The Energon Pub

Optimum Supreme wrote:

Neo Tallgeese wrote:I havn't seen Skullgrin yet, but I agree. I think this new Retool procedure as opposed to straight repaints is an idea that was long overdue.

It's not a completely new procedure, I mean, I wouldn't have bought an Armada Skywarp if they hadn't retooled the head from Starscream/Thundercracker (and technically, they even were doing this back in G1, the third year minibots for instance), but it is pretty cool that they seem to be doing it a lot more often now than they had been.

The thing is, Hasbro now designs the figures with the future retool in mind. Furthermore, when parts of one figure are produced, parts of the retool are produced at the same time. Meaning that, for instance, when a Tracks figure is produced, parts of Wheeljack are made as well. The unused parts are simply discarded or recycled.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Optimum Supreme wrote:

Neo Tallgeese wrote:I havn't seen Skullgrin yet, but I agree. I think this new Retool procedure as opposed to straight repaints is an idea that was long overdue.

It's not a completely new procedure, I mean, I wouldn't have bought an Armada Skywarp if they hadn't retooled the head from Starscream/Thundercracker (and technically, they even were doing this back in G1, the third year minibots for instance), but it is pretty cool that they seem to be doing it a lot more often now than they had been.

The thing is, Hasbro now designs the figures with the future retool in mind. Furthermore, when parts of one figure are produced, parts of the retool are produced at the same time. Meaning that, for instance, when a Tracks figure is produced, parts of Wheeljack are made as well. The unused parts are simply discarded or recycled.

That's what I was refering to. I'm glad to see the practice becoming more of a standard.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:The thing is, Hasbro now designs the figures with the future retool in mind. Furthermore, when parts of one figure are produced, parts of the retool are produced at the same time. Meaning that, for instance, when a Tracks figure is produced, parts of Wheeljack are made as well. The unused parts are simply discarded or recycled.

Which means we're missing out on a blue Wheeljack, even before the normal one. Funny how the repaint/retool factor in this case is a double edged sword.

On the subject of Skullgrin, I still can't quite see a significant enough difference between the 2 versions of the mold myself, but I'm not really interested in him anyway since I never cared much for the pretender characters save for the big name ones as Bludgeon and Metalhawk... and maybe Thunderwing. Black Shadow is also a maybe since he was one of Megatron's "phase sixers" in the IDW comics, though he's the one we've not seen doing anything yet.

Shadowstream wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:The thing is, Hasbro now designs the figures with the future retool in mind. Furthermore, when parts of one figure are produced, parts of the retool are produced at the same time. Meaning that, for instance, when a Tracks figure is produced, parts of Wheeljack are made as well. The unused parts are simply discarded or recycled.

Which means we're missing out on a blue Wheeljack, even before the normal one. Funny how the repaint/retool factor in this case is a double edged sword.

On the subject of Skullgrin, I still can't quite see a significant enough difference between the 2 versions of the mold myself, but I'm not really interested in him anyway since I never cared much for the pretender characters save for the big name ones as Bludgeon and Metalhawk... and maybe Thunderwing. Black Shadow is also a maybe since he was one of Megatron's "phase sixers" in the IDW comics, though he's the one we've not seen doing anything yet.

Skullgrin's a big name in the world of B-movies!

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:The thing is, Hasbro now designs the figures with the future retool in mind. Furthermore, when parts of one figure are produced, parts of the retool are produced at the same time. Meaning that, for instance, when a Tracks figure is produced, parts of Wheeljack are made as well. The unused parts are simply discarded or recycled.

Ah, I get ya guys now. Planning it out ahead of time, instead of coming up with it later on. Yep, good thinking on Has/Tak's part.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Optimum Supreme wrote:

Neo Tallgeese wrote:I havn't seen Skullgrin yet, but I agree. I think this new Retool procedure as opposed to straight repaints is an idea that was long overdue.

It's not a completely new procedure, I mean, I wouldn't have bought an Armada Skywarp if they hadn't retooled the head from Starscream/Thundercracker (and technically, they even were doing this back in G1, the third year minibots for instance), but it is pretty cool that they seem to be doing it a lot more often now than they had been.

The thing is, Hasbro now designs the figures with the future retool in mind. Furthermore, when parts of one figure are produced, parts of the retool are produced at the same time. Meaning that, for instance, when a Tracks figure is produced, parts of Wheeljack are made as well. The unused parts are simply discarded or recycled.

I don't know if that's necessarily true anymore. I suspect the head pieces, etc are on chunks of the steel mold that can be swapped out for each production run. I'm not sure, but that's been the impression I've gotten lately.

Razorclaw0000 wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Optimum Supreme wrote:

Neo Tallgeese wrote:I havn't seen Skullgrin yet, but I agree. I think this new Retool procedure as opposed to straight repaints is an idea that was long overdue.

It's not a completely new procedure, I mean, I wouldn't have bought an Armada Skywarp if they hadn't retooled the head from Starscream/Thundercracker (and technically, they even were doing this back in G1, the third year minibots for instance), but it is pretty cool that they seem to be doing it a lot more often now than they had been.

The thing is, Hasbro now designs the figures with the future retool in mind. Furthermore, when parts of one figure are produced, parts of the retool are produced at the same time. Meaning that, for instance, when a Tracks figure is produced, parts of Wheeljack are made as well. The unused parts are simply discarded or recycled.

I don't know if that's necessarily true anymore. I suspect the head pieces, etc are on chunks of the steel mold that can be swapped out for each production run. I'm not sure, but that's been the impression I've gotten lately.

Right.

Inside each larger mold are smaller components that can be swapped.

Shadowstream wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:The thing is, Hasbro now designs the figures with the future retool in mind. Furthermore, when parts of one figure are produced, parts of the retool are produced at the same time. Meaning that, for instance, when a Tracks figure is produced, parts of Wheeljack are made as well. The unused parts are simply discarded or recycled.

Which means we're missing out on a blue Wheeljack, even before the normal one. Funny how the repaint/retool factor in this case is a double edged sword.

On the subject of Skullgrin, I still can't quite see a significant enough difference between the 2 versions of the mold myself, but I'm not really interested in him anyway since I never cared much for the pretender characters save for the big name ones as Bludgeon and Metalhawk... and maybe Thunderwing. Black Shadow is also a maybe since he was one of Megatron's "phase sixers" in the IDW comics, though he's the one we've not seen doing anything yet.

Skullgrin is definitely one of the big names. The original 6 Pretenders and Metalhawk were the only ones to appear throughout most of a cartoon series in Japan (Masterforce). Black Shadow and Blue Bacchus only appeared in one episode of Victory. Thunderwing, Bludgeon, Octopunch, and Stranglehold were pretty major characters (particularly Thunderwing, then Bludgeon) in the Marvel Comics which came after Skullgrin, Cloudburst, Landmine, and Iguanus all got their moments in the spotlight. Skullgrin was the first Pretender to ever have an entire comic basically dedicated to himself ... and one of the few times that a single Transformer pretty much dominated an entire comic issue in the Marvel run.

I just picked up Skullgrin, Thunderwing and Dirge the other day and Skullgrin was the first one i opened and i have to say he is perfect in everyway! The balance between colors, that demonic bone white head he has and the pick axe is a great combo, but i wish he had another weapon though, but its cool though. Dont get me wrong i like Dark Mount too, but Skullgrin rises to the top with blazing speed as one of my favs and Thunderwing is catching up very quickly as well.

Seibertron wrote:

Shadowstream wrote:On the subject of Skullgrin, I still can't quite see a significant enough difference between the 2 versions of the mold myself, but I'm not really interested in him anyway since I never cared much for the pretender characters save for the big name ones as Bludgeon and Metalhawk... and maybe Thunderwing. Black Shadow is also a maybe since he was one of Megatron's "phase sixers" in the IDW comics, though he's the one we've not seen doing anything yet.

Skullgrin is definitely one of the big names. The original 6 Pretenders and Metalhawk were the only ones to appear throughout most of a cartoon series in Japan (Masterforce). Black Shadow and Blue Bacchus only appeared in one episode of Victory. Thunderwing, Bludgeon, Octopunch, and Stranglehold were pretty major characters (particularly Thunderwing, then Bludgeon) in the Marvel Comics which came after Skullgrin, Cloudburst, Landmine, and Iguanus all got their moments in the spotlight. Skullgrin was the first Pretender to ever have an entire comic basically dedicated to himself ... and one of the few times that a single Transformer pretty much dominated an entire comic issue in the Marvel run.

But was he a leader like Bludgeon and Metalhawk were? Did he ever take The Creation Matrix from Optimus Prime? Did he ever achieve the Phase Six and/or bringer-of-the-apocalypse status? Nope, just one issue of the old Marvel comics to show off what a ham he was.

Shadowstream wrote:Did he ever achieve the Phase Six and/or bringer-of-the-apocalypse status? Nope, just one issue of the old Marvel comics to show off what a ham he was.

Did you really just use Black Shadows two panel namedrop of an appearance in "Last Stand of the Wreckers" as justification for him getting a figure?

Seriously?

I hope they call him Dauros in Transformers united!

zodconvoy wrote:Did you really just use Black Shadows two panel namedrop of an appearance in "Last Stand of the Wreckers" as justification for him getting a figure?

Seriously?

Compared to Skullgrin getting his ass blown away by said Wreckers, and the solitary issue of the Marvel Comic series where he succumbed to the retardedness that is B-movie monsterdom? Yeah.

I should've mentioned I'm a fan of the TF Victory anime to further cement why I care more for Black Shadow, despite how briefly he was in it, and even then I would still prefer to see new versions of the entire Breastforce before I gave a damn about him, let alone Skullgrin.

Like I said before, I never cared for the Pretender characters. The only ones that appeal to me at all are either the strong leaders, or have a record of being destructive or terrifying. Looking at Skullgrin's track record I'm not particularly as impressed.

Ignoring Skullgrin's portrayal in the comics, take a look at the original toy. He's got a friggin' demonic rams skull for a head! How cool is that?

Don't get me wrong, I love Skullgrin, he was my first Pretender and the ram's skull is cool but why is the jaw bone and tongue unpainted?

I loved his portrayal in the comics. I like Decepticons who aren't just one dimensional thugs like Blitzwing or sadists like Bombshell. That gets boring very quick. I like that Skullgrin came up with a novel way of obtaining fuel for a Decepticon: he earned it. I also like Skullgrin's DW profile as a logical intelligent field commander whose rigidity necessitated the aggressive shell program. He has a very high intelligence in his tech spec.

Bludgeon has been very overused in recent years and is more of a generic character i.e. occasionally honourable mystic ninja type which also gets boring fast. Thunderwing was a great character in Marvel until IDW ruined him with the soulless and empty Stormbringer.


I just wish we got an update of the Pretenders' actual inner robot and vehicle modes. I don't like the new trend of meshing the shell and bot mode. In Bludgeon's case it looks terrible though I do like the Wreckage repaint. Be cool if they redid the inner bots and they could still fit into the original shells.

Windsweeper wrote:
I just wish we got an update of the Pretenders' actual inner robot and vehicle modes. I don't like the new trend of meshing the shell and bot mode. In Bludgeon's case it looks terrible though I do like the Wreckage repaint. Be cool if they redid the inner bots and they could still fit into the original shells.

I have a feeling it stems from most of their shells being infinitely more memorable than their inner robots.

Unfortunately that's probably true. But I'd love an update of Landmine, Cloudburst and Skullgrin's inner bots anyway. They were my first 3 Pretenders and I loved the chemistry between Cloudburst and Landmine in the Mecannibals story. I love Landmine's vehicle mode.

You know, looking at Classics Jetfire, he's not a million miles from Cloudburst. The head and torso remind me of the inner bot while the arms legs echo Cloudburst's shell. Just add the helmet or even a new one to complete the homage.

Of course Cybertron Starscream reminds me of Stormbringer Bombburst, all he needs is a head remold. Iguanus could be repainted from Ransack and Finback is practically Energon Sharkticon anyway.

The Gigant Bomb/Dreadwing mold with a head remold could maybe used for a Bugly homage. It gives me that shell/bot vibe that Jetfire does. I've got them beside each other as I type.

For some reason, even though this mold was modeled for Straxus (in respect of comic fans I will not call him Darkmount), and he looks just like the comic character in the original blue release, the Skullgrin/Dauros deco looks a lot better to me.

Unlike Bludgeon and Thunderwing, this mold has nothing to do with Dauros (I only know the character from Masterforce, though I did read the Wiki on him and his B-move career, great idea ), but the updated head looks great, and the bone gray and bone white deco with pink in all the right places really looks a lot better than Straxus.

Regarding Bludgeon, his inner bot is a tank, and I like the blending of his Samurai shell and robot tank alt. It works for me.

As for Thunderwing, I was just looking at an old toy booklet for the names of my only two G1 Pretenders, Gunrunner and Crossblades, and I must admit Hasbro did a great job with the Generations update. As a bot he looks like his shell, with a better wing cape. As a jet, he transforms into something sleeker. As a whole, he's too small, and the drone does not cut it. Crossblades and Thunderwing could combine with their inner robots to expand their shell alts. Had Thunderwing been made as a Voyager they could have given him a Minicon resembling his inner bot that turns into the drone/nosecone extension. The larger size would also have given more room to find a way to hide his arms. If his arms were not so obvious, I'd get him. As is, I have no connection to him to want to get him, but I must admit he looks like a great bot (Con, I know, but I'm using bot as short for robot, hence the lowercase).

I would love a Metalhawk. I would actually love a redeco of Terradive as Metalhawk, with a new head and his two Titanium swords in place of the trident.

I think the Straxus mould is pretty good, but not outstanding, and I never liked the Skullgrin remould. Whenever I see his head, I just can't help but notice how much it looks like a ram, with the horns on the side and the weird face. I will admit, however, that in some pictures (like this one), the colours do look pretty good, but in others, especially Hasbro's pictures, the red looks to bright, and they don't look good for a villain.

Optimus1138 wrote:I think the Straxus mould is pretty good, but not outstanding, and I never liked the Skullgrin remould. Whenever I see his head, I just can't help but notice how much it looks like a ram, with the horns on the side and the weird face. I will admit, however, that in some pictures (like this one), the colours do look pretty good, but in others, especially Hasbro's pictures, the red looks to bright, and they don't look good for a villain.

It looks amazing in-hand. That's why I picked it up. The pictures did nothing for me, buy seeing it in-package broke me. And I think it's a shade of pink, not red, though pink is a lighter tone of red, or something like that. Now I'm making myself dizzy.

Optimus1138 wrote:Whenever I see his head, I just can't help but notice how much it looks like a ram, with the horns on the side and the weird face.

That's what it's supposed to look like - Skullgrin's Pretender shell head is a (demonic) ram's skull.

Primacron's Little Helper wrote:

Optimus1138 wrote:Whenever I see his head, I just can't help but notice how much it looks like a ram, with the horns on the side and the weird face.

That's what it's supposed to look like - Skullgrin's Pretender shell head is a (demonic) ram's skull.

I wouldn't mind if his head looked more like the demonic monster-like head of his original toy, but on this version, it just looks kind of goofy to me.