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Post by Pinwig on Dec 26, 2022 13:32:42 GMT
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 26, 2022 17:00:21 GMT
The TF lines will be heavily clearanced very quickly after new toys come out. Inflation/cost of living + continual price hikes = a slow-down for the brand.
The yellowing problem will not be solved.
Earthspark toys will not be easy to get.
Rise of the Beasts will come and go without much fanfare as a film but the toys may be good.
A new licensee for the comics will be announced and no-one will be happy.
-Ralph
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Post by Llama God on Dec 27, 2022 10:16:09 GMT
Don't think there's much there that I can disagree with, either. I'll certainly try to come up with my own set of resolutions, but I think the Doctor's nailed it pretty much there.
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Post by Pinwig on Dec 27, 2022 10:53:51 GMT
It's quite hard to make predictions about toys now given the deluges of leaks we get. I'm still thinking about what my hopes are. Have I got any?!
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Post by blueshift on Dec 27, 2022 11:10:44 GMT
It's quite hard to make predictions about toys now given the deluges of leaks we get. I'm still thinking about what my hopes are. Have I got any?! I'd like to see something that sparks joy. Too many figures feel a bit cookie cutter update at the moment. I want something that will make me sit up, preferably with a weird gimmick And a Titan Tidal Wave |
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Post by Pinwig on Dec 27, 2022 11:20:42 GMT
Maybe we should be doing hopes and predictions for 2024 rather than 23! That way we can actually predict toys. Titan Tidal Wave would be very exciting.
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Post by Llama God on Dec 27, 2022 15:33:12 GMT
It's quite hard to make predictions about toys now given the deluges of leaks we get. I'm still thinking about what my hopes are. Have I got any?! I'd like to see something that sparks joy. Too many figures feel a bit cookie cutter update at the moment. I want something that will make me sit up, preferably with a weird gimmick Yes, exactly this. Whilst the current Generations line is indeed a set of generally well executed and solid figures that are good representations of characters we know, that's also all they are. There's no surprises. And whilst this sounds a little entitled (and indeed it is) and would be an odd thing for me from even five years ago to hear myself saying, the predictable competency has just become a bit unengaging. When a character is announced (well, leaked) as being in the upcoming line, it's pretty easy in most cases to have an image in our heads of what the character will look like, and we'll probably be right. Generations has basically become The Black Series but from transf- converting robots, and whilst we're fortunate that there's a huge cast of characters to work through, eventually that'll become stagnant. What I want to see aren't slavish takes on existing characters, but something fun and unexpected. Gimmicks, for sure! But even something like Combiner Wars or Titans Return was a little more interesting, in that it gave us characters we wanted but with a little spin on them. Just something like that I'm after - we don't even have to go as far as the complete madness of the CHUG line, just... something of interest. Something to remind us that these are actually TOYS. To be played with. I'd really hoped that Earthspark was going to be that mad gimmick line, and maybe it will be. But who knows when we'll actually be able to find out... |
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 27, 2022 15:40:08 GMT
HOPES
The Dinobot Road and Mini-Autobot Road are completed. Dinobot road is progressing - so very close. I have high hopes: Snarl on the way and surely Swoop will not be missed out.
Mini-Autobot Road has stagnated somewhat, with the occasional sputter of activity. Too slow... TOO SLOW! Gears! Windcharger! Beachcomber! Powerglide! SEASPRAY!
I also hope the other two Insecticons appear in good order.
Dare I hope for an Owl Prowl...?
PREDICTIONS
More patience, but Omega Day will come.
RESOLUTIONS
None. All is well. My sights are set. Clarity of nostalgia, before rashness of collecting.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 27, 2022 16:11:03 GMT
Mini-Autobot Road has stagnated somewhat, with the occasional sputter of activity. Too slow... TOO SLOW! Gears! Windcharger! Beachcomber! Powerglide! SEASPRAY! IIRC one of those Minibots is on the runway with another unmentioned in SS86 which leads us to suspect a third somewhere..... I also hope the other two Insecticons appear in good order. The two you want are coming but the art very much suggest they're not the only Insecticons this year! |
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 27, 2022 16:14:32 GMT
Mini-Autobot Road has stagnated somewhat, with the occasional sputter of activity. Too slow... TOO SLOW! Gears! Windcharger! Beachcomber! Powerglide! SEASPRAY! IIRC one of those Minibots is on the runway with another unmentioned in SS86 which leads us to suspect a third somewhere..... Wha??? Brawn is coming. Beachcomber has been rumoured. Who else...?!?! |
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Post by Pinwig on Dec 27, 2022 16:17:23 GMT
I think Phil means if Brawn if coming, Outback will follow. But as we know, Shockers cares not for the 86 minibots. His heart lies elsewhere.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 27, 2022 16:17:29 GMT
Beachcomber is coming in Evolution
Brawn is coming in SS86
And if Brawn is coming Outback shouldn't be far behind
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 27, 2022 16:20:34 GMT
OH BLOODY HELL, PHIL, I DON'T GIVE TWO SHITS ABOUT OUTBACK!!!
'84! '85!
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 27, 2022 16:21:42 GMT
*POUNDS GROUND DOC'-STYLE*
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Post by Pinwig on Dec 27, 2022 16:35:06 GMT
See the cold heart of Shockprowl exposed.
How can anyone hate poor Pipes?
I think Shockprowl needs a visit from three ghosts to thaw the ice in his veins. But... Who would they be? The ghost of Transformers Christmas past would have to be Dead Prowl.
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Dec 27, 2022 17:03:51 GMT
OH BLOODY HELL, PHIL, I DON'T GIVE TWO SHITS ABOUT OUTBACK!!! '84! '85! But Outback is the Anti-Hot Rod. He saved Optimus Prime’s life and restored his position as leader. Martin |
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 27, 2022 17:09:28 GMT
A true hero. I am still bitter about his crap toy.
-Ralph
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 28, 2022 0:10:50 GMT
See the cold heart of Shockprowl exposed. How can anyone hate poor Pipes? I think Shockprowl needs a visit from three ghosts to thaw the ice in his veins. But... Who would they be? The ghost of Transformers Christmas past would have to be Dead Prowl. Eat shit. |
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 28, 2022 0:11:23 GMT
OH BLOODY HELL, PHIL, I DON'T GIVE TWO SHITS ABOUT OUTBACK!!! '84! '85! But Outback is the Anti-Hot Rod. He saved Optimus Prime’s life and restored his position as leader. Martin You raise an interesting point.... I will think on this further. |
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Jim
Thunderjet
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Post by Jim on Jan 3, 2023 13:05:53 GMT
Hopes
Exciting news on the comics front - I was a bit premature last year as I didn't realise the IDW license went right to the end of 2022. In some ways I feel bad about this, as IDW have been a good steward overall (though could have stood to see the Classics UK line through to the end) and some lovely, talented people have been working on these comics who deserve to get more work, but I'm hoping a big shake up will bring something new.
Some new reissues which aren't just Sunbow / TFTM takes on old moulds - as per the TT podcast, Blue Bluestreak would be amazing but I'd love to see some other surprise reissues. Maybe some BW Transmetals, too?
Predictions
RotB will be so-so - better than the Bay movies, not as well-received as BB.
(Some of the RotB toys will be amazing though)
Despite the calls for HasLab to be used to crowdfund a G1 Unicron or a set of Dinobot reissues, I expect it will stick closer to the Generations line. Commander-class Thunderclash would be my best guess. And they'll announce a G1-styled Skyquake from the Legacy mould around the same time.
Resolutions
Only buy toys which are going to spark some kind of joy - there was too much stuff I was buying in 2022 on autopilot, like all the Diaclone homages. If I can get vintage loose G1 Transformers that I've wanted for decades for similar prices, why am I not doing that? So I've sat down and come up with a list of Transformers down the years that I missed out on and would like to pick up (including more than a few that I regret selling), as well as a few new ones I'm keen on, and plan on sticking to that.
I also want to keep the buying down a bit, and up the selling, because I'd like to get on the MPG train. They're pricey but I think they'd bring more joy than spending the same amount on some Legacy recolours.
Finally, do more painting and drawing again. 2020/21 were great for this, but '22 was a disaster.
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Post by Pinwig on Dec 22, 2023 13:11:18 GMT
It's that time again! How did we all do...
I know how I did, rubbish, because I didn't post again. Apart from getting excited about the possibility of a Titan Tidal Wave.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 22, 2023 13:29:23 GMT
Ralph's look uncannily accurate The TF lines will be heavily clearanced very quickly after new toys come out. Inflation/cost of living + continual price hikes = a slow-down for the brand. The yellowing problem will not be solved. Earthspark toys will not be easy to get. Rise of the Beasts will come and go without much fanfare as a film but the toys may be good. A new licensee for the comics will be announced and no-one will be happy. -Ralph |
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 22, 2023 14:27:09 GMT
HOPES The Dinobot Road and Mini-Autobot Road are completed. Dinobot road is progressing - so very close. I have high hopes: Snarl on the way and surely Swoop will not be missed out. Mini-Autobot Road has stagnated somewhat, with the occasional sputter of activity. Too slow... TOO SLOW! Gears! Windcharger! Beachcomber! Powerglide! SEASPRAY! I also hope the other two Insecticons appear in good order. Dare I hope for an Owl Prowl...? PREDICTIONS More patience, but Omega Day will come. RESOLUTIONS None. All is well. My sights are set. Clarity of nostalgia, before rashness of collecting. My hopes came good with the timely completion of the Insecticons, but the Dinobot and Mini-Autobot roads are still pitted with potholes of desperation and longing. The Dinobot road should be completed next year though. Although Big Phil has still not provided any pictures of the upcoming Swoop. The Mini-Autobot road stretches off to an infinite horizon. No word on the Missing Four: Gears, Windcharger, Powerglide, and Seaspray. I am so very very close... The energies I must pour into my well of patience leave me a withered husk of a collector. Hands drenched in lover's rosey stain... |
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Post by Pinwig on Dec 22, 2023 16:08:40 GMT
Your hands seem to get drenched a lot.
Perils of being a medic I suppose.
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 22, 2023 16:56:43 GMT
Ralph's look uncannily accurate The TF lines will be heavily clearanced very quickly after new toys come out. Inflation/cost of living + continual price hikes = a slow-down for the brand. The yellowing problem will not be solved. Earthspark toys will not be easy to get. Rise of the Beasts will come and go without much fanfare as a film but the toys may be good. A new licensee for the comics will be announced and no-one will be happy. -Ralph I AM THE ORACLE. -Ralph |
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Post by Pinwig on Dec 22, 2023 17:03:05 GMT
I AM THE CEEFAX.
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 22, 2023 17:08:05 GMT
TELETEXT TITAN!
-Ralph
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 22, 2023 18:39:46 GMT
Your hands seem to get drenched a lot. Perils of being a medic I suppose. There's less bodily fluids now I drive a desk. ...although a surprising amount of bodily fluid is still involved. |
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Post by Pinwig on Dec 22, 2023 19:15:41 GMT
Your own doesn't count.
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Jim
Thunderjet
Micromaster Backside Monitor
Now in glorious Ultra HD 4K
Posts: 4,922
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Post by Jim on Dec 22, 2023 20:48:39 GMT
HopesExciting news on the comics front - I was a bit premature last year as I didn't realise the IDW license went right to the end of 2022. In some ways I feel bad about this, as IDW have been a good steward overall (though could have stood to see the Classics UK line through to the end) and some lovely, talented people have been working on these comics who deserve to get more work, but I'm hoping a big shake up will bring something new. Well, I know reception has been mixed but I’ve been loving the Daniel Warren Johnson book, so I’m happy with this one. Bit of disappointment-but-not-surprise situation here. Blue Bluestreak was always a stretch, and I guess the Beast Wars reissues didn’t do very well considering how deeply discounted they got, so no surprise they haven’t been followed up. Yes and yes I think. No, clearly. Didn’t expect there to be no HasLab though. Sort of kept to this one; I didn’t stick to G1 like I thought I would, if anything I ended up on more of a Beast Wars kick. Also a lot of reacquiring and gap-filling. I’m pleased with what I got this year, and the one major disappointment was a 2023 release. I definitely didn’t cut back on the buying, it was my biggest year ever, but at the same time I had a lot of success selling (mostly not Transformers - G.I. Joe 25th stuff goes for surprising money at the moment) which made up for it in the end. The MPG train bots are wonderful, two more coming in January from my Zen storage. Utter failure here. Has been a bad year for this kind of thing for various reasons, hoping that will clear up in ’24. |
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