The Energon Pub

News Credits: 10 · Sat Nov 27, 2021 9:54 am

So every day until December 31, I'll be posting my favorite Transformers acquisitions of 2021 - one a day - with a photo and some liner notes on each. The rule is basically, bought in 2021. The release year doesn't come into play with this thread.

I bought a LOT of Transformers this year. More, probably, than I thought I would. Certainly more than I planned for. I had reasons for those "extra" purchases, most of which coincided with my stop motion series I've been quietly working on. Some of them will undoubtedly make the list. Some may be as a group (or a set), some might be just part of a set. I'm doing it for fun, not as a stricture.

Comments, criticisms, your own favorite are welcome, of course!

News Credits: 10 · Sat Nov 27, 2021 10:02 am

Netflix Spoiler Pack Megatron

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So, I already had the Netflix "Earthrise" version of this mold, and I like the paint job on that one slightly better, but this one still captivates me for the one reason I purchased it - the strapped on Matrix. I've seen customs done of it, but I don't have time for that kind of work - it was easier to just split the kit with someone who didn't want the Megatron but did want the Fossilizer - thanks again for that.

Anyway, the Siege mold seemed to get better as they did more figures with it. The original has the feet and head issue - neither of which the Earthrise and Kingdom versions seem to suffer from.

In the "Tales of WFC" stop motion series I'm working on, Megatron wearing the Matrix will have a different set of circumstances than in the Netflix show.

News Credits: 22 · Sat Nov 27, 2021 1:58 pm

This might be cheating a bit, but 1 of my favorite purchases is the Selects G2 Megatron from that mold, not only because it's probably my favorite version of Megatron, but also because I could take the Matrix from that set and give it to him like he had it in the G2 comics.

News Credits: 10 · Sat Nov 27, 2021 2:00 pm

Rodimus Prime wrote:This might be cheating bit, but 1 of my favorite purchases is the Selects G2 Megatron from that mold, not only because it's probably my favorite version of Megatron, but also because I could take the Matrix from that set and give it to him like he had it in the G2 comics.

Whatever keeps it on an poppin'.

News Credits: 22 · Sat Nov 27, 2021 2:03 pm

sol magnus wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:This might be cheating bit, but 1 of my favorite purchases is the Selects G2 Megatron from that mold, not only because it's probably my favorite version of Megatron, but also because I could take the Matrix from that set and give it to him like he had it in the G2 comics.

Whatever keeps it on an poppin'.

The only problem is as you can see it makes the cannon attach awkwardly to his shoulder, but I'm working on fixing that.

News Credits: 56 · Sat Nov 27, 2021 7:25 pm

Honestly, my favorite purchases for the year are probably the fossilizers. I find them to be quite fun and versatile. I'm excited to hear we may be getting more as part of an Amazon exclusive set of releases next year.

Sat Nov 27, 2021 8:54 pm

Mine include:

Kingdom Rodimus Prime
Netflix Nemesis Prime
SS Bumblebee Starscream
SS86 Jazz
SS86 Scourge
Kingdom Cyclonus
Selects Roadrage
Selects Bugbite
Siege Deep Cover
Netflix Optimus Prime
SS B-127

News Credits: 10 · Sun Nov 28, 2021 5:52 pm

Commander Class Rodimus Prime

IMG_8134.jpg

Easily my most anticipated Transformers figure of this year, and was almost my most anticipated action figure period (until Alpha Commandos was announced). He doesn't disappoint, but he's not perfect either.

I think he's a tad bit overengineered, with the robot being scary to transform from vehicle mode - however, this made me simply get a second (albeit vastly discounted). I also hate the gun. I tried replacing it with one of my 86 Rodimus Prime's guns, but the handle is too short to clear his wrist. I plan to solicit a 3D printer to make me a replica.

Also, my copy didn't have a Matrix, but he got one from my newly-aqcuired Dead Optimus Prime.

News Credits: 174 · Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:10 pm

Kingdom grimlock, easy, an amazing update to my first transformer ever. Best part is that his thigh swivel is loose enough to be poseable unlock dinobot.

After that, it'd be saucer-hover-car 'bee and gnaw, they're just fun figures to have around.

Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:44 pm

sol magnus, I feel like they could have ditched the independent car mode in favor of giving him some more robot-mode height, to make him head-to-head with Galvatron. And I hope someone is able to craft a leg extension that works for the figure we did get. But I still want him.
...Can you show a comparison with the original figure's gun? Which probably wouldn't fit his hands right even if the peg was longer, since I'm pretty sure G1 Rodimus Prime is guilty of having fistholes that didn't comply to either the 3mm or 5mm standard (I think that's the case for basically every TFTM-original mold except Wheelie, who has no fistholes at all, and Galvatron, who actually does have 5mm fistholes).

My favorites...
Let's see, this year I've bought:
* Earthrise Scorponok
* SS86 Hot Rod
* SS86 Grimlock
* Cybertron Galvatron.

I like 'em all, the only one who might be edged out of being an outright favorite is Hot Rod (and he's still pretty good).

News Credits: 22 · Sun Nov 28, 2021 7:15 pm

Well, since SS86 Hot Rod was mentioned, I'll nominate him as a favorite for today. At 1st I passed on him because I refused to pay $30 for a deluxe figure. I understand he came with a bunch of extra stuff and his transformation is the bee's knees, but I wasn't going to pay more than $25 for him on principle. So a couple of months ago I found a copy on eBay without all its accessories. After fees, I got it shipped for $22 total, and I was happy with it. It's a very sharp figure with a fun transformation. Still not worth $30 even with the other stuff, but I'm glad I got him.

News Credits: 10 · Sun Nov 28, 2021 8:53 pm

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:sol magnus, I feel like they could have ditched the independent car mode in favor of giving him some more robot-mode height, to make him head-to-head with Galvatron. And I hope someone is able to craft a leg extension that works for the figure we did get. But I still want him.
...Can you show a comparison with the original figure's gun? Which probably wouldn't fit his hands right even if the peg was longer, since I'm pretty sure G1 Rodimus Prime is guilty of having fistholes that didn't comply to either the 3mm or 5mm standard (I think that's the case for basically every TFTM-original mold except Wheelie, who has no fistholes at all, and Galvatron, who actually does have 5mm fistholes).

My favorites...
Let's see, this year I've bought:
* Earthrise Scorponok
* SS86 Hot Rod
* SS86 Grimlock
* Cybertron Galvatron.

I like 'em all, the only one who might be edged out of being an outright favorite is Hot Rod (and he's still pretty good).

No easier said than done. And yes, the original Photon Eliminator is something like 4mm, but that's no problem for a 3D printer. The issue is the clearance from the 'stock'. On the Kingdom one (which is like a copy of the disastrous PotP version), the back of the rifle is flush. Not so on the 1986 version, but that version looks better by leaps and bounds.

IMG_8139.jpg

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Sun Nov 28, 2021 9:24 pm

Hmmm. Based on the side view most of the same details seem to be there. How about a top view comparison?

I personally feel that if anything on the PotP gun suffered, it was the photon laser that forms the front, which ends up looking a bit odd when detached.

News Credits: 10 · Sun Nov 28, 2021 11:20 pm

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Hmmm. Based on the side view most of the same details seem to be there. How about a top view comparison?

I personally feel that if anything on the PotP gun suffered, it was the photon laser that forms the front, which ends up looking a bit odd when detached.

Here they are. Both the Kingdom and the PotP guns lean into the idea of just combining Hotrod's two guns, where the original is sort of a melding.

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Sun Nov 28, 2021 11:40 pm

Indeed; both probably took that cue from MP09, although for different reasons. PotP did it because like MP09 PotP is both Rodimus Prime and Hot Rod, whereas it looks like the Kingdom version mainly does it to help blend and protect the hinge.

I'm personally fine with the combined look vs. the melded look, but that's me.

News Credits: 4877 · Mon Nov 29, 2021 12:00 am

So far, I really liked Cyclonus, Rodimus Prime, Tigatron, Cyberverse Soundwave, Nemesis Primal, SS Kup and Origins Bee. Not sure which my favourite is yet. Probably Rodimus, he has the niftiest transformation tricks, and his trailer has a bunch of fun tricks too.

News Credits: 11 · Mon Nov 29, 2021 1:58 pm

My favourites from this year are:

1 - Kingdom Beast Wars Megatron
2 - Kingdom Blackarachnia
3 - Kingdom Optimus Primal
4 - Shattered Glass Megatron
5 - Studio Series Jolt
6 - Studio Series 1986 Slag
7 - Kingdom Waspinator
8 - the Earthrise Coneheads
9 - Shattered Glass Goldbug
10 - Kingdom Ark

News Credits: 10 · Mon Nov 29, 2021 2:25 pm

PotP Terrorcons / Abominus w/ upgrade kit

IMG_8138.jpg

Day 3 - Had all 5 Terrorcons as a kid, still love them now.

I got this entire set for a song (120 bucks) at a local store that was going out of business. Some of the parts are fidgity, but he stands up well (enough) and I love the fully articulated hands. I haven't planned to use him in stop-motion, but once I get another set of Terrorcons (I'm not transforming this one) I'll put something together.

News Credits: 4877 · Mon Nov 29, 2021 2:39 pm

Oh thats right, SS Slag, love that one too

News Credits: 10 · Mon Nov 29, 2021 2:59 pm

Rodimus Prime wrote:Well, since SS86 Hot Rod was mentioned, I'll nominate him as a favorite for today. At 1st I passed on him because I refused to pay $30 for a deluxe figure. I understand he came with a bunch of extra stuff and his transformation is the bee's knees, but I wasn't going to pay more than $25 for him on principle. So a couple of months ago I found a copy on eBay without all its accessories. After fees, I got it shipped for $22 total, and I was happy with it. It's a very sharp figure with a fun transformation. Still not worth $30 even with the other stuff, but I'm glad I got him.

He'll be on the list for sure.

william-james88 wrote:Oh thats right, SS Slag, love that one too

So will he.

I might just do a Studio Series 86 group shot, because as a whole I love all of em. Blurr probably the least, but I still think he's better than (evidently) many others seem to.

News Credits: 9 · Mon Nov 29, 2021 5:26 pm

sol magnus wrote:PotP Terrorcons / Abominus w/ upgrade kit

IMG_8138.jpg

Day 3 - Had all 5 Terrorcons as a kid, still love them now.

I got this entire set for a song (120 bucks) at a local store that was going out of business. Some of the parts are fidgity, but he stands up well (enough) and I love the fully articulated hands. I haven't planned to use him in stop-motion, but once I get another set of Terrorcons (I'm not transforming this one) I'll put something together.

I'm going to submit my list, but I have this same combo for Abominus, and it is awesome looking.
In fact, this guy and UW Computron (with add-on kits) are my two favorite combiners in my collection, and imo the best we got from Hastak. Of course the upgrade kits are huge.
But I have upgrades on Menasor, and while improved, he just doesn't compare.

News Credits: 9 · Mon Nov 29, 2021 6:03 pm

Here's my list:

First, this has been quite the year... I've never bought so many TF's in a single year ever. Although I guess it was close with CW.

I have absolutely loved SS86.
My list is filled with those figures, as well as a couple I thought should've been included in that subline:

1. Grimlock & Slag
2. Cyclonus
3. Scourge, Galvatron, & Sweep
4. Hot Rod
5. Gnaw
6. Wreck-gar
7. MP Starscream

Honorable Mention:

SS86 Kup: Still disappointed with the face sculpt, but overall he's much better than I expected.
The Ark: My only Titan since CW Devastator. I really like both modes, and my lowered expectations since he's not based on an actual character really helped up my appreciation.
ER Thrust, Ramjet, & Dirge: I really enjoy this mold, and considering the somewhat limited availability of these guys, I'm very happy to have them!
ER Datsun Bros: I've always liked these characters, and these versions are so good!
ER Sideswipe: One of my favorite Autobots; great cartoon representation.
Origins Bee: Both modes are great!

I don't have photos of everyone on these lists, but here's a few:

Not a great photo... But damn, I love these figures!!

Having this group together is bucket list-level for my collection.

Another group that is a major collection highlight.

Not a great photo, but such a cool set of figures!

I thought these guys were worthy simply because these are the only figures imo that look better in alt mode! So well done!!!

News Credits: 17 · Mon Nov 29, 2021 6:11 pm

Origins Bumblebee is on my list for favorite purchase this year or any other year. I need to get new shelves just so I can do a tetrajet versus Cybertronian Bumblebee display.

News Credits: 22 · Mon Nov 29, 2021 8:24 pm

My choice for day 3 is Kingdom/Selects leader Galvatron.

Much like with SS86 Hot Rod, I was skeptical and didn't even preorder the Kingdom version. But when I saw him in store, I was convinced to get him, and I don't regret it. I just need to get rid of that stupid battle damage on his chest.

As a Marvel comic fan, as soon as the Selects version was made available, I preordered it. I know it's the toy deco, but it's probably the closest we'll get to the insane badass that Galvatron was in the comic, so I'll take him. Plus the mold is just great. I really do wish Hasbro would make a comic-deco version, even if it's some kind of exclusive.