The Energon Pub

Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:01 pm

I grew up on TFs and was pretty much obsessed with them from 2nd grade to 4th. G1. '84-87. Played with the toys while I watched the toon, cried at the theater when OP died and the whole nine yards. So G1 IS TFs to me.

But I moved on and grew up like 99% of other kids. Got into comics, became a comic book artist on stuff like The Punisher, then changed careers and became a teacher.

Then the first Bay movie came along. Felt like an eight year old again. Then my wife got me a deluxe premium BB. I hadn't bought a toy since I was ten. Probably a TMNT. So you can imagine how the detail, articulation, complexity, and accuracy blew my mind. I was hooked instantly. My wife unknowingly created a monster and I became an avid TF movie collector. I've had to deal with weird looks from my family but I don't care. I collected right up to the announcement that the movie line would be discontinued. No Que. No Leadfoot. No Que. DAMN. Hasbro left me in the lurch. My movie collection now just feels incomplete. Yet no way am I spending over $150 for three deluxe Takara imports.

So I finally decided to give Generations a try. I picked up Wheeljack yesterday. Good God. Got the same feeling I had when I was a kid again, or even when my wife got me that first movie BB. Wheeljack was always one of my favorites fromt he toon, the happy go lucky mad inventor brought to life by the brilliant Chris Latta. This toy embodies the character PERFECTLY. I'm hooked again. My only regret is that I didn't start collecting Generations earlier (Classics included). I'll be on the hunt tomorrow hitting Marshall's, Ross, TJ Maxx, and drugstores for more Generations figures. Jazz, Tracks, Warpath, Perceptor, and Wreck-Gar in particular. Now I'm interested in MP Grimlock, Hot Rod, and the new OP, too.

I'm typing all this to say it feels great to be excited about TF toys again. With toys like these, TF: Prime, the two new brilliant comics, and even the Bay movies (love 'em or hate 'em), it feels like it's a new golden age for the Transformers.

Till all are one!

Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:02 am

It's a great time to be a Transformers fan, just as long as you don't stay stuck in the past. I just hope hasbro doesn't keep screwing things up like they've been doing the past few months. If that keeps up the brand will be dead in no time.

News Credits: 22 · Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:12 am

Yeah, Generations is really one of the bright spots of TF collecting these days. I have only 10 Generations figures (including the War Within guys and their repaints) but I really like them. If they can come up with a Generations Grimlock, that'll be really cool.

The movie lines I feel the same way about as I do the movies. Slightly better than average. (I say this as I am typing and transforming my newly acquired Specialist Ratchet.)

The Masterpieces will be 1 line I will keep my eye on, though I am gradually weening off collecting. (No room or funds will do that to you) MP Grimlock is one of the best and most solid MP figures out there, and that's the Hasbro version. I never even saw a MP-08X Grimlock, so I can't comment, but I have a feeling it's even better. As for Hot Rod/Rodimus, I have 1 Takara version (1st release and LOVE IT) and 2 Hasbro versions. (1 MISB and 1 on display) I am looking forward to the new Seeker mold, especially Sunstorm, though hopefully he will drop in price. The MPs are amazing, but not that amazing.

I got out of collecting TFs after G1 was totally over (toys, comics, cartoons everything) and got back into it after about 10 years with Robots in Disguise. (I liked the Beast Wars show, but not the toys) The toys made me feel like I was a kid again (I was 18 at the time) and I haven't stopped since. (RiD, Armada, Animated, movies, and even a couple of Prime deluxes) Though it's time for me to wind down a bit and pluck my collection, Transformers are and will forever be my favorite toys. Hopefully, if and when I have children, they will grow up appreciating them just like I did. (Though I won't cram them down their throats. )

News Credits: 1 · Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:30 am

DO NOT start on Generations seekers. They are evil.

News Credits: 1 · Fri Mar 23, 2012 4:46 am

RhA wrote:DO NOT start on Generations seekers. They are evil.

You're right about that. I picked up a Generations Thundercracker only because the hobby store required me to buy a whole set of 4 figs Hasbro released--can't recall which of the 4 I wanted. Anyways, since then I've been scouring online and physical stores looking for the other two seekers.

Thankfully, I have an innate dislike of buying things off ebay or individual sellers.

News Credits: 1 · Fri Mar 23, 2012 5:12 am

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:
RhA wrote:DO NOT start on Generations seekers. They are evil.

You're right about that. I picked up a Generations Thundercracker only because the hobby store required me to buy a whole set of 4 figs Hasbro released--can't recall which of the 4 I wanted. Anyways, since then I've been scouring online and physical stores looking for the other two seekers.

Thankfully, I have an innate dislike of buying things off ebay or individual sellers.

SKYWAAAAAARP!

News Credits: 10 · Fri Mar 23, 2012 5:31 am

I only started TF collecting in 2007, when the movie came out. Totally missed Cybertron and Classics 1.0... Well, i managed to get classics rodimus, mirage, grimlock... but still lack skywarp,jetfire,ramjet. Oh, and Cybertron leader optimus prime. Possibly the best optimus after buster prime :lol:

News Credits: 9 · Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:01 am

The only thing that has ever dimmed my excitement over TFs since I resumed collecting about six years ago is Hasbro's piss poor distribution. There are always toys on the horizon that get me excited.

Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:25 am

I got into Transformers through G2 and while it took me up to late Beast Wars to actively attempt to collect figures, I never really stopped except for during Beast Machines and again when the first movie lines got going. Then as soon as Universe 2 got going I actively started trying to get as many of the classics/neo G1 molds that I could bear to, and that tradition continues with Generations. I avoid as much of the Movie stuff as I can outside of a few gems, wasn't very bothered to keep up with Animated, and Prime is barely gripping me at all now.

News Credits: 2 · Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:09 am

I was never into TFs from my childhood until my second child were born. For a long, long time I was so into the war between New Types and people-sticking-their-feet-on-earth and the war some people fight with neon light sticks. After growing so sick and tired of Gundams and plus Star Wars' self destruction, my son were born in 2007 and that was when the first movie came out. I bought couple toys because I thought their vehicle modes were really cool (Camaro and Mustang, you know who they are). Then very soon after I watched the '86 movie, that was when things started rolling. G1 cartoons, Marvel/DW/IDW comics, etc.

My collection went kind of directionless at some point and then I narrowed them down to focus on my own universe. So for now it feels good to be a TF fan (also cross out the part Mykltron mentioned). At least these robots do not look like Sailor Moon girls wearing dragonfly backpacks

News Credits: 1 · Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:32 am

I'm almost exclusively Neo G1, so the Universe lines are always a bright spot for me. Takara usually does a better paint job, but I don't splurge on every character.

Until there's new Generations stuff from Hasbro, I'm hooked on 3rd party goods. It's been a great time to be a TF fan for YEARS now. Somehow, there's always something to look forward to.

News Credits: 11 · Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:38 pm

I first got back into it beginning with Energon/Alternators/Reissues, and then strong again with classics and haven't looked back since. The one continuing line that has made me consistently happy is Classics/Universe/Generations. I always love getting a new toy of a classic character, I'm rarely if ever disappointed.

Fri Mar 23, 2012 5:03 pm

Holy crap! I just went to TRU, Wal Mart, Marshall's, TJ Max, Ross, and two drug stores and NONE of them have a single Generations TF! It feels like it was just a month ago that I saw Tracks, Jazz, Warpath, and Kup everywhere! I even passed up Perceptor and Wreck Gar at Xmas for $6 each! Luckily, Ross still had a RTS BB (classics repaint) and I picked him up. Looks like I'm going to have to order online and pay jacked up prices and shipping for the other figures. I hate jumping on the bandwagon late. I'll also have to go back and find guys like Hound and Prowl for crazy prices. I don't really regret my movie collection, but I wish I had gotten on board the classics earlier. Guess I learned my lesson.

Fri Mar 23, 2012 6:01 pm

Mykltron wrote:The only thing that has ever dimmed my excitement over TFs since I resumed collecting about six years ago is Hasbro's piss poor distribution. There are always toys on the horizon that get me excited.

although my excitement over TFs is still the same as i am 18 and am young compared to the G1 folks, i too am pissed about poor distribution.

Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:46 pm

Doubledealer93 wrote:
Mykltron wrote:The only thing that has ever dimmed my excitement over TFs since I resumed collecting about six years ago is Hasbro's piss poor distribution. There are always toys on the horizon that get me excited.

although my excitement over TFs is still the same as i am 18 and am young compared to the G1 folks, i too am pissed about poor distribution.

Same here, it's hard to get excited about upcoming figures when we don't know if we'll ever see them.

Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:39 pm

Dean ML wrote:I even passed up Perceptor and Wreck Gar at Xmas for $6 each!

I've never been able to find a Wreck Gar at any price. Had to make due with Junkheap or Junkyard or whatever his name is.

That and Windcharger are the two I'm most disapointed at missing.

News Credits: 1235 · Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:44 pm

RhA wrote:DO NOT start on Generations seekers. They are evil.

Or else you end up with this...

Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:23 pm

Any of you guys using MPs as leaders to your Classics / RTS / Generations deluxes? Ideally, that's what I'd like to do when I build up my classics collection. The new MP OP, Grimlock, Rodimus Prime, and the Seekers would look great against all the Autobot cars. Anyone have a pic of a collection like this?

Hopefully they'll redesign MP Megs and get him to fit in with the current MP aesthetic. IMO, MP Megs and the original MP OP mold are stiff and clunky looking compared to the current style, which seems to have originated with Grimlock.