Concept Art Decepticon Rumble (Studio Series/Core Class)

I've been a pretty big fan of the Bumblebee movie since it's release, which isn't a secret on this site. Even for those who weren't a fan of that movie, almost everyone LOVED the opening sequence. It's literally what Transformers fans wanted ever since the live action movies were announced. The various designs from that sequence have found their way to toy form as individual Studio Series releases to much popularity. Following suit, toys based on the Concept Art for that scene have begun seeing the light of day in Studio Series starting with Rumble. We'll be taking a look at him today. 

Yes, he's blue.

This time.

Rumble is a very cool little toy. When I say little, I mean it. He's tiny. Which is what you'd expect for a a cassette bot, but it does throw one off initially. Rumble is about the same size as the Studio Series 86 version of Rumble/Frenzy and matches with the Studio Series Core Class Ravage from a few years ago (I don't think I ever covered him here). Like that Ravage, he also works as a data cartridge type thing that the matching Studio Series Soundwave toy (whom I also don't think was covered here) can carry in his chest ala G1. The alt mode can also be a sort of flight mode I assume, it does look like one of the entry mode from from the 2007 movie preview toys. As a robot, Rumble is pretty sharp looking. He's this small little robot with his famous pile driver piston arms. Unlike the Studio Series 86 version, those do not convert into regular arms. In true live action movie fashion, his arms are just weapons. Rumble's head is fairly traditional although sporting a mouth plate as opposed to his normally open face. It really fits his overall look here and kinda makes him look like a Combaticon. Considering the brutality of the live action movie series... it fits.

Rumble looks like he's out to cause as much destruction as possible for such a little shit. Like Ravage, he also comes with guns that he doesn't personally wield. They store on his back which gives him a slightly traditional appearance, however cannot be held by Rumble himself (aside from alt mode storage). Instead, and also like the gun that comes with Ravage, it's a weapon for Soundwave. The two pieces can be combined and form another gun. I like how both Ravage and Rumble are effectively upgrade kits for Soundwave and wonder if a gift set containing them all will be released. Maybe a Soundblaster version. Rumble is very articulated for such a little guy. It's likely due to his transformation, but not complaining. I was very happy to see Rumble in the Easter Basket given to me by the Mrs and am very pleased with him overall. He's a cool little toy that interacts with another cool toy. What's not to like about that?

Que it Up

My toy backlog seems to know no limit, and yet, there's ones I hold off on just to feel the anticipation a little longer. Wheeljack is one of those types of toys. I got him in the summer and of course it's the Studio Series Wheeljack as he appeared in the Bumblebee movie (just in case you didn't know). I've been really into these particular figures despite not getting as many as I would have liked. Readers know just how much I loved the Bumblebee movie and these Cybertronian versions of the characters were a particular highlight. They successfully took the live action movies sci fi/tech look and applied it to the traditional Transformers looks very well. There's no wonder I'm looking forward to Rise of the Beasts as much as I am. Let's watch a little of that right now.

Damn that's exfiltrating. Wheeljack was in that scene, did you see him? I've always liked Wheeljack's design. It looks really cool. Here, it looks badass. That sci fi/tech works really well with Wheeljack's traditional design. I really like the colors on that design, in car mode it almost gives me Macross/Robotech vibes. Transformation is not terribly hard, but maybe a little picky in a few instances of getting everything into place. It's a fairly predictable transformation for a car bot, but that's not something I'd complain about. Robot mode is a little short like other recent figures, but it's substantial. The figure is fairly solid feeling with no noticeable hollowness. I'm fine if the hollow parts are from transformation (within reason), but there's just none here. I've noticed the aftermarket upgrade kits just kind of polish off the toy and don't make up for any lacking instances.

Like I've said before, I'm fine with the toys being a little smaller. Not just because I have a thing for smaller Transformers, but because I've usually felt they were just a little too big. Wheeljack is a good example of that. He's damn near perfect, and the smaller size keeps it compact and avoids unnecessary negative space. If there's an argument for the smaller sized Transformers figures of late, Wheeljack makes for a good one. There's a lot of articulation as well. You could pose him in all sorts of action scenes with that gun. I do wish Wheeljack's traditional shoulder cannon made an appearance as I think it'd add something. That's not a fault either. Just something that I think would really make an already good toy better.

Rise of the Beasts

WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

New Movie Star Transformers

It's neat getting press releases from Hasbro. The newest one is related to their latest Fans First Friday with some new Studio Series figures and a new Afterlife version of Ectotron. Since Studio Series is seemingly shifting focus to the 1986 movie, it's nice to see attention to the live action movies is still part of the line. Those movies are Transformers for a generation and they deserve nice things too. I like them also. I was surprised to see Ectotron make a return, but happy for it. I already have one... but may be (very) tempted to pick up another tied into the new movie.

 

Transformers: Studio Series 71 Deluxe Transformers: Dark of the Moon Autobot Dino (Available for Pre-Order on HasbroPulse.com)

Dino was a new Autobot debuting in Dark of the Moon (one of my favorites of the live action movies). He had a super cool design, but due to licensing issues, didn't get a proper toy. Instead we got a legend/legion class Revenge of the Fallen Sideways recolor named Mirage intended to represent him.

I always thought he had a cool design and dug his accent. I'm sure he's going to be a popular toy, especially for live action fans wanting to build a perfect version of the cast.

Transformers: Studio Series 70 Deluxe Transformers: Bumblebee B-127 (Available for Pre-Order on HasbroPulse.com)

This one is pretty exciting for me. As readers know, I was a big fan of the Bumblebee movie. While I didn't get every single toy, I sure have gotten a lot. I really liked Bumblebee's Cybertronian design and will jump all over a toy of it.

I know it's a recolor of the already existing Cliffjumper toy with some new parts, but that's not taking away from my excitement. I'm definitely getting that one. It just looks cool!

Transformers: Generations – Transformers Collaborative: Ghostbusters: Afterlife Ecto-1 Ectotron (Target Exclusive and available for Pre-Order on Target.com)

To coincide with Ghostbusters Afterlife, Hasbro is releasing a new version of Ectotron. Now with rusty paint to represent the Ecto-1 in the new movie as it's been sitting in a barn for decades. A nice extra touch is his new headsculpt, which looks pretty good.  Included with the toy is a comic, Slimer (who came with the original toy), and Muncher.

Muncher is a new ghost in Afterlife who you can see in the trailer. He's that blue guy the kids are chasing in the Ecto-1 through town. Just like the upcoming new Frights Features Ghostbuster figures, I particularly enjoy how Ectotron comes with ghosts to bust. It's a nice throwback to The Real Ghostbusters while also just being fun.

As always, thanks to Rogers & Cowan for sending these press releases so Zone Base readers can enjoy the news.

And Then There Were Two

The news about the two Transformers movies being worked on broke last night and everybody has been running wild since. It's plenty to get excited about, one we get another movie like Bumblebee, which is the movie everybody wanted since 2007. Two, a Beast Wars movie. Pure excitement and joy. I hope they get this right. A common mistake by those not in the know is just slap animal alt modes on robots and voila Beast Wars.

That's not it.

Beast Wars didn't necessarily have to have animal forms to be what it is and why it's so special. It's a quality of writing and characters that even twenty something later still mean the world to the fans of the show. I can be pretty forgiving of the movies shortcomings, but I can't promise I will be in the case of Beast Wars. It means something to me.

The other movie that is intended to be more like Bumblebee, yes please. That was just such a fun movie and a great time to be a Transformers fan. Not like the other times it's a great time to be a Transformers fan that click bait sites generically throw on their articles. It was a genuine moment where you could point to something and say 'THIS'. Bumblebee did that. 

Yokohama Doll House Transformers Exibition

【横浜人形の家 次回企画展のご案内】「親子で楽しむ」トランスフォーマー35周年展　変形＝トランスフォームの不思議を横浜人形の家で体感！映画最新作「バンブルビー」ジオラマは日本初公開！会期：5/25土～6/30日／観覧料：大人900円/小中学生450円 https://t.co/RtDNtaare1 #トランスフォーマー pic.twitter.com/ZW1fzIbcAz

— 横浜人形の家 (@Dolty_y) May 9, 2019

[Yokohama Doll House Next Planning exhibition] "Enjoy with parent and child" Transformers 35th Anniversary Exhibition transformation = Experience the wonders of transformation in the House of Yokohama Dolls! The latest movie [Bumblebee] Diorama Japan Premiere! Date: 5/25 Sat-6/30/Admission: Adults 900 yen/elementary and junior high school students 450 Yen http://www.doll-museum.jp/4524  #トランスフォーマー

Bumblebee animated short

声優 #木村良平 がまさかの1人3役 熱演🔥

映画『#バンブルビー』3/22公開を前に
💛キュート＆ポップな連続アニメ第1弾🖤

『バンブルビー 初めての地球生活
　　　　　　　#1 廃品置き場で拾われて』

地球人と友だちになったビー。
本来の使命を取り戻すことはできるのか⁉️ pic.twitter.com/QgHQbwc4wa

— 『バンブルビー』公式 (@Bumblebee_JP) March 20, 2019

Voice actor #木村良平 is one of the three roles hot 🔥 film [#バンブルビー] 3/22 published before the first series 💛 of cute & pop anime first 🖤[Bumblebee is picked up in the Junkyard #1 Earth life for the first time] the Earth people and friends Bee. Can we regain our original mission? ⁉️

I can't express just how much I love this. It's silly, it's cute, it's great. With the Bumblebee movie due out on video soon, I'm looking forward to picking up my copy (might even rent it on digital before the disk is available). I'm very happy with how the movie turned out and it's success. Hoping the talked about Optimus and Bumblebee buddy movie will be just as good. It was refreshing to see all the positivity towards the movie from initial teaser towards actual release, with whatever negativity being either subjective or predictable bed wetting behavior (which isn't really concerning). The enthusiasm and general euphoria from the movie and it's release time is still sticking with me, making me particularly jealous of Japanese fans who are just now getting the movie released in their region. The marketing and general swag generated for that market is unique, to fit that market better, and honestly just plain awesome.

Humble Bumble (bee) Cafe

バンブルビーカフェ本日オープンしました！
開催期間：2019年3月8日（金）～2019年3月31日（日）
営業時間：10:00～21:00（ラストオーダー20:30）
開催場所：池袋パルコ本館 6F カフェ・アドレス内
※混雑時はご利用時間を制限させていただく場合がございます。

是非遊びに来て下さい。 pic.twitter.com/E4ozXfwnQt

— トランスフォーマー情報局 (@TF_pr) March 8, 2019

Bumblebee Cafe opened today! Date: March 8, 2019 (Fri)-March 31, 2019 (Sun) Opening hours: 10:00 ~ 21:00 (last Order 20:30) Venue: Ikebukuro Parco honkan 6f Cafe Address ※ There is a case to limit the time of use when crowding. Please come and visit us.

「バンブルビーカフェ」本日オープン✨
池袋パルコ本館６Ｆ「カフェ・アドレス」にて 3/8（金）～3/31（日）
営業時間 10:00～21:00（ラストオーダー20:30）https://t.co/7D768DHXQR#バンブルビー pic.twitter.com/Dty0O7GI6U

— PARCO-ART (@parco_art) March 8, 2019

"Bumblebee Cafe" opens today at ✨"Cafe address" at the Ikebukuro Parco Honkan 6f (Friday)-March 31 (Sunday), opening hours: 10:00-21:00 (Last order 20:30) https://tf.takaratomy.co.jp/news/bb_cafe.html … #バンブルビー

Wow dang I want to visit the Bumblebee Cafe. It's like going to a Transformers convention disguised as a restaurant. I really dig the signage throughout the cafe, it's pretty charming. I haven't noticed if there was any exclusive merchandise or not, wouldn't a Studio Series VW Bumblebee with a backdrop of the cafe be neat?

Energon Charge Bumblebee

If it's one thing I love, it's Legend/Legion/Speed Class figures. Small, inexpensive, and usually available in a bazillion color variations making them fun to collect. The Bumblebee movie provided me with a whole new series of the tiny guys to hunt down and have a good time doing so. In Japan, TV Magazine is doing an exclusive version of the VW Bumblebee figure in translucent yellow. That's the kind of thing that drives me crazy as I'll likely never own one (there's also a red Optimus on the way). Adding to the overall neatness of the figure is a story line pitting the figure against the Red Megatron from another TV Magazine promotion from 2017. This is not a drill, this is awesome. Story pages and mini comics giving these little oddball toys a bit of fiction is something I'll forever embrace. Sure, you you it's just another use of a $5 toy with a different paint job. To me and others like me, it's something pretty dammed neat.

This clear yellow Bumblebee and his backstory are something pretty damned neat.

Transform Squadron Episode 7: Harold of Unicorn

Transform Squadron Episode 7 : Harold of Unicorn

This month Rob talks Beast Morphers and new Power Rangers blind bag toys. Speaking of blind bags, he also talks about Treasure X and Jurassic World blind bag toys. Not to mention Toylanta and Saber Rider talk. Mix in some Bumblebee movie and looks like you got the March 2019 edition of Transformer Squadron!

I'd like to eat at the Bumblebee Cafe

トランスフォーマー35周年展・バンブルビーカフェ開催決定！｜トランスフォーマーオフィシャルサイト｜タカラトミー https://t.co/bMesvz5nuL pic.twitter.com/xjLXx4R9TB

— オートベース愛知 (@autobase_aichi) March 1, 2019

 Transformers 35th Anniversary and Bumblebee Cafe decided! Transformers Official Site

Humble Bumble

Today I was putting some stuff up in my toy room and was fondly looking at some of the neat Bumblebee stuff my wife had given me. I've been quite enjoying myself in the post Bumblebee movie glow and am really looking forward to getting a copy of the movie next month when it comes out. I'm glad to see it doing as well as it's been doing and overall glad to have a live action Transformers movie to be as good as it is. Simply put, they made a great Transformers movie and I am very happy with it. Sunday, some concept art for the movie popped up online and wow is it cool looking. I can't help but wish some of those designs would have gotten used in the movie. I hope whatever movie comes next, whenever next may be, that it's just as much of a pleasure. Nice things are nice.

Energon Igniters Barricade (Nitro Series)

While picking up our grocery order, we went into Walmart to get a few office supplies. Despite the ton of toys I was given for Christmas, I checked out the toy section and was pleased to find the post holiday clearance in effect. Oddly enough the store had the Nitro Series Barricade marked down to $15 while all the other Energon Igniters was at their standard retail price. Not one to argue with a good deal, I snatched him up.

Barricade turns into a heavily armored Police Car who's super cool looking. Inserting the Energon core into the hood deploys some guns and gives him a more badass look with his engine poking through the hood. Barricade seems more out of an old arcade game than the mid-80's setting of the movie, though I'm not complaining. A few simple steps and Barricade is in his robot mode.

Barricade looks a lot like his 2007 movie appearance here, which looks great even though I'm a bigger fan of his TF5 look. If the toy was smaller they probably could have made it more solid, but it's hard not to like this big robot. He has a decent amount of articulation, though you can't roll him up in a ball like some toys seem to be intended to. I wish he had some guns, I'm sure I could just stick one in his hand. Though the Energon core does make a good circular saw for weekends at home when Barricade is working on his deck.

Transform Squadron episode 5

Transform Squadron episode 5

In the January 2019 edition of Transform Squadron: Rob talks Toylanta 2019, the neato Legends Flashback console, and Bumblebee movie fun!

Soundwave turns into a guy who used to live down the street from me

My word, it's majestic

News broke while I was sitting at my desk working of even more Energon Igniters toys on the way. The news post gives new looks at the Ratchet I talked about earlier as well as the Nitro series Blitzwing and Dropkick that's been shown on news sites already (and look fabulous). That's not what's exciting, what's mind blowing is the Power Series Plus Soundwave and Ironhide that just melted my brain.

MAJESTIC

Soundwave just might be the best toy of the year and it's the first week of January. That is amazing. Turning into a radical rocker dude van with a freaking mural of Ravage and Laserbeak, Soundwave is literal perfection. I can only hope for a Shattered Glass and Soundblaster version. Man, a standard Power Series Soundblaster would be nuts. He could have a mural of Ratbat and Overkill and be a metal dude. OMG HE SHOULD HAVE A MURAL OF RATBAT AND OVERKILL AND BE A METAL DUDE. I might just shit my pants.

rock you like a hurricane

Ironhide decided to show up, and clearly he's made friends with a dude named Chet who blasts Motley Crue in the Circle K parking lot while crushing beer cans on his forehead. Just look at that badass truck, you know it smells like a carton of cigarettes. But wait, there's more!

plays with madness

Whoa, Ironhide is the most directly out of G2 dude yet. In fact, I demand the repaint be Turbofire. IT HAS TO HAPPEN. Good lord Energon Igniters is just the best thing to happen in in a long time. Simple, inexpensive, fun little Transformers toys with a TON of charm that take a page out of the book of what made older robot toys so great. I'm not crying, you're crying.

They're wonderful.

Happy New Year Bumblebee Japanese trailer

I'm a few days behind on this one, but Happy New Year everybody! The Bumblebee movie was just such a great movie it's hard not to enjoy this simple little trailer wishing fans out there the sentiment. Man, just a great movie.

Needful Bots

 

Over the past few days, news and images of random Energon Igniters figures have been popping up and really grabbing my attention. There's the recently discovered Power Series Ratchet that somehow alluded news sites coverage. It's an odd bit as the toy is sculpted like Ratchet's earlier movie appearances and not his look in the Bumblebee movie (which the toy is tied too). Add in his deco looks more like Medix and you've got an pretty random toy. Which I'll buy.

Not to be outdone is random sightings of a Speed Series Cliffjumper. The repaints of legend/legion/speed series molds are usually a lot of fun, so I've been hoping for some good ones. Bumblebee toys just look good in red. They have since G1 and look good even these days when they're usually sold as Cliffjumper. So, I'm game. I kinda hope they do a red version of the Camaro Speed Series Bumblebee toy as Stinger. Mainly because I'm silly over Stinger, and also because I'm silly over Stinger.

 

Finally we have a Crystal version of Bumblebee that's a magazine exclusive in Febuary 2019. I'll probably never own this and it will haunt me to my dying day.

Bumblebee

 

Like most movies, I had to wait until the weekend to see them with my work schedule. I don't get free passes or press viewings, so I kinda have to work them in with my regular life. Being the last weekend before Christmas, time is even more thinly stretched.

Regardless, I do love a good movie at Christmas and with Star Wars opting for a spring/summer release for their 2018 offering (Solo), Bumblebee makes for a perfect fit. We bought our tickets last Sunday for our favorite reserved seating theater for Sunday early afternoon. Just a great time to see a movie in those comfy reclining seats (it really is a nice theater).

Unfortunately my theater didn't have any Bumblebee swag, but I still had a damn good time. I wasn't alone either, I thought my wife was going to melt any minute at the cuteness on display. Bumblebee was everything I hoped for. It felt like an episode of the old cartoon come to life, and it was great.

In fact, it makes me retrospectively rebuke all the reasonings from the 5 movies prior as here was a lower budget movie that delivered on all expectations without anything that was said before that couldn't be done- actually being done. Bumblebee is a Transformers movie with a lot of heart, action, and pure wonder.

I loved it.

I just hope my theater has Bumblebee cups!

 

I've got my tickets for Bumblebee reserved for an early Sunday afternoon showing, and I'm super excited. Really looking forward to seeing what looks like a great Transformers movie. I'm also looking forward to getting the collectors cup and popcorn bucket (assuming my theater has them), as I usually do that. Then this past weekend I see news that in Singapore theaters not only have Bumblebee swag, but also selling a Bumblebee reissue in combos! Dude! Sure, it's the same Bumblebee that's (finally) appearing at my local Walmart stores, but there's a certain something about getting one at the theater! I'd totally be up for something like that. Imagine if it was some sort of exclusive version. Like instead of the 2004 face the current Walmart Bumblebee has, it had the original head or maybe a sparkly plastic. Even a 'theater edition' sticker on the package or something. Sure, it's be next to impossible to get one then (because they'd sell out in less than a second), but that's just cool.

[Hornet] Rises trailer

I ran the title through Google Translate, I may have did something wrong, but Hornet Rises is just the best name ever. I think I wish his name was Hornet now.

I'm really excited for this damn movie, and I don't care if you think it's lame.