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Minor spoilers ahead.  I'm going to keep this brief. As this is a pre-release review of Masters of the Universe Revelations, you really just want to know if it's worth your time, or if I liked it. The answer is yes. I enjoyed it and I think it's worth your time. Have a good day! Okay, we can go a little deeper than that, but I do want to keep spoilers to a bare minimum as we dig in. First thing’s first, there's a time jump after the first episode, which is important, and some characters die throughout the series. Not saying who, not saying when, but expect it to happen. If that bothers you a little, Masters of the Universe characters dying on-screen, then you're probably like me.  I guess that’s the whole sticking point with me and this series. Masters of the Universe Revelations is supposed to be a continuation of the original He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon from the 1980s, but I question that a little bit. In general, Revelations is respectful to the source material, but it doesn’t take its source material too seriously--just itself. Deaths come more frequently than I would like, and that just doesn't feel authentic to the spirit of the original series, which was a show for children. It's funny how characters who managed to survive hundreds of episodes or issues of their earliest adventures somehow manage to die routinely when they're pulled out of mothballs for an older audience.  Other small tweaks bug me as well. Adam, for example, is presented as small and somewhat scrawny. In the original cartoon, he was a doppelganger for He-Man and no one noticed. Is it silly that Adam looked like He-Man? Absolutely. Is that an indelible part of the charm and actual canon of Masters of the Universe? I'd argue yes. Is this a minor complaint? Most likely. But this is a series full of minor complaints.  Heck, the much-lauded voice cast bugs me a bit.  For example, Alan Oppenheimer's voice is core to who Skeletor is. If Oppenheimer is too old or frail to play the part, cast someone in the role who at least tries to sound like Skeletor. Instead, we have Mark Hammil playing The Joker, more or less. It just never clicks with me. Oh, and since we have The Joker, we also have Batman. They just call him Mer-Man. Literally, it’s the same voice. Mer-Man’s original voice is probably silly forty years later, but it is what it is. The change made here just feels arbitrary and wrong. The voice cast is one of the selling points of the series, and it’s mostly good. I actually really enjoyed Sarah Michell Geller as Teela--which is fortunate because she is the series lead. Yes, Teela is the lead character of the series. The story of He-Man takes a break after the first episode, and we focus on Teela for the remainder of this season. I am entirely okay with that, in practice. In theory, it should feel kind of like a bait and switch--the series that this is supposedly a continuation of Is HE-MAN and the Masters of the Universe, and I wouldn't blame someone if they felt a little bit cheated by that. But it doesn’t bother me. Overall, the series takes itself a bit too seriously for my tastes, even though they throw in some corny jokes along the way--those jokes feel like they're intended to juxtapose the corniness of the original series to this series, with its more modern sensibilities and sophistication. Honestly, I could do with a bit more corniness and faithfulness to the original series. But like I said in my opening statement, I enjoyed Masters of the Universe Revelations. It really is fun, and Kevin Smith is a good storyteller. Be forewarned, the season, or half-season, ends on a cliffhanger. I won't say what happens, but it felt like it was trying to poke a bear. Take that for what you will. In closing,

This week: Get us that Ravage box set now. NOW. The News * RFC News Desk 144 – Target Exclusive Four Pack At Walmart, SDCC Exclusive Ravage in China * HasLab projected teased

Over the weekend, two unannounced exclusives popped up, and technically weren't even leaks! Covert Agent Ravage and Decepticons Forever Ravage is a two pack destined for the summer convention circuit, consisting of a heavy retool of Kingdom Cheetor as Predacon Ravage from the Beast Wars "The Agenda" three-parter, along with a G1 Ravage featuring tampographs instead of stickers, which can slot in a cardboard cassette deck that's part of the packaging. The set was released in China, seemingly as a legitimate sale rather than samples walking out the factory door. The instruction sheet is marked for SDCC, though it's probable that in the US this will be distributed as part of the Pulsecon online event this summer instead. The Worlds Collide four pack also turned up this weekend. The Target exclusive Buzzworthy Bumblebee subline set was found at Walmart, at least twice. In each case, it was described as not being in Walmart's system, which makes it more likely to be an accident that a small number of copies ended up there rather than indicative of any intentional change in distribution. The set includes Nemesis Primal, an evil redeco of Kingdom Optimus Primal with a new robot head; Blackarachnia, based on the original toy's package art rather than being based on the original toy itself. It uses the toy-based alternate face we saw with the first leaked copies of Kingdom Blackarachnia; Bumblebee, which is just a yellow Selects Bugbite. Apparently the VW body shell is never to be seen again, perhaps indicating Walmart specifically played a part in making that happen for the Netflix Bumblebee, but we'll probably never really know for sure; and Fangry, a retool of Titans Return Grotusque with new chest, alternate mode head, and arms. It comes with a copy of the Titan Master Fangry released during Titans Return, though without the dragon/wolf monster accessory vehicle. Worlds Collide is supposed to retail for about $80 at Target once it turns up there, making it a surprisingly good deal for three Deluxes and a Voyager. Hopefully these mistaken shipments to Walmart mean that the set is also being distributed to Targets and it won't be long before they're widely available. photo sources:

This week on Radio Free Cybertron: Opinions are mixed on Selects Galvatron. But, hey, we can all agree on Premium Finish Magnus, right? Right? News First Look at Generations Selects Galvatron Fans Toys FT-02 is now Robot Paradise RP-01 Toy News: The Next Two Figures in the "Premium Finish" Series Revealed

This week: Craziness this week. Lots of Collaborative news, including the most beautiful, bonkers, and divisive Transformers Collaborative yet. News RFC News Desk 143 – Licensing Finds A Way: Jurassic Park Collaboration Revealed Toy News: "Buzzworthy Bumblebee" Origin Bumblebee Revealed by In Demand Toys WTF

Transformers Tuesday this week was the reveal, at last, of "Project Park", the Jurassic Park Collaborative project! Featuring Tyrannocon Rex, a retool Kingdom Megatron, and JP93, a (seemingly smallish) Deluxe with a licensed Ford Explorer alt mode. While JP93 seems to be 100% new parts, the engineering appears to have similarities to Cyberverse Deluxe Prowl. The Jurassic Park crossover set is up on Amazon for $104.99 with release planned for November 1st. Click here to preorder now from Amazon (affiliate link). Other retailers will carry the set beginning in December. Meanwhile in other crossover news, Jtprime has dug up product copy for an Amazon truck Optimus Prime, which sounds like it will be Earthrise Optimus retooled to be a licensed Volvo cab-over-engine semi truck: There has always been more to Transformers robots - but now fans can experience how these larger-than-life characters unite with other characters, teams and people who also have this special quality thanks to the Transformers Collaborative. There's a lot more to Prime - a truckload more. Two worlds collide in this Transformers Amazon Prime Mash-Up Pack. A special delivery from Optimus Prime! The leader of the Autobots adopts a new mode and presents himself as the iconic Amazon Prime Truck. He believes that every sentient being (with a Prime Account) has a right to fast delivery. The figure can be transformed into a licensed Volvo Amazon Prime Truck in 37 steps and impresses with decor and details that are inspired by an Amazon Prime truck. It even includes 2 small Amazon Prime boxes that can be stored in the trailer. Ready to protect his shipments from all threats, Optimus Prime brings his ion blaster and a matrix of leadership that can be inserted into the character's chest. Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. The VOLVO trademarks (word and device), other related trademarks, if applicable, and the Volvo designs are licensed by the AB Volvo Group. THE POWER OF TRANSFORMATION: There's more in Prime - a whole truckload more TRANSFORMERS-AMAZON PRIME MASH-UP: All sentient beings have a right to fast delivery. Here you can be sure that Optimus Prime will arrive on time (unless you are a Decepticon) INSPIRED BY AN AMAZON PRIME TRUCK: The Optimus Prime figure can be transformed into a licensed Volvo truck in 37 steps and impresses with a decor and details that are inspired by an Amazon Prime truck THIS OPTIMUS PRIME TOY COMES WITH GREAT ACCESSORIES: Contains an ion blaster, a matrix of leadership that fits in the chest and 2 small Amazon Prime packages that can be stored in the trailer PACKAGING IN THE AMAZON LOOK: The packaging is inspired by the Amazon Prime packages and shows the iconic black and blue Amazon Prime adhesive strips as details And finally, an update on Project Bat finds the listing originally seen on Amazon Australia now carries ...

This week: We hope you like beasts, and are open to non-union voice acting. Because we've got some news for you. News Beast Wars Kingdom screencaps Transformers Tuesday: Shattered Glass Goldbug, but no T-Wrecks yet Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Details from Ben Yee

This week: Make sure you look both ways before crossing the street when Transformers Heavy Metal debuts. The News TFCon tickets on sale Bumblebee Thrust leaked Megatron “replica” helmet at Gamestop Transformers Heavy Metal AR Game Road Rage is a Target-exclusive  Takara Tomy Online Toy Show Deluxe Waspinator Leak?

This week: Shattered Glass Bumblebee movie Soundwave. Okay. Siege Megatron, again. Sure. But let me tell you about this Nucleon Quest Convoy I got. News Transformers Premium Finish Wave 2 Revealed Takara Tweets MP-52 Starscream 2.0 Production Sample Photos Transformers Generations 2020 book Shogo Hasui interview translation Part 1 Cyberverse Roll N’ Change Figures BBTS Exclusive ThreeZero Transformers: Bumblebee DLX Shattered Glass Soundwave and Ravage is up for preorder ($249.99)  Pop! Retro Toys - Transformers: Soundwave with Tapes  DNA Designs Studio Series Grimlock upgrade set

This week: Someone got the manifest on this ark wrong, the bird has been paired up with a car. Not sure how that's going to turn out. News Transformers Tuesday Reveals Sideswipe & Skywarp 2-Pack, And More! (Apparently official) in-hand pictures and video coverage of The Ark First leaked look at Kingdom Road Rage Beast Wars Megatron and Optimus Primal soft vinyl figures from Cutie1

We're getting a new 4K edition of TFTM, a deluxe Gnaw, a voyager Wreck-Gar, AND maybe the best Toyhax sticker set ever?! Well, this has been a pretty great week. The News May 2021 Fan First Friday Reveals G2 Optimus Prime from Toyhax

This week: A new Artfire! A new Wreck-gar! New RED figures are rumored! New RED figures? Okay. I guess two out of three ain't bad. News Wreck-Gar revealed Transformers Deck Building Game Updates Extremely Early Looks At Masterpiece Skyfire And Shouki Premium Finish Line Revealed – And Possible Future Figures? MPM-12 Optimus Prime (Bumblebee Movie) Officially Revealed Generations Selects Artfire Leaked Good thing Kilby just bought a G1 Artfire. More Leaks? Sure! RED Collection, Kingdom Gets Extended, And More!?

This week: A new deck-building game, new toys, and two Unicrons are better than one, it's double the pleasure and triple the fun. News * RFC News Desk 142 – Amazon Exclusive Mirage & Grimlock, Plus Premium Finish! * Transformers Deck-Building Game

Hasbro made the official reveal for the Amazon exclusive Battle Across Time Collection, giving us the very first look at the first set in the series: Maximal Grimlock and Autobot Mirage! These are reuses of Kingdom Dinobot and Siege Mirage, respectively. Grimlock is loosely based on the original Beast Wars Grimlock, though virtually every specific, identifying detail has been made different. Mirage is a heavy remodel to effect an "Earth mode" form, but sticks pretty close in appearance to Siege Mirage. Notably it lacks clear plastic which should be an overall positive. But it simultaneously seems to have lost the shoulder mounting points for the weapons with the minor engineering changes, which is definitely a negative. The set is up for preorder via Amazon for $52.99 with release planned for November. You can click our link to preorder and send some referral revenue back to us at no extra cost to you! In Demand Toys has leaked the first look at TakaraTomy's new Premium Finish line, from retailer solicitation images. The first two toys are a Bumblebee Movie Bumblebee, and Siege Optimus Prime. It seems like the purpose here is extensive use of paint to make the most screen-accurate figures possible. Bumblebee looks to have a very dull, worn finish to the car body panels to match the aged, neglected look from the movie. Siege Optimus goes for high accuracy to the Siege animated series, down to the green-tinted windows and lights. Does this indicate that we may be returning to the days of having unique Takara decos for Transformers? Probably not the way we would really want it, if at all. With only two toys being solicited to start, this is probably going to be a comparatively limited project, and is unlikely to "rescue" any Siege toys of their battle damage, which would be a leading wishlist item for many collectors. But that doesn't mean there aren't interesting possibilities for a series like this. Thanks to all of our Patrons who are making this possible! Join our Patreon and let's make awesome stuff happen! Please support RFC by using our Amazon referral link. Canadian fans: please use this Amazon.ca referral link.

This week: Botbots Ruckus Rally, some Road Rage, and more crazy Covid-era trends in collecting. News RFC News Desk 141 – Leaks, Buzz, BotBots, And Jam BotBots Ruckus Rally artwork Target DPCIs: Kingdom Road Rage, Buzzworthy Bumblebee Power Charge Bumblebee and Deluxe Origins Bumblebee, and mystery listings for $50 Optimus Prime and Megatron figures, plus a new $40 assortment. Specific line unknown. Studio Series 2022 wave 1 data mining: Bumblebee Movie Deluxe Brawn, Wheeljack, and Ratchet, Voyager Soundwave; 86 Deluxe Perceptor, Voyager Junkion Junkyard, and Leader King Starscream. Project Jam. Not to be confused with JAM Project. Speculated to be Space Jam related, but one supposed insider indicated a Blaster tied into an unspecified band.