I noticed that right away too.

 

These have been on the market for around a month now.

Shockwave appears to have a properly assembled head and barrel cover. Although the gun arm is missing it's tip in this picture.





And as usual, factory stickers won't come applied to at least the Aerialbots, but will come on a separate sticker sheet (some seller's pre-apply these to make the item look more authentic  )

 

Just received an email from the seller stated that the KO Shockwave come with packaging.

 

Good looks! I feel so tempted to just order the boxes alone  

 

I'm back in the game now...

I just recently ordered a Wheeljack, so if I don't have any problems out of this guy, Shockwave may be coming home as well!

 

Great, unstickered they look like my G1 protos. Can't wait to hear all the flaming I am going to get when I sell them.

 

wasn't the last Metroplex KO release post encore?

Also while KO's wont stop every toy getting a reissue for the more pricey toys it could be the difference between the green light and no toy what so ever.

As for a official release I'd think this guy might be safe from the orange tip at least in Japan and the UK because the rest of the toy is so unconventional looking.

 

Best pic I got, luckely I own both already but here is a genuine SW in box..I do think the pic is to bad to see any diffrences with the KO one.

 

Look at Shockwave - his head splits in two horizontally from the bad molding on the ears!

Also - his gun barrell was SILVER! Not purple!

Damn these idiots, now I'll have to dread ending up with a KO when I bid on a loose barell-less Shockwave - I'm still looking for the original G1 toy...

 

Nope. The KO came first, then the Encore and then, since KidiToys was losing sales to competition, the KO in the Encore packaging...those deceptive bastards.

 

Yup. Hence all the problems with certain unscrupulous wholesalers sending some reputable dealers KOs instead of the real thing, IIRC.

 

I'm very proud that thread really hasn't been derailed! Way to go people!

I am also glad that this one has a big tell like the purple barrel instead of silver/gray.

 

got an email today and the barrel is now grey  

I dont think it looks too bad just a shame you'll get the usual a-holes passing it off as the genuine article on ebay.

 

Here are extra large pics that I just got.

 

The risks of getting a KO from so called "authentic" G1 eBay auctions for Shockwave will be high now. Damnnnn. I wanted to replace my original vintage too because mine has a stress crack on a part.

 

Damn zombie threads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!