Laserbeak, prepare for flight.  Destination: Iacon.  MP-13 Masterpiece Soundwave, a classic figure at this point capturing the Decepticon Communications officer perfectly in this scale has been re-issued in 2019.  While the intent is nothing major was to be changed, there were actually some differences that wound up separating this release.  First off, the box has new Long Life branding, so you should be able to tell you’re getting the newer edition right off the bat.  Once you dig into the figure, we have some slightly darker blue plastic going on, which I actually think looks a bit better.  His red eyes, matching the toon look – painted on with a dark under coat, the previous was red translucent plastic.  There are also some very slight color changes in highlight paint throughout.  All the original accessories come with – Megatron gun, Energon cube, chest display, hand scanner, Laserbeak and cassette case, & battery gun.

I found handling a bit more difficult than the original release which I still have out on display.  The hip ratchets for forward/backward movement are VERY tight, to the point of concern while posing.  Other than that though, it’s roughly the same.   You can definitely tell the mold has been through the ringer, it’s not as smooth or clean as it once was, but if you never had a copy and dig this slightly different look, he is probably worth a pick up.

We’ve run the new version through a gallery, read on to check some key shots or hit the gallery below to see all 70+ HD pics including comparisons with the original!

He’s in stock now and shipping from TFSource!

Soundwave (MP-13) (2019 Reissue)

[Read more…]

AUTOBOTS – Transform… and ROLL OUT!  MP-44 Optimus Prime has rolled into TFW2005 HQ and we have an in depth gallery showing what he’s got.  MP-44 is the third Masterpiece Optimus Prime version, this time focusing on a clean cartoon aesthetic with modern engineering to match MP-36 Megatron.  He’s got a sleeker, more articulated body and very toon accurate head sculpt(s).  The accessories are packed too, full trailer with removable repair bay that now has multiple transformations of it’s own, Roller, energy axe, battle damaged head and body piece, Season 1 toon head, Starscream head and intakes, Matrix of Leadership, rocket backpack, energy beam effects for them or the gun, gas pump and hose, an under-trailer container for some of these things, and of course his trusty laser rifle.  In addition, we also get 3 human figures with head, knee, elbow and waist articulation in various levels – Spike, Sparkplug and Carly.  They feature magnets in their feet so they can easily stand and pose at various points of the trailer.  They can also fit inside the cab when Optimus is in vehicle mode.

When they first announced him, I was not super hype.  MP-10 was still a solid figure, and there are a lot more characters I’d like officially done in MP scale (Season 1 roster, come on!).  But, he did look sharp.  Then the price came, and whoofa.  He is super expensive compared to previous releases of similar figures.  I get inflation and new engineering, but it still stings.  After getting him in hand though, I don’t think I could go back.  I’ve already made the official swap on the shelves, this is now the primary Prime for me.  MP-10 is now in a side vehicle mode display.  The proportions are overall better, the head sculpt is fantastic.  Colors pop and the eyes are not dead.  Posing is finicky a bit, and he has potential for knee issues. I knew he had them, knew how to avoid, and still stripped the ratchet on one leg.  But even with that, he still shines.  The official pics don’t do it justice.  In hand, he feels great and looks sharp.  I still don’t know if it’s worth the price, but if price was no issue, it would be my choice for a centerpiece Optimus Prime.

Bottom line, if he’s in your budget, and you dig the toon styling, he is worth a pick up.  Paired with MP-36, nothing represents G1 better.

We’ve run him through the motions and have a massive (for me) 230 shot gallery showing off all his tricks with some fancy pants shots at the end.  Click the gallery below to check them out!  We’ve also attached some key shots to this story after the break!

He’s in stock now and shipping from TFSource!

Optimus Prime (MP-44)

[Read more…]