2027 Studio Series listings have dropped, and there’s a lot to unpack — IDW Nautica, IDW Fortress Maximus, Dreamwave Optimus Prime, Marvel Soundwave, and what looks like a full Nexus Prime combiner wave. Plus: Commander Armada Jetfire has arrived, a TakaraTomy web manga finally explains the G2 Stunticons’ colors, and Don pays $42 for Sideways and lives to regret it.

News

The episode opens with 2027 Studio Series listings surfaced by JT Prime. Confirmed Deluxe entries include Transformers 5 Bumblebee, Dreamwave Optimus Prime (with Matt hoping for a War Within design), a Generation Studio Series Deluxe identified as likely Wheelie, Deluxe ’86 Red Alert (speculated to reuse the Earthrise mold), Deluxe Transformers 1 Shockwave, Deluxe Movie 1 Jazz (discussion of breakaway gimmick potential), Devastation Gold Fire (reuse of Devastation Bumblebee mold), Devastation Nemesis Prime, IDW Nautica, and Voyager entries including Quintesson Judge, Movie 1 Ironhide, IDW Drift, and Transmetal 2 Cybershark (identified as a pre-paint of Sky Byte). Leader class entries include Marvel Soundwave, IDW Fortress Maximus, Leader ’86 Swoop (repack), Leader ’86 Sleep Optimus Prime, Leader Transformers 5 Megatron, and Leader Movie 1 Optimus Prime.

The Age of the Primes extra wave listings — including Deluxe G2 Wild Rider, Deluxe Sky Guard, Deluxe Breakaway, Deluxe Alpha Bravo, and Voyager Guzzle — are discussed as likely Nexus Prime combiner limbs, with Matt noting the combiner will require two separate Commander-class Silverbolt figures to build fully. Leader Machine Wars Starscream is also on the list, with speculation it reuses the Legacy Skyquake mold.

Walmart retro listings surface for Bug Bite and Exhaust. Bug Bite is speculated to use either the Devastation Bumblebee or Studio Series ’86 Bumblebee mold. Exhaust is expected on the Wheeljack mold. John notes this will be the first Decepticon-carded entry in the retro line.

Stock images of Commander Armada Jetfire are discussed. He comes with the Space Team Mini-Cons (forming the Requiem Blaster) but not his own Mini-Con Comettor. A reissue of Armada Optimus Prime to enable the combining gimmick is noted as in progress, and a potential Siege Optimus Prime reissue is mentioned. Matt and Don discuss the possibility of future repaints including an Armada Spacewarp version and a Nemesis Prime variant needing Jetfire’s lower body.

Blokees Galaxy Version Wave 10 stock images are shared. Brian highlights the Scorponok (which includes a small Zarak), Sixshot, and Galvatron as standout wants.

The TakaraTomy New Legends Menasor web manga is covered. Matt explains that it reveals how the G2 Stunticons received their colors — traveling through the Killing Jar portal into the Galaxy Force universe — which the hosts confirm retroactively validates Don’s earlier prediction. Don is awarded at least half a point toward the annual prediction contest.

Flame Toys Furai Model Big Convoy images are discussed. The Furai Model line is identified as the more affordable kit tier. John expresses skepticism about the color scheme, noting the fur reads as chocolate brown and the figure resembles a cupcake. Brian is undecided.

Hallmark 2026 ornaments are briefly covered. Brian and John note the Optimus Prime entry does not look particularly good and that Hallmark ornament prices have risen significantly from their origins.

What We Got This Week

Don opened Devastation Bumblebee, praising his vehicle mode, cell-shaded detailing, and transformation logic, while noting he wished the figure were slightly larger for better tolerances. He also picked up Sideways, using eBay sales proceeds to offset the cost, and delivered a thorough negative review covering problematic tires, poorly detented vehicle mode panels, overly tight leg joints, and weak Mini-Con execution. Don also acquired Nexus Prime via a similar sale-offset approach, finding the robot mode strong and the torso mode solid but the jet mode underwhelming and the Silverbolt frame combination unappealing in color.

Miguel found Beast Machines RAV at his local comic shop for $10 — attracted by its potential pairing with CryoTech. He also acquired the SDCC Titans Return Trypticon Titan Master Crunch cereal box poster (picking up two copies), and discussed his ongoing Alpha Tryon collection, which now includes all officially released versions. He is actively seeking Power of the Primes pack-in cards featuring Alpha Tryon and has begun acquiring specific figures to track down the cards.

John picked up Powerglide from the most recent wave, praising the engineering on the lower body and feet and calling it a clear upgrade over the previous version. He also revealed he acquired the Diaclone Saga Shield D Prime from Hobby Link Japan several weeks prior. He described the figure at length, highlighting the high-quality materials, motorized jaw movement that replicates the sound and motion of a vintage Zoid, fold-out weapons, panel detailing, included pilots and light cycle that store internally, and the Diaclone designation. He has not yet transformed it and is taking his time in liger mode.

Brian picked up the Dollar General Evergreen Optimus Primal, calling it his favorite of the Evergreen line and comparable in quality to an old basic-class figure. He received a Bumblebee from a Burger King Hasbro King Jr. Meal, notable for a vacuum-metalized silver chest. He picked up Movie ’86 Soundwave at GameStop, finding him incrementally better than prior Soundwave releases in robot mode but not dramatically so. He also acquired a Transformers Talking ViewMaster 3D Cartridge album (complete, three cartridges), a carded European Mixmaster (without combiner parts), a Universe Autobot Ratchet (based on the X-Brawn mold, possible duplicate), a blue G1 Transformers Camaro, and a Transformers Optimus Prime Bubble Sword that Kim picked up for him.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:48 — 39.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS | More