First Look at Nightshade's Owl Statue Alt Mode in Toy Form

Ever since I got TM2 Prowl in the summer of '99, much as I liked his beast mode's one red 'scouter' eye (implying he gained the knowledge of a great strategist by being able to read the old tech specs without the red plastic strip), it left me wanting a toy with a less organic, more symmetrical owl mode.

Well, careful what you wish for. All of Nightshade's awesome features like the head and wings are overwhelmed by the totally unconcealed bot arms being right out in front whereas they'd be underneath and somewhat ignorable on most other types of birds...but at least the sloppy full-breasted undercarriage kibble is symmetrical.

Still bought on sight though!

Is it me or does the silver below the eyes and beak make Nightshade look like there's a giant grin on the face?

Quantum Surge wrote:Is it me or does the silver below the eyes and beak make Nightshade look like there's a giant grin on the face?

It depends on the lighting and the angle of the face, but no, it's not just you. I'm very excited to get two more Terrans, and I hope that there will be more in the Warrior and Deluxe classes.

AcademyofDrX wrote:

Quantum Surge wrote:Is it me or does the silver below the eyes and beak make Nightshade look like there's a giant grin on the face?

It depends on the lighting and the angle of the face, but no, it's not just you.

This:



But an owl.

It's a great looking figure, really love the colors and how solid the owl mode looks. Moreso the wings being detachable and the mounts folding away in bot mode is a "chef's kiss" moment, really well thought out figure.

I hope that, like Cyberverse, they continue to do bonus Deluxe figures that don't include BAF parts. Really want a Deluxe Tarantulas. We need Hashtag, but I think she'll have to be a Spin Changer given her size.

Emerje

Quantum Surge wrote:Is it me or does the silver below the eyes and beak make Nightshade look like there's a giant grin on the face?

First impression I got too. But then I rewatched the episode and seeing the altmode in motion makes me see this figure as intended.

His beast mode legs/torso look mistransformed. His head looks alright, but his torso looks unintegrated. He's got two pylons bolted to the front of his chest.

Their toy looks great! That owl mode looks great, and I like how it turned out.

We have 4 of the Terrans now, and all seem to have pretty solid toys.

Now we just need a Hashtag that isn't a finger flipper!

I've been waiting a long time for this figure, and it does not disappoint.

The Terran siblings, so far

Who's the purple one?

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Who's the purple one?

finger flipper Hashtag.

i only need deluxe Nightshade to complete the siblings.

And hashtag needs a warrior or deluxe.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Who's the purple one?

finger flipper Hashtag.

i only need deluxe Nightshade to complete the siblings.

And hashtag needs a warrior or deluxe.

For accuracy (what's that?) Hashtag should be a Spin Changer. I think it would suit her.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Who's the purple one?

finger flipper Hashtag.

i only need deluxe Nightshade to complete the siblings.

And hashtag needs a warrior or deluxe.

For accuracy (what's that?) Hashtag should be a Spin Changer. I think it would suit her.

Emerje

This is when I really wish the TV show lines actually got voyager class figures

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

Emerje wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Who's the purple one?

finger flipper Hashtag.

i only need deluxe Nightshade to complete the siblings.

And hashtag needs a warrior or deluxe.

For accuracy (what's that?) Hashtag should be a Spin Changer. I think it would suit her.

Emerje

This is when I really wish the TV show lines actually got voyager class figures

At the very least bring back the Cyberverse Ultra class.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

Emerje wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Who's the purple one?

finger flipper Hashtag.

i only need deluxe Nightshade to complete the siblings.

And hashtag needs a warrior or deluxe.

For accuracy (what's that?) Hashtag should be a Spin Changer. I think it would suit her.

Emerje

This is when I really wish the TV show lines actually got voyager class figures

At the very least bring back the Cyberverse Ultra class.

Emerje

Yes, this.

Good news for Spanish fans!
I have just been able to find Earthspark Nightshade and Grimlock out in the wild. I saw several weeks ago a Nightshade review but I still haven't seen a Grimlock one. Would you like me to do a review?

sorrimus wrote:

Hey Sorrimus, YES, we would love a review from you. It can be pictorial. So taking images to illustrate the elements you are reviewing. And you can do it for both Nightshade and Grimlock. The more pictures the better, but do as you can/wish.

www.instagram.com/sorrimus

There you have fresh new pics of them both. Feel free to use them as you wish

The past five years (give or take some months) have been an easy time as a Transformers collector, with Hasbro and Takara Tomy both releasing identical products with very few exceptions, almost all of them being exclusive releases of some form. Takara Tomy's release of the Earthspark toys looks like it's about to shatter that brand unity to pieces, as preorder listings for the toys on Amazon Japan - first spotted by Autobase Aichi - show changes on nearly every toy as compared to their Hasbro counterparts.

The pictures below will speak for themselves, but you'll be able to spot additional paint applications, different shades of paint and even proper Ghost faction logos that make nearly the entire line more show accurate. Even the packaging is different, which we know thanks to gadepon on Twitter. One other notable change is that the deluxe figures don't appear to include build-a-figure pieces for Mandroid, but it's Mandroid so nothing of value is really lost.

The first 11 toys will release on October 28th and include:

• ESC-01 Spin-Changer Optimus Prime
• ESC-02 Spin-Changer Bumblebee
• ESD-01 DX Optimus Prime
• ESD-02 DX Megatron
• ESD-03 DX Bumblebee
• ESD-04 DX Twitch
• ESS-01 Spot-Change Optimus Prime
• ESS-02 Spot-Change Megatron
• ESS-03 Spot-Change Bumblebee
• ESS-04 Spot-Change Twitch
• ESS-05 Spot-Change Swindle

6 more toys will be released on November 11, which includes:

• ESD-05 DX Nightshade
• ESD-06 DX Shockwave
• ESD-07 DX Grimlock
• ESD-08 DX Starscream
• ESS-06 Spot-Change Wheeljack
• ESS-07 Spot-Change Soundwave

Finally, here is a look at some of the new packaging, where you can see the Spin-Changers sporting a window box and the DX figures on a bubble card.

Yeah it will so epic once this lame @$$ line is finally gone....freeing up some shelf space of course for something much better hopefully! .......

I knew that brand unity couldn't last forever, the figures were just too underwhelming for the Japanese market. Is it me or does Deluxe Starscream look to have a new face?

I'll be honest, before Titans Return I only bought the Japanese releases when they were THAT much better or different. Toon accurate Astrotrain, Tracks with the proper flames, and stuff like that. With Titans Return, Takara went all in and their releases outshone almost every Hasbro release, new tooling, Targetmasters, and glorious paint. Unfortunately, even from Amazon Japan, the cost of importing has shot up so much that I'll have to be very, very choosy.

This is a dilemma for me. I want the show-accurate decos that Takara's Deluxes have, but I also want the Mandroid build-a-figure that Hasbro's Deluxes have. Couldn't Takara figure out a way to release Mandroid on his own?

Sabrblade wrote:This is a dilemma for me. I want the show-accurate decos that Takara's Deluxes have, but I also want the Mandroid build-a-figure that Hasbro's Deluxes have. Couldn't Takara figure out a way to release Mandroid on his own?

I'm sure they will

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:This is a dilemma for me. I want the show-accurate decos that Takara's Deluxes have, but I also want the Mandroid build-a-figure that Hasbro's Deluxes have. Couldn't Takara figure out a way to release Mandroid on his own?

I'm sure they will

I dunno, there's been a lot of figures Hasbro released that Takara didn't.

Sabrblade wrote:This is a dilemma for me. I want the show-accurate decos that Takara's Deluxes have, but I also want the Mandroid build-a-figure that Hasbro's Deluxes have. Couldn't Takara figure out a way to release Mandroid on his own?

I bet some of those will hit eBay and such once the figure's actually complete.

Sabrblade wrote:This is a dilemma for me. I want the show-accurate decos that Takara's Deluxes have, but I also want the Mandroid build-a-figure that Hasbro's Deluxes have. Couldn't Takara figure out a way to release Mandroid on his own?

Available with BD pre-orders and a blood sample through 7-11, via lottery, limited to 5.

Emerje

Nemesis Destron wrote:Yeah it will so epic once this lame @$$ line is finally gone....freeing up some shelf space of course for something much better hopefully! .......

When it ends they're just going to replace it with another line like this one replaced Cyberverse and that replaced RID.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

Nemesis Destron wrote:Yeah it will so epic once this lame @$$ line is finally gone....freeing up some shelf space of course for something much better hopefully! .......

When it ends they're just going to replace it with another line like this one replaced Cyberverse and that replaced RID.

Emerje

Yes this is true. ....

Dangit, those Takara ones looks really nice.

They are also reminding me that I really hope Grimlock and Nightshade come in stock soon, I want both, they are both great characters in the show, and I really want to complete Mandroid, even if his toy does not match any of his fictional appearances funny enough.

Next wave of BAF will be Mandroid in the Season finale, calling it now.

It's been a while since I bought Japanese TFs. Where's the best place to get them these days? I'm in the UK though.

DeadCaL wrote:It's been a while since I bought Japanese TFs. Where's the best place to get them these days? I'm in the UK though.

Amazon Japan has been a good source for them

While the first wave of the Earthspark line was released almost all at once, the remainder of the line has been appearing sporadically on shelves and online. So while some may already have the toys below, they are the latest releases and we wanted to show you some reviews in case those who don't have them yet were curious. Below you will see three reviews from fellow Seibertronian Chuckdawg for Flip Changers Megatron, Twitch and Deluxe Grimlock. For Grimlock, he is currently available on Amazon if you want to get him.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:By this point, we all know what to expect from the Flip Changers. Megatron is one of the better ones since the propellers actually spin, I was expecting them to be molded in. It's touches like that, that I appreciate and I think you will too.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:The truest definition of a desk toy is something fun to fidget around with. We should all know what to expect with Flip Changers from Earthspark by this point. No articulation, all gimmicks. Terran Twitch looks really good and is close to the show model. As I always say do NOT throw these around as they can break, I'm especially concerned about the Vtol wings on Twitch.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Well, this figure almost fooled me. I first thought this was an all-new mold with so many new parts. Grimlock, is a heavy retool of the Cyberverse Deluxe figure, almost every exposed piece is retooled from that mold. While my copy is a bit loose in the hips, I find this to be the better of the two releases.

I know there's a market for these things - but they're just too 'kiddie' for my taste. Like with Cyberverse, I've eschewed the Earthspark toys completely. I haven't seen any that seem shelf-worthy.

Grimlock looks very nice, really like that twist on his transformation.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Next wave of BAF will be Mandroid in the Season finale, calling it now.

If there is another wave. Cyberverse only did the one BAF of Maccadam, and all Deluxe waves after those with his parts nixed the BAF incentive entirely.

Sabrblade wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Next wave of BAF will be Mandroid in the Season finale, calling it now.

If there is another wave. Cyberverse only did the one BAF of Maccadam, and all Deluxe waves after those with his parts nixed the BAF incentive entirely.

I was saying it sarcastically but also wishfully, i don't expect another BAF or to see mandroid in that form in toy form

I got my deluxe Grimlock in and opened him up last night. He is OK. I wasn't a huge fan of the cyberverse Grimlock deluxe, but I think that release served this mold better, it was able to be a little goofier, while this one feels a bit hindered. And the tolerance of the leg that goes on the back really messes with the alt mode integrity.

I like it, but I feel this one suffers from being a retool.

But at the same time, it is awesome to have Keith David toys alongside Tony Todd toys on the shelves.

As anyone still looking for some of 2015's RID toys on e-bay can attest, the original figure of a new Transformers character can become very expensive as the demand grows year after year. Hence why many fans have been looking forward to getting their hands on the Earthspark Nightshade figure, along with the need to simply own a toy of a character they like. Hasbro has finally officially revealed the final wave of Earthsaprk deluxes for this year, with preorders for Nightshade available on Pulse and Amazon. We have links below. You can also tempt your luck to find them at retail with them starting to appear at Walmart stores in the US.

In other Earthspark news, Hasbro revealed some new toys at the Toy Fair in New York. These are the Cyber Combiners which are similar to the crash combiners we had in previous lines. This time, it's a combination of an action figure of the human characters in an exo suit, combined with a transforming figure of Twitch or Bumblebee. You can see the photos below.

Preorders for Nightshade:

https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-TRA ... 107&sr=8-1?tag=seibertron07-20&

https://hasbropulse.com/products/transf ... uSbGKerAbM

EARTHSPARK CYBER-COMBINER BUMBLEBEE AND MO MALTO
EARTHSPARK CYBER-COMBINER TERRAN TWITCH AND ROBBY MALTO













The pictures above were taken by the TFW2005 team who were at the event.

Neither "WEIRD" nor "UGLY" are enough.

Maybe "CREEPY" is appropriate.

I should know better.

The late Cyberverse Roll & Combine figures told me loud and clear that the RID Crash Combiner concept had no hidden potential waiting to be unlocked by future toylines. Even the awesome interchangeability of the Deluxe and Voyager Energon Autobots wore thin all too soon, but I attributed that to the wretched cartoon having caused the very act of combining to lose all meaning by the bitter end; maybe the Unicron Singularity affected my memory too.

But because my favorite toy of all time is Slamdance, the reveal of any sort of dual-combining TFs just fills me with hope of recapturing the joy I felt stumbling across those last 2 Autobot cassettes in Toys'R'Us!

Interesting that we've been getting so many TF toys of humans in exo-suits lately. I thought conventional wisdom was that parents outside of SE Asia couldn't be bothered to understand the difference between sentient robots, piloted mecha, and drones (boy, that term's gotten loaded with new connotations over the past decade or so, thanks to pesky reality), so toylines never got into many categories beyond 2 major factions, hence Nightbird becoming more of a sentient-Decepticon-all-along with each subsequent toy and fiction incarnation, and no toys of her rough Marvel counterpart Centurion.

So now human children have the ability to form PANTS to prop up alien robots! We'll see if this causes an even bigger slag-storm than Nightshade's clunky pronoun declaration...of course we'll have to wait a year after their debut to be sure there's any reaction at all...

I've seen better looking Happy Meal toys. The bright side is they make the rest of the line look almost passable by comparison.

Bumblevivisector wrote:So now human children have the ability to form PANTS to prop up alien robots! We'll see if this causes an even bigger slag-storm than Nightshade's clunky pronoun declaration...of course we'll have to wait a year after their debut to be sure there's any reaction at all...

Actually these are closer to Energon figures than Crash Combiners. Not only is the combined bot articulated, but they can also trade places so the bot forms the pants. I think they're neat and actually worth getting compared to the previous attempts.

Emerje

Yeah these are pretty cool. Definitely a further testing for possible Energon figures in Generations. During one of the livestreams a year or so ago they mentioned they were looking into it but they wanted to make sure the Autobots could still combine. So this looks like a test run. The figures while still awkward, look pretty decent. The combined mode looks decent as well and has almost full articulation. Just no waist or thigh swivels or ankle tilts for the combined mode. They managed this much with what are basically $15 figures each if we split the cost of the set for each figure. Imagine what they could do with the full budget of a $25 or $35 figure.

I'll most likely be getting two of each because I'm crazy and want them to combine with themselves. I grabbed four Hishoumaru figures for this exact reason. One to combine with Gekisoumaru and Sensuimaru and the other three to combine with each other. This was back when they were on Amazon for like $17 each though.

If I only get one set each then I'll switch the Matlos. Mo with Twitch and Robby with Bumblebee.

Bumblevivisector wrote:So now human children have the ability to form PANTS to prop up alien robots! We'll see if this causes an even bigger slag-storm than Nightshade's clunky pronoun declaration...of course we'll have to wait a year after their debut to be sure there's any reaction at all...

It won't.

Interesting. Maybe these "Cyber-Combiners" will feature in the show's second season?

I got Nightshade, and they are a pretty dang nice toy. Nice to see all 4 of the larger Terrans got good figures. Now Hashtag needs a good toy.

Also took some photos of Mandroid, Grimlock, and Jawbreaker.

The siblings united.

Now we just need a proper sized Hashtag

With Earthspark Shockwave being a rerelease of his mold in Cyberverse, it made sense to assume that the upcoming Prowl would be a rerelease of of that same mold as well. BUT NO. Instead, Earthspark Prowl will be a straight redeco of Cyberverse deluxe Hot Rod. While it makes for an original deco for a Hot Rod toy, that original mold was panned by fans for having major clearance/articulation issues. Still, odd redecos like this have their fans, so let us know what you think.
Also, in what might possible be even bigger news, we have our first look at deluxe Thrash.

william-james88 wrote:With Earthspark Shockwave being a rerelease of his mold in Cyberverse, it made sense to assume that the upcoming Prowl would be a rerelease of of that same mold as well. BUT NO. Instead, Earthspark Prowl will be a straight redeco of Cyberverse deluxe Hot Rod. While it makes for an original deco for a Hot Rod toy, that original mold was panned by fans for having major clearance/articulation issues. Still, odd redecos like this have their fans, so let us know what you think.
Also, in what might possible be even bigger news, we have our first look at deluxe Thrash.

Where?