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M'Kyuun

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  1. M'Kyuun
    These are adorably awesome, Danth! Love the shape of the legs on the smaller one especially, but both are brilliantly executed. Admirably, neither individual ship, nor their combined mode, which is a neat trick in and of itself, gives away the fact that they transform. That's always a challenge, and you accomplished it well. Too, they're Classic Space, which always earns points right off the bat with me. Good stuff! Thanks for sharing!
  2. M'Kyuun
    Likewise, although I generally like everything about the new Batcave. A new improved minifig scale '89 Batmobile is the proverbial icing, if you will. I think like many Batman fans, or at least fans of the '89 Batmobile, getting a minifig scaled set was a huge want since 2006 when LEGO first started producing Batman sets. It was my number one want from the theme, so that GWP was greatly anticipated. NGL, the UCS '89 Batmobile was also high on the want list, and it did not disappoint- it sits atop our dining room hutch with the GWP sitting next to it. For reference, here's the GWP set. Some notable improvements to the model in the Batcave Shadowbox set are a rounded windscreen with a studless roof, brick-built fins in the back with proper shaping and scalloping, better part usage for the large side intakes, and best of all, extendable machine guns instead of the crummy tacked-on stud shooters on the GWP set. Here's the Batmobile from the Batcave Shadowbox set. Unfortunately, this is the only close-up unobstructed pic of it on LEGO's site. However, there's a video on the page that shows some of the working features of the set. Can't wait to build it!
  3. M'Kyuun
    SS86 Brawn looks great!
  4. M'Kyuun
    I feel ya. Although I managed to get the '89 Batmobile GWP, I missed out on the UCS Batpod, which I would have really liked to have had. You couldn't be more right about the disparity between their projections and actual demand, as all too often we see them fall short of meeting said demand. I'm also with you about just getting rid of exclusives- just make everything available to everyone, even if it means a limited run. At least then everyone has a shot at getting the set on equal footing without dealing with absurdly overpriced offerings on the secondary market.
  5. M'Kyuun
    It's a must for me. Love the overall bookish design and presentation. Thing's huge, so I'm not sure where I'm gonna put it, but I'll find a spot. This Batmobile looks to be an improved version of the '89 Batmobile GWP set that came with the most excellent UCS '89 Batmobile. Definitely looking forward to building this set.
  6. M'Kyuun
    I still prefer the original WfC Bumblebee and I'm passing on the new version- that big chest and inaccurate legs turn me off to the fig. Never cared for the WfC Prime design; I passed on the original and I'm passing on this new version. I do however love the FoC version and the little deluxe toy we got back in 2012, and I hope we eventually get a really well-done voyager figure. Thanks for the review @mikeszekely.
  7. M'Kyuun
    I was unaware of this valk, having not seen the Macross Delta Movie. Brilliant job by the builder; so often, transforming models in LEGO suffer from the necessity of using various joints and connections which cause gaps and are difficult to cover, not to mention sculpting issues. This is very toyetic with exceptional shaping, judicious use of the various joints employed, and just overall engineering to impart the full range of functionality and articulation. In a word: impressive. Regarding Kawamori's catalog of valk designs over the decades, the fighter mode skews more towards spaceship than modern fighter jet in its design. One may be inclined to say he was inspired a little by the X-Wing Fighter of Star Wars fame.
  8. M'Kyuun
    For sure, it's a promising year thus far, and with rumors of other promising sets on the wind, the goodness looks to continue beyond the summer wave. Alas, I'm short on space for all this stuff, so finding somewhere to put it all is my main challenge. Too, it's not getting any cheaper, but then LEGO always has been an expensive hobby. Upping the temptation and excitement, we just got our first mom & pop LEGO store here in Spokane a couple weeks ago, and I want to support them, so I'll gleefully be paying them a visit on June 1st to pick up a bunch of the new sets. 😁👍
  9. M'Kyuun
    Hmm, I wasn't even aware of this game. I'm a Netflix subscriber, but honestly, I'm not a big fighting game fan. Now if they got War for Cybertron or Fall of Cybertron, I'd be interested. I wish they'd make a G1 game using the same game mechanics as those games, which, IMHO, are the best Transformers games ever made. In other news, apparently there's a "Dying Prowl" version of Earthrise Prowl coming. It's a rather macabre and unnecessary way of reissuing the fig, not to mention there are still characters in need of figs that have yet to receive them. The forsaken Omnibots come to mind, as well as Gears, Seaspray, Powerglide, any number of cassettes (including existing ones that could use some serious improvement-looking at you, Ravage), improved Mirage and Seeker molds, an 'origin' version of Wheeljack in his boxy Cybertronian alt mode (of which brilliant custom model maker Jizai Toys just created an amazing digital model), and perhaps new Deluxe Autobots that skew closer to their original Dorvack models. I really wish, too, that Takara would work out a way to make a proper G1 Megatron that turns into a Walther P-38 to fit in with the WfC/Legacy line. That would sell like water in the desert, and I'd be all in for a copy. Legacy Evolution Titan Nemesis Behind The Scenes - Transformers News - TFW2005 As a nice companion to The Ark, I recently POed a copy of the upcoming Nemesis, which I think turned out pretty well. However, I wish the bot mode had turned out exactly like the concept art, which looks amazing to me, almost more Animated than G1 to my eye, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Regardless, I'm glad we're getting her, and I like the thin, lanky proportions of her bot mode as a nice juxtaposition to the bulky Ark's. Gripes aside, it's still a great time to be a TF fan.
  10. M'Kyuun
    Every success with your mods, Chronocidal. I agree with your suggestion that LEGO should abandon the use of rubber bands in lieu of far stronger and more efficient ratcheting mechanisms. Too, it's high time, given all the other molds they've been making, to make a canopy that's accurate to the source material. I think they did well angling the sides on this model, but the nose, a feature which seems to give them issue with every iteration, looks off to me. Anyway, looking forward to seeing your improvements!
  11. M'Kyuun
    I'm so totally down for that set; brilliant execution! I hope transforming stuff becomes more of a norm across various themes.
  12. M'Kyuun
    With all the summer set reveals coming in, there's a lot to like amidst the various themes. City has undergone a much, much needed makeover with an apartment block and a new City Center that add living and shopping spaces with a nice splash of color and architectural creativity that has been lacking for, well, decades. For the past few years, I've been looking at what's being done in Friends so far as adding color and architecture and usable inner space to buildings and wishing for that to translate over to City, and it looks like that crossover is finally happening. The Arctic City subtheme makes its revolving comeback this year as well, bringing some cool new animal molds and some really nice looking sets. Dreamzzz, a new original fantasy theme is bringing some interesting new stuff to the table as well. Even if it's not your particular cuppa, and not all of it is mine admittedly, I think it showcases the creativity and whimsy that LEGO has been known for throughout various themes over the years. Too, there's a new clicky joint apparent in many of these sets, the first such addition to that system since Exo-Force in 2006. as a mecha builder who uses those joints a great deal, and also laments their limitations, I'm looking forward to what this new joint offers. Ninjago is a favorite theme of mine; I've been watching the show and buying many of the sets since its inception, and as a mecha fan, it caters to that particular fondness more than any other theme except perhaps Monkie Kid. This year's offerings are looking great. First, the largest Ninjago City set is coming June 1st. At over 6000 pieces with 21 minifigs, it's another beautiful multi-level urban sprawl chock full of working features (a cable car, a working wheelchair lift, and a flushing toilet!, just to name a few), varied architecture, interesting color palettes, and a lot of cool building techniques that have become the hallmark of this subtheme. LEGO's mecha sets have been increasing in complexity, sophistication, and features, over the years, likely with the addition of so many AFOLs-cum-designers bringing their own love of the genre to the table and pushing the limits of what's possible in a set geared towards 8-year-olds (and 51 year-olds, too) To get either a combing mecha or a transforming mecha is a tall ask, even from Ninjago, but to get both in the same wave and have them executed so well is a rare pleasure indeed, and one I hope we'll see repeated more in the future. As a fella who designs transforming mecha, I must say I'm quite impressed with that bike; it hides its nature very well, and other than last year's Optimus Prime set, it is IMHO LEGO's best attempt yet at a transformer, lower case intentional. Hoping for more! Not to be left out, this Friends set looks stunning. I don't buy Friends sets all that often, although I often stop and admire the varied architectural approaches and uses of color that make those sets stand apart from the rather bland City offerings over the past decade. This set, however, really stands apart as something particularly well-executed and just downright beautiful. I will have it. Thus far, 2023 is shaping up to be a great year for LEGO fans; there's a lot of creativity and variety on deck, with more to come later in the year including a rather large Batcave set that I'm very eagerly anticipating. Check out LEGO's site for more goodness and keep playing well.
  13. M'Kyuun
    Concur. Why can't the LEGO designers do something like this, especially with that canopy alignment? Anyway, cheers to a great build!
  14. M'Kyuun
    Thanks! It means a lot to me. Interesting comparisons. My experience with both is pretty limited to my knowledge of the Ingram and Griffon from Patlabor, and the Blue Gale from Xabungle. Honestly, he was pretty heavily based on Long Haul, and I took some license with the split cockpit. The "Optimus Prime" arm transformation method was about the only way to make them fit, and even then, it was a bit of a challenge. I would have liked the forearms to be another stud or two longer, but then the hands wouldn't fit in truck mode. I appreciate your thoughts and the kind words.
  15. M'Kyuun
    Glad ya like it, Danth! I vacillated on whether to keep or trash the split cockpit function, but ultimately I was able to make the mechanism stable and kept it. I thought it'd make the mecha look more interesting. I kinda wanted to add a head in between those sections, but there was really no place for it to go and no good place to connect it, so I just made it a proper mecha with an operator at the controls. I like how the legs turned out, too; it has a nice-looking side profile. I would have loved to have integrated some hydraulic pistons connecting the thighs to the lower legs serving to both actuate the dumper and the legs, but there just wasn't enough room. To quote Mick Jagger, "You can't always get want you want".
  16. M'Kyuun
    Hasbro needs to take some notes; serious missed opportunity.
  17. M'Kyuun
    I've always wanted a Long Haul that had a functional dumper bed; it seems like an easy-enough thing to accomplish, especially since his bed hinges can do double-duty as his knees. Alas, to my knowledge and great disappointment, no such Long Haul, official or non, nor any transforming dump truck fig for that matter, has the requisite functionality for which it exists. So, I made my own. I call it the Variable Dump Truck 3000, or VDT3000. It has articulated steering and suspension, independent opening cockpits to seat two minifigs, and most importantly, can raise its bed to about 90 degrees for optimal dumping. Its mecha mode is fully articulated and ready to meet the challenges of any construction project! I don't know about you guys, but I'd love to see something like this on a construction site someday. Probably not in my lifetime, but hopefully this will inspire some young engineers out there.
  18. M'Kyuun

    Arcadia VF-5000G

    M'Kyuun replied to daBlah!'s topic in Toys

    I love the VF-5000's design, and the toy looks great so far as sculpt, but I find the teal, white, and yellow color scheme to be atrocious. I'd prefer that Mirage version, but what I really want is the 'B' series color scheme. Just lovely. Not sure what Kawamori's fascination with yellow is as a heavy accent color, but it just looks terrible to me. But then, I don't like the color yellow very much to start with; it's fine on construction equipment, not so much on aircraft. The tan bits on the 5000B, and on the VF-4A look alright, though- just enough for break-up without being overwhelmingly nauseating.
  19. M'Kyuun
    Agree, some neat stuff going on. All-around brilliant effort by the builder; it has the look, the transformation, and the poseability in a concise package. Making transforming stuff is tough, and only complicated when also trying to squeeze in all the articulation. Kudos aplenty.
  20. M'Kyuun
    As will I, no doubt, but more for the vehicles than the figs. I like minifigs, some more than others, but in the majority of cases, it's the model(s) that intrigues.
  21. M'Kyuun
    The lack of rotating wings is a notable omission of a rather salient feature of the Fang which would have made it by far, IMHO, the more exciting model in this set. TIEs have never really been that exciting to me- they're ok, but the Mandalorian ships with their variable wing and hull sections are visually and mechanically much more interesting, and certainly added a notable bit of dynamism when shown in action in Rebels. Eventually, I'll likely get around to buying this set and I may just add the rotating features to improve its playability. I wish LEGO would revisit the V-19 Torrent and the Nu-class Republic Shuttle, both of which are beautiful designs long overdue updated sets. I have to disagree with Mand's opinion, as I often do, that the TIE Interceptor is a better set to get the new Mandalorian fig; my far, far greater preference is for the upcoming Spider Tank which looks amazing. 😍 Then again, I adore mecha, so anything mecha related in Star Wars generally excites. I'm still waiting for the Crab Droid from the Prequals to finally be realized in LEGO form. The Spider Tank, however, assuages some of that longing, and its Masamune-san-like design doesn't hurt either. 😊
  22. M'Kyuun
    RotB Wheeljack's a pretty neat fig, except for the atrocious head. I'm in the second camp that sees RotB as a continuation from Bumblebee, so the extreme departure from that design is rather stark, and IMHO, unnecessary; he could have easily been a new character. The nerdy head is both ugly and offensive and I wish they'd stuck with something closer to his G1 appearance. That said, my interest and enthusiasm for RotB is nigh zero from what I've seen in the trailers, so the change is relatively moot from a personal perspective, but I think it hurts the franchise overall when directors are free to do whatever they will with established characters and all sense of continuity is rent asunder by the director's whims. Alas, with Bumblebee the single exception, I've never liked the live action films and given my impression from the RotB trailer, stuff like Wheeljack's terrible makeover, the ugly Decepticon designs, etc, that's not changing.
  23. M'Kyuun
    They still don't have the angle of the nose and canopy matching, the tip of the nose still looks off (although better than 10240 Red 5's), and, yeah, the fuselage looks undersized for the size of the engine intakes (why do you need intakes in space? Are they sucking in radiation and converting it to energy?). Moreover, minifig scaled R2 is a bit underscaled as well. I think I'll pass on this one, as I have 10240 and the original, which IMHO, despite its simpler techniques and limited palette, managed to capture the tip of the nose more appealingly than 10240 or this model. The X-Wing was never my favorite ship; the Imperial Shuttle wins that prize, along with the Snowspeeder, the N-1 Naboo Fighter, and the Republic Nu-class Shuttle, which is long overdue an updated set.
  24. M'Kyuun
    With you on the wishing it was closer to OG Cheetor in color. The copper lower legs and hands just throw everything off. Shame they couldn't find a way to hide the hands better in cheetah mode; nevertheless, it does look good in profile. Regarding Kingdom Cheetor and this fig, I wish they'd put the lower leg on some sort of slider or hinge mechanism that allows the cat's entire back leg to sit out from the body and allow for full range of motion at the hip. One of the most irksome things about many of these figs with beast modes is the immobility of the majority of those beast modes, and I wish more engineering had gone into ensuring that both modes have a full range of articulation instead of the focus being on the bot exclusively, or nigh exclusively.
  25. M'Kyuun
    I was just realizing it when you posted.
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