That wasn't really my point.

Your defense sounded condescending. You should probably watch out for saying things that sound really, really close to blaming people for not liking something. Being the public face of the Club, I'd hope you understand that certain things can be misconstrued and come back to haunt you.

 

I don't blame anyone for not liking this. Not at all. Just wanted to point out there is a LONG history of non-transforming toys in the Transformers line. This is far from something new.

 

I really like the "out of the box" thinking and hope to see more. I like this set and hope to get it.

 

I'm kind of surprised all of the "conspiracy theorists" haven't come out of the woodworks claiming Pete & Brian are "Joe-ing things up too much."
Oh wait they have?
Oh wait, Pete & Brian aren't?
Whatever.

I still think this is awesome. I only have a G.I. Joe: Retaliation Snakeyes gracing my collection, and to be totally honest I have no clue about Joes or their history. I'd dabble in JoeCon & GIJCC stuff if doing so along with the TCC wouldn't wreck my bank account, so being able to do that through the TCC is really cool. Do I still wish the bike was from a Transformers mold? Hell yeah. Would I rather take 2 or 3 other human characters over the bike? Absolutely. But I'm also happy with what we're getting.
That being said, I do have a question, Pete if you're still lurking this thread... Will this set come with a comic, similar to the Nightbeat offering from a few years back?

 

Well we know they now have a hard hat. That's one piece of the puzzle down.

http://www.hisstank.com/gi-joe-news/attach/4/1/7/2/7/toll-booth-gijoe-fss-2_1367605745.jpg

 

That Marissa needs a new head, but that's easy peasy. I might order this… price pending.

 

You know, you don't speak for me. I actually **LOVE** this figure, and what better place to put an obscure character, human or not, than the TFCC? Considering that obscure B and C list characters is something the Club has a good hold on, this is a pretty brilliant move. We'd NEVER get something like this for regular retail. It's just too obscure.

You may not like it, but I do. I'm going to give credit where credit is due. I've had a strong dislike of the club after all the issues they had, but this is the thing that really pulled me back in for sure. You bet I'll sub again just to get this set.

 

price for this steaming pile of  

$59.00

wanna bet?

 

Certainly not saying I speak for anyone or that you can't like it, Planck. I wouldn't be that presumptuous. I'm glad you dig it. I simply thought Pete "reminding" us that there had been non transforming Transformers branded toys as a way to shut down some of the complaints was borderline condescending. That's all.

I would say that, if I had a problem with the club (I did), there would have to be one HELL of a toy to get me to come back. This ain't it. If it is for you, that's rad. To me, it's borderline Kicker stuff, and the non transforming vehicle is the icing on the disappointing cake.

My problem was more with the borderline fan blame thing. There's a lot of that that goes around our fandom for whatever reason. A lot of weird self loathing and misplaced blame and a lot of people, who are part of the fandom that act like they are above it (the fandom) or better than it. That kinda bugs me.

Again, Pete wasn't outright doing that. But, and I stress, this is MY OPINION, he came close to that kind of line. You have every right to dig the toy, and I have every right to think it's kind of an odd choice, and that cat over there has a right to expect Transformers from his Transformers club subscription, etc. But we also have a right to not be talked down to by people that want our money. There are just as many "valid" reasons to dig this toy as there are reasons to not.

Anyway.

 

Well said.

I called it at over 50 a few or so dozen pages back.  

 

This is easily one of the greatest things Fun Pub has ever done. It is a celebration of the brand's history as well as the legitimacy of the characters.

"Toy Book"...."a half-hour commercial"....those are phrases that were often used to describe the Transformers (and G.I.Joe) comics and cartoons back in the early years. And I still cringe when I hear it. Not only does it imply that these exist ONLY to sell toys, but it also implies that the stores and characters are poorly constructed. Across 30 years, many of the Transformers have demonstrated that they have a powerful presence that exists regardless of origin. I think that the release of significant humans from those stories only reinforces the legitimacy of Transformers. The stories count and have, in this way, helped to steer what exists as a toy. To say that this should never have a chance to be released is almost to say that the characters of The Transformers do not matter. (I know it is also not outright saying this, but it kind of gets there regardless.)

As a matter of honoring the history of the brand, this is a great way to pull something from the last 30 years and put it into plastic. I definitely hope that it opens the doors for other non-transforming characters. If they offered an additional FSS with figures that looked this good, I would be all for it.

 

There's a long history of non transforming Transformers going on clearance.

 

People get so mad when toys exist that they don't want to buy.

If this was on the sub service, I'd be right there with you. It's not, and there's a reason for that.

 

Your correct the ashiko figure does have ports, but looking at the figure again, they could have just as easily put a lady jaye, or pilot scarlett head on that body and it could have worked.

The ashiko cycle armor, done with this paint scheme, and a figure with this paint scheme, transforming "mospeada-esque cyclone armor" bike with an Autobot logo that fits on a marissa fairborn figure?!?!

I say, that would have been one of the most exciting non retail release I can think of, overshadowing sdcc shockwave and Starscream.

Everytime I hear "subscription figure" I roll my eyes...I don't do subscription figures...but a new TF inspired ashiko cycle would possibly made a subscriber out of me. As a Joe fan that bought that bike for my son...I just shake my head because its a shitty toy.

 

Couldn't want this MORE!

Now I have to design our game based Loraine Hauser to go with her!!!

 

I'd buy the cyclone armor anytime. All I think of when I look at it is how sweet it would've been repainted in Macross colors. It would be awesome if they found a way to reissue such a cool set.

 

I get that the Ashiko armor is certainly a good choice for one of the crossover sets. But the leg ports and changes to the torso would have compromised Marissa. So while it makes sense to release it, it doesn't make sense for this project.

 

You're totally correct. I do still really like this release and plan on buying it. I hope that this does well enough to not close the door on the notion of TF human characters being released as optional Club exclusives.

 

That's what I'm toying to say. It's not like it was a TFSS or freebie figure. You don't have it buy this to get anything else. Totally independent and optional.