The Energon Pub

[Ultra Markus]

I'm not entirely getting the responses here... Masterpiece is a line -solely- dedicated to absolute cartoon accuracy. What were you guys expecting? If you want cool updates, check out Generations or Third Parties or even new versions of the characters in new series or something... but Masterpiece is a G1 Cartoon line - with a few surprises in Star Saber and Optimus Primal here and there - and that is what it is. It doesn't make sense to criticize something for being what it is, it's kind of ridiculous.

Actually, I used to think that, but it's been quoted from the designers that that was not the original intent of the line, this is the direction the line has taken of late, and can even be seen in the Legends line too, it's just the direction they are taking.

You look at MP-10, he had all sort of details and lines and such that the cartoon model never had, and as he's the standard the line is literally measured against, this is clearly not the case...

Added details and lines is barely any change at all though. You look at MP-10, and you can't tell me it's anything but an absolute represenation of G1 Cartoon Optimus Prime. There's nothing else it is. It's not a redesign, it's not a revamp, it's not a new version - it's the original cartoon guy, and nothing more.
And adding little details and lines tends to be standard fare on figures made to replicate animation, I find - not just with MP but with any series' figures. It's just a thing that happens.
I prefer updates and redesigns; that's why I love Generations and collect figures from those and don't look into MP much beyond a few I might want like Optimus, Road Rage and Soundwave. It's for the guys who love a G1 representation, and it's clearly working.
By the way, what is the original intention, then? Because the only deviations they've ever done in the MP line is in the wonky pre-MP-10 line where they clearly had no clue what on earth their standard actually was.

For the record the prototype imo looks pretty great. Inferno's not a guy I particularly care about but hey, it's nice. Hoping to see some impressive retooling for Grapple so I can admire from afar yet not actually spend money on it.

well you cant please everyone and force anyone to like it so we established that some hate G1 with a passion, time to move on

[Fenrir Prime]

I'm gonna actually take Hellscreams side a bit after that pic of mp10 and Ironhide. I love my mp10 and yeah he's a great representation of G1 Optimus but there are creative liberties that pay off. Ironhide looks like he was made with a 3d printer almost. The Inferno figure looks like it sits right between them to me. Potential details but the limbs look super smooth, I guess we will see once we see it painted.for what it's worth I'm intrigued buy it.

[Deadput]

Don't expect "the best" from Hasbro or Takara just expect good/decent and you will be fine.

While Inferno is not the most detailed thing ever he still looks fine not every Masterpeice is going to be leagues better then the one before there are going to be some flaws sometimes especially with different revolving designers so there really is not a staple besides "Highly articulated fanservice action figures".

[SW's SilverHammer]

Well jeez, I think these figure looks pretty damn cool and i've always thought inferno was a pretty alright character. Still can't wait to see the eventual Hauler repaint/retool. I love all the crazy MP repaints like Exhaust and Tigertrack.

[Cyberpath]

Not a character from the top of my wishlist (and I always thought Grapple was more relatable) but the Inferno prototype looks prefect!

I wonder if the ladder is folded (transformed) into his torso or if it's detachable.

I wish Takara would get Shogo Hausi to work on MP Megatron while Hironori Kobayashi works on these.

[MightyMagnus78]

I'm excited!
Inferno was one of the few G1 toys I had as a kid so I've got a bit of a soft spot for the big guy, but I'm honestly more excited about the inevitable Grapple/Hauler repaint.

[Logan.]

Comparison:

[Ironhidensh]

I'll have to wait till I see some final product shots, just like with MP Primal, but I'm thinking on first impression that the 3rd party selections vastly out shine this.

[fenrir72]

Comparison:

For reference but a lot of the so called details are "decal" based for the G1 figs. That was part of the fun back then. In as much as I love how MD/SL/Galaxyforce lines (as an example) or even G2/BWN BB had a ton of those exterior details............BB was one mean looking B2 bomber, I doubt TT will be replicating that again.

It still boils down to cost. If those details breaks the bank and won't allow for the figure to be released, then I'd rather sacrifice some details on a single panel so long as the figure is officially released.

Heck, that's what Ocean Designs (official franchise) and Reprolabels (3rd party) is for.

P.S. How time flies and shifts opinions. I remember quite a few were flabbergasted with MP WJ and yet now, all I hear are praises. As for wanting a Marvel Productions cartoon version, well wait no longer. If "anime" Red Alert/Alert is any indication, TT is sure to release one.....give or take a few years from now.

[Cyberpath]

Tsche-chu-chu-chu-tsche!

[The Unit]

He looks good. I actually like the cartoon-accuracy, but I'm still torn between this one and the Maketoys one. I have the Maketoys Grapple and love the figure. I'll wait to see what the price is I guess

[Wolfman Jake]

Hi! As stated above, it just needs details in its extremely simplistic and blocky panels on its legs. As it is right now, it looks like the mold is an unfinished mold. Hopefully they add some details before the finished product. I'm signed off on the upper body. It's the lower body that need to be finished/detailed.

Oh, I get you now. You're more of a leg man, eh Seibertron?

Even if we don't get any added detail to the "smooth paneling" on the legs for the final product, I think some colors will go a long ways towards making the lower portion of the figure look much more dynamic and visually interesting. The gray plastics just make the sculpt look "dull" (double entendre intended!).

[fenrir72]

Tsche-chu-chu-chu-tsche!

..........robot pulsing.........

All we need now to complete that picture is Jazz!

[shajaki]

I can't speak to others, but the reason I find Seibs and Hellscreams opinions so polarizing is that I don't find Inferno any "smoother" than Ironhide. And while Ironhide received MUCH criticism (before his release) I don't recall his lack of detail being one of those points.

[Kurona]

It is kinda weird we haven't got a Jazz yet... but we're getting freakin' Inferno. I mean it's cool and all, it looks great, but... bit random.
Guess it was everyone's reaction to Tracks as well. It's cool, looks great, looking forward to it... but Tracks of all guys? Really? No-one more important you wanna cover first?
I mean we've still got very prominent guys like Cliffjumper, Jazz and Brawn without MPs; if we're looking on the Decepticon side then you could probably say Blitzwing, Astrotrain and some insecticons (there were so few 'cons outside combiners I swear). They at least seem to be tackling the coneheads. Hell, there's even more prominent Season 2 'bots like Blaster and Perceptor.
Only reason I can think of as to why they're tackling Inferno is either trying to combat third parties or someone was really hot for Red AlertXInferno. I know I am

[Hellscream9999]

I can't speak to others, but the reason I find Seibs and Hellscreams opinions so polarizing is that I don't find Inferno any "smoother" than Ironhide. And while Ironhide received MUCH criticism (before his release) I don't recall his lack of detail being one of those points.

Actually, Seibs has raised that point numerous times specifically. He did in the UM thread, and the IH thread/gallery thread. They look like something I could make on a 3d printer after screwing around with Maya for a week, when the tires have the most detail on a whole half of a figure, that's not a good thing

[Ironhidensh]

It bothers me now that it's been pinged out to me.

[Mindmaster]

Eh, pass. Not a character I particularly feel like needs an MP just yet.

But... if they have the license from Mitsubishi, what are the odds for an MP Hound? Now Hound I would buy up in a heartbeat (partly because the MP Autobots I have are coincidentally all red, the green will help him pop)!

[Seibertron]

I can't speak to others, but the reason I find Seibs and Hellscreams opinions so polarizing is that I don't find Inferno any "smoother" than Ironhide. And while Ironhide received MUCH criticism (before his release) I don't recall his lack of detail being one of those points.

That was one of the big issues I had with the Ratchet and Ironhide molds. My opinion hasn't changed.

I feel like we're all talking about different things or that you guys don't understand what Hellscream and I are asking for. It doesn't take away from the overall molds at all. Inferno's silhouette and overall look is fine. I just want to see some detailing added to the mold (specifically his legs which look extremely plain looking especially with the detailed torso thanks to the truck front).

Here's Masterpiece Wheeljack's panel detailing that has 100% nothing to do with him being a licensed vehicle, it's just a level of attention to detail (pun intended) that I expect from just about all Transformers toys at this point). To not do it is just plain lazy and I'm surprised so many of you are OK with that approach. It also doesn't add anything to the cost of the figures. The designer just has to spend a few minutes doing this.

[Seibertron]

The Lancia then WJ, the latter indeed had more of those exhaust vents or something. When in robot mode, depending on how it transforms, still retained the details. Same with Lambor too. Minimum "bling"

You're not understanding what I'm trying to say. The detailing has nothing to do with whether or not it's a licensed vehicle and, in Wheeljack's case, it has little to do with where "exhaust" vents end up in robot mode. See the post I made just before this one to see what I was talking about with Wheeljack specifically.

[1984forever]

I like it. There's nothing wrong with cartoon accuracy. Without the G1 cartoon we may not have even had a Transformers franchise to begin with. The Marvel book came first and most kids didn't even notice. We sure talked about the cartoon in September though, and those cool commercials.

I remember passing up Diaclone toys being sold on the streets of Flatbush Brooklyn, and in Chinatown in the summer of '83. Yes, we unofficially had Diaclone in the US. Without the Cartoon there wouldn't be a Beast Wars or Bayformers to revive the franchise.

I honestly don't know what people who are not fans of G1 are even doing on the boards. Content for Bayformers and Babyformers is low compared to all the G1 stuff we see. Even the stuff that is supposed to be a new take on Transformers is only TFs watered down with something else. Animated is TFs/Teen Titans. Armada, Energon are TFs/Pokemon. The movies are TFs/E.T. IDW is TFs/Social Engineering+Agenda.

This is the Ultimate expression of Inferno. He looks great, and I just want to see him standing tall with all the other Autobots. You have classics if you want extra detailing.

[Seibertron]

[Seibertron]

I just looked at the G1 toy (actually the G2 version, but same toy) to see what they could have drawn from inspiration to add some detailing to the mold's legs. Look at all of the sources of inspiration they could have used to add some sculpted detailing which could end up getting stickers later or paint apps or whatever. Lots of lost potential there.

[Kurona]

:HEADHURTS:

[MGrotusque]

I think he looks great. Sure a couple subtle details or panel lines in the legs would be appreciated that were present in the G1 toy but i'm ok with the smoothness of this cartoon design.
As was said before the first thing that popped into my mind looking at those legs was adding some decals. I've always been a fan of decals.
Maybe when we see some color pics with the fire hose painted and the fuel tanks chromed or painted along with the tires then his legs won't seem so spartan in detail.

I'm curious as to how large he is. He looks like he's gonna be a larger sized MP to me and I'd like to see some pics of the backside of the figure too.