BotCon 2010’s exclusive set will celebrate Transformers Generation 2, and the Radio Free Cybertron crew thinks it’s a perfect convention theme. This March 24, 2010 episode welcomes guests Chris McFeely, Hey Mickey and TFG1Mike. The crew also covers new Power Core Combiners photos, the Hasbro Masterpiece Grimlock and Last Stand of the Wreckers #3. A long discussion of the G2 comic, toys and cartoon wraps up the show.
News
BotCon 2010 Goes Generation 2
BotCon revealed this week that its 2010 exclusive set has a Generation 2 theme, which surprised nobody after earlier hints. The crew loves the Pyro preview, and a rumor points to Rapido, both from the European G2 era. One host expects Clench, citing a fan photo edit made from Universe Onslaught. Pyro’s role in Last Stand of the Wreckers may raise his profile.
The crew agrees obscure characters suit a collector’s convention, since big names are better saved for retail. One host hopes the set doesn’t sell out instantly like the last two years. Others wish for a gold chrome Classics Bumblebee or chrome Legends as an attendee exclusive. [Source: not found]
New Power Core Combiners Photos
New photos of Power Core Combiners have the crew excited, and even skeptics are warming up. They like the alt modes, including the double-rotor helicopter, and new angles on Smolder. The big selling point is that the limbs flip between vehicle and limb modes automatically. One host still finds Chopster’s axe mode awkward. [Source: not found]
Hasbro Masterpiece Grimlock Details
New photos of Hasbro’s Masterpiece Grimlock show duller teeth and slight color changes, which the crew shrugs off as child safety. It includes the crown, the clear sword and the gun. The Canadian price is $69.99, about half what the Japanese version cost. [Source: not found]
Alternity Ultra Magnus Revealed
Photos surfaced of the e-Hobby exclusive Alternity Ultra Magnus, a plain white Optimus Prime repaint. The crew calls it disappointing next to the G2 Laser Optimus Prime repaint, and balks at Alternity’s price of about $60 for a deluxe-sized figure. Chris McFeely says the figures run 35 to 40 pounds in the UK no matter where you buy them. [Source: not found]
Japanese Animated Arcee Colors
Photos show the colors of the Japanese Transformers Animated Arcee. Several hosts still can’t find the US release, and one fears it may never turn up. [Source: not found]
Transformers Cologne
Hasbro is releasing a Transformers cologne. The crew jokes about whether it smells like a Transformer or a Transformers fan. [Source: not found]
Moonbase 2 Interviews Townsend Coleman
Chris McFeely says the Moonbase 2 podcast interviewed Townsend Coleman, voice of G1 Rewind and Animated Sentinel Prime. He calls it the best interview they’ve done.
The Awesome Arcee Contest
Ender reads the rules for the TFormers.com and Radio Free Cybertron Awesome Arcee contest. Prizes are five Dreamwave Arcee lithographs, two Transformers Animated Arcee figures and one 2007 movie Arcee. Enter by becoming a TFormers.com fan on Facebook or following on Twitter, before 5 p.m. Eastern on March 31, 2010. The first winner will be announced on next week’s live show.
ToyCast Recon Ravage Giveaway
TFG1Mike says ToyCast is giving away a Recon Ravage to celebrate its 50th episode. Enter by MP3 or voicemail before the deadline he gives, March 29.
Big Bad Toy Store
The Fans Project Warbot Defender is in stock at Big Bad Toy Store. One host says BBTS replaced a defective City Commander part with no questions asked.
This Day in History
JD notes that Simon Furman was born March 22, 1961. Chris McFeely tells how Furman, asked about Revenge of the Fallen, said “if anybody can f*** it up, they can.” He also wondered aloud whether he’d get credit for creating the Fallen.
Comics
Ender likes Transformers: Nefarious #1 by Simon Furman, a Soundwave story with art by Carlos Magno. He says it works because it strays far from the movies. Last Stand of the Wreckers #3 gets raves as maybe the best comic on the market, with a shocking death for Rotorstorm. The crew loves its Hitchhiker’s Guide-style narration and a Doctor Who nod.
Generation 2 Discussion
The crew revisits the Marvel Generation 2 comic. They call it a product of the 1990s that still stays coherent, with a strong Optimus Prime, a dangerous Megatron and Furman’s best Grimlock. They remember the foil cover of issue #1 and Megatron’s return in the G.I. Joe comic. They also like the idea of a Cybertronian Empire that kept going while the Autobots and Decepticons were gone.
On the toys, the crew defends the loud G2 colors and credits Laser Optimus Prime as a former contender for best toy ever. Gold Bumblebee and Black Sideswipe get love, and they would take a Black Sideswipe or Blue Grimlock in a BotCon set. Opinions on the G2 Autobot symbol are split. Everyone remembers G2 Megatron’s “Megatron attack!” voice chip.
The G2 cartoon’s Cybernet Space Cube transitions draw mixed reactions. Chris McFeely was just thrilled to see Transformers on Irish TV again in the late 1990s. Another host says G2 was his first exposure to Transformers. One host would rather watch the Rhino G1 DVDs.
RFC Notes
Next week’s Radio Free Cybertron is live at 8 p.m. Eastern. Listeners can join by emailing brian@tfradio.net with a Skype ID. The crew also plugs new sponsor ValueMags.
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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