Howdy, y'all. This is probably one of the stranger questions I've ever asked, but has anyone ever thought of army-building Sharkticons? Yesss... I said Sharkticons. Maybe you want to play out a scene on Quintessa, or have something to meet your Hot Rod, Kup, or heck, Wheelie when you decide to drop them into a tank... In 1986 (and 1987), the original Sharkticons were peg-warmers. While the rest of the Transformers line was filled with popular or semi-cool cars and planes, the animal Transformers (excluding the Dinobots and Insecticons) got no love to speak of. When looking for a Hot Rod, Blurr, or late-issue Starscream, you can't imagine the bummer that came from shelves full of Predacons, Gnaw, and the occasional Sky Lynx. Because this sight was a downer, I felt no remorse -- then -- from passing all of the above up (although I did get Sky Lynx for Christmas... with Metroplex and mail-order Thundercracker). That being said, someone thought my latter-year idea was good... to the point that Sharkticon Gnaws go for higher on the secondary market (*cough*eBay*cough*) than some Thundercrackers and Hot Rods. (I had an easier time snagging Thunderwing -- albeit as individual parts.) So at some point (when I was still unemployed), I thought maybe I could look into army-building Energon Sharkticons. Seeing as they have more in common with Sky-Byte (RiD's answer to Major Bludd), maybe it's for the best only one got 1 (finally). So now to what I have done: I am currently collecting several of the Robot Heroes Sharkticons. I just got my 3rd in the mail, and although I have a Quintesson (Judge), he's "leasing" them out to my Energon Sharkticon, dubbed Sky-Byte. (If you can picture the Predacon prior to scanning a beast mode, it works.) A new problem's come up though... apparently my idea isn't quite as original as it should be... because the 2-pack he's in (with a misnamed Slag) is going for a lot more than I'd want to pay for Robot Heroes of any kind. (Individual Sharkticons are just as high.) Maybe someone wanted a few for Dr. Doom to feed Super Hero Squadies to. I can see a "Hero" Ronan the Accuser asking the Supreme Intelligence if he's "reached a verdict". (Expert testimony from Barricade only cements the prosecutor's case...) My other pet peeve is I'm currently fighting the temptation to paint some of the detailed areas (such as his upper teeth). -- Cybertronian.
The problem with most shelf-warmers is that I imagine not enough people buy them to eventually recirculate them into the secondary market years later, compared to more popular figures/characters. Sharkticons are an obvious, but probably extremely difficult, figure to army build with. To make matters worse, IIRC, Energon Sharkticon never really got a decent release, and neither did the robot heroes version. You've got your work cut out for you.
i say army build away.... I am the proud owner of 1 beast wars tankor 6 beast machines tank drones 2 universe stockade autobot tanks Love that mold...so i definitely say build your army.... the sharkticon g1 mold is one i wish takara would reissue in the encore line....
I am building a Sharkiticon army using the energon mold . I found a few at Big Lots and Dollar General.
they need to do a botcon exclusive of energon sharkticon in gnaw colors or fansproject needs to put that on their to-do list after collector
well before you go crazy buying vintage pieces.... why not consider these iGear Blog Archive IG-TF005 I dunno if they are still being released but they look awesome.. On a side note.... Good luck Army Building Transformers. I used to Army Build Gi Joes and man it was expensive.
Gotta give you credit, Gnaw would be a good army builder mold. But personally, i'd rather Igear made those alligator-bots that were with those Sharkticons. those would make good army fodder, too.
Something about that bug eyed monster look of the figure that I liked back as a kid so me and my brothers had one. Just a strangely fun figure. If the iGear one get's released that might be the way to go. Seems like the smaller size will make for a better swarm display. But which ever way you go with it I'm sure it's going to look really cool.
Back when Transformers.com still had quality full-color .pdf files of the Energon characters' instructions, I ran off 2 or 3 copies (as they make a kick-aft coloring page) of the finished modes. As a result, I have an idea of a great "Sky-Byte" version of En. Sharkticon. Outside of replacing the lavender color (used on his thighs) with an ivory color (the glitterflake color used on Beast Wars Torca's inner thighs and tusks), the silver tech pattern used on the hull panels concealing his torpedoes would be replaced with silver tribal flames. The "raw energon" translucent green would be replaced with a translucent red-orange, similar to 1986-87 and Universe 2.0 Cyclonus. (I would openly consider swapping out his Decepticon symbol with a Predacon one.) With a great level of difficulty, I managed to stick with the same number of mold and paint colors. To round him out, I'd give him Classics Astrotrain's rifle (or En. Insecticon's energon vulcan/drill) and pair him with the Mini-Con Oceanglide (renamed "Sunstroke") molded in matching colors. (If I get an extra Energon Sharkticon, it will be specifically bought to have this repaint done.) -- Cybertronian. (I also thought it'd be cool to do another one in TM2 Cybershark's colors (swapping out the Constructicon Green for Sky/Pool Blue), but I didn't have the patience to think that one through.)
Thanks for the vote of confidence. You should see the number of 1984-85 Deceptiplanes I've amassed in the name of acquiring spare parts. (BTW, if anyone knows how to liberate Ramjet wings from their engines, send me a PM.) Me too, but they'd have to ridiculously re-issue the sucker in order to satiate the "butt-ugly army" builders. I army built Blueshirts by accident... 1 Cobra Officer in 1989, The TRU Cobra Infantry 6-pack in 2004, and a few random blueshirts from the 25th Ann. collection... I think I have about 10 or 11 total now, (including 2 of those "Viper Pilots" called "Cobra: The Enemy" on the single card) I'm thinking of unloading the 25A "Viper Pilot" w/o a backpack hole. Ah, but do any of Sharktibolt's enjoy a well thought out haiku? How about freeverse?
I have three Gnaws, one from Christmas '86, I think, and two others from flea markets/garage sales. That would be a good spot to find more, I think. My original one is the only one that's complete, but in a school of five or six of them, a missing tail or arm just adds a little character to the motley crew. I'll get a set, maybe two, of the iGear ones. I have all the Quints, just need a few more minions!
Not G1, Energon, Transformable but... Also, I did paint their upper teeth a different brighter silver, also touched up their faces and those neck teeth on them. Made the custom Commander guy too with styrene and RH Hound's gun.
Gnaw is one where I think I'd almost rather have the Robot Heroes figure be of the alt mode than the robot mode. But that is still cool
What's this, what's this, what's this?!? *points to sig* And then add one and the fact I know where to get two more. Yes, I'm ready and willing! DO NOT CHALLENGE ME! But Family Dollar will also occassionally have them. Something like 'I stink, therefore I am'? Okay, now in all seriousness, if you want to army build with Energon Sharkticon, I for one full heartedly support you. Besides, the more people show interest in Energon Sharkticon, the more likely it is to be repainted by someone, whether it be Hasbro, Botcon, or third party/customizers.
Energon Sharkticon is one of the most common Energon figures available. It was easy to find at almost any point towards the end of the line due to being a non-show character, and the endless reissues of him in both Energon and Universe packaging at KB Toys and dollar stores only made the shark population grow even more. I have no idea how anyone could consider him rare.
Igear would only release those Alicon's if Hasbro had made it already, as they mostly copy stuff done already. Don't expect a brand new figure of it by them. Though, I heard of a rumor of someone else doing those guys, as in new mold.
I haven't seen those photos of Hasbro's Ark playset, Grimlock crown or Soundwave's Autoscout cassette.
Thats why I said they "mostly copy" stuff. I do give them credit for the products that they made that have not been done before.