I’m not too interested in much else, though I might take the opportunity to replace my RTS Grapple with the (yellow headed) United one. Might be able to get an Artfire as well. Could be tempted by a Hosehead remold of the new one though. I’d also like to replace my Classics Magnus with the white legged Henkei one, but that would be a bit pointless as I’m only really holding on to the original for nostalgic reasons.
I’ve got mixed feelings about wanting a Titan Scorponok, despite being my most wanted figure it might be good to wait for a year to allow me time to get the funds. Generally feeling good about Legends though, I’ve added Odin and Wendigo to my get list (need gold armour and a new head respectively!). Hopefully there won’t be so many must get box sets next year! I’ve feeling mixed about Turtles, I might return the NECA set and get the Super 7 figures instead, but with the Thundercats as well that could be expensive at over fifty quid a pop.
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SCORPONOK!!! Sod waiting a year, I need it now dammit! This is it, my most wanted figure. Not sure what I was thinking waiting a year. I have a list of figures which I think need replacing - Trailbreaker and Hoist are on it, so if the figures are a decent size then will get them. The (original) seekers were on it, so on board for voyager Starscream. Optimus was not, but I think I can allow myself one exception. Cliffjumper I'm intrigued by, if he is legends sized then I could be very tempted. Actually it's strange but I really can't remember which Bumblebee and Cliffjumper I have on my shelf - Generations I think, pretty sure I bought a Titans Return Bumblebee though. Excited for the potential of Hubcap and Throttlebot repaints. Maybe even a Bumper?
No news on the Marvel Legends front, absolutely nothing for me. There are plenty of things I would like to see, but happy for the break. It feels like the time before Combiner Wars, I couldn't see myself getting any new figures, Marvel Universe was slowing down and Metroplex was on his way. I'm guessing some of the later characters will come in the third part of the trilogy, again good to have a bit of a break.
I've got Mirage now, between him, Reflector and Springer I'm suddenly really enjoying Siege again. They look great! I don't think his legs look as thin in person as they did in the renders which is good, but I would have liked a lighter blue. Also not sure what's going on with the transparent plastic. He also has a fake front - his chest is not the nose of the car. Minor complaints aside, he looks great and once again I'm glad I replaced my Classics version. I'm getting a little nervous about getting hold of Siege Ratchet and the upcoming Seacons. None seem to be easily available to order and the Seacons are just a little too soon for my liking. I think they raise an interesting question on whether we'll get any more combiners. I really want a Leozack from POTP Starscream and I think they could do Road Caesar and Monstructor/Dinoking fairly easily. Definitely Leozack though and maybe a Deathcobra..........
I’ve opened Legends 80th Captain America. It’s a great looking figure, the sculpted scales with a bit of metallic paint looks great and the darker tones make him a bit more realistic. Not quite sure of the purpose for the second head but good to have options. The only downside was that the handle on the shield was broken straight out of the packaging, still usable but annoying.
Having replaced a few Marvel Legends and increasingly, Transformers Classics figures, there was an interesting discussion of ‘definitive’ versions of characters on a podcast I listen to. When you are only exposed to one source of media I think this works but after several different comics, cartoons and films, there often isn’t one, bit I do try to stick to one figure per character. (Grimlock, Ravage and Iron Man aside.) I think unless there are really obvious flaws or a huge improvement I will try not to ‘upgrade’ too much.
If I ignore any instance where I’ve replaced an unofficial toy with official, or where I’ve changed a figure for what I consider to be a more appropriate size class, there’s not that many. Outside of Siege, there’s only Blitzwing (and maybe a Minbot or two). I replaced Blitzwing to be consistent with Astrotrain and Octane. With Siege there’s Hound, Ironhide, Ratchet, Mirage, Megatron and Springer. I found photos of each of them comparing the new and old versions. Megatron is an easy argument - the back kibble on the Classics is crazy (though I do like the gun mode). Similarly Ironhide and Ratchet, the Universe figures just weren’t very good. The other three were fine before, Hound was maybe a bit too cartoony. Springer a bit too IDW-y, Mirage a bit too lanky? I was fine with the old versions, but on the whole the new versions are more toy (and cartoon really) accurate. With the new Hoist I will need to see that he’s bigger than the thrilling 30th line before I commit. The only other figure I have where I would like a new version is Hot Rod. The Classics figure is very much of his time.
One battle I think I will have with myself is voyager versions of the coneheads, it seems like a dead cert to me. I’m determined to stick with the deluxe figures. Though they should obviously scale with Starscream, they are relatively minor characters and so, for me, be the same size as the sweeps, Misfire, Slugslinger and Triggerhappy. Ramjet in particular has a special significance, as it was him (and the BotCon figures) that started me collecting Classics. I’m going to keep deluxe Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker as well as getting the voyager versions. Skywarp was the last thing I ever bought from Woolworths!
I have opened Captain Britain, I've been opening stuff based on how interested I am, but I surprised myself that I wanted to open him before Thor. He looks good, though I guess at some point I might have to paint over the blue with white. What a sad day that will be.
