The Energon Pub

sol magnus wrote:Last three days of the month in the car business sucks. Anyway, here's the pic -

IMG_8454.jpg

I haven't opened them yet because I'm trying to decide if I want to do this YouTube video. Anyway, for now you can see the difference. Kup is really a faded version of the Studio Series 86 version, and Cliffjumper is using cartoon colors, even if they aren't exactly right. I think the grays should be a darker gray, but I'm dead wrong. LOL

Why are the last 3 days bad?

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

sol magnus wrote:Last three days of the month in the car business sucks. Anyway, here's the pic -

IMG_8454.jpg

I haven't opened them yet because I'm trying to decide if I want to do this YouTube video. Anyway, for now you can see the difference. Kup is really a faded version of the Studio Series 86 version, and Cliffjumper is using cartoon colors, even if they aren't exactly right. I think the grays should be a darker gray, but I'm dead wrong. LOL

Why are the last 3 days bad?

You have to work 12 hours days.

Cliffjumper just shipped from Pulse. I expect Kup and core class Hot Rod will follow.

I am just curious why the 2 Buzzworthy items sold out so quickly on Pulse? (Kup and Cliffjumper) I mean it could partly be, because Pulse just had a small supply (knowing that Target was the main retailer for these). But even as desirable repaints, its not exactly as if Buzzworthy stuff is hard to find. I've not had any trouble seeing any of them. Even the highly praised origins BB is still in my area. I even saw the super rare "worlds collide" 4-pack multiple times, once I could have even got it 25% off, but passed.

I'm guessing it may be for the small demographic in the U.S. that may not have a Target in close proximity to them?

After the buzz (okay, sorry) about Cliffjumper and Kup being found in-store, my gut told me I should make a pit stop at Target on my way home from work...


If you were hoping to snag these from Pulse, don't fret too much-- I feel like if I found these guys, I'm sure almost anyone can.
Of course, without knowing how limited the production was for any of these figures, now is the time to start looking.
My store also had a B-127, but only one of each of these three (at least when I was there)... I'm assuming a case is two of each???

*edit:
I'm assuming these sold out because a lot of people (including me) have had an issue finding figures in-store.
And Target's website is one of the worst... So those really wanting these were less likely to take a chance of missing out by waiting.

I do feel a bit lucky though... Leaving Target having spent $47+ felt way better than the $61+ I was going to end up paying to Pulse.

o.supreme wrote:I am just curious why the 2 Buzzworthy items sold out so quickly on Pulse? (Kup and Cliffjumper) I mean it could partly be, because Pulse just had a small supply (knowing that Target was the main retailer for these). But even as desirable repaints, its not exactly as if Buzzworthy stuff is hard to find. I've not had any trouble seeing any of them. Even the highly praised origins BB is still in my area. I even saw the super rare "worlds collide" 4-pack multiple times, once I could have even got it 25% off, but passed.

I'm guessing it may be for the small demographic in the U.S. that may not have a Target in close proximity to them?

People want them. 'Better' paint jobs, plastic colors. Not sure why you're shocked. Cliffjumper even has his own SS 86 collector's number.

sol magnus wrote:People want them... Not sure why you're shocked.

Ahh yes, crazy me for thinking that brand new items like SS86 Sludge, and Junkheap, would sell better than 2 slight repaints, on a subline, that will likely shelf warm like all the others in the Buzzworthy line. Of course I am constantly reminded that I live in some sort of retail "bubble" that is the opposite of reality. (where whether something is desirable or not, I can only ever find the things I have no interest in)

*I do see now that Sludge pre-orders have sold out on Pulse, but that wasn't the case as of yesterday.

o.supreme wrote:I am just curious why the 2 Buzzworthy items sold out so quickly on Pulse? (Kup and Cliffjumper) I mean it could partly be, because Pulse just had a small supply (knowing that Target was the main retailer for these). But even as desirable repaints, its not exactly as if Buzzworthy stuff is hard to find. I've not had any trouble seeing any of them. Even the highly praised origins BB is still in my area. I even saw the super rare "worlds collide" 4-pack multiple times, once I could have even got it 25% off, but passed.

I'm guessing it may be for the small demographic in the U.S. that may not have a Target in close proximity to them?

To be fair, the BB stuff being easy to find is definitely a your-mileage-may-vary thing. I never had an issue seeing the first Deluxe wave that was SS reissues (it had to get clearanced out to leave) or the gimmicky stuff I had no interest in, but my Target only just got Origins Bee in time for Christmas and never got any stock of the Worlds Collide set despite having a tag for it even.

Also has Pulse ever put up a retailer exclusive that DIDN'T sell out, other than the non-transforming R.E.Ds?

Nemesis Primal wrote:

o.supreme wrote:I am just curious why the 2 Buzzworthy items sold out so quickly on Pulse? (Kup and Cliffjumper) I mean it could partly be, because Pulse just had a small supply (knowing that Target was the main retailer for these). But even as desirable repaints, its not exactly as if Buzzworthy stuff is hard to find. I've not had any trouble seeing any of them. Even the highly praised origins BB is still in my area. I even saw the super rare "worlds collide" 4-pack multiple times, once I could have even got it 25% off, but passed.

I'm guessing it may be for the small demographic in the U.S. that may not have a Target in close proximity to them?

To be fair, the BB stuff being easy to find is definitely a your-mileage-may-vary thing. I never had an issue seeing the first Deluxe wave that was SS reissues (it had to get clearanced out to leave) or the gimmicky stuff I had no interest in, but my Target only just got Origins Bee in time for Christmas and never got any stock of the Worlds Collide set despite having a tag for it even.

Also has Pulse ever put up a retailer exclusive that DIDN'T sell out, other than the non-transforming R.E.Ds?

Yeah, that "limited qualities available on Pulse" line is legit. Even outside of Transformers, many of the Hasbro retailer exclusives quickly sell out on Pulse. I'm sure there's at least as much demand for those two as other recent Target exclusives.

Also consider the total production numbers of BB Cliff and Kup are likely to be fewer than Sludge and Junkheap since they are mainline releases. If Pulse retains the same small quantities of the partner exclusives as they do for main releases, the quantities for the main releases on Pulse would be higher than the exclusives to being with.

o.supreme wrote:I'm guessing it may be for the small demographic in the U.S. that may not have a Target in close proximity to them?

This is likely a much larger demographic than you realize. There are plenty of rural areas where there isn't a Target within a 40 miles, especially once you get away from the larger cities. There are even more where there is only one Target within 40 miles, but if that Target just doesn't get product often enough, you may be out of luck. Plus if you have to drive 30+ miles just to hope they have something in stock, what's the point?

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

o.supreme wrote:I'm guessing it may be for the small demographic in the U.S. that may not have a Target in close proximity to them?

This is likely a much larger demographic than you realize. There are plenty of rural areas where there isn't a Target within a 40 miles, especially once you get away from the larger cities. There are even more where there is only one Target within 40 miles, but if that Target just doesn't get product often enough, you may be out of luck. Plus if you have to drive 30+ miles just to hope they have something in stock, what's the point?

I have a nearby Target that I go to every week, and I get the 5% discount from Red Card, but I still order from Pulse whenever I can. I pre-order everything, it's just so much more convenient.

Most likely through all of next year I'll stick to putting the vast majority of my "For-sure-buying" figures on preorder.
I just still can't trust that I'm ever going to see figures in-person, no matter how many Targets or Walmarts I go to.

Has there been any rumor that this Cliffjumper will be repacked into SS86?

Sowndwave76 wrote:Has there been any rumor that this Cliffjumper will be repacked into SS86?

None so far, no.

Sowndwave76 wrote:Has there been any rumor that this Cliffjumper will be repacked into SS86?

Don't count on it. He's in the same boat as that BB High Octane Bumblebee re-release: special ID code, but no real reason for a separate release outside of the line.

o.supreme wrote:

sol magnus wrote:People want them... Not sure why you're shocked.

Ahh yes, crazy me for thinking that brand new items like SS86 Sludge, and Junkheap, would sell better than 2 slight repaints, on a subline, that will likely shelf warm like all the others in the Buzzworthy line. Of course I am constantly reminded that I live in some sort of retail "bubble" that is the opposite of reality. (where whether something is desirable or not, I can only ever find the things I have no interest in)

*I do see now that Sludge pre-orders have sold out on Pulse, but that wasn't the case as of yesterday.

You can't compare the exlusives to non exclusives on Pulse since Pulse will only get at most 10% of all stock destined for US retail. And the entirety of fans could only buy them from Pulse online yesterday, unlike the other non exclusives. Target will get the remaining 90%. Them not selling out first would be more odd.

I finally found BB Cliffjumper today! It's only the second Target I've been to in my area this week (out of 10 or so) that had the new Deluxe wave in stock. I only saw a lone B-127 on the pegs, so I asked a nearby employee stocking the shelves if they had more of that assortment in the back, and they did! He asked me which character I wanted, and a few minutes later, he handed me a brand new Cliffjumper! I could barely contain my glee!

o.supreme wrote:

sol magnus wrote:People want them... Not sure why you're shocked.

Ahh yes, crazy me for thinking that brand new items like SS86 Sludge, and Junkheap, would sell better than 2 slight repaints, on a subline, that will likely shelf warm like all the others in the Buzzworthy line. Of course I am constantly reminded that I live in some sort of retail "bubble" that is the opposite of reality. (where whether something is desirable or not, I can only ever find the things I have no interest in)

*I do see now that Sludge pre-orders have sold out on Pulse, but that wasn't the case as of yesterday.

I'm not trying to be funny. I'm also fairly certain (without direct evidence, mind) that the quantities of the BBB figures are going to be a lot less than the numbers they pre-ordered for Sludge, etc.

I still don't think these are 'just slight repaints' in that they sort of fulfill something the previous versions didn't. They look more like they do on screen, which like it or not, is how people mostly associate with their respective appearances.

I didn't want to have to buy repaints on these two, but I feel they're overall superior to what I have, and so there's a market for that (for me). A lot of people seem to agree, going by the presales. I didn't order them, cuz I picked em up in store on Sunday, but there are people who don't have easy access to a Target. One of good friends usually has to rely on me to get him Target stuff - this time he was able to preorder them, so I won't have to hunt down doubles for him.

I would have rathered (in Kup's case) to only have gotten the 'more accurate' version, but I don't have a crystal ball, so they got me for another one. I don't blame them, I blame me.

sol magnus wrote:I would have rathered (in Kup's case) to only have gotten the 'more accurate' version, but I don't have a crystal ball, so they got me for another one. I don't blame them, I blame me.

Why would you blame yourself?
No one would've or could've guessed a SS86 figure would've been given a new, even more accurate version...
This is 100% on Hastak...
And I'm not saying that as though I'm mad. I'm very happy to have these new versions.
But while we share very similar opinions on other aspects of the matter, I just don't think anyone can point a figure at themselves for buying the first versions of these characters.

Sowndwave76 wrote:

sol magnus wrote:I would have rathered (in Kup's case) to only have gotten the 'more accurate' version, but I don't have a crystal ball, so they got me for another one. I don't blame them, I blame me.

Why would you blame yourself?
No one would've or could've guessed a SS86 figure would've been given a new, even more accurate version...
This is 100% on Hastak...
And I'm not saying that as though I'm mad. I'm very happy to have these new versions.
But while we share very similar opinions on other aspects of the matter, I just don't think anyone can point a figure at themselves for buying the first versions of these characters.

I blame myself for buying the earlier ones insofar as I blame myself for collecting at all, pretending that some future day will arrive when my collection is perfect and complete, that the beast may someday finally be sated and demand no more from me, that a time exists when my suffering will end....

Sowndwave76 wrote:

sol magnus wrote:I would have rathered (in Kup's case) to only have gotten the 'more accurate' version, but I don't have a crystal ball, so they got me for another one. I don't blame them, I blame me.

Why would you blame yourself?
No one would've or could've guessed a SS86 figure would've been given a new, even more accurate version...
This is 100% on Hastak...
And I'm not saying that as though I'm mad. I'm very happy to have these new versions.
But while we share very similar opinions on other aspects of the matter, I just don't think anyone can point a figure at themselves for buying the first versions of these characters.

I mean, I blame me for buying it again - not being happy with what I already have. Hastak makes toys to sell them. But no one says we have to buy everything they make. I'm supposed to be cutting back this year, but it's not really even slated to start until Legacy comes out. I think I've gotten everything except Black Zarak released this year for Generations.

Plus I bought a Unicron.

AcademyofDrX wrote:I blame myself for buying the earlier ones insofar as I blame myself for collecting at all, pretending that some future day will arrive when my collection is perfect and complete, that the beast may someday finally be sated and demand no more from me, that a time exists when my suffering will end....

Yeah, I get this... Although I'm getting past an ideal of "perfect collection"... Not trying to make it more than what it is, but it has taken time and experience to get to this place of, "I chose to pass on certain figures, and it may just work out that I don't have those characters on a shelf".
Siege Astrotrain is a perfect example. Refraktor is another. I was against Sunstreaker at first, then changed my mind around the time ER Sideswipe was announced, but never saw him or almost anything else from that ER wave. Sure, I can go back for these on the secondary market... But I'm not going to force anything, pay a stupid amount, or stress at all about this stuff.
Probably a very unpopular opinion around here, but these are TOYS... Imo, this "hobby" is the most materialistic part of my life.
It's getting more and more difficult to justify for multiple reasons.
Increased prices are a really firm nudge to get out of the game.
It's still pretty crazy to me that 3 Sharkticons were $75... And at that time, that included tax.

Anyway... Dinobots, Insecticons, and Blitzwing... That's it for me in terms of getting over the finish line. And sure, Perceptor is on the way, I'm planning on Blaster, the Stunticons, and probably Core Class Rumble.
But even those are just icing and not "must have's".
About the only thing that would pull me back in would be a new set of Constructicons.
Of course appearance, cost, a possibly stupid play gimmick would all factor in.
I also wouldn't actually label that as being "pulled back in" even though it'd be 6 figures.

sol magnus wrote:I mean, I blame me for buying it again - not being happy with what I already have. Hastak makes toys to sell them. But no one says we have to buy everything they make. I'm supposed to be cutting back this year, but it's not really even slated to start until Legacy comes out. I think I've gotten everything except Black Zarak released this year for Generations.

Plus I bought a Unicron.

I do see how that Unicron purchase alone could make almost any other one dicey...
The vast majority of the time I agree with you both-- of course no one ever has to buy any of this stuff.
But these repaints specifically, are an exception imo.
These aren't characters that I would say are that popular. Meaning, first, they didn't seem super likely to get this sort of attention. Second, who knows how long it will be before these characters get another version. And third, these new versions are going to be difficult to top.
It may happen someday, but I'm really betting the next versions of these characters will be so heavily tied to some play gimmick that appearances will be just as heavily compromised.
And at this point, Hastak probably feels like they now have the greenlight to get away from screen-accurate appearances and do something really different.
So bottom line, I don't blame anyone for getting these guys even having their first releases.

I thought I'd share my thoughts and photos of Buzzworthy Kup (I haven't opened Cliffjumper yet).

First, I will say for me, this purchase was completely worth it.
And I say that as someone who isn't some huge fan of this character.

For images, I'm going to start with a photo that compares this version's weapon to that of the SS86 version.
Why?
Because this does a really good job of showing how much these colors, which are also on the figures, differ from one another.


This may not be as noticeable in the following photos, but it's there, and in person, you really see it.

The next part I'm going to point out is the chest area. Not only do I think this new color is on point, one thing that I quickly noticed is that it appears more filled-out (or filled-in?).
This is because there is the slightest gap between the metallic plastic piece inside of the windshield, and the clear plastic windshield itself of the '86 version.
Along with this, the new chest color matches the shoulder areas much more cohesively. This match isn't perfect, but it's definitely not something I'd complain about.
And of course, the extra printed details showing Kup's age, and maybe is a little evidence of his experiences from all of his war stories, is a fantastic touch.

Seeing these two side by side in-person, the minty-green color of the SS86 version looks odd imo almost to the point of looking like a mistake.

Please excuse these rushed photos...
This next one is meant to help show those color differences.


These last two show the differences with the top of the torso and wheels being gray instead of black.
Both areas of the Buzzworthy figure look much better imo. The black of the SS86 copy contrasts too much in both areas, but especially around the head.



I still wish Hastak would've done a better job with the face sculpt. And I also wish I would've found this figure during a sale.
But again, this Buzzworthy repaint is just overall better. And sure, without side by side comparisons, it would've been difficult to know how much better I like it. But I do. Quite a bit more than I could've known. Oh, and every joint is just as tight as the older version.
This new figure is going to be THE Kup in my collection.

Just my advice; if you passed on SS86 Kup and now think you want him, don't pass on this new one.

I don't regret getting both versions, 1 will go onto my movie shelf while the other will represent the comics version.

I also wanted to add that this much of a change for Buzzworthy Kup is part of the reason I won't be at all surprised if the Legacy Galvatron is a slightly different variation of Purple.