This is one of the most impressive collections I've seen for such a short amount of time.

Happy New Year everyone! While everyone is recuperating and celebrating the new year we are sharing out a gallery for one of the last Masterpiece releases of 2019 - MP-45 Masterpiece Bumblebee 2.0. A lot of the fandom is torn on this little guy, some digging him and some thinking he wasn't necessary in the...

Transformers Collector's Guide: Wreckers (Wreckage) Wreckage (Transformers, BotCon / OTFCC / Timelines, VS/Unaffiliated): realtime price guide with history, pictures, and info for all parts, weapons, accessories, instructions, and specs.

INTRODUCTION When TakaraTomy released Masterpiece MP-10 Convoy, a new goal was set in many collector’s minds. Suddenly, it seemed like completing a set of scaled, animation-accurate figures representing the G1 cartoon cast might become a reality, even if it was one likely to take some time to come to fruition. That was six years ago, and whilst we still have some distance to go in terms of the official line, it’s incredible to think that collectors who bolster their ranks with third party additions are actually nearing at least one particular finish line - the season 1 Autobot Ark crew. In producing Grump, arguably the first Masterpiece-styled Gears, Badcube have given us what could be considered the final piece of this puzzle. I’ve been hoping Badcube would produce a Gears ever since the likes of Huff & Brawny, and now finally here it is. Of course, in a fashion that is becoming something of a tradition for the company, Grump is being released in tandem with Slick, a rendition of G1 Swerve. It’s always amazed me how Badcube can produce quite different figures from what is basically the same mould, so I was certainly interested to see how they would get on with these two. Final note before I begin – these are retail samples, so they’re exactly the same as what’s available now. So, let’s not waste any more time and jump in to take a look! PACKAGING & ACCESSORIES Both figures come packaged in the usual block-coloured boxes that regular Badcube collectors will already be familiar with. I’m a big fan myself, and I’m really pleased that they’ve kept this quite consistent throughout their run so far, with the exception of their Evil Bug Corps. Inside the boxes, I was slightly surprised to find that the figures themselves come packaged in robot mode, as I have become accustomed to Badcube’s products being in vehicle mode. I guess it helps to make sure the boxes are as tiny as they are! As well as the usual instructions & character cards, you have some pretty neat accessories with both robots. Included with Grump there is a blaster, a small hand attachment and a tiny little rectangular circuit card. Those last two accessories are both homages to different parts of the G1 cartoon season 2 episode Changing Gears; in fact this whole package makes it very clear that Badcube did their homework on that episode, as we shall see! Included with Slick you have a spare head with a screaming face, and a blaster. ROBOT MODE As these guys have both been packaged in robot mode, let’s kick things off there. The first thing you’ll no doubt notice right out of the box is how incredibly tiny they are! They’re pretty much the same size as Masterpiece Bumblebee, which I think works exceptionally well myself. You’ll hopefully also notice that they look pretty great! Yes, those are some relatively clean robot modes overall, with Grump especially doing a great job at hiding most of the vehicular kibble to give quite a sleek humanoid form. It’s only really a couple of bits on the legs that perhaps betray this slightly, but overall it works really well. I’d say they’re two nicely proportioned and very attractive looking ‘bots. You’ll no doubt also notice some of the rather obvious moulding differences between the two figures, which we will cover in more detail in a second. So, let’s look at Grump first, as he’s surely the one of the two that most collectors will be more interested in. It’s also quite clear that he was the focus when this design was being put together, although again I’ll cover off those comparisons when looking at Slick, specifically. First thing to note here is the bright colours – he really pops and certainly looks very cartoony! Also of note here is the attractive silver paint that’s used. It mixes well with the vibrant blue & red colouring, and looks great. I’m very much looking forward to adorning that spot on his chest with an Autobot logo, too! I have to say this is pretty much what I would have wanted a Masterpiece-styled Gears to look like. Again, the legs could perhaps be a little bit cleaner, but overall I really think that Badcube have done a great job here. I’d add that Grump also very much evokes the original animation. If anything, he looks less goofy! Gears' animation model He’s also quite nicely articulated, and more than capable of pulling off some neat poses. I’m a particular fan of the large range of motion available at the ankles, which makes a lot of unusual poses possible. The hip skirt does slightly impede the forward range of leg motion though, and it’s a shame that there’s no hand articulation to speak of. Admittedly, this is in keeping with Masterpiece Bumblebee yet again, but I do think that fixed fists don’t always look great in various poses. Still, it’s a good range overall. I’m impressed with some of the little touches that really help to evoke the character, including things like the perfectly shaped chest and the contours of the shins & hips. Then of course, there’s the head. I really do think that they’ve absolutely nailed the character with this one – that headsculpt is spot on Gears, and the moody expression is just perfect. Of course, one of the big gimmicks with this figure is the alternate face, which is revealed by a simple mechanism of lifting up the silver face itself, rotating it around, and pushing it back down into place. It’s simple enough, even if I was unnecessarily nervous about scratching the paint whilst doing it. The alternate face is a complete contrast – it’s happy Gears! This is a clear homage to the part in Changing Gears when his personality is modulated after Megatron removes a circuit card from his chest, and it looks brilliant! But wait, there’s more, because Badcube have seen fit to work in a lift-up chest piece that reveals the character’s inner robotic workings, all as seen in that episode. It’s remarkably detailed and absolutely spot on to the animation. The circuit card accessory fits into a little slot inside easily enough, though I have to say that removing it is a lot more tricky, and will almost certainly require a pair of tweezers or something! Overall I can only say that I absolutely love the inclusion of these little details with this figure, and I really think it does the character justice. I’d also add that I only realised later that Badcube actually packaged Grump with his smiley face on display, which I am guessing is because the circuit card accessory is not shipped inside his chest inside the box – now that’s attention to detail! All-in-all here, you have everything you should need to recreate some classic scenes from the cartoon. "A secret sensor scan of all the Autobots..." (With Masterpiece Starscream & DX9 Mightron) "...revealed that you alone have the special circuit I need." "Fill the energon cubes, Autobot slave!" "Your special circuit card, Gears. Here you are." (With Hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime) The other main accessory here is the hand attachment, which also references the same episode. It’s a small welding torch which Gears uses after he has been enslaved by Megatron. Again, it’s a neat little cartoon homage. In fact, I’d say that Grump overall does a bang up job at representing Gears as I remember him from the cartoon, especially when you’re trying to recreate some of his classic scenes. He looks great when lined up next to some of the other Masterpiece-styled figures! With Masterpiece Ironhide With Masterpiece Bumblebee With Badcube Brawny With Badcube Speedbump With Masterpiece Skywarp Also with Masterpiece Wheeljack Also with FansToys Willis, Masterpiece Ratchet & Maketoys Downbeat Also with Badcube Sunsurge With Badcube Wardog & Lorry Badcube's season 1 Autobot line-up with Hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime Yet it's the full Ark crew line-up that surely sells the deal on this one! I've arguably waited over thirty years to take this picture! So, Grump has certainly impressed so far, but what about Slick? Despite being the same basic mould, it’s quite clear that there are some notable differences between the two, as even the most rudimentary examination reveals. The most obvious points are no doubt the shoulders, which feature the sides of the front bonnet folded down over the top. They do just kind of hang there as opposed to being fixed in place, which can feel a little cumbersome at times. However, it is at least true to the character and doesn’t hinder articulation for the most part as they can be moved out of the way for posing. You’ll possibly also notice that the wheels on the sides of his legs are present, as opposed to being folded inside as on Grump. In actuality, you can transform Slick either way, depending on your preference, though the wheels being left out is certainly more animation-accurate. Unfortunately it does mean that the back of the legs are left hollow, giving the slight impression of Grump being the focus of attention when designing this mould, but I don’t really find this to be a big problem myself. With the wheels folded in on the legs With the wheels folded in on the legs The other major difference is of course the head piece, which is entirely remoulded for this figure. Sadly, it’s fixed in place and so doesn’t allow for any movement. This means that the only head articulation available is a tiny bit of movement on the neck ball joint itself, though this is mostly impeded. To me, this is bit of a drawback with this figure, as it does mean that posing him is limited to stances where he’s looking forward. That’s not to say that he’s not otherwise poseable though – I still had tons of fun with him, and managed to crank out plenty of decent stances. You just have to be a little mindful of him looking forwards. So, Slick is perhaps not quite as, erm, slick as Grump overall, but I will say that he’s still very nice! He certainly does look great, and I am a big fan of the attractive moulding details and lovely little painted touches on his chest. As before, the chest itself can be flipped up to reveal some entirely different robotic detail. The circuit card slot is gone of course, and I’m quite impressed that Badcube saw fit to re-do this piece here. In fact there are many little touches that help to make him feel quite different from Grump overall, and it really helps to sell them as different characters. Everything including the shins, the hips, the thighs – it’s all been redone, and it’s appreciated. As for how well Slick does at representing Swerve as we know him from the G1 cartoon, it’s only difficult to say because of how limited his appearances were! Though IDW comic readers will be very familiar with the character these days, thirty years ago he received virtually no love whatsoever, and only made one solitary appearance in the animation. This was in the season 3 episode Five Faces of Darkness (part 5), when he is seen lined up with a small brigade of other Autobots trying to protect the Autobot base from an attack by Trypticon. Swerve has no lines of dialogue and is only clearly seen in one frame briefly, with his most notable achievement being stepped on & crushed by the big Decepticon dinosaur! Still, Badcube have rather hilariously seen fit to homage this episode with the alternate head included here. Neat touch. Swerve's solitary G1 cartoon appearance The head itself just pops on and off a ball joint easily enough, and certainly does a good job at bringing the animation to life! It also helps that Slick looks absolutely brilliant when lined up against some of his comrades. Whilst the character may not be the most prominent in the original fiction, he becomes more essential in terms of completing a line-up, and I for one am grateful to finally have my season 3 minibot brigade in full attendance! He does look good next to other figures as well though, and it's fun to imagine him in a season 3 line-up outside of his lone animation adventure! With Masterpiece Rodimus Prime With Masterpiece Ultra Magnus With Badcube Wardog & Backland With X-Transbots Hatch So, overall I have to say that I am a big fan of these modes. There’s no doubt that Grump is the superior robot in several regards, being generally tidier and a touch more poseable, but Slick is also a nice achievement and a decent homage for such a background character. TRANSFORMATION Badcube have acquired a reputation for somewhat complex transformations over their tenure, and whilst I personally enjoy converting their figures I do know some who find them a bit tricky. Well, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about here, as both Grump & Slick can be easily manipulated between modes in a matter of minutes. True, they’re maybe a touch more intricate than Masterpiece Bumblebee, but only by a tiny margin. There’s certainly nothing here that should prove too challenging for the regular Masterpiece collector, let’s put it that way! I did initially have a little difficulty with getting everything tabbed in just so, but with a little practice it’s not hard to spot some small touches that really help with this. Overall, everything comes together very nicely, and you’re left with some very smart looking truck modes. VEHICLE MODE Masterpiece versions of the G1 minibots were always going to be a tricky issue. Masterpiece Bumblebee caused all kinds of debate for his non-chibi Volkswagen Beetle mode, and the arguments for and against a similar treatment of a potential Masterpiece Cliffjumper still rage on. The premise of the line has seemingly always been to give the real-world alt’-mode-treatment to every character, though there are examples that work against this also. For me, I think it works best to judge each character on their own merit, as clearly it’s tricky to apply a definitive logic to a line as diverse as this. By that token, I think Badcube have played a strong hand with their choice of aesthetic for Grump & Slick’s truck modes. By that I mean that I think these guys do a neat job at being suitably “real world” whilst still evoking a sense of the characters as they appeared in the animation. Admittedly, it’s not an exact match, but I’m never in any doubt about who this is supposed to be, so to me it works well! Gears' animation model It also helps that these truck modes are cute as a button. They’re really small, but nicely detailed and quite tidy for the most part. In fact, they do a good enough job at hiding the kibbly bits that I’d say it’s only the rear view that gives even a sniff of this being a robot in disguise. So, they’re compact, tidy and look pretty good overall. They’re also surprisingly fun to play with, perhaps on account of their size, and there are some neat little touches like being able to store the gun on the rear axle. I will say that my copy of Grump has one wheel that seems to stick ever so slightly, but it’s not a massive problem and otherwise they roll pretty well. I’d doubt that anyone was expecting things like rubber tyres on such small figures, but there is enough going on here to at least make these two feel slightly special, including some attractive moulded details and some well-applied paint touches. Overall though, it’s likely to be the test of how well these two sit alongside other Masterpiece-styled figures that will sell them in. I do think that the vibrant colours make them stand out ever so slightly from the likes of the MP carbots, and I have no doubt that they’re sufficiently small to make fans who like their vehicles to all scale with one another a little frustrated, but to me these are things to expect from a release like this. They do their job well in sticking relatively close to the animation, and in that regard I think they look great next to other figures, both Badcube and non. With Masterpiece Optimus Prime With Badcube Brawny & Speedbump With Badcube Backland & Wardog With Masterpiece Ratchet & Prowl With Masterpiece Bumblebee All the Badcube Autobots Slick certainly does a great job at lining up next to the rest of that minibot brigade charging off to meet Trypticon! However, it’s Grump that I think really takes the cake, especially as his presence finally allows for a complete set of the Autobot Ark crew as they transform to vehicle mode and head out on a mission… say it with me - “ROLL OUT!” CONCLUSION Another Badcube double act, another great set of figures. I was very much looking forward to these two, and they haven’t disappointed overall. Grump does an absolutely brilliant job at evoking the character of Gears, and I suspect it may be some time before anyone else makes another figure that comes so close. It’s also a real thrill to see him lined up with his fellow season 1 Autobots. Slick is not quite as polished overall, but still a good figure in my opinion. I’d probably have awarded him a 3 rating by himself, but as part of the overall ensemble there’s no doubt for me that Badcube have done it again. What's HOT? Good looking ‘bot modes, nice & easy transformations and fun little vehicle modes. Grump especially has some brilliant accessories & other touches that are wonderful homages to the G1 cartoon. Oh, and Grump’s face sculpt is spot on! What's NOT? Slick suffers with some poseability a little, most notably the lack of head articulation. Some fans may also be turned off by his hollow legs at the back, though it doesn’t bother me personally. Keep in touch: FACEBOOK | TUMBLR | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

Como seriam os Transformers se tivessem chegado na terra no final do século 18? O estúdio Encline Design criou um Optimus Prime Steampunk customizado, que dá uma ideia de como ficariam os Transform…

Do you mean the ankles? I already have a little. You got it the perfect length dude :thumb Extended fully he looks like his feet are on Go-go-Gadget...

INTRODUCTION For many collectors in the world of so-called third party “Masterpiece” Transformers, FansToys reign supreme. They were one of the first to usher in this current era of collecting of course, with Quakewave having been the figure to lead many of us down the rabbit hole initally. Since then they have bolstered an extremely loyal fanbase and a strong reputation, so it’s perhaps no surprise that each new release is met with almost unparalleled excitement. Add to the mix that their success seems to be allowing them more and more daring efforts, which brings us up-to-date with Phoenix. It wasn’t so long ago that the idea of a quality, full-size Masterpiece-styled Skyfire to fill out your Autobot ranks was the stuff of dreams. Now, here we are, and I for one couldn’t be more excited! Of course, the excitement for this release stretches back even further than the last couple of years. Many fans have been clamouring for a cartoon-accurate representation of Skyfire since the first season of the original animation over thirty years ago, with licensing issues having prevented his portrayal from matching that of the Jetfire toy on which it was based. There have been updated attempts in the form of mainline figures, and of course Daca Toys took a stab with their infamous Kronos figure a few years back, but for one reason or another most fans have still been left wanting. Is this the figure that will finally hit the mark? Thanks to the lovely chaps at tfs-express.com, we can find out! Final note before I begin – this is a test shot, so there may well be some variances with the final product, including things like colours, accessories etc. as well as tolerances. Now, let’s get on with it! PACKAGING & ACCESSORIES This being a test shot, I didn’t receive all of the final packaging, and no instructions. I did receive the inner polystyrene casing though, and from the looks of it this is going to come packaged in one massive box! The shipping box it was delivered in was enough to raise my wife’s eyebrows, put it that way. Phoenix seems to come packaged in robot mode, and features a few accessories. It’s fairly sparse, but everything you need. There’s a blaster that’s very reminiscent of Skyfire’s weapon from the cartoon, a spare set of eyes that are slightly translucent as opposed to the stock chrome, and part of a flight stand. I’m assuming that the final figure will come with an entire flight stand, especially as some of the photography I have seen previously also suggests this to be true, but I only received the top part so I’m not sure. From the looks of it, it will be very similar to the one that came with Soar with the exception of the top bit that fits onto the figure itself, which is what I have here. Finally, Phoenix also comes with a spare chest piece, which can be swapped out for the one that is in place already. They’re identical, but of course the idea is that you adorn one of them with an Autobot logo, and the other with a Decepticon logo. It’s a neat solution for something that is arguably one of the most fun points of the Skyfire character in both the cartoon and comic; that he was initially a Decepticon (albeit through trickery and only for a brief time in the cartoon), but later joined the Autobots. Whilst I am sure that most fans will just go for the Autobot logo, this is a nice touch. ROBOT MODE I normally like to start these things off with examining the vehicle mode, but as I’m fairly confident that Phoenix comes packaged as a ‘bot, I’ll start there. Especially as I want to acknowledge what I have no doubt everyone’s first impression will be as soon as they take him out of the box – he’s absolutely enormous! Seriously, the sheer size of this guy is incredible. The shock and awe value of holding him in hand for the first time cannot be underestimated! We’ll talk more about the size a little later (even though it is definitely one of the biggest things to talk about, pardon the pun), but of course it wouldn’t do if that was all he had going for him. Fortunately, Phoenix is nothing short (another pun I’m afraid) of beautiful! The design is clean, crisp and absolutely stunning, and can’t help but be met with a positive first impression. Seriously, I am amazed with how well FansToys have captured the intended character here, including the spot-on proportions. It all comes together so well, and really evokes Skyfire as we know him from his animation model. It’s amazing to think that something that only ever existed in drawings is now made real before you, but there it is. The more and more you look for little details or nuances from the cartoon, the more you realise what a great job they have done. Bravo. Skyfire's animation model Obviously the main colour of the figure is white (in fact there’s possibly more white plastic in use here than I have ever seen on another figure), which definitely makes him quite eye-catching already, but it’s the little details that really sell it. The red highlights are quite lovely, including the backpack and wings, as well as the translucent plastic used on the hips. I will say that it’s an odd choice to have chromed red pieces on the sides of the legs, but by no means does it look bad. Then there’s the lovely paint details, such as the grey on the insides of the legs, which really makes those mechanical details pop, or on areas such as the chest’s air vents. It’s all just lovely. However, there’s no doubt that one of my favourite parts is the translucent blue chest canopy, which looks incredible here. The use of a chrome interior under the cockpit window is marvellous, and really makes the blue shine and catch the light. For such a prominent feature, I’m thankful that FansToys saw fit to pay extra attention to this part. Of course, all of this is to say nothing of the face. FansToys have previously been lambasted for their apparent inability to capture character’s faces accurately, at least in some people’s estimations, but I can honestly say that I think this is one of their strongest efforts yet. One of the main points that held me back on Daca Toys Kronos (aside from all those many reports of iffy quality) was that I never really liked the look of the face. Some may disagree, but I think Phoenix nails it, and I think the expression gives him the “gentle giant” nature his character so embodies. I also have to mention those chrome eyes – they’re absolutely hypnotic in how they catch the light, and they certainly make for a fun round of photography! If you prefer, you can swap out the eyes for the translucent versions, which are supposed to glow a bit through the use of light-piping. I have to say that I definitely prefer the chromed eyes myself, with the backpack section impeding the light enough to leave the translucent eyes looking a little dull and flat for my tastes. However, it's a nice option to have, even if it does require the use of a screwdriver to take everything apart. As much as he’s easy on the eyes, Phoenix is also a pleasure in the hands, with an initial fondle revealing a pleasing heft. I have to say that I was pleased that the figure isn’t too overburdened with the use of diecast, and what there is seems to have been apportioned well to try and help with stability, giving him a decent balance. He is heavy, but perhaps not quite as much as you might expect given his relative size, which I think is a good thing. I was also pleased to see that the general level of quality here is seemingly top notch, with no obvious causes for concern. So, is it all good news? Well, sadly no, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention what I consider to be this figure’s one major flaw – a distinct lack of poseability from the waist down. Don’t get me wrong, the top half is mostly all win, with plenty of movement going on in the double-jointed arms (although I do find the shoulders look a little odd if not properly posed), some excellent head movement, and a fine set of hands that would make KFC blush. Unfortunately, the bottom half cannot quite say the same. It’s not that it’s unarticulated, and there’s a few points that wouldn’t necessarily be a problem in isolation, but added up they serve to hinder his ability to be posed dramatically. First up, there’s no waist swivel. Nothing. I have heard talk of achieving a bit of movement if you unclip the hips in a certain way, but I’m not buying it. This guy is not meant to move at the waist. The second thing is that the hips themselves don’t allow for a great range of motion, with only a 45 degree angle possibly in a forward bend. Finally, whilst there is a little ankle tilt going on, it’s not quite enough for a stable footing, and the hollow nature of the bottom of the feet can make him feel a little unstable in more extreme poses. So look, it’s not a massive problem, and to be fair there’s more than enough going on here to ensure that you can crank Phoenix into a fair few decent stances. I’d also add that I think the lack of waist swivel is totally forgivable (in the same way that it was on Masterpiece Ultra Magnus) when you consider the transformation. However, I do feel that the hip bend and ankle tilt are both points that stop this figure from being otherwise practically perfect, even if just a bit. Still, almost perfect is still pretty good overall, right? So, then, let’s get back to talking about Phoenix’s size, shall we? Now, this has proven interesting to me, as I have read plenty of comments from people on-line who think he’s simply too big. I have deduced that a lot of these comments (but certainly not all, don't get me wrong!) are from fans who have maybe not seen the original animation in some time, as when they have been presented with screenshots of Skyfire standing next to his Autobot comrades they immediately acknowledge that he is meant to be towering over them like a behemoth. In that regard FansToys have certainly delivered here; just look at him next to other Masterpiece-styled figures! With Masterpiece Prowl, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime & Ironhide With Maketoys Downbeat For my money, I think the height is absolutely spot on, and if anything Phoenix offers another exciting extreme in the ongoing quest to collect a relatively scaled animation-accurate collection. Just seeing him dwarfing the likes of Masterpiece Bumblebee and other carbots is really very exciting, and he even puts previously “large” figures such as FansToys’ own Iron Dibots and Masterpiece Ultra Magnus in the shade. With Masterpiece Ultra Magnus With FansToys Grinder Also with FansToys Scoria & Sever With Masterpiece Star Saber, the tallest official MP Fortunately, he also lines up nicely in a Decepticon display, should that be your thing, and he looks particularly brilliant next to his former colleague, Starscream. With Masterpiece Starscream With Unite Warriors Devastator Also with Masterpiece Frenzy (and yes, the figure itself is Frenzy!) Overall, I think FansToys have done a cracking job with this robot mode. A few articulation woes aside, it’s absolutely spot on, and does a great job at representing the character. But what about the vehicle mode? TRANSFORMATION I’ve previously talked about how I think some third party transformations can be a little… overdone at times, feeling more intricate and complicated than perhaps they need to be. Trying to do these things in test shot form without a set of instructions can feel like a bit of a headache at times, so it’s always a pleasant surprise when a figure comes along that is a comparative breeze. It should tell you all you need to know that my second attempt at transforming Phoenix was in the pub during mid-conversation with about a half-dozen people intently watching my every move – no pressure! Yet such is the relative ease and, dare I say it, intuitive nature of this transformation that it proved to be no bother. There are a couple of steps that you have to conduct in the correct order, but really that’s the biggest challenge on offer here. Otherwise, it’s all very smooth and quite forgiving too. For example, the hands fold in and out of the forearms so easily that you wonder why more figures cannot achieve this with the same degree of simplicity. Similarly, the leg extension is ably achieved through use of a release button which works wonderfully. Perhaps the only bit that gave me slight pause was how the legs then clip onto the hip pieces to stay in place, but they proved to be sturdy enough to take it. I also think that there’s a couple of real masterful strokes here, most notably in the red backpack section. I absolutely marvelled at how this unfolds and extends to become a much larger piece on the vehicle mode, including longer thrusters. It’s a stroke of genius and the kind of attention to detail that really sets a figure like this apart from the crowd. I similarly love how the chest pieces pull out and rotate round to form the sides of the jet, and how the underside unfolds to cover all the kibbly bits. Oh, and to answer a question that I have already been asked many times – no, Phoenix cannot go “full GERWALK” (the half ‘bot/ half jet mode made famous in Robotech, from which the original G1 Jetfire toy hails in origin), but he can achieve something very similar to how his animation model design transforms in the cartoon, as seen below. Amazing, eh? Skyfire's on-screen transformation; image courtesy of TFwiki.net VEHICLE MODE With a robot mode as impressive as Phoenix’s, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the vehicle mode was comparatively less exciting. Don’t worry, it isn’t! In fact, I’d say that the excitement was equal for both modes during my trip to the pub to show him off, and it’s not hard to see why. This is one cracking jet form. Stunning stuff. Again, the size may be the obvious point to note here (and it is), but don’t let that belie how beautiful this mode is. All of the little details that made the robot mode impressive are here, and then some. This is an incredible looking figure in all respects, and from all angles. I said it earlier, but it bears repeating – I am astounded by how well this design apes the animation model in both forms. Considering that this design was crafted specifically for the animation, it’s a miracle that FansToys have been able to realise it so accurately. It really is like the character model come to life. Skyfire's animation model Again, those small details are what really sell this for me. The blue translucent canopy is put to good use here, and we’re gifted with a similar effect on the wing section – it really pops under the light. Then there’s lovely little paint apps like the yellow sections on the wings that just really help to sell this as a high-end figure. Perhaps my only real complaint here is the rather flimsy rear tailfins, which have a habit of popping off just by looking at them! The landing gear is a miracle in itself for being quite easy to deploy; I’ve become so accustomed to reaching for a small tool to help me with the Masterpiece Seekers that I had forgotten what a pleasure it is to be able to do it without. He also looks rather marvellous on his wheels, in a way that some jet modes don’t seem able to carry off. Of course, he also looks rather spiffy atop a flight stand! Here I have borrowed a stand from one of my Soars and switched out the top bit, so that at least you can get an idea of what this should look like. It’s more than stable enough to carry Phoenix at a range of angles, and looks the absolute business. Many will remember Skyfire as being the season 1 Autobots’ regular transport, with his large robot form growing even bigger through transformation to function as a shuttle for his comrades. This figure is obviously not capable of a similar feat of engineering, but he does still look suitably impressive alongside some of his fellow Masterpiece-styled figures. As before, it’s a joy to see him flying alongside Starscream most of all. It’s one of those things that remind you how lucky we are to be collecting at a time when we’re receiving a figure like this! With Masterpiece Sideswipe & Badcube Sunsurge With Masterpiece Ratchet, Bluestreak and Ocular Max Sphinx With X-Transbots Boost & ACE Collectables Tumbler With Masterpiece Spike With Masterpiece Starscream CONCLUSION I’m sure you’ve garnered by now that yes, FansToys have most certainly done it again. Despite pushing the boundaries quite a bit with their choice of character, they’ve more than lived up to the challenge and given us one of the more impressive (in every sense) figures in recent memory. Phoenix is an absolute knockout. I will stop short of saying he’s absolutely perfect though, and as I mentioned it’s the robot mode articulation that really lets this down a touch. Fortunately though, it’s not enough to dampen the enjoyment of an otherwise impressive effort too much, and especially not one that adds so much to the ranks of your collection. The size of this guy may well be one of the most-talked about facets of this release, but it certainly shouldn’t be the only one – he has far too many positive qualities for that. Besides, his reign as the tallest Masterpiece-styled figure on the market may be very short-lived… it’s not that long before FansToys themselves drop their version of Omega Supreme, after all! And if this guy is anything to go by, that’s something I cannot wait to see. What's HOT? Almost perfect in lots of ways, with two stunning modes that closely resemble the original animation. Transformation is also quite easy, and the quality and fun factors are ably taken care of. Top drawer stuff all round, really. What's NOT? My main complaint is a lack of poseability in the lower half of the ‘bot mode. The lack of waist swivel is forgivable but he really could do with more hip movement and ankle tilt. Keep in touch: FACEBOOK | TUMBLR | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

Stylized collectable stands 3.75 inches tall, perfect for any Transformers fan!

Hasbro have released some new official images of the Robots in Disguise Legion Class Wave 3. Wave 3 of the Legions includes and . Check them out! Official Description: (Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $5.99/Available: Spring 2015)

Sold and Shipped by Toynk Toys, LLC. – Seller Info Harness the power of Energon with the Transformers Legacy Series Titan Cybertron Universe Metroplex robot toy! As head foreman, Metroplex spends his days building cities on Gigantion to reconstruct a peaceful future for the planet. Universes collide! Transformers: Legacy brings together fan-favorite characters from across the Transformers multiverse. Figures feature deco inspired by their universe with an updated Generations design. In honor of the almost 40-year legacy of Transformers entertainment, the fandoms come together from across the Transformers multiverse, all in one toy line. Transformers: Legacy action figures are great kids’ toys and exciting collectibles for fans of all ages. Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.

INTRODUCTION To many, including myself, the FansToys Iron Dibots represent one of the highlights of third party Transformers collecting so far. Despite only being a few years ago, the scale & ambition of producing an entire team of massive high-end figures like this was relatively unheard of outside of combiner teams when Scoria was first revealed, and it’s insane to think that it’s only just coming to an end now. Or is it? I only ask as of course, we’ve been here before, haven’t we? Many of us thought we were done with our Dinobot-collecting after Stomp arrived last year (to a significantly warm reception, it must be stated!), as FansToys had already provided a solution for Masterpiece MP-8 Grimlock’s comparatively diminutive height with a set of platform shoe-type lifts as an accessory with Scoria. I think if we’re being honest though, this was never really a definitive solution, even if I will say that I was certainly happier with it than most. Then many fans turned to alternative solutions for their mini-Grimlock problem, with the oversized MP-8 KO “Reximus Prime” being a common remedy in lots of collections. I have Reximus myself, and he’s absolutely tons of fun, but still didn’t quite fill the void for me when it comes to having a Masterpiece-styled Grimlock who can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Iron Dibots. I say that literally of course, as Reximus is quite noticeably bigger than the FansToys-produced figures, so does tend to stand out a bit! Add to that he’s covered in silver paint, a far cry from the rest of the team’s aesthetics, and he’s a good placeholder and a fun figure, but perhaps not quite there in terms of fitting with the rest of the group. So, we’ve had one option that’s too small, one that’s too big, and now, like Goldilocks, we’re looking for one that’s just right. Have FansToys finally answered the call with Grinder? And will this be the final time we “complete” our Iron Dibots collection? Let’s find out. Last note before we begin - this is a test shot. There will no doubt be differences to the retail version, including things like tolerances etc. PACKAGING & ACCESSORIES This being a test shot, I didn’t receive all of the final packaging and instructions, but I’m sure we all know what we can expect from FansToys these days. I am pleased to report though that Grinder comes with a plethora of interesting accessories, including some rather unexpected bits & bobs. Amongst the more obvious inclusions is Grinder’s gun and sword, both heavily reminiscent of Grimlock’s weapons from the G1 cartoon, and both featuring light-up parts by the use of a simple switch. He also comes with a spare robot mode head, featuring a comic book-accurate red visor instead of the stock blue, as well as a diecast gold crown, which is again another comic book homage from his time leading the Autobots. Additionally, there’s an alternative forehead piece and a set of red eyes for his dino’ mode, too. But wait, there’s more! Eager fans will already know that Grinder also comes packaged with a few pieces for other figures, which is very exciting indeed. There are new faces for both Scoria and Soar (technically two for the latter, as it still features a swivel round option), and an entirely new head for Sever, which is perhaps the part that most people will be elated about! FansToys Scoria (new face) FansToys Soar (new face) FansToys Soar (alternate new face) FansToys Sever (new head) I like the new faces a lot, though I have to admit that I personally prefer the old ones for both Scoria & Soar; I never had a problem with either of these to begin with, and I like the cartoon-accurate all-red face option for Scoria that is included with the original figure. Sever’s new head is an absolute revelation though! Very few were at all satisfied with the original figure’s head as it was, with many detractors often using it as one of the main examples of how they believe that FansToys “cannot do faces”. Personally, I don’t believe that sentiment to be true, but there’s no denying that this particular replacement is a very welcome correction on a black mark in their run of previous releases. So much better. The only question still unresolved is how fans who prefer their Iron Dibots with red eyes will be catered for, as this doesn’t appear to be included. There is also a new set of hinges to go on Soar's legs, this time made out of sturdy diecast instead of the previous plastic. ROBOT MODE So, let’s kick off by looking at Grinder’s robot mode. Now I, like many collectors, was not too impressed with the initial line-art reveal of this design, as it looked to be an all-too-stylised, overly bulky interpretation of Grimlock’s G1 cartoon appearance. Fortunately, a few tweaks through the design process have honestly worked wonders, as Grinder appears in finalised form looking nothing short of incredible. In fact, I’ll hasten to add that he’s just about everything I would want in a Masterpiece-styled Grimlock. But wait, we already have an MP Grimlock, no? Well, yes, and I’m a big fan of that figure too, but I will reserve comparisons for a little later on. For now, let me say that I am super impressed with what FansToys have cooked up here. Grinder is a very stylish design indeed – big, bulky & beautiful. He looks like an absolute brute! No doubt your first impressions will be what you would expect from a FansToys figure by now, as Grinder is both solid and sturdy in hand, with plenty of diecast to give him that premium feel. He’s also remarkably poseable, and I immediately found lots of fun in cranking him through various stances whilst taking photo after photo. He’s good looking, playable and remarkably expressive. For a ‘bot with no eyes and no mouth, I find it’s amazing just how much emotion he’s seemingly able to convey! Not to sound like a broken record, but I have to say how relieved I am with how much I think FansToys have nailed Grimlock’s look in this mode. As well as the initial line-art, there were some early sample pics posted on-line that gave many people pause for concern, appearing to show that Grinder had some odd proportions and an awkward silhouette. In fact, the reality couldn’t be further from this. He’s very sleek and expressive, and I think does a great job of representing the intended character as we know him from the G1 cartoon. As much as I do love MP-8, there’s no doubt that his overly hulking shoulders were not exactly indicative of the somewhat sleeker form seen in the animation. Here though, I think FansToys have found a really good way of translating the cartoon look & proportions, whilst still allowing the bulk required for transformation into dino’ mode. The general look is cartoon-accurate enough for my liking, and, in keeping with the rest of the Iron Dibots suitably echoes the Masterpiece “look” as set out by the likes of MP-10 (even if more recent official Masterpieces have evolved to a more extreme cartoon-stylised look). That’s not to say that there aren’t some elements of Grinder which don’t deviate a little from what we might have expected. Fortunately, the wrist claws are just about the most obvious example here, with many of the more stylised elements being evident in dino’ mode. Perhaps my only other real grumble of note with this mode is the robot’s neck – it’s a little frustrating how it sort of sticks out a little when the figure is looking up, and it has a habit of not quite appearing completely natural in certain poses. Still, a nitpick really. As much fun as Grinder is to pose, this is of course multiplied tenfold once you introduce his trademark sword and blaster into the mix; I challenge any collector to not enjoy posing this figure with its weapons. Of course, there is the alternate head with the red visor for those of you who prefer a toy accurate look, though this also works exceedingly well with the crown accessory for you comic fans. Both options look nothing short of incredible. So, an awesome robot mode, no doubt, but how does it stack up against some of the obvious comparisons? Well, for my money there’s two main alternatives to this figure right now in the Masterpiece arena, so let’s compare him up to both MP-8 and “Reximus Prime”, the oversized KO of that figure. As I said, I’m a massive fan of MP-8 and still think it’s a great figure. Yes, it’s too small, but that’s a retrospective problem as it was released before the current MP scale was introduced. Still, there is no doubt whatsoever that Grinder is a much better fit, scale-wise, with a modern MP collection, and as I say I definitely think he apes the cartoon look better as well. As for Reximus, I’m sure that some will prefer his tremendous size, but I still feel that Grinder is the better fit, personally. I guess it ultimately comes down to which design you like the look of more. With MP-8 Grimlock (with Scoria's 'boots' accessory) With KO "Reximus Prime" As for comparisons with other MP-styled figures, judge for yourselves. I think that Grinder fits in tremendously well in this mode, myself. With Hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime With MP-22 Ultra Magnus With MP-21 Bumblebee, MP-20 Wheeljack, MP-30 Ratchet & MP-18 Bluestreak With FansToys Tesla With FansToys Sovereign Of course, the main comparison here should be with the rest of the Iron Dibots crew, in order to judge what kind of job Grinder does at finishing this team. Well, let’s just say that it’s an absolute delight to see them lined up together like this, and I have no doubt that the FansToys-faithful who have been collecting this line from the beginning will be more than happy with the end result. Again, Grinder is arguably a little bit of a departure in some ways, design-wise, and I believe may have even been designed by a different person to the other four, but the overall look is there and the five figures are an absolute joy to behold as a team. With FansToys Soar, Stomp, Sever & Scoria TRANSFORMATION I’m going to keep this section unusually brief, as Grinder’s transformation is really very simple. I was asked on social media how it compares to MP-8’s, which is itself an absolute doddle, and I confidently reported that I think this is even easier! There’s a couple of bits that make it so, including the way the chest wings and dino’ head fold together, and the way in which the robot mode legs more confidently snap together and tab tightly. The overall scheme feels really quite fluid and slick. Even better, it can be done within mere minutes, which I think really adds to Grinder’s play value. And that’s it! Simple & effective. DINOSAUR MODE Even MP-8’s detractors would generally tell you that they think the look of the dino’ mode is pretty spot on, and so it was always going to be a challenge for FansToys to cook up something that better captured everyone’s imagination of the cartoon look whilst still feeling different to the original figure. The initial reveal of the Grinder prototype gave us a T. Rex mode that was altogether more stylised and arguably more anatomically correct to what we had before, and it’s perhaps not what everyone was hoping for. Still, now that Grinder is here, how does he look? Pretty awesome, as it turns out! The dino' mode is very sleek, and looks good from all angles. It also works well in both a traditional '80s Grimlock stance, and a more modern upright pose. So, here’s the thing. This is no doubt a bit of a departure from Grimlock’s cartoon look in dino’ mode. The head in particular is styled very differently from the animation model, even if the overall result is still unmistakably meant to be the Dinobot leader himself. I guess you either like the new look or you don’t – I can’t make that decision for you. However, I will say that it works a lot better in hand that I thought it might, and you very quickly get used to the more animalistic T. Rex look. It's certainly very expressive! Oh, and if you’re still not happy then FansToys have already confirmed that they will produce an alternative head for this mode at some point, so hopefully that’s most people’s worries put to bed. For my money, this is already a cracking dino’ mode, and with a new head has the potential to be the definitive Grimlock; it’s that good. The bulk, the detail, the proportions… they all work so well here. Grinder look and feels absolutely brilliant, and I’m amazed again at just how expressive he can be with a few simple movements. The teeth are very prominent on this figure, and they certainly add to making Grinder look quite terrifying. I had great fun posing him with his jaws wide open ready to attack! I also really like the little cannon inside his mouth. As with robot mode, there are options to be had here, including red eyes and the (even) more dinosaur-accurate forehead. It’s a very simple swap-out, and does leave Grinder feeling quite expressive, though I must confess I prefer the standard look myself. So, a really nice dino’ mode overall, but how does he compare with the other options we examined earlier? Well, there’s no doubt that the MP-8 mould has the better head, in my opinion, though I’m intrigued to see what FT produce in the alternative head option that’s coming. Other than that though, it’s a pretty close call. I would say that if FT can nail the new head then I will very likely prefer Grinder overall. It probably helps that the whole mode also holds together better, free from some of the gimmicks that forced a lack of tabbing on MP-8. Reximus Prime may also be impressive for his sheer size, but the abundance of silver paint is a turn off for me with that figure, and stops him feeling more at home with some of the rest of my collection. With MP-8 Grimlock With KO "Reximus Prime" Speaking of the rest of my collection, Grinder does an admirable job of lining up nicely with various other MP-styled figures, as you can see. With MP-10 Spike With MP-21 Bumblebee, X-Transbots Glider & FansToys Stomp With FansToys Scoria, MP-20 Wheeljack & FansToys Stomp With Hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime With MP-9 Rodimus Prime Season 3 group shot And now for the main event. Grinder was always going to be sold on how successfully he lined up next to the other Iron Dibots, and I’m pleased to report that I think he works excellently! It’s a genuine thrill to see the five dinosaur modes standing side-by-side; in fact it’s almost like the end of an era! There’s no doubt for me that the Dibots have been one of the best 3P collecting experiences so far, and I’m just absolutely thrilled to see how it’s all turned out. With FansToys Scoria, Soar, Sever & Stomp CONCLUSION So, the Iron Dibots are done. FansToys have finally brought us the figure that concludes this epic collecting journey, and by no means does it disappoint. The robot mode is an absolute corker, and the dino’ mode, whilst stylised, is perhaps not as much of a departure as we might have first imagined. Also, he blends exceedingly well with his Iron Dibot comrades. I’m still very interested in the new dino’ head that FansToys have said they will produce, especially as I can’t help feeling that it will turn this figure from highly worthy purchase into something absolutely essential. If the new head turns out to be a success, I will likely revise my final rating to a 5, put it that way… No more FansToys Dinobots then, eh? It truly is the end of an era… Wait a minute, PerfectFusion who? What's HOT? Lots! The robot mode is brilliant, and the dino’ mode (whilst highly stylised) is also great. He’s lot of fun, sturdy and very poseable. Oh, and he fits brilliantly with the other Iron Dibots. What's NOT? Some will be turned off by the stylised dino’ mode, no doubt, even though there’s a new head on the way. The robot mode neck is a little annoying. Keep in touch: FACEBOOK | TUMBLR | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

Via Newage Weibo account we can share for you new color prototype images of the upcoming Newage Toys N-H3 Harry (Legends Scaled G1 Prowl). Newage toys is sure coming in hot into the competitive Legends scaled market. Following their detailed and small N-H1 Flipper (G1 Bumblebee) now we have a great rendition of G1 Prowl. From the pictures...

Here it is, the moment many collectors have been waiting for: the full reveal of ! Quantron is MakeToys homage to the Generation 1 Technobots team that combine to form Computron! This five member team will consist of figures homaging the characters Scattershot, Strafe, Lightspeed, Afterburner, and Nosecone. No official ordering information is up yet,...