The Energon Pub

YES! Hope Springer comes thru...never got either of the 2 crappy repaint versions. He is desperately needed on my classics shelf

and Voyager size?! Bonus!

Rated X wrote:Introducing the poor mans Defender ! Astrotrain on the other hand might be interesting. Once again Hasbro chooses to homage characters and leave out poor Blitzwing. If they plan to keep pushing FOC all year, it means the Classics line is officially dead. R.I.P.

No surprises from X.

Im about to become a significantly poorer man (baby robotmel due in approx. 2 weeks!) so I guess this one is for me?

I am more interested in Springer as I used to have bits of him when I was a young 'un (hand me down with no weapons/propellor); loved the Marvel UK run of Transformers and the Movie with Springer flirting with Arcee; missed out on FP Springer; THIS SPRINGER WILL BE MINE!!

Was never a big fan of the G1 Astrotrain and I still dont own a Classics version yet, so until I see some pictures of both Astrotrain and Springer, only Sprung is getting pencilled in for purchase?

I will buy these, im just a bit disappointed there is not blitzwing

I'm not getting too excited about this. Seeing how the rest of the FoC line went, Springer and Astrotrain are almost certainly retools of each other, and there's really no reason to assume they'll be Triple Changers. Yes they are *supposed* to be Triple Changers, yes they are *supposed* to be totally different from each other, but look at the Wreckers.

If they put out Blitzwing now, people may not buy a FOC Astrotrain and Octane because they would already have a complete set of the three Decepticon triple changers (the other two coming from the classics line). If they put out a new Astrotrain right now, people will probably buy more of him since it is a new figure and unique as a voyager triple-changer. I think it is done strategically to get more sales. If they are putting out an FOC Astrotrain it probably means that Blitzwing will be coming sooner or later.


Octane could be a repaint/retool of Springer. A truck and car are closer than a train and car.

Couldn't find any concept art on Astrotrain, wonder if he is a retool or a original mold.

By the Allspark! YES!

Do you think Astrotrain will be a mold of this guy (Broadside)? Because I can't think of any characters in FOC or WFC that can be him.

Rated X wrote:Introducing the poor mans Defender ! Astrotrain on the other hand might be interesting. Once again Hasbro chooses to homage characters and leave out poor Blitzwing. If they plan to keep pushing FOC all year, it means the Classics line is officially dead. R.I.P.

While your point is well taken, I would point out that the two Voyager molds we have so far, Soundwave/blaster/Blaster and Grimlock, are pretty decent. I will agree, however, that the deluxes are somewhat disapointing. And if nothing else, at leas Astrotrain should be pretty hefty!

could be awesome or it could be terrible, the FoC figures have been hit or miss. I just really hope there arent any stupid gimmicks.

Nemesis Maximo wrote:While your point is well taken, I would point out that the two Voyager molds we have so far, Soundwave/blaster/Blaster and Grimlock, are pretty decent. I will agree, however, that the deluxes are somewhat disapointing. And if nothing else, at leas Astrotrain should be pretty hefty!

I agree. When I got Grimlock I was shocked and disappointed by how hollow and light he is. It definitely down grades him from being a superb Transformer. But over all, he is still awesome. I recently transformed him back to robot mode and have him on display. Every time I see him I am impressed. He looks and feels like Grimlock.

First of all, am I the only one who buys the FoC figures almost exclusively for their bot modes? Having said that, I'd love a Voyager Springer. I passed on the GDO one because it would be too tiny for me. As far a Astrotrain goes, well that character's size seems to vary greatly depending on the episode, especially in alt mode. "Hey, I'm Starscream's size" and "Hey, I can hold the entire Decepticon army including a combined Devastator!"

Can't wait for Springer!

This is actually my first post in a while (I got admittedly frustrated with the decision to forego 3rd party news, but alas its Ryans boat, he can sail it however he likes). But leave it to 'ol Springer to bring me back out of the woodwork.
I'm in agreement with most of the reaction here. If this ends up truley resembling the artwork above I'll be fully onboard. This figure has been long overdue. I bought my usual two of the recent Classics version, but I didn't open either. I didn't care for the re-molded Bayformer treatment that it recieved (say what you will about Wheelie, atleast he was a remold from a classics template) not to mention that it only had the one vehicle mode. I was left scratching my head with his treatment over the years, I mean if they can do a classics Astrotrain triplechanger, why couldnt they do a Springer (and Blitzwing for that matter). This was the type of unveiling I was hoping for at Botcon last year, but all we got was FOC and MP-10 stuff. Anyway...

My first concern is that its a Voyager class. How will that compare scalewise with my classics? :/
Second, as someone else pointed out, its not a chopper. His G1 version always kinda reminded me of a futuristic Apache. I can see the need for an update and I'll go along with it for now. I would almost be willing to bet that if this sketch ends up being the final version that some 3rd party company will come up with a G1 upgrade kit.

Has anyone else thought that his air mode resembles the Batwing from this summers Dark Knight Rises? Yea, I know its not identical but it is an interesting direction for the designers at Hasbro to take. Once I started looking at both vehicle modes in comparison I noticed the car mode even kinda resembles the "Tumbler" Batmobile. Again, yes I know, not identical. As a staunch G1 afficianodo, I have to say I like this update. As fornoted, as long as it sticks to this sketch.

Yes! More FOC figures!! I love these guys!
I know a lot has been said of the Bruticus combiner and such but I enjoy this line and hope that they keep going with it.
I am a bit of a completionist for the WFC/FOC line. I have every mold/retool/redeco, Hasbro/Takara issue for these guys and thinking about taking the plunge with the 3rd Party Genesis figure and MakeToys add on for YOTS Omega Supreme.

Keep 'em comin'

Piqued, my interest is.

weird they keep picking astrotrain (and octane) over blitzwing. i mean, we already get dozens of tanks (and tank-like things) and planes (and vaguely-planes) so presumably they sell well. a tank and a plane in one seems like a sure thing?

craggy wrote:weird they keep picking astrotrain (and octane) over blitzwing. i mean, we already get dozens of tanks (and tank-like things) and planes (and vaguely-planes) so presumably they sell well. a tank and a plane in one seems like a sure thing?

But too many tanks isn't a good thing either. We're not promoting war here

From FoC Artbook to toy. Pretty interesting.

G1 Legacy wrote:This is actually my first post in a while (I got admittedly frustrated with the decision to forego 3rd party news, but alas its Ryans boat, he can sail it however he likes). But leave it to 'ol Springer to bring me back out of the woodwork.
I'm in agreement with most of the reaction here. If this ends up truley resembling the artwork above I'll be fully onboard. This figure has been long overdue. I bought my usual two of the recent Classics version, but I didn't open either. I didn't care for the re-molded Bayformer treatment that it recieved (say what you will about Wheelie, atleast he was a remold from a classics template) not to mention that it only had the one vehicle mode. I was left scratching my head with his treatment over the years, I mean if they can do a classics Astrotrain triplechanger, why couldnt they do a Springer (and Blitzwing for that matter). This was the type of unveiling I was hoping for at Botcon last year, but all we got was FOC and MP-10 stuff. Anyway...

My first concern is that its a Voyager class. How will that compare scalewise with my classics? :/
Second, as someone else pointed out, its not a chopper. His G1 version always kinda reminded me of a futuristic Apache. I can see the need for an update and I'll go along with it for now. I would almost be willing to bet that if this sketch ends up being the final version that some 3rd party company will come up with a G1 upgrade kit.

Has anyone else thought that his air mode resembles the Batwing from this summers Dark Knight Rises? Yea, I know its not identical but it is an interesting direction for the designers at Hasbro to take. Once I started looking at both vehicle modes in comparison I noticed the car mode even kinda resembles the "Tumbler" Batmobile. Again, yes I know, not identical. As a staunch G1 afficianodo, I have to say I like this update. As fornoted, as long as it sticks to this sketch.

Welcome back.... and yes, as far as the artwork is concerned, his jet mode definitely resembles the Bat. The Batfreak inside me did the dance of joy, but I doubt that we will get lucky enough for the actual mold of Springer to end up looking like the art.I mean, look at Bruticus. But, then again, i could get pleasantly surprised. Just the info released that we are getting these was a bit of a jaw dropper...

Can't wait to see what they'll look like!

This is great news, especially about Astrotrain. I hate the Classics version as it's cheap looking and small. And the TFCC one is too damn pudgy. Also, I understand that FOC is not classics, but I feel the line is kind of filling in a bit of the classics gap we have with a number of the characters like kickback, Blaster, a good sized Grimlock, and the cassettes.

ILL-Star wrote:This is great news, especially about Astrotrain. I hate the Classics version as it's cheap looking and small. And the TFCC one is too damn pudgy. Also, I understand that FOC is not classics, but I feel the line is kind of filling in a bit of the classics gap we have with a number of the characters like kickback, Blaster, a good sized Grimlock, and the cassettes.

Well, they're Prime characters with Classics/Cybertronian aesthetics. Everybody wins (unless you hate cybertronian altmodes.).

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

craggy wrote:weird they keep picking astrotrain (and octane) over blitzwing. i mean, we already get dozens of tanks (and tank-like things) and planes (and vaguely-planes) so presumably they sell well. a tank and a plane in one seems like a sure thing?

But too many tanks isn't a good thing either. We're not promoting war here

correct me if im wrong here, but transformers is about the war between autobots and decepticons? so we dont need to promote a war, there is one already

VioMeTriX wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

craggy wrote:weird they keep picking astrotrain (and octane) over blitzwing. i mean, we already get dozens of tanks (and tank-like things) and planes (and vaguely-planes) so presumably they sell well. a tank and a plane in one seems like a sure thing?

But too many tanks isn't a good thing either. We're not promoting war here

correct me if im wrong here, but transformers is about the war between autobots and decepticons? so we dont need to promote a war, there is one already

I think it was a joke...