Thanks to Jtprime and HyperShauta who’ve been working overtime combing through inventory databases to find the good stuff for us, we’ve got some more looks at what’s due to come our way in next year’s collector lines.
On the Legacy side, we have one particular notable find: Voyager Metalhawk! The lead theory at the moment is a retool or “partial” from one of this year’s toys such as Armada Starscream or perhaps Jhiaxus. This of course is not the first time Metalhawk has found his way to a Hasbro Transformers line, appearing previously as both a little Prime Master representing the Pretender armor, and as a Triggerhappy retool in a store exclusive boxset a short time before that. Not to mention a Botcon attempt at the character a few years prior. This will be the first time the character is a major toy offering at general retail in Hasbro’s markets.
The rest of the finds are relevant to Studio Series. A few Rise of the Beasts tie ins are already in systems. These are codenamed, but most of the code has been cracked already, so we have the following: Deluxe George (Bumblebee), Deluxe Titan (Airazor), Voyager Butch (Cheetor), Voyager Apollo (as yet undecoded), Leader Oscar (Scourge) and Leader Cyclops (Optimus Primal).
Apollo is the only one that hasn’t been clearly linked with an actual character identity, but it’s probably only a matter of time before a link is established.
Outside of the new movie, a couple listings remain: Confirmation of Leader class Snarl coming next year in the 86 imprint, locking in our fourth of five Dinobots. And then something a little more curious, in the form of a listing for Studio Series Deluxe WFC Bumblebee. The popular conclusion for this is Studio Series perhaps reaching towards the High Moon Studios video game designs. It’s an idea that isn’t without merit, but it’s not the only possibility. More mundane could be something as simple as the Origin Bumblebee mold being given a Siege-style damage deco and sold as WFC Trilogy Bumblebee. Because let’s be honest, the first time Studio Series went beyond live action movie toys, virtually anything became fair game. It only takes attributing it to a movie, or the work of a “studio”. That’s a lot of potential ground to mine to keep a successful product category alive.
Thanks to all of our Patrons who are making this possible! Join our Patreon and let’s make awesome stuff happen!
Please support RFC by using our Amazon referral link. Canadian fans: please use this Amazon.ca referral link. UK fans: Please use this Amazon.co.uk referral link