Gasaraki's Transformers Classics - Photography, Reviews, & Musings
Been thinking about doing something like this for a while, so here it goes! My own little collection is focused mainly on updates of the G1 roster, so naturally I go for Classics/Universe/Generations figures.
I also have an interest in photography, so I'm gonna combine this with my TF hobby for this thread, which is going to be primarily a reference for myself. It'll probably also be a place to record collected thoughts/musings, many of which would've have occurred over 6 years of collecting interest, as well as a lifetime of Transformers influence.
As for my reference for what is in G1, I consider TFwiki's G1 roster to be the standard, and will roughly try to follow the order presented there.
To start with, a little something special...
I've searched images on the 'net but haven't seen something quite like this.... a picture I've been wanting to take ever since the Classics Starscream came out way back in '06, and we all knew that some day the full set would be available. I was really happy when Thundercracker came out a couple years back... following him, it was then a patient search to get my hands on a Skywarp. Happily for Classics collectors, with the United sets now costing around $250 to get, an original set of these probably should go for well upwards of $300.
What is it about the Seekers that makes so many love them like crazy? So much so that the opposing view of frank indifference is almost a reaction to the devotion of others. Is it that they turn into some of the most exclusive vehicles on the planet (how many of us have sat in an F-15?)? Is it the look of a well executed plane robot (ok, not so much the G1 toys)? Is it the representation of the power of flight? Heck if I was a TF, I'd certainly turn into something that flies myself...
IMO, Thundercracker looks the best of this bunch... there's something about the paint they used with his color scheme that just really pops. Skywarp by rights should look coolest, but maybe the one I got has gone a little flat over the years, whereas TC is quite new. Of the coneheads, Dirge has my money.
Generations Fall of Cybertron Deluxe Brawl
OK, I got something a little different about this figure to share, so before I get into season 1 Transformers proper, here's something recent:
I have to say I really don't like this figure. What is with those feet? A half-arsed effort from a kid would've resulted in better and more stable feet than the pretty much non-existent flaps this guy has. Rear kibble could also have been handled better, and the way you're forced to show the hollowed out forearms is another bad point in a terrible figure.
Both the other figures here do a better G1 color impression than FoC Brawl. So maybe color isn't all that important, but why is it that Movie Deluxe Brawl, who is 5 years older, craps all over FoC Brawl? Movie Brawl is not without his own issues, but he's got more articulation than many many Deluxes, and is way way better looking IMO. United Brawl isn't a great figure either, but I think coupling United Bruticus with the Fansproject repaint figures make FoC Combaticons obsolete in my collection.
What is this meant to be?? OK, it's a rhetorical question - I know it's supposedly a Cybertronian hover tank, but the thing I really wonder about is this: if you have the ability to 'cheat' with a fictional alt-mode (i.e. not being constrained to a real world design), then don't you have an easier job creating a good Transformer?
Are there any good points? Well, I do like the turret articulation and the integration of the hand weapon into it. It's almost as if the whole turret construct is really to facilitate a non-official mode, which I think ironically is the best thing this figure's got going for it:
I haven't seen anything like this as yet, but this spider tank mode seems a really obvious alternative to me, and is what I will leave this guy in when he is displayed!
Ratings:
Character importance 4/10 - Brawl was never a big character in G1, and 2007 film had about 2 words from him. IDW's given him some page time recently though.
Toy 3/10 - Only got him to 'Build Giant Robot'. Maybe 5/10 counting the spider tank mode.
Classics Deluxe Bumblebee
Bumblebee oh Bumblebee. Seems like much sighing accompanies every release of a new 'Bee toy these days, which is understandable given that Hasbro/Takara seem to always revert to him and OP as the perennial new line defaults. Classics 'Bee came out before the explosion of the live-action movies, and did I ever love this guy. Must've been about the 3rd or 4th Classics toy I got, and still one of the few that is almost always out on my shelf.
I think the hot hatch update is a very good one... nondescript enough not to be recognised as a definite brand, but clearly a sporty hatchback nonetheless. Very clean lines, neat undertray, and some interior seat detail to boot! Many people seem to like the RTS release with the black stripes, but I probably still go back to this dude when I have to choose. Cliffjumper arguably has a nicer deco, but he doesn't hold a candle in the recognizability stakes. Not too crazy about the wave-crusher gizmo (deliberately not shown) myself though.
Robot mode is likewise a very good update of the G1 look - he's got the car roof torso, bonnet feet, and horns. I used to dislike the door kibble on the arms, but over time this has proven to be not too bad in comparison with many other figures (Voyager Prime, ahem). The loose shoulder wheel swivel can make posing difficult, and lack of waist, ankle (i.e. feet can't sit flat) & wrist articulation are minor weaknesses.
Ratings:
Character importance 10/10 - Even 11 if that makes sense. 'Bee is one of the most important and well known TFs of all, with the major role in the Bayverse movies capapulting him into lay vocabulary.
Toy 7/10 - Some minor weaknesses but he's still my go to Bumblebee.
G1 1984 Mini-Cars / Mini-Bots
Ahh... the mini-cars. So much nostalgia in these little guys. Bumblebee has eclipsed all others in prominence, but I have much fondness for all of them, even the ones with not much screen-time in the original cartoons. Admittedly though, the toys are quite laughable when I look back at what I played with!
As mentioned before... I currently aim at completing a collection of updates to the G1 roster. Obviously there are some annoying 'holes' still left despite 7 years since Classics debuted, but there are some alternatives in filling almost every character. Here are my thoughts on what may satisfy as an update to the six 1984 mini-bots:
Bumblebee:
Classics deluxe - the obvious choice but...
Generations deluxe - I'm liking the look of this!
Cliffjumper:
Classics deluxe - once again, obvious but...
Generations deluxe (GDO) - Again, I think it's a great alternative!
I have all four of these (Generations 'bee on pre-order), but will likely stick to Classics for my shelf for now.
I'm keen to know if anyone prefers 3rd party offers i.e. Art Feather and iGear.
Brawn:
The Universe legends version is just too small for me... so I've gone for:
iGear Hench - I actually really like how G1 they made it, and have enjoyed him a lot. Can't fault the quality, at least in the one I got.
Gears:
iGear Cogz is the only one I can think of, still on pre-order.
There are ROTF versions of Brawn & Gears but they just really really don't fit IMO.
Windcharger:
RTS Scout is the only choice I know of really - a very nice figure which I personally would've preferred in deluxe size.
He's got a fantastic Binaltech (OK Overdrive... I call him Windcharger), but once again, doesn't fit.
Huffer:
Now this one is quite interesting... I've have to settle for:
PCC Huffer, which I am really quite happy with. He is G1 enough for me, with several design cues that clearly harken to G1.
If you're lucky enough to have Timelines Huffer (BotCon 2007), would love to hear what you think of that figure.
iGear Rager is very faithful homage, but again, too small for me!
United Bruticus (and FansProject Crossover 02SP)
Got this a while ago and opened them up for my birthday, along with FansProject's fantastic add-on... but honestly only got this guy to make Colossus. It's a nice little moment to see that Starscream is the perfect guy to pose with him whilst also serving as the perfect size comparator.
The Energon combiners seemed to be little loved given the massive compromises they had, and repainting Bruticus Maximus into the ROTF/Universe version did nothing for the poor guy. United's version improved it a little by getting rid of the horrible translucency of the limb parts (apparently they were hands and feet?), but coloring can really only achieve so much in this case.
Having said that, the color scheme they have applied for United Bruticus is arguably the best of all the versions of the mold, and IMO, the best of the three individual bots here is Vortex. The helicopter is really not bad for the size (and age) of the figure, and the robot is not the eye sore that the other 2 guys are. Onslaught sadly does suffer, but I can forgive the guy some way as it's the natural challenge with torso bots.
Unfortunately the gestalt (United Bruticus I mean) is barely serviceable, and whilst it poses better than G1 counterparts, it's just plain UGLY! I'm not sure whether it's this or the duplicate limb molds that's the most annoying factor...
Ratings:
Character importance 6.5/10 - Bruticus has a spattering of appearances through the G1 continuities, and was involved in some really fun memorable battles in season 2.
Toy 3/10 - Sorry Hasbro/Takara, I really don't like this by itself... Vortex is a small saving grace.
Thoughts and review of the Crossover 02SP kit and Colossus here.
What makes a 'perfect' Transformer?
Had been musing a little on FansProject's Last Chance over at the 3rd party acquisition thread. Something about this piece just makes me like it very much, despite the fact that it's US$60 before postage for what is in total not a huge amount of plastic, and it's smaller than the average Deluxe. So what makes me feel happy having forked out that amount?
A number of initial thoughts come to mind. First, it's 3rd party, and given the lower production runs, we accept a higher cost straight off the bat. Second, it's better engineered than the vast majority of TFs, both official and non-official. FP managed to fit a complex very well articulated robot into a very tight car. Probably more than anything, it's the innovation and engineering I don't mind paying for. Third, it's made with a lot of attention and love... the color choice is gorgeous, and pains were taken to homage the paintwork of G1 Deadend's car mode, and the paint apps (including lovely gold on the face) don't leave me wanting.
Interestingly, after fiddling with it a couple more days, a different set of thoughts then came to mind, as it seemed like the reasons why I like this toy so much went even beyond those first thoughts. Just as much, it came down to what makes a great (if not perfect) TF toy, many factors of which this little guy embodies very well:
- Great robot mode - probably this above most things, it's gotta look great (from all angles, including the back) and pose great. It's gotta have minimal or no kibble. It should be expressive.
- Great alt-mode - mostly has to look great. If it's an Earth mode, it should resemble what it's meant to be, and shouldn't look like it will transform. Preferably should also look great even from underneath. Wheels should turn, propellers rotate, etc.
- Satisfying transform - this will mean different things to different people, but I think it should be intuitive, not too simple (and it won't be if the robot is very articulated), but also not frustratingly hard.
- Media accurate - it should look like who it's meant to be (G1 Ironhide/Rachet, I'm looking at you guys!).
So there's my thoughts on what is probably a very subjective topic. It's those factors that semi-subconsciously, for me at least, makes me like or dislike a toy. Last Chance fulfills many of these factors, and FP can be proud to have put out a figure like this.
TF shopping in KL and surrounds
Being a native of Malaysia, I still make the odd trip back home, and have many fond memories of times spent wandering the massive shopping centers looking out for the odd bit of interest. Was back there just last week, and was surprised to see that the prolific AnimeTech stores have now all closed down. Those who are familiar will recall that aside from the large selection of mainly pirated Anime stuff, they often carried an eclectic selection of TFs at not unreasonable aftermarket prices. Oh well, too bad. On trawling through some forums, I was amused to see some rather serious comments about them being a 'scourge on civilization' and a 'cancer that needed to die years ago'. Man, some people need to lighten up!
Anyway, here's a brief report of where I wandered to this time around, which may help some as a guide:
Lot 10 - this place is struggling, and probably will have closed if not for the great basement food court. Only place I saw TFs was in the Isetan department store, where I saw Generations Springer and GDO stuff on shelf for the first time - it was surreal. Retail Voyagers go for RM110 (AUD38), Deluxes for RM60 (AUD20):
Suria KLCC - I advise against coming here on weekends... bucket loads of people and narrow walkways make for an unpleasant time, although I admit I have kids with me. The TRU had the usual interesting stock of Gundam and a lot of Generations stuff. This was the one time I saw a Roadbuster, and I am glad I snapped him up (only 1 on the shelf). Also first time I saw YotS Bruticus & Grimlock, priced at RM400 (AUD135) which sounds reasonable:
Pavilion - Not a big fan of this place as it's rather upmarket, but the Parkson store had a nice toys sections with plenty of GDO stuff. There's also sad looking stall called Toy Garden in the Tokyo section at the top floor, which had overpriced aftermarket items.
Publika - This is a fascinating mall catered for foreigners with lots of interesting arty stores, and not departmental anchor. There is a nice little shop called Big Bang Toys here which had an MP-13 priced at RM600 (AUD200) and an MP-12 at RM260 (AUD90), but no other stores of note I could find:
1 Utama - This is where I got to spend most time, with several trips, as my relatives live in this suburb. Incidentally it's the 5th largest shopping mall in the world, and was the most pleasant one with plenty of space to walk around, even when packed on weekends. The TRU had an extensive stock of TFP First Editions, all available except Bumblebee. Parkson had the usual stuff, and AEON has the best selection of Gundam I saw, for those who are interested. Most interesting of all is an independent store called VHobby which had a great selection of TF United, and Takara TFP and Generations stuff, mostly at reasonable prices, e.g. Generations Deluxes going at RM100 (AUD35), as well as a few MP around, including MP-05(!) going for what I thought was a very reasonable RM450 (AUD150) IIRC. What I picked up was an MP-12 for RM270 (AUD90). Of note is that United Ultra Magnus seems to be in demand, and was priced at RM285 (AUD95) as compared with other United Voyagers at RM120 (AUD40) or so.
Tropicana City Mall - a smaller mall in a smaller suburb, but notable for the store Brickboy Brothers, ostensibly a Lego collector store, but they also have a number of older MP on display, plus a few for sale, including a King Grimlock in box for RM1200 (AUD400), plus some other older stuff, most notable of which are Encore items as well as some busts (which look like they're not in high demand). They also have a TRU.
And that's where I got to... would have loved to be able to make it to Megamall, but didn't manage to this time around. I know there are a couple of hobby stores on the top floor (e.g. XL-Shop and Comics Mart) which may well have had some very interesting items.
