Another Time and Place TF

Real Gear Robots is easily one of the funniest TF lines of all time

Which means it's also one of the best I don't make the rules

MPG-17 Optimus with every ROTB Battle Master attached to him, posed in the style of his 1986 movie "Megatron must be stopped..." line delivery, on a desk

Megatron must be stopped. No matter the...

Chuck, I suspect you may have a perilously removed hand from the pulse of Democrat voters, myself included

MPG-17 Optimus and MP-53 Skids homaging Dreamwave #1 cover

He does the thing

I'm sorry, but our top toy scientists have been slaving away over advanced machinery on this one, and we cannot get two human-shaped robots to clip together as shirt and pants

This is also why I liked Gamer Edition (WFC) enough to go all in. One of the sole, weird areas of Generations where they'll still compromise poseability for alt modes; it even includes a line-wide play gimmick! An odd pocket that still feels like Generations a decade back, in ways both good and bad

Been saying this for a whiiiiile

There are scattered good alt modes across Generations, but they're far and few between

YouTube video by Soundwaves: A Transformers Publication History Transformers Huffer and a Homesick Trucker (Soundwaves Podcast Episode 5 clip) #transformers

We gotta talk about Huffer
(Soundwaves Episode 5 clip)
youtube.com/shorts/pZS99...

(And simultaneously bump down for Wild King/Cyberworld if it were released here, where there's definitely consistent fun-per-yen)

Like, to me that's just a prime(ahem) example of what I've gotten at recently in saying that, with Generations creeping into premium prices anyway and Takara-Tomy finally introducing play-first toys in their higher ranges, I feel like I might as well just bump up and minimize Gen purchases

In fairness, it's been pointed out that he's actually a 50% increase on SS86 Prime. At this range 50% is nothing to sneeze at if you're happy with '86 or specifically going for a Sunbow-styled scale line, but man, if you're shelling out for a premium OP either way, the difference is so stark to me

Yep. I genuinely appreciate that as well. The little arm wings are a nice dynamic touch, if anything.

For like the first time in 20 years, Masterpiece has made a *toy* toy

If Style Gen Hot Rod feels this good in hand, bring him on.

Prime is dense, leaves very few areas of concern for paint chipping, insanely poseable, and fun to transform (clever without being annoying, for an amazingly clean profile).

Fwiw, for roughly 30% more than SS86 Optimus, you get something here that is approximately a 1000% better toy

MPG-17 Optimus kneeling and contemplating a Chiikawa, raised up to face level in one open hand

You best believe I am sticking every ROTB Battle Master on him for photos

MPG-17 Optimus vehicle mode

MPG-17 Optimus vehicle mode

MPG-17 Optimus robot mode with blade accessories

MPG-17 Optimus robot mode with blade accessories up close

I'm, like, a sensible collector. I am unswayed by attempts to be self-consciously slick

But this is so god damn cool man

Screw it, toy of the year
(Is what I would say if I hadn't pre-ordered AMT-02...)

Thanks for listening and for the feedback!

Also considering whether we should just do the summaries along with each issue discussion rather than frontloading them

I've said this a lot. People often say they like gimmicks as long as they don't "compromise the toy." Articulation is a(n often fun!) gimmick the core toy of Transformers often gets compromised for

Many bots have ended up with fiddlier transformations or more compromised alt modes for it

I genuinely think the obsession with articulation is hurting Transformers as a whole, it gets prioritised over literally everything else

A toyline where the main thing is changing shape in interesting ways, being obsessed with standard humanoid articulation hinders transformation

(G1 Encore Reissue Constructicons (anime colors), Dramatic Capture Series Soundwave, G1 Encore Reissue Megatron)

Related toy gallery

On Insta: www.instagram.com/p/DUQlLVykwk...

Or in thread

(Dramatic Capture Series Shockwave and Optimus)

YouTube video by Soundwaves: A Transformers Publication History End of Year 1 (Marvel US #9–13; June–Oct. 1985)

For those interested: Episode 5 of Soundwaves, a fledgling podcast in which my first-time reader partner and I tackle the TFs' comics/manga history together, is now up on YouTube and streaming platforms. (Lmk if it's missing on your preferred one)! Covering Marvel US 9–13. Toy gallery below!

What they should have done...well what they should have done is not make toys of the 13 at all because they're a stupid concept with no presence. But if they had to, this guy should have been a leader that's a two-piece combiner.

AMT-01 Rodimus in low-angle running, gunning, phoning pose

IDW Sunstreaker homage featuring Unite Warriors Sunstreaker, G1 Scorponok, driver figure from Missing Link Sunstreaker, Reactivate Starscream and Gamer Edition WFC Sideswipe

Siege Roadhandler in top of alt mode Unite Warriors Sunstreaker

Wild King Hydrophant, Abyssrain, and Frostsaber action setup w/ water effect parts

That's also why I always try to post both modes even when doing scene recreation—the transformation is what makes TF toys their little unique genre —of course sometimes it's fun just to let loose and see how far you can push dynamism without misrepresenting them too.

Legends Super Ginrai and G1 Scorponok in a "Surrender!" (Marvel US) homage

Studio Series BBM Arcee and Sunstreaker, Gamer Edition WFC Sideswipe in an IDW "Life of Sideswipe" homage

Legacy Core Class Dinobots and Fanbook 2025 Megatron in a Marvel US #8 homage

Core Class Ratchet and Fanbook ' 25 Megs in a Marvel US #7 homage

Not to sound too heady about a little recreation hobby. But, to me, that's the space TF lives in. It's why I'm not big on over-processing, and also enjoying doing media scenes as accurately as *possible,* while not hiding and even highlighting figures' limitations in achieving them.

Robot Masters Starscream and Generations WFC Ravage in an "Enemy Within" (Marvel UK homage)

G1 Megatron and Optimus in a "Raiders of the Last Ark" (Marvel UK) homage

AMT-01 Rodimus and G1 Lost Light crew members in an MTME #1 cover homage

G1 Rodimus and Galvatron in a Marvel '86 movie adaptation homage

Was thinking recently about how I do TF toy photography/what I like to capture. I do a lot of media recreations, but am intentionally minimal on BGs, props, no articulation fudging, etc. I think: I want to celebrate the media, the toy, and the gap between them that imagination fills.

Rereading a bit of IDW, and I have to say, starting the first hardcover off with Megatron Origin and several spotlights was an unimaginably bad idea. (This time as last, I started on Infiltration, as any readthrough should.)

I laughed out loud at the bit with the woman pushing the attendant the first time I saw this a few weeks back.

Like she just can't wait to push one. Get one beer in her and step back if there's a station attendant in sight