356 replies to this topic

[Bermuda Mohawk]

If I were to make an assumption, I would say that someone at Takara saw that DST scooped up the name and made the gator and thought it would be a great idea to revamp the line.

Doubt it. Extremely unlikely. I recall a line from either last year of the year before where the head Transformers staffer in Japan couldn't even recall the name that Hasbro used for Beastformers when mentioning they were released in the States. DST probably barely even makes a blip on Takara-Tomy's screen. Given the recent interviews of Takara's Transformers design staff and the amount them being kids who collected and watched Transformers who are now in charge of the new toys, it's far FAR more likely they were fans of the old Beastformers toys and wanted to redesign them.

Edited by Bermuda Mohawk, 23 April 2012 - 07:25 AM.

[Ghost Lion]

Nice post, Eric. I'm sure I'll have you do your magic on a Beast Saga Lion and a DST Lion (if/when they make one) But I am going to PM you about a different project...

[DSTZach]

It was great to meet you, too, Eric. My arrogance is showing again, but I think the product will look good on the pegs as well. Perhaps too good to resist.

Check out this awesome shot of Vorin by Geohound over at the MMMV!

Edited by DSTZach, 23 April 2012 - 07:29 PM.

[lord]

You're a really bad man. You could wait that I have receive my figures before showing such great pic.

[DSTZach]

Just trying to whet your appetite, lord. Hope you like them.

[walker13.1]

The figures are cool, but I think they would have been much better with paint.

[Ghost Lion]

The non exclusive ones will be fully painted. Any cance you can throw a pic of the painted Vorin on here, Zach?

Edited by Ghost Lion, 24 April 2012 - 01:31 PM.

[koppenschevelle]

There's a chance that I might be getting an extra ram. If I do, I am going to paint it up really nicely in his comic colors to show off the details in the sculpting. There are a lot of details there that are really nice that don't show up as well in photos with the clear red. Like for instance, I just noticed yesterday that on his waist on his back, he has a sheathed knife sculpted onto the armor.

[Ghost Lion]

Now that I would like to see!

[adam16bit]

There's a chance that I might be getting an extra ram. If I do, I am going to paint it up really nicely in his comic colors to show off the details in the sculpting. There are a lot of details there that are really nice that don't show up as well in photos with the clear red. Like for instance, I just noticed yesterday that on his waist on his back, he has a sheathed knife sculpted onto the armor.

Oh yeah, I finally got a look at Vorin up close today and the level of detail is really good, particularly exceptional as Minimates go. The little sculpted flame clasp, the dagger you mentioned, the vents, the little spikes on his feet, it's all insanely nice as the sculpting goes. The head in particular is quite impressive.

...but the clear red sword feels similar to a fruit roll-up. The shield is solid and nice and everything, but that may be one of the most rubbery weapons I've ever messed with on an action figure. I'm sure it has to do with reducing breakage, though. The red Gatormate's sword feels thicker (and is certainly stiffer) and is thin enough to fit in the sheath in his back, hopefully they can tweak the tool or plastic or something to be more like that other sword for the final release of Vorin.

I'll be posting my review early next week but so far it's neat and he totally fits perfectly in the Shocking Shark prison cell (if you're into that sort of thing). I like that they kept the LEGO stud holes for the feet, too, if you have Minifigure stands from the blind packs, Vorin fits on those perfectly.

Edited by adam16bit, 24 April 2012 - 09:14 PM.

[DSTZach]

We made them translucent because we found out that we wouldn't be able to get the final sculpt painted in time for C2E2. So it was monochrome or nothing. We chose monochrome, and we chose clear, because we've done a lot of clear promos in the past.

Which is why the sword is a little bendy. It wasn't originally intended to be cast as translucent, or it would have been thicker, and less fruit roll-up-y. The grey one is less bendy. The production one will hopefully be less bendy than that. But don't expect to be able to cut bread with these things. If it curves on you, put it in its handy-dandy sheath.

Can't post the painted SDCC pics yet, but I'll share them when I can. Starting to see some sculpt pics of the Tarantula. Very nice.

[Kingjaja]

Starting to see some sculpt pics of the Tarantula. Very nice.

OMFGGGGGGGGG

[PlasticSoul]

The upper is incredible. If the legs were more like the hulkbuster mini-mate it would be more to my personal taste.

[buttheadsmate]

Oddly enough I have considered posting a picture of Hulkbuster (like yours*) on here.... more than once...for the same reason.Bravo!

The Battle Beast stance (gait?) is so relevant to the original-character that it is almost impossible to ignore ....that said ,replicating this stance with any articulated Minimate figure is easy enough if you so desire...try it I have.


On another note ....I'm realising that there are many British members here ......sharp aren't I ? Do you guys realise that Minimates are ONLY sold in the US ??? If you were aware of that much then you realise that Minimate Battle Beasts will be often be exclusive to TRU....US TRU not UK TRU,sorry! In essence the only way to get these critters is via the US & involves a great deal of dealing,networking,bribery & skullduggery to get them to UK shores.....if you want some advice please let me know & I'll share my knowledge .

* Hail Ivan -MMDB

Edited by buttheadsmate, 25 April 2012 - 02:05 AM.

[fourth_heir]

Whilst awaiting the official pics of painted figures there's still good ol' photoshop for those of us who regularly find themselves manipulating photos of pre-production items as part of their job

[Ghost Lion]

Yup, that's pretty cool looking!

[Kingjaja]

Whilst awaiting the official pics of painted figures there's still good ol' photoshop for those of us who regularly find themselves manipulating photos of pre-production items as part of their job

Haha well done, looks great

[jkaris]

Great job!

Other than the horns (because of the color) I can't even really tell it's been colored digitally.

[fourth_heir]

Thanks all

Other than the horns (because of the color) I can't even really tell it's been colored digitally.

I've taken to deliberately leaving small 'tells' in pics like this because in the past I've come across them appearing on sites other than where I put them with all sorts of rampant speculation attached

[cassel87]

mini-mates are like making love with a hot bald chick. its great until her wig falls off.

[ironmask]

What are you talkin' about!?

There is NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING hotter, than female pattern baldness.

[FANtomCore]

The upper is incredible. If the legs were more like the hulkbuster mini-mate it would be more to my personal taste.

That's a mini-mate , wow would of never guessed it. That's pretty awesome.

[DSTZach]

That is some great computer work, fourth heir. I hope our final product looks that good.

And while Vorin needed skinny legs to retain his goat-ness, thigh covers like Iron Man's will be in full effect on Gruntos. He might be even bigger than the Hulkbuster armor, and that's big for a Minimate.

And I'm totally gonna post some pics of highly sculpted Minimates now. MODOK, the Boogeyman, the Thing, the Hulk, the Terror Dog, Lockjaw...

Edited by DSTZach, 25 April 2012 - 04:31 PM.

[ironmask]

That is some great computer work, fourth heir. I hope our final product looks that good.

And while Vorin needed skinny legs to retain his goat-ness, thigh covers like Iron Man's will be in full effect on Gruntos. He might be even bigger than the Hulkbuster armor, and that's big for a Minimate.

In all seriousness, how feasible would it be, for DST to produce rounded leg parts/, similar to the arm parts, for the line? And/or a rounded torso? I think aesthetically, it would help ease a lot of the consternation that the purists that are stand-offish about the line being just another branch of mates.

[cassel87]

And I'm totally gonna post some pics of highly sculpted Minimates now. MODOK, the Boogeyman, the Thing, the Hulk, the Terror Dog, Lockjaw...

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the real ghostbuster minimates are awesome. especially the boogeyman, however, he needs a stand to stay erect, and he still falls over so i had to prop him up. still, point being, even a minimate hater like myself can learn to love.