The Energon Pub

[Albatross250]

Im really hoping they would reveal Apeface and Snapdragon by now, its been years waiting for these guys to return

[william-james88]

Im really hoping they would reveal Apeface and Snapdragon by now, its been years waiting for these guys to return

Oh man, dont get me started

https://www.seibertron.com/transformers ... nes/41252/
Although its cool to see I got more than half my/our wishes

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Honestly? Hopefully they don't go too crazy with remakes of BW and UT stuff. And I say that as a Beast Wars and Unicron Trilogy fan. G1's stuff needs remaking (or re-remaking in cases where they've missed the mark) more, and most of the non-G1 remakes we've got have been watered-down and show-inaccurate. The Cybertron Optimus we're getting in this line is no exception, although I find it charming enough for me to want in spite of that.

[Albatross250]

Honestly? Hopefully they don't go too crazy with remakes of BW and UT stuff. And I say that as a Beast Wars and Unicron Trilogy fan. G1's stuff needs remaking (or re-remaking in cases where they've missed the mark) more, and most of the non-G1 remakes we've got have been watered-down and show-inaccurate. The Cybertron Optimus we're getting in this line is no exception, although I find it charming enough for me to want in spite of that.

I dont mind Tarantulas being a tank and then as a spider mode for once, Im always down for an Optimus Primal as an Apeface redeco

[Hellscream9999]

Honestly? Hopefully they don't go too crazy with remakes of BW and UT stuff. And I say that as a Beast Wars and Unicron Trilogy fan. G1's stuff needs remaking (or re-remaking in cases where they've missed the mark) more, and most of the non-G1 remakes we've got have been watered-down and show-inaccurate. The Cybertron Optimus we're getting in this line is no exception, although I find it charming enough for me to want in spite of that.

I dont mind Tarantulas being a tank and then as a spider mode for once, Im always down for an Optimus Primal as an Apeface redeco

Lets be honest, 2/3 of the UT stuff was pretty bad (armada, energon), it was all gimmick, janky proportions and articulation (if at all in the case of armada) honestly, I'm all for a loving remake of anything armada or energon if it means getting those great figures with this new level of articulation, but I agree, cybertron specific updates don't necessarily need to happen as compared to other stuff in the UT (BW reinterpretations I'm up in the air on)

[Sentinel_Primal]

Honestly? Hopefully they don't go too crazy with remakes of BW and UT stuff. And I say that as a Beast Wars and Unicron Trilogy fan. G1's stuff needs remaking (or re-remaking in cases where they've missed the mark) more, and most of the non-G1 remakes we've got have been watered-down and show-inaccurate. The Cybertron Optimus we're getting in this line is no exception, although I find it charming enough for me to want in spite of that.

I dont mind Tarantulas being a tank and then as a spider mode for once, Im always down for an Optimus Primal as an Apeface redeco

I'd be okay with that, only if they remolded the head area for Primal not to be a double sided headmaster like Apeface. And I'd hope if they did that it'd be in the Transmetal colors (minus the chrome, I've never been a fan of chrome on toys). But I'm always open to mechanical styled BW characters with vehicle modes Serves as a decent Cybertronian form/Transmetal form imo because I've always pictured the Transmetal forms where they actually make changes to their beast mode to be in transport mode as closer to their Cybertronian forms

[o.supreme]

I...kinda like the Netflix She-Ra. I mean...it’s the Thindercats reboot from a few years ago.

Nah...2011 Thundercats was an amazing series that took the existing story and expanded on it profoundly, with beautiful animation and amazing storytelling. Netflix She-Ra bastardizes everything about the original, has poor to juvenile storytelling, and animation that looks like hot garbage.

To be sure 2011 Thundercats & 2002 MOTU is the RIGHT WAY to take something classic and make it new again, unfortunately we have way to many other examples of taking something from our childhoods and making it awful.

WFC: Siege being merely a toyline with no fiction (comic or animation) tied to it, has the advantage though of being whatever the fan wants it to be. Which isn't a bad thing.

[Cobotron]

WFC: Siege being merely a toyline with no fiction (comic or animation) tied to it, has the advantage though of being whatever the fan wants it to be. Which isn't a bad thing.

This is something that is very interesting to me. As someone who is rarely a fan of Transformers fiction. All TF toy lines have the freedom to be what ever I want them to be wether they have tie-in fiction or not.

Does the lack of fiction behind Siege (at the moment) effect the way you perceive the relevance of the toy line?

Not just a question for you O. Sups. For anyone who feels like answering.

[o.supreme]

Does the lack of fiction behind Siege (at the moment) effect the way you perceive the relevance of the toy line?

Not just a question for you O. Sups. For anyone who feels like answering.

Excellent question though. As someone who is kind of the opposite (my ties are probably to Animation first, then toys, then comics last...) I don't see a lack of fiction making this series more or less relevant, however, it is the strong ties to past fiction that IMHO is drawing most people to purchase them. However, if were to try something new (as some are asking for), I would think some sort of tie in fiction would be almost necessary. I mean, the last *new* thing they tried without any promotion was what? Power Core Combiners? Those didn't go so well (Also I'm talking about actual Transformers, not novelties like Botshots or Botbots etc...)

[ZeroWolf]

The concept behind power core Combiners was good, it's just the execution was flawed had the "drones" ditched the spring loaded gimmick and transformed normally (thus had articulation) then we would probably look back more favourable on them.

As far as Siege not having fiction (will Hasbro point to the new IDW as its fiction? Despite the fact that as if looks the toyline is set much further on then the comics if the war hasn't started yet)

[Rodimus Prime]

I had hoped/thought that maybe the new IDW comic was going to be the support material for the new toy line, just like it was with Combiner Wars. If Siege will have no current fiction supporting it, I'll just consider the figures as updated representation of the G1 characters.

[Sabrblade]

The new IDW comic is using Siege toy designs, so I don't see why it wouldn't count as promotional fiction related to Siege.

[AllNewSuperRobot]

As far as Siege is concerned though, it's all still to play for. Though I would be surprised if an Optimus or Megatron weren't part of the next line

Indeed. My concern is Hasbro's "Evergreen" ethos is slowly pushing Transformers into irrelevance. Creatively, through the mindless push of G1, it is verging on He-Man territory. It is 2019, make Transformers something NEW.

Actually the MOTU collectors club puts out amazing product. I guess if you want to argue that it isn't *relevant* because it isn't easily accessible to all, that might be a fair point. But when you try to appeal to the masses in an effort to be new and exciting, sometimes you get something like the Netflix She-Ra which, quite frankly, I'd rather have NOTHING than have that...

Super7 does continue the Classics line well enough, although there are certainly noticeable QC issues not present when Mattel handled the line themselves. The case I bring up with He-Man as the example, is all the series has been reduced to is a pure Nostalgia piece. "Remember Us?" etc etc
He-Man was a dominant brand in pop culture for the better part of a decade. After New Adventures, Mattel made the mistake of continuing to cater to that original fanbase. Who are not "evergreen". 200X He-Man was aimed at them, not where it should have been and was a failure because of that. The fact that She-Ra, the side character brought in to sell dolls in the He-Man line to girls, now has her own unaffiliated Netflix series and He-Man is sitting in Collector-exclusive obscurity, speaks volumes.

This is my worry for Transformers. Love or Loathe them, if not for the Bayformers bringing in money and new fans, where would Transformers be now? Transformers AS A WHOLE is 35 years old this year, they need to forget about prioritising the first three years and begin embracing the other 32.

[Rodimus Prime]

The new IDW comic is using Siege toy designs, so I don't see why it wouldn't count as promotional fiction related to Siege.

Have we gotten official Hasbro/IDW word on that?

[o.supreme]

Who are not "evergreen". 200X He-Man was aimed at them, not where it should have been and was a failure because of that. The fact that She-Ra, the side character brought in to sell dolls in the He-Man line to girls, now has her own unaffiliated Netflix series and He-Man is sitting in Collector-exclusive obscurity, speaks volumes.

Yet right now, I am so glad He-Man was not included in any way shape or form on that Netflix garbage series. I'd rather have MOTU limited to a series of faithful fan collector toys, than a god-awful animated series.

And while I do agree the movies did (in a way) keep TF relevant, it doesn't always work (GI Joe...) Yet while GI Joe fans may be yearning for something new toywise, I bet they'll have second thoughts if anyone involved with Netflix/Dreamworks comes to them asking about an animated series.

[TF-fan kev777]

The new IDW comic is using Siege toy designs, so I don't see why it wouldn't count as promotional fiction related to Siege.

Have we gotten official Hasbro/IDW word on that?

Well, we know that IDW has the license for TF comics. We also have the IDW cover reveals that use Siege designs for the characters including a look at the voyager portion of leader Optimus before any leaks on the toy came out and the toy itself hasn't been officially revealed. There is no way IDW managed to draw Optimus for the covers without Hasbro's blessing, so that is as official as it gets for me without a press release or a signed note from John Warden.

[william-james88]

The new IDW comic is using Siege toy designs, so I don't see why it wouldn't count as promotional fiction related to Siege.

Have we gotten official Hasbro/IDW word on that?

On what level does any of this matter? Also why cant G1 as a whole be the fiction behind Siege? Arent these toys emerging from the G fiction of the past 30 years? Why would it need its own specific fiction? Does the fact that there was a Titans Return IDW comic event mean that all of the titans return toyline is based on the IDW verse and thus not at all related to any other iteration of G1? Or was it based on the machinima series?

Which brings me back to my main question, why does any of this matter? I just never understood that, especially in a toyline where the fiction is made to sell the toys.

[o.supreme]

On what level does any of this matter? Also why cant G1 as a whole be the fiction behind Siege? Arent these toys emerging from the G fiction of the past 30 years? Why would it need its own specific fiction? Does the fact that there was a Titans Return IDW comic event mean that all of the titans return toyline is based on the IDW verse and thus not at all related to any other iteration of G1? Or was it based on the machinima series?

Which brings me back to my main question, why does any of this matter? I just never understood that, especially in a toyline where the fiction is made to sell the toys.

Cobotron simply asked a question out of curiosity. For some fans, tie-in fiction does matter, and for some it dosen't...just trying to start conversation is all...

[no-one]

Does the lack of fiction behind Siege (at the moment) effect the way you perceive the relevance of the toy line?

To a degree, but only if I'm paying attention. If not everything defaults to what I know about G1. For a while I was pretty far down the IDW (RID/MTMTE) rabbit hole and those characterizations were starting to become the default and in some cases they still are or have amended G1.

With the exception of very specific toylines (TF Prime for example) I just lump all Autobots on a shelf and all Decepticons on another. My Autobot MP's have their own shelf, I have a few character/group specific displays and a few other revolving spotlight displays as well. But when it comes to "playtime" (taking pictures, building displays, transforming a figure while doing something else) I'll grab almost any figure/combo that tickles my fancy.

I thought my Siege figures would end up creating a new shelf/display mixed in with the old WfC/FoC stuff, but that doesn't seem to be a happening thing. Siege is just going to get mixed in with the rest of the CHUG figures.

TL;DR - not really


I'm assuming the nature of your question revolves around collecting and displaying figures. So follow-up question; what do "we adult" collectors consider playtime to be?

Which brings me back to my main question, why does any of this matter? I just never understood that, especially in a toyline where the fiction is made to sell the toys.

Everyone comes at this hobby from a different direction with a different history with different intentions and a different perspective. It's going to matter more or less to everyone. If we really split hairs we're talking about toys, none of it matters. With enough hyperbole, all of it matters.

I take from Transformers what I want, ignore the rest and let others have their own unique experience.

[william-james88]

On what level does any of this matter? Also why cant G1 as a whole be the fiction behind Siege? Arent these toys emerging from the G fiction of the past 30 years? Why would it need its own specific fiction? Does the fact that there was a Titans Return IDW comic event mean that all of the titans return toyline is based on the IDW verse and thus not at all related to any other iteration of G1? Or was it based on the machinima series?

Which brings me back to my main question, why does any of this matter? I just never understood that, especially in a toyline where the fiction is made to sell the toys.

Cobotron simply asked a question out of curiosity. For some fans, tie-in fiction does matter, and for some it dosen't...just trying to start conversation is all...

I get it, I am just very curious too because this is a subject that keeps coming up adn I dont get it. If there were new characters, then sure I get it and I understand. But with Siege, it seems like it is basing itself on all the fiction that came before.

[ZeroWolf]

I create new fiction with mine to be fair, and the siege toys won't be any different than that

[Sabrblade]

The new IDW comic is using Siege toy designs, so I don't see why it wouldn't count as promotional fiction related to Siege.

Have we gotten official Hasbro/IDW word on that?

Shouldn't the artwork already speak for itself?

[AllNewSuperRobot]

Who are not "evergreen". 200X He-Man was aimed at them, not where it should have been and was a failure because of that. The fact that She-Ra, the side character brought in to sell dolls in the He-Man line to girls, now has her own unaffiliated Netflix series and He-Man is sitting in Collector-exclusive obscurity, speaks volumes.

Yet right now, I am so glad He-Man was not included in any way shape or form on that Netflix garbage series. I'd rather have MOTU limited to a series of faithful fan collector toys, than a god-awful animated series.

And while I do agree the movies did (in a way) keep TF relevant, it doesn't always work (GI Joe...) Yet while GI Joe fans may be yearning for something new toywise, I bet they'll have second thoughts if anyone involved with Netflix/Dreamworks comes to them asking about an animated series.

That's the thing. Whatever the quality of it, She-Ra at least has a new series, a new platform to reach new fans. He-Man has nothing new (aside from a DC comics series I'm not even sure is still going).
The collectors line is, at base level, High End upgrades of pre-existing figures (although there are some exceptions). The Classics have even received a recent De-make in the form of the Filmation based line. Going backwards even further. Exclusively serving an ever diminishing fanbase.

Bayformers kept Transformers relevant by opening up new avenues to new people, if nothing else. That is how brands stay alive. I can name several cartoons, toylines, video games, TV shows I absolutely loved around the same time as Sunbow was still repeated on TV, all long gone and forgotten by pop culture.

Hasbro, in Transformers, has G1, G2, Machine Wars, Beast Wars, 2, Neo, Machines, Transtech, Car Robots, Unicron Trilogy, Animated, Prime, Bayformers and every other line from then to now. Short Lived or not, successful or not. It is all there, over three decades of rich history to mine for ideas and inspiration.

He-Man had Filmation, ...A Movie, New Adventures and 200X, which was a high end reboot of Filmation. One single New series before Mattel went back on itself. Trapped in a dated and niche ouroboros of it's own making.

I can't speak for GI Joe fans, but of the two parallel scenarios above, I know which one I would still want to invest myself in.

[Cobotron]

The reason I ask...

And I will do the whole disclaimer here. whatever anyone gets from, and how they choose to engage in TFs as a hobby/past time/entertainment is ALL GOOD with me. As long as it's fun and serves some kind of escape.

Since the 80's, and mostly the model created by Star Wars, I feel the toy industry has taken something fundamental away from children and they're development. A spoon feeding if you will. I'll use Playmobil toys as my example. Playmobil toys have several varying lines. City, Historical, Fantasy, etc. But non of these toys have any kind of fiction support (at least until very recently). The objective of these toys is to give children the tools they need to USE THEIR IMAGINATIONS! However they see fit. Make adventures, tell stories, what ever they can dream, they have toys to channel their imagination and creativity through.

Personally all toys are that to me. No matter the line. No matter the fiction. It's why I never had a problem mixing my TFs with Gi Joe, with He-Man, with Lego, etc. Or a combiner made of characters that were never combiners. Or a Headmaster Triple Changing Megatron. You see what I'm saying.

The mind set that if it didn't happen in fiction, then it can't be, is a very interesting concept to me. It is the exact opposite of how I "play". I find it fascinating.

Siege is just another vehicle for me to make up my own stories, as are all TF lines.

And please, I am sincere with my disclaimer.
Freedom to play with ones toys as they see fit to bring them pleasure is the right of all sentient beings.

[no-one]

Since the 80's, and mostly the model created by Star Wars, I feel the toy industry has taken something fundamental away from children and they're development. A spoon feeding if you will. I'll use Playmobil toys as my example. Playmobil toys have several varying lines. City, Historical, Fantasy, etc. But non of these toys have any kind of fiction support (at least until very recently). The objective of these toys is to give children the tools they need to USE THEIR IMAGINATIONS! However they see fit. Make adventures, tell stories, what ever they can dream, they have toys to channel their imagination and creativity through.

I feel that video games have fallen into that same trap along with toys. With all the hand holding and never ending tutorials. But then you see open ended games like Minecraft explode in popularity.

Do you think this "manipulation" of the imagination/perception of children has developed from some misguided part of the core values our society or is it just the evolution of how to sell more product?