Radio Free Cybertron hits episode 800 and its 23rd anniversary, with John DeLuna back and Jen “Trixter” filling in for the newly married Don. Brian recalls the nine-minute first episode from October 1999, made before the word podcast existed. That makes Radio Free Cybertron the world’s first and oldest toy and action figure podcast. Walmart Collector Con brings a magenta Retro Hot Rod, and Masterpiece Suiken’s official photos test Brian’s resolve. Michelle Yeoh and Pete Davidson join Rise of the Beasts as Airazor and Mirage, and the EarthSpark trailer reveals a very different Megatron.

Jen joins the show as a guest. She co-hosts Stasis Pod at Iacon Underground and posts her media preservation projects at trixter.neocities.org. Brian also kicks off this year’s Elf on a Shelf Warmer toy drive. The wish list for donations is at tfradio.net/elf.

News

Reports of Hasbro Layoffs

Unconfirmed reports say Hasbro has started layoffs, following the cost-cutting goals from Investor Day. Chris has heard secondhand that the Transformers team members fans know are safe, and that the number is under 100. One host notes Hasbro named Transformers and LEGO among its focus areas, which bodes well for the brand. [Source: not found]

Official Photos of Masterpiece Suiken

One host preordered the next Masterpiece trainbot through Amazon, grudgingly, and wishes he had never started with Shouki. The crew likes the green and orange colors. Jen says her train-loving nephews are the wrong age for a toy this fragile. [Source: TakaraTomy Mall]

Walmart Collector Con Brings Retro Movie Hot Rod and Starscream

The Retro The Transformers: The Movie line adds Starscream in bright animation colors and a magenta Hot Rod. One host loves the Hot Rod and wishes the box had a window. Evan Brooks posted a side-by-side of the magenta Hot Rod with a toy-colored G1 Hot Rod. Velocitron Crasher, Shadowstrip and the other Hot Rod were never offered for preorder. Brian’s theory is that they are already in distribution. Hyper Shadow in Discord says Burnout and Clampdown repeat in the second assortment. Most hosts report wave one deluxes warming shelves, except Cosmos. [Source: Hasbro Pulse]

Galaxy Shuttle Head Was Built into the Astrotrain Mold

Mark Maher’s Instagram photos of Galaxy Shuttle reveal that its head was designed into Siege Astrotrain’s mold from the start. One host would have picked an Armada Jetfire head. Another wishes Galaxy Shuttle were a character instead of a base. [Source: Mark Maher, Instagram]

Michelle Yeoh and Pete Davidson Join Rise of the Beasts

Michelle Yeoh voices Airazor and Pete Davidson voices Mirage. One host doubts Davidson is right for such a prominent role unless he is a fan. Another calls movie voice casting a publicity stunt. The crew praises Marvel Studios for hiring real voice actors, and someone notes John DiMaggio voiced Crosshairs. [Source: Instagram]

New Transformers: EarthSpark Trailer Shows a Friendly Megatron

The trailer shows Megatron on good terms with the Autobots and the human family. Chris notes his insignia suggests he and Optimus are both retired. One host finds it weird but is willing to see where it goes. Another warns against a midseason heel turn, recalling Drift’s betrayal in Cyberverse. One host would be happy if Optimus and Megatron barely appear. [Source: YouTube]

EarthSpark Deluxes Go Up on Hasbro Pulse

Three EarthSpark deluxes went up on Hasbro Pulse and sold out. Chris expects them to feel like Cyberverse deluxes, and the crew debates how those compared with Robots in Disguise Warrior Class toys. [Source: Hasbro Pulse]

Ben Covers New York Comic Con and Super Shogun Transformers

Brian points listeners to Ben’s New York Comic Con coverage, including the Beast Wars panel with Mainframe. Ben also posted Super7’s Super Shogun Transformers and reviewed the first EarthSpark episode ahead of its November 11 Paramount+ debut. [Source: BWTF Ben, Twitter]

What We Got This Week

Chris

Chris got Generations Selects DK-3 Breaker, the Diaclone Trailbreaker, and is done with the mold. His copy has loose leg tabs and joints that sag. He wishes it used the Hoist head instead of the character-specific Trailbreaker head. He still wants a red Diaclone Mirage and plans to get Shattered Glass Perceptor.

Jen

Jen left Studio Series Perceptor at Walmart in favor of her Big Bad Toy Store preorder. She got Legacy Elita-1 from Entertainment Earth, likes the three shades of pink and finds her solid. Her highlight is Legacy Jhiaxus, the G2 comic villain she waited for since high school. She loves that Hasbro kept his deliberately awkward jet mode and grimacing face.

Matt

Matt’s DK-3 Breaker has no loose joints, and he loves the almost indigo blue. Like Chris, he wishes it used the Hoist head. He also got Tonkanator for $20 off at Target. His Minerva preorder is not due until April.

Rob

Matt sent Rob a Unite Warriors Computron nosecone, based on the Rook mold, which Rob calls gorgeous. Walmart finally delivered his Velocitron Blur, which he finds a bit too muted. Legacy Tarantulas is fantastic and easy to transform.

John

John got DK-3 Breaker and agrees with everyone. He finally opened Legacy Tarantulas and calls it fantastic in every mode.

Diecast

Diecast also got DK-3 Breaker.

Brian

Brian bought a PlayStation VR just to play Transformers: Beyond Reality. He calls it on-rails but worth $20 if you already have the hardware. He finds the G.I. Joe x Transformers H.I.S.S. Tank Megatron hollow, with a 2013 third-party feel, though the Baroness comes on a new card. He is now two Brawn variants away from all 24 documented 1985 St. Louis Happy Meal Transformers. He also added a boxed vintage Rodimus Prime.

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