The Energon Pub

I'm just glad to see the windows are a proper blue and not just barely tinted like a lot of the earlier in-hand pictures showed. I still need to get myself an Ultra Magnus, but unfortunately the next few months are very expensive looking thanks to MP Shockwave and Grand Galvatron among other things.

Emerje

I believe that Takara Tomys second take on Hot Rodimus:-? was that the original who was also Rodimus Convoy suffered from numerous quality control issues

Seibertron wrote:...but not as good as Wheeljack (who is currently my personal "this one is perfect" Masterpiece figure, with Prowl being an extremely close second).

Wooooo Wheeljack!! I adore that dang figure.

Seibertron wrote:...I have issues with Ultra Magnus as well, though he has some clever transformations.

I'm scared now. Ultra Magnus and Hot Rod will be arriving together Saturday or Monday. I really hope I'm not disappointed with UM considering how expensive he ended up being.

itscramtastic wrote:

Seibertron wrote:...but not as good as Wheeljack (who is currently my personal "this one is perfect" Masterpiece figure, with Prowl being an extremely close second).

Wooooo Wheeljack!! I adore that dang figure.

Seibertron wrote:...I have issues with Ultra Magnus as well, though he has some clever transformations.

I'm scared now. Ultra Magnus and Hot Rod will be arriving together Saturday or Monday. I really hope I'm not disappointed with UM considering how expensive he ended up being.

Quit yer frettin' Cram. It's gonna be alright.


Seibs, if you're still out there. You have said a lot lately that you wish Takara would ease back on taking the cartoon models so literally when designing these more recent MPs, what's your take on Hot Rod in that regard?

Cobotron wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:

Seibertron wrote:...but not as good as Wheeljack (who is currently my personal "this one is perfect" Masterpiece figure, with Prowl being an extremely close second).

Wooooo Wheeljack!! I adore that dang figure.

Seibertron wrote:...I have issues with Ultra Magnus as well, though he has some clever transformations.

I'm scared now. Ultra Magnus and Hot Rod will be arriving together Saturday or Monday. I really hope I'm not disappointed with UM considering how expensive he ended up being.

Quit yer frettin' Cram. It's gonna be alright.

itscramtastic wrote:

Seibertron wrote:...but not as good as Wheeljack (who is currently my personal "this one is perfect" Masterpiece figure, with Prowl being an extremely close second).

Wooooo Wheeljack!! I adore that dang figure.

He is phenominal and also my favourite MP. He will be on a few lists to come

Cobotron wrote:Seibs, if you're still out there. You have said a lot lately that you wish Takara would ease back on taking the cartoon models so literally when designing these more recent MPs, what's your take on Hot Rod in that regard?

Yes, I still think they're taking the cartoon models too seriously. Convoy Grand Prime is another recent example where they try to go after the cartoon look with some extra paint apps (particularly on the hands of Mirage and Optimus Prime) but it ends up looking kind of goofy because the hands are painted but the inside of the fist (where the weapon's peg attaches) is unpainted.

Do it right or don't do it.

Same goes with the ultra simplicity of the look of Hot Rod and Ultra Magnus. There needs to be some extra detail on their parts. I always liked that the cartoon models were simplified versions of the toys. There needs to be a healthy mixture of what's on the screen and the complexity of a robotic humanoid figure. I'm not talking complexity like Bayformers, just some extra detailing in panels and such that wouldn't translate to the cartoon. Regardless of what was on the cartoon, oftentimes the actual G1 toys got it right with its style and look and that look might be better remembered than what the cartoon had.

One exception to my rule ... can we please have an accurate G1 Skyfire toy? Please! Classics Jetfire doesn't count. Generations Jetfire was close if he had the look of the cartoon jet instead of the Macross jet.

Seibertron wrote:There needs to be a healthy mixture of what's on the screen and the complexity of a robotic humanoid figure. I'm not talking complexity like Bayformers, just some extra detailing in panels and such that wouldn't translate to the cartoon. Regardless of what was on the cartoon, oftentimes the actual G1 toys got it right with its style and look and that look might be better remembered than what the cartoon had.

I'm reading this and all I can think about is how MP Wheeljack answers all this perfectly!

The problem with Hot Rod and Magnus is that they are fictional vehicles and thus were not based on real and more detailed vehicles that the toys could pick up on. So we are left with the simpler animation models (which at least were introduced to the west through the film which had more detailed animation).

Mine is just now on its way. Is anyone else using it in a CHUG display?


Also: first post in like 3 months. How's it going? Lol

Optimizzy wrote:Mine is just now on its way. Is anyone else using it in a CHUG display?


Also: first post in like 3 months. How's it going? Lol

Hey Mizzy!

Just got mine yesterday. Still absorbing.
Never thought about putting him in with the CHUGs. He's pretty big, ya know, he might make a nice Rodimus Prime with the CHUGers. That's an interesting way of looking at him.

Cobotron wrote:Just got mine yesterday. Still absorbing.
Never thought about putting him in with the CHUGs. He's pretty big, ya know, he might make a nice Rodimus Prime with the CHUGers. That's an interesting way of looking at him.

Yeah I knew he was on the big side, so Rodimus Prime is my aim. I think he's supposed to be about as tall as Generations Springer? iF so, then it's about right for me.

We are proud to bring to you today the latest gallery from Seibertron.com: Masterpiece MP-29 Destron Laserwave (Shockwave)! This toy has been highly anticipated by many fans and the color can be highly divisive amongst other fans. Share your thoughts about this high ranking one-eyed "Spock-like" Decepticon villain who has been known as both Megatron's staunchest supporter and as Megatron's greatest rival for Decepticon leadership. Logic dictates that you check out the full gallery which can be found by clicking any of the images below. Check them out and let us know what you think in the comments section. And as always stay tuned to Seibertron.com for all your latest Transformers News and Galleries!

Transformers Masterpiece Laserwave

Nice photos! What an outstanding figure.

Man, that figure looks so nice.

I wish the purple was darker and his optic more yellow instead of green otherwise he looks great!

Nice shots!!

I think I need some of those clear stands..

Sabrblade wrote:Man, that figure looks so nice.

It is very much underrated. The toy itself is perfect in my opinion. The only thing I didnt like was the price tag. I found it a bit pricey for the parts count, size and simplicity of engineering.

Deadput wrote:I wish the purple was darker and his optic more yellow instead of green otherwise he looks great!

Do you have the figure? I ask because in hand I found his eye to be as yellow as can be.

william-james88 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Man, that figure looks so nice.

It is very much underrated. The toy itself is perfect in my opinion. The only thing I didnt like was the price tag. I found it a bit pricey for the parts count, size and simplicity of engineering.

AND the lack of "licensing"! Why is it the non-licensed characters are more expensive from Japan?!

william-james88 wrote:

Deadput wrote:I wish the purple was darker and his optic more yellow instead of green otherwise he looks great!

Do you have the figure? I ask because in hand I found his eye to be as yellow as can be.

I agree WJ, all kinds of yellow.

itscramtastic wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Man, that figure looks so nice.

It is very much underrated. The toy itself is perfect in my opinion. The only thing I didnt like was the price tag. I found it a bit pricey for the parts count, size and simplicity of engineering.

AND the lack of "licensing"! Why is it the non-licensed characters are more expensive from Japan?!

I dont know, that was weird, and good point. The whole licensing thing is odd though, I dont think money is an issue. Because if it was then they wouldnt be able to sell hotwheel cars for so cheap.
The only reason I bought this toy now rather than waiting for Hasbro's is because I feared that Hasbro wouldnt release him due to him being a gun, nomatter how unlike a real gun he is. And I had to pay an extra 40$ on top of it since Canadian customs "caught" him. He turned out to be far more expensive than anticipated (then again, pretty much the same price as an American buying straight from BBTS). But I still cant take points off the toy itself which I find is amazing and has everything I would want in an MP Shockwave.

william-james88 wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Man, that figure looks so nice.

It is very much underrated. The toy itself is perfect in my opinion. The only thing I didnt like was the price tag. I found it a bit pricey for the parts count, size and simplicity of engineering.

AND the lack of "licensing"! Why is it the non-licensed characters are more expensive from Japan?!

I dont know, that was weird, and good point. The whole licensing thing is odd though, I dont think money is an issue. Because if it was then they wouldnt be able to sell hotwheel cars for so cheap.
The only reason I bought this toy now rather than waiting for Hasbro's is because I feared that Hasbro wouldnt release him due to him being a gun, nomatter how unlike a real gun he is. And I had to pay an extra 40$ on top of it since Canadian customs "caught" him. He turned out to be far more expensive than anticipated (then again, pretty much the same price as an American buying straight from BBTS). But I still cant take points off the toy itself which I find is amazing and has everything I would want in an MP Shockwave.

Maybe Hot Wheels/Matchbox signed the license fees decades ago and they stuck?

Maybe it comes down to the electronic gimmick? Then again, if it was that, why are the jets so expensive from Japan but not when Hasbro releases them (no gimmicks)? I just find the cost side of things really confusing, especially when they've made so many variants of the MP03/MP11 mold that is about the same size as Shockwave.

Back on topic, galleries are cool.

I'm going with, the price is higher due to the electronics.

The gallery does look nice. Seib said the color was hard to photograph, but I think the shots came out nice and crisp.

Cobotron wrote:I'm going with, the price is higher due to the electronics.

Its a good theory, but then you look at these which also have electronics and were priced at less than half that:


Transformers (2007) Optimus Prime (Convoy) Gallery


Transformers Prime: Robots In Disguise Optimus Prime Gallery


Transformers Dark of the Moon Ironhide Gallery


Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Optimus Prime Gallery





My point is I dont think electronics cost all that much due to its prevalence in kids toy. Sam with die cast.

william-james88 wrote:

Cobotron wrote:I'm going with, the price is higher due to the electronics.

Its a good theory, but then you look at these which also have electronics and were priced at less than half that:
ALL OF THE THINGS!!
My point is I dont think electronics cost all that much due to its prevalence in kids toy. Sam with die cast.

Word up WJ, we agree again. And the stuff I said about $200 seekers goes with that.

Nice gallery and a great-looking figure. I received mine last week. For $150 they should've made him fully die cast metal but at least he looks tv show accurate.

You know, the talk about licensing has me wondering. Takara doesn't have the license to the original mold that was used for G1 Shockwave. So how can they make new figures based so closely to that design? Isn't that the same kind of infringement that 3rd party toys commit when they make figures?