But... that's never happened before in all the times we've had Stepper since the original! /: )

 

And it makes WAY more sense than that Hot Spot asian exclusive.

 

I will be getting Artfire AND Hot Spot.
I'll get a Hauler repaint too if it ever happens. Redecos galore - I don't mind.

 

I suppose it has more to do with... pairs. And trios. Originally, I wasn't going to buy many Transformers Prime figures, but I was going to get Knockout and Breakdown. They're a duo. Demolisher and Cyclonus. Runamuck and Runabout. Crumplezone and Ransack.

It's one of the reasons people get annoyed when we get a Starscream and Thundercracker without putting out Skywarp in whatever line. (or vice versa) Or why people are pissed that we didn't get a deluxe Leadfoot in the US.

For me... yes, part of it is that they're considered a duo (even with lack of media, they still go together), and part is... well... I love the Inferno mold, and I want to stand Inferno, Grapple, Pyro, Hot Spot, and Artfire on a shelf together looking cool.  

 

But he came with a Target Master!  

YES! But Do YOU know who was the first to point it out?! It was ME! As I was the one who first got the book and spoke about it in English, as even those who posted shots of it before (like Masabon and others living in Japan) failed to post any shots with Artfire in it or even mention him. So it was ME!!!  

I was also the one who scanned it in, and had it translated so you could read it!!!  

I am serious though, I was the first to point it out. See the below thread, you were the first to reply to my thread!!!!!
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/449209-rumor-united-artfire-coming.html

Who is to say we won't come with Nightstick in gray and black?! We already have the Target Master he used in the comic as Firebolt, so I wouldn't be surprised if TakaraTomy stuck a Fracas colored Nightstick in there for more accuracy. After all it was Guido Guidi that paired him with Pinpoint in gray and black in the first place, and it seems TakaraTomy has since paired that combo with Hot Rod instead.

Randy

 

The silhouette is pretty damning evidence, but I suppose we'll see!

 

Couldn't have said it better.

I wonder, with all the use of this mold, if it will prompt eHobby to release Hauler. *off to dreamland*  

 

Green Inferno,that is a good idea.

 

Nice makes the United Stepper I score off eBay on the cheap that much sweeter

 

True, I hadn't realized it looks like Pinpoint upside down. At first I thought it might have been a chair with a Nighstick robot sitting in it.

Randy

 

Guess the money I was going to spend on MP-11 will go to this instead. Can't wait to see the pics!

 

Wow, Artfire! Nice Job Millions Publishing! Let's keep it up with more neo G1 goodness!

 

Unfortunately, I'm expecting a high price tag... probably $159.99 at BBTS.

Or more.

 

Im betting $180..... Good thing I don't want one

 

Crap, I still need Ricochet/Stepper...

 

Seekers I get, but even the duos/teams thing doesn't fully explain the clamoring for characters with little to no fiction. Still baffled.

 

Because toy collectors sometimes don't give a rat's ass about the fiction?

 

That's one of the PCC minicons iirc... also, I'd assume they'd have to remold the hands... at least Grapple's hands were mold in such a way that I doubt they'd hold such tiny gun pegs all that well.

 

Part of it I guess is the knowledge that the G1 Stepper and Artfire were some of the rarer G1 TFs of their time, so by extension kind of makes the modern updates pretty desirable to collectors familiar with the original ones. Anyway if you think this is bad, you should see the GI Joe fans and their fascination with Pimp Daddy Destro and the Argen 7 the last few years.