[Cold + Ice] + [Optimus x Magic Square] = win
masterpiece
Rouge
StandardFanstoys’ Transformers: The Movie range grows further, and with an MP I’ve been dying for. I do wonder though when the adulation for this company will start to wane. Its first release, Quakewave, was a classic, but sadly still probably the best figure the company has released.
Me Grimlock King!
StandardI concede that Fanstoys Grinder is the ‘better’ fit on the Masterpiece shelf (and he sits on mine), especially when among his Fanstoys brothers. But for me the official MP (in this instance the Hasbro V1) remains the ‘better’ realisation of the Autobot Grimlock.
Evolution vs Revolution
StandardOne of the things I’m most enjoying about MP-39 Sunstreaker is exploring how his differences from MP-12 so ably demonstrate the evolution of the Takara Masterpiece.
MP-39
StandardHaving MP-39 alongside MP-12 really highlights how much the Masterpiece line has evolved, even since the MP-10 ‘reboot’. These modern releases have clearly been influenced by the third party market, with higher part counts, greater posability and, of course, an elevated price. I still love MP Sideswipe (and in some ways perhaps prefer the simplicity of the old MP cars, possibly?) but there’s no denying that Takara has taken the 3P model and proved that it can still lead the market. MP-39 is leaps and bounds ahead of Badcube’s Sunsurge, undoubtedly.
Collector’s Gazette – Masterpiece features
StandardI was really pleased to be given the opportunity to write about one of my favourite subjects is the last two issues of Collector’s Gazette. I’ll be writing a regular feature for them about more off-the-wall collecting hobbies starting in the summer.
Thanks ever so much to Maz for the picture contribution.
Collectors Gazette
StandardThe first of two articles I’ve written on Takara and Hasbro Transformers Masterpieces will appear in next month’s Collectors Gazette!
Devastating
StandardIgnoring my customer service problems with a defective bot for the moment (which is perhaps a story we’ll get to later), I can comfortably say that I think the individual Generation Toy Gravity Builder bots are loads better than Toyworld. They’re more stylized, certainly, but they’re better built and loads more fun.
Combined mode, however, is a totally different story. Constructor is just something else:
Magnificent
StandardThis might be not only the best picture of MP-36 I’ve seen, but possibly the best TF toy pic ever. Incredible work from oneshallfall.net (as shared on Twitter).
REVIEW: Takara MP-36 Masterpiece Megatron
StandardSooooo, the big one! I’m trying to recall if I’ve ever been as hyped for a release as I am for this. It was the lure of a ‘proper’ Masterpiece Megatron – Apollyon, in that instance – that drew me back into Transformers collecting. MP-10 had survived the purge, and I just knew I needed Apollyon to stand alongside him.
Of course, as it transpired, Apollyon was shambolic. In the time that has followed, however, two worthy MP Megatrons have been released. DX9 Mightron was very decent, but Maketoys Despotron was the one that stole my heart. He got 5 Stars from me just last week. Could Takara ever hope to better such a mighty fine figure? Well, let’s be honest – the early coverage of MP-36 wasn’t promising, was it?
ben parfitt 