The Energon Pub

[Jelze Bunnycat]

This "Hot Rod" prototype (as well as the "Rhinox" one) is something of an enigma to me, as it wouldn't make sense to make a different "Hot Rod" when A) there's already a "Rodimus Prime" character and toy in the same line and B) Hasbro doesn't hold the rights to use that name. As for "Rhinox", since he doesn't seem to resemble the Beast Wars character in any way (besides being big and strong-looking), I don't see the point of it either.

TakaraTomy can still use the name "Hot Rod" (albeit it with "Cybertron" in front), but they've only used it for Unicron Trilogy's Hot Shot. For G1 they use "Hot Rodimus" instead. Just keep in mind TakaraTomy and Hasbro do not share trademarks.

If you ask me it's all about illustrating, as they're interviewing a major designer for the toys.

[Sabrblade]

This "Hot Rod" prototype (as well as the "Rhinox" one) is something of an enigma to me, as it wouldn't make sense to make a different "Hot Rod" when A) there's already a "Rodimus Prime" character and toy in the same line and B) Hasbro doesn't hold the rights to use that name. As for "Rhinox", since he doesn't seem to resemble the Beast Wars character in any way (besides being big and strong-looking), I don't see the point of it either.

TakaraTomy can still use the name "Hot Rod" (albeit it with "Cybertron" in front), but they've only used it for Unicron Trilogy's Hot Shot. For G1 they use "Hot Rodimus" instead. Just keep in mind TakaraTomy and Hasbro do not share trademarks.

I know that. But if they were to call it "Hot Rod" and Hasbro can't, then what would Hasbro call it? (If it was produced later on, that is.) TFA already has both a Rodimus (Prime/Minor) and a Hot Shot. Any other name wouldn't seem right.

[Gizmo_Tracer]

Hmmmm.... That Rhinox looks like an early version for Sentinel Prime. Still, they are more TF:Hero figures than Animated.

I agree! In fact, they look a lot like the preliminary sketches for Transformers: Hero Lugnut and Prowl shown in the Allspark Almanac. Could be prototypes mocked up before the series was scrapped in favour of Animated. Perhaps they're included in the article simply for interest's sake?

[z-beam]

hot rod and rhinox? these do not in any way look like animated figures. the detail is way to high.

the slender one has a really pointy head resembling a bird, silverbolt perhaps?

and rhinox's bulk is amazing. loving the fists.

id sugest these designs get sent over to the war for cybertron team. they look like they would fit in wit the rest of the new cybertronian crew.

these are not TFA designs. they are war for cybertron prototypes IMO

[Blurrz]

these are not TFA designs. they are war for cybertron prototypes IMO

....A line that Takara isn't going to touch. Yeah. Sure. Totally.

[Convotron]

The Hot Rod prototype looks like it's influenced by the Garland from Megazone 23.

[Down_Shift]

I'm diggin' the two prototypes. If TT really wanted I'm sure they can produce those two. I mean the line is just officially starting over there so who says they have to stop pumping out figures because Hasbro has stopped.

Oh wait, Hasbro hasn't stopped. Just because it wasn't shown at Botcon doesn't mean we won't see something.

[z-beam]

these are not TFA designs. they are war for cybertron prototypes IMO

....A line that Takara isn't going to touch. Yeah. Sure. Totally.

i see the text clearly now, it does say 2005 and transformers hero... the line up sketch looks like a lot of familiar beast wars/beast machines characters. i see optimus in the middle, and a winged bot on the far right with these two amongst the rest.
all i can say is what a shame! these designs apeal to me far more than the tfa style.



<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29453421@N02/4311993926/" title="TF-1 by zbeam82, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4311993926_e507ac37ab_o.jpg" width="292" height="313" alt="TF-1" /></a>

[GEEWUN]

Did anyone notice Bulkhead's page calls him Ironhide? just wondering because it does.

[Sabrblade]

Did anyone notice Bulkhead's page calls him Ironhide? just wondering because it does.

That was made known a long while ago.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Did anyone notice Bulkhead's page calls him Ironhide? just wondering because it does.

That was made known a long while ago.

I wonder what they'll call Ironhide then...

[NuclearConvoy]

Did anyone notice Bulkhead's page calls him Ironhide? just wondering because it does.

That was made known a long while ago.

I wonder what they'll call Ironhide then...

Especially considering he ACTUALLY looks like G1 Ironhide...

[Blurrz]

Did anyone notice Bulkhead's page calls him Ironhide? just wondering because it does.

That was made known a long while ago.

I wonder what they'll call Ironhide then...

Especially considering he ACTUALLY looks like G1 Ironhide...

They'll call him Bulkhead. Wait... wut?