Opening Salvo
Not much news this week but it gives me a chance to try something new out. On we go.
Pluggin Away
OK fWo roll call:
Some people call him the Professor or Mike but to the fWo he is Big Sexy.
Next the guy that got the ball rolling and an OG if there ever was one Plutonium Boss.
Of course there is yours truly The Lone Wolf.
Because we need him; call him Elohim, call him Lord, we call him Vince.
You know him as Batesman but he is a MAN among men long live EzE.
Last but certainly not least our leader the almighty PK, Hollywood.
Toys: What I got, what they got and some news too
Nothing. Not a blessed thing. I really didn’t have time to shop so I couldn’t pick stuff up. Besides I got a ton of stuff coming on at BBTS so the money is going there. I’ve been spending time with my MP Starscream and like I said. I got a bum deal. Besides stress marks all over the connecting tabs and him having the same face on both sides, it turns out that one of the faces has an imperfection that makes it look like Screamer has Herpes. Expect a full review in two weeks.
This week I want to try something new with the news. Instead of giving you every last thing I would like to focus on a few choice stories that I find deserve some extra attention. I think you can guess what our first item is.
You may have missed it but there are now leaked images of MP-05 Megatron on line now. These early images of a resin mold Megatron were preceded by a lengthy update and explanation by BBTS which can be found here. Basically what is stated by Joel and the gang is stuff we already know; a realistic looking toy gun cannot be brought into the country without have an “Blaze Orange” tip or cap. The actual law is printed on the order page I linked to above. What this means is that BBTS will have to have all of their MP Megatrons opened overseas by their supplier and have the barrel painted or a permanent cap put on. Obviously this has angered some people since BBTS is still charging a MISB price for a toy that will be anything but. The listing goes on to state that they cannot 100% guarantee the quality of the job; thus it is quite possible that some of the items might have bubbles and paint drips. Also if MP-05 includes the silencer and stock the silencer part will have to be modified as well. As most of you reading this know this has been the hot topic of discussion for the entire week on most forums. The vast majority of Transfans who would be interested in this item have already said that they would exhaust all other resources trying to get an unaltered Megs before ordering from BBTS. Many sites have already said they will be bringing in Megatron as is and will not open the toy and/or alter it in any way. I will not post links to any of those sites since technically they are breaking US custom law. Now there has been some confusion as to why BBTS and other sites can sell G1 Megatron without any problems; that is explained by the fact that G1 Megs may have been covered under some sort of grandfather clause, meaning that the toy is exempt from the law and thus able to be sold by BBTS and other online retailers. Also after reading the law a few times I find it ambiguous in regards to toys of a transforming nature; a feeling shared by many other forum posters. Whether Megatron is shipped in gun or robot mode according to BBTS his barrel will have to be modified. I personally have a concern about what would happen if the barrel actually ends up being part of the robot mode himself, since I have a hunch that the silencer and stock will be a physical part of the toy and not a detachable item. It is quite possible that the orange paint might end up being part of his arms, chest or legs. The TFrC will have much more on MP-05 as the information is released to the Internet.
The second big bit of news concerns the possibility of the 6″ Titanium TF line being canceled. A code meaning the item number will be discontinued appeared in Targets computers this week. I should note that the code could also mean that the Titanium’s will be listed under a different code or name, perhaps to tie into the movie. The line has been much maligned due to the fact that the first two figures released, WW Prime and Cobra Megatron, were poorly designed and constructed especially Megatron who, more often than not, fell apart inside the box. That basically set a trend in which most collectors have been avoiding the other figures who I might add, are far better than the first two. If Hasbro does cancel the line I wouldn’t miss it at all. We have already been told that there will be no way to include combiners like the Predacons and that figures that were originally two parts, like Rodimus Prime would have to be re-imagined. That limits the design and quality of the figures. Also discontinuing the line would allow collectors to focus more on the Classics line, which could mean more figures added to the limited assortment. Either way I don’t see the 6″ or even the 3″ becoming a fondly remembered series. But tell me what you think. This week’s forum thread will focus on whether or not you like the Titanium and why.
The Pros and Cons of Being a Transformer Fan: Hasbro we love you, and here’s how to keep it that way
With the new Classics line becoming the darling of collectors everywhere, and everyone anticipating the final two Alternators before the movie line, Hasbro is ridding a wave of fan support it hasn’t experienced in a long while. Here are a few tips for the company to keep the momentum moving in their favor; Mike may have mentioned some of these before but here is my spin.
1) Don’t say one thing and then do something else- a year ago Hasbro announced that Astrotrain would be the final figure in the Commemorative re-issue line. Over the summer they emphatically said that Soundwave would not be released. This past September at Bot-Con Hasbro finally revealed that Soundwave would be re-issued in a Classics style box. My question is what do you say to the people who bought the Takara re-issue version of Soundwave or Soundblaster for a premium on E-bay? If you’re going to release something then tell us, we’re collectors, we don’t need to be surprised. If you’re not sure then say so, I would rather a figure not be released then have to play a guessing game with a toy company. See also, Universe Seacons.
2) Follow a strict release schedule and hype it- Hasbro could learn a thing or two from Takara when it comes to hyping a product. When releasing new figure Takara would often have a teaser image in silhouette one month followed by test shots the next. All the while building to a fixed date on the calendar. Hasbro can do a variation on this, only using the TV since hobby trades aren’t as popular over here. Imagine seeing a commercial that features the new Optimus Prime in shadow followed simply by a date. That folks, is drama and drama builds demand.
3) Don’t over produce- when all is said and done Cybertron will feature well over 100 figures in the line. As we all know most of those are repaints. 100 figures is entirely too much for a person to collect and 100 characters are entirely too many for a person to get around. One of the things that made Transformers a hit in the first places is that you were buying a personality, a character. Hasbro needs to get back to that mindset. Instead of 100 figures why not 30 or 40 developed characters. This one I know is a pipe dream.
That’s about it for now. I’m sure this is something I’ll have to return to several times over.
Parting Shots
Well that’s it for this week. Mike is in next so when I see you in two I’m going to have two reviews for ya, one of MP-03 Starscream, and MP-04 Complete Convoy. Have a happy Thanksgiving and remember, treasure the time you have with your family, you may not always get along but your blood is all you got. Until the day all are one.
The King of the Fanboys,
Charles
