Threezero is continuing to put out high quality, non-transforming versions of our favorite Robots in Disguise through multiple styles and price points. Today gives us a first look at the new smaller MDLX size class with Bumblebee. The original & larger 15+ inch figures are called Premium, then they went to the 10-12 inch DLX line, and now we are one step smaller with MDLX. So far these are also not tied to any movie property – they are re-imaginings of Generation 1 looks to have a modern realistic design.
Bumblebee is about 5 inches tall, has 36 points of articulation, detailed sculpt and paint head to toe. He is a top tier action figure in a small package. Retail is also cheaper than previous offerings, coming in at about $60 USD which puts it in line with other import action figure lines like S.H. Figuarts, MAFEX, Figma, Revoltech and the like.
Threezero was kind enough to send through a copy a little early, he’s due to ship in Q1 2022. Read on to check some additional thoughts and pics, then hit our sponsors below or the Threezero Store to pick up your copy!
TFSource, Entertainment Earth, Big Bad Toy Store, Robot Kingdom, The Chosen Prime, Toy Dojo, Ages Three and Up, Dorkside Toys, Amazon
Threezero MDLX Bumblebee
Overall Thoughts:
Great little figure! When hitting the checklist items on first crack this has it all – sculpt, awesome paint, feels good in hand, movement is smooth, no breakages, massive articulation, good accessories. And then all that is executed SMALL. Well, small for threezero anyway. The smallest sub-line from them yet, and then Bumblebee is naturally smaller in whatever scale you are talking about. He’s slightly taller than the original Masterpiece Bumblebee in robot mode, but less bulky. About the height of a current full size deluxe from Hasbro. On it’s own you might be like woah, little pricey for such a small nugget. But when he’s paired up with Optimus Prime (who is coming later this year) and future releases, it will work on shelf as those will have a more significant presence at 7+ inches.
The non-transforming angle is always a comment among us Transformers collectors, but I’ve been enjoying these threezero releases because of their attention to detail. They are always what my non-collecting friends notice when stopping by (after Unicron). And I dig having a hyper realistic area of figures among my normal Transformers display. Being able to pose them out dynamically is also a bonus that sets them apart from statues. This little MDLX Bee does all that but smaller.
Bottom line – I think it’s a great piece and if you are looking for an updated, realistic G1 version of Bumblebee, right now it gets no better. He’s due to drop soon so get your orders in if you dig em! Check some key shots here and all 45+ below.
Rob
I got my MDLX Megatron and wow this guy is awesome!! I even don't mind the front skirts popping off because just removing them doesn't look bad.
weevil
nice box.
GT2
40-bee arrived, so time for a quick snap.
View attachment 30324197
Rob
Ah I'm back! I grabbed an original Megatron on Preorder from BBTS despite the annoying popping off hip skirts.
GT2
That does look great! I took have picked up just the Bumblebee, which is due tomorrow. I wasn't seeking specifically a G1 anime version, but the original all-yellow wasn't quite what I would look for, a combination of the silver horns, the shade of yellow and I think just too much of the colour in general gave it more of a Camero-bee feel than I was looking for.
I might seek out a gold version to see if I can 'Goldbug' it, but unsure whether it would need a hood.
I've picked up the Starscream already and I feel it already is quite G1-ified, within the aesthetic of the MDLX range of course
Alphatrion5
Should we expect Starscream and the rest to get the vintage versions as well?
I have the three seekers on preorder now but would prefer G1 versions
Acteon
I only picked up Bumblebee as the Prime looks "off" to me and I have comic colour Megatron on the way, but man he really pops! I love the colourway on this, far better than the all yellow version. He looks good with Cliff too, but it's amazing how the colour changes make all the difference.
fwestivus
Thanks for that!
Up side – the skirt moved!
Quite a nasty feeling getting it to shift – the peg flexed so much I was sure it'd snap, but miraculously didn't.
Down side – the ball is pretty crusted with the dirt/grease effect paint they used on this for picking out details and the skirt won't stay on now. At least I might be able to get a file in now.
Neck still fused, so I'll stick him in front of a heater later to see if that helps.
Also realised he's mean got have butterfly joints in the shoulders so I'll try to force those out later, too.
Or just abandon it to eBay…
GT2
I don't have Megatron to confirm, but most of the ballpeg joints on my Rodimus and Starscream MDLX figures are can pop on and off as easily as the hands, by what feels like design, to me.
I'm not saying I'd do it a lot to avoid the natural wear, but one should be able to 'break the seal' easily enough and with plenty of notice on the plastic.
UPDATE: A picture of the front skirt from Starscream to show what they're like.
View attachment 30320803
I'd also pount out that the sockets are not just bare plastic, but use some kind of rubber gasket or similar, to allow some flex for the pop!
View attachment 30320808
fwestivus
One of the side hip skirts on my g2 megs is stuck. The peg? Ball joint? It's on looks really thin – any tips for getting it loose without snapping it?
Also the neck is rotated round slightly and the head feels stuck solid to that – just force it free? Or might that break too?
Alphatrion5
A3AU posted all three vintage versions at some point. I was checking there preorders constantly but they added them to in stock page and I missed them. Hopefully another retailer in Canada will have them.
JasonTFW2005
Looks very nice. Wonder why it's not selling well on BBTS
RVDA
Got my hands on G2 Megatron, and what an absolute stunner of a figure. Incredible articulation, gorgeous paint, and the box is a keeper. Very very happy with it.
View attachment 30320532
View attachment 30320528 View attachment 30320529 View attachment 30320530 View attachment 30320531 View attachment 30320532 View attachment 30320533 View attachment 30320534 View attachment 30320535 View attachment 30320536 View attachment 30320537 View attachment 30320538 View attachment 30320539 View attachment 30320540 View attachment 30320541 View attachment 30320542 View attachment 30320543 View attachment 30320544 View attachment 30320545 View attachment 30320546
JasonTFW2005
Anyone know why BBTS took down all the listings for the Animated style MDLX figures? If I click on the ones I ordered it takes me to an error page. And if you try to search for them, they don't show up.
Jacer
They’re still pretty good. They sculpt has deep groves and a small bit of panel lining so they’re still noticeable
GT2
How do the details come out with the brighter paint in hand? They don't look as prominent to me in many of the promo photos.
Jacer
Just got my vintage color Prime from my buddy who went to TFCon last weekend. His colors really pop! It's a redundant purchase but I still feel like he was worth it. Now just waiting on the other two to come out.
View attachment 30314100 View attachment 30314101 View attachment 30314102 View attachment 30314103
GT2
Pleasantly surprised at how the legs are not quite as chonky as some pictures suggest, feeling more balanced in hand.
View attachment 30311764
Surprisingly disappointed as how the wings are not as secure as Rodimus', however the only frustration is the wing-blades, which are supposed to slide on onto the lower wings, but barely hold on at all for me. Falling off at the slightest glance on the left (of the photo) and just about holding on the right.
Interestingly, after some fiddling, it seems it doesn't matter which blade is used on the left, it always falls off. Suggesting it's the mould or thickness of the wing itself that's different.
daimchoc
Convention exclusive/early release price, I believe. Cheaper at TFCon LA 2024, if you attended.
You can pre-order through 3Zero's store, but you might have to pay for shipping cost – TransformersMDLX Optimus Prime (Vintage Animation Edition) – threezero store