The Energon Pub

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I don't call the black splotches (which at the same time aren't quite splotchy enough) an improvement

She looks just like the original, only differences are the too close of an encounter with a blow torch and the clear blue canopy. True, one set of parts is switched for black, and painted over where necessary, but keeping the original look still stands.

*meanwhile, still can't decide between T30, Legends, and Siege*

[Nemesis Primal]

Well this review just reaffirmed that the only ones I want of these Deluxes are the Cons. The other three seem kinda irrelevant to me compared to their originals since they're just the same but dirtier, whereas Scrapface gets new character points in addition to looking really good with that red and metallic blue combo, and Decepticon Mirage is a unique repaint that looks enough like a new character for me to rename them Crash Test. Very curious to see what the other 5 later Deluxes will be, I hope there are more like these two.

Also I'm still not over the fact that we're not only getting a new Hotlink from the awesome tetrajet mold, but also that they made his flamethrower into a Battlemaster/Battlemasters so he could finally have it, that's a genius way to include that accessory for him. Heatstroke is a really good name for a guy who turns into a flamethrower too, I love it on all accounts. I'm now only one Seeker away from getting the three I really wanted as tetrajets, show me a Sunstorm and I'm set (although you may as well finish the Welcoming Committee at that point, I suppose).

[blackeyedprime]

Weird, for figures with more paint on them they forget to paint some side parts of sideswipe black - I'll wait for earthrise sideswipe anyhoos and hope the siege figures improved on in a few areas.

[ZeroWolf]

Weird, for figures with more paint on them they forget to paint some side parts of sideswipe black - I'll wait for earthrise sideswipe anyhoos and hope the siege figures improved on in a few areas.

I'm not sure we'll get a Sideswipe in Earthrise, his Siege alt looks pretty earth mode already.

[blackeyedprime]

Weird, for figures with more paint on them they forget to paint some side parts of sideswipe black - I'll wait for earthrise sideswipe anyhoos and hope the siege figures improved on in a few areas.

I'm not sure we'll get a Sideswipe in Earthrise, his Siege alt looks pretty earth mode already.

If it's on the packaging, they will come.

Jest aside, pretty sure we will otherwise sunstreaker will be bro less.

[ZeroWolf]

On the contrary, there will be a Sideswipe on the shelves with Sunstreaker Netflix Sideswipe and Earthrise Sunstreaker, side by side again.

[Hellscream9999]

So they took some of the biggest shelfwarmers from siege and went balls to the wall with the aesthetic gimmick no one really cared for, and gave it to walmart? I wonder if this is in response to walmart not bothering to carry most of the transformers line anymore

[Brokebot]

So they took some of the biggest shelfwarmers from siege and went balls to the wall with the aesthetic gimmick no one really cared for, and gave it to walmart? I wonder if this is in response to walmart not bothering to carry most of the transformers line anymore

Ditto. Even in Walmarts where there is only one toy on the peg, it's usually a Chromia. In some cases, three or four Chromias. Easy pass on this group.

[Hellscream9999]

I couldn't tell from the stock photos, does anyone know if the mirage figure has a clear plastic legs/cockpit?

*edit, looks like its all dark grey, but that the tolerances weren't fixed

[TF-fan kev777]

Awesome, so Scrapface is a Decepticon, I was hoping so. Now for the next dilemma, do I want a full set of 3 for a 3rd camera, or will just 1 suffice? Leaning toward just 1 for now, and waiting out any possible sales/discounts on getting another 2.

[ThunderThruster]

All this talk of T30 or Siege Jetfire, and I'm sat here quite happy with the Classics Voyager.

and Decepticon Mirage is a unique repaint that looks enough like a new character for me to rename them Crash Test.

I've seen it mentioned elsewhere that someone was think of renaming him Deluge after the G2 version of the character, which fits: Colour scheme, alt-mode & Faction.

Also I'm still not over the fact that we're not only getting a new Hotlink from the awesome tetrajet mold, but also that they made his flamethrower into a Battlemaster/Battlemasters so he could finally have it, that's a genius way to include that accessory for him. Heatstroke is a really good name for a guy who turns into a flamethrower too, I love it on all accounts. I'm now only one Seeker away from getting the three I really wanted as tetrajets, show me a Sunstorm and I'm set (although you may as well finish the Welcoming Committee at that point, I suppose).

It is pretty cool. Debating on if I should get Thundercraker to fill in the role of Bitstream or wait and see if Hasbro give us a Bitstream.

[aronjlove]

People who attended Hasbro's event at the 2020 Toy Fair were given goody bags and in them was a deluxe from the upcoming exclusive Netflix Transformers series exclusive toyline. They are all Siege toys with different paint apps and each come with a cardboard piece to make Teletran One. Since they are all out in this way, it was not long for reviews to come in.

Below you will see a review of the entire first wave, done by RFC Reviews. These deluxes are Chromia, Scrapface, Sideswipe, Decepticon Disguise Mirage and Hound.



We also have a nice pictorial review of Chromia from Allspark with nice comparisons to the original. It is clear that this one looks better. However, it is still the Chromia toy so the improvement can only go so far.

Does anyone know the reasoning behind the removable crotch plate on Chromia/Nightbird. The stupid thing literally explodes away when trying to just twist the waist much less transform. The PotP version of these ladies don't have that and I know it is a different figure but dear God, why?

[Lore Keeper]

So, how does one get an invite to Toy Fair? In case I ever matter enough to make the cut. Gotta say, I'm totally jealous of everyone that got one of these goody bags.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Weird, for figures with more paint on them they forget to paint some side parts of sideswipe black - I'll wait for earthrise sideswipe anyhoos and hope the siege figures improved on in a few areas.

I'm not sure we'll get a Sideswipe in Earthrise, his Siege alt looks pretty earth mode already.

If it's on the packaging, they will come.

Jest aside, pretty sure we will otherwise sunstreaker will be bro less.

Wheeljack was on the SIEGE packaging, didn't get a figure til Earthrise. Also, bear in mind that the package art of pending characters doesn't reflect what the toys will look like - I'm pretty sure that Trailbreaker isn't going to be a reissue of his T30 toy, and that they're not going to stuff G1 Conehead toys into Earthrise packaging.

An Earthrise Sideswipe isn't needed, since this is all one trilogy and we already got a sufficiently Earthlike Sideswipe during SIEGE. Who is not exactly difficult to come by.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Does anyone know the reasoning behind the removable crotch plate on Chromia/Nightbird. The stupid thing literally explodes away when trying to just twist the waist much less transform. The PotP version of these ladies don't have that and I know it is a different figure but dear God, why?

With the current trends, it may be to make it easier to switch out molds for retools. Chromia's light blue parts such as the fists, upper arms, upper legs and waist, and the ankle tilts can easily be reused (if fact most were from Moonracer), while the other colors including the crotch plate are mainly for looks.

[blackeyedprime]

Weird, for figures with more paint on them they forget to paint some side parts of sideswipe black - I'll wait for earthrise sideswipe anyhoos and hope the siege figures improved on in a few areas.

I'm not sure we'll get a Sideswipe in Earthrise, his Siege alt looks pretty earth mode already.

If it's on the packaging, they will come.

Jest aside, pretty sure we will otherwise sunstreaker will be bro less.

Wheeljack was on the SIEGE packaging, didn't get a figure til Earthrise. Also, bear in mind that the package art of pending characters doesn't reflect what the toys will look like - I'm pretty sure that Trailbreaker isn't going to be a reissue of his T30 toy, and that they're not going to stuff G1 Conehead toys into Earthrise packaging.

An Earthrise Sideswipe isn't needed, since this is all one trilogy and we already got a sufficiently Earthlike Sideswipe during SIEGE. Who is not exactly difficult to come by.

Earthrise sideswipe is as much needed as smokescreen. But failing that, if they do a repainted blue sideswipe for second series of netlix there can be a Mr Birthday to go with Mr Strong

[Wolfman Jake]

I too think Sideswipe is fine as is with his Siege release. That alt mode looks more like a near future version of the Countache than an alien spacecar from millions of years ago. Hound is another that I feel fits the "already terrestrial enough" Siege alt mode. He legitimately looks like an earth-based military jeep in Siege. Smokescreen, Prowl, Bluestreak, and Barricade, on the other hand, look more stylized Siege, and so are harder to pass off as real Earth vehicles, especially the ones with translucent wheels and Cybertronian lettering. Giving them a redo makes a lot more sense than Sideswipe and Red Alert.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I too think Sideswipe is fine as is with his Siege release. That alt mode looks more like a near future version of the Countache than an alien spacecar from millions of years ago. Hound is another that I feel fits the "already terrestrial enough" Siege alt mode. He legitimately looks like an earth-based military jeep in Siege. Smokescreen, Prowl, Bluestreak, and Barricade, on the other hand, look more stylized Siege, and so are harder to pass off as real Earth vehicles, especially the ones with translucent wheels and Cybertronian lettering. Giving them a redo makes a lot more sense than Sideswipe and Red Alert.

Yeah, really.

The only thing that really sticks out is SIEGE Sideswipe lacks a spoiler. Even the windshield has the same profile.

[emlit]

Weird, for figures with more paint on them they forget to paint some side parts of sideswipe black - I'll wait for earthrise sideswipe anyhoos and hope the siege figures improved on in a few areas.

I'm not sure we'll get a Sideswipe in Earthrise, his Siege alt looks pretty earth mode already.

If it's on the packaging, they will come.

Jest aside, pretty sure we will otherwise sunstreaker will be bro less.

My major concern is having two bros whose alt modes look odd together. Whether one feels Sideswipe’s Siege vehicle was otherworldly or future Earth, neither interpretation will work with an 80s-style Countach look.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Okay I admit I'm being salty about Jetfire. But it's because I was looking forward to him quite a bit and I got a borderline cyberverse figure. To me, basically he's an oversized KO of a deluxe figure. The only way he looks good to me is in jet mode from overhead. He just has too many unjustified gaps in his jet mode for such an expensive figure. The robot mode looks better, but again, for that price, he's not good enough. The T30 figure looks sharper paint-wise and even though his jet mode isn't accurate it's still a better value for the price. I know a lot of you will disagree and that's fine. Remember, this is just an opinion, don't lose your mind over it.

Quoting this cause it seemed easiest with regards to Skyfire and Jetfire: I love Skyfire, but Jetfire remains one of my Top 5 all time favorites in my collection. That figure since day 1 has been a favorite, and i love him for all his greatness and shortcomings. His jet mode and mask are some of my favorite things about Transformers, and I think he is marvelous.

Also, now to go take some pics of Skyfire dropping bots into battle!

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Weird, for figures with more paint on them they forget to paint some side parts of sideswipe black - I'll wait for earthrise sideswipe anyhoos and hope the siege figures improved on in a few areas.

I'm not sure we'll get a Sideswipe in Earthrise, his Siege alt looks pretty earth mode already.

If it's on the packaging, they will come.

Jest aside, pretty sure we will otherwise sunstreaker will be bro less.

My major concern is having two bros whose alt modes look odd together. Whether one feels Sideswipe’s Siege vehicle was otherworldly or future Earth, neither interpretation will work with an 80s-style Countach look.

Except that it already looks like an '80s-style Countach, just without a spoiler. Did you not see the comparison pic?

[ZeroWolf]

We won't know till we see Sunstreaker. Best bet would be see how Sideswipe looks next to Wheeljack. I still think that those wishing for an Earthrise Sideswipe are just getting their hopes up over nothing. Better to downplay expectations then getting your hopes dashed against the rocks of reality.

[Ironhidensh]

Weird, for figures with more paint on them they forget to paint some side parts of sideswipe black - I'll wait for earthrise sideswipe anyhoos and hope the siege figures improved on in a few areas.

I'm not sure we'll get a Sideswipe in Earthrise, his Siege alt looks pretty earth mode already.

If it's on the packaging, they will come.

Jest aside, pretty sure we will otherwise sunstreaker will be bro less.

My major concern is having two bros whose alt modes look odd together. Whether one feels Sideswipe’s Siege vehicle was otherworldly or future Earth, neither interpretation will work with an 80s-style Countach look.

Except that it already looks like an '80s-style Countach, just without a spoiler. Did you not see the comparison pic?

Yes. They look nothing alike. Seige Sideswipe might pass for a modern super car, but not a Countach. The Countach was a unique and iconic car. Very little looks like it, or cars styled like it.

[emlit]

Weird, for figures with more paint on them they forget to paint some side parts of sideswipe black - I'll wait for earthrise sideswipe anyhoos and hope the siege figures improved on in a few areas.

I'm not sure we'll get a Sideswipe in Earthrise, his Siege alt looks pretty earth mode already.

If it's on the packaging, they will come.

Jest aside, pretty sure we will otherwise sunstreaker will be bro less.

My major concern is having two bros whose alt modes look odd together. Whether one feels Sideswipe’s Siege vehicle was otherworldly or future Earth, neither interpretation will work with an 80s-style Countach look.

Except that it already looks like an '80s-style Countach, just without a spoiler. Did you not see the comparison pic?

I did, although it wasn’t necessary. I own both. I just happen to not share that sentiment. There are absolute intentional design cues from the Countach for Siege Sideswipe, but it is most assuredly not to be confused with a vehicle from the 80s.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

You say that, and yet...
It has a silhouette near identical to an '80s Lamborghini Countach including the windshield, it has rear intake vents in the same places as an '80s Lamborghini Countach (albeit deviant in their specific design so lawyers don't make a fuss), it has a front end very much like that of an '80s Lamborghini Countach including the headlights...
The wheels aren't typical Lamborghini Countach wheels, but they look very much like Earth car wheels. AND an awful lot like the wheel modeled by the MP Collector's Coin: