{"id":22659,"date":"2013-02-10T02:15:53","date_gmt":"2013-02-10T08:15:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=22659"},"modified":"2013-02-12T00:09:59","modified_gmt":"2013-02-12T06:09:59","slug":"an-afternoon-with-hasbro-2013-toy-fair-armchair-coverage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=22659","title":{"rendered":"An Afternoon with Hasbro
2013 Toy Fair Armchair Coverage"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>Today, I followed the Hasbro Fan Media panel like pretty much all of you, from home, and it seemed like it was going on forever. I can only imagine how the guys in the audience were feeling. Though I imagine it\u2019s easier to endure with they keep showing you cool toy pics! Now, it\u2019s our turn. <\/p>\n

<\/a>I could not have been more wrong about how today was going to go. I haven\u2019t bought a non-FSS GI Joe in months, my only new Transformers have come from overseas, and I can\u2019t find new Marvel figures to save my soul. I was starting to wonder if Hasbro was still out there.<\/p>\n

I figured Hasbro would show plenty of stuff, but I didn\u2019t expect more than a couple additions to my 2013 Want List (which, let\u2019s face it, is already too long as it is). I decided to get some writing done this afternoon during the show, but I still opened up a window for Twitter and others for the various Cover It Live streams (which there were surprisingly few of this year, Twitter may have finally won out) and awaited the Hasbro news. <\/p>\n

Transformers<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/a>Hasbro kicked off with My Little Pony just to meet my expectations. Transformers followed with the spotlight initially on Rescue Bots, Kre-O, the new Construct-A-Bots, and on the Prime\/Beast Hunter cartoon. I haven\u2019t taken the time to get to know the new show, but there did seem to be some cool news \u2013 even I have to take notice of a Predaking with a 21\u201d wingspan. That\u2019s cool. I\u2019ve got a line out to Vault to see if he wants to add some of his thoughts about the regular Transformers lines. <\/p>\n

I’ve been trying to distance myself from them a bit because one of the ways I can afford Masterpiece is to (mostly) give up on the smaller scale items. For the most part, Hasbro hasn\u2019t made that too difficult (other than a stray FOC figure here or there). And yet, some of the new Generations items look tempting \u2013 the Stealth Bomber Megatron, Trailcutter, Orion Pax, and especially the Voyager Triplechangers of Springer & Blitzwing. Springer in particular has a great chance of finding his way to my shelves despite the embargo, but I was doing good and just waiting for the MP news. Then the giant white robot came into the room. <\/p>\n

<\/a> For Fall 2013, Hasbro will be producing a new class\/size of Transformer: Titan. The size kicks off with the largest Transformer ever, a 25\u201d FoC Metroplex. My jaw dropped at just the thought. That design was heavily G1 inspired and the figure looks to be a sharp update of the G1 as a result. The three modes are there, the interaction with smaller Transformers is there, but even better are lights, sounds, articulated eyes, and who knows what else. The only thing I’m not liking so far is that the figre on display looks really static. Is he too big to pose? Can he move? I hope so. <\/p>\n

The best part about the new Metroplex though might just be the price: $125. It\u2019s a lot, but it\u2019s also a lot of Transformer for the money. Who know that the G1 reissue of Fortress Maximus wouldn’t be the biggest Transformer produced this year. Damn!<\/p>\n

Finally, there was some Masterpiece news as well, but I have mixed feelings about it. Hasbro confirmed a TRU exclusive Acidstorm (the green camo seeker, 6″ version pictured at left). I knew going in to that line (post MP-10 anyway) that I shouldn\u2019t try to be completist with it. I don\u2019t mind picking up my favorite characters and maybe some I never had but I know could be cool (like Bluestreak). But do I need repaints like Tiger Tracks & Acid Storm? I really don\u2019t know. I think they’ll look sweet on the shelf, but I\u2019m not sure that they\u2019re right for my collection. I have a pre-order out for Tiger Tracks and I imagine I’d pick up Acidstorm, but I really need to figure out what my goal is on the high dollar Transformers. <\/p>\n

Hasbro also confirmed that their version of Masterpiece Soundwave will come with all five of the cassettes. As such, you might think that I feel like I shouldn\u2019t have bought my Takara Soundwave. You’d be wrong. I standby him being worth every penny, but I\u2019m still stoked about this news. I really didn\u2019t want to pay $120+ to import the four remaining cassettes. If I can snag the US release (I only saw Optimus once), then, even if it costs $120, that\u2019s going to be like getting a free second Soundwave. I can live with that!<\/p>\n

Prospective Purchases: Voyager Springer, 25\u201d Metroplex, Masterpiece Soundwave w\/ Cassettes, Masterpiece Acid Storm. <\/strong><\/p>\n

For more specifics on the show including better coverage of the Construct-A-bots<\/a>, Prime<\/a>, and Kre-O<\/a> lines check out TFW2005<\/a>. For all the official press pics check out The Terror Drome<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Speaking of Kre-O, Star Trek will be getting a lot of love this year and it appears that Kre-O can do any era of Star Trek which is pretty cool, but Kre-O is a rabbit hole I\u2019m trying to crawl back out of, so I’m not even going to look. For the official press pics check out The Terror Drome<\/a>. <\/p>\n

G.I. Joe<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/a>When G.I. Joe came up, it was almost the same setup as Transformers. Plenty of neat or novel items that are cool, but that I know I don\u2019t need. That said, one of my all-time favorite childhood Joe vehicles was the Tomahawk and now that it’s getting the modernized treatment, I’m pretty stoked! The Tomahawk, renamed Eaglehawk (at least on the box) looks gorgeous and the updates might just make it better than the original. And at $40, it\u2019s another must buy. At this point I have no idea where I\u2019m going to put all these big toys, but I\u2019ll figure out. <\/p>\n

<\/a>In terms of figures, there was a good mix of movie figures, some 30th Anniversary figures that were cancelled (Kwinn!), and then a new breed of figure called \u201cUltimate\u201d. I didn’t see too many I really had to have, but Kwinn is always cool and the armored up Cobra with the drone looked pretty cool. Still, it’s the ultimate figures that caught my attention. <\/p>\n

Cobra Commander & Storm Shadow are the first two figures to get the classic\/ultimate treatment. The idea here seems to be that these will be the last versions of the two you’ll ever need. They look spot-on and appear to have great articulation. For the official press pics check out The Terror Drome<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Prospective Purchases: The Tomahawk\/Eaglehawk, Ult. Cobra Commander, Ult. Storm Shadow (Maybe)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Continue to Page 2…<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Star Wars<\/strong> <\/p>\n

<\/a>While I enjoy collecting 1:18th, the prospect of being able to mix Darth Vader or R2-D2 in with my 6\u201d collection is really much more interesting to me. I\u2019m not socks-blown-off all-in for the new line, but I can think of a dozen or so that I wouldn\u2019t mind buying and I\u2019m sure the list would only get longer if I dared to give it more thought. Hasbro officially unveiled the full first wave today \u2013 all four look pretty rad at this stage, even Darth Maul and his alternate head withrobes, but so far, R2 is the only given. Any of the others might grab me if I find them at retail. <\/p>\n

Hasbro did announce a fifth figure as well: Boba Fett. He\u2019ll be a SDCC exclusive along with Han Solo in Carbonite. I\u2019m sure that Fett will make his way into the line as a non-exclusive, but I might want the Carbonite prop too so hopefully I can snag one. Hasbro exclusives can be rather difficult. <\/p>\n

Check out Rebelscum’s Showroom Pics<\/A> and their full Hasbro report<\/a> for all the Star Wars news. There\u2019s plenty of 1:18th on the way for fans that have invested more in the line over the years. <\/p>\n

Also, I\u2019m interested to see how things play out with tge 4″ scale in regards to Hasbro\u2019s cleaving it in two. The 4″ Black Series will replace TVC and continue on as it has been with excellent, well-articulated figures at higher price points while the Legends line will essentially go back in time to 5 POA (and presumably tighter sculpts) at a lower price point. It seems to be a gamble, but hopefully a winning one for the brand. Follow the links above for the 4″ goodness or, for the official press pics, check out The Terror Drome<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Prospective Purchases: 6\u201d R2-D2, 6\u201d Fett (maybe), and the little 4\u201d teal\/green astromech droid. He looked neat, okay?<\/strong><\/p>\n

And then Hasbro finally<\/em> got to Marvel. Marvel was where I really wanted to see what Hasbro had planned and while I heard about plenty fo cool stuff, a part of me really felt like I was sitting through the hour+ just to get to this section. I’m always interested in Marvel product, but it seems to have pretty much evaporated post-Avengers. On the bright side, there’s definitely plenty coming out in future months, but on the down side, not too much of it appealed to me. <\/p>\n

<\/a>Other than the Iron Man subline (a must have for the Iron Monger BAF alone), I haven’t been too keen on the recent ML choices. There are some good eggs in there, but few that appealed to me personally. I was hoping Toy Fair would turn that around. And, to be honest, they really didn’t. <\/p>\n

There are some good finds – the second half of that subline was revealed: Classic Ultron, the movie Iron Man, and the movie Iron Patriot. I don’t really like having to buy movie figures to get a comic BAF, but I’ll make an exception here since they look particularly cool. <\/p>\n

<\/a>Hasbro is also adding a second subline based on Wolverine. This subline features Puck as a micro-BAF and includes Phoenix Cyclops, Sabertooth, blue\/yellow Wolverine, Emma, and a modern Rogue. Well, pretty much everyone looks current in the wave. I wonder if that will become the norm for Legends. Anyway, this seems like a great lineup for long-time Marvel Legends collectors, but I may just sit this one out. I’d love to have Rocket, but I don’t know that I need any of his component figures. <\/p>\n

Another wave of the regular ROML was also revealed: Black Panther, the new Scarlet Spidey, Wrecker\/Bulldozer, Classic\/Modern Hawkeye, and Lee\/AoA\/White Jean Grey. A lot of these figures look sharp and I admit that I kinda want the micro-BAF, Rocket Racoon, but I\u2019m not sure I\u2019m down for this wave beyond the Wrecking Crew. I’ll have to see them in person I believe. <\/p>\n

<\/a>In the 4\u201d scale, Hasbro revealed a non-exclusive Zemo, Cloak & Dagger, Abomination, A-Bomb, a black\/teal energy Iron man, Mysterio, and a new Rhino. As well as a new 3pk featuring Thor, Valkyrie, and the Executioner! I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but I haven’t felt the need to purchase much MU recently either. There are some cool sculpts here, but I think my purchases will be limited to the 3pk with Valkyrie & the Executioner. I love that the line has embraced the Asgardians unlike any other line. <\/p>\n

For Marvel galleries check out these<\/a> Marvel<\/a> galleries and for the official press pics, check out The Terror Drome<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Prospective Purchases: Iron Man Legends (all six), ML Wrecker\/Bulldozer, ML Rogue, MU Thor 3pk with Executioner & Valkyrie. <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today, I followed the Hasbro Fan Media panel like pretty much all of you, from home, and it seemed like it was going on forever. I can only imagine how the guys in the audience were feeling. Though I imagine it\u2019s easier to endure with they keep showing you cool toy pics! Now, it\u2019s our […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_options":[]},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pObc6-5Tt","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11962,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=11962","url_meta":{"origin":22659,"position":0},"title":"IAT Forum News Hasbro Board Added!","date":"March 7, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"The IAT Forum has been growing by leaps and bounds. We recently signed up our 100th member and we're closing in on 20,000 posts! To help us get there quicker, we've added a new board designated for the various toy lines from Hasbro including Transformers, GI Joe, Star Wars, Marvel\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Forums"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":31517,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=31517","url_meta":{"origin":22659,"position":1},"title":"Ant-Man Toy Week! Titan Hero Series Ant-Man Review","date":"July 17, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Marvel"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":27308,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=27308","url_meta":{"origin":22659,"position":2},"title":"Marvel Legends Captain America Infinite Black Widow Review","date":"March 12, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Marvel"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":20935,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=20935","url_meta":{"origin":22659,"position":3},"title":"PoeGhostal.com Review: G.I. Joe Zombie Viper","date":"September 18, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"For years, I was strictly a toy forum guy. It was great for news and interacting with my fellow collectors. PoeGhostal.com changed that. Poe\u2019s great reviews & insightful commentary helped inspire me to follow in his footsteps and strike out on my own. I can honestly say there\u2019d be no\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "G.I. Joe"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":28146,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=28146","url_meta":{"origin":22659,"position":4},"title":"Transformers SDCC 2014 Boxset: Knights of Unicron!","date":"June 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "News"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":31997,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=31997","url_meta":{"origin":22659,"position":5},"title":"Transformers Masterpiece Starscream Review (Toys R Us Exclusive)","date":"October 16, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22659"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22659"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22659\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22734,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22659\/revisions\/22734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}