Hey guys, I've got a lot on my belt in terms of photography, but one of the jobs I'm looking forward to the most is my work in Phillip J. Reed's "Transforming Collections". Outside of specific pictures for figures, I'm also doing the cover of the book, and while I have my ideas for the layout, I don't exactly know what particular figures I'll be using. So, that's where I need you help: especially since this is a book heavily geared towards the fanbase. So, I'm wanting you guys' input.

At very least there'll be 3 to 4 on there, but sky's really the limit.

I didn't add a poll, because there shouldn't be a limit on what you all suggest. And, don't be afraid to suggest some obscure stuff. I own quite a bit of 3rd party stuff, but if I don't, and it's awesome/fits I'll definitely try to find a way to get it at least for the shoot.

Also, this is it's own thread because it's a more concise subject than the broadness of the thread about the book itself, and I'll actually be going through to tally totals and scout for anything I potentially need to get.

Thanks for anyone's input in advance.

 

I'd think they would probably be the more famous ones, like City Commander, Colossus, and Hercules (and maybe cyclops). You know, the ones that really established third party toys. Without those ones, I think the third party scene would be completely different. Those are the ones that made everyone take notice of what was possible with them.

 

City Commander on Magnus. Pretty much the coming out piece for what this whole Third Party thing is about now.

 

When I think of the term "3rd party," City Commander is the first figure that comes to mind. I think it has become such a staple in this realm of collecting Transformers that it needs to be highlighted as such.

Other figures I'd want to see:

- TFC Hercules
- FP Explorer & Munitioner (w/ the Bruticus parts if possible)
- MMC Screecher

 

No Hegemon? Best representation of ol' Megs to date?

 

I would do cyclops and and the insecticons or MMC screecher and giant/Hercules.

I think MMC is a good way to go because they haven't just done their own versions of Hasbro toys, they've done stuff Hasbro has never touched and its all really unique, so you could even go with screecher/stormer/Warper, cyclops and commander and maybe Annihilator in alt mode screaming down the tracks. You can create a cohesive scene with those figures

 

City Commander gotta be one off them for sure.

 

^^ I have to agree with Vangelus for all the same reasons

 

I'd say Colossus and City Commander are two of the most noteworthy 3P addons... Anything Fansproject would be good to have truth be told... if they didn't make the goods they did... I'd say the 3rd Party craze wouldn't be anywhere close to what it is now. (I mean srsly how much crap is coming out this month? A TON) While the Colossus did a fantastic job of turning a subpar combiner into a work of art...

Hercules is what stirred up 3rd Partiy interest in producing combiners. Had Maketoys tackle their take on Devy... now we got MMC and a new company taking on Predaking. TFC's doing Superion, Maketoys/TFCs rumored to be working on Defensor and Computron last I recall...and Toy World is presumably making the Throttlebots into a combiner!

So definitely those three. Herc, Colossus, Commander. Could add more, but they're a big bunch so IDK.

 

city commander
PE frenzy rumble
cyclops just cause he is huge
hercules or giant both great

and since the PE stuff is so small i think you could get away with one more

and for that i suggest one of the quintissons

oh and congrats on the opportunity to photo the cover

 

FP City Commander
TFC Hercules
MMC - Shockwave (Can't remember what he's called...don't have it)

 

Along with everyone's notable suggestions... Throw in one of MAIDEN JAPAN's fully upgraded Junkions!  

 

Colossus, City Commander and Hercules (and Cyclops if possible  )

 

City Commander - Kickstarted the craze
Hercules - Kickstarted the combiner craze
Cyclops - The first large-scale standalone figure

To steal from Vangelus with one ammendment; skip Defendor as FP is already represented and go with PP05 or the MW, it shows the diversity of the offerings and the smaller figures could better showcase the immense size of Hercules, plus that way I feel the top four companies are represented.

 

I say Hercules/City Commander with some kind of silhouette of G1 Devi/Magnus in the background. Since the name is Transforming collections and the focus is on how 3rd party figures are transforming collections. I feel like the cover should reflect the actual transformations the toys have gone through.

 

I agree with this. I think you definitely want a Hearts of Steel bit, as the MMC look is so distinct. And I'd think Hercules is a must.

I'd be very tempted to say Steelcore. It's a good figure and I think he represents the future, namely unique characters that aren't necessarily G1 or HasTak homages.

 

Colossus---for showing just how much an existing figure(team) can be improved by add-ons. (City Commander is almost a whole new bot in the end, while Colossus still is mostly Hasbro, IMHO)