The Energon Pub

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Big_Pink_Robot wrote:It's New Years resolution time, so think it over.

Yeah, maybe it's time to make changes, starting on Jan. 1st. As good a day as any, I guess.

Out of curiosity, for how long did you lose your interest, as you put it?

Prime Riblet wrote:It is strange that I suddenly stopped everything and completely avoided the hobby for about two years, but it really it was the best thing that could have happened.

How were you able to do that? Were you tempted at all? And was it easy to just say "no?"

I honestly can't provide an answer. It was like a switched got flipped. I don't even remember making any kind of conscious decision to stop thinking about it. It just happened, and I mean it happened overnight. So, I never had a temptation to buy anything, look at and comics, watch movies, etc. Then one day about a month ago I came back to this site to see what has been happening during the last couple years. All I know is that I am happy it happened.

The same thing happened with music a couple years before it happened with Transformers. I played in a band, constantly played guitar and practiced, and I would absolutely obsess over the songs I wrote and every little detail with that. Then one day, I put the guitar down and literally picked it up 3 times over the course of a year and a half. To put it into perspective, I have obsessed over guitars and guitar driven music since I was 5 years old. So I had been following music in some way since 1980. So, I would say music was THE main focus in my life. Period. But when I stopped playing, I even stopped listening to music and started getting into news radio and stuff like that. I stopped listening to music almost completely. Totally lost interest. Then about a year ago I started getting back into it after watching Soundgarden in Milwaukee. Since then I have been playing at least a couple hours a day and I have been revisiting a lot of albums I hadn't listened to for a long time.

I think I just burned myself out. I also think I lost desire to continue because I lost connection to why I was into these things to begin with. I was treating these pass-times like they were jobs. Once you lose sight of why something is fun, then why continue doing it. If it is something you truly love, then it is best to get away from it; you will find your way back to it if it is genuinely important in your life.

Sorry-kinda long winded, but hope that helps explain a little.

Meh...stuff happens, life happens.

My tvins are 4 & 1/2. it took up until this year for my son, to ask for TFs. Last year we gave him some rescue bots, this year he got some TF4 three steppers, and loves them. However, he still eyeballs my reissue Fort Max, and wants to know when he can play with it.

Tonite, we were playing with his TFs, and haveing a grand ole time. However, it is few and very far between since I have found something that I want. I still get emails from ebay on some outstanding searches, if I ever see a price for something that I can bear, then I may get it. However, I am patient enough to wait it out.

We recently found out that we will have a new edition, and I have to put my TFs in storage. I thought about selling them, but I put soo much time and effort to get what I got, plus my son shows interest, I figured it is better to just hold on to them. If i never get a TF again, then at least I have a firm foundation for his collection.

So with that said, take a seat, wait and see what will be. No need to be drastic, unless you are hard up for money. In that case, sell everything and never look back.

Yo.

I've been there. I get it entirely.

Let me start with one thing that I think needs to be said.

You're not crazy and you're not wrong. The toys we are getting are overall inferior to what we've seen in the past. People are going to tell you that you're a "geewuner" or that you're pulling a "ruined forever", but that's crap. The eyes and the hands know. Yet...

I would say that the mid-line stuff is inferior but the high points are higher than they've ever been. What was good is just ok these days. What used to be great, is simply amazing.

That all being said...

When you're into a hobby for long enough, it becomes a part of you. When it's your only hobby, it becomes hard to separate yourself from it. When it's on a down-beat, you feel that personally, which is where I think you are.

Now the answer to your question may in fact be; yes, your time in the hobby is over.

But I doubt that.

I think you need to take ownership of it again. When we as collectors consume and consume and consume, we become numb to what was originally good about it all. The hobby looks bad to you because you've, in part, allowed it to. Stop buying little things, stop casual purchases. Look at your collection and find out what it is that you like. Find out what you truly enjoy.

Then go after it and little else.

Sell stuff. Sell entire lines that don't mean anything to you. The very act of cleaning house will make other stuff more visible and more interesting.

The very fact that the question is bothering you shows that your hobby still means something to you. So take control of it while you can. Sell some stuff and use the money to buy something exciting. Watch reviews before you buy. Import weird, cool stuff.

Own your collection before it owns your well being.

Counterpunch wrote:
I think you need to take ownership of it again. When we as collectors consume and consume and consume, we become numb to what was originally good about it all. The hobby looks bad to you because you've, in part, allowed it to. Stop buying little things, stop casual purchases. Look at your collection and find out what it is that you like. Find out what you truly enjoy.

Then go after it and little else.

Sell stuff. Sell entire lines that don't mean anything to you. The very act of cleaning house will make other stuff more visible and more interesting.

The very fact that the question is bothering you shows that your hobby still means something to you. So take control of it while you can. Sell some stuff and use the money to buy something exciting. Watch reviews before you buy. Import weird, cool stuff.

Own your collection before it owns your well being.

Totally agree with this.

I'm a similar case to you. I've been different kinds of collector throughout these years. I've been an administrator here, a newsie, a reviewer, and a podcaster. I've been a completionist. I've been a Grail hunter. I've been a big spender, even sometimes too big a spender for my britches. I have been a convention goer. I've tried the hobby from several different aspects. Most have ended up being okay for that time in my life, but as the top priorities change, so do the lesser priorities.

I am sitting at a point where I don't know what to do as a collector either.

I have literally tons of toys. Joes, TFs, Legos, marvel, DC, and more. No matter how much I have I never feel happy anymore, and more like I'm just cluttered up. Recently, my toy interests have mostly been TFs and Legos. But even those are not satisfying. I find myself with toys unopened for ages, or when I get them, I open them, transform once, and that's it. Not really even getting shelved lately, mostly just put into a box, or container and put into my toy room.

One thing I have not been able to do is part ways with my toys--much. I guess my first few sales on eBay were okay, but I mostly had a bad experience with that. Selling at a local show is okay, but light traffic and expensive to buy a table. Mostly sour with that aspect.

And I have to say, my close personal relationships with the collecting aspect has diminished. We used to have a good group of friends here in Eastern Michigan who were collectors and we liked to hang out together. Hunt together, and look out for one another. We would meet at Botcons, or the local cons where we would be sellers or visitors or both. We'd light up the Michiganders thread with banter and sightings. There was a general aspect of comradely. Now it does not feel that way. Or I don't feel that way I guess.

And at 40, I'm starting to feel like that weird, creepy dude. The one who should be doing other things with his time, like work, politics, family, and adult okay hobbies like cars, gardens and lawns, sports, etc. I have a wife and kids. Before kids, my wife was very supportive of my hobby, and it helped us to travel. Now that we have kids and they show very little interest in Transformers, my interests have moved more to finding ways to spend time with them and what they like.

I have a hard time dropping it entirely. There are a few great new toys that have come out. But like you, I feel that very little has come out that I cannot do without. I enjoy my G1 a lot now. Probably because it is the stuff that the most connection to. I try some new toys, but as I said, most have not been WOW toys for me. Not like Millenium Falcon wow from my childhood, or USS Flagg , or G1 Black Zarak wow from my early adult collecting years.

So I sit like you wondering what to do with my collection, and how I want to or see myself as a 40 year old person, and 40 year old collector. I worry that if I just get rid of it all that I will get depressed, and find a hole in my life, and regret. And that I will feel that the whole of it was a waste of resources and time.

Nobody has made demands on me to give it up, or get rid of it. Everything I feel is me, and not forced on me by others.

So I'm trying to work this out as much as you. To decide the hows and what's for continuing.

Good God.

You're making the fandom question itself, Rodimus. When this community implodes I hope you choke on the ashes.

In all seriousness, the advice on here is sound. I've always been more of a casual collector/fan so I don't really need to question my commitment to the franchise. Just take a step back and enjoy it for what it is, a hobby and something to keep you entertained when you're bored. It isn't something integral to your pursuit of happiness.

I don't really understand the options all too well. Why can't you just do what makes you happy?

I suggest you still hang out with us here and give your advice on stuff like when someone asks what is the "best" of something or if an upcoming figure is a fun homage to something you know. Someone with your kind of experience is fun to have around. And as for the figures, you can stop for a while. There aren't THAT MANY releases every year. We had 2 waves of gen voyagers, 1 gen leader, 3 waves of deluxes (depending on what you call a wave), and a few waves of AOE with only 2 leaders, 4 voyagers and a dozen deluxes. You can check back every few months to see what is up and if anything is worth picking up.

I myself don't buy everything that comes out. I care most for the engineering so I dont need more than one deco of a mold. Unless I deem it worth it, but then that's what I like , and getting stuff you like is always fun. Just dont feel compelled to buy everything that comes out, it's not necessary and your wallet will thank you.

So pretty much, what I suggest is you stick around to give us your advice from time to time and just buy what you like, not much comes out every year for this to necessit your attention 24/7.


And now I would like to discuss something I disagree with in your statement (though I realize how this is not the best of times). You say that now is not a great time to be into transformers since it's not all that exciting. I find the past 5 years to be the MOST exciting times ever. Transformers are now a big part of pop culture, now more than ever. It may be this that frustrates you, since what you love isn't all that niche anymore.

(I felt that way about comics. I would read a bunch every month but when everybody got wind that comics were cool and that those movies made the most money, it just didnt feel that fun anymore, or special. And I ended up selling many of my old and expensive Batman comics. I just didnt care about it. But I do still pick up a few titles every month, the ones I enjoy. I dont feel compelled to purchase a book that isn't fun to read. I thus spend less money and have more fun with the comics I buy.)

But back to you and Transformers. They are no longer niche due to the movies but I think that's a plus. Now there is a demand for this line, Hasbro has to be in constant motion, churning out new stuff, and that is exciting. These past few years have been a BLAST! The masterpiece line improved insanely, we have the best version of amazing characters. I would warrant that for G1 cartoon accuracy and engineering, the figures of the past 5 years are the best we have ever gotten. I am mostly referring to the RTS, Generations and Masterpiece line. I am still going nuts over Generations Rhinox and Springer. And you are a G1 fan, so why wouldnt you be excited that after all this time, we now have a G1 Arcee, a big ass G1 accurate Metroplex and a supposed 6 voyager Devastator coming. And that's aside from the beautiful updates for the Combiners we are getting now.

As someone who is rather new to collecting, I can definitely see this as a Golden Age of collecting Transformers. I will admit that the G1 toys are gorgeous robot toys in their own way but the current engineering and show accuracy is better than ever (the toy design however is still a bit behind compared to Galaxy Force, which is a design marvel).

Pretty much, I dont know why you wouldn't be excited now.

I've been reading and re-reading the responses every day since I posted this thread. To me this is very serious, as I explained, because it's been a part of my life for a long time, and I didn't know how to deal with something like that without feeling like I was losing something. I guess maybe I needed you to give me reasons whether to quit Transformers or not. I came up with the all-or-nothing option because that's the kind of Transformers fan I am. As I said, I'm not a completionist when it comes to the figures, but I do have, and like to have, every line and continuity represented in my collection 1 way or another. I also wanted to see, if not have a copy of, every series that is part of Transformers. My main thing is the comics though, as they were the 1st experience I had with Transformers. The reason I arrived at this point in my interest in the hobby is because to me, those 3 facets of Transformers were all declining in quality. Of course, this is just my opinion, some of you may disagree, and that's OK.

You all gave me good advice, regardless of which way you sided, and I appreciate it. It helped me to think about this seriously, and come to a conclusion I didn't think would be feasible. I won't be stepping away from the fandom, because if I did, I would only hurt myself. I have few friends in real life, and none of them are Transformers fans. And if I quit interacting with others in the TF world, I'll probably just end up in my room all the time talking to my figures. That might be acceptable to certain individuals, to me that's a bit over the line. However, I can't justify spending my money and time on things I don't deem worthy. So yeah, basically what I will be doing is becoming very selective towards purchasing all things Transformers, whether it be figures, DVDs, comics, whatever. I just hope I have it in me to keep from feeling the need to get a lot of things in fear of missing out on them or thinking I'm not being a "good" fan. We'll see, I guess. So thanks everyone for giving me a clearer picture of my options as a Transformers fan in the future.

Rodimus Prime wrote:So yeah, basically what I will be doing is becoming very selective towards purchasing all things Transformers, whether it be figures, DVDs, comics, whatever. I just hope I have it in me to keep from feeling the need to get a lot of things in fear of missing out on them or thinking I'm not being a "good" fan. We'll see, I guess. So thanks everyone for giving me a clearer picture of my options as a Transformers fan in the future.

You made the right call man.

I was right here a couple years ago myself - I was burnt out and had taken a break from collecting. I unfortunately had my financial situation make all the decisions for me (lost my job) - I had to sell my whole collection, bar a few select toys. At the time I was buying everything (except Beast Wars, dunno why) and it started to turn into a drudge.

The toys that hurt to sell were the ones I treasured the most and sometimes it surprised me which ones I loved so much. Actually losing them gave me new appreciation for what I'd lost and that was my G1 Vintage. The reissues I didn't care for - the vintage held a special place in my heart and even then I found post-movie characters and figures weren't as interesting as they used to be.

Roddy - its a terrible feeling looking at something you adored and spent so much time cherishing to only find the spark has started to go, but don't let that feeling overwhelm you. You need to stop, think and consider what it is you really do love about Transformers the most, then concentrate on that - you collected for a reason and thats the gem you need to find again.

I have other hobbies, and they keep my suitably distracted until I can get a better job to start off my Geewun collection again - but when I do, I know what years I want, what condition and even when my collection will end and I know thats a much more mentally and financially healthy place to be.

All that said - it doesn't stop that rekindled tingle of joy I get from looking at the figures I still have and giving them a play - and I do still give my TFs a proper transform frequently because they're toys and not statues - which is what I love about them.

Amelie wrote:Roddy - its a terrible feeling looking at something you adored and spent so much time cherishing to only find the spark has started to go, but don't let that feeling overwhelm you. You need to stop, think and consider what it is you really do love about Transformers the most, then concentrate on that - you collected for a reason and that's the gem you need to find again.

That's exactly right. It was just confusing to have the things I looked for mainly (a complex and visually pleasing figure, and a good and interesting story) be crowded out by what I felt (and still feel) inadequate stories in shows, comics, and the movies, as well as substandard (in my opinion) figures. Other than the MP line and a very select few Generations. This was my main conflict, whether to give up on the few good things in order to clear myself of the clutter. I always thought that I had to quit everything cold turkey, because otherwise I'd just keep coming back to the less satisfying parts of the franchise out of impulse when I try to pick up a few good figures or a comic issue that I think might be enthralling. I just didn't want to take a chance on wasting any more time and money, which is what I thought Transformers has become to me the last few years. I did exactly what you and others pointed out: I lost sight of what made me a fan in the 1st place. But after giving it some serious thought, (I never thought I could think so seriously about a hobby) I knew what I have to do, thanks to all of you giving me advice and suggestions. Now I realize that being a fan never stops changing, because the franchise never does. It keeps transforming (Pun! ), and the key to enjoying it is to keep up with it.

I had wanted to come to this thread to say something poignant and worthwhile because I have come and gone from the franchise quite frequently myself. I only started even collecting again after a very long hiatus this last year. I picked up a lot of old stuff and got excited about a few new things. But in reading all of the great responses you already got, I really can't add anything that has not already been said. You got some really great responses and I'm glad to read that you're thinking maybe cold-turkey disconnect isn't your only option. For what it's worth, I hope you not only stick around, but find a bit or two in the next year that reignites your enjoyment in the fantom, even a little bit.

It's weird to get older and reassess priorities.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Amelie wrote:its a terrible feeling looking at something you adored and spent so much time cherishing to only find the spark has started to go, but don't let that feeling overwhelm you.

Like with my wife?

Just joking, it's a good thing she doesnt read these boards or else...

william-james88 wrote:[quote="Rodimus Prime"

Like with my wife?

I'm currently on the burnout train myself.

I've recently packed up my entire collection. I'm Not interested in buying anything at all at the moment. Just don't care at all. If i do buy again i'm buying high end or minty vintage or some magnificent 3rd party piece but i'm not holding my breath. With that being said though,,,,, MAYBE i'll buy MP Magnus.

I'm gonna keep perusing this site for news and what not and keep up with what's going on and maybe for something that really catches my eye but for the most part i'm gonna take a breather and shut it down for a while.

I doubt my contribution to this thread has helped you any but i thought i'd chime in anyways with my two cents and let you know i was and am currently feeling the same way and this is how i dealt with it.

I'm gonna keep perusing this site for news and what not and keep up with what's going on and maybe for something that really catches my eye but for the most part i'm gonna take a breather and shut it down for a while.

I doubt my contribution to this thread has helped you any but i thought i'd chime in anyways with my two cents and let you know i was and am currently feeling the same way and this is how i dealt with it.

It helps, of course. It reassures me that it's not uncommon for fans to feel this way. Also, you did what I asked for, and provided an answer to my question. I'm going to do pretty much what you said you're doing, and that's narrow down to a select few figures, or even 1 single line. Most likely the MPs. Having all the excess clutter of substandard figures and comics detracts from the enjoyment of the franchise.

Rodimus Prime wrote: I'm going to do pretty much what you said you're doing, and that's narrow down to a select few figures, or even 1 single line. Most likely the MPs. Having all the excess clutter of substandard figures and comics detracts from the enjoyment of the franchise.

I think this is a smart way to handle the issue. Excess clutter is how I think of the stuff I don't need.

What a great thread. I've been here before, Roddy, and I'm kind of going through again. So I totally feel what you're saying.

The first time for me was back in 2007. Then, I totally left the fandom for about 2 years. Most of that had to do with the drama, change, and insanity that these boards experienced during the lead up to the first movie during 2006. I could tell you about it, but that's another story for another day, for another thread. Anyway, by the time 2007 came to a close, I was so burned out from the crap here, that I basically quit Transformers altogether. There were other things going on as well. I was planning my wedding with my wife to be,so that took up a lot of time and money. I remember buying the first run of movie figures, and that was about it for over a year. I also quit comic books at this time, so I never got into the ID W stuff.

I was happy during this time, don't get me wrong. Starting a life with my wife was an amazing thing. So I wasn't overly missing the transformers, I still felt like I was missing something. Sometime in 2009 I joined a new message board, that was made up of former seibertron members who had quit this place about the same time I did, for mostly similar reasons. Back then there were a few people around here who thought that we were just some supersecret attack clubhouse. That couldn't be further from the truth, we just like talking to each other on the Internet, and wanted our own place. Talking with all those guys again started to rekindle my hobby. I started to pick up some figures again, but really only classics/generations figures. I still collected Primes and Starscreams, and Masterpieces as well. I'd peek in at this place from time to time, but pretty much stayed away. However, all of us were getting older, living life, having kids and all that jazz. We started spending less and less time on the boards, but that is how it goes. Change happens.

My rekindle flame started to die out. I look at the figures that were coming out, for the second and third movies, as well as for Transformers animated and prime, and find myself overwhelmingly disappointed. Sure there's a few gems there, but over all, the newer figures the last few years just feel cheap to me. They don't feel very well made it all, as if Hasbro is simply catering to the lowest common denominator. I haven't been able to get invested any of the newer cartoons either. Plus, when you have children, it gets hard to justify spending money on toys for yourself.

This last summer, I got injured at work, and pretty much spent three months in on the sofa. I started getting back into the message boards. I finally found a storyline that kind of makes me care for the Transformers again, in the form of the IDW comics. I also love what they're doing with the masterpiece line. Every now and then there still a good figure in the generations line, like Rhinox. Some of the combiner wars stuff has me very interested as well.

So I guess that's where I'm at. I'll read the comics as long as I'm enjoying the story, and I'll probably by 4 or 5 figures a year. I'll probably never again be as invested as I used to be, but that's okay. As my little boys get older, I might even start to care about some of the newer stuff they're doing. Bottom line, is that I'm happy. In the end, that's all that matters. Find a way to make yourself happy.

Ironhidensh wrote:What a great thread. I've been here before, Roddy, and I'm kind of going through again. So I totally feel what you're saying.

The first time for me was back in 2007. Then, I totally left the fandom for about 2 years. Most of that had to do with the drama, change, and insanity that these boards experienced during the lead up to the first movie during 2006. I could tell you about it, but that's another story for another day, for another thread. Anyway, by the time 2007 came to a close, I was so burned out from the crap here, that I basically quit Transformers altogether. There were other things going on as well. I was planning my wedding with my wife to be,so that took up a lot of time and money. I remember buying the first run of movie figures, and that was about it for over a year. I also quit comic books at this time, so I never got into the ID W stuff.

I was happy during this time, don't get me wrong. Starting a life with my wife was an amazing thing. So I wasn't overly missing the transformers, I still felt like I was missing something. Sometime in 2009 I joined a new message board, that was made up of former seibertron members who had quit this place about the same time I did, for mostly similar reasons. Back then there were a few people around here who thought that we were just some supersecret attack clubhouse. That couldn't be further from the truth, we just like talking to each other on the Internet, and wanted our own place. Talking with all those guys again started to rekindle my hobby. I started to pick up some figures again, but really only classics/generations figures. I still collected Primes and Starscreams, and Masterpieces as well. I'd peek in at this place from time to time, but pretty much stayed away. However, all of us were getting older, living life, having kids and all that jazz. We started spending less and less time on the boards, but that is how it goes. Change happens.

My rekindle flame started to die out. I look at the figures that were coming out, for the second and third movies, as well as for Transformers animated and prime, and find myself overwhelmingly disappointed. Sure there's a few gems there, but over all, the newer figures the last few years just feel cheap to me. They don't feel very well made it all, as if Hasbro is simply catering to the lowest common denominator. I haven't been able to get invested any of the newer cartoons either. Plus, when you have children, it gets hard to justify spending money on toys for yourself.

This last summer, I got injured at work, and pretty much spent three months in on the sofa. I started getting back into the message boards. I finally found a storyline that kind of makes me care for the Transformers again, in the form of the IDW comics. I also love what they're doing with the masterpiece line. Every now and then there still a good figure in the generations line, like Rhinox. Some of the combiner wars stuff has me very interested as well.

So I guess that's where I'm at. I'll read the comics as long as I'm enjoying the story, and I'll probably by 4 or 5 figures a year. I'll probably never again be as invested as I used to be, but that's okay. As my little boys get older, I might even start to care about some of the newer stuff they're doing. Bottom line, is that I'm happy. In the end, that's all that matters. Find a way to make yourself happy.

Awesome post.

Ironhidensh wrote:What a great thread. I've been here before, Roddy, and I'm kind of going through again. So I totally feel what you're saying.

The first time for me was back in 2007. Then, I totally left the fandom for about 2 years. Most of that had to do with the drama, change, and insanity that these boards experienced during the lead up to the first movie during 2006. I could tell you about it, but that's another story for another day, for another thread. Anyway, by the time 2007 came to a close, I was so burned out from the crap here, that I basically quit Transformers altogether. There were other things going on as well. I was planning my wedding with my wife to be,so that took up a lot of time and money. I remember buying the first run of movie figures, and that was about it for over a year. I also quit comic books at this time, so I never got into the ID W stuff.


So I guess that's where I'm at. I'll read the comics as long as I'm enjoying the story, and I'll probably by 4 or 5 figures a year. I'll probably never again be as invested as I used to be, but that's okay. As my little boys get older, I might even start to care about some of the newer stuff they're doing. Bottom line, is that I'm happy. In the end, that's all that matters. Find a way to make yourself happy.

I cut a bunch of what you'd said, but I agree with all of it. I sometimes feel as though I'm the only one who feels fandom fatigue, and it's always excellent to see that I'm not.

We've got a passionate fandom, I don't think anyone will argue that. But it often feels like a person can't be tolerated if they have a view or opinion that is different from that of the masses. Seibertron.com is a terrific example of this, to me at least. Pre-2007 movie it seemed like opinions were more varied and disagreement was accepted. These days, and for a long time now, it seems that every/any disenting opinion is met with some shit-eating backlash. "You don't like this figure??? Show us the one you made that's better!" "You don;t like the new show/movie? Why are you incapable of appreciating change?"

To me, it always seems like some blind adherence or company loyalty. I love Transformers. I don't care about Hasbro. No, it is not required that you love the company in order to like the fictional world they make physical representations of. I don't have to like the Bay movies, or the new cartoons, or the old cartoons, in order to be a fan. I don't have to look on third parties with disgust in order to be a fan, and I don't have to feel obligated to buy some hollow lump of plastic because otherwise Hasbro will allegedly stop making toys, which is idiotic. The mutual exclusivity that elements of the fandom promote really harshes my enjoyment of the fandom.

I'm just happy I'm not the only person who often finds the fandom a bit rough to handle. I know I'm not, but it always lifts my spirits to be reminded.

Dagon wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:What a great thread. I've been here before, Roddy, and I'm kind of going through again. So I totally feel what you're saying.

The first time for me was back in 2007. Then, I totally left the fandom for about 2 years. Most of that had to do with the drama, change, and insanity that these boards experienced during the lead up to the first movie during 2006. I could tell you about it, but that's another story for another day, for another thread. Anyway, by the time 2007 came to a close, I was so burned out from the crap here, that I basically quit Transformers altogether. There were other things going on as well. I was planning my wedding with my wife to be,so that took up a lot of time and money. I remember buying the first run of movie figures, and that was about it for over a year. I also quit comic books at this time, so I never got into the ID W stuff.


So I guess that's where I'm at. I'll read the comics as long as I'm enjoying the story, and I'll probably by 4 or 5 figures a year. I'll probably never again be as invested as I used to be, but that's okay. As my little boys get older, I might even start to care about some of the newer stuff they're doing. Bottom line, is that I'm happy. In the end, that's all that matters. Find a way to make yourself happy.

I cut a bunch of what you'd said, but I agree with all of it. I sometimes feel as though I'm the only one who feels fandom fatigue, and it's always excellent to see that I'm not.

We've got a passionate fandom, I don't think anyone will argue that. But it often feels like a person can't be tolerated if they have a view or opinion that is different from that of the masses. Seibertron.com is a terrific example of this, to me at least. Pre-2007 movie it seemed like opinions were more varied and disagreement was accepted. These days, and for a long time now, it seems that every/any disenting opinion is met with some **** backlash. "You don't like this figure??? Show us the one you made that's better!" "You don;t like the new show/movie? Why are you incapable of appreciating change?"

To me, it always seems like some blind adherence or company loyalty. I love Transformers. I don't care about Hasbro. No, it is not required that you love the company in order to like the fictional world they make physical representations of. I don't have to like the Bay movies, or the new cartoons, or the old cartoons, in order to be a fan. I don't have to look on third parties with disgust in order to be a fan, and I don't have to feel obligated to buy some hollow lump of plastic because otherwise Hasbro will allegedly stop making toys, which is idiotic. The mutual exclusivity that elements of the fandom promote really harshes my enjoyment of the fandom.

I'm just happy I'm not the only person who often finds the fandom a bit rough to handle. I know I'm not, but it always lifts my spirits to be reminded.

I've had similar problems with the fandom. More than once I've been laughed at and told I have no taste in cinema because I like the Michael Bay Transformers movies. More than once I've been called a misogynist because I don't care about Windblade or Nautica and I think RID Strongarm is annoying. More than once other fans have reacted with pure shock and disgust because I've committed the disgusting, horrific, inhuman crime of.....not being a fan of the IDW comics. I agree that the fandom enforces a lot of mutual exclusivity which makes the entire hobby less enjoyable, it starts to feel less like a community when you're shunned for thinking differently.

I too have been unhappy with transformers lately. I'm 40 so I've been collecting since my first soundwave. I took a hiatus for awhile and then got back into it because I like to customize the toys. I usually just do repaints or add detail to make them look more like I think they should look or create characters that never get made.

Which brings me to why I get bored with the comics, cartoons, toys. Why do they have to keep rebooting with the same characters? with so many possibilities, why not new stories and characters? New fans don't need to know what the old characters were. Children will want whatever toy goes with the cartoon. Old fans can get more characters and continuation of story. I dont need more primes, starscreams megatron, bumblebee, etc in every size scale.

That's another pet peeve. It would be nice if scale was more consistent. Deluxe are getting smaller and cheaply made so now it is harder to buy a new figure that fits the classics scale. And personally I would prefer leader scale figures to be jets or things that are big. deluxe scale for cars\vehicles. Voyager scale for larger vehicles. Legends scale for motorcycles and such. The robots are suppose to be different sizes. Alt modes should look good together.

On the plus side, I do like the idw comics. However, combiners with remakes of already made characters was stupid(sunstreaker, prowl, ironhide, mirage, and prime(and a white prime to boot) And then there are making a combiner with wheeljack, hound, and such. opportunity for new would easily to use white prime as the dying idw thunderclash hook him with the turbomasters to keep him from dying, and they revive a hero. Also then the red prime mold could have been tweaked to a machine wars prime color scheme with limbs being machine wars prowl, mirage, hubcap, and hoist. And combined form could have had the ability to be invisible because of prowl. And to make it truly combiner wars, some of the other colonies should have made combiners to fight off starscream. A paradon combiner maybe in g2 protectobot colors, a velocitron combiner who has rollerblade like feet for speed. So many options for new.

This is getting kind of long, but one more thought. Since combiners existed before the enigma, and the enigma seems to make the combiners not want to separate. My thought would be maybe the enigma of combination had a different use. What if the actual use was to create a "new spark" by combining pieces of other sparks. The ability to create offspring. Organic beings can do it why not inorganic beings. So primus gave the 13 primes the ability but then feared that the power would be abused to make countless new sparks, and had alpha Trion hide the enigma.

I believe Transformers will always continue to improve. That's why I still collect

I guess you can consider this a 6-month update or review of the OP. Since posting my troubles regarding the franchise as a whole, I have made some changes, mostly suggested by you. I cleaned up the cluttered toy collection, and focused not even on certain lines, just on certain characters. Amazing how much neater my collection is, after "jettisoning some dead weight" (to paraphrase Astrotrain) from my collection. Just looking at much more organized shelves is making me feel better. But the process is not complete, I still have more figures that will need new homes.

Also, I have taken a seriously realistic look at the evolution of the franchise, and learned and accepted the fact that, for better or worse, it will never be like it was when I was a kid. Not the toys, the TV series, or most important to me, the comics. Some things are better, somethings are definitely worse. So with that in mind, I have decided to move on and give some of the new things coming out a better, more serious chance, as I don't want to lose my desire to revel in the awesomeness that is Transformers.

The 1st thing I did was give the Combiner Wars line a shot. I picked up all the Aerialbots, except Alpha Bravo. I am in the process of collecting the Stunticons. Once I have all of them, I will open them all at once. Further down the line I might pick up the Combaticons, they look promising. The Protectobots? Not so much. We'll see. The 2nd thing I am preparing to do is give the comic series More Than Meets the Eye a shot, considering it features Rodimus as a main character (correct?) and you can never have enough of that. It's been out for about 3 years now, so I have a lot of catching up to do. Volume 1 will be ordered in a couple of days. And despite all the negatives about the series so far, I'm looking forward to the next film in Bayverse.

So if those things go well, then this little exercise in self-examination as a fan of the franchise will have been productive, and I will feel better for having done it. If not? Then I think it will prove to me that Transformers really isn't what it used to be nor is it what I am looking for to have as a hobby, and that really will be the end of the line.

The solution, clearly, is that you need to pick up Alpha Bravo too.

(But seriously, good to hear that focusing and clearing out has helped do the same to your objectives and perspective on the hobby and franchise.)