So it looks like the TF Club's Nightbeat is just around the corner.
And the Seacons repaints too.
While I like what they've done with Nightbeat color-wise and with the head... I really hate the Energon Hot Shot mold a lot.
And the Seacons? I might have gotten them in something like a seaweed inspired "Ocean Camo" or something but definitely not this new garish paint job. I wouldn't want the G1 colors since that has been done but something that also inspires the ocean depths would work so much better for me.
I always thought the original 80s release of the Seacons and their King Poseidon form was great because they had a relatively cohesive color scheme that was dark and menacing.
These bright ones just don't do it for me. And since they aren't releasing the full set it isn't quite like a real reissue in any sense.
Unless I'd find these guys really super cheap I see no reason to buy them. The money would be much better spent to try and complete my original Seacons collection.
Hell... you can find a decent loose but complete Seacon set for about $150 at the cons.
Now you won't see me talk about wanting G1 looking stuff all that much.
I'm not... how do the kids say... a "Geewunner" and I'm always shocked (and often appalled) at how fandom gets all bent out of shape over 25 year old toys and new toys not being painted exactly like the characters they may be based on.
Sure... there's some good G1 stuff pre-1986, but once they exhausted the Diaclone stuff and really went into the gimmicky "-master" I pretty much lose most interest in it.
Anyway, I figured it would end up being a GRC repaint but nope... Takara seems to have done the G1-inspired Astrotrain in all his purple and grey non-shuttliness.
I seem to remember reading that originally, he was going to slated as an Autobot and hence he could have had his white and black deco but once they put him into the Decepticon camp the funky colors came in.
It isn't bad though. I mean, from what a little relatively blurry pic can show.
Let me know if any of you read about people bitching that Hasbro ripped them off for not painting the Classics version in this color.
I always love reading about that.
Q) How bad is the Energon Hot Shot mold? B'c I'm digging this Nightbeat exclusive, but everywhere I'm reading the TF board people say this the mold is lame. Is it just not a fun mold, or does it really suck (e.g., like Armada Hot Shot - meh).
And they are NOT releasing ALL 6 Seacons?? WTF? I thought they were - that stinks. While the color scheme isn't as good as the original G1, I was really looking forward to this re-issue (since I love gestalt teams). The point of having 6 team members was that one of them would become Piranacon's weapon - like a TargetMaster, right?
So TakaraTomy is releasing Classics AstroTrain in his G1 colors? Frack, I want him. I've already pre-ordered their Classics Megatron.
I am sooooo Hasbro's beeyotch these days ....
I didn't think the Energon Hot shot mold was too overly terrible. Certainly not as horrendous as Armada Hot Shot. Also I like the colors on Nightbeat though I have little attachment to the character.
Sadly (not really), I'm not a club member. What does a deluxe exclusive run anyway for club members?
DL: I just don't like the way the doors hang on the bot and such. The new head is 1000% times better though.
Seacon-wise, I'm fairly certain they are only doing 5. I don't have the picture handy right now. I think it comes with the sword but not the 6th figure you could also turn into a weapon.
That's what I always loved about him... any of the 5 smaller guys could become the weapon.
RJ: I was IM'n with Spectroscott about that very thing. Airrazor was $43 or so and she was a deluxe so I'm assuming that Nightbeat'll be the same. I have no idea about the other one though.
Thanks for the comments Nala.
And damn, I forgot that I have to be a TF club member to buy these exclusives. Frack.
How much does a membership cost, like $40? It might be worth my while to wait for them on eBay ... might be 'less expensive' in the long run.
Yeah. I still think it is $40.
Yeah membership is $40 and the time to renew to get Topspin the new club free figure is coming up. I'll probably pony up for this year again.
Nightbeat seems okay. Never got into the master lines either. I will probably get him and set him with the Classics as Classic Nightbeat. Seacons? couldn't care less especially with the funky coloring and if it's not going to be complete.
I do like the Astrotrain though. Seems like the Decepticons from Takara have all been winners for me so far. I liked the Hasbro versions, but the difference in colorings is enough to want to bother to import them. As for the autobots? blah they all look plain and boring compared to the Hasbro versions.
I'm also on the fence about the 08 botcon set. It's an okay idea but I don't really think I'll go out of my way to get this one like I did last year's. I am curious about what the add ons will be though, hate that you never know until the bloody convention.
Still just apathetic to TFs until we see something new on the shelves, bored with the movie repaint hell we are in currently. But then probably a good thing too. Wallet is happy.
Nightbeat from Energon Hot Shot mould = not too bad at all
Grey & Purple Classics Astrotrain = nice but I won't be forking out for him
5 out of 6 Seacons in weird-matching colours = I don't think so. With the G1s being combinations of pastel pink, blue, aqua & off-white (reminds me of 80's Hypercolour tshirts), what are the new colours? I can't see them cos I ain't a member & I never intend to become one.
The new TFClub issue(#19) shows all 6 Seacons in a picture on page 6 and the caption next to the pic reads: "These 6 robots....". The 6th Seacon is in Piranacon's left hand as a weapon.
Ah... then they did have the 6th mold available.
I figured it was likely they were following the Beast Wars II Takara reissue pattern.
This set has come up so many times at the Botcon Hasbro panel over the years that it is hard to remember what the original plans were.
I'm wondering if this is the only G1 combiner that is still 100% complete.
Not that it is really important, but it'd be great for Hasbro to just flat out say which molds don't exist anymore so G1 people can stop asking for reissues of things that'll never happen.
The reaction to Takara Astrotrain over at tfans has been either "OMG, this ROXOR!" or "Meh, I like the Hasbro version better." But, surprisingly, there haven't been many "GD HASBRO HAS SCREWED US OVER AGAIN!!! IT'S THE BOTCON SEEKERS ALL OVER AGAIN!"
My opinion falls into the "meh" category. I like my white Astrotrain. He does, in fact, roxor. I don't mind this new color scheme (if it is official), but I ain't about to spend 25 bucks on it.
I'm all for the cartoon authenticity, but I think Hasbro Astrotrain looks nicer. My understanding was that they tried to get a real mix of all the original colours; the black, white, purple and red.
It's not that Takara have done a bad job, but it just doesn't seem to zing as much. The train paint apps don't mesh nearly as well when he's in shuttle mode, and if you want to be a real purist, then his head's the wrong colour.
But meh, to each their own. :) Plus if Takara really want to go all out, then they could start by remolding Cliffjumper's head already. :)
N:
And then other people get bent out of shape because the fans of the 25-year-old stuff get bent out of shape.
I think this hobby has been poisoned by too much SERIOUSNESS. My model railroad hobby has had that problem for a long time, and it's still fun, so the disease isn't fatal, but it's still an illness.
I feel like I've got plenty to be serious about, and I sure don't need my hobbies to join it.
Cordially yours:
Autobus Prime
w/minicon Farebox.