Here’s something that you don’t get to see everyday – resin and styrene prototypes for ideas that were pitched to Hasbro! Andrew Scribner – of After Midnight Studios – has posted these rare and unusual insights into what never saw the light of day on his online portfolio. It’s worth noting that these are in no way official – they are just projects that Andrew tried on his own, not work commissioned by Hasbro. They’re still some cool bits of work though – there’s a resin prototype of an utterly adorable Robot Heroes Skullcruncher, a pair of styrene models of what look like unmade Legends Class Movie Frenzy and Universe Ratbat, and plenty more besides.
Read about more Transformers pitch concept goodness after the jump.
UPDATE:
Cyclonus images removed by request. First – and most hilarious and awesome in my opinion – is a prototype of “Skully”, a Robot Heroes version of Generation 1 Headmaster Skullcruncher designed to be a part of the Universe 25th Anniversary Robot Heroes line. Why’s he awesome? He’s in beast mode, with his Headmaster partner riding on his back. And he’s utterly adorable!
Also on a related note is a Super Hero Squad figure that never saw a release. She’s a character who debuted in Secret Wars 2, but was closely involved with Transformers. That’s right it’s Circuit Breaker[/url] in all her printed circuit board bikini glory!
Next up are a pair of styrene prototypes used to pitch ideas for a pair of Legends figures. On the left, you have a Legends Class version of the 2007 Movie Frenzy, while on the right, a Legends Class version of Generation 1 Ratbat, taking some cues from more modern interpretations of the character. They’re very, very early concepts, used to pitch an idea for how the toy might transform between modes rather than any idea of the final detailing. Not something we fans get to see very often.
Third on the items of interest is a sculpt – and painted version – of an unreleased 3 inch Titanium figure of Scourge “the Tracker”. It’s a good likeness and one of the best pieces for showing the process of development, as there are earlier resin prototype images, plus hand painted images of the piece in color with more tooling work. A very nice piece!
Last but not least, is a resin prototype of Sam Witwicky from the Human Alliance series. But this is not the Sam you know! This is a different sculpt, showing Sam in a hoodie jersey rather than the outfit he wears in the commercially released version.
Again, these are not projects commissioned by Hasbro but just work the artist worked on himself – they are still something really cool pieces to take a look at.
Rogzilla
You know, it really is great work. I really want that Legend's Frenzy! I'd love something nearly in scale that could actually transform!
maharg83
OMG would really like that Skullcruncher to be mass produced!
NormanB
I would eat fire and broken glass to get an official release of the Skully and Circuit Breaker.
Absolutely beautiful work.
Cheebs
That little Tit Scourge is awesome!
KA
oh man, do want that RH skullgrin.
llamatron
Official or not that Skullcruncher is AMAZING
Lazeric
I kinda feel bad that people are being misled… but some of these images have been kicking around for years, and I did make a thread in the Radicons showing everything off after I re-did my site in '09. It's definitely interesting the publicity being front-paged can bring!
The wax I use is kind of an industry standard for action figures/toys, I've heard it go by many names – pink wax, toy wax, "Hasbro"" wax, "azbro" wax. Google azbro wax and you'll find places that sell something that's close, but the recipe is always being tweaked, even different sculptors will have their own formulas to get the perfect material they like to work in.
Thanks for all the comments on my work!
The_Black_Sheep
Ahhhhh Skullcruncher! The RHs line had so many possibilities & to just end it like that… :/
netkid
Me too. Even people posting after us don't seem to get the message on what was official work and what was made for fun.
I fear people on here are going to hound him now, asking for customs and pieces. However, that could prove beneficial, since there would be more clients and money to be made, but the amount of requests and commissions could get out of hand. Still, his pieces speak highly of his skills and show that he can produce fun and excellent toys.
I'm more interested in what wax material he sculpts from. I've always wanted to sculpt my own creations and make my own toys. Specifically dinosaurs, since you don't see much of dinosaur toys these days and if you do, their articulation has always been disappointingly minimal.
Tigermegatron
the rattbat binocular looks interesting. .
when I read the info,I thought we'd see cancelled pics from titanium 6 inch TF toys we've never heard of or seen. like maybe that rumored Titanium 6 inch G-1 galvatron toy.
to see that 2 inch titanium statue scourge was dissapointing to say the least.
Thundershot
I want to see how many pages this thread can go with people still thinking these are Hasbro prototypes.
dark69
damn i want that ratbat!
Superquad7
That HA Sam looks really cool. The Robot Heroes look cute as well!
wirth
Wow that movie frenzy and ratbat looks neat..too bad they decided not to release them..
An Army of Bees
I edited the first post to help clarify what most of the stuff is. Sorry for any inconvenience or confusion.
Protoman
God damn it!
A Circuit Breaker toy!?
Come on Marvel! It's been almost 25 years, your going to sit on that license forever? Let's make some TOYS!
An Army of Bees
Read the article itself, and then read his post. Only some of those are official. Namely the two I put up in my original post. 😡
Paxtin
Ah yeah, now it's all coming back to me. I had thought I'd seen the Skullcruncher before, but I couldn't remember where.
Cause that guy has done work for Hasbro, so these were assumed to be unreleased prototypes.
Not an unreasonable mistake.
Grimlock_13
Oh lord that Skullcruncher is seriosuly the greatest thing ever. RIP Robot Heroes
JacobPGalvatron
What!? There was a Legends Frenzy!?
Oh man, it looks pretty sweet.