Down here in the States, K-mart (as an exclusive I believe) actually had the Transformers "Classics" figures on card from these Pretenders and were a good bit cheaper without the shell. I managed to get a BumbleBee and Grimlock to replace my "well loved" originals and Starscream, who I never had the privilege of owning before they did these Pretender Classic releases. Glad to see him getting some love on your channel
I was just wondering this because I definitely had these versions of Bumblebee, Grimlock, Jazz and Starscream but didn't have the human shell and I was wondering in hindsight how that was possible!
You're right about Furman's comics being the best thing about the Pretenders. I don't hate them, I actually think some of human ones are okay. But I've never had a desire to own them. I'm fine with my G1 collection ending at 1987.
The pretender gimic would have been great if it was part of its own unique toy line, rather than part of transformers. Imagine the larger shells as monsters and He-Man like warriors, and the inner figures being "modern day" characters, like G.I. Joe or M.A.S.K. I think I toy line like that would have done pretty well in the late '80s. 😄
Great video! What a weird and wonderful addition to the Transformers line. They were reaching for new gimmicks and it definitely shows, but a set of those would look cool on a toy shelf.
I always thought the pretenders' line was a step back. I was already a couple years over Transformers at this point, but I remember being surprised the line was still going.
Oh, also, I'd recommend using a hairdryer or warm water to heat up older toys that are stuck together/aren't coming apart easily - just like if we pop apart joints of modern figures - because the warmth will make the plastic more pliable/less brittle and less likely to shatter. I was watching you try to pry that plastic shell apart with clenched teeth, thinking, "NOOOOOO! IT'S GOING TO CRACK! LOOK OUT, MIKE! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" :D
The original Pretenders weren't bad like alot of fans believe but the classic ones... Different story. The line was already on a huge decline in '89 and the Action Masters the following year sealed the line's fate in the US at least until G2 hit shelves.
Yeah, I was never a fan of Pretenders either. Also, why are you doing 2 seperate TF '89 vids? Is it because the 2 lines went their seperate paths? Or are there just Way too many Transformers toys from that year to talk about in just 1 vid?
The legs on the inner 'con does do something. On Starscream, you're supposed to split them apart in robot mode down the middle, from the knees down.
Now I know! That's...slightly better I guess. I can update the thumbnail at least. Thanks for the heads up!
Down here in the States, K-mart (as an exclusive I believe) actually had the Transformers "Classics" figures on card from these Pretenders and were a good bit cheaper without the shell. I managed to get a BumbleBee and Grimlock to replace my "well loved" originals and Starscream, who I never had the privilege of owning before they did these Pretender Classic releases. Glad to see him getting some love on your channel
Those K-Mart exclusives were nice throwbacks.
I was just wondering this because I definitely had these versions of Bumblebee, Grimlock, Jazz and Starscream but didn't have the human shell and I was wondering in hindsight how that was possible!
You're right about Furman's comics being the best thing about the Pretenders. I don't hate them, I actually think some of human ones are okay. But I've never had a desire to own them. I'm fine with my G1 collection ending at 1987.
The pretender gimic would have been great if it was part of its own unique toy line, rather than part of transformers. Imagine the larger shells as monsters and He-Man like warriors, and the inner figures being "modern day" characters, like G.I. Joe or M.A.S.K. I think I toy line like that would have done pretty well in the late '80s. 😄
Great video! What a weird and wonderful addition to the Transformers line. They were reaching for new gimmicks and it definitely shows, but a set of those would look cool on a toy shelf.
Thanks! They're certainly...there...on that shelf. Yup. 😆
That helmet is pretty cool. Hats off to that figure and also hats off to strong winds!
i never used to like pretenders but since collecting as an adult they are definately growing on me, the prices though!
Especially Thunderwing and Bludgeon!
I always thought the pretenders' line was a step back. I was already a couple years over Transformers at this point, but I remember being surprised the line was still going.
Oh, also, I'd recommend using a hairdryer or warm water to heat up older toys that are stuck together/aren't coming apart easily - just like if we pop apart joints of modern figures - because the warmth will make the plastic more pliable/less brittle and less likely to shatter.
I was watching you try to pry that plastic shell apart with clenched teeth, thinking, "NOOOOOO! IT'S GOING TO CRACK! LOOK OUT, MIKE! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" :D
Wouldn't be the first toy I broke during a review. Far from the last either.
The original Pretenders weren't bad like alot of fans believe but the classic ones... Different story. The line was already on a huge decline in '89 and the Action Masters the following year sealed the line's fate in the US at least until G2 hit shelves.
There is a good Starscream story in Marvel UK's issue 248 called Fallen Star!
Happy Holidays Michael
Thanks Garin, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Chris Latta turn Cosplay.
Yeah, I was never a fan of Pretenders either. Also, why are you doing 2 seperate TF '89 vids? Is it because the 2 lines went their seperate paths? Or are there just Way too many Transformers toys from that year to talk about in just 1 vid?
Separate paths. Way more Japanese exclusives in '89. Victory was a whole line unto itself.
Some resemblence to voice actor😮😊
I love Pretenders. Definitely underrated and, for some reason, hated.
What episode was this toy from
Never appeared in an episode. Only animation of him was in a commercial.
Nice.