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| Transformers Collectors Club Panel Summaries |
| Posted on 04-27-2008 at 05:31 PM by Sol Fury | RSS Feeds | | Amid all the cool new releases and news of what we will likely be spending our money on next year, Fun Publications held a pair of panels to talk about the club comic, exclusives, and to field questions about how the convention is run. The general message is that they are working with us, the fans, and that you should email them your suggestions, everything will be taken into consideration for the future. Some hints were also dropped for potential upcoming items, like next years exclusives which may be a real horror story, and maybe reviving another unreleased combiner in future as a club exclusive.
| | | Views: 641 | | Sol Fury: Sorry it is late, here is what was brought up at the two TFCC panels yesterday.
- Transtech comic is not building up to a big payoff, but not a Crisis on Infinite Cybertrons.
- The theme of the story is a political conflict rather than a military one - Optimus and Megatron on that world are like leaders of political parties.
- Prose stories - Two more are planned for the Transtech Universe - Withered Hope, featuring the E Hobby Gobots, who are Bugbite's crew, and I Lowtech, a story with Nick Roche providing the illustrations.
- They will then be moving on to Shattered Glass Prose, and where possible, we are getting some elements of the AFD jokes. The first is Dungeons and Dinobots, a sample picture was shown with Grimlock saying "Quite the precarious predicament, wot?". There will be two more strips in addition to this one and a Club Exclusive Shatteredverse toy.
- Speaking of Shattered Glass, you too can own a Shattered Glass Nemesis Prime! Brian joked that the Classics Ultra Magnus would fit the bill, and also be the happiest buy you know.
- The Nightbeat comic is currently in limbo, it is planned as a pack in with the club toy. A Nightbeat profile like the Cyrotek one is also coming soon.
- There is also some sort of fiction planned for the Seacons, but they are currently uncertain on what.
- It is highly unlikely that the staff will combine the cons, simply because A) we're Transformers fans not Joe fans, and there are Joe fans who are not Transformers fans, so it would be counterproductive because then for most people it would not feel like "their" con. B) It would be twice the work for the staff.
- The possibility of adding souvenir figures to the pre-reg forms to cut down on the time queueing was raised - Fun Publications will consider it, contact them to voice your support if you like this idea.
- Once again the question of online registration was raised, the staff explained that hand-written faxed forms means a person looks at it and can interpret, unlike on an electronic form where there is no such leeway. Also, the costs of setup were raised, especially since the structure changes for every convention that they do.
- Energon packages (entry to all events like a Primus package but without toys) may be kept. Again, contact Fun Publications to voice your opinion on if they should stay or not.
- About this year's figures - it was a gamble, they did not expect it to sell like it did. They tried to get the number of sets raised, but it was too late. In future they are working to take registration before they have to give final numbers, to better gauge the numbers. However, it is a good thing when the sets sell out, because it means they have done their job and will be able to make more sets in future. In particular, if demand reached the 4-5000 range, it would help with Takara Tomy, who are reluctant to do the runs. They will also not limit sales of sets to individuals because it hurts their ability to sell out, they don't want sets over. However at the same time, they want everyone to be able to buy the sets at the original price not Ebay prices.
- The reason that non-attendee sets got cut first is that the majority of sales were for attending sets - hence catering to the demand.
- On the subject of Takara Tomy, they apparently hiked the price on the production of the exclusives.
- Next year's set may be another new idea for Transformers - the idea of Zombie Transformers was batted around by the staff.
- Blurr got a remolded head, because Brian Savage did not like the original head. In retrospect he noted that if he was redoing the head, he should really have looked for a different toy for the body.
- Nightbeat was chosen for the club exclusive over Elita-1 because it was thought that he would sell better, and also because Airazor did not sell as well as they had hoped.
- Talking about Piranacon, the team suggested that if people were in favour of it they might go back and redo other older unreleased toys, for example, the Generation 2 Stuntacons. DoubleClouder: I will kill for the G2 stunticons as exclusives! Lumpy: gen 2 stunticons could be fun...but probably not something i'd be diehard over...
and i'm excited for more exclusives set in universes we already have...i appreciate the figures that fit in well with other botcon sets alot... chaosbringer_00: You know, it's nice to know that there are so many people on the fans' side in Hasbro. I don't care what some people say, but I think that Hasbro does one hell of a lot of catering to its Transformers fans.
But I digress. Good news all-around, and big LOL's at Shattered Glass Nemesis Prime. Basketball Jones: The G2 Stunticons seeing mass release would be a bit unfair to the collectors who shelled out tens of thousands of dollars for them.
Some of the schemes aren't well-suited for release today- notably Breakdown's, and to a lesser extent, Motormaster's.
A modified G2 Stunticon set that was not identical to the unreleased G2 would be an intriguing idea, however. Laser_Optimus: Well, hopefully they release Elita-One at some point...
As far as potentially releasing G2 Stunticons or something similar... please don't. Frankly, those colors were worse than the Seacons they're releasing. General Magnus: Shattered Glass Nemesis prime? But hen he will be a good Prime clone from a bad Prime clone that is clone to a good Prime that has a bad guy clone that is bad...
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!*brain explodes* G.B. Blackrock: Quote:
Originally Posted by Sol Fury  - Talking about Piranacon, the team suggested that if people were in favour of it they might go back and redo other older unreleased toys, for example, the Generation 2 Stuntacons. | I've heard some people argue that the Stunticon molds no longer exist. Is this evidence to the contrary, or is it more likely that FP hasn't investigated the possibility yet, and is just "thinking out loud," so to speak? Optimus747: Much as I'd love to see the G2 Stunticons released, I agree that it would really be unfair to the collectors like Transfan2 who spent huge sums on them and spent years hunting for all the pieces. I'd rather see Predaking. 
Other than that, everything else is awesome news. I look forward to "Dungeons and Dinobots," and can't wait to see what the Shatteredverse Club Exclusive figure is going to be. Some good info on Botcon set stuff, too, hopefully next year's set will be as cool as this years'. Runamuck: I want the G2 Stunticons! I hope this happens. Omnibus Prime: Hideous though they may be, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be interested in club exclusive G2 Stunticons (and Protectobots for that matter). That would probably even encourage me to go out and obtain the G2 Aerialbots and Combaticons. I'd wholly support some kind of small change in order to differentiate them from the protos though. First thing that comes to mind is ditching the tampoed symbol/faction name on all of them. You change the overall color scheme too much, and they're not really G2 anymore. Of course, a completely new color scheme that doesn't suck would be awesome as well. 'Stuntibots', maybe?
As for it being unfair...what's the threshhold value for that? Every "what reissue would you like to see" thread that comes up has the obligatory clamoring for Overlord ($300+), Liokaiser ($800+), blue Bluestreak ($1,000?), Dinocassettes ($ZOMG), to name but a few. Reissues bring down prices of originals to varying degrees, but I don't even know that that would happen with these. There's so few of the legit unproduced G2 combiners that their value among the high rollers probably wouldn't drop much, if at all. People still pay a lotta money for MISB, MIB, even loose G1s that have seen multiple reissues because they want an original. People are still gonna pay thousands for the, what, dozen or so legit G2 combiner samples, especially the carded ones. DoubleClouder: Quote:
Originally Posted by Basketball Jones The G2 Stunticons seeing mass release would be a bit unfair to the collectors who shelled out tens of thousands of dollars for them. | So, I paid a fortune for my Energon Seacon and Drench protos when they came out and those are getting released. Just because a few select individuals bought them, doesn't mean they are entitled for them to be exclusive. They were the ones who deceided to spend that money, besides, I am sure they will be released in different packaging. And don't bring up the argument, well the botcon toys are exclusive. Remember the G2 Stunticons that are out there were never intended for anyone outside of Hasbro to own (bar Breakdown). PoweredConvoy: I'd love G2 Stunticons. The colors on those figures were awesome!!!!!!!!
Randy General Magnus: I really don´t understand the love for the G2 Stunticons. The colors are horrible. unicronhq: the club should do predaking...except do one bot per year like the free combiner bot they have been working on...that would cover the next 5 years....plus who here would be against getting a new redone colored exclusive predaking ??? Kaijumaster: If they released the G2 stunticons It would just be oh so sweet to the people foolish enough to spend stupid amount of money on a Toy. There's Dedication and then there's fanaticism. Galaxy Convoy: Hmm, not one person thought to ask about the possibility of Takara doing their own versions of the 2007 seekers? Hot Rodimus: Am I the only one who thinks Zombie TFs sounds stupid? Powerlinx Kupp: Forget G2 stunticons, how about Shattered Universe Heroic Stunticons. That would be instant buy.
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Originally Posted by Hot Rodimus Am I the only one who thinks Zombie TFs sounds stupid? | Nope. Inorganic Undead just doesn't do it for me, nope not at all. Spider Striker: To not re-issue the G2 Stunticons would be unfair to those who can't afford to pay un-Godly amounts on toys.
As for the colors, I really don't think I care. I just want as many complete combiners as I can afford to get my greedy little hands on. G.B. Blackrock: If any theoretical FP Stunticons were as different from the G2 versions as Astrotrain is from Spacewarp (excepting the remolded head), would people still have a problem? How about the differences between the Energon/Universe Seacons vs. the FP versions (the hands are different, aren't they?)? Kenucme: I sure wouldn't mind seeing the G2 Stunticons done as a Club exclusive. But I agree with Omnibus Prime >>> they should be made slightly different.
Yes, not all of us can afford those huge amounts for the unreleased ones. But it would be nice to get them as REISSUES. If you could call it that... DoubleClouder: From what I can tell in the pics, the FP Seacons are identical to the prerelease Energon versions Jaguaratron: Quote:
Originally Posted by Hot Rodimus Am I the only one who thinks Zombie TFs sounds stupid? | No
They think they are being original and "out there" after reading a copy of marvel zombies Locke: Quote:
Originally Posted by Galaxy Convoy Hmm, not one person thought to ask about the possibility of Takara doing their own versions of the 2007 seekers? | With the onslaught of information, I'm not surprised that this hasn't really been discussed, but this question was asked at the Hasbro panel.
Henkei planning Skywarp and Thundercracker as exclusives?
Don’t know the exact plan but they respect each other’s exclusives, can’t speak to it, deco would be different from the Botcon and Target versions if Takara did a version. Galaxy Convoy: Quote:
Originally Posted by Locke With the onslaught of information, I'm not surprised that this hasn't really been discussed, but this question was asked at the Hasbro panel.
Henkei planning Skywarp and Thundercracker as exclusives?
Don’t know the exact plan but they respect each other’s exclusives, can’t speak to it, deco would be different from the Botcon and Target versions if Takara did a version. | Yeah, I saw that. Was just curious about what FP itself has to say on the matter. Dragonclaw: As someone who owns quite a few of unreleased G2 and Universe I will say this...I'm the same as anyone buying upcoming Animated or any other figure....you roll the dice, you take your chances  Yes, an item MIGHT be cancelled or changed, but that is a RISK you take when buying unreleased toys, they MIGHT someday be released. For a production piece like, say, a lucky draw or a convention exclusive I see THOSE as production runs that should be honored...but just because a piece was cancelled I see no reason to never revisit it. They could announce Target Energon Megatron tomorrow and it really wouldn't affect me at all. Sure the one I own would be less unique, but I knew those risks when I placed my bid I would LOVE a G2 Combiner release and see helping a few thousand fans at the...um...risk of pissing off half a dozen or so a good trade, same goes for any other unreleased TF, EVEN if I am the one on that losing side! DoubleClouder: If they wanted to make them unique, they should just take of the G2 tampo, thats a real easy way to tell if they are orignal g2 releaeses or not Backscatter: Quote:
Originally Posted by DoubleClouder I will kill for the G2 stunticons as exclusives! | G2 Stunticons are fine as exclusives, but as with the Seacons they should have slightly different colors than the originals. BTW, I have a set of the original G2 Stunticons and Protectobots.
BTW, Classics Nemesis Ultra Magnus sounds like a good idea. Need a set of Red Decepticon symbols though. Nemesis Primus anyone? Is the Shatterverse Unicron Minty Green?  MoonRacer Prime: Strange but I am glad about Elita she is a leader not a Thunderblast retool. As for a fembot not selling that`s stupid and only because the mold they chose for Airazor kinda sucks. I joined the club in hopes of a great Elita and I feel a little let down. G1Wheeljack: Can't wait to see more of the Shattered Universe stuff, I wonder who the exclusive will be? flywheels: G2 Stunticons in all of their hidous glory would be awesome as club exclusives!! Shall I fax in my VISA card # now? Johnator: Quote:
Originally Posted by Hot Rodimus Am I the only one who thinks Zombie TFs sounds stupid? | I also think it is dumb. How about a G1 Stunticon set? That would rule! Gigasor: I know, right? The G2 Stunticons are hideous, but I'd get 'em in a heartbeat.
I kinda hope they don't do Zombie Transformers - that's really weak. Personally, the whole opposite/alternate universe theme this year was really stretching it for me - although I purchased both the boxed set and convention exclusives for my collection. Seems to me that a chance was wasted to recreate G1 characters that don't fit into the usual Hasbro product formula. Last years' set was brilliant, and I thought it would have been great to continue creating unmade classic characters or upgrading z-list Cybertronians. General Tekno: I'd love to see the club do some more Classics/Universe related stuff for a boxset- maybe give us characters/repaints we're unlikely to get. For instance, we probably won't see a Universe Shockwave since he's in animated, so make him a retool of another mold.
My dream boxset right now is:
Onslaught as Shockwave (new head and hand)
Cyb. Unicron OR Univ. Galvatron as Bludgeon (add in a sword)
Sideswipe as Punch/Counterpunch (new head that has 2 faces somehow)
Energon Scorponok as G1 Scorponok
...and someone else. Theme would be "Decepticon civil war" and be a conflict between Megatron and Bludgeon's factions in the Classicverse. Monari: Cool, but Zombie Transformers? Please NO. NO NO NO NO NO.
NO
Zombies are so played out it isn't funny. The ideal exclusive set next year should complement and fit into the Universe line proper. Please FP, please do that. Just...no more mirror universe, zombie transformers or other variations of that sort ok? Please? Optimus747: I wonder if they could make cool exclusives based on movie-line figures...though they did do a fair share of repaints in that line already. General Tekno: Quote:
Originally Posted by Optimus747 I wonder if they could make cool exclusives based on movie-line figures...though they did do a fair share of repaints in that line already. | They can't.
They won't be able to use them past this year, I think. Has to do with the licenses also being owned by GM and Paramount/Dreamworks.
So Hasbro has legal hurdles if they want to reuse the toys.
With any luck, I would HOPE they've got a more favorable legal situation with the Transformers 2 toys to allow repaints in Universe. Insane Galvatron: As far as visiting other combiner teams...
A couple of Hasbro reps ( don't know their names ) came over to our booth looking for a G1 Bruticus. We didn't have one, but I piped up "As many times as that toy has been released over the last few years, we know the molds exist. Instead of all those recolors, you could've released it as a reissue in G1 colors and he'd be easy for you to get."
I'm sure Hasbro and FP talk alot during the convention. Could this have gotten to FP as an idea for a club exclusive? It's a sure seller to most fans. Seaspray: I could see the zombie theme working with the right decos and the right story, BUT I'm not totally convinced that would happen. Runamuck: Quote:
Originally Posted by Insane Galvatron As far as visiting other combiner teams...
A couple of Hasbro reps ( don't know their names ) came over to our booth looking for a G1 Bruticus. We didn't have one, but I piped up "As many times as that toy has been released over the last few years, we know the molds exist. Instead of all those recolors, you could've released it as a reissue in G1 colors and he'd be easy for you to get."
I'm sure Hasbro and FP talk alot during the convention. Could this have gotten to FP as an idea for a club exclusive? It's a sure seller to most fans. | What did they say after you said that? hockeygamer40: Quote:
Originally Posted by Sol Fury S
- Talking about Piranacon, the team suggested that if people were in favour of it they might go back and redo other older unreleased toys, for example, the Generation 2 Stuntacons. | We hope the G2 Stuntacons and Protectobots are released. I was appalled at the auction where G2 Motormaster went for such an unholy amount! Chaos Sorcerer: Personally, I absolutely LOVE the idea of using the Club as a way to release figures that never got to see the light of day. The G2 Stunticons and Protectobots, that Toxitron repaint of Laser Prime, the G2 repaints of Hero Prime and Megs, those Transtec protos (yeah, i know this one will never happen, but I can dream) and so on.
That's a much better series of exclusives than the underwhelming junk they've been putting out so far though. DoubleClouder: Quote:
Originally Posted by Backscatter G2 Stunticons are fine as exclusives, but as with the Seacons they should have slightly different colors than the originals. BTW, I have a set of the original G2 Stunticons and Protectobots.
BTW, Classics Nemesis Ultra Magnus sounds like a good idea. Need a set of Red Decepticon symbols though. Nemesis Primus anyone? Is the Shatterverse Unicron Minty Green? | I just double checked and the Seacons they had at Botcon are identical to the original testshots, no color changes/tampo changes at all. So does this mean it screws everyone who bought these testshots, or do people with G2 stuff get special treatement? You can't go oh I want the Universe Seacons released but don't release any G2 stuff because people dropped 6K on it. Please keep in mind, I am not trying to point fingers, but I don't understand that "if" they release the G2 stuff, it has to be any different from the originals. Most of the originals are sealed and I doubt they would keep the package the same. I just think people want to keep stuff "exclusive" so their collection is unique. Personally I would love for them to be released in the G2 packaging, I liked it. If a few people get mad about it, but 100 people are happy well.... Optimus747: I think the Botcon 2009 set should be the Nemesis Set, with black/grey/teal Nemesis versions of all the fan-favorite characters. Nemesis Bumblebee, Nemesis Jazz, Nemesis Ironhide, Nemesis Starscream, Nemesis Warpath, and, of course, another variant of Nemesis Prime. That would own. 03Mach1: So was there a mention of the price or release date of the Seacon set? Sorry in advance if I missed it. MagnusPrimal: Quote:
Originally Posted by Hot Rodimus Am I the only one who thinks Zombie TFs sounds stupid? | Maybe it's exploring the IDW 'Dead Universe' concept? Omnibus Prime: Quote:
Originally Posted by General Tekno Sideswipe as Punch/Counterpunch (new head that has 2 faces somehow) | ^ This.
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Originally Posted by Chaos Sorcerer Personally, I absolutely LOVE the idea of using the Club as a way to release figures that never got to see the light of day...the G2 repaints of Hero Prime and Megs... | ^^ And these. Railguard: I think the Botcon should stop making exclusive sets like the seekers one. If they are sets of already released toys thats fine but don't make it of toys that people like me will never be able to afford. Give some of us a break huh? crimbot: I just hope that next year they make enough convention sets so that we can at least see all the toys before we order the set, and that we don't have to bend over to ebay to be able to get it. |
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