Transformers are way better than Gobots

[Ronnie]

On 4/29/2025 at 9:21 PM, Onyx2 said:

Genuinely had nostalgic goosebumps looking at some of those covers @Ronnie. 

If you fancy some nostalgia, it's well worth signing up to the TFUK Guide on Patreon. It's run by Graham Thomson, one of the world's nicest people ... and something of a workaholic if the five weeks I've been signed up to it are anything to go by. He's provided:

• A post about thirty years of fanzines.
• An issue (#50) of his monthly guide, a beautifully pageset trawl through TFUK history.
• Some artwork and new character profile cards sent to me.
• A hi-res scan of TFUK #15.
• A hi-res scan of a poster.
• A beautiful newsletter (#9) written as though it were contemporary to the time period. This one was “from” April 1985.
• A hi-res scan of TFUK #16.
• A scan of the endpapers from the 1989 Annual
• Another original piece of art and profile card sent to me.
• #51 of his monthly guide, a whopping 41 pages centred around the 1989 Annual and the UK issues of that time period.

There are several tiers, including a free one, which determine what you have access to. I'm on the most expensive one: £10 a month, which gets me all the digital content plus the physical artwork and profile cards. It's well worth a tenner, even if you do it just once to give it a try. (You have access to all the past digital content for the relevant tier.)

Edited May 1, 2025 by Ronnie

[Surf Digby]

On today's episode of "Things you always wanted as a kid, but never had", I have now acquired this chap.

 

I remember seeing the advert for the Super Robo Machines in comics, and there would always be the Porsche 911, the VW Beetle, and this Blade Runner inspired lad. I think this is the first time I've seen one in the (metal) flesh, as while the Beetle and Datsun Fairlady were always on the shelves, this one never was, and I didn't know anyone at school with one.

 

[davertfnewman]

Gobots character Psycho, based on the Psychoroid vehicle from the anime Space Cobra.

[air_raid]

On 1/10/2025 at 9:15 AM, air_raid said:

I've been considering a really deep dive into the movie, in terms of the four different versions of the story - the first script (completely different story), the second script (the story we know and love), the storyboards, and the eventual film as recorded. Plus, knock on effects for S3 of the cartoon, and "future" storylines in the comic (UK version in particular).

While numerous tangential themes I was thinking about aren’t touched upon, the deep dive into the scripts has already been done, far better than I could have, with illustrations.

 

[BigJag]

Morning. Anyone going to TFN in Birmingham this year?

https://tfnation.com/2025

I'm at a wedding in Birmingham on the 10th. May try and sneak out and drop in on TFN.

Edited July 9, 2025 by BigJag

[davertfnewman]

I'll be there, as I am most years.

[BigJag]

Awesome! Any tips for a first time visitor?

[davertfnewman]

You might know this as a wrestling fan, but dress lightly and be aware there'll be some large, sweaty types in the dealer hall with no social graces who will walk in front of you to get a figure they're totally directed towards. I would find a seat rather than getting in the queue for the opening because it will pass quickly. I'm very much a proponent of going to the back first and working your way to the front in the hall because it'll be quieter there and you'll get back to the front with hopefully less people there. Any other sorts of things you'd like to know?

[BigJag]

Thanks for that. I'd likely do much the same as you've advised. How big is the event? How many halls does it occupy?

[Merzbow]

I see that TFNation are pretty much Gunpla friendly, is there much of that stuff there?

[davertfnewman]

57 minutes ago, BigJag said:

Thanks for that. I'd likely do much the same as you've advised. How big is the event? How many halls does it occupy?

They have a big main hall for the dealer stuff, then separate rooms for the panels (fairly big) and the independent traders and the like.

15 minutes ago, Merzbow said:

I see that TFNation are pretty much Gunpla friendly, is there much of that stuff there?

I believe so, yeah. Gundam and the like. I think they did a panel on it one year.

[BigJag]

I should know the answer to this. However my brain isn't cooperating. 

Is the original Jetfire figure considered to be a Gundam?

[davertfnewman]

I'm told that he isn't, he's a Macross Valkyrie.

[Merzbow]

Macross is one I really need to get into, I've got the 1984 film somewhere and I've only ever heard good things about it. Sticking that on some time this week..

I could probably do a separate Mecha thread or bump that old Anime one but I just finished the most recent Gundam and it's a huuuge thumbs up if you're familiar with at least 0079 and Zeta, it takes a lot from Evangelion and FLCL as it shares staff from both.

[davertfnewman]

I'm not, so I'll nod politely!