Radio Free Cybertron 981 features Brian, Don, Matt, Rob, Diecast, and John DeLuna. The crew covers a packed week of Transformers news including first looks at the Beast Wars 30th Anniversary Predacon Multipack, MPG-23 Secret Agent Arcee, Takaratomy New Legends NL-02 G2 Stunticons, the Mastermind Creations Vector Prime/DeLorean figure, the Macross/Transformers Synergex Basara Prime, a DNA Designs upgrade kit for Studio Series Alpha Trion, a large Blokees Defenders wave 7 reveal, MPG-18 Road Hauler, and the Vince DiCola Artistic Transformations and Protoform Sessions CD reissues. The show also discusses the Transformers × OppoSuits fashion collaboration and newly released Sunbow Archive storyboards for G1 episodes. “What We Got This Week” features Brian’s KO Metrotitan, G2 Sludge and Swoop, a sealed Sunstorm, sealed G2 Inferno, and sealed Transformers Universe Optimus Primal from a visit to Nerd Bombers in Greensboro; John DeLuna’s AFA-graded 1984 Ravage and Rumble two-pack; Don’s Outback, Cyberchanger Megatron, and a Breakaway he couldn’t transform; Rob’s Wild King additions and Apelinq from Suruga-ya; and Diecast’s KO Metroplex and DNA Designs Alpha Trion cape kit.

News

Beast Wars 30th Anniversary Predacon Multipack Seven-figure set at $220, consisting of straight reissues of the Takara Versus two-pack releases with premium paint apps. The crew generally admires the set but notes that collectors who already have the Versus versions have little reason to double-dip. Discussion focuses on whether a companion Maximal multipack is forthcoming, and the set is described as ideal for those who missed the Versus releases or the original Kingdom-era figures.

MPG-23 Secret Agent Arcee (Prototype Colors) First look at the prototype-color Arcee on the MP-51 mold. Don notes that if this had arrived before Missing Link Arcee, enthusiasm would be higher, but Missing Link has largely satisfied that gap. Discussion touches on what the next logical use of the mold could be — specifically a Paradron Medic (Lifeline), which has not yet appeared in either the Masterpiece or Missing Link lines.

Takaratomy New Legends NL-02 G2 Stunticons First-look images of the G2 color Stunticons using UV paint technology, which allowed deco hits (including roof stickers/decals) that the Hasbro versions missed. Wildrider and Breakdown still share a mold. The crew is broadly enthusiastic — Matt commits to buying two sets (vehicle and combined mode display), Brian plans at least one. Discussion expands into the ongoing absence of Battle Gaia — the crew notes that neither official nor third-party manufacturers have produced a Battle Gaia Bruticus despite the clear demand.

Takaratomy Synergex — Basara Prime (Macross Seven Crossover) In-hand images of the Macross Seven/Transformers crossover figure. The crew notes that the character — Basara’s Fire Valkyrie — was almost certainly designed around Rodimus Prime but was rebranded as Optimus Prime, likely at licensor request. Diecast points out that the alternate faces stored in the trailer look more like Rodimus than Optimus. Brian adds it to his BBTS wishlist despite it not fitting his collection.

Mastermind Creations IF-03 Chronus (Vector Prime / DeLorean) A third-party Vector Prime figure that turns into a DeLorean — alt mode not shown in official images, presumably for legal reasons. Rob explains the time-travel connection between Vector Prime and the DeLorean. Priced around $129–$133, depending on retailer.

DNA Designs DK-83 — Studio Series Alpha Trion Cape Upgrade Kit A $22 aftermarket upgrade adding a cape and improved feet to the Studio Series Transformers One Alpha Trion. Diecast is enthusiastic, having watched the film at least ten times, and ordered immediately.

Blokees Defenders Version 7 — Power of the Beast A large wave including Big Convoy (Matrix Buster deco), Lio Convoy, Black Lio Convoy, Nemesis Prime, Beast Wars Galvatron, Magmatron, Gigastorm, Shattered Glass Grimlock, Ratchet, Cliffhopper, Reformatted Galvatron, and Sludge. Brian and Diecast are both strong pickups. Note: Sludge is reportedly part of a combiner in this line.

MPG-18 Road Hauler In-hand images of the Masterpiece Grapple (Road Hauler) on the MP-33/MP-35 Inferno mold. General consensus is that the figure looks great but the price ($214 at BBTS) is difficult to justify — especially given that Masterpiece Inferno originally retailed around $149.

Vince DiCola — Artistic Transformations and Protoform Sessions CD Reissues Two landmark Transformers: The Movie–related music CDs, originally released circa 2001, are available again. Don strongly recommends both, describing Artistic Transformations as acoustic interpretations of film themes and Protoform Sessions as an early-works look at DiCola’s compositional process — including alternate vocalists on “The Touch” and “Dare.” The two-CD set is about $26 plus shipping. Brian purchases on the spot.

Transformers × OppoSuits Fashion Collaboration A Transformers-themed suit, shorts/shirt set, and Hawaiian shirt collaboration with OppoSuits. The suit is $130. The crew finds the concept amusing but not particularly wearable; Don (a former Men’s Warehouse employee) is particularly appalled by the suit. The Beast Wars Hawaiian shirt gets qualified approval for resort contexts.

Sunbow Archive — G1 Storyboards The Ultimate Doom Part 3 and Countdown to Extinction storyboards are newly available on the Sunbow Archive website. Of note: Skyfire/Jetfire appears in toy form in the boards, and is labeled “Jetfire” — evidence of the pre-production name change.

What We Got This Week

Brian: KO Metro Titan (AliExpress, ~$17 + shipping); G2 Sludge and Swoop (Studio Series); a sealed 2009 Sunstorm (Mandarake); from Nerd Bombers (Greensboro, NC): sealed Transformers Universe Optimus Primal ($55) and sealed G2 Inferno ($90 — described as “less than three figures”).

John DeLuna: AFA-graded 1984 G1 Ravage and Rumble two-pack — original first release with metal feet, no rub signs, purchased by his mother-in-law at an estate sale for $1. Graded AFA 70. John also discusses the AFA submission process in detail, including the online form, four-to-five month turnaround, and the hermetically sealed acrylic case.

Don: Outback (found at a Walmart near his in-laws, approximately seven on shelf after widespread Walmart cancellations); a car-to-Pegasus automorphing magnetic toy (~$7 on Amazon); Cyberchanger Megatron (new mold, not a Cyberverse repaint — includes pivoting turret, blast effect, and bendy mace); Breakaway (Walmart, soccer ball alt mode — could not transform in 30 minutes pre-show, describes 32-step transformation with 12–14 steps just for the arms).

Rob: Wild King additional figures (giraffe with Optimus Prime, rhino and triceratops); Apelinq leader class from Rise of the Beasts (Suruga-ya). Also reports ongoing DHL tariff charges on Suruga-ya orders (~$17.50 processing fee on top of the tariff itself).

Diecast: Apelinq leader class from Rise of the Beasts (Amazon via tfradio.net/amazon, ~$28); DNA Designs Alpha Trion cape upgrade kit.

Matt: Nothing on topic this week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:27 — 46.8MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS | More