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?

Tracking my spending

I think writing a very long list of everything I want has been helpful. It gives me a bit of confidence that I won’t turn round in a couple of months and find there some stuff I actually really want that I’ve just been ignoring. I’ve been extremely diligent this year so far keeping track of my spending, I’ve always kept track of it but I’ve taken it a bit further this time in comparing it to my budget and what I expect to be buying. My goal is have my cheapest year since 2020. I’m on track at the moment.

Once again I’ve got lots of things to sell so that’s been a bit of my focus. So far I’ve sold more than I’ve bought. I haven’t bought any Transformers yet but have had the first couple of Legends. Wolverine finally arrived. He and Deadpool are great, I really enjoying messing with them. As much as I enjoy the MCU, Hugh Jackman Wolverine is a part of my growing up (like Tobey Maguire Spider-Man). And Chameleon, he completes my 6” Spider-Man lineup. It’s quite an appropriate figure to finish up as my first ever Spider-Man toy was a Chameleon figure from a pack of Frosties in the mid 90’s. Finally, Ms. Marvel! Did a bit of parts swapping (exactly like I did with Marvel Universe). Very happy to have her finally.

Liokaiser! Really happy it’s him, and with a Deathcobra to boot. It’s always a little bit of a nervous time to see if a Haslab will get over the line, but once they added the Chinese orders it got there quickly. There’s a few promising hints about upcoming figures but nothing anywhere near as exciting. I have to admit that my mind immediately went to thinking how much I also want a Road Caesar. Looking at some online polls for most wanted figure, JRX and Metroplex seem most popular. I’d get either but Metroplex would be my preference.

So quite a quiet month really, I’ve sorted through quite a lot of stuff, the drawers next to my desk were a bit of a disgrace so they are organised now. I identified a few more bits to sell as well working out what custom projects I might work on next.

List to end all lists

Realise I forgot to look at how many things I got from my wanted list from December ‘23. I got Barrage, Chop Shop and Overcharge. Three! With a fourth (Venom) rumoured for this year. My want list this time is half as big but includes groups rather than individuals, surely can do better than three though!

I’m not sure what I’m really looking forward to this year, definitely Legends Ms. Marvel and Inhumans, and possibly Lego Fantastic 4 (rumoured for June). Transformers Ramhorn, Venom and Horri-Bull will be much appreciated to complete some sets. There’s nothing really big that I’m excited about. Yet.

I have managed to get the last X-Men Marvel Legends figure I needed to finally replace my Universe (3.75” scale) versions - Sauron. It’s a bit of a shame since I only made the custom in late 2023 but with having Ka-Zar and Zabu in the scale they needed their savage land nemesis. I also replaced Man-Thing, who was actually an old Toybiz Legends figure. The old one was very skinny though and looked out of place with other Legends figures. (Am still in the market for an X-23 though so not completely done with X-Men.)

Finished the Lego X-Mansion Lego set, getting extra X-Men minions has made me think about what other minifigs characters I want - I really want the Fantastic 4, then I think I just need Doctor Doom and Nightcrawler (my favourite X-Men character). Nice build though even if it’s not quite so impressive as previous sets. Bring on the Baxter building!

A new version of Trypticon has been revealed. I’m perfectly happy with my Titans Return version but it got me thinking: Omega Supreme, Fort Max and Scorponok have all been rereleased - could it hint at a new Metroplex? From ‘84-‘87 we still need Omnibots and Throttlebots (and Sureshot and Slugfest), but in terms of updates of characters that have already had a generations figure, Metroplex is top of my list. With a Metrotitan repaint please.

I’ve made a list of all my preorders and all the rumoured figures I’m interested in (plus a few educated guesses), put an approximate value and added it all up. This is my budget for the year, anything else will need to be covered from selling stuff. (I’ve got a few things to sell still.) What occurs to me is that this budget excludes any playing catchup - primarily no buying things on eBay. I’ve made a list of absolutely everything I might possibly want to buy and having looked through the (Japanese) Generations book, nothing which already exists has been added to my list of wants. Hopefully this is the list to end all lists.

I feel like I’m spending too much year on year and so spent quite a lot of time thinking about how I could reduce my collection or at least the things I want to get, it’s impossible to draw a line. Whenever I draw it there’s always a nagging voice, ‘oh, but what about this character……’. Then it struck me, most of what I’m buying is characters I already have. That’s where I really need to focus my attention if I want to spend less. I have a subsection of my ‘everything I want’ list which is figures I want new updates of so need to start sticking to that.

I got a couple of new purchases - Blokees Swoop turned up. Nice addition to the set, just need a Sludge. The 3.75” Plasma Ghostbusters also arrived, I couldn’t quite be bothered to dig out Ecto-1, but it’s a nice set and I’m happy to be replacing my 6” figures with them (in time for getting 6” Real Ghostbusters).

I am in budget this month!

Jingle Bells

What a year! This has been quite the momentous year of collecting for me. Started off focused on Lego, built my first big build that I designed (Turtles’ lair). I then started thinking about my Transformers collection - realised that my collecting rules were overly complicated and really, all of G1 was fair game anyway and so played a bit of catchup. Did get rid of a few bits though.

I then decided to change my Marvel collections so that Legends was focused on the heroes and SpiderMan/X-Men villains, and Universe (3.75”) was focused on Avengers/cosmic villains. But really, I’ve given up any sort of pretence that I’ve still a 3.75” Marvel collector. In all honesty, Legends are just a bit too good now. Hasbro have won! With the Marvel advent calendar and X-Mansion the year will finish with Lego as well. Did grab a few last Legends bits this month as the acceptance sunk in - Black Widow, much better than the old figure, as well as Dracula, Wendigo, and Mojo (the last one upgraded from the Toybiz versions).

In terms of acquisitions, I finally got Deszaras, I completed my leader Dinobots, and made major steps to completing the Insecticons and cassettes in Generations. I got my main Marvel Legends wants, I got my main Star Wars Black want, my final Thundercats want (Snarf), and my main (Marvel) Lego want. Wow! I’ve also got a preorder in for Mondo Peter Venkman and happy that the other three will be happening in the future.

As well as acquiring a few most wanted bits, I made the decision to part ways with a few more Mastepiece figures (just have Grimlock, Soundwave and Raiden left) and my larger 3.75” scale vehicles. All great toys but I haven’t been able to display them for years and with my decision to focus on 6” for heroic characters I can’t really justify them.

I got my penultimate Transformer of the year, Mainframe! Very glad they did him in proper colours, though I think this is the version that should have come with the Ark and then we could have had a fully grey/red/blue version in Selects. I’ve come to really like the Actionmaster characters so glad to have him, plus another for the Lost Light display. My final Transformer turned out to be Overcharge, who I think looks great, a bit more of a 70’s/80’s sci-fi look to him. Most importantly though he gives me hope we might see the last few Diaclone repaints next year.

I’m feeling the need for a list or two. Most wanted Transformers (not featuring any Diaclone repaints but I still want them):

Thunderclash

Skyquake

Liokaiser

Road Caesar

Grandus

Metrotitan

Throttlebots

Omnibots

I think Thunderclash is happening - between mentions of Wreckers, Lost Light, Machine Wars and even the bot himself by Hasbro. Surely! Star Convoy has been revealed (looks great) and so I think Grandus could be likely for the Haslab/MTO offering, and finally Skyquake is also an easy repaint for the Mayhems set. They could almost all be repaints - I’d like a Metrotitan from a new toy accurate Metroplex but it could still be a repaint. Actually looking at the old artwork for Grandus, maybe they could share a mold (or limbs at least).

(Superion looks good as well, one for combined mode though rather than individual robot modes as too cartoony for me.)

Beyond these characters/groups, Diaclone repaints, Actionmasters and Turbomasters (and Predators) get a very honourable mention, as do the 1988 Autobots. They’re a bit different as it’s the team I want rather than the actual character so maybe it’s more about completionism. Thinking about this further a heck of a lot of them could also be repaints.

Yes, it would be great to have more new molds but after Mainframe I really like the idea of there being more Actionmaster inspired repaints, Jazz into Rad and Kick-Off for example. It would really tick off a lot of the very empty spaces in my spreadsheet. Still lots left but pretty much all teams represented in some way. With Hasbro apparently doing so badly perhaps they will dig into the easy repaints a little more.

My most wanted (other stuff, mostly Legends) is:

Yellowjacket

Doc Samson

Gorgon

Iceman (Jim Lee, non-powered up)

Thorbuster

MCU Mk IV

MCU Mk V

MCU Mk VI

MCU Mk 37 (Hammerhead)

MCU War Machine Mk I

Lego Baxter Building

Lego Wayne Manor

Black series Holocomm Darth Sidious

Black series Saesee Tiin

6” Mortal Kombat (Jada?!)

(There’s actually a sniff of a rumour that Gorgon is on his way.)

I could easily add an extra few Legends, but my Spider-Man and X-Men collections are pretty much there. Actually having thought about it a bit more, I’m missing a X-23. If we do get a Gorgon then I’ll swap him out for Laura. The few I do want are mostly for completion and not as exciting. Have to think though, it’s at the stage where I’m only ever to get what I want in very small amounts at a time from now on. Hopefully I get a few of these things by the end of next year. Finished up the year with Deadpool. Merry Christmas all and Happy New Year!