Hot on the previously-reported news from Shogu Hasui’s Twitter page showing a silhouette teaser, a gray prototype image of the highly-anticipated MP-21 – Masterpiece Bumble – surfaces by way of Comic Toys’ Facebook page. We get a look at both the robot and the alternate modes of Masterpiece Bumble. The photo shows us that the alt mode is a realistic representation of the fully-licensed Volkswagen Bettle, as opposed to a chibified toy alt mode that the original Generation One toy represents. Also, a feature unknown until now is that the faceplate for Bumble is removable!
Along with this image is what appears to be a fully-transformable Exo-suit Spike figure, as seen from the 1986 The Transformers: the Movie! Certainly feel free to journey back to that scene with some of our screencaps of the scenes shared with these two here: The Transformers: The Movie – Bumble[bee] and Spike Screencaps.
Now, it is a bit unclear as to whether or not the figure is actually Spike or his son, Daniel. However, the likelihood of Spike seems to be a bit higher, given his long friendship with Bumble[bee]. If you want to speculate further, jump on over to our Masterpiece Speculation thread!
EDIT: Thanks to TFW2005.COM board member hanypa for a higher resolution image!
songrobin
Just a sneak peek of posable hands I've been making for this guy. Still needs a bit of touching up, but hopefully I'll post the tutorial soon.
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Sixo
Really? Are you sure? I think my Bumblebee would like that…
Very kind offer, Sam. I will shoot you a PM later.
SuperGrimlock
Starting a hive over there, queen bee?
Sam
Of my four Bumblebees (5 including G2) only one of them had a fairly loose back bumper. In fact the main problem was that the part that needs to fold into his back that the bumper is attached to was quite tight, so the bumper would flip off very easily.
I'd be happy to send you one of mine, god knows I've got enough licence plates between all my Bumblebees!
Sixo
My bumper also falls off, although much less so on my G2, and I think I may have lost my black licence plate.
Robotmonkeys
^^^^ the rear bumper on mine also comes off rather easily when transforming him. It stays in place otherwise.
Weezie
I removed the autobot symbol on his foot/bonnet. A foot just seems a weird place have it. I used Windex which is gentle enough that it didn't damage the yellow paint underneath. It came off gradually with persistent rubbing and a cotton bud.
Also had to apply some Future to Spaniel because his arms and legs keep popping off. I was actually kind of shocked to see such a quality issue with something that is supposed to be aimed at the collector's market. I don't handle my toys roughly either.
Has anyone else had the problem with Bee's black bumper piece falling off also?
DukeFett
Damn I've been checking here and there but have missed it each time. I'm sure it'll come into stock shortly before it comes out like all the other ones.
Robotmonkeys
Available now at HLJ 6:56 am pacific standard time
DukeFett
I've seen it happen at HLJ way more than Amiami.
Robotmonkeys
Check back the closer we get to it's release, most times they get extras or people cancel their preorders.
artistvideogame
Anyone know when or if HLJ or AE will carry the MP G2 bumblebee again?
sh002
monish
I caved and got him
DukeFett
If there's a re-release, I'm sure the same issues will persist. They haven't been super prevalent enough where everyone's complaining. I'd wait and see also on the MP-21g release and see how the paint is on there.
Dean ML
Damn, Ambitron, incredible work. That's how he's supposed to look. Makes me want to snag some extra faces and customize them. The serious face on mine is fine, but the smiley face is unusable thanks to the half painted eyes that make him look like a paranoid pothead.
monish
Still deciding if I should buy this figure or wait for a reissue. I'm reading about the paint differences which might look odd when its displayed.
ambitron
Thanks! And yes, I think a more matt paint would improve it loads, too – that's another thing that looks better on the painted prototype. The gloss is just too reflective in certain lights and really exacerbates the triangular polygons at the sides of his face (not the polygonal shapes that are part of the cartoon, but the ones formed as a result of the protrusion of his lips and mouth).
For the face I just used Tamiya white mixed with the tiniest, tiniest bit of Tamiya black. You can get a near-perfect match that way. The eyes are just Tamiya sky blue mixed with white.
Sam
Looks great! After you sanded the nose down which paint did you use to repaint his face? Looks like a perfect match. Also which blue for the eyes?
Xaxis
Nice work, Ambitron! That makes a huge difference and brings him into a much better likeness of good ol' Bumblebee.
I'd like to do that with my own, and I'd like to completely strip off the paint from his face and use something with less of a gloss than the factory paint has. I think it would help the geometry of the sculpt look better.
I only have one Bumblebee though, and I don't want to take a chance of ruining it. I wonder if anyone is selling extra faces (official, not third party alternate faces).