Maz's ambassador series - Third Party TFs and my selection of TFX-01: City Commander

So it's now up to Part 5 of Maz's ambassador series and enter a further contribution by me - for the Third Party FansProject Ambassador - the City Commander armour!

Read Maz's article here.

I took some photos for the purposes of the article, and thought I should just share it here for everyone to see (since the article can only accommodate a limited number of photos per contributor).

one toy to rule them all - one ambassador to choose

In the first of his 'Ambassadors' series of articles, Maz asked the question "What toy would you choose to represent an entire toy line, if you had ONE choice, one toy you could pitch to a non-collector in order to sell the line?".

What I think he meant, was for a selection of 1 toy, from a specific line, to be an ambassador to that line of toys, in the Transformers context of course. As an example, the selection of G1 Optimus Prime as an ambassador of the G1 USA line, as a toy one could use to pitch to a non-collector in order to get the non-collector interested in that line, and so on and so forth.

I was asked to pitch in, and I have - in relation to my selection of an 'ambassador toy' for the Japanese G1 (exclusives) line.

The bad news? My pitch is not published yet.

The good new? Pitches from other stella contributors has been published already! Check them out here: Ambassadors – Part 1, featuring contributions by Gordon, Tony, Sid and Bryce.

This is also now being discussed on TFW: http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/976398-ambassadors-part-1-tfsource-article.html

On Seibertron here: http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/ambassadors-part-1-tfsource-article-t98851.php

So... one toy to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them?

Which will it be?

Why I (continue) to collect (Transformers)

I'm literally taking a page out of Colbey's blog, Random Toy Reviews, and putting up on my blog reasons why I collect.

Like Colbey, I was also invited by Maz to contributeto TF Source's articles by writing some thoughts about why I continue to collect; but unlike him, I did not submit my contributions on time. Therefore, my thoughts did not make 'publication' here on TF Source.

So, I thought I might as well put my thoughts on my own blog, which I have to say I have not updated in some time (don't worry, updates are coming). Therefore, in 'print' for the first time, my thoughts on why I continue to collect Transformers more than 30 years after their initial release...

It’s crazy right? I was there as a (very) young pup in 1984 when Transformers were first released by Hasbro into the world. Now, nearly 30 years on, I am still collecting Transformers. It’s crazy, right? Perhaps not if we dig a little deeper…

Some say that collectors are people who look back, but hardly look forward. It’s difficult to argue with the veracity of that statement – collectors do look back at ‘what they used to have’ and ‘what they used to want’ in order to formulate their intent for what they want to buy. It’s not very different for me – I am a collector and I look back all the time. I never got pieces like G1 Bluestreak, G1 Ravage, G1 Pointblank and G1 Snapdragon when I was young. So now, these are my high priority pieces to acquire and acquire again and again, because, hey, what’s worth doing to worth overdoing.

Still, saying that I continue to collect, 30 years after the event, because I like to look back at the past is hardly a robust explanation. What’s perhaps more essential is why I continue to look into the past. Quoting Randal Graves from Clerks II “they [ie: Transformers] remind me of a better time in my life… like when we were young and the world was still in front of us”.

Stunticons make Menasor... make trouble! - Marvel UK #91

From one of my favourite sellers, Specimen-17, comes a loot of Marvel UK comic books that I missed out on when I was young.

Among them was Transformers UK #91, where the Stunticons debuted. When young, my primary school classmate let me glance at this issue, and said 'hey, the Stunticons!', but refused to let me see or read it.

As it happened, this particular cover sparked my interest in the Stunticons for some reason... and now on hindsight, the Stunticons have become a lifelong obsession.

27 years later, I finally got to peek behind the cover of Transformers UK #91. Thanks Specimen-17!

FansProject Stunticons mimicking the cover of #91!

These are the other Marvel UK issues that I got from Specimen-17.

Love the cover of Transformers UK #100 - it's a wrap around cover by the way.

Transformers UK #184 (left) is the one issue I was missing from the "Space Pirates" story arc. When I was a kid, I would go with mum to the newsstand across the road every week and buy a copy of Transformers UK. For reasons that elude me, I missed issue #184.

I would not say that I didn't know what it contained, because I have read the Titan reprint version, but now, after 25 years, I have completed the entire "Space Pirates" story arc in individual comic form! Thanks again Specimen-17!

"Peace through tyranny" - Megatron (G1)

Saw this posted by Kokomo Toys on FB. Love this poster and of course G1 Megatron's motto - "Peace through tyranny".

Also like the way Eric Holmes used it in the 'Megatron Origin' series, where Megatron said "I will create desolation, and call it peace".

Wow. Eric, you're still one of my favourite TF writers out there.

~ HD

"The Racing Cars of Diaclone and Early G1" - article by Maz

Another week, another well written and well researched article by Maz over at TF Source.

This week, Maz writes about the early G1 Autobot cars, Jazz, Mirage, Wheeljack and Smokescreen and the actual race cars that inspired them.

A lot of history and a lot to learn there!

Head over to read Maz's article now!

"The Racing Cars of Diaclone and Early G1" - article by Maz

[Photos mirrored from TF Source]

"In Their Own Words" series of articles by Maz

I wanted to pen this since yesterday, after the release of Part 5 of Maz's trilogy called - In Their Own Words.

Wait, does the guy know how to count? Part 5, trilogy? What?

When I logged on today, I found out that Maz, who is also the webmaster of TF-1.com (one of the internet's crowning jewels for diaclone, Joustra and foreign variant information), has become a follower of my site. It is an honour for me and what better way to mark the occasion than introducing his trilogy of articles.

In the 'In Their Own Words' series of articles, Maz invited a number of well known, very experienced and well-read G1 collectors to talk about and showcase a variety of Transformers related items.

Part 1's theme is obscure and rare European and Japanese Transformers, with contributions from:

• Jon Krause (http://www.jonkrause.com/);
• Marco Salerno ("Puffmarko");
• Mijo (http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/);
• Martin Lund ("Fighbird");
• "HighPrime"; and
• me (heroic_decepticon).

Link to Part 1 - In Their Own Words - Part 1

Part 2's theme is obscure Transformers, with contributions from:

• Andrew Hall ("hydra");
• Paul Hitchens ("The Spacebridge");
• Eric Warren ("Arkvander"; Mostly Transformers Redux);
• Morgan Evans ("Genetic");
• "Ras"; and
• Jeff Stein ("Might Gaine"; HighEndTFs.com).

Link to Part 2 - In Their Own Words - Part 2

Part 3's theme is "unique packaging, 'sadistic' promotions", with contributions from:

• Eric Warren ("Arkvander"; Mostly Transformers Redux);
• "HighPrime";
• Dave Barry ("Bermuda Mohawk"; raretoyinfo.blogspot.com);
• Martin Lund ("Fighbird"); and
• Marco Salerno ("Puffmarko").

Link to Part 3 - In Their Own Words - Part 3

Part 4's theme is "odd peripheral and obscure" Diaclone and Micro Change toys, with contributions from:

• Gordon Yip ("vf1");
• Martin Lund ("Fighbird");
• Marco Salerno ("Puffmarko");
• "Ras";
• Paul Hitchens ("The Spacebridge"); and
• Francesco Ristori ("EVOLVE").

Link to Part 4 - In Their Own Words - Part 4

Part 5's theme is Lucky Draw Transformers toys, with contributions from:

• me (heroic_decepticon);
• "HighPrime";
• "Ras"; and
• Benjamin Davis.

Link to Part 5 - In Their Own Words - Part 5

MP-12: Lambor (aka Sideswipe) - A proposal to Takara in relation to accessories and repaints

Aside from Bluestreak, Sideswipe is my next favouritest Autobot car from the 1984 line up of G1 Autobots. 

Imagine my excitement on learning from CybertronCon Singapore that the next Masterpiece figure after MP-11: Destron Leader Starscream was going to be none other than Sideswipe (called "Lambor" by Takara Tomy).

Yes, MP-12 is going to be Sideswipe. Wow! 

(photo on right courtesy of ET from Singapore)

I have long regarded BT-02: Lambor as my definitive Sideswipe in the MP-verse, but really, it does not get cooler than Sideswipe being a Lamborghini Countach LP500S like he was in G1, does-not-get-cooler.

I rewatched SOS Dinobots tonight and there was the scene of Sideswipe using his "pile drivers" to tunnel into the side of Mt St Hillary to uncover dinosaur remains. Then I thought, hey, what accessories should MP-12 come with other than the standard missile launcher and gun?

If I could be so bold as to advise Takara, here are my suggestions in order of priority.

MP-12 Accessory Proposal #1 - Rocket Pack

Where it appeared - USA G1 episode: More than Meets the Eye, Part 3

Claim to fame - "Sideswipe, give me your rocket pack... now!" Optimus Prime to Sideswipe.

Key characteristics - (1) mountable on Sideswipe in robot mode; (2) backward compatible with MP-10: Convoy; (3) possible storage of missiles for missile launchers (I was going to say storage for gun and missile launcher, but let's not get too ambitious huh).

Design references for Takara -

Rocket Pack as seen from front. If you look at the next picture, it does appear like the animators got the Rocket Pack upside down in this shot.

Perhaps the clearest view of the Rocket Pack. The middle part actually looks a lot like the 'backpack' part of MP-10: Convoy. Oh, and MP-12 can be the same shade of red as MP-10 so that the Rocket Pack can be backward compatible even in terms of colour!

I need more MP-10's Spikes...

When I was playing with my MP-10, I found that I needed more Spikes (actually, more little people) so that they could populate the Prime cab, the crane, and all the little seats in Prime's container base. There just wasn't enough Spikes!

Today, I found that Spike is not only good for driving a trailer like Prime, he can actually pilot a tank too.

See?

"Let daddy show you how its done, Daniel."

Whitening Transformers - G1 Jetfire

A year or 2 ago, inspired by other threads on the 'net and on OZ Formers, I talked about how to whiten Transformers. Little did I know that I would need to whiten yet another Transformer - G1 Jetfire, whom on retrieving from storage in Singapore and bringing back to HK, I discovered was horrendously yellowed.

I almost wanted to junk it in the bin and purchase another Jetfire, before calming down and deciding to whiten him.

First I took him apart. See photo on right and look at how yellowed some of the parts are. It's almost as if someone took a yellow marker and marked out certain parts a dirty very unsightly yellow.

I also have some Inferno and Tracks parts to whiten (also in the photo). These were more 'green' than yellow. Anyway, their original colour was supposed to be white.

Below is a close up of just the Jetfire parts. Looks yucky, almost like baby vomit. Eek.

Market Watch - Korea, April 2012

I was with E in Korea (the South) over the Easter Weekend.

I did try to look for Transformers, but there were next to none or as good as none that I could find. This was plenty fun, but didn't yield anything, toy-wise, as impressive as the Sonokong C-27: Brave Maximus that I found at Lotte World a decade ago (pictured on extreme right).

Won't say that I'm surprised, but I did see some interesting things, a fraction of which were toy related.

So I stayed here...

Good Friday and love thy neighbour

I dug up something from my archives...

"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."

"Truth, justice and..."

"We would willingly lay down our lives to save humanity."

Marvel Avengers life-sized "CosBabies" at Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

I walked past these yesterday and took a pic of them. Pretty nifty life-sized figurines of the 3 'main' Avengers in the upcoming movie - Captain America, Iron Man and Thor.

The Avengers was something that I have been reading since young and due to all the movies that is 'leading up to' this one, I'm really looking forward to it, even though in my mind the Avengers still has a long way to go before coming close to the class, stature and iconic status of the Justice League.

Fingers crossed that Joss 'Buffy' Whedon does not mess this movie up, fingers crossed.

~ HD

Obscure Transformers' Website is such a delight

I've actually come across this site some years ago, read it on and off and then sort of forgotten about it (sorry). Over the past few days, I rediscovered it and have been reading whole segments of it without pause.

It is a very well researched site, jam packed with obscure information, things that I've seen but not fully appreciated. Above all, it is witty and on more than one occasion made me laugh out.

What's this site I'm talking about?

It's The Obscure Transformers Website, written by 2 persons whose handles are Jhiaxus and Monzo, not their real names, I'd wager.

Head over and have a look. I'll wait. In fact go read it now and come back to my site tomorrow, I don't mind. The site is awesome.

(banner on right is mirrored from their site).

***

You're back? Did you like it?

Here are some of my favourites...

Cybertron Con 2012 at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore

This year, the inaugural Cybertron Con 2012 was held in my home country from 11 to 14 March 2012 - Singapore. For perhaps the first time ever, an event of Transformers toy collecting significance has been held in Asia.

I unfortunately could not attend, but saw it vicariously through the eyes of my buddy ET (not the extraterrestrial, but his initials, you know who you are). I won't talk too much about it because I haven't been there, but if you'd like to read about it, there is plenty written in the links below:

Straits Times (Singapore newspaper)

OZ Formers coverage

Seiberteron.com's coverage

Pop Culture Online.net

FaceBook Official Page

Ok, that's the boring stuff out of the way, 'nuff said.

How about a slew of beautiful pictures taken by ET, which I would like to share here?

Predacon Rampage has been christened... Bobby!

Sometime around Chinese New Year this year, I decided to finally cave and buy the "2010 Special" Predaking giftset.

I usually try to buy something that has 'auspicious' colours such as strong reds or warm colours. The 2010 Predaking, being coloured in mostly reds, oranges and gold, suits the bill very fine.

About a week ago, I decided to open this monster. (Sorry Kuma-Nin, I know how sacrilegious that must sound to you, who wants to keep your 2010 Predaking sealed, but I have no qualms about opening MISB Transformers, heh).

A few days ago, I decided to entirely sticker Predaking up. Inevitably drawing more dissent and feelings of outrage from 'unused' collectors.

After I was done stickering, I randomly handed Rampage to E. 

"For you to transform (from robot to animal)", I said.

E transformed Rampage. 

She looked it over after she was done. Then tilted Rampage's animal head and said... "bobby".

I was like, "what?" and E said "he's a bobby".

Ok, so Rampage is christened Bobby forever more.

Another shot of "bobby"? Sure!

Who bought what for who?

It's the third day of the new year and I'm spending some time peering back at the delightful past...

Like I mentioned in Chapter I of The Origin Story (Fantasies & Inflections), my childhood Transformers were divided into 2 camps: my brother's and mine.

How did the camps come about? Who bought them for us? Who bought what for whom? These are the questions I want to answer here, as accurately as I can recall them. Afterall, these are memories that are approximately 2 decades old by now.

Note [1]: To be fair, roughly half the toys I remember mummy buying for us were funded by daddy. The other half was funded by herself.

Note [2] Most toys were bought in one of these places, of which many no longer exists today. Isetan at Zion Road, Isetan at Shaw Centre (still there!), Daimaru at River Valley, Kids' World at Wisma Atria, Kids' World at Goldhill Square, Plaza Singapura basement level, Paragon basement level and Metro at Marina Square (still there! But where has the toy department gone?).

Being a gentleman, I'll start with my brother's Transformers :-)

• Bumblebee (micro-change) - 4th Uncle direct from Japan
• Cliffjumper (micro-change) - 4th Uncle direct from Japan
• Huffer (micro-change) - 4th Uncle direct from Japan
• Jazz - Mummy; S$29.90
• Prowl - 4th Uncle; S$29.90
• Mirage - Mummy from Isetan sale; S$7.90
• Slag - Mummy
• Seaspray - unknown
• Beachcomber - unknown
• Cosmos - unknown
• Warpath - unknown
• Kickback - Mummy from Daimaru; S$15.90
• Long Haul - Mummy
• Mixmaster - Mummy
• Scavenger - Mummy
• Kup - Mummy
• Sandstorm - unknown
• Silverbolt - Mummy; S$29.90
• Skydive - Mummy; S$12.90
• Air Raid, Slingshot, Fireflight - Mummy from OG People's Park after we promised to see a Chinese doctor!
• Onslaught - Mummy
• Blast Off - Mummy
• Ramhorn (Jap Carded) - 4th Uncle direct from Japan
• Steeljaw (Jap Carded) - 4th Uncle direct from Japan
• Eject (Jap Carded) - 4th Uncle direct from Japan
• Rewind (Jap Carded) - 4th Uncle direct from Japan
• Skullcruncher - Mummy from Plaza Singapura (he got one with a lousy box I remember)
• Cyclonus (Jap) - Mummy from Isetan sale; S$9.90
• Dogfight - unknown
• Crankcase - unknown
• Cindersaur - 4th Uncle
• Cloudbust - Daddy through mummy from Plaza Singapura
• Countdown - Daddy
• Air Strike patrol - 4th Uncle

Now for my Transformers:

• Optimus Prime - Mummy from Kid's World Wisma Atria sale; $49.90
• Wheeljack - 4th Uncle
• Ratchet, Sunstreaker - Mummy from Isetan sale; S$7.90 each
• Megatron - Mummy just before I went for tuition; $69.90
• Soundwave - Mummy from Isetan; $49.90
• Laserbeak (Jap Carded) - 4th Uncle direct from Japan
• Grimlock - 4th Uncle after my P5 exams; S$26.90
• Sludge - unknown
• Blaster - Mummy; S$69.90 (whoa, this was expensive huh?)
• Powerglide (Jap Boxed) - 4th Uncle direct from Japan
• Shockwave (diaclone) - Mummy from Pisces Chinatown
• Shrapnel - Mummy
• Bombshell - 4th Uncle
• Thrust - unknown
• Scrapper - Mummy
• Long Haul - Mummy
• Bonecrusher - Mummy
• Rodimus Prime - Mummy
• Wheelie - unknown
• Hubcap (micro-change) - 4th Uncle direct from Japan
• Motormaster - Mummy (See 'A Stunnin' asthma story')
• Dead End - Mummy
• Breakdown, Drag Strip, Wildrider - Mummy from OG People's Park after we promised to see a Chinese doctor!
• Vortex - unknown
• Brawl - unknown
• Swindle - unknown
• Razorclaw (Jap), Rampage (Jap), Divebomb (Jap), Tantrum (Jap), Headstrong (Jap) - Mummy from Isetan sale; S$7.90 each
• Chromedome - Daddy
• Cutthroat - Mummy
• Pounce & Wingspan - Daddy through Mummy
• Scourge (Targetmaster) - Daddy through Mummy
• Backstreet - unknown
• Quake - unknown
• Squarktalk & Beastbox - 4th Uncle
• Roadgrabber - Daddy
• Sportscar patrol - 4th Uncle

And now for the Transformers we shared:

• Frenzy & Ratbat (gold weapons) - 4th Uncle
• Hot Rod - exchanged with classmate ZY
• Springer - exchanged with classmate ZY
• Punch/Counterpunch - exchanged with classmate ZY
• Flywheels - exchanged with classmate ZY
• Slapdash - unknown
• Slugfest & Overkill - 4th Uncle

There it is, a slice of our childhood history, which I'd say is 70% accurate given the fuzziness of my memory. I remember the highlights like us slyly refusing to see a Chinese doctor and drinking bitter black and putrid Chinese medicine, agreeing only after mummy promised she would buy me my remaining three Stunticons and my brother's remaining three Aerialbots. My brother and I spent a good 90mins convincing her. That was a riot!

The nefarious nihilistic negativity of... Negatron

It has been awhile.

For the past month, I have been hitting the books in heroic style, something I have not done since the distant memory that were my university days. Book hitting evolved into various study groups which at times devolved into all manner of conversations.

In one of these conversations, h-beest (a person, but not exactly a Transformers fan), mentioned a Transformer - Negatron.

"What?", I asked bewildered (so sure that it was preposterous, bordering on sacrilegious that there was a Transformer who escaped my attention).

"Negatron", h-beest repeated.

"Huh? What, where, how?", I quipped.

"He appeared in the Family Guy and Negatron transforms into a canoe and he is very negative", she said.

H-beest provided further information: Negatron appeared in Season 9, Episode 14 of the Family Guy entitled "Tiegs for Two".

With that info, I found out more about Negatron, who no doubt is a parody of the Decepticon leader Megatron.

Negatron profile:

"Negatron is a member of the Decepticons with the attitude that nothing will ever go right for them. When Megatron is trying to rally the Decepticons in "Tiegs for Two" into another scheme, he is shot down by Negatron. Megatron points out that his only power is to turn into a canoe, and Negatron says they'll regret needing him if they have to battle on a slow-moving stream.

It should be noted that Negatron is a Family Guy original creation and not an original Transformer.

He is voiced by Alec Sulkin." (source)

Can you spot Negatron?

(left to right: Barrage (in his first ever cartoon appearance), Megatron, Scrapper, Astrotrain, Hook, Negatron, Rumble, Soundwave).

But wait, there's more.

In science, Negatron is: (1) An electron with a negative charge, as contrasted with a positron; (2) an obsolete word for electron.

In music, Negatron is: an album by Canadian metal band Voivod.

In gaming (World of Warcraft), Negatron is: a level 69 fel reaver who often comes to visit Area 52 to destroy its machines. He doesn't "do" anything other than a minor scripted scene.

From the Urban usage perspective, Negatron is: (1) expressing denial or refusal; saying "no"; (2) one who continously views all subjects in a negative way on a dialy basis.

What an interesting 'fella, this Negatron guy.

I'll close with this...

~ HD

Tidbits on C-310: God Ginrai and D-307: Overlord

Over at OZ Formers, we were discussing the issue of how to tell if Super Ginrai and Godbomber were vintage 1988 releases or whether they were the reissue (there were Takara and Hasbro reissues in the early 2000s).

To be honest, I didn't know how to tell and what the date stamp would say.

So, I went and took out my vintage C-310: God Ginrai giftset to find out.

There is no date stamp on the cab section of Super Ginrai. The date stamp on the trailer section of Super Ginrai says:

(c) 1987 HASBRO Inc.

(c) TAKARA . 1987

JAPAN

Photo:

The date stamp on Godbomber says:

創作 . 著作物

(c) TAKARA . 1988

JAPAN

Photo:

Quite interesting that Super Ginrai (aka Powermaster Prime) is stamped 1987 instead of 1988. Maybe the mold was designed in 1987. Also, the presence of the "Hasbro" stamp meant that this piece is for US and Japan release.

Godbomber on the other hand is stamped 1988, means possibly designed later to compliment Super Ginrai and only stamped Takara, because it was only meant for release in Japan (or at least meant for non-US release).

Both were made in Japan.

I suspect that the reissues are going to say "China" somewhere.

Another interesting aspect of C-310: God Ginrai is it's box size - it's identical or at least 99% identical in terms of size, with his arch-nemesis in the Masterforce series, D-307: Overlord!

Don't believe me? Check these out....

Box top size comparison

Box side size comparison

Wow, this is very prolific and I'm disappointed with myself for not discovering it earlier...

HK Market Watch updates

Been awhile.

A couple of things to update on.

28 Aug 2011

Once again, lots of 'new' G1 figures in at 懷古角. I only went down on Sunday, about 5 days after the stock came in, so probably some other figures have been bought by people already.

What's new?

• yet another C-114: Fortress Maximus, this one C9+ and unused - going for HKD$22,500. Very steep price, I think.
• yet another D-307: Overlord, very minty box, close to MISB, unused contents.
• D-318: King Poseidon giftset, box C8, contents unused
• interestingly, a Goodbye Megatron giftset, robot points and goodbye coupon cut, but otherwise very minty.
• Japanese individual boxed Predacons
• various eHobby reissues.

BAPE Convoys are starting to pop up on the secondary market. At least 2 stores have them.

Asking price is something silly like HKD$2700 for one store and HKD$3000 in another store.

***

3 September 2011

BAPE Convoy prices are dropping. Now its going for HKD$2250 in one store and as low as HKD$2150.

Interestingly, some one is selling a Big Powered set, complete except the 3 micromasters.

Back to my favourite store again. Not too much has changed, but the C-114 is sold (still there, but sold), Goodbye Megatron is sold and D-318: King Poseidon is also sold.

Man, these eHobby stuff looks minty. I caved today and bought Ghost Starscream for E (she likes transparent stuff).

New addition, C-55: Superion giftset, MISB