Takara Tomy shows prototypes of Masterpiece Hot Rod and a surprise Masterpiece Shockwave, two days after Cloud 9 revealed its own unofficial Shockwave. Robots in Disguise gets a second season, which is being offered to distributors worldwide. A Titans Return trademark hints at what follows Combiner Wars. Two companies announce IDW-style upgrade kits for Combiner Wars Optimus Prime, and a new third party shows an IDW Thunderwing. Exvee hosts while Brian is away, and Diecast shows off a FansToys Grenadier test shot.
This Week in History
In 1985, “Enter the Nightbird” premieres in the US. The crew notes the first official transforming Nightbird, Takara Tomy’s Legends retool of Arcee, arrives in about three weeks. Several hosts love its clean silver and black look, and Don is now tempted by the Legends Blackarachnia. In 1999, the fighting game Beast Wars Metals is released in Japan for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64. The crew notes the Nintendo 64 version later came to the US as a Blockbuster rental exclusive and had more characters and story.
News
Robots in Disguise Renewed for Season Two
Robots in Disguise is getting a second season. Exvee notes it is being offered to distributors worldwide, so the US home could even change from Cartoon Network. Cartoon Network is currently rerunning season one at 5:30 a.m. Central. [Source: not found]
Masterpiece Hot Rod and Masterpiece Shockwave Prototypes
After a Figure King tease, Takara Tomy shows a prototype Masterpiece Hot Rod and a surprise Masterpiece Shockwave. Cloud 9 had shown its unofficial Shockwave just two days earlier, and Quakewave is getting a rerelease. The crew says third parties racing Takara to Masterpiece-style figures is a risky game. Don likes Shockwave’s look but has never needed an upgrade of the character. Several hosts expect it to follow Masterpiece Grimlock’s approach of pushing a G1-style transformation. A light-up feature is reported, which one host hopes stays inside the gun arm.
Hot Rod looks rougher at this stage, with the car shell collapsing into the torso and the limbs tucked underneath. The crew worries about structural strength and panel lines but expects the chest to look better once painted. Preorders opened at $89.99, which puts him in the Autobot car size class rather than Rodimus Prime’s. Matt wants a Hot Rod that can transform every way he did in the movie. One host hopes it is sturdier than Masterpiece Rodimus and gets a recolor in the e-Hobby black Rodimus colors. [Source: not found]
Robots in Disguise Legion and Mini-Con Assortments
New Legion and Mini-Con assortments for Robots in Disguise are due in November. The photos finally show Legion Windblade transformed correctly. The crew is charmed by Legion Clampdown and wants more of the show’s oddball Decepticon designs as larger toys. [Source: TFormers]
Combiner Wars Combaticons In-Hand Photos
In-hand photos show the Combiner Wars Combaticons in packaging. The crew spots a mistransformed turret on Brawl. Several hosts want Onslaught, Brawl and Swindle but are less excited about Vortex and Blast Off. One host says the reused molds already look dated. Another notes he will keep his Warbotron Bruticus as his main version. The crew praises Combiner Wars toys as sturdy, playable figures. [Source: TFW2005]
Titans Return Trademark Found
Hasbro has registered a new Transformers trademark: Titans Return. Exvee wonders whether it replaces Titan Wars as the name or serves as a sub-brand. The crew reads it as a sign the line will move past Combiner Wars sooner than expected. [Source: not found]
GOD-01 Thunderstorm, an Unofficial IDW Thunderwing
A new third-party company shows GOD-01 Thunderstorm, based on Don Figueroa’s IDW Thunderwing design from Stormbringer. Exvee has always wanted a toy of the design, where the jet parts become a cape and the figure can shift into a super robot mode. He will take a chance if the price is sane. The crew is encouraged that it is a real prototype and not just a render. [Source: not found]
Two IDW Optimus Prime Upgrade Kits for Combiner Wars
Two companies announce kits that turn Combiner Wars Optimus Prime into the IDW version. SND’s kit opened for preorder at about $50 and also comes in a Nova Prime version. Beelzeboss’s kit wraps the base figure and extends the thighs. Both bring the figure up to leader-class height. One host prefers the Beelzeboss kit and hopes it comes in cheaper. [Source: not found]
New color test shots show Pandimus, the giant unofficial Scorponok. One host says he was more impressed by the gray prototype. Don compares it to the gap between a Figuarts figure and an S.I.C. figure. Exvee calls it a Super Robot Chogokin-style take on a city-sized Scorponok and still likes it. John says a black repaint will be the real wallet killer. [Source: TFormers]
DX9 Hulky Color Test Shots
DX9 shows color test shots of Hulky, its Legends-scale Devastator, now with an add-on crotch plate after fan complaints. The crew likes the green, but some want to see it painted. At about $45 per two-pack, the full set may cost around $150. [Source: not found]
New York Comic Con Wish List
Diecast will attend Hasbro’s pre-New York Comic Con event during the next live show. The crew wants Titan Wars news, new Combiner Wars molds and, in their dreams, Technobots. They also hope to learn more about the Combiner Wars animated series.
What We Got This Week
Diecast
Diecast got a test shot of FansToys Grenadier just as production copies reach stores. He found it less complicated than expected and says it is hefty and feels like a quality figure.
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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