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Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Feel free to discuss anything about any of the thousands of Transformer toys here. Anything from Generation 1 all the way to the soon to be released, the never to be released or the hope to be released is fair game! Want to show off your stuff? Please post your's and see others in the Transformers Collections Forum.

Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Rodimus Prime » Fri Dec 26, 2014 1:48 pm

Motto: "Individual freedom above all else."
I have a question though, who are Acid Storm and Sun Storm? Because I only remember 6 seekers in the original cartoon.
I'm not sure about Acid Storm, but Sunstorm 1st appeared about 10 years ago in the DW comics. he had a pretty good story arc, with the origin of being a super-powered, borderline insane Starscream clone.
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby shajaki » Fri Dec 26, 2014 1:49 pm

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Va'al wrote:It's why I find series like Comic Book Men and Big Bang Theory mildly annoying in their portrayal of geek/nerd culture.
sorry if this is a derail, but why?

personally, i love BBT. CBM however i dislike because "reality" TV is all bull, and when kevin smith is actually on screen he's so watered down. smith is one of those guys that begs to be left unedited.
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Va'al » Fri Dec 26, 2014 1:55 pm

Motto: "Till All Are Pun!"
shajaki wrote:
Va'al wrote:It's why I find series like Comic Book Men and Big Bang Theory mildly annoying in their portrayal of geek/nerd culture.
sorry if this is a derail, but why?

personally, i love BBT. CBM however i dislike because "reality" TV is all bull, and when kevin smith is actually on screen he's so watered down. smith is one of those guys that begs to be left unedited.


Found the thread I meant - nbc-s-community-t98343s100.php.

I can talk about it via PM if you want too, or go back to that thread!



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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Va'al » Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:55 am

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With 2015 more or less in gear by now, RID and GCW pretty much in their swing, and Toy Fairs lined up round the corner, has anyone been looking back at what happened in 2014 in terms of collecting?

Any changes, doubts or worries - such as Rodimus Prime's, as we saw in his thread - hitting your collecting habits and reasons?
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby ScottyP » Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:01 am

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Va'al wrote:With 2015 more or less in gear by now, RID and GCW pretty much in their swing, and Toy Fairs lined up round the corner, has anyone been looking back at what happened in 2014 in terms of collecting?

Any changes, doubts or worries - such as Rodimus Prime's, as we saw in his thread - hitting your collecting habits and reasons?

Some change, yeah.

The Platinum Insecticons' pricing makes me realize that they're overreaching on what they think collectors are going to spend on these Platinum edition releases. $160 for that Prime/Trailer/Sideswipe combo? $80 for three Insecticons? Going back to SDCC, $185 for four FoC toys with neato paperwork? These used to not be things I'd wait on clearance/deals for, but now? Yep, absolutely, and if I go without them, there's no sinking feeling of heartburn or anxiety, it's more of a shrug and a "well one of these days I'll pick them up, no rush".

I guess finally reacquiring the Botcon 2006 box set this weekend reinforced the notion that things don't disappear, so some of the urgency I've put behind past purchases can be curbed.
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Va'al » Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:03 am

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Do you think the 'exclusives' marketing - something that came up in our YIR discussions, too - is going to eventually fall flat on its face, or is there enough of a target audience (completionists, or what have you) for it to continue for another while at least?
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby ScottyP » Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:09 am

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Va'al wrote:Do you think the 'exclusives' marketing - something that came up in our YIR discussions, too - is going to eventually fall flat on its face, or is there enough of a target audience (completionists, or what have you) for it to continue for another while at least?

Not sure. I think if they keep doing MP molds, they'll do ok, and sets like the black Dinobots are actually priced quite fairly (Two Voyagers and three deluxes is $95 at MSRP and they only have a $25 markup) so those should move.

The ones where collectors are probably indifferent, like the Insecticons, those won't do well and may sour that market. G1 reissues haven't ever done well at mass US retail, and seriously, what person that would spend $80 on Transformers like that doesn't have the G1 Insecticons? Those are some of the least expensive and most common G1 toys out there, end of story. I don't understand the release at that price point, unless they made 4,000 sets and called it a day.

That leads me to wonder about the production runs. Botcon struggles to keep their sets under $400, but those are runs of less than 2000 pieces. The only reason I can see these sets being so expensive is if they truly are limiting the numbers being produced. Even 10,000 is not a lot of something in the scheme of things (hey there, Beast Machines Primal Prime).
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Cobotron » Sun Jan 11, 2015 4:20 pm

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Va'al, the conversation here has evolved nicely. I just found this thread, and if it's ok, I'd like to just chime in on the first question. Why? If for no other reason than the therapeutic value in talking about it.

For me it's escapism, or maybe more accurately dubbed time travel.
I had an amazing childhood. My parents worked very hard to make sure my brother and I were able to learn and grow through exposure to a multitude of new things, people, and places. My Mom was a teacher and my Dad was an illustrator. Both with very open minds and broad views of the world. Dad was a very talented artist. He is even responsible for the creation of another one of the 80's beloved toy and cartoon properties. So we were forever embedded in that world. So much so that my brother, who inherited more of the visual art skills from Dad has followed in his foot steps, and has a successful career in cartoons as well. I'm not to shabby with a pencil, but music is my art. Our parents nurtured the hell out of these interests for us. Never pushing to hard, but never discouraging. And even after their divorce when I was 5, they worked TOGETHER to complete the common goal they had started.

Dad passed away somewhat unexpectedly when I was thirteen, and of course this would effect me profoundly for the rest of my life. At thirteen my childhood was over. End of chapter. For me collecting toys is my escape. Every time I pick up a new toy, I get in my mental time machine, and am transported back to a time when life was good, and simple, and fun.

My life, post Dad has been full of amazing experiences, and continues to be amazing with every new chapter. Now it's my turn. I have two small kids of my own. I owe it them, and gladly except the responsibility, of giving them the same experiences my parents gave me, and more.

But Cobotron, why Transformers?
Well the seed to that question also lies buried in the past. Before TFs, my brother and I had cultivated a love for all Japanese robots. But for us Takara fired the kill shot. Thanks to a great comic shop where we grew up, we were able to get our hands on Diaclone toys. When TFs came stateside the gloves were off. Due to its low production value and, IMO lackluster art direction the G1 cartoon never really did it for us, but that didn't hinder our love affair with the toys.
Saturday afternoons were full of our own adventures. Cross contaminating TFs with Jedis and Joes on a Lego landscape. It was about the PEW PEW PEW, and the imagination put forth into telling our own story. That's where I escape to. Those Saturdays. And Transformers were always my favorite toys of that time. My adult collecting started with Star Wars and has morphed around to other toys, but I always come back to TFs.

My currant TF collection is mainly driven by the display (and a lot of late night pewpewpewing). I have always had a fascination with miniature dioramas. My dream is to spend retirement creating the biggest baddest epic TF battle diorama the world has ever seen. Or at least my grand kids.

I would also like to note that all associated fictions from TFs have always been hit or miss. Beast Wars and Beast Machines being my favorites, as far as story is concerned. That being said I am still just getting started, but MTMTE is AMAZING! I can't stop reading it. This may mark the first time the fiction will influence my collecting habits.

Thanks for a great session Dr. Va'al.
And no matter what the reason, everybody have fun and happy collecting!
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Va'al » Sun Jan 11, 2015 4:35 pm

Motto: "Till All Are Pun!"
Cobotron wrote:Thanks for a great session Dr. Va'al.


That was a fantastic, and moving, story. Thank you for sharing it!
(It'll be 50 of your preferred currency.)



I would also like to note that all associated fictions from TFs have always been hit or miss. Beast Wars and Beast Machines being my favorites, as far as story is concerned. That being said I am still just getting started, but MTMTE is AMAZING! I can't stop reading it. This may mark the first time the fiction will influence my collecting habits.


Welcome to the comics world, you've been framed. :saint:

(B'dum etc etc...)
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Mkall » Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:33 pm

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I came to a realisation a few days ago that I may have fewer collecting days ahead of me than behind me. By that I mean I believe I'll cease collecting as soon as I have a nearly completed G1 cast done up in the Generations styling. To that end I went through all of the old G1 Catalogs to see what I'm missing and what I considered "necessary" vs. "nice to have."

It came down to me needing roughly 50 figures - mainly combiners and -masters. Everything from the Pretender, Micromaster, and Actionmaster lands in the "nice to have" category. It's kind of crazy that I'm at this stage in my head.
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby shajaki » Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:29 pm

Motto: "A man who wants nothing is invincible."
Cobotron wrote:Every time I pick up a new toy, I get in my mental time machine, and am transported back to a time when life was good, and simple, and fun.
this sentiment is eerily similar cobs...

its nice to hear your parents were so talented and encouraging! pray tell, what toy franchise was your dad involved in?
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Cobotron » Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:09 pm

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My Dad created Rainbow Brite for Hallmark Cards.
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby prjkt » Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:14 am

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Mkall wrote:I came to a realisation a few days ago that I may have fewer collecting days ahead of me than behind me. By that I mean I believe I'll cease collecting as soon as I have a nearly completed G1 cast done up in the Generations styling. To that end I went through all of the old G1 Catalogs to see what I'm missing and what I considered "necessary" vs. "nice to have."

It came down to me needing roughly 50 figures - mainly combiners and -masters. Everything from the Pretender, Micromaster, and Actionmaster lands in the "nice to have" category. It's kind of crazy that I'm at this stage in my head.

I'm kind of in the same boat here, I pretty much have almost all of the past and current Classics-Generations figures based on G1, just waiting on newer releases.

This could turn into a long story, but whatever, this is the place for it right?

I was a big fan of the show as a kid, in fact I think I rented the same "Desertion of the Dinobots" VHS from the videostore around the corner at least several dozen times over my childhood up until the age of 9, when I moved. So the G1 characters have a special spot in my heart. Never saw more than a dozen episodes or so from memory, and not many of the post TFTM episodes that I can recall, so I don't have much attachment to the newer characters.

Had a few of the toys, not many from G1, as I grew up in the 90s, mostly reissues, or the late G1/G2 dudes (actually found my Thunderclash a couple of months ago,) so I had no real attachment to those characters, just enjoyed the conversion.

Fast forward almost a couple of decades, I found a box set of the original series at work, bought it, and immersed myself in my childhood again. Then along came the movies, which I enjoyed for the entertainment factor. I'd also admire all the transformers figures on the pegs at work, but I never chose to buy at that point.

Until randomly on eBay, I come across a reissue of G1 Optimus Prime, and bought it. Was strangely disappointed tbh, I guess I expected more based on my nostalgia coated memories of the figure I had as a child.

Then along game the Fall of Cybertron game. Short, and not an especially great game, it was still fun, in the Transformers universe, and had some pretty awesome character designs. So when I walked past Soundwave and his Disc minions at the local retailer, well, they came home with me. I then collected the entire FOC range, plus a number of the WFC figures, and then the Takara versions of most of them as well. (I'm a sucker for shiny.)

My first non-FOC figure was Takara United Warpath I think, I enjoyed playing as him in WFC (which I bought after FOC, go figure.)

I eventually got the FOC prequel comics by IDW on the Comixology app, followed by the related Prime (FOC sequel comics) and enjoyed them. After seeing a lot of positive feedback on their G1 universe comics, I picked up the first few collections of RID and MTMTE (again on the app) and really enjoyed the storylines, though was a little confused at some of the setting, so I went back, and slowly but surely, got all the -ation, spotlight, AHM and ongoing comics, actually, ALL of their G1 related comics.

Throughout this period, my collecting objective changed to a more G1 themed ideal. So I started collecting a good deal of the Classics, Universe, Generations, United and Henkei lines, occasionally doubling up if I got what I felt was a "superior" deco of a character later on, i.e. United Warpath mentioned above was "replaced" by Hasbro's Generations Warpath, RTS Perceptor and Gen. Kup were replaced by their Asia Exclusive Generations counterparts and so on.

Spotted throughout this are a few "intruders" from other lines, either because I like the figure, IDW have repurposed the design in their G1 universe (ROTF Lockdown and Prime Vehicons) or I've repurposed them for whatever reason (Arms Micron Wildrider as G1 Wildrider.)

Which leads me back to my original statement, there's not many characters out there that have been released in the classics-verse that I don't have. I'm now waiting mostly on upcoming combiners (which tbh, I did not expect to happen after FOC Bruticus) and a number of the minibots.

Now I know I haven't really answered the question of "Why?" - but to be brutally honest, I don't quite know... I guess I just wanted to. Which is enough for me
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Va'al » Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:29 pm

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Admittedly, I had not thought of the fiction support offered by the videogames, being pretty much a non-gamer myself. Nice to hear that they also provided some other latent fan with the right incentive to return to the franchise! :D

When you talk about G1 theme, why do you exclude actual G1 toys? I really like the work that CHUG* did and is currently doing, so I basically share your opinion, but I'm curious to hear why go for the 'updates' rather than the originals. Money? Articulation?
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby prjkt » Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:07 pm

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A bit of both there, plus i like the idea of refreshing/updating the characters, which is what the current line is doing.

Money-wise it'd probably cost me close to 10x what I'm spending now to get decent condition figures frome 25-30 years ago - I just can't afford that, and that's also the reason I've made the consious decision NOT to collect MP figures, as awesome as they are, and every now and then I like to pose my characters - something the original versions can't really do ;)

I've seen the work others go into collecting and restoring G1 figures, and the even rarer diaclone line, and while I respect that, it's not really my interest. I guess it comes down to the slight disappointment I felt when I opened that reissue OP, and realised what a brick he was, and when re-watching the original cartoon and seeing just how low it's production values and some of the stories were, kind of dimmed how I remembered them as a kid - I guess I had unrealistic expectations.

The newer figures feel to me now, how the originals felt to me back then if that makes any sense.

Also on the game topic, I'm more a casual gamer, but growing up I used to spend a lot more time playing PC games, there's just something about being part of the story - it's kind of cheesy, but the games let you actually take part, fulfil that childhood wish of actually being a Transformer for a while. Plus it's fun controlling Metroplex when he's slamming Megatron into a crater.
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby wetwithwaterwings » Fri Jan 23, 2015 3:47 pm

I had a point by point response that took hours to make that I lost when I switched tabs, but I doubt y'all wanted to read that anyhow. So the much shorter answer is that I collect toys because like many of you, I enjoy having a physical representation of fictional characters that I enjoy. It allows me to readily revisit the stories that I like with a quick look around the room. The act of collecting toys is the nostalgia that grips me more than the actual figures themselves. It always has been and hopefully always will be fun every time I find a long awaited figure. Why Transformers specifically? Many reasons. They're aesthetically pleasing. There are a multitude of shapes, colors, and sizes; a variety that is lacking in most toy lines and makes for wonderful displays. The figures are well made. They very poseable. They're durable. They have alternate modes. They often have wonderful engineering. They're priced well. They're readily available. In the past year I have not missed out on a single figure at retail price or below. To me, they're a perfect combination of all of the things a toy line should be.

And Cobo, I'm sorry about your Dad and I'm glad that the hobby allows you to reconnect with his memory.
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Cobotron » Fri Jan 23, 2015 4:10 pm

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Thanks W4. Awful kind of you to say.
And may I say that, as a new collector, the excitement and creativity you bring is a refreshing value-add to the forums.
Cheers!
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby wetwithwaterwings » Fri Jan 23, 2015 7:33 pm

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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Va'al » Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:50 pm

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Here's a resuscitating spark for the thread: value.

I was browsing the boards again this evening, and stopped by a couple of threads looking at rarities and their cost, and came by this post by Rodimus Prime: seen-it-on-ebay--p1647996.php#p1645084.

Now, in principle, I agree. I would never spend that much money on a piece of plastic, no matter how rare.

Then I looked around me, and thought about what I have spent on another of my hobbies/interests: comics art. I recently purchased the original artwork for a cover of Vertigo series The Unwritten, and spent just over $3000 for it. It was a nine-month deal of accumulating funds, I have sacrificed savings for it, and asked family and friends to contribute if they wanted to, in lieu of Christmas or birthday gifts.

So - why would I spend $3000 on a piece of scribbled paper, and not a similar amount on a piece of plastic? What does this say about my idea of collecting Transformers vs art (I will spend on average £300 a year on commissions and sketches on the latter, but scoff at anything over £30 for toys)?

How far would you go, how much value do you attribute to your toys, and how much are you willing to spend for the hobby?
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Moosey » Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:14 pm

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shajaki wrote:
Va'al wrote:It's why I find series like Comic Book Men and Big Bang Theory mildly annoying in their portrayal of geek/nerd culture.
sorry if this is a derail, but why?

personally, i love BBT. CBM however i dislike because "reality" TV is all bull, and when kevin smith is actually on screen he's so watered down. smith is one of those guys that begs to be left unedited.

Sorry to derail this thread, but I just had to say this. I totally agree with you Shajaki! BBT is actually really funny, and in the current season, comic books and nerd culture haven't really been part of it. Sorry to derail, everyone!!
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Va'al » Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:24 pm

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ThatOneMoose wrote:
shajaki wrote:
Va'al wrote:It's why I find series like Comic Book Men and Big Bang Theory mildly annoying in their portrayal of geek/nerd culture.
sorry if this is a derail, but why?

personally, i love BBT. CBM however i dislike because "reality" TV is all bull, and when kevin smith is actually on screen he's so watered down. smith is one of those guys that begs to be left unedited.

Sorry to derail this thread, but I just had to say this. I totally agree with you Shajaki! BBT is actually really funny, and in the current season, comic books and nerd culture haven't really been part of it. Sorry to derail, everyone!!


You will be. [-(


I've posted a reply in this thread. ;)
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Cobotron » Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:50 pm

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I'll get the train moving. No prob.

Va'al, I just want to make a few points.
I think it's much easier to justify spending a large sum of money on original artwork than it is on something that is, or was at one time mass produced. Art is art. It rarely decreases in value. It is the blood sweat and tears of the artist. It is a moment in time captured forever, that most likely can never be duplicated.
For myself, I have always felt that to a large degree, toys are art too. They are little functional sculptures. They were designed and created by an artist or artists, and made functional by engineers. They represent a pretty neat artistic collaboration really. One still has to go to art school to get a degree in Industrial Design, which is what most toy makers study these days.

Some of my most prized pieces are my G1 toys from my own childhood. Not just because of their artistic and design qualities, but for the moment in (my) time they represent. I may not have created the piece itself, but they were a tool that sparked endless hours of creativity through play. They have the wear and tear to prove it. I can't put a price on that, but we don't expect anyone to pay more for that do we?
This is part of the reason, when possible, I like to buy MISB toys. Because than I get to put my mojo on them. But $5000 on a 3 inch plastic toy? that is beyond my reach. Crap I have a family and responsibilities that trump that every time. If I had 5 grand to burn, I would more likely spend it on art.

It's all in the eye of the beholder. What does the object mean to one's own self worth? How does the object enrich one's day to day life? We all want something to make us feel special and unique, because damn it, we are.
$5000 for a G2 combiner limb - for those with the means, why the hell not. You only get one time around. Get all the stuff you want and roll around in it, before your time is up.
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Va'al » Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:59 pm

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I understand, and vaguely share most of the points you make.

I definitely enjoy the artistic complexity of Transformers toys, and find them aesthetically pleasing (even the 'ugly' ones, such as Ejector).

Maybe the distinction is exactly in the fact that however rare these figures may be, they will not be unique as much as a piece of written or visual art. They are still part of a mass-produced industry. There may also be an ideological component, which I realise I do have (I find it extremely conflicting to be into a hobby that is based on consumerism, plastic/oil industry and subject to capitalist systems, and somehow feel more comfortable with comics - though they only really marginally fall outside of those same boxes).

There is also a side of more transient attachment to some of the toys around this hobby. I would never go hunt down an original G2 Sideswipe, despite it being my first figure - but I did go for the MP version, for the same reasons you mentioned about enrichment and personal well-being.
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Moosey » Sat Feb 07, 2015 5:21 pm

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I agree with Va'al. TF's are definitely, in a way, a form of art, just a different, more tactile form of art, but I totally couldn't justify spending a ton of money on a figure, especially because I'm the kind of guy who wrecks the box to get the figure inside of it out as quickly as possible, not the kind of guy who tries to keep the box in good condition.

Yes, they are art, but no, I don't feel that I would spend a ton of money on them.

Also, thanks for putting the train back on the tracks Cobotron.
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Re: Collecting Transformers - Why, Wherefore and WTF

Postby Va'al » Sat Feb 07, 2015 5:23 pm

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ThatOneMoose wrote:I agree with Va'al. TF's are definitely, in a way, a form of art, just a different, more tactile form of art, but I totally couldn't justify spending a ton of money on a figure, especially because I'm the kind of guy who wrecks the box to get the figure inside of it out as quickly as possible, not the kind of guy who tries to keep the box in good condition.

Yes, they are art, but no, I don't feel that I would spend a ton of money on them.


At the same time though, I do spend more money on Transformers art. :-?

(You can see some in my collection thread.)
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