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!

Nemesis Prime :: Transformers Mico-Changers Series 3 Plus Codes!

It seems like just yesterday that I discovered the Transformers Micro Changers Series 2 Arcee, and yet yesterday I stumbled on a case of Series 3 Kreons at Target! After perusing the back of the package and seeing the offerings, I decided that, like with Series 2, there was really only one I needed: Nemesis Prime!

Nemesis Prime, aka Black Convoy, aka Scourge, is basically Optimus Prime in Raiders colors. And with a Raider Nation attitude to boot.

I've always been a fan of Black Convoy/Nemesis Prime/Scourge, so I of course had to squeeze all the packages to find this guy! I now know that the code for Nemesis Prime on the back right of the packages ends in '52.'

I do the squeezing so you don't have to!

I already have an Optimus Prime Kreon, so as you can see NP is nothing more than a re-paint. Although Nemesis Prime does come with extra pieces so he can be converted into a semi:

Like most Transformer Kreon conversions, it's pretty jinky, but I give them an A+ for effort.

'Yeehaaaaawwww! Ride-em cowboy!'

Convoy fans are going to want Nemesis Prime. I went ahead and googled for the rest of the codes for this series in case you're interested in more:

Nosecone – 50
Thrust – 51
Nemesis Prime – 52
Ramjet – 53
Huffer – 54
Kickback – 55
Long Haul – 56
Guzzle – 57
Sharkticon -58
Cheetor – 59
Beachcomber – 60
Seawing – 61

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!

YesterToys :: Eater of worlds; eaters of breakfast.

This is me, my daughter and Transformers Armada Unicron from my birthday in 2003. You can even see Unicron's mini-con Dead-End at front left next to the juice box. I'm guessing I got Unicron from my parents for my birthday, since I am in their kitchen and about to eat my favorite meal, biscuits and gravy.

Oh, and for clarification, it is not my birthday today. I just like this picture :)

Rescue Bots Optimus Prime

"Cuteness is the right of all sentient beings"

I first spotted this Transformers Rescue Bots Optimus Prime figurine over at Battlegrip. Non-transforming and possessing limited articulation but as cute as all hell, this small almost Imaginext sized Autobot is a must have for any G1 Optimus Prime fan!

Newly released by Hasbro and Playskool as part of their Playskool Heroes Rescue Bots series, what I didn't realize until I found mine is that he is available individually bagged, (the set shown at Battlegrip includes a useless-to-me human figurine.)

I found this guy at Toys R Us last night. Bagged (but not 'blind-bagged,' you can see the figure right through the front window!) each bagged figure cost $2.99.

Chase the Police-Bot, Heatwave the Fire-Bot, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee are all part of this release. They're all cute but only Optimus Prime had to go home with me. If Bumblebee looked more G1 than Bayformer, I'd have grabbed him too. Here's hoping for more classic characters in the future!

Prime is articulated at the neck, 2 points at each shoulder, and one point for both legs (they move in unison.) He also has a wrist joint at his hand and saw-blade.

The saw-blade is very cool, giving Prime a weapon/tool without creating a separate piece for little kids to lose. At first I thought I might be disappointed in the saw/lack of a gun/left fist, but it has grown on me and I actually think it's a super cool weapon - especially in case of a zombie outbreak...

"Lock and load and prepare to roll-out!"

Here's Prime with Double-Barrel Carol to give you an idea of his size, and to serve as a portent of things to come!

To be continued...

Be mine, Kreon-tine

The Transformers Kreon blind bag microchanger minifigures are back!

We first saw these blind bagged Transformers Kreons last year in the preview series, and  now the first official full series, known as Collection 1, is showing up at retail.

I found them at Target, in the holiday promotional section with all their Valentines Day stuff. I used the 'squeeze method' to determine the coneheaded seeker Dirge, my most wanted, and decided to just try my luck on a second to see what I got. I ended up with the Constructicon Hook, which is pretty cool.

I didn't have it with me at the time, but as with the preview wave there is a code to decipher which Kreon is which. Check out the last two numbers of the code at the top back of the bag to figure out what you are getting:

22981 40 - Singe (Turbomaster Scorch)
22981 41 - Inferno
22981 42 - Autobot Springer
22981 43 - Warpath
22981 44 - Quickslinger (Slingshot)
22981 45 - Rampage
22981 46 - Insecticon
22981 47 - Blast Off
22981 48 - Decepticon Hook
22981 49 - Dirge
22981 50 - Airachnid
22981 51 - Decepticon Bludgeon

I'll post pics of the minifigures later (probably after I go back and try to get my last couple must-haves!), but for now I wanted to be sure everyone had their cheat sheets ready to go!

Strike first, strike fast, strike hard.

From Cliffjumper's original Tech Specs:

"Let me at 'em," is Cliffjumper's motto. His eagerness and daring have no equal. He's driven by a desire to win the battle against the Decepticons. Finds Earth terrain a hindrance. One of the fastest Autobots. Often uses his speed to draw fire away from others. Shoots "glass gas" which makes metal as brittle as glass. His recklessness often leads to actual blow-outs and situations too dangerous for him to handle."

When I first discovered that there would be a new Cliffjumper in the Transformers Prime toyline I was ecstatic. The toy looked great in vehicle and robot mode and was not, I repeat WAS NOT a Bumblebee repaint. As a Cliffjumper fan from day one (he was my first Transformer, and you never forget your first!) that sort of BS pisses me off. Don't get me wrong, I love G1 Bumblebee too, but he and Cliffjumper are NOT twins!

Anyways, my joy quickly led to disappointment when the nice looking Cliffjumper turned into a limited release and the standard Transformers Prime Cliffjumper that hit the shelves en masse was clearly sub-par.

Then I discovered they were going to re-release the good Cliffjumper body with a G1 head! Even better!

Then I discovered it would be an Asia only exclusive. Dammit.

Then I discovered that the Asia exclusives are now Toys R Us exclusives in the US! Yippee, if I can find one!

Then something really strange happened - I found one!

Cliffjumper's robot mode is a perfect update to his G1 self. I love him!

He doesn't come with any weapons, buthis hands do rotate into gattling guns, which is pretty damn neat!

A solid toy in robot mode, Cliffjumper is well built and well designed. He stands and poses easily and holds his shape just fine.

The piping for the eyes as well as translucent headlights make for a nice effect.

The blue tinted windows look really nice in robot mode too.

"I'm Casey Kase...umm...I mean Cliffjumper"

Although not remotely a Porsche 924, Cliffjumper's car mode is pretty hot. The Plymouth-esque 70's hot rod design (he'll look great displayed next to Big Daddy), along with his name, invoke some Dukes of Hazzard influences...

...not to mention the Boss Hoggish horns up front, which also reflect Cliffjumper's horns on his G1 head.

YEEEHHHAAAAWWWW!!!!

Sadly, while it was simple enough to get from car to robot, this thing is a bear to transform back from robot to car. I'm sure it just takes a while to get the joinst mushy enough to go where they should, but after about 30 minutes of trying Cliffjumper still looks like he hit a tree and the tree hit back. Or he jumped one too many cliffs.

And he's only labeled as a difficulty level of 2! I can't imagine too many kids being able to Transform this guy, although kids do have small hands and good eyes.

As for now, I may have to leave him in robot mode indefinitely, which is sad but I'll get over it.

UPDATE: I figured out the place where I was not bending the proper joints, well, properly; all is well now and Cliffjumper is safely back in automobile mode!

Transform and poopy pants! :: League of Extraordinary Bloggers

I admit, I'm a bit of a fair-weather Leaguer. I do the League of Extraordinary Bloggers assignments I like and skip over those I don't. Which means I haven't done one in a while. Oops!

I don't know if that's 'ok' according to League by-laws, but whatyagonnado?

This week's assignment, which I could not pass up: "Young Guns"

In the spirit of Young Indiana Jones, Young Frankenstein, or Young Einstein, come up with a “Young ___” prequel or series.

It seems like it's all been done before (to death) though, right? We've seen toddler turtles and Smallville and Young Sherlock Holmes - but what haven't we seen?

I decided to go with Transformers. Not just 'young' Transformers, because we've seen that already too (Wheelie, anyone?) but Transformers that Transform into kid's ride-on and pre-school toys!

Toddlerformers!

Imagine Optimus Prime as a Bigwheel towing a Radio Flyer wagon! Soundwave as a 'See-and-Say'! Megatron as a Super-Soaker! The ideas are endless, as would be the merchandising blitz!

I did some super quick doodles of vehicle modes to give you an idea. If I had more time I'd have done robot modes, but as I imagine it they're youthful looking G1esque robots, incorporating the elements of their new alt modes with design elements of their G1 looks and elements of young kids (ex: Bumblebee is most definitely clad in a striped onesie) to create a beautiful symmetry of design, form and concept. Or something like that.

Hey, it's better than anything Michael Bay has or ever will come up with, right?

Check out some other Leaguers and their youthful pursuits:

ShezCrafti reminds us how cute the aforementioned Toddler Turtles were
Cool and Collected wonders why Clark Griswold is so Vacation obsessed
and Lair of the Dork Horde ponders alone: Did Conan play with dollies too?

Bot Shot through the heart, and you're to blame...

I finally jumped on the Bot Shots wagon! I've seen them all over the place for a while now and have thought one or two of them might be worth picking up, but I was always able to talk myself out of doing so.

Until I spotted Shockwave:

"Resistance is futile."

Shockwave is a 'Super Bot,' which means he's the chase figure for this wave. So I suppose I was lucky to find him.

Shockwave is also available in a three pack, but this chase version is made of translucent purple plastic, which makes for a neat looking figure/vehicle.

I'm also tempted by the newest Bumblebee in this wave because he has his G1 toy's face, a face I have always preferred over his G1 cartoon face.

This Shockwave is simple but fun. His size and simplicity remind me of the G1 mini-cars. His 'transformation' of course reminds me of Topspin/Twintwist or Runamuck/Runabout, toys I loved as a kid. And like his spring-loaded fore-bearers, he doesn't always land on his feet after transforming.

The game component is probably as fun as Battle Beasts were when we were kids, so I don't begrudge it. Basically, you set your dial, then turn your guy into a vehicle and smash your opponent head-on. Whoever has the higher points or 'gun beats sword' or whatever wins. I guess...I didn't read the instructions.

Shockwave transforms into a nifty little tank, which is certainly appropriate enough.

Small cheap simple Transformers. Just like old times.

I think I'll hunt down that Bumblebee and then we'll just have to see if my Bot Shots collection expands beyond that.