The Energon Pub

[william-james88]

Looking at the underside, there are some nice improvemnts over the original toy design. They covered up the hips in the back to make it look more complete

[Lunatic Prime]

Its an upscale the same way these toys were upscales too:

This Predaking mold is actually a very bad example in this case because he's anything but a simple upscale

Except for all of the details that don't match up.

Perhaps it just shares similar engineering?

And since when is Seibertron itself active in discussions?
It's like Primus intervening in a little chitchat between Swerve and Whirl

[Randomhero]

Yup, its an upscale of DOTM



Every detail matches up perfectly.

Except for all of the details that don't match up.

Perhaps it just shares similar engineering?

Just to clarify my statement above ...

This all I see when you guys post **** like this

[william-james88]

This Predaking mold is actually a very bad example in this case because he's anything but a simple upscale

My argument was that he was an upscale and that was it, simplicity wasnt part of it. As much effort might have gone into turning that deluxe Starscream into a voyager as the amount of effort into turning the commander Predaking into that beast of a figure.

[Lunatic Prime]

This Predaking mold is actually a very bad example in this case because he's anything but a simple upscale

My argument was that he was an upscale and that was it, simplicity wasnt part of it. As much effort might have gone into turning that deluxe Starscream into a voyager as the amount of effort into turning the commander Predaking into that beast of a figure.

But "upscaled" Voyager Predaking is a very different mold compared to its Commander class figure.
And Starscream got just upscaled with very few minor improvements.

[Seibertron]

And since when is Seibertron itself active in discussions?
It's like Primus intervening in a little chitchat between Swerve and Whirl

Ah haha haha ... wow, you compared me to Primus? LOL! My head has been out of the game for a little while thanks to Christmas, my wife's Grandma and my Mom both passing away, along with other life events in the past 6 months, but I'm trying to get my head back into all of this. Site redesign from last summer needs to be finished, Heavy Metal War needs some long overdue love, and galleries are (very loudly) calling my name!!!

[-Kanrabat-]

Yup, its an upscale of DOTM



Every detail matches up perfectly.

With added improvements.

This make the BEST voyager Starscream so far.
I thought I was done with Movie Starscream, but this unexpected voyager will be a MUST buy.
And then, there will be the sureshot MPM version...

[primalxconvoy]

Is a compeletly new mold, it has to be at that scale. But its based on the deluxes toy. Its not like they tried reinventing the wheel with this one.

Fair enough! Just wanted to state that after your all-encompassing comment above

Haha, yes, I definitely set myself up for that, so fair enough!

From what I can tell, it's upscaled BUT extra joints have been added, such as rotating wrists, for example.

[RAR]

As to the question of Starscream here - Perhaps there is a few more changes to him than there is changes between The Voyager sized Energon Megatron and the Leader Class.

But he's pretty much the same basic idea. Lets be honest if I didn't have both toys side by side - I think I'd just see the extremely similar legs, the hinge parts on the underside of the wings the chest and head - and assume he's a barely altered upscale.

Not that I mind that - as it's not like the Deluxe was a bad toy.
I also like that the new one is in 2007 colours that is at least a nice feature to distinguish the two.
--------

I'm left scratching my head a bit about Thundercracker though as with TRU about to fall off a cliff - I expect I'll have to import one from Asia or rely on someone offering to help me get one some other way.

Shame really as Thundercracker is actually the single most interesting piece in the entire line to me - now I know the 1974 Bumblebee is somewhat lacking. I don't think Hasbro UK has the wit to offer it to Sainsbury's / Argos instead though if the Toys R Us UK outlet isn't available to sell through in the UK.

[Emerje]

So really all they upscaled was the transformation, everything else (sculpt, joints) is different.

Emerje

[RAR]

So really all they upscaled was the transformation, everything else (sculpt, joints) is different.

Emerje

Look more closely the surface details are REALLY SIMILAR..

More similar than dis-similar. - even the placement of the 5mm holes is the same (like on the underside of the tail and the upper for arms - even has similar hands. It's like they opened the CAD files for the Deluxe and just inflated the thing 30% and then fiddled with some details.

If you compare other things like two Random RID Grimlocks for example you are not likely to find two that match this closely in different scales in terms of how they transform and such.

I'm not judging this toys for being a quick and dirty upscale at all - heck I can think of a lot of toys I'd love to see get similar treatment (especially some 2008-2011 toys).

But there is less 'new work' on display here than on Jazz and Lockdown.
That doesn't mean I dislike it though.

But if you want me to be brutally frank I have a less than stellar opinion of the whole line really - Like I doubt I'll bother chasing any of it besides maybe Thundercracker - the rest I'll just get if I fall over it.

Brawl looks quite nice though. I'm just not overly bothered as I didn't really have much to complain about the ones I already had - if there is one thing we have plenty of it's Movie Optimus Prime toys.

If they really want to spend some resources more wisely perhaps a new Mould Western Star Legion Optimus or a Legion Cogman would be a better place to spend some of that cash.

I'd likely have been more excited by some new Cyberverse Commander class moulds. It's just not where I am mentally collecting wise at the time being.

But now they have the brand if they want to make a Movie accurate recolour of Scorn's Voyager I'd not complain.
---------------



Speaking of Thundercracker ;

I think the Nitro Zeus Mould work quite well if you think outside the box.

Consider these :

http://www.tfu.info/1997/Decepticon/Thu ... racker.htm
http://www.tfu.info/2005/Decepticon/Thu ... racker.htm
http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/BCT ... racker.htm
http://www.tfu.info/1984/Decepticon/Thu ... racker.htm
http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Ove ... ercast.htm
http://www.tfu.info/2011/Decepticon/Dot ... racker.htm
http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Thu ... racker.htm

I see him as not unlike a blend of all of those.
The weaponised Arms are not unlike some of those - the colours are not unheard off on a Thundercracker especially the G1 toy.
The lift engines and asymmetrical arms are like the Machine Wars "Botcon" one.
The vehicle mode is very similar to the original 'Basic' Machine Wars one.

I think the earlier suggestion of considering him as a just off screen DOTM Decepticon is a good way to approach him.

[Centaurus Prime]

Those chicken legs are concerning to me, i'm sure they're fine but i'm afraid of him falling forwards. I really want to get this though, looks beautiful.

[william-james88]

I havent seen many pics of Crowbar, has anyone compared him to Berserker to see how much is new?

EDIT: The vehicle mode is basically the same pieces from what I can tell. I dont know why Hasbro keeps insisting the studio series is entirely new molds

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I havent seen many pics of Crowbar, has anyone compared him to Berserker to see how much is new?

Baltmatrix has them side-by-side, at the 1:00 mark for robot, and at 8:15 for vehicle:



In short, it's way more new parts than old.

[william-james88]

In short, it's way more new parts than old.

Yeah, basically the entire robot mode minus the crotch.

[Carnivius_Prime]

Have said before that I'm quite happy with Starscream being an improved upscaled DotM Screamer as I loved that old Deluxe toy and just it's small size bothered me but also I genuinely loved transforming it back and forth and it spent a lot of time on my desk before I sold it to save up monies for this line so I cannot wait to have that toy at a better size to stand next to voyager Megatron (both TLK or the new RotF)

[Ironhidensh]

I got Ratchet in the mail today. Not a bad figure at all. My only real complaint is the roof rack. It could be a bit more solid. The backpack slash butt flap is a bit much, but on a main stream deluxe figure, I can easily forgive it. The transformation is a vast improvement over the original 2007 voyager design. I've never had the deluxe version of movie Ratchet, so I can't comment there.

This is my third of the four Studio deluxes. I have to say, I'm impressed. I think I'm going to go on and get Crowbar, and the rest of the line, just to support it. Its nice to see new designs. I'm a big fan of that over repaints.

[Va'al]

Fellow Seibertronian MaverickPrime has pointed us towards Mexican toy collector, reviewer and photographer Diatron, who has obtained a copy of the new Transformers Studio Series 09 Toys R Us exclusive figure Thundercracker!

The toy is a redeco of the Transformers The Last Knight Nitro Zeus figure, with Titan Master / Headmaster gimmick and a new headsculpt - while the gimmick is intact, there is no smaller figure formed by the head, however - and mostly blue and grey to cover the light grey of the original toy. You can check out some comparison images below, and a full video review in Spanish!

UPDATE: Diatron sent us some more images, if you prefer your visual to be static instead of video! Check them out below, including some shots of the underside of the box showing the codes you might need to seek out what is most likely to be the last Toys R Us exclusive figure, not only for Transformers.

[SpikeyTigertron]

<3 the way the pinstriping on the wings play out in bot mode. Also whoever had mentioned Thundercrackers head looking like BW Inferno.... that was right on the money. (now I want to see him done up in a nice cherry red with clearcoat).

Does make me wish we also go thim in Purple with a shockwave head, or if they'd done Skyquake

[partholon]

gods thats hideious.

what a difference a head makes !

its a pity titans returns never did a starscream head. then you could swap it out.

[-Kanrabat-]

gods thats hideious.

what a difference a head makes !

Well, all the Movie have alien/monster heads. ¯\_ツ_/¯

I personally find that TC awesome and I may break my own rule and buy it right away at full price when it come out in store. For my SEALED Thundercracker collection.

[primalxconvoy]

gods thats hideious.

what a difference a head makes !

its a pity titans returns never did a starscream head. then you could swap it out.

Titans Return didn't, but Takara' Legends did:

-

LG57-GhostStarscream~02~01.jpg

LG57-GhostStarscream~01~01.jpg

[Emerje]

gods thats hideious.

what a difference a head makes !

its a pity titans returns never did a starscream head. then you could swap it out.

The sculpt exists, it was used By Takara Tomy for Ghost Starscream.



Whether or not the sculpt was made just for this release like some of their other 2-pack Headmasters is unknown, but it does use the Nightbeat body. And more importantly the mold exists now so there's always a possibility Hasbro could use it in the future.

Emerje

[SpikeyTigertron]

While Titan Master compatible. I can't really say the *regular* heads really match the level of detail/asthetic that the movie line brings. Now if it came with a repainted/tooled cogman... that'd have been interesting.

Given the vtols I *am* surprised they didn't release him as a *new* movie Thrust (the repaint/tool of.... slingshot (?) )

[SpikeyTigertron]

https://www.seibertron.com/transformers ... rust/1885/