Big is beautiful

I ordered the 12" Marvel Legends Iron Man! I think he has a fairly flexible place in my collection, he is my favourite (original) Avenger so he can stand on his own merits. But the nature of the character, always building custom armours means he could easily just be a Giant Man-buster armour. Or even a Transformers-buster armour (like in the crossover comic they did a few years back).

I really like the figure, not worth the original asking price, but for £25 I'm very happy. Big is beautiful. It is sometimes interesting to get characters in different scales, larger or smaller can make you look at them differently. There's something about large toys which make me very happy, weirdly I got a feeling similar when I opened the supersize TB3 - a great appreciation for everything I have. I'm glad I've got one of the 12" scaled figures, but happy for it to be the only one.

Finally got round to sticking (literally) Gamora's sword in her hand, pretty happy!

Toy fair is coming up soon, I'm not sure what to expect really, combiner wise, Piranacon and/or Monstructor seem likely. In terms of deluxes, Slapdash and Joyride would be great (and I think easy because they could be repaints of each other), voyagers I'm not sure on, Shockwave perhaps. Leader is where the interest is for me, the current gimmick seems perfect for Star Saber. Equally, I think Thunderclash could easily be done from Rodimus Prime. Just have to wait I guess!

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Not for the first time, Toy Fair was a bit rubbish! Almost nothing on the 3.75" front, a Ryu figure from Hasbro, maybe they'll do a M. Bison? The 6" Marvel Legends look awesome. I think I actually regret going for the smaller scale now. 90's era Jim Lee X-Men figures, Ghost Rider with bike, Thing, they all look amazing. It's quite sickening!

Transformers just showed actual versions of the new toys rather than any new information. Predaking looks alright, a bit more cartoon accurate in his proportions. Might have to display him individually. Abominus looks good. Nothing else to comment on really.

The surprise item for me was the 5.5" Funko Thundercats. 5 POA I think, but the sculpt and paint look very good. I am extremely tempted, though I'm not sure where that leaves my Mattycollector figures. Maybe I'll go MOSC with them, especially if the packaging is vintage style.

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I've just had a strange journey through Marvel Legends. After seeing all of the great 6" figures from Toy Fair I made a list of all of my favourite characters, all of the figures I would 'need' to buy if I made the jump. There's 36 heroic (ish) characters, 16 of which are X-men.

Some of them I am perfectly happy with the 3.75" versions, but a few (eight), the 6" is better. I want unmasked Spider-Man and Black Panther. I've never been happy with the Blade face sculpt. I need a bike for my Ghost Rider. I want a white costume Storm and a Jean Grey with a neck. Bishop needs some definition and not be so shiny. Hulk needs to be taller. I need a Bruce Banner figure (I have Red Hulk and Thunderbolt Ross). I have worked out what is wrong with my 3.75" versions of my favourite characters. Then it struck me, I could just find unmasked heads, make a few customs and buy one of those 1:18 bikes for Ghost Rider. So I will!

Then I started thinking about the villains, something about (the original comic pack) Magneto and Apocalypse doesn't quite work for me either - they both need to be more imposing. I intend to get the upcoming BAF Legends Apocalypse, so he's sorted, but I will give Magneto some more thought.

I might try and get a Chris Pratt head for Star-Lord from the new Jurassic World toys, and given I have 6" Legends Ant-Man and Wasp, I might have to get them some unmasked heads (I like the Paul Rudd grinning headsculpt). I also quite fancy a Browning custom from the new Cyberverse Megatron. Maybe Toy Fair wasn't so rubbish after all.

Also, having said all that, I think I still might get a couple of 6" Legends that take my fancy! Spider-Man, Venom, Carnage, Wolverine and Deadpool for starters.

1987 and all that

Battletrap looks brilliant and apparently he's out in the UK already. That means Flywheels heads straight on to my want list, having never really featured in my consciousness though I think he/they did appear in the (Japanese) Headmasters cartoon.

When I started collecting I bought some G1 guides with pictures of all the US toy releases, and having had a re-flick through the 1987 guide, I think I want updates of all of them! I draw the line at the 1988 lineup though - I just want those that appeared prominently in the Masterforce cartoon - Pretenders, Headmasters juniors and Powermasters which (allowing Titanmasters and Primes) we will be incredibly close to - just need Minerva, Cab and a couple of Autobot Powermasters.

Looking at the 1988 Sparkbots and Triggercons, I really don't have any connection to them so happy to give them a pass. Though I'd take a Dogfight and Fizzle for my Lost Light shelf (actually I also had Fizzle on a long term 'loan' from my mate as a kid, so I suppose I do have a bit of a connection).

I've started to watch the Titan's Return Machinima series, I've no strong opinion either way at the moment, but after seeing Fortress Maximus (a 'Titan'), I again thought about whether I should buy Fortress Maximus. I'm still undecided, but I would buy a Scorponok regardless of size, but the only way I'm getting Grand Maximus (the Titan of whom looks great) or Black Zarak is at the leader class size point. I believe they're supposed to be smaller in fiction anyway, so it actually works. Make Omega Supreme the next Titan after Predaking then give us leader class Fortress and Scorponok!

Power of the Prime figures seem to be on the verge of release in the UK combined with rumours of cheap Titan's Return deluxes and leaders, so I'm checking a lot of shops at the moment, the thrill of the hunt and all that!

I've just had the Takara Autobot clones set arrive. As always the Takara packaging is something special, if I had the space I would love to keep it. The figures are chunky legends sized. I really like them, though I would have preferred the toy accurate Hasbro versions, but really couldn't justify the cost of the box sets. I can live with the pink, it's a rare colour in my collection so adds a bit more variety. I think having had virtually every 87/88 G1 Decepticon, their Autobot counterparts seem a bit more exciting, but very happy to be another step closer to completing the 1987 lineup.

I think I'm getting pulled into (6") Marvel Legends! Had a funny day, woke up to see news of Legends Venom and Carnage, I've always a fondness for those characters. That combined with thinking about Storm Collectibles Reptile, potentially having 3.75" and 6" versions of the same character makes me think I could do the same with Marvel. Then I started thinking about 12" Legends because they've done most of the characters I'd want already in that scale and they mostly come with unmasked alternate heads, which rather appeals. By the end of the day it had all calmed down a bit, but think might try some 6" legends with maybe a 12" Iron Man.

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Went out on a bargain hunting trip - no bargains, but did get Quake and Topspin. I thought I was done with Titans Return! I bought Quake on the off chance they do Spinister and Needlenose, who I want because they were in the Mayhem Attack Squad. Quake is just there in case I need the set of Decepticon double Targetmasters so I won't open him just yet. Topspin (and Twintwist) I originally passed on because I was happy with my Mech Ideas figures, but then on TFW2005's review of 2017 several contributors mentioned it as one of their top figures so I thought it wouldn't hurt to try it out and see what I think.

He looks great, the transformation is indeed very interesting. I think I'm sold. I might need to get Twintwist as well now. Dammit

There have been a couple of articles on various sites recently about collector burnout. I find it interesting. I don't think it's something I've ever really experienced, I think because I'm fairly focused in my collection, but also because I enjoy the fiction. I think fiction is essential because it gives you a connection to the characters. Like many, I only really remember the 84/85 characters with perhaps the Movie cast. I was only aware of the Headmasters characters because I had some Ladybird books.

When I got back into collecting I watched the old cartoon, most of S3 for the first time, but then also the Japanese only series and eventually Beast Wars, and so I've learnt to appreciate all those extra characters. With the comics, I read the old Marvel collected volumes, followed by Dreamwave and now IDW (though I had a break for a couple of years). The characters that are getting toys now - the 87/88 figures, I only really know because of media I have taken in as an adult - it's no longer actually about nostalgia. I wonder whether that makes a difference.

Further to that I think I have a couple of personality traits which lend themselves to continued collecting - I love obscure characters, I desperately want a toy of Thunderclash despite barely knowing anything about him outside of MTMTE. I have a compulsive need to complete sets (as with Quake above), and I do fairly regularly mentally go through my collection and consider whether I still have a connection to it and whether I still want it. I less regularly actually end up getting rid of anything!

Finally opened

I've got Masterpiece Sunstreaker. I bought Sideswipe in the hope that his brother would get a release so thought it was finally time to open him as well!

I really really wish that he came with a toy accurate head. Not sure what it is but with both Classics and Masterpiece I want toy accurate (I can make exceptions for the likes of Megatron and Ironhide, but generally).

Sideswipe is amazing, everything I could possibly want. I had the G1 as a kid so very fond of the character. Sunstreaker was one that I always wanted, he is also an amazing toy, but in a different way. The legs are amazing, as are all of the features they've packed in. I reluctantly accept the panels and the fake chest. Though cartoon accurate, I think with a (more) silver gun and a proper head he could still fit. I don't think it would have been possible to make a properly toy accurate figure. Much like Ironhide, I don't think we would actually want one. Shame he and Sideswipe don't match. I'm not so worried I'm going to buy the new cartoon Sideswipe though!

I have seen Last Jedi! Suddenly had a free Saturday night so jumped at the chance to go. Great escapism as always. I very much enjoyed it, the Jedi suddenly seemed to have a few new powers we've never seen before, but I like the way it finished and set up the third film. There were a few bits which seemed quite random (casino scene?), but overall very good.

Power of the primes has finally arrived in the UK, well Legends have. Picked up Slash and Beacomber, what a start to the line! I looked at Windcharger, he really doesn't photograph well, but in person I rather like him. Might have to go back for him! I also opened Seaspray and Wheelie. Oh and Cosmos and Brawn....

Seaspray is just better than iGear version, I wasn't sure before I looked at the iGear effort again, but yep, easy winner. Wheelie...... I just don't like Wheelies I think. The new version is probably better, but there's not much in it, I'm not particularly fond of either! Cosmos is my second try with the new mold. I like the colour better and that was the deal breaker last time, it still fell apart on me, but the fact he has elbows just about swings it. The overwhelming argument for me for all the Minibots though is I want them  at the same size. The best Warpath is a deluxe so I'm ignoring him, but going with these new legends, it's just iGear Huffer and Pipes clinging on in there at the old scale, with Windcharger a bit bigger. I think I will pick up the new one and give it a try though. Oh yeah, Brawn? He's great, no questions asked, bring on Outback!

I picked up Astrotrain finally but have only just got round to opening him, Blitzwing and Octane (spot a pattern?). Shame they're headmasters, but overall very happy with them. Astrotrain I think could be my favourite, but I'm not so keen on the Cybertron based altmodes. Blitzwing is a definite improvement on the 30th version, the tank mode in particular is a bit more solid, but not quite the coherent tank I really want. The only thing better about the old version is the turret is the right colour and thickness. Octane, I think is the best. I was quite fond of the deluxe figure, but I like all of the modes of this figure. Blitzwing and Octane both inevitably make use of panels, and so are somewhat hard to fit together properly (Octane was actually slightly incorrectly assembled, luckily the offending piece could be popped out quite easily), but considering what they are trying to do succeed nicely. Overall, I really like them and it is nice to have all the triple changers at the same size point.

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Disney have bought Fox!!! OMG. Fantastic 4 and the X-men can join the MCU! Actually, I still think that the X-men are fine outside of the MCU, but I think it would really benefit it to have the FF to join. I'd like it if they have them be active in the 60s (linking up with Howard Stark and Hank Pym perhaps), but then somehow got trapped in time. So many great options, but on top of that, the prospect of having their villains involved is very exciting - Doom and Galactus done properly!

It is worth remembering though that Disney becoming even bigger is not a good thing and outside of Marvel, only serves to give less variety, but I am still very excited.

Power of the Primes seems to be Combiner Wars part 2. Despite it being a trilogy, I think Prime Wars needs a fourth part. Titan's Return part 2. Scorponok as a titan (though I think I'd actually have him and Fortress Maximus as leaders). Star Saber, Deszaras, Dai Atlas and Thunderwing as leaders. Shockwave, Apeface and Snapdragon as voyagers. The three Autobot Targetmasters, two remaining Autobot Powermasters and all of the Headmaster juniors as deluxes, plus Nightbeat. I reckon they could do a neat thing where Siren comes with both police and fire stickers so he could be turned into Go-Shooter should you wish. The remaining Throttlebots as legends! Plenty of space for some new updates of classic 84/85/86 figures.

You've got an enemy on your tail!

I finally caved and bought the World of Nintendo Falco for well over the odds (about three times over). The collector in me loves the fact I've got the Starfox set now though, it's just unfortunate that most of the reviews don't say much good about the figure! I think it's fine, I'm not sure what else you would want from it.

I've finally seen Thor Ragnorok! I thoroughly enjoyed it, I liked the change of style (I enjoyed What We Do in the Shadows), I liked the characters, I enjoyed the moments the characters have and the set pieces were great fun. I also liked the variety of villains. It is slightly unfortunate I think that being so aware of the upcoming Avengers film, that in some ways, it felt like a set up for that film. Overall though, it tied everything together nicely but was brilliant in its own right. All hail King Thor!

(Also, really looking forward to Star Wars and Black Panther!)

(Also, really really looking forward to Infinity War after seeing the trailer!!)

Was hoping that Power of the Primes would see a UK release before Xmas, but doesn't look like it's going to happen. Great to see some pictures, although I really wish the Dinobots were voyager, the deluxes look great. I'm also excited about the Prime Masters, mostly because I'm a fan of Masterforce. Part of me is still a bit sad that we never got homages to those characters from Play with this too though.

Picked up a combiner wars Sunstreaker from a discount store for a good price, holding on to it for a potential Victory Laster custom if Takara (or even Hasbro I suppose) doesn't do it.

December seems to be flying by, waiting for POTP, looking forward to Masterpiece Sunstreaker and Dinobot. Time to be a bit reflective about 2017! What a year! It's been extremely difficult at times, but I have personally achieved many things I want. I feel like I've got many things I want. Thinking about film we finally got Spider-Man in the MCU and finally Dinobots in Classics form. Oh yeah!

Dinobots

Masterpiece Dinobot looks incredible, but what a price! I had an idea with the MP line that I would pick up those characters that appeared in the first season of the cartoon, with a few of my favourites thrown in (like Tracks, Blaster and Dinobot), but at these prices something has to give. I've already passed on Thundercracker and Skywarp.

I really want Jazz and Sunstreaker, I'd like Trailbreaker, Hound and Mirage, but I might pass on the other Minibots if they ever do them. It depends on the price point I think, if they're comparable to Bumblebee then fine, but if they're getting towards £100 it's got to be a pass. For some reason I'm not as keen on those other Minibots, perhaps because they were mostly a bit grumpy in the cartoon, perhaps because they weren't pretty sports cars.

If they do a toy coloured Shockwave then I'm on board, but other than Blaster, I think I'd pass on almost any other character that they'd reasonably do. Maybe, Reflector, I do quite like the random nature of some of the original Decepticons' altmodes. I assume G1 Dinobots are off the table, but would love to be proven wrong given the deluxe nature of the new Power of the Primes figures.

Thinking back to Titans Return, I've picked up a few more of the figures I was after - Seaspray, Wheelie and Slugslinger. I haven't opend the Minibots yet, but managed to find them in person. Slugslinger is fantastic, the colour and altmode is spot on, not quite sure about the head bring cartoon accurate (much like Triggerhappy and Slugslinger), but what a trio. I'm one step closer to completing the headmasters lineup. Bring on the Autobot Targetmasters!

I've picked up a few other random bits, action master Rad to complete my Lost Light action master line up and Henkei ghost Starscream for my beast wars display. Having him also means I can do quite a cool pre and post G1 Movie display. Also picked up 3.75" Jessica Jones, I'm not quite sure about her yet as although I haven't seen her Netflix series yet, I might prefer her MCU look (having not ever read a comic with her in). One of my collection rules is not to display characters unless I've seen something with them, so it's a moot point at the moment, but I buy the figures anyway just in case (to avoid potentially paying more at a later date!). The Agent 13 figure from the Civil War set might be a good base figure though.

Here's a random thought; somewhat inspired by a question to a podcast I listen to (WTF@TFW), what human characters would I want toys of? I'd like 3.75" posable figures of the entire Masterforce cartoon - the pretenders, the headmaster juniors and godmasters! Possibly not the Decepticon pretenders as I think they were larger than human size (though 6" scale might work for them), but Metalhawk, Shooter, Ginrai, Giga and Mega would all be great.

Have just seen that Vitruvian Hacks are doing a Kickstarter for a 3.75" scaled horse. Sweet! They've shown concepts for Pegasus and even a centaur, love me some mythical creatures! I believe it starts in March so will have to keep an eye on that.

Have been looking at Storm Collectibles Mortal Kombat figures (again). They look utterly incredible, high price for a 6" figure but the detail and accessories are amazing. The fact they've gone for MKI/II pulls me straight in. I feel that Sub-Zero and Scorpion would have to be bought as a pair, but perhaps Reptile by himself would be cool. I think he has the best accessories - acid dripping, force ball and animal head. Even a long tongue for replicating one of his fatalities. Goro and Shao Kahn look great as well, I've forgotten how much I love Mortal Kombat!

Have just watched a few festive episodes of Thomas the tank engine, as you do. Feeling ready for Christmas now!

Two's company, three's a crowd

Well, the Terrorcons look amazing. Did I mention what an amazing line I think Power of the Primes is going to be? I do have a bit of a dilemma though, I generally like toy accuracy rather than cartoon, but I really like the way Abominus is coloured in the cartoon. However, I prefer toy Hun-Gurr to cartoon. I think I will default to Hasbro as hopefully I can buy them more easily and cheaply. Hopefully there will be an upgrade option for a cartoon Abominus.

I had Triggerhappy as a child, and a few years ago I had the trio of G1 Decepticon Targetmasters so I have a fondness for them. Again, I would prefer toy accuracy but happy to make do. Triggerhappy and Slugslinger (I haven't got him yet) look fine, but Misfire looks off. I think it's that he just looks generic; it might be the IDW influence but he just looks like a purple/pink seeker. Luckily, being a headmaster and all it's quite easy to change the head. I think the Perceptor head is a better fit so picked one up and painted some of the details. I went IDW rather than pure G1, so red eyes and a little black goatee. I gave him Percetor's gun as well so there's a bit less purple going on. Am pretty happy! (Apart from the increasing costs of deluxes when you just want a head.

Thinking again about the gaps in my classics collection, there are several leader characters I need (I'd throw Thunderwing in as well), after that there are a few Headmaster, Targetmaster and Powermaster gaps, then a few missing combiners but really, seem to be getting close now. The Monsterbots are favourites of mine, because of the monster altmodes, plus the fact they only turned up in the Japanese cartoon makes them a bit more exciting. With the NYCC exclusive Grotusque I've now got, they are complete. I'm strangely okay with Repugnus being a Titanmaster with no (deluxe) body. I've got the G1 figure, so maybe that's why, but him just being a head seems okay, much like the Decepticon headmaster juniors perhaps he can borrow one of the others' body for special occasions. Scorponok on the other hand, despite actually being a headmaster, really needs a transector. Preferably leader sized!

Coming back to the toy versus cartoon accuracy thing, Astrotrain is a character where I went anime in Henkei (mind you, when the Hasbro option was white there wasn't really a choice), but am thinking of going toy accurate. I've made the decision to upgrade my Decepticon triple changers to voyager, and so have got Titans Blitzwing and Octane, and need to make a decision for Astrotrain.

I need Astrotrain, Slugslinger, Seaspray and Wheelie then I'm done with Titans return. Kinda kicking myself on two of those as they have previously been available at a good price. Seaspray will potentially replace the iGear version I have.

I think the era of third party is well and truly over for me now, I sold off my Mastemind Creations Predacons as soon as I could after the leak of Titan Predaking came out, which leaves me with no unofficial figures larger than legends in my collection. I do have Perfect Effect Warden, but he is arguably an accessory to G1 Fortress Maximus. It's been quite a journey, from upgrade kits to full on combiners, but I'm done with them. It's been expensive, but I bear them no ill will. I think at some point I will review all the figures I have owned and their effect on me.

I've accidentally bought another Groot! He's a bit smaller than I expected, but I like the face sculpt. I think at some point I will have to try and decide which one should be my main representation of the character. I've also bought a World of Nintendo 3.75" Starfox Slippy to go with the Peppy I got previously (can't remember if I mentioned that). Falco is ridiculously expensive on the second hand market, but there is something compulsive about having the whole team from a game I wasn't particularly fond of. I do have some happy memories of 4 player Starfox in the N64 though so perhaps that's it.

I think Power of the Primes will be here soon, looking forward to the Dinobots, just hope they don't seem too small!

What a line!

I opened Trypticon, wow, Hasbro really didn't take any risks with this one. It's a scaled up version of the G1 with articulation added, exactly what I wanted. It's so G1 that I'm not sure there's any point keeping the original! This thing scales beautifully with my WST Dinobots to recreate some Call of the Primatives scenes. Just have to decide between G1 and combiner wars Sky Lynx!

There is of course the small issue of the hip joints which is extremely disappointing, it really takes the edge off knowing you've got to mess around with taking the legs apart to deal with the springs. I've just removed them for the time being before deciding which fix I should go for.

I finally got round to combining Ginrai with God Bomber. I think this figure looks incredible, but bugger me if the balancing issues don't almost completely ruin the figure. Did they even test it before putting it out?!

Just a few days later I got Overlord. I waited for pictures of the Takara figure first as I figured that might look best along side God Ginrai, but really for me, Hasbro is the way to go as the Takara colours weren't quite working. Would have been great to have Giga and Mega though. Overlord is great, smaller than G1 but with articulation.

Trypticon, God Ginrai and Overlord in one year! Wow, what a line. Throw in the 'classic' headmasters and Titans Return has been amazing. Overall, I'd say the Prime Trilogy is shaping up to be one of my favourite iterations ever. Classics, Universe and Generations really did the ground work of the well known characters, but the Prime trilogy is giving me my favourites.

Combined with the leaks from last month, what a line. My collection is going to look great. Generally I don't worry about size too much, FOC Shockwave I can live with, but I think the Dinobots being deluxe troubles me. Particularly with the Constructicons and Predacons all being voyagers. I need to swap the Dinobots and Constructicons around! If someone upscales the Dinobots it will be very hard to pass on.

With Hascon confirming the dinobots and Terrorcons, it does really come down to needing Scorponok. And Deszaras, and Star Saber and Victory Leo, okay and Thunderclash. I feel like one of those at least seems likely, probably Star Saber, but Scorponok is definitely top of the want list. I think the other toys I want are more about completion than the actual character in question.

I've slowly been re-watching A:EMH, and have slowly been adding figures to my list of customs to make - particularly those who are appearing in the MCU. Back to eBay I go! I started looking the episode descriptions and hit on Graviton, previously I hadn't given him a second thought, but then it occurred to me he's in the MCU (Agents of Shield at least). Then I thought I need more characters with big beards and I was sold! Hela and Surtur being in Thor Ragnorok has also inspired me, who to use for the base figures?!

There's not been much Masterpiece news for a while, but I must just raise one thing that annoys me. I lean towards toy accuracy over toon accuracy, but I'm fine with the recent changes to the line, but would it kill them to include a toy accurate face rather than all these different expressions? I'm not too worried about Megatron, but I would appreciate a slightly more toy accurate face for Sunstreaker. Grumpiness over, Trypticon and Overlord are fantastic, what a month!