Tarantulas [Legacy United 4-Pack/Deluxe Class]

If you would have told me I'd end up with a Tarantulas in his original prototype colors a few years ago, I probably would have scoffed. If anything it'd be a convention exclusive or something. However thanks to the Target Exclusive Legacy United 4 Pack... here it is. A recolor of the Kingdom Tarantulas figure with a new head makes for a good base to finally give this version life. I quite liked the Kingdom Tarantulas, so it's probably to no surprise that I like this version. I'm mostly in awe of it's existence. I'd expect a toy based on his Fox Kids deco before this, but I'm not complaining.

I'm really happy with his orange colors. Partially because it makes me think of one of those plastic spider rings at Halloween, but also because it's kinda freaky. Gives a mutated vibe to him... which leads us to his new head. The original Beast Wars toys often had a regular head and a Mutant Head gimmick. The idea was the character's head would change for battle and often which head was the regular or mutant would be swapped for new characters made from repainting a toy mold. Blackarachnia was a repaint of Tarantulas that used his Mutant Head for a main head. Mainframe took some creative liberties with that to create the Blackarachnia we all know today. This new take on the original Mutant Head looks the part, though is painted with more colors than the original prototype featured. That prototype had a gray head, while this is in more classic Tarantulas colors. He actually matches up with the Tarantulas released under the 10th Anniversary Beast Wars line. I wonder if that's intentional or just a neat coincidence.

Aside from the head and colors, Tarantulas is the same toy as his Kingdom release. Nothing seemed loose on mine, so I think the mold has held up well. I liked the figure then and I like it now. Part of me wonders if that prototype could have became a Japanese BotCon Exclusive like Double Punch and Barbearian. Another part of me is considering if the orange colors were inspired by Creepy Crawlies as they were popular at the time. As someone who loves Beast Wars, I'm obviously happy with this toy. It's cool to have a little bit of random history put out in toy form after almost 30 years. Not to mention, Tarantulas is such an established character... seeing him in a different set of colors is neat. With the Mutant Head I almost want to make Monster Gobot comparisons. He seemed like the perfect figure to start a new year at Zone Base off with. Hello 2025!

Autobot Hound (Retro Series)

Reissues of older Transformers toys are nothing new. However when Walmart started selling them, it was a lot of fun as the availability got a better as did the pricing. Neatly enough, the 'Retro Series' over the past year had changed up the game a little. Instead of being close approximations of the original toys (there's a little difference here and there) in retro packaging. The newer 'old' toys are in a neat Transformers The Movie inspired line with cool movie versions of the retro packaging and the classic toys in cartoon colors. They've done 'anime' edition reissues before, but these are really close to the characters on the screen. Unfortunately distribution on these has been less than ideal as I'd love to get them all. Fortunately this lead to a few being marked down heavily recently. A special version of a G1 toy for $9? Sure! 

I've made my love for Hound known before. Obviously this was something I was wanting. This version uses the 2004 reissue mold sets. Which used repaired and recast toolings from the original Diaclone molds. There's some noticeable differences if you compare a 1984 Hound to this one aside from the colors. This one does have Official Jeep copyrights on it that prior versions didn't as does the box. G1 Hound's an Officially Licensed Jeep now! Neat. While it's not super noticeable to the naked eye, the cartoon accurate deco is miles apart from the toy version. The chrome, something I normally love, is gone. Green's are also softer. There's a really close match to the colors from the cartoon on robot bits that I'm really impressed by. Usually these are a sorta clay gray on toys. This really feels like a more premium edition of G1 Hound that I would expect to pay a lot more for. 

Hound also has all of his accessories from the G1 release. They're in matching cartoon colors, though it's worth noting his missile launcher does not fire. This is a holdover from those early 2000's reissues. Several Child Safety Laws had changed from the 80's and still are in place today. This lead for the American versions to either have extra long missiles or neutered ones like in this case. Frankly, I'd rather a kid not accidentally choke on a toy and would take a non-firing version over the longer missiles. In cases like Starscream's Null Rays, it looks fine. In other toys... not so much. Hound has a good bit of extra accessories from vehicle mode you'll take off to transform. Those older Diaclone toys were just full of features. I am kinda surprised there's no official Jeep branding on his spare tire. Speaking of, Hound has no stickers. They've all been replaced with tampographed on details. It really adds to the overall look... and I don't mind their absence. They look great when properly applied, but can be a hassle. The tampographs really blend into the overall cartoon accuracy better too. 

I am completely happy with this Hound toy. Admittedly I'm a fan of his, but this special edition is really nice. I'm sure his stubby arms would be a turn off for some and mine's front section doesn't want to lock in place well when not on the ground... but this is overall a great little figure. The die cast legs give this little toy some nice heft and it's just overall a great looking figure. Like I've said, the cartoon accurate colors really pop. I'd been happy paying full price, but glad to pay only $9. 

Gotta Go Fast

If you look up 'dope' in the dictionary, the definition will just be a picture of the Velocitron Speedia 500 collection. Transformers Legacy is a really cool toy line as is, but when adding in the Buzzworth Bumblebee and Velocitron Spedia 500 segments, it gets pretty amazing. I think the funny part of myself enjoying the Velocitron stuff so much is that... I was pretty passive with Velocitron when Cybertron first aired. It was neat, sure, but I was more interested in the Jungle Planet. Though I really liked the race planets inhabitants. I'd love to see Ransack and Crumplezone make a return for this new sub-line. Dang, that'd be great.

Part One of Many

 

Let's look at one more of Sakomoto's E-Hobby pitches while we're on this tangent of unused concepts. Transformers Part One was similar to Bravemasters in that it would have used non-screen character toy molds from the movies. However, instead of a series taking place in a specific timeline, it was seemingly a general classic characters line. I'd like to think there would have been some fiction to go along with and give the toys a setting for these new looks to take place in. It makes me think of Machine Wars a little as is. The way we've got the classic characters in new bodies made from older toys with no apparent setting. Either way, it looks like it would have been a lot of fun.

Mastering the Brave

 

Transformers is a pretty big brand that's been going for a pretty long time. During that time and growth, there's been a lot of ideas that never became real. I'm going to talk about one of those right now. Mainly because it's something that I wish would have happened. That would be New Transformers: Bravemasters. Bravemasters was a proposal by Hayato Sakamoto for an E-Hobby exclusive toy line. The line was to use non-screen character Transformers movie toys in new colors as new characters.

The setting would have been the time period between Headmasters and Masterforce. A new group of Deceptcions led by Master Hell would have attacked Earth. A lone Autobot still on Earth named Brave would have been the first line of resistance with others to join him as things progressed. The series would have been a triple threat. New fans would have a virtual clean slate to pick up from. Older fans would have a look into a time that hadn't been explored much. Third, it would visually appeal to fans of Brave and give them something new.

Personally, I would have loved to see Bravemasters become a reality. It's such a cool idea and theoretically would have given some great toy molds some much deserved attention. I wasn't there at BotCon 2015 when the information was revealed at a panel featuring Sakamoto. However it's been something I've wished for since reading the panel notes. I'd have been a big fan of this series and I'm pretty sure others would have too. Ultimately, a lot of the concepts pitched at the time would have led way to Transformers Cloud. Itself a neat line exclusive to E-Hobby.

Retro Zords

 

Hasbro has started releasing these super cool figures of the Megazords from Power Rangers and I'm loving it. They're exclusive to Walmart here in the states (not sure about elsewhere) and I was interested when they were first announced. Now that I have a few, I'm ecstatic with this line. They may seem simple. That's because they are simple and THAT'S the best part. You guys know me, not everything has to be super articulated for my enjoyment. However, the simplicity of these leads to what makes them great. They match up perfectly with my Godzilla toys.

While the Megazords are made from a harder material. They're also very similar in build, sculpt, and style to Godzilla and other kaiju vinyl figures. Which is a lot of kaiju fans preferred way to have giant monsters in toy form. At around the same scale as your general kaiju vinyl toy, and with similar articulation, this is a great way to pit the Thunder Megazord against Hedorah.

Considering the Playmates Godzilla toys are just a few feet away from these at my local Walmart (at one point they were right next to each other), and that many people like one series because they like the other (I was a kid who liked Godzilla movies when I discovered Dynaman one night on USA). It's all to perfect. The line consists of various Megazords throughout the history of Power Rangers packaged in VHS style boxes. The boxes are a fun little touch that allows for neat storage when they're not on a shelf themselves. Or even on a shelf in those neat boxes in a way that's easy to organize and look cool at the same time.

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.

RX-78-2 (US) Gundam (American Type)

 

RX-78-2 is pretty much the main Gundam in the overall sceme of things. It's kinda of like the Optimus Prime of Gundam. Ironically Takara copied the head for Convoy, but that's another post. My point is, it's every where when it comes to Gundam. This particular version is a Entry Grade Gunpla sold exclusively at Target. Fictionally it's a statue from Gundam Breaker Battlogue, I like it because it's neat. I'm a fan of oddball variations like Police versions or in this case, an American edition Gundam. So you can see why I was happy to find it included with the gifts from the Mrs at Christmas. 

I mentioned above that this is an Entry Grade model, which means it's a simple kit that can be assembled easily in not a lot of time. I had a good time with my nippers assembling this guy while watching paranormal TV a few weeks back. I also ate a salad, it was exquisite. You probably notice the stickers that match the patriotic colors. They were pretty simple over all and the 'RX' logo on it's right should also came in red. I opted for the blue. I think I put the stripes sticker on the shield upside down. Something I didn't notice until it was too late. Fortunately they look the same regardless. 

This was a fun, simple kit that looks great. The American version is a fun variation that's not too far removed from the standard look of the RX-78-2's. The finished figure after assembly has a good deal of articulation and can be put into a variety of poses. While the simplicity of the build may not appeal to advanced Gunpla folks, it was a fun evening for me.

Deseeus Army Drone

There are some really good characters in the Transformers universe. This isn't one of them. I'm not being sarcastic, for you see the Deseeus Army Drone are literally just Drones used under the command of the Quintessons. This one specifically works for Deseeus, though I'd like to think the other judges have some as well. Going by the original cartoon creation story that the Transformers were created by the Quintessons before miraculously gaining sentience, it only makes sense that they'd have some non-living ones still in use. Not to mention, drones make for good generic soldiers and this literally is just that. If it looks familiar, that's because the Drone is a straight repaint of Siege Ironhide.

The Drone is a silver/grey robot with a lot of black undercoat. Clearly the War for Cybertron has caused some paint damage. The Cybertronian vehicle makes for a cool sci fi alt mode and with the gun mounted on top, it looks like a solid military grade vehicle form. Several of the Siege molds had that Diaclone flair and it works pretty good here. Really, I can't think of a better mold to use for this idea. I liked the Siege Ironhide mold a lot. I liked Siege a lot in general so it's nice to revisit it. The rifle can convert into a sledge hammer for some melee combat. Really, this is just a solid Transformers toy. The mold has gotten a lot of use and each time felt fresh. There's plenty of articulation and it looks the part. Deseeus Army Drone may have a funny name, but it's a great idea.

Stranger Features with Frightening Things

What do you get if you combine a spooky television show heavily flavored with nostalgia and then make action figures heavily inspired by an older toy line? You get one of the best surprises of 2021, that's what. Bandai has began making Stranger Things action figures (awesome). The new Target exclusive series is a direct homage to The Real Ghostbusters Fright Features figures of legend. I don't mean that lightly, these are practically lost figures that seemingly found release. Sculpted identically and even in the same scale. Series one is Eleven and Dustin as you can see in the pictures about and below. Each kid comes with a build-able Demogorgon part for extra fun. The packaging is even reminiscent of the originals. Bandai really nailed it.

Eleven who's Fright Feature is the use of her powers. Squeeze her legs together to raise her arm and open her mouth as he nose bleeds. Pushing a button on Dustin's backpack causes Dart to pop out from under his ball cap causing him to scream in terror. Bandai also has larger figures of the Demogorgon and Demodogs available as well as a more realistic Stranger Things line and even a Premium series. I'm definitely sold on the monsters even though they're straight forward figures and not Fright Features style... imagine if they did that. The future of this series will contain the rest of the kids and I can't wait. This is the perfect set of figures with the perfect gimmick. I love it so, I hope the rest of the cast get the Fright Features treatment.

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.

Target Exclusive Movie Masterpiece Series MPM-10 Starscream

Transformers: Movie Masterpiece Series MPM-10 Starscream

(Ages 8 and Up/Approx. Retail Price $149.99/ Available 9/1/2020)

Recreate your favorite Starscream scene from the first Transformers movie with the new Movie Masterpiece Starscream! The MPM-10 Starscream figure is an authentic Transformers collectible figure inspired by the CAD files from the first Transformers film and includes die cast parts and 150 deco ops with more than 50 points of articulation. The MPM-10 Starscream figure stands at 11 inches in robot mode and converts into the movie-inspired officially licensed Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Jet in 63 steps. The figure features highly articulated hands, flip up thrusters, a moveable mouth, missile and buzz saw arm attachments, and a Gatling blaster accessory.

Modeled after the Transformers live action movies, Movie Masterpiece authentic figures feature film-inspired details and accessories, ideal for displaying on collectors’ shelves. Available exclusively at Target.com and in-store 9/1/2020. 

Thanks to Rogers & Cowan for providing Zone Base readers with this information

New Transformers Earthrise Target Exclusives

Transformers: Generations -- War for Cybertron: Earthrise WFC-E30 Decepticon Clones 2-Pack

(Ages 8 and Up/Approx. Retail Price $24.99/ Available 7/24/2020)

Here comes double the trouble! The Decepticon Clone figures, Pounce and Wingspan, come together in this one exciting pack. Inspired by the classic G1 cartoon, these figures are brothers with twin robot modes, both standing at 3.5 inches. The vicious infiltrator, Decepticon Pounce, converts to puma mode in 9 steps and the driven Decepticon data processor, Wingspan, converts to eagle mode in 7 steps.

Build the Battlefield Beyond -- The siege is over, but the War for Cybertron has just begun. The Autobots and Decepticons have left Cybertron, but their battle rages on as they speed through space in pursuit of the Allspark. Now, fighters must instantly adapt to battle anywhere in the cosmos. With the advanced A.I.R. (Adaptable Interconnection Retrofitter) Locks system, fighters don’t head to the battlefield -- they become it. Bots capable of converting into Modular Battle Stations can A.I.R.-Lock together in custom configurations to fit the needs of battle. Available at Target.com and in-store 7/24/2020.

Transformers: Generations -- War for Cybertron: Earthrise WFC-E29 Voyager Seeker 2-Pack

(Ages 8 and Up/Approx. Retail Price $59.99/ Available 7/3/2020)

Add key Seekers to expand your Seekers army collection! Skywarp and Thundercracker join the Earthrise Seeker lineup in this special Seeker 2-pack! Standing at 7-inches, the Decepticon Seekers, Skywarp and Thundercracker, convert into classic G1 jet modes in 30 steps and each come with 2 Null Ray blaster accessories that attach to the figures in both robot and jet mode.

Thanks to Rogers & Cowan for providing Zone Base readers with this news.

Bios- Bumblebee (K-Mart Legends)

The least likely can be the most dangerous!

A free-wheeling, fun-loving Autobot. This formerly tiny titan is now bigger and better than before. Forged of reinforced titanium armor and equipped with multi-band radio transmitter and thermal tracking meters. Also armed with X-ray lasers in headlights that can burn through solid rock. Entire frame and chassis refortified for added endurance and fighting power on the battlefield. Armed with laser pistol in robot mode.

Thunder Spark Bumblebee Smash!

Autobase Aichi today showed scans from TV-Kun magazine with a new exclusive legion/speed series. Thunder Spark Bumblebee! Using the Dark of the Moon Cyberverse mold (really surprised it isn't from the Bumblebee movie), it sure is another translucent exclusive, and probably hard to distinguish from others.

I'll probably never own it, I'd like to, but probably won't. It's just neat. I wish I had this sort of thing here, I'd love to pick up a regular magazine and see an exclusive mail away like this. Not to mention, I love translucent colors on toys. I know they aren't known for lasting forever, but neither will I, and I'd like to enjoy the things I enjoy while I'm here. Not to mention, I like Bumblebee. He's good people.

Introducing Generations Selects!

Thanks to Hasbro and their partners for providing Zone Base with this news

Transformers Generations Selects:

Generations Selects is a fan-dedicated collection of figures featuring special edition, limited release versions of Transformers characters. They’re mail-order only, shipped in special packaging exclusive to this line. We launched this line for our fans to expand their collection and make it truly unique.

Whoahbots

This morning Amazon updated listings for the soon to be released Repugnus and Punch/Counterpunch. Honestly, I had assumed these were vaporware as they were just names on a list without any solid information for so long. I'm also pleasantly pleased as I really want Repugnus and even though I was first pretty meh on the idea of Counterpunch, seeing it makes me really want it. I'm still in the middle ground for Blast Off that seems to be part of the set. I'd like it, but not going to worry to much if I don't (my Bruticus is fine with the CW Blast Off... honestly, I just like the way the brown jet looks). I'm worried these will be another case of going up while I'm working or sleeping and sell out instantly like exclusives before (really hoping other places have them as well, to help out with chances). I also wonder if this will be some sort of Black Friday/Cyber Monday thing. I mean, here we are in July, the holidays will be here a lot sooner than you'd think and this does make for a good holiday grab. I just really want that Repugnus. Like, maybe a little too much. I don't mean to harp on the whole missing out on something because it sells out so fast, but it really is disheartening and has happened more often than I'd like. Which being only human and all...

Sam's Choice BotCon

Adding to the G1 Hot Rod reissue exclusive to Walmart, it looks like even more G1 reissues are headed to Walmart exclusivity. This is pretty random and pretty neat. Starscream has the Megatron gun from the cartoon colors version from around 02-03 and I wonder if Devastator will have the new head from the latest edition. I figure it's part of a 35th anniversary campaign, which is kinda great.

Screaming into space

Damn that art sells it

SDCC is right around the corner and exclusive talk is on every bodies keyboards. Super 7 is teasing a Transformers exclusive by the way of their upcoming Henshin Cyborg style line that honestly looks pretty neat. I do love a good X-Ray/Cross Section robot image.

But, the big one. The poop your pants one. 

The stuff dreams are made of

 A Studio Series Bumblebee set that comes with reissues of Dial and Zaur, some of the rarest Transformers, and they're coming out of nowhere with a Bumblebee. I'm obviously not going to the con, and I hope I can score a set from the after con sales. I say hope because it's already hard for a working adult to get some of this online stuff as it sells out pretty quickly, but there's going to be all sorts of extra competition for this one. I mean, these are the kind of figures you rarely get to even see in real life... and they're coming with a Bumblebee in a SDCC set. People might actually kill over this one. Going to be a bummer when I wake up and find out it was availible for all of two seconds while I was driving home from work.

I'm a positive person, but knowing I'll likely never get this is super depressing

The Walgreen's Wreck-Gar Saga continues

In what has seemingly become a legendary adventure, it's seems Walgreen's exclusive Wreck Gar is soon to becoming a reality. My main man at Walgreen's shot me some more info regarding the release. Like the past 2 Transformers exclusives, Wreck Gar will be available in the fall/winter.

Credit: Homeslice from Walgreen's

That date implies an arrival of September 28th 2018, though considering it's in a deluxe shipment, that's not a hard date (so settle down if it's not at your store until a little later). The past two exclusives have been making appearances anywhere from October - December, so this shipping date falls in line with the same general expected time frame.

Also of note, looks like the smaller Authentics figures will be making an appearance at Walgreen's too. Hoping this leads to a few more molds, I'm sure enjoying the silly little things.