G1Uppers Reveal Plans for Upcoming Animated Stunticon Combiner Set Menace

When it was confirmed that there would be no official means to combine the Animated Stunticons, I KNEW there would at least be a 3rd party alternative. Boy am I glad I bit the bullet and bought the Stunticon set. I can't wait to see pics of the prototype. The head along looks pretty awesome to me.

Same here Wolfdawg! I hope these G1uppers guys are not all talk though. An early WIP head and a prototype in 3 months? I might be calling shenannigans! (or however the hell you spell that ) I'm thinking they had the same idea as half of the people with this box set and are claiming it early with no idea how long it will take to produce.

It's just too much for me now. Over the last year there's been too many third party things, for too many exclusives or now hard to find figures, all of it with huge pricetags, heavily limited numbers, and no recovery time for the wallet between preorders for this & that. I'd say I need a comprehensive list of all the third-party items out there with pricing & preoder/release dates, but I'm so far behind I just don't have the cash to catch up at all.

I guess I'll have to settle for being happy there's fellow TF fans out there that have the money & pre-odering-hair-trigger to nab this kind of stuff.

Awesome head for Menace, btw.

Thats what Im talking about !!! Thats why I bought that set !!!

i think ill be preordering as soon as it becomes available, hope its not too expensive

G1Uppers has updated their blog with a few MENACE concept head designs and are looking for fan input.

Top left, or top middle.
Although someone is going to want a mouth to resemble G1, so bottom right.

As most of you probably know by now a new third-party company calling themselves G1Uppers is planning to release an upgrade set for the BotCon 2011 Animated Stunticons that will allow them to combine. During the third-party panel at last weekend's TFcon they revealed a concept sketch for the combined mode head, then followed up by posting several other concept head designs on their blog asking for fan input. Now Derrick J. Wyatt, the mastermind behind the Animated world and the BotCon set, has tweeted his take what Animated Menasor's head design would look like. Considerably different from any of the concept designs currently up for display. The various Animated Menasor heads are mirrored below.

Derrick J. Wyatt Design


G1Uppers TFcon Design


Addional G1Uppers Concepts

I'm digging DJW's design a lot more than the G1 Uppers'. I mean, all the designs are cool and I'd be pretty happy with any of them, but I still prefer DJW's. Plus, using that head would make the gestalt sort of official.

I like the Wyatt design best.

The concept designs are WAY better than Derrick J. Wyatt's.

I wouldn't say those are better than Derrick's. They're more detailed, but not sure I like the style better. More simple looks more "animated" style. Adding a whole lot of rivets and detail will step away from the aesthetics of the set. Hmmm.

I WOULD like to see those pokey side 'horns' from the Derek design brought over to the toy. The curved helmet doesn't look as Menasor to me. Those look more like a mean Prowl or Ratchet helmet.

I prefer DJW's take on the design.

It fits better with the overall animated aesthetic (as you would expect) and still retains the characteristics of Menasor.

The TFCon design is probably the next closest tp the TFA style.

The others would be more appropriate for a different character.

All Wyatt is doing is influencing how the 3rd party design will look so it will ultimately end up fitting into his Animted universe.

I like his deisgn, but I think it looks too much like Motormaster's head. I would prefer if the new trailer upgrade went for something a little more out of the box.

The head Wyatt made also seems like it will make him more on the fat side. I kinda see this combiner being a little more slim after all is said and done. Seeing how the Stunticons are performers, I would only naturally assume that Menasor is just as agile in the combined mode.

NOTE: I have not read the comic. All I know is that they do a circus act.

Now the question remains. Will G1UPPERS take this design a reflect it in their product?

WolfDawg wrote:I'm digging DJW's design a lot more than the G1 Uppers'. I mean, all the designs are cool and I'd be pretty happy with any of them, but I still prefer DJW's. Plus, using that head would make the gestalt sort of official.

That's what I was thinking! It would make it a little more legit. Probably encourage him to use it if they ever do a Season 4 comic, too.

If I had the Stunticon set and they went with Wyatt's design, I'd totally buy it.

I am seriously loving the Atilla the Hun Mongolian warrior references in DJW's head. I think it provides what the G1UPPERS designs lacked, a healthy dose of character!

Marcdachamp wrote:If I had the Stunticon set and they went with Wyatt's design, I'd totally buy it.

I think you hit the nail on the head. If it seems official, I'm going to get it. If not, gonna pass.

IMHO, the head got a prominent chin with a Cybertronian beard (robots with mouth reach the maximum point).
2 days ago, I tried to design something different :


http://chogoking.com/post-57-animated-menasor.html

Enjoy ^__^

Hey.

I'm actually really liking that. It has the Animated nose, the big side points. Nods to the G1 and Animated.

Looking at the old G1 animation model (and Derricks)... those depict the points coming out of the SIDE of his head. The G1 toy design (and these sketches) show a front crest like Prowl/Ratchet... with exaggerated points.

I'm debating which I like best... and which embodies Menasor better.

Either way, I think it's going in the right direction. I can give or take the goatee. (Can always sharpee that on later. LOL.)

Nice job. And thanks for giving the fans a chance to chime in. Hope it doesn't come across to negative getting all this blast of input from all these peeps.

I guessing the reason DJW's head design is so wide is so it could slip over Motormaster'ss blockly head.

Well, The motormaster facial hair looks more like attilla the hun, or however you spell it, on menasor. IDK If it works that much for me. you know, if the show was ever continued, and I saw him in episodes, then maybe my opinion would change...?
*SIGHS*
wishful thinking

LEJAM wrote:
http://chogoking.com/post-57-animated-menasor.html

OK. I think that's my favourite so far. I can actually look at that and see Menasor. The G1uppers guys' sketches all kind of look like what would happen if Ironhide, Ratchet, Prowl, Smokescreen, and Bluestreak had a big orgy and nobody brought condoms. Derricks kind looks like Motormaster wearing some sort of samurai or something. Still not 100% perfect though. Something still bugs me about it. It kinda looks like the Cybertron Starscream head with a crest added. But I think this is definitely a case where I'd prefer a comic inspired head than a cartoon styled head. Even though that goes against Animateds origins. I can't help but wonder if it would look better if the Menasor head was a mix of the 5 Stunticons heads. Like if you were to overlap all the head designs and then erase bits, maybe add the antennas, until you have a Menasor looking head. Take Arcee's forehead, Motormaster box, Wildriders jaw, etc.

It reminds starscream because of the side vents.
I tried to get close to these pictures I used as reference with TF Animated design :

I have to say that the Derrick J. Wyatt Design is by far my favorite!

It evokes a menacing feeling and still retains the animated aesthetic I've come to love.

Sincerely,

Animated Fan #39

Here's there latest design:

hope there's something for my OP

Optimus Prime gives us a first look at the head sculpt for G1Uppers upcoming BotCon 2011 Animated Stunticons "Menace" combiner upgrade in the video embedded below. As you can see the designers took Derrick J. Wyatt's concept to heart.

According to the G1Uppers website the combining aspect of this project has never been an issue, they are working on capturing the Animated "essence".

So glad they went with Derrick's design, it will fit in much nicer with the rest of my Animated collection. Literally can't wait to see the full prototype!!!

I'm starting to wonder IF there is a prototype. Could it be that G1Uppers made this announcement simply to discourage anyone else from making this obvious seller? I want to see some combined mode pics bad. I've already worked out a custom concept, which is why I'm surprised no evidence other than a recently unveiled head that was probably just as recently designed based on Mr. Wyatt's artwork. Come one G1Uppers, don't be one of those 3rd party companies!

GetRightRobot wrote:I'm starting to wonder IF there is a prototype. Could it be that G1Uppers made this announcement simply to discourage anyone else from making this obvious seller? I want to see some combined mode pics bad. I've already worked out a custom concept, which is why I'm surprised no evidence other than a recently unveiled head that was probably just as recently designed based on Mr. Wyatt's artwork. Come one G1Uppers, don't be one of those 3rd party companies!

according to their website, they should have a prototype in October.

GetRightRobot wrote:I'm starting to wonder IF there is a prototype. Could it be that G1Uppers made this announcement simply to discourage anyone else from making this obvious seller? I want to see some combined mode pics bad. I've already worked out a custom concept, which is why I'm surprised no evidence other than a recently unveiled head that was probably just as recently designed based on Mr. Wyatt's artwork. Come one G1Uppers, don't be one of those 3rd party companies!

You should understand how long something can take to get right. These guys are not just combining five figures for the sake of combining them, but they are designing a whole new character to add to an existing world. I will tell you this, these guy are not going to rush out a piece of crap.

Their blog explains all of this. The fact that they are looking to have a prototype out by October is a pretty good indication a physical prototype is not ready.

enclinedesigns wrote: You should understand how long something can take to get right. These guys are not just combining five figures for the sake of combining them, but they are designing a whole new character to add to an existing world. I will tell you this, these guy are not going to rush out a piece of crap.

Their blog explains all of this. The fact that they are looking to have a prototype out by October is a pretty good indication a physical prototype is not ready.

I suppose you are right. I've experienced first hand how a CAD file that appears perfect does not work in the real world (ex: i forgot to take into consideration tolerance/clearance, a 1/4" peg does not actually fit a 1/4" hole). I understand the complexity involved when designing product, but programs like Solidworks expedite so much of the troubleshooting and mold layout automatically, I figured by now we would see more development. I guess I'm more excited about this kit than other current 3rd party project for the same reason some other collectors are. I've invested good money in the Botcon set (I unfortunately couldn't make it this year and so had to purchase mine from ebay, ouch) in hopes that someone would produce this upgrade.

Off subject, did you ever get my response to your email Encline?

GetRightRobot wrote:

enclinedesigns wrote: You should understand how long something can take to get right. These guys are not just combining five figures for the sake of combining them, but they are designing a whole new character to add to an existing world. I will tell you this, these guy are not going to rush out a piece of crap.

Their blog explains all of this. The fact that they are looking to have a prototype out by October is a pretty good indication a physical prototype is not ready.

I suppose you are right. I've experienced first hand how a CAD file that appears perfect does not work in the real world (ex: i forgot to take into consideration tolerance/clearance, a 1/4" peg does not actually fit a 1/4" hole). I understand the complexity involved when designing product, but programs like Solidworks expedite so much of the troubleshooting and mold layout automatically, I figured by now we would see more development. I guess I'm more excited about this kit than other current 3rd party project for the same reason some other collectors are. I've invested good money in the Botcon set (I unfortunately couldn't make it this year and so had to purchase mine from ebay, ouch) in hopes that someone would produce this upgrade.

Off subject, did you ever get my response to your email Encline?

Man, I am glad you knew I was not trying to come off as a douche...haha...but yeah, I know EVERYONE with this set is excited. These guys were at Botcon this year... and I hear they have something big planned for next year! They are just as excited as we are to have this set done, and done right. As you and I know, putting out one off customs is one thing, but mass producing a product is a whole other monster. It is no secret this set will take time, as it has to look like ANIMATED, be huge, and meet the expectations of everyone watching and evolved......and from what I have seen and heard, it will be AWESOME when done.

And no, I did't get the response... well, I don't think.. OFF TO YOUTUBE!

I'm glad G1Uppers is looking to capture the ascetic of Animated and not just slap an Animated head on a big robot skeleton and have the Stunticons slot into it. He should put the Menace in Menasor. Remember, this a voyager and 4 deluxes combining! This guy should be massive! Like Fort Max size!

I have nothing but high expectations from these guys. Aren't they the ones doing the RTS G2 Optimus upgrade too? Man, I want that thing so bad... Especially the inevitable Scourge repaint.

enclinedesigns wrote: Man, I am glad you knew I was not trying to come off as a douche...haha...but yeah, I know EVERYONE with this set is excited......

D-Bag free comment! It is easy to overlook the care required to produce a kit that will combine 5 expensive figures without damage. I don't think anyone(designer or customer) want to experience the CrazyDevy Predaking wing fiasco! Sorry, perhaps nothing to laugh at...

GetRightRobot wrote:

enclinedesigns wrote: Man, I am glad you knew I was not trying to come off as a douche...haha...but yeah, I know EVERYONE with this set is excited......

D-Bag free comment! It is easy to overlook the care required to produce a kit that will combine 5 expensive figures without damage. I don't think anyone(designer or customer) want to experience the CrazyDevy Predaking wing fiasco! Sorry, perhaps nothing to laugh at...

It's a well known fact that no one want to drop $60 on something only to have it destroy a $250 figure.

Another reason why I don't support CrazyDevy.

I hope the combined mode doesn't look fat. I want something fairly slim.

UltraPrimal wrote:Aren't they the ones doing the RTS G2 Optimus upgrade too? Man, I want that thing so bad... Especially the inevitable Scourge repaint.

Actually that is Maketoys with the RTS G2 Optimus Prime upgrade.