-
Posts
5192 -
Joined
-
Last visited
About M'Kyuun
- Birthday 07/05/1971
Contact Methods
-
Website URL
mcquownw@hotmail.com
Profile Information
-
Gender
Male
-
Location
Spokane, Wa
-
Interests
Robots, especially those that transform; LEGO; sci-fi; well-engineered toys
Recent Profile Visitors
17141 profile views
M'Kyuun's Achievements
Galactic Diva (12/15)
763
Reputation
-
The Unlicensed Third Party Transformers Thread
M'Kyuun replied to slaginpit's topic in Anime or Science Fiction
Hey Mike, I noticed this in the last sentence of your second paragraph. I think you meant to say, " Bonecrusher's shovel chest". "The vertical green "straps" flanking the purple on his chest with the red details do a rather good job of recalling G1 Hook's shovel chest." I appreciate the look at these guys, although I must confess that my interest is minimal. While I commend DST for their innovative takes, my inclination is heavily towards the G1 look. I will say, however, that objectively, I think this is a superior design over the G1 designs, as the bots tend to be cleaner, the alt modes more realistic, and I assume the full combined mode will likely be clean, highly pose able, and more visually interesting. I figure subjectivity and a heavy dose of nostalgia color my tendency towards the G1 look, but I'll give credit where it's due. I went in on DST's takes on Slingshot and Skydive, as both had better than average Harrier and F-16 modes, an extreme rarity with Transformers figures. Granted, like their Constructicons, DST took a fair amount of liberty with the robot designs, but I like how they look. I stopped with those two, although I think DST did a good job with their takes on Air Raid and Fireflight which gave me hope for their Silverbolt. Unfortunately, the latter fared no better than the vast majority of other companies' takes on the character. To date, I think Fans Toys have made the best version and yet its Concorde mode had its share of flaws, too. However, at least it used the majority of fuselage to form the bot instead of concentrating it all into a giant cube underneath. In the end, I grew disenchanted with DST and once again abandoned any interest I may have had of owning a decent set of Aerialbots. Part of me regrets not going in on the FT Aerialbots, but with lack of space becoming my greatest hurdle in collecting, I'm hoping that either Magic Square or New Age will rise to the challenge. Honestly, I don't have much hope that either would take a different avenue with their Aerialbot designs, but I'd very much love to be proven wrong.- 9369 replies
-
- fans toys
- mastermind creations
- (and 19 more)
-
Non Lego 3rd Party Building Blocks
M'Kyuun replied to renegadeleader1's topic in Anime or Science Fiction
I have long entertained the opinion that the Minifigure, iconic and beloved as it is, is an anachronism, nonetheless. Its limitations are manifest when compared to Mega Blok's stylized but highly articulated figures whose pose ability make them far more fun to play with, IMHO. I have long thought that LEGO should develop a new improved figure to enhance some of their action-oriented lines, at the least. I'm not saying get rid of the Minifig, but incorporate a new more pose-able fig to accentuate and compliment certain lines where a far more dynamic figure might enhance the playability of certain themes and sets. And, yeah, LEGO's unofficial retirement of Castle and Space, the latter my favorite theme, two of the three original Minifigure-based themes released in 1979 that drove LEGO to meteoric success is, I won't say disgraceful, but certainly dismaying and disappointing. It's analogous to Disney's retiring Mickey Mouse by just fading him out of existence except for an anniversary or the infrequent special occasion. -
This looks excellent and I'll likely get a copy when it releases. Yes to an HMR, although I wonder how much partsforming would be involved. I'm liking the chunky proportions of the Moderoid.
-
The Transformers Thread (licensed) Next
M'Kyuun replied to mikeszekely's topic in Anime or Science Fiction
Indeed I do. The heli dude is reminiscent of a couple figs released in the past, although I forget their names. I have the toys, though. I'm curious if this is going to be its own line disconnected from existing lines or if there's going to be some sort of tie-in. The former offers more freedom for Takara to explore ideas without having to conform to preexisting designs, and I like that approach. I believe the Takara designers are a very imaginative and capable bunch and it'd be cool to see, in an experimental line, just what they could cook up untethered from any previous notions or expectations. I do wish, however, that they'd create new identities for them instead of leaning on preexisting character references. I look forward to seeing how this line develops, however, I check my expectations if they decide to do a jet, as I fear their usual lackluster approach will spoil any attempts. I'm jaded, but not without decades of poorly executed reasons.- 17757 replies
-
- transformers
- toys
-
(and 5 more)
Tagged with:
-
His art is a form of immortality, but it's folks like this that contribute something beautiful to the world that one wishes had an extended lease on life. RIP Mr. Struzan
-
The Transformers Thread (licensed) Next
M'Kyuun replied to mikeszekely's topic in Anime or Science Fiction
I agree with your assessments. My copy's on its way, for some reason shipping with DHL. Yesterday my copies of TFOne Arcee and AotP Alpha Trion arrived by FedEx and USPS respectively. I'm digressing, but I find it odd that they're using so many delivery services seemingly all of a sudden when USPS has sufficed for years. Regardless, I'm just happy that they're coming. As to the fig, just based on your review, the first I've seen, I think they did a pretty good job overall, although I'm with you regarding the lackluster disguising of the head and the missed opportunity for hidden gun storage, one of my greatest pet peeves in this hobby. It's not often that the design as--is yields up a nice space to stow a weapon out of sight, so the fact that this one does and they still didn't use it just boggles the mind. I'm thinking the care isn't there, although I give Takara huge props for the elegant weapon storage on Studio Series Concept Widow. More of that please. I still fancy my TR version, as it had to look like the character and accommodate a Titanmaster, and Takara understood the assignment. My TR copy came from Pulse missing a prop, so I'm happy to see that this new update has them pinned on. Too, I like the minimalist toy deco, often with molded and painted details to homage the OG toys' decals, that they do on these toy-based figs. It's a nice touch. Kind of a shame that there aren't any small wheels for him to roll about on, but given the dearth of good placement options on the underside where they wouldn't somehow compromise the bot mode, I think they made the right choice. Anyway, another minibot down, with only a handful to go. I hope they maintain this standard. Windcharger's legs are looking a bit hollow and somewhat unsightly, but I'm sure there'll be upgrade kits to address the issue. Otherwise, I opine that they've been doing a splendid job with the upgraded Minibots overall. Looking forward to the rest.- 17757 replies
-
- transformers
- toys
-
(and 5 more)
Tagged with:
-
I knew this was coming and expected it to be good considering what the SC Team have thus far accomplished. I wasn't expecting the options to change the car's configuration nor the addition of an extra minifig, all at the usual price of $28. A great deal in every sense. I hope they do KITT, the Mach 5 from Speed Racer, the OG Spinner from Blade Runner, the Asurada and Super Asurada from Future GPX Cyber Formula. Sadly, the era of futuristic or sci-fi cool cars died in the 90s and, lacking a revival, we continue to mine nostalgia.
-
I much prefer the original chonky design. I'll stick with my Yamato.
-
The Transformers Thread (licensed) Next
M'Kyuun replied to mikeszekely's topic in Anime or Science Fiction
I've no interest in the Timelines stuff thus far, but for a second, I entertained the thought of getting Armada Nemesis Prime, primarily for the articulated minicons, but $90 is far too steep a price for what you're getting. The way prices are rising on these things, I'm not sure how much longer I'll continue collecting, at least at my current level, which has already tapered over the last couple of years. I'm in for SS86 Starscream and Skywarp and for figs like Mirage that are in need of a good G1 mainline or SS figure, and any remaining minibots, but thanks to the main lines over the last few years, I have a pretty solid G1 collection with only a few holes to fill. Once those are filled, I may just reluctantly and regrettably retire from collecting. It's just getting too expensive. Too, I'm out of room for these things, so I also need to find some more storage/display solutions. Funny, when we moved from our two BR apartment, which itself seemed large to us initially, into our house, it felt like we had so much room. Our house is about 1600 sq ft, not huge by any stretch, but not small either, relative to many of the houses here in town. It took less than 20 years to fill much of that space, a great deal of it with my toy collections. So much plastic.- 17757 replies
-
- transformers
- toys
-
(and 5 more)
Tagged with:
-
The Transformers Thread (licensed) Next
M'Kyuun replied to mikeszekely's topic in Anime or Science Fiction
POs are up on Pulse!!!!- 17757 replies
-
- transformers
- toys
-
(and 5 more)
Tagged with:
-
I share your affliction! I lament my near lack of display space, as the toys keep coming and I find I need be ever more judicious with my purchases, taking both quantity and size into account. Toys are the nexus of my life, and it stings a bit to have to scale back b/c I'm running out of room in my house for them all.
-
Of the three Batmobiles, the BvS is my favorite design and, IMHO, the worst execution among the three sets. I think the designers did a far better job capturing the B&R and The Batman Batmobiles. I'll still get the BvS and The Batman sets, but I think I prefer the original BvS Batmobile set (76045) they released in 2016. This new set has a lot more sculpting, but after consulting my BvS Tech Manual which discusses the development of the movie's various props, with all the parts at their disposal, being a collector of the Speed Champions line, and having looked at a few MOCs, I just don't feel like they captured the car very well, or at least not as well as I would have expected, especially given what they've accomplished with the SC line. Too, in an interview, the designers discussed eschewing the OG two-part canopy elements in preference of just using the regular one piece curved windshield. Personally, I'd have rather they used the two-piece canopy which was more authentic and designed specifically for this Batmobile. Obviously, the old set is simplified, but I think it captures the shaping better than the new set. YMMV. Since they seem to be cranking out more and more media related Batmobiles, I'm hoping there's an Arkham Asylum Batmobile in the works and that they make it every bit as excellent as 2021's Tumbler set (76239). Furthermore, I hope they put every ounce of effort into imbuing it with all of its functions and details. That would make for an extraordinarily fun model to build and play with. I never cared for the Clooneymobile, and honestly, this set isn't selling it to me, either. OTOH, it might make for a good parts set. FWIW, I think the designers did a good capture of the overall look. The car itself was just never to my taste.
-
The Transformers Thread (licensed) Next
M'Kyuun replied to mikeszekely's topic in Anime or Science Fiction
I really wish they were purposely emphatic and unambiguous about announcing PO times; it would make life easier for everyone and give members, like me, some validation for purchasing said membership. I don't understand why, as in the past, they don't initiate POs for stuff shown that day, future product notwithstanding, following the stream instead of piecemealing the POs out over multiple days, which not only becomes confusing but also may pose a hindrance if you have plans. I rarely have plans, but it just so happens we're taking my mother-in-law out to lunch tomorrow and I'm hoping we'll be done eating before POs come up. Actually, I'm hoping to be home, as I hate trying to make purchases on my phone- much easier on my desktop. Anyway, huge thanks for the info, Mike. You're awesome.- 17757 replies
-
- 2
-
-
- transformers
- toys
-
(and 5 more)
Tagged with:
-
While it has its flaws, it's still a pretty decent toy and if your preference is to display in battroid, the DX makes for a superior display model over the old skinny-legged, wobbly-hipped Yamato, IMHO. Congrats on the find, on a great price, and on being the owner of an unblemished copy. I hope you enjoy it! 👍
-
The Transformers Thread (licensed) Next
M'Kyuun replied to mikeszekely's topic in Anime or Science Fiction
I still have all my Binaltech/Alternator figs. I didn't have a complete collection, but I had the majority of the main characters. Out of all of them, the Mazda RX8, Suburu Impreza, and Ford Mustang molds were, IMHO, the best, the Mazda being my favorite. In spite of liking it, I never did get the Shockwave version, and I do believe I had opportunities to pick it up. I was good with Jazz, so I didn't bother double dipping even though I did double dip on some of the other molds. The vast majority of my collection is packed away and I've not seen them in some time, but I remember their being some impressive toys for all the working features and details in their licensed car modes. The bot modes often suffered, however, from lackluster articulation and generally a fair bit of cumbersome kibble. Still, these things approached then MP levels of engineering and retailed for about $20 (for the all-plastic American Alternators) and about $50 IIRC, for the Japanese Binaltech versions which had a fair bit of die-cast, which gave them a heftier, more premium feel. Ah, the good old days when toys were reasonably priced and widely available, for the most part.- 17757 replies
-
- transformers
- toys
-
(and 5 more)
Tagged with: