BotCon 2013’s exclusive set theme is Machine Wars, and Pete Sinclair hints the story continues that 1997 KB Toys line without necessarily using its characters. The crew splits on whether Fun Publications can capture what made Machine Wars charming. A G1-colored Fall of Cybertron Omega Supreme is coming as a $100 shared exclusive, and Million Publishing’s United Artfire finally shows its packaging. Aimee gives Regeneration One #86 three out of five, and Brian sets a $500 goal for RFC’s Operation Beehive toy drive.
Operation Beehive
Brian asks listeners to buy Transformers, preferably shelf warmers, and donate them to Toys for Tots or another charity. Post the receipt on RFC’s Facebook page or email contact@tfradio.net by December 19. The goal is $500, and Rob Springer plans something on RTM1 if the crew hits it.
News
Takara Prime Cyberverse Easy Collection Photos
Photos show a new Takara Transformers Prime Easy Collection set of Cyberverse-size Autobots and Decepticons. JD says despite the reports, these aren’t Arms Microns, just Easy Collection figures. He explains that the Arms Micron capsule sets are standalone, while the Microns packed with figures combine into bigger weapons. [Source: not found]
Fall of Cybertron Omega Supreme Coming as a Shared Exclusive
A G1-colored Fall of Cybertron Omega Supreme, remolded from the Energon toy with a new head and hand, is coming as a $100 shared exclusive. Brian guesses the retailers are Amazon and Big Bad Toy Store. He wants it badly. [Source: not found]
United Artfire Package Images
New package images show Million Publishing’s exclusive United Artfire, which the crew has been waiting on since before BotCon. Brian notes how much mileage Hasbro has gotten from the mold. [Source: not found]
Free Kre-O Micro-Changer Coupon
Some Sunday newspapers carried a SmartSource coupon for a free Kre-O Micro-Changer blind pack and $5 off a larger set. JD notes the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun didn’t have it. [Source: not found]
Chinese New Year Optimus Prime and Gaia Unicron Two-Pack
A Transformers Prime Chinese New Year two-pack of Optimus Prime and Gaia Unicron is coming in Asia. JD isn’t excited about the Unicron, and the crew calls the combination a gimmick. [Source: not found]
Comic News
Aimee congratulates cover artist Trevor Hutchison on his marriage. She points to Emiliano Santalucia’s Transformers pop-up book and a Simon Furman teaser for Regeneration One #86. IDW Limited is offering signed, slipcased editions of a volume one collection, some with original art from Alex Milne, Casey Coller and E.J. Su, and only a few of each.
She gives Regeneration One #86, by Simon Furman, Andrew Wildman and John-Paul Bove, three out of five. Scorponok holds Grimlock prisoner on Nebulos and offers to cure him and restore his transformation if Grimlock serves him. She loves Scorponok as a villain who doesn’t need to prove he’s bad. She wishes last issue’s big reveal had landed here instead, and calls the pacing frustrating.
Rescue Bots Review: The Reign of Morocco
Aimee and Nicole review part two of the Morocco story, aired May 19, 2012. With the Morbot now Griffin Rock’s savior, the bots look for new jobs: Heatwave asks Optimus Prime for reassignment, Boulder tries art, Blades becomes a couch potato and Chase tries cooking. The kids uncover Morocco selling island tech and storing bombs. The Burns family and the bots are rehired after rescuing everyone. Morocco escapes, and they praise Tim Curry’s sinister voice.
BotCon 2013 Theme: Machine Wars
The crew digs into the BotCon 2013 theme. Machine Wars was a 1997 KB Toys line of existing G2 and European molds recast as G1 characters. JD expects a Wings of Honor story with Machine Wars branding and doubts Fun Publications can recapture the line’s goofy charm at BotCon prices. Brian loves the line’s off-model weirdness and sees a creative sandbox. One host suggests unused or overseas molds. Ideas include Energon Bruticus, Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime and the Prime Ultra Magnus. The crew agrees to hope for the best and expect the worst.
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