Heya, I'm back, not dead but forgotten. My new motto for this semester is: "Don't think of
it as death, think of it as catching up on all the sleep you missed." Anyway, I'm sorry
for not being here the past couple of months. Well I've been too busy and too poor to pick
up any new Transformers, so this month all I have for you is a preview of upcoming new toys
and maybe something on the comics, I dunno, we'll see.
Alternators is the newest line I'm drooling over currently. Currently they're available
in Japan as Die-Cast toys produced by Takara. Hasbro should be producing US versions made out
of plastic in the beginning of 2004. Well that's all fine and good, but what exactly makes the
Alternators line so special, you ask? Well, let me tell you. These new toys are being developed
for the older collectors with a distinct G1 feel. This means that they're using licensed cars
for the alt modes. Not just licensed cars but cars of model quality. For example let's open up
these to
in other
windows. Here we have a model quality Subaru WRX with opening doors, hood, and trunk. These
pictures don't show it but he has seats and a steering wheel inside too. Don't forget the rally
paint job on it. Then you can transform it into a robot. This does two things, one it makes for
a really cool toy overall, and two it shows what a "realistic" transformer would look like. Come
on, you know you wanted a REAL one don't lie. Fine
. The only other
alternators toy that's been made public knowledge so far has been
.
Now that brings us to the next issue: Takara vs Hasbro or Japanese vs U.S. or Die-Cast vs
Plastic. As I stated before the Japanese release by Takara will be primarily Die-Cast with some
plastic parts, whereas the Hasbro will be primarily plastic with some metal pieces. It is the opinion
of this broke college student that the Hasbro ones will be just fine. I've been pleased with the
quality of the recent Armada and RID pieces and they're all plastic. I don't think the extra $20 for
the Die-Cast is worth it. However if you're just a die hard G1 fan then importing the Takara ones is
just for you. Be warned that there have been reported cases of paint chipping on the Takara models
that have been released so far. Not all, but a numbered few.
There's lots of hope for this series, but I suspect that new models will be few and far between
due to the complexity and detail of them. There's also rumors that these toys might form a basis for
the live action Transformers movie that's in the works. Hehe, I'll bring you more on THAT as I hear
about it.
The other new toy-line coming out soon is Energon, a direct sequel to Armada. This line looks geared
to a much younger audience, but older than the Go-Bots crowd (I dunno figure ages 6-10 ish maybe?).
As simplistic as the toys may be, it looks like it could be a very good line. The standard size bots
seem to come in pairs, although currently I do not know if they will actually be packaged in pairs.
Anyway the pair of bots can combine two ways to make the powerlinx form of either one. If that makes
little sense to you, .
Personally I know I'll pick up Starscream because the looks so similar to the G2 Dreadwing and Smoke Jumper,
yet it is a different mold. Skyblast is also a tentative on my list but I really wanna see him in packaging
before I buy him. Pictures of these, Battle Ravage, and a new mold of Starsaber can be found
. Energon will also host the
return of G1 figures such as Hot Rod and Scorpinok as well as repaints of Unicron and Tidal Wave. Optimus
Prime returns reformatted yet again, but now with new Voltron action. I realize that recently it's been a
standard for Prime to combine with his trailer to form a better version (and I've been happy with it cause
it gives much more reason for the trailer) but this is just silly. Now he carries 4 "assault vehicles"
in his trailer that combine to form PowerLinx Optimus Prime. In my opinion if anybody should be able to get away
with that it's Ultra Magnus. He was the car carrier to begin with. Oh well. I'll probably not pick up this Prime
just because he just doesn't look good to me but you can
.
Overall the future of Transformers looks like it's going pretty strong and in my mind Hasbro hasn't messed it up too much. If you really want a more in depth review of Takara's Smokescreen please feel free to donate cash to the cause, email me for details. Guess I'll do comics next month barring any just earth shattering TF news or my total sanity breakdown.
Note:
None of those pictures are mine in any way shape or form. Here are links to the sites that I found them on, just remember to finish reading the CT.
