Under the Sea - Their Arrival

Previous chapter: The Auction

It was 30th October.

They are here. The full set of Seacons, all mint on card and mint in box. After approximately 5 days of waiting, they are here!

This huge box that claimed almost the entire chair and so high it reached to my chest level. I peered at the label and confirmed that my Seacons are indeed contained in this huge box.

I had to wait till the next day to open it and when doing so thought 'wow, the seller really outdid himself and exceeded my expectations in terms of packing'.

This was my message to him before he packed:
'Could you use a generously sized box that is say larger than all the contents by 25 to 30%? This is so that if something happens to crush the packing box, the Snap Trap box wont get exponentially damaged. I would try to go for bubble wrapping for individual cardbacks and toys and then pouring in an abundance of packing peanuts, but its your call.'

This is the packing result...

Packing box compared with what is already the huge Scorponok box

From the looks of it, it seems he followed my suggestion to the T. I really appreciate that. I appreciate a seller who respects the buyer rather than just thinking 'this bugger wants to give me more work.'

There were 2 smaller packing boxes inside the large box.

The individual Seacons were generously bubble wrapped and within the big packing box. Inside the first one was Snap Trap MIB all padded with cardboard to keep the flap straight and packing peanuts to buffer the toy box from damage.

Ultra secure packing for Snap Trap box, which came in a smaller box put within the large packing box

In the second smaller packing box were the 5 Seacon cardbacks. Each cardback was fully protected with custom cut cardboard and then generously bubble wrapped.

Individually bubble wrapped Seacon cardbacks

Cardboard protected and reinforced

The packing was so secure that I'm 100% certain the toys reached me in the state they left the seller.

The seller's eBay userID is 'frankiemelbourne'. I highly recommend this seller.

Next: Photogallery [Part 1] - Mint on Card and Mint in Box

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Read all Under the Sea chapters
Chapter 01: The Auction
Chapter 02: Their Arrival
Chapter 03: Photogallery [part 1] - Mint on Card & Mint in Box
Chapter 04: Photogallery [part 2] - The Toys
Chapter 05: Photogallery [part 3] - The Details
Chapter 06: Postscript

***
Related article: Operation Combiner

Metalverse Hot Rod- The Origin

Previous Chapter: An Introduction to Metalverse Hot Rod

Continuing from the introduction, I am penning the history, the origin, of how this figure came about because it is of great interest to me.

I first 'heard' about this figure from Seibertron.com and on seeing the test shot pictures, immediately pre-ordered mine from Hobby Link Japan.

Metalverse Hot Rod was released in October 2007. It is licensed by Tomy Takara, designed by Hirofumi Ichikawa, sculpted by Yuho Koike and manufactured by Daiki Industries. It was mailed to me direct from Japan on 18th October 2007 and I received it on 22nd October.

I am extremely intrigued by how this figure came about. So, here it is, the 'origin' of Metalverse Hot Rod.

***

Metalverse Hot Rod will be released by Daiki Industrial this September. It was originally planned and sculpted by Yuho Koike and designed by Hirofumi Ichikawa, who performed those same duties for the production of the Metal Force Optimus Prime vinyl figure from Time House.

MF Optimus Prime was first released at BotCon Japan 1998 and was one of the pioneers of large-scale TF figures that didn't transform, but instead precisely reproduced the characters' animation designs for adult fans. It was also the first Optimus Prime figure to come with a laser axe and Matrix, accessories which would be included with several subsequent G1 Optimus Prime toys.

After MF Optimus Prime was released, Time House had plans to release a Megatron figure, but this was ultimately canceled. After Mr. Koike left Time House, he made plans for a new figure of his favorite character, Hot Rod. He started sculpting it on his own time and finished the prototype in 2001.

'To make the project a reality, we began protracted negotiations in America and Japan with the help of many TF fans. However, the trends of the time were not on our side, so we had to be patient and persevere for five years, until our chance finally came. Following the merger of Takara and Tomy, we were lucky enough to receive permission to release the figure as a licensed toy in Japan.'

Mr. Koike devoted himself to making it as accurate to the original animation design as possible.

In the early days of animated cartoons, especially robot shows such as Gigantor, for which they had to animate purely imaginary objects, studios had three-dimensional models made as examples of the proper character designs so the animators could look at them from various angles and draw consistent images. These were known as "animation reference models." Toei, the Japanese animation studio which worked on TF:TM in 1986, used such reference models in '60s.

The goal was to make this figure as close as possible to one of those models. Thus, toy designer Hirofumi Ichikawa checked and researched the images of the character in the show from many angles and compared them with multiple original design drawings. Some images included mistakes, while others omitted lines to save time in animation, so he analyzed many aspects of the design to choose, edit, and extract the true or ideal lines. He also took care to minimize any individual modifications to the design. He then finalized the revised design as the greatest common denominator of all the images he'd analyzed.

Taking this revised design, Mr. Koike used CAD-CAM, 3-dimensional modeling software, and a sculpting machine to make the design precisely symmetrical, then finished the sculpting by hand.

'After six years of effort, this is something like a dream come true for us after. You can be sure that we, too, are all looking forward to this figure becoming an actual retail product available on store shelves. If you have Metal Force Optimus Prime, please display Hot Rod with him.'

The above is an excerpt of Doug Dlin's (apcog@hotmail.com) translated text, which I've first seen posted on OZ Formers.

***
I'm very amazed that it took 6 years of courage, perseverance and unyeilding dedication before the designers were able to see their work mass produced.

Hmmm... I actually don't have the Metalforce Optimus Prime that is designed and sculpted by this very same team. I do have a bootleg version bought in 2002, but I cannot imagine having that stand next to my Metalverse Hot Rod. It wouldn't be worthy. It would be sacrilegious.

KO Optimus Prime directing Star Saber and Victory Leo into battle

Now that I think of it, perhaps it's time to hunt for a Metalforce Optimus Prime? Maybe? No? Yes?

Next: My reasons for Metalverse Hot Rod

***
Read all chapters in the Metalverse Hot Rod series
Chapter 01: Metalverse Hot Rod- An Introduction
Chapter 02: Metalverse Hot Rod- The Origin
Chapter 03: Metalverse Hot Rod- My reasons
Chapter 04: Metalverse Hot Rod- The Photos

Forum discussions
OZ Formers forum
Seibertron forum

Them little monsters - They are Here!

After a two and a half week wait, they are here.

Them little monsters are here.

Strange toys they may be, but I'm liking them more and more. This set is beginning to grow on me, little by little. But wait, look, they have encountered the Dinobots...

Monstructor versus Grimlock, Slag & Snarl

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Read all 'Them little Monsters' chapters:
Chapter 01: Them little monsters
Chapter 02: A prediction of price increase
Chapter 03: They are here!
Chapter 04: Gunning the monsters

Metalforce Hot Rod - An Introduction

'I hate Hot Rod' I've been saying that since TFTM in 1986.

I hated him because he caused the death of Optimus Prime. Sure Megatron may have been primarily responsible, but if Hot Rod didn't interfere and get used as a shield, Prime would have shot Megatron before the latter could fatally wound him.

'Wow Hot Rod is cool. I like him' was what i found myself saying a few days ago. I was bewildered to hear myself say that after having hated Hot Rod for the better part of 20 years. What is happening to me? What is the reason for my change in heart?

The reason? Metalforce Hot Rod.

Here he is... boom

This baby is so hot that I can't take my eyes off him.

I am incredibly impressed with Hirofumi Ichikawa's design and Yujo Koike's sculpt of Hot Rod. So much so that I've decided to do a series in 4 Chapters to fully pay tribute to such an awesome figure.

Next: The Origin of Metalverse Hot Rod

***
Read all chapters in the Metalverse Hot Rod series
Chapter 01: Metalverse Hot Rod- An Introduction
Chapter 02: Metalverse Hot Rod- The Origin
Chapter 03: Metalverse Hot Rod- My reasons
Chapter 04: Metalverse Hot Rod- The Photos

Forum discussions
OZ Formers forum
Seibertron forum

Upgrade 1.0 - heroicdecepticon domain secured

'You should secure the heroic decepticon domain' AR said a few hours after last week's site launch.

I agreed. So I should. So I did.

So here comes the first site upgrade after a week on the world wide web.

This little site can now be accessed with the following simple URL-
http://heroicdecepticon.com

I've also gotten an email with the domain and can now be contacted here or at-
secrets@heroicdecepticon.com

'till all are one!

-HD-

The Dragon and the Ape part 3: Reflections

Previous Chapter- The Dragon & the Ape Part 2: Apeface

Now I've got them both. The Dragon and Ape.

I got to thinking that they ought to be Scorponok's lieutenants just like Buster and Hydra were to Overlord; just like Cyclonus and Scourge were to Galvatron; and just like Skywarp and Thundercracker were to Starscream.

I know they were not exactly written in the comics or cartoons to be such but the profiles do say a lot. I'll illustrate my thoughts by comparing them with Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge

From a design point of view, Snapdragon and Apeface have complimentary colour schemes just like Cyclonus and Scourge have.

Now, a look at their Marvel Universe bios...

Scorponok: Scorponok, as Headmaster Leader and arguably the leader of the Decepticons after Galvatron, approximates to Galvatron as Decepticon Leader.

Apeface: Apeface's function is listed as 'Saboteur' while Cyclonus' function is also listed 'Saboteur'. Apeface and Cyclonus undoubtedly serve their respective leaders in the same capacity.

Snapdragon: Snapdragon's function is listed as 'Interceptor'. An interceptor is a type of aircraft which 'intercepts enemy aircraft and destroys them'. Scourge's function is 'Sweeps Leader' but the sweeps function collectively as 'Hunter-Trackers' that 'hunts down and eliminates' targets. Snapdragon 'intercepts enemy aircraft and destroys them'; Scourge 'hunts down and eradicate[s]' targets, - 'intercept' is similar to 'hunts down' because to intercept, one has to find the target first, one has to hunt the target down; 'destroy' is similar to 'eradicates'. It thus follows that Snapdragon and Scourge serve their respective leaders in a similar capacity.

Snapdragon's binary partner, Krunk, served as Lord Zarak's (Scorponok's binary partner) bodyguard before they became Headmasters. It is very possible that Snapdragon would serve in a similar capacity due to Krunk's influence whether conscious or subconscious.

Conjecture or conclusion?: I therefore believe that Snapdragon and Apeface are meant to be Scorponok's 'lieutenants' just as Cyclonus and Scourge are Galvatron's.

The Dragon and the Ape is to the Scorpion what the Hovercraft and Spaceship is to the Space Gun.

To me at least, it makes perfect symmetry and it makes perfect sense.

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Read the entire The Dragon and the Ape series!
Chapter 1 – The Dragon and the Ape part 1: Snapdragon
Chapter 2 – The Dragon and the Ape part 2: Apeface
Chapter 3 – The Dragon and the Ape part 3: Reflections

Blastin' with Blaster's box art

Previous Chapter- Blastin' with Blaster's comic persona

Blaster

For the second part of the tribute, I contributed an updated high quality scan of the Blaster box art to Botch's Box Art Archive.

I scanned the box art in from my MIB Blaster, which has his left foot and left ear cut off. With Photoshop, I touched up slight flaws and optimized its colour, contrast and saturation to make the reds and yellows more vibrant. I made his left 'ear' whole. Lastly, I had to re-construct his left foot from scratch by using the previous low resolution box art scan for reference.

The foot is perhaps the most challenging part. Many edits were done on this. I did an edit, which my friend found unsatisfactory. We then sat down together to do another 2 edits over 2 nights before asking for Botch's comment and together coming up with what is on the Box Art Archive now.

Blaster box art editing

So there it is, the current Blaster box art is from me. What an honour! It can be seen here. Botch's tribute post to Blaster can be seen here.

A great big thank you to Botch for giving me this wonderful opportunity to appropriately contribute to the Transformers fandom through such a core G1 character and one that is dear to me.

And that was it, my second tribute to Blaster. I enjoyed Blastin' with Blaster, I hope you did too!

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Read all Blastin' with Blaster chapters
Chapter 01: Blastin' with Blaster
Chapter 02: Blastin' with Blaster's comic persona
Chapter 03: Blastin' with Blaster's box art