Twincast / Podcast Episode #164 "Getaway Was Right"
Sunday, January 22nd, 2017 11:58AM CST
Categories: Site News, Digital Media News, PodcastPosted by: megatronus Views: 53,519
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Episode #164 "Getaway Was Right" is available directly and in our RSS Feed, and should appear on iTunes and Stitcher Radio within 24 to 48 hours of when you see this news post.
We kick off the podcast with the latest images of upcoming Titans Return Krok & Quake. What does the crew think of Titans Return now that the inevitable onslaught of repaints has begun, and how does the previously utilized strategy of pre-tools color our hindsight view of Combiner Wars?
Who wore it better?
Time for some old fashioned Takara goodness with a discussion of the Legends line. We've got Soundwave + cassettes on the brain, along with Super Ginrai and anime-style Brainstorm. How do these figures compare to their Hasbro counterparts, and which are worth double dipping for?
You can check out more awesome comparison images like the one below by Seibertronian Logan. in this thread!
Now that's a good comparison.
We jump right into a round of awesome listener questions. Optimuspete asks us about our collection sizes, william-james88 asks which we like to transform more, TR or RID deluxes, and SW's SilverHammer asks whether Evangelion would have been better if MP10 Eva mode was canon. Thanks for the questions, listeners.
Did someone say head-canon?
We take a slight detour to discuss the recently revealed Movie Masterpiece Bumblebee, and then Combiner Force Crash Combiners. Do we view either of these with anticipation, or with a lurking sense of disappointment?
The only movie Bumblebee you'll ever need. We hope.
On a more serious note: Mastermind Creations Tarn and their many IDW styled releases like him, a missed opportunity for Hasbro? With the popularity of More Than Meets the Eye and other ongoing comics, is the continued reliance on obscure G1 (see Krok & Quake, above) sustainable? Does the MP-ification of Generations leave an opening for 3rd Parties that Hasbro will have difficulty wresting back?
Opportunities await.
Enough of comics characters - let's get on to some actual comics. Revolutionaries is hitting stands, and the Twincast has plenty opinions on this crossover. Most of them... unkind. We love hearing from you - let us know your thoughts in the forums below.
Melodramatic, indeed.
Was Getaway right? That's the burning question on our minds as we await for Lost Light #2, with the namesake topic of this episode arriving at last. With the expected eventual reappearance of the mutineers, we debate their controversial actions. Was their betrayal a well intended effort, a malicious revenge plot, or something else? Regardless of the motivation, was it the right move? Was Megatron sorry all along and truly misunderstood by a large portion of the ship's crew? You can even let us know where you stand on this using social media with the hashtags #GetawayWasRight or #MegatronWasSorry.
This guy.
Bragging Rights is here. What has everyone gotten since their last recording?
Can you guess?
We'll be back in approximately two weeks to wildly speculate on Toy Fair 2017, talk about next week's comics like Optimus Prime #3, and much more!
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Posted by Counterpunch on January 22nd, 2017 @ 1:09pm CST
Posted by optimuspete on January 22nd, 2017 @ 2:15pm CST
Posted by megatronus on January 22nd, 2017 @ 11:20pm CST
optimuspete wrote:thanks a lot guys for answering my question, to clarify a little bit about how I count my collection and what I collect the color variants I mentioned are the music label Rumble and frenzy headphones for obvious reasons and the Energon Maximus combiners... Because they force you to get color variants to complete the combiners. Also of course mini cons and smaller Transformers that come with bigger Transformers count as their own figure. Also no third-party or knock-offs, no non transforming Transformers because WTF, and none of the Playskool/ Rescue Bots... but I'm getting pretty damn close two having one of every official mold from 1984 through till now... also I could definitely use the help tracking down the rest of the molds that I need for reasonable prices if you guys are willing to help?
That's awesome! I'm not a G1 collector (I have a select few reissues, but nothing more), but I have a lot of respect for the time and effort required to reach the achievement you're working towards.
I'm primarily a Generations (and whatever will fit into Generations from other lines) + Masterpiece collector. I might have ventured into previous lines, but my Marvel Legends and Star Wars Black Series habits (and growing Mezco One:12 effort) means I have to draw the line somewhere. New releases only!
Posted by Va'al on January 23rd, 2017 @ 3:28pm CST
- James Bond is also a dick, and the comparison just made me realise why I dislike Getaway so much: he's just a 'I am douche trope who fakes the cool factor because fiction is RIFE WITH MY TROPE and manboys love to be me'. All of the previous conversations about everyone else also being a dick still stand, and I do agree that the Rod Squad are Not Nice People. I said it before on Twitter, and stand by it now.
Counterpunch wrote:aka, the episode that triggered Va'al into a whirling dervish of destruction.
I know not what you speak of.
- A question for the Twincast: a lot of talk about toys to come out of comics-only/comics-first characters, as part of the 3P discussion - but do we need toys to happen, necessarily? I know what the franchise is, I know what came first, I know what the fandom is, I know I'm part of the other side of it, not really buying toys (my current count is fewer than 30). But do we need physical action figure manifestations of fictional characters to enjoy the character? How does it make our/your enjoyment of the figure better, added value, what have you?
Posted by RodimusConvoy13 on January 23rd, 2017 @ 3:35pm CST
Va'al wrote:Ok, two comments overall:
- James Bond is also a dick, and the comparison just made me realise why I dislike Getaway so much: he's just a 'I am douche trope who fakes the cool factor because fiction is RIFE WITH MY TROPE and manboys love to be me'. All of the previous conversations about everyone else also being a dick still stand, and I do agree that the Rod Squad are Not Nice People. I said it before on Twitter, and stand by it now.Counterpunch wrote:aka, the episode that triggered Va'al into a whirling dervish of destruction.
I know not what you speak of.
- A question for the Twincast: a lot of talk about toys to come out of comics-only/comics-first characters, as part of the 3P discussion - but do we need toys to happen, necessarily? I know what the franchise is, I know what came first, I know what the fandom is, I know I'm part of the other side of it, not really buying toys (my current count is fewer than 30). But do we need physical action figure manifestations of fictional characters to enjoy the character? How does it make our/your enjoyment of the figure better, added value, what have you?
I don't need to have a figure of Tarn or Megatron to enjoy the character. However, this is my favorite incarnation of Megatron. I'd love to have an official MTMTE Megatron figure. Same with Rodimus. When I used to collect DC Direct figures I was so stoked to get the Tim Sale inspired Long Halloween Batman. I loved that story, I loved the art. To have it in 3 dimensions was just awesome. I'd like the same for MTMTE.
Posted by Va'al on January 23rd, 2017 @ 3:50pm CST
RodimusConvoy13 wrote:Va'al wrote:A question for the Twincast: a lot of talk about toys to come out of comics-only/comics-first characters, as part of the 3P discussion - but do we need toys to happen, necessarily? I know what the franchise is, I know what came first, I know what the fandom is, I know I'm part of the other side of it, not really buying toys (my current count is fewer than 30). But do we need physical action figure manifestations of fictional characters to enjoy the character? How does it make our/your enjoyment of the figure better, added value, what have you?
I don't need to have a figure of Tarn or Megatron to enjoy the character. However, this is my favorite incarnation of Megatron. I'd love to have an official MTMTE Megatron figure. Same with Rodimus. When I used to collect DC Direct figures I was so stoked to get the Tim Sale inspired Long Halloween Batman. I loved that story, I loved the art. To have it in 3 dimensions was just awesome. I'd like the same for MTMTE.
Ok, I get that. But why? Why more enjoyment in the 3D representation of fiction?
Posted by megatronus on January 23rd, 2017 @ 3:55pm CST
Va'al wrote:A question for the Twincast: a lot of talk about toys to come out of comics-only/comics-first characters, as part of the 3P discussion - but do we need toys to happen, necessarily? I know what the franchise is, I know what came first, I know what the fandom is, I know I'm part of the other side of it, not really buying toys (my current count is fewer than 30). But do we need physical action figure manifestations of fictional characters to enjoy the character? How does it make our/your enjoyment of the figure better, added value, what have you?
Not necessarily, no - but to not have a physical embodiment of the comic characters would break the virtuous cycle.
Note that it's not necessarily a 'toys-first' mindset, but rather a recognition of the dual nature of the brand (embodied in the dual nature of the characters/toys themselves). You've probably heard plenty of the podcast members talk about how a character was a meaningless throwaway to them, until fiction justified their existence. The opposite is equally true; just as the fiction validates an existing toy, a toy validates the existing fiction. They give each other a heightened sense of importance and permanence. So, no, toys of these fictional characters aren't necessary, but, yes, they do enrich our appreciation of the fiction in a meaningful way.
Posted by Va'al on January 23rd, 2017 @ 3:59pm CST
megatronus wrote:They give each other a heightened sense of importance and permanence. So, no, toys of these fictional characters aren't necessary, but, yes, they do enrich our appreciation of the fiction in a meaningful way.
Ok ok, I think I'm questioning myself, too - as I have done a number of times in the Collecting Why Wherefore WTF thread.
I suppose my question is, then, how does it enrich that experience? Do you replay the fiction? Do you act it out? Do you look at it from other angles?
Posted by megatronus on January 23rd, 2017 @ 4:05pm CST
Va'al wrote:how does it enrich that experience?
Magic?
Posted by megatronus on January 23rd, 2017 @ 4:09pm CST
megatronus wrote:Va'al wrote:how does it enrich that experience?
Magic?
Like... Winnie the Pooh or Calvin & Hobbes.
It's likely a very primal thing; think of a kid reading Where the Wild Things Are while holding tight to their plush wild thing. Except we're grown, hairy men (and women).
Posted by Va'al on January 23rd, 2017 @ 4:11pm CST
megatronus wrote:megatronus wrote:Va'al wrote:how does it enrich that experience?
Magic?
Like... Winnie the Pooh or Calvin & Hobbes.
It's likely a very primal thing; think of a kid reading Where the Wild Things Are while holding tight to their plush wild thing. Except we're grown, hairy men (and women).
So you play with them while 'consuming'/enjoying the fiction?
Posted by megatronus on January 23rd, 2017 @ 4:19pm CST
Va'al wrote:megatronus wrote:megatronus wrote:Va'al wrote:how does it enrich that experience?
Magic?
Like... Winnie the Pooh or Calvin & Hobbes.
It's likely a very primal thing; think of a kid reading Where the Wild Things Are while holding tight to their plush wild thing. Except we're grown, hairy men (and women).
So you play with them while 'consuming'/enjoying the fiction?
Best. GIF. Ever.
No, I don't do that. Maybe others do. If most of my toys were out on a shelf, maybe I would. But a physical presence provides a more palpable connection. A long distance vs. live-in relationship.
Posted by Counterpunch on January 23rd, 2017 @ 5:29pm CST
Va'al wrote:RodimusConvoy13 wrote:Va'al wrote:A question for the Twincast: a lot of talk about toys to come out of comics-only/comics-first characters, as part of the 3P discussion - but do we need toys to happen, necessarily? I know what the franchise is, I know what came first, I know what the fandom is, I know I'm part of the other side of it, not really buying toys (my current count is fewer than 30). But do we need physical action figure manifestations of fictional characters to enjoy the character? How does it make our/your enjoyment of the figure better, added value, what have you?
I don't need to have a figure of Tarn or Megatron to enjoy the character. However, this is my favorite incarnation of Megatron. I'd love to have an official MTMTE Megatron figure. Same with Rodimus. When I used to collect DC Direct figures I was so stoked to get the Tim Sale inspired Long Halloween Batman. I loved that story, I loved the art. To have it in 3 dimensions was just awesome. I'd like the same for MTMTE.
Ok, I get that. But why? Why more enjoyment in the 3D representation of fiction?
This is actually a really good question.
It's a matter of the tangible.
When you enjoy a book or a show, there is only so much you can do with it. There are only so many times you can re-watch, re-read, and re-absorb the thing that you find pleasure in.
Set aside imagining new stories, shows, and fan-fiction for a moment here...
When you own the figure, you own a little piece of that story that you can see and touch. It's something you can investigate, transform, interact with, and yes, I suppose play with.
I can't imagine not having the figures to go along with my Transformers fiction. Being able to investigate all those cool designs, seeing how they work, and using imagination to bridge the gap between physical and fictional is what this hobby is all about to me.
Posted by ScottyP on January 23rd, 2017 @ 6:10pm CST
Admittedly, there have been times where it was habitual. There have been others where it's been curiosity - how does Robot X go from that to Alt Mode Y? Yet other times where it was the thrill of the chase, or even something to quell a boring afternoon. There's the puzzle aspect, the part where I get to build a display, tear it down months or years later, then rebuild anew. There's the "bring fiction to reality" side where I can recreate a scene from a show or book, and that's fun. There's the side of meticulous analysis of minor variants, wondering about the reasoning for certain choices of application on one version as opposed to another. Really, there's no one reason for me, other than I guess it's just an automatic thought since it's always improved my enjoyment of the material in abstract ways.
That said, I can do without minor characters, which is why Generations' direction in 2013 only partially scratched the itch. Part of wanting the major IDW characters as toys for me now is looking at this huge collection with representations of the icons of the brand, sometimes in two dozen different flavors, and wanting to know where my bots are. Rodimus and the Wreckers and yes, sometimes even the DJD are like the home team as of late, but the only jerseys I can find for some of them are knockoffs that some guy is selling outside the stadium and they mostly look cool but they still cost too much and technically aren't the real deal.
Video clip below is relevant but also nsfw/offensive/etc
Posted by Va'al on January 23rd, 2017 @ 6:23pm CST
Counterpunch wrote:It's a matter of the tangible.
[...]
When you own the figure, you own a little piece of that story that you can see and touch. It's something you can investigate, transform, interact with, and yes, I suppose play with.
I can't imagine not having the figures to go along with my Transformers fiction.
Would you apply this to all the fiction you enjoy though? If you move out of TFs, and say, into a comics series that has no action figures or statues or replicas or merch to go with it, or even a book series - would you still be wanting the tangible, used to as you are to want that little bit more?
ScottyP wrote:Part of wanting the major IDW characters as toys for me now is looking at this huge collection with representations of the icons of the brand, sometimes in two dozen different flavors, and wanting to know where my bots are.
So really not that dissimilar to wanting to fill in 'gaps' in the fiction itself, or finding a way to expand that story that is already set. How can you have them step out of the book to be able to connect with them more, further, differently. If I am reading this correctly, that is.
(Brief aside on Overwatch sexy fan art, via Idea Channel.)
megatronus wrote:No, I don't do that. Maybe others do. If most of my toys were out on a shelf, maybe I would. But a physical presence provides a more palpable connection. A long distance vs. live-in relationship.
I can see that, but I find myself mostly just playing about with characters - lately anyway - that have no fiction at all, or in ways that have nothing to with it anyway. It borders on visual fanfic I suppose, or plastic fan art. Hm.
Entirely different note: does riding an EVA train make you smell like your mum?
Posted by Ironhidensh on January 24th, 2017 @ 1:55pm CST
Counterpunch wrote:aka, the episode that triggered Va'al into a whirling dervish of destruction.
I feel a story here. Perhaps a new convo topic for the cast?
Posted by Va'al on January 24th, 2017 @ 2:36pm CST
Ironhidensh wrote::SICK:Counterpunch wrote:aka, the episode that triggered Va'al into a whirling dervish of destruction.
I feel a story here. Perhaps a new convo topic for the cast?
Ha, it was just referring to my conversation on Twitter on the same topic (Getaway), where I got a little heated in my responses. Same contents as above really!
Posted by Ironhidensh on January 24th, 2017 @ 4:05pm CST
Va'al wrote:Ironhidensh wrote::SICK:Counterpunch wrote:aka, the episode that triggered Va'al into a whirling dervish of destruction.
I feel a story here. Perhaps a new convo topic for the cast?
Ha, it was just referring to my conversation on Twitter on the same topic (Getaway), where I got a little heated in my responses. Same contents as above really!
Well, I'll have to twit stalk you then. I'm a curious cat.
Posted by megatronus on January 24th, 2017 @ 4:18pm CST
Ironhidensh wrote:twit stalk
That... does not sound right.
Posted by Counterpunch on January 25th, 2017 @ 10:16am CST
Va'al wrote:Counterpunch wrote:It's a matter of the tangible.
[...]
When you own the figure, you own a little piece of that story that you can see and touch. It's something you can investigate, transform, interact with, and yes, I suppose play with.
I can't imagine not having the figures to go along with my Transformers fiction.
Would you apply this to all the fiction you enjoy though? If you move out of TFs, and say, into a comics series that has no action figures or statues or replicas or merch to go with it, or even a book series - would you still be wanting the tangible, used to as you are to want that little bit more?
Almost all of it to be honest.
When I read Marvel books seriously, I collected Marvel Legends. When I regularly consumed new anime, I was buying figures and Figmas. When a game comes out that I am truly captured by, I tend to get into the merch (although less so nowadays).
I should point out that a lack of stuff for a property doesn't necessarily diminish my enjoyment, it can usually only help to make that franchise a bit more fun.
I've actually had to consciously pull back from these habits in recent years. I've been trying to think very hard and consider whether I will still feel strongly about a property in a few years prior to a purchase. This has actually helped me to self evaluate how I engage in my hobbies to some degree and place more value on the things, stories, and toys I care most about.
Posted by Va'al on January 25th, 2017 @ 10:21am CST
Counterpunch wrote:I should point out that a lack of stuff for a property doesn't necessarily diminish my enjoyment, it can usually only help to make that franchise a bit more fun.
That is what I was looking for, in the questions, I think. The idea of supplement rather than complement - it's a non-necessary but very welcome addition, yes?
Like a fan-reference in a movie, that does not remove from the enjoyment or understanding of the film for a non-hardcore fan, but gives that extra kick if one is 'in the know' - an imperfect parallel, but I hope it helped a little in my comparison.
Posted by Ironhidensh on January 25th, 2017 @ 10:38am CST
Off topic: with regards to the last few posts, I'm starting to notice a growing trend in several of us "older" collectors to scale back and refocus are habits. Just a product of age?
Posted by Va'al on January 25th, 2017 @ 10:45am CST
Ironhidensh wrote:On topic: where is this site some if you were talking about to count your collection?
I believe several podcasters mentioned shmax: https://www.shmax.com/
I just count by hand - it's 51 figures, with more trimming to happen soon.
Off topic: with regards to the last few posts, I'm starting to notice a growing trend in several of us "older" collectors to scale back and refocus are habits. Just a product of age?
Ooooh, interesting prod there. It does seem to come up more and more with older fans, or fans who have been collecting for longer - though with the size of some of the collections, I'm not sure to what extent it can be applied.
In fact, a lot of new toy buyers have really tiny, really specific tastes and collections, reflecting themes and trends that catch their eye (comics, cartoon, head canons). So.. I dunno. Definitely maybe!
Posted by Counterpunch on January 25th, 2017 @ 10:51am CST
Ironhidensh wrote:On topic: where is this site some if you were talking about to count your collection?
Off topic: with regards to the last few posts, I'm starting to notice a growing trend in several of us "older" collectors to scale back and refocus are habits. Just a product of age?
Two things...
Space. I have a house now with a generously sized room for my collection. That's it though. It can't get bigger than that. So I have to consider carefully what is worthy of shelf real estate in a final kind of manner.
Choices. Years ago, it was possible, even common to collect everything. These days, it simply is not. There are so many options and products that if you don't think and really plan out what you care about, you end up with a lot that you couldn't care less about.
Posted by RodimusConvoy13 on January 25th, 2017 @ 10:59am CST
Counterpunch wrote:Ironhidensh wrote:On topic: where is this site some if you were talking about to count your collection?
Off topic: with regards to the last few posts, I'm starting to notice a growing trend in several of us "older" collectors to scale back and refocus are habits. Just a product of age?
Two things...
Space. I have a house now with a generously sized room for my collection. That's it though. It can't get bigger than that. So I have to consider carefully what is worthy of shelf real estate in a final kind of manner.
Choices. Years ago, it was possible, even common to collect everything. These days, it simply is not. There are so many options and products that if you don't think and really plan out what you care about, you end up with a lot that you couldn't care less about.
My collecting habits really changed because of marriage and kids. It was a space issue and a money issue. I'm now down to just collecting what I really want(minus a few things that are out of my price range.)
Posted by megatronus on January 25th, 2017 @ 11:10am CST
Ironhidensh wrote:On topic: where is this site some if you were talking about to count your collection?
Off topic: with regards to the last few posts, I'm starting to notice a growing trend in several of us "older" collectors to scale back and refocus are habits. Just a product of age?
Age? I'm the youngest person on the podcast
Space is one issue. Finances are another. For me though, it's more of an interest thing. I've set more defined boundaries for myself, and the older I get the more well-defined my tastes, interests, and priorities become.
Posted by william-james88 on January 25th, 2017 @ 3:08pm CST
Few of us are ready to subscribe to the service just to get that expensive Krok toy. And plus, shipping internationally from the club is insane, so there was no way I would have ever been able to afford that Krok. So that's where I was when it was revealed, just thinking "meh, another repaint I cant afford".
Now this is a repaint I can afford
Posted by Razorclaw0000 on January 26th, 2017 @ 5:58am CST
But it is about permanence: Having a totem of the fiction in physical form to keep the fiction fresh in my head and go on enjoying after I've long finished consuming it. It keeps me from forgetting.
Posted by william-james88 on January 26th, 2017 @ 8:36am CST
Oh and i wanted to compliment you on the great comic discussion. Its not always easy to coordinate getting the weekly comic in time to listen to the podcast, but this idea of looking back on a recent topic we are now all familiar with and discussing it as a whole is pretty awesome. Especially since MTMTE makes more sense when looked at within its bigger picture and looking back at the hints James Roberts leaves us along the way.
Posted by william-james88 on January 26th, 2017 @ 2:53pm CST
Posted by ScottyP on January 26th, 2017 @ 8:48pm CST
oh wow, that's awesome! Tricerashot was so cool in the show that I imagine he'll be hard to come by. One of the first of those single packed Mini-cons that's a good representation of the show appearance
Posted by WreckerJack on January 29th, 2017 @ 11:05pm CST
ScottyP wrote:When I was much younger, it was about actually having adventures for many characters. Vroom, Crossblades, and Thunderwing's inner robots were some of my main jams. I don't remember what the story was around them anymore, but they were the main heroes.
I can relate to this so much. When I was a kid I didn't have a lot of electronics because my parents didn't like the idea of me playing any video games until I was old enough to earn money to buy them. Cable TV was a "waste of money" even though we weren't poor. We weren't rich either but that's besides the point.
I spent most of my childhood building forts in the woods and playing with figures. I changed schools a lot so a lot of my friendships were long distance. I would spend hours playing with my figures. I had a big tub of figures, I can still remember laying on the floor and making them fight. I would create my own stories and sometimes make huge battle scenes. Some days I would take them outside in the grass and make them go on adventures.
As an adult my relationship with figures has changed. I don't play with them like I did when I was a kid but I do pose them. I like to hold them in my hand while I watch TV so I can fiddle with them. Sometimes I do come up with poses for stories though. Recently I have been thinking about doing some picture comics with them but I need more Decepticons to even out the roster.
Another thing that strikes me is that a lot of people complain about having to "fix" their figures. I agree that we shouldn't have to and that a figure should come out of the box ready to pose. For me doing maintenance on my figures like removing a burr or fixing a dissembled joint (In Pyra Magna's case) somehow makes me feel closer to that character.
Yeah, I know that figures aren't alive and characters are purely fictional however, I feel that we give them life. A figure is a very tangible way of interacting with our imaginary muses. You get to hold them in your hands, learn how all their mechanical parts move when they transform. It's a very satisfying feeling.