Transformers Collectors' Club Newsletter for Feb/Mar 2006: Fun
Publications - These aren't available in stores, and backissues are sold
online as collectibles themselves for a premium, so you might guess right now
that I'm not writing this to convince people to buy it.  After the editorial
block, there's a review of the new Star Wars Transformers, which gushes so
much it feels botanical.  Either the reviewer got the only General Grievous
that doesn't fall apart, or he lives in a world of spun sugar and gossamer,
that he would call it "sturdy".  There's some good photos of upcoming toys,
some of which aren't available elsewhere yet (but will be within days, even
if no one scans these and posts them), and an overview of the BotCon 2005
exclusive toy set (which is only slightly ad-copy in nature).  Nearly three
pages are devoted to instructions on converting Ransack to the horribly
stupid fan character profiled last issue, and while there's some helpful
hints, the end product is pretty weak.  Sentinel Maximus gets profiled in
really tiny font, the super-rare Japanese "Lucky Draw" variant toys are
covered, there's a few pieces of good fan art and a weak picfic...and then
it's time for the comic.  Where the writing has merely been flat and lifeless
before now, this time it edges into stupid.  Like they're not sure if they
want epic or camp.  Dan Khanna's art is good as always, and not TOO messed up
by the oversaturated colors.  Anyway, after a year of reading this
newsletter, I am not at all inspired to renew my membership.  The tidbits of
news are almost always available via other means soon enough (if not before
they come out...and you have to pay extra to get the newsletter in a timely
manner anyway), the comic is horrible, and the remaining content is
missable.  $40 for 6 issues (plus you get a recolor of a $7 toy and the right
to pay regular retail price through the club store, and price breaks on other
overpriced things).