transformers

A Transformers magazine, you say?

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So, for a while now I’ve been throwing about the idea of doing a magazine (digital, presumably) about the Transformers toy collecting scene.

Now, having worked in publishing for over a decade I’m all too aware of the challenges. And honestly, at this stage I don’t even know if the idea is even viable. Step one was asking around among the community. I’ve done that, and the feedback was pretty positive. Step two is to try and get some more structured feedback.

So…

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REVIEW: Unique Toys Y-04 Allen

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That fucking green, though. He’s so green. Like, really green. It’s wonderful. Not that I’m saying Transformers have to be green to be good. I mean, Devastator is green and is good. Trees are green, in part, and I really like trees. Grass is green and grass is really good. But I look over at my collection and really there’s very little green. The chest panels on Maketoys Visualizers. Ironwill. Gundog. Acid Storm. Generations Allen. There’s a real green deficit going on, and Allen’s here to plug that gap.

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REVIEW: MP-32 Convoy (Beast Wars) Optimus Primal

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I’m going to come straight out of the gate here and confess that I don’t much care for Beast Wars.

I’m not saying it’s bad. I’ve tried to watch it a couple of times but have never been able to get past how ugly it is. It’s kinda like Dora the Explorer. Dora’s not a bad show, but I could barely tolerate my little one watching it because every aspect of the visual design made my soul itch. In The Night Garden, on the other hand, is some sexy shit. Lovely trees, well kept grass, and Makka Pakka is a total dude. Nickelodeon’s Ninja Turtles? Beautiful. Adventure Time? Glorious, in every way.

Yeah, anyway…

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REVIEW: KO MP-10 Eva Optimus Prime

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One Masterpiece to rule them all. You may choose to argue that MP-10 is not the greatest masterpiece ever made because you’re young and you’re cool and you’re a hipster and an individual and rise about the ‘sheeple’. But you’re also wrong. MP-10 is, as they say down our way, ‘the bollocks’.

OK, I concede that you at least maintain the right not to adore MP-10 above all others, but I’m happy to go with the crowd on this one. He’s a magnificent figure, with two virtually perfect and kibble free modes that sport a gorgeous anime look. There are complaints to be made, such as the vehicle rear still looking a bit leggy. Some cite the figure’s ‘gorilla’ arms (which I’ll take any day over the added kibble introduced by the Shadow Fisher add-on). And some specimens might be troubled by loose ankles or smokestacks. But, really, to criticise MP-10 is prove yourself impossible to please. This is as good as it gets.

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REVIEW: DX9 D08 Gewalt

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I’ve chosen Gewalt for my second review subject for a couple of reasons. Firstly, having been pretty negative in my initial piece (Ollie), I wanted to write about something I feel more positive about. Secondly, I’ve not handled this guy too much since he first arrived, and this seemed like a good excuse.

I’ll put my hands up and admit, I’m quite a fan of DX9. Chigurh seemed to get a middling reception, but he tickled my fancy. Maybe I’m sweet on skinny thighs? Carry has the unique honour of being the only third party toy to actually replace an official Masterpiece on my shelf, booting MP-09 from his spot. Tyrant, too, I quite enjoyed. Mightron is a success as well, and would have been a worthy MP Megatron ‘winner’ had it not launched alongside a certain rival.

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