tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90422894560610983582024-03-05T01:18:19.605-05:00Roll OutScotty P's Ramblings of Tempered AmusementScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-54933791695405118862015-09-29T12:37:00.001-04:002015-09-29T12:37:27.273-04:00DormancyLongtime readers may have noticed that things have been awfully quiet around here. Were this happening past next Monday, it'd be a full 18 months since anything was posted on this blog. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This isn't on accident. Many of you know that I've been slowly but steadily more heavily involved in creating content for <a href="http://www.seibertron.com/">Seibertron.com</a> over the past couple years, primarily with the <a href="http://www.seibertron.com/podcast/">Twincast Podcast</a>. I've also done several editorial style news posts, and some comic reviews. These are things that previously would have been here, but now there's a method by which to share this kind of content to an astronomically wider audience, so it's been taken. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'd not expect much new content in the form of previous posts moving forward. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That said, something had to drive my coming here and writing this out today, of course. It's long been a goal of mine to provide something lasting to the Transformers community, be it entertainment, friendship, or even advice. All these are fleeting things, so some time ago I pondered how to create something more permanent (as permanent as anything on the internet is) that would be useful to Transformers fans of today and those maybe not even born yet. The amount of content created by fans about the brand is staggeringly huge, but during recent collecting pursuits, I've found there's an era seriously lacking in scope as it pertains to reference material: The Unicron Trilogy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My current intention is to provide posts detailing the history, products, and legacy of that era, which is sandwiched in a time period between those where nostalgia has yielded heavy documentation and those where the internet truly became ubiquitous for everyday news and information. The plan now is to start extremely slow and feel out if this is an endeavor I really want to invest the time into. Life gets busy, and year by year, more effort is necessary to pour energy into activity, work, what-have-you. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I may use this blog as I take some footsteps on this plan, which really only exists in my head at the moment, or I may start another. I'll see what works best. It may be another 18 months before anything happens. Either way, with some major life events out of the way, and some serious collecting milestones reached, I hope to spend some more time giving back if I can, and soon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until then, well, I heard my old parting message was played out. Now, get ready for a new battle.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-84412675184979346032014-04-05T15:01:00.000-04:002014-04-05T15:01:35.303-04:00Bigger, Powerful, and Fiery<h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bigger, Powerful, and Fiery </span></h2>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In 1990, Transformers were on the decline in America. I had no idea of this at the time - I was in Kindergarten. Regardless, Micromasters and their bases were the bee's knees at the time for a young Transformers fanatic such as myself, and these fast became my favorite subline of Transformers and would stay that way for a long while. For many years, I assumed my parents had picked me up the entirety of the Micromasters line. They got extremely close (thanks!) It was only when I realized much, much later (about 15 years later, give or take) that I did not own the Micromaster Tanker Transport set, a pretty expensive number these days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Doing research into this set, I discovered the existence of Transformers: Zone and the Return of Convoy line. Oh my. Micromaster Bases that I don't have? And they're super cool? It was something I just had to have for my collection. Unfortunately, they were all prohibitively expensive back around 2005-6 for me, that "Grandus" guy was darn over $200! Boy, did I have no idea what kind of journey it would take to acquire these things. This is a blog, so I can type words into a semi-long form story. Let's do it. </span><br />
<br />
It also happens that round about 2005, Takara decided to reissue Star Convoy. Check that one off the list, though one day I'd still love to pick up the original with the white plastic. There's one on ebay at the moment with no accessories, boo. Fast forward a bit to 2009, I'm now out of college, at Botcon 2009 in Pasadena, and Sky Garry is everywhere, and not all that expensive. Yay random warehouse find! I know a lot of you got him back around then, man what a weird time that was. <br />
<br />
Bored yet? Maybe, so I'll accelerate things some. By 2012, I had a new job, new outlook, and yet more disposable income. At Botcon 2012 I thought I had finally found a Grandus to buy, nice and complete, but with a crap condition Micromaster. It was $750 and I offered $700 since the Micromaster was essentially garbage. Guy said no. Douche. Picked up an incomplete one on ebay several months later, he's in great shape except for the missing antennae. I'll find those and the Micromaster one day. (an aside: to those saying "Hey, $750 is great!" - yes, it is now. It was going rate for a complete one in good shape two years ago, so the yellow as sin Micromaster made me make the lower offer.)<br />
<br />
Where is this story going? Well, so far all I've talked about are the 1991 Battlestars, and at the start of this I mentioned 1990, right? Right. There are yet more Micromaster bases to consider. <br />
<br />
I'll keep this tale of acquisition short. At the end of 2012 I came into some cash, not life-changing cash but some cash, so I decided to treat myself. That treat: the Powered Masters - Dai Atlas, Road Fire, and Sonic Bomber, otherwise known as Big Powered. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTe8P6CNo7iFnr8sJSkVNBLcFmrhJmLHlFDIeUrlE2K5aMyxBRDsOmge4G0YWimiRvwlYev8dUoE_MydYm7iqCBm4AJPC24vWTecw_IHZCyjNMiZEfgYQRhh9arLSMGA9iLjB5HFh1_jY/s1600/Powered+Masters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTe8P6CNo7iFnr8sJSkVNBLcFmrhJmLHlFDIeUrlE2K5aMyxBRDsOmge4G0YWimiRvwlYev8dUoE_MydYm7iqCBm4AJPC24vWTecw_IHZCyjNMiZEfgYQRhh9arLSMGA9iLjB5HFh1_jY/s1600/Powered+Masters.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Roadfire is on the left accompanied by his Micromaster Drillbuster, Dai Atlas in in the center with Micromaster Speeder, and Sonic Bomber is on the right with his creatively named Micromaster, Sonic. For now, I'll analyze them individually.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Dai Atlas</h3>
The leader of the Powered Masters is Dai Atlas. This imposing Autobot stretched the limits of my light box just on his own. Oozing early 90s Japanese Mecha, he stands out on any shelf. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH3TMwfKtxz7x0BoBK2G2MzR4OMXAJbAFFOPH1XVm1Tva1GngR4NVZEXcqX2CEjbJjJmtIAsSO5a1UokpP7iUIhQiBZ9UtSZR4miafn35amEaadMPGbwHXvdO3AVBhEVhYuVYIf46qgKF/s1600/BP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH3TMwfKtxz7x0BoBK2G2MzR4OMXAJbAFFOPH1XVm1Tva1GngR4NVZEXcqX2CEjbJjJmtIAsSO5a1UokpP7iUIhQiBZ9UtSZR4miafn35amEaadMPGbwHXvdO3AVBhEVhYuVYIf46qgKF/s1600/BP1.jpg" height="400" width="372" /></a></div>
He comes complete with a gun, a shield, and a lot of other stuff. For some reason he doesn't have that cool Z-sword looking thing, but I can forgive that. The contrasting orange and blue on top of the white and black frame give this guy a lot of punch. The stickers are an absolute necessity, he just doesn't look right without them. Mine came MISB, but I cut that seal and stickered him up. Yep, cringe away MISB collectors. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKEYoVq4S-Z43BV8mL3zr29UdCCDlTXbVyq3FRQzZSFrzz18eADRuqqm6vNlqgkImQi-VIOIq0HDjfeLt7xMgUwyVaK0Xt7rOqZu6U3f50d4biNGdEDZvedWfdqDzgowPTXiIbFiu8Qxx/s1600/Dai+Atlas+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKEYoVq4S-Z43BV8mL3zr29UdCCDlTXbVyq3FRQzZSFrzz18eADRuqqm6vNlqgkImQi-VIOIq0HDjfeLt7xMgUwyVaK0Xt7rOqZu6U3f50d4biNGdEDZvedWfdqDzgowPTXiIbFiu8Qxx/s1600/Dai+Atlas+1.jpg" height="400" width="350" /></a></div>
If you're wondering if he's a brick, well, yes, he almost completely is. You get some shoulder and elbow articulation, and that's basically all. There are hip joints but there's really no useful pose you can get in utilizing them since the legs are stuck together. Par for the course back then, so really not a sin. You can kind of move his head forward a bit, as I've done here, but you're really just rotating most of the chest assembly. <br />
<br />
All this said, he comes with a lot of parts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1hZpTBseZ9reaGix3fRce4loYuNovEhKyVBKd_5lyChni8fgKIQ07668RY8xBUOD65mJFJf1_PBSS9oLR9hPQRDxrrRM-r9JWqdV_CQOihLD60ol6d4GLva7b999LLiMYz2sSO0rZg6r/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Parts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1hZpTBseZ9reaGix3fRce4loYuNovEhKyVBKd_5lyChni8fgKIQ07668RY8xBUOD65mJFJf1_PBSS9oLR9hPQRDxrrRM-r9JWqdV_CQOihLD60ol6d4GLva7b999LLiMYz2sSO0rZg6r/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Parts.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Seriously, this is one you probably want to get complete or most of the way there. As you can probably guess based on that picture, there's quite a bit of partsforming, but not so much that you can call him a partsformer. One fun bit of partsforming involves Speeder.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAruNrw0EE-JKLA12crBMB9MyP_Qri1Llw5fcIlPwco5nW4HwYTa9JBOs5gWDzsqMsG77sVpZ2su8XfUJDn6iTNDIp7i12bNPKYyZ_mt7jPzKdGg6sJVkiwQI5RCJUsNfnccab8fQjMZsy/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Micromaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAruNrw0EE-JKLA12crBMB9MyP_Qri1Llw5fcIlPwco5nW4HwYTa9JBOs5gWDzsqMsG77sVpZ2su8XfUJDn6iTNDIp7i12bNPKYyZ_mt7jPzKdGg6sJVkiwQI5RCJUsNfnccab8fQjMZsy/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Micromaster.jpg" height="400" width="385" /></a></div>
<br />
Man, he is just totally ready to go sledding while shootin' up some bad guys. I don't know why I find this mode so awesome, I just do. I actually like Speeder quite a lot on the whole, he breaks the mold a bit from your standard car Micromaster in his transformation, so that may be why. If you have the KO of Dai Atlas, you don't get to fully experience the joy of Speeder since they completely butchered him. <br />
<br />
Dai Atlas also sports two alternate modes. First, Space Jet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJvbeViCnqwV_FyI_c9qX0H4GTaKzGpJeInPhy0TZiyFx1pmTqC1t2zlfEO1pVRya3b4iF0SoNUe03VSCZZUWH3TY7K_gxP8rg612-uWcg7fbAqAXmMLu9pxHyazbEZU-vJYWsqBUbkXI/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Alt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJvbeViCnqwV_FyI_c9qX0H4GTaKzGpJeInPhy0TZiyFx1pmTqC1t2zlfEO1pVRya3b4iF0SoNUe03VSCZZUWH3TY7K_gxP8rg612-uWcg7fbAqAXmMLu9pxHyazbEZU-vJYWsqBUbkXI/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Alt+1.jpg" height="188" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Taking pictures of big things is tough. Also, hard to do white correction when part of the bot is white, so light box corners are just gonna have to stay. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGf8PQZhJX5AYnAnazoUiA3pkQR5Rix1Fo5yTc-Cc9gjvmshieO8FRiI3ZOUt9v38M8EnufjbWlnwCdtNo4woHnbgz71bj0AhLeZgnObbADCv2dhsBxEo9hb0t_F5ghpZS1hO0ixPEgY6/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Alt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGf8PQZhJX5AYnAnazoUiA3pkQR5Rix1Fo5yTc-Cc9gjvmshieO8FRiI3ZOUt9v38M8EnufjbWlnwCdtNo4woHnbgz71bj0AhLeZgnObbADCv2dhsBxEo9hb0t_F5ghpZS1hO0ixPEgY6/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Alt+2.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
If I have one complaint about this mode, it's the way the green cockpit stickers are cut. They just don't fit right. Some are too big and others are too small. Either way, it's a decent extra mode for him. <br />
<br />
His second alternate mode is a Drill Tank.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYf_X03uvWzHDi_hC63c18FSuw7YGOnnwrPoN_FjeBGY741hWWxF5uhbTER-sMESRyd_UVH541i-dyvKg25ZBXQ2qWZd_NqNJjWJ7OAqhDUi_kguquE1RMJLeogBHZKrCkP30pQMKOOMv/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Alt+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYf_X03uvWzHDi_hC63c18FSuw7YGOnnwrPoN_FjeBGY741hWWxF5uhbTER-sMESRyd_UVH541i-dyvKg25ZBXQ2qWZd_NqNJjWJ7OAqhDUi_kguquE1RMJLeogBHZKrCkP30pQMKOOMv/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Alt+3.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I feel like this is the better of the two modes, and probably what he was meant to do. The drill on the top spins too. You might also notice that Speeder can actually pilot the alternate modes. Doesn't sit well in there, but it's a fun thing to do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkc3iLB64mUIrnajXuXNq1qDormNnqlvpjY342_5Ra7FSvkNsaOjSYSezAKHd0QzOLq8ryljVIhMohhQBB7EpWabespAn32juPidpqKnOdXZWWfrNbRBk6fN-Cutrh9hyphenhyphenLe2wKzNlbLh3R/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Micromaster+Piloting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkc3iLB64mUIrnajXuXNq1qDormNnqlvpjY342_5Ra7FSvkNsaOjSYSezAKHd0QzOLq8ryljVIhMohhQBB7EpWabespAn32juPidpqKnOdXZWWfrNbRBk6fN-Cutrh9hyphenhyphenLe2wKzNlbLh3R/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Micromaster+Piloting.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Dai Atlas is actually a quad-changer: he's got a base mode as well, as most things related to Micromasters do. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5aG_ndmkBZIEfoXXFKVmBYFkTu6L4bz5yGg3LSgT4fsDUcPDyp_ocvA9mAYrgOtyLH49uJV9vq15CRr_JHcIoTEtiWqm-3SZIH6ZKLKtpSmV6gXyIzdSbzWEGUr6-XfHIvHlMB2VeEQ0/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Base.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5aG_ndmkBZIEfoXXFKVmBYFkTu6L4bz5yGg3LSgT4fsDUcPDyp_ocvA9mAYrgOtyLH49uJV9vq15CRr_JHcIoTEtiWqm-3SZIH6ZKLKtpSmV6gXyIzdSbzWEGUr6-XfHIvHlMB2VeEQ0/s1600/Dai+Atlas+Base.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I just adore this base mode. ramps everywhere, a fun gimmick near the top to launch cars, a gunner station, a big tower with radar things - it's really everything you could want in a Micromaster base, even sporting some extra space just for guys to do Micromaster things. <br />
<br />
There's a ton of playability in just Dai Atlas himself. I've gotta say, if you can only pick up one of the Powered Masters, this should be it. Not to mention, he's the Autobot leader for that year, and those are always nice points in a collection. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Roadfire</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM0OPqZeFZWWew9etW5BHWHep3V3lZqfAoAC67im0OEtnEFtUIIrxQR6xfmZ8Pd3A8FnZe2KdSphAuc65w5XcBgzide9NIUj5hAcrpOo_6EY0vWbhAZBtf8UMvrsO4_7kQ822HkyP3a0L/s1600/Road+Fire+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM0OPqZeFZWWew9etW5BHWHep3V3lZqfAoAC67im0OEtnEFtUIIrxQR6xfmZ8Pd3A8FnZe2KdSphAuc65w5XcBgzide9NIUj5hAcrpOo_6EY0vWbhAZBtf8UMvrsO4_7kQ822HkyP3a0L/s1600/Road+Fire+1.jpg" height="400" width="235" /></a></div>
The second individual Powered Master is Roadfire. Also a bit brick like, but still pretty fun. He comes with a big gun and a big backpack, and of course his previously picture Micromaster who is just a tiny drill tank. It's odd, I feel like his Micromaster partners better with Dai Atlas than Speeder, and Sonic probably goes better with Roadfire, maybe they mixed up the molds or something? Anyhow, Roadfire is still pretty big, about the size of Doubledealer. <br />
<br />
I also got this one MIB and applied the stickers. His chest has some minor yellowing, and this toy is prone to that in that area even when sealed because the box window is there. His stickers were horrible to put on, and what you see is a product of patience, frustration, a bit of glue and even a couple reprolabels. Nearly 25 year old stickers are a gamble, and his were basically paper. They're very necessary I think, especially on his chest which is pretty detail-less without them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYGMNXxU1fjlVRNizk3MLbB_Zf3GCJA7FatkNtvI6fNJAoPMEi0NLzKJWU4CDB8twvja1r6S9YnyL_p1KQOSGl4YjxgdF1C9ydigK2pVXFIKeasEkInweXllTjUhACvrOebQcigH2Gcta/s1600/Road+Fire+Alt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYGMNXxU1fjlVRNizk3MLbB_Zf3GCJA7FatkNtvI6fNJAoPMEi0NLzKJWU4CDB8twvja1r6S9YnyL_p1KQOSGl4YjxgdF1C9ydigK2pVXFIKeasEkInweXllTjUhACvrOebQcigH2Gcta/s1600/Road+Fire+Alt+1.jpg" height="215" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Roadfire's alt mode is this future car tank transport thing. Look, it's really just a random future vehicle, and that's fine. The bot's backpack turns into the front and it really makes a striking package overall. The vehicle has some real presence, and the blue cockpit and consistently running red stripes all over the front and sides really make it neat, plus there's those cool little green headlights. <br />
<br />
Like the other Powered Masters, he also has a base mode.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVzras9lz2UhQPhBPaFIo8rkBaXmSk6iG_iWsuhF86oWI5jfPaYRo8TAKb0rBIs9IxLF8It38uMSdYB2zXtMT2WJy2eP5gBKpjdJMVZAK4KfC6-0nhop7feE8KZP8-NKGvIe8o49TiYV5/s1600/Road+Fire+Base.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVzras9lz2UhQPhBPaFIo8rkBaXmSk6iG_iWsuhF86oWI5jfPaYRo8TAKb0rBIs9IxLF8It38uMSdYB2zXtMT2WJy2eP5gBKpjdJMVZAK4KfC6-0nhop7feE8KZP8-NKGvIe8o49TiYV5/s1600/Road+Fire+Base.jpg" height="317" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
S'ok, it's not really anything to write home about. It doesn't even have ramps! What is fun here is the way you get it to base mode. Check out the video (!) I made below.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-IuI1vrmBZs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
They're called "Powered" Masters for a reason, although Dai Atlas' treads do require batteries. As you can see, it takes a bit of extra convincing to get the Drillbuster launch trigger to work, but it's not too bad. <br />
<br />
Roadfire is also super fun, and here's a fun fact - this mold was never remolded or repainted for the Brave series, a rare thing for late run Takara TF molds. He's also the hardest to find of the three by far, and commands a hefty price tag. I can't recommend the Reprolabels - they're the wrong texture and the front-of-the-alt-mode red/white stripes are just made plain wrong, so get out some glue and a brush if yours is stickers-unapplied and be ready to be patient. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Sonic Bomber</h3>
Rounding out the group is Sonic Bomber, the smallest and simplest of the three. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHjU4J-X1oE-isWmLyy6z8rQ-NvRRvGB4JdDPhotTLZYQ98I09pz5ToX5-DiwnNSYYdTtjKbHHdv017sXOOzwPQHYcJKksvAU5qA9Jd5MsUZuq3yrIhJB6leWUZ12yFZSppMVd8ezVJ-g/s1600/Sonic+Bomber+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHjU4J-X1oE-isWmLyy6z8rQ-NvRRvGB4JdDPhotTLZYQ98I09pz5ToX5-DiwnNSYYdTtjKbHHdv017sXOOzwPQHYcJKksvAU5qA9Jd5MsUZuq3yrIhJB6leWUZ12yFZSppMVd8ezVJ-g/s1600/Sonic+Bomber+1.jpg" height="400" width="325" /></a></div>
<br />
His stickers were applied when I got him, so they aren't as in good of shape as those on the other two. That's ok, because he still looks great. Despite what you may think from the picture above, Sonic Bomber actually has the best articulation of the group.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMDKj_2gi7mFc8s2_bquscDht9kaM4WuPb67Q5WQocilga5ERs5QmNtMczXa6fbTYHNsV1oIZgVw1LtgEoeN8T_-TJyNG_Nq4w9SL1xmEhfevDV5-9Wi384eLfiTGbfEDtu2Z77SvnYRi/s1600/sb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMDKj_2gi7mFc8s2_bquscDht9kaM4WuPb67Q5WQocilga5ERs5QmNtMczXa6fbTYHNsV1oIZgVw1LtgEoeN8T_-TJyNG_Nq4w9SL1xmEhfevDV5-9Wi384eLfiTGbfEDtu2Z77SvnYRi/s1600/sb2.jpg" height="400" width="271" /></a></div>
<br />
Sure, still not great by modern standards, but he really rocks it out for a 1990 design. Sonic Bomber is primarily black but also has some white, orange, and red to help tie him in with the aesthetic of the rest of the group. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlPiuROCSNZksJqjU7KZvn8JGRlc-NndhIVUXQ0-64qnZDSrxKZgHSYWVV8ztUjWBGq0OGtmzJGVD4eYE7VojmZFjEdn17qS30QoY1I23_LReRkcpvLxtDeiLfy_KtwCjTvizn-vsRRtk/s1600/Sonic+Bomber+Alt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlPiuROCSNZksJqjU7KZvn8JGRlc-NndhIVUXQ0-64qnZDSrxKZgHSYWVV8ztUjWBGq0OGtmzJGVD4eYE7VojmZFjEdn17qS30QoY1I23_LReRkcpvLxtDeiLfy_KtwCjTvizn-vsRRtk/s1600/Sonic+Bomber+Alt+1.jpg" height="167" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The alt mode is quite cool, it's a very slick, sleek, black space jet. There's not much else to say about it, it's pretty "What you see is what you get", but having a proper flying mode out of one of the three is nice to have. <br />
<br />
You probably could have guessed that Sonic Bomber also has a base mode.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3EtB2H77PuKCY5qNuqjqYMmn05lhbVW5OdBbW9mKLS6Lskn22mHeeoFr0qUZElfjxv5LY3hOZczTXlAnsD3sA7KoL-yzBsKJTJ_3jeUjjeB8WKWyX80NscqqqFScyOoy29yx8y2b0yik/s1600/Sonic+Bomber+Base.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3EtB2H77PuKCY5qNuqjqYMmn05lhbVW5OdBbW9mKLS6Lskn22mHeeoFr0qUZElfjxv5LY3hOZczTXlAnsD3sA7KoL-yzBsKJTJ_3jeUjjeB8WKWyX80NscqqqFScyOoy29yx8y2b0yik/s1600/Sonic+Bomber+Base.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He takes Micromaster ramps to a whole new level, since he basically turns <i>into</i> a ramp. The transformation here is pretty clever, and being able to mount the gun on the knee joints is a nice touch. The forearms also look like little radar or missile things, which is quite fun. The back, orange part of the ramp can also be used to launch Micromasters. <br />
<br />
If you're not familiar with these three, well, prepare for an unexpected money shot to the eye. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Big Powered</h3>
You can combine the alternate modes. YOU CAN COMBINE THE ALTERNATE MODES. YOU GUYS.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Uz_IIBylVJFOPRAYUa5zypXAQlsNd_RKfxYkyR5c8hhwexS0kDM2N4aWEXBaH607HCJOOhD5n1iMpSvRXjFxpHbhF-8UE523clYsr2lWPNRq7HWGDEzpEpHhhg7jcTqAxrjJHlLl7bgu/s1600/Big+Powered+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Uz_IIBylVJFOPRAYUa5zypXAQlsNd_RKfxYkyR5c8hhwexS0kDM2N4aWEXBaH607HCJOOhD5n1iMpSvRXjFxpHbhF-8UE523clYsr2lWPNRq7HWGDEzpEpHhhg7jcTqAxrjJHlLl7bgu/s1600/Big+Powered+1.jpg" height="196" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Calling this "Big" Powered is accurate. This thing is huge. "Autobot Star Destroyer" is also a fair assessment. It just straight up did not fit in the light tent. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrerlDKq6kqsfbG3UPFOdrXF4uxPOgfL-GBe2XkL3icQUgeOlYMMADFAxYt-10NL8_RZN0Hf62SvQiBeKAfewZrfj9uOD6-DE-Bb8WySS2qmSabkKUmZAU6-aART86c8SJdtdTZHv8Akx/s1600/bp+preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrerlDKq6kqsfbG3UPFOdrXF4uxPOgfL-GBe2XkL3icQUgeOlYMMADFAxYt-10NL8_RZN0Hf62SvQiBeKAfewZrfj9uOD6-DE-Bb8WySS2qmSabkKUmZAU6-aART86c8SJdtdTZHv8Akx/s1600/bp+preview.jpg" height="400" width="310" /></a></div>
<br />
It's really an imposing design and if I were a Decepticon, I would not want any of this. <br />
<br />
While it mostly just stays in one piece, Roadfire is a bit precarious in bridge mode in the back, and caution should be used when you fly this around the living room making "zoom" and "Swoosh" noises. And if you don't do that with it, then you are in the wrong hobby. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYBX5ExAjVB-Niet8ghF4gxQJkpcvb1k2DiNBRtQE9KhTB6Ulf4MK1MjxcvQIQY70feAgx9f7D5Gjvcd9gjG1S6W_LsOXzQdyhqvyf-yWoz1roskEf3KkKwgDhsTj4EsgAwMze2ocj5OT/s1600/Big+Powered+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYBX5ExAjVB-Niet8ghF4gxQJkpcvb1k2DiNBRtQE9KhTB6Ulf4MK1MjxcvQIQY70feAgx9f7D5Gjvcd9gjG1S6W_LsOXzQdyhqvyf-yWoz1roskEf3KkKwgDhsTj4EsgAwMze2ocj5OT/s1600/Big+Powered+2.jpg" height="400" width="398" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The guns can be moved around a bit, so there is some customization to how you want it to look. Also, some of Dai Atlas' ramp pieces can be placed to flesh it out even more. This is possibly, in my opinion, the most imposing alternate mode of any Transformer, or group of them, that's out there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We're not done yet!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Zone Base</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The base modes combine too into the very big Zone Base. The awesome is almost exhausting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomD28WEYzTee6Js-xIr92Zg_WNVSE-uDTuZneGTE49GH6GH0gOwsFeDjY3O-i8ooz4ODxrVuHu2CSNGWhR9Yd4mTzJsM-tSS1XM0mQnRawH27JhwGwMlms7oM3Rw-U0hDQGphjoNU45GT/s1600/Zone+Base+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomD28WEYzTee6Js-xIr92Zg_WNVSE-uDTuZneGTE49GH6GH0gOwsFeDjY3O-i8ooz4ODxrVuHu2CSNGWhR9Yd4mTzJsM-tSS1XM0mQnRawH27JhwGwMlms7oM3Rw-U0hDQGphjoNU45GT/s1600/Zone+Base+1.jpg" height="182" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
I've thrown the Super Car Patrol Team from Zone in there for good measure. Still need that Battle Patrol group or whatever they're called. And Skyhyper. Sigh. <br />
<br />
Anyway, enough about things I don't have. The bases all combine, though Roadfire just kind of sticks there with a weak friction joint to a ramp. Still cool. This thing is playable as it gets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lhSJ7tDYDqYPCmH2x7wfoI3liU9B5Ew_FRgrbgXsU_4gk_tA9XooANye6nR075eSyvd1alAqeSNts8E9nY6Y9VN4LuIv5saL-nYiPau_vXzSJkyerZ2FUMpu0clQC4_pSREzwsfysuuY/s1600/Zone+Base+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lhSJ7tDYDqYPCmH2x7wfoI3liU9B5Ew_FRgrbgXsU_4gk_tA9XooANye6nR075eSyvd1alAqeSNts8E9nY6Y9VN4LuIv5saL-nYiPau_vXzSJkyerZ2FUMpu0clQC4_pSREzwsfysuuY/s1600/Zone+Base+2.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Zone Base makes a great centerpiece of a Micromaster uber-base, and it really feels like a futuristic outpost for your Transformers to stage explorations of new worlds. No really, something about this set really evokes the imagination, and that's always been the fun part of Micromasters and small Transformers with bases for me. They're a much more cerebral experience because they're not just on a shelf, they're in a place, with things to do and villains to conquer. Gotta love it.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Afterword</h3>
The toys from Transformers: Zone are really cool, these being the pinnacle of that. I've gotten one additional piece from Zone since taking the pictures for this entry, that being the extremely elusive Rabbicrater. I don't need to make a blog post for him, Flywheels has already <a href="http://randomtoyreviews.blogspot.com/2013/12/transformers-g1-zone-rabbicrater-c-350.html">made that post</a>, because I bought his. My acquisition story of it is boring - he listed it for sale, and I bought it. Thanks again!<br />
<br />
I hope you've enjoyed this little journey into the fun and colorful land of Big Powered, and hopefully you can start your own Micromaster journey into the imagination if you haven't already. <br />
<br />
'til next time,<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZSd6xcE9a6Gbv6l-vnqfZJNh_mTIgHYPHBgZlD84p0XODVvIf-DOF4b-iVE9Gg-BV5gdFnmNLBdpDlSIev8dsLFuIx4TRa88vK0Jk6priA6Ny8pe4t2S-LDHY_B_FfBVVwR8Wbe_yB5I/s1600/Zone+Base+Goofy+Colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZSd6xcE9a6Gbv6l-vnqfZJNh_mTIgHYPHBgZlD84p0XODVvIf-DOF4b-iVE9Gg-BV5gdFnmNLBdpDlSIev8dsLFuIx4TRa88vK0Jk6priA6Ny8pe4t2S-LDHY_B_FfBVVwR8Wbe_yB5I/s1600/Zone+Base+Goofy+Colors.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'til all are one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-87878333228686252832013-11-10T11:30:00.003-05:002013-11-10T11:30:58.990-05:00Coming Soon. Sometime. Big Powered.<h2>
Coming Sometime:</h2>
<h3>
A blog post so big, it didn't fit in my light tent.</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzM7R-NCN7ugVAFNWExre5IlUkZn6HDld7mplzTchKTYdR5gWzKXLkEIFX28NbKTIGr2ouipqKsJYiBA4TIx8cVvBpkMmIjYNcy4MnDxqZIx0iSvgsKIrjSxy3cg0vgRxSvnrsRct6PmT/s1600/bp+preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzM7R-NCN7ugVAFNWExre5IlUkZn6HDld7mplzTchKTYdR5gWzKXLkEIFX28NbKTIGr2ouipqKsJYiBA4TIx8cVvBpkMmIjYNcy4MnDxqZIx0iSvgsKIrjSxy3cg0vgRxSvnrsRct6PmT/s640/bp+preview.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
I've had pictures done for almost a month, just haven't had time to edit and upload them. Just wanted to let ya'll know I'm not dead, just busy, but this thing is coming back with a pretty big ass post about this big ass Transformer - I'm just not sure when yet.<br />
<h3>
<br /></h3>
ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-19726755055205405782013-04-16T09:46:00.002-04:002013-04-16T09:46:53.678-04:00Wasting TimeWoops, it's been awhile. My bad. No excuses. <br />
<br />
Just stopping in with a time waster today, no real blog. <br />
<br />
I noticed on Seibertron someone linked to a hilarious Conan sketch, which can be viewed here and has a cameo by the Dinobots: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6jfaoDtXLY&feature=share&list=LL0IYrMUrVf6VUx7gnQNBJfA">Link goes to Youtube of clip</a><br />
<br />
Inspired by that, I threw together a lazy gif. Hope you enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghISV5PZ5HM4pvJZD4O1bRi0LxN8MB_2irLqIu7caYd_rTePP05RAApjLgki66Vdy_Kcc40ZZeU2i7OYEtTHt_o63SvK0EN7Ivb-3jTQmyw2xquT-JgoWl3RXrKIaCA6v7t7HJ0m7KMDgO/s1600/Dinogif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghISV5PZ5HM4pvJZD4O1bRi0LxN8MB_2irLqIu7caYd_rTePP05RAApjLgki66Vdy_Kcc40ZZeU2i7OYEtTHt_o63SvK0EN7Ivb-3jTQmyw2xquT-JgoWl3RXrKIaCA6v7t7HJ0m7KMDgO/s320/Dinogif.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-53033594057224991632012-12-18T21:54:00.000-05:002012-12-18T21:55:20.190-05:00Arms Micron Madness<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Arms Micron Madness!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(or: Snap Into a Slim Jim.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I don't write this blog for recognition. Or money (click the ads, lol). Or fame. I do it, clearly, for the women.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is a rare post though. This is, as far as I'm aware, the first In-Hand Review of some Transformers releases. This is a review of Takara's AMW 13 and 14 Arms Micron Weapon sets. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
First, a disclaimer. I have no idea if these are a weird semi-exclusive-pre-release or just a leak. They were packaged like this:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrJexQrnEedgd4l3gp0FXZB8BdC191jxaZnmxn8nHTzRcmYuuthCH0F_vjqphLIooxpBW7pz12OoOVQ1qsXn3Ue8ob8ZHT13qzrTBUxlDDgrY1UpPb3-IVx-TBLn9CKgm2kzzK5z6mZC-/s1600/a007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrJexQrnEedgd4l3gp0FXZB8BdC191jxaZnmxn8nHTzRcmYuuthCH0F_vjqphLIooxpBW7pz12OoOVQ1qsXn3Ue8ob8ZHT13qzrTBUxlDDgrY1UpPb3-IVx-TBLn9CKgm2kzzK5z6mZC-/s320/a007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's many colors in the Micron Rainbow. Don't be afraid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I bought these off a random eBay auction that swore that these were exclusive, clear, metallic, and red/black all at the same time. Look, I don't know. I bought them despite the confusion. I'm pretty sure the actual mass release of AMW 13 and 14 will require assembly. Whether or not they'll be these exact decos, I'm not sure. Anyways, here are some Autobots!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzaNzUXcALyDU8qFYAiCieGelxPdpZg5mPLdjF37CmfcICX3tLvmfOk1Q_Wktuu2ZndKMVNUuEU3LE5cJxFjhCdsUMFL-pzRksU2WE-z6HdQHf96HM85ST9ebS4QOSCuGAa8YMXQjVSyO/s1600/a011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzaNzUXcALyDU8qFYAiCieGelxPdpZg5mPLdjF37CmfcICX3tLvmfOk1Q_Wktuu2ZndKMVNUuEU3LE5cJxFjhCdsUMFL-pzRksU2WE-z6HdQHf96HM85ST9ebS4QOSCuGAa8YMXQjVSyO/s320/a011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh good, another R.A. recolor. No, that's awesome. Really.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAHTKVlbhQ0t_4UrAGtUuGpkcJzfNSWdSL0cirwCyhBDPx8Hb-XaiIS72tsWOyvyme36ez_wgMnUbqRaLg7V5zeB9szNim9LojW-6YayIbdoCmZQpVvfG-6Fpw9Yo70YFMRUGYX3doN4L/s1600/a014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="91" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAHTKVlbhQ0t_4UrAGtUuGpkcJzfNSWdSL0cirwCyhBDPx8Hb-XaiIS72tsWOyvyme36ez_wgMnUbqRaLg7V5zeB9szNim9LojW-6YayIbdoCmZQpVvfG-6Fpw9Yo70YFMRUGYX3doN4L/s320/a014.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear, Metallic, Red/Black, and Exclusive. Suuuuure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This set consists of OP, uh, B2, I.Ro, and RA. "uh" is not an actual Micron name. I just have no idea what Wheeljack's Micron's name is. Probably WJ, if I were to guess. Because they've been so creative naming these things. Yeeeah...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anyhow, as your eyes can see, these are all redecos of previous releases. I don't think any Arms Micron has been released in the same deco more than once outside of Shining OP. They've made it as hard as possible to even sort of Catch 'em All. I.Ro and Wheeljack's dude have clear plastic. I.ro is the same red as the Hell Flame Microns, and Wheeljack's guy is the same clear yellow as the Shining B2 from the Tokyo Toy Show. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They all combine into the "Advanced Star Saber":</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_zGVTUEeNWEyz8czvC36kAJWmoaYw1n5pXzFdEoBlsH0w2ui71OeVw019vyTDWWHR6Upp9nGceQY3TaniOpYIMOpZESiZ2RPOnZfJMPBZ04jFJbKXUNjyu1muFp_QZ48kg1zMYiqe_Kv/s1600/a016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_zGVTUEeNWEyz8czvC36kAJWmoaYw1n5pXzFdEoBlsH0w2ui71OeVw019vyTDWWHR6Upp9nGceQY3TaniOpYIMOpZESiZ2RPOnZfJMPBZ04jFJbKXUNjyu1muFp_QZ48kg1zMYiqe_Kv/s320/a016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UT Era Starscream and Hot Shot molds can still hold it <3 td="td"><!--3--></3></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The combined mold is pretty cool. Not the best combined Micron assembly I've seen, but hey, they come in one set, so you don't have to buy 5 Takara redecos of inferior molds that you don't want a second time to put it all together. I put this practice down as if I haven't done it. It's a dirty lie. I've bought a lot of AM toys for just the microns.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Since we're on the topic of lies, here's some damn lies. Or, Decepticons, if you will:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitczmUU6_JOJ56jYCprOtd5HCOPdTkmhcXhFUKkc84SYeeOtWmWIyHoFfCAtZ2s1Tzof6XYmunX1Kv9It_HSdTNvx8V9CU1rP-tPLLCN_9SZeQks7Z7NUZe_NVx-mb9TOC6Q6BCoevi9nJ/s1600/micron+blog+extra+003a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitczmUU6_JOJ56jYCprOtd5HCOPdTkmhcXhFUKkc84SYeeOtWmWIyHoFfCAtZ2s1Tzof6XYmunX1Kv9It_HSdTNvx8V9CU1rP-tPLLCN_9SZeQks7Z7NUZe_NVx-mb9TOC6Q6BCoevi9nJ/s320/micron+blog+extra+003a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear, Not Clear, Metallic, Not Either, and Not Either. Still Not Convinced.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5VdFTeQ8uI7FuPCaogmoePC892y5kg9Rb5N6kB6GKPTw6vsdn7-6WkaWDJXXJtLrgWuh8bkg5T0hGWbFyIgJkwLk82mI1suR9EuwhOM0nqGvS3qjKN-g7OxbsRHlDHDYBrVJsoI57qYE/s1600/micron+blog+extra+002a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5VdFTeQ8uI7FuPCaogmoePC892y5kg9Rb5N6kB6GKPTw6vsdn7-6WkaWDJXXJtLrgWuh8bkg5T0hGWbFyIgJkwLk82mI1suR9EuwhOM0nqGvS3qjKN-g7OxbsRHlDHDYBrVJsoI57qYE/s320/micron+blog+extra+002a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gora shows a missed opportunity from UT: Megatron's <br />
arm cannon should've been a micron a long time ago.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This set consists of Gora, Gul, Nozi, Ida, and Zori. At least the Decepticon ones have something close to a name instead of just being acronyms. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They also combine into this uber weapon, in this case the "Gravity Planet Bow Gun Weapon". Somehow, that doesn't roll off the tongue.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_-1tQodguiFAUTizAc4CLLkpNr-w1QXzhkWkWfQXoekuW190oIPYiXEJahx32PnVzd3GH09t32VAZQd3y8NP3WTDIE1K-DxyErwZqGc_5U1OGJzKEoKTKHfE3M5wjpR2V1Kp0lpAYE3t/s1600/a001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_-1tQodguiFAUTizAc4CLLkpNr-w1QXzhkWkWfQXoekuW190oIPYiXEJahx32PnVzd3GH09t32VAZQd3y8NP3WTDIE1K-DxyErwZqGc_5U1OGJzKEoKTKHfE3M5wjpR2V1Kp0lpAYE3t/s320/a001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks... unwieldy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Arms Microns have really injected some life into a line that is otherwise feeling a bit uninspired. These sets continue that trend and give you an awesome opportunity to have a bunch of molds and a bunch of fun all at once with very little frustration. If you haven't yet dabbled in the realm of these, out of either apathy or fear of plamo, these sets would give you a good chance to see how you really feel about things. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Looking forward to also getting the main release and seeing if what's in this blog is actually special, or if I'm just some dude buying things early 'just because'. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
'Til next time, 'Til all are one...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(James Roberts has really ruined my sign off line forever)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-53836876148766600412012-10-31T17:28:00.003-04:002012-10-31T17:28:46.132-04:00A new era?There may be a new era coming to this blog.<br />
<br />
Today, I bought a light tent. No more bush-league pictures? We'll see (in 5-8 business days).ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-30433433389989253662012-10-19T14:52:00.004-04:002012-10-20T16:24:31.377-04:00All Your Base<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">All Your Base</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(or: Are You a Bad Enough Dude to Rescue the President?)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We all have grails in Transformers collecting. Some of these are easily attainable. Some of these are expensive. Most grails are both of these things - wanting things you can't have is the foundation of most of our desires, goals, and failed hook-ups with that one chick back in college that lived too far away and was probably too young anyway. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sometimes though, you get lucky. One of the walls breaks down, or perhaps the standards one sets themselves to lower a bit, and the grail is attained. Maybe it isn't always perfect, or what you had always imagined, but sometimes just getting something out of the way is exactly what you need to do. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And I'm not talking about disappointing boobs. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm talking about Japanese Transformers. C'mon, what kind of blog do you think this is? A blog?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwNwTJHA5OZ6nx4jE6rLf9ZtMpeyczsn-ClGZt4iWW5QlVBjBLQxrwb-Kiuv3BfVPnM17xz-CpNTqB6_1HtUR-Xjbq3eUkXJvTE9ziBuhuHexfRUyM675NumXKe1Nl2C6OqRmjxr80WuG/s1600/micromaster+base+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwNwTJHA5OZ6nx4jE6rLf9ZtMpeyczsn-ClGZt4iWW5QlVBjBLQxrwb-Kiuv3BfVPnM17xz-CpNTqB6_1HtUR-Xjbq3eUkXJvTE9ziBuhuHexfRUyM675NumXKe1Nl2C6OqRmjxr80WuG/s320/micromaster+base+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun fact: there are more Micromaster helipads in the line then there are Micromaster Helicopters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That, my friends, is my grail. C-371 Grandus. You'll notice there are no radars - these are the standards that I lowered because The Price Was Right, Drew. There's always the Brave Series one and paint. Yes, this is the current plan. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBV9KQpcNkhoh5tyEaNFynulc0N6P2nAl8ErA_r6hzW4b2ja-fm1_fwlnMN1MTPfptcT6RHILNkOILYfmYANVwxbax0u2BkDkpnrAKQ_Wlz-Vfto2sFZ32Dnrk2ZIgw5psBE11snKIeXx/s1600/micromaster+base+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBV9KQpcNkhoh5tyEaNFynulc0N6P2nAl8ErA_r6hzW4b2ja-fm1_fwlnMN1MTPfptcT6RHILNkOILYfmYANVwxbax0u2BkDkpnrAKQ_Wlz-Vfto2sFZ32Dnrk2ZIgw5psBE11snKIeXx/s320/micromaster+base+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I knew a guy named Garry once. Spelled his name like that and everything. I called him Sky Garry once and he was monumentally confused. I don't blame him. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Grandus is 1/3 of the Battlestars, the other two being Sky Garry and Star Convoy. They connect to form a sort of base like thing, but really, this is Micromaster stuff and you just kind of have to go with it and base it up as you see fit. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9Y3p16A0wj-IW8jRUotS6JVthBK3ltp2bs4rRAhZIEtSjvIL01yyJaoY9t1EtbZ2o7eyROluNhjcbV27rgV3eHUSE2Fuz6EsjfYz41s-_9MgwZLOl4JKtUGSgzvGdFkt5gm9fi7RHrNt/s1600/micromaster+base+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9Y3p16A0wj-IW8jRUotS6JVthBK3ltp2bs4rRAhZIEtSjvIL01yyJaoY9t1EtbZ2o7eyROluNhjcbV27rgV3eHUSE2Fuz6EsjfYz41s-_9MgwZLOl4JKtUGSgzvGdFkt5gm9fi7RHrNt/s320/micromaster+base+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crow's nest view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_aD-4Cnt0hSHpHA0LwKH0rYTNTn8imlKw7CkpKfBhu4ozYStn53Kw13_hTODrXaKWgTGHhScrC1WvEuP9T9z9Heg28foY-uj1GC4wTrWYj090MrGGKhnKVwEzJG08_EEFnoPBOjskLUj/s1600/micromaster+base+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_aD-4Cnt0hSHpHA0LwKH0rYTNTn8imlKw7CkpKfBhu4ozYStn53Kw13_hTODrXaKWgTGHhScrC1WvEuP9T9z9Heg28foY-uj1GC4wTrWYj090MrGGKhnKVwEzJG08_EEFnoPBOjskLUj/s320/micromaster+base+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwtdAai_7UeobQgFcxqp8VmG5rFz9RdBeMj7RbhEvXokwx6ujey3RIjI-sFBruiD9RKnXST8fFs37DTzAk2bteFZm3f5X5KU307fSjoRCAIXy8v1oaD_dSTMcCURSGtRcgslqlno2COCh/s1600/micromaster+base+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwtdAai_7UeobQgFcxqp8VmG5rFz9RdBeMj7RbhEvXokwx6ujey3RIjI-sFBruiD9RKnXST8fFs37DTzAk2bteFZm3f5X5KU307fSjoRCAIXy8v1oaD_dSTMcCURSGtRcgslqlno2COCh/s320/micromaster+base+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Like that.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the quick look at Grandus. When I have some radars, there may be a proper review of the Battlestars team. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
'Til next time, 'Til all are one!</div>
ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-90296482387800001902012-10-19T14:36:00.002-04:002012-10-19T14:36:46.639-04:00A Quick WordA quick word before starting on my next actual post -<br />
<br />
In the event you were wondering, Minicon Month got scrapped for a variety of reasons. Mostly, crazy work schedule, but also... damn it was unpopular. Not one of those posts has even a double digit view count. So, combine reader apathy and a busy schedule and... just couldn't keep it up. <br />
<br />
Anyways, off to type up something else now :DScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-66655359597221236062012-10-17T21:26:00.002-04:002012-10-17T21:26:22.786-04:00Unite!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Unite!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(or: Seeing Green)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is a strange post. You're also reading, roughly, the <strike>third</strike> <strike>fourth</strike> fifth version of it. Writer's block? Lack of inspiration? Boring Content? I don't feel like any of those things apply. I just realized at some point that I didn't have much to say. Then, I realized I did, just not in a lot of words.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The show must go on. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to a comparison post. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRSTi_cZS3lhJAWTUolsrNtDLBsaVSSeAhqVxrXBXsp-8lNZ1_8nJw6HL6ucTsrzYAlc_YhedGBm2Ga1KbWzAIyA1ilXaZDu0ktZvnsJNHbh-qZf71dIhIV3d8ys4ECsjWxdK8s4Qhl-3/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRSTi_cZS3lhJAWTUolsrNtDLBsaVSSeAhqVxrXBXsp-8lNZ1_8nJw6HL6ucTsrzYAlc_YhedGBm2Ga1KbWzAIyA1ilXaZDu0ktZvnsJNHbh-qZf71dIhIV3d8ys4ECsjWxdK8s4Qhl-3/s320/Herc+and+Giant+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double Vision</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the past 14 months or so, Third Party Transformers have been seeing green - in more ways then one when one considers how much 3rd party stuff costs. Two separate renditions of the Constructicons have been unleashed upon fans and their wallets - Maketoy's "Giant" and TFC Toy's "Hercules". The question that has come up time after time, and been answered time after time as well, is which one is the one that I should buy? (Spoiler alert: buy the one you like best!) Here is this blogger's attempt at answering that question for you. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thanks to Tabtiurf for bringing over Giant and paling around for an afternoon so I could take these pictures. You'll be able to soon see his thoughts on video at his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/badlamprey">Youtube channel</a>, which I highly recommend checking out if you never have (hint: his thoughts are more concise and sharp than mine typically are!)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There are a few ways to compare the two, and several considerations when deciding "which is better!?" Please note, the Hercules team members are decked out in the fantastic custom sticker sets available at <a href="http://www.reprolabels.com/">www.reprolabels.com</a> - if you have Herc and don't have these labels, you'll notice mine look a bit different/better. Let the subjectivity begin!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Scavengers</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPecBCxcMLaG2l4jpPPYEmUwh4RNmCy3avd8IR802htYvfG5_5hrI5UYt7GUf_6u2yMYsFlx_iImzw1Ru00vKeCbGsxf7y-DUjl_mDVRlGCfZgkxG2M2eIM0aN9abaPkq74g6oBXVrI06x/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPecBCxcMLaG2l4jpPPYEmUwh4RNmCy3avd8IR802htYvfG5_5hrI5UYt7GUf_6u2yMYsFlx_iImzw1Ru00vKeCbGsxf7y-DUjl_mDVRlGCfZgkxG2M2eIM0aN9abaPkq74g6oBXVrI06x/s320/Herc+and+Giant+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your legs are treads? Mine too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Since Exgraver was the first bot in the Hercules set released, we'll start by comparing the Scavenger of each team. This is the easiest comparison for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12ptLljXlGVsPoBzdkqJ_xTKdPN2fbbYuYRJco8XRuwirtg0lcVDvJuWXd33F6SozeoQwvL5xu5QgaPwInK4s5tZSntMrwY890jb9cmoOsBWJuDRMsExj0FfucT1BzcZNY5MbbBbGjnOv/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12ptLljXlGVsPoBzdkqJ_xTKdPN2fbbYuYRJco8XRuwirtg0lcVDvJuWXd33F6SozeoQwvL5xu5QgaPwInK4s5tZSntMrwY890jb9cmoOsBWJuDRMsExj0FfucT1BzcZNY5MbbBbGjnOv/s320/Herc+and+Giant+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out my abs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Excavator (creative name!) from Giant underwhelms me considerably in robot mode. He's small, has weird (though not really inaccurate) abs, and his shovel looks like kibble. I do prefer his feet, because they don't seem to rely on plastic on plastic gears like Exgraver's feet. The bits of yellow and black detail are also a nice touch. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is probably a good time to go ahead and point out the differences in the green, as if you couldn't see them. It is worth noting that the green on Giant is hard to photograph - it gets a bit washed out on camera, and I don't do any post production to these pictures to correct it. In other words - in person, Giant looks more green than in these pictures. Giant does have a closer green to the original G1 toys.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzGet2Vvf4D_7Thrt9uFFoGS1tCPuMu4m_fzVaC5JkjDsRfonF3lamdXmieuoqFiORouOGgOrVUSlbeB6579Lv_iCFNnKvda8Ymw0uRwVm804AQda6j_6Ii0QpcavLJugjJrUCxEbCZeo/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzGet2Vvf4D_7Thrt9uFFoGS1tCPuMu4m_fzVaC5JkjDsRfonF3lamdXmieuoqFiORouOGgOrVUSlbeB6579Lv_iCFNnKvda8Ymw0uRwVm804AQda6j_6Ii0QpcavLJugjJrUCxEbCZeo/s320/Herc+and+Giant+046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These shoulders took some work at the gym, brah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Exgraver gives Scavenger something he's never had before - presence. Broad shoulders, a shovel as a weapon, and although the pose in this picture is boring, the toy is quite capable of awesome poses (note: Maketoys Scavenger is also very poseable, possible more so).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHV5ONJcSSsAjzpI_PBOgRk19jxHUtP9ZOcFN2K5T6t7wCnOSud60il17WbA2ye3BpM1PqoKVnIRhiFWKdpvHKGFe0TYFrl2AJuvGFA-Vd-f_-_jrwpL-HpS7ZiaZjcvrnscclzvSfrIa/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHV5ONJcSSsAjzpI_PBOgRk19jxHUtP9ZOcFN2K5T6t7wCnOSud60il17WbA2ye3BpM1PqoKVnIRhiFWKdpvHKGFe0TYFrl2AJuvGFA-Vd-f_-_jrwpL-HpS7ZiaZjcvrnscclzvSfrIa/s320/Herc+and+Giant+029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big scoop, little scoop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The vehicle modes are really where you can see a marked difference in size. Maketoy's version is a bit more true to an actual Earth-mode, while Exgraver takes some liberties with its altmode. Aesthetically, it's easy to lean towards Giant on this altmode, but the tiny size bugs me. I know the size is done so that the arm is proportional, but I still don't have to like it. The huge scoop on Exgraver is a plus but the rest of it feels like a box with treads that has a driver's booth kind of tacked on as an afterthought. I guess this is a case where I'm not really crazy about either of these guys in altmode, but for entirely different reasons. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Before we move on, let's explore a fun feature of Giant's Scavenger:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGL4026dtJuQR3_SzJKJwzYRFa4-M0kdL4SHdIkmAIRyU3JYfiTzZIYkxQ3x6kP1DKO26gObjyEFdFbuzEjDJE3I54pzzA0wC3OSKkM1sBMSEdFnu4scqQR13x6lgyGh5ouDaJXFCfTEV/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGL4026dtJuQR3_SzJKJwzYRFa4-M0kdL4SHdIkmAIRyU3JYfiTzZIYkxQ3x6kP1DKO26gObjyEFdFbuzEjDJE3I54pzzA0wC3OSKkM1sBMSEdFnu4scqQR13x6lgyGh5ouDaJXFCfTEV/s320/Herc+and+Giant+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't have any of the canned kind of spinach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He can steal spinach from unsuspecting rabbits, consume it, and activate Popeye mode. This is totally how it's done and the instructions definitely don't cover it. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Long Hauls</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXySVBJgN_aLJ3WXaU0UJ5c1-bn8QtTDcb4c0BebqNJqsyRXXjold8Y0E8Ci3LjUnuSZAiv-nJ9iP6ib-4WE2d1y4lOR2BQTL9PkJjk-GpfyCtDS4R5pzkQEDzsn9UQ0P38dESq94OKxD/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXySVBJgN_aLJ3WXaU0UJ5c1-bn8QtTDcb4c0BebqNJqsyRXXjold8Y0E8Ci3LjUnuSZAiv-nJ9iP6ib-4WE2d1y4lOR2BQTL9PkJjk-GpfyCtDS4R5pzkQEDzsn9UQ0P38dESq94OKxD/s320/Herc+and+Giant+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing long about 'em</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Occasionally, a take on a character is radically different from another take on the character. This is definitely one of those times! First, Giant's version of Long Haul:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuB5RyHiBpxxGLxoiKkTbL_aVCOBdD8xjiDmOpn2hgW5JT6haM5KFlPWW7u95ItxO3IBkL8Yl-cEflzu2wrLkd5p6-03DcDiD05pGNcXGyH9l3JnlIe_SYSjjspx-yD-Ac0kb5oMetbWV/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuB5RyHiBpxxGLxoiKkTbL_aVCOBdD8xjiDmOpn2hgW5JT6haM5KFlPWW7u95ItxO3IBkL8Yl-cEflzu2wrLkd5p6-03DcDiD05pGNcXGyH9l3JnlIe_SYSjjspx-yD-Ac0kb5oMetbWV/s320/Herc+and+Giant+052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well they recruited me for linebacker, but now I play Fullback</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This bruiser takes Long Haul, turns him around, beefs up his shoulders, and throws his tires to his waist. I know, that had no punchline and ended up being descriptive instead of funny. Pretty sure you'll get over it, or just quit reading this abortion of a paragraph and move along to the next part. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is definitely the more creative take on Long Haul when comparing Giant and Hercules. The big upper body is very fun, and even the robot mode makes you feel like Long Haul could form the core of a super massive giant robot. It's a good thing he can - with my beer gut, if I had to do the same task, it would fail pretty horribly. No one would be happy with me and I've have to run away and start a family band and tour the countryside and you're not invited. <br />
<br />
Fun with posing before moving on to the next one:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7HGmJ1aQXXOCn_HGauh4SfjddSuVl8fc9xQORNy-dGOzRF8JQ4ZGfMNlrJtqsd39iTYh1p7bRBbwUcRnPUPR0_O1f_F_9EqDxpVUA8RjYnYT-sQzgaVDXlBGNUpXFFIWF6Abdxm6T3qM/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7HGmJ1aQXXOCn_HGauh4SfjddSuVl8fc9xQORNy-dGOzRF8JQ4ZGfMNlrJtqsd39iTYh1p7bRBbwUcRnPUPR0_O1f_F_9EqDxpVUA8RjYnYT-sQzgaVDXlBGNUpXFFIWF6Abdxm6T3qM/s320/Herc+and+Giant+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three point stance of doom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76FdRZ9tOTlrWtXUk3Nc8X4rxXI1i8vV20mzXSdp8du8FMW0VneRlg4GRBVcG9Ithstdiky2t02FR3wO308y4RPxjCEDP_EaYlQbcc-1l3QzygidrDhC0j3bzkbJZaPy0imcGrhiawlmu/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76FdRZ9tOTlrWtXUk3Nc8X4rxXI1i8vV20mzXSdp8du8FMW0VneRlg4GRBVcG9Ithstdiky2t02FR3wO308y4RPxjCEDP_EaYlQbcc-1l3QzygidrDhC0j3bzkbJZaPy0imcGrhiawlmu/s320/Herc+and+Giant+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Heavy Labor" sounds like a long night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Hercules take on Long Haul is a bit more traditional, with the front of the dump truck becoming the chest. I like the look of Heavy Labor, but they really did play it safe here. That's not a bad thing necessarily, but the articulation is pretty straightforward. There is a waist joint hidden in there, even though it doesn't look like it, but the rest of the torso is pretty blocky and limits what you can do with him as an individual. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzHPtQMR0pUwami8ITQseDxJ_ZYAOcAgr3AH3pWgMpxId7PpMAqztdqCRgxr4_AOA1fsepwYhbBdGLTpAKmrveu7iwabeizYb5GBtkiQzPSk1ttsmahrwjs9UR1sADN_ag2P80_GjZm4F/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzHPtQMR0pUwami8ITQseDxJ_ZYAOcAgr3AH3pWgMpxId7PpMAqztdqCRgxr4_AOA1fsepwYhbBdGLTpAKmrveu7iwabeizYb5GBtkiQzPSk1ttsmahrwjs9UR1sADN_ag2P80_GjZm4F/s320/Herc+and+Giant+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so different now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The alt modes on these are really, super similar. I mean, only so much you can do with a dump truck. I think Giant's Dump Truck (yes, that is its name) comes across much cleaner, and it has some nice built in detail - a lot of the detail on Heavy Labor comes from the Reprolabels. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Hooks</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjnLm71Xjy5AT9xaFngvlCOh__TfK97GHmCEKsD0jSB33ZsU1f6K65T_sXw6_wn-Cl3epo8cJM0mfjtXJqYDJ9kmLtIY3_0at2Tl2tIDKrJeyLch6HnGZLX8LLnPA4exr_cDl_3YRKucn/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjnLm71Xjy5AT9xaFngvlCOh__TfK97GHmCEKsD0jSB33ZsU1f6K65T_sXw6_wn-Cl3epo8cJM0mfjtXJqYDJ9kmLtIY3_0at2Tl2tIDKrJeyLch6HnGZLX8LLnPA4exr_cDl_3YRKucn/s320/Herc+and+Giant+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Crank was a guy I knew in college.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You don't expect a Hook figure to be very good, since he has to simultaneously be a weird alt mode, torso, head, and shoulders of the combined Devastator. Crane does this very well. Dr. Crank does this 'ok'. Let's explore why.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi817EVliK3Afw6_1ns4quhL_lKC923deVaz3zQxmOhwphOmyePvZocJnr82ZFKVVYLSjwKZWF1_cocxxlOtOu545WWpXMw1iNulVIFEQxe-5Sn5RJrgJbRmp9m67CQlGL2UChqpS44Ipma/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi817EVliK3Afw6_1ns4quhL_lKC923deVaz3zQxmOhwphOmyePvZocJnr82ZFKVVYLSjwKZWF1_cocxxlOtOu545WWpXMw1iNulVIFEQxe-5Sn5RJrgJbRmp9m67CQlGL2UChqpS44Ipma/s320/Herc+and+Giant+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green in the face, but not very sick.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Crane manages to get his crane out of the damn way. This opens up the rest of the individual bot to be able to move, twist, and generally be kind of dynamic. I think the face is my least favorite part, just kind of plain and the eyes are too big. And the green head is out of place. Otherwise, again, one can't complain about the huge amount of articulation and general look. They did a good job here making the kiddle not be too kibbly. Shoulder wheel kibble has been done much, much worse plenty of times. The only part of the bot that doesn't really look good is the portion of it that ends up below the knees. There's a specific reason for this, something that really bugs me. Here is that reason:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHpGdxNKaUyBIcinqt_4A_vuVZJd26KGClud_aZspE1Zyuy9oVKPIs2qrfBmnKJtKBGae7kPXuqKnzDuF5wZ5fWt0M5i9Kni7WJGz106FVQrwnylE8CH4ZaMX0H5w7F3t4jQcVDTuIB-a/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHpGdxNKaUyBIcinqt_4A_vuVZJd26KGClud_aZspE1Zyuy9oVKPIs2qrfBmnKJtKBGae7kPXuqKnzDuF5wZ5fWt0M5i9Kni7WJGz106FVQrwnylE8CH4ZaMX0H5w7F3t4jQcVDTuIB-a/s320/Herc+and+Giant+058.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And you thought IDW made a mockery of Devy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That is Devastator's head. Once you see something like that, you can't unsee it and then want to make jokes.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OyFnD02xoJSnC-6ziyBP3tyuNLaVhMCEUDVXX-GB7DO69PNxSsMy_LMKo0ZlXgFdgbCBhDzh6_AJqqoRFmas8deGfQmD0zj29iAQyeUQS7CVt6uFtvCf5iujCoBget9vdcBX48sAtF66/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OyFnD02xoJSnC-6ziyBP3tyuNLaVhMCEUDVXX-GB7DO69PNxSsMy_LMKo0ZlXgFdgbCBhDzh6_AJqqoRFmas8deGfQmD0zj29iAQyeUQS7CVt6uFtvCf5iujCoBget9vdcBX48sAtF66/s320/Herc+and+Giant+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had another head. For symmetry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ok, enjoy that for a moment. Now onward.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERTuDNnmczS5vzT3Vpi3OEVXxLFkf5vJpLowgvNoP6yK04Z7xcaqRSyX4Vtn5_ToN-ujT57R-3EIKMC_p6dTs-Cnhm7pB5r8TMhc30vdR24cWseQqm374qnVvCWOFhBTHfP0rKvWfQ5j5/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERTuDNnmczS5vzT3Vpi3OEVXxLFkf5vJpLowgvNoP6yK04Z7xcaqRSyX4Vtn5_ToN-ujT57R-3EIKMC_p6dTs-Cnhm7pB5r8TMhc30vdR24cWseQqm374qnVvCWOFhBTHfP0rKvWfQ5j5/s320/Herc+and+Giant+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like having a built in pillow!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dr. Crank does feel a lot like Hook to me. Tall, lean (despite himself), and with an arrogant face. Unfortunately there are some problems with the bot mode, namely, that it's an afterthought. This toy was made to be a crane truck that turns into Devastator's torso. It happens to also have a robot mode. The articulation is lacking and while you can remove the crane to make him look a little better, there's still that horrible post behind his head. At least the Devastator head hides better. A lot better. In other words, at least he doesn't have head foot, but overall, Dr. Crank ends up being a bit too brickish for my liking. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Scrappers</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0QL5JyPMKkFSA2Zjt5bZTafh7LKtpRaNju8MOBjB3Z8eYNPQELVowHnRu0-VzwsV5TW4SDHQukgPHUVM8u4JJniP6irqLGCXtB07JjtNntZe_dTIb_pNyJZpxPq2bi7-e-Ik72b3dUSN/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0QL5JyPMKkFSA2Zjt5bZTafh7LKtpRaNju8MOBjB3Z8eYNPQELVowHnRu0-VzwsV5TW4SDHQukgPHUVM8u4JJniP6irqLGCXtB07JjtNntZe_dTIb_pNyJZpxPq2bi7-e-Ik72b3dUSN/s320/Herc+and+Giant+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Size differential rearing its head again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The leader of a group is important. Scrapper is the leader of the Constructicons. I'll let you decide who looks better. Seriously, I won't say anything else (until the end "verdict"). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OimyRG2JvglxKz5fwmG0ViWpr4-htANxe8xfLoDnxaTvoeyn6KgmseOT5oe7x-f7BvW45nBeLg5km5whmK01oQHIXBI57EeXrVJnSvhdn-VLO_Y5_MwmqR46iVnRMLg2sSUxZFlGOw8_/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OimyRG2JvglxKz5fwmG0ViWpr4-htANxe8xfLoDnxaTvoeyn6KgmseOT5oe7x-f7BvW45nBeLg5km5whmK01oQHIXBI57EeXrVJnSvhdn-VLO_Y5_MwmqR46iVnRMLg2sSUxZFlGOw8_/s320/Herc+and+Giant+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsFqs6DCci4bVDY_9VplMgl7V3Sfl_fd_IPOExYI7EuvAoZ455XNvZzs5UUu51UULQsPghmIPJStDlxBpRFTk-Y4gpO8xPBhApnpmX763tqBV17_fZOT0f8AV9NEzSZD_hMLpIMw9mALp/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsFqs6DCci4bVDY_9VplMgl7V3Sfl_fd_IPOExYI7EuvAoZ455XNvZzs5UUu51UULQsPghmIPJStDlxBpRFTk-Y4gpO8xPBhApnpmX763tqBV17_fZOT0f8AV9NEzSZD_hMLpIMw9mALp/s320/Herc+and+Giant+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Nice cop out quick way to get through another comparison, eh?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Mixmasters</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyw2GnOwM1COxrybu1crI8FLBXBJ3moX65bzb_Wxw1tjYHJXim5sXtzjuyq6khcTNF_t0XahWII5QLzi0AWPTsZFzf7arHS91joctWDVhvoVOHlOzgkf9f2lJ05TpT6fARs8CtjooP6NP/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyw2GnOwM1COxrybu1crI8FLBXBJ3moX65bzb_Wxw1tjYHJXim5sXtzjuyq6khcTNF_t0XahWII5QLzi0AWPTsZFzf7arHS91joctWDVhvoVOHlOzgkf9f2lJ05TpT6fARs8CtjooP6NP/s320/Herc+and+Giant+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey dude you uh... may wanna get those growths checked out...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Time for an admission - Mad Blender is weird, over bulky, and doesn't look much like Mixmaster.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_UurFh4H5ZnkcJvVEBz0oqgF2GJbVQGT1kBiR-TKAW_QTtBcuKXIjzDBJQ0nxoQzU7TGPMzRdST8fFVI2L8DYeJeXCpu8Z80J961v1P4iN0WGVLYEk0u6JgX9f7fIP2mgdSBfPF1kUun/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_UurFh4H5ZnkcJvVEBz0oqgF2GJbVQGT1kBiR-TKAW_QTtBcuKXIjzDBJQ0nxoQzU7TGPMzRdST8fFVI2L8DYeJeXCpu8Z80J961v1P4iN0WGVLYEk0u6JgX9f7fIP2mgdSBfPF1kUun/s320/Herc+and+Giant+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too much.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There's just too much going on. Too many missile pods, too much darn behind the head kibble (when it should be interesting robot bits). Not crazy about this guy as Mixmaster.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_1LxwB20ji1LUiR21ReyhP687Fe_c6AGR6eNsc1gb1_nzA3wcP2n9pMfzHvFpT96CG30JuIAr6GniML7gWMyy2YC94nHA6nDgE4z-kDGYJvCv-zNVgqRpBSwXvuc3uvE3z0bpFcSY1a4/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_1LxwB20ji1LUiR21ReyhP687Fe_c6AGR6eNsc1gb1_nzA3wcP2n9pMfzHvFpT96CG30JuIAr6GniML7gWMyy2YC94nHA6nDgE4z-kDGYJvCv-zNVgqRpBSwXvuc3uvE3z0bpFcSY1a4/s320/Herc+and+Giant+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? Robot Bits. Or something.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This guy though. Cement Mixer (or whatever his overly generic name is) is cool as hell. If they sold him separately, I would double dip. Alas, they don't. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42p99vx3ZWNdyeVqOO8_ZrSXCv_ap8UYePsN5JJD_ulS6BnO4m8rjTuljQ4jl8CTu0ALH8dFKiPsI2JvTHUrxmEWnPIFiN_A-GHHkcKOKDD96ciL4Q3Jv9K6W9DbIsCMkWOsYQGDWwwKn/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42p99vx3ZWNdyeVqOO8_ZrSXCv_ap8UYePsN5JJD_ulS6BnO4m8rjTuljQ4jl8CTu0ALH8dFKiPsI2JvTHUrxmEWnPIFiN_A-GHHkcKOKDD96ciL4Q3Jv9K6W9DbIsCMkWOsYQGDWwwKn/s320/Herc+and+Giant+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm much more ok with Mad Blender in alt mode. I like both alt modes quite a bit. Cement Mixers always seemed to me as a kid to be good things to be Transformers. They're big, unconventional, and if you're under 8 years old, just a lot of fun. It's a truck with a spinning drum that makes roads and shit. Or Devastator legs. Or it could be my love of Quick Mix (the 80s version). Even the Cybertron Quick Mix is a fun toy in his own way, though he did prove that having the mixing drum as a huge gun wasn't the best idea ever conceived. Any of these ways are good excuses for liking Cement Mixer Transformers. If you like them, you are good and you should feel good. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Bonecrushers</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2Schu8mJjYfBcOssmwIaZDAkZd2Bu24viL-Z_-7j_XA6U-U8oYfVzphYBqrVNPBi4AChWblX-eBXU6vxd5dBoHliVUlwxeLOlF7VX2tT8cNBPEl3zmkH6AqcVmkauNE6GAvxqShf3_9e/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2Schu8mJjYfBcOssmwIaZDAkZd2Bu24viL-Z_-7j_XA6U-U8oYfVzphYBqrVNPBi4AChWblX-eBXU6vxd5dBoHliVUlwxeLOlF7VX2tT8cNBPEl3zmkH6AqcVmkauNE6GAvxqShf3_9e/s320/Herc+and+Giant+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">:sigh: Maketoys, did you even try?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is another case where I realized that the arms of Giant are supposed to be vehicles that turn into arms. The robot modes are built in because they must have felt like they had to. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItkqNRTQmDAY23XPIzSS84TRR5qsPI4OLtHSLam9uWLKXs7Qr7MTxvFbtAVfV-ge07NSTVRJ2D2SAMdNeTSPKEagMYK73_B9R5JRSO1MNnU4OTIXunkhrFVRmZQYAN9gqOD6lLpqPz6z0/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItkqNRTQmDAY23XPIzSS84TRR5qsPI4OLtHSLam9uWLKXs7Qr7MTxvFbtAVfV-ge07NSTVRJ2D2SAMdNeTSPKEagMYK73_B9R5JRSO1MNnU4OTIXunkhrFVRmZQYAN9gqOD6lLpqPz6z0/s320/Herc+and+Giant+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Look, I own worse toys. I don't blame you if you like this guy. They did do one really cool thing and the articulation is very good! The alt mode is good and the arm mode is an arm! This robot mode is silly. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62jczTTnbyBt8cOyAUsqCqz0O8rbm4joZyK1cW6ig05oVLKFi5b5pAG_CEHnvfXMpAl55EB_E9p2GXc4rPh0B2QYgkLBwoGNeGvcvQowrr_yopDUPgR_1TlLy0vbjIgNHrzQnBgoLlpit/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62jczTTnbyBt8cOyAUsqCqz0O8rbm4joZyK1cW6ig05oVLKFi5b5pAG_CEHnvfXMpAl55EB_E9p2GXc4rPh0B2QYgkLBwoGNeGvcvQowrr_yopDUPgR_1TlLy0vbjIgNHrzQnBgoLlpit/s320/Herc+and+Giant+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least he can Beam Spam while he Beam Spams.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At least they gave him Beam Sabers. No beams, you'll have to go raid your Gundam stash for that. I didn't dislike this guy as much at first, but the more I looked at the pictures and thought back to it, the more I disliked it. It's purely opinion (obviously, this is a blog), but something about it just bugs me. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaa5mIn9acPmX4qHepOFZIlx_6txR9toUEg1aVLJDdSGQoieqtLaHmeWppdB7yIaL-26IYOATEsGdmU49BjE_Zt-aLPPj3AAj_lEafpZBq01DYz54OCwWIErvOXIaDP6SbIBo8z_pHWSnZ/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaa5mIn9acPmX4qHepOFZIlx_6txR9toUEg1aVLJDdSGQoieqtLaHmeWppdB7yIaL-26IYOATEsGdmU49BjE_Zt-aLPPj3AAj_lEafpZBq01DYz54OCwWIErvOXIaDP6SbIBo8z_pHWSnZ/s320/Herc+and+Giant+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't like him either, let's not kid around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Something about Neckbreaker doesn't sit right with me either. Is Bonecrusher that hard to design? I know he has weird connector torso in G1, but is updating him such a chore that I don't like either third party take on him? I guess it must be. I'd rather have had a super stylized connector torso thing on one of them, but it didn't happen on either. Oh well. Here's a quick look at vehicle mode.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL5_THZWwQ163N2uqVGbX1o6sHxf0bRQ9MGuIF2gnEuZ7ySbb9cd94vpN5zikGksvZQ6bVodyhWdx-rOXkjYk6hqNEYgXfcq0yc0sHZjDjKwtRk85P67c4N2MB1I2srYrsN_wZpwlfIeA/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL5_THZWwQ163N2uqVGbX1o6sHxf0bRQ9MGuIF2gnEuZ7ySbb9cd94vpN5zikGksvZQ6bVodyhWdx-rOXkjYk6hqNEYgXfcq0yc0sHZjDjKwtRk85P67c4N2MB1I2srYrsN_wZpwlfIeA/s320/Herc+and+Giant+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay let's push dirt and stuff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I do like the alt modes. There, I said something nice.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Teams</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuazZzGVrMsc5rkgFmLlkpslpMxxQd5xN1pmbcm1GUHUmMhNykNreAq0HLhRiECi701ZiuUcYt8Rnq4UkRP7Ab0HuQ3i-Y9wcJ-5O6t_JS167P2vs6627PsabXyPegf9Rdli7T4r69qHI/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuazZzGVrMsc5rkgFmLlkpslpMxxQd5xN1pmbcm1GUHUmMhNykNreAq0HLhRiECi701ZiuUcYt8Rnq4UkRP7Ab0HuQ3i-Y9wcJ-5O6t_JS167P2vs6627PsabXyPegf9Rdli7T4r69qHI/s320/Herc+and+Giant+060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prepare for Trouble! Make it double! Uh, guys, the next line doesn't sound like us...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One thing that must be remembered is that these are, more than any other combiner group, made to be a team. Both teams go together quite well, and display well together whether or not you choose to combine them or leave them as individuals. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is not why you're here.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Unite!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HzwnYCadm_hSv9WaHveO3wt0dhjAax-3t-X2-KsykQ0CHmH7PbvF3SU0Gq9d_XZUL1mWPoIbg6yXmvjxKwHQB1da3CxXah_Hj2gA2GgU_sx6yW5VldNZCaWgMSIEBaDjDiPtJPD_seDD/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HzwnYCadm_hSv9WaHveO3wt0dhjAax-3t-X2-KsykQ0CHmH7PbvF3SU0Gq9d_XZUL1mWPoIbg6yXmvjxKwHQB1da3CxXah_Hj2gA2GgU_sx6yW5VldNZCaWgMSIEBaDjDiPtJPD_seDD/s320/Herc+and+Giant+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r9FF_PLbDmh9I19GwMn1iGsghEsac8ewBhW-yLpbLmpWU5kEx-0YMLY9aWJPGjAbEF7A26tRethD_IkxxAnD04DKkyyPz2h_1WNSoo6Gim6cKqmb65471lpqor0OntHswdvHnjWG34-t/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r9FF_PLbDmh9I19GwMn1iGsghEsac8ewBhW-yLpbLmpWU5kEx-0YMLY9aWJPGjAbEF7A26tRethD_IkxxAnD04DKkyyPz2h_1WNSoo6Gim6cKqmb65471lpqor0OntHswdvHnjWG34-t/s320/Herc+and+Giant+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The combined mode of each is the money shot. The home run. The Tony Danza. Both are big, imposing, and look like Devastator. The size is surprisingly comparable given the smaller stature of Giant's individual bots:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJv0SjNO86bHWk5IOeE2k8S9pI5d8KK_Dn0Es_uMf3RZDiIwSBBlKLEWyAe1T6ff7_kzeA1IBpUYzwIk6ODdqAaptgnrfoznSWC1v_sqQapc1qjXYDrweWU74dUwEQ_ZaNGM6pPaTUxkFj/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJv0SjNO86bHWk5IOeE2k8S9pI5d8KK_Dn0Es_uMf3RZDiIwSBBlKLEWyAe1T6ff7_kzeA1IBpUYzwIk6ODdqAaptgnrfoznSWC1v_sqQapc1qjXYDrweWU74dUwEQ_ZaNGM6pPaTUxkFj/s320/Herc+and+Giant+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The scale is pretty good on them when lined up with other Decepticons in the same "Universe":</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KwzY78g-WJPrFVm1MmbDdC10y_iyayWKGqW_PPt9QpdUSmtur8Jh2PCp5x-pGDnqWXAYYVd1vbGuHHYlcPE2ToiNMKrRWYlqkoiM8Jp1C9kg01eVspFBhC7tASgJNFa9CPTKiXptEX-Z/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KwzY78g-WJPrFVm1MmbDdC10y_iyayWKGqW_PPt9QpdUSmtur8Jh2PCp5x-pGDnqWXAYYVd1vbGuHHYlcPE2ToiNMKrRWYlqkoiM8Jp1C9kg01eVspFBhC7tASgJNFa9CPTKiXptEX-Z/s320/Herc+and+Giant+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You can like either of them better, that's you're call, but one thing's for sure...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKBeBA4nblyTcppTAto5VpWFLczboG8tOc32rnzcAR0zXSyk7eW2bWM3Il-K8iJLMK_bwaxV0EQxtCRFZ2lTuZkRSu4RUCkp3CMXA9ts3P6kTHwI5_g69HDP0JoAr8NzsXgxOtWEaOs8S/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKBeBA4nblyTcppTAto5VpWFLczboG8tOc32rnzcAR0zXSyk7eW2bWM3Il-K8iJLMK_bwaxV0EQxtCRFZ2lTuZkRSu4RUCkp3CMXA9ts3P6kTHwI5_g69HDP0JoAr8NzsXgxOtWEaOs8S/s320/Herc+and+Giant+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Hasbrostator sucks compared to these two. They volunteered to help.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8w82vXjzk_2kJZx1UUXrVNmdxq80Qsua7ine6pFk8hf04v8Q4sDee27-ewWZfFGJphBZxDzyGl5lzPyr2ERjh4ye3bDwcUBmr9UGHiZxrR2jDruPE659c7HZnMZju_OltKHNmA9iLP15F/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8w82vXjzk_2kJZx1UUXrVNmdxq80Qsua7ine6pFk8hf04v8Q4sDee27-ewWZfFGJphBZxDzyGl5lzPyr2ERjh4ye3bDwcUBmr9UGHiZxrR2jDruPE659c7HZnMZju_OltKHNmA9iLP15F/s320/Herc+and+Giant+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks, bros.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Verdict</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Pros of Giant</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Highly articulated individual robots.</li>
<li>Mixmaster is great!</li>
<li>Long Haul is creative and a fresh take.</li>
<li>Vehicles actually look like 'real life' construction vehicles.</li>
<li>Costs less (sorry, this <i>is</i> a factor).</li>
<li>Out of the box decos are good.</li>
<li>Green is extremely close to G1 toys.</li>
</ul>
Cons of Giant<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Scrapper, Bonecrusher, and Scavenger robot modes are weak.</li>
<li>Robots do not consistently scale with one another.</li>
<li>Forearms are extra vehicle kibble.</li>
<li>Devastator's face is not as detailed as other figures.</li>
<li>Tentative conclusion on this - hard to pose/stand when combined (I could be convinced otherwise).</li>
</ul>
Pros of Hercules<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Huge. Big, imposing, and fits the part.</li>
<li>Looks great with the Reprolabels.</li>
<li>Creative forearm transformation and gun configuration means little extra kibble.</li>
<li>Visor for Devastator's head is just awesome.</li>
<li>Green feels like an update and is very bold.</li>
<li>Scrapper is dead on nearly perfect.</li>
<li>Extremely stable in combined mode.</li>
</ul>
Cons of Hercules<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Expensive. Again, sorry, this <i>is</i> a factor.</li>
<li>Blocky robots and simple transformations not for everyone - leads to limited articulation.</li>
<li>Looks great with Reprolabels (they cost extra!)</li>
<li>Hands become vehicle mode kibble.</li>
<li>Mad Blender/Mixmaster is a poor homage.</li>
</ul>
Ultimately, I can recommend one of these over the other, but the margin is slimmer than I expected it to be. Cost aside, even though it is a factor, if you can afford Hercules, do it. It took me awhile to figure out why I thought that. Why did Giant not make me regret Herc? It's a good toy, with great articulation, great detail, and passes great for a Classics Devastator, and costs roughly half as much. Well, one night a moment of clarity hit and I realized - Hercules just <i>is</i> Classics Devastator. It goes above and beyond passing to the point where even Hasbro/Takara, with limitless resources, may not ever top it. The size, look, and general grandeur of the toy make it my choice for Devastator. There's a certain magic in putting Hercules together for the first time, a certain childlike joy of buying individual parts over several months and finally, at long last, having the centerpiece of your Classics Decepticon shelf, towering over everything else. <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Giant gives you one box where it's basically combined already. Boo! Still a good toy though. If you can't drop the $600 on Herc, it's totally understandable and no one should look down on you for the choice of Giant.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVJY3IlT1fOidbKP4sj3g_YmDmNeaTfgFvP5kj51YDiYqbZ2rhlm3zOoHTyGYMCJzGqRbOBIWdWc79VKgMCR6CYiG2qpBipEMdXTLZ5J1_rt76NLjQ8_PUWUncNO217XaaLKpHN1VmmkU/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVJY3IlT1fOidbKP4sj3g_YmDmNeaTfgFvP5kj51YDiYqbZ2rhlm3zOoHTyGYMCJzGqRbOBIWdWc79VKgMCR6CYiG2qpBipEMdXTLZ5J1_rt76NLjQ8_PUWUncNO217XaaLKpHN1VmmkU/s320/Herc+and+Giant+065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
'Til next time, 'Til all are one!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-29882193105196615612012-10-03T21:12:00.003-04:002012-10-03T21:12:48.193-04:00Day 3: Guardian Speed<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">October is Minicon Month!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Day 3: Guardian Speed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI44NiY3ste1fA7uVZUJLu67mjYRA4oKv-OCWuZYs713bORmk6fndmYF_FL_FN15Q3B2cntyqq4eO5uukAF9tcgHogcU7j2wv8OLngpb8do3w0AWCjZXsohV6D7M0Fi73PQTC2nYFu0KX0/s1600/minicon+month+2+and+3+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI44NiY3ste1fA7uVZUJLu67mjYRA4oKv-OCWuZYs713bORmk6fndmYF_FL_FN15Q3B2cntyqq4eO5uukAF9tcgHogcU7j2wv8OLngpb8do3w0AWCjZXsohV6D7M0Fi73PQTC2nYFu0KX0/s320/minicon+month+2+and+3+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Series: Revenge of the Fallen (JP) (Campaign)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Partner/Team: Guardian Team</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Repaint/Variant Count: At least 7</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCDbNc724NcUBYCv-EloCG3nM2IgvBs8JXHG6tCr2Q66F90Q-9W-T8D1B9LAM56TEqxE0IzphIzbYVtk84c57PC4M8u2JvE43oD4qtAmvod1k3sUGJfzrLIx2O6d-1dCc1NeuWaV5clYj/s1600/minicon+month+2+and+3+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCDbNc724NcUBYCv-EloCG3nM2IgvBs8JXHG6tCr2Q66F90Q-9W-T8D1B9LAM56TEqxE0IzphIzbYVtk84c57PC4M8u2JvE43oD4qtAmvod1k3sUGJfzrLIx2O6d-1dCc1NeuWaV5clYj/s320/minicon+month+2+and+3+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very pretty. Pick this up if you ever see it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-72464593341119623872012-10-03T21:07:00.000-04:002012-10-03T21:07:21.399-04:00Day 2: Prowl<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">October is Minicon Month!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Day 2: Prowl</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2u9SJoEA7CAEVjGOD8N03WId4kDFo_rxNxMzUdEyd7UHjbZDbAaVjoPZrhLq03RHMhb8ratX8f0ejAxvNh7ZQuyHQbVY3TNlT0B3Wty7LmFGjV1DpMja1eiR198pdxrgZCEWvR17a2aQ/s1600/minicon+month+2+and+3+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2u9SJoEA7CAEVjGOD8N03WId4kDFo_rxNxMzUdEyd7UHjbZDbAaVjoPZrhLq03RHMhb8ratX8f0ejAxvNh7ZQuyHQbVY3TNlT0B3Wty7LmFGjV1DpMja1eiR198pdxrgZCEWvR17a2aQ/s320/minicon+month+2+and+3+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Series: Armada</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Partner/Team: Emergency Team (redeco)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Repaint/Variant Count: At least 7 (why did I do this part?)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYjtgE8OonJr9dz200VpITkE7W9khd1lOCXqjLZQdV6Z1_xG-DDlL6AJqZ_B2diE5EyZWQlNGFavFz2TCQaaxjlcvm16TEuBJ6CaWGJiZOtheoepB45XZK5ReYNWcDgambdy_WQ0SKw9G/s1600/minicon+month+2+and+3+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYjtgE8OonJr9dz200VpITkE7W9khd1lOCXqjLZQdV6Z1_xG-DDlL6AJqZ_B2diE5EyZWQlNGFavFz2TCQaaxjlcvm16TEuBJ6CaWGJiZOtheoepB45XZK5ReYNWcDgambdy_WQ0SKw9G/s320/minicon+month+2+and+3+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLwpGwm8UpCXfwVeAoW0Vux3zEpOB8Mw3dqvO3avhZhu4rMWK1wzkegqQOZcxqyamfGEJRJPKbYWpCDeEGdXQxMfGuFq-AKvdM6GAMS01UF-ZQagIJaeaPvq7-8DkEsfJkw00vFmLO4F9/s1600/minicon+month+2+and+3+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLwpGwm8UpCXfwVeAoW0Vux3zEpOB8Mw3dqvO3avhZhu4rMWK1wzkegqQOZcxqyamfGEJRJPKbYWpCDeEGdXQxMfGuFq-AKvdM6GAMS01UF-ZQagIJaeaPvq7-8DkEsfJkw00vFmLO4F9/s320/minicon+month+2+and+3+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Editor's note: This was supposed to be up yesterday. I think I got impatient on a load and it didn't go in ;_;</span></div>
ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-73133120675534194212012-10-01T19:38:00.002-04:002012-10-01T19:38:45.503-04:00Day 1: Safeguard<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">October is Minicon Month!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Day 1: Safeguard</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixL-ESJ9tBF6WpZGuo5h1cU9NdwIX5X9a_BrhMiZPLdqucUZOJieu5-MQ5OjNmX3m898PLowguQvqTO4cN6xRkWFzYqgWQOuHkt_YfBm7lyKnWC5f0XzXEzNCroj6QOSFSfaan5ucMaRg9/s1600/Daily+Minicons+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixL-ESJ9tBF6WpZGuo5h1cU9NdwIX5X9a_BrhMiZPLdqucUZOJieu5-MQ5OjNmX3m898PLowguQvqTO4cN6xRkWFzYqgWQOuHkt_YfBm7lyKnWC5f0XzXEzNCroj6QOSFSfaan5ucMaRg9/s320/Daily+Minicons+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Series: Cybertron</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Partner/Team: Vector Prime</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Repaint/Variant Count: At least 5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f73MM4VcfbdJ8m0MTRep6bQUpEJxo0_GB2whhZYQFh0Y_Q5aIwOQPtePd1YYuMIMg966UCBmoG3lG9lZqVAA7cBf6_CdeYz12vT1Gr4JJHrJ0h7Ty9nQxc_uBuIUtRst3watntdt5BaA/s1600/Daily+Minicons+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f73MM4VcfbdJ8m0MTRep6bQUpEJxo0_GB2whhZYQFh0Y_Q5aIwOQPtePd1YYuMIMg966UCBmoG3lG9lZqVAA7cBf6_CdeYz12vT1Gr4JJHrJ0h7Ty9nQxc_uBuIUtRst3watntdt5BaA/s320/Daily+Minicons+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-18273541775861803672012-09-09T10:02:00.003-04:002012-09-09T10:02:30.163-04:00Teaser TrailerBeen awhile!<br />
<br />
Coming up sometime this week or next when I'm not lazy:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBO0G0pVE0TXHG65Lp7iP7YwJ6C6qdPWeziPxpSLf1srjwvcPIuYBMuhl-oJ5LeaxHbm15jHCtX_JDdpJqGY1fULJsyWgca2NpHLBmn0-6U1EJGtVbagMg4iFAYfyNKvjuM3yVErujtJ_/s1600/Herc+and+Giant+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBO0G0pVE0TXHG65Lp7iP7YwJ6C6qdPWeziPxpSLf1srjwvcPIuYBMuhl-oJ5LeaxHbm15jHCtX_JDdpJqGY1fULJsyWgca2NpHLBmn0-6U1EJGtVbagMg4iFAYfyNKvjuM3yVErujtJ_/s400/Herc+and+Giant+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Constructicons, Deconstructed. The first in a two part joint review between myself and Tabtiurf <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/BadLamprey/videos">(or Bad Lamprey, if you prefer)</a>ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-86366553459713781412012-07-24T15:09:00.002-04:002012-07-24T15:10:35.926-04:00In which I beg for votesHey everyone,<br />
<br />
Here's something I promise not to do ever again after this.<br />
<br />
I've entered Big Bad Toy Store's current photo contest on Facebook. This can be accessed using your Facebook account and this link: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BigBadToyStore?sk=app_347079715370008">http://www.facebook.com/BigBadToyStore?sk=app_347079715370008</a><br />
<br />
After the first mere few hours of voting, I'm in 2nd place, 3 votes behind some photoshopped Star Wars diorama. The grand prize is $500 in Store Credit at BBTS. <br />
<br />
I need your help to win! Go vote! You can find my collection (Scott Putnam) currently on Page 6, however if more entries come in it will move to 7, then 8, which is another disadvantage! You can vote once every 24 hours. This thing lasts for two weeks, so this isn't a race, it's a marathon.<br />
<br />
Do it for Transformers! Beat out the other hobbies! Help me fuel my plastic crack addiction! Help the kids (because at least $100 of that is gonna be used for small stuff to donate come Christmas time)! Help the exclamations be exclamatory! <br />
<br />ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-55736096104749507182012-07-07T16:03:00.000-04:002012-07-07T16:09:48.316-04:00Generasians Part 1: Legends Class<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Generasians Part 1: Legends Class</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(or: I hope that term doesn't stick)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOcW5P-p59g8ZON8YLlDrAdHiJJIkATZyOaxffIP-3gYjHWKzko6lC85sxmIArA1lERhPF4feQHxTv9B4fB7EiGZMmKeqfjQ94gIxYqE92WAz-7jT1pqDUnaTjRUC1scrNr_S0AP9n4z5/s1600/7+7+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOcW5P-p59g8ZON8YLlDrAdHiJJIkATZyOaxffIP-3gYjHWKzko6lC85sxmIArA1lERhPF4feQHxTv9B4fB7EiGZMmKeqfjQ94gIxYqE92WAz-7jT1pqDUnaTjRUC1scrNr_S0AP9n4z5/s320/7+7+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legendarily Classy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you're reading this blog, you're almost definitely aware that a new wave of Generations figures is upon us. The first case of these has hit, consisting of Legends class versions of Bluestreak, Thundercracker, Hoist, and Motormaster (called Motorbreath on card, likely due to Trademark stuff). Deluxe and Voyager class figures hit later this month, with Leaders and Scouts later on, and even more Deluxes at some point. Problem is, these are exclusive to the Asian market. I don't know exactly what the Asian market entails besides Malaysia and Taiwan, but thankfully it does include the internet as well, so I was able to get a hold of these. Note to anyone that gets in the market: these aren't cheap. Expect for them to go around or over $15 or so each - and these are legends toys.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Before we take a look at each of these, I'm gonna throw out a theory on here that I put on Twitter yesterday. Keep in mind this is one man's theory - <i>I have absolutely no factual basis for this.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So here it is: these were intended for a US release. A full blown, sell alongside the "Movie Trilogy" and Prime FE toys until the Mainline Prime stuff launched release. Given the fates of those other two lines, this one never happened either.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Think about it - the latest Dark of the Moon stuff to make it out was in the early fall. A couple Generations toys (Sky Shadow and Junkheap) made it out to continue that line a bit longer. But then there was next to nothing at all until the mainline Prime "Robots in Disguise" line in the spring. Don't you think there were probably plans to have just a bit more out around Christmas and the start of the year? Well, we know so, and know that some of it just didn't happen (Hi there, First Edition Prime). I think this was part of that plan. The only evidence I can offer up is the back of the packaging on these Generations Legends:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkamUkbodUqojvroymoQ9d16Tk3FJf_2YYAIEKW6QQoR-uxSD1NkgPtUAECWUr2-HsNQnPDlpVl98-cSKBinfvCHP75YuhZigswXz-U2i_1LPaHcJxA1JdE2_wIyo1U7C4iRcKuaazV2zU/s1600/7+7+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkamUkbodUqojvroymoQ9d16Tk3FJf_2YYAIEKW6QQoR-uxSD1NkgPtUAECWUr2-HsNQnPDlpVl98-cSKBinfvCHP75YuhZigswXz-U2i_1LPaHcJxA1JdE2_wIyo1U7C4iRcKuaazV2zU/s320/7+7+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey I wonder what this bio says abou... oh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Each of the 4 had this...sticker on them. I've gotten Hasbro Asia stuff before, and it didn't have this, but it was presumably stock that just never made it here (FE Vehicon, DotM Wheeljack with a package that actually says Wheeljack, etc.). This seems like a last minute edit to get in legalese that should have been printed, but wasn't. The packaging is also dead on identical to the Generations style packaging here, and even had the "look for Transformers: Prime" blurb on the back that everything did last year. The copyright date is 2012, which takes away a bit of strength from my theory, but I seem to remember somewhere seeing that Generations would be ongoing at least through FoC and that it would get a packaging refresh then - only for it to disappear, and also keep in mind that Target had Generations on the aisle layout for a long time before throwing it to the clearance cadence. So, that's my theory and I'm sticking to it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anyway, enough rambling, let's check out the toys!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
First up: Motormast... uh, Motorbreath!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCh78qAE8mHKDKQ_H0rTMRoVK15GKIY2_ERyCKiE6_KBnSHRkQcEG6X6iY9S7shUngEU1wHWyCLIp9MZfEloPlnRxp4s7ufQL2wfYcpLaGkg30uy35MyQGUcot8-SdKeRO53T1We-3hy4D/s1600/7+7+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCh78qAE8mHKDKQ_H0rTMRoVK15GKIY2_ERyCKiE6_KBnSHRkQcEG6X6iY9S7shUngEU1wHWyCLIp9MZfEloPlnRxp4s7ufQL2wfYcpLaGkg30uy35MyQGUcot8-SdKeRO53T1We-3hy4D/s320/7+7+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motorbreath sounds like something you should call Poison Control to get fixed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0iyjbMvO63Gt9wgurPb88n6gzEoJCqcT3fZ_eTeVgxoqewJiFVRw7oyeo8MEiAS7r_Rch3Np-O9xrC6iHP75vr-Ktpbd9aJWP9Gub3xCSNTCIsuspbtaO6duICLhoIYUaME57mqetbRM/s1600/7+7+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0iyjbMvO63Gt9wgurPb88n6gzEoJCqcT3fZ_eTeVgxoqewJiFVRw7oyeo8MEiAS7r_Rch3Np-O9xrC6iHP75vr-Ktpbd9aJWP9Gub3xCSNTCIsuspbtaO6duICLhoIYUaME57mqetbRM/s320/7+7+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damn sticker was stubborn on this one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is a black repaint of Optimus Prime, which is a totally original idea for Motormaster that has never, ever been done before ever. Oh wait.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Despite the lack of creativity, I don't care. This toy oozes cool, and the coolness is only helped along more by a kick ass sword.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyK6WGzpk-mCxwQBR5vdAanPIt5U-McFnZ2zRynXeD-JygUizSEHJ55oUClmj0XJZXQBYusfGGsM9sPS9ogVJ5jxeRgE7UqjHwFz_7eVWqTENykjiH3nKfdVLhd2JIPfMA7qZO3eOj58f/s1600/7+7+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyK6WGzpk-mCxwQBR5vdAanPIt5U-McFnZ2zRynXeD-JygUizSEHJ55oUClmj0XJZXQBYusfGGsM9sPS9ogVJ5jxeRgE7UqjHwFz_7eVWqTENykjiH3nKfdVLhd2JIPfMA7qZO3eOj58f/s320/7+7+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the power of grayskull. Or something.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyW0fCbtNScvkDkmlkIBTmbyrylM36RonuHK9y4MbVa8D2pGz-pOIBbsBbJKLZY63zUVp7tNsQNnYn-CgcqqIs5jfmZglbzCvfFKuGbRLfm0fSgU70TLFFyNBgi7PC7RPbQ6snzM7VnNO/s1600/7+7+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyW0fCbtNScvkDkmlkIBTmbyrylM36RonuHK9y4MbVa8D2pGz-pOIBbsBbJKLZY63zUVp7tNsQNnYn-CgcqqIs5jfmZglbzCvfFKuGbRLfm0fSgU70TLFFyNBgi7PC7RPbQ6snzM7VnNO/s320/7+7+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd swing this sucker across my chest but I can't.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you've never messed with this figure in person, you won't be aware that there is some absolutely terrible articulation to be had here. The legs are just big pieces or a hip mounted ball joint. The arms can only do so much, but for a legends toy the arms actually do very well. You can definitely pull of some pretty neat poses with the little dude, but if you're anything like me a lot of what you imagine you can do, you can't. Something gets in the way, doesn't bend the right way, etc. Be careful when transforming this guy for the first time - there is a bit of packaging stuck inside the toy to keep his head up! Under the back of his neck there is a piece of plastic - take it out! I almost snapped this guy's head off the first time putting it into truck mode because I didn't realize something was wedged in there. Once you remove it, the head actually may sag a bit, but not too badly.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP37zPL5KUPBziFBolrC0X5a_RXgEuIaXcHlepzgTw74dpnKgi-ss3jlvfvflw3alKgI0zNlCvdjjLD9YjhHwebP6_k_mGVrcHrkr8Rs-nh3-RQkcXCF_lS5oG219raHG57SdP2t1qehfD/s1600/7+7+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP37zPL5KUPBziFBolrC0X5a_RXgEuIaXcHlepzgTw74dpnKgi-ss3jlvfvflw3alKgI0zNlCvdjjLD9YjhHwebP6_k_mGVrcHrkr8Rs-nh3-RQkcXCF_lS5oG219raHG57SdP2t1qehfD/s320/7+7+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wish I could turn into a truck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Once you're done making up evil plots in robot mode, you can (gasp!) TURN THIS GUY INTO A TRUCK.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yZkKNT6s0BhBI0IuDCQakuMSNuHjrshoCGHDPMTWRiY-GX_98wiZXhIF4f86BfiQDwSxSHN7noE3tK7uXHqKFDPR5BjeeBBSAZFlQbVmqW2Tna5eWcxSScwBRCQVcpTCmHYFHvzD8ER0/s1600/7+7+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yZkKNT6s0BhBI0IuDCQakuMSNuHjrshoCGHDPMTWRiY-GX_98wiZXhIF4f86BfiQDwSxSHN7noE3tK7uXHqKFDPR5BjeeBBSAZFlQbVmqW2Tna5eWcxSScwBRCQVcpTCmHYFHvzD8ER0/s320/7+7+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With weapon attached</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl1QO28_kr2KUMDesGMy5PcaScP0phi9EkfKtUrcHbatoBqs-gAaeUEmaAJKtTKvUgbZi4X7xDiFIT0cKZ49aKtssyc_Yj-maA4h2WtlMvIiR01GwNQ942fLIGXLE0FIIpekAPe3Go84v/s1600/7+7+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl1QO28_kr2KUMDesGMy5PcaScP0phi9EkfKtUrcHbatoBqs-gAaeUEmaAJKtTKvUgbZi4X7xDiFIT0cKZ49aKtssyc_Yj-maA4h2WtlMvIiR01GwNQ942fLIGXLE0FIIpekAPe3Go84v/s320/7+7+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Without weapon attached</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As you can see here, the weapon can be attached in vehicle mode, but it really looks like garbage. My advice: keep the weapon off and put it somewhere so you don't lose it. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7pUFjZFHw1ipRMQihfL3dhMMZLsZTXZ3erYExC16HyE04jk8bd78AqXmasDyTvJleHr6fyRU5-MjwEopDwjT54bb6LUsNTo-wIkkffAEUkUjzoZl0LVI-nKgK8gkW7wE0oSQJiX9TGOz/s1600/7+7+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7pUFjZFHw1ipRMQihfL3dhMMZLsZTXZ3erYExC16HyE04jk8bd78AqXmasDyTvJleHr6fyRU5-MjwEopDwjT54bb6LUsNTo-wIkkffAEUkUjzoZl0LVI-nKgK8gkW7wE0oSQJiX9TGOz/s320/7+7+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roadhouse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The picture to the left is where I tried to have a bit of fun and put him with a couple other legends Stunticons. problem is, the scale is just horrendously off. No dice on this special team coming together! Not to mention there's nothing that can remotely be used as Dead End or Dragstrip. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It should be mentioned there is another legends Motormaster - a repainted version of the Cybertron Legends Class Optimus Prime. It is horrible looking and I don't want it on my blog. So there. That's why it will not appear in this post. Let's just call him Sir Not Appearing In This Post for the meantime. There's not much more I can say about Motorbreathmaster at this point, so time to move on to the next subject.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zlX0sgaxy6zlwHt5HB7G05_jZdoc69yOc8vKXI4ihKwUK1Cs4zQrLkLF4JTGkCK1xr7fd9ye78ZeinkcA-8-33J_JjEtSPMAeBPVHIZJ3eaeTBi9gXF-pMHnGZg8iJz-aeCVASisZtUA/s1600/7+7+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zlX0sgaxy6zlwHt5HB7G05_jZdoc69yOc8vKXI4ihKwUK1Cs4zQrLkLF4JTGkCK1xr7fd9ye78ZeinkcA-8-33J_JjEtSPMAeBPVHIZJ3eaeTBi9gXF-pMHnGZg8iJz-aeCVASisZtUA/s320/7+7+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It feels like the fiiiiirst time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSD4MiQ_-kiajg_WbgZ8WlwMrF5Dfi9JAHvzyg8fc-vCjT7KeXYTC1R7QPZXr446BQcp7y5UHDxoxIPE7KblFIPN4SKdCsyg817td7Ur6lL4rnfpaNMNGNsQAYYCAoxbW-5H_RUsdm0Al/s1600/7+7+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSD4MiQ_-kiajg_WbgZ8WlwMrF5Dfi9JAHvzyg8fc-vCjT7KeXYTC1R7QPZXr446BQcp7y5UHDxoxIPE7KblFIPN4SKdCsyg817td7Ur6lL4rnfpaNMNGNsQAYYCAoxbW-5H_RUsdm0Al/s320/7+7+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It feels like the very first ti-ime! (that they've used some IDW characterization in a package bio)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here just in time to not go with your Legends Skywarp is a Legends Thundercracker. Skywarp has just been utterly ignored since his MP release, but that's ok with me. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Time for this sealed beauty to get cut the fuck open.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzSjgzMkdO6hW6OcPIziQ6GFy2t3wbA6ewKhi3DFj7fvN_avj0LbY4mZC77A-8q6frLigGjkmsnob40wQwZTy58Y9ojaHguExtK8tD4h8eW6d8MY_xVjUQoBL7aG8SwhYW82sqBSkCHU4/s1600/7+7+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzSjgzMkdO6hW6OcPIziQ6GFy2t3wbA6ewKhi3DFj7fvN_avj0LbY4mZC77A-8q6frLigGjkmsnob40wQwZTy58Y9ojaHguExtK8tD4h8eW6d8MY_xVjUQoBL7aG8SwhYW82sqBSkCHU4/s320/7+7+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needs more guns.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This toy is a slight remold of the Reveal the Shield legends Starscream that came out quite some time ago. If I know Hasbro, we'll never see a Skywarp, but there is a Takara one as a contingency. This Thundercracker adds a seriously cool remold - guns. Lots of them.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBOvT9SP5K99a0t4Ya3vPnIHCLnrwXoZkC-T9ugwBVPj2WjWv1gfRy44wch-mFpKqj7la7EJD03x45IxY2NT7MMypIpzkIyrP-LUgZg1QbSRwKswHKvdaad__gDuQrLdoE_5Vyn0HI2o-/s1600/7+7+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBOvT9SP5K99a0t4Ya3vPnIHCLnrwXoZkC-T9ugwBVPj2WjWv1gfRy44wch-mFpKqj7la7EJD03x45IxY2NT7MMypIpzkIyrP-LUgZg1QbSRwKswHKvdaad__gDuQrLdoE_5Vyn0HI2o-/s320/7+7+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He still has Screamer's smirky face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Instead of nubby arm rectangles, Thundercracker actually gets some null-ray action going on. Sure, he has to hold them, but that's not a big deal in my humble opinion. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The range of motion in the articulation leaves a lot to be desired, but again, gotta remember this is legends class. The legs are really, really wonky and tend to bend in ways you don't want them to, so posing this mold can take a bit more work than meets the eye. The tailfins on mine fold in just fine in robot mode but don't really want to stick in just right in jet mode. Jet mode does take the most advantage of the remold involving the guns, in that you can attach them to the bottom of the wings and really give Thundercracker a more accurately looking jet-mode than what you get with the Starscream we saw last year.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirf_-Zr4W5bd9rU_aJtu3_ae-pO1KUuNgkwO9AOzkJDqZeEXaaMJ0lkBFGlOog9Vjh8qp2J0fYh_Z1wY8TttOX-WLZ6V-LDFDCTe71lvpZYs-2i6t9Z1M3oOk5qT3rc1SutXI6EozccWwP/s1600/7+7+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirf_-Zr4W5bd9rU_aJtu3_ae-pO1KUuNgkwO9AOzkJDqZeEXaaMJ0lkBFGlOog9Vjh8qp2J0fYh_Z1wY8TttOX-WLZ6V-LDFDCTe71lvpZYs-2i6t9Z1M3oOk5qT3rc1SutXI6EozccWwP/s320/7+7+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top view, to check out 'dat tampography.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEnWWD68a15C6RjGM4PzwQ05016Omkc169V9XTBiIUcGJnsU6pKSh6JQWhCZEKjRlZoOEPYOTPw8679y2L1sp6bBsi7ewtA0-SQOxWdxmSS_AYXrJa52vHEi4BlYndPPYzWUB-ekoySff/s1600/7+7+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEnWWD68a15C6RjGM4PzwQ05016Omkc169V9XTBiIUcGJnsU6pKSh6JQWhCZEKjRlZoOEPYOTPw8679y2L1sp6bBsi7ewtA0-SQOxWdxmSS_AYXrJa52vHEi4BlYndPPYzWUB-ekoySff/s320/7+7+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the realization time that my camera isn't that great.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The jet mode really looks good from up above, though it does have a bit much robot kibble in the bottom - but again - legends. class. Not gonna be perfect. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But enough about Decepticons.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmL_M6hv78K37KwLN7Wk_N4nPXHCvpKvl4W2sVjYnukyf8e7o6wKf4A3ZKiutZseRRi5_dS-n_ri-Qm_7K7xjQHW6uxBSG56cY8n7YxTo_vO_lwgTfuQ7V3L52_8VQ_ObOMjZ0KfuTpcX/s1600/7+7+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmL_M6hv78K37KwLN7Wk_N4nPXHCvpKvl4W2sVjYnukyf8e7o6wKf4A3ZKiutZseRRi5_dS-n_ri-Qm_7K7xjQHW6uxBSG56cY8n7YxTo_vO_lwgTfuQ7V3L52_8VQ_ObOMjZ0KfuTpcX/s320/7+7+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not starring Martin Lawrence.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQk3_AjA0jU2YSzk5zfFFseNlj9HfDzJtQKOGP9pbUFCwD_gagm-ZRtD9CNBSUXq5QhIk7L5o3NQmoRGnOusK1dh9Xzh4Gekjc6jvQ74ohDUOB7ZChoqG-yn5-53G9tgXX5HJDXsQFbxN9/s1600/7+7+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQk3_AjA0jU2YSzk5zfFFseNlj9HfDzJtQKOGP9pbUFCwD_gagm-ZRtD9CNBSUXq5QhIk7L5o3NQmoRGnOusK1dh9Xzh4Gekjc6jvQ74ohDUOB7ZChoqG-yn5-53G9tgXX5HJDXsQFbxN9/s320/7+7+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Should've busted out the hair dryer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One day they'll get the whole '84 Autobot cast out in Legends class form. They're still pretty far off on that, but you gotta figure that must be an end goal somewhere. Bluestreak is happy to add to the current roster.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWiBQJThKzQpogc9VOYAEpxpeCwfFdClg-Uu5otsyt7AJmph0r6nKcZhc-b8kfCxkhC_KXrjcOGh7ldIpxSXmqDykWdHPpD28566dHQc5rnMucbXD9N_3wM0j5QQm4DRZjVxN8Wok-New/s1600/7+7+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWiBQJThKzQpogc9VOYAEpxpeCwfFdClg-Uu5otsyt7AJmph0r6nKcZhc-b8kfCxkhC_KXrjcOGh7ldIpxSXmqDykWdHPpD28566dHQc5rnMucbXD9N_3wM0j5QQm4DRZjVxN8Wok-New/s320/7+7+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actually quite mean looking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bluestreak also comes with a gun, and it's pretty neat looking if not a bit oversized. I find it funny that someone somewhere decided that these little legends figures definitely needed to hold guns that are the same size as Machine Wars basics had. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvCcyJN43t66bTdcJDMhZ6k7WhNdeG3NJaCp4TC97XHxal3woZ602ZU_nn4VqQLCJni_ZOP_JZO_IemgouxGJq8vL4zSXBUV11plqZxyg38s5fCw4lvRGDzeVuXP92DTclmNz6J0GdVlu/s1600/7+7+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvCcyJN43t66bTdcJDMhZ6k7WhNdeG3NJaCp4TC97XHxal3woZ602ZU_nn4VqQLCJni_ZOP_JZO_IemgouxGJq8vL4zSXBUV11plqZxyg38s5fCw4lvRGDzeVuXP92DTclmNz6J0GdVlu/s320/7+7+029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone needs a gun that is equivalent to half their height.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Very versatile little mold, and stands up well due to the way the feet are designed. I'd say how the arms are blocky (oops), but then I'd have to point out for the jillionth time that these are legends figures (oops).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The legs on this are painted a very thick and very bright red color, and they really stand out. A lot of detail on the face is painted in as well. This is a really good looking toy and it's very hard to tell that this is a repaint; Bluestreak can really stand on his own on a shelf and not look like someone else. It'd be super fun to see a blue-Bluestreak using this mold but I doubt that stone is going to get turned over anytime soon, if ever, by anyone. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon5yhWE5F-95YquWv_8F3gM9AljtFpl0lOP9fYyG8XTDQi71Fjehs5yQC51bt1Yehb18q8-gLCwzSuzY86e6mynuo5Gcc5wEhLbc7XcGfjlHK9xQAZgM1ukHsVtf9tdPcR0O02_hTpBSM/s1600/7+7+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon5yhWE5F-95YquWv_8F3gM9AljtFpl0lOP9fYyG8XTDQi71Fjehs5yQC51bt1Yehb18q8-gLCwzSuzY86e6mynuo5Gcc5wEhLbc7XcGfjlHK9xQAZgM1ukHsVtf9tdPcR0O02_hTpBSM/s320/7+7+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transform and Chill Out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The car mode is very good looking, and very sleek. There is some remolding done to allow for the gun to sit on his side, but this is pretty pointless, because if you stick the gun on his side the car can no longer roll. An Autobot that can't roll is about as useful as an NBA player that can't walk. Take my advice and put the gun into a pile of stuff you won't lose if you keep this little guy in car mode. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You may also notice on his gun that there is another hole in the gun. That's for what you think it's for - you can combine these guns/swords together and form uber guns. The peg size is the some size as the weapons on the Prime Cyberverse toys have as well. I'm very happy they've decided to start including some weapons, I think it greatly enhances the value that you get out of these little guys. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One final note on Bluestreak - shortpacked! Buying a set of Motorbreath, Thundercracker, and Hoist will set you back much less dough than if you include Bluestreak in your purchase. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This blog is going long, but we're down the stretch now!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioshOBcxlp1L1pR0dnsehJbJ4fGhBewU56A-zgFQ43dpJk0ECqcbR3vYpbDs5rv-ObZ_bqUjsvE18eN5VzuNW6On8P2RaQdkass_cRWj58gTBWK4DsyiG0xZtLYxZEpsh0oRws-H86EzJC/s1600/7+7+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioshOBcxlp1L1pR0dnsehJbJ4fGhBewU56A-zgFQ43dpJk0ECqcbR3vYpbDs5rv-ObZ_bqUjsvE18eN5VzuNW6On8P2RaQdkass_cRWj58gTBWK4DsyiG0xZtLYxZEpsh0oRws-H86EzJC/s320/7+7+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moist.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRhIH0aycZ3hMxCj7F-OP-dfGZZ-90Yq5aH3YdI8ov60wMCZHoP5o5uAHr4AsUSB87EQ4RkgXX1wXa4gC_pjz1XToPtievSBcGW5uXmOyjYpssZ-653DsirCPA1V04DxwEe-x7SL4sAzf/s1600/7+7+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRhIH0aycZ3hMxCj7F-OP-dfGZZ-90Yq5aH3YdI8ov60wMCZHoP5o5uAHr4AsUSB87EQ4RkgXX1wXa4gC_pjz1XToPtievSBcGW5uXmOyjYpssZ-653DsirCPA1V04DxwEe-x7SL4sAzf/s320/7+7+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Medic? Really?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've saved my favorite of these new legends for last: Hoist. Yes, I said favorite, and here is why: Hoist is green. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OMxa7NKY7h2E_-j0JmkWB1TXuHLEQiQFIxqLwqMnKbM2NJ_bWAneR-lMfNm9keWfCrmm2OFe5fl29FHxoE5uUAjdfLgnmCS72hDurldhKVoel_1QF0K4RJhx0kIBkTdjsLFo5Ni2lzvs/s1600/7+7+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OMxa7NKY7h2E_-j0JmkWB1TXuHLEQiQFIxqLwqMnKbM2NJ_bWAneR-lMfNm9keWfCrmm2OFe5fl29FHxoE5uUAjdfLgnmCS72hDurldhKVoel_1QF0K4RJhx0kIBkTdjsLFo5Ni2lzvs/s320/7+7+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not a force-field generator, it's a statement.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
No real significant remolding was done from the Trailbreakercutter mold to create Hoist, not even some additional orange paint on the arms/truck back. I don't mind that though, because this is a damn fine little mold for a legends size figure. Hoist also includes the most sensibly sized weapon of the 3 that come with guns, so the bot mode looks a bit more normal when armed. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The tampo'd on Autobot logo really stands out beautifully on the green torso. Most of the paint decisions on this guy are fantastic - the orange on the legs looks very good, and isn't so bright that it's jarring in any way to look at. There's also definitely some cool poseability you can achieve with this little guy.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsWxL65Inp98BqiOQM4oPfn3UjpdsVaGdGaW95loQjXnfs1MsA8GQbFi8qvHKXW4iOMr6nzEHe8rUQl6hzcDXzv_ttIg7BJ07n8qe-iluRih6nUpZRAjihKL_D5akhVebfb7yPV3lAT2u/s1600/7+7+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsWxL65Inp98BqiOQM4oPfn3UjpdsVaGdGaW95loQjXnfs1MsA8GQbFi8qvHKXW4iOMr6nzEHe8rUQl6hzcDXzv_ttIg7BJ07n8qe-iluRih6nUpZRAjihKL_D5akhVebfb7yPV3lAT2u/s320/7+7+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delightfully blocky.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hoist makes me wonder if we'll see any more of the '85 Autobot cast start to permeate the ranks of Legends class toys. There aren't really that many of them. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What this hopefully portends is a release of some kind of Classics style larger toy of Trailbreaker and Hoist, two characters that have not seen much in the way of larger homages outside of a (particularly cool) movie toy redeco for Hoist. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The vehicle mode for Hoist is a bit simple, but it has its charms. For your consideration here are pictures of it with both the weapon attached and the weapon not attached. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlh8g3MXVRkPeRKKax3G3VSMcSBed6M5xEddE9Opou9FyHUvkF77Pbv_HI95M5S9cbeS3QuLuaU5i8x4O_Md8pNx3ydb9Fm6Kt2CBfdF7zLYTBaOKdT9gk_fLI9IPzgQOXJGGjbFEuBIj/s1600/7+7+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlh8g3MXVRkPeRKKax3G3VSMcSBed6M5xEddE9Opou9FyHUvkF77Pbv_HI95M5S9cbeS3QuLuaU5i8x4O_Md8pNx3ydb9Fm6Kt2CBfdF7zLYTBaOKdT9gk_fLI9IPzgQOXJGGjbFEuBIj/s320/7+7+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With weapon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecB5hjZWB6F0Vfy4cjgb6zTtDEzx_nFJznP-vmEJNCqX1YMFbATPO5tIu5s02U7w6ek7vfUYFFWtZH9wFK8x6_9NVUdQjPaVB0y_OBukXBlq6Iu61z7-dzsR30iQPw86eOjCbK9dp_hO_/s1600/7+7+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecB5hjZWB6F0Vfy4cjgb6zTtDEzx_nFJznP-vmEJNCqX1YMFbATPO5tIu5s02U7w6ek7vfUYFFWtZH9wFK8x6_9NVUdQjPaVB0y_OBukXBlq6Iu61z7-dzsR30iQPw86eOjCbK9dp_hO_/s320/7+7+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Without weapon (look, I'm out of caption ammo for the day, ok?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Again, very good looking, but I can't say enough how I wish something was done with that back part to make it more Hoist-y and less Trailbreaker-y.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>These are all very fun little toys.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiossk8Yxms7zv_C41JrrMW5CaTxSzV7xjmvN2W4O7_T1FKLfnZr_mrGSGpt4NcxqDM2_z-UZZjrK8IRJXW6p3aPN4L3c2MTilUPRdSnv9PBq-AOhGchefO-9uOuiudXNaEpNCfkRbF2e/s1600/7+7+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiossk8Yxms7zv_C41JrrMW5CaTxSzV7xjmvN2W4O7_T1FKLfnZr_mrGSGpt4NcxqDM2_z-UZZjrK8IRJXW6p3aPN4L3c2MTilUPRdSnv9PBq-AOhGchefO-9uOuiudXNaEpNCfkRbF2e/s320/7+7+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obligatory group shot, yay!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Those of you that know my collecting habits will know that Transformers like this are right up my alley: homage laden repaints of toys that were already fun to begin with, with enough minor remolds and slight differences to feel new and fun. It's a shame that these aren't going to come out stateside as they are and that many collectors will never get their hands on them, but I do think Bluestreak and Thundercracker may hit in a multi-pack later in the year, so keep your eyes peeled at your Walmart. Just not too hard, because some of the people there are strange. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As pointed out to me the other day, these releases may be a sign of the times. Stuff that we used to take for granted on getting just doesn't show up anymore, and the releases we do get become increasingly less exciting. Fact is, Transformers just simply can't be selling like they were 3-5 years ago, or this wouldn't be happening as it is. After 3 movies and 5 years, the current generation of kids are probably getting worn out on the concept, for now. Give it some time and the overseas exclusives won't be so exclusive.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But get these now if you want them, these certainly are only going to go up in price.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG1m1hFg45yf3aAR-PAbx1pw2w7U9KRZbfVhMiLjympPlE0okMMrE_pjKR7SmZ81iAXQpApiO4TmdsyQg11Z37b8YYLU9SolZMIZwQHCkKfDutUE092D9GK92q3ivossoQ7OR9bXRXGBW/s1600/7+7+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG1m1hFg45yf3aAR-PAbx1pw2w7U9KRZbfVhMiLjympPlE0okMMrE_pjKR7SmZ81iAXQpApiO4TmdsyQg11Z37b8YYLU9SolZMIZwQHCkKfDutUE092D9GK92q3ivossoQ7OR9bXRXGBW/s320/7+7+046.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;">'Til next time, 'Til all are one...</span></div>ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-611674122318840772012-06-01T17:38:00.000-04:002012-06-01T17:39:45.050-04:00This has been a long time coming<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beyond Good.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beyond Evil.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Beyond Your Wildest Imagination.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5evj3CJEHQvLQImt5zBZpyvwta33wxaFe19uAjF5GuKTE7qoZFkfp0RBWcIbRXavsMvZtHEFmOL-h4ep_wQKyb_Nsb9dEP_grGnVlx5-7OacQG-FsP_ZbB_dXteRYSjoocgtAN3IAjbyH/s1600/6+1+033.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="No, I didn't do the movie poster poses. Deal with it." border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5evj3CJEHQvLQImt5zBZpyvwta33wxaFe19uAjF5GuKTE7qoZFkfp0RBWcIbRXavsMvZtHEFmOL-h4ep_wQKyb_Nsb9dEP_grGnVlx5-7OacQG-FsP_ZbB_dXteRYSjoocgtAN3IAjbyH/s400/6+1+033.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is why I collect.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">'til next time... 'til all are one!</span></div>ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-67356042686212442422012-05-27T15:28:00.002-04:002012-05-27T15:30:12.132-04:00Triggerhappy<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">First Ever Poll Winner Review! Generation 1 Decepticon Targetmaster Triggerhappy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Pick Up Stuff in Plastic Bags)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">There was a poll awhile back asking readers of this blog to choose what era a Transformer should come from for me to buy at Botcon. Generation 1 won the poll. Granted, I bought a lot of stuff, not just this, but this poll was to decide what I would do with this:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqS96XJg13hHWuzQdUHK3IhzQUGGLZpP9OTR6Uo30jwqxUfIG6Z01wZMmGx-FuWkGNid1apdnZQYiAK9L7NK8-raR6SAag2003TfqVa7Irjay7qpzuY3RaMcQRn8aWrzC74VMyKzbSqWPz/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqS96XJg13hHWuzQdUHK3IhzQUGGLZpP9OTR6Uo30jwqxUfIG6Z01wZMmGx-FuWkGNid1apdnZQYiAK9L7NK8-raR6SAag2003TfqVa7Irjay7qpzuY3RaMcQRn8aWrzC74VMyKzbSqWPz/s320/Bloggin+5+27+2012+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavy Metal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For those curious, that comes out to be this much before Coinstar takes their share:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LEj4owrHPZVHvkRUfd4GsvPJLTpsmdhksgGCGVFF6JFtvhAUK1rVoX1mg8Yy7Que8-sq5tBcwKYTssO_BfwRLypPGaNRJvi7QfxzI6mUJaizfEkib7tvOYL6nlq342uuqxBOXRir4NhD/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LEj4owrHPZVHvkRUfd4GsvPJLTpsmdhksgGCGVFF6JFtvhAUK1rVoX1mg8Yy7Que8-sq5tBcwKYTssO_BfwRLypPGaNRJvi7QfxzI6mUJaizfEkib7tvOYL6nlq342uuqxBOXRir4NhD/s320/Bloggin+5+27+2012+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">meh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That gives a pretty fair budget to work with. Alas, Coinstar is really the only practical way I know of getting this much random loose change turned into something useful. In this case, something useful is cash. Banks only take loose change when it's rolled up, and I'm not rolling all that. Even rolled, many times pennies are not wanted. This left the budget for this project at around $65, give or take a bit. It was decided that something like a Targetmaster or Pretender would probably fit this budget. Good decision.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Enter: Triggerhappy.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAFbw8g-pQYPFqifGRuIwG3peoTgsbVv_PTal6Hwgq13sek27v8ob4H9DNT8ucxYUjWilIjBYo2e9n2UJLu2wD_r-JuY00UKkum3OUBRoueB8WieTfMaRa2-wKkukYBpzZQRawMao4n7i/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAFbw8g-pQYPFqifGRuIwG3peoTgsbVv_PTal6Hwgq13sek27v8ob4H9DNT8ucxYUjWilIjBYo2e9n2UJLu2wD_r-JuY00UKkum3OUBRoueB8WieTfMaRa2-wKkukYBpzZQRawMao4n7i/s320/Bloggin+5+27+2012+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He doesn't look very happy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Triggerhappy is my first ever large Decepticon Targetmaster, and joins the ranks of Quake, Spinister, and Needlenose on my shelf of other Decepticon Targetmasters. For reasons I don't understand, the Decepticon "Large" Targetmasters are significantly larger than the Autobot ones. Granted, lack of understanding does not equate to giving a crap about that in this instance. All I can figure is it's yet another way they tried to make up for 1) the Decepticon's Commander in 1987 (Scorponok) being significantly smaller than the Autobot's (Fortress Maximus), and 2) The Autobot Targetmaster ranks numbering at 6 rather than the 5 the Decepticons got.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot7zJUYBr6rv5s2QUMWqEvT2qb7Z8IPe0iwXDpNzFK9t6T9kxHuGXox4mTRHZDWJ5n5uRx7UnlaOmYaH2omfA2d8gV6jB1xxd3MC7u8CDOsbaR1Rb8_wLwEp-UWny9tIkPzsP0L8PztGd/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot7zJUYBr6rv5s2QUMWqEvT2qb7Z8IPe0iwXDpNzFK9t6T9kxHuGXox4mTRHZDWJ5n5uRx7UnlaOmYaH2omfA2d8gV6jB1xxd3MC7u8CDOsbaR1Rb8_wLwEp-UWny9tIkPzsP0L8PztGd/s320/Bloggin+5+27+2012+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rad visor bro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The first order of business I had with this guy, and part of my excuse for taking so long to get this blog up, was to buy Reprolabels. They're very nice, and I love what those guys do up in Canada, it's an extremely valuable service they offer the hobby and please, patronize them whenever you can. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here's confession time: Triggerhappy and the labels got to a total budget of $51 spent on this toy. The other $14 was used somewhere, sometime, on something else. That's right, this toy was picked up for the outstanding price of <b>45 dollars.</b> Botcon is known for good deals, because of stuff like this, but let me be clear: this is an exception, and a bit of luck was probably also involved (or maybe good karma). This Triggerhappy was in a baggy on a dealer's table mixed in with a lot of Unicron Trilogy and Beast Wars stuff. It was labeled at $45 and I assumed something was wrong with it. The way it was packaged, I figured the small Targetmaster gun extension couldn't possibly be there. It was. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZM2DN_9IVerfBcr9LGRkgu8RBsb7YPmu0g9Y_e8PdZMMpP815-G_9BSXwdY-DO_44CAMmxpc4QDziJcglrwc7Eold0UlGupvMYS3B-CxoEIU_uupWVo-DoE4MwSmcWqDm4m0qX9HIE2ym/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZM2DN_9IVerfBcr9LGRkgu8RBsb7YPmu0g9Y_e8PdZMMpP815-G_9BSXwdY-DO_44CAMmxpc4QDziJcglrwc7Eold0UlGupvMYS3B-CxoEIU_uupWVo-DoE4MwSmcWqDm4m0qX9HIE2ym/s320/Bloggin+5+27+2012+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a fan of the side view, but nothing's perfect</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I can't emphasize enough that while stuff like this can be found at Botcon, do not ever count on finding prices on stuff like this at Botcon. The majority of Generation 1 toys there are massively overpriced. It was difficult to find a complete Swoop for $100, which is essentially market value on that toy. Not to mention anything with a box, regardless of the box's condition, will be absolutely gouged to hell just to test the adage of there being a sucker born every minute. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Continuing on to the actual toy, I really like the head mold on this guy. The new toys just don't capture the imaginatively cheesy look that several of the bots from the 80s wear like a badge of honor. I think too often these days, the designers go for extremely stylized looks, and sometimes, that's a very good thing. Other times, it seems to be for the sake of it. Give me a blocky plain looking robot head sometime, with industrial looking craniums laced with bodacious orange visor sunglass looking things. To me, that helps ground Transformer designs on occasion and helps keep in mind that these are <i>robots</i> in disguise. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAFbw8g-pQYPFqifGRuIwG3peoTgsbVv_PTal6Hwgq13sek27v8ob4H9DNT8ucxYUjWilIjBYo2e9n2UJLu2wD_r-JuY00UKkum3OUBRoueB8WieTfMaRa2-wKkukYBpzZQRawMao4n7i/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAFbw8g-pQYPFqifGRuIwG3peoTgsbVv_PTal6Hwgq13sek27v8ob4H9DNT8ucxYUjWilIjBYo2e9n2UJLu2wD_r-JuY00UKkum3OUBRoueB8WieTfMaRa2-wKkukYBpzZQRawMao4n7i/s320/Bloggin+5+27+2012+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 points of articulation, 0 creativity points for Scotty on this pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He comes with a Targetmaster partner, Blowpipe. Yeeah, let that one sink in for a minute. And you thought some <a href="http://scotty--p.blogspot.com/2012/03/break-from-green-beer-or-insecticon.html">Insecticon repaints had funny names</a>. He's a pretty cool little guy, and has this pretty different design where there's an extra part that you clip on to make the gun mode after you flip him over. Blowpipe has a tendency to break at the waist joint. Mine is not broken, but this gives me cause for concern.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCIza03toOIURcEjSd_B2ikWazwg7WVmBp-PEZuMz8NKI1LqGvplQVvlPX1-fUKgFvy6nKht_d17apijUHrXMJntIIXdKZCOe5qKOeVGLScMOjFY9TpxbXUhR0DRvCf_i_eBU_c-fPglM/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCIza03toOIURcEjSd_B2ikWazwg7WVmBp-PEZuMz8NKI1LqGvplQVvlPX1-fUKgFvy6nKht_d17apijUHrXMJntIIXdKZCOe5qKOeVGLScMOjFY9TpxbXUhR0DRvCf_i_eBU_c-fPglM/s320/Bloggin+5+27+2012+052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh fun, a stress mark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yep, mine already has a lovely stress mark at the waist, so he's staying in gun mode. Sorry, a blog post doesn't make me want to risk breaking a figure.<br />
<br />
And yes, I realize that picture is blurry and the stress mark is hard to see in it. One day, I'll get a camera that isn't from 2007. Maybe. Possibly. I don't know, this thing is pretty serviceable for these posts and the manual mode is amazingly powerful for a little point and shoot. Oh Canon, I'll never go back to Kodak or Sony again.<br />
<br />
Another thing worth mentioning if you're in the market for this toy - there are two small tabs below the folded up jet mode cannons that serve to clip them into the body in alt mode. These break very easily. Only one is broken on mine, and the broken off piece was actually in the baggy he came in! Of course, this doesn't idiot proof it, as this guy right here stuck it on his hotel nightstand, never to see it again after the maid came through. These cannons, which fold up adjacent to the arms, also have a tendency to sag over time, as the plastic is worn down by the pin that holds it vertical. Thankfully, that's not a problem for this one either. Finally, the gray can yellow a bit. Mine is just barely yellowing, which is hard to tell anyway since the front lights I use are incandescent (and therefore give off a warm color temperature). <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXhkbBg7OSda4QhZILdVqBnQws4qkJnGhUhmYrGWGlCAPFmKRbCwvwZKV0zhxH4NNTz5RBzmjIab5RncKxY65s0ZldH70rKNufInDlePx-KTC7fHtEDlu0BvrhyphenhyphenwSDGhaOVAh6tN7078v/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXhkbBg7OSda4QhZILdVqBnQws4qkJnGhUhmYrGWGlCAPFmKRbCwvwZKV0zhxH4NNTz5RBzmjIab5RncKxY65s0ZldH70rKNufInDlePx-KTC7fHtEDlu0BvrhyphenhyphenwSDGhaOVAh6tN7078v/s320/Bloggin+5+27+2012+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know if this belongs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In regards to the stickers, the Reprolabel set came with this faction symbol. Information on the internet as to whether or not this was present on Triggerhappy originally is tough to find. I'm not sure if this belongs where I put it, on his cockpit window (which seemed dumb), or not at all. I like the look of it here and plan to keep it there regardless, but knowing where it should go would be cool. This is also me fishing for your comments below :D<br />
<br />
I <b>love</b> the alt mode on this toy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNCN81hizYcMog34AHufKZqhYBtzgNjr9BGjWRa7lVMEmck-ZpAsw4MPEaLi6HcQoIiK8m6Phx6ZY4NflQQiSVM2bdQbXIDzlN1YAkdD4DtM7N7HcvkgZoHJr0pmegh6Qmf8_NrOM1thu/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNCN81hizYcMog34AHufKZqhYBtzgNjr9BGjWRa7lVMEmck-ZpAsw4MPEaLi6HcQoIiK8m6Phx6ZY4NflQQiSVM2bdQbXIDzlN1YAkdD4DtM7N7HcvkgZoHJr0pmegh6Qmf8_NrOM1thu/s320/Bloggin+5+27+2012+046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front/overhead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4MTRS34W3h6wJ7vPbI7IXj5aowe6oiK_74W7s7zvhrQ40NJCymy1RcvRmvBDBuEROhxyYAogS9bG0lWn6jRzIIi2xyVMjKvBYXE-6RF0hP9NyJPP1XXAsjrkBJ9tnXmyg1W0TO7eG8hM/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4MTRS34W3h6wJ7vPbI7IXj5aowe6oiK_74W7s7zvhrQ40NJCymy1RcvRmvBDBuEROhxyYAogS9bG0lWn6jRzIIi2xyVMjKvBYXE-6RF0hP9NyJPP1XXAsjrkBJ9tnXmyg1W0TO7eG8hM/s320/Bloggin+5+27+2012+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front/straight on</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This thing takes a Blitzwing-type plane alt-mode and makes it actually menacing. The color contrast for the cannons is perfect, the clear blue canopy/cockpit is a thing of beauty, and the copper highlights on the back thrusters look amazing. <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDxOTQJgtJtd4vVcf15lLym6mh6uxt2me8q64OiWR3U1D0snwWauZeA34aXzQ2esS5uFBTYCrgTOEd_KChG-2IEMGFGrDtmbJi96xlPZKfBuvsC19c2fAIsOB1pFLdrfGW0P2TK_GbAEM/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDxOTQJgtJtd4vVcf15lLym6mh6uxt2me8q64OiWR3U1D0snwWauZeA34aXzQ2esS5uFBTYCrgTOEd_KChG-2IEMGFGrDtmbJi96xlPZKfBuvsC19c2fAIsOB1pFLdrfGW0P2TK_GbAEM/s320/Bloggin+5+27+2012+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angled</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Blowpipe mounts above and manages to not be too intruding. I could care less about realism and aerodynamics on alt modes, especially so on G1 toys, but Blowpipe doesn't look like he'd be too in the way in cartoon non-physics land. Come to think of it, a lot of Targetmasters end up looking like what they are when you put them in weapon mode: a small robot trying to orally pleasure itself. Thanks to the way the heels stick up and the separate part extension, this Targetmaster manages to look a bit more like a weapon and a bit less like some kind of obscene symbol of a toy designer's sexual frustration. My apologies if I just ruined your perception of Targetmasters forever. One day, I'll work on not thinking like a 7th grader. Anyways, Triggerhappy does something a lot of Decepticon toys fail at in alt mode - he <i>looks</i> like a Decepticon, not just a plane. I can say the same for his buddies Misfire and Slugslinger, but I don't own them yet. Soon, maybe. Slugslinger is not at all cheap. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSx2_C9ukVK2_gRyR5hGx40WkA-VXO8syouryZcGAxzr_yvpvDBSXgvBGbnsGupx4Tlq5SldAW2buWKCJyJuxyyPeZiF9fz_1JBEcoMJmZWv0vCw-5TIv0B64shjXZT7xzmpXKOwSwmb-/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSx2_C9ukVK2_gRyR5hGx40WkA-VXO8syouryZcGAxzr_yvpvDBSXgvBGbnsGupx4Tlq5SldAW2buWKCJyJuxyyPeZiF9fz_1JBEcoMJmZWv0vCw-5TIv0B64shjXZT7xzmpXKOwSwmb-/s320/Bloggin+5+27+2012+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In scale together? Yeah, basically.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There's a shot of Triggerhappy next to/somewhat behind Scourge, who was another Botcon purchase. The two are basically in scale with each other, which, ooooh... that's probably why these are the size they are as opposed to the Autobot car Targetmasters. That epiphany really just happened while I wrote this blog. Better late than never? Forget my goofy theories stated before. I'm going to leave them though, so that you can see one reason writing is helpful - critical thinking. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In short, in case you don't like to read, Triggerhappy embodies a lot of what Transformers toys were doing right by 1987. Sure, the articulation is still lacking, but the overall design is great, the sculpting is more evolved than something from '86, the concept is creative, and you can really see some of the love and attention put into the second year of completely original Transformers designs reflected in this toy. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I give this toy my highest recommendation for G1 Collectors. If you don't like G1, this toy won't change your mind, but it will look very cool while it tries to.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-n8njzUtBgdVYxWViW_57rKKeDHWWghbwhfJfta0mUhACROBsMAhcPo3N3cqcVPXI5RCBw1iQUXg60GY8kX3y4Qx6seMd-tMdIm9DpP4zQrwt5APKKE7fwsHOZEiy1peXy9fqlK_jkJrW/s1600/Bloggin+5+27+2012+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-n8njzUtBgdVYxWViW_57rKKeDHWWghbwhfJfta0mUhACROBsMAhcPo3N3cqcVPXI5RCBw1iQUXg60GY8kX3y4Qx6seMd-tMdIm9DpP4zQrwt5APKKE7fwsHOZEiy1peXy9fqlK_jkJrW/s400/Bloggin+5+27+2012+056.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
'Til Next time, 'til all are one...</div>ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-68707493721319281752012-05-15T15:01:00.001-04:002012-05-15T15:01:39.510-04:00Reference post, move along, nothing to see here...Just a reference post on what's scheduled to go up here whenever I get some free time at home to write, pics are all made:<br />
<br />
- Botcon Haul pt. 2 - detail and thoughts on toys ('con exclusives and other purchases).<br />
- Poll winner review - G1 Triggerhappy<br />
- Cybertron/Galaxy Force line in review - Part 1 of an ongoing retrospective to rule all ongoing retrospectives<br />
<br />ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-68383312980011741422012-05-03T12:21:00.000-04:002012-05-03T12:21:53.665-04:00Botcon Haul and Musings<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hauling in</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(or: Spending a bit North of "a lot", and a bit South of "too much")</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll just get it out of the way: here's my Botcon Haul in hastily photographed glory.</span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwng4-7C97GtzAJ3hBEfLM31MAJ51SeX5vwDftd1LvH4S97R-uX7n6UbVgXePOuTRZxJGPwf4W_VcqB89YtdVdv3sGnVLDW8sDKwAXi-_W-PyyaJfwEDd_ZyzDW4sqQzK7zfK1wgUZydhC/s1600/haul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwng4-7C97GtzAJ3hBEfLM31MAJ51SeX5vwDftd1LvH4S97R-uX7n6UbVgXePOuTRZxJGPwf4W_VcqB89YtdVdv3sGnVLDW8sDKwAXi-_W-PyyaJfwEDd_ZyzDW4sqQzK7zfK1wgUZydhC/s400/haul.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinda just looks like I took a dealer's table and brought it home, huh?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll have more detailed pictures, thoughts, etc. eventually, probably over the weekend. Also planned is the blog review of the winner of my little poll: <b>Generation 1 Triggerhappy!</b> </span> </span> </span>I have reprolabels on the way for the fig, so it'll be a couple weeks, but may as well announce the winner. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Some thoughts on this years convention</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'll break this into segments, as some parts of the 'con were great, others left opportunity for improvement. I will not mention anything "bad" without mentioning good parts and things done right as well - overall, Fun Pub does do a pretty great job all around with it and only mentioning opportunities can seem like an attack. I assure you this is not, in any way - I'm still a little abuzz about the weekend, so take any complaints with the correct tone (that is, I'm very happy overall). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Location</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dallas is pretty cool. Long drive, but driving was a choice. I don't like the on ramps in Texas and Arkansas, they're too short and unforgiving. Not enough restaurants in close walking distance to the hotel (due to hobos, long walking distances were not an option). The restaurants that were close were very good, so that helps. Hotel stuff was good too, but, you know, ouch on the wallet (as expected).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Lines</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There have been years where the lines were extremely bad, others where they were extremely smooth. This year, most lines were handled very well, and were very orderly. The one exception to this was the Thursday club store for early package pickup. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Again, remember before this rant, that this line was the <i>exception</i> to all the others I stood in. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Candace and I lined up around 45 minutes before the Club Store was set to open for Primus Package holders. The first line we got in turned out to be the Package Pickup line. We were in that line, mistakenly, for about 15 minutes, just from not knowing any better (no signs, etc.). Staff did address this and we moved on to the store line, no big deal. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We stood in a store line for not long, I found out when getting my order form that it was the Credit Card line. No warning, had to ask, which was annoying, but again, just another small thing. I had pulled out cash because that line usually moves quicker and it helps me budget better having cash. So I went downstairs, to the cash only line. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Not being able to stand in the very short souvenir-only line (because I wanted a headband for SG Soundwave) was a bummer, but whatever, I got some posters anyhow so I don't have room to complain about that. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My complaint was the speed of the cash line. Holy cow, it just didn't move for quarter hour blocks at a time. We weren't even that deep into it and still had to wait over an hour once getting into it! Then, when Candace gets a chance to go up after me, the next open rep is suddenly only there for Credit Cards. Wait, what? I know there was apparently an issue with the machines upstairs, but it was frustrating nonetheless. Kind of felt like a third class citizen standing in the cash line, we could have stayed upstairs in the credit line and just used my damn card anyhow and gotten through much, much faster.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Custom Class</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Two words: Never again. Well, maybe again, but I'm getting any "withheld" parts, taking my kit, and leaving and building it at home, at my leisure, for fun. This wasn't a class at all, it was a somewhat guided model kit building session where hard parts weren't so much taught as much as they were just done by staff members. We left early out of a combination of boredom and frustration, but mostly frustration. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nice things about the Custom Class, since I said I would do that - kit is very cool, instructors were good at the beginning (before they got overwhelmed by the class size), and Shawn was cool enough to get out a separate table so Candace and I could sit together since all the large table spots were filled. Although it is worth noticing we were practically forgotten about once seated and given the basic kit (had to go ask for: Manuals, any tools I didn't bring, extra parts, stickers... if it was handed out after the class started, we didn't get given it like everyone else, we had to go get it ourselves from a swamped volunteer).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Dealer Room</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Pretty much exactly what you would expect. Some awesome deals here and there, but mostly overpriced. Only had one unsavory type that wanted to charge me more than what they had marked on the toy (their sticker - not one from an 80s Kmart or something!). I laughed and walked off. Good variety, and still a good time even without the third party stuff (that's what hotel rooms were for). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Panels</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Meh. Can we please stop asking VAs the same dumb things every year? I felt really, really bad for David Kaye. I wanted to learn more about Armada and the production, characters, etc., not hear Chalk and Kaye stumble through awkward fangirl requests. Oh well. Hasbro panel was very bleh, they just don't want to show the bulk of stuff until SDCC anymore. Seating was fine, sound was good, no complaints on the production. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Hall of Fame/Casino Night</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh, there's Bingo? Fun. That was very cool, even though I didn't win anything (one space away from that SG Rodimus :( ). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hall of Fame was just sort of "eh". Our table (which turned out to be a heavy portion of folks from Seibertron) got pretty neglected on the food, I think we were the last ones to have anything besides a salad. Oh well, it was free and pretty good regardless. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Videos seemed cool and the guests weren't bad, but the audio was nearly impossible to make out until the event was mostly over. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>You People</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Are awesome. Nice meeting lots of new faces, I'll see you around Cyberspace and hopefully at next year's con! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-40213047508147277592012-04-06T15:39:00.000-04:002012-04-06T15:39:00.119-04:00Good Friday, IndeedJust a quick post - look at what came in today!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQhYi2oy_z5u7DNmETZVS3bsD_uGx6WrLfvUggDNzMD1cBWtq_DMrPhmDoRaDN9GHyvfFehM_K7SoYOsFUBClQsr7S41xvPCKsYa2x2tejMz7g3Ve4qZ82EO5Ret3IUIjP6esrJjGucCa/s1600/Collection+Update+4+2012+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQhYi2oy_z5u7DNmETZVS3bsD_uGx6WrLfvUggDNzMD1cBWtq_DMrPhmDoRaDN9GHyvfFehM_K7SoYOsFUBClQsr7S41xvPCKsYa2x2tejMz7g3Ve4qZ82EO5Ret3IUIjP6esrJjGucCa/s400/Collection+Update+4+2012+056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The only Japanese Prime toy I want for something other than the Minicon!<br />
<br />
Though I have to say, I'm looking forward to building the Minicon. Off to get started!ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-44465296098164096152012-03-30T10:55:00.000-04:002012-03-30T10:55:15.240-04:00Pointless EntryJust to remind you to vote in the poll over there --------------------------------------------><br />
<br />
This is -just for fun-, and it's not like I'm not buying other things, so don't take this super serious, just vote :) 31 page views for the last post and only 4 votes out of that makes me sad ;_;ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-75898049099056413352012-03-27T13:28:00.000-04:002012-03-27T13:28:36.740-04:00New Poll - You pick one of my Botcon buys!Hello everyone, going to do something just for fun here. <br />
<br />
I have a change jar on my nightstand that will have roughly $50 - $60 in it by the time Botcon rolls around, and it would be fun to use this collected change to buy a Transformer in Botcon's dealer room. <br />
<br />
I want YOU to decide what I get. Poll is on the right sidebar. You choose the Generation, and I'm going to pick something out of that generation that the change jar can buy. There are multiple options, as prices are pretty unpredictable. <br />
<br />
Some detail on the choices:<br />
<br />
<b>Generation 1: </b>If you choose this option, I'm going to have to buy something like an Omnibot (or two), or maybe a cheaper Pretender, because most of the G1 stuff I don't have is around $100 or higher. Comments welcome with suggestions, of course!<br />
<br />
<b>Beast Wars: </b>I have most of Beast Wars, but I do have some noticeably absent entries, such as the original Optimus Primal and Megatron ultras (got the BWX ones), and the Tripredacus combiner. Your vote here votes for me picking up one of those three, maybe more.<br />
<br />
<b>Movieverse: </b>I doubt this will win, but if you really want me to buy a Screen Battle pack or some other weird movie item that I don't have yet (mostly multipacks and imports), choose this.<br />
<br />
<b>Animated: </b>Choosing this is a vote for one of the following Takara repaints: Black Prime, Black Rodimus, or part of Elite Guard Prime's cost. Simple as that. <br />
<br />
<b>Prime: </b>I can buy probably one of these with the change jar: Either Entertainment Pack or FE Vehicon. Leaning towards the Vehicon but it may get higher than the change jar is capable of.<br />
<br />
<b>Other: </b>This isn't an option, but you can comment below! Comment moderation is getting turned off while this poll runs, unless I begin to regret that decision. <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The winner gets a full blown blog entry review thing, complete with photos of me buying the thing from the dealer room itself. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Til next time, 'Til all are one...</span> </span>ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-36898515348725951382012-03-17T16:20:00.001-04:002012-03-19T13:11:46.442-04:00A Break From Green Beer (or: Insecticon Dance Party)<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjToKEk9fGxQQgYcfrlOoVDmSmJ_UK-kMJxG0imnC8sA1FjNz30PkAsiagI4-TdTPUTUjKmzIA5nG3CASnkuHRQMwZsV4Fy1QVm9RX65sODw9XLUbWG1_yCXsamR5acnaTx8WHMGD6YT7/s1600/bzzz+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;">A Break From Green Beer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(or: Insecticon Dance Party)</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">There's one subgroup of Decepticons from the original Transformers (annotated as G1 after this for laziness) that really stands out as... weird. And no, I'm not referring to Snapdragon and Apeface, but they're weird too. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This post, if you haven't already gleaned it from the title (and from my other <a href="http://scotty--p.blogspot.com/2012/03/malaise.html">delay tactics</a>), is about the G1 Insecticons. In All Their Forms. No, really. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiuup5DkEy-5LfO7rnUzkMIHTQ-OroTsqgo8BZqeXyWdeNxwfIVsAjwm-9GiqBJ5qAW4B3Tt1VD52nx-vFKv6TsMzMngYaIEX-PBrrtsqYXb3uffsA6fqyk8x3ZOAlggpzTY1ceMnYPvo/s1600/bzzz+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiuup5DkEy-5LfO7rnUzkMIHTQ-OroTsqgo8BZqeXyWdeNxwfIVsAjwm-9GiqBJ5qAW4B3Tt1VD52nx-vFKv6TsMzMngYaIEX-PBrrtsqYXb3uffsA6fqyk8x3ZOAlggpzTY1ceMnYPvo/s320/bzzz+001.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's pretty much all of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ok, technically, the original, not at all different, Takara releases aren't there. Oh dear. Somebody slap me until I care. I'm going to show all of them in at least a little bit of detail, starting with the purple and black dude pals that you all know. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXPUaxe3iGBmCTBp3WcM9Rn9jsHvIbrpf0Rm8I8vGYq0huJ7FDIgdYvg7djIa0x4vpXwl1L8Rp1FY-sCpr2QoRT0eQB0-VpS48d0sdAPs5l7VM7XDB6E9cOr-F3-vjyIA4ySfGso2CSAW/s1600/bzzz+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXPUaxe3iGBmCTBp3WcM9Rn9jsHvIbrpf0Rm8I8vGYq0huJ7FDIgdYvg7djIa0x4vpXwl1L8Rp1FY-sCpr2QoRT0eQB0-VpS48d0sdAPs5l7VM7XDB6E9cOr-F3-vjyIA4ySfGso2CSAW/s320/bzzz+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In the front are my stickered up, worn out, old school 80s release Insecticons. In the back are the 2009 Toys R Us Reissues, without any stickers applied. Now for some pictures of them individually, starting with Kickback.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ie52ma3bi1PaZXvDJl99yrGCE43fv-0EZZuCPgRMJ7CycaKYybQbyWlGmN7ueF4ZVbvkg6uLoaU5Lo-CVNEqYySbA27w_V8vfDhoELHgnOHixSc1Yc4eNv4malGthtWol81TZjeuKuB0/s1600/bzzz+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ie52ma3bi1PaZXvDJl99yrGCE43fv-0EZZuCPgRMJ7CycaKYybQbyWlGmN7ueF4ZVbvkg6uLoaU5Lo-CVNEqYySbA27w_V8vfDhoELHgnOHixSc1Yc4eNv4malGthtWol81TZjeuKuB0/s320/bzzz+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Aaaand I might (did) forget to take pictures of the Bombshell and Shrapnel individually. Oops. No biggie, because they'll be pictured shortly enough. The reason for this is summed up with three names: Shot Hole, Zaptrap, and Salvo.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkBFWpFxolDIAiXO5JbyegFYh-BlZ8wnX2gOLmcLR1HINkCuBN5AVL2sWkOmJoQMkgh86wzzHPAQBMNl82yN9PDUOZ5sCop1cByWxov154Ha9SKlWQ2NM91Tp9zPrEOJDXDe6V5fJ1UBw/s1600/bzzz+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkBFWpFxolDIAiXO5JbyegFYh-BlZ8wnX2gOLmcLR1HINkCuBN5AVL2sWkOmJoQMkgh86wzzHPAQBMNl82yN9PDUOZ5sCop1cByWxov154Ha9SKlWQ2NM91Tp9zPrEOJDXDe6V5fJ1UBw/s320/bzzz+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are 200x e-hobby releases, and again, their names are supposedly Shot Hole (lolz), Zaptrap (where's Ackbar?), and Salvo (yeah, no jokes I can think of here). As you can tell, I have applied the stickers. We'll take a look at their respective comparisons in both modes, and yes, I did remember to actually take all the pictures of these while I had them out. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tlin3t7y7-vrxLdG9MMms6dEHYcgUjq6cHAafwWR0s4E815JN9ujcVqdomWbAbcnpwLrRt7OwTrKe1HolWsON11PxW074HaB9jDLj32dOUE5Mnj_Rhu68rwjcrD3JazGMt_ikD-26SZN/s1600/bzzz+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tlin3t7y7-vrxLdG9MMms6dEHYcgUjq6cHAafwWR0s4E815JN9ujcVqdomWbAbcnpwLrRt7OwTrKe1HolWsON11PxW074HaB9jDLj32dOUE5Mnj_Rhu68rwjcrD3JazGMt_ikD-26SZN/s320/bzzz+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shot Hole and Kickback, just kickin' back shootin' hole.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Shot Hole and Kickback probably have the best contrast of all the designs in regards to color scheme. The green torso is really what makes the redeco stand out as distinctively different.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNEcp_TikUnzbN1B6_ryAKkVOF_pZZBm5CNlwLZBd8WQGKrgF-F30y5rJvjYOU8KpugfwXp4BcFUhEJT6VQf9Cg6K4r9IorAX5g01rmYdd5t49uR8fsxJWLl9sVdpxrgrQgQlOkHOaxa0/s1600/bzzz+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNEcp_TikUnzbN1B6_ryAKkVOF_pZZBm5CNlwLZBd8WQGKrgF-F30y5rJvjYOU8KpugfwXp4BcFUhEJT6VQf9Cg6K4r9IorAX5g01rmYdd5t49uR8fsxJWLl9sVdpxrgrQgQlOkHOaxa0/s320/bzzz+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insect mode, where they kick hole and shoot back. I guess.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The difference is pretty marked in insect mode as well. Although I would have loved some red antennae for Shot Hole.<br />
<br />
Moving on...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQmTayuD5JsfDl3KuGLxpkO64TnZP16E0kwiwajLoYz4Pe_hjgjk-0uEKtE4bLKfBCbeItOthG9spLozpWU_mgpipKFn2xiXD7HnzatyKFznNN04M6R7p7heYp7khc42U9_UcLHKTvAxI/s1600/bzzz+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQmTayuD5JsfDl3KuGLxpkO64TnZP16E0kwiwajLoYz4Pe_hjgjk-0uEKtE4bLKfBCbeItOthG9spLozpWU_mgpipKFn2xiXD7HnzatyKFznNN04M6R7p7heYp7khc42U9_UcLHKTvAxI/s320/bzzz+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zaptrap and Shrapnel, zappin' traps and um... idk what happens after you zap a trap, but I don't want to find out. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoCEEOGp7kp1LsnflLPKrM8Ob5vdcXLvjoa6di_5u1EISZGQ29A0OUNYAYTD36K7Nq4k76LWkryYUAqQZKlUx2qDW9qZB4ztPTNTpZBnLFdFJ5h5RmksKj4TpI_GKqzYj8jW2sneYPx88/s1600/bzzz+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoCEEOGp7kp1LsnflLPKrM8Ob5vdcXLvjoa6di_5u1EISZGQ29A0OUNYAYTD36K7Nq4k76LWkryYUAqQZKlUx2qDW9qZB4ztPTNTpZBnLFdFJ5h5RmksKj4TpI_GKqzYj8jW2sneYPx88/s320/bzzz+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>These two may look really, really different to you in insect mode. That's because I used my 80s Shrapnel for the insect mode comparison, and his lower set of wheel things did not survive the Gobot wars. Or Power Ranger wars. Or whatever happened at Castle Greyskull in my parent's downstairs gigantor room when I was a child.<br />
<br />
The insect mode isn't very interesting to compare, since these two basically just swap the purple on Shrapnel for red on Zaptrap. That's not very exciting to look at, or to talk about for that matter. Meaning it's time to move on to the next Insecticons.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBIyHg_8PC7kqfu3vGHVbV1pgXEFruMDCS0tYq7MD0RChqPqtLGWuOLuFvMJ-Txeei5EMMet_k8Rejz2_fyxwdydXj-ImmY1wHk9j4BSAEQ86zdzOlBNolAJRgmBLxqnFdH_qmcAYYelx/s1600/bzzz+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBIyHg_8PC7kqfu3vGHVbV1pgXEFruMDCS0tYq7MD0RChqPqtLGWuOLuFvMJ-Txeei5EMMet_k8Rejz2_fyxwdydXj-ImmY1wHk9j4BSAEQ86zdzOlBNolAJRgmBLxqnFdH_qmcAYYelx/s320/bzzz+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salvo and Bombshell, Salving O's and... ok, I've gone too far. Sorry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5wtSsqBsqMgKt4yJJJWYaYNSMdjNISQMR__uwKzoh7jOjp3EgSRIHBEfDryma8TTQMCbF00Vn7nXMfZR8nWnW56GEwrGy4nSVKE5-akfDW2mTZ7MuGckSIkN7r9xmR7KYklV56sNUWhc/s1600/bzzz+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5wtSsqBsqMgKt4yJJJWYaYNSMdjNISQMR__uwKzoh7jOjp3EgSRIHBEfDryma8TTQMCbF00Vn7nXMfZR8nWnW56GEwrGy4nSVKE5-akfDW2mTZ7MuGckSIkN7r9xmR7KYklV56sNUWhc/s320/bzzz+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>These guys are once again a pretty lazy purple to red swap, but probably due to the amount of purple/red, it doesn't bother me as much. I just really wish the cool green contrast detail color explored with Shot Hole had been applied even a little bit to Zaptrap and Salvo. That would have, to me, made these recolors much more interesting. Not that I don't like them, but had I not gotten these when they came out, I'd absolutely not be paying the secondary market price for these little guys.<br />
<br />
All in all, the e-hobby recolors are pretty fun, and it really isn't ever a problem having too many Insecticons, since in the show there were always about 40,000 of them with little to no variation. It never made sense to me, since they had additional designs they could have capitalized on. These additional designs were, in a word, Deluxe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_E_nemKXDawPxU6Rbcc65ZpCW5CfhOdFr7RO2tll_a-kK-aK5mk4ewvYJv8u7JebWfQcHTYDikJc0sP4daAhWUOFzXLeCwe6gfhqMGpnEZ642DPek_hABov0zglIdJjjOx2ee7_tcH8I/s1600/bzzz+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_E_nemKXDawPxU6Rbcc65ZpCW5CfhOdFr7RO2tll_a-kK-aK5mk4ewvYJv8u7JebWfQcHTYDikJc0sP4daAhWUOFzXLeCwe6gfhqMGpnEZ642DPek_hABov0zglIdJjjOx2ee7_tcH8I/s320/bzzz+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here we have (respectively) Barrage, Ransack, Venom, and Chop Shop. Sit back, enjoy some pictures, and then I'll continue rambling.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENvSPLTuiuIWnslRGqxnkt7elBCg92-cb9hyphenhyphenW3ISbvKr5MfuPqc37cJFaq5KLzH95B6hv4ugaE96xREMSTMbytV9EnW3oLFuABbEYfAvQRjsIWtxEy0jRciqWylrnmF8G1HiJC7DJ-Grz/s1600/bzzz+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENvSPLTuiuIWnslRGqxnkt7elBCg92-cb9hyphenhyphenW3ISbvKr5MfuPqc37cJFaq5KLzH95B6hv4ugaE96xREMSTMbytV9EnW3oLFuABbEYfAvQRjsIWtxEy0jRciqWylrnmF8G1HiJC7DJ-Grz/s320/bzzz+019.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrage, Robot Mode, missing LES (Little Expensive Sword, what did you think I meant?)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-YqIYhXoIf2Dtj4pw-u9YEPFdAufcK_WyJOqMIJpXD00tm_GuEDibL8K_QhlJiapKTZgXCs8-sV7YXbtj30ySPtsFNtWWchERTcIRmbVUjugMn_37ByEWCl3A-ByFSN-bSGXqA0fZZyL/s1600/bzzz+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-YqIYhXoIf2Dtj4pw-u9YEPFdAufcK_WyJOqMIJpXD00tm_GuEDibL8K_QhlJiapKTZgXCs8-sV7YXbtj30ySPtsFNtWWchERTcIRmbVUjugMn_37ByEWCl3A-ByFSN-bSGXqA0fZZyL/s320/bzzz+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrage, Insect Mode</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8H7sNVy7DfYG_4QWH1LsHWKgZqWFDmmOV4-ya6P67ZtrSb1JcrJjIM-LK0o-Cz_1N_iXgW2L6TyU-itc-AOqpMfjCAnZeUKNmgYWi9H0z_2qc7fb3AdudHx2i4mNXhEKPGn6WjkdHllr6/s1600/bzzz+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8H7sNVy7DfYG_4QWH1LsHWKgZqWFDmmOV4-ya6P67ZtrSb1JcrJjIM-LK0o-Cz_1N_iXgW2L6TyU-itc-AOqpMfjCAnZeUKNmgYWi9H0z_2qc7fb3AdudHx2i4mNXhEKPGn6WjkdHllr6/s320/bzzz+022.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ransack, Robot Mode, with pelvis of doom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ALH8btwdYdfxV6j3li4QltST8eTTxwXUvlaj0-Blz0c0Mp_fhIHyW22IoIOIa0gi41RWMbu_gW4sqbwuWc8WLJ-DtyBGBi6msMTg1qAChZggK5_G72KAIxPdfrQY64fSWlkjQ8LZQBbk/s1600/bzzz+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ALH8btwdYdfxV6j3li4QltST8eTTxwXUvlaj0-Blz0c0Mp_fhIHyW22IoIOIa0gi41RWMbu_gW4sqbwuWc8WLJ-DtyBGBi6msMTg1qAChZggK5_G72KAIxPdfrQY64fSWlkjQ8LZQBbk/s320/bzzz+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ransack, Insect Mode</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlz-VGyp28ogpU1Nfzb4W2OTnVZlb1u3s3ZoYIXn67_dRkW0s1XDMBkVr8OaoWihAVX76x4w1SoOQNq2SxB4QjHvue84d97a2Jtf_R1Wvk5ySggDvu07NM8_n9b45aO5cfzSH6bWHDCRw/s1600/bzzz+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlz-VGyp28ogpU1Nfzb4W2OTnVZlb1u3s3ZoYIXn67_dRkW0s1XDMBkVr8OaoWihAVX76x4w1SoOQNq2SxB4QjHvue84d97a2Jtf_R1Wvk5ySggDvu07NM8_n9b45aO5cfzSH6bWHDCRw/s320/bzzz+020.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venom, Robot Mode, and damn enamel on metal</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi770lZArn92wzAJDc-BXHAdXn6UpAsCFFHHK7QvRZ0wNI5LSP4oobUZuvxTst5JVNjBTCo_ud5vhsyOTr2VHhOuIwylHSDX7yHdbyquj8513to2iESrX3tvlrb2-h_6sWLlXpJD3QtKRuq/s1600/bzzz+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi770lZArn92wzAJDc-BXHAdXn6UpAsCFFHHK7QvRZ0wNI5LSP4oobUZuvxTst5JVNjBTCo_ud5vhsyOTr2VHhOuIwylHSDX7yHdbyquj8513to2iESrX3tvlrb2-h_6sWLlXpJD3QtKRuq/s320/bzzz+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venom, Freaking Adorable Mode</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRlPpS_Mz8SAAE9-JAy1lwav8zOlbukhLsT01h4F1CujX2d9JrldfIJ6uJjW_2UdMf5z_23AXDXtNuN20xwXgzQvfM_yHsA8s2uiv7aIzYb-U_umrj_Pu0Cl4EsDf0sfL4YTQkv2aLs5_/s1600/bzzz+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRlPpS_Mz8SAAE9-JAy1lwav8zOlbukhLsT01h4F1CujX2d9JrldfIJ6uJjW_2UdMf5z_23AXDXtNuN20xwXgzQvfM_yHsA8s2uiv7aIzYb-U_umrj_Pu0Cl4EsDf0sfL4YTQkv2aLs5_/s320/bzzz+021.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chop Shop, robot mode</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45GmKVABnOOC3ze-CEPD2OMuurhWyN0K91dnkMm69cj7d2mR3b5CNHUvwn4gOz89IxHxTd_I9EBcTmLecwzsMCAwKORw5HmrN8OWMODokwzR2yhyUVlsnNo-qwP27t-s6qYD22QYivH9P/s1600/bzzz+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45GmKVABnOOC3ze-CEPD2OMuurhWyN0K91dnkMm69cj7d2mR3b5CNHUvwn4gOz89IxHxTd_I9EBcTmLecwzsMCAwKORw5HmrN8OWMODokwzR2yhyUVlsnNo-qwP27t-s6qYD22QYivH9P/s320/bzzz+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chop Shop, slightly less adorable mode</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I'll say this about the Deluxe Insecticons: they're great. I thought they would be one of the last 1985 releases that I'd ever get, and they were, but I should've grabbed them sooner. The transformations are fun. The accessories are pretty cool, even though they have nowhere to go in insect mode. Though, as with any G1 figure with small accessories, this has a downside - it can make things expensive. The only reason I have Barrage is because he didn't have the sword. I think that thing quite literally adds $50 to $60 to his price. Ouch, ouch, ouch.<br />
<br />
This doesn't detract from their coolness. They take the Insecticon concept in another direction, and it's a shame they didn't get more attention.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Insectilegacy</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Insecticons, strange as they are, have inspired some homages over the years. Here are some of them: </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjVDOy8-LrsULFvgkeBKseTIfFgsP1ois8okIwSqc0Yg6gqYgUcC3eAgNvhLTwG95Z2tDymBVWD9T53GWzg94nP_zV2LxKLu6DyYN6RkhxZdRXSILtxnmyMkm2dfYzFvjB_eeg4ad2_Mt/s1600/bzzz+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjVDOy8-LrsULFvgkeBKseTIfFgsP1ois8okIwSqc0Yg6gqYgUcC3eAgNvhLTwG95Z2tDymBVWD9T53GWzg94nP_zV2LxKLu6DyYN6RkhxZdRXSILtxnmyMkm2dfYzFvjB_eeg4ad2_Mt/s320/bzzz+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beast Wars Insecticon, Energon Insecticon (and his rare Takara repaint behind), and RotF Insecticon. Gee, what happened to names?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kDfxHgwkRTE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Watch that. Laugh. Enjoy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ElmYcJ54swCm_g23OM6-KVCCjstTL9g5pw1YleCbGP0kKJirOELPAyk0lb_F10A4I7mzYuPnfxYPv4UKvPbUbqC_QimnCfABl1Z8XD5R51369y98KZ7ZgJBZvKV0CfS4va_kphnchDTh/s1600/bzzz+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ElmYcJ54swCm_g23OM6-KVCCjstTL9g5pw1YleCbGP0kKJirOELPAyk0lb_F10A4I7mzYuPnfxYPv4UKvPbUbqC_QimnCfABl1Z8XD5R51369y98KZ7ZgJBZvKV0CfS4va_kphnchDTh/s320/bzzz+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can make my own homages too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In summary, I don't think the Insecticons are quite appreciated enough, though the Fans Project versions are sure to help. It's not their fault that any appearances they made were kinda dumb, or that their toys were some of the first shelfwarmers ever. They're misunderstood. They just want Energon, and that bastard Kup stoled it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuiuzPGOoD6fnVkZjECFWyH4R979Woi9_hTDUVavX9wQ55ZWyQSlMmNmuS_XX7lorE0UlOL21u3EbWacoYfFimkT6Z3WJgJeu5I0RdngWaGALRHjiTNjKyOnEG-dhlEEHP1vbvSU_5pSj/s1600/bzzz+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuiuzPGOoD6fnVkZjECFWyH4R979Woi9_hTDUVavX9wQ55ZWyQSlMmNmuS_XX7lorE0UlOL21u3EbWacoYfFimkT6Z3WJgJeu5I0RdngWaGALRHjiTNjKyOnEG-dhlEEHP1vbvSU_5pSj/s320/bzzz+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stoled it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, that's enough fun for one day. Hope you enjoyed the read, I really enjoyed the shoot and write up. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">'Til next time, 'til all are one....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVrUpv1jxZubmqWvn5kL1cdzeWisOSuBB8AjxD5y9g81Anlu_sAR8EJCcHNZPZtaewy7FPgFN8vgXLTY6PNmFg9agkQIpw-7KtP76byjYf139L9r6NM_1CD3F3GUJQ7IW9IoN8Amcz2kP/s1600/bzzz+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVrUpv1jxZubmqWvn5kL1cdzeWisOSuBB8AjxD5y9g81Anlu_sAR8EJCcHNZPZtaewy7FPgFN8vgXLTY6PNmFg9agkQIpw-7KtP76byjYf139L9r6NM_1CD3F3GUJQ7IW9IoN8Amcz2kP/s320/bzzz+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-32839878630456725842012-03-15T10:26:00.000-04:002012-03-15T10:26:55.324-04:00MalaiseEvery time I get on a roll and start updating regularly, next thing I know I'm knocked out and in bed with some weird sinus infection/flu/date rape combination.<br />
<br />
Have pictures done for a G1 Insecticon post, should be up Saturday. May have time to look at some new United stuff then as well! ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042289456061098358.post-44063359192659967562012-03-02T09:33:00.001-05:002012-03-02T10:12:01.957-05:00G1 and me: Procrastination NationThose of you that have seen my collection in person (or carefully looked it over on shmax) know that there's one area of it lacking, at least compared to the others, and that's Beast Machines.<br />
<br />
No, just kidding, it's Generation 1. Sure, I lack in Beast Machines toys as well, but who cares.<br />
<br />
It's a sandwich as well. I have all the '84 stuff, most of the '85 stuff, a good bit of the '86 stuff, all but two of the Action Masters, and basically all the Micromasters. But the in-between, post cartoon Marvel Comic era characters? Very, very little. <b>late edit: </b>87 and 88. That's the gap. <br />
<br />
My question for you readers is this: what's the best avenue to go about getting fairly priced, <b>loose</b>, and complete G1 toys, not including ebay? While I understand that most Headmasters are going to run me about $100 a piece complete, or more, should those weird animal Pretenders be that much? Is Hosehead really $120 or so - I had him as a child and have no earthly idea where he is now (d'oh! At least I didn't lose Thunderwing and V'room).<br />
<br />
Any advice, tips, tricks, etc. are appreciated.ScottyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06900805805721373861noreply@blogger.com4