Triple Takeover Toycast

This episode continues our Transformers One discussion, with another extra special guest joining us — the hugely talented Production Designer Jason Scheier. Jason takes us behind the scenes of the film’s visuals, walking us through everything from character design to specific scenes and the creative influences that shaped them. From subtle world-building details to bold stylistic choices, there’s...

It’s the big one. After attending two separate press events for the film, we’re delighted to bring you our bumper-sized Transformers One extravaganza, featuring multiple in-depth chats with director Josh Cooley and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. We discuss the creative process behind the film, its themes and ambitions, and — with spoilers ahead — deliver our verdict on this bold new chapter for...

We’re honoured to be joined by the legendary writer of the classic Marvel Transformers comic — and the creator of many of the franchise’s most iconic characters — Bob Budiansky. Bob takes us back to the Marvel days of the 1980s, sharing stories from behind the scenes and reflecting on the creative process that helped define Transformers in its formative years. From character creation to world-buil...

We’re joined by an extra special guest for this episode as Hasbro Transformers designer Evan Brooks joins us for a fascinating behind-the-scenes discussion. Evan takes us inside what goes into producing the Transformers toys we all love, from the collaborative relationship with TakaraTomy to the challenges of modern toy design — with a few tantalising hints about what might be on the horizon along...

TFNation 2024 has come and gone, and as the dust settles on Europe’s largest Transformers convention, we look back on another unforgettable weekend. From the highs and lows of the show to the inevitable dealer room splurges, we reflect on the experiences, highlights, and moments that made this year’s TFNation one to remember. — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets the ear... Find show notes...

For episode 86, we’re talking ’86 — Minibots, that is (or “Mini Vehicles”, if you prefer the official terminology). After already gassing up the previous years of these pint-sized Autobots, we turn our attention to the final batch from 1986. How do they stack up against what came before? And yes… we have plenty to say about one of them in particular. — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets th...

It’s the return of Third Party: Heaven or Hell , as the team dives into a second round of unofficial Transformers toys — picking one truly great example, and one that absolutely misses the mark. From inspired design to baffling execution, we each make the case for a third-party release that belongs in toy heaven… and one that deserves to be cast straight into hell. That is, most of us do — as Jaso...

It’s the return of our Hidden Gems series, where each of the team champions Transformers toys from across the years that we feel deserved far more love than they ever received. From overlooked releases to underappreciated oddities, we each bring our picks to the table and make the case for why these toys should be remembered more fondly. That is… almost all of us — as Jason once again finds a way...

This episode marks the long-awaited follow-up to our exploration of Takara’s 1998 Beast Wars II line — and this time, it’s all about the bad guys. The Predacons of Beast Wars II are perhaps not what you might expect, offering a very different flavour of villainy from elsewhere in the franchise. We dig into the designs, concepts, and oddities of the line, with plenty of toy-based enablement along t...

With a new season of Transformers: Earthspark landing, it felt like the perfect time to finally welcome Nick Roche to the podcast. Known for his legendary work on the IDW Transformers comics, Nick was also a key character designer on Earthspark , helping to define the look of several Autobots and Decepticons — not to mention the Terrans — in the series. We chat about his work across both animation...

A real treat for this episode as we’re joined by acclaimed comic creator Daniel Warren Johnson to talk all things Skybound’s Transformers . Widely celebrated for his creator-owned work and distinctive storytelling style, Daniel’s move into the world of Transformers was seen as something genuinely unprecedented — and he tells us all about his approach to taking on such an iconic franchise. We discu...

We’re talking iconic Transformers comic covers from across the years, celebrating the artwork that helped define the brand on the page. With Marvel, IDW, Skybound — and even a little Dreamwave — all up for consideration, we share favourite images, memorable moments, and the stories behind some of the most striking covers in Transformers comic history. — Enjoying the show? There’s more than meets t...

The first Transformers One trailer is finally here, and the excitement (and anxiety) is palpable. With a bold new animated take on the Transformers universe, it’s been met with a mixed reception — some fans embracing the shift, while others remain skeptical about the direction. In this episode, we dive into the trailer’s key moments and break down the reactions it’s sparked across the fandom. Whil...

Everyone loves a good Minibot, but there was something particularly special about the tiny Transformers released in 1985. Affordable, characterful, and packed with personality, these small figures played a huge role in how many fans first engaged with the brand. In this episode, we take a closer look at five of the most unusual Minibot releases from that era. From their distinctive designs and qui...

Now that the dust has settled on Missing Link Convoy , we take a closer look at one of the most talked-about Transformers releases in years. Designed to bridge the gap between vintage G1 aesthetics and modern engineering, it arrives carrying no small amount of expectation. In this episode, we dig into what makes Missing Link Convoy such a significant release, from the way it reinterprets a forty-y...

So, you think you know Transformers? This episode puts that confidence to the test as the hosts take on Sixo’s quiz, focused squarely on the Generation 1 toy line. From obscure facts and deep-cut details to moments of certainty quickly turning into second-guessing, the quiz proves to be a surprisingly revealing look at just how well we really know the toys that started it all. Along the way, there...

It’s our 75th episode and our third anniversary, so we’re marking the occasion by revisiting one of our favourite — and most overlooked — years of Transformers toys. While 1988 doesn’t always enjoy the same reputation as the years that came before it, it was a hugely important period of change for the brand. With the introduction of new gimmicks like Powermasters, Pretenders, and Micromasters, alo...

Unlike his nemesis Optimus Prime, Transformers’ most maniacal villain has never settled on a single alternate form. Over the years, Megatron has been a gun, a tank, a jet, a car — and just about everything in between. In this episode, the team attempt the impossible: delivering their definitive * ranking of every** Megatron alternate mode ever. From iconic classics to more unexpected reinventions,...

Before Titans became the ultimate expression of scale in Transformers, the toys offering the biggest bang for your buck were often found in the Supreme class. Larger than life and packed with play features, these figures were designed to impress — and they rarely did things by halves. In this episode, the team take a look back at the history of Supreme-class Transformers, exploring the oversized g...

One of the most popular and enduring Transformers toy lines of all time, 2007’s Transformers Animated marked a bold shift in both design and storytelling for the brand. Its stylised aesthetic, strong characterisation, and cohesive vision helped it stand apart from anything that had come before. In this episode, we take a closer look at the Animated toy line, with a particular focus on the Voyager...

Clear plastic has long been one of the most notorious pain points for toy collectors, often mentioned in the same breath as gold plastic syndrome (GPS) and discolouration. It’s a material that can inspire dread — and for good reason. In this episode, the team take a balanced look at clear plastic in Transformers toys, discussing when and why it causes problems, as well as the times it’s been used...

As we step into 2024, we’re also celebrating the 40th anniversary of Transformers , with plenty of exciting new toys and developments on the horizon. It’s a year full of promise, with fresh takes on familiar characters and innovative new designs set to captivate collectors old and new. In this episode, the team look ahead to what the anniversary year has in store, from the upcoming releases that h...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which means it’s time to look back at the Transformers toys that defined 2023 for us. From standout releases to unexpected highlights, this episode is all about celebrating the figures that brought the most joy over the past twelve months. In this festive chat, the team reflect on what made certain releases shine, whether through clever engineering, strong...

We’re heading back to the Beasts — but this time, we’re off to Japan for one of the most colourful and distinctive chapters of late ’90s Transformers: Beast Wars II . In this episode, Sixo introduces Liam and Jason to Takara’s 1998 Maximal lineup, a toy range bursting with bold designs and unusual character choices. From lions and insects to a truly unforgettable giant octopus, we explore how Beas...

It’s still early days for Skybound’s new Energon Universe , but there’s already plenty to unpack as Transformers makes its return to comics in a bold new form. In this episode, the team kick off an ongoing discussion by examining the first two issues of Daniel Warren Johnson’s acclaimed Transformers series, alongside Robert Kirkman’s Void Rivals . We talk first impressions, tone, visual identity,...