The eyes have it!

Blast Off is here! Slightly smaller box than I was expecting, but good first impressions based on the artwork. Blast Off is special (edition), he is the figure I thought Takara would produce when I heard they were making a shuttle version of the character. Brown isn't a great colour for a Transformer, but combined with purple is rather nice. The shuttle mode isn't fantastic, but having waited several years for this toy, I am very happy. He has the correct head and altmode, he is a toy accurate colour. These things make me extremely content.

I'm half tempted to keep the old Blast Off as Bruticus' arm and keep this new one separate in robot mode. Of the four superfluous figures for combiner wars, I only have Alpha Bravo (I had legends Groove, but never Rook), whom I use on Computron in order to have Strafe on my Lost Light shelf.

Repugnus is now also here! The box art is even more vivid. This is the figure I was most excited about of the trio, despite strangely being content with the Titanmaster figure. The Monsterbots (along with the Dinobots, Insecticons and Predacons) have a special place in my heart. Beast alt modes have always appealed to me, though it took me a while to get into Beast Wars.

Repugnus is a nice bright figure, I like the use of clear green plastic for the beast eyes. Whereas Blast Off seems bigger than he should be, Repugnus seems smaller (I guess compared to the G1 figures). I admire the use of the same base mold for the three Monsterbots, it makes him a little wider than he should be, but somehow it is made to work expertly. I swapped the head for the original Titanmaster one, it has more character because of the bigger eyes. Another great figure!

When I have discussions about collecting with people I often say that if I didn't collect Transformers I'd collect something else. Stamps, coins, anything. I need to collect. Transformers appeals because I am nostalgic for them, but I collect figures of characters I didn't even know existed. So why then? It occurred to me whilst thinking about why I like Repugnus is colour, I like the fact that Transformers come in virtually every single colour and combination. It seems weird to admit it to myself, but it also explains why I collect comic based Marvel figures and not movie. I've barely read any Marvel comics, I've watched every single film, but comic book figures come in more vivid colours. Stamps also come in a wide range of colours so I'll keep them as a back up option for a collection (coins not so much).

Thinking about deluxes, I know almost nothing about the Autobot Targetmasters and Powermasters. I've never read a story where they do anything and I can't remember what they (or their Japanese equivalents) did in the cartoon, but damn they are high up on my want list! The funny thing about them is that they could quite easily be repaints of existing figures, I just need them now! Completionism is a funny thing, though possibly not an actual word.

The third wave of Primemasters have now arrived. They are extremely simple, snap the weapon onto the shell, pop the Primemaster in and done. Admire. Particularly with Octopunch and Bludgeon I wish they came with the melee weapons they used in the old Marvel comics. (I also wish they came with Stranglehold.) It is nice to have Bomb-burst to complete the Deception Masterforce lineup though. I don't mind the small size, I sort of imagine that they have some ability to change size (particularly the Autobots who can shrink down to human size).

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I've bought a 3.75" figure, in a shop no less. Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars Black for a fiver. I don't really acknowledge the existence of The Clone Wars cartoon (I prefer the original Clone Wars cartoon, no 'the'). However, I do collect alien Jedi who appeared in media I've seen, and technically I did go and watch that CGI film at the cinema. She also has two lightsabers. So, she's alright by me.

The green eyed monster continues to haunt me when it comes to Marvel Legends, particularly with X-Men characters, Professor X and Gambit now. They seem to be releasing so much 6" stuff it's ridiculous. Will the bubble burst soon? I guess there were a few years when they weren't releasing anything so it will probably come full circle.

The new Storm Collectibles Mortal Kombat stuff also looks great, far too expensive for me, but I find pictures of them very helpful when planning my customs as googling MKI/MKII characters you tend to get somewhat blurry pixelated photos or cartoons, so it's hard to pick out the details - eye colour for instance (or lack of).

Some time ago I think I mentioned my plan to make 3.75" versions of all Mortal Kombat I and II characters. I'm using the Jazwares figures as a starting point, which since they also made the MK3 cyber ninjas, I will include them also. A Mortal Kombat 2.5 if you will since I plan to include a few characters and cues from later games. My only complete figures so far are the female ninjas (see: https://transformersandstuff.blogspot.com/2017/05/getting-old.html). I have a Goro figure which I am painstakingly making a copy of (by making rubber molds and then casting the parts in resin). This is somewhat time consuming and boring, but I'm down to a couple of pieces left (where the cast didn't work and I'm redoing it). Need to buy some joints.

I'm working on the male ninjas, I think the original Jazwares sculpts weren't actually all that bad. The head was probably the worst part so I'm replacing it with a GI Joe Storm Shadow copy. I think the very worst thing about the Jazwares figures however is the paint (the eyes stand out as being particularly shocking), so I will paint the figures again. Hopefully I can do a better job!

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I’ve finished Scorpion and Reptile. I found the perfect base paint colour for Scorpion, it’s a ochre which I think works much better than the original lemon yellow. Am very happy with the Storm Shadow head. In a first for a custom I’ve done, I also made an alternate skull head for Scorps. Two years in the planning and I’ve finally finished two of the male ninjas!

Exciting exclusives

Amazon exclusives incoming! When I first saw the pictures of the new Punch/Counterpunch my first thought through my mind was we’re getting a new Pointblank!!! Actually I couldn’t remember which targetmaster has those diagonal shoulder pieces, but I was excited.

Wow, he looks great. As does Repugnus, though his beast mode proportions are perhaps a bit off. And Blast Off as well. What a set of exclusives! There will be the usual fun trying to track them down, but for three figures I didn’t think I particularly wanted, I can’t wait!

(I have Blast Off combined so a different head and altmode makes no odds, I have the TFCC P/CP and I have the Titanmaster Repugnus, which despite being a Monsterbot fan, I was also happy with.)

There's something particularly sneaky about the strategy Hasbro used on the four scramble city combiners, by not actually releasing one of each team (initially), they really built up the excitement for when they did release them as exclusives. But, in a slightly perverse way (since I've managed to get hold of them), I'm happier than I would have been with them. Sneaky.

There have just been a load of Amazon listings for the WFC stuff, nothing grabbing me too much though the Targetmaster angle looks promising. I don’t think I’ll get many Micromasters, though probably the Rescue patrol as they were in Victory. As I said before I really now want a complete 1987 lineup, Autobot Powermasters, and the Victory leaders. And a Leozack and Thunderclash!

Looking towards SDCC, as with every year I can't help but hope for some exciting reveals. Autobot Targetmasters, please!!! Actually I think I would be happy with reveals which could be pretools for the Target and Power masters. Have to take what you can get.

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Thinking about the reveals, Hound and Ultra Magnus? Maybe it’s because I’ve just watched the Machinima series (which was alright, but I found the Grimlock portrayal irritating), but weren’t they both on the vote for the next Prime list? With Shockwave also on the rumour list, does that mean Star Saber, Deszaras and Thunderwing might also be on the cards?! Please let it be so.

Well, the Hasbro panel has just happened and my bubble has been well and truly burst. I was hoping for at least one figure to get excited about, but nothing! The Micromasters do look good and, it’s funny that the reveals have been the set I said would get, the set I had as a kid (Race Car patrol) and the set I always wanted as a kid (Battle patrol).

Okay, so the grumpiness has died down a little and that Ironhide does look good, I will need to keep an eye on most of those figures! I think I was a bit spoilt by the Prime Wars trilogy in terms of character selection, but it's worth reminding myself that I was sceptical at the start of that trilogy as well - I was 'happy' with my Fansproject Superion and Menasor. Now I barely have any third party stuff left. I collect Transformers because I'm nostalgic for the 80's, but I'm now at the point where I'm fairly nostalgic for mid 2000's figures. Particularly when the figures have a significance to them, perhaps because I bought them on holiday, I'm reluctant to replace them.

As I think I’ve said before, for me the most important part of an action figure is the head sculpt and where a lot of the Universe Classics figures fall down is the head sculpt. The Datsuns and Sideswipe particularly, I wonder if it will be possible (though expensive) to swap the heads?

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I don't mind the Combiner Wars Buzzsaw mold, I therefore decided to pick up the Laserbeak as perhaps it's time to retire my Real Gear figures. I think he looks better than Buzzsaw because he's toy not cartoon colours. A toy deco Buzzsaw (Target exclusive) was also revealed at SDCC, so might try and get that. The set would raise the prospect of needing to get Titans Return Rumble since it also contains Frenzy. Initially I passed because it looked too much like Rewind, but it would be nice to have figures which are consistent with each other.

Power of the Primes Hun-Gurrr turned up today. This is one of my favourite torsos. It's amazing that he completes my S1-S3 collection, but also I love all of his modes. I'm genuinely torn about how to display him. This is first figure that I find the stickers are a problem for me on, might need Reprolabels. It will definitely need the Perfect Effect upgrade set.

Masterpiece news again, Hound is being released! I don't really care for the character, but I think a bit of green in the display will add some variety. I will hold off initially as I'm hoping for a toy accurate deco as seems likely with Sunstreaker. Just Jazz, Mirage and Trailbreaker left to complete the S1 cars! V3 Optimus Prime? Fascinating...... MP Dinobot looks great, though sounds like some issues with his shoulders. Am saving up for Predaking at the moment so will be a little while before I can afford Dinobot, hopefully a solution will have been found by then.

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I've bought MCU Marvel Legends Ant-Man to get a Paul Rudd headsculpt for my Giant Man. It's great! I think in my collection Ant-Man is now definitely Scott Lang and Yellowjacket is Hank Pym. Wasp is still Janet Van Dyne though, so no MCU Wasp just yet unless they release a Michelle Pfeiffer figure (prequel film perhaps?!).

I also saw Ant-Man and the Wasp today. I thought it was brilliant. I love the Ant-Man films, slightly lower stakes, but I love how they use the size changing power to great effect. Some great stunts with cars. A good fun enjoyable Summer film.

Picked up a super cheap (2018) BAF Apocalypse on eBay from Hong Kong. Hope he actually turns up!

For the Royalty!

For the Royalty!!! I've bought a Beast Wars Inferno. I've decided to hold off on picking up more Beast Wars figures in the hopes that we might get modern versions, but I've made an exception for Inferno on the grounds that he's the right size (compared to say, Terrorsaur), he had an interesting personality on the TV show and he's the right size for 3.75" Ant-Man to sit on.

Not much else else happening in Transformers land at the moment. One thing that occurred to me is that we don’t seem to be getting a Power of the Primes Waverider which is strange given the proposed Grand Max shell was clearly a potential reuse of a Waverider figure. Would also be keen for a Stranglehold.

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Wave 2 Prime Masters have made it to Asda and have finally found them. I like these little guys.

I'm getting a bit worried whether we're going to see any more Power of the Primes stuff at retail and so (since they're in stock online), I bought the W3 Terrorcons. Decided to get Rippersnapper at the same time since he's also available fairly cheaply. The UK getting W2 seems more likely than W3 (though I still remember Combiner Wars and the Stunticons......).

On the day they arrived W2 deluxes and voyagers were spotted in Smyths. I think I made the right decision!

The Terrorcons look like oversized (and articulated) versions of the G1 toys. They seem very chunky. Perfect really! Rippersnapper is great, will be a tough decision deciding which mode to keep him in. Abominus mode is still a contender, but if that's what I go for then might have to consider the Perfect Effect hands and feet.

Sinnertwin looks rather generic in robot mode, his arms have one of the best arm to leg transformations I've seen on a beast transformer. His back legs could be the G1 legs as they're small so as to be a bit more inconspicuous in robot mode. Not bad, but he's no Rippersnapper.

Cutthroat is also pretty good, but Blot is the other winner with Rippersnapper. A nice satisfying transformation, the bit with the claws is great, and full of character.

Also popped in an order for Outback, have decided just to order W3 online. He's a repaint so nothing too crazy, but it's great to have him in his 70s colour scheme.

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Found Sludge and Snarl! Whoop whoop. I nipped into Smyths in between listening to football on the radio, what a day! Strangely they're actually about the same size as the G1 figures (though Sludge has a slightly shorter tail). Snarl looks a reasonable size in robot mode because of the way his tail splits on his shoulders (a bit like Slag with his dino head). Sludge is just too small though, more than any of the others he needs to be a voyager. I really like them though, it's great to have a complete set of dinobots. In fact, once I've got Hun-Gurrr, I will have every character from S1-S3 of the cartoon in classics form, that is quite the milestone.

I think the W2 dinos display nicely with Slag, less so with Swoop due to his cartoon blue. And of course Grimlock as a voyager is much too large compared to Sludge. I almost wish Grimlock was also deluxe...

My main focus is now on the S4/1987 cast, Scorponok is sorely needed. There have been a few hints that we’re done with the Titan class. I want Scorponok as a leader so it doesn’t worry me particularly, but it does seem sad that they may stop making large figures because people wait until they’re discounted.


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Deadpool 2! Yep, have seen it. I very much enjoyed it, really found myself laughing hard at some points. Good mix of action (plenty of arm breaking), humour and even some emotional (ish) bits. Josh Brolin is great as Cable. I'm a bit tempted to get a moped for Deadpool now!

(Also I think I need to make a custom Domino....)

Have hit a milestone - I'm done with buying Marvel 3.75" figures! Now of course, if they decide to release new figures then that's that's an entirely different thing, but I'm done with buying already released figures on eBay (and after getting Inferno this includes Transformers). The cheap figures from China seem to be drying up, so I think it's just in time. Domino just about scraped through. If I come across another character I want to make a custom of it's going to be raiding my parts bin and/or making resin copies. You can all be my witnesses! Jean Grey has the distinction of being my final figure, it’s quite a nice one but naturally she won’t stay as Jean for long.....

Any new stuff is fair game though. Speaking of which, I mentioned I bought some Jurassic World stuff. I painted up a raptor to look more like the original film. Pretty happy! Really enjoying my customising at the moment.

My Marvel collection is comic based, but I rather like popping MCU heads on them. Ant Man and Wasp are about the last figures I want MCU heads for, obviously Hasbro has given up on 3.75”, but I do have 6” figures for these two. They’re getting unmasked Legends figures, which for Scott Lang is cool (I have a Yellowjacket Hank Pym), but what about Janet and Hope? In my A:EMH focused mind, Wasp is Janet. Therefore if I'm going to pop an MCU head on Wasp it should be a Michelle Pfeiffer head! (Which if they did a unmasked Batman Returns Catwoman is actually feasible.) Anyway, I think it depends on how easily accessible the figures are and how much I have to pay to get them.

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I have used the head from First Class Jean Grey to improve my old Jean Grey. The hair colour is spot on and she actually has a sensible sized head.

I have upgraded my Absorbing Man and Drax with Hyperion thighs (painted AM's pupils as well), it always feels a bit risky when snapping legs apart, but I think they look pretty good. Extra articulation is always good.

I've made a second Luke Cage (no genuine Luke Cage parts were used - the head is a custom cast I made). I've also painted Jean Grey into (drumroll please.....), Crystal! I need to sort the belt out, but will probably leave it for the time being.

Jurassic Customs

I had an expensive start to the year, so it's good that it's calmed down a bit recently. It’s funny, it’s only been about two weeks since I’ve bought something, but it seems like an absolute age! In these times I tell myself this is what it’s going to be like going forward, then suddenly there's loads of stuff out and it all starts again.

Thinking about my big purchases for the rest of the year, it comes down to Abominus, Predaking and Masterpiece Dinobot. (Wow!) I feel like I'm focused this year, the only unknown is the box sets/exclusives we get. They could be anything from a Monstructor or Dinoking set, a Star Saber or Deszaras, or simply the rumoured Repugnus and Blast Off deluxe figures. It would be a struggle for me to afford a big box set but it would be so much more exciting!

I find myself still 'reviewing' my collection, it can go either way really. Do I need a Masterpiece collection? Would it be better if I added Red Alert, Smokescreen, Inferno and Grapple to it? My focus is on Classics, but I think I should wait and see how I feel about my Masterpiece figures once things have slowed down a bit. I haven't opened most of them yet so maybe it's a bit premature to be thinking about selling them!

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Masterpiece news! Finally!!! It's the Shockwave I've been waiting for. G1 Megatron I'm intrigued by, I haven't actually opened the regular version yet so I could be tempted to make the swap. Diaclone Sunstreaker, what do I need to do to get that headsculpt for actual Sunstreaker?!  (Will there be a plus version of him?) Beast Wars Megatron looks great, it's a character I need a toy of, but (much like Red Alert, Smokscreen, Inferno and Grapple now I think about it), I'm happy with what I've got. Happy for Beast Wars fans though, Yesssssssss!

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I've seen Infinity War!!! Oh my dear good god, epic really does not do this film justice. I've listened/watched various reviews and there was one comment I really agree with. It's not going to appeal to everyone, but given what it's doing with all of the characters, and what it achieves in terms of scope and ambition it is amazing. Yes, a self contained story set in one place would possibly be a better film technically, but I love how every character has their moment. Thanos is a properly developed and interesting character. It's the first MCU film I'm going to try and watch again in the cinema and I think that says everything.

I've finished working on Baron Strucker, I'm pretty happy with him generally, but I feel he needs a belt. I don't have anything which quite looks right. I'll leave the figure's original harness type thing on him for the time being until I find something better. It doesn't look quite officer-ish enough for it stay on permanently, but he looks a bit plain without it.

I've bought some stuff! Jurassic World stuff as it happens, I got an Owen for the Chris Pratt headsculpt for Star Lord. It's the tiniest bit too small, but I am happy. I also got a 'Blue' figure. Very happy with the size and sculpt, I've never actually seen World, but will paint him up to be more like the original Park film raptors to go with my villains display. Actually, I might need to get a couple since they were always pack animals. Funnily enough, Owen comes with a 'baby' Blue which is roughly the size a raptor should be. (I think, I'm sure someone told they should be roughly chicken sized.) Yay dinosaurs!

I bought a 3.75" Mumm-Ra from the 2011 Thundercats line sometime ago. I had some vague plan to paint him up, but then got distracted with everything else going on. Buying a raptor made me think about my villains shelf again and so I picked him up again and actually decided to paint him up. White is a difficult colour to make look good, but happy with how the face looks. Done!

I've always though Marvel Universe Luke Cage looked a bit skinny, I had some thoughts about how to beef him up a bit. I considered putting him on the Hercules buck, but that seems a bit too big. Looking at Hyperion I thought that's the size he should be. Weirdly though, they are already the exact same size. The arms and chest are the same, the legs are the same size, but Hyperion has more muscle definition. (He also has a neck joint and thigh swivel.) Strange! Anyway, I decided to swap in Hyperion's thighs. Really happy with how he's looking now. Think will make the same upgrade to Absorbing Man and Drax!

I'm rather enjoying working on customs at the moment.

Chunky

Now that I’m dangerously close to only having 50 odd more transformers that I want, my brain has sought out new things. As the next step after thinking about my Marvel collection, I am going through the same process with Transformers. The difference being I can’t easily fix them with customs. I’m very happy with my Classics figures, but much like Marvel Universe I think the scale has crept up. To start with Grimlock and Astrotrain were deluxes, but now are voyager. Optimus, Megatron and Jetfire were voyagers, but now are leaders. I think a few other characters need to become bigger to keep up.

It goes without saying that the other Dinobots need to be voyager, if not leader (and Devastator needs to be smaller). As attached as I am to them, I think the seekers need to be voyager as well. Similarly, Shockwave, Soundwave, Cyclonus, and maybe Scourge and Blaster. Deluxe Cyclonus is great, but he should match the seekers. Music label Soundwave is also great, but small and a different aesthetic to Classics.

Now, Starscream, Soundwave and Cyclonus already have voyager figures. They’re just not quite what I want (i.e. not repaints, combiner torsos or FOC versions), so would still be as much placeholders as the figures I have now are. Also, I can’t see them doing of all of the required recolours/remolds of Starscream. This new Cyber Battalion line might just work for Shockwave though.

Maybe Galvatron should also be a leader. Which would match Ultra Magnus. Oh dear.... thinking about scale is the path to madness.

Anyway, I have Perfect Effect Reflector, I think he needs to be deluxe. Finally, my cassettes are a mismatch of companies (Hasbro, Perfect Effect and KFC), styles and sizes, I want them all as legends. Maybe I do need to get the Titans Rumble figure.

Phew! Following on from last month, that doesn’t really add many deluxes to my want list. It seems to be all about the Legends.

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I got me a Rodimus prime! I was surprised at myself at how excited I was for this figure, considering a few years ago I had no interest. In combined mode he is one chunky robot. It's impressive, but that Hot Rod’s legs form the arms doesn’t really work, and it does look a bit strange in any sort of pose.

When I started collecting Classics I decided to strictly only get one version of each character. (Though it was some time before they really started remaking characters.) I made an exception for Megatron -> Galvatron as one of the few comics I bought as a kid had them face off against each other.

My personal head cannon for the Movie is that Skywarp and Thundercracker became Cyclonus and his armada, and the Insecticons became Scourge and the Sweeps (I know the animation isn't consistent with this). Since all of these characters appeared separately in Dreamwave and IDW, I conveniently decided to ignore this as well.

I later decided to put together Grimlock and Ravage collections so increasingly I was ignoring my own rule. With my Marvel collection I had the same rule, but there were some characters I wanted multiple versions of - Wolverine and Human Torch for instance. So I came up with an idea to split my collection into four - Avengers, X-men, cosmic and street/mystic. Within each of those four, each character could only appear once, so taking Wolverine as an example, he could be an X-man or an Avenger so I could buy him twice. I then decided to start an Iron Man armoury and a Spider-verse collection, but those aside, I sort of stick to my rule.

Anyway, where I'm going with this is that I had considered replacing my Hot Rod with this new one, but the smaller figure I think makes a better Rodimus Prime - the gun and head are both appropriate. The larger combined form is then is a kind of Powermaster Rodimus (which incidentally was planned once upon a time). I could have Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime in my collection I suppose. No replacement then! The smaller Rodimus also scales better with Galvatron so all good.

I found Grimlock a while back, but wasn't that enthused so have only just opened him. He is very impressively chunky. The robot mode is great, very happy. The T-Rex mode is weird, he has Masterpiece Grimlock's head, then the less said about the rear half the better. Apparently this is because he's a combiner torso for the other Dinobots, though Dinobots don't combine so I'm not sure I believe this.

If you have all the Dinobots I suggest opening Grimlock last because the others don't seem nearly chunky enough after opening him. I'm dreading to see how small Sludge is going to seem.

Talking of Sludge, I made a sword for my Loyal Subjects vinyl Sludge over 2 years ago, but at the time I didn't have any styrene rods to make the handle. I've finally done it!

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Having listened to a podcast from last year I'm suddenly quite excited about Captain Marvel. Particularly because Nick Fury and Coulson are coming back. It being set in the 90s and coming out between the Avengers films is potentially quite an interesting story telling set up because the film will feature the Kree-Skrull war. If someone dies in Infinity War they could reveal them to be a Skrull and have them come back. Interesting!

I've finished a few of the custom bits I've been working on: Ghost Rider's bike, I've given Finn-T'Challa a Boseman-esque beard and painted Poe-Bruce's shirt and jacket. Magneto has had the benefit of a bit of paint and I've made Bishop less shiny (by painting him). If I'm honest I've kinda been putting off working on my Kintaro custom as I'm fed up with making molds and casts. Baron Strucker next......

Deluxe figures

I opened the Dinobots. They are good. I like Slag the most, though I wish he had his ‘wings’ and sword. Swoop is a strange mix of toy and cartoon, I would have preferred the toy colours and visor. That said, they’ve done a great job overall, especially with the grey/silver plastic and gold paint colours. Very happy to finally get these guys in classics form.

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!

Black Panther and Dinobots

Improving the 3.75" versions of my favourite Marvel characters is still occupying my mind! Found an easy fix for Blade - the MCU Falcon head with goggles. I do think of Anthony Mackie when I look at it, but I think it works for me. Might need to do some skin tone matching on the neck. I've also ordered a AOA Magneto so I can do some parts swapping to make a better Magneto. One without an ab crunch sadly, but really, Magneto is more about looking menacing than the dynamic poses.

I've ordered a Spider-Man Noir to give Ghost Rider a new body, and finally a 1:18 scale bike. I enthusiastically bought another Chameleon only to realise I've already several spare. Oh well! Have ordered a Poe Dameron to make a MCU Bruce Banner (with the afore mentioned Chameleon body) and a Mutt Williams for a Peter Parker head. I've also planned out a white costume Storm.

Finally found the Prime Masters at TRU - Skullgrin, Metalhawk and Cloudburst. I have fine deluxe versions of the first two of those so not sure how I feel about them. Cloudburst I rather like. They're very simple, but do the job for characters I want but am not too worried about. They also double up as Targetmasters of sorts so I might give them to my deluxes to hold as such.

I've also bought a Heroclix Supreme Intelligence. I did have some vague plans to make a custom. A bit smaller than true 3.75", but it works for me. I've always liked the more obscure characters, preferably those of a non-humanoid nature. Good to have a leader for my Kree, particularly whilst I haven't got round to a custom Ronan yet. Looks good!

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Once again I think I've got it sorted. Having decided I want to make my favourite characters the best they can be, I've also planned out in more detail a couple of ideas I've had. I wanted to make a gold tee Luke Cage, one of the problems being that I wasn't even sure which buck to use - the released version looks quite skinny, but I think that's mostly the legs. I think he should be big compared to most, but not quite god (Thor/Hercules) level. Might have to try a bit of parts swapping to find out.

I've also planned out a Gorgon, Crystal and Maximus. Maximus is tricky because I only really know about the Inhumans because they've guest starred in other shows - the Fantastic 4 cartoon for instance. Maximus is as important to the Inhumans as Loki is to the Asgardians, the difference is that he's nowhere near as iconic looking. It seems he started off with a strange green outfit with headgear then moved onto a moody grey outfit with trench coat. (The look they went for in the recent TV series.)

I also need Polaris, Wolfsbane and Strong Guy to complete my cartoon X-Force lineup. Wolfsbane is a Scottish mutant who turns into a wolf, that's something I need in my collection! I think Lady Deathstrike is also needed. She's a cyborg. Every collection needs a female cyborg.

Thinking about these ideas, I think it's a mixture of important, completing a team or lineup, interesting and iconic, with perhaps just a touch of the custom being reasonably straight forward and not requiring the acquisition of multiple parts. I'm not particularly interested in figures of civilian characters - J.J. Jameson, or really even villains who don't wear costumes, Sebastian Shaw or William Stryker.

It really is time to stop now!

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Popped my old Magneto head and cape on to the new AOA figure. Again might need a bit of colour matching, but it works nicely.

The Decepticon clones have arrived. Again, I can't quite believe they made them. They seem very cartoon accurate. I think I like the alt-modes more on the G1 figures.

Bought a Finn head for Black Panther, here he is with Bruce and Peter. Also, here's how Ghost Rider is shaping up with my new additions.

Had an excellent day today - saw Black Panther and found the deluxe Dinobots. I enjoyed Black Panther, it was a particularly beautiful and well shot film. The cast were brilliant, I particularly enjoyed the Dora Milaje. M'Baku and Klaue were great fun. I think my only comment would be that I was slightly unsure of Killmonger's intentions. Of the opinion that Wakanda should help other countries more, get involved with international affairs - sure. Angry about colonialism - sure. Why did he work with Klaue? Overall though, Black Panther is one of my favourite Avengers so it was great to see him properly on the big screen. I might have to paint some facial hair on my Finn head to give him a better likeness!

The Dinobots are too small but the headsculpts are great, just need time to open them. Yay Black Panther and Dinobots!