Inter-Changing Things Up

 

Inner Space has been on my mind lately. I've always been a fan of this particular part of Transformers, even before I knew it was part of Transformers. I was just a kid playing with his Pocket Super Heroes and Buck Rogers figures and those neat shiny head guys sure were cool. A weird thing with toy molds is that they often live strange lives. MEGO wasn't the only company to reuse Micronaut molds. There was Lords of Light and Inter-Changeables for example. Unlike Lords of Light (I'll talk about those later), The Inter-Changeables were almost identical to Micronauts/Microman. Considering the packaging and presentation, you'd almost expect them to be a new series by MEGO. 

They weren't, but you'd swear they were and I think that was the intention. Note the hint about joint compatibility on the package above for Cosmo-Man, the new version of the classic Time Traveler figure. Released by Hourtoy for the first series and the second series by M&D Toys, the figures were near identical with just some different colors and names. However these were no bootleg toys, the molds were licensed by Takara (or were they? check down in the comments). I've seen others speculate that there's a MEGO connection. Maybe? They're odd for sure, but I've always appreciated the weirder aspects of these things.

Transform Squadron 29: Neon Shadow Gang

 

Listen Here!

In this episode, Rob talks about toys he’s looking for and goes on several tangents while doing so.

 

picture credit :https://micromanclub.tumblr.com/

MEGO's Multi of Micro

 

One particularly I enjoy about Transformers is the trivial associations. Due to the nature of it's creation and history, Transformers as a brand has formed quite the iceberg so to speak. Even the official mainstream stuff is in murky waters making it more of a lost continent than iceberg. One such dark corner is MEGO. It's pretty common knowledge to most fans that Microman was one of the toy lines used to initially create Transformers. It's also fairly well known that MEGO drew from that same well to create Micronauts. What may not be as well known is what else MEGO did from there.

Companies often reuse existing resources. While it may rub some the wrong way, it's just smart business. It's not much different than you using the same bottle of Tylenol for a different problem than you first bought it for. Things like toy molds are very expensive and usually easy to use again. MEGO for awhile was a pretty popular toy brand before they went into a downward spiral. Aside from Micronauts, their Pocket Super Heroes sold well.

Pocket Super Heroes was a 3 3/4 action figure line featuring Marvel and DC characters. The line was popular, but eventually sales slowed. Micronauts had also waned in popularity leading to extra resources left over. Often through their Lion Rock label, MEGO released various vehicles for use with the Pocket Super Heroes using several Micronauts molds. Ampzilla became Ampzilla for example. Pocket Super Heroes wasn't the only recipient of these molds. MEGO's Buck Rogers line featured the Star Searcher, made from the Micronauts Star Defender. Which itself was the Microman Surveyor 3 originally.

Neat, huh?

Mego Man

I was already looking forward to Toylanta as is, but earlier today they announced that Marty Abrams would be at the show this year! Though Marty won't be alone, also with him will be Joel Rosenweig and Dr. Mego! Basically Mego will be at the show and even have stuff for sale! Last year's Kenner design team panel was a big highlight for me and the cool stories bound to come from these guy's has to be great. I really want some insight on the process of bringing Microman over as Micronauts as well the Mad Monster line. This is just great news all around.

Do what with Kong?

I have never considered this as a possibility.

Yo Cyborg!

I've been wanting a Henshin Cyborg for a while. The chance to do so has come up a few times, but I never pulled the trigger. Nothing fancy, a reissue would suffice. I'd really love to get a Dokuro King as well, maybe a King Walder. I've had one in mind since last Toylanta. Wanted a Robotman/Biotron too. Saw a few actually for decent prices, but didn't pull that trigger either. Missing just enough parts to make me consider it longer than the con went on. A few parts is no big thing, but ones that ultimately affect the visual look of the toy is another. Same guy was some great Diaclone and Rock Lords stuff. Thinking right now to splurge on some of that stuff at the con. Of course like any Toylanta mental purchase list... card subject to change.

Thinking more about it, I think I need to get more of the space figures from Adventure People. The only reason I haven't before is a resounding 'I already got all those dudes back in the 80's'. Though, they're all in boxes in my Mom's garage. Getting another set as well as the ones I never got would be a lot more fruitful I imagine. I get plenty of the homages, wish I would have gotten that last Clawtron Battle Tribes did, but a OG set to maybe put on a nice shelf next to my mini consoles would be nice.

Little Rad Robot Hood

I've noted before how certain things in the Transformers family tree show up from time to time again. Sometimes it's blatant and sometimes it's pretty low key. Today I realized one such instance that happened 14 years ago and I've never noticed until now... and it's really not that low key either (maybe a happy accident though).

The picture above is of  Microman Hoodman in various colors (as Microman toys were generally available in). The figure was pretty cool, you've got a Microman with a neat 'hood' space suit that just exemplifies that classic sci fi look the line pulled off with flair (woo!). The figure was later used in Micronauts as Galactic Defender (with some different parts). One again multiple colors and man what a great toy, right?  So what am I even talking about here? Well...

This is Jolt, a Mini-Con from Transformers Cybertron/Galaxy Force. The toy mold was released in multiple colors under multiple names as well. I'd say the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree, but I don't have too. It's more like one of those moments where you say 'it's a small world' about a person or when something was in front of your face without you realizing it until later. It never would have occurred to me until today. On Instagram I saw a Hoodman and thought it was Jolt at first as it was in the background. It's probably a neat coincidence at best... Just by chance, Jolt turns into a helicopter... wait. 

Micronaught Aliens commercial

If the latest episode of Transform Squadron didn't make it clear, I just might have some affection towards things that glow in the dark. I also have an affection towards Micronauts/Microman thanks to Transformers. I also wish my brain glowed in the dark. Thinking about it... it might just at this point.

A Robot MAN

I've been finding myself wanting a Robotman/Biotron lately. Even one of the smaller ones will do. Think that's going to be something I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for at Toylanta in the spring.

Bright Light Monday

He's practically a light source.

I've been particularly busy this weekend. I don't know if any of you reading this might have noticed, as I scheduled all of the past few days posts ahead of time. It dawned on me as Monday is sort of a dead posty day around here, that I should make a semi-regular Monday post. Like a, what the crap I did this past weekend post. I mean, sometimes I post during the weekend among the scheduled posts. Sometimes I don't. I assure you this is very important to do. I think. I'm sure.

For the record, I'm sure I've said this before here, but I'll say it again for clarity and because... because. I work overnight. Generally from 6pm -7am with a few extra hours put in Saturday morning to assure I don't need to come back in to finish anything up. So, usually my weekends are spent with my wife whom I don't see a lot during the week (thus the mostly scheduled posts). Today, I actually had to come in a few hours earlier for a work related class. So my internal clock in way off.

Saturday, after getting home, instead of going to sleep for a few hours, the wife and I went out after I showered so we could hit a few stores as they first opened. Following the beginning of Halloween several stores have their official launch of seasonal products, so we wanted to get to Bath & Body Works as well as Yankee Candle to get an early start on their Halloween products for this year. Well my wife did, it's more her thing, but I felt like coming along. We also hit up Walmart and Target where I scored a Dracula Mego and POTP Novastar. I had intended to grab the Cyberverse Scout Starscream and Megatron, but the Cyberverse toys were wiped out. That's right haters, they're selling. I live in the rural outskirts of a major American city, so I don't know if that's much of an indication, but you know... perhaps. So it looks like I have to wait for a restock on the remaining Scouts but was happy that they sold well.

After waking up, I watched the new episode of Ninja Steel on my DVR. I enjoyed how it obviously segways into the 25th anniversary episode showing Tuesday night (Happy Early Power Ranger Day!) and introduced the Blaze Megazord into the show. People crap on Ninja Steel (go figure), but this was a pretty decent episode. The use of classic Power Ranger music in recent episodes is a definite plus.

Cyberverse finally showed on my DVR listing so I set my recording schedule. I'm aware that a few episodes are already available on Cartoon Network's site and app, but I plan to watch them off my DVR as they broadcast. Though, keep such things as Cartoon Network posting them on their app and site or setting a DVR in mind for when people who manage to watch shows that don't come on in their country complain about the shows time slot.  Just watch, somehow they just can't figure out how to watch it.

Speaking of Cyberverse, earlier today when I was making myself sleep all day so I could be functional off my normal schedule, I spied some stock photos of upcoming toys online. It's nothing new, toy's we've known are coming, but it did sell me on Acidstorm. Before I hadn't noticed just how freaking eye searingly bright he is. Maybe even brighter than Actionmaster Thundercracker and that's saying something! So, of course I have to have it. He's so bright, he might just make a good back up flash light.

Steel Jeeg intro

I learned of Jeeg from Baron Karza of Micronaughts. Noting that his mold came from the Jeeg Magnemo toy mold and not a Microman, I see Jeeg constantly in Microman and super robot circles. It's funny how these things work out. Red Falcon is Death Cross, Baron Karza and Force Commander were Jeeg toys with new heads. Meanwhile, a Transformers fan who's older brother had Mego toys, learns of all these other things because of the association. I must have really been born at just the right time, because that 80's Star Wars space opera influence on everything really colored the rest of my life.

Micronaughts Battle Cruiser commercial

I was just sitting here at my desk, working as usual, when I decided to take a break and look at some of my favorite groups. In Microfans somebody brought up the similarities between the Micronaughts Battle Cruiser and Cybertron Starscream in vehicle mode. Sure enough, they are pretty similar. Obviously a coincidence, but still pretty darned neat. Though the Battle Cruiser is such a cool toy, not only is it a big space craft, but it can separate into several components. That is awesome.