Optimus Prime/Orion Pax [Transformers One/Prime Changers]

Like Rise of the Beasts, the Transformers One toy line has a separate 'main line' series of toys obviously intended for younger audiences with the Studio Series aimed more at collectors. Also like Rise of the Beasts... the main line is really neat and many adult fans are enjoying them just as well. The new Prime Changers size class is similar to Warrior Class toys from Robots in Disguise 2015 as it's a simpler figure than a standard deluxe with maybe a slightly lower price depending on where it was purchased. I don't have a RID 2015 Warrior Class toy pictured for comparison, but they feel extremely similar in build and articulation. Sort of a hybrid of a Deluxe and a Core Class if you will and oddly extremely similar to a standard TF from around 20 or so years ago. So far I've loved my experience with this new size class and would like to see it continue for mainline toys going forward.

Optimus Prime/Orion Pax is going to get a lot of new toys for Transformers One. Obviously Optimus gets a lot of toys from each movie, but he's specifically one of the main focal characters in this one. This version is sort of a hybrid design of Orion Pax and Optimus's designs as it mostly resembles a Cogged Orion Pax, but has Prime's smokestacks and head. I'd be inclined to believe a straight up Orion Pax figure using this mold as a base is in the works. This is a neat toy and I like it quite a bit. There's a fair amount of articulation despite the class having less. His paint is pretty good and there's quite a bit of accessories. In the picture you can see the Energon Axe. That can be held and thanks to some cool sculpted details looks like it's being held and not replacing his hand. The axe can also be store on his back or in vehicle mode. Optimus's smoke pipes can detach and be held as dual pistols... that's a cool touch. Additionally, there's a Matrix of Autobot Leadership in his chest that can be held. Frankly there's quite a bit in this for a 'lesser' toy.

Really the only 'lesser' thing I noticed and the lack of over abundant articulation. He has a decent amount, but smaller joints like ankle tilts aren't there. Transformation is easy and everything goes where it should without much struggle. I did get a touch confused with his legs, but that was me mentally trying to transform him like another toy. After so many thousands of these things... it happens. In vehicle mode, Orion/Optimus is a Cybertronian version of the traditional truck we're all used to. It's not my favorite Cybertronian version of the Optimus truck... but it's neat and growing on me more everyday. I really see that classic flat nose truck in the design. The truck is pleasant enough and rolls around pretty smoothly. This is a well done figure, it's nice and neat without any kibble from either mode. There's a decent amount of usable articulation with a nice assortment of clever accessories. It's almost like the 'lesser' size class kept them in check long enough to make a good figure without going overboard. It's the right kind of simple. So far I really like Prime Changers as a Transfomers size class. I'd like to see them more in the future even replacing the current Warrior Class.

The Haunting of Heinz House

Holy crap, this commercial is bad ass! I've never eaten Heinz Haunted House before as it wasn't available in my region, but I bet the spooky shapes made it taste better than any other canned pasta. The production of this commercial is amazing and a solid example of the old saying 'they don't make them like they used to'. That spooky mansion at the beginning is literally just the beginning as the entire experience of bats, monsters, and a Keith Moon lookalike butler makes for an amazing commercial. Too bad they don't make Haunted House any more, because the spooky season is the right time for a can!

TF 40

BIO- Crankcase

"Things are never as good as they seem."

Function: Data Collector

A wheezing, whining ingrate. As welcome as a rash of rust-rot. The worse things get, the happier he is. Enjoys complaining about everything. Equipped with vast memory storage capacity and shell-resistant armor. Also equipped with infrared probes that penetrate and analyze enemy circuitry. Armed with two high-impact laser blasters and a distortion modulator that scrambles enemy cerebral impulses.

Strength: 8 Intelligence: 6 Speed: 3 Endurance: 9
Rank: 7 Courage: 7 Firepower: 8 Skill: 8

Phyllis Diller Spends Halloween At Disneyland

Disney does Halloween right. They do Halloween specials right. Somebody behind the scenes of The Mouse Factory did drugs wrong. I don't know if Phillis Diller did drugs, but I do know her name is slang for cocaine. Which I'm sure there was a mountain of offstage on this episode.

Spooks and Magic, the Halloween episode of The Mouse Factory features Phyllis Diller as the guest star going absolutely insane with Disney characters. At one point she's breaking into the Haunted Mansion and harassing the ghosts, the next minute she's having a Halloween costume party with Donald Duck. Said costume party doesn't sound bad until she shows them her batshit family slides then runs them off by singing.

The whole thing ends with her forming a witches coven with King Louie, Goofy, and Witch Hazel. The later is sent to Donald Duck's (who just left) house as a set up to the classic Disney 'Trick or Treat' short. In the end, Phyllis uses her evil witch powers to steal Snow Whites identity and... it just ends. That means she's still out there.

Originally Posted 10/02/2020

Beast Man [Turtles of Grayskull]

Beast Man did not trust the alien outsiders. Rather than become Krang's next mutated experiment, Beast Man escaped to strike a bargain with He-Man. What he found instead left him shell-shocked.

Beast Man is one of the classic MOTU characters that no series feels complete without. So of course he makes a showing in Turtles of Grayskull, but a rather unique one. Beast Man, who isn't feeling like the Foot Clan and their Mutagen are the best idea, isn't mutated like the other Evil Warriors. However, Beast Man has taken up the ways of the Samurai as his cool new armor would imply. This figure is a straight forward reprint of the Origins Beast Man toy with the additional armor and weapon.

Every toy line has cost saving figures and this is one of them. Fortunately the Origins Beast Man is an all around solid toy and the new stuff included makes for a nice cherry on the top. Replacing his trademark bullwhip whip is a cool new razor chain whip. Clearly taming the animals under his control inst Beast Man's focal point at the moment. The Samurai armor fits neatly over the figure, though I found the helmet to be a little loose. Not a deal breaker, but I'd prefer a slightly better fit. Beast Man is also carrying a turtle shell shield which keeps him matching the other figures (Teela comes with a similar one) and the theme. I did notice some official stock photos displaying a different shield instead of the one that comes included. I don't know if that was a running change or a variant. Fans in MOTU groups haven't pointed it out to my knowledge, so it may be the former. This is a fun figure of a classic character. He has a more simple approach to the theme and that's ok, because it still works. The gold armor contrasts nicely with his oranges and reds. Frankly, I think the whole looks suits him really well.