On the (Transformers) Warpath

Warpath here is a toy that perfectly sums up why I love the Flea Market. You see a huge pile of toys, sorted into rows and maybe sorted into type (vehicles, action figures, plastic animals etc). You start to dig, all you're seeing is old McDonald's toys, scratched up Hotwheels, naked Barbies, random, cheap, and useless toys of the modern era and suddenly, shockingly and inexplicably you find a minty fresh G1 Transformer from 1984 just waiting in the fodder for you to offer the seller .25 cents for it!

My mind boggles as to the history of this guy, a toy that has survived for 30 plus years in fresh-off-the-blister-card condition only to end up in a pile of randomness at the Flea Market. Randomness that's treated by the seller like a pile of leaves, poured out of a huge barrel and strewn across the tarmac only to be shoveled back into a barrel, thrown in the back of a van and dragged out again next weekend. Not to mention how the buyers and kids at the flea market have treated the pile, stepping on it and in it, dragging toys across the sand-paper-like ground, breaking things and then just throwing them back into the pile. SAVAGES!

Sometimes I feel more like a rescue worker than a collector.

I know how many of these vendors operate: Goodwill and other operations like them will get donations of things like toys, clothes etc and bunch them up in bins and barrels and sell them at bulk prices before they even hit the Goodwill stores proper. They sell these bulk wads to people who then drag those items out to swap meets and flea markets throughout the area.

That's basically how a G1 Transformer from 1984 can end up in a pile with last week's Hello Kitty offering from McDonald's, although how and why anyone would donate away their G1 Warpath is still a mystery. I'm sure that situation stems from the proverbial (I had a ton of *cool old thing here* once and my mom gave them all away!)

USUALLY the vendors have no idea (nor do they care) what they have, and price everything the same (read: cheap). But even those vendors may charge more on a Star Wars action figure because everyone knows Star Wars is a hot property now. They might recognize the Stormtrooper you are holding, but those same casual-awareness vendors might not recognize a character like IG-88 or Snaggletooth, or be able to tell the difference between a POTF Luke and a OG Kenner Luke. So ironically they will ask more for a cheap new common figure than an actual collectible or rare figure.

Other times a vendor is a 'specialist' in toys, and will charge more for what they have as they know there's a collector angle, or they see on the back that it's dated 1984 and therefore must be valuable regardless of condition or completeness.  I can't tell you how many times I've been 'schooled' by a vendor on why he wants $10 for for a toy that are literally worth a dime a dozen.

There are also the 'Storage Wars' vendors. The folks who bid on old abandoned storage sheds, lug the stuff out, and sell sell sell. These guys are hit and miss because you (and they) never know what might be in the bottom of a box. But when they end up with a toy collector's storage shed they can be the best finds of the Flea Market.

Anyways, enough about the ins-and-outs of the Flea Market. Although the reason this post went off the rails is because I have nothing to add to the story of Warpath. I never had him as a kid (but my cousin did) so he's cool and I am glad to have him, but I can't really wax nostalgic about him or anything.

So yeah; Warpath. HE'S NEAT!

More Than Meets the Eye Week :: Jumpstarter Topspin

Even though I still own my original G1 Jumpstarters Topspin and TwinTwist, I couldn't pass up this one for a quarter!

Topspin is a bit dirty and needs a cleaning, but he's in otherwise great shape. The Jumpstarter gimmick was that when you pulled them back and released them, they would drive forward a foot or so and pop up into robot mode. Silly, but I remember every kid I knew thought it was the coolest thing at the time.

Tune in tomorrow for the last entry in More Than Meets the Eye Week. Who will it be?!?!

More Than Meets the Eye Week :: Decepticon Clone Pounce

I had to turn to Twitter to identify this G1 Transformer. I knew he was a twin of some sort, but couldn't get a bead on him. Turns out he's a Decepticon 'Clone' named Pounce.

The schtick was that you got two Decepticons who looked identical in robot mode, but transformed into completely different alt modes. Pounce turns into an immaciated dog or coyote or wolf or something.

He looks vastly better in robot mode. I forgot to turn out his hands though. But he's in pretty good shape considering his lack of his twin and that he only cost me a quarter.

Pounce has two rub signs - one reveals that he is a Decepticon, and the other reveals that he is the wolf version of the pair. his Clone counterpart turns into a bird.

And  to think, people like to make fun of Gobots!

Tune in tomorrow for more More Than Meets the Eye Week!

Transformers Generations Classics 3.0 'Thrilling 30th' Trailcutter (Trailbreaker!)

The Transformers have brought out some great modern takes on classic G1 characters over the past few years: Cliffjumper, Wheeljack, Jazz, Prowl, and Ultra Magnus being some of my personal favorites. The latest Classics 3.0 'Thrilling 30th' release of Trailcutter (from here on out TrailBREAKER - take THAT lawyers!) is no exception.

Ever since the Generations/Classics line began bringing out updated versions of classic Generation 1 characters, I've longed for a good Trailbreaker. He was a character I didn't own as a kid but always admired. And now Hasbro has finally made it happen, and I was lucky enough to find him at my local Target last week.

This Classics 3.0 'Thrilling 30th' wave includes Orion Pax (Optimus Prime's pre-Matrix identity), a Megatron that transforms into a B-2 Bomber type flying wing, Bumblebee (with a G1-ish head sculpt but a movie/Camaro type alt mode), and the stand-out Trailbreaker (now dubbed Trailcutter.)

the rest were easy 'passes' for me, although Orion Pax is cool if only from a conceptual level, and I may get him in the future.

Trailbreaker's head sculpt is very G1ish (and not movie-insectiod!) - it is more cartoon based and not original toy based, but since I never had the toy and only really know him from the cartoon, this works for me.

His robot mode is great. Transformers these days have about 9,845,367% more articulation than their G1 predecessors, and this modern Trailbreaker can boogie with the rest of them.

His bed cover becomes a gun/shield and has a neat handle/front piece to protect his fist as well.

It also mounts to his back to emulate the look of the G1 Trailbreaker. And there's nothing better than an action figure who can mount their weapons and accessories on their person. It makes play and display so much easier!

Trailbreaker's truck mode is beefier than his original G1 Toyota mini-truck version, while maintaining the same color scheme and accents - his alt mode is heavily armed and very badass!

Transformation is easier than some and tougher than others, a nice middle ground and a solid vehicle mode.

I like the bold factory-screen-printed Autobot insignia on the hood. I remember when I was a kid and having to apply those damned stickers. They never came out straight!

Trailbreaker and Hoist were essentially the same vehicles/robots back in the G1 days, and there will be a Hoist version of this toy (with a Hoist head and tow hook instead of bed cover) in a future release. But the hook/lack of bed cover just doesn't work as well in vehicle mode as Trailbreaker's version does, so if you only pick one, I say pick Trailbreaker. And if you insist on having a good Classics-ish G1 inspired Hoist, try to get a hold of the Back Road Brawl version. It's ginchy!

Transformers Kre-O Series 2 Arcee and Codes!

Transformers Kreon Series 2 have begun to hit at my local Target. I was only interested in Arcee, so I tracked down all the codes online - wouldn't you know it, Arcee is #69! Snicker snicker!

Fortunately for me, although the Series 2 Transformer Kreons were well picked over, there was still one gigglegiggle 69 haw haw left in the bunch!

Arcee turns into a rather decent looking little car. Unfortunately, to do so requires keeping track of a lot of extra parts when she's in robot mode. But as always, I applaud the effort and really like the extra level this two-mode feature gives these little Transformers Kreon minifigures.

Here are the other Code numbers for all of Transformers Kre-o Series 2. The numbers can be found on the back top corner of the minifigure packages:

66 - Bulkhead
67 - Hardshell
68 - Blight
69 - Arcee
70 - Acid Wing
71 - Vehicon
72 - Scourge
73 - Powerglide
74 - Perceptor
75 - Lugnut
76 - Hoist
77 - Groove

I might later try to get a Perceptor and maybe Hoist, when and if I find more of these. Until then, I've at least got my must-have of the bunch with little Arcee!

Kre-o, Kreeee-o, Kre-o come and Mirage go home...

...with me!

I found the new Transformers Lego...err..I mean 'Kre-O' construction sets at Toys-R-Us yesterday. They had most of them (no Starscream though) with their Transformer movie display up front. The sets come in a few different sizes/price points, starting at about $8.99. I looked them all over for a while and decided to bite - settling on Mirage for $12.99.

I settled on Mirage for a couple reasons. One - the price. less than fifteen bucks for this set is a pretty good price and tough to complain about. I haven't seen these at Target or anywhere else, so I don't know how that price compares to other retail outlets, but I can't complain about paying $12.99 for a 119 piece construction set.

Second, his vehicle mode is pretty accurate to his cartoon counterpart. The other sets at this price point, namely Jazz and Bumblebee, have vehicle modes that don't accurately represent their cartoon modes; they are actually pretty blocky looking based on the box art/photos. Maybe they look better in person. I don't know, that's for some other toy blogger to find out.

But Mirage here sure is a cool looking F-1 racecar!

Of course a huge selling point for these sets are their G-1 cartoon counterpart mini-figures. There were a couple sets at a lower price point that did not include mini-figures (and some at higher price points which include a handful of them) but this price point quite fairly includes a Mirage mini-figure (with gun!)...

...and a racecar driver mini-figure too.

The figures are similar to Lego mini-figures but with different engineering to avoid copyright infringement. In my opinion, they are a little over engineered - ball jointed arms and hips aren't really necessary, and the helmet on the driver doesn't fit snug and his goggles don't line up perfectly, but oh well. They are still pretty darn neat!

I wasn't sure how the robot mode would work out but I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. Mirage looks like Mirage, he is solid and stable and even has jointed elbows, shoulders, hips and ankles. Nice!

In addition, his head sculpt is pretty cool and will probably be used by customizers looking to make a Mirage out of some existing Transformer toy, or may even be used in the future by Hasbro for some repaint or other. Who knows?

I really like this set. The Kre-O pieces are Lego compatible and feel pretty solid and well made. You can sit Mirage inside Mirage for a neat display. Rubber wheels and a racecar driver figure add to the value. And the fact that one set turns into two things (robot and vehicle) makes up for one of my biggest issues with pre-fab Lego sets, the fact that you can only make one thing with each set!

The mini-figures are fun and a big selling point too. And they are the same size as Lego mini-figures, so they are compatible with those fellows too.

I've got yer Hot Rod right here!

A little more birthday money was spent on the Toys R Us exclusive 'Transformers Animated 'Rodimus Minor' - F(*k you lawyers - from here on out he'll be known by his proper name: Hot Rod!
The Transformers Animated toyline has started pumping out some awesome toys, sadly most are hitting at the end here. Hot Rod, like Arcee before him, are exclusive to Toys R Us (and Toys R Us Express stores, where I found mine) so they are a little tough to come by.

He also cost close to $20, which is pretty steep for a Transformer his size, but well worth it to get this character in this style.

Hot Rod has an excellent, immediately recognizable robot mode and in true modern Transformer fashion he's as poseable and articulated as most modern action figures...

...unlike his stiff-as-a-board counterpart - still one of my favorite Transformers ever.

TFA Hot Rod's vehicle mode is pretty nice too - a great animated/modern take on the classic G1 Hot Rod.

It's also cool that the proportions/size of the vehicles are almost exactly the same.

Vroom vroom.

Due to my love of Hot Rod, this new take was a must have for me. But any Transformer lover would be keen to have him. He's a great new take on a classic character and makes a very good looking robot and vehicle. His transformation isn't overly simple nor is it overly complicated either.

Hot Rod rocks.

What a G1-derful World

Get a load of these upcoming Transformers and feel the G1 love! First we have an all new Jazz which is pretty much too cool for words. Jazz is an absolute must have for me. And let's not forget about Tracks here. Not as pivotal in my collection as Jazz, but still pretty keen.

Even cooler in my mini-car-nostalgic mind is this upcoming scout class Windcharger! Not only is he a great modern Windcharger, but he transforms into a Mustang!

Oh yeah baby, I can't wait for these to hit stores!

Check out more new upcoming Transformers at AllSpark.com

Kiss my Arcee

I was lucky enough to spot this Transformers Animated Arcee at Toys R Us the other day. I wasn't in the spot to buy her at the moment, so I hid her on the Tonka truck aisle and when I returned today she was still where I had stashed her; so now she's mine!

Although she first appeared during the G1 era in the Transformers animated movie, Arcee has not had a proper figure made of her until now. Sure, there have been a few Arcees released before, but never one that transforms into the vehicle and robot mode that so closely matches the character as she was originally presented.

Arcee's vehicle mode is very G1 Cybertoronian. She is reminiscent of Hot Rod with that futuristic vehicle vibe she's got going on.

Her robot mode is excellent. Even though it is representative of the stylized Transformers Animated look, she still very closely resembles her appearance in the animated Transformers Movie from the mid eighties. In addition, she's not overly sexualized, yet she's still very feminine. That's a plus.

This Transformers Animated Arcee is seriously the best we've gotten and likely the closest we Transformer fans will ever get to an "accurate" Arcee.

She comes with two swords that stow away in her shoulder mounts. Arcee is also super posable and an excellent action figure alone, regardless of the fact that she also turns into an awesome futuristic vehicle.

Her transformation is pretty simple, and the look of both the vehicle and the robot modes are excellent and convincing.

Arcee is a Toys R Us exclusive figure for a cartoon that is now defunct, so good luck finding one. When I spotted her there were two on the shelf. I hid this one and when I returned the other was gone. I doubt she'll be available in abundance or for very long, so if you see her and want her I advise you to get her on the spot...or find an excellent hiding spot to return to later!

Flight of the Bumblebees

One of the best little Transformers ever is Bumblebee. He's undeniably a fan favorite character, who can resist a cute little yellow Beetle that transforms into a cute little robot?

Personally, I've always been fonder of his "brother" Cliffjumper. Probably because Cliffjumper was my first transformer ever...

...and because he was voiced by Casey Kasem. Just like Shaggy and Robin. And the American Top 40.

I remember getting Cliffjumper as a gift before the cartoon or commercials began (or at least before I saw any of them.)

I was in awe, a toy car that was also a toy robot! Two great tastes that taste great together! Pure, unadulterated genius!

I couldn't wait to get over to my cousin's house and start playing Hot Wheels. I was planning on whipping ol' CJ out and nonchalantly rolling him around like a regular toy car, only to suddenly transform him into a robot and blow my cousin's mind!

When I arrived at my cousin's house, I readied my plan. We grabbed our Hot Wheels cases and headed out to the sand box.

I pulled out my Cliffjumper...and to my chagrin my cousin pulled out HIS Cliffjumper!

DOH!

Bumblebee however proved to be a very elusive toy. I remember having a hard time trying to get him. People talk about toy hunting today as if it's tough, but in the days before the internet it was even tougher. You got what you saw on the shelves if and when you saw it, and that was that.

After years of searching, I finally got him on an out-of-state trip to Grandma's house. I think we were in a drug store or grocery store when I spotted his yellowy goodness, and I was elated.

Fortunately I also had a few bucks vacation spending money. Bumblebee was better than any lame souvenir I could have picked up, and that specific trip is now and forever etched upon my mind.

"...misty water colored memories..."

I always preferred Bumblebee's toy face over his cartoon face. He has a more robotic, Optimus Prime like look to him, and it's a nice contrast to Cliffjumper's more human face. There was a comic book published a few years back that approached the concept, showing this to be a battle mask, and that Bumblebee's human-like face is underneath. A similar concept was shown in the live action Transformers movie as well.

Even later in the line, Bumblebee was reformatted into Goldbug. These cars were a bit bigger and had a pullback feature.

The vehicles in this sub-set, called the Throttlebots, were very simplistic and had none of the charm of the earlier mini-cars.

Sadly the Throttlebot phase was not Bumblebee's finest hour. But maybe it wasn't his darkest hour either, depending upon your stance on mute Camaros.

So which do you prefer? Bumblebee as a mini-car VW, Bumblebee as the Throttlebot Goldbug, or Bumblebee as either of his movie Camaro incarnations (seventies and modern?)