For those interested: Episode 5 of Soundwaves, a fledgling podcast in which my first-time reader partner and I tackle the TFs' comics/manga history together, is now up on YouTube and streaming platforms. (Lmk if it's missing on your preferred one)! Covering Marvel US 9–13. Toy gallery below!

What they should have done...well what they should have done is not make toys of the 13 at all because they're a stupid concept with no presence. But if they had to, this guy should have been a leader that's a two-piece combiner.

Was thinking recently about how I do TF toy photography/what I like to capture. I do a lot of media recreations, but am intentionally minimal on BGs, props, no articulation fudging, etc. I think: I want to celebrate the media, the toy, and the gap between them that imagination fills.

Rereading a bit of IDW, and I have to say, starting the first hardcover off with Megatron Origin and several spotlights was an unimaginably bad idea. (This time as last, I started on Infiltration, as any readthrough should.)

Much belayed by the holiday season and a busy January on both our ends, but just finished editing Episode 5 of Soundwaves, in which the partner and I do a chronological deep-dive through TF comics and manga. Covering Marvel US #8-13 this round! Likely going up tomorrow.

With HoS Bumblee/Megatron and GE Thundercracker now in hand (still waiting on the MPG-17 shipment!), I am reporting in from the front lines: Transformers are fun.

Second HoS set arrived (yes, it *just* came out in Japan). These sets are still horrendously overpriced as TT Mall-exclusives (13,200 yen!), but is it just me, or do Megatron and Bumblebee *feel* way better than Op and 'Scram? They have that nice Reactivate subline plastic.

Hold on, is the Liege Maximo a person or a place?

These were cheap for some reason and they are Transformers if they were during the Industrial Revolution so kinda steamy but not steampunk I guess. Optimus Prime choo-choo-chooses you to covert him into a robot in 19 easy steps!

Sorry to be so negative about new reveals (despite...or because?...I'm still getting one). Generally not the hobby vibe I want to have, and Transformers are still fun and doing cool things elsewhere. Just me not clicking with the direction of Generations generally...

Nexus has some Metalhawk goofy, chunky, simple space-plane charm to him (at a price like 2/3rds or less than what he goes for), but I think you could genuinely fit all the people who will be interested in him at retail (especially *at* his price) into like two middle-school auditoriums

I hate that I'm going to get Liege Maximo, because it looks like an extremely shit toy

Mentally willing DMM to ship MPG-17 faster, but it might be another day. The second Hearts of Steel set should arrive tomorrow, but honestly who cares

A wild, Marvel US Issue 70-flavored opportunity has emerged with the tease of Swapticons Ratchet

Don't show this one crazy life hack to people with hobby rooms and Detolfs

Having seen video, MPG-17 would basically have to turn to dust in my hands to not make my top of the year list. Yes, I know it's January.

Bits of lore are a big part of the appeal of TF toys, and the lack of bios especially for toyline-only (or basically toyline-only, for many AOTP Primes) has already been much bemoaned, but why oh why dedicate space to unreadable Cybertronian glyph text to describe his inscrutable orb accessory?

Desk-side bots

I think Transformers fiction should be goofy as heck while also being tragic

Been so distracted by bad news lately, and a busy week personally. Behind on edited TF pics to post, but want to get back for another session primarily for personal fun. Also with MPG-17 and a few other late January preorders incoming.

Got bots and a book of Japanese poetry on the table, a partner whose presence I truly value...there is sadness in the world, but not in this house tonight

Sunbow Sparkplug: there they are our good friends the autobots Marvel Sparkplug: Don't ever talk to me or my son ever again

Woke up to more Minnesota news. Have seen the video. Am absolutely incensed. Get American Gestapo fuckers out

Get back to basics with a look at G1 Trailbreaker - BOXED I might add - and feel your troubles melt away. Or do what you like?! youtu.be/-7pLKoRbSfg #TRDQ

Your collective silence on this is deafening

Do I sell on MP-53 Skids for this unopened Binaltech that just popped up...?

Reskeeting from my main/vaguely professional account. Guys, I really do want this to happen.

I guess I do think if you participated in the arrest of a five-year-old you are probably just fundamentally incompatible with society. That you are not a safe person for humanity to be around, generally

Apparently this is one of my hottest TF takes, but I really like TR/Legends Galvatron. Best cannon mode they've ever given him, and so quick to get between transformations. Robot mode poseability is severely compromised, but who honestly gives a fffff un toy a pass just for that?

"Optimus? Hey, yeah, you got a new figure coming out next week? Uh-huh."

While there is truth to this w/collective responsibility for elected governments and Trump voters should wear this to the grave, I never believe in conflating people with their governments, as they are so often not an executor, but a trampler of their will. Russia, Israel, China, Palestine, the US.

New: Unite Warriors Sunstreaker, G1 Scorponok, Reactivate Starscream, Studio Series WFC Sideswipe, Siege Roadhandler, driver from Missing Link Sunstreaker www.instagram.com/p/DTwEwOGEzz... #transformers #toyphotography #idwtransformers

Even being togal amateur-hour with it, I gotta tell you, doing toy photos is fun as hell; all adults should do it

I really, really appreciate the shift toward play focus in Japanese premium toy lines that's been happening the past few years (even if my wallet might not). Maybe it won't land for me in hand (it's happened!), but I'm pretty giddy waiting for MPG-17 this month (and course AMT Predaking in March).🧵

This is insane. Like, genuinely one of the clearest 25th Amendment mental health flags imaginable. Anyone who helped clear this should feel deeply ashamed, if they're capable. This should be the top story.

New: Unite Warriors Convoy Grand Prime Prowl www.instagram.com/p/DTq5nCUE5h... #transformers #toyphotography #idwtransformers

Many people: Why does MPG-20 have a different bumper color? What Hot Rod has ever done such a thing before??? Me: Uh

Serious adult hobby/collecting management thread(!). Don't read if it's going to stress you out. 🧵 /Thoughts about making intentional purchases and enjoying the hobby, as well as how I'm tracking responsibly in a year with major transitions/life commitments. Will contain spreadsheets(!).

New: Beast Wars: The Gathering: II www.instagram.com/p/DTk4xx4kzF... (40th Selection Lio Convoy, Beast Wars Razorbeast, Legacy United Tasmania Kid) #transformers #toyphotography

My favorite Transformers villain is fan perception that TF-enjoying should be about seeking a steady progression of increasingly complex and media-accurate longitudinal upgrades instead of just getting a bunch of fun dudes

Prime Wars was such a golden era. A bummer it was before I was collecting. Such a diverse range of Legacy characters while still keeping the toyetic origins alive. I haven't gotten a single mold from those lines that isn't a banger.

Gonna tell my kids this was the Legacy United Autobots Stand 5 Pack

I preordered Hot Rod

MPG-20: Honestly, MP-lite as a concept, applying the general build and detail quality to more toyetic and less complex designs—is pretty appealing to me for the exact reasons it might not be for longtime MP fans.

People not in Minnesota: please read this excellent summary of what life is like in Minneapolis since the murderous scum ICE swarmed here. And more are on their way. By local reporter / writer / bike dude / legend @dbrauer.net .

2026 is shaping up to be this weird year of Transformers-collecting for me where I just get Masterpiece/AMT and Wild King and like maybe two things from Generations? I'll nab those Prime Changers from the States too if/when Megatron goes on sale online.

18,000 for Grimlock huh

MPG-20 Hot Rod comes with two oil-spout attachments so he can dual-wield

ROTF Megatron: "Is one human not worth all of Cybertron" (Optimus glowers) Me: Hell yeah gonna assert the sanctity of all life! Not even one! Optimus: "You'll never stop at one!" Me: o-oooh... Uh. Okay...