TimeLines (BotCon) 2013 discussion

[Dominic]

Tiger has a point actually. I can see Fun Publications being out of step enough to want to make a Megaplex/Gun Megatron. But, Hasbro would be unlikely to sign off on it. We now know that Fun Publications can use non-screen "movie" moulds (as evidenced by subscription service Depth Charge), so the Mindwipe could be on the table. (And, given that Fun Publications has been "incidentally" making characters that IDW puts over, I can see them following IDW's lead on a character model.)

Of course, after Thundergate, we know that Hasbro is less likely to sign off on Fun Publications making a new toy of a main character like Megatron.


Hoist and possible recolours:

So far, my wallet and I are in agreement about this year's set. (Of course, this could easily change as more toys are revealed.) The base figure is a good mould. But, unless you really happen to like Hoist (or any of the possible recolour characters) it is not worth paying Fun Publications' prices for.

On a related note: I tend to prefer straight recolours to Fun Publications' head swaps. Too often, the new heads/faces do not quite look right on the pre-existing bodies. Even putting aside extreme cases such as last year's Overlord or Metalhawk figures, the new heads look like after-thoughts. (I still have not quite forgiven them for Punch/Counterpunch.)

The only mould that I still feel the need to be a completist with is the Wheeljack/Tracks mould. Fun Publications has already used that tooling several times, making it unlikely that any of this year's toys will be cast from it.

Any use of the Decepticon jet mould, which Fun Publications is not shy about using multiple times, would be tempting. (Skywarp and Thundercracker are obvious choices, as is Starscream in his "Machine Wars" colours.) It should also be remembered that Fun Publications typcially releases at least one "off theme" toy at every convention. (This goes back to at least 2007.) The Decepticon seeker jet mould could be used to make purple Decepticon troopers as this year's army builder. (That would be likely to get my money, if I can afford it when the time comes.)

Mirage, both in character and mould, is probably out. How far back is Fun Publications likely to reach for moulding. (In 2006, they used a mould that was nearly a decade old for Waspinator. But, recently, they have generally only gone back 3 or 4 years.)


Dom
-as ever, is morbidly curious about the comic....

[Shockwave]

I'd say pretty likely that they could go back that far. Last year they used the Seeker mold from 2006 on AM Thundercracker. Although I could see the point on the Nerf gun and Megaplex was originally a jet so they could go that route with it as well. And yeah, I wouldn't rule out army building seekers either.

[BWprowl]

I'm still betting on the army-builder being Megaplex, though I'm not sure what mold they'd use. I really don't think the Mindwipe mold looks anything like MW Megatron, and being a three-pack/army-builder means it would probably be a Deluxe-size mold besides. Really don't want to see them use the Seeker mold either, since they've spammed that thing way too much over the years, and it's too ingrained in my mind as 'a Seeker' for me to see it as anything else, least of all MW Megatron/Megaplex. I'd almost say TFPrime Skyquake/Dreadwing mold would work well, especially with the fusion cannon you can stick on the arm, but again, Voyager mold.

Of course, if Megaplex doesn't end up being the army-builder, I am SO in favor of using that mold as Megatron and 'Plex.

Lots of people are speculating that Starscream will use the Universe Silverbolt mold, which I can see. And then we could get either a Skyquake or King Atlas repaint out of that too, maybe for the souvenier set.

[Onslaught Six]

Skyquake is unlikely to be done, since FunPub doesn't seem to be in the habit of doing repeat characters very often, unless they're in a drastically different colour scheme. (AM Thundercracker, for example.) King Atlas is open, though.

Gun Megs as Megaplex is a possibility. Another, perhaps more likely option, is some variation of the Deluxe Classics Megs. This is assuming they ignore Megatron/plex is a jet--there's precedence if we take the blue Megaplex reissue into account. (Incidentally, I've had my Hasbro ClaMegs on display as Megaplex for a few years now, with Henkei Megs serving as the "real" Megs. I removed his scope and gave him Cruellock's translucent green sword. It's magnificent.)

Thinking outside the box for Skywarp and/or Thundy, we could get repaints of Cybertron Thundercracker, who is a reasonable choice despite that mould's fragility. (The vehicle modes are closer than the ClaSeeker mould, and the mould was used for Thundercracker and Skywarp exclusively, and has never been in great colours.) They could also very well choose to only do one of the pair, and make the other one Wind Sheer or Skyfire from RID. (Given the latter's name, Wind Sheer is the biggest possibility.)

ClaMirage painted as either Prowl, Mirage or even Skid-Z are also possibilities, but none of them would be worth FunPub's prices, except maybe Skid-Z (and only because he'd need a lot of cool paintapps to make him fit in.)

Someone on /toy/ said that Hoist's head doesn't look a damn thing like Hoist...but it does look like G2 Electro. It's possible we'll be getting him in the set, as a straight Hoist repaint. (G2 and MW are close enough that it'd make more sense than Sky-Byte in the G2 set, and it'd fit FunPub's prerequisite "weird out of place guy" in the set.)

Given a new head, Black Shadow could make a well enough--if severely undersized--MW Starscream. However, they just used the mould last year as Metalhawk. Furthermore, a ClaScream in MW Starscream's colours is just as likely. (I can finally get my BB!)

I actually think some variation of Optimus Prime is likely, depending on the story setting and what else they put in the set, but I have no idea what mould they would use.

The Decepticon seeker jet mould could be used to make purple Decepticon troopers as this year's army builder. (That would be likely to get my money, if I can afford it when the time comes.)

If you're receptive to the idea, I'll take one of those Seekers off your hands to offset the cost. (You'd still have two!) This is, of course, assuming they actually do that. (If, for example, they're three Megaplexes, I am probably out.)

[BWprowl]

Skyquake is unlikely to be done, since FunPub doesn't seem to be in the habit of doing repeat characters very often, unless they're in a drastically different colour scheme. (AM Thundercracker, for example.) King Atlas is open, though.

Man, I managed to completely forget about BC Skyquake. There's too damn many of these things at this point, I tell ya.

Thinking outside the box for Skywarp and/or Thundy, we could get repaints of Cybertron Thundercracker, who is a reasonable choice despite that mould's fragility. (The vehicle modes are closer than the ClaSeeker mould, and the mould was used for Thundercracker and Skywarp exclusively, and has never been in great colours.) They could also very well choose to only do one of the pair, and make the other one Wind Sheer or Skyfire from RID. (Given the latter's name, Wind Sheer is the biggest possibility.)

Man, as much as I hate the Cybertron Thundercracker mold (which is a lot), I have to admit that that would work pretty well. They could always do Thundercracker or Skywarp in the box, then the remaining one in a souvenier set, then Skyfire as the Custom Class toy (can't see them doing Wind Sheer, seeing as he's a recolor of the Megatron mold, though they could just do him out of whatever they use for Megatron/Megaplex, I suppose).

EDIT: Just realized they could potentially do whatever molds they settle on for Skywarp/Thundercracker and Megatron/Megaplex as BWII Thrust and Dirge.

ClaMirage painted as either Prowl, Mirage or even Skid-Z are also possibilities, but none of them would be worth FunPub's prices, except maybe Skid-Z (and only because he'd need a lot of cool paintapps to make him fit in.)

This was a point I made early on, that most of the MW paint jobs are hardly premium. I expect a fair amount of embellishment to their looks once we've gotten them all revealed.

Someone on /toy/ said that Hoist's head doesn't look a damn thing like Hoist...but it does look like G2 Electro. It's possible we'll be getting him in the set, as a straight Hoist repaint. (G2 and MW are close enough that it'd make more sense than Sky-Byte in the G2 set, and it'd fit FunPub's prerequisite "weird out of place guy" in the set.)

Yeah, I can see it. Means we very likely wouldn't get Hubcap anywhere, since doing the mold up in both ALL GOLD and ALL YELLOW would look really redundant.

Given a new head, Black Shadow could make a well enough--if severely undersized--MW Starscream. However, they just used the mould last year as Metalhawk.

Just an aside because this reminded me of it: Did you ever see that custom someone did of Thunderwing/Black Shadow as Pretender Starscream? It looked great.

Furthermore, a ClaScream in MW Starscream's colours is just as likely. (I can finally get my BB!)

This would come damn close to a Classics version of 'Black Death' Starscream.

If you're receptive to the idea, I'll take one of those Seekers off your hands to offset the cost. (You'd still have two!) This is, of course, assuming they actually do that. (If, for example, they're three Megaplexes, I am probably out.)

If the troop builder set does end up being Megaplexes, I will happily go in to split a set with people. I would really only need one Megaplex.

This thread has actually made me want to check out how hard it would be to get an original Megaplex off eBay...

[Tigermegatron]

For the past few years,TFCC Fun pub has been heavily focusing on doing extremely/extremely obsecure TF characters from the last few years of the UK & Japanese TF G-1 toy lines. Actionmasters seem to be the in thing being used by TFCC. So some of these toys will make it into the 2013 botcon gift set or add-on souvenir bags sets.

I just can't see TFCC using so many re-used names for the 2013 box set & add-on souvenir bags sets. TFCC have already exausted & re-used the following names as either convention toys or club toys: Optimus Prime,Scourge,Ultra Magnus,Starscream,Megatron,Soundwave,Cyclonus,Hotrod,Rodimus,Various seekers names.

[Onslaught Six]

Yeah, I can see it. Means we very likely wouldn't get Hubcap anywhere, since doing the mold up in both ALL GOLD and ALL YELLOW would look really redundant.

It makes more sense to do Electro than Hubcap, who is hardly a shining example of Hubcap, The Character. I was just thinking, if FunPub wants to get the Windcharger mould out there, they could repaint him as Hubcap. It'd look good in yellow.

Just an aside because this reminded me of it: Did you ever see that custom someone did of Thunderwing/Black Shadow as Pretender Starscream? It looked great.

This one?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-96eHIvGnNQE/U ... tend01.jpg

I have now, and woah.

This would come damn close to a Classics version of 'Black Death' Starscream.

Yeah, that too. Or the Japanese Black Starscream, with gold accents. (He'll always be BB to me.)

If the troop builder set does end up being Megaplexes, I will happily go in to split a set with people. I would really only need one Megaplex.

This thread has actually made me want to check out how hard it would be to get an original Megaplex off eBay...

I'll consider it.

An original Megaplex isn't that much, although they're apparently scarce? There's one for six bucks right now, though.

Actionmasters seem to be the in thing being used by TFCC. So some of these toys will make it into the 2013 botcon gift set or add-on souvenir bags sets.

Deathy has a point. Which Actionmasters don't have new toys yet?

I just can't see TFCC using so many re-used names for the 2013 box set & add-on souvenir bags sets. TFCC have already exausted & re-used the following names as either convention toys or club toys: Optimus Prime,Scourge,Ultra Magnus,Starscream,Megatron,Soundwave,Cyclonus,Hotrod,Rodimus,Various seekers names.

When did they do a Cyclonus or Rodimus?

And that doesn't mean it'll stop them here. I think at least one of the leader dudes will come out, and they'd really be foolish not to work Megaplex in there somehow, being that he's one of the major components of Machine Wars as a toyline. He's pretty much the only original character, unless you count Hoist or Hubcap.


Aside: This would also be a great juncture to bust out some Diaclone repaints. Maybe not Blue Bluestreak, but easily Police Sideswipe or Sunstreaker (Clampdown), Diaclone Black Sideswipe (Deep Cover), or even Black Ironhide, Red Mirage (despite Fracture being a good stand-in), or who knows what else.

[BWprowl]

It makes more sense to do Electro than Hubcap, who is hardly a shining example of Hubcap, The Character. I was just thinking, if FunPub wants to get the Windcharger mould out there, they could repaint him as Hubcap. It'd look good in yellow.

The issue with Hubcap these days is that most Cliffjumper toys are repaints of Bumblebee, so recoloring a given Cliffjumper back into yellow would be pretty pointless.

That said: GDO/Prime Cliffjumper as Hubcap could potentially work.

This one?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-96eHIvGnNQE/U ... tend01.jpg

I have now, and woah.

That’s a different one than the one I was thinking of, but it still illustrates the point well.

Yeah, that too. Or the Japanese Black Starscream, with gold accents. (He'll always be BB to me.)

I find it curious that the Japanese lines have never tried to retroactively foist BB in with the other Seekers.

I'll consider it.

An original Megaplex isn't that much, although they're apparently scarce? There's one for six bucks right now, though.

Yeah, saw that one, and heavily considered it, but it doesn’t include the gun, so eh…

When did they do a Cyclonus or Rodimus?

Shattered Glass. Rodimus was in a souvenir set the first year they did SG, and Cyclonus came out as a Club store exclusive a while later.

And that doesn't mean it'll stop them here. I think at least one of the leader dudes will come out, and they'd really be foolish not to work Megaplex in there somehow, being that he's one of the major components of Machine Wars as a toyline. He's pretty much the only original character, unless you count Hoist or Hubcap.

The wiki seems convinced that MW Hubcap is an original dude, but I don’t trust them on things like this (the whole Cybershark/Hammerstrike thing still pisses me off). You’re totally right on Megaplex though, I vehemently maintain that he’s as close as MW gets to an ‘iconic’ character, and was the sole unique, interesting idea to come out of the line. It would be beyond even FunPub’s levels of bizarre stupidity to leave him out, and by extension, a Megatron that ‘matches’ him (since not having one would defeat the entire purpose of Megaplex). But a MW revival/tribute needs Megaplex. Period.

[Shockwave]

I'd sure as hell be down for more Diaclone repaints.

[Dominic]

It makes more sense to do Electro than Hubcap, who is hardly a shining example of Hubcap, The Character. I was just thinking, if FunPub wants to get the Windcharger mould out there, they could repaint him as Hubcap. It'd look good in yellow.

Windcharger as Hubcap? I dunno. I would love to see that mould get used again, (and even a limited release from Fun Publications would be helpful). But, I am not seeing it as Hubcap.

They may as well recolour RTS Hubcap, another under-distributed mould.

This one?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-96eHIvGnNQE/U ... tend01.jpg

I have now, and woah.

Oh wow. That is nice. I would be getting started on it except that I do not have a spare Sky Shadow figure. (And, I have been slacking on customizing of late.)

Aside: This would also be a great juncture to bust out some Diaclone repaints. Maybe not Blue Bluestreak, but easily Police Sideswipe or Sunstreaker (Clampdown), Diaclone Black Sideswipe (Deep Cover), or even Black Ironhide, Red Mirage (despite Fracture being a good stand-in), or who knows what else.

As much as I like all of those moulds, I would not plan for this.

They had a chance to do everything on that list aside from (maybe) red Mirage. Given that last year's set was partialy "Shattered Glass", they likely would have made black Ironhide for that set. (And, given that he died in the comic, we are not likely to be seeing the character again.) The lamborecolours are a bit more likely, given how much Fun Publications seems to like that mould. But, I am still not seeing it, if only for the fact that they are using it for Breakdown this year, and the moulding looks dated as it is. (Aside: Deepcover is actually a dark and inky blue, not black.)

Fracture is a terrible stand-in for red Mirage, even by the low standards of repurposing.

Hoist was pretty clearly the G1 character. Hubcap.....

The wiki seems convinced that MW Hubcap is an original dude, but I don’t trust them on things like this (the whole Cybershark/Hammerstrike thing still pisses me off).

MW Hubcap's profile describes a much different character than the G1/G2 character. I always saw it as a name-re-used across two characters. Cybershark/Hammerstrike? (I forget what happened there....)

But a MW revival/tribute needs Megaplex. Period.

Ironically, I have been procrastinating about recolouring the 2006 gun as Megaplex for about 2 years now. (I really just do not like the mould enough to want to fiddle with it that much.)


Dom
-just wants to skip this year entirely.