English Video Review of Transformers Studio Series #38 Voyager Class Bumblebee Movie Optimus Prime

This is one of the very few voyager that I won't hesitate to pay the full 46$CAN when I see it at retail.

Seriously.

Perfect looking in all modes, paint everywhere, absolutely no blatant hollow bits, and a very clever transformation. It's like a freaking MASTERPIECE.

I wasn't expecting to want this OP, but man I was sold as soon as I saw the Golden Gate Bridge stage. My only complaint is that the scene display is too small.

I really think that this OP will replace my AOE evasion mode on my shelf for a modern update of a G1 design.

Immature humor warning:
Watching that transformation, wow, I think this is the first time Optimus can sniff his own crotch.

-Kanrabat- wrote:This is one of the very few voyager that I won't hesitate to pay the full 46$CAN when I see it at retail.

Seriously.

Perfect looking in all modes, paint everywhere, absolutely no blatant hollow bits, and a very clever transformation. It's like a freaking MASTERPIECE.

Out of curiosity, why do you think it's perfect? Even though it looks better in the video than it did in pictures, I still think the lower torso and the legs are atrocious.

Maybe it's because he might like the aesthetic or something?

Rodimus Prime wrote:I still think the lower torso and the legs are atrocious.

Opinion I guess?
The lower torso is great because instead of just doing a cheat truck grill, it is it's own bot details showing robotic abs that is remicent of a grill without pretending to be. It's debatable whennever one like it or not but for me, I like it.

However, I don't see how the legs are "atrocious". They acheive the perfect G1 look while storing all the truck bits in a very efficient way.

-Kanrabat- wrote:However, I don't see how the legs are "atrocious". They acheive the perfect G1 look while storing all the truck bits in a very efficient way.

Well he's not wearing the typical go-go space boots. I remember complaints about skinny thighs in another thread. The blue boot bit doesn't seem to go as high and from the knee down is the same thickness as the top of the leg. I think they look fine, but I can see why people would have a problem with them not looking like we're accustomed to.

carytheone wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:However, I don't see how the legs are "atrocious". They acheive the perfect G1 look while storing all the truck bits in a very efficient way.

Well he's not wearing the typical go-go space boots. I remember complaints about skinny thighs in another thread. The blue boot bit doesn't seem to go as high and from the knee down is the same thickness as the top of the leg. I think they look fine, but I can see why people would have a problem with them not looking like we're accustomed to.

Oh, so that's why I find those legs perfectly fine. They are more human proportioned than usual. A TF trope that is a nessecity but I don't really like are the huge lower legs with micro thighs. This Optimus have more "normal" looking legs. Furthermore I found it a genius move to see the truck bits integrate like the gaz canissers in the thighs.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

carytheone wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:However, I don't see how the legs are "atrocious". They acheive the perfect G1 look while storing all the truck bits in a very efficient way.

Well he's not wearing the typical go-go space boots. I remember complaints about skinny thighs in another thread. The blue boot bit doesn't seem to go as high and from the knee down is the same thickness as the top of the leg. I think they look fine, but I can see why people would have a problem with them not looking like we're accustomed to.

Oh, so that's why I find those legs perfectly fine. They are more human proportioned than usual. A TF trope that is a nessecity but I don't really like are the huge lower legs with micro thighs. This Optimus have more "normal" looking legs. Furthermore I found it a genius move to see the truck bits integrate like the gaz canissers in the thighs.

Some people like snails - some people like oysters - I like both - it's a matter of taste.

Fortunately the option to not buy is still valid.

Yes, I got that it's your opinion, I was just wondering why you have that opinion, that's all. I'm trying to understand why most of the fandom is fainting over this figure. I don't see it, to me it's mediocre at best. I'm trying to look at it from a different perspective.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Yes, I got that it's your opinion, I was just wondering why you have that opinion, that's all. I'm trying to understand why most of the fandom is fainting over this figure. I don't see it, to me it's mediocre at best. I'm trying to look at it from a different perspective.

For me, it's the closest they have ever come to making what I envisioned a movie Prime should look like way back in the beginning if the movieverse. That's the best I can say. It looks more like Optimus than any other movie Optimus has.

Ironhidensh wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Yes, I got that it's your opinion, I was just wondering why you have that opinion, that's all. I'm trying to understand why most of the fandom is fainting over this figure. I don't see it, to me it's mediocre at best. I'm trying to look at it from a different perspective.

For me, it's the closest they have ever come to making what I envisioned a movie Prime should look like way back in the beginning if the movieverse. That's the best I can say. It looks more like Optimus than any other movie Optimus has.

I see. In that vain, I agree that they nailed the truck mode. For me the robot mode still leaves something to be desired. As far as G1 aesthetic is concerned, I thought they got the Evasion Mode version closer to what G1 Prime would look like in live action. I guess if there's a sequel to the Bee movie maybe we'll see more if this Prime.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Yes, I got that it's your opinion, I was just wondering why you have that opinion, that's all. I'm trying to understand why most of the fandom is fainting over this figure. I don't see it, to me it's mediocre at best. I'm trying to look at it from a different perspective.

For me, it's the closest they have ever come to making what I envisioned a movie Prime should look like way back in the beginning if the movieverse. That's the best I can say. It looks more like Optimus than any other movie Optimus has.

I see. In that vain, I agree that they nailed the truck mode. For me the robot mode still leaves something to be desired. As far as G1 aesthetic is concerned, I thought they got the Evasion Mode version closer to what G1 Prime would look like in live action. I guess if there's a sequel to the Bee movie maybe we'll see more if this Prime.

How so? I can understand if Evasion Mode Optimus is how you prefer G1 Optimus to be interpreted in live action, but whether or not you think it's a good execution of it, Bumblebee Movie Optimus is a more direct translation of the G1 design into live action.

Jeddostotle7 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Yes, I got that it's your opinion, I was just wondering why you have that opinion, that's all. I'm trying to understand why most of the fandom is fainting over this figure. I don't see it, to me it's mediocre at best. I'm trying to look at it from a different perspective.

For me, it's the closest they have ever come to making what I envisioned a movie Prime should look like way back in the beginning if the movieverse. That's the best I can say. It looks more like Optimus than any other movie Optimus has.

I see. In that vain, I agree that they nailed the truck mode. For me the robot mode still leaves something to be desired. As far as G1 aesthetic is concerned, I thought they got the Evasion Mode version closer to what G1 Prime would look like in live action. I guess if there's a sequel to the Bee movie maybe we'll see more if this Prime.

How so? I can understand if Evasion Mode Optimus is how you prefer G1 Optimus to be interpreted in live action, but whether or not you think it's a good execution of it, Bumblebee Movie Optimus is a more direct translation of the G1 design into live action.

I disagree. The Bee Prime looks like an unfinished version of G1 Prime.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Jeddostotle7 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Yes, I got that it's your opinion, I was just wondering why you have that opinion, that's all. I'm trying to understand why most of the fandom is fainting over this figure. I don't see it, to me it's mediocre at best. I'm trying to look at it from a different perspective.

For me, it's the closest they have ever come to making what I envisioned a movie Prime should look like way back in the beginning if the movieverse. That's the best I can say. It looks more like Optimus than any other movie Optimus has.

I see. In that vain, I agree that they nailed the truck mode. For me the robot mode still leaves something to be desired. As far as G1 aesthetic is concerned, I thought they got the Evasion Mode version closer to what G1 Prime would look like in live action. I guess if there's a sequel to the Bee movie maybe we'll see more if this Prime.

How so? I can understand if Evasion Mode Optimus is how you prefer G1 Optimus to be interpreted in live action, but whether or not you think it's a good execution of it, Bumblebee Movie Optimus is a more direct translation of the G1 design into live action.

I disagree. The Bee Prime looks like an unfinished version of G1 Prime.

But it still fundamentally looks like G1 Prime, even if "unfinished", right? It matches the silhouette, lines, shapes, and broad details of the original G1 design, even if finer details are different, while Evasion Mode Optimus takes more liberties with those elements. Again, I'm not saying you can't think Evasion Mode Optimus is a better live-action interpretation of the G1 design, but Bee Optimus is at least a more literal and direct translation of it.

Hmm, torn on what to do with this Prime. I will get him, but he really won't go with my movie collection. Maybe he'll just be my voyager Prime for my Generations shelf.

I know a bunch of fans are happy with this design, but this ain't my design. the OG movie Prime looks so much better than this, I enjoy it more. This one will make a nice replacement for not getting a Siege voyager while still supporting "my G1" that I love

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Hmm, torn on what to do with this Prime. I will get him, but he really won't go with my movie collection. Maybe he'll just be my voyager Prime for my Generations shelf.

I don't see this Optimus as a "Movie Prime" at all either. Just a "more realistic" Generations Optimus. He'll stand proud with my Classic, TR "Action Master", Cybertronian WFC, and other miscellaneous Optimusses.

Jeddostotle7 wrote:I'm not saying you can't think Evasion Mode Optimus is a better live-action interpretation of the G1 design, but Bee Optimus is at least a more literal and direct translation of it.

I'm willing to concede that point, because I can see that that's what the intention was. But the figure is not finished, if they were going for G1 Prime. G1 Prime had a grille and legs and feet that were bulkier than the skeleton this figure is standing on. It's like his entire lower half was left undone. Ironically, the Siege voyager got it right in reverse. Near perfect robot mode, garbage truck mode. But that's going off topic.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Jeddostotle7 wrote:I'm not saying you can't think Evasion Mode Optimus is a better live-action interpretation of the G1 design, but Bee Optimus is at least a more literal and direct translation of it.

I'm willing to concede that point, because I can see that that's what the intention was. But the figure is not finished, if they were going for G1 Prime. G1 Prime had a grille and legs and feet that were bulkier than the skeleton this figure is standing on. It's like his entire lower half was left undone. Ironically, the Siege voyager got it right in reverse. Near perfect robot mode, garbage truck mode. But that's going off topic.

It's literally the design from the movie which was a Cybertronian form, he so happens to transform into the truck from the end of the movie.

He wouldn't have the grill or any other main truck parts.

Deadput wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Jeddostotle7 wrote:I'm not saying you can't think Evasion Mode Optimus is a better live-action interpretation of the G1 design, but Bee Optimus is at least a more literal and direct translation of it.

I'm willing to concede that point, because I can see that that's what the intention was. But the figure is not finished, if they were going for G1 Prime. G1 Prime had a grille and legs and feet that were bulkier than the skeleton this figure is standing on. It's like his entire lower half was left undone. Ironically, the Siege voyager got it right in reverse. Near perfect robot mode, garbage truck mode. But that's going off topic.

It's literally the design from the movie which was a Cybertronian form, he so happens to transform into the truck from the end of the movie.

He wouldn't have the grill or any other main truck parts.

I think he knows where the design is from, I think he just doesn't like it which is his own opinion. We don't all have to like something afterall

Deadput wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Jeddostotle7 wrote:I'm not saying you can't think Evasion Mode Optimus is a better live-action interpretation of the G1 design, but Bee Optimus is at least a more literal and direct translation of it.

I'm willing to concede that point, because I can see that that's what the intention was. But the figure is not finished, if they were going for G1 Prime. G1 Prime had a grille and legs and feet that were bulkier than the skeleton this figure is standing on. It's like his entire lower half was left undone. Ironically, the Siege voyager got it right in reverse. Near perfect robot mode, garbage truck mode. But that's going off topic.

It's literally the design from the movie which was a Cybertronian form, he so happens to transform into the truck from the end of the movie.

He wouldn't have the grill or any other main truck parts.

I agree with Rodimus here.

See, the legs on this Prime needed some bulk. He just looks a bit too skinny, like Animated Rodimus, except not a banging awesome. It doesn't work for a gritty realistic Prime.

I also agree the stomach area looks like a black hole. The other movie primes had abs and stuff, this one sort of just has a black blot there

LeAwesome1 wrote:So today in the post I got the new SS Jetfire, Optimus and Bonecrusher. I noticed something I don't think anyone has picked up on yet however.

In the packaging of Jetfire, there was a fake-chest piece for Optimus. I thought maybe it was a spare for the new SS Optimus, but it is a completely different colour. More metallic red than the other one.

optimuschest.jpg

I may be mistaken, but is this the same colour as the ROTF Optimus? I don't know if this means that Jetfire could be compatible or not, I am yet to transform either Jetfire or Optimus. I don't have the ROTF Optimus so I can't be sure myself.

So, I figured out why Jetfire comes with the extra chest piece for Optimus. There is a slight difference in the arrangement of the little slots between the two pieces. The nubs on Jetfire's armor part are asymmetrical and don't align well with the stock part on Prime. My guess is that they realized after the fact that the two figures don't line up perfectly during combination, so they included a modified part for Optimus that allows for a better fit. As far as the color not matching, it seems to be a matter of how the paint looks applied to black plastic vice clear plastic.

Also, anyone have an Optimus with two left knee pads? Mine came with two right, so I'm stuck with that until the figure becomes more readily available...

Deadput wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Jeddostotle7 wrote:I'm not saying you can't think Evasion Mode Optimus is a better live-action interpretation of the G1 design, but Bee Optimus is at least a more literal and direct translation of it.

I'm willing to concede that point, because I can see that that's what the intention was. But the figure is not finished, if they were going for G1 Prime. G1 Prime had a grille and legs and feet that were bulkier than the skeleton this figure is standing on. It's like his entire lower half was left undone. Ironically, the Siege voyager got it right in reverse. Near perfect robot mode, garbage truck mode. But that's going off topic.

It's literally the design from the movie which was a Cybertronian form, he so happens to transform into the truck from the end of the movie.

He wouldn't have the grill or any other main truck parts.

Fair enough, but then he can't be called G1 Prime, even if it's the "movie version." Bayverse Cybertron Prime would be more accurate, but some people might confuse that with the Protoform Prime.

And D-Max, thanks. That's exactly what I was saying (or trying to).

I don't think his legs look that bad

carytheone wrote:I don't think his legs look that bad

ChickenLegsPrime.jpg

MY OPTICS!!!!!

I stayed out of this discussion because I dont really have much to say about SS 38. I like the toy's transformation more than I like it's modes. I just think its super cool you can get two totally different looking modes that both look nice and sleek.

And Rodimus, I get what you mean about his root mode look, it does give the idea of an unfinished bot, kinda like this:



I don't mind though.

While watching the Daily Show last night, I finally got around to opening up SS-21 RotF Starscream. I got it mainly for the new buzzsaw weapon to put on SS-06 Starscream, but also to have another version of the mold to play with. Again, I've got to gush about what a great figure Studio Series Starscream is. It's the perfect size, the perfect sculpt, and the transformation is elegant and fun, resulting in two modes that make very few compromises. He really should get more recognition for being the epitome of what each release in the Studio Series should strive to be.

Wolfman Jake wrote:While watching the Daily Show last night, I finally got around to opening up SS-21 RotF Starscream. I got it mainly for the new buzzsaw weapon to put on SS-06 Starscream, but also to have another version of the mold to play with. Again, I've got to gush about what a great figure Studio Series Starscream is. It's the perfect size, the perfect sculpt, and the transformation is elegant and fun, resulting in two modes that make very few compromises. He really should get more recognition for being the epitome of what each release in the Studio Series should strive to be.

I agree, he's lovely and I love that satin touch paint job SS06 has. I pulled him off the shelf to tinker with while watching TV with the Mrs and thought I wouldn't remember how to TF him, but it was fun and intuitive. He has a very clean alt mode for a jetformer. I slightly tilt his thighs back a bit to minimize his birthing hips. He probably doesn't get the love he deserves because he carries that upscale retool stigma.

How well does the buzzsaw grey plastic match up with the SS06?

carytheone wrote:How well does the buzzsaw grey plastic match up with the SS06?

It looks like a great match to me, but my SS-06 is currently on a shelf in my living room with poor lighting, so the contrast may be a lot more noticeable when under proper lighting conditions.

So I picked up WWII Bee over the weekend and finally had a chance to enjoy him today. Or, at least I would have enjoyed him if this mold wasn't such a crappy design. How the hell is the hammer supposed to fit under the top panel with the arms in the way? The instructions weren't much help either. The best I can seem to do is get most of the panels aligned and call it good enough, but overall this mold is a regret for me. I'll still use him as a generic Autobot for cannon fodder in my generations collection.

Can anyone with this mold that actually gets everything into armored car mode properly snap me a photo of what the arms and hammer are supposed to look like under the top piece?

TF-fan kev777 wrote:So I picked up WWII Bee over the weekend and finally had a chance to enjoy him today. Or, at least I would have enjoyed him if this mold wasn't such a crappy design. How the hell is the hammer supposed to fit under the top panel with the arms in the way? The instructions weren't much help either. The best I can seem to do is get most of the panels aligned and call it good enough, but overall this mold is a regret for me. I'll still use him as a generic Autobot for cannon fodder in my generations collection.

Can anyone with this mold that actually gets everything into armored car mode properly snap me a photo of what the arms and hammer are supposed to look like under the top piece?

Give me a bit, I can snap some shots and post them here

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

TF-fan kev777 wrote:Can anyone with this mold that actually gets everything into armored car mode properly snap me a photo of what the arms and hammer are supposed to look like under the top piece?

Give me a bit, I can snap some shots and post them here

Here, try these out. The hammer handle will not fold 90 degrees from its deployed position, which is why it is not sticking straight out the front, but still within its hole.

I know I'm really late to the party on this, but damn! I really want to like Studio Series 18 Bumblebee. I really do! But tabbing everything together in car mode is impossible! Once you get one section solid, something else pops out of place. There's no way to get everything lined up. I swear, it was designed wrong.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

TF-fan kev777 wrote:Can anyone with this mold that actually gets everything into armored car mode properly snap me a photo of what the arms and hammer are supposed to look like under the top piece?

Give me a bit, I can snap some shots and post them here

Here, try these out. The hammer handle will not fold 90 degrees from its deployed position, which is why it is not sticking straight out the front, but still within its hole.

Thanks D-Max, Looks like I have everything right and just got a bad one on the QC side. The hammer/cannon really threw me off as I expected the barrel to be parallel with the sides of the car, but it looks like the only way it works is to be at a slight angle. Bummer, the only reason I got him was for the alt mode and that is the one that is just meh on mine.

Wolfman Jake wrote:I know I'm really late to the party on this, but damn! I really want to like Studio Series 18 Bumblebee. I really do! But tabbing everything together in car mode is impossible! Once you get one section solid, something else pops out of place. There's no way to get everything lined up. I swear, it was designed wrong.

It’s not that bad if you have about 10 minutes of spare time just to fiddle with it

Lore Keeper wrote:So, I figured out why Jetfire comes with the extra chest piece for Optimus. There is a slight difference in the arrangement of the little slots between the two pieces. The nubs on Jetfire's armor part are asymmetrical and don't align well with the stock part on Prime. My guess is that they realized after the fact that the two figures don't line up perfectly during combination, so they included a modified part for Optimus that allows for a better fit. As far as the color not matching, it seems to be a matter of how the paint looks applied to black plastic vice clear plastic.

I dunno about that. On my Prime, the Jetfire parts fit perfectly without the need to swap out the default Prime stomach piece for the one included with Jetfire.

Also, anyone have an Optimus with two left knee pads? Mine came with two right, so I'm stuck with that until the figure becomes more readily available...

damn. sorry. Mine has one of each.

I've had this figure for over a month and I still can't stop playing about with it. It's definitely my most fave Optimus Prime figure ever. I still waiting for Toyhax to do some flame stickers for it though.
But yeah I was just playing about with it and the SS05 swords earlier seeing where they could store when not in his hands. I had done the shoulder pad one weeks ago but I did it again here just to keep them together.

Plugged in the bottom of the fists, of course this means the gun won't go fully into the hand but does so enough to stay secure. The forearm panels also won't fold over fully but the main reason I did this is cos it amusingly looks similar to the Battle Blades and RotF Leader sword placement.

The small tabs plugged into the holes of the blue parts of the backpack from the inside/front with the swords pointing inwards, overlapping. I think this one's kinda cool.

Shoulder pads. This be the one I've done before. I kinda like it but it's a lil silly. Looks a bit like bug wings.

Kinda wing-like again but plugged into the outside/back of the blue panels and pointing outwards.

Of course the correct placement is... not on the figure at all since in the movie the swords come from within the arms and are totally hidden when not used but as I said, I just like playing with this figure.

I should have Sideswipe and Barricade tomorrow.
And I have RotF Starscream coming from Amazon US since it was on sale for $20 and with shipping added I've only paid approx £25 for a figure that if I could find in the UK would be about £33 and I haven't been able to anyways so yay for a cheap and definite purchase from the states!

Carnivius_Prime wrote:

Lore Keeper wrote:So, I figured out why Jetfire comes with the extra chest piece for Optimus. There is a slight difference in the arrangement of the little slots between the two pieces. The nubs on Jetfire's armor part are asymmetrical and don't align well with the stock part on Prime. My guess is that they realized after the fact that the two figures don't line up perfectly during combination, so they included a modified part for Optimus that allows for a better fit. As far as the color not matching, it seems to be a matter of how the paint looks applied to black plastic vice clear plastic.

I dunno about that. On my Prime, the Jetfire parts fit perfectly without the need to swap out the default Prime stomach piece for the one included with Jetfire.

Also, anyone have an Optimus with two left knee pads? Mine came with two right, so I'm stuck with that until the figure becomes more readily available...

damn. sorry. Mine has one of each.

I've had this figure for over a month and I still can't stop playing about with it. It's definitely my most fave Optimus Prime figure ever. I still waiting for Toyhax to do some flame stickers for it though.
But yeah I was just playing about with it and the SS05 swords earlier seeing where they could store when not in his hands. I had done the shoulder pad one weeks ago but I did it again here just to keep them together.

DzXwjhwWoAEkQNn.jpg

Plugged in the bottom of the fists, of course this means the gun won't go fully into the hand but does so enough to stay secure. The forearm panels also won't fold over fully but the main reason I did this is cos it amusingly looks similar to the Battle Blades and RotF Leader sword placement.

DzXwkAsWkAEJXsm.jpg

The small tabs plugged into the holes of the blue parts of the backpack from the inside/front with the swords pointing inwards, overlapping. I think this one's kinda cool.

DzXwkWEXcAEJ8oP.jpg

Shoulder pads. This be the one I've done before. I kinda like it but it's a lil silly. Looks a bit like bug wings.

DzXwkwcXcAUuN-h.jpg

Kinda wing-like again but plugged into the outside/back of the blue panels and pointing outwards.

Of course the correct placement is... not on the figure at all since in the movie the swords come from within the arms and are totally hidden when not used but as I said, I just like playing with this figure.

I should have Sideswipe and Barricade tomorrow.
And I have RotF Starscream coming from Amazon US since it was on sale for $20 and with shipping added I've only paid approx £25 for a figure that if I could find in the UK would be about £33 and I haven't been able to anyways so yay for a cheap and definite purchase from the states!

I'm glad for you and your purchase

I like how he looks, and he's a nice figure in general, but I have to skip him for the sole reason of budget, meaning I can't have the same version of a character I already own ( I have the ROTF Leader Prime, which is phenomenal).

I will buy SS-38 though, because he is the perfect figure I've been looking for that combines everything I want in one: Masterpiece level engineering, highly articulated Prime figure, and a mix of G1, Bayverse, and IDW designs all together. I really hope a Megatron figure gets made to go with him

Nathaniel Prime wrote:I'm glad for you and your purchase

I like how he looks, and he's a nice figure in general, but I have to skip him for the sole reason of budget, meaning I can't have the same version of a character I already own ( I have the ROTF Leader Prime, which is phenomenal).

I will buy SS-38 though, because he is the perfect figure I've been looking for that combines everything I want in one: Masterpiece level engineering, highly articulated Prime figure, and a mix of G1, Bayverse, and IDW designs all together. I really hope a Megatron figure gets made to go with him

is cool. I'm skipping ss38 cos it really isn't my thing at all. I've been incredibly bored with G1 Optimus' look since forever and I've mentioned before how I'm really not happy with the bayverse bots getting 'overwritten' with G1 designs. Ironically I think the truck mode on it looks the best that blocky cab-style has ever looked but it's not for me and I really don't like the robot mode at all. It's a mix of different styles that just don't mesh for me (thet stomach area looks way too detailed and dark compared to the mostly clean and simplistic red chest for example) and I still don't get why he already had so many red/blue obvious truck-looking parts in robot mode way before he even got to earth (according to the continuity mess that is Bumblebee's movie). Sure, the Protoform Prime had what looks sorta like vaguely truck windows and such but never blatantly looked like the earth truck he would then scan and take the form of. I'm much happier with SS32 and it's rendition of 2007's Prime with it's nice design of layered angles and even red/blue/silver colour all over the figure (rather than just being red upper body and blue legs/head which I always found a bit dull and like he's wearing a red sweater with some trousers or something). But hey I'm less mad about SS38 than I was when it first appeared. Coming to terms with the fact the geewun stuff is trying to replace everything that made the bayverse my fave incarnation of the franchise in the 30+ years since i was first given a Transformers figure in the mid 80s.

Wolfman Jake wrote:I know I'm really late to the party on this, but damn! I really want to like Studio Series 18 Bumblebee. I really do! But tabbing everything together in car mode is impossible! Once you get one section solid, something else pops out of place. There's no way to get everything lined up. I swear, it was designed wrong.

You may have a wonk copy, but I've heard a lot of complaints about this guy. It does take some massaging, but a pretty clean alt mode can be achieved. I have a problem with one of the doors pegging into the leg (I think) but it's not noticeable from the outside only from underneath, and the back engine cover area doesn't quite close as much as I'd like.

I'll try and remember to TF him and snap some pics later. But I don't have any issues with things popping out while I peg other things though. I will say it can be tricky though.

carytheone wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:I know I'm really late to the party on this, but damn! I really want to like Studio Series 18 Bumblebee. I really do! But tabbing everything together in car mode is impossible! Once you get one section solid, something else pops out of place. There's no way to get everything lined up. I swear, it was designed wrong.

You may have a wonk copy, but I've heard a lot of complaints about this guy. It does take some massaging, but a pretty clean alt mode can be achieved. I have a problem with one of the doors pegging into the leg (I think) but it's not noticeable from the outside only from underneath, and the back engine cover area doesn't quite close as much as I'd like.

I'll try and remember to TF him and snap some pics later. But I don't have any issues with things popping out while I peg other things though. I will say it can be tricky though.

I made some time and took some bad pics.







With a little more hugging and squeezing it should line up a little better. It is valentine's day after all

I also see that a lot of people (including the instructions) fail to mention that bumblebee’s knee/shin piece is actually on a little slider, and that the outermost position is for robot mode while the innermost is for vehicle mode

Ig89ninja wrote:I also see that a lot of people (including the instructions) fail to mention that bumblebee’s knee/shin piece is actually on a little slider, and that the outermost position is for robot mode while the innermost is for vehicle mode

That does make a difference fo all the panels to line up.

carytheone wrote:

Ig89ninja wrote:I also see that a lot of people (including the instructions) fail to mention that bumblebee’s knee/shin piece is actually on a little slider, and that the outermost position is for robot mode while the innermost is for vehicle mode

That does make a difference fo all the panels to line up.

A little bit, if you use the slider, the legs will fit into place a little easier, and then they won’t be pressing against the panels as much

Thanks to Walmart/Brickseek, we have confirmation of four upcoming Transformers Studio Series. We have 44 Leader Class Dark of the Moon Optimus Prime who is, as we guessed, the same voyager Optimus Prime we already got with a retooled abdominal area and a jetwing backpack. We then have a new 45 Deluxe Class Age of Extinction Drift which while having the distinctive Bugatti details, turns into a helicopter. There is no sign that it also turns into a car, but it is still cool to have the car alternate mode referenced in the robot mode, making it still look screen accurate to an extent. There is also 47 Deluxe Class Revenge of the Fallen Constructicon Hightower, a new mold, who can transform to be part of Devastator. Lastly we have 43 Voyager KSI Boss, another goon from Age of Extinction which is the Nitro Zeus mold. It will probably have a new head though we only see the alt mode. You can see the images and the links to the pages below, and be sure to check back tomorrow and the rest of the week-end for all our 2019 Toy Fair news.

You can view the Brickseek links here:

Optimus: https://brickseek.com/walmart-inventory ... =517176157
Drift: https://brickseek.com/walmart-inventory ... =916451523
Hightower: https://brickseek.com/walmart-inventory ... =487042684
KSI Boss: https://brickseek.com/walmart-inventory ... =488371648

Drift appears to be a heavy retool of Dropkick's helicopter figure

Sentinel_Primal wrote:Drift appears to be a heavy retool of Dropkick's helicopter figure

The legs in particular are a big bright sign to it

Drift appears to be an EXTENSIVE retool of copter Dropkick, looking at his legs and the tail rotor placement, which is awesome, and DotM Prime appears to still have all the necessary tooling for combining with Jetfire. The only one of these I'll probably grab is KSI Boss though, as I missed out on Nitro Zeus. Drift does look really good though.

P.S. The article is missing Hightower, who I also want.
https://brickseek.com/walmart-inventory-checker/?sku=487042684

DOTM OPTIMUS!!!

This is the Prime I’ve been waiting for! They added the gold/orange fade to his arms (!) and they kept the bright red from SS-32! A good DOTM Optimus has been at the top of my want list for years now, you guys have no idea how excited I am right now

The guns and wings/engines are super hollow, but that’s not the end of the world. I’m wondering if they’ll throw in any extra weapons to help reach the leader price point, even if they don’t it’s fine, I’m buying this thing on sight!

I also wonder if the flight tech can turn into anything else, there’s definitely not enough there for the trailer but there might be potential for the weapons platform from the start of DOTM (or at least part of it).


Drift is also looking surprisingly good, looks to own the mold much better than Dropkick.

Sentinel_Primal wrote:Drift appears to be a heavy retool of Dropkick's helicopter figure

I think its one of those half retools, lik the BB toys where they keep the lower half and change the upper half. This will be cool.

Nemesis Primal wrote:Drift appears to be an EXTENSIVE retool of copter Dropkick, looking at his legs and the tail rotor placement, which is awesome, and DotM Prime appears to still have all the necessary tooling for combining with Jetfire. The only one of these I'll probably grab is KSI Boss though, as I missed out on Nitro Zeus. Drift does look really good though.

P.S. The article is missing Hightower, who I also want.
https://brickseek.com/walmart-inventory-checker/?sku=487042684

It was added.

Aout combining with Jetfire, now we know why Jetfire comes with that different abdominal area. Its so that the combo can still be screena ccurate with the abdomen Optimus had in ROTF. Yay, now i know i can skip the new voyager.

Wow I had forgotten how deep they went into the barrel for Hightower.

KSI Boss looks nice in alt-mode though, that’s such a cool mold. Jetwing Optimus looks sharp too, Drift looks so much better here than he ever has in toy form.

I do hope that Drift's release here will result in an AOE Bugatti mode being released in proper colors. Despite the movie being the most "meh" in my opinion in both some of the redesigns and story, there were some nice designs to come out of it such as Hound, Drift, and Crosshairs