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With a title like "Light Bringer", you may think the Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast has traveled into Westeros to talk about the chosen hero, but that's not the case! Host Scotty P is joined by Megatronus, RodimusConvoy13, Rotorstorm, and Tigertrack to combine into Unicron's doppelganger while breaking down the comic named after the Chaos Bringer.

Episode #203 "Light Bringer" is available directly and in our RSS Feed, and should appear on iTunes, Google Play, and Stitcher Radio within 24 to 48 hours of when you see this news post.

Here's what we talk about during this episode, including Unicron topics and other recent news and reveals:

• We open with some loose banter about Death's Head and his recent appearance in Marvel's Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk before moving into a quick chat about the last days of Scotty's local Toys R Us.
• Optimus Primal seems to have actually won the Game of Thrones.
  
  
• Someone's bold prediction for SDCC exclusives turns out to be half right! We discuss the surprising reissue G1 Dino Cassette SDCC exclusives, packaged with a not-so-surprising Studio Series Bumblebee.
• Generations Blast Off is a toy that we never really discussed much on the show, so it gets some time in the spotlight.
• While on the topic of Generations exclusives, Counterpunch and Repugnus also get a turn in the discussion.
• Dreams come true, as proven by the reveal of Takara Tomy'sEncore Unicron of Light.
  
  
• The second half of the show starts in on our comics discussion, beginning with Optimus Prime 20. As usual, we don't hold back on spoilers, so if you're not caught up on Transformers comics and don't want to be spoiled, look out for 1:10:15 - 2:18:20 in the audio.
• Unicron 1 has arrived, and it sure does look great! What does the cast think about the rest? Two words: sub club.
  
  
• Lost Light 19 is the first of two new issues of Lost Light that we have to discuss, showing how extra-spoiled Transformers fans have been over the past several weeks.
• Lost Light 20 rounds out the comics hour, as we salute one of the great achievements in recent Transformers comic book storytelling.
• Bragging Rights takes us to the end of another episode, with things looking partly Cloud-y with a dose of Brawn.

We'll be back in just about a week with all the latest from SDCC 2018! And those Siege announcements that happened the day after we recorded this one.

I needed something to listen to while I work so this is perfect. I'm really interested to hear what people thought of LL 18-20 as I read them the other day. I'll be sure to share my thoughts after I have a listen. Have a good one.

Folks were joking at one point about a Leader version of Bumblebee turning into a VW bus. If that happened maybe Dreadbot could get a toy?

RotorstormNZ wrote:Folks were joking at one point about a Leader version of Bumblebee turning into a VW bus. If that happened maybe Dreadbot could get a toy?

I'll be very surprised if there isn't a Dreadbot in Studio Series. It seems like such a layup!

One follow-up on Death's Head from the show's intro: there's a contextual clue on which DH it is, I just don't recall the referenced material well enough to say what conclusion it should lead to. https://twitter.com/chadbowers/status/1 ... 24737?s=19

ScottyP wrote:

RotorstormNZ wrote:Folks were joking at one point about a Leader version of Bumblebee turning into a VW bus. If that happened maybe Dreadbot could get a toy?

I'll be very surprised if there isn't a Dreadbot in Studio Series. It seems like such a layup!

One follow-up on Death's Head from the show's intro: there's a contextual clue on which DH it is, I just don't recall the referenced material well enough to say what conclusion it should lead to. https://twitter.com/chadbowers/status/1 ... 24737?s=19

That's a pretty badass mention Scotty!

It's definitely a modernized version of the original Death's Head, but I'm sure there's some story about how the intelligence / consciousness of DH III was implanted back into a remodel of his first form, or his DH III body gained shape shifting capabilities and this is how he imagines himself... or something.

megatronus wrote:

ScottyP wrote:

RotorstormNZ wrote:Folks were joking at one point about a Leader version of Bumblebee turning into a VW bus. If that happened maybe Dreadbot could get a toy?

I'll be very surprised if there isn't a Dreadbot in Studio Series. It seems like such a layup!

One follow-up on Death's Head from the show's intro: there's a contextual clue on which DH it is, I just don't recall the referenced material well enough to say what conclusion it should lead to. https://twitter.com/chadbowers/status/1 ... 24737?s=19

That's a pretty badass mention Scotty!

It's definitely a modernized version of the original Death's Head, but I'm sure there's some story about how the intelligence / consciousness of DH III was implanted back into a remodel of his first form, or his DH III body gained shape shifting capabilities and this is how he imagines himself... or something.

Yeah, and now I'm wondering if the DH that showed up in Black Bolt last year was this one, or if there's something else in between. We need a current Marvel Zombie to help!

Finally listening to things again, and I started here: some good stuff about Optimus and Unicron - particularly the former, and the work that Barber has done to erode OP in the same way that Megatron was raised to a higher standard - and I agree almost wholeheartedly with that.

There is only so much destruction of character you can do with someone like OP, but what Barber has done has been pretty impressive, shifting perspectives and bringing him closer (ish) to Prowl in things, and showing the flaws in a system that allowed him to rise to the top as leader. Multiple times.


I do like how some of the Hasbro Universe elements are feeding into the Unicron miniseries, though I hope it's kept very tight in terms of plotting and world-building, to allow for the story to be appreciated by fans who haven't been following the series since the very start. I know this is the ending for a lot of us too, but... we can get easter eggs and panels, the story doesn't have to be for the niche of hardcore readers and panelyzers (panel analyzers). To me, anyway.


EDIT: The whole Getaway thing you were all talking about was interesting, though I'm not sure I'm too keen on the empathic path taken with morally corrupt and genocidal characters (Megatron before, Getaway now). Still a hurdle for me.

I'm interested!

"Getaway said Hungrr was a retool of Silverbolt."

I passed a TRU last night with the sign still brightly lit last night, NecroStore!

I only went into a TRU once at thr end and it was Devastated, so ai didnt chexk out the other. Nothing for TFs, Lego was empty, one lone Pikachu plush left, and the Hot Wheels Picked through. I didnt go to TRU Religiously, but I went a fair bit, and it was heartbreaking

SixGun, you had to take him apart to make him into something.

Agreed on Optimal Optimus Primal.

Cliffjumper actually makes sense for those 3

Still want my Omega Supreme

Scorponok is a character though who is as common in stories as a normal sized dude as he is as a Base mode. I am pretty happy with Energon Scorpy and the not-quite-Black Zarak

We see Bee spit out the Cassette in the previews, I gotta imagine that someone at Hasbro said "Hey, Cassettes figure into Bee's speaking pattern. Lets use some Mini Cassettes."

"ooh! Yeah! Lets use some obscure Cassettes too and screw with people."

I am kinda boggled though, why are they different Factions?

There is a ThinkGeek in Greenwood near me.

Got me Repug, Nemy, and P/CP ordered. Hedging on Blast Off, but I will probably cave. I did put the 3p head and gun set on him.

I wish they'd flipped the Prime Masters so that Counterpunch came with Megatronus. Twincast Podcast in a box!

I love my Baldigus/Ruination, and he looks great with LG EX Black Convoy

I am excited for Repugnus, but I am partly expecting to be somewhat disappointed because of the similar torsos between all three. It makes a nice synergy, and they are all different enough from each other, but I am wondering if its different enough

The swords look like they go into wing positions. Sorta like the Universe figure.

The leg abdomen does overpower a bit, its the one sorta gimmie on that mold.

I think the fandom heard what they wanted to hear on the Cybertronian molds .

I am beyond thrilled with Counterpunch.

Agreed, the Club did a great job with the Sideswipe Sunstreaker mold, but thats an 11 year old mold.
There is no reused parts. But the rear wheels being so big compared to the fender well does evoke the sane vehicle mode of the CW Stunticons.

We have done enough weapon deployer Transformers recently, now would be a GREAT Time for Omnibots

And with Hasbro going to 12 month cycles, we have fewer holes in the wave to fill.

Unicron of Light: eh. Not my cup of tea, nice colors but not domething I need. but I am glad its out there for people who want it for their Micron Display. Why did it take so bloody long?

I still need the Amazon/2010 Unicron.

Gotta unplug there, guys and go back to work. Will be back for the Comics half.

ScottyP wrote:

RotorstormNZ wrote:Folks were joking at one point about a Leader version of Bumblebee turning into a VW bus. If that happened maybe Dreadbot could get a toy?

I'll be very surprised if there isn't a Dreadbot in Studio Series. It seems like such a layup!

I know, right? Now that we've seen the weathering/battle-damaging on WFC: Siege toys it makes Dreadbot a no-brainer. Also they can make official Bugs so surely....

ScottyP wrote:One follow-up on Death's Head from the show's intro

I'm looking for work and have a lot of free time, so I've been listening back through old episodes of the show between when I went on hobby hiatus til now...man, Seibertron Himself really loves Death's Head! I think I need to read some old comics or something because his displeasure at ROM being part of the Universe while Death's Head is with Marvel is incredible, and I just don't get it!

RotorstormNZ wrote:Folks were joking at one point about a Leader version of Bumblebee turning into a VW bus. If that happened maybe Dreadbot could get a toy?

If we get a Leader Bee, I want this:

RotorstormNZ wrote: I think I need to read some old comics or something because his displeasure at ROM being part of the Universe while Death's Head is with Marvel is incredible, and I just don't get it!

Death's Head started out as a Transformers character, it was just other (smart for his employer) shenanigans pulled by Furman that kept him solidly in the Marvel IP family. Obv that wasn't a problem until Marvel no longer had the TF license. Rom on the other hand had no direct history with Transformers that I know of. I've never read the old school Rom stuff because I refuse to use piracy sites, but I do hear it's good!

Rom in the IDWverse has been a big mixed bag for me. The galaxy spanning stuff with the other Solstar Knights, the connection with Prima first explored by the Annual, and even the creepy Sal Buscema back-up story in its last arc were great! But I think the rest suffered from the IDW Dire Wraiths being, to me, uncompelling one-note generic alien thing villains. Infesting hivemind threat isn't a threat. We've all seen that movie.

Picking up where I left off before Comics:

So if Starscream thinks Bumblebee talking to him was a hallucination, what happens to Screamer if he starts seeing Prime?

With Unicron, the only planet we see him next to that we have any context to is Cybertron. So how big is that?

I... Sorta have to disagree with Matt, and most of the Comics fans. I like when they started to make Prime a real person, I like when he questioned the Camien outlook of him as some Diety, but for Me, they've taken it too far. I feel like we've gone beyond the core of the character.

Arent most of those planets organic though? Maybe Shockwave couldnt poison them, or do ot in a way that would be absorbed into Unicron in the way consuni g a metal world would be?
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Thats a good point, I hadbt made the connection about Kimia and most pf the Mutineers not have been front line Autobots, so they still see the Balck/White nature of the war.

Swerve and Misfire was Gold!

Ratchet shot Bluestreak, the previous panel you see him holding the gun.

Still in 19: Going bwck to a previous Twincast, but I love the panel where they are barricading the doors and Fulcrum goes "Acid Vomit..." Like, "Acid Vomit? Why did ot have to be Acid Vomit?"


Could it be the Omega Guardians descending? Or, maybe its the Guiding Hand decsending from whatever realm was mentioned in 18 when Rodimus got zapped to the fake meeting.

Maybe Primus is the mentality Medieri is copying from?

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What is that thing Cutthroat does? Its Audio.

Write you guys in a week!

ScottyP wrote:Death's Head started out as a Transformers character...

Thanks Scotty, I really appreciate that run-down. It all makes sense now!

RotorstormNZ wrote:

ScottyP wrote:Death's Head started out as a Transformers character...

Thanks Scotty, I really appreciate that run-down. It all makes sense now!

Besides Death's head, there were a few characters that were initially dreamed up for Marvel TF, that Marvel Editors intervened and stuffed them into other media first so they could be "Marvel property" if and ultimately when Marvel and Hasbro parted ways. Circuit Breaker is another one you might have heard of. In her case though, the worst part is that Msrvel really didnt even use her

RotorstormNZ wrote:

ScottyP wrote:Death's Head started out as a Transformers character...

Thanks Scotty, I really appreciate that run-down. It all makes sense now!

If you ever have a rainy weekend, check out the Classics UK collections. Death's Head comes in during volumes 4 and 5 for some of the peak output of the run. It's really good, enough so that my patience for volume 6 completely disappated and I started buying singles off ebay. 260-something of 332 handled!

Flashwave wrote: With Unicron, the only planet we see him next to that we have any context to is Cybertron. So how big is that?

I... Sorta have to disagree with Matt, and most of the Comics fans. I like when they started to make Prime a real person, I like when he questioned the Camien outlook of him as some Diety, but for Me, they've taken it too far. I feel like we've gone beyond the core of the character.

Arent most of those planets organic though? Maybe Shockwave couldnt poison them, or do ot in a way that would be absorbed into Unicron in the way consuni g a metal world would be?

I think they put forth the idea that Unicron is growing with each consumed world, but maybe that was in an interview. I also feel like Milne wouldn't draw his bot mode holding Earth like he did if he couldn't actually do so. However, I think if one were to ask Barber, Unicron is probably "whatever size the story needs him to be", which is the answer for "how far away is <planet> from <other planet>?" and things like that.

I don't feel like they ever got away from OP being just another dude. Sure, they sprinkle doubt, but then take it away just as frequently. The current OP, to me, seems like Stressed Out Manager That Just Wanted Y'all To Run This Thing While He Went On Vacation.

Finally, that's very good speculation on Shockwave. Maybe it was one of the goals of Regenesis and he never got far enough? Hard to tell what was done by the "original" Shockwave vs the time-looped one.

william-james88 wrote:I know I may have said before that I am more into the toys than the comics for TFs (and thus more into toy talk than comic talk), but with me being so invested in the comics right now, with everything coming to a head, I am so happy to have this podcast to listen to. Really glad you guys take the time with the comics, which are a great part of the TF franchise and probably my favourite TF narrative this side of beast wars.

I was lookign through the Unicron book while listening, looking for Thunderhoof and Steeljaw's corpses but I could not find them. Could one of you please tell me which panelyou found those characters in?

First, thank you for the affirming comments on the comics content. Very appreciated my friend!

Thunderhoof is on the floor collapsed on the top panel of page 6. The word "The" of the "The Sea of Rust. Cybertron." caption is just below his head. Steeljaw is below him and very difficult to see, I found it easier to find his shoulder under the right side of Thunderhoof's horn. Barely there, but there as a little Easter Egg! I don't take any of those apprarances too seriously though. For instance, Prowl (I think?) already killed Drancron, who is then again seen in the battle scene on pages 5-6 of Unicron #1. That same scene has two versions of Beast Wars Megatron on it! Makes me wish this was leading to a "Phase 4" with Beast Wars material.

william-james88 wrote:I see where the problem lies, I thought you guys were referring to Unicron 1, but it was the Optimus Prime issue instead.

Another question, its hard to make out in the audio, what did you say Casey Coller most likely uses to get such nice clean lines?

Rulers.

Not sure that's what they said on the ep, but that's what he uses!

Va'al wrote:

william-james88 wrote:I see where the problem lies, I thought you guys were referring to Unicron 1, but it was the Optimus Prime issue instead.

Another question, its hard to make out in the audio, what did you say Casey Coller most likely uses to get such nice clean lines?

Rulers.

Not sure that's what they said on the ep, but that's what he uses!

Yep, that's what I mentioned

ScottyP wrote:

Va'al wrote:

william-james88 wrote:I see where the problem lies, I thought you guys were referring to Unicron 1, but it was the Optimus Prime issue instead.

Another question, its hard to make out in the audio, what did you say Casey Coller most likely uses to get such nice clean lines?

Rulers.

Not sure that's what they said on the ep, but that's what he uses!

Yep, that's what I mentioned

Noice. I did listen, I just forgotted.

Only a few mintues in and already liken it