The 2020 Transformers Hall of Fame fan vote opens, asking fans to pick a Transformers Prime character and an Earthrise toy. Hasbro sets the PulseCon exclusive sale for September 23 and 24, one per customer, with a sneak peek stream on the 22nd. Factory sample photos give first looks at a Kingdom Fossilizer and Studio Series 86 Kup and Hot Rod. Chris hosts while Brian is away, and John finally completes Studio Series Devastator.

News

PulseCon 2020 Exclusives Go on Sale September 23 and 24

The PulseCon exclusives go up for Pulse Premium members on September 23 and for everyone on September 24, both at noon Eastern. Each exclusive is limited to one per customer. A PulseCon sneak peek stream runs on September 22 ahead of the event itself on the 25th and 26th. The crew hopes the limit prevents a flash sellout. One host notes it also keeps the crew from helping each other, since everyone wants the Quintesson Pit of Judgment. Matt recalls last year’s small Premium allotment, and the crew shares checkout tips like not leaving items in the cart. [Source: Hasbro Pulse on Instagram] [Source: Hasbro Pulse on Instagram]

First Look at a Kingdom Fossilizer, Studio Series 86 Kup and Hot Rod

Photos of factory samples show a Kingdom Fossilizer T-Rex whose skull piece looks like the screaming mace from the original Optimus Primal. Fans hope multiple Fossilizers can be built into skeletal abominations. Kup looks great, though his chest is square because it doubles as the truck’s windshield. Hot Rod is badly mistransformed in the photos. Chris McFeely tweeted that he may do the shoulder flip from the movie, which Don has long wanted. Hot Rod is rumored to be a small Voyager like Cliffjumper, with extra parts and probably a visor gimmick. The crew also discusses why factory leaks keep coming. [Source: not found]

The 2020 Transformers Hall of Fame Voting

Hasbro opened the 2020 Hall of Fame vote with two categories: a Transformers Prime robot character and an Earthrise toy. Several listed toys are not out yet, and exclusives are not eligible. Chris voted for Earthrise Smokescreen and Knock Out, hoping a win prompts a Prime 10th anniversary Knock Out. Another host picked Voyager Starscream, and Brian, just back, voted for Earthrise Optimus Prime. One host likes Bulkhead. Chris saved screenshots of the ballot on tfradio.net. [Source: The Toy Book]

What Color Is Netflix Soundwave’s Visor?

Chris wrote an article on Netflix edition Soundwave’s visor. The render showed yellow, the production samples and stock photos showed red, and a newer in-hand photo on Weibo shows yellow again. He compares it to Earthrise Optimus Prime’s hand color changes and expects the answer only once one is in hand. The crew also vents about Walmart.com delays on Netflix preorders.

What We Got This Week

Matt

Matt found the G1 reissue Blaster. The foil stickers come pre-applied, and his Autobot symbol is crooked. Amazon delivered eight Quintesson Allicons, with two more coming from Hasbro Pulse. He loves how simple and solid they are.

Rob

Rob’s only pickup this week was not Transformers.

Don

Don got the reissue Blaster to keep sealed next to his reissue Soundwave. His Quintesson arrived from Amazon, while Runamuck and Smokescreen are still pending. At Target he found Studio Series Cliffjumper and Topspin, giving him a complete set of movie Wreckers for the first time. He also got Studio Series Blitzwing, his most anticipated figure since Studio Series Sideswipe.

John

John completed Studio Series Devastator with Skipjack and Overload from Hasbro Pulse. Building it took about three hours with a YouTube video for reference. He is disappointed it stands upright instead of hunched like the movie, so he plans a $50 third-party upgrade kit. The major joints are solid, and he calls Overload super nice on his own.

Diecast

Diecast got the Target exclusive Studio Series Leadfoot, a squat little guy with a GM license QR code on the box. He also got Earthrise Airwave, his third Allicon and an extra Earthrise Arcee he did not realize he ordered.

Chris

Chris is unhappy with Studio Series Blitzwing, whose jet mode looks more like a Eurofighter than the movie’s F-4 Phantom. His copy’s right wing will not close, though both hands swap out on 5mm pegs. From Paladin he got another Robots in Disguise Warrior Class Blur to someday commission as Hot Shot. He also got TakaraTomy’s Fall of Cybertron Air Raid. His Earthrise Coneheads set finally arrived with no defects. His highlight is Earthrise Smokescreen, which he calls the first truly great Generations Datsun. He likes it as much as Reveal the Shield Jazz.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:43:18 — 94.8MB) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More