With an emphasis on articulation, sculpting and accessories, Transformers: R.E.D. (Robot Enhanced Design) continues the tradition of non-transforming figures from the past such as Heroes of Cybertron. Primarily a Wal-Mart exclusive line, these were also made available via Hasbro Pulse.
Good news for Transformers fans in the UK: Hasbro Pulse UK is now open! This UK version of the site has come out of the gate featuring several products that may have been unavailable to fans in the UK previously (without paying crazy import prices). This includes figures like Generations Selects G2 Ramjet and Deep Cover as well as U.S. Walmart exclusives like the "Retro" Headmasters! If you're in the UK, head over to the page to see what's available!
Hot on the heels of this morning's Rodimus Prime reveal, Hasbro has unleashed pre-orders for a previously unannounced Generations Selects figure: G2 Ramjet! Featuring the character's snazzy purple and black deco based on the 1993 figure, this figure joins G2 Megatron as another figure paying homage to the unique era after G1.
Rumors have been circulating for months about a Commander Class Rodimus Prime figure, and now thanks to Figsoku on Twitter and Amazon Japan we have our first look at this new take on the "Chosen One" who took on the mantle of leadership after Optimus Prime!
Many years ago while visiting New York City's Chinatown, I came across a mysterious issue of (what appeared to be) a Transformers comic book published for the Chinese market. Featuring some...interesting artwork and seemingly using a narrative from three different G1 cartoon episodes, this is a curiosity I wanted to share with fans. Check out the scans in my gallery here!
One day many years ago I was running around New York City's Chinatown shopping. This was a normal activity for me back in the day but what was unusual was what I found one day in a book and stationary store on Mott Street: a Chinese Transformers comic book! Now, it is not unusual for companies around the world to publish their own Transformers stories and limit distribution to one geographic region. However, this was the first (and only) time I had seen a G1 based comic book from another country that was not just a reprint or riff of an existing comic book.
The Funko POP! brand of figures has expanded over the years to encompass an incredible array of licenses. Recently they expanded by releasing a line of G1 based Transformers figures. Many of these have been exclusives to stores like Target. Now the list of exclusives grows with the release of a "retro" styled Grimlock!
At the end of the live action Bumblebee movie, Optimus Prime appeared on Earth transforming into a very G1-esque truck alongside Bumblebee. If you are a collector with a lot of spare cash, the truck used in shooting that scene can now be yours! A listing on Facebook shows off the vehicle with a lot of descriptive text (pasted below for posterity). The current asking price is $21,600 but the owner is open to offers if you want to give it a go!
Earlier this week, Hasbro Pulse opened a new section for Partner Exclusives where a limited number of store exclusive toys were listed for sale. First up was Wave 1 of the Walmart exclusive R.E.D. series. Now the section has been updated with the Amazon exclusive "Galactic Odyssey" Dominus Criminal Pursuit 2-Pack featuring Barricade and Punch/Counterpunch!
The upcoming wave of Kingdom figures includes Core Class Megatron and Starscream figures. These were revealed back in December with dramatic photography by Hasbro. These will be mass releases in North America, but in Japan these two figures will be Takara Tomy Mall exclusives.