I'm really looking forward to the Terrorcons, actually thinking about them, a funny thought occurred to me. Power of the Primes is limited to 4 waves, we're getting the Fembots, but that's it. I think we can assume that's it for single packed (established) combiner limbs. US wise there's only the Seacons and Monster Pretenders left, which if we do get them (or any Japanese combiner), surely it will be as a box set. Of all the other characters that appeared in the G1 cartoon (including Masterforce and Victory), there are only 4 groups that would to me be appropriate for deluxe class. Autobot Targetmasters (which seem quite likely), Autobot Powermasters (Joyride and Slapdash), again quite feasible. Then there are the Headmaster Juniors and Pretenders, both of which have mostly been done as Titanmasters and Primemasters. I think the Autobot Headmasters (especially Nightbeat and Minerva) are good candidates, but the Pretenders less so (shame, as I'm a fan of the Generations Skullgrin). That's not many possible figures left.
The deluxe size point has been the backbone of Classics, by far the most of my collection are deluxes. I think I enjoy them the most - I open them the quickest and actually transform them (something I often don’t with larger classes!). I don't think there can be much left. I'm sure in practice there could be new versions of old characters which draw me in, and, whisper it, Beast Wars! Go on Hasbro, prove me wrong (again).
This might lead me to managing my spending a bit better. Because voyagers and leaders tend to come in small waves (usually two), they are easier to budget for. Masters and legends are easy to budget for because they are cheaper. Deluxes are the hardest, especially when you want the whole wave. Will that be the case going forward?
I think the 3.75” Spider-Man figures really demonstrate how Marvel Universe evolved into Infinite, then Legends to well, nothing. I still have that first figure from 2009. He seems short now (true 3.75” scale not 4” scale?), but he had a lot of sculpted detail. The later figures lost the sculpted detail, but greatly improved the paint and articulation, as well as making him a bit taller. Towards the end he lost most of the articulation, including the torso joint. The recent 2-pack with Shocker was something of a last hurrah, the articulation was back. It’s a great figure, but the QC has slipped over the years, the thigh swivel in particular being a bit suspect. Anyway, I bought this new Spider-Man to go with my Peter Parker head, but had to do a few touch ups. Might as well replace my Shocker whilst I’m at it.
Inevitably I bought a Topspin, so here he is with his brother. I think that really is me done with Titans Return now, though if I see a Ramhorn I might be tempted. And Fortress Maximus, oh and a Rumble...
I was working on a Kingpin some time ago (from a 6" Penguin figure), painted the head and then forgot about it. I found him again recently and so made the leap to actually assembling him. The paint needs a few touch ups on the body, but pretty happy.
Well it turned out that the Primemasters will be my last ever TRU purchases. Wow, from my understanding they were really screwed over by whoever bought them and loaded up the company with debt. I still remember the excitement in the 90s when TRU first came to the UK. It's where I went to buy Earthworm Jim and my first Beast War figures. Such a shame, though if it means Smyths and the Entertainer can do better (sell more Transformers) then perhaps it's not all bad.
So, Kapow had a sale and I picked up a Liokaiser. I've been eyeing him up ever since he was announced, but I couldn't really get over the lack of a Leozack. I thought Takara might release a set but with a repaint/remold of Silverbolt or Starscream. I guess they still might, but for the time being I've got myself four pretty awesome deluxes. I'm particularly enjoying Guyhawk and Hellbat, their paint and colours are spot on. I keep the Aerialbots as Superion so it will be good to keep these guys individually. I think this is a rare example of me being content with cartoon accurate headsculpts.
Despite being happy with the set, I understand why people were getting fed up with the combiner wars molds. If you bought all 6 waves and box sets you would have bought each mold a ridiculous number of times. For me it coincided with Dreadwind and I feel a bit fed up with the Aerialbot molds.
Anyway, I wonder whether if Botcon and the club were still going they might have finished the set, a repaint of Beachcomber as Jaragur, plus a repaint of Vortex as Deathcobra. I'd love it if someone did a proper Leozack.
Have finished painting up Ghost Rider, just need to finish his bike:
Finally got Battletrap, they are the most complicated legends we’ve had for a while. I think making them transform separately was incredibly ambitious and they pretty much pull it off. I can’t believe we’ve got such a high quality figure of such an obscure character and gimmick. It does mean though there is another 1987 subgroup unfinished. (Japanese) Headmasters, Horrorcons, Targetmasters, Throttlebots and now Duocons. Please finish them Hasbro!
