The Energon Pub

by **Autobot Strider** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 8:04 am

With the DOTM toyline on the horizon, it seems to be common consensus that the well of classic-style toys will dry up for a while to focus on the movie lines. Eventually, in the aftermath of the movie-line(s), Hasbro will of course go back and tap its Classics resource, and we will continue to buy them, am I right?

So, my dilemma is this: Given that they have already re-released soem of the Decepticon Seekers that we've previously seen as exclusives/special releases (Thrust, Dirge, and now Thundercracker) what do you think the odds are that we'll see re-releases of Skywarp and Ramjet? I wouldn't say Starscream just because he's already had two releases, but then, I could see him getting re-made anyway. Skywarp was in stores as an exclusive in a two-pack in 2006, while Ramjet was last released in 2007. Neither is really that long ago, but considering since 2009 we've seen Starscream, Thrust, Dirge, Thundercracker released all relatively close to each other... it would be nice for them to finish off the set.

Basically, to complete my seeker collection, would it be best to wait for the next classics line, or to start hunting for a Skywarp and Ramjet now?

Also, how much mileage can Hasbro wrangle out of this Seeker mold before it degrades anyway?

Thanks!

News Credits: 36 · by **Pretender Skywarp** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 8:16 am

I'd hunt now. The ones released in thhe Generations line were only issued to placate the masses who missed out on the Botcon set.

Hasbro didn't realise what a success Classic/Uni/Gen would be when they made them exclusives and pi$$ed off a lot of people, both attendes and non alike. As far as they're concerned though Skywarp and Ramjet have had their "retail" release, so whilst not impossible, I would certainly say "unlikely".

by **Rodimus the Prime** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 11:32 am

Autobot Strider wrote:Basically, to complete my seeker collection, would it be best to wait for the next classics line, or to start hunting for a Skywarp and Ramjet now?

Thanks!

Good question. Go with your gut, I say. However, given the success of the line, I've got a hunch we'll eventually see the original 3 Seekers remade as F-22s.

by **Joker'sRequiem** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:30 pm

I'm in the same boat you are. I still need Skywarp and Ramjet, having missed both of their previous releases. Their online prices are both relatively high, with Ramjet hovering between $50 and $70 on ebay and Skywarp even more expensive. Depending on your feelings towards knock offs, KO Toys has a KO Henkei Skywarp for about $25 which is pretty resonable. And from what I've read it's of a fairly good quality.

I personally hope Hasbro will re-release them, but I'm doubtful, seeing as they received a retail release already. Good luck hunting them down!

News Credits: 3 · by **DISCHARGE** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 1:16 pm

I would like them to rerelease these as 3-pack sets with Starscream/Skywarp/Thundercracker and Dirge/Ramjet/Thrust respectively. They should have different paint apps than those previously released to help them sell.

News Credits: 1 · by **SKYWARPED_128** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 7:30 pm

Yesterday, at the back of my mind, something was telling me not to buy Generations Thundercracker when it came into the hobby store. But I bought him anyway, and found him to be an awesome fig.

And now that I have, I'm going to have to hope for a potential re-release of Skywarp and Starscream.

by **SentinelA** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:43 pm

Frankly I doubt we'll see anymore classic-type figures after DOTM. They've kinda done everyone.

by **Autobot Strider** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 10:12 pm

SentinelA wrote:Frankly I doubt we'll see anymore classic-type figures after DOTM. They've kinda done everyone.

Heh... not if you ask these guys:

what-character-should-the-generations-line-cover-next-t74611.php

News Credits: 1 · by **Gauntlet101010** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 11:26 pm

I also wonder if they'll quit the classics line after DotM. After all, haven't they comitted to a TF Prime line? Now that there's a show on TV, maybe they'll stop the classics lineup.

by **funklizard** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 1:22 am

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I also wonder if they'll quit the classics line after DotM. After all, haven't they comitted to a TF Prime line? Now that there's a show on TV, maybe they'll stop the classics lineup.

That's a possibility. Yet, these figures have been produced under some banner through two movies and Animated; so why would Prime mark their end?

There's been a flurry of classics-style releases since the ROTF line wound down; and I do think that pace is unlikely to be maintained. On the other hand, I don't think there are a whole lot of G1 castmembers who have not yet been represented and who would be adequately served by a modern deluxe class figure. That--along with the odd overlap between Generations and RTS--may be reason enough for Generations to come to an end. But whether it's RTS or something we haven't heard of yet, I think there will continue to be a line to accommodate retro-themed releases.

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 7:44 am

Hasbro has confirmed that the Generations line will continue after the movie. Just so you know.

When it comes to the Seekers, all options have been drained, as all have had a retail release, including exclusives. Hasbro has been known to be bold at times, so I'm half expecting these:

- Sunstorm (established character)
- "Blue Rainmaker" (Obscure)
- "Yellow Rainmaker" (NOT Sunstorm as per Hasbro. Besides, Sunstorm's a pale orange and based on a different Seeker)
- Gobots Leader-1 (Really, I do! May need a name change tho...)
- a third Starscream. Maybe in Pretender/Action Master colors? :lol:

Call me a Seeker fan :lol:

by **NTESHFT** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 8:21 am

I don't see how they would stop with the Classics line, myself. The line is way too popular. I have a theory that Hasbro (plus any other manufacturer such as third party makers) have people who come on this board or any other forum about Transformers to see what the fans are crying for to get new ideas. It would only seem logical. There are fans and collectors from all around the world who get on here everyday to see the next toy and scream about what they would like to see next, not to mention the TCC forums or any other forum dedicated to our beloved toys. This is just my little opinion of the subject, so please don't quote me. I could be wrong....

As for the seekers, I could only hope that they release Sunstorm and the other rainmakers they haven't done yet. But I'm willing to bet Sunstorm will end up being a con or club exclusive....

by **SJ21** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:50 am

Personally I would like a Skywarp sold by himself.

by **Autobot Strider** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:02 am

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Hasbro has confirmed that the Generations line will continue after the movie. Just so you know.

Ah, well that is good news. I like the movie toys, and the Prime stuff looks cool, but I really just love buying G1/BW stuff, since that's what I grew up watching.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:- a third Starscream. Maybe in Pretender/Action Master colors?

I understand that Screamer is easily the most popular seeker, but given that we've already had two versions of him if they make a third one without a re-release of Skywarp or Ramjet, I'll be a little disappointed. :sad:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Call me a Seeker fan

Seeker fan! ;)^

SJ21 wrote:Personally I would like a Skywarp sold by himself.

Exactly. Even though he's already been released, he wasn't out by himself, and his deco in that two-pack leaves much to be desired, IMHO. If they can re-do Starscream, why not Skywarp?

News Credits: 2 · by **bionic_radical** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:49 am

Honestly, theres no way to know this one.

IMO, seekers have always been Hasbro's trump card. Things start stagnating creatively?

Expect a seeker.

We weren't supposed to get Thrust, Dirge, a second Starscream, or Thundercracker, as three of the four of those had been released in the thoughts that the mold wouldn't be used again, and the line was finished. Botcon plans their themes a year in advance as well, and that being said, neither Fun Pub or Hasbro projected the sales they had. Regardless, they were (re) released and collectors had another shot at them. I don't remember hearing Henkei collectors rage as much as Botcon collectors did though, and the Henkei were the carbon copies that were released at retail.

And Skywarp? He was released with Ultra Magnus. Two repaints that were just store exclusive fillers. They are awesome, IMO, but still, fillers. Seeker fans rejoiced.

This mold is an awesome mold that hopefully doesn't go down the road of the car brothers. But as long as the mold holds up, and imagination tanks in the R and D department, expect another one of these little gems.

by **Valandar** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:12 pm

We need Action Master Thundercracker!!!

News Credits: 3 · by **Jazz-1982** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:20 am

We will definitely get Sunstorm, I just hope they do a better job than they did with Acid Storm when he came out in crappy camo.

They've reissued several Classics figures in United so I'm sure with the Seekers popularity they'll think about cashing in.

I would love it if they made a Rainmakers exclusive set - maybe a store exclusive in America and an internet exclusive in Japan - with Sunstorm (in orange), the blue one (in a similar colour to G1 anime Thundercracker) and Acid Storm (minus camo).