In Hand Images of Studio Series 86 Leader Sludge
Monday, March 14th, 2022 6:10PM CDT
Category: Toy NewsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 49,714
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The pictures come from Transformers fans Oey Benet, vproject and rendsora.
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Posted by Bounti76 on March 14th, 2022 @ 11:09pm CDT
But with a good of engineering as he has... they couldn't find a way to, I dunno, make his toes flip under and fill in that hollow space? Still, he looks to be the highlight of my future purchases this year.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 15th, 2022 @ 4:44am CDT
Bounti76 wrote:Fantastic engineering, and he looks SO good next to the other Dinobots.
But with a good of engineering as he has... they couldn't find a way to, I dunno, make his toes flip under and fill in that hollow space? Still, he looks to be the highlight of my future purchases this year.
You mean the hollow space under the dino belly? One part too many over budget I guess. At least the weapon storage fill the role.
I'm also glad that the plastics that would have been waisted on a perma-crouching non-action figure went to the main bot instead.
Posted by Papa_prime on March 15th, 2022 @ 8:22am CDT
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 15th, 2022 @ 12:37pm CDT
Posted by Sowndwave76 on March 15th, 2022 @ 9:23pm CDT
But still, even so, he does look incredibly good.
Man I’m hoping we get him here in the states in May…
Also, it’s nice to hear people sharing thoughts that Snarl will be leader class…
I get there’s no proof, but it makes sense & should happen.
Posted by Mechastrike on March 16th, 2022 @ 1:07am CDT
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on March 16th, 2022 @ 2:19am CDT
Well, maybe the release of these will get Takara to stop wasting engineering dollars on crappy overly-cartoony MPS for a bit and make MP versions of the other Dinobots.Mechastrike wrote:i can't believe we still don't have a Sludge toy with googly eyes.
Sludge's transformation scheme has been almost completely changed. I can't see a reason for them to have done so in the context of Sludge himself - looking at Grimlock, pics of Slag, and the PotP versions, I don't see anything that would have stopped them from doing "the G1 engineering but improved" as with Grimlock and Slag; that may in fact have been a bit cheaper.
So I think the changes made may mean he's been set up with a moldmate (possibly in the extreme parts-swap way, but still). I guess we'll have to see.
Even with the odd re-engineering, he's still definitely on my get list.
Posted by AcademyofDrX on March 16th, 2022 @ 7:38am CDT
Mechastrike wrote:i can't believe we still don't have a Sludge toy with googly eyes.
To do true justice to the scene, this is the shot that needs to be represented, and I think this is beyond Hasbro and Takara's engineering capabilities.
Posted by AcademyofDrX on March 16th, 2022 @ 7:42am CDT
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Well, maybe the release of these will get Takara to stop wasting engineering dollars on crappy overly-cartoony MPS for a bit and make MP versions of the other Dinobots.Mechastrike wrote:i can't believe we still don't have a Sludge toy with googly eyes.
It's been over a decade without any other MP Dinobots, and in that time probably a dozen unlicensed versions have come out. I think that ship has sailed.
Posted by Rodimus Prime on March 16th, 2022 @ 1:07pm CDT
Never say never, but I think the ship has definitely docked long-term, especially with the release of these figures. Isn't it the consensus that these are pretty much MP quality in terms of design and engineering? The only way the MP would do them better is if they included some diecast parts and gave them all their accessories along with Takara packaging.AcademyofDrX wrote:ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Well, maybe the release of these will get Takara to stop wasting engineering dollars on crappy overly-cartoony MPS for a bit and make MP versions of the other Dinobots.Mechastrike wrote:i can't believe we still don't have a Sludge toy with googly eyes.
It's been over a decade without any other MP Dinobots, and in that time probably a dozen unlicensed versions have come out. I think that ship has sailed.
Posted by Sowndwave76 on March 16th, 2022 @ 4:19pm CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:Never say never, but I think the ship has definitely docked long-term, especially with the release of these figures. Isn't it the consensus that these are pretty much MP quality in terms of design and engineering? The only way the MP would do them better is if they included some diecast parts and gave them all their accessories along with Takara packaging.AcademyofDrX wrote:ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Well, maybe the release of these will get Takara to stop wasting engineering dollars on crappy overly-cartoony MPS for a bit and make MP versions of the other Dinobots.Mechastrike wrote:i can't believe we still don't have a Sludge toy with googly eyes.
It's been over a decade without any other MP Dinobots, and in that time probably a dozen unlicensed versions have come out. I think that ship has sailed.
It doesn't seem like MP Dinobots are on Hastak's docket, however, who knows the reasoning.
These SS86 figures may play into it, but considering the current MP trend, I think more realistically it boils-down to reasons like these:
1. The pure size of an in-scale, MP Dinobot would mean each figure could cost $500+, if not very close to $600 (maybe minus Swoop, who could still be close to $300).
2. We're not just talking 2,3, or even 4 figures, but 5... 5 where each is its own individually unique mold, that has limited potential to re-tool or even repaint.
I'm also not sure how favorable to is in terms of business/marketing that it would basically take 4-5 years to release them all. I'd assume it could be longer if they want to add in any variety.
And yeah, we've all waited for multiple years to get a figure of a certain character (and are still waiting for some), but I don't know that anyone enjoys the waiting game.
I started typing-out why I don't think these guys are MP quality... But I stopped and deleted all of it.
I'll just say I don't quite see that level.
But for being mainline releases, I'm not at all complaining. They're really on point. They're probably m favorite mainline figures of my collection.
While we could probably say they're still overpriced, I can look past the things I see as negatives, and pretty easily at that. In fact, I'm double-dipping on all of them. Which I haven't done since CW/UW.
I was happy about getting BzzWrthy Cliffjumper, Kup, and SS86 Perceptor.
I'm decently anxious to get Kickback and Dragstrip.
But I'm beyond excited about Sludge.
Posted by Sentinel_Primal on March 18th, 2022 @ 12:32am CDT
Posted by Nemesis Primal on March 18th, 2022 @ 3:34am CDT
Not out yet, that's next wave. Only the first wave of the year is out so far in the majority of the world.Sentinel_Primal wrote:So, I'll admit, I checked out of SS86 while I focused on Kingdom and now Legacy's lines, but is SS86 Spike out/have pre-orders? I assumed he was out but only in Asia, and no on the pre-orders/online listings but I haven't really seen anything about him, so I'm not sure. Do we have any idea when his wave is?
Posted by Till-all-R1 on March 19th, 2022 @ 6:43pm CDT
I do like the smaller packaging compared to previous SS86 Deluxe, I just never understood nine miles of packaging for a four mile toy.
Here's an odd question, and dilemma I'm in. What does is the consensus on how you display Movie figures like
Cup and Hot Rod, only with Magnus, Springer and Arcee? Or do you buy two so you can put those two in along with the Classic characters like Prime etc. Being as they had screen time with both?
Right now I have all G1 separate except for Hot Rod is in there next to Prime because I'm tight on space ATM. And it got me to thinking I should have two setups, one prior to Prime's death and one after. lol
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on March 19th, 2022 @ 6:54pm CDT
I'm not the type to buy duplicates for display purposes, only for army-building and customization.
Posted by AcademyofDrX on March 19th, 2022 @ 8:33pm CDT
They're sorted out that way in bins until I get more shelves.
Posted by RotorstormNZ on March 21st, 2022 @ 2:14pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 21st, 2022 @ 8:22pm CDT
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on March 22nd, 2022 @ 5:32pm CDT
Posted by Sowndwave76 on March 24th, 2022 @ 9:19pm CDT
But the images of Blitzwing also had me thinking back to the possibility of Swoop being voyager size...
Yes, I understand why Blitzy is being released as a leader class figure.
But the figure itself in terms of his size, both height and bulk, are still pretty close to being what we've known to be voyager class.
Blitzwing is just taller than the ER seeker mold, but just shorter than OP and Megs.
Seeing this figure's size in comparison to others, only has me feeling even more strongly that Swoop really needs to be sized much closer to the other Dinobots.
Knowing they're going for screen-accuracy, if Swoop is only as tall as Blitzwing, he's going to look ridiculously small compared to the rest of that group...
He's already less stout than the other 4 Dinobots. So to make him look decent with his own proportions at voyager-size, the difference is going to be so drastic, that it's going to look like a sad, half-assed miss of an attempt.
I know this means his dino mode will be more out of scale from the others.
But I'll take this over having Swoop look like a deluxe compared to the others in bot mode.
I hope they put 3 pinned hinges in each wing, with obviously removeable missiles.
The one reason I'm feeling pretty confident Swoop will be large like the others, is that Hastak will get to charge $55+ per figure instead of $33-ish per.
Swoop may not match the amount of plastic, parts count, or engineering of the others, but Hastak could still charge leader class price.
And I'll happily pay it.
Also, totally unrelated, I went into two Targets today; the first my go-to location, still has SEVEN Coronation Starscreams... There have been 7 here for about a month.
Another Target that I've never been in, had 6...
I know this figure has been relatively popular around here and maybe among collectors in general.
But I think this is a pretty tough sell to kids who probably don't know much about TF, on top of the $53 price tag.
I'd assume by before the end of April we could see this guy on clearance.
Posted by william-james88 on March 24th, 2022 @ 11:43pm CDT
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on March 25th, 2022 @ 2:47am CDT
Posted by DeathReviews on March 25th, 2022 @ 8:38am CDT
Posted by Hero Alpha on March 25th, 2022 @ 11:41am CDT
As far as Snarl being a voyager, I dont think so at all. No way, if are in their right minds, would they do that. I also am pretty sure Swoop will be leader class as well, with just being a bit shorter with his huge wingspan. Hopefully
Posted by Wolfman Jake on March 25th, 2022 @ 1:05pm CDT
DeathReviews wrote:I've heard rumors that they WILL do Snarl, but that it will be Voyager sized. I hope that's not true. I can see Swoop making it as a Voyager sized Dinobot for the Studio Series, but Snarl? He has to be in scale with Slag and Sludge at least. Anything less would be an insult.
That seems to be just an unfounded rumor started by Prime vs Prime in his YouTube review of Studio Series Sludge. He made a comment that was based on misremembering the Swoop as a Voyager rumor. He included Snarl in that comment too, even though no one had mentioned Snarl being a Voyager in the rumor mill previously.
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on March 25th, 2022 @ 1:24pm CDT
The one thing we know about Snarl is that he'll probably have a gallery here before the PotP version does
Posted by william-james88 on March 25th, 2022 @ 6:39pm CDT
DeathReviews wrote:I've heard rumors that they WILL do Snarl, but that it will be Voyager sized. I hope that's not true. I can see Swoop making it as a Voyager sized Dinobot for the Studio Series, but Snarl? He has to be in scale with Slag and Sludge at least. Anything less would be an insult.
Don't worry, those rumours are false. Thet were just someone guessing.
Here's another rumour: he'll be a leader class figure
Posted by DeathReviews on March 25th, 2022 @ 7:01pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:DeathReviews wrote:I've heard rumors that they WILL do Snarl, but that it will be Voyager sized. I hope that's not true. I can see Swoop making it as a Voyager sized Dinobot for the Studio Series, but Snarl? He has to be in scale with Slag and Sludge at least. Anything less would be an insult.
Don't worry, those rumours are false. Thet were just someone guessing.
Here's another rumour: he'll be a leader class figure
Starting rumors is easy! Here's another one while we're at it - Studio Series leader Snarl will have a segmented tail that can be flexed/posed!
Posted by Sabrblade on March 25th, 2022 @ 7:16pm CDT
Here's another one: Studio Series 86 Snarl will have electronic voice clips recorded by Hal Rayle. We'll think they're brand new recordings, but they'll just turn out to be old ones ripped from random G1 cartoon episodes.DeathReviews wrote:william-james88 wrote:DeathReviews wrote:I've heard rumors that they WILL do Snarl, but that it will be Voyager sized. I hope that's not true. I can see Swoop making it as a Voyager sized Dinobot for the Studio Series, but Snarl? He has to be in scale with Slag and Sludge at least. Anything less would be an insult.
Don't worry, those rumours are false. Thet were just someone guessing.
Here's another rumour: he'll be a leader class figure
Starting rumors is easy! Here's another one while we're at it - Studio Series leader Snarl will have a segmented tail that can be flexed/posed!
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on March 25th, 2022 @ 7:27pm CDT
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 25th, 2022 @ 8:05pm CDT
Stupidly simple, yet just perfect. I also LOVE the feeling of this plastic in hand. It's solid yet soft to the touch.
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 25th, 2022 @ 8:06pm CDT
Posted by MeGrimlock78 on March 26th, 2022 @ 10:07am CDT
But...it makes me wish Sludge came with a BUNCH of mini Sharkticons. Like Wheelie and Daniel, but smaller and more of them.
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 26th, 2022 @ 10:35am CDT
MeGrimlock78 wrote:Love the art!
But...it makes me wish Sludge came with a BUNCH of mini Sharkticons. Like Wheelie and Daniel, but smaller and more of them.
Well, if you bought that Cyberverse Hotrod pack, you could use those.
Posted by RotorstormNZ on March 26th, 2022 @ 9:23pm CDT
Posted by Sowndwave76 on March 26th, 2022 @ 9:38pm CDT
RotorstormNZ wrote:Sludge looks excellent! I think I'll need to get all the team when they show up down here.
I highly recommend all of them.
*edit*
I don't have Sludge yet, but from everything I've seen he's just as good as the first two, and imo probably better than Slag.
For mainline figures, they are the highlight of my collection.
I love Cyclonus... Scourge, Sweep, and Galvatron are all up there, too.
But those Dinobots. They're just phenomenal.
Posted by RotorstormNZ on March 31st, 2022 @ 8:51pm CDT
Sowndwave76 wrote:RotorstormNZ wrote:Sludge looks excellent! I think I'll need to get all the team when they show up down here.
I highly recommend all of them.
[...]
But those Dinobots. They're just phenomenal.
Everything I've seen and read has made me want them, and I had no attraction to anything SS86*. I'm not even a dinobot fan and FoC Grimlock's the only version of any that I've ever owned, but there's just something irresistible about these guys. They look so right!
*Unless they release Shockwave and Megatron...
Posted by Sowndwave76 on April 4th, 2022 @ 5:47pm CDT
RotorstormNZ wrote:Sowndwave76 wrote:RotorstormNZ wrote:Sludge looks excellent! I think I'll need to get all the team when they show up down here.
I highly recommend all of them.
[...]
But those Dinobots. They're just phenomenal.
Everything I've seen and read has made me want them, and I had no attraction to anything SS86*. I'm not even a dinobot fan and FoC Grimlock's the only version of any that I've ever owned, but there's just something irresistible about these guys. They look so right!
*Unless they release Shockwave and Megatron...
There's no official word on how long SS86 will last.
But unfortunately, because a mainline-release Megatron will never have a pistol alt mode again, he will probably never be a part of this subline. Shockwave on the other hand, is one I could see taking a voyager class slot down the road, IF SS86 continues.
Sidenote: Wreck-gar and Sweep are seemingly starting to shelf-warm with Coronation Starscream.
There are STILL 7 Coronation SS's on the shelves at my Target.
Posted by TF-fan kev777 on April 4th, 2022 @ 6:24pm CDT
Sowndwave76 wrote:There are STILL 7 Coronation SS's on the shelves at my Target.
Consider yourself lucky? Mine still has 6 Grindors from before Christmas.
Posted by william-james88 on April 4th, 2022 @ 6:47pm CDT
Sowndwave76 wrote:Sidenote: Wreck-gar and Sweep are seemingly starting to shelf-warm with Coronation Starscream.
There are STILL 7 Coronation SS's on the shelves at my Target.
Isn't that the ideal situation? Having the TF aisle stocked with the latest TF toys?
Posted by Emerje on April 4th, 2022 @ 8:31pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:Sowndwave76 wrote:Sidenote: Wreck-gar and Sweep are seemingly starting to shelf-warm with Coronation Starscream.
There are STILL 7 Coronation SS's on the shelves at my Target.
Isn't that the ideal situation? Having the TF aisle stocked with the latest TF toys?
I always thought so. I've only seen Starscream once at one Walmart in a mangled box a few weeks ago and it still sold. This same Walmart never got Slug and Grindor. My other Walmart has gotten those two restocked a few times and even stocked again about a month ago after the Leader shelves had been empty since Christmas so they're still being spottily distributed from the warehouse. Logistics issues mean we're going to see a lot of stuff like this. I've seen both Sweep/Wreckgar and Soundwave/Hot Rod restocked at the same time over the past month.
Emerje
Posted by Sowndwave76 on April 4th, 2022 @ 8:56pm CDT
I get this is just an opinion, but I really don't see how Coronation SS was a good business decision...
No one is going to be able to convince me that Starscream, let alone the coronation version has some mass appeal to kids. On top of that, the $52-ish cost.
And sure, the same can be said about both Wreck-gar and Sweep... Neither of those necessarily have much appeal for a kid either. But obviously a $20 difference is substantial for a lot of parents.
Especially when we're talking about the cost of a toy. Not a pair of shoes... Or a new jacket... Or even something like a new backpack for school.
Even if you're not a parent, you have to understand this. "You", meaning "anyone".
But overall, no, I can't complain about what my local stores are getting in terms of TF.
I'm starting to believe that never seeing ER waves 2 or 3 was simply a one-off of a tough time in general.
Posted by sol magnus on April 4th, 2022 @ 9:30pm CDT
Sowndwave76 wrote:Part of my thought with that observation is just not liking how I'm starting to see how some product isn't selling.
I get this is just an opinion, but I really don't see how Coronation SS was a good business decision...
No one is going to be able to convince me that Starscream, let alone the coronation version has some mass appeal to kids. On top of that, the $52-ish cost.
Starscream is one of the most popular characters in the franchise, even if that's because Hasbro made it that way. I'm sure it's primarily with parents that recognize him and buy him for their kids. But i do think the 50 buck price point might be a bridge too far.
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on April 5th, 2022 @ 1:28am CDT
I'd buy him tho, I don't have Earthrise yet and the chair would be a nice prop to have.
Posted by william-james88 on April 5th, 2022 @ 7:44pm CDT
Sowndwave76 wrote:Part of my thought with that observation is just not liking how I'm starting to see how some product isn't selling.
I get this is just an opinion, but I really don't see how Coronation SS was a good business decision...
No one is going to be able to convince me that Starscream, let alone the coronation version has some mass appeal to kids. On top of that, the $52-ish cost.
And sure, the same can be said about both Wreck-gar and Sweep... Neither of those necessarily have much appeal for a kid either. But obviously a $20 difference is substantial for a lot of parents.
Especially when we're talking about the cost of a toy. Not a pair of shoes... Or a new jacket... Or even something like a new backpack for school.
Even if you're not a parent, you have to understand this. "You", meaning "anyone".
But overall, no, I can't complain about what my local stores are getting in terms of TF.
I'm starting to believe that never seeing ER waves 2 or 3 was simply a one-off of a tough time in general.
Waves are made to stock a shelf for at least 3 months. So don't worry about it not selling yet. Some places don't reorder and just get their stock all at once.
Posted by Sowndwave76 on April 8th, 2022 @ 1:37pm CDT
sol magnus wrote:Starscream is one of the most popular characters in the franchise, even if that's because Hasbro made it that way. I'm sure it's primarily with parents that recognize him and buy him for their kids. But i do think the 50 buck price point might be a bridge too far.
Not directed at you... But I think there are plenty of collectors and fans who lose sight of the fact that there are tons of people who grew-up in the 80's and have almost zero recollection of this franchise. So there could and most likely is zero push or influence for those people to buy their kids these toys.
It's just as unlikely that a 7-11 yr old has much if any knowledge of G1 Starscream. Or why he'd be packaged with a crown, cape, and throne.
And yes, just a small example to emphasize the impact of price point--
Two days ago I stopped by my Target to look for Legacy Kickback...
A mom and her 6-ish yr old (yes I'm guessing) son were looking at the Jurassic Park toys.
The kid was saying something about wanting one of the dinosaurs (I didn't even look at which one; I was minding my business), and then the mom literally says,
"Do you have $63 for that? That's not happening, especially on a random outing".
Her tone wasn't harsh, but matter-of-fact.
I don't live in some "elite", super-rich area, but Liberty, MO isn't exactly a slummy part of the KC metro either...
Point being, if there were kids who wanted any of the 7 Coronation SS's left on those shelves, they'd be gone.
william-james88 wrote:Waves are made to stock a shelf for at least 3 months. So don't worry about it not selling yet. Some places don't reorder and just get their stock all at once.
Fair point.
Buzzworthy Cliffjumper, B-127, and even Kup have been moving from what I've seen.
Everything else seems to be stalling-out.
But we'll see. I'm stopping by there again this afternoon.
Posted by TF-fan kev777 on April 8th, 2022 @ 2:15pm CDT
Sowndwave76 wrote:Buzzworthy Cliffjumper, B-127, and even Kup have been moving from what I've seen.
Everything else seems to be stalling-out.
But we'll see. I'm stopping by there again this afternoon.
For Starscream in particular, I wouldn't take too much meaning even if all 7 are still there in your store. That may not even tell you how well he is moving in your particular area.
Target has weird assed distribution issues, which is most likely what you are seeing. Those 7 you saw last time may not in fact be the same 7 you saw the time before and could have been restocked.
In the past year, I've seen 1 store put out 12 SS Voyager Bee movie Thrust at once, sell 6 over 3 weeks and then bump it up to 15 on the shelves. This was extra weird because he was supposed to be in a case with SS86 Wreck-Gar, but only Thrust showed up.
A different store put 15 Kingdom T-Wrecks out at once between the aisle and an endcap. When the endcap got re-purposed they only left 6 on the shelf, which didn't run out for months. It wasn't because the 6 sat there and then all of a sudden sold, they were selling, but being restocked as they went from the ones in the back. No way in hell they sold 9 on the last few days the endcap was up.
Its almost like sometimes Target accidentally sends a store a pallet instead of a case, and that may be the case with your store. If they got a ridiculous amount (10+) they might only be putting out 7-8 at a time and restocking as they sell, and you wouldn't really know the difference unless you were timing your visits with when they are stocking to actually see how many they put out. In the case of Thrust getting bumped up to 15, I did just that and was shocked to see them putting more out.
Target can be randomly weird, so I wouldn't rule that out as a possibility.
Posted by sol magnus on April 8th, 2022 @ 2:43pm CDT
TF-fan kev777 wrote:Sowndwave76 wrote:Buzzworthy Cliffjumper, B-127, and even Kup have been moving from what I've seen.
Everything else seems to be stalling-out.
But we'll see. I'm stopping by there again this afternoon.
For Starscream in particular, I wouldn't take too much meaning even if all 7 are still there in your store. That may not even tell you how well he is moving in your particular area.
Target has weird assed distribution issues, which is most likely what you are seeing. Those 7 you saw last time may not in fact be the same 7 you saw the time before and could have been restocked.
Yeah, I've never seen 7 of those on ANY shelf here in Maryland. It seems an impossible number.
Posted by Sowndwave76 on April 20th, 2022 @ 8:05pm CDT
But for almost a week now, it's up to 8.
I was just there roughly an hour ago.
Anyway, does anyone have any idea as to when Sludge is going to be released/shipped?
I get it, right now Amazon has his release for date for End of July/early August.
But being wave 2, doesn't it have to be earlier than that?
At least by a month?
Posted by Emerje on April 20th, 2022 @ 8:32pm CDT
Sowndwave76 wrote:Target may have random distribution, but since my last post about SS86 Starscream, at one point it went from 7 to 6.
But for almost a week now, it's up to 8.
I was just there roughly an hour ago.
Anyway, does anyone have any idea as to when Sludge is going to be released/shipped?
I get it, right now Amazon has his release for date for End of July/early August.
But being wave 2, doesn't it have to be earlier than that?
At least by a month?
Release dates have been worst case scenarios for a while now after Hasbro got tired of constantly having to announce delays on Pulse. The actual release date is usually a month or two up from that, though sometimes it can be later. I still haven't seen Legacy at Walmart and only seen one of each Deluxe and two Bulkheads at Target.
Emerje