The Energon Pub

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Sun Nov 16, 2014 10:26 am

For the record, I do not by any standards "hate" G1. Heck, I had a few VHS tapes of the G1 cartoon as a kid and loved every second of them. I didn't grow up in the 80s, sure, but it's certanly not true to say I had no exposure to G1.

However, I do NOT think that G1 is the be-all and end-all of Transformers. The designs are iconic for sure, but there are designs from later continuities that have surpassed them in quality. Using Armada as an example, whilst a lot of the figures suffered from poor articulation, for the most part they looked fantastic, with a lot of very nicely executed sculpted detail, awesome looking designs, very good "silhouettes" (Armada Megatron is one of the most imposing-looking Megatrons ever with those huge stompy legs, horned helmet, towering shoulder pylons and that badass Judge Dredd grimace) and fresh vehicle modes. I'd go as far as to say that Armada Optimus Prime has one of my favourite vehicle modes of any Prime (even if his robot mode left a lot to be desired).

I use the term GEEWUN to refer not to anyone who likes G1 (because that would be silly) but rather to people who consider it the definitive apex of the brand that deserves reverence over any other continuity, and that other series are somehow not worthy of attention from HasTak/3P companies. I judge a design's "worthiness" for a 3P figure on how good they are, not by whether they're old enough to have nostalgia factor. Most of the WFC/FOC designs are awesome, hence they deserve toys.

News Credits: 32 · by **Transformermegazord** » Tue Nov 18, 2014 11:57 am

thought i would share this here

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 1:42 pm

And Neptune just processed!

News Credits: 10 · by **Agamemnon** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 4:06 pm

Too bad I could probably not ship in time for the weekend. Next weekend, I guess...

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 4:16 pm

Well, I have him in-hand and he is one hefty chunk of toy.

I love him and I haven't even transformed him yet. He's my Classics Sludge.

News Credits: 1 · by **iguanabytes** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 11:25 pm

I just got mine in today and finally had the time and attention he deserved to transform him. The engineering on this toy is CRAZY. I love planet x for going above and beyond what is neccessary to transform him and turn him into art. I have Caelus and this is even worlds ahead of that one. I can't wait to see their other two(or three...?)

News Credits: 10 · by **Agamemnon** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 7:11 pm

Okay, I got some pictures taken. I am writing this along side a similar post in the FP thread. Here's hoping I don't confuse the two...

First up, here's Columpio and Neptune together:

That's Neptune on the left and Columpio on the right. As you can see, Neptune is much, much beefier in the chest. Here's a close-up of the heads:

Now, on to the entire crew of 3P Dinobots, well, with FoC Grimlock anyway. Sadly, I could not bring myself to bring in AoE Snarl to represent a Stegosaurus..

Here's the FoC cast together. They look nice, in my opinion. I can't wait to get the rest.

Let's bring in all the Dinobots again, in beast mode!

Here's a mix and match shot of FP and PX:

But, finally, here are Columpio and Neptune together in Dino mode. Neptune sure is wide...

And finally, the culmination of everything that is good and decent in the world, I give you this instead. (I need to Photoshop in some distended eyes...)

Are there any requests? Does anybody want to see a particular aspect of these guys photographed?

News Credits: 402 · by **Mkall** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 7:22 pm

Thanks for the pictures! I'm pleased that I'm going the Planet X route instead of the FansProject route for these guys. The only thing FP has going for it is the articulated neck.

I really cannot wait to get this guy, but alas he's still in my POL until after Christmas

News Credits: 4 · by **Tsutsukakushi** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 8:59 pm

Interesting and awesome comparisons pics.

by **Rated X** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:19 pm

Mkall wrote:Thanks for the pictures! I'm pleased that I'm going the Planet X route instead of the FansProject route for these guys. The only thing FP has going for it is the articulated neck.

I really cannot wait to get this guy, but alas he's still in my POL until after Christmas

That's the shock of the year !

I know you like neo a lot more than me, but I didn't think you liked it to the extremes of FOC. I'm not sure Planet X will go well with Hasbro classics that are more G1 cartoon accurate. (Especially midget Swoop) Unless you're going for an FOC display and skipping classics Dinobots altogether ?

News Credits: 293 · by **shajaki** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 10:09 pm

awesome pics aggy! all the comparisons are great! i really like how they tried to hide the dino head... but i can still see him going peekaboo :lol:

ill be getting him, just not right away.

News Credits: 118 · by **megatronus** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 11:07 pm

Thanks for the pics! Loving the "Devastator smash!"

News Credits: 402 · by **Mkall** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:11 am

Rated X wrote:
Mkall wrote:Thanks for the pictures! I'm pleased that I'm going the Planet X route instead of the FansProject route for these guys. The only thing FP has going for it is the articulated neck.

I really cannot wait to get this guy, but alas he's still in my POL until after Christmas

That's the shock of the year !

I know you like neo a lot more than me, but I didn't think you liked it to the extremes of FOC. I'm not sure Planet X will go well with Hasbro classics that are more G1 cartoon accurate. (Especially midget Swoop) Unless you're going for an FOC display and skipping classics Dinobots altogether ?

In all honesty, I never felt FP's Dinobots since the get-go. Maybe because I'd already invested into Planet X's and maybe because FansProjects had needless targetmasters instead of actual weapons. Or maybe because I had had enough of FP's fiddlyness after having their Menasor.

All in all, Planet X's Dinobots, despite homaging Fall of Cybertron designs, are pretty good stand ins for the neo-G1 vibe.

Also - Sludge has freaking HAMMERS! There's not enough hammers in Transformers these days.

by **Rated X** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:16 am

Mkall wrote:
Rated X wrote:
Mkall wrote:Thanks for the pictures! I'm pleased that I'm going the Planet X route instead of the FansProject route for these guys. The only thing FP has going for it is the articulated neck.

I really cannot wait to get this guy, but alas he's still in my POL until after Christmas

That's the shock of the year !

I know you like neo a lot more than me, but I didn't think you liked it to the extremes of FOC. I'm not sure Planet X will go well with Hasbro classics that are more G1 cartoon accurate. (Especially midget Swoop) Unless you're going for an FOC display and skipping classics Dinobots altogether ?

In all honesty, I never felt FP's Dinobots since the get-go. Maybe because I'd already invested into Planet X's and maybe because FansProjects had needless targetmasters instead of actual weapons. Or maybe because I had had enough of FP's fiddlyness after having their Menasor.

All in all, Planet X's Dinobots, despite homaging Fall of Cybertron designs, are pretty good stand ins for the neo-G1 vibe.

Also - Sludge has freaking HAMMERS! There's not enough hammers in Transformers these days.

The hammers are cool I admit. As for the FP mini-cons, I just throw them on the side, Each FP figure comes with a nice gun and a sword that look great. I wont have Cubrar in hand until Monday, but I can assure you there is nothing fiddly about Columpio. He is a nice easy, fun transformation reminiscent of the G1 toy. Unlike Intimidator, I actually transform Columpio on a regular basis without instructions or reviews. If you go Planet X, be prepared to wait a very long time for a complete set of 5.

News Credits: 1 · by **iguanabytes** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 8:57 am

right now I am at Masterpiece Grimlock for my Grimlock (natch) PlanetX Caelus for my Swoop, Toyworld Roar for my Snarl, and Neptune for my Sludge. I could not resist the hammers, not at all.I also am a big fan of the shape of the head on Neptune. my plan is to get FP Cubrar for my Slag.

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 11:05 am

Yeah, I'm pretty much sold on PX at this point. I wonder if they're doing a replacement Grimlock?

News Credits: 1 · by **iguanabytes** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:14 pm

I was thinking about the hammers, and if memory serves(which it does these days like a sullen waitress, with a lot of sighing, eye-rolling, and frequent breaks) he would stomp down and crack the ground underfoot- fits in with that

Website · by **RK_Striker_JK_5** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 5:31 pm

Agamemnon, as others said, great pictures. I'm now even more behind Planet X's offerings than before. He's quite a bit above FP's Sludge, that's for sure! :shock:

by **necr0blivion** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 5:53 pm

Ag - thanks for the amazing pictures, you did a terrific job of comparing the two offerings. I also love how you incorporated other FoC Dinobot releases in your shots, because there are soooooo many people wondering how they fit with each other.

What's crazy is how much these comparison pictures made me warm up to Neptune. Sure he's a bit too wide in Dino mode, but there are so many other design choices that make him look better than FP's Columpio. Sadly, I won't be able to get Neptune anytime soon. But I do look forward to the day he is in my hands.

News Credits: 1 · by **rpetras** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:54 am

Thanks for the side-by-side, it really cements my decision.

I went with FP for Sludge, and I really do like it better. The only bit I don't like about it is the way the bot mode toes stick up off the back. I know it is reminiscent of G1, but I still think it looks like odd.

For Neptune, though I really like the dino neck/head storage and the way the dino legs fold into the bot mode legs. I don't like the width or proportions in either mode.

News Credits: 461 · by **mooncake623** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 12:17 pm

Ahh nice pics Aggy! I'm fairly sure that Planet X's Sludge is a better toy overall but I'm still like FP's aesthetics better

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 1:05 pm

I have to say, I reckon you could mix and match the FP and PX Dinos and it wouldn't look too bad at all. They have quite similar details/aesthetics and colours (the golds are fairly spot-on matches) and also similar silhouettes.

News Credits: 10 · by **Agamemnon** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:27 am

Delta Magnus wrote:I have to say, I reckon you could mix and match the FP and PX Dinos and it wouldn't look too bad at all. They have quite similar details/aesthetics and colours (the golds are fairly spot-on matches) and also similar silhouettes.

Well, in hand the golds are a bit further apart. FP has a more metallic paint to the gold, more akin to the Takara metallic paint on the Henkei line. I don't think they will be too bad together, but there are definitely some paint cues that are different between them.

And thanks all for the kind words on the pictures. I hope you don't mind some more photo bombs in the future.

News Credits: 10 · by **Agamemnon** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 2:41 pm

I had a thought. If you could go back in time and kiss yourself, would you? I suspect the answer would only be yes if you are a hot chick or a Brontosaurus.

Fortunately I have a picture of one of these scenarios....

S

P

O

I

L

E

R

Delta Magnus got me to realizing that I had not taken any good pictures of the gold coloring with each company, nor had I compared the Dino heads. So, here's a closeup of the heads too...

I think with the flash, you can now see the difference between the gold metallic finish of FP and the duller yellow-gold plastic of PX.

Plus....SMOOCH!