Today we are going to take a look at something a little different, the Extreme Sets Headquarters Pop Up. This is a huge cardboard based diorama loosely based on The Nemesis from Generation 1. It features purple panels and lots of monitors and interface switches, perfectly giving you a base for your Decepticons to hang out in. Either on your shelf as a backdrop, or for use in your TF photography!
For those that don’t know, Extreme Sets have been putting out cardboard diorama displays for wrestling figures for a while now. They allowed folks to easily, and cheaply, create ring and crowd environments, locker rooms and props. They’ve recently got into the non-wrestling game, and their offerings are on fire right now. The first wave consists of the Deranged Alleyway, Sewer, Sector 9 (alien techy), and Dojo environments. Wave 2 consists of “The Building”, Subway Terminal, Abandoned House, and the Control Center (seen here). You can check out pictorial reviews for the non-Transformers ones over on The Toyark.
This is their second entry into the Transformers world, and we are excited to show it off. You can see the first offering based on The Ark here. We’ve done up a set of pics showing what it can do. Check it out after the break!
And, if you are interested, the fine folks at Extreme-Sets.com have given us a coupon code for a discount on your orders. Enter code TOYARK at checkout and get 10% off your order!
If you’d like to see detailed thoughts on the product overall, I’d suggest reading our review of the first set over on Toyark.com. That covers functionality and build quality, etc.
In relation to this set in particular – it’s great. The color and graphics are G1 enough to work for any classics or MP based setup. It’s pushing the limits for Masterpiece height wise – as a display piece, completely fine. But for taller MP, photography wise at any upward angle you’ll be seeing the top of the boards. It would be awesome in the future if they did a 2 story panel like their recently released “The Building”, as that would extend up and give you that tall interior the MP’s need.
Bottom line – it’s a fun set and worth it for anyone with the room to set it up! Check some key pics below, full set after that!
*Please note – some images have been enhanced to make it look like certain parts are glowing. This is not a feature of the set, just done in Photoshop to show what can be done for pics with a little effort.
You can check the full set here as well!
Disclaimer – Extreme Sets provided this set for review purposes.
lordsmurf
Good luck with Photoshop cleanup. Those lines will be hell to remove.
Tony_Bacala
You could do that. They are combinable up to 6 panels, 10 feet wide. Or you can use only 2 or 3 at a time, depending on space.
They are also doing Display Packs which are designed to fit in Deltofs. And there are Ark / Nemesis versions coming in that size too:
EXTREME-SETS – DIORAMA – POP-UP – PRINTOUT
ZapRowsdower
Amazing shots, as always, Tony!
I love that WfC/FoC Megatron shot at the console! Makes me wonder if I even want/need an MP Megs!
You know what I'd like to see with these? An actual display space. I'm a bit confused as to where to put these sets. I assume they're meant to line an entire bookshelf or something… ? So, in theory, you get a few diorama sets and make each shelf a different theme (i.e. Autobot base, Decepticon base, moon, etc.)?
weevil
Good diorama display.
Raiju
Just got this set not too long ago from TF Source. Haven't put it together yet but I do have and set up the Ark set for my MP Autobots display shelves and they look great. Thinking of picking up more if theses sets using the discount code.
Roadbuster25
These look great. Wish they were plastic!
malcontentman
I think I want to buy these and use as a template for polystyrene sheets so I can recreate the panels in 3D with plastic. Looks good as is though.
03Mach1
Nm.
JLvatron
If by "Headquarters" it means the Decepticon underwater base, that is not the same as the BW retconned "Nemesis".
DukeFett
I feel like the Shockwave in that pic doesn't have his head fully pulled out from his chest; it's sunken more than normal.
lordsmurf
The lines on the cardboard (corrugation) are just too distracting for me. It looks cheap, as if printed with an inkjet printer. If I had the images, I could do better with a color laser and 28lb paper.
hayabusa
Off topic bit the pic with all decepticons shockwave looks to small am glad i got fanstoys qwake wave
DPrime
This is really nice; definitely will consider for purchase!
DukeFett
I like what I've seen, but have yet to buy. I have a tall shelf so I'd need a bunch of these to actually cover the wall behind them since I have Devastator on the shelf and the Mega Action Scorponok. I hope they come up with something for 1/12 Star Wars figures though, I'd def buy something for them.
MindChamber
these photos are alotta fun, great silhouettes,, were the ambient glows done in post or did you add lights behind the boards?
edit: just read the post, good stuff
Tony_Bacala
Mini Review and Pics – Extreme Sets Headquarters Diorama Photo Review – Transformers News – TFW2005
Full Set – Headquarters (The Nemesis) – Reflector @ TFW2005