The Energon Pub

[sol magnus]

Well, on a related note, designer Mark Maher has weighed in on his intent behind this figure's design:

I felt honored to finally be able to make Bulkhead look like he belongs in our G1 universe!

As if there was something wrong with Bulkhead's design fitting into a G1 world in the first place. What, are fat rounded TFs not allowed in G1?

Makes me almost wish we could see what a Floro Dery take on Bulkhead might look like, since he designed a number of big bulbous dudes like the Guardian Robots and the Sharkticons. If those guys can exist, then so can Bulkhead without putting him through such a weight loss regimen.

I like him. looking forward to Knockout g1-iffied.

[AcademyofDrX]

I've just noticed that the EAN code lists the Voyager Soundwave as "S Soundwave (repack)", when the massive leak from TFW with the case breakdowns last month claimed it was a new Prime Soundwave. I take it from this list of EAN codes that Legacy Soundwave will just be a re-release of Netflix Soundwave (or perhaps just the original Siege Soundwave) after all. What a shame.

I'm not sure that PR actually stands for "Package Refresh." There is at least one truncated (rather than abbreviated) description in the list: Armada Starscream. One of the Optimus listings ends in "T," which might be a code, or might be the only letter of a truncated word. Both of those listings are 63 characters long, which may be the maximum possible in the source. The length of the Soundwave PR listing? 63 characters. That could be "Prime" truncated rather than indicating a package refresh. I don't know, though, this is all speculation.

Edit to clarify: I am going by the raw text posted at other sites. I don't know why Seibertron's text is different.
"Transformers Generation Legacy Evolution Voyager S Soundwave Pr"

[-Kanrabat-]

If Bulkhead have been "geewunified" and this is the result, I swear to God if "Prime Arcee" is just a repaint of ER Arcee with a new head...

[AcademyofDrX]

The TFW leaker Apollux says that he's very happy with what he's seen, and moreover the Road Rocket leak suggests a girl bike design is coming.

[Asepticon]

I am not mad at all. I'm very happy that they are finally making figures that I don't feel like I need. I'm really looking forward to saving the money. Thanks for the break, Hasbro

[Sabrblade]

If Bulkhead have been "geewunified" and this is the result, I swear to God if "Prime Arcee" is just a repaint of ER Arcee with a new head...

Watch Knock Out be similarly unrecognizable other than his head.

[Sabrblade]

Essentially, Bulkhead is a character with a very specific design that breaks away from the traditional "ideal physique" that so many other TFs have. He's basically the most recognized representation of a person of size interpreted as a Transformer.

This new design, which is meant to "make Bulkhead look like he belongs in [the] G1 universe", removes any and all traces of his overweight appearance and reshapes him to have that more traditional "ideal physique" shared by so many other bots, with longer legs, a broad chest, and all-around Superman-esque proportions. The guy best known for being fat and stocky (which we love about him) is no longer fat and stocky. Because he wasn't "G1 enough". That has very unfortunate implications regarding what is and isn't considered "appropriate" for Transformer physiques, G1 or otherwise.

We have female Transformers, we have Transformers of different ethnic influences, why can't we let the most notable person-of-size-Transformer remain a person-of-size-Transformer?

[Wolfman Jake]

If Bulkhead have been "geewunified" and this is the result, I swear to God if "Prime Arcee" is just a repaint of ER Arcee with a new head...

Watch Knock Out be similarly unrecognizable other than his head.

Knock Out is rumored to be a reshell of SS86 Jazz, more or less.

[Sabrblade]

If Bulkhead have been "geewunified" and this is the result, I swear to God if "Prime Arcee" is just a repaint of ER Arcee with a new head...

Watch Knock Out be similarly unrecognizable other than his head.

Knock Out is rumored to be a reshell of SS86 Jazz, more or less.

Well, there we go.

[Wolfman Jake]

Essentially, Bulkhead is a character with a very specific design that breaks away from the traditional "ideal physique" that so many other TFs have. He's basically the most recognized representation of a person of size interpreted as a Transformer.

This new design, which is meant to "make Bulkhead look like he belongs in [the] G1 universe", removes any and all traces of his overweight appearance and reshapes him to have that more traditional "ideal physique" shared by so many other bots, with longer legs, a broad chest, and all-around Superman-esque proportions. The guy best known for being fat and stocky (which we love about him) is no longer fat and stocky. Because he wasn't "G1 enough". That has very unfortunate implications regarding what is and isn't considered "appropriate" for Transformer physiques, G1 or otherwise.

We have female Transformers, we have Transformers of different ethnic influences, why can't we let the most notable person-of-size-Transformer remain a person-of-size-Transformer?

Bulkhead is just less round fat and more boxy fat in this Legacy figure. He’s rockin’ a dad bod with a beer gut and moobs. People put on weight in different ways. A lot of men fill out the gut and chest first before the extremities. “G1 Bulkhead” is still quite bulky, but not in an ideal superhero physique sort of way, but a middle aged man whose metabolism is slowing down sort of way.

[sol magnus]

If Bulkhead have been "geewunified" and this is the result, I swear to God if "Prime Arcee" is just a repaint of ER Arcee with a new head...

Watch Knock Out be similarly unrecognizable other than his head.

Where am I posting that these things keep repeating what I posted? Is there another legacy thread?

RE: Bulkhead, Knock Out whoever else from Prime -


The way I see it, Hasbro just made two more sales that they essentially didn't have, because I'm not buying the same aesthetic figure I already have from a dead show. Prime as a 'thing' is dead. It's not coming back. All those toys are still out there and of course, they're great representations of THAT. But Hasbro has finally copped to the idea of across the board consistency of appearance for their characters, and of course, G1 is the most ubiquitous form of that. So yeah, I'm getting Bulkhead when I thought I wasn't. Knock Out will be in the same boat. That's another 55 dollars I planned NOT to spend all because these guys can fit in with the guys I've been buying for the last three years.

Aside from that, I DO understand the disappointment, and even feel like maybe they could have made him somewhat more evocative of the original source material, but since it's all GEEWUN now, I'm happy as a pig in ----.

Bulkhead is just less round fat and more boxy fat in this Legacy figure. He’s rockin’ a dad bod with a beer gut and moobs. People put on weight in different ways. A lot of men fill out the gut and chest first before the extremities. “G1 Bulkhead” is still quite bulky, but not in an ideal superhero physique sort of way, but a middle aged man whose metabolism is slowing down sort of way.

Yeah! "Dad Bod Bulkhead." I think many of us can identify with that! And no fat shaming to boot! WIN

[Nemesis Primal]

I've just noticed that the EAN code lists the Voyager Soundwave as "S Soundwave (repack)", when the massive leak from TFW with the case breakdowns last month claimed it was a new Prime Soundwave. I take it from this list of EAN codes that Legacy Soundwave will just be a re-release of Netflix Soundwave (or perhaps just the original Siege Soundwave) after all. What a shame.

Just some things I wanted to point out.

I think there was some confusion online with the listings. The Legacy Soundwave is listed as Soundwave PR. PR means Pack Refresh, meaning it's not a new toy. And we see this come up for a few others. But I think some leakers saw that PR devoid of context and that's how we got the rumours of a PRime Soundwave coming. And now we can see, that's not the case.

If I'm remembering right from what I've witnessed, the history of the Soundwave listing has been as follows:
-Big Target leak happens, there's a Soundwave PR listed, people assume that means a rerelease of the Netflix figure and leakers neither confirm nor deny explicitly, but do confirm that that is what PR stands for by saying Galvatron is supposed to be a rerelease
-Listings show up from a different system that that label both Soundwave and Galvatron as Prime rather than PR, some people run with Prime Soundwave despite the Galvatron one seemingly indicating that it's a mistake (since there was never a named Galvatron in Prime), at least one leaker admits to have seen both indications that the Netflix mold is getting used but also the Prime Soundwave title, so now we have people expecting a reissue, people expecting a new Prime design, and people expecting the Netflix figure in Prime colors or something
-EAN codes show up yesterday now listing him as S Soundwave PR, further reinforcing that it's probably just a rerelease, although the S might mean it's actually Siege Soundwave and not the Netflix one, but because of the one outlier listing people start going "but I though it was supposed to be Prime Soundwave?"

I'm not sure that PR actually stands for "Package Refresh." There is at least one truncated (rather than abbreviated) description in the list: Armada Starscream. One of the Optimus listings ends in "T," which might be a code, or might be the only letter of a truncated word. Both of those listings are 63 characters long, which may be the maximum possible in the source. The length of the Soundwave PR listing? 63 characters. That could be "Prime" truncated rather than indicating a package refresh. I don't know, though, this is all speculation.

Edit to clarify: I am going by the raw text posted at other sites. I don't know why Seibertron's text is different.
"Transformers Generation Legacy Evolution Voyager S Soundwave Pr"

If PR stands for Prime and not Package Refresh, then what's the deal with Galvatron and, to a lesser extent, the Core Soundwave and Optimus?

[Seibertron]

Skids looks off as well. Doesn't look like he has pins for wheels either.

Pinned rear, clipped front. At least the clips at the front are doing the Hoist thing where they've put 5mm ports in as well.

Interesting that the diorama pics and the CG renders show different rear wheels. I knew I wasn't going crazy. The CG wheels have clips.

[william-james88]

I've just noticed that the EAN code lists the Voyager Soundwave as "S Soundwave (repack)", when the massive leak from TFW with the case breakdowns last month claimed it was a new Prime Soundwave. I take it from this list of EAN codes that Legacy Soundwave will just be a re-release of Netflix Soundwave (or perhaps just the original Siege Soundwave) after all. What a shame.

I'm not sure that PR actually stands for "Package Refresh." There is at least one truncated (rather than abbreviated) description in the list: Armada Starscream. One of the Optimus listings ends in "T," which might be a code, or might be the only letter of a truncated word. Both of those listings are 63 characters long, which may be the maximum possible in the source. The length of the Soundwave PR listing? 63 characters. That could be "Prime" truncated rather than indicating a package refresh. I don't know, though, this is all speculation.

Edit to clarify: I am going by the raw text posted at other sites. I don't know why Seibertron's text is different.
"Transformers Generation Legacy Evolution Voyager S Soundwave Pr"

I changed it because the number 1 question asked all the time is "what does Pr mean".
That listing, as is, means that it is a repack. "Prime" is seen several times in the listings and is never abbreviated. Whether the listing is right or wrong, I don't know, but that's what it is at the moment.

[Tuned Agent]

The way I see it, Hasbro just made two more sales that they essentially didn't have, because I'm not buying the same aesthetic figure I already have from a dead show.

I'm glad someone likes them and will buy them, but Hasbro has also lost a lot of sales they would have had if they had been faithful updates, mine included.

Prime as a 'thing' is dead. It's not coming back.

So were G1 and Beast Wars, before Hasbro brought them back.

All those toys are still out there and of course, they're great representations of THAT.

Except for some of them, like Knockout. He never had a good representation of THAT, and I think he deserves THAT before he gets watered down for G1 fans.

[sol magnus]

The way I see it, Hasbro just made two more sales that they essentially didn't have, because I'm not buying the same aesthetic figure I already have from a dead show.

I'm glad someone likes them and will buy them, but Hasbro has also lost a lot of sales they would have had if they had been faithful updates, mine included.

Prime as a 'thing' is dead. It's not coming back.

So were G1 and Beast Wars, before Hasbro brought them back.

All those toys are still out there and of course, they're great representations of THAT.

Except for some of them, like Knockout. He never had a good representation of THAT, and I think he deserves THAT before he gets watered down for G1 fans.

I didn't think Knock Out was all that terrible, but okay.

[Sentinel_Primal]

The way I see it, Hasbro just made two more sales that they essentially didn't have, because I'm not buying the same aesthetic figure I already have from a dead show.

I'm glad someone likes them and will buy them, but Hasbro has also lost a lot of sales they would have had if they had been faithful updates, mine included.

Prime as a 'thing' is dead. It's not coming back.

So were G1 and Beast Wars, before Hasbro brought them back.

All those toys are still out there and of course, they're great representations of THAT.

Except for some of them, like Knockout. He never had a good representation of THAT, and I think he deserves THAT before he gets watered down for G1 fans.

I didn't think Knock Out was all that terrible, but okay.

And I didn't think the CW Stunticons were all that terrible, but they're getting redone anyway. Same with T30 Skids. Or Classics Prime. Or Classics Megatron. Or T30 Cosmos. So why shouldn't Knock Out and Bulkhead get PROPER updates if SKIDS, COSMOS, and the STUNTICONS can? Why do they have to be forcibly contorted into a universe that was dead for 20 years before Hasbro brought it back?

[sol magnus]

The way I see it, Hasbro just made two more sales that they essentially didn't have, because I'm not buying the same aesthetic figure I already have from a dead show.

I'm glad someone likes them and will buy them, but Hasbro has also lost a lot of sales they would have had if they had been faithful updates, mine included.

Prime as a 'thing' is dead. It's not coming back.

So were G1 and Beast Wars, before Hasbro brought them back.

All those toys are still out there and of course, they're great representations of THAT.

Except for some of them, like Knockout. He never had a good representation of THAT, and I think he deserves THAT before he gets watered down for G1 fans.

I didn't think Knock Out was all that terrible, but okay.

And I didn't think the CW Stunticons were all that terrible, but they're getting redone anyway. Same with T30 Skids. Or Classics Prime. Or Classics Megatron. Or T30 Cosmos. So why shouldn't Knock Out and Bulkhead get PROPER updates if SKIDS, COSMOS, and the STUNTICONS can? Why do they have to be forcibly contorted into a universe that was dead for 20 years before Hasbro brought it back?

It wasn't dead for 20 years. It was 16. There were comics.

And please don't take my comment that 'Prime is dead' as a knock on Prime. I love Prime. Still have all of those figures. I say Prime is dead because they started and finished that story. Sure, they can always bring it back to some extent (and they did continue it with Robots In Disguise 2015 but in a total change of direction and slight change of aesthetic).

Getting all mad that I'm saying Prime is 'dead' (even though I don't mean it as an attack on Prime) and using that as a pretense to attack G1 is just bush league, though. It's Hasbro that feels their characters should be consistent - a maxim I tend to agree with. They also told us WAY in advance that the WFC aesthetic would continue into the next lines, so if you're upset you have no one to blame but yourselves - forewarned is forearmed. Do I sympathize with your pain? Well, probably a bit less than before, but sure. Am I getting something that I want? Absolutely - Characters that I wouldn't normally have with a uniformity that goes with what I've been buying. That's just how my mind works, but I'm not celebrating you aren't getting what you want. One =/= the other.

[Sentinel_Primal]

Getting all mad that I'm saying Prime is 'dead' (even though I don't mean it as an attack on Prime) and using that as a pretense to attack G1 is just bush league, though. It's Hasbro that feels their characters should be consistent - a maxim I tend to agree with. They also told us WAY in advance that the WFC aesthetic would continue into the next lines, so if you're upset you have no one to blame but yourselves - forewarned is forearmed. Do I sympathize with your pain? Well, probably a bit less than before, but sure. Am I getting something that I want? Absolutely - Characters that I wouldn't normally have with a uniformity that goes with what I've been buying. That's just how my mind works, but I'm not celebrating you aren't getting what you want. One =/= the other.

I'm not attacking G1 though. I'm trying to contextualize the annoyance and aggrevation. Since Classics came out we've had people demanding new G1 Primes and Megatrons year after year because they weren't accurate enough. But the second Prime fans express annoyance at finally getting updates for their show only to find out the caveat is they have to be G1, the same people who demanded perfection for Classics Prime and Megatron, immediately go "Well it's fine, it's only Prime, besides, it's going to fit into my collection". And the frustration is further advanced by the fact that until Bulkhead, Hasbro had been NAILING accuracy for Bayverse, G1, AND Beast Wars, but Prime Bulkhead has to be modified for the current aesthetic, despite the apparent story for this trilogy being a Multiverse, which would allow for the different aesthetics to mix in universe.

[sol magnus]

Getting all mad that I'm saying Prime is 'dead' (even though I don't mean it as an attack on Prime) and using that as a pretense to attack G1 is just bush league, though. It's Hasbro that feels their characters should be consistent - a maxim I tend to agree with. They also told us WAY in advance that the WFC aesthetic would continue into the next lines, so if you're upset you have no one to blame but yourselves - forewarned is forearmed. Do I sympathize with your pain? Well, probably a bit less than before, but sure. Am I getting something that I want? Absolutely - Characters that I wouldn't normally have with a uniformity that goes with what I've been buying. That's just how my mind works, but I'm not celebrating you aren't getting what you want. One =/= the other.

I'm not attacking G1 though. I'm trying to contextualize the annoyance and aggrevation. Since Classics came out we've had people demanding new G1 Primes and Megatrons year after year because they weren't accurate enough. But the second Prime fans express annoyance at finally getting updates for their show only to find out the caveat is they have to be G1, the same people who demanded perfection for Classics Prime and Megatron, immediately go "Well it's fine, it's only Prime, besides, it's going to fit into my collection". And the frustration is further advanced by the fact that until Bulkhead, Hasbro had been NAILING accuracy for Bayverse, G1, AND Beast Wars, but Prime Bulkhead has to be modified for the current aesthetic, despite the apparent story for this trilogy being a Multiverse, which would allow for the different aesthetics to mix in universe.

That's fair. You didn't actually attack G1.

Like I said, I do feel for Prime fans - every iteration is somebody's iteration, and at this point many iterations are somebody iterations. While they're going in this direction with this line, that doesn't mean in further anniversaries they won't do Prime aesthetic Prime toys. It just means they didn't this (even though I get there's no time like the present). BTW I wasn't one of those accuracy demanders. I still have my Classics Megatron and love him for his deviation from the norm while evoking the character we all know and love, FYI. I am, happy I can have all my guys play in the same sandbox, though. Can't deny that.

[Sentinel_Primal]

Getting all mad that I'm saying Prime is 'dead' (even though I don't mean it as an attack on Prime) and using that as a pretense to attack G1 is just bush league, though. It's Hasbro that feels their characters should be consistent - a maxim I tend to agree with. They also told us WAY in advance that the WFC aesthetic would continue into the next lines, so if you're upset you have no one to blame but yourselves - forewarned is forearmed. Do I sympathize with your pain? Well, probably a bit less than before, but sure. Am I getting something that I want? Absolutely - Characters that I wouldn't normally have with a uniformity that goes with what I've been buying. That's just how my mind works, but I'm not celebrating you aren't getting what you want. One =/= the other.

I'm not attacking G1 though. I'm trying to contextualize the annoyance and aggrevation. Since Classics came out we've had people demanding new G1 Primes and Megatrons year after year because they weren't accurate enough. But the second Prime fans express annoyance at finally getting updates for their show only to find out the caveat is they have to be G1, the same people who demanded perfection for Classics Prime and Megatron, immediately go "Well it's fine, it's only Prime, besides, it's going to fit into my collection". And the frustration is further advanced by the fact that until Bulkhead, Hasbro had been NAILING accuracy for Bayverse, G1, AND Beast Wars, but Prime Bulkhead has to be modified for the current aesthetic, despite the apparent story for this trilogy being a Multiverse, which would allow for the different aesthetics to mix in universe.

That's fair. You didn't actually attack G1.

Like I said, I do feel for Prime fans - every iteration is somebody's iteration, and at this point many iterations are somebody iterations. While they're going in this direction with this line, that doesn't mean in further anniversaries they won't do Prime aesthetic Prime toys. It just means they didn't this (even though I get there's no time like the present). BTW I wasn't one of those accuracy demanders. I still have my Classics Megatron and love him for his deviation from the norm while evoking the character we all know and love, FYI. I am, happy I can have all my guys play in the same sandbox, though. Can't deny that.

That's fair. Sorry, been looking at three different sites in terms of the Bulkhead reveal, so I've been seeing a lot more hate directed towards people who aren't thrilled with this figure. For the record, I'm still picking him up, if only to support Bulkhead/Prime figures, but I did just see a piece of fan art that highlights a way they could have kept this design, while invoking Bulkhead's design cues a lot more


Source: https://twitter.com/Jeetdoh/status/1451172567784378368

Just a little more bulk on the arms and legs and he's a perfect mix I feel

[sol magnus]

Getting all mad that I'm saying Prime is 'dead' (even though I don't mean it as an attack on Prime) and using that as a pretense to attack G1 is just bush league, though. It's Hasbro that feels their characters should be consistent - a maxim I tend to agree with. They also told us WAY in advance that the WFC aesthetic would continue into the next lines, so if you're upset you have no one to blame but yourselves - forewarned is forearmed. Do I sympathize with your pain? Well, probably a bit less than before, but sure. Am I getting something that I want? Absolutely - Characters that I wouldn't normally have with a uniformity that goes with what I've been buying. That's just how my mind works, but I'm not celebrating you aren't getting what you want. One =/= the other.

I'm not attacking G1 though. I'm trying to contextualize the annoyance and aggrevation. Since Classics came out we've had people demanding new G1 Primes and Megatrons year after year because they weren't accurate enough. But the second Prime fans express annoyance at finally getting updates for their show only to find out the caveat is they have to be G1, the same people who demanded perfection for Classics Prime and Megatron, immediately go "Well it's fine, it's only Prime, besides, it's going to fit into my collection". And the frustration is further advanced by the fact that until Bulkhead, Hasbro had been NAILING accuracy for Bayverse, G1, AND Beast Wars, but Prime Bulkhead has to be modified for the current aesthetic, despite the apparent story for this trilogy being a Multiverse, which would allow for the different aesthetics to mix in universe.

That's fair. You didn't actually attack G1.

Like I said, I do feel for Prime fans - every iteration is somebody's iteration, and at this point many iterations are somebody iterations. While they're going in this direction with this line, that doesn't mean in further anniversaries they won't do Prime aesthetic Prime toys. It just means they didn't this (even though I get there's no time like the present). BTW I wasn't one of those accuracy demanders. I still have my Classics Megatron and love him for his deviation from the norm while evoking the character we all know and love, FYI. I am, happy I can have all my guys play in the same sandbox, though. Can't deny that.

That's fair. Sorry, been looking at three different sites in terms of the Bulkhead reveal, so I've been seeing a lot more hate directed towards people who aren't thrilled with this figure. For the record, I'm still picking him up, if only to support Bulkhead/Prime figures, but I did just see a piece of fan art that highlights a way they could have kept this design, while invoking Bulkhead's design cues a lot more


Source: https://twitter.com/Jeetdoh/status/1451172567784378368

Just a little more bulk on the arms and legs and he's a perfect mix I feel

You're right, that design would have likely looked better.

[Wolfman Jake]

I'm not attacking G1 though. I'm trying to contextualize the annoyance and aggrevation. Since Classics came out we've had people demanding new G1 Primes and Megatrons year after year because they weren't accurate enough. But the second Prime fans express annoyance at finally getting updates for their show only to find out the caveat is they have to be G1, the same people who demanded perfection for Classics Prime and Megatron, immediately go "Well it's fine, it's only Prime, besides, it's going to fit into my collection". And the frustration is further advanced by the fact that until Bulkhead, Hasbro had been NAILING accuracy for Bayverse, G1, AND Beast Wars, but Prime Bulkhead has to be modified for the current aesthetic, despite the apparent story for this trilogy being a Multiverse, which would allow for the different aesthetics to mix in universe.

To be fair, we don’t know what the story is yet behind Legacy. It could be that characters native to different universes get reformatted or recontextualized when they come to this G1 inspired universe.

[-Kanrabat-]

To be fair, we don’t know what the story is yet behind Legacy. It could be that characters native to different universes get reformatted or recontextualized when they come to this G1 inspired universe.

Looking forward what will the Unicron Trilogy characters will looks like once "Geewunified"

[william-james88]

All those toys are still out there and of course, they're great representations of THAT.

Except for some of them, like Knockout. He never had a good representation of THAT, and I think he deserves THAT before he gets watered down for G1 fans.

That is an excellent point. Granted, while I don't like this bulkhead and find it just off with that very cartoony head with that non cartoon body, I already have the Prime bulkhead I need (plus the beast hunters, plus animated, plus a ton of movie Hounds) so I'm ok. But I don't have a good Knockout.

To be fair, we don’t know what the story is yet behind Legacy. It could be that characters native to different universes get reformatted or recontextualized when they come to this G1 inspired universe.

Looking forward what will the Unicron Trilogy characters will looks like once "Geewunified"

We have seen Cybertron metroplex and I'm not seeing much G1ification there.

To be fair, we don’t know what the story is yet behind Legacy. It could be that characters native to different universes get reformatted or recontextualized when they come to this G1 inspired universe.

Does the story matter? The story is just there to further sell the toys they were gonna release anyway.