Check out some more shots of Masterpiece Rodimus Prime from Botcon 2011 including some pics of the back and sides of the box.
Before the coming of Unicron, Rodimus was already a talented warrior, recognized by his comrades for his potential and his lack of patience. When he became Rodimus Prime, he immediately set out to lead from the front. He was always the first on the battlefield, and the last off, thrusting himself into the deepest danger rather than asking any of the robots under his command to sacrifice themselves.
Jaicen
To be honest, I managed to get my Grimlock fairly easily around the time of release. I then didn't see any for a while, until I recently saw about 9 in a TRU in Leeds.
I can't vouch for distribution in the US, but have you tried talking to the customer services people? Over here, you can get them to search stock in other stores. Often they can have stuff shipped from one store to another, so that might be one route to take.
EDIT: According to Kapow, Grimlock is coming back into stock all over the UK, perhaps the same will be true of the US? However, it could also indicate that MP-09 will be a late arrival in the UK…
sarujo
It official, Hasbro is crazy. This doesn't even look worth $50, more like $25 or $30, but not $50.
Sigh… I'll buy but it will need some serious paint app touch ups, rit dying the shins, and a face upgrade kit. As I want the Hot Rod face.
If this is suppose to be a throwback to the original toy, then why the generic grey plastics for the hands and face? Well at least they didn't color the hands orange.
I have yet to see a MP Grimlock at my TRU. Mine is one that will be the last ones to get anything – if they are lucky. By the time they would consider selling, Hasbro, or whatever the case, has ceased production. I guarantee you I'll never see Grimlock at my TRU. I'll probably have pay through the nose for one from some scalper.
Shin Densetsu
Grimlock was a massive bitch to find.
Jaicen
Anybody else wishing the engine and wheels were chromed? I guess Hasbro are looking to keep costs down where they can, but I really think that it hinders the deco. I'm picking up both either way, just need to decide which one is going to be Hot Rod.
igniz1984
Cant wait for this guy to get released, he will be getting stuffed into my mp9 trailer. Even if it paint rubs, at 49.99 who cares.
TheRhymenoceros
Defo be getting this if I have the chance (ie: available from BBTS etc). The Takara MP version is way out of my price range, hopefully this'll be much cheaper.
rizuan76
Now that's good to hear, thanx for the heads-up bro!
mechunter
I forgot to mention this before (and I don't know if it's been explicitly mentioned), but I talked to a Hasbro Rep who confirmed that there would be QC updates (she mentioned the legs explicitly as an example). Takara and Hasbro have different QC requirements due to QC rules in Japan vs the US. Also, the original Takara release apparently had pretty loose QC requirements due to it NOT being a figure for a child. Basically, this means Takara MP Rodimus R1, MP Rodimus R2, and Hasbro MP Rodimus Prime will all have different QC/QC fixes.
MegaPrime33
The figure is great. I must admit it. However I know TRU will price it the same as Grimlock, and just like Grimlock, I will never him in the store. Even recently, I was at TRU the other day and saw they restocked with DOTM figures and I kept hoping I'd see Grimmy, but never did.
megatroptimus
I think I'll get one, keep the Targetmaster and sell the Rodimus figure to my non-TF collector friend who might still be interested in it.
Blackout32
50$ is really a great price but now to just figure out IF TRU will jack the price up and plus next month I won't have hardly ANYTHING to buy but nothing but TF's which I hope to get caught up with some TF's that I been wanting to get. So 2 copys of this Hasbro version and then hopefully later in the year get the Takara version but if a trailer is made for this figure then buy that instead of the Takara version.
xanthax
Approx $50 for this? In July? Well, the price is way lower than I figured it would be AND its come out earlier. I am pleased!
deathsheadII
so happy i didn't get the takara first run!! hate the trailer anyway! but this hasbro version i will have for that price!!!!!!!!!!!!
Orion Paximus Prime
well for one thing, they have to cover the cost of development, something Hasbro doesn't have to do since they just took Takara's mold. Secondly, the presentation (paint apps, packaging, etc) are twice as nice as the Hasbro version, and finally, yes the trailer. Total that up and it IS at least $150 worth of fucking awesome.
NexusZero
For only $50?! July?!
Bought. Biatch.
G1Jetfire
Where's the fishing pole? Without the trailer/base, this is just MP Hot Rod in Alt Mode. Plus he comes with a Target Master, which Rodimus Prime didn't have. The Bot Mode with Rodimus Prime's face is the only thing that justifies the title of the box he is packaged in. If this fits in scale with the Alternators / Binaltech line, I would consider buying it. On the plus side, the matrix is bigger and the price is very reasonable compared to the other Hasbro Masterpiece Figures.
IhsantheCursed
This man has the notion, and I second his emotion
Deceptijohn
Well it certainly looks like there have been some changes in the mold for the Hasbro release, and with the release dates of the 1st and 2nd Takara releases as well as the Hasbro version so close together I have to think that all this was set in stone before the 1st MP-09 was sold. It will be really interesting to see how many differences there are. The bigger Matrix(and related chest redesign) alone would be pissing me off if I had bought a 1st run Takara. And the paint of the Hasbro version is growing on me, it's like a cross between the G1 toy and the Marvel deco. If the QC is up to par Hasbro may have a winner on its hands. I know I'm looking forward to it. And for roughly 1/5th the price? Yes please.
GrimlockAutobot
TRU is guaranteed to jack the price up from $50 like they did with MP Grimlock AND the exclusive Animated Deluxes.
Book it.
fabexmax
Unless there was real gold flakes in that paint, the price is obviously unjustified.