During one of the more recent-ish Hasbro Pulse streams, I believe that someone from the Transformers team teased us with the possibility of doing releases of Transformers figures that resembled the prototypes shown off at toy shows. Or at least, I think they did. I can't find it, so we're not going to hold them to that.
Not that we have to, because Hasbro has revealed that that's exactly what they're doing with the new "Transformers Spotlight" subline.
The first release in the new subline is, of course, Optimus Prime. And not just any Optimus Prime, but the cheapest Optimus Prime currently available that they could get away with!
Which makes sense, because you're getting not one, not two, not four, but three versions of the toy in one purchase! So it makes sense to start small with, say, something like the Studio Series Deluxe Class Transformers Devastation Optimus Prime than something like, I don't know, the Studio Series '86 Optimus Prime, which would cost something like $270 USD, probably.
That said, they're starting with the Studio Series Deluxe Class Transformers Devastation Optimus Prime, and the 3-pack will cost you just ("just") $84.99 USD.
What that gets you is the grey model version, based on the 3D render they used to create the sculpt; the "prototype" figure, which is "rendered in molded colors, represents the extensive testing our tools and molds go through to ensure the highest quality"; and of course, the fully-painted "final" version. (Put a pin in that, we'll come back to it in a moment.)
Each figure also comes with three accessories that are "iconic" to the leader of the Autobots: The Matrix of Leadership, his trusty Energon Axe, and of course, his good ol' Ion Blaster.
Now, you -- especially if you purchased the original release of this figure -- might have noticed some discrepancies between the "final" figure shown here and the one released at mass retail. If you don't have it, let me refresh your memory:
As some have noted, the actual release of Studio Series Deluxe Class Transformers Devastation Optimus Prime is lacking in a few areas when compared to what is featured in the set. For one thing, there's a lack of paint apps compared to the Spotlight version, making the latter look closer to the video game than the one actually bearing its name (whose purview as a "Studio Series" figure, one would think, would be to come as close to the on-screen representation as possible). Meanwhile, if the purpose of "Spotlight" is to detail the steps from conception to release, it is kinda funny that the final release version in the box would not match what was actually the final release (though if you want to split hairs, then I guess this is technically the "final release," at least thus far).
The other thing is that the Spotlight figures have three, count 'em, three Ion Cannons, whereas SSDCTFDOP came with zero. Zilch. Nada. Cybergoose egg.
I guess on the bright side, this means you can finally equip your SSDCTFDOP with one of the three that come with this set, if you so choose. On the downside, that means buying three more of the figure you already have.
Now, I'm not saying that there may not be good reasons for the discrepancies... but given the ostensible purpose of each line, it is kind of funny, if not ironic.
Anyway, this set is a Hasbro Pulse exclusive, and you can find it (along with further details) right here.
So, what do you think? Does this tickle your collector's fancy, or perhaps the artistic side of you that's always wanted to work in toys? Tell us in the comments below, or sound off in the "Transformers Spotlight: More Than Met Retail" thread in our forums!
Til All Are Three, or something.
