We just received this email from John at Action-HQ
concearning the Takara and Hasbro masterpiece Primes.

Guys, here’s a tidbit for you. Don’t know if you guys already know but don’t
you feel a little ripped off for paying $20 more getting the Takara version?
Something good for the boards. We weighed both and they are practically the
same at 1.6kg. ***** UPDATE 12/23 In stock now. For your information, the
Hasbro version is also die-cast and weight about the same as the Takara version.
The only difference is that it has shorter smokestacks and some battle damage
areas represented by black air brush paint on shoulders and the right waist
(that we can see). It also does not have the cardboard trailer and we imagine
that the booklet will be different.

Converting optimus from robot to tractor mode is not easy based on diagram
description in the Japanese booklet. It took us a good amount of time to do
this and imagine it would take us some time to transform him back. For those
who are not mechanically inclined, we suggest you get this one or at least
a copy of the English directions!

www.action-hq.com

Give praise and congratulatory grumbles to our two members who’ve won a copy
each of Metrodome’s Transformers DVD. They are DeadCal
and Big Bot.
Both of these guys have shown great creativity and effort in making their member
pages interesting and informative, and as a reward for their efforts they’ll
both be sent a shiny new DVD boxset from the good people at Metrodome.

Three cheers for the winners!

Hi, Here is a quick update from http://www.bigbadtoystore.com
about some great new arrivals and new pre-orders.

NEW PRE-ORDERS

• Heroes of Cybertron Wave 5 – Hasbro’s final wave of HOC figures.

NEW ARRIVALS

• TRANSFORMERS OTFCC Exclusive figures are now available unboxed –
  single figures starting at $26.99. Hasbro Commemorative Ultra Magnus, Optimus
  Prime and Skywarp are back in stock. Demolisher and Smokescreen Built To Rule
  action figure kits are in stock. More Unicron Stands have arrived and many
  Armada items are in stock.

• TRANSFORMERS UNIVERSE 5 deluxe figures are now in stock including
  the new Inferno and Autobot Ratchet. Blackarachnia, Snarl, and Dinobot Snarl
  have also arrived.

• DREAMWAVE The War Within Dark Ages #2 and Armada #17 are now in
  stock along with many other Transformer comics. All are $3.99 including shipping
  (in the US)

Joel & The BBTS Crew
www.bigbadtoystore.com

As ever, here are the Transformers relevent bits of the latest BBTS newsletter,
and ooh, an original Fort Max… drool.

Hi – Here is a quick update from http://www.bigbadtoystore.com
about some great new arrivals and new pre-orders.

TRANSFORMERS BT-01 & 20TH PRIME – More Takara BT-01 Smokescreen
arrive in 1 – 2 weeks! Pre-Orders available now. We have negotiated an early
shipment of the Hasbro 20th Anniversary Prime – we expect our stock to arrive
2 – 6 weeks before it arrives to most other stores and to mass retailers,
so get yours first at BBTS! Pre-Orders available for $74.99 Arrives in January!

VINTAGE More transformers have been listed including a complete Fortress
Maximus, boxed Japanese Overlord, many He-Man figures, GI Joe, Japanese Beast
Wars, Car Robots. Many more G1 items will be listed tomorrow.

ITEMS ON SALE – ACTIONMASTERS & MORE We’ve cut prices on a few
overstocked transformers items including significant price cuts on many of
the Actionmaster figures $16.99 and up, Japanese Armada Unicron – $79.99,
Micron Legends Booster Box of 24 – $119.99, Botcon Rook & Tapout – now
$9.99 each, Myclone Wave 3 – $39.99, Playskool Aerobot – $10.99.

OTHER ITEMS IN STOCK

GUNDAM Perfect Grade Wing Zero Custom, Zeta, MKII, Zaku

The user comments box on the bottom of each page has now become a member only feature. To post a user comment you must now be a member, and have logged into the site. Then when you post a user comment it will appear on your member page.

This will stop the odd idiot from abusing the system, and keep the site safe for younger visitors. It will also help to build up your Member Profile with comments you’ve made, so everyone can see what you’re into and what sort of opinions you’ve got.

So if you’re not already a member, sign up now! It’s Free!!!

Epic Heroes have added a pre-order for the BinalTech BT-02 Sideswipe
figure. He’s listed as coming out in January 2004 priced at £37.99. They have
images of both his modes. I don’t know about anyone else, but this was the first
time I’d seen his Dodge Viper mode and it looks pretty sweet. No distinguishing
markings, just a red convertable. Head over there and check him out!

For a limited time, when you purchase select Transformers busts and statues,
you can add on select Transformers toys for just a penny more! Click
here to check out this hot offer

The Transformers toys for a penny are
Armada Galvatron
Armada Scavenger
Armada Sword Set
Tiny Tins Set

Also…

Transformers Armada Maxcons Wave 5
IN STOCK! The latest Maxcons wave includes 2 x Overload with Rollout Mini-con,
1 x Powerlinx Red Alert with Powerlinx Longarm Mini-con, and 1 x Predacon with
Side Burn and Skid-Z Mini-con.

Price $74.99
Link BUY
NOW!

Transformers Generation One Smallest Assortment 2
COMING SOON! Box of 12 may include Prowl, Jazz, Megatron, Tracks, Skids &
More.

Price $54.99, 2/$104.99

Link BUY
NOW!

Transformers Generation One BT-02 Sideswipe
COMING SOON! Sideswipe returns as a Dodge Viper and is the 2nd figure announced
so far in the highly detailed Alternators Line.

Price $54.99, 2/$104.99
Link BUY
NOW!

We
just received this email from the chaps at Hard Hero

Hello from Hard Hero!
Our Megatron full-figure statue is now ready for pre-orders. Limited Edition
(Strictly limited to orders + 10%) Stands 12.5″ tall and ready for the display
case.

Shipping one per case, available winter 03. Next…Optimus Prime! “Let the
Battle Begin” Thanks for your interest in Hard Hero products

That’s right, you read correct, AFX
are slashing prices on selected items including Star Wars, Transformers, Simpsons,
Masters of the Universe, Matrix, Star Trek, and more! From now through July 6,
2003, buy one item and get the second at 60% off (select items only)! Check
it out here