That has to be the most different I've ever seen two modes look, coming out of one robot.
I really like how this purple on Shockwave looks, and those colors absolutely pop on Grimlock. But I have no room in the budget or storage for these right now (and I'm fine with my current SS86 Grimlock), sadly. Maybe I'll try to get the Shockers later on, but not at retail? I'll need the time to get past the top-heavy comic-style shading. (Conversely, I can manage having T30 Sandstorm and this new one. But sigh, those feet are fast becoming one of this design era's most consistent features.)
Bring on the magenta Hot Rod, baybee.
Bring on the magenta Hot Rod, baybee.
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This is the fourth use of this Grimlock mold.
Still no Swoop.
Still no Swoop.
I'll likely get Sandstorm, though the main one in my collection will probably be the previous release. Y'know, the one that was retooled from IDW Springer.
The comic-styled Shockwave and Grimlock are a pass.
The comic-styled Shockwave and Grimlock are a pass.
Sandstorm looks pretty good to me. Part of me wishes he had his cartoon face, but... not so much that I'm really all that bothered by it. Especially since he's rocking my preferred color scheme.
Grimlock is tempting, since I missed the other, and it was the comics (albeit under Furman) that made me a big fan of the character there in the first place.
Grimlock is tempting, since I missed the other, and it was the comics (albeit under Furman) that made me a big fan of the character there in the first place.
I should really stop looking at these pictures. Shockwave I'm coming to terms with because the comic shading looks more like weird camo the more I look at it. But Stupid Sexy Grimlock, man. Just, that gorgeous blue (and to a slightly lesser extent that lovely sunny yellow) is calling to me more and more. Plus, dammit, those swords ARE working their magic. Nooooo
(Hope Sandstorm's photography is just flattening those shades of orange. Because they really need a bit more contrast from each other.)0
(Hope Sandstorm's photography is just flattening those shades of orange. Because they really need a bit more contrast from each other.)0
I'm sure Swoop will be along at some point, maybe even this year.
But now I'm thinking of how hilarious it would be if they did release a comic style Dinobot with the swords and it was Swoop instead of Grimlock. People everywhere would be up in arms about that instead, because surely then Hasbro would never ALSO release a Swoop in colors that matched the rest of the team.
I thought this would happen. Omega Prime will be a disgusting ¥44,000 in Japan (around $296 US). BY comparison, Deathsaurus was onlly ¥29,700 in Japan, if I remember rightly.
Slightly related (but also off-topic) rant/info about Japanese economy behind spoiler below)
This is basically Unicron-level pricing territory now and completely out of my budget. Hasbro obviously learnt nothing since Unicron, iMO.
Slightly related (but also off-topic) rant/info about Japanese economy behind spoiler below)
Also, unlike some other countries, many of us in Japan NEVER receive bonuses nor salary increases, so our wages have remained the same and/or haven't caught up with inflation.
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...ld-spending-in-december-falls-25-on-year.html
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...ld-spending-in-december-falls-25-on-year.html
This is basically Unicron-level pricing territory now and completely out of my budget. Hasbro obviously learnt nothing since Unicron, iMO.
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I'm holding out hope that maybe Swoop comes with all the extra swords, too, but in silver to match the one that came with Snarl. If so, I could see Hasbro waiting a bit to show him so as not to loose people that were buying Grimlock here to get a set.
As a bit of an aside, we have Grimlock here that comes with swords (for 1000, Alex), and Shockwave that comes with the Matrix Tap. For those of you that read the comics (I didn't, so I'm fairly unfamiliar with a lot of stuff out of the old Marvel comics other than what's made it into the popular culture of the fandom), what other comic story specific accessories would you like to see included with theoretical future releases?
I'd like to see Ratchet come with a figure (posable or not) of the Mechanic with to-scale cryogenic sprayer, laser scalpel, and power booster rod accessories.
What's strange to me about the Shockwave is the comic shading doesn't even particularly match the comic cover used in the packaging. If it did, i think I'd be a bit more interested.
I know you're being sarcastic here, but it's a reasonable concern. Plans change, markets change and it's not inconceivable that a comic Swoop could come out first and then they go in a new direction without toy Swoop. I recognize they may prefer the business decision to get the more niche version out first but that's not always great for us.
SS86 Swoop and the ever-elusive Hound will be available as an exclusive Jiffy Lube two-pack. The preorders will first go live on Pulse at precisely 3:12pm on a random Wednesday, and will stay open for 4 minutes (or until they sell out; whichever comes first). The comic decos of each will follow 3 years later, and Swoop will come with all of the SS86 Dinobot swords.
Hey, at least they're supplying the lube.
Plus some flame effects. Oops now it's a Commander.
The lube will be supplied as a pack with an unrelated repaint you wouldn't buy otherwise.
