The Energon Pub

News Credits: 5 · by **Sledge** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:42 pm

Damnit, and I promised myself I wouldn't sell anymore family members to fund my TF habit. Sorry, dad, but you're going on ebay.

News Credits: 1 · by **No Death for Prowl** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:59 pm

Haven't posted here in a few months(really just TF burned out after a few hectic months), but I felt the need to way in on some of these new Classics.

All in all, I'm rather disappointed with this next wave after feeling the 1st wave of 5 figures was pretty top notch. Some inspiration seems to have been lost and either some figures feel too simplistic(Silverbolt) or too "busy"(Ironhide).

I never cared much for the Silverbolt character and this new version won't convince me otherwise; the fact that his alt mode just seems to hang off his back just feels lazy.

Ironhide seems like they took Movie Stockade and then had to jam all his arm/leg joints in, no matter how disjointed the overall appearance of the vehicle looks. The robot mode wasn't really what I was expecting in a Classics Ironhide, but it's at least a passable homage.

I thought the Prowl prototype was the best in the new Classics line, so Silver/Bluestreak looks good enough, but like with Sideswipe, my overall reaction is "meh". Perhaps it's the fact that I'm just really not interested in TFs right now, but since the Classics line was one of the few things I was looking forward to in the franchise, it's overall a bit of a disappointment that these new figures aren't exactly raising my blood pressure in anticipation.

Hell, at this point, I think Animated looks more exciting than some rather half-hearted attempts at G1 updates.

News Credits: 4 · by **Bumblethumper** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:15 am

yeah, in some ways Universe does feel a bit half-hearted. They're so busy with the animated figures, and endless movie figures, and now with many of these new announcements, Universe is starting to feel a bit disjointed and unfocused.

But it does seem like we'll probably be getting 3 or 4 really solid molds. They almost get lost in there with all the line padding. The fact that they're throwing in Armada Hotshot, Beast Wars Cheetor, and possibly even some Beast Machines, just makes the line seem even more confused.

I got a bit down about it for a while, what with no confirmed Gestalts, the bizarre reasoning behind Deluxe Galvatron, and several other poor choices.

I have to remind myself:

Octane, Prowl, Sunstreaker, Hound, Ravage, Cyclonus, Onslaught. All things considered, they look pretty good. They're at least better than some of the stuff I've bought lately, and a lot of stuff I bought in the past.

News Credits: 9 · by **Sowndwave76** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:33 am

Bumblethumper wrote:yeah, in some ways Universe does feel a bit half-hearted. They're so busy with the animated figures, and endless movie figures, and now with many of these new announcements, Universe is starting to feel a bit disjointed and unfocused.

But it does seem like we'll probably be getting 3 or 4 really solid molds. They almost get lost in there with all the line padding. The fact that they're throwing in Armada Hotshot, Beast Wars Cheetor, and possibly even some Beast Machines, just makes the line seem even more confused.

I got a bit down about it for a while, what with no confirmed Gestalts, the bizarre reasoning behind Deluxe Galvatron, and several other poor choices.

I have to remind myself:

Octane, Prowl, Sunstreaker, Hound, Ravage, Cyclonus, Onslaught. All things considered, they look pretty good. They're at least better than some of the stuff I've bought lately, and a lot of stuff I bought in the past.

Yup... My frustration is that I don't expect to LOVE everything,
and/or feel Hasbro needs to do everything for the fans.
However, it's a little annoying when some of the new stuff
(unfortunately I'm saying "some" and not just "one" or "two")
are total duds.
"Too much padding" is a GREAT way to describe what's happening in this line.

BUT, I'm trying to be positive...
I think I'm really going to enjoy what I've seen so far in Tankor, Onslaught, Sideswipe, Silverstreak, Sunstreaker, Prowl, Ironhide, and even little Galvatron.

I just really hope I can make myself maintain a selectiveness with all of the new stuff this year...
I feel like I went crazy with the Movie Line...

News Credits: 4 · by **Bumblethumper** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 1:18 am

Sowndwave76 wrote:Yup... My frustration is that I don't expect to LOVE everything,
and/or feel Hasbro needs to do everything for the fans.
However, it's a little annoying when some of the new stuff
(unfortunately I'm saying "some" and not just "one" or "two")
are total duds.

Well I was okay with them doing repaints, and the usual, so long as they got important stuff right. But who even wanted Powerglide or Silverbolt anyway? They wouldn't have been top of my list.

It's like they're getting important stuff wrong and wasting expensive new molds on these other characters.

Well I got pissed off, and now I gotta let go of what I had hoped they were going to do. And accepting what they did for what it is rather than what I wanted it to be. So by the time the stuff actually comes out, maybe I can just judge it on it's own merits, rather than measuring it up to expectations.

Or maybe not. Maybe Powerglide is truly damned for all eternity for being an Ultra.

by **Bonger** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 1:23 am

Ah, you whiners!

Sorry guys, but not siding with you on this one. This stuff is just unadultarized awesomeness. C'mon, ironhide looks way better than the HIGHLY desirable Botcon Ironhide, as will Ratchet when he is released and will run you a fraction of the cost of one of those.

Not too mention, Silverbolt has one great looking mug while whats not to like about Sideswipe? He is a red lambo, who is artiulated.

This is all pure win boys and girls, especiallhy, since about a year ago, we had all just heard that Classics were no more. F that, yay this.

News Credits: 387 · by **Nekoman** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:47 am

Bumblethumper wrote:But who even wanted Powerglide or Silverbolt anyway? They wouldn't have been top of my list.

Here, here! To the man in the seat, in the third row, second to the left. This man wanted Powerglide!

Now lets hope Hasbro does us all right and give us an ultra class Warpath!

News Credits: 128 · by **Counterpunch** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:03 am

Serious opinions only here...

Will buying 8 Acid Storms to use as troop builders be enough...or do I really need to go for a nice even 16?

Life is hard...

News Credits: 387 · by **Nekoman** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:16 am

Counterpunch wrote:Serious opinions only here...

Will buying 8 Acid Storms to use as troop builders be enough...or do I really need to go for a nice even 16?

Life is hard...

He’s a grunt?

Anyway, I’d say as many as you have money and space for, it’s not going to hurt to have more down the road I suppose.

News Credits: 4 · by **Bumblethumper** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 4:35 pm

Nekoman wrote:Now lets hope Hasbro does us all right and give us an ultra class Warpath!

I can't tell if that's sarcasm or not, but you know the reason they did Galvatron as a deluxe? They wanted to do it larger, but it was claimed they have too many tanks.(?!?!!)

I dunno, the new deluxes are amazing, but outside of that, it all seems a bit unambitious. They're making a lot of safe choices. Deluxes will sell anyway. Then what they're doing Ultra class, the choices are somewhat baffling.

News Credits: 335 · by **Down_Shift** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:35 pm

Counterpunch wrote:Serious opinions only here...

Will buying 8 Acid Storms to use as troop builders be enough...or do I really need to go for a nice even 16?

Life is hard...

Money says they do Sunstorm. Which is about time too.

I would love a new warpath figure, but to be honest I think I'd like to see him as a legends figure. That isn't a repaint of G2 Megs...

F'... that will probably happen.

Hey is anyone getting a wiff of next years Botcon Set? It's called "Two Fans Over the Coo-coos Nest"

Red Alert (Sideswipe Repaint)
Ratchet (Duh - head remould)
Wheeljack (Sunstreaker - Head remould, maybe some wings somehow)
Bluestreak (again, duh)
Warpath (Onslaught repaint - It's the most likely I would think)

News Credits: 7 · by **Geekee1** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:17 pm

Counterpunch wrote:Serious opinions only here...

Will buying 8 Acid Storms to use as troop builders be enough...or do I really need to go for a nice even 16?

Life is hard...

It sure is meatwad.

You could go with 8 and fill out your good Decepticon set. Get some special reprolabels for those babies and you're in awesome town.

News Credits: 335 · by **Down_Shift** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:05 pm

Geekee1 wrote:
Counterpunch wrote:Serious opinions only here...

Will buying 8 Acid Storms to use as troop builders be enough...or do I really need to go for a nice even 16?

Life is hard...

It sure is meatwad.

You could go with 8 and fill out your good Decepticon set. Get some special reprolabels for those babies and you're in awesome town.

I'm the Mayor of Awsometown. I'll decided who comes and goes through these hollowed streets.

CounterPunch is allowed. He's Presedent of Getting Down.

Yor are also allowed. You can br VP of Getting Down.

by **8 bit** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:28 am

Bumblethumper wrote:you know the reason they did Galvatron as a deluxe? They wanted to do it larger, but it was claimed they have too many tanks.(?!?!!)

Speaking of Galavtron as a deluxe—could someone who saw him at Botcon give an estimate of his scale? I know that some deluxes can vary in size and height. Would he seem pretty small standing next to a Voyager class figure?

News Credits: 4 · by **Bumblethumper** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:14 pm

Well the concern there is that Cyclonus will tower over him. Cyclonus, without having seen the design, I'd imagine it's probably more of a tall deluxe.

I dunno, but if that's the case, it'll be time to start petitioning for Galvatron to get the Voyager or Ultra class figure he should've got all along. Whether Hasbro choose to listen or not.

News Credits: 9 · by **Sowndwave76** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:46 pm

Bonger wrote:Ah, you whiners!

Sorry guys, but not siding with you on this one. This stuff is just unadultarized awesomeness. C'mon, ironhide looks way better than the HIGHLY desirable Botcon Ironhide, as will Ratchet when he is released and will run you a fraction of the cost of one of those.

Not too mention, Silverbolt has one great looking mug while whats not to like about Sideswipe? He is a red lambo, who is artiulated.

This is all pure win boys and girls, especiallhy, since about a year ago, we had all just heard that Classics were no more. F that, yay this.

Hey, I'm with ya with what you've mentioned, but there's other stuff that's imo botchin' up the the line overall.
I sensed this happening as soon as I heard about the Blaster wanna-be, and Dump Load.
And I'll live with Galvatron being a deluxe, but come on,
that bot is a badass... Who cares how many large tanks have been made.
He was a leader like Megatron, give him his dues.

By the way, from what I saw in a somewhat older photo, Galvatron looked to be even a bit shorter than Sunstreaker.

Powerglide an Ultra? Psshhhh...
And from the looks of it, Silverbolt didn't need to be an Ultra either, even though Onslaught is.

My vote would've been Galvatron makes voyager class,
Powerglide and Silverbolt are deluxes.
If that left another voyager or ultra spot open, cool.
If not, so be it.

And I personally wouldn't make Warpath any bigger than a deluxe.

Oh, and CP, I'd stick with 8...
Unless you're rollin', that would save you $80+.
Save that for a treat later on.

News Credits: 3 · by **MagnusPrimal** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:53 pm

Autobot032 wrote:
I don't speak for Skowl, but I understand what he's saying.

I'll put my feelings like this:

I hate G1. With a passion. However, I believe we're all entitled to what we like, how we like it and no one has the right to deny us that.

Even though I can't stand G1, I see no reason to deprive you of it, though I would like to see less of it. Since that won't happen, I'm at least grateful that Hasbro updated it with excellent molds worthy of a showcase in the Smithsonian.

And I loathe the movie figures. With a passion. But I'm not going around insulting people that like them (not that you insulted anyone). Animated, I'm not thrilled with, but I like the show and a few of the figures.

And like it or not, G1 birthed the franchise. Many people on these boards still have a fondness for it. Universe is not a collectors line, but it is geared more toward hardcore collectors (many of whom probably like G1) than a normal, mainstream line would be. So there will be more G1-inspired figures in it. Given that we're just coming off the movie line, and the arrival of the Animated line is imminent, I don't understand the hate directed toward G1 fans.

by **8 bit** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:18 pm

Bumblethumper wrote:Well the concern there is that Cyclonus will tower over him. Cyclonus, without having seen the design, I'd imagine it's probably more of a tall deluxe.

Hmmm...I guess we'll find out eventually. I like his bot mode, but his alt mode is a little weak. I think his height in bot mode will make or break it for me. Then again, I think Cyclonus was sometimes depicted in the cartoon as being a little taller than Galvatron anyway.

News Credits: 7 · by **Geekee1** » Thu May 01, 2008 2:51 pm

BumbleScream84 wrote:you know the reason they did Galvatron as a deluxe? They wanted to do it larger, but it was claimed they have too many tanks.(?!?!!)

The other reason was that they already had the Ultras in production. Greg Lombardo told me this while shooting craps.

News Credits: 335 · by **Down_Shift** » Thu May 01, 2008 6:53 pm

Geekee1 wrote:
BumbleScream84 wrote:you know the reason they did Galvatron as a deluxe? They wanted to do it larger, but it was claimed they have too many tanks.(?!?!!)

The other reason was that they already had the Ultras in production. Greg Lombardo told me this while shooting craps.

Sorry BS84, **** like that wins any and all arguements!

Rollin' with G-Lo is straight up Transformers street cred.

by **8 bit** » Fri May 02, 2008 11:23 pm

BumbleScream84 wrote:
Bumblethumper wrote:you know the reason they did Galvatron as a deluxe? They wanted to do it larger, but it was claimed they have too many tanks.(?!?!!)

Speaking of Galavtron as a deluxe—could someone who saw him at Botcon give an estimate of his scale? I know that some deluxes can vary in size and height. Would he seem pretty small standing next to a Voyager class figure?

Whoa! Back up guys! You're quoting the wrong "Bumble"!

Trust me, I don't know anything about the whys and wherefores of Hasbro's decision making. You'll have to ask Bumblethumper where he heard that rumor.

News Credits: 4 · by **Bumblethumper** » Sat May 03, 2008 5:20 pm

It was listed in notes taken from one of the Botcon Q&A sessions posted here.

I'm not saying that's the real reason they went with deluxe for Galvatron, it's just the reason they gave.

I may quote from bad sources, but I don't make **** up. I guess both sources show that Hasbro at least knew Galvatron should've been bigger, whatever the bogus excuse they offer for not doing it.