Long time friend of TFW The Spacebridge has shared something exceptionally cool on his Facebook page. Many of us are aware that the Action Masters assortment were among the very last releases that came out in the Transformers line in the US – and a few final releases made it to Europe in 1991.
But, as with any line cut short, designs were made that would never see the light of day. That is where The Spacebridge’s post comes in. He has shared eight pieces of artwork showing some Action Masters that never made it off the drawing board – and some are rather cool.
These bits of art show Action Master versions of Ultra Magnus – who would have come with a trailer in a similar size class to the Optimus Prime one, which could split into two separate battle vehicles. Combiners Bruticus, Superion, and Predaking all were concepted, with Superion and Predaking having motorbikes that turned into gunnery stations, much like the Prowl that was released in 1990. A Perceptor was also concepted, but like Bruticus there is no hinting at what he might have came with. All the figures are shown with additional armor / weapon parts in a second robot sketch, which suggests this would have been the overall gimmick of these Action Masters, after the transforming partners of the initial releases and armor of the European ones.
Check out the images and give some major thanks to The Spacebridge for sharing all of this with the fandom at large!
NemiMonkey
True true. The SDCC set wasn't copy paste of what action masters were, but the concept at least is similar. I wasn't saying they should use that format for these guys, but rather do something similar with the designs while using the original AM format.
G.B. Blackrock
To me, "Action Master" means more than simply "a Transformers-character figure that doesn't transform." Rather, an "Action Master" should be roughly 3 1/2 inches tall and have neck, shoulder, hip, and knee joints.
There have been other non-transforming representations of Transformers over the years, but none quite have the charm of Action Masters. If I say I want to see new Action Masters made (whether by a 3rd party or Shapeways or whatever), I want them to be able to fit alongside the ones that were made in the early 90s.
NemiMonkey
Mmmmm dat Bruticus. Shame the line ended, that Magnus would have looked pretty darn good in plastic form. The truck at least, to me, looks waay better than Optimus's did.
Oh jeez, can you imagine being stuck too a guy who was basically Peanuts Pigpen for all eternity.
I like that idea. Takara already did something like that with one of their G1 Op reissues. It might also make for a nice SDCC exclusive. Hasbro already did that 5 pack of non transforming figures. That was basically Actionmasters 2.0.
Esquilax79
The Aerialbots all hated Slingshot (for being a jerk apparently) so much that they replaced him with Alpha Bravo.. would have hated being fused together haha – seems like every group has a member that they all hate.
StrangePlanet
Much like a Stormtrooper riding a giant lizard…
If Predaking riding a giant motorcycle isn't cool, then nothing in the world is cool.
KnightHawkke
That's some pretty good cheese right there, all of that could pretty easily be revisited in Hero Mashers actually, maybe not as huge as Magnus' trailer, but bikes and such could fit in the 3rd existing price point.
Fort Max
They should just use these in the rumored MASK return.
Murasame
I would have bought these.
transform75
So combiner wars almost happened 25 years ago… But as action masters!
UndertakerPrime
These things are super cool.
I'd love to have that Bruticus.
LegendAntihero
I love that blue wing pack on Superion.
agentSAP2006
Wasn't a copy of that Predaking artwork found in the parking lot of an Arby's during a Botcon?
RobotKnight95
And now I'm reminded of that scene on Junkion with Wierd Al's Dare to be Stupid.
scrapmetaru
I kinda want that Bruticus.
TCJJ
I swear that Hasbro just need to pull out all these old Action Master designs (which there are clearly a plethora of) and make them all. It would be AMAZING. Plus, they're doing Combiner Wars right now, so what better time to do them?
Angelwave
I just want them just because they are so absurd and ridiculous, but in a cool way.
If they ever made CW giftsets (Devy notwithstanding) these would've been great pack-ins.
dragon
glad i know nothing of this seies i allready dont like it transformers dont need to drive truck into battel yet combiner that is 5 times size of nomral ot riding bike looking at these pictures look to be g1 comics every transformer is same size in comics standing next to grimlock and optimus prime especially combiners
durroth
… Ultra Magnus gave up his transforming ability to drive a truck… yo dawg I heard you liked trucks
Electro Rush
My Feral Rex now needs a bike.
RMStunticon
You, sir, are a genius. You need a cookie.