Grimgrams

I’ve got a Super 7 Retro Grimlock, I only really got him on the off chance they do more Dinobots. The Ultimates figures are quite interesting, I was intrigued by Super 7 saying they are doing a Bludgeon. I’d welcome them doing Octopunch and Stranglehold as well. And all of the Pretenders from Masterforce actually. And of the classic Pretenders as well. Oh and maybe a Marvel style Fangry. With a list that long it could take years, will make the cost a bit more palatable though.

A Pop! Grimlock exclusive popped up for sale from Game so grabbed it. This got me thinking about my Grimlock collection and decided I also needed this.

I saw rumours that the Mark III is going to get a release in Marvel Legends. Someone then speculated that they would also do the Mark II and so..... I went back and bought the 10th anniversary Mark I. It’s too small but nevermind. Came with a new Tony!

Getting Super Megatron for my IDW shelf made me think about it a little more. Pretty much of all the figures on that (hypothetical) shelf are doing double duty. But Drift and Nautica have nowhere else to go. Now I’ve got Siege Ultra Magnus, the Combiner Wars figure is at a loose end. Megatron is double duty with the leaders shelf (as Super Megatron since I’ve also got Netflix/Earthrise Megs), but I’ve got the second and third in command, plus the co-captain..... Then I bought Cloud Rodimus. And weirdly POTP Tailgate. 30th Tailgate can now be a permanent fixture on the IDW shelf (and if we get a new Gears and the likely Swerve repaint) then 30th Swerve can join them. It all makes sense. I also got a GDO Wheelie?!

So I’ve been doubling up on my collection, I don’t think I shared these pictures of Prowl, Ironhide and Soundwave. Inferno came in to complete the fire team. I’m looking forward to Tracks, then I just need the rumoured Earth mode Sideswipe, Mirage and Red Alert. And a new Skids. I might need a new Blitzwing as well.

I've had a little bit of a dilemma recently with upgrading figures, it's expensive and sometimes just a bit unnecessary. I'm glad I upgraded on Thanos though. I feel my Legends collecting has been very balanced recently, I've got a few preorders but I'm not going crazy.

Unlike this. I've been giving a bit of thought to my desk collection and decided these were needed. They're awesome, perfect for my level of MOTU appreciation. It would be quite cool if they took on Thundercats! I then realised I needed another Iron Man armoury. With all of the MCU armours. I've restricted myself to armours that Tony and his mates actually wear, but this is going to be a great thing to have on my desk (if there's room). Here’s team Iron Man.

Once I've bought everything on my want list my brain will search for things that are 'needed'. It reviews all of my collections to make sure nothing's missing, it would be nice if it would have a little rest though.... after my Star Wars collection. I think I might need some minifigures from the prequel and sequel trilogies.

Spin Master are doing a 3.75” scale DC line, the aesthetics are a little cartoony but they’ve done a Riddler so have grabbed him. Might need a bit of extra paint to tidy it up.

Time to slow down.....

Golden Diaclone

So I've now got two identical Optimus Primes. And Cliffjumpers. And Bumblebees. Now I need a Roller so I’ve put in an order for a Japanese Earthrise Ratchet and Centurion. Expensive so hope it works out! I dug out Ironhide, Prowl and Soundwave. The first of which I’m clear on which version should be robot mode and which should be alt mode. Soundwave is a trickier call.

Got Marvel Legends Pyro, he looks great but had to order some flame effects for him. It’s strange how having to spend extra on a figure makes me appreciate them more. Need Blob, Avalanche and Toad!

I’ve got Cordon and Spin-Out on their way, and have got Deep Cover. Up to 8 Lambos now, can’t get enough Diaclone inspired figures! Looking forward to black Ironhide and red Tracks. Now just need blue Bluestreak, Clampdown, yellow Trailbreaker, red Hoist and Mirage, but mostly blue Bluestreak  (ignoring the Skids recolours until he gets a new mold). I opened Cyclonus. Yep, he's absolutely amazing but what a terrible colour. I keenly await the toy coloured version. Between him and Cheetor it seems like Hasbro is looking to make a bit of extra cash. At the same time they seem remarkably reluctant to give us all of those Diaclone repaints, what are you thinking Hasbro?!

Studio Series '86 has arrived! Jazz, Kup, Blurr and Grimlock. Jazz is great, I thought he would need some Reprolabels but with him in hand I'm not sure. I've bought an extra figure just to make sure. I wasn't sure about Kup's headsculpt before I got him, but to be fair, the original Generations one was pretty terrible. I like him though and his transformation is fun in a puzzle sort of way. Similarly with Blurr, I only ever had the original (Drift repaint) Generations so it's pretty clear cut to me that he's better. Grimlock is.... superb. The size is great and although I'd like a toy deco version I'm very happy. Really can't wait to see Slag!

It feels like a golden age of collecting for me at the moment. Transformers wise 1984-87 is finished and has been done well. Yeah, there are a couple of gaps (Throttlebots and Targetmasters) and a couple that I'd like to see redone but otherwise my main wants are Japanese (Masterforce!) and European G1.

Glad to see Legends Red Skull is on his way, that's all the main villains done for me. classic Doctor Strange and Ms. Marvel are the main gaps for me now. Need a ROTS Yoda in Black Series. Also quite intrigued by a MCU Surtur.

Got Selects Super Megatron, it had previously occurred to me that he looks a bit like IDW Megs but I also like the idea of an extra leader for my display. Also bought Star Convoy. Oh dear. Also got a Rung (finally!) for Lost Light display. Would be great to get a deluxe but can make do.

Have received and opened Kingdom  Beast Wars Megatron and Rattrap. They’re great, the way everything tucks in on Rattrap is great. Megatron is amazing in hand, just that robot mode purple..... just a little too dark.

I also have Siege Smokescreen now as I’ve decided I need doubles of all characters whose toy was from Diaclone (or Microchange), so all of the ‘84 and ‘85 Autobot cars. I’ve also doubled up on Grapple and Hoist. It’s all Kingdom Tracks’ fault, I’m expecting a lot from him.

There are rumours about another Motormaster. If he’s Combiner Wars compatible then I’ll take a look, but otherwise I’m not interested. I want limbs that can be swapped Scramble City style and I’m not replacing all of them. Really. No, really really......... Really.