The Energon Pub

So a friend of mine was telling me at a party the other day that a local comic ship is selling a G1 Galvatron in decent shape for a cheap price. I've never been a huge Galvatron fan but I love G1 toys so I get them whenever I can. I was just wondering what others thought of G1 Galvatron, like is he any good, if so how good and is he worth picking up?

I like him. Granted, I have the recent reissue that's in "anime" colors, but he's still a neat lil toy. He's also very big! He's about the same size as Ultra Magnus or Jetfire.

It is a good figure. Iconic in the TF world, to say the least. It was recently reissued in purple (anime color) and then again by e-hobby in the original toy colors with a few gold decals.

A good price for a loose figure would be $50 to $75 if it was in great condition. Make sure it has the arm cannon, cannon holder, and gun (three accessories). Also test the electronics. If it is missing the orange arm cannon, you should pass and wait for a complete one. The arm cannon alone sells for about $25 to $30.

Why not get the reissue?

Well my friend told me that it was being sold for about $20. Though I can't remember if he saw ant accessories or not.

GetterDragun wrote:Why not get the reissue?

Reasons:
If it's more expensive.
If you'd prefer an authentic G1 to a reissue.
If you cant buy online & it's easier for you to buy from a store.
If you don't know much about what has been reissued.
If you know you wouldn't put effort into buying him, but if he's there & you have money you'd impulse buy.

Impulse buying is how I have the few G1's I own; see 'em in a comic store, have money, think how you'd like to be able to say you own some G1's, as easy as that, no effort or hunting involved.

I like him alot, I have 2, so I do recommend him even though his arms are a let down.

However he isn't in short supply on ebay, and like most have said he has been reissued with some upgrades(however I'll pass on the japanesse phrases as I don't speak it). So what I would do is check it out, be sure it works well, price it against ebay, and if it's a good deal, go for it

Also, be sure he has the smaller black gun too.

Justicity wrote:

GetterDragun wrote:Why not get the reissue?

Reasons:
If it's more expensive.
If you'd prefer an authentic G1 to a reissue.
If you cant buy online & it's easier for you to buy from a store.
If you don't know much about what has been reissued.
If you know you wouldn't put effort into buying him, but if he's there & you have money you'd impulse buy.

Impulse buying is how I have the few G1's I own; see 'em in a comic store, have money, think how you'd like to be able to say you own some G1's, as easy as that, no effort or hunting involved.

Yea, but if what you thought was cheap was close to a reissue price, I think you'd be pissed. Plus most G1s I've seen in a comic shop are way overpriced and in crappy shape.

I'm gonna agree with Getter, but if you do want vintage, a comic shop is sometimes sweet cause you can hand inspect the item, as apose to going off photos and taking someones word for it.

Granted online can sometimes be cheaper, but on that same note alot of times it's not.

But I also understand that in this instance you are talking about reissue compaired to vintage, at which point MSIB and BUY IT NOW can be beautiful things

GetterDragun wrote:

Justicity wrote:

GetterDragun wrote:Why not get the reissue?

Reasons:
If it's more expensive.
If you'd prefer an authentic G1 to a reissue.
If you cant buy online & it's easier for you to buy from a store.
If you don't know much about what has been reissued.
If you know you wouldn't put effort into buying him, but if he's there & you have money you'd impulse buy.

Impulse buying is how I have the few G1's I own; see 'em in a comic store, have money, think how you'd like to be able to say you own some G1's, as easy as that, no effort or hunting involved.

Yea, but if what you thought was cheap was close to a reissue price, I think you'd be pissed. Plus most G1s I've seen in a comic shop are way overpriced and in crappy shape.

Fair enough, however there are still the other points you need to argue against before you convince me getting the reissue would be better
Besides, if you would prefer a figure to be authentic G1 then you wouldn't mind paying close to reissue price.

I am trying to keep this friendly by the way, I don't want to escalate this into a full blown argument, I just have a hard time finding anything appealing in the reissues. Maybe because I really couldn't care less for MISB, I want to be able to TRANSFORM the transformer Maybe you can convince me?

The vintage G1 appeals more then the reissue in this case. Though sometimes a reissue will do, sometimes it won't. I'm mostly going to go in and check it out to see if they have it and what condition it is in and how complete it is. If that all works out and the price is good I might just get him.

Though I've heard he also has a G1 Hotspot in good condition, if that is true and he has the parts for Defensor I'm more likely to walk away with that.

I'm just gonna chime in again, and besides, discusion doesn't = argument.

But what I like about MSIB is that fact that if you go the reissue route, and you get something sealed, you have a far better chance of the item not being broken, scratched, worn, and so on and so on...

IF I had a MSIB vintage Galvatron, I wouldn't open him, but a reissue, WHO CARES, rip it open enjoy that part of your new figure!!!!!!!

When I mentioned that, that is exactly what I had in mind. It's the over all quality of the item in the box, as apose to the quality of the item kicked around for 20yrs.

Still, I passed on this reissue, as I said, I have a vintage boxed, and a complete loosy. So A, I don't need it, and B, the added phrases are nice, but since I don't speak japanesse, I can't say I realy care

However figures like StarConvoy, and Ultra Magnus, I swept right up

That's about it for me

Justicity wrote:

GetterDragun wrote:

Justicity wrote:

GetterDragun wrote:Why not get the reissue?

Reasons:
If it's more expensive.
If you'd prefer an authentic G1 to a reissue.
If you cant buy online & it's easier for you to buy from a store.
If you don't know much about what has been reissued.
If you know you wouldn't put effort into buying him, but if he's there & you have money you'd impulse buy.

Impulse buying is how I have the few G1's I own; see 'em in a comic store, have money, think how you'd like to be able to say you own some G1's, as easy as that, no effort or hunting involved.

Yea, but if what you thought was cheap was close to a reissue price, I think you'd be pissed. Plus most G1s I've seen in a comic shop are way overpriced and in crappy shape.

Fair enough, however there are still the other points you need to argue against before you convince me getting the reissue would be better
Besides, if you would prefer a figure to be authentic G1 then you wouldn't mind paying close to reissue price.

I am trying to keep this friendly by the way, I don't want to escalate this into a full blown argument, I just have a hard time finding anything appealing in the reissues. Maybe because I really couldn't care less for MISB, I want to be able to TRANSFORM the transformer Maybe you can convince me?

The whole authentic G1 thing to me is flawed because you could by G1 figures that were reissued in G1 (Transformers Classics), so is that official or not? To me if something is produced by Hasbro, it is official and I collect Transformers because I like Transformers, not because I want to have a pissing match with somebody. The only other argument that comes up is with comparing G1 to artwork and how an original is preferred to a lithograph...well there were thousands of G1 figures made, so othere was no "original" like in art. Plus it is in perfect condition. I see no downsides to reissues and I own many reissues and originals (I think I'm areound 600 G1 figure, 1600 Transformers in total). I am, however, against knockoffs, since they haven't been hit with the Takara/Hasbro stamp.

You know Getter, I was with you all the way on this till you denounced KO's

If not for those, I be lacking victims in my battles

Seriously, when I'm bored I'll go to BIG LOTS or VALLY FAIR get a bunch of KO's and feel bad for them on the ride home cause they're only gonna die!

Now when it comes to the high end, super detailed KO's, I agree, pass! I won't even touch the WSTs.

-----------------------------------------------

Also, most G1 TFs are only DaiClone reissues, so...

GetterDragun wrote:

Justicity wrote:

GetterDragun wrote:

Justicity wrote:

GetterDragun wrote:Why not get the reissue?

Reasons:
If it's more expensive.
If you'd prefer an authentic G1 to a reissue.
If you cant buy online & it's easier for you to buy from a store.
If you don't know much about what has been reissued.
If you know you wouldn't put effort into buying him, but if he's there & you have money you'd impulse buy.

Impulse buying is how I have the few G1's I own; see 'em in a comic store, have money, think how you'd like to be able to say you own some G1's, as easy as that, no effort or hunting involved.

Yea, but if what you thought was cheap was close to a reissue price, I think you'd be pissed. Plus most G1s I've seen in a comic shop are way overpriced and in crappy shape.

Fair enough, however there are still the other points you need to argue against before you convince me getting the reissue would be better
Besides, if you would prefer a figure to be authentic G1 then you wouldn't mind paying close to reissue price.

I am trying to keep this friendly by the way, I don't want to escalate this into a full blown argument, I just have a hard time finding anything appealing in the reissues. Maybe because I really couldn't care less for MISB, I want to be able to TRANSFORM the transformer Maybe you can convince me?

The whole authentic G1 thing to me is flawed because you could by G1 figures that were reissued in G1 (Transformers Classics), so is that official or not? To me if something is produced by Hasbro, it is official and I collect Transformers because I like Transformers, not because I want to have a pissing match with somebody. The only other argument that comes up is with comparing G1 to artwork and how an original is preferred to a lithograph...well there were thousands of G1 figures made, so othere was no "original" like in art. Plus it is in perfect condition. I see no downsides to reissues and I own many reissues and originals (I think I'm areound 600 G1 figure, 1600 Transformers in total). I am, however, against knockoffs, since they haven't been hit with the Takara/Hasbro stamp.

By other points I actually meant the ones I mentioned in the previous post. G1 authenticity or not is a discussion we could debate till the cyber-cows come home, but it's all down to ones taste.
I do understand what you're saying, but from the point of view of a general collector with few G1's, it's nice to be able to say the G1s you do own are real G1s from the initial release. However I do see your point about the "G1 reissue" thing, I didn't know they were reissued at the time as well. Which makes me suggest that, as far as my collecting is concerned, anything from the 80's I would consider G1, even though I believe it ran into the 90's a bit???
Basically, being of the Beast generation I'd be pleased to own anything recognizable from the G1 line (series 1, 2 & movie). For instance I swept Wheelie up for £1 a while back, purely because he's a recognizable character & it came from the comic store owners own collection which he was giving up, & he seems the right age to have collected during the initial release. Also I trust the dude, I've got to know him quite well recently.

Liege Evilmus wrote:You know Getter, I was with you all the way on this till you denounced KO's

If not for those, I be lacking victims in my battles

Seriously, when I'm bored I'll go to BIG LOTS or VALLY FAIR get a bunch of KO's and feel bad for them on the ride home cause they're only gonna die!

Now when it comes to the high end, super detailed KO's, I agree, pass! I won't even touch the WSTs.

-----------------------------------------------

Also, most G1 TFs are only DaiClone reissues, so...

Well, there are two knock-offs, those cheap Devestator ones, or those new ones in the G1 boxes. We are suspecting they are made with the actual G1 molds...which I guess makes them somewhat real. But the lack of stamp bothers me, though as a figure, to be able to get a mint Mirage for the experience of tranforming one (which I think is the exciting part of collecting G1...the transformation of a core character), they are good.

I can see what your saying, but take the KO mirage, he's going for way to much for a KO!

I got on vintage about 2 years ago for alot less, and like you said, it's the stamp.

Now I also agree that the actual part of transforming the figure is the fun in this hobby, and to that respect KO's are pretty much alright if you can get them cheap enough in lue of vintage. A good example are the Brave series Zone and Battle Star figure reisues, they make good filler. They are also a fine way of enjoying a figure while keeping the rarer vintage figure preserved.

We recently had this similar conversation reguarding the Battle Star figures.

A lower price mark for enjoyability is one thing, but when top vintage dollar is being charged for a KO, I have problem with that.

I can see paying a large amount for something rare and that has been well preserved for some 20 years. But when it gets applied to something mass produced today, well thats just wrong. I feel in the long run buying those pieces as "collectable items" only deteriorates the quality of ones collection.

Then their are other items like the MP Megatron Upgrade kit that are not Hasbro or Takara product, but as origional items I feel they have a worthwhile complimentary place in my collection.

As a serious collector yourself, I'm sure you can understand that. You know, if your gonna do something do it right!

Still, and this is in reguards to the Mirage KO, I've seen the pics on this site of the figure and it is dead on, which makes me wonder, even though Hasbro sayes the mold is broken, if these people can recreate it, why can't they?

Since I double posted I will say one good thing about AFORDABLE KO's is that besides being a victim, if you're gonna try a repaint or kitbash, they are good trial material

On the topic of G1 Galvatron, if you can get it for that price and it's got the parts and working electronics, go for it.

G1 Galvatron is a really cool figure. In the long run I like the original better than the anime reissue. If they had done the reissue's colours like Energon Galvatron, it would have been much better. Instead he's that kind of lavender colour... It's just disappointing they had a chance to do it better...

If the figure is in good shape w/accessories, and you can get it for that price, go for it.
I've got both the regular and ehobby reissues of Galvatron, and I love'em. I love the fact that they are reissues, I got them brand-new in the box, I was the one to open them, and the fact that they are (or were when I got them) brand-spankin' new.
They now stand proudly on my display, facing PM Prime and Ultra Magnus (also reissues. Although technically, PM Prime is actually God Ginrai).

MagnusPrimal wrote:If the figure is in good shape w/accessories, and you can get it for that price, go for it.
I've got both the regular and ehobby reissues of Galvatron, and I love'em. I love the fact that they are reissues, I got them brand-new in the box, I was the one to open them, and the fact that they are (or were when I got them) brand-spankin' new.
They now stand proudly on my display, facing PM Prime and Ultra Magnus (also reissues. Although technically, PM Prime is actually God Ginrai).

Right, it's like right back to being a kid with out ruining something vintage

Galvatron for $20 with accessories in good condition - buy it!

Without accessories, you will spend another $40 or so trying to get them and Galvatron NEEDS his arm cannon.


KOs are generally inferior, so no KOs for me except for a KO WST Skywarp (because I won't pay $100 for a WST) and a KO Masterpiece Prime trailer because it is better than the official release.


Reissues and orignals are all the same in my book. I'd prefer to pay $40 for a new reissue then $100 for a used vintage figure anyday, so price and newness factor have me preferring reissues. I have a G1 Prime. Whether it was made in 1984 or 2007 is pointless to me since the reissue I have suits my wants perfectly.

and everyone keeps forgetting about dime store KO.

You can light TM2 Megatron on fire for $5!

!!!!!!!!!!WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Otherwise, said my piece on this, and had fun doing so

But seriously, I've been seeing pics of these KO MP trailers all over, anyone have a seller link?

I have G1 Galvatron, and he's really not a bad figure, though I really dont think it does the character justice. He's been opened two or three times, but he lives in his box now. In some ways I like the look of the reissue better (because its actually purple?), but I'm generally in favor of vintage over reissue. I do own some reissues, Ultra Magnus and Hot Rod, and Classics Soundwave, and I am grateful for them in cases where a G1 figure wasn't available or was too expensive.

Basically, if you're really into originals, go with the G1, but if a purple Galvatron appeals to you more, go with the reissue.

G1 Galvatron is one of my favourites. I'm not too keen on the purple used for the reissue so I have the original. I agree that the reissue would have been stunning if it was coloured more like Energon Galvatron. I'd say buy him, however a few people in the past have mentioned that finding his arm-cannon mount can be quite hard, so probably best to check that's there.