JoeCanuck

I love the concept, but the transformers looks a little wonky. They should have gone with some kind of masterpiece level design... then you would have the best of both worlds. Neat idea, but not sure I will cave in. The thunder machine looks cool though

Couple things for the idea of a Masterpiece level of design.

1)  Right now the price is already pretty high, and sales don't look to be all that great with each release going on sale/discount (Soundwave hasn't yet but he will).  Trying to go even more detailed/intricate would increase the price even further.  I don't imagine there is a large enough market for $200US+ offerings.  Also remember that the Masterpiece line has a large Asian fanbase as well that probably wouldn't be anywhere near as big if it was Joe/TF crossovers.

2) The designs are already pretty intricate for what they are, and I don't know that further engineering would make much more difference.  Remember there is a point where you can't do anymore with a product due to plastic tolerances, and design/model requirements.  Unlike the Transformers who were designed from the start to be able to convert from robot to vehicle, none of the Joe vehicles ever had that mindset behind them.  So to shoehorn in a robot mode after the fact means that unfortunately there are going to be sacrifices no matter what.  As well as making them be able to hold figures in vehicle mode.  Masterpiece or not.

In the end this line is one of the best things going right now for me and I love it.  Especially since we are getting new O-ring figures as well with each release on classic cards.  Soundwave is by far the best of the three  released so far, and maybe part of it is also the designers getting their heads around the process.  So the first couple of releases are a bit wonky, but now they are starting to hit their stride and better know what does, and doesn't, work for making these toys.  Bumblebee is a pretty good design as well considering it is an open air vehicle that has to hold figures.  Unlike other "car" Transformers which have closed roofs and windows/doors, the AWE Striker has none of those to help with hiding stuff during transformation.

Can't wait to see the Triple-T/Kup and Mobat/Optimus Prime.   Hopefully one of them gets revealed soon.

I love the concept, but the transformers looks a little wonky. They should have gone with some kind of masterpiece level design... then you would have the best of both worlds. Neat idea, but not sure I will cave in. The thunder machine looks cool though

Yeah I am probably going to get two Ferrets.

I lucked out with Beachhead at a TRU one day.  I just happened to go in and there were two copies of him.

Same with the first Snow Serpent.  Went into a new location that opened up late last year and they had a couple on the shelves.

I will hopefully be able to get 2 of them, this was an absolute fav vehicle in the ARAH days.  I am looking forward to the other three figures as they were near impossible to get at a normal price - I had to pay secondary pricing on the EEL.  And only got the other two by luck.  Amazon canceled my pre-order for the snow serpent the day it was suppose to ship, screwing me out of being able to order it anywhere else.  Also was the last time I pre-ordered anything from Amazon.

Made me feel like I was in a Seinfeld episode.


Jerry : I don't understand. Do you have my reservation?

Rental Car Agent : We have your reservation, we just ran out of cars.

Jerry : But the reservation keeps the car here. That's why you have the reservation.

Rental Car Agent : I think I know why we have reservations.

Jerry : I don't think you do. You see, you know how to *take* the reservation, you just don't know how to *hold* the reservation. And that's really the most important part of the reservation: the holding. Anybody can just take them.

Rumour is that the Ferret w/Scout is going to be $55US (Pulse Exclusive) when it goes up for preorder later this week.  Everyone was speculating that it would be more expensive than the Trouble Bubble, maybe even up to the HMS ($75US), but hopefully this rumour is true and the Ferret should sell like hotcakes.

The Retro reveals from WonderCon were a bit underwhelming due to the fact we already had render reveals, but I was happy to see them and can't wait for them to release. 

However the "bell of the ball" was definitely the Ferret w/Scout Driver.   That thing is a beast!!!!  I cannot wait to see pics of the actual product in someone's hand.  The promo shots are great, but I want to see how it looks without the pretty setup.  I am worried though because the pictures don't show the front wheels being turned.  Is this another case of the VAMP where they short change us on turning wheels?

Also the name only reveal of "Once a Man" Cobra Commander was great.  Finally someone not Super7 is tackling that variant of Cobra Cmmander.

Got Techno-Viper and 60th Sailor/Diver from Walmart yesterday.  Both look great and I love that the window packaging is back.  Great number of accessories for the Sailor/Diver and I really like the Techno-Viper's holographic display.  Although I do wish it was blue instead of red.  The tubing is going to be an issue over the long term in regards to sticking in the backpack while moving.

Also the vamp is heavier than I expected.  It has an incredible solid feel.  Also working suspension!  Rubber tires, working winch, tow hitch (super excited about what will go behind it),  this list of cool stuff goes on and on.   Also next to the RAM, it looks like 1982 all over again!  I have heard the snow cat/thunder machine are expected next, but this really makes me with for the rest of the 82 vehicles - MOBAT, HAL etc.

reviews gents!!

The VAMP - wow.  I wish I had ordered two.  Clutch is great, the vehicle is fantastic.  All of the accessories make sense and has been fully thought out.  My only complaint are the wheels feel a little wobbly.  So glad there were no stickers to be applied.

Retro Recondo - the card back is perfect, this is the quality I am expecting and is what should have been since day 1.

Big boa - great figure, no issues with the figure.  Was goofy in the 80's and is goofy today, wish the helmet was actually a helmet on not a swappable head.