The Energon Pub

Cobotron wrote:
But, TALK ABOUT SHELLFORMER!

I raise you:





Or would these only be halfshellformers ?

Cobotron wrote:Anybody remember these? He was a Bandai toy from the '80s. Don't know the name. (Jelze, any insight?)

You just had to pull me away from YouTube, huh?

You're in luck, as I found the series they're from: Tamagoras by Bandai. There were several of them, current animals and prehistoric, as well as skeletons. The only foreign releases I've found are from Italy (not really surprised there, it's a hot spot for Japanese imports) called I Monstruovi, or Monstruovoli ("Monster Eggs"), by Giochi Preziosi.

My first thought was Galvatron, but that Optimus looks like a much better example from the line, and as you bring up about Beasts, obviously you don't want to clog up the article with too many from one particular line.

william-james88 wrote:

Cobotron wrote:
But, TALK ABOUT SHELLFORMER!

I raise you:





Or would these only be halfshellformers ?

Just in case you didn't know, that's a new take on an old line.

http://www.tmnttoys.com/92figures/mutations1/5221.htm

Same transformation conversion and everything, but if they're the same mold at all they've done some massive retooling to Nickify them.

william-james88 wrote:Or would these only be halfshellformers ?

Ya only half shell.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:You just had to pull me away from YouTube, huh?

Sorry, but what could possibly be more important than this?

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:You're in luck, as I found the series they're from: Tamagoras by Bandai.

Thanks, you're the best.

I think the people "designing" this back packs are the same team over and over...

Then you realize, Thunderblast is show accurate. Backpack included

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Anybody remember these? He was a Bandai toy from the '80s. Don't know the name. (Jelze, any insight?)

You just had to pull me away from YouTube, huh?

You're in luck, as I found the series they're from: Tamagoras by Bandai. There were several of them, current animals and prehistoric, as well as skeletons. The only foreign releases I've found are from Italy (not really surprised there, it's a hot spot for Japanese imports) called I Monstruovi, or Monstruovoli ("Monster Eggs"), by Giochi Preziosi.

The Tamagoras molds were also used for the Meteorbs from Mattel's "Masters of the Universe" line.

william-james88 wrote: And I like shellformers too, hence why next week will show the best of their kind.

Generations Rattrap. Calling it.

Thunderblast's backpack is on a double-jointed connector that allows it to pull out and give her a full range of motion. Most people don't realize it's there for whatever reason but it is and once she's transformed properly, she even has waist articulation.

Treetop Maximus wrote:Thunderblast's backpack is on a double-jointed connector that allows it to pull out and give her a full range of motion. Most people don't realize it's there for whatever reason but it is and once she's transformed properly, she even has waist articulation.

That makes her sound like a pretender who's inner robot doesnt transform.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Cobotron wrote:Anybody remember these? He was a Bandai toy from the '80s. Don't know the name. (Jelze, any insight?)

You just had to pull me away from YouTube, huh?

You're in luck, as I found the series they're from: Tamagoras by Bandai. There were several of them, current animals and prehistoric, as well as skeletons. The only foreign releases I've found are from Italy (not really surprised there, it's a hot spot for Japanese imports) called I Monstruovi, or Monstruovoli ("Monster Eggs"), by Giochi Preziosi.

I actually found one of these here in Australia when I was a little kid, not at retail mind you, but in a puddle. It's some sort of crocodile head, legs and tail sticking out of an egg.

Nemesis Primal wrote:The Tamagoras molds were also used for the Meteorbs from Mattel's "Masters of the Universe" line.

Ah ha. Muy interesante!

william-james88 wrote:

Treetop Maximus wrote:Thunderblast's backpack is on a double-jointed connector that allows it to pull out and give her a full range of motion. Most people don't realize it's there for whatever reason but it is and once she's transformed properly, she even has waist articulation.

That makes her sound like a pretender who's inner robot doesnt transform.

The shell still remains attached, it's just that it swings back a little to allow room for movement. This is the best pic I could find; I don't have the figure on-hand right now.

Cobotron wrote:

Nemesis Primal wrote:The Tamagoras molds were also used for the Meteorbs from Mattel's "Masters of the Universe" line.

Ah ha. Muy interesante!

No wonder I found that statement about these products not coming here odd. I could have sworn I had seen them at a friend's house. And sure enough, I had:



PS: GORE illa is an amazing name.

PPS: Oh man, Seibertron has everything!

william-james88 wrote:

Cobotron wrote:

Nemesis Primal wrote:The Tamagoras molds were also used for the Meteorbs from Mattel's "Masters of the Universe" line.

Ah ha. Muy interesante!

No wonder I found that statement about these products not coming here odd. I could have sworn I had seen them at a friend's house. And sure enough, I had:



PS: GORE illa is an amazing name.

PPS: Oh man, Seibertron has everything!

I'm guessing Bandai owning the designs is almost as insurmountable a hurdle to MOTU Classics Meteorbs as it is to truly updated Gobots in any TF toyline. ("Almost" because they don't have Time Warner making it a 3-way-tug-o-war) Considering Mattel has resorted to superdeformed figs to keep He-Man toys interesting, that's a dang shame. Or, just what was/is the legal situation with Shuffler's egg up there?

Personally, I've always found ThunderChrome's most frustrating design feature to be the Matrix in her chest. Not only did the cartoon show us that it's obscuring some interesting TF anatomy, but there are so many possibilities as to what it means: If it's the Marvel Creation Matrix, does that mean her sluttyness was partly a desire to experiment with procreation? If it was the Sunbow Matrix of Leadership, does that mean her wanting to cozy up to high-ranking Decepticons spilled over to the ghosts of high-ranking Autobots? Is she actually just Scourge if he'd kept the Matrix past the end of The Burden Hardest to Bear and continued mutating? Some Galaxy Force Transformers have been known to spontaneously change sex in an all male environment, given the proper dubbing conditions.

What, there's a new Jurassic Park sequel out, and you thought I'd make that a cheap Bruce Jenner joke? I take my total disinterest in sports seriously!

And I'm calling this the site's best top 5-10 list to date, since I genuinely learned a lot about the Bayniverse toys that I stopped giving a crap about back in 2008. Thanks for reminding me of one big reason why!

I don't understand these "5 best/worst" articles posted on the main page. Usually they feature obscure groupings and/or poor choices for said groupings.

In this case, it is unanimous that Big Convoy is the most infamous shell-former of them all, yet it was not included. To remedy these poorly written articles, could we either:

- Relegate them to just the forums?
- Get someone else to write them?
- Just stop writing them?
- Conduct forum polls to find out what most people here think would be a good list article, and what should be included in such lists?

Personally, I would be happy for them to just not be on the front page, as they are not really news (and that's the point/reason fo the main page).

I don't know, this mold still seems pretty worthy of the number one spot to me.



When the shell can stand alone and basically be a second figure, it's too much shell.

Really want to see Generations Rhinox on the list next week.

Emerje

It's an opinion piece. They're meant to generate conversation.

You have an opinion...

primalxconvoy wrote:In this case, it is unanimous that Big Convoy is the most infamous shell-former of them all, yet it was not included.

What are your other four worst offenders of shell-forming?

Or...
You could just skip 'em.

primalxconvoy wrote:I don't understand these "5 best/worst" articles posted on the main page. Usually they feature obscure groupings and/or poor choices for said groupings.

In this case, it is unanimous that Big Convoy is the most infamous shell-former of them all, yet it was not included. To remedy these poorly written articles, could we either:

- Relegate them to just the forums?
- Get someone else to write them?
- Just stop writing them?
- Conduct forum polls to find out what most people here think would be a good list article, and what should be included in such lists?

Personally, I would be happy for them to just not be on the front page, as they are not really news (and that's the point/reason fo the main page).

Hey whoah ease up there mate.

Firstly, calling them "poorly written" is harsh and unnecessary. I know William-James puts a lot of time and effort into them.

Secondly, it's an opinion piece intended to generate discussion on the discussion forums. There is nothing that says what's on the front page MUST be news related. There's been plenty of editorial pieces featured on the front page over the years.

Thirdly, if you feel they're "poorly written", then perhaps you'd like to contribute a guest list? Just PM William-James, you wouldn't be the first guest author.

And last but not least, fourthly ... just don't click on the news article if it doesn't interest you.

Cobotron wrote:It's an opinion piece. They're meant to generate conversation.

You have an opinion...

primalxconvoy wrote:In this case, it is unanimous that Big Convoy is the most infamous shell-former of them all, yet it was not included.

What are your other four worst offenders of shell-forming?

Or...
You could just skip 'em.

The other four would be G1 Scourge, BW Cybershark (either one), Transformers Age of Extinction: Generations First Edition Optimus Prime Amazon Exclusive, and RID Sideburn/Speedbreaker (I can't believe this one wasn't even mentioned), and of course Beast Wars Neo Big Convoy.

Emerje wrote:Really want to see Generations Rhinox on the list next week.

I'm not sure he really counts as a shellformer.

Nemesis Primal wrote:

Emerje wrote:Really want to see Generations Rhinox on the list next week.

I'm not sure he really counts as a shellformer.

That's just because he's that good. Most of his rhino mode is a shell, but it all slides and folds so neatly away that it's deceptive. I still think they should reshell it into a new Torca figure.

Emerje

Nemesis Primal wrote:

Emerje wrote:Really want to see Generations Rhinox on the list next week.

I'm not sure he really counts as a shellformer.

Yeah he wasn't super obvious to me as a shellformer either. BUT my number 1 pick is along the lines, a shellformer with 0 backpack, can't wait to share it.

Also, from the comments I get, people seem to just look at the picture and read the names rather than read the selecting criteria or what the list is about. Because then I dont think Big Convoy (and AOE Galvatron) would be mentionned as often. Yes, they are the biggest shellformer offender but are they bad shellformers/transformers? This list is only about the bad ones, not the most obvious ones. Someone mentioned G1 Scourge, WHAT!? Why would I put him on the WORST list? He's a fun toy and does his job well. Doesnt mean he's the all time best, but I see no reason to put him on a list next to DOTM Voyager Sentinel Prime.

So in the end, this is about bad toys and I really don't see Big Convoy as a bad toy, at all. I think he wears his shell in a very mighty fashion and the fact that most becomes a giant F**K OFF GUN means he has no backpack. It's also one of the best sculpted toys to ever come out of the brand. Once again, it would kill me to see him next to any of these.

primalxconvoy wrote:I don't understand these "5 best/worst" articles posted on the main page. Usually they feature obscure groupings and/or poor choices for said groupings.

In this case, it is unanimous that Big Convoy is the most infamous shell-former of them all, yet it was not included. To remedy these poorly written articles, could we either:

- Relegate them to just the forums?
- Get someone else to write them?
- Just stop writing them?
- Conduct forum polls to find out what most people here think would be a good list article, and what should be included in such lists?

Personally, I would be happy for them to just not be on the front page, as they are not really news (and that's the point/reason fo the main page).

Very well, thank you for your opinion on these editorial articles. We're glad you're joining in the conversation, despite your dislike of the articles.

Seibertron.com provides news, mostly, yes - but we also belong to a wider community of fans and collectors, as well as casual viewers, parents, kids, readers who may not be familiar with the franchise as much as other more invested fans might be. The point of these opinion pieces (much like interviews, round-ups and any other article which is not strictly news) - which have been written and contributed to a number of writers, from both staff and board members, though william-james88 is the main author - is, as Cobotron says, to generate discussion, and capture the attention of those who might not even know what a shellformer is, for example!

Forum polls are extremely time consuming, and most of the conversation would happen during the voting process rather than post-editorial. And, from a views and comments perspective, these pieces have regularly been in our top slots since Will started contributing them. Relegating them to the boards alone would do nothing much for the site.

The point/reason for the front page is whatever the news staff and administration decide it to be, with Seibertron's agreement. I believe I have addressed all your concerns in my reply, though you are welcome to send us an email via the usual channels to express your discontent with the material we provide, of course!

EDIT: I also refer back to Burn's post:

Thirdly, if you feel they're "poorly written", then perhaps you'd like to contribute a guest list? Just PM William-James, you wouldn't be the first guest author.

I'm not very familiar with Beast Wars Neo toys, but I am super happy to see AoE First Edition Leader Prime on this list. That toy defines and brings modern shell-formers to a new generation.

Great list WJ! I'm excited for the corresponding 'best' entry in 2 weeks.

william-james88 wrote:

Cobotron wrote:

Nemesis Primal wrote:The Tamagoras molds were also used for the Meteorbs from Mattel's "Masters of the Universe" line.

Ah ha. Muy interesante!

No wonder I found that statement about these products not coming here odd. I could have sworn I had seen them at a friend's house. And sure enough, I had:



PS: GORE illa is an amazing name.

PPS: Oh man, Seibertron has everything!

I have that croc one from when I was carytheweeone. I'll have to drop an image here when I get a chance.