The Energon Pub

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Every time I see that goofy-looking mustache, pointed chin, and squared head combination, I can't help but be instantly reminded of...

That's not a pointed chin, it's a little goatee. The chin itself is more square.
But yes, that is such a stereotypical RAF mustache. Though I can also see the Wario and Waluigi resemblance.

Yeah, Takara has been sneaky sticking unrelated smaller toys to their figures in the Legends line, so fans would "have" to buy everything.

Other than the Targetmasters and their appropriate masters, the two pair-ups that make "sense" are Bumblebee & Spike, and Octane & Ghost Starscream.

I will say that I found the Sweep head with Shakticon to be a very smart combo since both are army builders.

Yeah that I can understand. Haywire with Doublecross makes no sense at all. In fact why was Doublecross even brought back in this age as a Titans figure. I barely even remember him from G1 at all.

Doublecross was a notable character in The Headmasters, showing up in a few episodes (one of which is the inspiration for his headmaster fig being based on White Leo). So he fits right in with the rest of the updates to the 1987 cast and would be desirable to Japanese G1 fans anyway - coming with an accessory for Blurr is a bonus. And as has been pointed out, Blurr's reissue was not a guarantee, just a happy coincidence.

Getting off of Doublecross.. I did a search of this thread for pics of Legends-series Scourge, I was amused to discover that Takara has continued a grand tradition with him. This instance of it is particularly amusing to me given another character named Scourge.
Amusing canon-fanmode aside, I think it's also notable that LG-26 Scourge doesn't have too much more paint than the Hasbro version - a decent chunk of the difference is just in where it's applied (abs and kneecaps instead of the leg and chest greebling stickers from the original toy, more of the top of the altmode instead of the side intakes and also no greenish-blue paint, the inside of the wings instead of the 5mm ports on the sides - though that is still an area of extra paint..). There's no paint on the shoulder detail, only paint on the upper detail of his forearms, no red paint on the fingertips.. Kind of a shame. But painting the abs and kneecaps instead of duplicating the stickers from the original toy is a definite improvement. And the extra paint it does have is well-used too (painting the mustache, painting the center of the "Disintegrator ray"/"Rocket booster", etc.

[Wolfman Jake]

I'm excited for these rereleases, for several reasons. I got Legends Blurr the first time around, but I'm a little bummed out that he's got a bunch of paint slop on him. There's a black speck on his clear plastic chest piece, but the worse problem is paint slop in several spots on his right arm. So, I've ordered a rerelease of Blurr in the hopes of getting a better specimen. At the very least, I can swap arms around if the new one at least has a cleanly painted right arm.

I also ordered three of the rereleases of Scourge. Not surprisingly, I plan to use the extra Sweeps heads from the three Takara Legends Sharkticons I preordered to create my Sweeps army. I was content at first just to use a trio of Hasbro Scourges as my Sweeps, letting the Takara version be Scourge proper. I was even content to give them the exclusive Sweeps heads once getting my order of Sharkticons. But, since the opportunity has now presented itself, I might as well get some extra Takara Scourges so that the colors match much better between the bodies and the heads of the Sweeps. I usually like my Sweeps army to look different from my main Scourge figure in my displays, and different paint jobs used to suffice for that, but now, I'll let just different face sculpts serve that function. It makes better sense to for a G1 display too, as the Sweeps looked basically identical to Scourge in the original cartoon and animated movie. A small change to their facial hair is a more subtle nod to their underling status than a completely different paint job.

[Poyguimogul]

It looks like blurrs targetmaster is just photoshopped into a stock image, the hamd and gun angles dont match up.

[Evil Eye]

Given the RiD Warrior, I think the reason can fairly be assumed to be "Someone in Hasbro really really likes Doublecross".

It certainly would appear so. I kinda wish we'd get a Deluxe TR Repugnus and Grotusque though. Particularly Repugnus, he was always my favourite (though in terms of figure representation, Grotusque probably deserves it more).

The Monsterbots were always so cool. When the awesome two-headed dragon is the least imaginative monster in the lineup you're doing something right, even if Repugnus' beast mode is kinda cuddly.

[Kurona]

I would quite like to see Repugnus and Grotusque in POTP and subsequently Legends. I don't think that's terribly unlikely either.

[Evil Eye]

Aye, though the lack of the team having a unified gimmick annoys me for some reason.

THAT SAID, if the rumours of CW compatible beast combiners in POTP are true, I wouldn't mind one of the two remaining Monsterbots getting whatever the POTP gimmick will be and one getting a retool from one of the Terrorcons.That way we could have all three of the gimmicks of CW, TR and POTP in one team.

[Hero Alpha]

Takara's Doublecross looks incredibly sweet. WHite Leo's paint is tight as well. Just a bonus with the targetmaster, which I am going to give to my old Generations Scourge. Its close enough so then both him and Cyclonus will have their targetmasters. Gonna be an expensive couple months for me with Legends Hot Rod, Kup, Doublecross, Brawn and Octane in the pile of loot.

[Cyberpath]

Yeah, also looking forward to Doublecross, he looks weird in a good way. It's generally the Decepticons that change into beasts so this is interesting, especially with two dragon heads. Plus, it's fun to pick up a character that's not from the original series once in a while.

[RodimusConvoy13]

Yeah, also looking forward to Doublecross, he looks weird in a good way. It's generally the Decepticons that change into beasts so this is interesting, especially with two dragon heads. Plus, it's fun to pick up a character that's not from the original series once in a while.

Doublecross was in the original series. Unless you mean he wasn't in the cartoon. He had a G1 figure and was in Headmasters and the comics.

[Cyberpath]

Yeah, also looking forward to Doublecross, he looks weird in a good way. It's generally the Decepticons that change into beasts so this is interesting, especially with two dragon heads. Plus, it's fun to pick up a character that's not from the original series once in a while.

Doublecross was in the original series. Unless you mean he wasn't in the cartoon. He had a G1 figure and was in Headmasters and the comics.

The Sunbow cartoon. (S1-4.)

[Decepticon Stryker]

For all of you saying that Ghost Starscream is Chasm, you're wrong. Turns out it's Nightbeat.

[Kurona]

For all of you saying that Ghost Starscream is Chasm, you're wrong. Turns out it's Nightbeat.

Yeah, we found that out once the pictures dropped.

[Decepticon Stryker]

For all of you saying that Ghost Starscream is Chasm, you're wrong. Turns out it's Nightbeat.

Yeah, we found that out once the pictures dropped.

I thought someone might have mentioned it before, but I was too lazy. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a 1000 page essay due.... Ill just do it tomorrow.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

For all of you saying that Ghost Starscream is Chasm, you're wrong. Turns out it's Nightbeat.

Yeah, we found that out once the pictures dropped.

I thought someone might have mentioned it before, but I was too lazy. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a 1000 page essay due.... Ill just do it tomorrow.

That would be me, once I recognized the chest design in the original photos. They did miss a deco opportunity with him, the mouth plate and the crown-like design:


Transformers Machine Wars Starscream Gallery

That said, I'm still awaiting the future uses, if any, for the pretool heads, especially the creativity from eHobby. Using the Getaway head for Bludgeon is a stroke of genius (even if we see the Stylor body design yet again!).

[Mindmaster]

Once again, via Simon Chan on Facebook, we have the Takara Legends half of Figure King #234! This issue puts focus on Perceptor, Slugslinger, Bumblebee with Exosuit Spike, the Optimus Prime Evolution two-pack, Octane with Starscream, and a quick Japanese write up on Typticon/Dinosaurer! The images can be viewed below.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Would anyone be willing to provide a closeup of Godbomber hitched to Ginrai? Specifically, of where the hitch connects?

[Overcracker]

Would anyone be willing to provide a closeup of Godbomber hitched to Ginrai? Specifically, of where the hitch connects?

God Bomber's red hitch connects between Ginrai's folded up feet. There's a small slot there.

Mine are combined at the moment but here's a pic showing the connection slot:

GGback.jpg (63.85 KiB) Viewed 11404 times

Ignore the red circles, the slot is between the red circles. Where his shins/feet come together in truck mode they make a slot for the hitch.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I know it connects there. But what I was asking for was a pic of that spot, with the two connected.

[Overcracker]

I know it connects there. But what I was asking for was a pic of that spot, with the two connected.

O.K. Here you go:

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Thanks, much appreciated.

[Sabrblade]

At last, full high quality scans and an English summary of the Black Convoy pack-in comic.

Click each to see full size:

Since his reformatting into a heroic Autobot in a small protoform body, Black Convoy has been put in charge of a Dimensional Patrol protoform squadron charged with capturing the remaining Combatrons, who have fled to the Legends Universe. His soldiers locate the fugitives and forcibly reformat Greejeeber into one of them, and when his comrades reach out to help, protoform-Greejeeber turns on them and reformats them as well. Only Dolrailer gets away and urges Dark Ai to save herself, believing her to be their last hope. The arrival of a black tanker truck briefly makes him think Black Convoy has returned to normal, but the vehicle reveals itself to be a mass-produced Dimensional Patrol drone based on Convoy's old body and reformats him.

Refusing to leave the Legends world with Dark Ai still on the loose, Black Convoy and Skids announce that during their indefinite stay, the world's transtectors will be sealed off for the security's sake. As Autobot Axalon and Decepticon Tera-Kura alike grumble about this, Dark Ai appears at Axalon and reveals that she's carrying backup data of Black Convoy and the Combatrons' evil personalities. Rattrap and the Autobots agree to help her install the data into Black Convoy and make him turn on the Dimensional Patrol, just as the Patrol learns of Dark Ai's location and have their drones carpet bomb Axalon. The Autobot Headmasters fight back by incapacitating the drones with Skids's keep-out tape, modifying them into transtectors, and taking control of them. Black Convoy responds by scanning Hardhead and adopting a Headmaster form himself, but this is just what the Autobots had been hoping for: as soon as Black Convoy combines with one of the drones, Dark Ai enters its cockpit and installs the backup data, restoring Black Convoy to his "normal" self. Turning against the Dimensional Patrol, he helps the Autobots drive Skids and the protoform soldiers out of the Legends Universe.

In the aftermath, Black Convoy restores the other Combatrons and prepares to return home, now in command of new drone soldiers captured from the Patrol. He considers conquering the Legends Universe first, but writes it off as a joke when the Autobots train their guns at him. Dark Ai punishes him for the jest with an electrical whip while teaching him that the enemy of your enemy is your friend, surprising Rattrap with the fact that she's the domineering one of the two.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I can't help but see Skids as a bit of a fanatic when it comes to multi-dimensional security, would anyone agree?

[william-james88]

For all those wishing we had better scans of the pack in Takara legends comics and translations, we have something close for you. Sabrblade found high quality scans along with an english description of what is happening in the Black Convoy pack-in comic (The Exclusive Takara toy based on Titans Return Optimus Prime). It is incredible how much can be packed into 4 pages.

At last, full high quality scans and an English summary of the Black Convoy pack-in comic.

Click each to see full size:

Since his reformatting into a heroic Autobot in a small protoform body, Black Convoy has been put in charge of a Dimensional Patrol protoform squadron charged with capturing the remaining Combatrons, who have fled to the Legends Universe. His soldiers locate the fugitives and forcibly reformat Greejeeber into one of them, and when his comrades reach out to help, protoform-Greejeeber turns on them and reformats them as well. Only Dolrailer gets away and urges Dark Ai to save herself, believing her to be their last hope. The arrival of a black tanker truck briefly makes him think Black Convoy has returned to normal, but the vehicle reveals itself to be a mass-produced Dimensional Patrol drone based on Convoy's old body and reformats him.

Refusing to leave the Legends world with Dark Ai still on the loose, Black Convoy and Skids announce that during their indefinite stay, the world's transtectors will be sealed off for the security's sake. As Autobot Axalon and Decepticon Tera-Kura alike grumble about this, Dark Ai appears at Axalon and reveals that she's carrying backup data of Black Convoy and the Combatrons' evil personalities. Rattrap and the Autobots agree to help her install the data into Black Convoy and make him turn on the Dimensional Patrol, just as the Patrol learns of Dark Ai's location and have their drones carpet bomb Axalon. The Autobot Headmasters fight back by incapacitating the drones with Skids's keep-out tape, modifying them into transtectors, and taking control of them. Black Convoy responds by scanning Hardhead and adopting a Headmaster form himself, but this is just what the Autobots had been hoping for: as soon as Black Convoy combines with one of the drones, Dark Ai enters its cockpit and installs the backup data, restoring Black Convoy to his "normal" self. Turning against the Dimensional Patrol, he helps the Autobots drive Skids and the protoform soldiers out of the Legends Universe.

In the aftermath, Black Convoy restores the other Combatrons and prepares to return home, now in command of new drone soldiers captured from the Patrol. He considers conquering the Legends Universe first, but writes it off as a joke when the Autobots train their guns at him. Dark Ai punishes him for the jest with an electrical whip while teaching him that the enemy of your enemy is your friend, surprising Rattrap with the fact that she's the domineering one of the two.

[Kurona]

I'm finding myself continually frustrated with how Takara's Triggerhappy looks. It's very minor, but the white guns seem to be tinted blue and what they've gone for with the face just doesn't look as good as Hasbro's. But I really want that Targetmaster...

[Sigma Magnus]

I'm finding myself continually frustrated with how Takara's Triggerhappy looks. It's very minor, but the white guns seem to be tinted blue and what they've gone for with the face just doesn't look as good as Hasbro's. But I really want that Targetmaster...

I have the Hasbro version, and...to be honest, while the Targetmaster is neat, I just don't care. Hell, I don't even use his actual guns on mine, I just have him use the arm-mounted ones. And to me, the Hasbro face paint is better, and the peg hole on the Takara chest looks weird.

Not sure if that'll actually help your decision, I just wanted to throw that out there.