The Energon Pub

[Dagon]

Awful, awful set all around this year. I'm not sure who thought taking a bunch of overused AEC molds, slapping a made up rank from Animated on them and calling it a con set was a good idea.

I agree with this, but I don't want that to sound spiteful. The two I like are Landshark and Flak, which I think is great, really. That mold just needed something, not special, but maybe coherent applied to it. The new Universe repaints don't offer that, and so the Botcon version does at least make it a complete mold in my opinion. Landshark, I just like that mold, but I do agree that there's really nothing special about it or that could be done with it, so it is just another retread. Overall, I'm not impressed by this years' set, but for everyone that does like it I'm glad. I think that the set is a good idea, and I think it's a nice crossover between Animated and, I don't know, I guess regular TF/G1 continuity, but I'm just not impressed.

Well put. You're right, and my comments were perhaps a lot harsher than they needed to be. I agree that Flak and Landshark are very nice redecos, and I would be tempted to buy them if they appeared in stores. But even then, both have been repainted already and neither one is a must have in any collection, especially with so weak and contrived a story idea behind them.

I don't think it's a big deal. If you don't like the set, you don't like the set. It's not a problem. It's just that the usual response to Botcon sets 'round here is supreme love vs. supreme hatred and then an arguement always starts. I was just trying to sound impartial.
Anyway, I agree again. If Flak and Landshark were in stores I'd buy Flak for sure and ponder Landshark. As for the storyline being weak, I agree too, but I think that's mainly the fault of Animated as a series. I've only seen the first two seasons and the Elite Guard from what I know only is mentioned and then shows up for the like first two shows of Season two, so it by itself is pretty sloppily done. But, the point of these sets is to further a storyline that is basically a fragment in itself, like the whole 2006/DOFP/Protoform X/Golden Disc theme, where we get the first idea why the Axalon had Protoform X aboard in the first place, something which isn't entered into Beast Wars until season 2, and halfway through at that. And last years' set, the Shattered universe didn't exist until that set came about. So, maybe this years' set is going to establish the whole Elite Guard idea.

[Rijie]

It's...awful. Even on E-Rodimus, it's still one of the worst color combinations in the history of TFs.

Isn't that what makes it perfect though?

I suppose it's like putting Dan in Street Fighter 4...

Maybe it's narcissism, I'm not going this year so I'm less interested, or maybe it's because we've been spoiled the last two yrs with awesome Classics repaints/retools. Maybe the story/characters don't mean as much to me. Maybe my tastes are changing as I get older.

I do admit, for the repaint whore that I am, I'm getting pretty tired of Energon/Cybertron redecos. I'd have been all over this set if it was made up of figures that had never gotten redecoed: E-Sharkticon, E-Demolishor, E-Wing Saber, C-Scattorshot, C-Dirt Boss, etc.

I do like SkyQuake, LeoZack, and Flak. The other molds aren't bad by any means, I just don't think they fit their origin characters very well.

I am glad that you guys like the set overall. I just don't find most of this year's offerings to be desirable.

[Dagon]

It's...awful. Even on E-Rodimus, it's still one of the worst color combinations in the history of TFs.

Isn't that what makes it perfect though?

I do admit, for the repaint whore that I am, I'm getting pretty tired of Energon/Cybertron redecos. I'd have been all over this set if it was made up of figures that had never gotten redecoed: E-Sharkticon, E-Demolishor, E-Wing Saber, C-Scattorshot, C-Dirt Boss, etc.

I do like SkyQuake, LeoZack, and Flak. The other molds aren't bad by any means, I just don't think they fit their origin characters very well.

I agree with this too. If the molds weren't so overused by now they may strike me as more impressive. I also love repaints more than just about anything, but this set is tough to be excited about. Still, if you like it, then happy day. As long as you're happy with it, that's all that matters.

[Sid Burn]

Isnt it funny that when the botcon seekers came out, some fans cried murder because those characters were 'too' well known?

Now, we have some very underexposed characters, and some fans are crying because they arent well known 'enough' to warrant a con set.

If they had done classics IDW wreckers with proper versions of whirl, roadbuster, kup, maybe even drift and perceptor... Fans would
be crying like they did for the seekers set. I wish they had done that set, exclusives shouldnt have to take into consideration what certain fans will and will not pay for.

I personally will be using botcon scourge in my classics display next to Galvy and Cyclonus. Thunderclash is just shy of great in my opinion, but I will still enjoy him.

[Counterpunch]

It's...awful. Even on E-Rodimus, it's still one of the worst color combinations in the history of TFs.

Isn't that what makes it perfect though?

I suppose it's like putting Dan in Street Fighter 4...

Maybe it's narcissism, I'm not going this year so I'm less interested, or maybe it's because we've been spoiled the last two yrs with awesome Classics repaints/retools. Maybe the story/characters don't mean as much to me. Maybe my tastes are changing as I get older.

I do admit, for the repaint whore that I am, I'm getting pretty tired of Energon/Cybertron redecos. I'd have been all over this set if it was made up of figures that had never gotten redecoed: E-Sharkticon, E-Demolishor, E-Wing Saber, C-Scattorshot, C-Dirt Boss, etc.

I do like SkyQuake, LeoZack, and Flak. The other molds aren't bad by any means, I just don't think they fit their origin characters very well.

I am glad that you guys like the set overall. I just don't find most of this year's offerings to be desirable.

For the record, I totally understand where you're coming from.

When we get down to it, this year's BotCon set has gone back to the roots of BotCon exclusives...rare, interesting, but ultimately not necessary.

The selection and choices are oddities. They're weird. They don't fill essential gaps. It's a set that, when considered in the fiscal situation we're all facing, is an easy pass for a lot of folks (California travel and accomodations included).

Truth be told, Fun Pub has spent their "Trust Us" capital with this set. They'll not get a pass next year from most people.

I think the set is interesting. I like weird colorings on toys. We'll see how it all pans out. This might be a year where the show exclusives are the real treasure. Maybe not.

[First Gen]

Does anyone else find it to be a sweet irony that they chose a Rodimus aka Hot Rod mold to depict the leader of a young Kup's entry into the Elite Guard. Not only is it a goofy but sweet repaint of molds, but its kind of like a passing of the torch and a good reason why "Old" Kup looks out for Rodimus.