The Energon Pub

After our monster New York Toy Fair Episode, we took a break from the toys to bring you an all Comics, TV, and Games episode of the Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast! Hosted by ScottyP, this episode also includes Seibertron, Razorclaw0000, and recurring special guest star, Starscream/Paul from Ript Apparel.

Episode #138 "#^@!( Off Megatron" is available directly and in our RSS Feed and should appear on iTunes, and Stitcher Radio within 24 to 48 hours of when you see this news post.

After a brief catch up, we took a hard look at episodes 3, 4, and 5 as part of Beast Wars 20th Anniversary Rewatch. First up, we dive into the Cheetor-heavy episode, "The Web". At least one of us on the show got to watch this episode with Kup in 1996 and will tell you all what that was like!



Next up, we dive into the - bear with us - Cheetor-heavy episode, "Equal Measures".



In our final Beast Wars re-watch episode for this show, we tackle the first big "world building" episode, "Chain of Command".



With Beast Wars tackled, we turn our attention comics - wishing the teams at IDW a heartfelt congratulations on Transformers #50 and More Than Meets The Eye #50. For the spoiler-heavy discussion to follow, we discuss some of the revelations, future directions for both comics, and reflect on how the books have evolved over the last few years. You can also check out Dr Va'al's excellent reviews of More Than Meets The Eye #50 and Transformers #50 to go with the discussion. If you're a trade-paperback only reader, you'll want to jump to about the one hour and twenty-five minute mark to avoid being completely spoiled in regards to these issues.





After this, it's the return, for a while, of toy talk as we look at the upcoming Takara Masterpiece Delta Magnus as well as recent releases Hot Rodimus and (in a bit of playing catch-up) Ironhide. Tune in to hear what we think of these latest attempts to create definitive toys of these Generation One characters.



Recent news has revealed that the Transformers Collectors' Club and Botcon, as we know them in their current forms, will end as of this year. The Twincast team shares their thoughts on these developments within.



In our last discussion of the night, we bid farewell to Transformers: Battle Tactics and welcome in Transformers: Earth Wars from Space Ape.



To close out the show, we have a few "bragging" rights. Following up on News Crew Member william-james88's Top 10 Worst Transformer Toys of All Time, the cast shares some of the guilty pleasures or shameful holdouts in their collection. What awful toys lurk on each of our shelves?



Don't forget, the show only gets better if you tell us how. Drop us a review on iTunes and be sure to tell us what you love, what you hate, and what you want to hear!

Not on the show to give your take? Probably not, so don't forget to keep the discussion going on the Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums by simply replying to this post!

Got a question for the Twincast? We take all of them, we just don't take them all seriously! Leave a question in the Ask the Twincast thread and, if it makes the cut, it may get read and answered on the show.

Topic has been moved to a public forum! Post away my friends! Sorry I forgot to move the topic last night.

I don't get the hate for Universe Galvatron... Sure, he should be a voyager and he has some balance issues, but otherwise I think it's a solid figure. Both modes look solid and I enjoy the transformation. It's no more fiddly than a movie toy. And blows away the **** they've been putting out the last 3 years or so. I'll be curious to see if the new Galvatron is actually an improvement...he has the accurate alt mode working in his favor, but I'm expecting them to go modern Hasbro on the design and make it halfass, hollow, and with wonky proportions.

Kibble wrote:I don't get the hate for Universe Galvatron... Sure, he should be a voyager and he has some balance issues, but otherwise I think it's a solid figure. Both modes look solid and I enjoy the transformation. It's no more fiddly than a movie toy. And blows away the SHIZZLESNIT they've been putting out the last 3 years or so. I'll be curious to see if the new Galvatron is actually an improvement...he has the accurate alt mode working in his favor, but I'm expecting them to go modern Hasbro on the design and make it halfass, hollow, and with wonky proportions.

To each their own, you know, but I just never liked that toy very much. I don't think I ever transformed my clear version more than once, and may have never transformed my Challenge at Cybertron one. None of mine hold together real well in robot mode either. I suppose the opinion of it gets clouded somewhat as well because it was a super-flawed figure from an era where most of the Classics styled releases were extremely good.

ScottyP wrote:

Kibble wrote:I don't get the hate for Universe Galvatron... Sure, he should be a voyager and he has some balance issues, but otherwise I think it's a solid figure. Both modes look solid and I enjoy the transformation. It's no more fiddly than a movie toy. And blows away the SHIZZLESNIT they've been putting out the last 3 years or so. I'll be curious to see if the new Galvatron is actually an improvement...he has the accurate alt mode working in his favor, but I'm expecting them to go modern Hasbro on the design and make it halfass, hollow, and with wonky proportions.

To each their own, you know, but I just never liked that toy very much. I don't think I ever transformed my clear version more than once, and may have never transformed my Challenge at Cybertron one. None of mine hold together real well in robot mode either. I suppose the opinion of it gets clouded somewhat as well because it was a super-flawed figure from an era where most of the Classics styled releases were extremely good.

That's an awful lot of it. It's such a stinker amongst an amazeballs set of figures. I've got four(five?) copies of that mold (U2.0, Henkei, Challenge, Ehobby, all but the specialists pack) and everyone is utter ****. There are so many individually awful spots in the transformation it is as joyless as the most joyless movie toy ever made. The new one looks to be an apology and love letter to make up for the U2.0 version.

Razorclaw0000 wrote:

ScottyP wrote:

Kibble wrote:I don't get the hate for Universe Galvatron... Sure, he should be a voyager and he has some balance issues, but otherwise I think it's a solid figure. Both modes look solid and I enjoy the transformation. It's no more fiddly than a movie toy. And blows away the SHIZZLESNIT they've been putting out the last 3 years or so. I'll be curious to see if the new Galvatron is actually an improvement...he has the accurate alt mode working in his favor, but I'm expecting them to go modern Hasbro on the design and make it halfass, hollow, and with wonky proportions.

To each their own, you know, but I just never liked that toy very much. I don't think I ever transformed my clear version more than once, and may have never transformed my Challenge at Cybertron one. None of mine hold together real well in robot mode either. I suppose the opinion of it gets clouded somewhat as well because it was a super-flawed figure from an era where most of the Classics styled releases were extremely good.

That's an awful lot of it. It's such a stinker amongst an amazeballs set of figures. I've got four(five?) copies of that mold (U2.0, Henkei, Challenge, Ehobby, all but the specialists pack) and everyone is utter SHIZZLESNIT. There are so many individually awful spots in the transformation it is as joyless as the most joyless movie toy ever made. The new one looks to be an apology and love letter to make up for the U2.0 version.

By all means, pile on the hate! I remember transforming him as soon as I ripped him out of the package and thinking: WTF? He didn't hold together, pieces kept popping off him, and the whole experience was just unpleasant.

I'm not sure I'll like the new one better though. The flip-out crest kind of hurts the headmaster gimmick - at least Blaster's and Soundwave's helmets don't hurt the articulation any. Plus, the way the treads adhere to his shoulders seems similar to what Fort Max has going on, but not in a charming or attractive way. As long as he's half-way posable, I'll be satisfied, but I don't see getting rid of my UT Galvy anytime soon.

RE: MP Ironhide's hip flaps

Its worth pointing out that the screenshot you guys were talking about was a photoshop job. The cartoon never had the flaps, some yahoo made that screenshot and posted it around Facebook. It's not real.

Admittedly, it's been a while since I've transformed Universe Galvatron, but I don't recall it being THAT fiddly or fragile. I think the arm could tend to pop off, but I never really had much problem with it otherwise. True, most the figures coming out in that era were knocking it out of the park...but especially compared to the junk coming out now, I just don't get how people can still be that put off by it. These days, even the best figures they put out you have to look past various flaws and compromises. If the arm popping off now and then when transforming Galvatron is the worst of it, I'll take it all day long. If he was released in the last 3 years, he would easily be in my top 5 Generations style figures during that stretch.

Kibble wrote:Admittedly, it's been a while since I've transformed Universe Galvatron, but I don't recall it being THAT fiddly or fragile. I think the arm could tend to pop off, but I never really had much problem with it otherwise. True, most the figures coming out in that era were knocking it out of the park...but especially compared to the junk coming out now, I just don't get how people can still be that put off by it. These days, even the best figures they put out you have to look past various flaws and compromises. If the arm popping off now and then when transforming Galvatron is the worst of it, I'll take it all day long. If he was released in the last 3 years, he would easily be in my top 5 Generations style figures during that stretch.

With what criteria are you grading certain figures? Is Galvatron better than the more recent Generations/Combiner Wars figures, in your mind, due to complexity? Are you equating simple with bad and complex with good? Are you just turned off by some of the recent figures due to size, hollowness, or some other aesthetic hallmarks of recent releases?

I look at some of the more recent Generations deluxes - Armada Starscream, Nightbeat, and Waspinator come to mind - and think, 'wow, these are way better than most Universe releases.' Even some CW figures, like Offroad, Rook, and a few of the jets are real winners in my book, even with their warts.

Going back to Classics/Universe, standouts like the Bumblebee, Sideswipe, and Prowl molds are alright, but they are flawed in their own ways. I think Cyclonus is probably the best Universe deluxe of them all, but even he has trouble holding together in alt mode (EDIT: make that Hound - I think Hound wins).

What I'm trying to get at, returning to my original point, is that affection for a given era often comes down to subjective aesthetic preferences. I'd like to figure out what yours are so I can square it with your love for 2.0 Galvatron.

jamesbenjamin wrote:RE: MP Ironhide's hip flaps

Its worth pointing out that the screenshot you guys were talking about was a photoshop job. The cartoon never had the flaps, some yahoo made that screenshot and posted it around Facebook. It's not real.

I removed the hip panels from my Ironhide. I like him so much better that way.

megatronus wrote:With what criteria are you grading certain figures? Is Galvatron better than the more recent Generations/Combiner Wars figures, in your mind, due to complexity? Are you equating simple with bad and complex with good? Are you just turned off by some of the recent figures due to size, hollowness, or some other aesthetic hallmarks of recent releases?

I look at some of the more recent Generations deluxes - Armada Starscream, Nightbeat, and Waspinator come to mind - and think, 'wow, these are way better than most Universe releases.' Even some CW figures, like Offroad, Rook, and a few of the jets are real winners in my book, even with their warts.

Going back to Classics/Universe, standouts like the Bumblebee, Sideswipe, and Prowl molds are alright, but they are flawed in their own ways. I think Cyclonus is probably the best Universe deluxe of them all, but even he has trouble holding together in alt mode (EDIT: make that Hound - I think Hound wins).

What I'm trying to get at, returning to my original point, is that affection for a given era often comes down to subjective aesthetic preferences. I'd like to figure out what yours are so I can square it with your love for 2.0 Galvatron.

Pretty much anything in the Classics/Generations genre from FOC figures on. Combiner Wars...mostly suck. They're all the same figure reshelled...and not exactly using a very clever transformation scheme over and over. That leg transformation is lame.

Armada Starscream is okay, I suppose, but I'm not too crazed over that period. Galvatron probably gains some points because he's Galatron and IMO, looks great in bot mode. I don't do Beast Wars so I don't have an opinion on Waspinator. I didn't buy Nightbeat...but he's the Bumblebee repaint, isn't he? I dunno, that wave of figures was actually decent. Orion Pax, Megatron, and Bumblebee. I didn't buy Bumblebee, but the other two were decent so I wouldn't be surprised if the BB mold was good too.

The figures I really like since FOC: Metroplex, he's just awesome...and size probably factors in big there. And then Cosmos...even better than the 3rd Party release. After that, there are figures I like, but they pretty much all have compromises and faults. Jetfire...nice toon G1 head, better size than the Classics. But no wrist or ankle articulation and he's hollow. Ultra Magnus I like, but he's another cheap, hollow design. Arcee, great G1 insprication, decently accurate...the figure doesn't easily or firmly go into and stay together in alt mode. I dunno...I pretty much hate the transformations that heavily use tabs to hold the figure together and most the designs nowadays seem to use it. I don't know if that's because the budgets went to crap and that's what they're stuck with or if it's due to the change in design teams or what. Probably budget a lot of the time, though...like Evasion mode Prime. Great design...pretty mediocre figure. The OS KO by Wei Jiang...that thing is fantastic! The actual Hasbro release, though...I can't put it in the top 5 of the last few years because, well, the figure is pretty half-ass due to all the cheap-outs.

jamesbenjamin wrote:RE: MP Ironhide's hip flaps

Its worth pointing out that the screenshot you guys were talking about was a photoshop job. The cartoon never had the flaps, some yahoo made that screenshot and posted it around Facebook. It's not real.

I could be mad, but I'm not, that's amazing.

Your screename is just as surreal as one of my best friends is named "Benjamin James", but he's really not into Transformers. It just caught me off guard, I had a brief moment of "What's Ben doing in the Seibertrons!?"

ScottyP wrote:

jamesbenjamin wrote:RE: MP Ironhide's hip flaps

Its worth pointing out that the screenshot you guys were talking about was a photoshop job. The cartoon never had the flaps, some yahoo made that screenshot and posted it around Facebook. It's not real.

I could be mad, but I'm not, that's amazing.

Your screename is just as surreal as one of my best friends is named "Benjamin James", but he's really not into Transformers. It just caught me off guard, I had a brief moment of "What's Ben doing in the Seibertrons!?"

Ha! Strange. Not me, though. I'm in Seattle and have no good friends named Scott.

jamesbenjamin wrote:

ScottyP wrote:

jamesbenjamin wrote:RE: MP Ironhide's hip flaps

Its worth pointing out that the screenshot you guys were talking about was a photoshop job. The cartoon never had the flaps, some yahoo made that screenshot and posted it around Facebook. It's not real.

I could be mad, but I'm not, that's amazing.

Your screename is just as surreal as one of my best friends is named "Benjamin James", but he's really not into Transformers. It just caught me off guard, I had a brief moment of "What's Ben doing in the Seibertrons!?"

Ha! Strange. Not me, though. I'm in Seattle and have no good friends named Scott.

Do you at least have some good enemies names Scott?

So people know, the custom class this year is for CW Bluestreak.

Also, if anyone is wondering what is coming next for Botcon type events, word on the street is Hasbro wants to reapropriate this event and do it themselves. It will be more family friendly (LOTS more money that way) with them using the Star Wars Celebration as a blueprint. I am sure it will still be fun for fans (Star Wars fans love Star Wars Celebration) but there will be more activities geared towards kids. They definitely aim to turn the event in a type of attraction that way.

megatronus wrote:

Razorclaw0000 wrote:

ScottyP wrote:To each their own, you know, but I just never liked that toy very much. I don't think I ever transformed my clear version more than once, and may have never transformed my Challenge at Cybertron one. None of mine hold together real well in robot mode either. I suppose the opinion of it gets clouded somewhat as well because it was a super-flawed figure from an era where most of the Classics styled releases were extremely good.

That's an awful lot of it. It's such a stinker amongst an amazeballs set of figures. I've got four(five?) copies of that mold (U2.0, Henkei, Challenge, Ehobby, all but the specialists pack) and everyone is utter SHIZZLESNIT. There are so many individually awful spots in the transformation it is as joyless as the most joyless movie toy ever made. The new one looks to be an apology and love letter to make up for the U2.0 version.

By all means, pile on the hate! I remember transforming him as soon as I ripped him out of the package and thinking: WTF? He didn't hold together, pieces kept popping off him, and the whole experience was just unpleasant.

I'm not sure I'll like the new one better though. The flip-out crest kind of hurts the headmaster gimmick - at least Blaster's and Soundwave's helmets don't hurt the articulation any. Plus, the way the treads adhere to his shoulders seems similar to what Fort Max has going on, but not in a charming or attractive way. As long as he's half-way posable, I'll be satisfied, but I don't see getting rid of my UT Galvy anytime soon.

Just curious, do every single one of these galvatron redecos have that issue with the arm popping off? I think the design and transformation is good, but the execution suffers so bad. I hate that arm popping off so much and I greatly dislike all that kibble round the legs.

Also, thanks for mentionning my list Scotty

Finally, finally got round to listening to this!

OutBarbering is now a thing. I will make sure of that.

TF:

The comment about 'he thinks he's Optimus' is a particularly intriguing one, and something I'll keep pondering on for sure. There is that moral areas that Prowl tends to inhabit too, about 'but it's for the greater good' - whatever that good is.

Titans Return stuff, perhaps another parallel with Dark Cybertron arc/prophecy resurfacing too? The 'whole' thing we had was from Scoop, in xRID 26:

A fretful sky
An absent sun
A distant heat
A deathly hand
City against city
While the planet turns from gold to gray
And gray to black
No yesterday
No tomorrow
Just an everlasting now
Fleeting and forever
Circle, cycle, scythe.
And the six-sided architect
Freethinking
Unblinking
Holds the fate of all things
In the palm of his hand.

We had also seen this bit, I cannot remember from where but the same DC arc:

He shall arrive with a Titan; and adorned the Titan will be in Metal Black.
And He shall arrive and stand alone while not alone; and time will rust and stars shall scream.
And the symbol of the uncreator shall be clear, and his gaze shall unravel the Legacy of Primus.

What we get now is the addition of:

And he shall stand alone but not alone.
Thus shall the adversary rise.
A black star.
Unstopped and unstoppable.


I do not know what to make of it, so far. Other than the Megatron/Optimus flip.


The drop-in of Tidal Wave and Sins of the Wreckers leads me to the same wider question: will we have any actual repercussion of Sins in either of the main two?



As for the recognition, isn't it just amazing what the Barber-led IDW team have done?
I am so very excited about it all. The current stable of TF writers and artists is that level of people who have grown up with TF since they started getting into the fiction and toys, as much of the interviews we've been doing for the site have shown!

[A note on graphic novel vs comic book: comics is the medium, comic book is not necessarily 'childish', graphic novel is mostly a marketing ploy, though is essentially a novel in comics medium. My doctorate compels me to say so. ]

MTMTE:

YES! Where are the old bad guys?! I mean, we've seen the symbol that Skids saw show up again a number of times now, but I'm expecting something to happen. Probably after this arc, though.

If Tarn is a goner - will someone else step in for the DJD? Other than Deathsaurus, I mean.

This is a good comment on the drug issue: idw-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-50-discussion-thread-t106173s50.php#p1772274


Rung: Key to Vector Sigma? Nah, Mark of the Uncreator.




(Obviously some of the questions raised here are answered in #51 (and there are more letters sent in, too) but yeah.)