Third Party Round Up

For a long time there's been speculation that the third party bubble is about to pop with many thinking we're seeing that starting to happen now. There's been a huge number of announcements recently, in fact nearly too many to keep up with, so let's have a look at who is bringing out what.

Badcube

At TF Con Badcube's Evil Bug Corps value pack went on early sale exclusively through Ages 3 and Up. While existing releases were on display there was no sign of the Sunstreaker inspired Sunsurge which Badcube really need to get right after the overcomplicated and easily broken Wardog. It's been a rocky road for Badcube from day 1 but slowly they are winning people over and Sunsurge is their big chance to put their past behind them. 

Beelzeboss

Returning from obscurity with a bang, Beelzeboss appeared at the China Joy event showing off their new upgrade set for Generations Nightbeat, a set of weapons for Generations Chromia and Windblade along with an upgrade set for Generations Trailcutter. Their big reveal was a huge add on set for Combiner Wars Optimus Prime which looks a little similar to another company's work. Beelzeboss and their other brand, Guilty, do good work although they aren't afraid to copy existing designs.

So. Much. Want.

Cloud 9

Already causing a huge fuss are newcomers Cloud 9 with their first release - an MP sized Shockwave called Quake Blast. Fans Toys have claimed that the figure is heavily based on their own Quakewave and is essentially stealing their design, which is interesting coming from a company who essentially steals Hasbro designs. Also alleged is that Cloud 9 is Gigapower under a different name.

Corbot V

Also returning after a long break are Corbot V with their first full figure - an Allicon named Project Reyes.

Dr Wu

Following on from the upgrades for Wheeljack, it made sense that the Doctor would be back with more Masterpiece upgrades - this time a jetpack compatible with both versions of MP-21 Bumblebee.

At TF-Con Dr Wu also unveiled 'Companion', a static Carly figure which scales with Masterpiece figures.

Also revealed is Dr Wu's first full figure Vigourous Mixer which is intended to replace Mixmaster in the Titan Devastator team of Constructicons. It's more detailed and gives a better proportion to the cab.

DX9/Unique Toys

 DX9 continue to impress and seemingly outdo their parent company Unique Toys. UT showed Provider (Masterpiece Octane) and Buzzing (Blurr) at TF Con and teased a Blitzwing release but many seem indifferent to these releases and the knee issue with Seigfried has done them no favours.

On the other hand, DX9 have built on the successes of Invisible, Chigurh, Cocomone. their Megatron upgrade kit and War in Pocket line with the upcoming Carry, the impressive Hulkie which is a small scale Devastator and their new legends scale Megatron, Mightron.

Bolstering the line further is a Legends sized Arcee known as Leah!

Fans Toys

Bizarrely at TF-Con Fans Toys didn't have much to show other than prototypes of their Insecticons which are bigger than expected. With FT-04T and FT-04X Scoria repaints shipping, Fans Toys have announce further Scoria repaints in G2 and Diaclone colours. Sever will also be getting Diaclone and G2 editions while an extra dinosaur head piece is being sold separately for Scoria to give the toy the "smoked" G1 look.

There has been no further news on their Jetfire project but with a Quakewave reissue, a G1 toy coloured reissue and a clear version, plus a distinct possibility of Diaclone coloured Insecticons and Willy, a Masterpiece style Hound,  it wouldn't be advisible to hold your breath while waiting for it.

Fansproject

One of the big things with third party is the constant "I know someone in the know and he told me..." statements. The recent one was that Fansproject were giving up on Transformers style designs and moving on to other projects which did seem possible given that Fansproject had been eerily quiet since the titanic flop that was MADLAW. As usual the rumour mongers were proved totally wrong.

At TF Con the remaining Exo Lost Realm figures (aka Dinobots) were unveiled: Snarl, Grimlock and surprisingly, a female Raptor with ridiculous breasts.

Picture courtesy Ages 3 and Up

In addition to the convention exclusives Knight and Combes Robin, the rest of the Function X line was unveiled. The major news from Fansproject was that they'd be tackling the Japanese G1 combiner Dinoking, and teased Monstructor by showing a Wildfly figure.

Picture via TFW2005 who stuck their logo over Fansproject's.

Generation Toy

Warbotron's designer is on board for Generation Toy's first release - a huge Warbotron sized Devastator called Gravity Builder! All 6 parts are scheduled to be out by the end of the year but more likely are the same delays and 18 month wait that we saw with Warbotron.

Gigapower

Some people just can't get a lucky break and Gigapower seem to be in that category. A nice group of guys who have had a number of issues to contend with are seemingly preparing to release the chrome version of their spectacular Guttur. However, their competitor, Fans Toys have alleged that they have hired away Gigapower's designer. Considering Fans Toys lost their own designer of their Iron Dibot line it's expected that Giga's designer will now be in charge of getting FT's last Dibot together. The seemingly never ending soap opera of Gigapower and Fans Toys looks to carry on...

Guilty

Strangely, Guilty appeared at China Joy showing off Data Disc designs compatible with War For Cybertron Blaster and Soundwave. Data Discs had been solicited by Guilty two years ago and then were dropped by retailers when the designs turned out to be stolen from Shapeways. Are these new designs, will they see the light of day this time around, does anyone care? The answer to all three is 'probably not'.

Iron Factory

Yup. Miniature Overlord. 'Nuff Said.

KFC

Following the release of Transistor KFC went very quiet and the release of Fader seemed to quietly vanish as KFC concentrated on their X-Transbots brand instead. KFC have now reappeared touting their Transistor repainted as Broadcast and the cancelled Junkion designs. Will the Junkion designs see release this time?  Prototype pictures of their version of Reflector have appeared but with stiff competition from Fans Toys and Maketoys, will KFC's vision get a look in?

Maketoys

Floundering since their ill thought out double whammy of Quantron and Utopia last December, Maketoys only released repaints exclusive to their own store since then. However at TF-Con, Maketoys brought a rocket launcher to the proverbial knife fight as they simultaneously launched Cupola, a massive MP scaled version of Chromedome.

On show were the first 3 parts of their Guaria (Defensor) combiner and their Visualizer (Reflector) set. There were teases of MP scaled Targetmasters and the Powermasters Darkwing and Dreadwind along with Megatron and Starscream!


However, it's safe to say that of the imminent releases, one of the most anticipated is their version of Tailgate with add on parts for Universe Cyclonus.

MT have been on a serious roll as they also unveiled prototypes of Hardhead and Wrestle (Grapple), Hellfire (Inferno) and Gundog (Hound). Not to be outdone by Fans Toys, Gundog will be released in two colours - cartoon accurate and G1 toy accurate.

Mastermade

Hot on the heels of their Super Deformed Metroplex, comes the Super Deformed Trypticon, Diabolus Rex! The SD style isn't a major hit outside Asia but it's hard to deny how cool this Zoid-like figure is.

Mastermind Creations

Since Feral Rex, MMC have seemingly struggled after making a ton of announcements but then being very slow to follow up on them. Some questionable releases and the hugely over budget which in turn made it very expensive, Cynicus, plus parting ways with Ceno Kibble and using Cassie Sark less, both of whom were with the company from day 1, has jeopardised their arguable position as king of the third party mountain.

Finally we got to see pictures of their massive Carnifex (Overlord) figure though which was announced close to two years ago!

Continuing the IDW theme, we've seen more pictures of Commotus (Turmoil), Anachus (Kaon) and Kultur (Tarn). Considering the limited readership figures of IDW's Transformers comics, it's hard to see these figures translate into big money for MMC. Commotus hasn't been in the IDW universe for the last 18 months, Anachus will have reasonable success but it's hard to see Kultur getting to market as Hasbro is likely to hammer all retailers with cease and desists over the Decepticon logo which is the character's mask.

Also announced were Alpha and Beta (Decepticon Drift and Drift respectively), Sphynx (Mirage) and hopping on the bandwagon, more Insecticons.

Mayhem Mekanics

While not Transformers related as such, these transforming robots are worth mentioning. Cassie Sark and Ceno Kibble are two of the most prolific workers in the third party industry, famed mainly for their work for MMC from the company's start through to their most significant release, Feral Rex and the upcoming Carnifex. Now the two are teaming up to create their own vision. Mayhem Mekanics announced their Unrustable Bastards line at last year's Auto Assembly but then in the year since, there's been silence. At TF-Con pictures were shown of the UB toys and the idea is certainly a unique one.

The transforming robot bikers all share the same base body and colour scheme as the idea is that a motorcycle club would have a uniform look, but instead of multiple figures there is only one figure with multiple accessories so you can choose which of the seven characters you want to display. If you decide you want all seven then you'll need to buy seven figures. As the Bastards travel to different planets in their accompanying stories, their colour schemes will be changed for each release.

While this seems to be a continuation of the repaint syndrome we see so often, there is potential here. If MM include sticker sheets to customise the robots more or perhaps release accessory packs, the Unrustable Bastards line has the possibility to continue the idea that Stikfas used successfully for a number of years.

Megasteel

The bizarrely named Generations scaled Megatron, Granville, has been retitled a much more suiting, 'Tronus'. This impressive and heavy figure is apparently good quality and seems set to surprise when it hits the market in August.

Perfect Effect

With Leonidis about to be released, it seems Perfect Effect are content to carry on releasing add on kits for Combiner Wars including an Optimus kit that Guilty seem to have been 'inspired by' and an impressive add on set for Devastator.

Shadow Fisher Studios

As it's impossible for only one company to release a product, Shadow Fisher are joining in with the Devastator upgrades.

TFC Toys

For a company that was virtually dead in the water, TFC's versions of Ratchet and Ironhide were expected to be the death knell of the company. However they've announced their own version of Hound (what is it with Dinobots, Devastator add ons and Hound?) and in a move that took everyone by surprise, revealed Minos and Thanatos, the first two parts of the G1 Japanese combiner Liokaiser!

Warbotron

Unfortunately for Warbotron, the reveal of the final combined mode of their Computron homage was met with a cool reaction as fans complained that the arms were way too big. So far nothing past the current combiner has been announced but with a rift in the camp, will Warbotron be carrying on?

X2 Toys

Another company returns from oblivion! X2 are offering an upgrade kit for Masterpiece Ultra Magnus to give wider shoulder movement and a new weapon.

X-Transbots

The test shots of Andras (Scourge) have begun appearing as have pictures of the resin prototype of Eligos (Cyclonus). Digital versions of Boost and Hatch (Windcharger and Tailgate) have reappeared but the only mini seemingly close to production is their version of Beachcomber.

There are plenty of other releases out there but very little to report on them. Voodoo Robots seem to be forging on with their Ironhide and Ratchet inspired releases, Omnigonix's version of Sunstreaker is increasingly unlikely it seems to see light of day with Transform and Rollout's Hova (Jazz) is looking more impressive as time goes on. Play With This Too continue to show impressive prototypes after their very nearly successful crowd funding effort. That's it for now and remember most of these can be bought at www.masterforce.co.uk

Toyworld Grant - On Gangs

This toy is weird, man.

It's the kid in high school who had the confidence to not lead, not follow and make not fitting in cool as hell. It's the album you fall asleep listening to through headphones even though it’s insane grind that should only ever be played through the biggest **** off speakers you can find. Translated into toyspeak, Grant is an anomaly. One that dares you to pigeonhole him when holding the figure up against your own collecting standards and one that laughs in your face while you're doing it.

Do you know much about this Toyworld figure? In a nutshell it came out of nowhere in 2014 as a TFcon exclusive, presenting the collector with an Ultra sized approximation of the G1 Headmaster Grand Maximus. That being the Japanese only repaint of Fortress Maximus. And when you whack open the very nondescript packaging and gaze into the styrofoam, G1 is exactly what you’re looking at.

Gloria in excelsis 1988

This is very 1980's. There’s nothing modern looking about Grant, he’s just right angles and boxes atop more boxes, chucks in a bit of partsforming on the back of the shoulders and while for my sins I have never handled a G1 Maximus of any variety, the initial vibe here might be ‘downsized knock off’.

So far so uh oh.

But dammit if this thing doesn’t impress taken out of the box.

In hand there’s a good weight and some really solid feeling plastic. Like, better than official on a good day solid. The sculpt is wonderfully detailed with raised surfaces, layers, panels and circuitry all over. There’s no paint on either figure though. Not a lick. Just the basic plastic colours. But to my eyes it looks far from cheap and compared to the cornucopia of painted delights surrounding me, quite the refreshing change. It’s a stylistic choice, undoubtedly not for everyone though one that adds to his exclusivity. And the package does include a comprehensive decal sheet. More on this shortly.

HEAD ON!

Because before that, there’s the small matter of Grant’s articulation. And this is where things get good as in spite of first impressions, this guy is loaded with it.

1980s redux

While not an exhaustive breakdown, highlights include ratchets everywhere, double elbow joints, a waist joint, bloody ankle tilts and wrist swivels. Opening hands?? What the hell is going on?! This level of poseability flies in the face of his utter Generation 1 looks because this is proudly and defiantly not a Classics or MP styled toy. 

There is a strange clash here, where modern day articulation meets 1987 Transformers brick. That clash sees Grant stand out against Toyworld’s own Headmaster aesthetic as well as FansProject’s Function X line. It’s like somebody took a bullied and broken G1 figure and totally pimped it, sending it back into the toybox to wreak revenge laced havoc and is a style that, outside of the Infinitor repaint, currently exists on its own. I find Grant’s robot mode compelling.

So that decal sheet. Whether you choose to keep his plastic virginal pure or not, as you will see there’s no denying he scrubs up well with these bad boys affixed to his chassis and it's almost essential for city mode.

There are two downsides here though. The first being that the decision to leave the highlighted details solely to decals may really rub you up the wrong way. If that’s the case then the fully painted Fort Max homage Infinitor may be more your bag.

The second is the time consuming nature of doing it right and offering advice without boring you to death. These are not a simple case of peeling off a sticker sheet and applying to your toy, removing them if needs be to rectify a wonky placement. They’re individual adhesives that sit on backing paper affixed to a clear sheet . And once pressure is applied to that clear sheet they’re on Grant and staying on. So getting it right is both paramount and I will admit, intimidating when starting out. 

To make things easier, you can cut around them and lift them from the backing paper which enables you to line them up before committing to placement. My advice is cut them out individually, apply them individually and take your time. It’s worth the effort and if you screw up (like I did) it’s only ever going to be noticeable to you. Ask someone else and they will call you out on being a perfectionist madman and scold you for the blood in your eyes.

The end result though? Worth it.

Keeping in line with his G1 aping style, Grant transforms into both a space cruiser and a city. It’s a very simple transformation into both. Although for me things tend to come apart here. Because as good as the articulation updates are to the robot mode, they don’t really add a great deal once transformed and with this figure being more than a tad smaller than the 2ft tall original I have a massive feeling that size was what made the original toys alt modes a big deal.

Here we have a robot having a good lie down through space. It’s daft, a bit like a stupid looking sphinx but I do like it. His head can fit inside the translucent blue canopy and pilot it too.

At this size,the other mode really can’t be called a city any more. It’s not even a shopping centre. Maybe it could pass as an upmarket Bargain Booze next door to a chippy where kids hang around getting smashed on Lambrini and legal highs. Or a battle station?

Go in t'shop for us mate?

Credit where it's due, the decals come into their own in this form, with tons of little incidental details like windows, safety markings, ramp directions etc.

And though Toyworld have concocted an amended city mode of their own, it’s simply borne out of the joints found in the robot mode and screams fan mode/trying too hard.

While I am not a fan of the city and the cruiser is just silly fun, the robot mode surpasses expectations. There was a gamble Toyworld made in making Grant so much truer to the G1 toy than their previous Headmasters and it's a brave one that flirts with putting the figure in a collectors no mans land.

But I'll take that gamble. Grant makes for a stunning robot. On one hand utterly familiar and on the other pretty damn unique, it's a figure that sidesteps current trends and needs to be experienced in person to truly appreciate. You going to need to be a patient soul when dressing him for dinner though.