which Starscream is better? (2 choices)

[dyrl]

I'm having a hard time deciding (at least I've narrowed it down to two, unlike my previous Optimus Prime dilemna...

Here are my thoughts:

FOC:
Clearly a very poseable and nice robot mode. The jet has no kibble, but it's a bit top heavy and boxy. I suppose it gets away with it by virtue of it being alien and therefore not open to comparrison with existing aircraft from Earth (like Prime Starscream). A good G1 inspired design. It's Starscream. He would fit well with my other FOC toys, espcially with "his" army of Combaticons (once they finally get delivered to me).

The cons?

Well - Starscream is a unique character and....

PRIME First Edition voyager's robot mode strikes me as the perfect aesthetic for this Decepticon. It always irritated me that such a unique character was essentially a seeker clone. I always wanted him to havd his own design, and this one seems to fit the character well.

What should I do?

[Stomski]

You already seem to have made your decision on Prime Starscream.

[dyrl]

I guess so. I especially love his jet pack in robot mode and how it transforms. There is a lot of good engineering in him... I guess I just wanted to be sure. Maybe someone has him and is more critical?

[The Doctor]

Alas, I cannot vote as there is no sausage option!

-Ralph

[Toph]

Well, if character matters, loath as I am of Prime, Prime Starscream is easily the best version of the character in the franchise history. And even though they both represent the same character, FOC calls more visually upon the lackluster G1 Starscream, who was a screechy annoying wannabe.

Also, as much as I dislike the designs of Prime in general, I dislike the designs for FoC even more. Two representations of the same universe Starscream, one is unique. One apes a previous, more boring version.

I say go with Prime FE Starscream.

Please note, I do not have either version. But of the FoC toys, Starscream does look to be a better one. Likewise, of the entire Primeline, Starscream is one of the more interesting (And creepy!) designs.

[dyrl]

Jan 4, 2013 18:31:25 GMT The Doctor said:

Alas, I cannot vote as there is no sausage option!

-Ralph

Look hard at their weapons and you will see FEP has sausages hanging off his arms, FOC has meat graters.

Which is better?

[The Doctor]

Pork!

-Ralph

[Shockprowl]

I say get both versions and be damned!

[dyrl]

If I get both versions, I will indeed be damned. The point is to have 1 Starscream FOREVER :-)

[Jim]

Thought I might even up the votes, keep it interesting

Were I to buy one I'd go for FOC (Japanese version, at that), largely because it's the same model used for IDW Starscream in Robots in Disguise which is easily for me the most interesting portrayal there has yet been. A good Prowl toy along similar lines might convince me to make an exception to my no-buying and get both, so great are they in the comics.

[dyrl]

See how fickle I am - now you've got me doubting FE... that jet mode might haunt me. I mean, do I really want my one and only Air Commander to have that much kibble in jet mode? Heck, as soon as I get a character with a better jet mode, it'll make Starscream look dumb, won't it?

[dyrl]

Now I've gone and cancelled FE for FOC. 2 reasons: 1) jet kibble yucky, 2) I worry FE has only got novelty appeal and I would regret not having a more G1 type SS in future.

[Shockprowl]

You can't go wrong with Masterpiece, if it's just the one Starscream you're after. I have the older version, and he's outstanding. The newer version looks even better.

[Philip Ayres]

FOC. The colours aren't quite right but BIG GUNS!

[dyrl]

Yeah, big guns are ok. The jet mode is important too, he's the supreme air commander. He can't have a bad aircraft mode. Also, he'll go well with the Comhaticons :-)

[Stomski]

dyrl = old hubber polish pete right?

[dyrl]

In the flesh :-)

[Toph]

picked up FoC this morning, and so not impessed. Terrible representation of starscream.
It sucks at being G1 Starscream who it's not supossed to be to begin with, and it utterly fails at being Prime Starscream, who it's intended.
Not to mention the fact there are beast wars basics that have more clever transformations.

Would make a decent base for Triggerhappy, though.

[dyrl]

Please explain :-)

[Toph]

Okay... well, I shouldn't have to explain how it fails at representing it's intended character, as not even the head looks anything like Prime Starscream. Nothing about it looks vaguely like him.
But that's Hasbro's fault for not reigning in their own contractors to make sure their precious alligned universe is terribly alligned.

As for the G1 Starscream aspect, a repaint of Galaxy Force Starscream would have been a much better representation. Better jet, better toy, better proportions. For either Prime or G1 Starscreams, this guy is like putting Hulk proportions on Spiderman.

Remove starscream/seekers from the concept altogether, and it gets slightly better. But the proportions for the legs are still rediculous.
The toy/mold would look 100% better in both modes if the legs were proportional. Plus, if the legs were reduced in size (With a better, clever foot design), they might could have added a step or two into it's transformation scheme and made it a bit more worth while.

[dyrl]

Hmm... gonna hafta use me noggin ta tinks dis tru...

[Toph]

I won't have a version of the FE mold until the club sends out Slipstream. So I can't really give a valid opinion on that mold until then. (Had opportunities to get the FE Starscream, but passed up every single one. No need for it after Slipstream was announced)
But, the FE deluxes were designed when Hasbro actually put effort in designing transformation schemes, instead of making them simpler than legends. (it is a pathetically sad day when a modern $16 deluxe is less complicated than $5 Legend of Cybertron)
So I have a feeling that visually and functionality, FE Starscream will be a much more satisfying toy. (Mainline Prime Arcee is a better looking toy than FE Arcee, but she's just a shellformer. FE Arcee actually replicates Arcee's animation model by transforming.

[dyrl]

Yeah, problem is there's no more FE Starscream's available and I'm POLing what appears to be the last FOC SStarscream available. Hence if I give up on FOC it'll be for something totally different....

[Toph]

I've been finding FEs very regularly, though that may be about to dry up (At least I hope so. Sick to friggoin death of them. My TRU keeps continually restocking them instead of the GDOs, which is what I actually want). I can try to secure one for you if I ever come across them again.
Likewise, FoC Starscream is only just starting to roll out here, and he'll probably be around for a while.
Both are $16 USD.

[dyrl]

IfnI don't get FOC SS, then I will likely get Prime Bulkhead or G1 Commemorative Prowl...so... now my life has become even more complicated :-)

[dyrl]

Well, in typical Transformers fan fashion, I now got First Edition Starscream as well... So...now I have two Starscreams... but I'm thinking of making FE a different character, like Darkscream - Starscream's brother from an alternative universe who was called Starscream there but who FOC Starscream renames Darkscream here. That solves the problem :-)