Transformers questions by newbies, and not-so-newbies

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Anyone know when and why the official transformers collectors club got their logo booted off the TF packaging? Just noticed that my off Road and AlphaBravo is TFCC logoless

[prjkt]

That's something I've noticed with all the CW stuff, I recall seeing it on some Generations figures, but I can't remember if it was on the recent releases like Brainstorm or the Arcee/Chromia wave or not

[GoktimusPrime]

This weird Windblade manga has popped up, and here's the English translation (by me).

[PART 1]

PANEL 1
Caption 1: My name is Windblade
SFX: Ba-dump
Caption 2: Having lost my memory in battle, I find myself alone in the streets of Akihabara...

PANEL 2
Windblade: And thus, I'm now work in a Little Sister Café
SFX: Maid clothes!!
Windblade: Welcome home, Big Brother!
SFX: Ta-daaa <3

PANEL 3
Windblade: Hey, hey, Big Brother, will you be having the Extra Special Lunch? Only ￥5000 for 1 set, please won't you get one?
Bighorn: Oooooh, leave it to me
SFX: wobble wobble

PANEL 4:
Windblade: Order for 10 Extra Special Lunches!
SFX: Hehehehehe
Starscream: Such a reliable child.
SFX: Miss Windblaaade!

[PART 2]

PANEL 1
Caption 1: My name is Windblade
SFX: Caw-caw
Caption 2: I have found work, but I have nowhere to live...

PANEL 2
Windblade: And thus, from today I will be living with Big Brother!
Tigatron: Verily forsooth--!?

PANEL 3
Airazor: That's my Tigatron!
SFX: BAM
SFX: Who're you?
Tigatron: Verily forsooth--!!

PANEL 4
Windblade: Big Brother is like a teddy bear, tee-hee-hee
SFX: rub rub
Airazor: Stop glomping Tigatron, Kabuki-girl!
SFX: That's enough, he's my man!
Tigatron: Verily forsooth...

-----------------------------------------------
NB: Remember that Airazor is male in Japanese continuity, and in this manga, Airazor is using the male first person pronoun (which English doesn't have).

[griffin]

Anyone know when and why the official transformers collectors club got their logo booted off the TF packaging? Just noticed that my off Road and AlphaBravo is TFCC logoless

I noticed it missing about a year ago... which I thought was odd, and wondered if it was an indication that they weren't getting their licensed renewed last year. But they are still the official club, so must have.

[DELTAprime]

I noticed it missing about a year ago... which I thought was odd, and wondered if it was an indication that they weren't getting their licensed renewed last year. But they are still the official club, so must have.

I could see Hasbro wanting to take control of The Club. Seems like every Botcon and TFSS I hear people complaining about some issue with their figures thats avoidable.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I could see Hasbro wanting to take control of The Club. Seems like every Botcon and TFSS I hear people complaining about some issue with their figures thats avoidable.

They'd probably dissolve it over controlling it. For the amount of effort required vs returns, it wouldn't make much sense for them as a company.

I miss the old days where toylines had little clubs and crap, like the STARS thing and all that.

[GoktimusPrime]

I miss the old days where toylines had little clubs and crap, like the STARS thing and all that.

Does anyone still have their STARS membership card? Mine got wrecked when I left it in my jacket pocket and it went through the washing machine. Sadly I've lost my STARS bases too.

[UltraMarginal]

Does anyone still have their STARS membership card? Mine got wrecked when I left it in my jacket pocket and it went through the washing machine. Sadly I've lost my STARS bases too.

I think I still have my STARS Base somewhere, it's probably folded up pretty flat and not in the best condition but it might still exist.

[griffin]

I could see Hasbro wanting to take control of The Club. Seems like every Botcon and TFSS I hear people complaining about some issue with their figures thats avoidable.

Someone on TFW who was at this year's JoeCon approached Hasbro about the ongoing problems with FunPub, and if they were aware of it... to which he claims that Hasbro are aware of the issues, but are content with what FunPub provides (I guess all those toys and Conventions), to still be more of an asset than liability to Hasbro.

talking to the 2 reps from Hasbro after I went threw Thursday store pick up at joecon. I asked if they knew about the issues with the club and all I got from them was they knew about the issue but they back the club and are happy with (what) the club is pushing out. Sadly they said they can not step in to help the club with these issues b/c of there contract. But it was a good talk tho.

After all, the Convention is a marketing element of Hasbro's each year, so as long as the general public don't know about its problems to impact on the "regular retail" side of the Brand, they will use it as one of the many elements they use to promote the Brand on their end. (it just means that if they keep talking about things like a Club and Convention, the general public who will never join or attend but buy most of Hasbro's products, get the impression that the Brand is more faceted than just a mere kids toyline - so unless something significant happens to get the mainstream media's attention, the Club and Convention are still useful to Hasbro Marketing)

[DELTAprime]

Does anyone still have their STARS membership card? Mine got wrecked when I left it in my jacket pocket and it went through the washing machine. Sadly I've lost my STARS bases too.

Forgive my ignorance, whats STARS?