Decepticon Occultist StarViper!

 

ToyLanta has come and gone until next year. With it a new set of memories and experiences. This year I did something different, this is StarViper. StarViper is the first of what I hope to be a ongoing series of custom Zone Base exclusive toys. There's only two. Shawn has one and I the other. If you follow me on various social media, I've mentioned buying Siege Caliburts for a project. Hand painting them into an original character was fun. Sure, it's pretty basic and others could have done better. I'm still proud of him.

I came up with the name with wanting it to sound like a ridiculous old video game character. I liked it so much that I've been using it as a display name in places. Personality wise, StarViper is a Decepticon Occultist that lives on Planet Zone. StarViper is a member of a secret organization formed by some of the Cyberdroids that first came to Planet Micro. His alt mode is a blaster that can be used by larger Transformers. While used this way, StarViper has some mind control of the larger robot. The blaster can also act as a short range flight mode.

Hotlink, Heartburn, Heatstroke. Yeah, The Bot's a Fire Bomb

Another of the Christmas gifts from my wife was the ultra cool Hotlink with Heartburn and Heatstroke set. If you find yourself wondering who Hotlink is, he's that random purple Seeker that sometimes shows up in Transformers cartoons.

He's the one with a flame thrower who was next to Sunstorm on the very first episode of the original cartoon. At BotCon 2013 they finally gave him an name. Prior to all this, I'd had always thought Hotlink would make a good name for a Transformer. It just works.

This version of Hotlink uses the Siege Seeker mold, which is super appropriate because it's based on that original cartoon tertrajet. This is a super accurate toy of the guy as he appeared originally. He also appears in the Netflix War for Cybertron series and has popped up from time to time in other TF media.

I had only gotten the Starscream version of the Siege Seeker mold prior to this. While I thought it looked cool, hunting down various other Seekers in the past has worn off the novelty of completing the team each and everything. Usually I'm happy to get one or two of them. Not to mention, my Siege Starscream had the chest issue early versions had. 

For whatever reason, the chest piece would come off very easy. Which could be super frustrating during transformation or just occasional clumsiness. I was aware they had fixed the problem, but I didn't forget the annoyance.

So getting a 'fixed' version of the mold after the fact was pretty great. In fact with the fix, the Battlemasters, and the paint job. Hotlink almost feels like a completely new toy.

It's not a new toy, it's 3 prior used molds that feel like 3 new toys. It's a wonder what a new paint job can do. Hotlink is joined by Battlemasters Heartburn and Heatstroke. The two are seemingly identical aside from their visors. Their included action effects thingies look a lot like flames.

Hotlink's flamethrower in the original cartoon was light blue like these two. It's easy to see they're supposed to be living incarnations of that. It's a cool little touch that makes me think of older fandom days. I strongly remember a friend on an old message board who had this thing for Headmaster Seekers. They didn't exist, but he would bring up the idea often. A Battlemaster is an updated Targetmaster, so this isn't too far from his idea. I wonder if he likes this toy?

Optimus And Freinds On Netflix At Walmart

Another of the Christmas gifts from my wife is the Netflix Optimus Prime set exclusive to Walmart. Like some of the others in this line, Optimus comes with some Battlemasters. It makes for a really cool set and still makes we wish the Netflix War for Cybertron series included them as well. 

Optimus is the Earthrise version sans trailer. It's a really good toy. I've talked about it here before and that didn't keep me from wanting it again. His slightly different colors make me think of that one G2 version. Which I've always liked. This is just a really good Optimus Prime, I kinda want them all.

Optimus comes with Battlemasters Sheeldron and Enerax. Sheeldron is a repaint of Soundbarrier whom I've also talked about here before in a really cool yellow scheme. Enerax is a repaint of Pteraxadon from Siege, whom I have but not talked about here before. I'm gonna rectify that now. I also wish there was a Battlemaster named Rectify.

Enerax turns into an energy axe or laser gun. What makes this neat is that his robot mode is a pterodactyl instead of your standard humanoid robot. It's always been pretty cool when Transformers have non-traditional robot modes like this. Enerax is also in that great yellow scheme like Sheeldron. Yes, those are some awkward names. I wish Enerax was Sundor. Another clear yellow bird Transformer.

The addition of the two makes for a more savage Optimus Prime wielding an energy axe and shield in battle. Mentally skipping past the Netflix series, I could easily see this team up on some cosmic adventure. It's visual says Marvel to me more than that War for Cybertron. I love this Optimus toy and partner figures with it just makes a lot of sense. There's literally nothing bad I can say about this set and a million good things I can. Go buy it.

Megadudes

Another of the Christmas gifts from my wife was the super cool Megatron with Pinpointer and Lionizer set exclusive to Walmart. This is both winners with chicken dinner for me as I love toys with partner figures and the Siege Megatron mold as is. The more premium looking chrome paint on said mold is irresistible. This toy is part of the Netflix series and is intended to represent Megatron as he appears on the show. Considering how toy accurate the shows CGI models are, I'd say it does that pretty well.

It's a really good updated version of classic Megatron. It looks pretty much just like you want him to look. No he doesn't turn into a fucking gun. He turns into a tank like usual. You that saying "I remember when Mtv played music?" It's been longer since they haven't than they did. Things change, and sometimes it was a long ass time ago.

I really wish the Battlemasters were in the Netflix show. They're not, but they are in some of the sets. I love a good partner figure and here we've got a neat situation. Instead of just throwing some in their for Megatron to have, these are his captives. Just a little bit of toy only fiction, but it's appreciated. These two are being forced to serve Megatron. Considering their alt modes are weapons, that's some pretty dark stuff.

Lionizer is a catbot that turns into a sword and Pinpointer has a more traditional bot form that turns into a double barreled gun with some sort of cluster bomb attachment. That's the fun thing about Battlemasters. Instead of just generic guns, you get a variety of weapons. Like other Battlemasters, they come with action effect thingies. A swoosh and two pew pews. A Battle is getting mastered with flair.

If you haven't had any experience with this mold, he's quite the treat. Plentiful articulation and a transformation with just enough steps to please almost everybody. It's a pretty good toy all around and a great Megatron. So much a perfect Megatron that the only other character they could make with it is Archforce. That's not a bad thing though. Often they get so creative with Megatron designs, he could be anybody. So much so that you wonder why didn't they just make a new character. Having a Megatron that without any kind of doubt is Megatron is the perfect thing to do here.

In case it wasn't clear, I like the toy. It's a good looking version classic Megatron that 100% fits the part. From his fusion cannon to sword, he looks like a happy marriage of the old box art and cartoon made into a pretty great toy. The shiny chrome is offset by the 'battle damage' that I personally dig. Megatron has been through hell and it looks like it. He's fighting a War for Cybertron after all. I also love the inclusion of the Battlemasters. Partner figures is a toy gimmick I never get tired of and with the additional fiction of these being his captives just feels like something Megatron would do. The black and orange colors looks good on the little guys too. This feels more like something I would have gotten as some sort of convention exclusive rather than a store exclusive set. That's hard not to appreciate.

Cold Slitherfang

One of the neat things about the smaller 'master' figures in recent Generations lines is their revisiting older Transformers ideas. Slitherfang his an unused concept for the Autobot Master Warriors from Headmasters. Like Titanmaster Sawback and Ramhorn, Slitherfang here found himself reborn. 

The Titanmasters were based on released toys though. This is Slitherfang's first time being an official Transformer toy after being conceived over 30 years ago. Better late than never huh?

Despite being originally designed as a Headmaster, Slitherfang now is a Battle Master. As an Earthrise Battle Master he can turn into a shield or a connector piece/dock plate for Micromaster bases.  His robot mode as you can tell is a snake. There's bound to be some generic 'beast crap' complaints about this, but animals was a somewhat regular design choice for bot mode back in G1.

I always liked it for the variety and thought it went well with the monster themed Decepticons post movie. Add in the purples and teals of that time and you've got some sharp looking robots.

Slitherfang is mostly translucent purple with a gray tail. There's some black and red detail paint in there that really makes the simple colors look great. Small touches can make a big difference. 

Speaking of little touches, the tank treads on his tail. I love those little old school robot toy details. He almost looks like a little Starriors toy and that's a good thing. Tomy and Takara merged in 2005. Even if coincidental, it seems intended. Did that make sense? 

His shield mode looks pretty good thanks to the cobra's hood carrying over to it's general shape. Included is one of those little blast mark things that has one place to be plugged on. If you're display minded, that's exactly where somebody should be aiming at. 

There's not much fictionally for Slitherfang as of this writing. I'm assuming he'll get worked into Takara's ongoing web manga at some point. I'd like to think it would be more related to Headmasters, but you never know. He'd make a good Selector too.

In Earthrise he's aligned with the Quintessons, which is a pretty good fit. I could see him slithering up during an attack and being used by one of the bailiffs to guard a judge when all hell eventually breaks loose. 

What if he was a Selector that aligned himself with the Quintessons? 

That'd be a neat parallel.

There's not much to say about the connector/dock plate mode. It's a ramp or connector for Micromaster bases. You can plug that blasty thing into this though for dramatic dock plate action.

In all, Slitherfang is a pretty good Battle Master. With these little guys the best part is the bot mode. The shield and dock plate are all pretty similar with small cosmetic differences. But a little purple snake sells itself.

A Barrier For Sound

I picked up Soundbarrier in June shortly after moving. Like other toys bought during that time, I've just gotten around to opening him up. Soundbarrier is a Battle Master from Earthrise which makes him a tiny bit different than the ones from Siege. Instead of a weapon, he turns into a shield and a connector for Micromaster bases. 

I had been looking forward to this guy as he just looks neat. The shield kibble on his back looks like wings giving him a much cooler look than somebody who turns into a dock plate should look.

The bright blues with the grey robot parts with accenting red makes for a sharp looking little robot. I'm sure this mold would look good in almost any color you throw on it. He looks like he turns into a jet almost.

Almost.

I mentioned he turns into a shield right? Two things, he does in fact turn into a shield and I've had to right click on shield every time I've typed it. Clearly cannot spell that right. Considering it's basically just a dock plate that doubles as a shield, it doesn't look too bad. 

He comes with one of those blast mark thingys and two places to connect it. So you can have him being a barrier for blasts as well as sound. 

There's some silver paint here that's pretty nice looking and dresses it up a bit. It mainly dresses up dock plate mode and adds to the appearance when connected to Micromaster bases. 

Not to mention is helps hide the robot hanging off the other side in clear view. You think Micromasters flip him the bird when they drive over? You know they do. 

Jerks.

In dock plate mode, he can connect to any Earthrise Micromaster base or so they say. He can serve as a connector to provide a road from one to another or a ramp for driving up or off. You can still plug the little blast effect thingy on here to make it look like somebody is shooting at Big Daddy. 

He's Autobot in Hasbro releases or on the Japanese side a Selector like Smashdown. Considering his alt mode, it's a good fit for the new group. I could imagine a dock plate having enough of others bull crap and revolting.

He's pretty great. I'd love to see recolors in blind packaging. 

I say that about everything.

Smashdown Is An Allstar

I picked Smashdown up in June shortly after moving, but just got around to opening him up. Life found a way. I was happy to get him as the Siege version never shown up in my area, so when he was re-released in Earthrise. I uh, got him. I really like Battle Masters. A nice evolution of the Targetmaster idea, where not everyone has to be a gun.

Speaking of variety, I really like it when there's variety in robot modes. Keeps things fresh. Smashdown has a bulls head instead of a standard robot one. No real reason either and I'm not complaining. He looks like a Battle Beast and I freaking love Battle Beasts.

Smashdown turns into a hammer. Which seems pretty pointless in a gun fight, but so does a sword and we're all ok with those. The idea here is that he's an ideal weapon for one of The Wreckers. On the Japanese side of things, Smashdown is a type of Selector, another faction of Transformers. 

Selectors are a race of Transformers created by humans using Angolmois Energy as a working class for construction needs. Smashdown is a type of Selector that turns into a hammer. Get it?

Whichever fiction you prefer, Smashdown is a great little toy.  The handle from hammer mode can be used as a gun for bot mode. In hammer mode that handle can be held by most Transformers toys in case they see some watermelons nearby. 

Like most (all?) Battle Masters, Smashdown comes with a little energy special effect piece. This is to emphasize the force from a good whack from that hammer. Considering his body is that hammer, I wonder if that hurts? It's a neat little extra that I'd like to think is appreciated more by those who like to display their toys in action poses or in dioramas. Smashdown is a neat little Minotaur robot that turns into a hammer. I don't think I can find enough words to explain how great that is, it's pretty a pretty universal idea. Go buy one.

Mysterious Box Of Black Play-Doh and Pink Rungs

This past weekend I picked up the Transformers War for Cybertron 'Mystery Box' from my local Walmart. Like all the other Netflix Siege toys, it's a Walmart exclusive. It looks like an ammo box, which feels pretty appropriate for the subject and toys inside. Not to mention, it looks pretty cool. The spoilers inside as noted on the box are generally in the form of the text under the box flap. It's in Cybertronian and I didn't take the time to translate it. Probably something about Ovaltine.

If the toys inside count as a spoiler, well first off go yell at every Transformers news site, then be advised that I'm going to talk about the contents over the course of two posts. There's a lot too talk about here and dude, it's a holiday week. I'm a little checked out right now. So it's probably best to split it up instead of one giant post. Which the first will continue under the break, because I'm trying to be considerate of those potential spoilers. 

We Had Our Own Damn Con

I don't have to tell you all what's going on right now, we all know, we all want it to be over. It is what it is. Of course a lot of conventions were canceled, relating specifically to Zone Base, Toylanta. This is where you're used to see  'in these uncertain times' , but instead, Shawn and I went to Mellow Mushroom and had our own damn con. *edit* At the time, it was supposedly ok to eat at restaurants that were open for dining in. This wasn't a large gathering, diners were spaced several tables away from each other as well.*

Shawn created exclusives for the event of two six feet away from others eating. Battlemasters Gunspring and Hammerdown made from parts swapped Battlemasters. Rung, because we all need a little help after a week of isolation. And a Huddle House Stripper, his name is Chad. Shawn also brought me a Playmobil horse for my Headless Horseman. Now he can ride into to town for take-out.

We ate and chatted for hours about random toys and stuff. I had the Pacific Rim pizza... because duh. Shawn opted for a mushroom based pizza because he had to fight Bowser later in the evening.

After a while we went to Walmart, which was about 2 miles away and still open. It was there we stood in the action figure aisle discussing the various figures on shelves for hours. As there's a pandemic going on, the store closed early and we continued in the parking lot before heading home.

From Stompers to Star Wars and every Transformer in between, our con was the coolest place in town. Thanks to Shawn for coming out and creating the awesome exclusives and to Mellow Mushroom for being open (really thought we were to get drive through and eat in a parking lot). Aside from the various teenagers filming Tik Tok videos we were the coolest... In hindsight, maybe we should have made one.

Guns In Mystery Bags

Today I was thinking about something that's not unlike an earlier thought I had. What if Battlemasters came in blind bags? Not like the main guys, but a side line full of funky repaints? During the Unicron Trilogy Takara sold funky colored Mini-Cons/Microns in blind packaging and it was great! Battlemasters would be perfect to equip guys lacking in firepower. It doesn't even have to be Generations aimed either. Earlier this week I got the Cyberverse Sharkticons and Quintesson sets. It would be cool to have some firepower to give the bots in those sets. Or even some of the standard figures. Warrior Hot Rod sure would look sweet with a gun!

I'll Siege all the Micromasters!

 

So, per my previous post wondering about what will be shown at the SDCC TF panel, some early looks at the display confirm that Siege isn't a 1 year line like POTP was, but most importantly shown off a plethora of new Micromasters for me to scream like a banshee over. I'm absolutely ecstatic over more Micromasters. I don't think you understand. Not just that, more cassettes (technically Micromasters) and Battlemasters. Sure there's some other regular guys displayed (that I will get), but what's important here is more Micromasters. Holy crap more Micromasters. This is wonderful. The panel is tomorrow (or sometime today depending on when you read this) and I'll be updating more on my further thoughts then. If they show any more Micromasters I'll probably explode.

San Diego Comic-Con 2019 Preview Night Hasbro Booth – War For Cybertron: Siege https://t.co/j5wMynQH2m pic.twitter.com/ZlJPBj1sZg

— TFW2005 (@tfw2005) July 18, 2019

Siege... then what?

I've been loving Transformers Siege toys. I've got literally no real complaints about the line and wish it'd go on forever. It won't though, and with SDCC this weekend, like you I'll find out what's following it. Transformers lines used to get 18 months of a life span, or at least until the line got a refresh. Starting with Power of the Primes though, Generations seemingly has shifted to a year long life cycle. It is what it is and frankly a nice way to keep the selection fresh. Though like I said, Siege will by the end of this year and it's follow up will most likely be shown in some form by SDCC.

Usually by now something has leaked. Hasbro has been pretty good about containing leaks these days, but by now there would be something. Closest we have is stuff for Siege that hasn't came out yet. It's at this point I wonder, will it be that different? Hear me out. Combiner Wars was pretty different from Titans Return, which was similar to Power of the Primes, but still had it's differences. All three were part of a trilogy full of toys pretty dang distinct from each other aide from the beginning and end.

French Micromaster Combiners

SACREBLEU! 

I'm quite fond of the French Transformers jingle, it's just so pleasant. Recently Microforever has been down, causing an understandable amount of sadness in some circles (edit: it's back!). While it was a Microman and related lines site, it got me thinking about Micromasters (from the other side of Transformers with a similar name). With a site named after a Micromaster Base, it might be understandable that I'm quite fond of smaller Transformers. I've been eyeing my local stores for the newest batch of Siege Micromasters and Battlemasters, chomping at the bit for new a dose of Tiny TF.

Actually, earlier when I was driving to work, I was thinking about Mini-Cons. They've revisited the concept several times (though in reality they've just slapped the name on random Tiny TF), yet have never recaptured that magic found in the original Mini-Cons. Ironically that magic is pretty dammed similar to Siege Micromasters and Battlemasters, just having a bicycle plugged onto a dudes butt back then might have resulted in a gun popping out of somewhere.

Micromasters at Maximum value

With a site named Zone Base, it's not much of stretch to explain that I kinda like Micromasters. In fact, as readers probably have noted, I kinda have a thing for smaller Transformers and maybe even smaller toys in general. I don't have a greater explanation for why I do, I just do. So obviously with Micromasters in stores again in the Siege toy line, I'm one happy camper. Though, I've been having a good time at camp the past few years with a multitude of smaller TF toys at retail on a steady basis. Legend/Legion/Speed/whatever, Titanmasters, Primemaster, Botbots are just a few examples of smaller Transformers on shelves in the past few years.

So,  Saturday I had to make a run to the Family Dollar. While I was there, I took notice of some Primemasters hanging on the hooks next to the odd Legion and Authentics figures they normally have on the shelves at such stores. That's then I took note of things. Most toy lines feature a discount store version. There was Marvel, TMNT, Star Wars, and a few others with lower end toys to sell at these lower end type stores. It's nothing new and in fact something I enjoy keeping up with. It occurred to me while I was standing there that since the Authentics figures seemed to land with a dull thud for the most part as a discount line, what if the lower priced 'Masters' figures of late would/could replace them as the discount line? I mean, realistically the price of a small Authentics figure is very close to the Primemasters hanging right next to them on the shelf.

The Legion molds that have been in use for years now have probably seen the end of their molds viability and while the Authentics were an attempt to replace them, they clearly didn't. I mean, I admit to enjoying them, but that's because I like oddball things. They were cheap toys, especially compared to the Legion figures they were right next too. That was probably a pretty hard sell. Or if you look at the other discount toys, hell... those are still pretty good quality looking toys. So I wonder, just like in the past with discount versions of TF being smaller inexpensive molds reused to death, what if they used the well received recent smaller toys. Titanmasters, Primemasters, Battlemasters, Micromasters, even the newer Speed Series all generally sell for around $5 at most stores. Ok, Micromasters are $10, but that's a two pack. Like the former discount store versions of Spy Changers, Mini-Cons, and Legions I could really see these priced similarly in reuse for years. Wacky repaints and odd name uses up the wazoo as well!

I'd wholeheartedly welcome that. In fact, I'd love that. That's just the precises kind of thing I'd go nuts over.

Lucca Comics and Games 2018 Transformers reveals

Build the ultimate battlefield with SIEGE figures. SIEGE plunges fans into the epic fight to survive on the final day of the AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON battle to control CYBERTRON. The DECEPTICON resistance army and the AUTOBOT counter-resistance fighters gear up with the C.O.M.B.A.T. (CYBERTRONIAN Omnifuctional Modular Battlefield Assault Tech) System, the universe’s most advanced modular weaponry.

Who dat

This artwork has been floating all over the internet earlier today (at least as of when I woke up) of some unknown Generations character. Most are assuming it to be a Micromaster or Battlemaster for Siege while some are saying the art style doesn't match up with the Siege art we've been shown. Judging by the more traditional Optimus Prime in the image, I wonder if it's for some store/expo banner or even the trading card game. Of course it could be for Siege and not all the art is exactly the same.

I'm only posting because it's fun to speculate on a unknown Transformer. It's been a while since the opportunity to do that has came up. Usually it's pretty clear who the character is latley. I've been saying this since Titanmasters, but man these smaller 'Masters' figures from Generations are my favorite thing in Transformers these days. I would say I hope Takara gets wild with them like they've done in the past, but they've apparently stopped doing that for the time being. Recolors of small 'Masters' would make great premiums. Like a mail away, or a exclusive version inside a store exclusive gift set. Maybe even some sort of official organization, it would make a good 'freebie' type (because that cost totally wasn't folded into something else... nah).

EDIT ONE ETERNITY LATER: Mystery was solved. Well, that's neat.

I'm going to Siege them all when I see them

Being a nighttime worker, I'm usually asleep when cool toy news hits the internet. Which is a mixed blessing as I don't have to wait for each increment of news to drip out of the news Keurig, but if there was some surprise sale thing it's usually long gone before I'm ever aware of it *sigh*. Though if I want such nice things as new Siege toys as well as somewhere to put them, I gotta work *shrug*. Today whilst I slumbered was the Hasbro showing of upcoming Transformers Siege toys at New York Comic Con. Man, if I wasn't already excited for these... I have no analogy... I'm really excited for these. I might shit my pants.

The highlight of the news was finally a look at the Decepticons and boy look at those Decepticons! They showed off a brand spanking new Soundwave with Micromasters for cassettes! That is a super good use of the concept. Laserbeak is even in his More than Meets the Eye design which is just wonderful! Soundwave turns into a spaceship that looks an awful lot like his weird lamp post alt mode from the same episode. Which works well as Mothra may have been all for a lamp toy, but it's not very exciting on a toy box.

The Micromasters, Battlemasters, and Weaponizers are really fun and are exactly the kind of thing I go crazy for. I also appreciate how the standard bots looks like their classic selves, but still updated enough to not just be a rehash of things I've already bought. Reflector is a pretty genius idea. Since he's traditionally three identical dudes, you can buy him individually and still have a solid toy and not complain about the cost of three identical toys. Though, since most fans would buy three, three of them can combine to form the camera mode.

I like the battle worn appearance and the tech detailing. It's another neat way to make the toys stand out visually from prior versions as well as sell the War for Cybertron theme. You know... they're fighting a war, gonna have a few boo boos. I'm really looking forward to these and hoping they start showing at Christmas time like POTP did last year. The wife sure did Siege up a bunch for presents (I'm very patiently waiting for the holiday for the new card game) and well... that's the kind of awesome I can live with!

Siege mah heart

Oh man, the SDCC looks so far of Siege: War for Cybertron toys look AMAZING. They keep making exactly what I want! 

Seige of my wallet

Since we're a week out from SDCC, the news of stuff to be displayed is hitting websites and some early previews of the upcoming War For Cybertron toys were shown. Coming under the Siege banner, these toys look promising, but do leave out the Micromasters that have been haunting Amazon listings, leaving me in high anticipation. The Battlemasters were initially rumored to work with the Micromasters, but instead are more of a Targetmaster evolution (I'm willing to bet weapons other than guns will work into this) as they apparently combine with other weapons. I think that's just rad as crap. The pricing looks to follow Studio Series pricing for Voyagers and Deluxes, which is a little poopy, but to be expected with rising toy costs. I do wonder if they'll be lower at my local Walmart as prior Generations have been given that MSRP and still were just 15$. Time will tell, and I'm guessing Micromaster sets will fill the Legends class, which I'm ok with. I'm very excited for these toys and really surprised by just how much I like them. This looks like another winner for me.

The most incredible micros of all!

Considering this site is named after a Micromaster base, it's not a stretch to understand my fondness for smaller Transformers. Upon hearing/reading the rumors this morning of the Micromasters in the upcoming War For Cybertron line (it's a post down from this one, that's kinda silly to link to) I was ecstatic. All day I've been bopping along humming happily, it's been a great day for fan excitement. I stopped by the local Family Dollar on the way home for some snacks for work tonight and boom, there was the new larger Authentics (I'll be posting about them in the coming days) figures, which just added to my overall excitement and happiness. A couple of back and fourths with Shawn over the possibilities of blind bag Micromasters at the local Walmart just added to it. I look forward to next Toylanta and talking about them with him. I'm really curious about the Battlemasters. I'm assuming they'll be similar in how Legends worked with Titanmasters/Primemasters , but seeing how they have a new name, I'm curious. I guess when/if the rumors get verified (the source is pretty credible) in the coming months I'll find out for sure. Just man, to quote WCW, I'm Buff and I'm the stuff... wait... wrong quote...