Summertime

SS’86 Megatron looks great! I don’t need it but if they care to do it in ‘G2 Archforce’ colours then I’m well on board. And perhaps a repaint/slight tweak of Volvo Prime in ‘G2 Sureshot’ colours. Could be a handsome pair.

Seaspray and Brawn look good for the retro line. I do prefer the toy deco over cartoon, and so I think I need them (all).

Haslabs! Thinking about what the options are for Haslabs (again, I’m sure I’ve gone through a similar thought process before…..). I reckon there are three JG1 options: Grandus, Road Caesar and Dai Atlas, then three sort of JG1 options: God Ginrai/PMOP, Overlord and Metroplex (Metrotitan). The latter three could be mainline, but probably not the former. Happily, I’ve also had the email to say a fixed version of Fire Convoy is on its way for the Autumn.

SDCC then. Not expecting much for Transformers, might get to see a few new figures. I’ve preorders in for everything that I wanted from the leaks. Most of my hopes for SDCC are for Marvel Legends and (McFarlane) Mortal Kombat. Maybe a bit of Lego if I’m lucky.

Thinking about Mortal Kombat (combined with running out of TV to watch), I’ve started on my boss customs again, doing a bit of sanding and filling. It’s been about 10 years since I first had the idea (possibly longer). I might actually be in a position to start painting soon! There wasn’t much Mortal Kombat action at SDCC, a fairly predictable Reptile reveal I guess?! I’ve put in an order for the Sub-Zero Mileena 2-pack, seems like the 2-packs will be superior versions. It’s strange, despite it having been 30 odd years since I played the games I am surprised how excited I am about some new toys. (I never had the toys as a kid but I did used to pretend my Monsters in my Pocket figures were the characters and have little tournaments with them.)

Rest of SDCC not too exciting either, glad to see Mephisto (got preorder in), no sign of the other rumoured figures that I’m interested in. Revealed Transformers look good (Sureshot, Bruticus limbs and Big Convoy). One exciting titbit from one of the interviews was the reveal that Star Convoy was designed to have ‘extra’ connectability - Grandus and Sky Garry mentioned but also Dai Atlas. Intriguing! If they decide to do Road Caesar as the next Haslab then that’s most of the main Japanese characters done (although it’s at the point where I’d like better versions of Overlord and Dai Atlas, to somewhat scale better with Star Convoy). Sadly there seemed to be a hint that Road Caesar was not being considered at the moment. I’m quite excited about Bruticus (my favourite scramble city combiner), but even more excited for prospect of a toy deco version and potentially Battle Gaia.

Doc Samson rumour for Legends! Along with Abomination and Mephisto it’s looking good but sparse. That said, I think l’ll be just about done, just hope all the rumours actually materialise! Managed to grab a Shanna. Savage Land gang complete.

I feel genuinely torn about missing link Transformers, really don’t want to start a new collection but I love the G1 car robots. Maybe I don’t need to make a decision straight away, see how it goes for the time being. I’m keen not to tie myself to a new line for an unspecified amount of time, I’m similarly torn about Mortal Kombat actually.

Star Convoy! Held off for ages to open it but couldn’t wait any longer. Nice and chunky, surprisingly large but not crazy in vehicle mode. I mostly got it to go with a potential Grandus but I really like the vehicle mode which the previous Selects version was missing. Feels like another one of those Japanese exclusive G1 figures comprehensively ticked off. With Road Caesar seemingly out of favour and Dai Atlas getting a name drop I wonder if the latter could be a more likely Haslab option? They know JG1 sells.

Mandarin reveal and preorder. I’m not sure about it as it’s not his classic look, but given I’ve only ever seen him in the 90’s cartoon and the Shang Chi film, I guess it’s what I’ve seen him as half of the time. I reckon it’s possible they end up doing a cartoon version sometime so I think it’s worth getting so can do a cheeky head/hands swap.

And finally for the month, the Target 4-pack arrived. I only wanted Bumper and Horri-Bull. I’ve got the older 4-pack Bumblebee so’ve gone for the head swap option. Very glad to get Horri-Bull. Another team completed and one of this year’s releases I was most looking forward to. 

Feel like I could really do with some news I can excited about. Guess we’re looking to October now for the next big drop. Looking at what’s left that I’m expecting, got preorders in for all the Transformers stuff. Still hopeful for a couple more Marvel Legends reveals.

Missing Link

I got the Omega Prime Haslab! I’ve actually had it a while but because of all the issues I put it off opening it slightly. The chest on mine looks okay though I didn’t try it to see how tight it was, and although one of Ultra Magnus’s doors is a little off white I think I got off okay. I’ll hold off actually playing with it to see if Hasbro does anything but if they don’t then I’ll attempt the fix. From my very quick play with/look at it I think it looks really good. I was having a bit of doubt as to whether I should have bought it but I think it’ll be good. Sounds like Hasbro are planning to send out replacements so fired off my complaint.

Another round of Marvel Legends rumours and…… I’m not interested in any of them, not even a ‘I’ll have a look’. Just nothing. I think my stopping collecting them might actually be happening. I am interested in Shanna though so I’ll need to be on it after SDCC.

And then I started thinking about Missing Link Sunstreaker and…… I’ve put in an order for Optimus. Dammit! I realised though that if they come out with a Wheeljack or Mirage I might not be able to resist. There’s a rumour of Ironhide and Ratchet. I think I could just get the car robot Diaclone based characters - the 12 from 1984, 7 from 1985 and Magnus from 1986. (Obviously Dinobots and cassettes are fair game as well.) I will take the same approach with Optimus as I did with a lot of Masterpiece, basically not open it for a little while and see how I feel about it (as well as see what else comes out), so if I do change my mind it’s easily sold. I think the line is looking like what I wanted from Masterpiece - possible but also (very) toy accurate. Better size for me as well. Grimlock, Ultra Magnus, Ironhide, and Ratchet are all rumoured. Anyway, Sunstreaker is great! I did wake up the next day though and really wonder whether I want to get into collecting another line. I’m definitely down for a Grimlock but I’ll have to give it a bit more thought with the rest.

My collection is G1/Beast Wars (and Car Robots although Takara consider it part of G1/Beast Wars). The Beast Wars and Car Robots is main cartoon lineups only. For Beast Wars II and Neo I go with the original figures rather than modern. Car Robots I’m still figuring it out, Black Convoy is original, Sky Byte is T30 and Omega Prime is Haslab. Baldigus could go either way, if I went original then it’s a repaint of G1 Bruticus, who just happens to be one of my favourite combiners. Plus it would make sense in the context of the Beast Wars II Seacons (I have the originals). So I convinced myself I needed the originals but they’re really hard to get hold of. Almost nothing doing on eBay, but then I worked out how to buy from Mecari (through Buyee). Managed to find an original Baldigus for a reasonable price! Annoyingly thought Dolrailer was missing his chest piece so will still need to try to track that down.

Got a preorder in for Mondo Real Ghostbusters Winston. Apparently Peter is delayed until August (and presumably Egon will be later as well). These will be the most expensive 6” figures I’ve ever bought so I hope they live up to expectations.

A few preorders got bumped forward and so have Star Convoy, Silverbolt and Vortex earlier than expected. Vortex looks really good even though I’m not so keen on the cartoon look. Star Convoy looks great but I’m going to wait and see if there’s a Grandus before deciding whether to keep it - the old Selects scaled much more nicely with Super Megatron and Dai Atlas. Actually in the last month or so I have bought a worrying amount of stuff ‘just in case’ (ML Optimus, Star Convoy, Vortex, X-23). Not a great habit to get into.

I am glad to have Silverbolt though and my plan is to keep it in Superion mode (and the combiner wars individually). I am very impressed with how solid it feels and I feel justified for the first time in buying all the main combiners again. Bring on Defensor!

Vortex also looks great and although the Combaticons are the only ones I’d consider replacing with toy deco versions, I’m happy. (I’ve not actually opened Star Convoy yet either.)

I finally picked up the Mark IV Lego minifig (it came with a bust), the Lego shop had sold out so had to wait a while. Finally I’m done with Iron Man. (Unless Lego care to do any more of the legion armours, or Hasbro fancies doing any more MCU Legends.) I bought another Mark VI helmet so it can be consistent with the previous armours. Pictures of Soundwave have emerged and he looks great, but I realise there was part of me that was hoping it wouldn’t. Think might actually pass on it. Similarly to Missing link, if they do a Grimlock then I’ll definitely be up for it but otherwise that’s a bit of money saved.

Retro Gears finally turned up, I much prefer the colour and head sculpt. I like the retro releases, Seaspray and Brawn pictures have also surfaced and look good. Topspin finally turned up, my Diaclone jumpstarters are complete. Hopefully that’s not the end for ‘Diaclone Universe’ stuff.

That’s it for this month, amazingly, everything I’ve sold this year has outweighed I’ve bought so far, and for the end of July, that’s quite the achievement.

Crazy month!!!

Shuma Gorath! Looks good to me, preordered. Also a rumour of a comic Werewolf by Night. Combined with all the other rumours, I think that would just leave me with needing Doc Samson and Yellowjacket. Doc Samson seems a reasonable bet for a Hulk wave, in which case it’s just Yellowjacket. At that point I think I’d just get the old figure and call it a day! (There’s still a few Iron Man armours I’d like, plus a few redos but still, I’d pretty much would be done.) Got X-23, despite it being an X-Force version I’m very happy. If we don’t get a regular version I might just paint over the grey/red bits.

Lego time! Finally got the Fantastic 4, and Galactus. They are MCU costumes but I do prefer the black gloves/boots/trim but it’s also good to finally have them. Just need Doom (and a Nightcrawler) then I’m happy with my minifig lineup.

Ironfist and Carnivac have arrived, feels like a little while since my last new Transformers. Both repaints of toys I already have but nicely done. Ironfist is a rare thing indeed - a new character for my collection. Hope they carry on with the Wreckers and Mayhem sets, there’s a certain pair of Euro G1 leader figures they really need to do.

Also got Constructicons, Scrapper is pretty great, as expected (Scoop repaint please!), Bonecrusher is fine but just as elegant. I’m glad I downsized though, looking good. 

Another load of Transformers leaks - Joyride! Very happy for another ‘88er. Plus all the remaining Minibots including Bumper. Fantastic! They do seem to be working their way through the calalogue - surely some Omnibots and Throttlebots are needed! Nothing else really stood out but comic Fort Max is intriguing, if only for the other comic figures we might see in the future. Rack’n’Ruin was important in Marvel UK. Thunderwing and Nightbeat were important characters in both Marvel and IDW, Sunstorm (Dreamwave) really needs a figure, and the likes of IDW Nautica and Riptide (both mentioned in previous Hasbro interviews), Rung, and Fulcrum would be great. Maybe a new Drift. There’s loads of course. Thunderclash is interesting - a comic version would also fit very nicely (from Prima maybe?), but a toy version could also be used for a Machine Wars Optimus.

Overall, I’m feeling quite encouraged by the general direction, it’s just everything seems to take so long! I’m starting to think it might be good to a time limit on things - three years and I’m done (except maybe a very limited list).

I’m conscious that I focus on what my most wanted, but I thought today I would make a different sort of list - the ones I’m most grateful to have (or almost have). They’re not all perfect, but I’m just glad to have them. 1). Leader Dinobots, they ran out of budget on Sludge and Snarl, but overall, what a set. 2). Deluxe Insecticons, both regular and deluxe Insecticons at the deluxe price point. Great. 3). 1988 Decepticons - headmaster Jnrs, double Targetmasters, Powermasters and triggercons. Like I say, not all perfect, but they’ve (almost) got them all out. I still kinda want Firecons but I have the G1 versions so not as worried. 4). Cassettes. One of my favourite subgroups, could still do with Overkill and Slugfest but all the ‘main’ ones at least. 5). Liokaiser, let’s hope it’s good! 6). Deszaras, perfection. 7). Scorponok, also perfection. 8). Trypticon, also also perfection. 9). Beast Wars season 1, a few minor quibbles but overall, brilliant. 10). 1987 Headmasters/Targetmasters. Almost there, struggled with the Autobot Targetmasters but I’m happy just to have them.

Got in my preorders for Horri-Bull and Venom to take me a little closer to 2), and 3) above. A complete set of deluxe Insecticons was on my wanted list a few years back before the exclusives were leaked. Also ordered the two remaining Aerialbots. Superion is looking quite good though I wonder if it’s possible to have the jets on the front of the legs, they’re pretty pointless otherwise. Also received Ramhorn and his mates to complete 4). Happy, although an expensive old month. That said, we’re halfway through the year and I’ve sold more than I’ve bought. Result.

Shaaking Up

I’ve been thinking about my most wanted things that aren’t Transformers. Star Wars wise, it’s the 20th anniversary of ROTS so both Saesee Tiin and Holocomm Palps seem feasible (assuming they’re still doing holocomm figures). Marvel Legends wise, Gorgon and Triton have both been rumoured, and there’s apparently going to be a Hulk wave next year, and so Doc Samson seems feasible. Yellowjacket could pop up in an Avengers wave (seems weird he didn’t turn up when Haslab Giant Man came out). There’s an 18+ Marvel Lego set coming out in January so that could be the Baxter Building - perhaps they didn’t get to see what the MCU version looked like in time. (Mind you, we’ve only seen what it looks like in the trailer - they might end up in a different building.) Lego Wayne Manor seems like it could happen at any point, they seem to be ignoring the rest of DC so it’s always on the cards. Finally, Dr Doom and Nightcrawler Lego minifigs seem extremely likely for 2026 with the new Avengers film and series 2 of X-Men ‘97. A Lego Fantastic 4 set for this year has leaked so they’re in the bag. (As well as the long awaited Mark IV Iron Man armour.) It all seems so feasible!!!

I saw Thunderbolts, and really enjoyed it. Felt a bit more low stakes, but when they use good writing rather than a big fight to settle things at the end it gets my vote. In many ways it seemed like the original Guardians film but on earth (and without the music). It also had that same quality where they focus on a couple of characters, but they all get a little time to shine (except one character……). I even found myself enjoying US Agent much more than the TV show. He’s a dick, but seemed much more self aware. I’ve also really enjoyed Daredevil, it’s a half series so shorter, and maybe a bit more focussed than the old Netflix series. I’m looking forward to Fantastic 4. Suddenly the MCU is looking a bit more interesting than it has done for a while.

I was hoping for a bit of exciting news for the May Fourth event but nothing doing. I did reconsider my collecting rules for Star Wars black - it’s characters from the 2003 Clone Wars series where you see them die, but including Ahsoka and Darth Maul. A bit dark but I’m trying to stick to 3.75” scale for the less important characters. Shaak Ti gets a pass since there’s two deleted scenes from ROTS where she is killed (one by Grievous and one by Darth Vader). I did think about Barriss Offee and Luminara Unduli but they don’t feature so prominently in the films (as well as not featuring in the death scenes), actually I thought about it quite a lot but eventually realised I’ve got nice versions of them at 3.75” and that’s fine. Shaak Ti is finally here, just need Saesee! I realise that all the prequel Jedi so far are listed as AOTC on the box so it’s not unreasonable to think some ROTS figures might be a while coming (maybe a Saesee Tiin/Agen Kolar 2-pack?). There are some rumours about just that so we’re not done for the year just yet. I saw a photo of Obi-Wan with clone armour and wondered if I maybe need that figure, then after checking some old photos from 2021, realised I already had it. Whoops!

A Shanna Marvel Legends reveal has suddenly popped up out of nowhere, great! She is the last X-Men related (ish) character I wanted, she also completes my list of favourite cameo characters from the 90’s cartoons. (I would like better versions of X-23, Iceman and Angel, but pretty much done …….)

So a quiet month spending wise, have continued to sell quite a lot of stuff, my spending for the year so far is a record low. Looks set to change for the second half of the year though. Lego incoming!

Bit Leaky

I’ve been thinking about the leaks a little bit more and despite my initial lack of enthusiasm about them, it is good to get a couple more Minibots - that will be 1984 and 85 all finished. 1986 will have a few more I want - Defensor, Tailgate, Outback, Broadside and Octane. And Metroplex. Need some Omnibots in there somewhere as well. 1987 is almost down as well - need Throttlebots and Slugfest/Overkill. In terms of replacing figures that’s not many as I’d still keep combiner wars Defensor.

eBay seem fairly determined to make it ever more difficult to sell as a private seller, or at least they keep on changing things for no obvious reason. This got me further thinking, of the toys listed above, for the most part - if they were replacing an old toy, I’d actually be fairly happy just to donate the old one to charity. The only exception would be FOC Metroplex who I feel I should go through the effort of selling. Beyond 1987, Getaway and Nightbeat strike me as figures that need better versions but again, I could just donate the old ones. Other figures that I want to replace and that have some high value is the MP Raiden set, though I can’t really see it getting a Generations version. I’d like to replace various leader figures (God Ginrai, Overlord, Dai Atlas) but it wouldn’t be the end of the world just to donate them. I think I’m in a fairly good position should it not be possible to use eBay.

This has been a very strange year in terms of collecting for me - I’ve become extremely disciplined, I’ve hardly bought anything I’ve not planned for and I haven’t bought anything from eBay. What’s more, it’s looking like there won’t be a big Marvel LEGO set this year so that’s even more I planned for but won’t actually spend. There are quite a few big bits that I just might not get and so it could be an extremely (relatively) cheap year.

There are a couple of interesting rumours - more Zelda LEGO (for next year) and a Hulk wave of Marvel Legends including Abomination. Gotta think though that Doc Samson is in with a reasonable shout of getting a figure. That would just leave Yellowjacket as the remaining Avengers character I want. It’s strange, if we do get Doc Samson then my want for Yellowjacket will increase massively. I’ve also had another look over the rumours/leaks for this year, still really hoping we get Triton and Gorgon. Get those four and my remaining wants are mostly Iron Man armours. Other rumour is Missing Link Grimlock, yay! I kinda expected it could be on the cards as (similarly to Sunstreaker), it’s one where they lost the G1 mold and it’s such a popular character.

Got the next Streetfighter II figure - Guile. It’s……. quite boring, he’s one of the more boring characters. Apart from the hair he’s pretty much a standard American military type. I’m not sure I have enough interest in SF really. I think I’ll stick with it but perhaps I just stick with the main eight and not the bosses.

And to finish the month, retro style Bumblebee. Nice package, and I like that the instructions are retro too. I think I like the shade of yellow a bit more than the Netflix, I’m not keen on the anime head with non-painted eyes, and I’m not sure whether I want Bumblebee to have clear plastic like most of the other Ark figures. But I also like the toy deco option. Too many options. The various shades of yellow/orange for ‘bee and ‘streaker irritates me no end. I just want them to be consistent!

So it’s the one third of the way through the year and….. I’ve sold more than I’ve bought! Wowsers.

Nothing Groundbreaking

I’ve been having a bit of a think about Haslabs and the potential made to order (MTO) figures. I guess based on Marvel Legends MTO is somewhat lower budget (less risky) than Haslabs, but with the advantage of increased budget flexibility over mainline.

I guess though that most of them will be/are used for leader characters since they tend to be larger. It doesn’t seem too much of a stretch to think that the likes of BWII Galvatron, RID Megatron/Galvatron, Energon and Cybertron Optimus and Megatron/Galvatron could work well for MTO. Maybe G1 Overlord as well. (Assume God Ginrai/PMOP would be mainline since Star Convoy is.)

What does that leave for Haslabs? Metroplex or Rocket Base from G1 maybe? Road Caesar, Grandus (and Sky Garry) and Dai Atlas (with Roadfire and Sonic Bomber) are three contenders from JG1. Rail Racer from RID is I think the main contender from outside of G1.

Who else is there? It’s hard to imagine a Haslab or MTO to order from anything more recent than the Unicron trilogy, apart from perhaps Animated Omega Supreme, but how popular is Animated outside of North America and Europe? If it was a simple transformation it could be relatively low cost at least. Primus is usually also in the discussion but how would they do it? Something more expensive than Unicron seems prohibitive now.

I think the next Haslab will be Road Caesar, but maybe they have a gap to focus on MTO. Glad to see all of the tiers for Liokaiser have been unlocked, really looking forward to it.

Toy Fair! Used to be one of the highlights of the calendar 10-15 years ago but still some decent reveal this year. Vortex looks great, Alchemist Prime looks a great mold but I’ll wait and see if there’s a better recolour. Ramhorn and Ratbat look good, Ironfist looks good, and Carnivac and Topspin look solid. Think might have to get Legends X-23 despite her being in the X-Force costume. Bit disappointed to see a Kit Fisto repack in Black series rather than say, Saesee Tiin who we’ve not had yet. Managed to get preorders in for most of it.

McFarlane getting Mortal Kombat is intriguing, though annoying that it’s 7” scale rather than 6”. The more I think about it though the more I want some larger scale Mortal Kombat figures.

My Joytoy TMNT figures came in - Rocksteady and Bebop. They’re amazing! I’m very tempted by Shredder, the Foot, and Krang but they just seem a bit further removed from what I imagine when I think of the characters (well, Shredder at least). I’m happy with Bebop and Rocksteady for my 3.75” villains collection, more widely I’m very content to have my heroes (the Turtles) as 6” figures and villains at 3.75”.

It’s been a funny sort of month, mostly I’ve been selling - I’ve had my cheapest three months for many a year. Would have been even cheaper without Liokaiser! The two Aerialbots came in, I’m perfectly happy with them they’re just not that exciting. Also had Maximum Spider-Man arrive, a modest improvement on RYV.

2026 leaks! Each time I hope to see Thunderclash bit alas it’s not to be. Good to see the remaining ‘84 and ‘85 Minibots (plus Swerve), and Sureshot again, and G2 Sludge and Swoop. Big Convoy and Quickstrike I’m not sure about, and similarly SS’86 Sunstreaker and Hound but I’ll take a look. So nothing groundbreaking, but ticking along I suppose. Maybe the Titan will be something to capture the imagination?