Radio Free Cybertron reaches episode 500 with a three-hour review of 2016 in Transformers. The crew grades its 2016 predictions, and Matt goes a perfect two for two. Then it tells the year’s story: Titans Return leaks, Masterpiece Optimus Primal, a flood of unofficial Springers and Fans Toys’ two-part Omega Supreme. Media covers IDW’s Revolution, the Combiner Wars cartoon and The Last Knight trailer. Rob Springer adds a Being Awesome special on RFC’s history, and everyone names a favorite toy and story.

2016 Predictions Scorecard

Matt hit both of his picks, a Unite Warriors Computron and Masterpiece Inferno. John’s Masterpiece Jazz did not happen, and Generation Toy’s unofficial J4ZZ does not count. Diecast went zero for three on a Headmaster Arcee, a G2 Defensor and a Masterpiece Hound. Don’s new Arcee did not come, and Masterpiece Megatron is still on the way. Chris was right that 2016 brought more Transformers toys, half right on Robots in Disguise and wrong about a Masterpiece Galvatron.

The Year of Leaks

Early 2016 brought a steady stream of leaks from one Chinese social media poster. Titans Return package art, Combiner Wars box art and early figure photos spoiled much of Toy Fair and BotCon. A color and plastic guide leak in April showed Voyager Optimus Prime, Megatron, Hot Rod and Sixshot. The crew worried it could cost Hasbro artists their jobs. They credit the leaks with pushing Hasbro to step up its own social media.

Titans Return

Titans Return began with Leader Soundwave and Soundblaster in January. SDCC brought Fortress Maximus with the Master Sword, and Legends Fortress Maximus shipped with its sound chip. The Walgreens exclusive Brainstorm was found at a Kentucky Walmart before finally shipping in late October. CybertronCon revealed Sixshot’s six modes, including a submarine. New York Comic Con showed Sixshot, Broadside, Sky Shadow, Perceptor and a single leg of Trypticon. Diecast asked Hasbro’s John Warden to flip the submarine upside down and was told no. One host names the Legends Sharkticons a highlight of the year.

Masterpiece

Takara Tomy marked Beast Wars’ 20th anniversary with Masterpiece Optimus Primal, which several hosts pick as toy of the year. Masterpiece Cheetor followed in photos, and the crew is impressed by its engineering. MP-30 Ratchet, MP-31 Delta Magnus and Masterpiece Shockwave all arrived. Masterpiece Inferno’s hidden ladder transformation amazed the crew, and Grapple and Artfire follow. MP-36 Megatron was confirmed for about $230, and Hasbro Asia announced a Shattered Glass Masterpiece Optimus Prime.

Combiners

Unite Warriors teased Bruticus with a shuttle-shaped arm, then delivered Blast Off, a different Computron and Lynxmaster. Megatronia and Baldigus came next. Combiner Wars gave fans Computron with rocker ankles and an official Liokaiser set. The May Mayhem Deluxe Groove release was a mess because only part of the production run was ready in time.

Third-Party Pileups

Third parties kept colliding on the same characters. Toy World, Unique Toys, Fans Toys, Mastermind Creations with OcularMax and Openplay all announced Masterpiece-style Springers. Multiple Trailbreakers and Hoists, two Sixshots and several Infernos also appeared. Fans Toys’ two-part Terminus Giganticus felt to one host like the moment third party jumped the shark. Planet X answered with a two-part Trypticon. Iron Factory’s Lord Scorpion lost preorders once its small size was revealed. Fans Toys’ Phoenix and Sovereign and MakeToys’ Contact Shot drew real excitement.

Comics and Media

IDW earned ten Eisner nominations, and More Than Meets the Eye was named best science fiction comic of 2016 by ComicsAlliance. Transformers vs. G.I. Joe ended with issue #13, and IDW launched its shared Revolution universe. Rob says the Transformers books have mostly held up since Revolution. The 1986 movie got a remastered US Blu-ray, and lost G1 voice tapes were discovered. Most of the crew calls the Combiner Wars animated series the worst Transformers cartoon yet, citing its writing and audio. Diecast liked it, and the crew agrees Megatron was its best part.

Events and the Movie

BotCon 2016 featured Judd Nelson as VIP guest and a Stan Bush and Vince DiCola concert. Hasbro then announced HasCon for September 8 to 10 in Providence, plus a new fan club for 2017. The Last Knight trailer drew more traffic than any other story of the year. Hasbro also reported its best third quarter ever, with Transformers growing in a non-movie year.

Being Awesome with Rob Springer

Rob Springer hijacks the show for a special Being Awesome. He recalls finding RFC’s first episode on the Transformers newsgroups in 1999 while studying internet radio in college. He describes sending segments, his short-lived TFBBQ podcast and RFC’s return after Revenge of the Fallen. In the Q&A, Eric Crownover asks whether he prefers Megatron or Galvatron. Rob picks Galvatron, except for the Marvel G2 comics Megatron.

Favorites of 2016

Brian picks Masterpiece Optimus Primal as his toy of the year and The Last Knight trailer as his story.

Don picks the 1986 movie Blu-ray as his story. Trigger Happy is his top official toy, but Fans Toys’ Stomp is his overall pick.

Diecast picks the Fans Toys Phoenix announcement and Masterpiece Inferno.

Matt picks IDW’s ten Eisner nominations and Unite Warriors Computron.

Rob picks the new fan club news and Combiner Wars Computron, with G2 Superion as an honorable mention.

John picks the Masterpiece Megatron confirmation and Masterpiece Optimus Primal.

Chris gives an honorable mention to the drop in leaks and picks Titans Return Hot Rod.

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