The Energon Pub

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

my only gripe on Kup is his chest is too flat its supposed to me more curved

Kup.jpg

That and the color of the chest piece and window on his vehicle mode is wrong. That's the thing that bugs me more than anything else about it, and it really is a big turn-off. If screen-accuracy is a big thing for this line, why use the transparent blue when a solid light greyish-blue piece is probably cheaper and more accurate?

Here's the problem with that line of thinking: By that logic, practically no toy of a G1 Transformer should have a transparent windshield or cockpit canopy. Because they're so often drawn with a flat color that has white streaks on it, and sometimes not even those streaks.

They made it clear because it's a windshield and logically should be transparent - and frankly, I like that change. Having opaque, painted windshields is one of the biggest things that makes Blurr, Kup, and Springer's original toys (as well as many of those that followed through G1) look cheap compared to the Diaclone-derived toys that came before as well as fellow made-for-the-movie toys Hot Rod, Rodimus Prime, and Wreck-Gar.

As for the chest.. Making it as curved as it is in the robot mode animation model would require obnoxious faux-parts use, so I'm glad the toy didn't go there. However, the chest on the toy does at least actually properly jut out as per the animation model, when Kup's torso is posed correctly (instead of the awkward slight limbo pose half the pics thus far have him in).

[Tuned Agent]

my only gripe on Kup is his chest is too flat its supposed to me more curved

Kup.jpg

That and the color of the chest piece and window on his vehicle mode is wrong. That's the thing that bugs me more than anything else about it, and it really is a big turn-off. If screen-accuracy is a big thing for this line, why use the transparent blue when a solid light greyish-blue piece is probably cheaper and more accurate?

Here's the problem with that line of thinking: By that logic, practically no toy of a G1 Transformer should have a transparent windshield or cockpit canopy. Because they're so often drawn with a flat color that has white streaks on it, and sometimes not even those streaks.

They made it clear because it's a windshield and logically should be transparent - and frankly, I like that change. Having opaque, painted windshields is one of the biggest things that makes Blurr, Kup, and Springer's original toys (as well as many of those that followed through G1) look cheap compared to the Diaclone-derived toys that came before as well as fellow made-for-the-movie toys Hot Rod, Rodimus Prime, and Wreck-Gar.

As for the chest.. Making it as curved as it is in the robot mode animation model would require obnoxious faux-parts use, so I'm glad the toy didn't go there. However, the chest on the toy does at least actually properly jut out as per the animation model, when Kup's torso is posed correctly (instead of the awkward slight limbo pose half the pics thus far have him in).

Also, it looks to me like the blue color comes from paint behind the clear windshield, not from the windshield itself. So if they had just used a lighter blue paint we could have had the best of both worlds.

[blackeyedprime]

-Because the mold was made and came out before SS86 was conceived, a more movie-accurate repaint of Siege Springer is currently planned as a Selects release to supplement/accompany the SS86 stuff, no other figures were mentioned to be getting this treatment

That's a shame, paint isnt going to make the mold any more accurate but if they do anew paint coat for one they might do it for another later on. Blaster has to be a new figure at some point be it SS or Kingdom. Likely SS

[First-Aid]

-Because the mold was made and came out before SS86 was conceived, a more movie-accurate repaint of Siege Springer is currently planned as a Selects release to supplement/accompany the SS86 stuff, no other figures were mentioned to be getting this treatment

That's a shame, paint isnt going to make the mold any more accurate but if they do anew paint coat for one they might do it for another later on. Blaster has to be a new figure at some point be it SS or Kingdom. Likely SS

I can see Blaster as a heavy retool of Soundwave, easy.

[Sowndwave76]

Also, it looks to me like the blue color comes from paint behind the clear windshield, not from the windshield itself. So if they had just used a lighter blue paint we could have had the best of both worlds.

This is what I was thinking... But it is too bad this isn't the case. This is the type of thing that really has me shaking my head. Who decided this? And why isn't it more accurate?? It's not something that required something else in the figure's design be compromised or scrapped.
Oh well... Just another reason for me to wait until he goes on sale.

[Sowndwave76]

I can see Blaster as a heavy retool of Soundwave, easy.

Maybe... But is Blaster taller than Soundwave? Not because of the G1 toy, but seems to me he was taller with possibly longer legs (and maybe even arms).
I think the Soundwave mold would possibly make him look stubby and too short.
And imo, this is another character who deserves a proper update... So if Hastak has to make a completely new mold, I say go for it.
Why not have Blaster be a tall voyager class figure, or even a leader and pack him with a couple cassettes!

[Hellscream9999]

So continuing on from their last slap to my face, after target cancelled my blitzwing and skipjack cuz of a lack of product, I found them today at my local target - delivered on todays truck - like what the actual ****

I am NOT pre-ordering from target ever again, screw them; at least amazon will make good on a pre-order, even if you don't make it into the first batch that arrives

[AcademyofDrX]

We should have an "online retailers suck" thread because complaining about delayed preorders is the primary topic in the Selects, Netflix, Earthrise, and now Studio Series threads.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

-Because the mold was made and came out before SS86 was conceived, a more movie-accurate repaint of Siege Springer is currently planned as a Selects release to supplement/accompany the SS86 stuff, no other figures were mentioned to be getting this treatment

That's a shame, paint isnt going to make the mold any more accurate

Not that that's a problem, considering that the only flaws with the mold accuracy-wise are his rotor splitting into two swords instead of transforming into a single sword, and the lack of horizontal tailfins for the helicopter mode

Paint wouldn't make him more accurate... but a lack of paint (as in, no battle damage) would. That and maybe making his gray less blue-tinged.

I can see Blaster as a heavy retool of Soundwave, easy.

Ugh, hopefully not. I'd rather Blaster be a new mold, that can possibly be heavily retooled into a more worthwhile tapedeck Soundwave. Yes, I want to see another tapedeck Soundwave already even though there's the Netflix one, because AFAIC the Netflix one is a waste of plastic, metal, and development time.

So continuing on from their last slap to my face, after target cancelled my blitzwing and skipjack cuz of a lack of product, I found them today at my local target - delivered on todays truck - like what the actual ****

I am NOT pre-ordering from target ever again, screw them; at least amazon will make good on a pre-order, even if you don't make it into the first batch that arrives

Myself, I say screw pre-ordering from Amazon too, at least until they lobby for the ejection of the sabotaging crook put in charge of the postal service.

[blackeyedprime]

-Because the mold was made and came out before SS86 was conceived, a more movie-accurate repaint of Siege Springer is currently planned as a Selects release to supplement/accompany the SS86 stuff, no other figures were mentioned to be getting this treatment

That's a shame, paint isnt going to make the mold any more accurate

Not that that's a problem, considering that the only flaws with the mold accuracy-wise are his rotor splitting into two swords instead of transforming into a single sword, and the lack of horizontal tailfins for the helicopter mode

Paint wouldn't make him more accurate... but a lack of paint (as in, no battle damage) would. That and maybe making his gray less blue-tinged.

Spot the differences in all 3 modes - I was mainly meh with copter mode and bot shoulders but it's way more than that. He def needs a new figure where as tr Perceptor might be able to pull off a new coat of paint to fit in -but that might be my perdjudices of Perceptor being a good figure and him still being unlike animation models. Springer doesn't tick any got it right boxes for me.

*wishful thinking edit, if open play can oversize tr galvatron with some slight improvements hasbro should have undersized open plays springer with some flaws -no doubt to fit budgeting/safety. Still wouldn't be a perfect springer but it would be a big improvement.

[Gauntlet101010]

I don't think I'll bother with a more accurate Selects Springer, assuming it's just a repaint. He's in my favored piece of TF media, but I've gotta draw a line somewhere.

[sol magnus]

I can see Blaster as a heavy retool of Soundwave, easy.

Maybe... But is Blaster taller than Soundwave? Not because of the G1 toy, but seems to me he was taller with possibly longer legs (and maybe even arms).
I think the Soundwave mold would possibly make him look stubby and too short.
And imo, this is another character who deserves a proper update... So if Hastak has to make a completely new mold, I say go for it.
Why not have Blaster be a tall voyager class figure, or even a leader and pack him with a couple cassettes!

On the show he was the same height as Soundwave.

[-Kanrabat-]

As usual, Prime VS Prime deliver with a early review of SS69 Devastator!

[ZeroWolf]

Greetings Seibertronians! Fellow Seibertron user, -Kanrabat-, has let us know that fellow Seibertron user, and YouTube toy reviewer, PrimeVsPrime, has uploaded a brand new video review of the recently announced Studio Series 69 Revenge of the Fallen Devastator boxset!

This boxset contains 8 of the 9 previously released Constructicon toys (it doesn't include Rampage, instead going for Skipjack, to make Devastator appear closer to his film self), there is some deco changes made as well.

We have embedded the review below for your convenience:



Also don't forget to check out the Unboxed blog over on HasbroPulse.com to see how this beast was designed!

What do you think of this set? Are you planning on getting it? Do you already have Devastator on your shelf? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews!

[Rodimus Prime]

I skimmed through it out of morbid curiosity, and I gotta say when placed together in a box, they don't look that bad. I like the Constructicons individually, but Devastator doesn't appeal to me, so I never bought any of them. However, I might pick this up just so I can have all the Constructicons to display, and have a box to store them all together instead of in individual boxes. And I do think this version looks better, even with the slight paint apps changes. It would have been cool if we got legends class figures of the twins included.

[Betenoire]

Guessing given the current political mood the Twins are not high on Hasbro's "must release soon" list.

And I have most of these characters individually, don't have Skipjack yet, not sure if I want this set or not so I have the Constructicons and Devy. Ah well, I should have some time to decide.

[Sabrblade]

I already have most of the individual Constructicons, I just need Long Haul and Overload, so I'm passing on the box set.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Guessing given the current political mood the Twins are not high on Hasbro's "must release soon" list.

And I have most of these characters individually, don't have Skipjack yet, not sure if I want this set or not so I have the Constructicons and Devy. Ah well, I should have some time to decide.

Not just the current climate, the 2009-2011 climate was fairly hostile to them as well. Between that, and a lot of the people who sadly don't see the problem with racial caricatures (intentional or otherwise) also hating them (because pathological hatred for comic relief characters)... The bad reception actually got them cut from Dark of the Moon, if you'll recall.

[Rodimus Prime]

Guessing given the current political mood the Twins are not high on Hasbro's "must release soon" list.

And I have most of these characters individually, don't have Skipjack yet, not sure if I want this set or not so I have the Constructicons and Devy. Ah well, I should have some time to decide.

Not just the current climate, the 2009-2011 climate was fairly hostile to them as well. Between that, and a lot of the people who sadly don't see the problem with racial caricatures (intentional or otherwise) also hating them (because pathological hatred for comic relief characters)... The bad reception actually got them cut from Dark of the Moon, if you'll recall.

Which is ironic considering that in the novelization Sentinel killed them both and if Paramount had followed that the haters would have been placated. FWIW, I had no problem with them whatsoever. They were funny. Whoever decided they were racial caricatures must have been a racist to begin with to project that onto 2 alien robots.

[First-Aid]

Guessing given the current political mood the Twins are not high on Hasbro's "must release soon" list.

And I have most of these characters individually, don't have Skipjack yet, not sure if I want this set or not so I have the Constructicons and Devy. Ah well, I should have some time to decide.

Not just the current climate, the 2009-2011 climate was fairly hostile to them as well. Between that, and a lot of the people who sadly don't see the problem with racial caricatures (intentional or otherwise) also hating them (because pathological hatred for comic relief characters)... The bad reception actually got them cut from Dark of the Moon, if you'll recall.

Which is ironic considering that in the novelization Sentinel killed them both and if Paramount had followed that the haters would have been placated. FWIW, I had no problem with them whatsoever. They were funny. Whoever decided they were racial caricatures must have been a racist to begin with to project that onto 2 alien robots.

Thats an interesting point. I just saw them as a couple of idiots...the comic relief. There are plenty of people of all races that act like those two. And what about the racial stereotype of Drift as Asian? Of Dino? Hot Rod? Even Wheelie to an extent as a dirtyminded New Yorker...and God in heaven was Wheelie an idiot. It's projection. There was no skin color outside of green and...burnt orange?

[sol magnus]

Guessing given the current political mood the Twins are not high on Hasbro's "must release soon" list.

And I have most of these characters individually, don't have Skipjack yet, not sure if I want this set or not so I have the Constructicons and Devy. Ah well, I should have some time to decide.

Not just the current climate, the 2009-2011 climate was fairly hostile to them as well. Between that, and a lot of the people who sadly don't see the problem with racial caricatures (intentional or otherwise) also hating them (because pathological hatred for comic relief characters)... The bad reception actually got them cut from Dark of the Moon, if you'll recall.

Which is ironic considering that in the novelization Sentinel killed them both and if Paramount had followed that the haters would have been placated. FWIW, I had no problem with them whatsoever. They were funny. Whoever decided they were racial caricatures must have been a racist to begin with to project that onto 2 alien robots.

Hmmm...that's an interesting take.

[Sentinel_Primal]

Guessing given the current political mood the Twins are not high on Hasbro's "must release soon" list.

And I have most of these characters individually, don't have Skipjack yet, not sure if I want this set or not so I have the Constructicons and Devy. Ah well, I should have some time to decide.

Not just the current climate, the 2009-2011 climate was fairly hostile to them as well. Between that, and a lot of the people who sadly don't see the problem with racial caricatures (intentional or otherwise) also hating them (because pathological hatred for comic relief characters)... The bad reception actually got them cut from Dark of the Moon, if you'll recall.

Which is ironic considering that in the novelization Sentinel killed them both and if Paramount had followed that the haters would have been placated. FWIW, I had no problem with them whatsoever. They were funny. Whoever decided they were racial caricatures must have been a racist to begin with to project that onto 2 alien robots.

Thats an interesting point. I just saw them as a couple of idiots...the comic relief. There are plenty of people of all races that act like those two. And what about the racial stereotype of Drift as Asian? Of Dino? Hot Rod? Even Wheelie to an extent as a dirtyminded New Yorker...and God in heaven was Wheelie an idiot. It's projection. There was no skin color outside of green and...burnt orange?

The Twins reminded me of my brothers because they constantly came up with stupid ideas that ended up being funny. I think the only thing that really IDs them as racist stereotypes is Skids' golden tooth, and the descriptor of "wannabe gangstas". Which is unfortunate because I'd love an updated set of them, but it's unlikely to ever happen, and their other figures are a tad too expensive for me to justify picking them up

[Sabrblade]

If what happened with POTP Jazz is any indication, Hasbro likely just wants to avoid any controversy, racial or otherwise, altogether, so their lack of producing any SS updates to Skids and Mudflap could be taken as a sign of that avoidance.

[-Kanrabat-]

Guessing given the current political mood the Twins are not high on Hasbro's "must release soon" list.

And I have most of these characters individually, don't have Skipjack yet, not sure if I want this set or not so I have the Constructicons and Devy. Ah well, I should have some time to decide.

Not just the current climate, the 2009-2011 climate was fairly hostile to them as well. Between that, and a lot of the people who sadly don't see the problem with racial caricatures (intentional or otherwise) also hating them (because pathological hatred for comic relief characters)... The bad reception actually got them cut from Dark of the Moon, if you'll recall.

I never, ever saw the "race thing" in the twins. Maybe I'm just not insane enough.
All I saw was just forced cringe "comedy" like every other parts of the movie.
But the toys were pretty good or even awesome like the stellar Human Alliance figures. They will come around to make them, like so many other skipped "less popular" characters.

[Emerje]

Guessing given the current political mood the Twins are not high on Hasbro's "must release soon" list.

And I have most of these characters individually, don't have Skipjack yet, not sure if I want this set or not so I have the Constructicons and Devy. Ah well, I should have some time to decide.

Not just the current climate, the 2009-2011 climate was fairly hostile to them as well. Between that, and a lot of the people who sadly don't see the problem with racial caricatures (intentional or otherwise) also hating them (because pathological hatred for comic relief characters)... The bad reception actually got them cut from Dark of the Moon, if you'll recall.

I never, ever saw the "race thing" in the twins. Maybe I'm just not insane enough.
All I saw was just forced cringe "comedy" like every other parts of the movie.
But the toys were pretty good or even awesome like the stellar Human Alliance figures. They will come around to make them, like so many other skipped "less popular" characters.

If I try I can certainly impress a "race thing" on them, but I don't see that by default. To me, being from the country, I just see caricatures of rednecks or white wannabe gangstas.




Emerje