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Just how did they name the Transformers anyway?

By
admesser24
– July 15, 2009Posted in: Transformers

Bob BudianskyAs seen in the interview on the 3rd disc of the 25th Anniversary Season One (2009), which is the bonus disc,
Bob Budiansky is the creator of many of the original Transformer names. He did word associations,connected words with the actual toy figures (Diaclone) and created names from those word associations.

In the eight page treatment that Bob Budiansky wrote, Ulchtar was Starscreams original name and had been edited with the name Starscream written over. This eight page treatment became the the Transformers reality, transforming Diaclones with no history, story or appeal into one of the most popular toy series ever created.

Kudos to you Bob Budiansky!

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Transformers Encore #19 Frenzy, Rumble, Lazerbeak and Overkill now available!

By
admesser24
– July 14, 2009Posted in: Encore releases

Transformers Encore #19Hey all you lolligaggers!

Big Bad Toy Store now has Transformers Encore #19 for $47.99 preorder.

This is one of the coolest Encore releases to date as Frenzy, Rumble and Overkill have not be re-released since the 1980s.

This set is scheduled to ship out November 2009. Definitely on the list for upcoming reviews!

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Space Runaway Ideon!

By
admesser24
– July 14, 2009Posted in: Space Runaway Ideon

Hey all you lolligaggers!

Space Runaway Ideon

Space Runaway Ideon

Space Runaway Ideon is an Anime fan’s must see! If you like giant space robots like I do, or simply love anime, please head over to http://counter-x.net/ideon/ and check out my friend Counter-X’s ultimate website about Ideon!

Very uncomplicated synopsis. Two different types of human beings are searching for the ultimate source of energy. Accidentally finding giant space machines, archaeologists are suddenly attacked by the Buff Clan. Several of those being attacked run to the giant machinery to take cover from the Buff Clan’s relentless assault, only to discover the giant machinery is ancient mecha known as the “God Giant” Ideon.

Ok, no more spoilers. Head over to Counter-X’s site and watch it all for yourself!

Special thanks go to www.shin-getter.info for the translations of the episodes.

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Transformers Universe review: Leo Prime

By
admesser24
– July 11, 2009Posted in: Universe

Name: Leo PrimeLeo Prime
Function: Maximal commander of black ops unit The Pack
“That’s an order soldier.”

Leo Prime is a career soldier, commander of an elite Maximal black ops unit designated The Pack. So secret is his unit, even those in the Maximal command structure are aware of it only as a rumor. Leo Prime and his comrades in The Pack travel wherever trouble is thickest, often working undercover to deal crippling blows to Predacon Plots.

Beast Mode:
Leo Prime is a techno-organic lion. Although he is designated a Maximal, he bears the Autobot emblem on his lion’s head, which transforms into his robot chest. The lion form is highly detailed and this version of Leo Prime (Convoy) has been repainted to resemble the G1 Optimus Prime color scheme, which looks great in bot mode, but absolutely makes little to no sense in lion form. Fortunately for me, I usually leave my bots in robot form, so beast mode does not bother me. The lion form has some flexibility with poses but is limited to moving the legs and claws forward or backward to give Leo Prime a pounce position, and a stand-at-attention position. A little bricky and the tail is a detachable from the joint, which can come off quite easily with even a little bit of play or movement.
Robot Mode:
Leo Prime’s robot mode is pretty decent. As opposed to Leobreaker and Nemesis Breaker who had the same head mold, Leo Prime has an Optimus Prime head mold. Being a “Voyager” class, he is about the same size as other $20 price point figures and is well designed with good joints. Leo Prime is another figure where the arms and legs of the Maximal beast form mode become the arms and legs of the robot mode. The robot head is cleverly hidden in a compartment of the lion’s head and has some movement flexibility in bot mode. The G1 Optimus Prime color scheme gives Leo Prime a presence as a figure. The arms and legs do not have as much movement but the forearms and hands can be maneuvered to give Leo Prime some decent poses.
Special Features:
Leo Prime has several unique features. The tail turns into his “jungle whip” which resembles a flail more than a whip. He also has key activated “robo-shredder claws” which pop out when you put the key into the slot on his forearms. Some of the most uniqueLeo Prime’s features are what he does not have. He does not have the electronics of the original version and the 3rd combiner mode (to combine with Cybertron Optimus Prime) is nowhere on the directions and no mention of the combiner mode on the packaging. This “secret” about Leo Prime may be remembered like the secret modes of RID Megatron (which was later revealed with RID Galvatron) or it may be lost as a legendary tales of Maximal slag.

Transformation: 2. Transformation difficulty is marked a 3 out of 4 on the box, but I give Leo Prime’s basic transformation a low score because the arms and legs are the same for both modes. The 3rd secret mode gets a 6 because you have to remove the forearms and reattach them to the connectors in the feet and put the tail in the join on the side of the legs. Overall Leo Prime’s transformation is not very complicated.
Durability: 10. Leo Prime resembles the G1 toys of yester-year sans the metal.
Fun: 8. Leo Convoy/Prime was one of my desired Beast War toy and although this is not the orginal version I wanted to get of him, I do like the color scheme and resemblance to Optimus Prime.
Price: 8. I picked Leo Prime up at Wal-Mart for $20. This is a standard price point for the Voyager line and is decent for the toy. The toys are all about the same size and quality varies. I did not mind paying $20 to get Leo Prime.
Overall: 9. Leo Prime is overall a good figure with the exception of missing several features that Leobreaker and Nemesis Breaker versions had. The color scheme does not look good in beast mode, but looks great in robot mode. Even though this is a repaint and does play on the popularity of Optimus Prime/Convoy, by giving the toy a new head mold, Leo Prime gains an edge over normal repaints. Anyone who is or was a Beast Wars/RID fan will not be disappointed with Leo Prime.

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Transformers Revenge of the Fallen review: Decepticon Bludgeon

By
admesser24
– July 11, 2009Posted in: Revenge of the Fallen

Decepticon Bludgeon

Revenge of the Fallen Bludgeon Voyager Class Tank/Samurai Review is a different review. This review is for the Bludgeon included with the Whirl/Bludgeon Toys R Us exclusive. Fear Not, you can find the new Bludgeon (with a gallery of pics) review here. http://lolligagger.com/revenge-of-the-fallen-decepticon-bludgeon-nest-global-alliance-review/

Name: Decepticon Blugeon
Function: Electric warrior
“To know your own limits, you must first know your foe’s limits.”

For the first time on Earth, two masters of the ultimate fighting art-Metallikato- face off in a battle to the very end. Weilding ancient blades, handed down through generatations of warriors, Autobot Whirl and Decepticon Bludgeon circle one another, every sensor alert for the slightest opening. Though they move slowly and deliberately now, once they strike, the battle will be far too fast for the human eye to see. It will be decided in a matter of microseconds by flashing blades powered by centuries of training.

Alternate Mode:
Decepticon Bludgeon transforms into a personnel carrier. Green, mean, killing machine. While I would have preferred a tank, as a repaint, I think this version of Bludgeon is a great job of blending a traditionally G1 (which the original was a Pretenter, with the famous Samurai appeal) and the Classic series. The personnel carrier is green, with the letters KN-2764 on the side, and a mounted machine gun on the front to engage any hostiles. As if Bludgeon needs a machine gun. Heh!
Robot Mode:
Bludgeon transforms into an incredible killing machine. Bludgeon is equipped with two spring loaded blades. These blades also combine to form double bladed weapon. These look like energon blades which could shred any bot that crossed Bludgeon. Another feature Bludgeon has is a center loaded extending cannon, which can be used for emergency up-close encounters where Bludgeon wants to finish his enemies.
Special Features:
Bludgeon is a deluxe sized figure, so the special features are limited. The best feature is that his spring loaded blades combine to make a double bladed weapon. These blades also tuck in neatly when transforming into the personnel carrier mode.

Transformation: 4. Not difficult at all. The only issue I had was that the wheels do not want to remain as straight looking as on the package. Overall a nice fit.
Durability: 7. Very tight transformation, standard bot form, and nothing that seems easily breakable.
Fun: 8. I never had any Pretenders, and did not even know about Bludgeon until years later reading the comics. Bludgeon breaks faces and takes no prisoners. This bot, with the repaint, fits the character.
Price: 7. Picked Bludgeon and Whirl at Toys R Us on special for $35. When you consider at the same time, the voyager class toys were only $18 on sale, and the deluxe (Bludgeon’s size) were on sale for $8 that week, I over paid for the same sized toys.
Overall: 8. Bludgeon is a really decent deluxe figure. I like his bot mode the best, and imagine him slicing and dicing as he ganks some unsuspecting bot.

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Transformers Revenge of the Fallen review: Autobot Whirl

By
admesser24
– July 11, 2009Posted in: Revenge of the Fallen

Autobot WhirlName: Autobot Whirl
Function: Aerial assault.
“If used logically, madness makes a great weapon.”

For the first time on Earth, two masters of the ultimate fighting art-Metallikato- face off in a battle to the very end. Weilding ancient blades, handed down through generatations of warriors, Autobot Whirl and Decepticon Bludgeon circle one another, every sensor alert for the slightest opening. Though they move slowly and deliberately now, once they strike, the battle will be far too fast for the human eye to see. It will be decided in a matter of microseconds by flashing blades powered by centuries of training.

Alternate Mode:
Autobot Whirl is a Sikorsky Pave Low helicopter. As seen before with the first movie, the makers decided to render some justice to our G1 favorite Whirl by giving this bot a proper mode. The copter forms with a few gimmicks, including a spinning set of blades, and a deployable raft to help save anyone lost. While Whirl is the traditional color scheme of his G1 original form, I think most Whirl fans will be happy with this Toys R Us exclusive release.
Robot Mode:
Although Autobot Whirl has been released under the Transformers Revenge of the Fallen series, and is in fact a repaint of a previously released toy, I really felt like I was picking up a G1 Classics toy. I did not have Whirl as a kid, but have had one as an adult collector, and this bot breathes life into a G1 classic figure. The figure has a good color scheme to match the character, and in robot form, Whirl turns into a killing machine as a Master of Metallikato.
Special Features:
Whirl has a few features that add to the playability of the toy. First off, the helicopter has a spinning blade feature, which is activated by a push button in the rear of the copter. In robot mode, this is detachable, so one can use it on Whirl’s back, or just leave it off. Another feature is a deployable raft from the cargo area that doubles up as a laser.

Transformation: 5. Not extremely complicated, but the top section of the copter where the blades connect to the body can be a little tricky.
Durability: 6. The bot is durable, but I could see the copter blades breaking easily.
Fun: 7. I am a big fan of Whirl, but some of the drawbacks are limited pose ability, and he has so much rocket gear shoulder pads that he has absolutely no peripheral vision at all. Another distraction for me was the raft/laser is not very feasible for a transformation. The only part that transforms is flipping the raft over to have a connector and a very rounded and dull looking laser. I don’t think Whirl would actually ever use this as a Master of Matallikato anyway. Who uses a laser in a karate fight anyway?
Price: 7. Picked Whirl up with Bludgeon at Toys R Us on special for $35. When you consider at the same time, the voyager class toys were only $18 on sale, and the deluxe (Bludgeon’s size) were on sale for $8 that week, I over paid for the same sized toys.
Overall: 7. Whirl is a decent Transformer. Not one to be overly excited, but decent. I give Whirl a 7 because I was not overly impressed by him other than he has a great vehicle mode.

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Transformers Titanium Series Review: Thrust

By
admesser24
– July 11, 2009Posted in: Titanium Series

Name: Thrust
Function: Warrior.
“My engine’s roar is my enemies’ song of doom”

Thrust is a bully, not a soldier. With the other Decepticons at his side, he’s as courageous as they come, charging into a battle boasting of the victory to come. Even when he and his comrades have their opponents outnumbered, however, he always picks the smallest, weakest target to attack. He’ll never fight an enemy his own size, and will come up with any excuse to avoid a fight he’s not certain he can win. He is a coward, through and through, with nothing but a bad attitude and a loud mouth to support him. What?
Versus the G1 original tech spec.
He rattles the air with the roar of his jets… believes half the battle is won if the opponent is “psyched out” by his mere arrival, so he makes no attempt to be sneaky. Pompous, loud-mouthed braggart and not too brave. Sudden, powerful accelerations can topple nearby buildings. Flies at Mach 2.5, can double speed in 20 seconds for up to two minutes. Carries four air-to-air missiles and two automatic missile launchers in robot mode. That’s more like it!

From warrior to coward? I don’t think so!
Alternate Mode:
Thrust’s alternative mode is a Cybertronian seeker. Built for war and hunting down his enemies, Thrust’s seeker mode looks ominous and terrifying. Assuredly Thrust destroyed many of the Autobot resistance while he was stationed on Cybertron. Thrust’s seeker mode has a sleek design, and a good color scheme comparable to the G1 counterpart.
Robot Mode:
Thrust’s robot mode is solid and looks great. Thrust is a Target exclusive Transformers Universe repaint of the War Within Thundercracker. Thrust is highly detailed, built with solid metal, plastic and soft plastic such as the head, fists and nose cone. I assume this is for safety. I am not a huge fan of soft plastic, but even using it for the head and hands, you don’t really notice it unless you are transforming it.

Transformation: 4 Thrust’s transformation is not complicated. While in seeker mode, Thrust’s robot parts are well hidden, and while in bot mode, Thrust just looks right.
Durability: 6. Decent mix of metal and plastic, the only issue I see is that the soft plastic over time can bend and harden into another shape. I am thinking the nosecone may not be as straight and true in several years as it is today.
Fun: 8. I have always loved the seekers. I don’t care how many remakes, repaints, or different versions, I just love the seekers. Death from above!
Price: 8. I picked Thrust up for $20 at Target. One of the perks is that he is a Target exclusive, but not an overpriced one.
Overall: 8. Thrust is a great addition to my collection. He looks great on my shelf in either mode and I love the way he looks next to Scourge.
Titanium series Thrust

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Transformers Titanium Series Review: Optimus Prime

By
admesser24
– July 11, 2009Posted in: Titanium Series, Transformers

Name: Optimus Prime
Function: Autobot commander.
“Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.”

From the first of a war that laid waste to their planet, to the final battle on their adopted home world, Optimus Prime has led the Autobots. For millions of years, he has stood like an unmovable pillar, even as chaos consumed all around him. He is more than a mere leader to his fellow Autobots-he is a symbol of all they stand for. He is justice, peace, and compassion personified. While he lives, the Autobots will never falter, and never give up.
Unique Feature: Powerful communications system lets him broadcast over interplanetary distances.

Alternate Mode:
Optimus Prime’s alternate mode is a Cybertonian truck. Built for a war that ravaged his homeland, this version of Prime is decent. Overall the truck mode conceals most of Optimus’ robot mode, yet his rifle is mounted to the truck bed, I’ll assume for fleeing or repelling of pursuers. The paint is traditional Optimus Prime with Blue, Red and Gray, and since this is a War Within Optimus Prime repaint, for a Target Exclusive, I can say that I have some Primes that I like more, and some that I like less. The War Within repaint Optimus Prime fits somewhere in the middle for me.
Robot Mode:
This is where I was first interested in Optimus. I saw the box at Target and saw that it was a Transformers Universe Target exclusive which perked my interest. The only other Titanium series toy I own is the Scourge, and I love that one. First impressions of opening up Big Bot were that he was heavy, highly detailed, and a decent representation of a War Within Optimus Prime. While this is true, I also noticed that since he is very heavy, the joints are a bit loose, and his head does not have any articulation at all. Optimus has decent enough articulation that one can pose him for a few decent shots though.
After checking him out a bit more, I noticed that his arms and legs do offer a bit of articulation that can compensate for the weak joints. For example, Optimus’ rifle is a great representation of his G1 version, highly detailed but gray instead of black. The rifle is made of the flexible plastic which will stay in place if you align it in just the right way in Optimus’ cupped hands.

Transformation: 2. Ridiculously easy. There was no challenge to transforming Optimus into either mode.
Durability: 5. I have mixed emotions about this. While Optimus has heavy metal, he also has very loose joints right out of the box.
Fun: 6. While I really thought War Within Optimus would be a cool repaint verion, the fact that he has loose joints is a major turnoff for me. Other than that, the bot rox.
Price: 6. I paid $20 at Target which was a decent price.
Overall: 7. This is a nice addition to my collection, but not a must have. As far as the repaint, I like the color scheme, and the toy is ok, but I would probably enjoy it more if it had super tight joints right out of the box.optimusprimebot

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Transformers Animated Review: Bumblebee

By
admesser24
– June 13, 2009Posted in: Animated

Picked up Bumblebee the same time I picked up Blurr. I had been trying to find the normal BB versus the Elite Guard recolor. I’m looking forward to picking up Wasp recolor (if they actually release it). Will do a proper review later on.

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Transformers Animated Review: Blurr

By
admesser24
– June 13, 2009Posted in: Animated

Just a quick review of Blur. I picked this guy up from what I am assuming is one of the last waves of Transformers Animated (I mean shipping) because I had not seen him in stores in a long time, and missed out on my first chance to get him. I’ll do an official Blurr review later on, but I wanted to post this to see how it looked.

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