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SDCC 2014 Exclusive "Knights of Unicron" set

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:28 pm
by Sparky Prime
It was announced today that the 2014 SDCC exclusive Transformers figures would be the "Knights of Unicron", an 80's Hair Metal Band themed box set. Band members include Jazz, Megatron, Optimus Prime, Soundwave using the WFC/FOC molds, as well as Ratbat and Laserbeak from Animated for instruments.

It's an... interesting idea to say the least. I kinda like the idea of a band theme but a hair metal band? I know they were big in the 80's which obviously is meant to tie into the Transformers also being from the 80's, but it's just really weird seeing the figures with fake hair...

Re: SDCC 2014 Exclusives

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 6:45 pm
by andersonh1
I think they've officially run out of set ideas...

Re: SDCC 2014 Exclusives

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:48 pm
by JediTricks
At $185, this thing is very high-concept and I'm not sure how they expect most to get behind it. The idea of the specialized packaging and the posters and backstage passes and tickets and LP cover and possibly a Unicron temporary tattoo is all cute (because Unicron is essentially satan, so they're the knights of the devil and would do stupid things like that), the premise being that the '84 band is reforming after 30 years has a smirkable idea, and taking shots at Van Halen and hair metal is cute, but that's a lot of scratch for a joke and 6 repaints plus add-on clothes and wigs. This seems like an April Fools gag, not a real thing to spend money on.

Then again, this is the same company that released the Linkin Park Soundwave, and greenlit the IDW Transformers vs GI Joe series.

Re: SDCC 2014 Exclusives

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 9:59 am
by Dominic
Garbage. I have seen more inspired "Barbie" sets.

This is the first year where I am more interested in Fun Publications than in SDCC, even putting aside morbid curiosity.

Re: SDCC 2014 Exclusives

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 4:12 pm
by BWprowl
Dom was critically under-exposed to fun in the developmental years of his life, and he's had a deathly allergy to it ever since. True story.

I (perhaps unsurprisingly) think this looks terrific. It's an entertaining concept set of the sort that couldn't/shouldn't be released at retail, with a lot of work clearly put into the packaging and ancillary materials to go with it; it's pretty much perfect as an exclusive. It's unique, something I'd never even consider we'd get in toy form until now. I rather hope I can score a set off of HTS after SDCC.

Here's a thing: Why do the SDCC toys sets consistently seem to have more effort and imagination put into their execution than the BotCon sets do? For years now we've gotten SDCC sets with strong original pieces (Bludgeon or the Ravage statue from last year) in clever packaging often with nifty extras, making some very strong display pieces. Meanwhile, BotCon's stuff continues to run the 'ragtag bunch of half-assed homage repaints, many with QC issues, shoved into foam in a box'.

Also, this SDCC set basically shits all over FunPub by doing their SG Soundwave concept about a million times better. "Flimsy sold-separately headband? Eff that, we'll throw in wigs and arm-bands for everyone and make it look *awesome*!"

Re: SDCC 2014 Exclusives

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 5:16 pm
by Shockwave
I like the concept of this set. The whole hair band era of music is one of my favorites and this homages that quite nicely. Actual hair on robots though... Yeah, I'm not gonna lose any sleep over not getting this, but it's fun that they came up with it.

Re: SDCC 2014 Exclusives

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 5:42 pm
by BWprowl
Shockwave wrote:Actual hair on robots though... Yeah, I'm not gonna lose any sleep over not getting this, but it's fun that they came up with it.
Technically they're wigs, and it's not like 'actual' hair bands made consistent use of 'actual' hair either.

Re: SDCC 2014 Exclusives

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:13 pm
by Shockwave
BWprowl wrote:
Shockwave wrote:Actual hair on robots though... Yeah, I'm not gonna lose any sleep over not getting this, but it's fun that they came up with it.
Technically they're wigs, and it's not like 'actual' hair bands made consistent use of 'actual' hair either.
And this set would get a pass anyway due to the theme.

Re: SDCC 2014 Exclusives

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:14 pm
by BWprowl
Shockwave wrote:And this set would get a pass anyway due to the theme.
You literally just said you love Hair Bands!

Re: SDCC 2014 Exclusives

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 1:34 am
by JediTricks
BWprowl wrote:Dom was critically under-exposed to fun in the developmental years of his life, and he's had a deathly allergy to it ever since. True story.
A deathy allergy? :mrgreen:
Here's a thing: Why do the SDCC toys sets consistently seem to have more effort and imagination put into their execution than the BotCon sets do? For years now we've gotten SDCC sets with strong original pieces (Bludgeon or the Ravage statue from last year) in clever packaging often with nifty extras, making some very strong display pieces. Meanwhile, BotCon's stuff continues to run the 'ragtag bunch of half-assed homage repaints, many with QC issues, shoved into foam in a box'.
The audiences they're aimed at. Botcon is for strictest of strict TF fans, the ones who are way into the minutiae and care about the ongoing fiction from FunPub, that sort of thing. SDCC is a more casual audience and has to grab that "I'm a fan of a bunch of stuff including Transformers" buyer. Botcon's exclusives are a very limited development concept, they are locked in by the fans AND by Hasbro to doing things a certain way, HasbroToyShop is part of Hasbro and is selling product for the company.
Also, this SDCC set basically shits all over FunPub by doing their SG Soundwave concept about a million times better. "Flimsy sold-separately headband? Eff that, we'll throw in wigs and arm-bands for everyone and make it look *awesome*!"
Hadn't thought of that, but yeah.