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Robots in disguise! The multimedia franchise that began in a 1984 effort to market some japanese transforming robot toys in the west is still going strong. Here's what we've got going on as of mid-2025, 12 years after this thread's founding: Comics! Skybound Entertainment has recently acquired the comics license and launched a new ongoing titled simply Transformers as part of its Energon Universe continuity, which it shares with Skybound's G.I. Joe comics and original Void Rivals storyline. Written by Daniel Warren Johnson, the ongoing presents a new take the original G1 story. The art and writing are highly praised, receiving 2 Eisner awards in 2024. I've seen it called "the perfect introduction to Transformers", so if you aren't familiar with any of this stuff and are looking for a place to start, this might be the one.  Movies! (Or not...) 2024 saw the release of Transformers One, a prequel-style movie that focuses on the events and conditions leading up to the Autobot-Decepticon war most TF stories are about. It was a critical success but not a commercial one, and with the recent slate of films underperforming in Hasbro's eyes it seems they won't be investing in further films for now. (There are rumors of director Michael Bay potentially returning to make more live action films, but no concrete indications yet.)  TV Shows! The current TV offering is Transformers: Earthspark, which started airing on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon in 2022. Aimed at a younger audience, it's an after-war story about the first transformers born on earth being adopted by some humans and learning what family is. After an initially charming setup, the show has been met largely with mild disappointment, particularly after the entire original creative staff was replaced for the second season onward.  Video games? Hasbro's new corporate strategy fancifully titled "Playing to Win" claims their receding investment in film and TV will allow them to put more emphasis on other areas including digital games. However the game we were supposed to get, Transformers Reactivate, was unceremoniously canceled, so we haven't seen real results yet. Still, this may be a space to watch for the near future.  (Picture from here) And most importantly: Toys! The primary focus for collectors currently is the Legacy, Age of the Primes, and Studio Series lines, which primarily feature characters from all over past Transformers history and lore in new sculpts typically more accurate to on-page/screen appearance than ever before. (Studio Series is movie characters specifically, including the 1986 movie.) Fans of gimmicks and play features won't find much of that in the current mainline, but if there's any guy you remember particularly liking back when, chances are good they've got or are getting a modern update with a solid transformation scheme and high articulation. Here's to another 40 years of guys what turn into cars! Terry van Feleday fucked around with this message at 09:56 on Jul 4, 2025 |
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Jun 20, 2013 20:51
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Everybody should read Last Stand of the Wreckers then the MTMTE trades. They're so good.  Hopefully by the end of this thread we'll have a Swerve toy.
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Jun 20, 2013 20:58
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Add http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEG2009R8GOZ4OQEs6x4rqA PhelesDragon's Review Dump to the reviewer pile; big beast wars fans, updates regularly now, tons of humor.
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Jun 20, 2013 21:01
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The only Transformers toy I actually want right now is a "My First Blaster."
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Jun 20, 2013 21:04
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MP Tigertrack just hit my POL on BBTS! Baby's first Lambo mold!
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Jun 20, 2013 21:07
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We've needed a new OP for years. Shmax.com is another useful tool for collectors. It lets you catalog everything you have, and lets you document what parts you have, whether its opened or not, what country its from, etc. Granted, I suppose you could just document this all in an excel spreadsheet, but it lets you get an idea of how many goddamn robits you have and (roughly) how much your collection is worth... although said number isn't super accurate. Wanderer posted:The only Transformers toy I actually want right now is a "My First Blaster." One of the many, many moments in MTMTE that made me laugh out loud.  Also,  Ultra Magnus is my favorite character.  So yeah guys, you should be reading this book.
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Jun 20, 2013 21:23
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Will the upcoming MP bumblebee be the classic vw? If so will it only be available in Japan like the lambo molds? If its Japan only it doesn't bother me, I've bought all the other drat imported MPs.
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Jun 20, 2013 21:35
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I would have preferred Jazz to Wheeljack, but Wheeljack is cool, too.
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Jun 20, 2013 21:43
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Gammatron 64 posted:One of the many, many moments in MTMTE that made me laugh out loud. You really can't pitch MTME without mentioning everyone's favorite cyclopean sociopath:   Whirl is pretty much the number one reason (out of a loving ton) I've found myself invested in a piece of Transformers fiction in a really, really long time. (Number two reason is Cyclonus) Oh right, new thread, whoa etc.
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Jun 20, 2013 21:52
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I can't believe we finally got a new thread, and it wasn't called the Galvathread. 
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Jun 20, 2013 22:31
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The_Doctor posted:I can't believe we finally got a new thread, and it wasn't called the Galvathread. It's a pit-damned travesty. Mods?
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Jun 20, 2013 22:36
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3 posted:You really can't pitch MTME without mentioning everyone's favorite cyclopean sociopath: I really don't like Whirl. But specifically, I don't like the person he is. He's a great character. 
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Jun 20, 2013 22:39
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The_Doctor posted:I can't believe we finally got a new thread, and it wasn't called the Galvathread. While I firmly believe a new thread was not needed, and at least should have been cleared with the mods, I have decided Terry van Feleday is the best person to make the new thread specifically because they did not call it the loving Galvathread.
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Jun 20, 2013 22:49
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"All Hail Megatron!" is another fairly self-contained story that's worth a read. It can get a bit grim in places though. But like MTMTE it's a fresh direction.
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Jun 20, 2013 22:52
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Milotic posted:"All Hail Megatron!" is another fairly self-contained story that's worth a read. It can get a bit grim in places though. But like MTMTE it's a fresh direction. AHM seems to be pretty roundly disliked around here, but I think at least the first half is an interesting take on Megatron's point of view after millions of years of a pretty one-sided war, as well as his real opinion of Starscream.
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Jun 20, 2013 22:54
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I think AHM is fine, assuming you read it as a self-contained work or a new storyline. Just ignore the threads leading back to the tapestry Furman worked on. Lots of interesting ideas that have been improved and brought forward. I mean in lots of ways I think AHM is a better jumping on point than LSOTW, insofar as being neither as repulsive or off tone from the rest of the books. But then you're recommending a far worse story and it's all such a jumble anyway. I really wish IDW would publish something that flashes back to about the same point to serve as an introduction to their canon so we don't have a big pile of "best fit" answers.
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Jun 20, 2013 22:59
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I have no Masterpieces, I was tempted to get Tiger Track (Sunstreaker) at £85, but gently caress him, if MP-20 is Wheeljack I'm all over that.
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Jun 20, 2013 23:19
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Phy posted:I really don't like Whirl. But specifically, I don't like the person he is. He's a great character. That's probably my favorite Whirl moment. Also, he's like this on the inside:  Keldroc posted:AHM seems to be pretty roundly disliked around here, but I think at least the first half is an interesting take on Megatron's point of view after millions of years of a pretty one-sided war, as well as his real opinion of Starscream. Basically, AHM pissed a lot of people off because it took a huge dump on established continuity and introduced IDW Spike, who is an enormous douche. Joe Fisto posted:Will the upcoming MP bumblebee be the classic vw? If so will it only be available in Japan like the lambo molds? If its Japan only it doesn't bother me, I've bought all the other drat imported MPs. Hopefully he's a VW. If the new MP Bumblebee turns out to be a Camaro, tears of joy will quickly become tears of sadness. You know, a Masterpiece Wheeljack and a VW Bumblebee were the two MP figures I wanted to happen the most and holy poo poo lo and behold, my prayers are answered. It would be totally wicked if Bumblebee came with a mini Spike, Chip and Carly. Goldskull posted:I have no Masterpieces, I was tempted to get Tiger Track (Sunstreaker) at £85, but gently caress him, if MP-20 is Wheeljack I'm all over that. To be fair, MP Sideswipe \ Red Alert is really, really good, and is worth tracking down if you can find one. Same with Prime Ver. 2 and Soundwave. ...If you can find them. For not insane prices.
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Jun 20, 2013 23:26
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Gammatron 64 posted:...If you can find them. For not insane prices. Digging the new OP. It could use some of the customs and/or drawings from the last thread, perhaps. Also loving the new masterpiece news! 
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Jun 20, 2013 23:48
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Gammatron 64 posted:To be fair, MP Sideswipe \ Red Alert is really, really good, and is worth tracking down if you can find one. Same with Prime Ver. 2 and Soundwave. Well that's the thing. I have G1 Red Alert re-issue & G1 Breakdown to fulfill my Countach needs at the minute, I never had Sunstreaker as a kid. I mentioned in the old thread next purchases will be Gen Sandstorm and the FoC Wreckers, so that's ~£120+ right there if I can find them. Plus my lass would kill me straight spending between £60-80 on one toy at this point.
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Jun 20, 2013 23:51
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Have they actually said anything about getting Sideswipe over here, rest of the world, etc?
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Jun 20, 2013 23:52
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Goldskull posted:I have no Masterpieces, I was tempted to get Tiger Track (Sunstreaker) at £85, but gently caress him, if MP-20 is Wheeljack I'm all over that. FWIW, MP Tiger Track is retailing for ~US$100 (~£67) here in Japan atm. £85 is not that much more, especially if it includes shipping. Totally pre-ordering MP Wheeljack and Bumblebee the moment they pop up. Holy poo poo. I've got pre-orders up on MP Prowl, Bluestreak and Smokescreen. Can't wait!
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Jun 20, 2013 23:55
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TheDK posted:Am I dumb for waiting for a US release of Sideswipe and Soundwave? I want them very badly but I would like to not pay as much as they are going for right now. Soundwave? Not really. Soundwave is getting released in the US, with all 5 tapes, for way cheaper. Of course, he'll be a Toys R' Us exclusive, and it will be a bitch to track him down in stores, and he will probably show up for a span of a month then disappear... but I'd say wait. You could pay upwards of $300 if you want a Japanese Soundwave with all his tapes, or wait and try to get the US version for $150. You just have to be up to the challenge of actually tracking him down. As for Sideswipe, nobody really has any idea if he'll get a US release or not. I imported mine because I figured he wouldn't because Lamborghini is owned by VW and VW has had a history of refusing to allow TF toys based on their cars because they're war toys, but apparently things have changed so who knows. Goldskull posted:Well that's the thing. I have G1 Red Alert re-issue & G1 Breakdown to fulfill my Countach needs at the minute, I never had Sunstreaker as a kid. I mentioned in the old thread next purchases will be Gen Sandstorm and the FoC Wreckers, so that's ~£120+ right there if I can find them. Plus my lass would kill me straight spending between £60-80 on one toy at this point. Well... Tigertrack isn't Sunstreaker, not really. Sunstreaker actually isn't a yellow Sideswipe, but a totally different robot.   Tigertrack is based on a Japanese web exclusive from about a decade ago... who is in turn based on a Japanese Pre-Transformers Diaclone figure. Transformers actually switched Sideswipe and Sunstreaker's colors around from the original Diaclone release. Diaclone had many toys in different colors, such as a black Ironhide, the fabled blue Bluestreak, a red Mirage, a police car variant of Sunstreaker, an Ultra Magnus with his reds and blues reversed, and so on. Many of these were later re-issued as e-Hobby web exclusives in Japan around the early 2000s when they started to re-issue G1 Transformers again. GET IN THE ROBOT fucked around with this message at 00:12 on Jun 21, 2013 |
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Jun 21, 2013 00:09
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Those new Masterpiece announcements are so sexy. Glad to see companies finally giving in to TakTomy and making cool poo poo for us again.
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Jun 21, 2013 00:40
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^^Oh yeah, I know G1 Sunstreaker was a different mold from Sideswipe/Red Alert, and mainly made out of metal too. UK eBay G1 Sunstreaker prices (especially with fists/weapons) are really high too these days, especially for how goofy he looks in Robot mode. MP Tiger Track is a recolour/slight retool of MP Sideswipe though no? What I actually meant was the £85 I'd possibly do on him, I'll save for MP Wheeljack, not holding out hopes for original Ailitalia deco though. Plus, Am I the only one that thinks forthcoming MP Smokescreen looks like it's made from the cheapest plastic ever? That's another one Id've had straight away but I'm not convinced by the photos up on TF2005 so far.
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Jun 21, 2013 00:43
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I've not really bothered with the comics this century but those MTMTE images did get my attention. Does Ultra Magnus always come across like Kryten or is it just that page?
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Jun 21, 2013 01:03
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I don't know who Kryten is, but yes that picture is pretty much UltraMagnus.jpg
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Jun 21, 2013 01:07
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Arise new Transformers thread. And, yes. MTMTE is some of the best TF fiction that's been released in a very long time. The trades are a definite buy.
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Jun 21, 2013 01:13
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Squalitude posted:I've not really bothered with the comics this century but those MTMTE images did get my attention. Does Ultra Magnus always come across like Kryten or is it just that page? So it's fun and silly but it has a meaning to the story. It's a comedic device used for dramatic effect. Man I love MTMTE.
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Jun 21, 2013 01:22
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I maintain that Galaxy Force is one of the best shows. 
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Jun 21, 2013 02:12
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SpazmasterX posted:I maintain that Galaxy Force is one of the best shows. I believe Galaxy Force is the best Optimus toy.
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Jun 21, 2013 02:22
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Squalitude posted:I've not really bothered with the comics this century but those MTMTE images did get my attention. Does Ultra Magnus always come across like Kryten or is it just that page? If you're interested at all in Transformers, RID and MTMTE are must reads. RID gets slightly uneven but is still great, and MTMTE is undoubtedly the best TF stories the fandom has ever gotten.
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Jun 21, 2013 02:25
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Forget the fandom, they are the best comics I've read in years, and the most insanely creative worldbuilding this side of Grant Morrison.
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Jun 21, 2013 02:27
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Ultra Magnus is basically like Worf mixed with Sam the Eagle with an even bigger stick up his rear end and even less fun. If I were to sum him up in one word, it would be harumph. Ultra Magnus frowns so much that the servos to make him smile had rusted solid and when the team had to force him to smile to save his life (long story), everyone got a kick out of it, and of course this made him even more angry. He's my favorite. Also, while we're still on the first page, and summertime is just starting up, I figure I'd discuss conventions a little bit. BotCon, June 27th-30, San Diego, CA  http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2013/ BotCon is the official con, but the organization that runs it, Fun Publications, is so horrible and abusive that it makes Matty Collector seem fantastic. Fun Pub will get your credit card info stolen, make you pay for toys upfront then still not deliver them a year later, has a website that looks like it came from the 90's (and is about as secure as one) and doesn't take constructive criticism well and will pretty much tell you to gently caress off if you're not happy with anything. BotCon costs an arm and a leg, and has a set of lame toys that will set you back half a grand if you want them. If you live on the West Coast, it may be worth it to attend, but if you don't, I wouldn't recommend giving FunPub your hard earned money (and they demand lots of it.) TFCon, July 26th-28th, Toronto, ON  http://www.tfcon.ca/ TFCon is one of the biggest unofficial cons and has a more social focus than BotCon, which is a little impersonal. At most cons, the celebrities are guarded by men in suits, you have to pay big bucks for an autograph, and you're not even allowed to look them in the eye half the time. At TFCon, Scott McNeil (voice of Dinobot, Waspinator and half the cast of Beast Wars) will gladly drink a beer with you at the bar, and Gary Chalk (Optimus Primal) will be chilling out playing his guitar. Last year, TFCon had a bigger dealer room than BotCon, doesn't ban 3rd party toys and non-Transformer merch, has poutine, a waterslide, and is run by good people who are actually fans and aren't going to dick you over. It's basically a giant three day drunken party that also has toy robots. It's a blast and if you live on the East Coast do yourself a favor and check it out. Auto Assembly, August 9th-11th, Birmingham, England  http://www.autoassembly.org.uk/ I've never been, but from what I hear, it's essentially the same thing as TFCon, but for those of us who live in the UK. It also has a lot of drinking and toy robots, but has fish and chips and poor dental hygiene instead of poutine and hockey, I guess. If you're a British fan, definitely check it out! Charticon, August 9th-11th, Charlotte, NC  http://www.charticon.com/ A new, up and coming Con, conveniently located right in my home state. I know a few of the guys behind this and they're good people, and they're going to have a few, hand-painted(!!!) exclusive toys. They cost a fair amount of money, but they each took at least 16 hours to make, so a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into them. Beast Hunters Bulkhead looks really cool in Sharkticon colors. If you live near the southeast, give this one a shot. GET IN THE ROBOT fucked around with this message at 02:44 on Jun 21, 2013 |
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Jun 21, 2013 02:33
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Who is actually confirmed as going to TFCon besides you and Rei?Yonic Symbolism posted:Forget the fandom, they are the best comics I've read in years, and the most insanely creative worldbuilding this side of Grant Morrison. While being willing to murder them.
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Jun 21, 2013 02:41
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Spiderdrake posted:Who is actually confirmed as going to TFCon besides you and Rei? No clue. As much as I love TFCon, I'm really starting to wonder if I can do it next year, as plane tickets have kicked me in the rear end money wise, and from where I live, Toronto is a 12 hour drive if you're speedy, and I'm the kinda fella who starts falling asleep at the wheel in half that time. Luckily I have a guy or two who may tentatively share a hotel room with me, so should cut down on expenses a little bit. To make matters worse, a new convention decided to pop up in my home state, so gently caress all fiscal responsibility! Luckily I had the wisdom to register as a dealer instead of a guest so here's hoping I sell more than I buy. TFCon is still way loving cheaper than BotCon, and a lot closer, too. (Oh hey, pay $500 to get into the Con and get this box set of ugly toys, and you can buy additional 3-packs for the low, low price of $150 each! And for an additional $100, Pete Sinclair will personally enter your hotel room and take a poo poo on your bed! ...You guys don't think I'm bitter, do you?) But just so y'all know, James Roberts is going to be a guest at both TFCon AND Auto Assembly, so if you want to meet him, you can do it from either side of the Atlantic. Spiderdrake posted:I would actually compare Roberts work to Hickman, who is probably regarded as Marvel's strongest writer at the moment. Only surprisingly warmer and less in love with robots, if that makes any sort of sense. You know, I've said it before, but I really hope somebody in the industry notices Roberts' Transformers comics, and it's not just us Transformers nerds. You know, they have a stigma of being "ewww, Transformers, that's a terrible Michael Bay movie and a cartoon that's just a 30 minute toy advertisement", and while Transformers' bad stigma is really kind of deserved most of the time, the sad part is because of that, a LOT of people will write off one of the very best ongoing comic series right now. I love it that I finally have some legitimately fantastic Transformers comics, but it makes me sad that people don't want to read it because it's a Transformers comic.
GET IN THE ROBOT fucked around with this message at 03:07 on Jun 21, 2013 |
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Jun 21, 2013 03:02
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Gammatron 64 posted:You know, I've said it before, but I really hope somebody in the industry notices Roberts' Transformers comics, and it's not just us Transformers nerds. You know, they have a stigma of being "ewww, Transformers, that's a terrible Michael Bay movie and a cartoon that's just a 30 minute toy advertisement", and while Transformers' bad stigma is really kind of deserved most of the time, the sad part is because of that, a LOT of people will write off one of the very best ongoing comic series right now. I love it that I finally have some legitimately fantastic Transformers comics, but it makes me sad that people don't want to read it because it's a Transformers comic. On one hand, I agree, the book is one of the best things in comics today and deserves vastly more recognition. On the other hand, the sooner the rest of the industry notices Roberts, the sooner we lose him to "real" comics.
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Jun 21, 2013 03:14
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Lot of disrespect being shown towards the Japanese G1 and Unicron Trilogy in that OP, people.
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Jun 21, 2013 03:54
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Rei_ posted:Lot of disrespect being shown towards the Japanese G1 and Unicron Trilogy in that OP, people. Unicron Trilogy is dildos, thanks for playing. Also OP its live action And thirdly, Generations Sandstorm has been spotted at a California TRU. Corn Glizzy fucked around with this message at 04:11 on Jun 21, 2013 |
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Jun 21, 2013 04:07
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| # ? Jul 8, 2025 15:24 |
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Random thought of the day: Why did the Decepticons get so many better figures than the Autobots in the Unicron Trilogy? Energon is the only one where there was any kind of explanation with the dumbass engineering of the Autobots figures.
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Jun 21, 2013 04:14
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