. Modern G1 origin stories portray Trypticon as capable of space travel. In Fall of Cybertron, Trypticon was permanently reformatted to be Nemesis. So the spaceship mode makes perfect sense.

However, I always felt that, if Trypticon was gonna trans-scan to have an Earth mode, then one of his modes should be an aircraft carrier! Think about it. He would definitely have the size for it. And with all the Decepticon planes that make up the bulk of their army, having all these jets land on the carrier would be way too cool. Maybe a third party will attempt this.

Click here for more details.

Decepticons… Transform and Roll Out!

Categories: Pics, TF News

Transformers 5 The Last Knight Teaser Trailer

December 6th, 2016 Comments off

Michael Bay blow stuff up crapfest #5 will soon be upon us. The teaser trailer was released yesterday. Check it out.

I dunno. I have been excited and jaded by the past 3 movies. This article sums up how I feel. Still, that one shot of Unicron has me all giddy like I’m 12 again. Maybe… just maybe… this will be good. But in the end this movie will suck. And I will have paid to watch it in the theaters.

Every TF movie thus far has had an older white guy in a position of authority. Jon Voight in the original movie. Rainn Wilson in Revenge of the Fallen. John Malkovich in Dark of the Moon. Kelsey Grammer in Age of Extinction. And now we have Anthony Hopkins in The Last Knight??!! What’s with this weird trend? I do give credit to Michael Bay for attracting some big Hollywood talent. And it also looks like Megan Fox begged her way back to Bay’s good graces. I guess that’s not news considering she was in TMNT.

Let’s hope we at least get some good toys for TF5. Transform and Roll Out.

Categories: TF News

Titans Return Hot Rod

May 7th, 2016 Comments off

I love to say I told you so! It’s not something I get to say often, but it’s pretty sweet when it does happen.

Couple blog posts ago, I mentioned that I have a feeling Hasbro is working on a new Rodimus. Well TransFans, behold! I give you Titans Return Hot Rod.

Titans Return is the next label that Hasbro will use for everything in the CHUG-verse (of course the current one being Combiner Wars, which is slowly coming to an end). Everything in the Titans Return line appears to be figure using Master technology, i.e. Headmaster, and perhaps also Targetmaster and Powermaster. Hasbro is making some characters into Headmasters that never were. Such as Hot Rod here (who will probably be released as Rodimus).

I am getting excited just looking at this Rodimus. Hasbro has been hitting it out of the park with some of their latest TF renditions of G1 season 3 characters, such as Ultra Magnus, Arcee, and Springer. If this new Rodimus is on par with those offerings, then this addition is most welcome.

Click here for more details. Transform and Roll Out.

Categories: TF News

Transform Mission Menasor, More Pics

March 14th, 2016 Comments off

As promised, here are more pics of Transform Mission Menasor.

This is a new unknown company in a market where third party products are totally saturated. It remains to be seen if they can compete adequately with the current existing players. I am eager to see color pics of their products. I will of course post those pics as soon as they surface somewhere.

I am really hoping that Transform Mission will do the Stunticons justice. Don’t get me wrong. The existing offerings of our favorite Decepticon racers aren’t too shabby, but none of them are perfect. The FansProject Intimidator set is great in combined form, but I find issues with them individually. The limb pieces are small and too tough to transform for their size, while Diesel (Motormaster) is way too complicated to be any fun. The Hasbro Combiner Wars set has the opposite problem. They are fun to play with individually, but the combined form leaves much to be desired. I am hoping Transform Mission will rectify all these problems and give us the perfect Stunticons.

Transform and Roll Out.

Categories: Pics, TF News