Transformers: Energon & Beyond

[JediTricks]

Anybody else feel like Transformers as a brand completely face-planted this year? I've been trying to avoid saying it outright, but now that we're into December, I can't help it, that's how I feel.

[Darth Metalmute]

Have they even released anything outside of repaints and Ultimate Prime since the movie release?

[El Chuxter]

Wasn't Guzzle a new figure, released after the movie?

This may be off-topic, but Tycho's list had me thinking: we've gotten updates Cyclonus, Scourge, Galvatron, Hot Rod, Kup, Wreck-Gar, Junkheap, and Blurr from The Transformers: The Movie (as well as Wheelie, sort of... I think he existed for a brief moment). How cool would it be to round out the movie characters, perhaps as an exclusive set or wave? They could re-release a few choice figures who've been done before (Wheelie would be the most obvious, I'd think) as well as new figures who otherwise might never see release. Arcee could, honestly, be a retool of Kup with a few more streamlined parts and a new head. Springer should be easy; they could even scratch one of his alt-modes if they felt the need to. The Sharkticon and Allicon could share some parts, if they took a few liberties. But the one I'd most love to see is a non-transforming Quintesson.

[JediTricks]

Have they even released anything outside of repaints and Ultimate Prime since the movie release?

Not much, mostly a handful of Human Alliance Basics, Leader Class Ironhide, Masterpiece Rodimus Prime, a few Human Alliance. Very little overall though.

Non-repaints...
Cyberverse Legion: Flak, Soundwave
Cyberverse Commander: Hatchet, Guzzle
Cyberverse Action Set: Shockwave, Ratchet
Deluxe: WM-exclusive Optimus Prime
Human Alliance Basic: Whirl, Tailpipe, Dragstrip, Reverb
Voyager: Sentinel Prime
Human Alliance: Roadbuster, Leadfoot
Leader & Larger: Ironhide, Rodimus, Ultimate Craptimus Prime

other: Rescue Bots, Kre-o

Geez, what a horrible way to capitalize on the movie's momentum! I know TF Prime is hitting now, but I don't count that as it's really not making a strong impact in 2011.

This may be off-topic, but Tycho's list had me thinking: we've gotten updates Cyclonus, Scourge, Galvatron, Hot Rod, Kup, Wreck-Gar, Junkheap, and Blurr from The Transformers: The Movie (as well as Wheelie, sort of... I think he existed for a brief moment). How cool would it be to round out the movie characters, perhaps as an exclusive set or wave? They could re-release a few choice figures who've been done before (Wheelie would be the most obvious, I'd think) as well as new figures who otherwise might never see release. Arcee could, honestly, be a retool of Kup with a few more streamlined parts and a new head. Springer should be easy; they could even scratch one of his alt-modes if they felt the need to. The Sharkticon and Allicon could share some parts, if they took a few liberties. But the one I'd most love to see is a non-transforming Quintesson.

Wheelie was released as a Legends figure in a VERY hard to find wave.

I don't see how Arcee could work on the Kup mold, but they need to get an Arcee figure done STAT.

[El Chuxter]

That's why I said Wheelie existed for a brief moment. I actually saw it and (stupidly) passed, so I know it's real.

I don't think Arcee could be a repaint of Kup, but, IIRC, she has a similar transformation (as far as we can tell without there ever being a figure of her), so they could borrow some Kup pieces.

[Tycho]

Chuxter, I'm a fan of the Michael Bay movie universe. So unless otherwise indicated, like my 1986 movie choices, I mean to recommend those realistic figures.

As to the Leader Class Soundwave i put "Mercedes" in parathensis to indicate this would be the car version from DOTM designed so as to have something to fight BumbleBee LC - which almost didn't need to be made IMO. (But I bought it to at least fight Deluxe Laserbeak and Scout Insecticon in my always present desire to have my bots displayed in scale with one another).

[Tycho]

Transformers on retail store racks are full of Bumblebees.

Kids will not be playing Autobots vs. Decepticons this Christmas, but "Camaro Dealership" instead.

[El Chuxter]

Seriously, they need to pick up some Arctic Destros to sell all those Camaros!

[El Chuxter]

Not sure if this was a line-wide sale, since I don't recall seeing it in the circular, but Target had the Deluxe Classics for $6.99. I think I'm going to see if I can find another Sky Shadow and Junkheap to get my money back at WM. That's a huge discount.

[Tycho]

Soundwave and Que have released in Japan (Deluxe eds).

Maybe they'll finally hit here?

Has anyone got the Human Alliance Soundwave yet? I want that too.

Also if you come across the Human Alliance Barricade (cop car) - I'd love to get 2 more of them. There's an utter lack of Decepticons in that line (and ROTF Rampage and Sideways would work perfectly with that scale).