Hasbro reveals Transformers R.E.D., a line of non-transforming six-inch figures, and most of the crew is not sold. The Transformers Instagram announces a Back to the Future 35th anniversary crossover, and War for Cybertron: Siege gets a July 30 Netflix date. Studio Series 65 Blitzwing’s jet mode disappoints, while the Fans Hobby Machine Eagle test shot impresses. Brian dives into Transformers Go and Alternity, and Diecast lands a second Netflix Hotlink.
Brian confirms that Fan First Friday for Transformers is finally happening, with a news desk recap to follow. It’s a Don Deal is now posted. The Toy Detectives, a patron-exclusive podcast, and a new RFC Throwback with collecting tips and tricks are headed to patrons.
News
Transformers R.E.D. Toyline Revealed
Hasbro’s R.E.D. line, short for Robot Enhanced Design, offers six-inch, non-transforming figures based closely on the G1 cartoon. Optimus Prime and Megatron lead the line. Walmart data adds Transformers Prime Arcee, Cheetor, Soundwave and a R.E.D. Bumblebee. Most of the crew dislikes the execution, and one host compares Hasbro’s acronyms to 2003-era Bandai. One theory holds that the figures cost as much as a deluxe with far less engineering, so the margins are higher. One host pitches Devcon, Alpha Trion, Grimlock’s bot and Autobot Spike as good fits. Don argues collectors now accept non-transforming figures if they represent a favorite character well. One host wishes they were larger at a $30 price point. Ant at TFU.info tells Brian he thinks the line could cover 1984 and 1985 characters if Studio Series moves on. [Source: TFU.info, Twitter]
Back to the Future 35th Anniversary Crossover Announced
The Transformers Instagram teased a Back to the Future collaboration for the movie’s 35th anniversary. One host hopes for the Back to the Future Part III train as Astrotrain. An earlier Amazon listing for a “Project Future” deluxe may point to a DeLorean. The crew hopes it lands at standard Generations scale rather than Ectotron’s Masterpiece-adjacent size. Don asks whether licensing could keep the mold from being reused, like the Alero Swerve. The crew suspects license terms limit reuse. A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover that surfaced the same day turned out to be a hoax. [Source: TFU.info, Twitter]
War for Cybertron: Siege Starts July 30 on Netflix
The Netflix series now has a premiere date. The trailer looks better than earlier Transformers animation, but the crew finds the voice acting flat. They blame the direction, not the actors, and note it is a non-union production. Writers include Brandon Easton, F.J. DeSanto and George Krstic, creator of Megas XLR. The crew is glad it avoids stunt casting. [Source: What’s on Netflix, Twitter]
New Look at Studio Series 65 Blitzwing
New photos show added dark gray paint around the cockpit. The movie Blitzwing is an F-4 Phantom II, but the toy’s jet mode looks nothing like one. One host calls the jet mode “a box with wings” and is very unimpressed. Another likes it and notes it is closer to G1 Blitzwing. A third-party alt mode kit already exists. [Source: Unicron.com News, Twitter]
Generations Selects IDW Centurion Spotted
Paladin shared a photo in the RFC Discord of a gray Brunt redeco as the IDW Centurion droid. Brunt’s robot mode was based on the Centurion from IDW’s Stormbringer miniseries. One host thinks it is real because the gray looks like unpainted plastic, not paint. One host plans to troop build at least three. [Source: Seibertron.com, Twitter]
Earthrise Skywarp Variant Without the Screaming Face
Rick Alvarez reports a Target Earthrise Skywarp variant that drops the screaming alternate face. One host wants one and is watching BrickSeek. Don relays a Target toy lead’s view that online orders bounce between stores before canceling, and another host is skeptical. The crew believes Eastern distribution centers have not received the exclusive yet, so fans should not pay scalpers. [Source: not found]
Transformers x Quiccs Soundwave Vinyl Bust
Quiccs opened preorders for a $250 Soundwave vinyl bust with free shipping. The crew calls it one of the good statue-style pieces but not their kind of collectible. [Source: TFW2005, Twitter]
Fans Hobby Machine Eagle Test Shot
Fans Hobby’s take on Machine Wars Optimus Prime, based on Lightning Eagle, shows up in test shots. One host calls it gorgeous and has a soft spot for Machine Wars. It includes both a faceplate and a faceless option. The crew wonders whether Hasbro could make an official Thunderclash, but they distrust gold plastic. Brian also bought a second Ectotron to keep in the box. [Source: Fans Hobby, Twitter]
What We Got This Week
Diecast
Diecast found a second Netflix Hotlink at Walmart, since his first had a warped chest. The crew notes Netflix Ultra Magnus packs marked down below $20 at one Walmart.
Brian
Brian’s big Big Bad Toy Store order filled in Transformers Go, a line he admits he has never watched. It included Disney Label Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. His first Alternity figure is Optimus Prime as the Nissan GT-R in Vibrant Red. He also got a reproduction cartridge of Beast Wars Transmetals for the Nintendo 64. Two more 1985 McDonald’s Happy Meal Transformers, Bumblebee and Brawn, put him at 13 or 14.
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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