Here's some random thoughts about last year, as usually published in the end of the year issue of Transformers Aficionado magazine, out of print after its inaugural issue.
BEST GENERATIONS FIGURE
My opinion is the only one that counts. The answer is Skids. See the last couple of posts. If you're having a debate, if Skids is better or if some Masterpiece is better, it's Skids. I solved the problem for you. I'm partial to G1 homages, you bet. So thumbs up for Trail(cutter)Breaker and Hoist. The popularity of the More Than Meets The Eye comic helps develop more appreciation for these characters and their figures, but the comic that comes with Skids is an added incentive: Skids comes with one of the best (and funniest) Transformers comics ever, one that caps off the 'first season' of MTMTE but, unlike the other pack-in comics that are focused on their respective characters, serves as the best introduction to the series. Great figure, great advertising for the awesome comic. Skids wins on every level. I win because I'm right.
WORST GENERATIONS FIGURE
IDW Bumblebee (Costa run). By the way, one day I will get around to defending Mike Costa's run on the comic. (I will definitely not be asking anyone to agree.) Anyway, the only thing that looks decent on this is the headsculpt. And even then I question myself on this. This was a great opportunity to truly update the figure and instead we get a lame Flimseybot (tm).
MOST UNNECESSARY GENERATIONS FIGURE
Goldbug? (Goldfire?) A slight retool of IDW Bumblebee?
I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HATE IT, BUT I LOVED IT
Generations Voyager Springer. I thought there was no need thanks to the GDO version, which itself was kind of crappy. I thought the Voyager from the two pack a few years ago was really good, even if it wasn't a triple changer. Hasbro did a great job with this. And I only got it because I was impressed with Sandstorm.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Sigh: Voyager Blitzwing. This guy is a mess if you take him out of robot mode. You can almost feel the tension in the tabs and joints as he rests in vehicle mode, waiting to spring open. Transforming him is a pain in the afterburners. I totally dig this character too, hence the bummer.
I DON'T GET
ConstructoBots. Or Construct Bots. I don't get it.
THAT SAID, WHAT HAPPENED TO
Kre-o Transformers. Are these even on the store shelves? Well, good riddance. I ended up giving away the Kre-o sets and keeping the TF Kreon figures. Keep it up with the Kreons, Kre-o!
BEST SHELFWARMER
I'm guessing that honor goes to MP Acid Storm. I'm waiting for his price to be knocked down to the lower 30's or something.
WHAT THE HECK ARE THOSE SKINNY OPTIMUS PRIME AND BUMBLEBEE FIGURES? THEY'RE LIKE A FOOT HIGH OR SOMETHING. THEY LOOK WEIRD AND LIKE THEY DON'T EVEN TRANSFORM. WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY?
Still can't figure it out. They look like novelty flasks. Were these intended for the QVC audience?
Next post: what to expect for next year. Maybe. Depends on if Transformers Aficionado Magazine sends its beat reporter over here to cover it.
Transformers Aficionado is not a real magazine.
You didn't think that you'd like Springer? Man, I fell in love with him the minute I saw the preview pics. Sure wish I could find a Skids around here...being on the southern coast sucks. And I'd totally read Transformers Aficionado. Totally.
ReplyDeleteSkids is still on the shelves here in my part of the midwest. Southern coast? As in American southern coast? Do I need to pick one up and send him to you? LMK. As for Springer, he's had a Voyager from a 2 pack (with that Ratbat spaceship thingy), the GDO (HTFD Tomahawk with a new head), and then the solid Warbot Defender. So I figured Springer had enough figures, official and otherwise. But they made him a triple changer, and it resulted in a Sandstorm, which I think is superior, BUT because it gave us a Sandstorm, that means the new Springer must be solid as well, and he is.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the offer, but my store should have a case here in a week, if all goes well. I like to call where I live the Southern Coast, it sounds nicer.
DeleteDo I win too if I agree with you on Skids? I been thinking its the bestest Generations Figure since mid-November last year - http://heroicdecepticon.blogspot.hk/2013/11/hasbro-generations-more-than-meets-eye.html
ReplyDeleteWith you on Blitzwing being disappointing as well. To be fair, the robot mode does look good, if you don't touch it at all. Otherwise, it either starts to fall apart or feels like its going to....