Animal Altmodes

Toy Fair! Or at least a load of pre Toy Fair proper leaks. I have several figures I really want, so at the end I will see how many of them have been announced and how many others I get tempted by. Good to see the Lightning collection blue MMPR rumour be true, green and black rangers already exist in some form so hopefully they'll be in the next couple of waves. Nothing too exciting on the Marvel Legends side, maybe Leader.

Lots of Transformers rumours confirmed. Sky Lynx looks great, as does Snapdragon (he's on the really want list). And Alicon (shall I get two or three?). Doubledealer looks solid so he's a maybe, strangely the metallic repaint of Siege Megatron with a properly coloured Lionizer is also quite tempting. The Quintesson I'm not sure about, if it was deluxe it would have been easier. I’m increasingly intrigued by Runabout/Runamuck (I don’t know which is which) which is annoying as I was perfectly happy with the club versions.

I'm trying for the most part to not re-buy characters I already have, but if there's a size class change then it's easier to justify - only Hoist (and presumably Trailbreaker) and Runabout/Runamuck are the same again (deluxe). Though with Cliffjumper and Doubledealer, my current figures are already the right size class. Optimus is a trickier one since he's a leader because of the additional trailer. Starscream and Sky Lynx needed upsizing so very happy with them.

In contrast for Siege, Hound, Mirage, Ironhide, Ratchet, Megatron, Springer, Reflector, Shockwave were all re-buys, and only Reflector and Shockwave were upsizes.

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It feels like I'm passing on almost everything, but I'm down for Sky Lynx and Scorponok so going to be an expensive year. As I go through my figures, I'm conscious that a Titan figure is equivalent in space terms to a lot of smaller figures, so I've got to be certain I need them. There's no question about whether I need Scorponok (I most certainly do), but it gets trickier with the likely Takara Black Zarak (the G1 figure is something of a 'grail' for me). I'm also not sure whether I need G1 Fortress Maximus still.

Well, Doubledealer and the Quintesson are definitely needed! Down for a couple of Alicons as well. Snapdragon looks good. Nothing else really grabbing me Transformers wise. From other lines, Tarzan looks good from Bossfight Studios. The new (premium) Hasbro Ghostbusters are movie as expected, but that they're doing Real Ghostbusters stuff is encouraging. The Marvel Legends reveals all look good, I'm amazed to see movie X-Men figures, but they're not for me. 90's War Machine is another maybe.

I think the absolute highlight is the Cheetara reveal from Super 7, that really is exciting. Leonardo looks good as well. Hopefully I'll get Raphael soon and be able to see what their figures are like. I think that concludes Toy Fair! Thundercats, Turtles and Power Rangers are all two characters away from completion. Ghostbusters is looking promising. Marvel Legends is going along nicely with the odd figure here and there. Transformers has given me the figure I've most wanted since Fansproject making headmasters made collecting the 1987 lineup a distinct reality. Scorponok, Sky Lynx, Doubledealer, Snapdragon and Alicon are all excellent updates/addition to some of my favourite subgroup of Transformers - animal altmodes.

I've realised that saying I will be happy with my collection when I have certain figures is setting myself up for failure (or least, not happiness). I think I need to focus on the 'system'. My system (now) is to see toys be announced (usually Toy Fair or SDCC), preorder them, pay for them, open, take a photo with other related figures, and finally put it in storage. When I get tempted by other things I find it disturbing (mostly because of the money). I need to focus on making the system work for me to maximise my enjoyment.

I haven't been tempted by too many things that I wasn't expecting, but I need to be wary of me changing my mind. It will be expensive when Scorponok and Sky Lynx hit, but I'm hoping that will be a one off. I'm not counting down to SDCC, I'm looking forward to Scorponok and Cheetara!

Two boxes into one

I realised that when I was still actively collecting Marvel 3.75", I didn't really have a plan - is it a comic based version of a character I don't already have? Yep, I need it. I didn't really think about the space everything would take up. At the same time I bought several 3.75" scaled vehicles and accessories, simply because 'they were cool'. Now the time has come for me to decide whether they're still cool. I've got several figures which are still carded, I don't think it's a hard decision to decide whether I should keep them.

I realise with all of my other collections, Marvel Legends, Star Wars, Turtles, Power Rangers, Thundercats and Ghostbusters, I’ve already spent a lot of time thinking about which characters to collect. 3.75” Marvel not so much. It currently takes up two boxes, my aim is to reduce it to one (Legends takes up one box, all of other action figures take up one more).

The other strange thing about Marvel is that I feel a lot more inclined to collect the villains. I’m going to get Mumm-Ra, but don’t feel I need any of the mutants. With Turtles I don’t feel I need a Shredder. I wonder whether that’s because I was younger when I watched those cartoons, or that villains are more fleshed out in Marvel. Maybe a bit of both.

Last post I was feeling a bit unsure about having bought a load of battle masters, now that they've arrived I feel a lot better. Triggerhappy was a toy from my childhood so it's nice that he's properly complete. They clip together nicely and the effect parts are fun. I like that my G1 Rad has his partner (even if he can't lift him and he's the wrong colour), and it seems right that that my Targetmasters are properly weaponed up. Hope we get Sureshot and Pointblank and that the Autobots get theirs.

Toy Fair is almost here, not expecting too many Transformers surprises. Beyond Scorponok, Snapdragon and Sky Lynx there’s nothing that’s really grabbing me. Hopefully I can resist updated versions of characters I already have, or somewhat minor characters that I haven’t thought about.

Marvel Legends I’m a bit more optimistic about, classic Ms. Marvel maybe? Falcon perhaps? Doctor Strange is top of my wish list, but guess I’ll have to wait until the next film. Hopefully the Kingpin and Moonknight rumours are true.

Compartmentalising

I’m still going with boxing up my collection, I’m done with Marvel stuff now and have moved onto other lines (not Transformers yet though). It’s strangely therapeutic, I’m rediscovering old favourites and appreciating them all over again. It’s like compartmentalising my life, not having things spread out but containing them within a defined space.

It’s throwing up questions - some figures are customs where a real version has since been released. Some I suspect are knock offs. Should I replace them? It’s also providing some answers though, over time I’ve made several collecting decisions and so I’m really getting a feel for what that decision means in terms of space (I’m already fairly aware of what it meant in terms of cost). Star Wars for instance actually takes up very little space. 3.75” Marvel on the other hand takes up two entire boxes by itself, Marvel Legends is one box, but is still growing!

I’ve been trying to work out what line each figure belongs to and when it was released. That’s pretty simple for some and extremely difficult for others. Pikachu for instance, I have no idea. He’s just had too many figures.

Overall though it’s a very useful exercise, it’s helping me think about how I feel about each figure. Do they still feel relevant? Ultimately, if I try to reduce the overall volume, what would make a difference without seeming like a big loss? Could I find 10 3.75” figures I no longer want, or should I just get rid of a Sentinel?

Just as I packed up my Star Wars collection, I picked up a new figure. Rey! Looking good. My Star Wars collection has some amazing figures in it, I really should look at them more.

I also got the Shockwave's Lab add on parts for Dai Atlas, really makes a difference (can't remember whether I said I'd ordered them).

I’ve got quite a few things piling up which need opening, but with all the organising I’m doing things are a bit of a mess so I don’t want to make it worse by opening extra items. I have made an exception for the new Generations Snaptrap. He looks great, the G1 version is one of my favourite combiners and this certainly does it justice even given the constraints of being a remold of Hun-Gurrr. The turtle and Piranacon heads look great, though I’m not sure about regular robot head. Looking forward to completing Piranacon.

Speaking of piling up, I heard that the W1 Siege Targetmasters (Battle masters) had turned up in B&M, I duly went and bought them, and somehow have further ordered Caliburst and Aimless online. Dammit! I hadn't bought any of the Targetmasters (or micromasters), but I can't resist a bargain and if there's a complete set to bed had, I need them (namely the Targetmasters for Triggerhappy, Slugslinger and Misfire). I'm not too worried about the Targetmasters for Spinister, but if they release Crosshairs' then I could be tempted.

This year my four big purchases are going to be ‘s’s - Seacons, Strong Guy, Sky Lynx and Scorponok. Once I’ve got those I think I will mostly be done with combiners, BAFs and Titans. Reckon there are a few potential big figures they could do though hopefully not all at the same time.

Bit of pre Toy Fair news and rumours, BAF Venom will be released again with a classic deco, sounds good to me. Super 7 have announced Leonardo for the TMNT line (I like what they’ve done with Shredder), and rumours for Transformers Earthrise continue, all looks and sounds promising! I’m looking forward to Toy Fair, it will be good to know what I’m buying this year. Almost there.

Respective Cats

It’s great to see the pictures of the next wave of Thundercats, am surprised how happy I feel! The Thundercats (like the Dinobots) are one of those very special teams to me as I had a good number of them as a kid - Lion-O, Tygra and Wilykat (Grimlock, Slag and Sludge). The result being that I have a great fondness for those characters, but the ones I didn’t have - Panthro, Cheetara, Wilykit and Snarf (and Snarl and Swoop) seem so much more exciting because I remember looking at them in catalogues, and on shelves and wanting them. The idea of having a modern complete set of Thundercats is very exciting!

The listings for the Hasbro Ghostbusters have been released, placeholder names, but exciting none the less. I’m hoping for Real Ghostbuster figures, but I guess figures from the first movie are most likely. I don’t know how Hasbro normally approaches toylines with a few main characters but with multiple costumes. Perhaps down the line.

The Thundercats and Ghostbusters listings plus the Transformers leaks are setting us up for a very exciting Toy Fair. Unfortunately it's a bit later this year - 22nd February.

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I have started organising my collection, I bought some big flat Ikea boxes and little baggies. I started with my Marvel Legends, I originally planned to put down a layer of bubble wrap with the figures on top and any accessories in a bag, but this had two problems. Firstly it didn’t make best use of the space, the only way to make to utilise it was to have another layer of figures, but then it is no longer makes it possible to find figures on the bottom easily negating the reason for the flat boxes in the first place. Secondly, I didn't give any thought to the type of plastic. Some plastic bags can cause other plastics to break down - I need 'acid free' plastic. (This is also true for comic storage.) Polypropylene is what's needed. Bubble wrap thankfully also seems to be okay (and in fact some of my figures have been bubble wrapped for almost 20 years).

So the answer is to get polypropylene bags for each individual figure. I can then put accessories and instructions in the same bag, along with a note saying the figure and the line it's from. No need for layers. I will the record in a spreadsheet a list of all of the bags. One bag constitutes one toy for counting purposes. This is going to be quite an undertaking! I've ordered a job lot in several different sizes - hopefully the larger bags should work for Transformers.

It’s nice doing something with my figures, even if it is putting them in bags. I’m writing little notes to say what the figure is and what line/wave it came out in. This has helped me appreciate a few things, such as I have a surprising amount of exclusive figures, especially Walgreens.

Wasp is the only custom, though given she was previously part of my 3.75” collection which I’ve customised extensively so maybe not that surprising. Dormammu, Groot and Star Lord were also part of my 3.75” collection (confusingly Star Lord as a Groot custom). Select Groot is the only non-6” Legends figure (Mark III Iron Man and Mark I War Machine are from the Iron Man and Iron Man 2 lines). Ant-Man and Apocalypse also do double duty but arrived after I started collecting 6”.

As with all collections there are good and bad figures. I think Nick Fury and Blade are both a bit average, if they do a new Blade when the film comes out I could be tempted.

My main resolution for the year is to get organised, but I think a secondary one will be to reduce my eBay/impulse purchases. I will keep track through the year. Will aim for less than 10. One of the things on my backlog is filler parts for Legends Dai Atlas, I will have to get them from eBay but since I’m not sure where else I could get them I’m not sure that it should count.

I’ve started writing out the little notes for my 3.75” figures, working my way through the wiki page. As I’ve gone through each wave I remember when I got certain figures, some I remember my excitement when they were announced. It all seems like a long time ago though, 2009 until 2017. The odd wave where I got (and kept) every single figure.

It’s a little different to Legends as I troop built certain figures, does that count as one or several figures? A few where I’ve customised, but got pieces from two figures (like Invisible Woman), is that one or two?! Making up counting rules is not easy!

Though it was never my favourite as a kid, I always enjoyed He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and had a few of the toys. Including Battle Cat sans any armour bought from a jumble sale.

I like the idea of having He-Man and Skeletor with their respective cats, but not enough to buy the 6” classic versions, and especially not enough to buy them for huge prices they go for it. But it was in the back of my mind to get 3.75” versions if possible. In addition, I’d like a Skeletor to go with my ‘villains’ collection (he and M. Bison I feel are the two main missing characters).

When I saw that Super 7 are doing ReAction versions of those characters it got me thinking. With the cats from ReAction, maybe it’s time to start working out a custom He-Man and Skeletor.

Things seem to be ticking along nicely, Legends Doom is on the way!

Cherry picking

Endgame was the event of the year for me, absolutely amazing. I enjoyed it so much I went to see it twice. My favourite film ever! Also went to see the Last Skywalker on the opening day, really good, though I think I’ve had enough Star Wars for now. I would like a nice Jedi 3.75” Rey figure, might have to check out the Vintage line one.

Toy wise has been great with Marvel Legends (mostly playing catch up), my favourite figure from the year is Nightcrawler, slightly biased though as he’s my favourite character. Honourable for Endgame War Machine. Transformers Siege has also been great, I’m very happy with the figures I’ve got. I think there are four categories of figures, ones for customs (Sideswipe/Prowl), ones because they're a better version of a character (Hound/Mirage/Springer) ones that are a much better version (Ironhide/Ratchet/Reflector/Megatron/Soundwave/Shockwave) and new characters (that haven't had a new figure since G1) - Flywheels, Crosshairs, Spinister and Apeface. Sort of a sliding scale of necessity. Also the latter group sets up me needing Snapdragon, Pointblank and Sureshot (more than before).

I think Ironhide/Ratchet/Crosshairs has been my favourite figure (mold). Have dabbled with a bit of the new Power Rangers line as well. I bought Fortress Maximus from Titans Return, so with Scorponok confirmed. I feel I’m in a good place.

Having said that I was doing well not buying random things, I have just bought Legends (comic) Gamora, the Guardians are complete! Sort of, would still like a Phyla-Vell, but unless she's in the next Captain Marvel film it's really unlikely. All of the teams, Avengers, X-Men, X-Factor, Illuminati, Guardians, main villains (unofficial team) are just a figure or two away from completion. The Inhumans need several (especially Crystal and Lockjaw), but Fantastic 4 are complete. I now have all of the figures I want that have been release, Kingpin is sort of an exception, but I reckon he'll get a standalone release eventually and indeed, there is a rumour to that effect.

Paying for Gamora has caused me to think over my list of things I've been putting off getting - my shopping backlog. Most of them are 3.75" related, and so I had a read over a few 3.75" threads and have got a renewed excitement for the scale. Found a good deal on a Hiya Predator figure (my previous Amazon order ended up cancelled). Had a look for a good deal on Rey as well. The other thing I’ve been putting off, but now have renewed enthusiasm for is the Vitruvian Hacks horses. Will need to save up.

Super 7 have shown/hinted at wave 2 of their Thundercats figures, Tygra will be a must  have for me. Think Mumm-Ra is as well - I’m not going to get any of the villains for Turtles or Power Rangers, but Thundercats is a bit different. Mostly because I had Mumm-Ra as a kid, but also because I have Rita, Shredder and the mummy version of Mumm-Ra as (custom) 3.75” figures in my collection already, so adding this version of Mumm-Ra makes sense.

If Tygra and Mumm-Ra are in wave 2 then I just need Cheetara, ghost Jaga and Snarf. Little bit tempted by the new Thundercats - Pumyra et al, but I didn’t know who they were as a kid so think should pass.

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I have Gamora, it's a great looking figure but I can see why she didn't get a general retail release. My main (and only real) issue is the colours, in that Entertainment Earth boxset, Star Lord and Rocket are in the 2008 Guardians colours, would it have killed them to do the same with Gamora (and Drax for that matter)? Swap the gold for red, dark green for dark blue. The layout is spot on, just need to switch the colours!

I have a New Years resolution, organise my collection! I think I've had that as a resolution before, but this time, a different focus. I've always tried to put as much of my collection on display as possible, the result being crowded shelves where you can't really see most of the figures. My aim is to store the figures in a way where I can easily find and look at any figure. A filing system of sorts for solid objects. Though I still intend to have some stuff on display, the idea being that everything will have its own space in the box. I'm going to get several of the large flat Ikea boxes so that things won't get lost at the bottom. And have each figure next to its instructions and accessories.

I've started with my Legends figures as most of them are in a large deep box. Wow, I've got some great figures! Such a good selection of characters, though initially I was quite undecided on whether to get some of them, there are no characters I want to get rid of. I think the weakest is Venom, I'd be happy to replace him, that buck just isn't great. I can't see myself needing or wanting to replace any of the others. That buck is particularly bad for him, just about okay for Sabretooth, fine for Captain Britain and Luke Cage, and actually pretty good for Bishop. I think if there's a bit of kibble then it's fine, but otherwise you just can't seem to get an authentic look out of it.

I've been thinking about figure replacement. I have a collecting philosophy of one figure per character (except Grimlock, Ravage, Iron Man and associated characters). If a new better figure is released then I've slowly updated. Particularly if the new version is a more appropriate size class or in a costume I'm more familiar with. But when is good, good enough? When does the cost and inconvenient of replacement become too much? I've resisted replacing Omega Supreme and Jetfire. I also have resisted the crowd funded Unicron. Thinking about Omega Supreme and Unicron, I like that the versions I have are Unicron trilogy repaints. I actually bought original versions of both as presents for others so I feel a significant attachment to them.

With Siege I have replaced the odd Classics and Universe figure. The main ones left in those lines to be replaced are Hot Rod and Cyclonus, who in my mind have yet to be bettered. With the coneheads I'm sticking with Classics/Botcon, with the Lamborghini and Datsun 'bros', I have stuck with the Universe figures. With Starscream and Wheeljack revealed in Earthrise, coneheads and Sunstreaker are likely on their way. I'm sort of hoping they don't look too good! With my re-organisation of my figures I intend to place the Ark crew figures together. Do they work as a group of 18 toys from across 13 years? The style has evolved from G1 reimagined to faithful updates. If certain figures don't fit in then I could be tempted to update, or possibly even go back.

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There have been some more rumours for Earthrise, I thought I would see how many figures are left on my want list. (Assuring the rumours are true.) Turns out there are 50 which is a nice a round number. In addition, it’s the end of the decade and it’s been 10 years since I started this blog and I used to be rather keen on a ‘wants’ list. In January 2010 I put down a list of 50 so what better time to see how I did and put down another 50.

20 of the 50 were 3.75" comic book figures, but I will assess them on both a 3.75" and 6" basis. 14 were Marvel, for 3.75" we got them all apart from Kingpin and Pyro (I made customs though), 6" wise, I haven't got Elektra or Sandman but we have figures of them all apart from Pyro (again). Good job Hasbro! Six were Batman villains, I collected several in 6" scale, I think (but am struggling to remember), I got them all apart from Poison Ivy. In 3.75", I got Mr. Freeze and Bane though I heavily customised the latter. I have plans for customs for the other four. One day...... So not bad, my main observation is that when Hasbro stopped making 3.75" Marvel figures I switched to 6" and have almost lost interest in Batman. Strange.

The 30 Transformers on the list was a bit of clean sweep, every single one was made, though I never got the Botcon Sunstorm and so still have my custom, and my Huffer is an iGear figure rather than the Legends Prime repaint. So the 50 figures I want (all Transformers):

1. Star Saber (Leader)
2. Victory Leo (God Bomber equivalent)
3. Deszaras (Leader)
4. Thunderclash (Leader)
5. Pointblank (Deluxe remold of Punch/Counterpunch)
6. Sureshot  (Deluxe remold of Mirage)
7. Joyride (Deluxe remold of Mirage)
8. Slapdash (Deluxe remold of Mirage)
9. Goldbug (Legend)
10. Wideload (Legend)
11. Freeway (Legend)
12. Searchlight (Legend)
13. Rollbar (Legend)
14. Venom (Legend)
15. Barrage (Legend)
16. Ransack (Legend)
17. Overdrive (Deluxe)
18. Camshaft (Deluxe)
19. Downshift (Deluxe)
20. Eject (Legend)
21. Minerva (Deluxe)
22. Hosehead (Deluxe)
23. Waverider (Primemaster)
24. Stranglehold (Primemaster)
25. Toraizer (Titanmaster)
26. Blacker (Voyager remold of Onslaught)
27. Laster (Deluxe remold of Sunstreaker)
28. Braver (Deluxe)
29. Leozack (Voyager remold of Starscream)
30. Jallguar (Deluxe remold of Combiner Wars Drag Strip)
31. Deathcobra (Deluxe remold of Vortex)
32. Grimlock (Leader)
33. Slag (Voyager)
34. Sludge (Leader)
35. Snarl (Voyager)
36. Swoop (Voyager)
37. Paddles (Voyager)
38. Hook (Deluxe)
39. Mixmaster (Deluxe)
40. Longhaul (Deluxe)
41. Bonecrusher (Deluxe)
42. Scrapper (Deluxe)
43. Scavenger (Deluxe)
44. Airrazor (Deluxe)
45. Beast Wars Scorponok (Deluxe)
46. Cheetor (Deluxe
47. Tarantulas (Deluxe)
48. Dinobot (Voyager)
49. Terrorsaur (Voyager)
50. Tigatron (Voyager)

That is quite literally every figure I could think of, it completes just about every possible set, still a couple of gaps from characters who appeared in the Japanese G1 cartoon but I've tried to keep it realistic - make use of remolds where possible. I want new versions of the Dinobots (bigger) and Constructicons (smaller). I plan to have a go at some customs of the Omnibots. I'd like reissues of the Trainbots and Multiforce, but looks like we are getting Trainbots of some sort and the Multiforce have already been reissued. Will see how I did in 2029!!!

There is a line I wrote in 2010, I long for the days where I’m cherry picking from the Transformers and Marvel lines, that’s what I’m doing, I’m where I wanted to be. Happy New Year!

Large flat boxes

I've opened Ratchet. I knew I was already going to like him, but he's great, such a good mold! The arm transformation is somewhat reminiscent of G1 Inferno/Grapple in the way the arms tuck behind the cab for vehicle mold. He's fantastically chunky, I would possibly like an IDW red head and hands, but that aside, very happy. If I'm going to get one mold three times then I'm happy to make it this one. Bring on Crosshairs!

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I ordered the Legends Havok and Polaris set. I wasn't sure how much I wanted this, but I'm actually really excited. Havok's Universe figure didn't do much for me due to the costume, but this one looks great. Polaris also looks really good, suitably 90's. I think if Havok had been available in this costume in 3.75" then I wouldn't be collecting X-Factor in 6" form (I would still got Quicksilver and Forge though). Now where's Jean?

Have paid for Crosshairs, Spinister and Apeface. The 1987/88 characters are where my enthusiasm for Transformers is at now. Two characters closer to completing the Rebirth lineup!

I’ve also put in an order (no preorders left) for Snaptrap and Skalor. Really excited about Piranacon, he looks great. Along with Raiden he’s the last combiner I really want a figure of (very intrigued about the MP Raiden - a remold of Titans Devastator, or a smaller more detailed figure? Or something else?), though I reckon Takara might give the Victory combiners a go as with the possible exception of Landcross, they wouldn't even really need to do much remolding.

This combined with almost getting all of the Legends I want and Scorponok in his way, there doesn’t feel like much left. That said, I’m starting again with Turtles, Ghostbusters and Power Rangers, so will be going for a bit!

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Have got a preorder in for Jean Grey and Winter Soldier. I suddenly feel quite organised, also with not buying Jean now I can order the second set of Seacons (I’ve got an order for the third set). In terms of Legends there’s only Strong Guy that I’m anticipating but that preorders haven’t gone up for yet.

Thinking about what I want to achieve with my collection next year, I actually want to get everything boxed up in large flat boxes so I can get to things easily - more easily than standing on a chair and peering at the back of my shelves. Will be good to get all the figures, accessories and instructions all in one place. Will try and get going in that over Christmas if I get time.

What a year, I’ve more or less completed Marvel Legends X-Men, Fantastic 4, Avengers and Spider-Man. I got a Titan Fort Max as well, all paid for by selling loads of stuff on eBay. At the same time as really cutting down on unplanned eBay purchases. Pretty successful! Hoping Crosshairs, Spinister and Apeface turn up before the big day. Happy Christmas everyone!

Iron Men

Managed to nab a Ratchet: one popped into stock so immediately checked it out. Upon refreshing they had all gone. That does somehow make it more exciting, but I think it is somewhat unnecessary - why on earth was Ratchet an exclusive? For me Ratchet is a top tier character. I think Crosshairs should have been the exclusive and Ratchet in a regular wave. Still, very excited to get him! As a neat little homage to the Universe figure he's looking down in the package.....

I've also picked up a Prowl, great little figure - very good homage to the G1 toy, I was almost a bit surprised when his arms didn't tuck over each other for car mode. I want to use him for some customising, but for the time being will just appreciate the figure.

I used to keep a very comprehensive spreadsheet of my collection (and of my spending), but haven't updated it for years. I've got plans to put most of my collection into storage, I've generally organised my Classics Transformes by the original G1 year or series, but fairly recently I rearranged it to be by modern series (Classics/Universe/Generations/Combiner Wars/etc) which better reflects my increasingly having multiple versions of characters. I thought therefore I would start a new spreadsheet. I have also decided though to include figures I have sold.

This has started me down a path of reminiscing - some great figures that for various reasons I got rid of. It also is striking how much I've sold. It's a work in progress but will give some numbers when I've finished. It's also remarkably tricky to count figures when some are customs which might comprise parts from multiple others, or where a group should perhaps comprise one listing by itself - Micromaster teams for instance, or where a smaller partner robot is included - Minicons or Targetmasters. I'm going to include every toy I own so will take a bit of time. I had a look through this blog to try and work out some of the figures I used to own, in the early years especially I used to get 'stand-in' figures quite a lot.

One thing that is initially quite striking is how many figures the Prime Wars trilogy contributed to my collection, considering I thought I was done at that point, I bought more figures from those lines than everything else (with a classics aesthetic) combined. Titans Return is my favourite line - it really felt like anything could be on the table, and despite the forced gimmick, I loved it.

I try not to do wish lists (too much), but I think my remaining wants can be put into four groups: bigger Dinobots/smaller Constructicons, finish off the Rebirth cast, finish off the leaders (mainly Victory), and Beast Wars. For Beast Wars I have a bit of mis-mash of lines: Takara reissue Tigatron, TRU reissue Primal and Megatron. Universe Cheetor and Dinobot. Generations Rhinox, Waspinator and Rattrap. Plus an original Inferno. I'm happy with most of them but the Universe figures especially needed updating. I think it could easily be done in a wave or two. Voyager Tigatron, Dinobot and Terrorsaur, deluxe Tarantulas, Scorponok, Cheetor and Airrazor would be awesome to fill in the gaps and put everyone in roughly the right scale.

Have bagged the 80th anniversary Mark 50 Iron Man/Iron Spider and the Amazon Magneto/Quicksilver/Scarlet Witch sets in Black Friday sales (technically with Iron Man and Spider it was still Thanksgiving). Very happy to get all these figures - I felt sad getting rid of the Iron Man and Spider as they're both great figures, so great to finally replace them. My MCU armoury is complete, another significant milestone for my Legends collecting. Getting Magneto means I have all the main X-Men villains and am another step to getting all of the main villains - Doom is coming so just need a Red Skull.

I'm surprised at how excited I am getting the Iron Man/Iron Spider set, but I suppose it's my two favourite characters from my (almost) favourite film. Iron Spider is great but getting the extra limbs plugged in was tricky and trying to put the Peter Parker head on him resulted in the neck joint coming out - ended up using a screwdriver to force it back in. I have therefore put that on the regular MCU Spidey (which makes more sense for a picture at least). Iron Man has some great accessories, he has a flaw on his (left) eye though that somehow makes it looked cracked. So a slightly flawed set, but still very glad to have it in hand.

I looked at the Magneto set, all the paints apps look good so will leave it unopened for the moment.

A Mastepiece Raiden has been announced, must admit I'm a bit disappointed it's not a Classics release, but I wonder whether it might be a heavy retool of Titan class Devastator - which was designed to somewhat fill the MP gap for that character. Will wait and see but given the cost of the Seacons, it could be very expensive.