The Energon Pub

Now that the hubbub (heh, hubbub) surrounding BotCon has calmed down a little I rather arrogantly assumed everyone wanted to hear my opinions on this year's figures: So here they are!

NB: All of the below is one man's opinion. One AWESOME man's AWESOME opinion.

WFC: Figures that have Earth modes, they're pretty cool. We all love Jazz as a Porsche and Tracks as a Corvette. Figures that have Cybertronian modes are also sweet, like G1 Hot Rod or Pointblank. Going from a Cybertronian mode to an Earth mode: also pretty cool. Worked well for Wheeljack in the cartoon. Going from an Earth mode to a Cybertronian mode? Pretty rubbish.

"What does this WFC Optimus transform into?"
"He turns into a SPACE TRUCK. IN SPACE."

I felt similarly irritated by Bumblebee until someone pointed out that he looked like a four-wheel Lightcycle. Man, I can't hate anything Tron.

Generations: I can't believe that there are more figures using the Classics seeker mold. It's the biggest con since Harry Potter got released with 'Adult' covers. That said, if Generations Dirge doesn't have the bizarre wing lightning bolts I'm going to buy it so hard that the storeclerk will implode from the gravitational forces. I hate to invoke hyperbole like "I'm gonna quit Transformers" but if they make a rainmaker conehead I may have to burn Pat Lee in effigy (I know he has nothing to do with the design process, I just wanna).

I have no idea why I want Drift so much. His storyline reads like a Neal Stephenson book without the intellectual appeal or restraint but his toy has three swords! Two of which have sheaths! I'm not a complete monster.

I'm glad that this guy is being repainted as Blurr (although it's a strange situation when a comic character is getting a new mold and the actual real character is a repaint) and I love the colours on Blurr but I'm sad that he has the pointy IDW head and I'm sad that that Drift gets all swords and he gets all guns rather than them being mixed up. I'm also sad that there's no Haywire but I know the limits of feasibility.

I'm pretty weirded out that Darkmount is getting a figure, instead of Xaaron, Flame, Jhiaxus, Impactor, Alpha Trion et al. He looks like a good figure but a guy who lost to Blaster and became a mind-blowin' Head In A Jar is an unusual choice.

The other forthcoming Generations figures sound fab. Bring it on.

BotCon Exclusives: Clench? Pyro? Wicked! I'm glad these guys are following the tradition of Thunderclash last year of being faction leaders who weren't Prime or Megatron and the Universe Onslaught mold is a winner whatever silly head you put on it. Sharkiticon as a Sharkticon and as Skybite: the two most obvious and awesome repaints in the world finally happened. SG Ravage? It's a bit too much of a love letter from Hasbro to Walky but I'll take it. Streetstar and Rapido: I love the use of Rapido but I already have this mold a million times. It's hard to get excited. Breakdown in G2 colours: it's the fanwank event of the century. Scorch: Utterly love it. Bring on more Turbomasters! Cindersaur and Double Punch: WHAT IS THIS I DONT EVEN.

Club Stuff: Punch was a little ahead of the competition in terms of sales. He seems a little headstrong though. Thankfully he's not conceited; no-one could accuse him of having a big head! His head is tiny!

Universe Cyclonus is a magnificent mold but it clearly can't depict anyone other than Cyclonus so in a brave and refreshing move the Club used it as Cyclonus.

HFTD: I've had about enough of movie figures for the moment, except to notice that Highbrow has joined the club of Headmasters In Name Only. If they release a Chromedome who's a green and blue truck and a gold and red APC as Skullcruncher I will sincerely cry. And put it on Youtube for Hasbro's benefit. It will be as much a sensation as that "Leave Britney Alone!" thing.

Seacons: SEACONS F**K YEAH! I have a feeling these guys will be as hard to get as a functional Headmasters figure from a Hasbro employee but hell yeah! I already have God Neptune and am not too fussed about the colours so I'm about to pay an ungodly amount of cash for a plastic lobster and some tiny, tiny guns. Totally worth it

Takara stuff: Not to be outdone, Takara decided to do some hardcore repainting for 2010. There're some black repaints, some clear repaints, some G1 repaints, some Elite Guard repaints. Oh and for a laugh they might even release Device Label Blaster.

Power Core Combiners: I actually really like these guys, despite everything. I love the idea of Scout Class figures feeling inadequate and deciding to wear elevator shoes and comedy fake arms.

"Look Optimus, I'm as tall as you now!"
"Huffer, are you drunk?"

It almost makes up for no-one, least of all Hasbro, knowing if these guys are meant to be movieverse, G1 or what. PROTIP: Hasbro hates your existing shelving system.

Well that's about all the coherent thoughts I have. Enjoy!

Diem is not affiliated with Hasbro, BotCon or Diem. Diem should not be placed in direct sunlight. Diem may contain nuts.

Very well done and an interesting read. I agree with pretty much everything you said, except I think Blurr looks great with straight up guns. I don't think he needs swords, and the balls to the wall artillery really separates him from Drift. Also, gotta agree that the movie line is getting REALLY stale at this point, and aside from maybe 4 figures, there's nothing interesting on that front.

However, I do feel the need to make one comment. As far as I'm concerned, I'm regarding the Power Core Combiners as their own line. They don't look like movie-verse figures at all, and the Classics-verse already has its share of combiners (albeit repainted Energon molds). So yea, the PCC line is its own separate line in my head. Now I just have to decide who the faction leaders are...

I didn't know you felt this way, Diem.

Seriously, that was a pretty entertaining read. Maybe you should start a column, "Diem's Two Yen". But it would have a lot less effect once you move out of Japan.

WolfDawg wrote::APPLAUSE:

Very well done and an interesting read.

Thank you, I appreciate that!

However, I do feel the need to make one comment. As far as I'm concerned, I'm regarding the Power Core Combiners as their own line. They don't look like movie-verse figures at all, and the Classics-verse already has its share of combiners (albeit repainted Energon molds). So yea, the PCC line is its own separate line in my head. Now I just have to decide who the faction leaders are...

It's a neat idea. And I absolutely LOVE the Leadfoot homage, that just came straight from the moon. But I can't really rationalise them as a whole new continuity (yes, I am that anal-retentive that everything has to fit into some continuity). I'm sure that IDW or FunPub or someone will insert them into one universe or another eventually.

kirbenvost wrote:Seriously, that was a pretty entertaining read. Maybe you should start a column, "Diem's Two Yen". But it would have a lot less effect once you move out of Japan.

At that stage I'd call it "Diem's Tuppence" and write every post while wearing a monocle.

Hey, I'd read it. You have some really good articles Diem. Come to think of it, I haven't seen too many articles on this website, period. It'd be pretty refreshing to read a few fan written articles every now and then instead of just looking for news and lurking on forums.

WolfDawg wrote:Hey, I'd read it. You have some really good articles Diem. Come to think of it, I haven't seen too many articles on this website, period. It'd be pretty refreshing to read a few fan written articles every now and then instead of just looking for news and lurking on forums.

I happen to know that at least one very well-respected boardmember will be doing some seriously creative writing soon. I won't say any more, I don't want to spoil the surprise.

As for me, if there comes a time when my news staff duties and my real life obligations don't interfere I may knock out another Cracked.com-esque Transformers list.

Sounds good to me. Can't wait to read the surprise!

Diem wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:Seriously, that was a pretty entertaining read. Maybe you should start a column, "Diem's Two Yen". But it would have a lot less effect once you move out of Japan.

At that stage I'd call it "Diem's Tuppence" and write every post while wearing a monocle.

Hah, that would be gold. But there would have to be pictures. Or at the very least, Photoshop a monocle on there.

PS: I found Highbrow

kirbenvost wrote:

Diem wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:Seriously, that was a pretty entertaining read. Maybe you should start a column, "Diem's Two Yen". But it would have a lot less effect once you move out of Japan.

At that stage I'd call it "Diem's Tuppence" and write every post while wearing a monocle.

Hah, that would be gold. But there would have to be pictures. Or at the very least, Photoshop a monocle on there.

PS: I found Highbrow

Your not the only one who's noticed that. GoBots have been invading the Transformers Universe a lot recently.

Diem wrote:Takara stuff: Oh and for a laugh they might even release Device Label Blaster.

I actually lol'd...thats not as easy to do as you may think.

all together my head is going to implode with all the great stuff coming soon.

Diem wrote:Harry Potter got released with 'Adult' covers.

Now, even thought I know what you're referring to, I can't help but picture images of wands going where they really shouldn't.

Diem wrote:
I felt similarly irritated by Bumblebee until someone pointed out that he looked like a four-wheel Lightcycle. Man, I can't hate anything Tron.

I know I made this observation at one point, so I will take full credit for this!


Nice read. Good ideas and opinions. Thanks for sharing them with the group.

I'm on the fence about a lot of this new stuff. PCC 5 packs are not winning me over, and movie stuff has basically killed my collection. They are the toys that broke the camel's floodgate, and sank my haystack.

Diem wrote:

WolfDawg wrote:Hey, I'd read it. You have some really good articles Diem. Come to think of it, I haven't seen too many articles on this website, period. It'd be pretty refreshing to read a few fan written articles every now and then instead of just looking for news and lurking on forums.

I happen to know that at least one very well-respected boardmember will be doing some seriously creative writing soon. I won't say any more, I don't want to spoil the surprise.

Great, now I actually have to do something.

*shakes fist at non Diem related Diem*

tigertracks 24 wrote:

Diem wrote:
I felt similarly irritated by Bumblebee until someone pointed out that he looked like a four-wheel Lightcycle. Man, I can't hate anything Tron.

I know I made this observation at one point, so I will take full credit for this!

Oh, but so did I!

You might've done it first.

kirbenvost wrote:

tigertracks 24 wrote:

Diem wrote:
I felt similarly irritated by Bumblebee until someone pointed out that he looked like a four-wheel Lightcycle. Man, I can't hate anything Tron.

I know I made this observation at one point, so I will take full credit for this!

Oh, but so did I!

You might've done it first.

We did it at the same time, thus... jinx, you owe me a COKE!

tigertracks 24 wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:

tigertracks 24 wrote:

Diem wrote:
I felt similarly irritated by Bumblebee until someone pointed out that he looked like a four-wheel Lightcycle. Man, I can't hate anything Tron.

I know I made this observation at one point, so I will take full credit for this!

Oh, but so did I!

You might've done it first.

We did it at the same time, thus... jinx, you owe me a COKE!

Only a coke? That seems too easy!