Rumors that Takara would reissue a wave of G1 Transformers swept alt.toys.transformers, until a translation proved them false. This August 11, 2000 Radio Free Cybertron is a light summer show. John DeLuna’s ATT Buzz also tackles a troll who wants BotCon exclusives sold online, plus the McDonald’s Beast Machines promotion. Goldimus Prime reviews Beast Machines Ultra Jetstorm and gives it a 7 out of 10.
ATT Buzz
Takara G1 Reissue Rumor Debunked
Photos of a Japanese magazine spread on G1 toys sparked rumors that Takara would reissue a batch of G1 Transformers. Doug Dillon translated the article and found it was only a fan poll on which toys to reissue. John DeLuna says ATT jumped the gun again. He argues mass G1 reissues will never happen, because retesting and updating old molds is unprofitable. [Source: alt.toys.transformers]
Troll Wants BotCon Exclusives Sold Online
A troll on ATT asked Hasbro to sell BotCon exclusives on its website. John calls the idea inane, since exclusives are the main reason many fans attend BotCon. He credits the Hartmans’ hard work and tells fans that life isn’t fair. He adds he is happy to see Cybertron City for Car Robots, a Fortress Maximus redeco, despite its ugly red and neon green. [Source: alt.toys.transformers]
McDonald’s Beast Machines Promotion Begins
The McDonald’s Beast Machines Happy Meal promotion has started, and fans seem to think the toys are worth the 50 cents. John jokes that they reek of french fries and wonders why the promotion still shares space with Hello Kitty. [Source: alt.toys.transformers]
Iacon Buzz
The Computer tries to act tough, wants a part in Terminator 3, then realizes he already told this week’s joke.
News from Cybertron
A new Happy 99 virus hits Cybertron, and Megatron crashes mid-statement. Nightscream spontaneously becomes a femme. The Computer reports from the planet Junk, a Sharkticon Energon Ball team loses to Cheetor, Rodimus and Ultra Magnus, and a GoBot science team blows itself up. Daniel Sauve wrote most of this week’s segment.
Vote Autobot
A spoof campaign ad, paid for by Optimus Prime for President 2000, closes two segments.
Site Plugs
Brian plugs a few fan sites, including a Transformers comic by SilverBoltManiac and a desktop wallpaper site.
Bad Poets Corner
This week’s poem, “In Common,” notes that Autobot leaders are always named Prime and Decepticons share only one phrase: retreat.
Toy Review: Beast Machines Ultra Jetstorm
Goldimus Prime says the jet mode closely matches the show and measures 10 inches across the wings. A lever raises a glowing missile rack and lights LEDs. The gear-driven gooseneck turn works unevenly, and the robot legs hang below the jet. Robot mode stands 10 inches tall, taller than Optimal Optimus, but suffers from kibble and a loose chest plate. He dislikes the hover mode and prefers the deluxe Jetstorm for value. Ultra Jetstorm earns a 7 out of 10. Brian says on the intro that he has seen the toy and thinks it is okay.
Radio Free Cybertron is the world's first and oldest toy and action figure podcast — broadcasting from the heart of the Transformers fan community since October 1999. What started as a scrappy fan show has grown into an institution, with nearly 1,000 episodes and over 25 years of coverage. Every week, host Brian Kilby and the RFC crew dig into the latest Transformers news, toy reveals, collecting, and everything hitting shelves from Hasbro, Takara, and beyond. No fluff, no hype — just informed, passionate collectors who have been doing this longer than anyone else on the planet. The original. The longest running. Till all are one.
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