Open Your Toys Cast

Something that’s definitely manageable for collectors are kid’s meal toys. Looks like Transformers One is not going to disappoint. Classified continues to manage their assets correctly, including the amazing job done on this Dial Tone backpack. The least manageable scale, in my opinion, is 12 inches. But the Jumbo 14.5-inch IG-11 is pretty dope. Since there was no MOTU toy news, we’ll have to settle for the announcement of Camila Mendes as Teela. Let’s hope that Amazon manages to finally get this project out the door.

We had a few instances of this over the last couple of weeks. The Once a Man SDCC Cobra Commander sold out way too fast, twice. Mattel’s new Snake Lair looks like it might be going back to the drawing board. When will these companies learn that we don’t all want $500 toys? The Four Horsemen put out one of their lowest-priced Mythic Legions figures to date, which also turned out to be one of their most popular figures, selling out much faster than most anticipated. The Origins concept figures Lord Gr’Asp and Terroar found a new home at BBTS, but if you didn’t act fast, you probably missed out again.

Now I know, and knowing is half the battle. G.I. Joe!

Since I’m behind on getting these posted, I’m going to skip the insight into my life. That’s usually the first paragraph of each post. However, I will say what my favorite things were from each franchise. While the Rattler is amazing and already backed, my favorite Joe item is a Transformer. I’m very excited to see the crossover line continue with Kup as the Triple T with Slaughter and Leatherneck. For Transformers, Hasbro finally came up with a good reason to combine Dinobots. The Dinoking box set looks like it will be a lot of fun. I missed some reveals from Masters, but of the ones I did see, I think I’m most excited for New Eternia Roboto. Star Wars, as usual, was the least interesting, but minimally we’re finally getting a Blurrg from The Mandalorian.

It was pretty easy to pick the four biggest news stories for each franchise this week. These aren’t always the best or my favorites, but most of the time, they are. The HasLab Cantina is amazing, but is it what people really want? It will probably fund, but definitely not with any unlocked tiers. Classified collectors have spoken, and they want vehicles. I know I really want the Cobra Stinger. However, how many can you have at this scale? Here’s one primarily for me. At the opposite end of the scale, I’m loving these Transformers Blokee deskbots. Lastly, while Scare Mare may be the new hotness, Night Stalker was always my evil steed of choice.

Indie companies have been flexing their expertise as of late. No longer relegated to just making 3rd party add-ons, these companies are now direct competitors to the big boys. Ramen’s new modular tank is simply amazing. Longtime Transformers 3rd party company Fans Hobby comes in swinging with a new Sky Hawkesque vehicle. Companies are even picking up new licenses like C.O.P.S. n’ Crooks. Some of the best stuff is comimg from forgotten trademarks that have been reimagined.

I think toy companies are doing a pretty good job of learning from their past. There are always exceptions, but overall, I feel they’re heading in the right direction. Star Wars has been doing a good job rereleasing in-demand figures. Since Toys are now being collected primarily by adults, nostalgia reigns supreme. Toy companies keep pumping out updated engineering on toys we loved, like Origins Nightstalker and Missing Link Bumblebee and Cliffjumper. Hasbro, in particular, has discovered by just changing the scale you can get everyone to buy figures like the Cobra Trooper again.

It seems impossible. It never is.

I think toy companies need a little humility. Not so much because they’re not making amazing things, more so because they’re making too much amazing stuff. Robosen has taken the world by storm. Their newest, Megatron, looks amazing, but who is collecting these things? Star Wars is getting a little more exciting as of late, but that might be because I love the Retro and Micro Galaxy Squadron lines. I think I’ve mentioned new MOTU x TMNT in every post in the last 6 months. Finally, Classified just keeps chugging along.

I’m not really feeling writing right now, but I’ll be back. You keep doing you.

The big four have set some pretty high expectations in the last couple of weeks. The Masters fall products look amazing. The Masterpiece Powermaster Optimus Prime looks great, but if Takara Tomy has done anything, it has set the expectation it will be pricey. I’ve got high expectations for the new Jazwares Vault regarding Micro Galaxy Squadron. Its first release is beautiful. My favorite expectation Hasbro set was the Name-Only reveal of Once a Man Cobra Commander.

It was a great couple of weeks of announcements and streams. The Transformer’s team showed off a bunch of stuff we already knew about, but seeing the new Cybertronian Wheeljack was amazing. The Master’s team showed off an impressive New Eternia Horde Trooper. Star Wars came in strong with their Imperial March. Probably my favorite thing was finally getting Captain Enoch and his Night Troopers. While there were no official reveals for Joe, Lenny and Emily still name-dropped one of my favorite Joe for the Classified line. None other than the Barbecue, uh, I mean, Blowtorch.

Let’s get this paddy started!

Let’s look at pre-orders this time around. I would definitely wait on the new TVC Clone Wars 4-Pack to save some money. I don’t think any of these Amazon multipacks have ever sold out before hitting ridiculously low prices. So glad I don’t do 1:6th scale. I’m not sure I could JOMO this amazing FigZero Snake Eyes. Something I probably would have FOMOed if I hadn’t missed it was the Target Exclusive Sla’ker. It combines two of my favorite characters in perfect harmony. I have allowed myself to pre-order all the Dr. Wu micromaster-scale G1 bots. I don’t want to mess around with these on the secondary market.

If you don't know I write a post for each episode, but only copy the second paragraph here. You should read the whole post. Here's the second paragraph for this episode... No funny or clever tie-ins to collecting this time; besides maybe, there's always a lesson to learn. Have you learned your lesson? Do you have a lesson to teach others? Don't hold back. Instill your knowledge of history in the younger generation. Do whatever you can to make sure history does not repeat itself.

Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na

Toys continue to just get better and better. Man, have you seen the Classified Vamp in hand? What about the new Black Series Droideka/Destroyer Droid? Hoowee! Never thought I would say hoowee for an Orko, but Mondo’s has earned a hoowee! And one for my boy, Mr. Mark Haddock, this Legacy Gears. Hoowee!

I love supporting Kickstarters because they are really a day-at-a-time kind of thing. The latest Roboskull update shows how amazing this thing is going to be. Hasbro keeps finding a way to get more money from their molds while enticing us with one new thing. I’m still excited about their possible new Transformers Selects multi-pack. When there’s no great toy news, I’ll take some media news any day. The latest Masters of Universe Revolution trailer is great, especially its background music. And, while it is probably late to take advantage of the original fan fair, I still welcome a Mando movie.

I’ve talked about change, motivation, and getting things done too much. It’s time to put up or shut up.

Toys are getting a little messy. You have what seem to be hits like the MOTU x TMNT Crossover that keep gaining steam. But then you have what we feel are flops like the Hiya Joe line and their new Gung Ho. Some are inadvertently messy, like making a 5 PoA line out of figures that were originally 5 PoA. I’m looking at you Phantom Menace Retro Collection. Some have got to know, right? Unfortunately, not the Transformers team. Or, maybe they do?