Maz's 3rd Party Articles & Reviews

[Maz]

The road to Feral Rex continues with the release of the Mastermind Creations Reformatted Ground Assaulter R-05 “Fortis”, a 3rd Party product based heavily on the original Transformers Generation 1 Predacon “Headstrong”, one fifth of MMC’s combiner “Feral Rex”. The G1 Predacons were famous and loved throughout the Transformers fandom as they combined into one of G1′s most adored combiners, the mighty Predaking.

MMC’s Feral Rex – or Not-Predaking – looks by far the best of the three offered by 3P companies and has already received considerable praise. R-05 Fortis is the second Feralcon to see release, following hot on the heels of R-03 Bovis. So how does Fortis measure up, is it a standalone success or just a means to an end?


Meeting Expectations – Part 5 | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/meeting-expectations-part-5/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Could this be a masterpiece, or a Masterpiece, even? It was meant to be. Once upon a time Takara Tomy considered releasing a Huffer (or “Drag”) to go with Masterpiece MP-10 Convoy but the idea never came to fruition. So, with their debut offering, have Cubex nailed Masterpiece levels of aesthetics, quality, design in their Not-Huffer “Huff”, allowing him to be seamlessly integrated into a Takara Tomy or Hasbro collection of Masterpiece Transformers? Is he even the best Not-Huffer on the market? Good luck finding a majority opinion, but if you’re interested in mine, read on!

Masterpiece or Not? | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/masterpiece-or-not/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Trent]

Could this be a masterpiece, or a Masterpiece, even? It was meant to be. Once upon a time Takara Tomy considered releasing a Huffer (or “Drag”) to go with Masterpiece MP-10 Convoy but the idea never came to fruition. So, with their debut offering, have Cubex nailed Masterpiece levels of aesthetics, quality, design in their Not-Huffer “Huff”, allowing him to be seamlessly integrated into a Takara Tomy or Hasbro collection of Masterpiece Transformers? Is he even the best Not-Huffer on the market? Good luck finding a majority opinion, but if you’re interested in mine, read on!

Masterpiece or Not? | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/masterpiece-or-not/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

I am sooooooo close to getting this. The only thing that is stopping me is the reported issues, which vary greatly. And to a lesser extent, the prospect of an official release.

I think I might bite with the second release. Thanks fo rthe review Maz, good to hear more positive comments

[Maz]

I am sooooooo close to getting this. The only thing that is stopping me is the reported issues, which vary greatly. And to a lesser extent, the prospect of an official release.

I think I might bite with the second release. Thanks fo rthe review Maz, good to hear more positive comments

Hi Trent,

I would recommend waiting for the 2nd production run for sure. By that time hopefully you'll have a better idea of how it might scale with a potential MP Bumblebee and the little kinks will hopefully have been straightened out.

All the best
Maz

[Sinnertwin]

I am sooooooo close to getting this. The only thing that is stopping me is the reported issues, which vary greatly. And to a lesser extent, the prospect of an official release.

I think I might bite with the second release. Thanks fo rthe review Maz, good to hear more positive comments

Tony has the second round up for PO


http://chimungmung.com/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=1654

[Maz]

The cancellation of Transformers Animated was a tragedy to many collectors and fans, in no small part due to the fact that a fourth season expanding the Animated universe never came to be, meaning the fandom missed out on many characters – and toys – that would have been touched by the genius, freshness and Derrick J Wyatt-inspired style of Transformers Animated. But Animated isn’t the only line to have gaping holes in it that Hasbro and Takara Tomy never filled. Masterpiece, Generations, they’re everywhere. So we turned to 3rd party companies to expand our universes, to fill the gaps, and to give us things that are completely new. That brings us nicely to Mech iDeas, their Techno Toon Titans line and the inaugural releases within that line, TTT-01 “Bluster” and “Trench”.

Mech Ideas Bluster and Trench – TF Un-Animated | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/mech-ideas-bluster-and-trench/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Sophomore, a second effort. FansToys return to the 3rd Party Transformers scene after the universal success that was FT-03 Quakewave, a toy so revered that it is almost unanimously accepted as the Masterpiece Shockwave and an essential addition to any collection, official or otherwise. After delays and a long build-up, FansToys have released their answer to Masterpiece Dinobots, the FT-04 Scoria from the Iron Dibots series – 3rd Party MP Dinobot Slag to you and me. Just like Quakewave, “Scoria” has become an entity – almost a category – unto itself, for reasons positive and otherwise.

Sophomore | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/sophomore/) <- CLICK TO READ


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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

We saw the test shots, we saw them displayed at conventions, we've anticipated and heard the death knell, then the song of resurrection...finally they are here. Mech iDeas Bluster and Trench. Almost. While the Techno Toon Titans line from Mech iDeas are aimed at filling all the gaps that the cancellation of Transformers Animated left, inaugural release TTT-01G is actually a repaint of the moulds for Animated Huffer and Pipes. The Transformers Animated colours are to be released later this year, but the Mario and Luigi repaints exclusive to TFCon in Canada and Auto Assembly in England are out.

Square One: Bluster and Trench - TFCon/AA exclusive (Mario/Luigi) (http://tfsquareone.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/bluster-and-trench-tfconaa-exclusive.html)

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All the best
Maz

[MayzaPrime]

Sophomore, a second effort. FansToys return to the 3rd Party Transformers scene after the universal success that was FT-03 Quakewave, a toy so revered that it is almost unanimously accepted as the Masterpiece Shockwave and an essential addition to any collection, official or otherwise. After delays and a long build-up, FansToys have released their answer to Masterpiece Dinobots, the FT-04 Scoria from the Iron Dibots series – 3rd Party MP Dinobot Slag to you and me. Just like Quakewave, “Scoria” has become an entity – almost a category – unto itself, for reasons positive and otherwise.

Sophomore | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/sophomore/) <- CLICK TO READ


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All the best
Maz

Great article Maz :D

I totally agree with your points. I was also one of the lucky ones to get a near perfect figure.

My only complaint (which you have mentioned) is the ability for Scoria to hold his weapons.

I pre-ordered Scoria as soon as it was available, and I was concerned with some of the QC problems others were reporting (mine was sent late for some reason) so I held off getting Soar. That all changed once I opened Scoria, I will be getting the entire line. It might sound lame but I have only had 2 figures that have taken my breath away when I have opened them, Scoria was one of those figures.

I was already on the Fans Toys bandwagon after Quakewave, I am well and truly at the front of the wagon after Scoria.

[Maz]

I keep thinking this series of articles have been put to bed, and that newer Masterpiece or 3rd Party toys can go under a new banner. However, in order to keep these posts more article and less review, I’ve had to come up with a common theme, and the Meeting Expectations series is as appropriate as any to place Mastermind Creations Reformatted R-04 Squadron Commander Leo Dux (MMC Not-Razorclaw) and Mech iDeas Techno Toon Titans TTT-01G Bluster and Trench (Mi Not-Huffer and Not-Pipes in Mario/Luigi colours) into.

Meeting Expectations – Part 6 | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/meeting-expectations-part-6/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

He was supposed to be first, but he is coming out fourth. Mastermind Creations (or MMC) are about to unleash R-02 Mercenary Aerial Assaulter Talon on the fandom at large, representing their interpretation and considerable update of the Transformers G1 Predacon Divebomb. Talon is the fourth member of Feral Rex (MMC’s Not-Predaking) after R-03 Bovis (Not Tantrum), R-05 Fortis (Not Headstrong) and R-04 Leo Dux (Not Razorclaw). Here we have an advance copy of Talon for your viewing pleasure. Ladies and gentlemen, the eagle is landing.

The Golden Eagle | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/the-golden-eagle/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Reformatted R-06 Mercenary Shock Trooper Tigris, the fifth of Mastermind Creations’ Feralcons, is starting to make its way into the wild. With the release of this fifth member of the Feralcon team, collectors can now finally combine the five members to form Feral Rex, MMC’s Predaking-inspired 3rd Party combiner. Bovis, Fortis, Leo Dux, Talon and now Tigris have been – in my opinion – among the most anticipated items in the community, official or otherwise. The Predacons were originally very deeply loved within the G1 Transformers community, so the whole Masterpiece-style combiner project that MMC embarked upon was always going to be met with the greatest scrutiny and held to the highest standard. We need not have worried.

And Tigris Makes Five | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/and-tigris-makes-five/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

There’s nothing quite like Predaking. He was unique amongst the Generation 1 Transformers combiners and Mastermind Creations managed to capture the same zeal and passion from the collecting community for the Reformatted Feral Rex project as existed for the original G1 Predacons in the hearts of vintage Transformers enthusiasts. Back in 2012, the Feralcons were unveiled by MMC, and two years later collectors are able to put all five members – Bovis, Fortis, Leo Dux, Talon and Tigris – together to form arguably the most hotly anticipated 3rd Party combiner of them all, Feral Rex. Long live the king.

The King Is Dead, Long Live The King | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/the-king-is-dead-long-live-the-king/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

FansToys have created a problem for themselves, their first 3rd Party offering Quakewave was almost universally acknowledged as one of the best 3rd Party products ever to hit the Transformers collector market. After that, their decision to tackle Masterpiece-style Dinobots, or “Iron Dibots” led to their version of Dinobot Slag, FT-04 Scoria, and certainly I believed it to be every bit as good as Quakewave although well-documented issues with looseness and some QC niggles cast some doubt over their ability to maintain their mantle as the top 3rd Party guys in town. FansToys’s next offering, FT-05 Soar (Not Swoop), is absolutely key in helping the company to re-establish themselves as the go-to guys for filling Masterpiece-sized gaps in the official line-up. Available in both Diaclone/cartoon blue and toy/comic red, we’ve got a test shot of the blue version for review.

FansToys FT-05 Soar (Blue) | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/fanstoys-ft-05-soar-blue/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Not-Powered Convoy is a wholly accurate description of KFC’s D.A.I. Commander stack repaint of the earlier ”Citizen Stack”, KFC’s attempt at a Masterpiece Ultra Magnus. That’s not to say this isn’t a great figure that’s fit for a purpose, however the question is whether or not it actually fulfils any of the purposes it was designed for, that is, a Masterpiece Ultra Magnus or a Masterpiece Diaclone Powered Convoy. With my personal area of interest and specialism being Diaclone for over a decade, and having owned more than five Diaclone Powered Convoys, I can hopefully provide perspective on how this figure appeals to me and whether it’s successful on any level compared to something Takara Tomy would produce for MP-22′s potential Powered Convoy repaint.

D.A.I. Stack – Not Powered Convoy | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/d-a-i-stack-not-powered-convoy/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

There’s good reason for everyone to be excited for Mastermind Creations’ Reformatted R-08 Azalea. MMC have an excellent recent track record with Terminus Hexatron, Bovis, Leo Dux and Talon all hailed as big successes with lasting appeal and quality befitting high end Transformers collections. It is also a chance for collectors to add an Arcee-inspired Transformer to their collections from a credible manufacturer, using the popular IDW Arcee styling. In fact, it’s the gateway to an army of Fembots coming from MMC. Finally, it’s another Transformer figure that presents a serious take on a Cybertronian alt mode, if you like that sort of thing.

Azalea | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/azalea/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[lancalot]

amazing review maz.... enjoy reading every word of it ... can't wait to get my Azalea ....

[Maz]

Part 1 - OTS02 Brawny

Transformers are popular, minibots are popular, Masterpiece is popular. Takara Tomy have just put the elements of that formula together and created Masterpiece Bumblebee, but not before a bunch of 3rd party companies had a stab at it first. One of those companies was Cubex, their interpretation of Masterpiece Huffer, called “Old Timer Series 01 Huff”. I felt Huff was Masterpiece worthy in design but not execution, and honestly had it not flaked I would still have it because it hit all the right aesthetic notes. Cubex have re-branded themselves as BadCube and continued the Old Timer Series of MP-style minibots, starting with OTS-02 Brawny and OTS-03 Backland, Not-Brawn and Not-Outback respectively.

BadCube, Good Toys? (Part 1 – Brawny) | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/badcube-good-toys-part-1-brawny/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Part 2 - OTS-03 Backland

Last week we got halfway to proving that BadCube make good toys with a favourable review of Old Timer Series 02 “Brawny”. This week we examine Brawny’s co-release, OTS-03 “Backland”, the third in BadCube/Cubex’s take on the Generation 1 minibots. Backland is of course supposed to be the series 3 minibot Outback – who was a remould of the G1 Brawn. It’s no coincidence that these two were released together, and while it’s no surprise that Brawny has proved the more popular of the two, there’s an emerging school of thought that Backland may actually be the better figure.

BadCube, Good Toys? (Part 2 – Backland) | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/badcube-good-toys-part-2-backland/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Mirage and controversy are never far apart. Whether it was sneaking off during battle to board the Decepticon ship while invisible, or pretending to be a Decepticon spy stealing energon cubes, he’s made people question his nature. DX9 – formerly/currently Unique Toys – have delivered us a Masterpiece-scaled figure that is heavily influenced by G1 Mirage called “Invisible”, and whether or not this thing can be considered a Masterpiece or not has been the subject of a great deal of discussion and disagreement, nothing new for Mirage.

Individual, Indefinable, Invisible | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/individual-indefinable-invisible/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

There are no shortage of 3rd Party Transformers-inspired combiners around for collectors to choose from. There are multiple projects - completed and ongoing - covering Predaking, Computron, Bruticus, Menasor, Defensor, Devastator and now Hasbro has entered the fray with Combiner Wars offering an alternative (yet classic) concept, value for money and simplicity with trusted quality over high end collector's items. Not to mention being able to officially badge it as Transformers, Superion or Menasor. So, in order for a 3rd party combiner to stand out now, it has to be unique. So how appropriate it is that Unique Toys are currently the only company tackling the Terrorcons and the monster combiner Abominus.

Alberich - Not Just A Great Arm | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/alberich-not-just-a-great-arm/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

First there were Transformers. Official Transformers. I liked those. Then there were 3rd Party figures based on Transformers. I ignored those for the most part, before FT Quakewave was forced upon me. Prior to that, one design caught my eye and I always looked at the galleries and teasers despite standing firm against the unofficial onslaught of Not-Transformers product. That design was the original Mastermind Creations (MMC) Reformatted R-01 Terminus Hexatron, the first unofficial Sixshot. Having been a lover of Sixshot and Greatshot for over a decade (never even knew about it as a child), the dynamism of Hexatron captured my attention. Every scene has its landmarks, and Terminus Hexatron is a landmark figure in the world of 3rd party Transformers. Supernova and Shadow Emissary editions, together with add-on parts aside, Hexatron is reborn. This is MMC’s Reformatted R-01C Terminus Hexatron Continuum, and it is phenomenal.

Continuum Hexatron – The Perfect Upgrade | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/continuum-hexatron-the-perfect-upgrade/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[prjkt]

I just received this dude about a week or so ago, like yours the gun handle doesn't quite tab in at the end (but I only really display in robot or fighter mode, so no loss there.)

Originally the two end pieces of the legs wouldn't quite tab in, but after a few transformations and some gripping pressure, that problem has lessened significantly.

I am quite happy with my representation of Sixshot, he'll go on thrashing my classics Autobots

EDIT: I also don't feel I'd need the Reprolabels set for this as I would have with the original deco, so they've gone a great job here.

[Maz]

You just know that if Takara Tomy did Masterpiece Mirage, they’d put out a clear repaint as well. We’ve already had a clear blue BotCon attendee exclusive Classics Mirage, a Takara Tomy Binaltech BT-18 Rijie translucent release through e-Hobby and an all clear Henkei Mirage/Rijie, so Unique DX9 Toys’ decision to repaint D03i Invisible in clear blue should not come as a surprise to anyone. The “Phantom” version is limited to 1000 pieces and follows hot on the heels of their standard Invisible release.

Even Less Visible | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/even-less-visible/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

This may be Part 2 of the Unique Toys Ordin (Abominus) story, but we’re going back to the first figure released by UT as part of this combiner team. O-01 Troll – who is the modern 3rd party interpretation of the Terrorcon Blot – signalled a significant rise in quality for UT and a wider acceptance that they were on the path to considerably improving their product and output. In fact, the first images of Troll were so impressive that before UT were linked to it, many thought it was an MMC figure, or at least designed by those responsible for the Feralcons. Nearly three figures into the Ordin combiner, and having already reviewed O-02 Alberich, let’s see what this Nordic-named monster has to offer.

Extra-Ordin-ary (Part 2) | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/extra-ordin-ary-part-2/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

My full review of Guttur is now up:

Square One: GigaPower HQ03 Guttur - Production Sample Review (http://tfsquareone.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/gigapower-hq03-guttur-production-sample.html)

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Seriously? A fourth Unique Toys/DX9 3rd party figure article in 6 weeks? Don’t blame me, blame what must currently be the most prolific 3rd party company on the scene. Not even a month has passed since the second UT Ordin combiner limb “Alberich” hit online stores and their stock of 3rd member “Fenrir” is already on its way. O-03 Fenrir is of course modern day IP theft speak for “Sinnertwin”, the two-headed Terrorcon that helped form Abominus. The name “Fenrir” makes reference to the giant wolf creature (with very much one head) from Nordic mythology, staying consistent with the naming theme employed thus far with Troll and Alberich.

Extra-Ordin-ary (Part 3) | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/extra-ordin-ary-part-3/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

I’ll admit, after receiving Tigris and being able to form the mighty Feral Rex as a modern update of the fully combined Predaking, I felt as though MMC’s Feralcon project had been completed. I knew Felisaber was due, and that he was integral to the Battle For Moritorus story line accompanying the Reformatted line of 3rd Party figures, but he wasn’t an original Predacon and thus purely an added bonus to increase the playability and interactivity of the set. Based on the Pretender beast Catilla, R-07 Felisaber, the Mercenary Surveillant, is a re-tooled version of Tigris and therefore nowhere near as anticipated as the other Feralcons. But then the figure arrived, and I understood.

Felisaber & The New King | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/felisaber-the-new-king/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[SharkyMcShark]

Makes me glad I ordered one yesterday.

Always a fan of your work Maz.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Nice Felisaber review @Maz. Really enjoyed reading it, and those pics are great.

[Maz]

Thank you guys, I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment!


All the best
Maz

[Maz]

I didn’t know I needed a Masterpiece-scale Astrotrain. Most of us probably didn’t really, and were happy to wait for Takara Tomy to sort us out somewhere in the next 5 years. With the choice of DX-9′s ”Chigurh” seen here or ToyWorld’s ”Evila Star”, I suspect a third choice of ”neither” to be just as prevalent. That is no slight on the quality or brilliance of the two Not-Astrotrains currently offered, just that if one doesn’t fit you or your collection well seeing as how both companies have gone in very different directions, there’s no obligation to pick one or the other. Interesting, then, that as someone who was not fussed about either Astrotrain before, I ended up very fond of Chigurh and very interested in Evila Star too. For now, here’s DX-9′s divisive effort.

Chigurh – The MP Astrotrain? | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/chigurh-the-mp-astrotrain/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[5FDP]

Can't wait for Takara's MP Astrotrain. My life will then be complete.

[Skullcruncher]

Can't wait for Takara's MP Astrotrain. My life will then be complete.

Only if devastator fits inside :D

[5FDP]

Only if devastator fits inside :D

LOL!

[Jetfire in the sky]

Only if devastator fits inside :D

Now that would be impressive LOL

[Maz]

What did you hope and dream for when it came to a set of modern day high end G1 inspired Dinobots? Did you hope that Takara Tomy would follow Masterpiece MP-8 Grimlock up with the rest of the crew, all equally engineered to a high quality and representing toy and cartoon faithfully? You may have had enough of waiting and thrown your hat into the 3rd Party ring where we find FansToys and their Iron Dibots, or GigaPower and their Gigasaurs. So far FansToys have given us FT-04 Scoria (Slag) and FT-05 Soar (Swoop), all gorgeous, die cast, chrome-soaked and screen accurate to various degrees. Do you now have high hopes for FT-06 Sever (Snarl) to reach those same heights and surpass or are your dreams of a complete set of Masterpiece-style Dinobots/Dibots in danger of severance?

FT-06 Sever – High Hopes or Severed Dreams? | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/ft-06-sever-high-hopes-or-severed-dreams/) <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

[Omega Metro]

Hasbro or Takara Dinobots for me. It will happen one day......I hope:o

[Maz]

Surely about 5 years ago, something like this would have been completely inconceivable? A high quality transformers product created by a new company, completely unaffiliated with the official manufacturers and based entirely on an original character created for an official Transformers comic by a fanfic writer who made it and illustrated by a fan artist who made it. If Mastermind Creations Cynicus is not worthy of “For the fans, by the fans”, I don’t know what is. Based on the IDW More Than Meets The Eye original Decepticon Justice Division character “Vos”, MMC’s Cynicus takes the vision of James Roberts with the visual execution of Alex Milne and gives it form. The DJD’s newest member has a toy.

MMC Cynicus – An Original Creation | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/cynicus/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Cyn05.jpg

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Cyn22y.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/EupaSalva08.jpg

And just like that, she’ got your attention. Mastermind Creations have just released the next two female Warriors in their Reformatted line, R-09 Eupatorium (Elita-1) and R-10 Salvia Prominon (Solus Prime). These two join mould mates Azalea, Zinnia, Stealth Azalea, and Asterisk Mode Azalea in homaging the Fembots from Generation 1 Transformers lore, mostly. There’s no doubt who the eye-catcher is in the Salvia-Eupa pairing, but both figures have their strengths. The question is, in a line that has given us four versions of the same mould thus far, is there enough reason to add a couple more?

The Ancress and the Warrior – MMC R-09 & R-10 | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/the-ancress-and-the-warrior/) <- CLICK TO READ

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

DX9, the alter ego of Unique Toys, take another swing at a Transformers Masterpiece-scaled robot with D06 Carry, a toy paying homage to the Autobots’ post-Optimus leader, Rodimus Prime. DX9 have been doing very well of late, their Invisible figure was superb, Chigurh was a recent favourite of mine, their War in Pocket line is blossoming and now they take a hugely ambitious stab at an all-in-one Generation 1 styled Rodimus Prime, inspired by the anime stylings of Japanese art group Studio Ox.

Keep Calm and Carry On | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/keep-calm-and-carry-on/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Carry21.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Lord_Zed]

Never put the two and two together about the Studio Ox connection this guy makes more sense now.

Does this mean we now need an CHUG shelf, an MP shelf, a G1 toon accurate MP shelf, and studio OX MP shelf?:)

[Maz]

In less than one year, vastly improved 3rd party company Unique Toys have started and completed a combiner project. With the upcoming release of the fourth and fifth members of Ordin (Abominus), UT will give Transformers collectors their first unofficial group of Terrorcons to stand beside either their Combiner Wars toys or other unofficial behemoths such as MMC’s Feral Rex or Maketoys’ Quantron.

Extra-Ordin-Ary – and Complete | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/extra-ordin-ary-and-complete/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ordin07.jpg

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ordin10.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Initial_G]

Great pics! and awesome post as usual, thx Maz!

[Maz]

It doesn’t seem to matter what character FansToys announce, because of their incredible start to life as a 3rd Party company putting out TF-a-likes with Quakewave and the Iron Dibots, even a character so woefully under-appreciated as Perceptor garnered some solid attention. FT-09 Tesla is their Masterpiece-scaled representation of the Autobot Scientist, and the one I bought from TFSource has arrived. I was not obligated to review this one, it was a purchase purely for my own collection, but I can’t keep my feelings about him to myself

FansToys FT-09 Tesla: Perfectceptor | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/fanstoys-ft-09-tesla-perfectceptor/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Tesla16.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

FansToys, like BadCube and MMC, are doing the G1 Insecticons. FT-12 Grenadier is the first of FansToys’ Masterpiece-scaled Insecticons and is their version of Bombshell, the evil beetle. Grenadier comes in two versions, one with a purple toy-accurate chest, and one with a grey cartoon accurate chest. The figure itself contains Generation 1 toy and cartoon style parts that are interchangeable. Grenadier is, by my reckoning, a fantastic return to form for FansToys.

On That Bombshell | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/on-that-bombshell/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/IMG_9004.jpg

All the best
Maz

[SharkyMcShark]

Cannot bloody wait for you to do a PE Leonidas review. That figure + your photography = me drooling.

[Maz]

Cannot bloody wait for you to do a PE Leonidas review. That figure + your photography = me drooling.

I'm sorry to say that's not one I'll be getting :(

Thank you for the kind words, though.

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Here's my review of the MakeToys Visualizers for anyone interested:

Square One: MakeToys MTRM-07 Visualizers (MP Reflector) (http://tfsquareone.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/maketoys-mtrm-07-visualizers-mp.html) <- CLICK TO READ

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_wWvqIVzteI/VeOBzW51odI/AAAAAAAAI2o/uLtg426zUbA/s1600/Visualizers36.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

I have finished my review of MakeToys Axle though, for any interested parties :)

Square One: MakeToys MTCM-04A Axle (Groove) (http://tfsquareone.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/maketoys-mtcm-04a-axle-groove.html)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ5I_YlXBvM/VeyRM_TC7qI/AAAAAAAAI5Q/V-GqOyfI908/s1600/Axle13.jpg

All the best
Maz

[UltimateGalvatron]

Looks cool, great review.

In all of those photos, except the close up, I swear Axle had a completely black head lol :p

[Maz]

Unique Toys are at it again, one of the most productive 3rd party companies of the last 12 months – whether it was under the banner of UT or DX9 – are doing Decepticon Triplechanger Octane. Y-01 “Provider” comes hot on the heels of Chigurh, the Triplechanger Astrotrain that DX9 produced earlier this year. With Sandstorm (Sworder) teased just yesterday, this company are not wasting any time nailing down this whole subsection of Generation 1 multi-changers who are yet to be spoken for at Masterpiece scale. Whether or not you agree that Provider is indeed MP scale is another matter, but my gut feeling is that’s what UT were going for with this.

High Octane | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/high-octane/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Provider30.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Decades, years, months, weeks, days, hours and minutes have been counted in my eternal wait for this character. It took 14 years for the 1989 Japanese exclusive Takara Transformers Victory sixchanger C-325 Greatshot to find its way into my collection in 2015, after a protracted period of longing. When 3rd party company Mastermind Creations revealed then released their Reformatted R-01 Terminus Hexatron interpretation of Decepticon Sixshot, the belief was that a Greatshot repaint was in the works. Despite teaser images, the Greatshot repaint had to wait its turn as MMC worked their way through Terminus Hexatron, Super Nova edition, Dark Emissary and Continuum releases before R-01G Grandus Hexatron got off the ground in earnest a couple of years or so later. Once announcements, production samples and pre-orders had become a reality, the countdown to R-01G’s arrival commenced. Here then is my review of the long-awaited MMC Grandus Hexatron.

MMC Grandus Hexatron – The Promised Land | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/grandus-hex/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://i59.tinypic.com/11ui6ft.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Mastermind Creations have released a Masterpiece-scaled homage to the Generation 1 Autobot Spy Mirage, and they have done it in the style of celebrated Japanese animation gurus Studio Ox, responsible for so many beautiful illustrations in Television Magazine. Under their Ocular Max (read: Ox) guise, the ”Perfection Series” pulls no punches in registering what its intentions are. PS-01 Sphinx, their Mirage, is the inaugural release. It is perfection indeed, and I surely did fall to my knees.


Ocular Max Sphinx – Perfection Indeed | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/sphinx/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Sphinx30.jpg

All the best
Maz

[gamblor916]

Curse you Maz. Your beautiful photography and excellent review has made this a must have for me. I will wait for the diaclone box version though.

[UltraMarginal]

It really does look good, I thought the other one looked good but like you say in your review, this looks even better. I'm torn though, I expect it's only a matter of time before there is a Takara version of this character in the Masterpiece line.

[Maz]

I too am keen for the Diaclone-style box, but that one will not come with the awesome parachute, and that would break my heart! So I have decided to get both :rolleyes:

I too believe Takara Tomy will tackle Mirage, but I am keeping Invisible and Sphinx regardless, because the world can never have enough brilliant Mirage-based Transformers. Sphinx is going to be very difficult to beat, it's more enjoyable to transform than almost every 3rd Party toy I've ever handled.

All the best
Maz

[UltraMarginal]

I too am keen for the Diaclone-style box, but that one will not come with the awesome parachute, and that would break my heart! So I have decided to get both :rolleyes:

I too believe Takara Tomy will tackle Mirage, but I am keeping Invisible and Sphinx regardless, because the world can never have enough brilliant Mirage-based Transformers. Sphinx is going to be very difficult to beat, it's more enjoyable to transform than almost every 3rd Party toy I've ever handled.

All the best
Maz

so what are your top five favourite third party transformers to transform?

[Maz]

so what are your top five favourite third party transformers to transform?

In no particular order, the Hexatron mould, Sphinx, Bovis/Fortis, Cupola and I guess one of the DX9 figures like Carry or Chigurh.

All the best
Maz

[johnnypaul]

Pre ordered Sphinx after your review, I think MMC nailed it pretty well.

[Maz]

This. Is. Spartan. Mastermind Creations have finally given sections of the Transformers fandom a figure they have been craving for almost 30 years, Impactor. Of course, MMC’s Reformatted R-13 is called ”Spartan” and is based heavily on the IDW design for Impactor, as seen in Chaos Theory and Last Stand Of The Wreckers. Fans of the Marvel UK Transformers comics rejoice, the leader of the Wreckers is finally available in toy form – just ahead of the official Impactor that the official Collector’s Club will offer as a Combiner Wars repaint and in place of the never-released iGear Presser.

This Is Spartan | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/spartan/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Spartan09.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Ok then, here it is, the Voodoo Robots Salus review:

Square One: Voodoo Robots PS-01 Salus Review (http://tfsquareone.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/voodoo-robots-ps-01-salus-review.html) <- CLICK TO READ

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8snCraocZHE/VmC4Lm0znMI/AAAAAAAAJbw/caeQKB3VhgI/s1600/Salus28.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxcb69UGlkU/VmC4IVZcYVI/AAAAAAAAJbM/gHUCtMF0jrM/s1600/Salus24.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

My full review and gallery of MakeToys Gundogs 2Y and 2N.

Square One: MakeToys MTRM-02 Gundog (MP Hound) (http://tfsquareone.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/maketoys-mtrm-02-gundog-mp-hound.html)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zzONPkwbcBc/VmX5HASSVTI/AAAAAAAAJgQ/XSVWFcTRecI/s1600/Gundog24.jpg

All the best
Maz

[UltraMarginal]

This Is Spartan | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/spartan/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Spartan09.jpg

All the best
Maz

you did it Maz, I saw this guy at the Penrith fair a couple weeks ago and bought him, largely on the strength of your review. It's a great toy. my only complaint is it's a little difficult to line all the segments up when converting back to robot. This is probably the best quality third party/independent figure I've ever had. Very happy, not to get hold of the other mmc figures that make up the DJD.

[Maz]

Is it better than MakeToys Visualizers? No matter what else gets covered in this review of FansToys FT-11 Spotter - their stab at a Masterpiece version of a well known transforming evil 3-guy camera - that first question is one I have been asked non-stop since teasing my first image of the review last week, and one that a number of purchases depend on for people. Not necessarily my answer to that question, but generally. Many collectors may have held off buying the MakeToys Visualizers because they needed to see how Spotter turned out. This is not surprising as FansToys have tended to be the go-to 3rd party company for Masterpiece style figures, and the Visualizers were not hands-down winners for everyone on release. Let's see if we can answer that burning question, as well as everything else we need to know about FT-11.


Spot On (FansToys FT-11 Spotter) | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/spotter/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Spotter42.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Well, 2016 is off to an excellent start! FansToys, 3rd Party makers of toys that aim to unofficially complete your Masterpiece Transformers collection, bring us the fourth in their series of Iron Dibots, transforming dinosaurs not completely unlike those Dinobot fellows you may have heard of. FT-07 is Stomp, the brontosaurus of the five-member team, following Scoria, Soar and Sever. It has been clear that FansToys have improved every release so that the newest Dibot is a little better than the last, and Stomp is absolutely no exception. This pre-release test shot Stomp demonstrates that FT have learned lessons from those previous releases, and applied them successfully to this absolute beast of a figure. Stomp is wow factor incarnate.


Stomp! (FansToys FT-07 Stomp) | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/stomp/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Stomp32.jpg

All the best
Maz

[MayzaPrime]

Awesome review Maz, I can't wait to get Stomp and your comments have only made that wait alot harder 😉 Stomp looks fantastic.

I have been a fan of the Iron Dibots and I am looking forward to completing the set

[UltraMarginal]

I'm seriously considering jumping in on the entire line.

my only holdback is the best price /availability for the Scoria is the X version which seems to have shiny silver paint as opposed to Grey plastic. I'm a little concerned it will stick out too much against all the other grey plastic members of the team. but maybe that's a good thing a bit more variation and individuality amongst the group.

I pinged Maz on the Twitters and he's never seen the X version in person so couldn't really provide an in hand opinion. which I totally appreciate.

[Trent]

If I knew for sure that they'd release them all in the X variants, I'd sell off my normal releases and buy them instead. They look heaps better. But since I'm not sure, I'll stick with the toon versions (which also look awesome)

[Maz]

Mastermind Creations continue to do that which many others dare not, explore the realm of the current IDW Transformers comic universe and give us figures of characters that Hasbro never will. No Masterpiece mimicking here, no hundredth version of the same character or combiner, but instead we have toys of characters seen sparingly in the comics. That is not to say evil buggers Anarchus and Commotus were bit part and forgettable, quite the opposite, but from a handful of memorable appearances to actual 3rd party product with not insignificant price tags? We should applaud and thank MMC for these.

Comic Book Villains (MMC Anarchus & Commotus) | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/comic-book-villains-mmc-anarchus-commotus/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Commotus07.jpg

All the best
Maz

[UltraMarginal]

Great article once again Maz, I completely understand what you're saying about the upper thigh guard in the transformation of Spartan. Once I had that figured out I too found the final transformation to be more satisfying.

I have ordered both Anarchus and Cynicus on the strength of this toy and your reviews. I totally agree that the DJD is a part of transformers fiction too dark and heavy to ever receive an official product.

I look forward to a full set of DJD from MMC down the line.

[Mido]

Cynicus is the most posable transformer I have so far. Anarchus is really fun too. Love the Scorpion mode. :)
Doesn't seem to be a lot of love for Grandus Hexatron though.

[UltraMarginal]

I've also ordered hexatron, I hope I like it because I've been umming and arring over it for literally years now.

[Maz]

Great article once again Maz, I completely understand what you're saying about the upper thigh guard in the transformation of Spartan. Once I had that figured out I too found the final transformation to be more satisfying.

I have ordered both Anarchus and Cynicus on the strength of this toy and your reviews. I totally agree that the DJD is a part of transformers fiction too dark and heavy to ever receive an official product.

I look forward to a full set of DJD from MMC down the line.

Thanks so much!

With Cynicus, full disclosure, I have had to ask for replacement parts 3 times. Once was the tiny delicate shoulder wing attachment on the ring, second was the connecting arm that connects the backpack to the waist (it was highly stressed) and third was the waist connector that the two halves close around, that stressed and snapped. It's a shame, because it's a wonderful toy with a superb transformation and two killer modes. The robot mode is to die for.

Anarchus, man that's a solid hunk of gorgeous.

Thank you for sharing my pain about the thigh guards, it has totally changed my feelings towards that toy. I literally can;t put it down now, the transformation has become one of my favourites.


Cynicus is the most posable transformer I have so far. Anarchus is really fun too. Love the Scorpion mode. :)
Doesn't seem to be a lot of love for Grandus Hexatron though.

Oh, mate, I LOVE Grandus Hex...

http://tfsource.com/blog/top-5-2015/

All the best
Maz

[Mido]

Thanks so much!

With Cynicus, full disclosure, I have had to ask for replacement parts 3 times. Once was the tiny delicate shoulder wing attachment on the ring, second was the connecting arm that connects the backpack to the waist (it was highly stressed) and third was the waist connector that the two halves close around, that stressed and snapped. It's a shame, because it's a wonderful toy with a superb transformation and two killer modes. The robot mode is to die for.



I had the entire left arm replaced as the toy had two right arms instead.
It did happen quite quickly after I contacted MMC myself. The retailer wasn't very helpful

[Maz]

The battle has been joined proper, with 3rd party companies left, right and centre putting out figures to fill gaps in Masterpiece collections. BadCube had already released Huff, Brawny, Backland, Wardog and the Evil Bug Corps, but Sunsurge is arguably their most ambitious stab at a slice of the MP market so far. For some time competing with Omnigonix’s Spinout (don’t get me started on that name), Sunsurge has comprehensively won the race to be the first MP-style release to homage the unforgettably yellow, self-adoring, other half of the most famous set of Cybertronian twins, Lamborghini Countach LP500S Super Tuning. To say that Sunsurge has been well received by collectors is an understatement. Everywhere you look, people are raving about what a great job BadCube have done and how it is comprehensively their best figure to date. I’m now ready to give my own opinion on that.

Sunstruck | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/sunstruck/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Sunsurge56.jpg

http://i67.tinypic.com/2uf37tu.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Lord_Zed]

Nice review.

Huge fan of Sunsurge, transformation is complex but the pay off fells worth it, mine locks up nicely too.

Also I think the front bumper not sitting flush, in on purpose to allow clearance for the front of his bonnet boots to rotate.

Amway, Badcube have gone from being one of countless 3rd pary companies to one of my favourites, I can't wait to see what they do next.

[Maz]

FT-13 Mercenary is FansToys’ second evil insect after FT-12 Grenadier, and has a lot to live up to thanks to the success of the latter. Based on what was originally called a lamellicorn type beetle insect robot, Mercenary recreates the look of the original toy and on-screen inspiration. With die cast, chrome and clear plastic chest flaps a staple of FansToys’ Masterpiece-style bugs, a collector could either leave the figures stock and enjoy the cartoon accurate look or go full G1 toy-centric. Grenadier’s success was based on good quality, a lovely finish, fun transformation, multiple display options and a very good looking accurate evil insect/robot which was faithful to the source material – albeit with two releases to cater for which source material a person saw as greater priority. Mercenary has similar toy and cartoon appearances, so only one release was necessary.


Mercenary | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/mercenary/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Mercenary18.jpg

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Mercenary17.jpg

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Mercenary16.jpg

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Mercenary14.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

MakeToys MTRM-05 Wrestle (Masterpiece Grapple) FULL review and Gallery now live!


Square One: MakeToys MTRM-05 Wrestle (MP Grapple) (http://tfsquareone.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/maketoys-mtrm-05-wrestle-mp-grapple.html)

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyUMhaMgXT8/VrPwm7PIzkI/AAAAAAAAJ3s/J0nqtnk_Y0c/s1600/Wrestle33.jpg

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5d3gN8YSlI/VrPwio0aQPI/AAAAAAAAJ3I/203u7lfsE40/s1600/Wrestle26.jpg

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S2Yfu5SU4io/VrPwgH1uEiI/AAAAAAAAJ3k/JSQkNDa4Noc/s1600/Wrestle24.jpg

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-331HNuOS3LM/VrPwaU9DXaI/AAAAAAAAJ3k/cPuXpDdySrk/s1600/Wrestle17.jpg

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OVxH5OWq314/VrPwciQ0FTI/AAAAAAAAJ3k/VUtqL9ulJt0/s1600/Wrestle19.jpg

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qdh3BmWs5Ko/VrPwlBEbDXI/AAAAAAAAJ3s/l4GHKEnqZBY/s1600/Wrestle31.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Having been in the making for something like 4 years, a hefty lead time even for the most sedate 3rd party release schedule, Mastermind Creations’ Reformatted R-11 Seraphicus Prominon is ready to be released. The Moritorus Sovereign, as the box calls him, is almost an amalgamation of characters from the Aligned continuity and the IDW universe of Transformers going by the aesthetics of the core robot and the armoured bot respectively. Whether that was the designer’s original intention or not is another matter, but that’s certainly how it appears when each element is studied individually. First teased in 2012, MakeToys have since released Hypernovae who references the same character, but MMC finally unleash their own version, which at around $200, is not exactly a cheap alternative. Let’s see if it was worth the wait and the cost.

MMC Seraphicus Prominon | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/mmc-seraphicus-prominon/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/SP15.jpg

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/SP04.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Mastermind Creations, under the guise of Masterpiece-focused Ocular Max branding, have introduced a sub-line into that sub-line! The Remix line begins with RMX-01 Jaguar, a figure that homages the Generation 1 Decepticon cassette Ravage. Now why bother launching a line with something already covered by the official TakaraTomy Masterpiece collection? For a start, not everyone seems to share my high opinion of MP Ravage, it's true to say some actually dislike the figure thoroughly. While the MP Ravage is scaled to a micro cassette like the original G1 rendition and fits inside MP Soundwave's chest, Ocular Max believed that it was too small in kitty mode. Their reasons for developing this product are for a better experience in transformation and posing, as well as scaling with other associated Masterpiece figures like Soundwave in jaguar mode. For the moment, this has been offered as a Planet Steel Express exclusive.

Square One: Ocular Max Remix RMX-01 Jaguar (http://tfsquareone.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/ocular-max-remix-rmx-01-jaguar.html)

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ud8n2MHxuQ/VsTJ6yoRtgI/AAAAAAAAJ6A/RFdcT8cblfI/s1600/OCXJag13.jpg

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HaE82QpUDFk/VsYtuvB254I/AAAAAAAAJ78/AFAUMtR9W1c/s1600/OCXJag23.jpg

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-detcIMm5qcQ/VsTJ_nc0voI/AAAAAAAAJ6g/9inqHqU4CHk/s1600/OCXJag19.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Now the world don’t move to the beat of just one drum. FansToys have ensured that Masterpiece-style collectors have an option other than just MakeToys Gundog or TFC’s effort when it comes to the chirpy green heroic jeep Transformer who was once meant to be the main human-loving TF liaison before Bumblebee. Criticisms of prior 3rd party efforts to nail this character in the expected aesthetic led to much excitement when FansToys revealed they were stepping into the Car Robot arena. With ongoing doubts about FT’s ability to sculpt a screen accurate head for their figures, FT-15 Willis was no different during its pre-production reveal. How did the almost final thing turn out?

FansToys FT-15 Willis | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/willis/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Willis34.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Forager makes three! The Masterpiece-styled evil insect robot team is finished and man alive, they look complete together. This pre-release review sample, FT-14 Forager test shot to be precise, rounds out the team of three bugs within 8 months of Grenadier first introducing us to FansToys’ take on this popular set. By the time it sees release in June, it will still have been less than a year since FT-12 hit the market. Grenadier was a real hit with me, but Mercenary took longer to love thanks to a total pain of a transformation, so where does Forager sit?

FansToys FT-14 Forager | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/forager/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Forager01.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Ocular Max PS-01A Sphinx Alternative (MP Mirage) - brief gallery, article and comparison!

Square One: Ocular Max PS-01A Sphinx Alternative (http://tfsquareone.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/ocular-max-ps-01a-sphinx-alternative.html) <- CLICK TO READ

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZNVTgaO4Yg/Vv705h2-nmI/AAAAAAAAKDQ/M9ZbIamrwjYXue_CsPe5qc9fX6j51KbYw/s1600/SphinxAlt02.jpg

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ryFSYREy3Rc/Vv709KcQJnI/AAAAAAAAKDg/Pc0gR6NVORU3gGbgxeUDX8_XjcrqqATUA/s1600/SphinxAlt05.jpg

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TtdbStiDB8s/Vv71A3nO4II/AAAAAAAAKEY/GO3IHKLQ4BA-SPFpkMlUIMHu0J3szT81g/s1600/SphinxAlt10.jpg

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-icpsdoEMt0k/Vv71EE7V_VI/AAAAAAAAKEY/aX4Z4jbmJr0jEZKrhIKvMgwnosKrqyuhA/s1600/SphinxAlt15.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Third Party company BadCube (formerly Cubex) had previously mainly tackled Generation 1 minibots such as Huffer (Huff), Brawn (Brawny), Outback (Backland) and Warpath (Wardog). Evil Bug Corps (Insecticons) aside, they took an enormous step towards being a headline event with OTS-08 Sunsurge, their take on Autobot car Sunstreaker in the Masterpiece style and scale. The Autobot cars are massively popular still, and the Masterpiece Transformers have proven to be as desirable as anything else around. Being the first company to get a legitimately MP-style Sunstreaker on the market ensured Sunsurge's success. Now, BadCube have repainted the modified yellow Lamborghini Countach into its red predecessor, known widely as the Diaclone "Red Sunstreaker"- named BadCube Old Timer Series Special 01 - Sentinel Blaze. I'm going to have a brief look at this upcoming figure, explain its history and significance because it excites me hugely, and needs some defending. Much as I felt the need to address the question Who Is Tigertrack for the Masterpiece release in 2013, let us now ask Who is Blaze?

Who is Blaze? | Square One (http://tfsquareone.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/who-is-blaze-badcube-ots-special-01.html) <- CLICK TO READ

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--yOqxjYKgm0/VwAR9YARPMI/AAAAAAAAKGc/y17EpibFJ5Y0uUa6x6_ykI4SEE7y7HmQg/s1600/Blaze31.jpg

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nXiKb8U8bHE/VwAR74q9CTI/AAAAAAAAKGo/584HqnhSABA807FjujA0i-Y1147QeU4TQ/s1600/Blaze27.jpg

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vkfnH1bHFCc/VwAR2YMMakI/AAAAAAAAKGo/ap05yx7wqTMDg8MAexgJFN__ktijmKd_Q/s1600/Blaze15.jpg


All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Pandinus review is finally done!

MakeToys MCB-03 Pandinus | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/pandinus/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://i64.tinypic.com/161kbhh.jpg
http://i63.tinypic.com/1199ukk.jpg
http://i67.tinypic.com/34q642v.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

DX9 have developed a reputation for producing very good-looking, high quality and enjoyable Masterpiece-scale transforming figures that bring them more fans with every subsequent release. Having grabbed attention with their Invisible car robot figure as first to market at MP scale, they followed it up with the brilliant Chigurh, exceptional Carry and popular Tyrant. Now they tackle yet another triplechanger, one who they could not afford to make a mess of with KFC’s Ditka looking as pretty as it does. How have they fared with one of the original two evil triplechangers, the one they call D-08 ”Gewalt”?

DX9 D-08 Gewalt | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/gewalt/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Gewalt34.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Unique Toys and their alter ego DX9 are developing a solid reputation for getting triplechanging transforming characters right for the most part. While they don’t always nail all modes, chances are you’ll get a very high quality, enjoyable figure which displays beautifully in at least 2 modes out of 3. Their Provider, Chigurh and Gewalt are all superb figures that we have reviewed here and thoroughly enjoyed. Now they’ve taken a shot at one of the heroic variety, with Y-03 Sworder representing the 1986 triplechanger hero whose orange, yellow and black colours have become his identity.

Unique Toys Y-03 Sworder | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/sworder/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://i66.tinypic.com/2cbl9z.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Ocular Max have had a very successful start to life as a Mastermind Creations sub-brand. The Masterpiece-style Perfection Series and the Remix line have been well received with figures PS-01 Sphinx and RMX-01 Jaguar taking plaudits for quality, design and aesthetics. While not everyone agrees with the apparent melding of cartoon, toy and Studio Ox vision that Ocular Max are going for, it’s fair to say they’re on a roll. The newest mould aimed at filling a (short-lived) Masterpiece gap is PS-03 Backdraft, based on the original heroic transforming fire truck. With competition already established in the form of MakeToys MTRM Hellfire, together with upcoming releases from TakaraTomy Transformers Masterpiece and KFC/XTB Dante, Backdraft’s got a lot of work to do in convincing people to go unofficial – specifically Ocular Max – with a confirmed official release on the horizon.

Ocular Max PS-03 Backdraft | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/backdraft/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Backdraft22.jpg

http://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Backdraft21.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Anyone care for a quick article on Ocular Max PS-02 Liger - their Diaclone red Mirage homage?

Square One: Ocular Max PS-02 Liger (http://tfsquareone.blogspot.is/2016/07/ocular-max-ps-02-liger.html)

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQzZFXUStkA/V4v6VZTUmwI/AAAAAAAAKS0/TN7IIAVeuqYeVXy4k4SMCBdLN3E-Q9lBQCKgB/s1600/Liger01.jpg

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SZqXrqQ-iCc/V4v6gH0vk7I/AAAAAAAAKS0/eKE56UUwjEwDFGF6msaAPAk9OL0-7hDHQCKgB/s1600/Liger15.jpg

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All the best
Maz

[Maz]

Last week we discussed some of the finest official Hasbro and Takara Transformers toy headsculpts with the help of fellow collectors. This week we look at some of the standout headsculpts from unofficial 3rd party Transformers toys. While there may not be as much to choose from, and arguably 3P companies often fail to scale the heights official figures do when it comes to headsculpts, some companies really know how to nail a character.

PLEASE keep in mind that only 5 members of the entire global Transformers community have contributed to this article, it is not meant to be a top 5 of the best 3P headsculpts, just 5 people's opinions, a tiny cross section. Just something to read and think about, and hopefully enjoy. This in no way invalidates your own opinion or requires a "how does this article not include XYZ". Just sayin' :)

Headsculpts – 3rd Party | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/headsculpts3p/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://i64.tinypic.com/2n1cc9s.jpg

Huge thanks to Jetbolt, Sixo, HQT and Hardreturn for contributions.

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

At a time where the lion’s share of 3rd party attention is directed at Masterpiece scale products, MakeToys and a handful of others are continuing to provide products at Classics, legends and city scale. Cross Dimension is MakeToys’ latest concept at this Classics/Generations scale and the first product is MTCD-01 Striker Manus, quite obviously based on the most iconic heroic leader of any transforming robot faction anywhere in the world! It’s impossible to say that there’s no Generation 1 influence here, but at least Striker Manus is not trying to be the G1 leader’s exact same truck cab and robot, there’s a great deal of aesthetic departure from that well known model. While the looks will be a defining filter for many collectors, let’s explore Striker Manus’s features beyond just the visual.

MakeToys MTCD-01 Striker Manus | Source Blog (http://tfsource.com/blog/striker-manus/) <- CLICK TO READ

http://i65.tinypic.com/2zjew6q.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Gofigure]

Not sure if I have already said this but Maz I love your reviews and thank you for the effort put into these. From the high quality photos to the content everything is done with utmost professionalism and attention to detail. Honestly very much appreciate it and look forward to sitting down with a coffee on Saturday afternoon to enjoy the latest insight into 3p offerings

Cheers mate

[SharkyMcShark]

I'd like to echo GoFig's sentiment. Appreciate your work Maz.

You may have sold me on this figure too.

[Lord_Zed]

Yup I agree, I've been keenly waiting for Maz's 2 cents on this guy too.

[Maz]

Wow, that is awesome of you guys, the praise and kind words are greatly appreciated. Thank you, sincerely.



and here's another installment :)



BadCube have taken strides. Since flaky beginnings with Huff, they’ve produced what many would consider the definitive egotistical yellow Lamborghini Countach brother at Masterpiece scale, but the complex nature of the figure affected some collectors’ appreciation of Sunsurge. While Sunsurge improved on the horrendous intricacy of Wardog, it was still not quite there in terms of the distinct Masterpiece feel and accessibility, so how have they fared with their latest offering OTS-11 Speedbump?

BadCube OTS-11 Speedbump | Source Blog ('http://tfsource.com/blog/speedbump/') <- CLICK TO READ

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http://i63.tinypic.com/2jaiufc.jpg

All the best
Maz

[Maz]

FansToys appear to have marked 2017 on their calendar as the year they plan to take over the scene. That’s not to say that companies like MakeToys, FansHobby and Mastermind Creations etc are not doing enough to compete for your money, but FT have pumped out quality new mould after quality new mould so far this year. We’ve had an amazing run of FT-16 Sovereign ('https://tfsource.com/blog/2017/02/07/sovereign/'), FT-08 Grinder ('https://tfsource.com/blog/2017/03/03/grinder/') and now FT-10 Phoenix. Oh, have I given the game away a bit there with regards to what I think of Phoenix? Well, if you ever come across me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TFW2005, you’ll already know how highly I rate this Masterpiece-scale faction-and-IP-swapping behemoth. It’s Phoenix, he’s in the sky, and he’s definitely on fire.

FansToys FT-10 Phoenix – The Source Report ('https://tfsource.com/blog/2017/04/04/phoenix/')

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https://tfsource.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Phoenix28-2.jpg

All the best
Maz

[drifand]

The main complaint I am hearing is this Jetfire piece lacks paint and is what Fantoys fans like about their toys in the first place.

It looks to me, they be coming out a second painted version after this one.
Fan Toys earned my respect of know what a masterpiece line is meant to represent as much as many may disagree being its not an official toy but they have nailed it in many ways.

Looking forward to more new tfs from this company.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Well I'm impressed. You get a lot of Transformer there for your buck. Yesterday I was still deciding whether to keep mine on order, but reading the review makes me swing back to wanting to keep it lol.