COUNTDOWN: Holiday Optimus Prime – 10 things to know!

‘Tis the season for new toy reveals, it seems. With the holidays right around the corner, Hasbro Pulse recently dropped a new reveal at the London MCM Comic Con, and yours truly was there to see it firsthand!

Here he is then! Merry Christmas! https://t.co/TnJ8T43Dco pic.twitter.com/RDJl8Mpyqv

— Sixo (@SixoTF) October 29, 2022

Billed as ‘Leader Holiday Optimus Prime’, this festive-themed figure is the perfect solution to get you in the holiday spirit and will surely make for a suitable stocking filler come the big gifting day itself. So let’s look at what this toy is all about!

#10: It’s an entirely new mould

First, this reveal caused major speculation online about whether it was a retool of some existing design, despite many appearances to the contrary. Many fans thought it looked a little like it may have been made from Legacy Motormaster, for one thing, but Hasbro Pulse was quickly on hand to set the record straight – this is an entirely new mould, with no shared parts from any other previous release. Imagine that!

#9: …apart from the trailer!

OK, well, there is *some* repurposing going on, as the trailer is very clearly a repaint of the Earthrise Optimus Prime example, complete with the detachable door and auto-launcher gimmicks. It’s now presented predominantly in white, with Hasbro designer Mark Maher claiming this is to give it a “snowy fortress appeal”. Some fans may find it a little bare for their tastes, but at least it makes for a more complete vehicle mode, eh? Speaking of which…

#8: The truck mode is a Volvo VNR 300

In a surprise move, Holiday Optimus features a licensed vehicle mode, specifically that of a Volvo VNR 300! Of course, it’s decked out with a festive theme, including red stripes and details, green-tinted windows and lights, an Autobot logo with a Santa hat and the phrase ‘Happy Holidays” emblazoned on the front, in case it was all too subtle for you! And yes, some have been only too keen to point out the suggestive weapons storage placement, so there’s that too.

#7: The loose inspiration is taken from the Marvel comics

Artwork credit: Collins

As if it wasn’t already apparent, Mark Maher has also confirmed this toy takes at least some inspiration from the 1980s Marvel comics series, presumably referring to the classic UK #41, where Optimus Prime dons a Santa outfit. It’s since become an enduring image regularly trotted out for seasonal greetings and the like, but this is the first homage we’ve seen in toy form!

#6: The robot mode seems to be ‘wearing’ a Santa costume 

Picture credit: Mark Maher

Although the figure doesn’t look too much like the comic page itself, Optimus still appears to be ‘wearing’ a Santa costume of sorts, suggested by the colour scheme’s placement and some finer details. The black lower legs and feet are clearly an attempt at boots, whilst details such as the white cuffs are another nod towards your classic Father Christmas garb. Finally, it took me a moment to spot it, but that yellow paint application on the crotch is undoubtedly intended to be a belt buckle.

#5: The transformation seems unusual 

Robot head is in the truck bed. That’s new! pic.twitter.com/4lg1hQNyAi

— Sixo (@SixoTF) October 29, 2022

We’ve yet to see any videos of this guy transforming (sadly, he was locked away inside a case at Comic Con!), but it appears the transformation will involve a few unique twists and turns. For one thing, underneath the vehicle mode shows that Optimus’ head is tucked away inside the truck bed, which you don’t see very often. Hasbro marketing legend BMac was keen to stress that this would be a fun toy to transform, too!

#4: He features green light-piped eyes

Picture credit: Mark Maher

There’s often debate about whether Optimus’ eyes should be blue or yellow, depending on if you’re more a fan of the classic toys, comics or cartoon. Some toys have also opted for red eyes over the years, but Holiday Optimus mixes things up by bringing green peepers to the table! He’s also rocking some luscious light piping, so that should be fun to see up close.

#3: The chest opens to reveal a holiday-themed Matrix 

Picture credit: Mark Maher

Like most Optimus Prime toys nowadays, this one features a Matrix of Leadership accessory stowed away inside the chest. The chest panel folds down, as shown on the figure’s packaging, with the Matrix itself being cast in a similar holiday-themed translucent green plastic. Now light our merriest hour!

#2: There will be repaints

Real talk, this is clearly a ‘pre-tool’ of some kind, with Hasbro even stating outright that there will be more design uses further down the line. That immediately set the speculation going online, with many fans keen to point out some of the loose aesthetic similarities between the new figure and the classic Generation 2 Hero Optimus Prime from 1994 (released as Sureshot throughout Europe). If that comes to pass, it could also mean a black ‘Destructicon Scourge’ version as a RID 2001 homage or even a take on the unreleased Combat Hero Optimus that never was. Time will tell!

#1: Pre-orders are already open!

With not long left until the holiday season is officially underway (don’t remind me!), it’s no surprise that pre-orders for this thing are open already. So what are you waiting for? Get in the spirit already!

So that’s our list! Are you feeling festive about Holiday Optimus Prime?

TTFN