I decided to take a little extra stop going out this morning and lo and behold, the Walmart I stopped at had the extended Transformer endcap. Laughably, they had 1 Megatron and 4 Hotlinks, so I took the chance to look at all four Hotlinks, while they largely looked the same, I took the one with the best looking face paint. Also grabbing a Mirage, I headed out and used a giftcard to pay for some of it. In the car, I cancelled my pre-order for Megatron and Mirage (I had missed out on Hotlink), so I'm done for a while.

During the pandemic, I open one figure a day to fully experience and enjoy the figure, but I opened them all once I got home just to ensure they had good QC; to my surprise, they are had very tight joints. I'll just have to spend the next few days really getting to know these guys.

Having every version of the Tetrajet (except Starscream), I was wondering if at this point there'd be some degradation on Hotlink, but I seem to have the opposite problem; it's extraordinarily tight. I popped the chestplate off transforming it not because it's loose, but because the swivel joint was so tight that on first transformation it really didn't want to move. Similarly, pegging the arms into the legs on one side took a lot of force, and the whole jet coming together really locked into place (though I think there may be some warping on my copy as one side it's not as smoothly panel aligned, there's some gappage, but it's not due to any part not being in, just the way it comes together). The color deco is great, and I'm shocked that on use 8 that it's far and away my tightest jointed version of the figure.

I passed on the WFC Mass release Megatron. I passed on the Wal-mart 35 anniversary Megatron. The wait paid off. I've pretty much tossed the sword/gun to the side and used the alternate tank configuration. I'm also pleased how well this fits on a stand (shockingly on the same stand, better than Hotlink in Tetrajet mode) and looks like a real cool hovertank. I'll be honest, I don't think we've ever gotten a Megatron that so embodies the G1 Tech Spec/profile as this guy does. I'm thinking I may put a reprolabel Decepticon symbol over the worn one on his chest.

Somewhat humorously, I only have clear mirage from the multi-pack, so having this version in regular plastic and with such a great deco is really satisfying.

Click to Enlarge

 

epic !

 

Those are badass! :O

 

Laserbeak, you tinfoil turkey!

 

Transformers: The Epic Saga
Season 4
Episode 15
"The Battle of Renegade Valley Part 1"

Spoiler

Presented in Crapovision!

Killshot - "AHH!!!"

Cyclonus - "Relax it was obviously a warning shot he'd of hit you if he wanted too!"

Jetfire - "Wow Burt! You missed?"

Burt - "Sorry, I got too excited and didn't take enough time to aim!"

Jetfire - "Well I'll talk to them so they think it was a warning shot so you can keep your dignity!"

Burt - "Thanks"

Cyclonus - "Our quarrel isn't with you traitors today! We are hunting down Starscream!"

Ion Storm - "Good! Give the asshole my regards!"

Cyclonus - "Ion Storm! So I see you're not a true Decepticon after all, and I had such high hopes for you!"

Ion Storm - "Nothing personal Cyclonus, I just like my brothers and the management over here alot more!"

Cyclonus - "Only traitors and the weak would follow an Autobot turncoat!"

Spectro - "Come on boss, can we blast'em now?"

Jetfire - "Alright! Spred it!"

Ravage - "HIIIIISSSSS!!!!!!!"

Bruticus - "BRUTICUS SMASH!!!"

Cyclonus - "Show them no mercy!"

Shockwave - "I'm aiming for Ion Storm, ha ha!"
Motormaster - "I'm aiming for everyone!"

Heatstroke - "I like this plan!"

Cyclonus - "Spred out and continue to attack!"

Hotlink - "As you command!"

Cyclonus - "Constructicons! Why aren't you firing?"

Mixmaster - "We didn't bring our guns!"

Scrapper - "Yeah we're protesting against the discrimination you all have against us for not having 5mm hands!"

Cyclonus - "Damn you! You will merge into Devastator and fight that ugly Bruticus or I will destroy you myself!"

Scapper - "Fine!"



Devastator - "Nazi asshole!"

Spinister - "Here kitty-kitty I've got a treat for ya!"

Ravage - "Meow"

Spinister - "Go get'em battle cat!"

Ravage - "Meow!"

Breakdown - "Ravage? BAD KITTY!"

Ravage - "HIIISSS!!!!"

Breakdown - "AHH!!"



Jetfire - "AH! My wrist!"

Jetfire - "Uh-oh!"

Cyclonus - "I'm going to enjoy this!"

Cyclonus - "So long pretender to the throne"

 

This is my favorite mold of Mirage. It just feels right as the best of the first wave. But given that he's a Con, I'm gonna call him Detour.



Recreating the Vs. Polls.


The Opposite factions.

 

Desired to transform my Siege Jetfire for the first time only to realize that his backpack was mistransformed out of the box and I had him like that for months  


Can't wait to handle my Omega one day  

 

Can't wait for ER Skylynx! In the meantime...





IMHO, Omega and Ironworks go together like Metroplex and Sixgun, or Trypticon and Brunt.

 

Sorry been awhile. However the kids and I have done some tinkering. Around February we scored some clearance figures on the real cheap for their blast effects then we adjusted the fun factor of the Siege Battle Masters namely we stole joints from KO Halo/COD Megablock figures. Then we glued them together and dyed them and for some we added paints. So here is some fun.

 

And More





Never could find singe so we made one



Even Skytread got a battle master!



Barricade claimed two and no one was going to argue with him




Some Battle Masters are still waiting for their mainline partner releases. Here's hoping

 

Oh my gosh, of course! I can't unsee that, now... I feel it becomming part of my head cannon...

 

Great choices and pics. It's neat to see how others divy up the 'masters to their figures.

 

Cliffjumper: My cannon is just as big and powerful as yours!
Megatron: The difference is I will survive and you won’t!

 

"Decepticons! Transform and Lay down!!"

In all seriousness, I know collectors have a problem with even more repaints of the same molds, but this Netflix line is nothing short of amazing. Especially Mirage. The paint deco is absolutely outstanding. Easily the best figure in the wave.

 

Saturday nite's all right, all right!

I'm drinkin' and I'm paintin' with those yahoos on The Original Drink and Draw Social Club chattin' away in the background.

Singe, Hairsplitter, Tiptop and Heater, coming soon.

~L~

 

Mirage, the Decepticons have cloak detectors in place even you cannot make it into the base without detection.

I agree Prime. Mirage cannot. However...


Maybe Phantasm can...

 

Mirage as a Decepticon is a............ Wait for it.......... mirage.

The playability of all three versions of the mold together is outstanding.

As a sidenote, in the trailer for the Netflix Siege cartoon, they were alluding to being a part of the factions and the war itself is a choice. So in my mind, this may explain why Mirage might be a Decepticon. Maybe he switches sides at one point?

 

Hence my choice of name being Phantasm which is a synonym of Mirage.

 

My son got another Sixgun and he's been busy trying new forms here is his most recent.