Transformers Masterpiece MP-21 Bumblebee Color Preview

Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece designer Shogo Hasui has just shared a lovely image of the upcoming Masterpiece MP-21 Bumblebee via the Twitters. This is the clearest view we have to date:

Does Transformers Generations Armada Starscream Need Better Proportions?

It's time to nitpick plastic children's toys once more! One of the most awaited new entries to the 2013-2014 Transformers: Generations toyline is the new version of Armada Starscream. That design is easily one of my favorites for the character. It only makes sense that it should be able to translate into quite an awesome toy! Unfortunately, while the original Armada Starscream toy looked decent enough overall, it still left a bit to be desired. The poor thing even lacked a head swivel! When the new version was first announced, the prospect of finally seeing the design more effectively realized in plastic-crack form was fairly exciting.

Transformers Scrounge Custom Digibash

As requested by the internet's own VERIFIED WIZARD Gigasteam, this Transformers Digibash alters the colors and head of Transformers Universe Cosmos into the thus far comic-exclusive Transformer character Scrounge. The alt-mode was not done, but considering it's essentially a large disc, it would undoubtedly be a fair approximation of the...wheel that Scrounge transformed into.

Feel free to read more about Scrounge HERE at the Obscure Transformers Website!

And if you're in the spending mood, Amazon has some nice prices on Scrounge's appearances in the G1 Transformers comic book from Marvel Comics:
 

Transformers Energon Rodimus as Optimus Prime (Digi-bash)

PyjamaPrime of mass internet fame recently asked me to digi-bash Rodimus from the Transformers Energon toyline in Optimus Prime colors. Here's what I came up with:

For reference, here's the original:

So, why two versions? The first is to accommodate the vehicle mode by leaving red on the legs, meaning the truck cab would have red. The second is for a greater fulfillment of Optimus Prime's color scheme. I actually prefer that one. Either way, it's always fun to mess around with toys in Photoshop. I'll be sure to post some more!

iGear Seapsray Prototype in color (Digi-bash)

For those of you interested, I've digitally colored the prototype for iGear's upcoming Transformers Generation 1 Seaspray homage:

As you can see, I kept it relatively simple. I can't imagine they'll go too crazy with the paint applications. I also added an Autobot symbol (an element we definitely won't see on the final version) for completion's sake. I know there are a few fans of Mr. Gurgles floating around out there, so I certainly hope it's of some help to see what this thing could look like when released at the end of the year.

Until then, you may want to check out Transformers: Hunt for the Decepticons Seapsray from Hasbro if you initially passed on it.
 

Transformers Digibash: Classics RiD Scourge/Black Convoy/Nemesis Prime

Generation 2 Laser Prime is being updated in the "Reveal the Shield" Transforers subline. Here's a look for the imaginary reader that hasn't seen it yet:

The G2 toy this is based on was quite popular. At the time, it was one of the best articulated and most fun to play with Optimus Prime toys ever released and allowed the Generation 2 toy line to go out with a degree of pride. It still holds up today as a common favorite amongst Transformers fans.

In 2000, the mold became even more popular when redecoed with a sinister black, grey, red, and oddly...teal color palette as the "evil Optimus Prime" Black Convoy from Car Robots, later renamed "Scourge" for Hasbro's western adaptation Robots in Disguise. It would seem the new version of the design seen above could quite naturally follow in the original's footsteps. I decided to see what that might look like in Photoshop, as I often tend to do. Behold:

Given the crappy nature of the source photo, I had to do a bit of drawing, but the idea comes across well. I actually think these colors look just as wonderful on this new mold as they did on the original Laser Prime. I sincerely hope Hasbro/Takara can give us something similar. I'm constantly battling to calm my toy buying, but this is one I simply wouldn't be able to pass up.

Update - Reveal the Shield Optimus is now available for $14.99 and free shipping for Prime members on Amazon.com:

Digibash: Improved Animated Rodimus

Did I ever post this? I don't think I did. Hmm.

A while ago, I photo-shopped the then-unreleased Animated Rodimus toy (as I often do) to make him a little more accurate to the cartoon. It looks a little something like this:

The toy as is resides on the left; my altered version is on the right. I changed the slightly simian face and altered the colors to match the character's animation model more closely. Of course, self bias being what it is, I like my version better. Does that mean I'm not buying the toy as is when it comes out in the US this fall at Toys R Us? Of course not. I'm all over that bastard.

Powercore Combiners Bombshock - Digital Repaint

Will my obsession with photoshopping toys ever cease?

This upcoming "Powercore Combiners" Transformer is at least a marginal homage to the Generation 1 Military Patrol Micromaster of the same name. Geez, what a mouthful. Anyway, the design is pretty different, but samey enough overall to look at least somewhat like the G1 character. Problem is, the colors it's being released in don't fully accentuate this. Cue the amazingly bored Laffo and his geewunny Adobe first-aid kit. Enjoy!

UPDATE: If you missed this guy in stores, Amazon has one listed for retail price:

Botcon 2010 exclusive Sky-Byte Preview

Over at Botcon's official website they have a new preview of one of this year's exclusive toys: Sky-Byte. Follow the link to check it out! The base mold is Energon Sharkticon, a fine choice! Earlier pictures of the toy were released, though in a mistransformed state, so this is our first decent look at him. The new head mold, while undeniably Sky-Byte, is a little bland. Many have already expressed feelings of general "meh" about it. When first seeing it, I felt all it was missing was the asymmetry of the original toy. Now that we have a nice closeup of the head, I figured I'd try that out in Photoshop and compare the two:

My altered version certainly has more character. Self bias ftw! I will say though that after seeing the close up, the head we're actually getting does look fine. Sky-Byte is a wacky damn character, I love RiD, and I love the Energon Sharkticon mold. Obviously - I'd love to own this toy. Too bad Botcon exclusives are so damn expensive, eh?

G1 Head for Transformers Hunt for the Decepticons Seaspray

Yes, there's going to be a new Seaspray Transformer, and while it is largely like the oldschool design, a few liberties were taken. You know me, I'm hard to please when it comes to movie-inspired Transformers, but really, I don't mind the toy as it is. It's quirky, but in a good way that fits the character. The new version of the head and the mandatory "wacky feet!" really sell the whole "sea-faring Transformer" idea. However, the initial report about the toy told us it was JUST LIKE THE G1 TOY...SIMPLY BLOWN UP, and hopes were raised that it would indeed be a perfect "Classics" update, 100 percent G1. I would have really liked that. However, it simply wasn't so.

Pictures courtesy of Deceptigtar from TFW2005.com

For shits and giggles, I felt compelled to at least try a somewhat more GEEWUN version out in Photoshop. It really doesn't take much.

Seeing as the mold allows you to straighten the legs and keep the flippers folded in if you want, I focused on the head. I simply pasted a Legends Warpath mouth guard over the existing one and color corrected it. Blam-o. Definitely feels ever-so-slightly more like the gargly old Seaspray I grew up with. The execution is a little raw, but you get the idea.

Will I ever try a real version with something similar? I doubt it. My customizing generally stops at digi-bashing, but who knows. With the right amount of dry-brushing and Unicron legs...the world could be my oyster...

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Mudflap "Normalized"

The experiment continues. If Skids can have a "normal" TF head, why not his bro?

Compare the head to...you know, this thing:

It required a lot more drawing than Skids since his head is so bizarre, but I suppose I like the result. The monocle serves to further strengthen the "twin" element between he and Skids, I feel.

What do youuuuu think?

More fun with Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Skids

Dr. William F. Vangelus of WTF@TFW fame, amongst other various corners of the internet, asked to see my Normal Skids with the original's trusty monocle in tow. I always deliver:

So hey, all one of you that looks at this blog: What are your thoughts?

Lady Jaye Photoshop Shocker!

If you know me, you know I love messing with Photoshop. This often leads to arrogant displays of "I can make it better!" attitude, the likes of which were recently seen on this very blog. Moving on...

Once upon a time when Hasbro's 25th Anniversary G.I. Joe line (celebrating the 80s Real American Hero iteration of G.I. Joe, naturally) was kicking off, there was plenty to geek out and be generally blissful about, but one particular figure just wasn't doing it for me, or most others really, and it was an important figure at that: Lady Jaye.

Yeesh. As you can see, this Lady Jaye's face sculpt depicts her as what I can only assume is the plainest of plain-Jane...grandmas. I have nothing against kind old wimmens that feed the pidgeons at the corner of the market as their granny-fros bop about ebulliently in the wind, but come on, sweet old nannies do not a Lady Jaye make. Lady Jaye should look strong, youthful, and throwing the fear of coming across as one of those freaks that faps it to toys aside: attractive.

The card art pretty much got it right:

Naturally, I decided to mess about with the actual toy in Photoshop to see what could be done to make it look more like the artwork above. Here are the results, in comparison to the original:

Do I prefer the altered version? Sure thing. Do I think Hasbro could've pulled it off? More than likely not, but I do think they could've gotten a hell of a lot closer than they did. She could have at least been a little more defined. As is, the details are just sort of vague. Sharpening up features such as the eyes, lips, and hair might've easily prevented the granny look. I know not all G.I. Joe females (or even males, these are mass-produced figures at a small scale, after all) are perfect, but even in the same line, the others certainly fared better. Just take a gander at Scarlett:

No, not entirely awe-inspiring, but still a far better effort than Geriatric Jaye.

There was a later remold of Lady Jaye based more on the original cartoon design that did pull off the appropriate look a bit better, but even so, it's not too amazing, and you had to buy a pack of several figures to get it anyway.

Maybe one day there will be a definitive Lady Jaye released that's actually up to my ridiculous standards for a figure under 4 inches, but until then, eh, I guess there's always the weirdly proportioned Spy Troops version...

Revenge of the Fallen Skids Normalized

What if Skids, seen here:



...had a somewhat more normal TF face?



Hmm.