Liege Maximo has hit US retail — and Big Convoy is coming with him whether you like it or not. The crew also digs into the Takara Tomy MPG-20 Hot Rod (same transformation, five times the price), and new comparison shots of the G2 Stunticons confirm the Takara set is the one to have — though JT Prime says the Hasbro versions are closer than you think. In What We Got: Diecast adds FansToys Long Haul to push his Devastator build to four of six, and Brian lands the big one — a boxed, complete G1 Grand Maximus, the piece he never expected to find. RFC 982.

News

The Age of the Primes Leader Class Liege Maximo has been found at US retail, first spotted at a Walmart in Milton, Florida. He’s packed with Big Convoy. The crew agrees Liege Maximo is desirable but Big Convoy may be a shelf-warmer; a brief discussion touches on the figure’s compatibility with the Starscream throne accessory and what that means for secondary market pricing.

The Age of the Primes Voyager wave — Nexus Prime and Armada Sideways — is also confirmed at retail. Nexus Prime gets a muted but not negative response; the crew sees him as a solid standalone Voyager rather than a meaningful combiner component. Armada Sideways, however, is roundly criticized as a figure that can’t live up to the source toy at any price point.

The Takara Tomy MPG-20 Hot Rod transformation video is out. Brian and Don both note the transformation is strikingly similar to the Studio Series Hot Rod molds and Brian declares himself out on the Masterpiece line entirely at this point (“I am dead inside”). A variant in Rodimus dark colors is the one scenario where some crew members might reconsider.

New comparison images of the G2 Stunticons / Menasor from both Hasbro and Takara Tomy are out. The Takara set — with its more elaborate deco including names printed on arms and additional paint hits — is the clear aesthetic winner. Brian and the crew confirm they plan to buy both sets. JT Prime posted on TFW2005 that Hasbro’s G2 Stunticons are “coming sooner than later.” Don expresses hope that a successful G2 Stunticons set could lead Takara to pursue G2 Superion and Bruticus as well.

What We Got This Week

Diecast acquired FansToys Long Haul, bringing his FansToys Devastator build to four of six members (one leg and one arm remaining). He notes the dump truck mode took about an hour to achieve due to numerous small clips; the dump feature is partially functional.

Don opened his previously mentioned Studio Series Wheelie and found him largely impressive despite a frustrating friction hinge on the front car section that tends to pop loose during transformation. He also revisits his ongoing struggle with the Breakout soccer ball transformation; a Facebook listener (Shannon Neuffer) suggests the bracket holding the arms may have been riveted upside down at the factory.

Brian returns from a vacation to Pigeon Forge/Sevierville with several notable finds. He visited a Toys R Us at the outlet mall there and came away unimpressed with its selection and presentation, though he did pick up an AMK Mini Wave 2 Arcee ($15). He also grabbed a Blokees Transformers One Soundwave on Walmart clearance ($15). Back home, he acquired a sealed Spanish Gold Box Inferno on eBay (with minor box wear) to continue building toward a complete sealed Spanish Gold Box G1 set. The crown jewel of the week: a boxed, complete G1 Grand Maximus (with instructions), purchased through online dealer Artfire 2000 — Brian notes this is something he never expected to find. He now has both loose and boxed Grand Maximus alongside Brave Maximus and a boxed Brave Maximus, with a US-box Fortress Maximus now the target. Brian also picked up a Transformers Earthspark Cyberglow Megatron (glow-in-the-dark, staying sealed) and a carded Outback (also staying sealed; Brian notes he’ll pick up a second to open).

Rob acquired the second Transformers Marvel Comics Compendium (covering the back half of the G1 and G2 Marvel runs), completing his ownership of the full Marvel G1/G2 run in collected form for the first time. He also grabbed an SH Figuarts Goku “A Saiyan Raised on Earth” (Namek-era) for $25.

Matt passed this week due to upcoming Missing Link preorders.

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