robots/monsters/misadventure

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Transformers at Joelanta 2017

http://www.joelanta.org/

For the past few years, I've been helping operate the annual Transformers panel at Joelanta here in Atlanta. It's been a ton of fun and thanks to it's success, it's grown into it's own event within the convention. This year (2017) the Transformers panel has changed into it's own series of panels in it's own dedicated space. The planning for the event has been fun and the closer it gets, the more excited for it I get.

Joelanta is a wonderful convention in it's own right. It's this amazing nirvana of toys and fun that just can't be replicated. The annual parachute drop is probably my favorite event. Just imagine throwing action figures in parachutes off the balcony of a very tall hotel and you've nailed exactly what it is. Pure fun and a little crazy. I'm also looking forward to the trading party on Friday. Last year I traded a giant ziplock bag full of tiny monster toys for a Green Goblin. I kinda want to take him back and see what I can swap him for. Just see if I can keep it going and see what I get each year.


Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Weekly Spotlight: Shattered Glass Blurr

The smarter I am, the faster you die.

Before he was recruited by Prime, Blurr was an eloquent and well-groomed lecturer. Though his demeanor hasn't changed, Blurr looks more like a battle hardened warrior rather than the soft spoken robot he is. Yet, Prime uses Blurr as an information hub first, and a soldier second. Constantly on the move, Blurr is well equipped to intercept messages from enemy couriers such as his heroic renegade cousin, Crasher. Though no longer on the lecture circuit, Blurr now finds himself trading information and unreleased protoform images with other archivists, desperate to get an upper hand on his opponents. He often seeks to add any vital information to his data banks in order to provide eloquent strategic infiltration plans to his Autobot comrades. In vehicle mode, he can travel faster than most Decepticons, speeding past them to the point where their microcircuits fuse together, leaving them helpless. Once disabled, Blurr meticulously disassembles their processors, slowly explaining the entire process in excruciating detail to each victim.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Weekly Spotlight: Lightspeed

Light years flash past as mind numbingly sub-atomic speeds.

Exceeding all known groundspeed limits, faster than light itself, he speeds ahead of the team on reconnaissance missions. Energon figure fitted with micro lens photo-record equipment supplies all the data Flame and Gripper need to formulate the battle plan. In robot form speed element is transferred to fighting ability. His lethal laser-jousting technique renders the laserblade invisible in motion. This impossibly rapid Motorvator is beyond the reach of the slow moving Overlord. Even the Jet can't track him; a blur on the radar, he's already on his way back!

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Ninjas have particular steel

That would make a great Trapper Keeper.

The new Power Rangers show, Ninja Steel, is starting soon and I'm pretty excited for it. I've always been pretty casual fan of Power Rangers, but this one has me stoked. I've always been a fan of Godzilla and other giant monsters in movies. It wasn't until much later in life I learned the word kaiju, but damn I knew I loved them. Fortunately, TBS showed one practically every Saturday afternoon hosted by Grandpa Munster.

As I got older, USA started showing Dynaman late Friday nights. They dubbed the show with hilarious comedy and I loved it. Then a few years later, Ultraman started showing on local channels in the afternoon. By the time I was in high school and Power Rangers started, I knew I liked this kind of show that was like Godzilla. So, I watched Power Rangers every afternoon after school and eventually VR Troopers and Super Human Samurai Cyber Squad joined my viewing. I watched Power Rangers regularly up until the end of Power Rangers Zeo.

That was pretty much when it became a show I watched when it was on and I was in front of a tv, versus make time out for every day. I've pretty much been like that with Power Rangers and similar shows since then, if it's on when I'm watching TV, I'm watching. So, I fairly admit to being a pretty casual fan. I know of it's Japanese origins and have watched some of different toku shows in subtitles, but I just like good old cheesy Power Rangers. Regularly older episodes of different Power Rangers shows and similar shows would be on my cables in demand menu, so I'd watch them.

This past summer I finally became a regular Netflix user. Before I'd off and on have a membership, but the wife and I decided to use the service more regularly and oh hey... pretty much all those shows were now available all the time. So, my usual Saturday night routine of watching tv while working on a 6 pack of beer, has became watch old episodes of Power Rangers while I work on a 6 pack of beer.

I've bought toys from these shows off and on. Not a lot, just a few. I just enjoy watching the shows. Ok, I've pretty much gotten all the Imaginext Power Rangers, but can you blame me? They're awesome.

So when the various adverts for this new series starting soon popped up online, I was pretty interested. I like the way the show looks and dude, pretty much all the monsters are contestants on a intergalactic game show.  So I've decided to watch this one completely. Just like I used to, but instead of after school, it would be off my dvr instead of watching reruns of The Middle before work. I'm kinda looking forward to it. I like ninjas.

And there is no way I can't watch this little guy

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Rogue One Imperial Ground Crew

Dramatically directing traffic for the Empire.

I like a good basic action figure and Hasbro's Star Wars lines has had good basic action figures for awhile now. As a kid in the 80's, most of my action figures had the same 5 points of articulation. So it's my mental go to for an average action figure. I'm not going to lie, I do like the additional articulation of fancier figures, but I'm completely happy with the basic 5 points.


I say that to start off, because I love the basic Star Wars figures. They're good looking representations of the characters and pretty much give me what I want at a relatively low price. The Imperial Ground Crew figure from the new Rogue One collection is a really solid basic action figure. He has a really good sculpt and a good looking deco. It's a good looking toy.


Included with the figure are his/her light batons. The figure can either hold the batons in his/her hands or store them on his/her back as part of the uniforms utility clothing. These light batons are not a weapon, however, they are a utility tool. You see, this is a figure of a member of the ground crew (as the name implies). One thing Star Wars figures has always excelled at is making toys out of every single on screen character no matter how big or small their role.

A good reason not to take pictures of a toy in your kitchen is the lights bleeding out the Imperial sigil.

As a member of the Imperial Ground Crew, this toy would direct vehicles into or out of stationary positions. Maybe the vehicle needs to be worked on. Maybe needs to be prepped for action, or even seeing to the vehicle upon it's return. Maybe the pilot needs help getting in or out. This kind of position is a reality in the real world and is represented often in works of fiction. But good old Star Wars is one of the few toy lines that would take the time to make a figure of those nameless techs. Not just a figure, but a pretty good one.


The Imperial Ground Crew figure's included Combat Gear (an exciting word for extra accessories) is a really neat jet pack. The jet pack has wings that fold out to an impressive wing span. With this jet pack, the Ground Crew member can take to the air to maybe escape the base's imminent explosion. Or maybe the Ground Crew needs to lend a hand in a battle, as the jet pack is packing some on board blasters. It's a cool accessory and really adds to the figure. It's sculpting blends in with the figure and makes for a neater overall toy.

I'm patiently waiting to see Rogue One this weekend, a figure like this really feeds my excitement as a fan of Star Wars and of toys in general. It makes for a good appetizer for what looks like an awesome movie.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Weekly Spotlight: Energon Cruellock

By the time you see me, it will be too late.
 

Cruellock is the most powerful and cunning of the Terrorcons, combining incredible strength with lightning speed. He is a great tactician whose hunting skills are unmatched. In raptor mode, he can jump to great heights and attack his enemies with powerful energon claws and teeth. In robot mode, his energon-cutting blade can slice through anything, or anybody that stands in his way. It has been said by many that Cruellock's gaze is as deadly as his bite. Beware!




Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Programming Note

Once again, just apologizing for updates being slower than normal. The holidays are a busy time, so sometimes I find myself really stretched thin during the time. I've totally got a few posts in mind and in que, just time to work on them. I'm sure  readers understand, but I still feel like I'm slacking.

I've been thinking about this for awhile, and I plan to start writing occasional posts about other interests here as well. Obviously, I won't share them on the same places as I do for Transformers stuff for networking, but they will be on the feed. While Transformers is my most dominate hobby and fandom, I do have others and this is a good place to talk about them when I feel the need. It's fun for me, and I'm sure it's not a big deal. Just as this has been strictly Transformers content, I felt the need to explain why there might be an occasional Star Wars, or GI JOE, or something post. I mean, I want to get those new Voltron lions, or say that occasional Megazord. I'm sure it'd be fun for regular readers as well. Of course the main focus will still be Transformers, but you might see Dracula or something sometimes. I'm updating the blog description just in case.

I'm going to make a tag for these kind of posts, as I don't share them on any networks, but the occasional reader might be curious to track them.

Also, thanks to each and everyone of you for reading Zone Base!

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Weekly Spotlight: Energon Landquake

Behind my sensitive exterior lives a hardened fist.

This incredibly powerful Autobot possesses a physical design similar to his brother, Landmine. Unlike Landmine, Landquake does not enjoy one-to-one scrapes with Decepticon enemies. He believes that fighting is a waste of time. Instead, he prefers to help the Omnicons mine energon. During many excavations, Landquake has used his powerful fists to crack open energon-rich rock deposits in extreme climates like the Arctic. When there is a call to battle, however, he will not hesitate to use his brute strength to thwart an enemy attack. Many Decepticon have learned that angering this gentle giant can prove to be a ground-shaking error.

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Universal Studios Generations Optimus Prime

And back, and back, and back

Like I've said before and before, some of the Cyber series toys got US releases as Universal Studios exclusives for the Transformers ride store. Of course I went nuts in the store and bought a bunch of things. The newly made Universal Studios exclusives seemed like the perfect material to talk about here, while I'll cover everything else on Being Awesome.


You can't have Transformers without Optimus Prime. I mean, you can try, but he's going to show up. Out of the three Cyber series toys to get the exclusive treatment, Optimus is the most like a legion/legend toy. In fact, he's practically the legion class Optimus Prime toy you can find at your local Family Dollar store with new sculpting and in a larger size.


It's a good thing the smaller toy is one of the better legion scale figures. This newer, larger figure is great. He's pleasantly big in hand and feels very sturdy. Being such a homage to the classic G1 Optimus Prime makes this figure perfect for the Transformers ride store. He's a large simple toy that looks enough like the classic Optimus Prime even the most casual park guest fresh off the ride would recognize.


I wish Optimus has a trailer to connect to his truck mode, just to completely sell the classic Prime package all the way. It's a large truck toy that just screams 'PLAY WITH ME'. So, I drove him all over the living room so he'd stop screaming at me. I don't regret it as I had a great time doing so.

Optimus rounds out this batch of toys making for a perfect souvenir of a trip that I was sad to see end. I highly suggest if you ever get the chance to go to Universal Studios and ride the Transformers ride, don't hesitate.

It's a super fun ride that really comes the closest you'll ever come to being in a Transformers adventure. Let alone face to face with Optimus Prime. Not to mention the parks and the entire resort is wonderful. I hope to go again, hopefully sooner than later. It really was just perfect and probably my favorite vacation ever.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Universal Studios Generations Starscream

I scream, you scream, he supposedly screams.

As I've talked about before, some of the Cyber series figures were made as US exclusives in Universal Studios for the Transformers ride store. I've chosen two make each one the subject of a Zone Base post.


Starscream is one of the more surprising figures out of the three. He's a little larger, a little more complex, and even has guns. While he still is a simpler toy that owes it's design aesthetic to legion/legend class toys. He has a little more 'umph' to him.



Starscream's signature null ray guns can be removed and held in his hands, which is neat. I've always liked it when seekers held their guns for no particular reason. Starscream also has more color to him, owing to his traditional colors are more elaborate than Bumblebee's. He's a pleasant toy to hold and feels satisfying. I'm pretty happy with this version of the character.



His jet mode is traditional Starscream all the way, but has a little Robotech flavor in its appearance. It almost makes me hope for a Jetfire redeco of the toy. Starscream works really well in this class of toy and also works well for a park guest who just got off the ride. It's classic G1, simple to transform, and pretty much falls into that 'memento of the trip' just rightness to work.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Weekly Spotlight: Generation 2 Jazz

Do it with style or don't bother doing it.
Jazz loves Earth culture and is always looking to learn more. His knowledge of Earth makes him the indispensable right-hand man to Optimus Prime. He accepts a lot of dangerous missions, that are no problem because he is fully equipped with a photon rifle and flamethrower. He is also outfitted with a full-spectrum beacon and 180db stereo speakers that create dazzling, disorienting sound and light shows. Despite being very cool, stylish, competent, versatile, clever and daring, he can be easily distracted.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Universal Studios Generations Bumblebee

Our little yellow buddy

Recently, I went to Universal Studios with my wife for vacation over the Thanksgiving holiday. It was my first time going and I always wanted to go, so I went nuts. Obviously the Transformers ride was a priority and surprisingly it was not only mine, but my wife's favorite ride at the resort.

Of course being a theme park, each ride emptied out into a store that coincides with the ride. So go figure the Transformers ride had a fun shop attached. The shop featured tons of merchandise for the ride as well as the latest Transformers merchandise. Three exclusive items were US releases of the Cyber series toys sold in China and Brazil.


I had been wanting to get my hands on these figures, but had been waiting for a good opportunity to do so. Out of the series, the Universal Studios figures are Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, and Starscream. I've already got the exclusive Evac figure thanks to a friend's earlier trip to the park, but I did snatch up some other exclusives. I figure these three would make for good posts here on Zone Base, while I'll probably talk about the others on the next episode of Being Awesome.


Bumblebee is a large, but simple figure. He's very similar in construction and transformation to a legion/legend class toy. This isn't a bad thing as I'm a big fan of that size class. He's a very satisfying toy to hold in your hand. Very big and chunky with a good heft to him. Despite resembling his more recent sports car incarnations, this is still classic Bumblebee all the way.


Bumblebee's car mode looks a bit like his current animated incarnation, which is a really sharp looking car. This is probably a safe bet as the more casual people just getting off the ride would probably be more familiar with the current day versions of Bumblebee.

That little Universal Studios sticker on the box helps make this toy more special than it is. It's a memento of an experience moreso than just a figure. The trip was probably one of my favorites in life, so having some toys to commemorate it is just perfect.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Weekly Spotlight:Guzzle

It's better to have fought and lost than never to have fought at all.

A battle-hardened survivor of the software wars of Polyhex. His hunger for combat is only equaled by his hunger for fuel. Tough, no nonsense, has few enemies and even fewer friends. He can thread a washer from 2.5 miles with a blast from his plasma cannon. Flame exhaust in tank Mode incinerates on contact. Requires considerable fuel consumption.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016


Sorry posts have been a little slow lately. I've been a little busy and things have been pretty hectic. I'm about to go on vacation and hope to start posting more regularly soon. Of course the Weekly Spotlights come each week, but I promise to have more updates on the way sooner than later.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Weekly Spotlight: Snare

Fear? What's that? It's all fun to me.

The crazy loner. Knows no fear. It makes no difference to him if nothing remains of him, as long as he has had fun. Uncommonly dangerous in his role as a sentry and guard. As an airplane, is deadly and streamlined, with extra sight thanks to his Megavisor-system. As a robot, attacks with a rocket launcher.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Weekly Spotlight: Actionmaster Snarl

Only in battle is there true happiness.

An unhappy loner of few words and fewer opinions. Finds pleasure only in conflict. Otherwise, this stubborn, surly Dinobot is as welcome as a turboworm crawling up an exaust pipe. Solar-powered, his strength increases tenfold in sunlight. Paired with Tyrannitron, a tiny, tempermental terror who'd rather sink his teeth into his opponent's ankle assembly than convert into Snarl's metal-rendering shrapnel rifle.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Titans Return Brainstorm

Terrible? Walgreens is a great store.

After much searching, I finally managed to find the Walgreens exclusive Titans Return Brainstorm. Several of my friends have up and ordered him off the Walgreens website, which I contemplated, but really didn't want to do. I'm not so fond of ordering toys I should be able to find at a stores local location. Fortunately he popped up at the store I go to regularly.

In fact, it was the Walgreens near my work that I regularly visit. Friday night, I decided to take a little break and make a run for a Mtn Dew and some gummi worms and there he was, freshly stocked.

It wasn't really this poorly lit in my living room.

I don't fancy myself a reviewer, but ever so often I feel compelled to talk about a toy here. I guess Zone Base is technically a blog, so I guess I'm occasionally a toy poster. Is that a term?

Would standing on your own shoulder be surreal?

Brainstorm is based of Blurr's base mold with some new parts. Blurr was a toy I really liked from the first wave of Titans Return deluxes, so I have no complaints going in. Brainstorm builds on that base and delivers a much better looking toy. In fact, I almost feel as though I'm holding a more premium priced toy with him. The colors are just that good.

He can use his nosecone as a big impractical gun.
Or store it on his back.

Brainstorm turns into some kind of spaceship. When I was a kid, I'd call it a space jet. So I guess he turns into a space jet. He transforms easily and quickly, which I like. I don't like taking too long transforming a Transformer. I know some people do, but sometimes the occasional one feels like a new incarnation of the lament configuration and I just want to turn my robot into a space jet without calling the cenobites into my apartment.

It kind of looks like a fish.

It's kinda amazing that so much of Blurr is still visible in this toy, yet doesn't make me think it's just Blurr with a new t shirt. It's hard to fathom the in advance engineering it takes to plan these toys out. It's also super impressive. Brainstorm stands out from the molds previous use and shines on his own. Titans Return is such an awesome toyline, it's really hard for me to put into words just how much I enjoy each release. Which is stupid as this is an 'in words medium' that I'm trying to express it in.

Uh, it really good.


Just going to take a drive in my space jet

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Weekly Spotlight: Micromaster Overload

Know your enemy and he's yours.


A bold and daring soldier. Often breaks away from cargo-hauling missions to join his fellow Autobots on the battlefield. A tactical genius on the front line. Trailer converts to turbo-boosted, supersonic fighter jet armed with wing-mounted, double-barrelled machine guns. Laser guided, lock-target scanners provide pinpoint firepower. Capable of reaching speeds in excess of Mach 2. Also equipped with hydrofoil capabilities.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

It's totally him

Well, I guess... maybe... uh

There I was, late July 2002 sitting in the lobby of a Holiday Inn in Fort Wayne Indiana. It was Friday morning and I had driven overnight for BotCon. I had planned on driving the 10-12 hours from Atlanta over night and sleep a few hours before pre reg pick up. I didn't count on getting there too early and having to wait for my room to become available. So there I was sitting in the lobby, half napping, half playing my Gameboy Advance. Eventually more people started pouring into the hotel and before I knew it, some friends from Transfandom/TFW2005 (before they split up) had plopped down next to me in chairs. We all were super excited for the weekend and chattering away about what we hoped the exclusives would be.

You see, back then, it was a mystery.

That's right, back in the old days, the BotCon exclusives were a mystery. You could wait until the con to buy them, or buy them at pre reg blind. If you didn't like them, there was plenty of dealers willing to buy yours on the spot. The most you had for a clue was a rough size hint on the pre registration form.

It was super fun.

Well, in 2002 things were changing. Instead of the usual one or two exclusives, there was four. That's right, before the 10-15 exclusives of the Fun Publications days, we only got one or two. So four seemed insane. Let me break it down for you. This year there was a pre registration exclusive. Then, as the current comic publisher wasn't happy with 3H selling comics, they sold a small exclusive that came with that years convention comic. Then after that you had the traditional large and regular sized exclusives. Also for the first time, we all knew who the large exclusive was going to be. 3H had shown him off in order to get more fans to the con.

So, going in we knew the large toy was Cyclonus made from the Beast Machines Ultra Class Jetstorm toy. Which still left the other three a complete mystery. To add to the fun, there was two different con shirts that year and if you bought one during pre registration, it would be a mystery as to which one you got. Of course you could buy the other one at the show (and I did).

After I got my room and a nap, I met my friends from the lobby to go to pre reg pick up together. We were all staying at the Holiday Inn, the second hotel with a convention discount rate, but also about two blocks away from the con center. So we had a short walk ahead of us. We got in our respective lines (separated alphabetically by last name) and picked up our pre reg kits.

We were given our shirts and a small box with all out con materials inside including the pre reg exclusive. The other three were available for pick up at the Friday night dinner for those in attendance, or Saturday morning for everyone else.

The shirts were either Optimus Prime or Megatron decorated with neat art of their various bodies on the back. I got the Megatron (and totally bought the Optimus shirt the next day). The pre registration exclusive was Tap Out! Made from the recent Cliffjumper keychain toy in a neat green deco. I was ecstatic over Tap Out. I was a big fan of the keychain toys that were released months before the show.

They were reissues of the classic Bumblebee and Cliffjumper toys with a small plastic loop molded on allowing for a keychain to be attached. With this in hand, we all decided the small toy with the comic had to use the Bumblebee keychain mold. Also inside the little box was all sorts of goodies including an Optimus Prime sucker (I still have it, good thing it's wrapped in plastic... yikes) and also a neat art print. My friends got Skywarp, but I totally got Tigatron. They were all jealous, as they should have been.

There was also the convention guide book inside, which on it's cover had what one friend decided HAD to be the other exclusive. You see, the cast of Robots in Disguise (the 2001 series) were all guests and the guide cover reflected that. Each actors characters were on the cover... but for some reason, Prowl was purple and black. This wasn't too much of a hint to the rest of us, but that one guy swore we were definitely getting this.

I mean loudly. Very loudly. We were in the Burger King and there he was screaming over and over, "GUY'S, IT'S TOTALLY IT, IT'S TOTALLY IT, OH MAN IT'S SKYWARP FROM PROWL THATS WHY THE PRINT WAS IN THE BOX, GUY'S THAT'S WHY!"

So we had to leave Burger King and eat at Rally's and he had to chill out, which he didn't. He went on and on and on. Later as the dinner went on, we went down to hang out at the con center with the other non dinner attendees and tried to hear what was going on inside. Those in attendance were given free Armada and Heroes of Cybertron toys and a showing of the pilot episode of Armada was shown.

I wasn't too jealous of the toys, because they had already been showing up at stores. I was jealous over the Armada showing as it wasn't due for air for a few more months and I was eagerly looking forward to it. During the dinner, 3H revealed what the exclusives were to much applause. We didn't get to hear what they were and headed out to join in the parts parties.

Over the course of the night, I heard that there was a Cheetor in Jetfire colors. I also didn't pay it too much attention as that just sounded ridiculous.

The next morning I stood in line to get my exclusives, still mostly clueless to their identity. Then one of my friends stopped by to show me one of their con exclusives. It was CatSCAN!


Made from the Beast Machines deluxe Nightslash Cheetor in RATCHETS COLORS, in a pretty neat box that was made to resemble a small laptop, CatSCAN was pretty cool. In fact he remains to be one of my favorite BotCon exclusives. The small comic toy turned out to be made from the Bumblebee keychain as we predicted. In a cool metallic blue, Glyph was a really nice looking mini bot!

Now, about that Skywarp Prowl toy... it of course never happened and that friend didn't really hang around us for the rest of the convention.

Guess he was embarrassed.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Spooky Spotlight: Bludgeon

To know your own limits, you must first know your foe's limits.

A merciless, emotionless master of Metallikato, the deadly Cybertronian martial art. Attacks his enemies' fracture points while remaining outside their line of fire. High-powered antennas produce electrical fireballs with a range of over 400 yards. Battle armor secretes ordorous, mucus slime. Smoke generators in legs produce billowing clouds of black smoke that disorient the enemy. Inner robot armed with high-voltage electric cannon.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Spooky Spotlight: Mindwipe

Just one look from me and you've lost.

A mystic; spends most of his time trying to contact the electromagnetic essences of long-dead Decepticons than talking to live ones. Binary-bonded to Vorath, former Nebulan Minister of Science, expelled from office as a result of an illegal experiments scandal. In bat Mode, has hypnotic stare, flies at 700mph. In robot Mode, uses vipor pistol -- shoots streams of neuro-circuitry paralyzing liquid.

The new big show.


Earlier today I was having trouble getting to sleep, which worked out as Brian Kilby texted me to check the RFC mail list. We had gotten the press release for the new official convention (replacing BotCon) known as HasCon.

I was kinda blown away.

So this fall, HasCon will host events not only for Transformers, but also My Little Pony and other Hasbro brands. That's kinda a deal maker as whenever I go to these shows, my wife is pretty bored. But here, she'd be able to enjoy the MLP stuff. Making for a better time for the both of us and not just me.

Also in the email was news of the upcoming new Fan Club to replace the ending one ran by Fun Publications. I'm a sucker for a fan club and even more for an official fan club. I can't help but to wonder how it would operate and how things would go. I generally liked the former club magazine and hope we get some sort of newsletter. Hopefully the new club would have some sort of membership exclusives.

Speaking of exclusives, I wonder how the at show exclusives would be? Would they be some super niche thing aimed at fans? Or would it be special editions of current figures? Personally, there has been some pretty neat special editions of current toys, so I'd be for that.

I'm super interested in what's to come of this new show. It feels weird to have watched 2 incarnations of official Transformers conventions open and close. This new show is almost like a comic con based on Hasbro characters. Considering all the properties they own, I'm not against that.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Spooky Spotlight: Transmetal 2 Scourge

A plague upon all their houses!

Scourge is possibly the most despicable of the already loathsome Predacons. Delights in taking depravity to all-time- low levels. Obsessed with germ warfare and lethal chemical development. Despised by peers for his inclination to test deadly viral and bacterial concoctions on fellow Predacons. Skilled in combat, Scourge wields photon cluster cannons with chemical warhead capabilities. Has electrostatic disrupters inside antennae; capable of leaping distances exceeding two miles with use of wings.

Saturday, October 8, 2016

When two become one.

He's going everywhere with me.

Holy crap Combiner Force. I mean, seriously guys, holy crap.

Let me explain myself, I like Combiner Force. A few months ago when the trademark became known, speculation began leading to much shrugging from me. I mean, it was just a name. Part of me assumed it was going on newer uses of Combiner Wars molds, the other part was just fine with seeing what would come to be.

Courtesy of BWTF

Then it happened, NYCC was starting up and news from it began to seep out on social media. I was at work and was taking a break and saw something wonderful. I saw what Combiner Force was.

Know that Amazon commercial where Gary Busey yells at his TV? I totally did that at my phablet.

Courtesy of BWTF

Basically, while some toys just interact with Mini-Cons in the way they have before, there's a new group of figures. I forget what they are exactly called in the two packs they're being released in. However I just can't get over the gimmick. Similar to Energon and Landcross, two Transformers can combine in several different ways. Unlike Energon and Landcross, a top is only a top. A bottom is only a bottom. And I'm only so mature, so pardon me while my inner 12 year old giggles after saying that.

Hehehehehehe.

Courtesy of BWTF

These little guys are pretty basic in design, making for a simple toy one can fiddle with mindlessly while watching TV. Which is what I'm going to do. Thanks to being part of the Robots in Disguise line, the figures have the cool RID visual style, which make these simple figures look a million times better. In fact they look like they could have been late Japanese G1 or Brave figures.

Courtesy of BWTF

Like all RID figures, they interact with the RID mobile game and can be scanned right on in. I wish I played that game more. It's pretty fun. The Combiner Force theme will play heavily into season 3 of RID which according to reports from NYCC will also feature a Deception combiner. That's pretty exciting, I love the RID cartoon. It's a super fun show that keeps getting better as it progresses.

Courtesy of BWTF

Just like I talked about in my PMOP post, these toys are getting that specific fan excitement in me really going. Just like my beloved Titans Return toys, I'm literally chomping at the bit to get these bots. It's a much played out and overused term, but it really is a good time to be a Transformers fan.

Or at least for me.


Many thanks go out to my super awesome friend Ben Yee for allowing me to use his pics from NYCC. If you're reading this, you probably already know about his site www.bwtf.com, and you should because it's literally one of the tent poles of the fandom and I'd highly suggest you follow his Facebook page. It's freaking great.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Spooky Spotlight: Octopunch

Anything that can sink is worth sinking.

The terror of the deep. If he's not stealing sunken treasure or ancient artifacts, he amuses himself by smashing holes in submarines and cruise ships. Electrically-charged, razor-tipped harpoon gun momentarily short-circuits on contact. Also armed with vice-like tentacles that stick to any surface. So strong underwater that he can wrestle a whale to a standstill. Inner robot convers to metal-rending crab creature equipped with depth gauges, deep-sea radar and acetylene torch gun.