What a year!

TRYPTICON!!! Oh, yeah!!! Yep, the great international public have made the right decision on the Transformers Generations Titan figure after Fortress Maximus. With the Ghostbusters Firehouse, 2017 will be an exciting year for me. It seems likely we will get Scorponok and Omega at a later point but great that we're getting Trypticon first.

I've got a couple more Jedi, this time Pablo Jill and Coleman Trebor. Pablo is remarkably hard to find considering how recently he came out. He has great articulation and detail so I'm very happy with him. Just looking for Even Piell at a decent price now.

I've just received the original and prequel trilogies on DVD so I'm going to give the order Machete order (IV, V, II, III, VI) a go. I haven't seen any of them since about 2005 when I was off work for a couple of weeks, so none of the films are exactly fresh in my memory. Naturally I will exclude Episode I from this viewing, but I'll also re-watch it a later point. I will do a little review shortly!

I have also completed another lineup - Smash Bros. Amazon finally decided to ship Fox. Very happy to have the main cast, a little part of me is hoping for a Captain Falcon from the Nintendo 4" line  though, so perhaps not quite there. Having Fox does make me think I should get Slippy and Falco! Actually what would be pretty damn sweet would be an in scale Arwing, I reckon they could probably make one within the 6" budget, but just hopeful thinking.

Some pictures of Sky Lynx have surfaced online, he's looking really good, I've always had a fondness for the character 'Superior forces are taking over!'.

Christmas has crept up on me again, I've got my preorder in for MP Ironhide and Ratchet as well as Takara Devastator. I've eaten as many mince pies as I can!

I feel it's been quite a year, I've actually managed to pay off my overdraft. I actually buy my toys according to a budget now. One major change has been moving from BBTS to UK retailers, and now that Amazon US ships internationally, it's a great way to get figures that are widely available in the US, but not the UK, at a good price. That you are charged import tax before it's shipped means you don't also get stung for a 'handling' fee.

Not getting charged over £150 tax every time I ship a pile of loot has made the world of difference. I always used that option because I thought that I would save money, but ultimately it never worked that way. This way I actually get my stuff sooner and I can prioritise what I want. Waiting sometimes can be good as it might just turn up at UK retail. Speaking of which, it's not been too bad this year, with the notable exception of the Stunticon Combiner Wars wave, I've bought almost all of my Marvel and Transformers toys at retail.

I've really enjoyed Combiner Wars, having great looking, not too complicated combiners with interchangeable limbs is great. The perfect antidote to complex third party efforts.

I've re-discovered my love of Star Wars this year, it's been great picking up all of the figures that I've wanted for a while. I don't regret selling my Star Wars Transformers and miniatures for a second! I've also discovered the Transformers MTMTE comics, I'm really glad I finally gave in. Having good transformers fiction really makes a difference to the hobby, it gives focus to my collecting, but somehow makes me feel more happy with being a geek.

My Transformers collecting has changed focus this year, I've worked out what I want from Masterpiece, which is basically my nostalgia for the G1 cartoon (whereas Classics is more about the comics), so it's mostly about the S1 Autobots (the only S3 stuff I saw was on video).

I've stopped collecting unofficial (third party) Transformers and I've moved my collection to a much smaller room, but I've created a cool little den for all my toys where hopefully I will appreciate and actually play with them a bit more.

I've actually decided to sell off all of my Fansproject figures, I've been collecting their stuff since 2008. This feels like a big change. I was there from the beginning - the Cliffjumper upgrade, the Ultra Magnus and Superion upgrade. Their first full figures in the Bruticus upgrade and Springer. I later bought Broadside, the Insecticons, Menasor, the Headmasters and Dinobots. So what happened?

I have to say, and I think I've been ignoring this ever since the beginning, I don't like their head sculpts. I think if all of my figures were Fansproject, then it would be fine, but I don't really see them as having a compatible style with official Classics figures. With the Cliffjumper set I sold it because I decided all of my minibots should be legends or scout sized. I sold the Ultra Magnus set because I replaced my Magnus with the official leader figure (I really never liked that headsculpt, it was very animated style, I only resisted because of great sentimental attachment to Classics voyager Magnus.

I sold Springer because I just didn't like it, I don't think I ever actually transformed it which probably didn't help, but I just don't like the way it looked. At one point though I was so rabid about 'completing' my Classics collection that I would have bought a yellow Sandstorm repaint. Luckily for me, an official figure was later announced for both. I sold Menasor because I wanted a set of figures that were scramble city style, each limb could attach to any of the central CW figures. Also he was an absolute bitch to transform, it just wasn't fun. I gambled on selling Bruticus, and luckily it again paid off as an official release was later confirmed. I kept Superion because I love those Energon figures, and the upgrade makes it better (it still uses the original combiner head though!).

Hasbro have released legends Shrapnel and Bombshell figures, if they had released Kickback I was all ready to sell the FP versions. They are good, but you know, the Insecticons aren't ninjas. I admire the way they tried to do something new, but I don't want new. Now Hasbro have shown off Hardhead and Skullcruncher, I immediately stopped buying FP headmasters (if I'd had the money I could easily have put in preorders). Recently I was thinking about my upcoming purchases, and that I should set aside £80 for Grimlock. And then it hit me, I really didn't want to. I'm paying ridiculously high prices for figures which basically are just placeholders. There were many things I was overlooking on the toys, Slag has a random red point on his tail, he irritated the crap out of me when I first transformed him. He has guy-liner! You know what figures make really good placeholders for G1 characters? G1 toys!!! I have every animal G1 transformer. Of all those figures I listed above, only Chomedome and Broadside do I have not have an official version of. So, they're all going to go, if I'm feeling particularly cynical, it's best to sell them now whilst they're still worth something. Hasbro has shown they are going to do characters we never though possible and once (if) they do get announced, FPs stuff is going to greatly drop in value.

In a previous blog I did say that I didn't think Hasbro would do the dinobots properly, I still think that, but I don't think FP have done them properly either. My G1 figures might just get another run of being on display.

So my only other third party stuff is Mastermind Creations Sixshot and Predaking, and Perfect Effect Fort Max. I think MMC are great, and I'm still considering their Overlord. Not so very long ago I was going to sell Fort Max, but since reading MTMTE he's really grown on me. I've also got several minibots and cassettes, but they fit in much more easily and crucially aren't worth much, so there's no great loss holding on to them until they do have official replacements.

**********

I actually decided to update my Perfect Effect Fortress Maximus with Reprolabels:

I also bought Lego minifigs, Superman and Wonder Woman, plus, Father Christmas! (And some Xmas hats.)

Between Transformers, Marvel and Star Wars, I'm in a very great place ready for another year of collecting. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Just over a month to go!

I recently read a comment about collecting Star Wars figures that really rings true with me, 'it's all about collecting random background aliens'. Yep, except Yoda and Chewbacca most of the main characters are human, but it's the alien characters which are far more interesting to look at. I am therefore collecting interesting and important lightsaber wielding characters, I'm now collecting all of the alien characters from episodes I-III who were on the Jedi council. Except Yaddle because she's a female Yoda, and female versions of male characters just doesn't really show much imagination. That and I don't need more than one version of each 'species' in my collection. I've recently received Aayla Secura, Stass Allie, Agen Kolar, Yarael Poof, Barriss Offee, Voolvif Monn and Roron Corobb. Voolvif and Roron in particular really add some interest to my collection.

I gave Aayla's robe to Agen Kolar as he was looking a bit cold (I didn't think the robe looked good on her.)

I really like the Vintage Barriss Offee, don't believe that CGI Clone Wars nonsense about her! I like the scene in the original Clone Wars cartoon where she's goes to the cave with Luminara Unduli to build her lightsaber.

Gotta appreciate those characters created (debuting?) for the cartoon!

I've been watching some reviews of the prequel trilogy and I'm starting to understand why people were so disappointed with them, it's the lack of consistency. When I was a kid I remember thinking that Darth Vader was a bit like Robocop (bear with me here!), I'm not sure I'd even seen Robocop at the time, but in essence my understanding was that Anakin must have been turned into a cyborg, whereby he was 'programmed' to be evil, but like Robocop, he was eventually able to regain his old memories. (I think it was Obi-Wan's comment about him being more machine than man.) I haven't watched them in about 10 years so I think I'm overdue for a re-watch.

Having not read any books or comics, I'm not familiar with other characters turning to the dark side, but I think it was always going to be difficult to write it effectively, but the nonsense with saving Padmé, killing younglings and 'to me the Jedi are evil' now irks me a lot more than before when I just let it wash over me.

I'm a big Transformers and Marvel fan, but the thing that makes Star Wars different (before the recent dropping of the Extended Universe stuff), is that there is mostly only one version of stuff. Where as in say Transformers (G1), there's the Marvel, cartoon, Dreamwave and IDW continuity. There's the US and Japanese G1 cartoons. I am used to the idea of a Multiverse whereby you form your own continuity in your head from all of the different bits you like. Similarly with Marvel, there's comics, cartoons and films. So with Star Wars there are bits from the Prequel trilogy that are good (and for me, the original Clone Wars cartoon), mash that together with a more acceptable version of how Anakin turned to the dark side and you're good to enjoy it much more. I've been watching some really good alternative versions of I-III on YouTube.

Actually, it's funny how most people's suggestions about how to improve the prequel trilogy involve keeping Darth Maul alive to create an antagonistic relationship between him and Obi-Wan. When I first learnt about General Grievous, I assumed he was Darth Maul rebuilt to demonstrate the technology that would later be used to turn Anakin into Vader. So for Maul to come back in the CGI Clone Wars cartoon makes a lot of sense to me.

I've decided to pick up an ROTJ Luke to replace my Dagobah version. I've decided a Jedi version makes more sense for my collection. I've got the Lego version of his New Hope outfit so it's good to have a version after he actually becomes a Jedi proper. I'm really looking forward to the Force Awakens now, hope it lives up to expectations, it seems highly likely to be the biggest film ever!

In slightly less timely news, I picked up a Robotnik figure (or Eggman as he is now). It's the modern version, but I quite like the look, he looks a bit more sinister than the almost neutral look he had in the original Mega Drive games. He scales nicely with my Sonic 3" figures. He came with a Egg-o-matic, but that will be going into storage for the time being.

So as well as Shockwave and Hot Rod, we're finally getting Masterpiece coneheads - Ramjet initially, but it seems inevitable we'll get the other two. I'm going to pass on him because I'm not in the market for 6 expensive large figures, but I think I like him more than the regular MP-11. Try as I might I'm just not a fan of the Masterpiece seeker mold, the proportions of the Classics version just works so much better for me, I remember being really excited about Starscream and Ramjet and then the 2007 Botcon exclusives, and upon seeing MP-3 and it's subsequent repaints for the first time, they just didn't compare. Maybe we'll get a new version one day, but for the time being I'm focusing on the Autobot cars, with Starscream, Soundwave and Shockwave being extras (I think I'm happy just having gun sized Megatron rather than a new version of MP-5, it's certainly cheaper.)

**********

It has now also been confirmed that we're getting Ratchet, it was always kind of obvious, but that's pretty amazing - Tracks and Thundercracker have just come out, but we've got Ironhide, Ratchet, Ramjet, Shockwave, Hot Rod and Optimus Primal on the way. If you're completionist on Masterpiece it's a crazy expensive time.

I had a fantastic shopping trip yesterday, it was pissing it down with rain and I got soaked, but I finally found a Brainstorm! I'm not actually going to open it as there are rumours of a deluxe version, but it's good to have a backup. I also found the 3.75" Black series ROTJ Luke Skywalker who I think displays better than the Dagobah version I had previously, he kindly donated his robe to Black Series Mace Windu. Very respectful!

I've now also opened Sky Byte who I think I like, but I think I'll see how I feel about him after a few months on display. He's the one character I remember from a few times of watching RID and he's a robot shark, so I have some connection to the character and he's pretty cool looking.

**********

They are making a Lego Ghostbusters Fire-station!!! It's gonna cost a bloody fortune but I need it. They've released a few photos and I'm completely sold. It should be available for a year or so, so I'm going to wait to buy it, but I'm really excited. I was thinking recently that it would be good to have a Lego base of some sort to display some minifigs (Avengers, Justice League, Turtles, etc) so this will be ideal.

I had a really good find in my local comic shop recently - the Icon Heroes Thundertank (only 600 made) with 30% off, it's especially designed to go with the Minimates figures. Sweet! I got it for the same price as it was sold in the US, but obviously no shipping fees (it's a heavy beast). I'm keeping an eye on the Mega Blocks TMNT stuff but my desk mini figures collection is coming along nicely!

I opened my Takara Legends Blackarachnia - from some of the pictures I've seen I was expecting her to have pretty big roobs, but they're not too crazy in person. Apparently the comic packed in with her is pretty pervy in that department! Some people have had problems transforming her, some suggesting she's mis-assembled, seemed okay to me. Her head sculpt is spot on so she's a great replacement for the 10th anniversary version I was using previously.

I also found the latest wave of Marvel Infinite so it's good to add Emma Frost, Chameleon, Northstar and Korg to my collection. There's no point opening Korg as I've put WW Hulk away now but the other three will go on display.

**********

With the news about the Ghostbusters Firehouse I started thinking about my other minifigs. I've got Ecto-1 for the Ghostbusters, the Thundertank for the Thundecats, both classics iconic vehicles, but for the Turtles, I've got the modern version of the Turtle Wagon. I remembered seeing that Mega Bloks have got the license back and are doing some classics minifigs. For a toy line coming out at the start of 2016 there's really not much information, but googling Mega Bloks threw up an interesting image. They did a Power Rangers set a few years back (for the 20th anniversary). Since selling my 3.75" rangers and micro machines minifigs I've been in the market for some rangers (I briefly considered the Loyal Subjects vinyl stuff). These figures are perfect! Not as cheap as they were when they came out, but I had to pick up a set. This fits my philosophy of getting a full range of characters as minifigs, but just getting a select few (Green and White rangers) as bigger, more posable detailed figures (specifically Figuarts).

Titan Wars Fort Max and Powermaster Optimus Prime have been confirmed, oh yeah! Optimus looks pretty neat. I was debating skipping Max, but, yeah, it's not going to happen. It would be quite neat if the Perfect Effect version could fit on the new Metroplex remold body. I think he might have to be displayed in battleship mode. Even more excitingly there's going to be a vote on who should be next, Trypticon, Scorponok or Omega Supreme. I suspect potentially we could get all three, but it will depend on sales.

We need Trypticon to go up against Metroplex, we need Scorponok to go up against Fort Max and Omega to go against Devastator. I'm not convinced about that last one because I'm very happy with the YOTS Energon remold, I would be quite reluctant to replace it. I really really want Trypticon, but I wouldn't be too gutted if we got Scorponok. He has repaint potential in Black Zarak, so might make more sense but I think a giant dinosaur would sell better than a scorpion. Actually, if they repainted Fort Max as Grand Max or Scorponok into Black Zarak, I would be severely tempted, but should at least try to resist. Black Zarak would be against my collecting rules of one figure per character (Bumblebee/Goldbug, Soundwave/Soundblaster, etc), but I make an exception for Megatron/Galvatron, so could also make an exception for him!

So if Trypticon and Scorponok are contenders for a Titan class figure, it does kinda mean that Overlord would be an obvious choice as a Leader class figure to go up against Prime/Ginrai. Just saying.....

**********

My Mega Bloks Power Rangers turned up today, they are absolutely perfect for what I want in my collection. They have a little printed face under the helmet (which is good), but which unfortunately is like something you'd wear under a motorbike helmet, and so you can't quite accurately recreate the scenes from the TV series where they used to chat to Zordon with their helmets under their arms. It did occur to me that I could replace the heads with heads form different figures, but after a bit of googling, it seems there's a distinct lack of female figures, particularly Asian women. I will keep an eye out on new releases however.

I'm still very excited about the Ghostbusters firehouse, it occurred to me that getting the Lego firehouse will bring me one step closer to getting all of my childhood wants. Transformers feature particularly in that list - Optimus Prime, Dinobots and scramble city combiners were top of my list (I have almost all of them now), but the Ghostbusters firehouse and Ecto-1 were also up there. The Thundertank and later Dragonzord were also objects of my Argos catalogue reading focus (I now have versions of both), but also the Turtles wagon, blimp and sewer play set were the must have toys of the early 90's.

I bought Lego versions of the the van and sewer play set, but being modern versions they weren't quite what I was after. I've sold the lair off, so I'm looking forward to seeing what Mega Bloks can do. They had a lifesize van at their NYCC display, so I'm optimistic. The display also had sewer sections so they might just deliver! (The blimp is unlikely I admit.) I like the idea of getting Rocksteady and Bebop figures as well, so I think I'm set to replace my Lego figures. Actually if they do a sewer place set, I wonder if I could somehow integrate it with the Firehouse, have it underneath somehow. It's supposed to be released in January so we should see something very soon. They seem fairly collector orientated so I'm also hopeful for a white ranger minifig, roll on 2016!