COUNTDOWN: 10 IDW Transformers that deserve Legacy toys

In case you missed it, there was a new Hasbro Pulse Fanstream the other week!

I mention that not only as it was *hugely* exciting to be invited on as a guest host (although I will take any opportunity I can to say as much, obvs!), but also because some fantastic new toys were revealed. Of particular interest in this case were the Legacy Evolution efforts that homage IDW’s Transformers comics and, in particular, the fan-favourite series More Than Meets The Eye.

Seeing niche nods such as Senator Shockwave in toy form was truly unexpected. It also felt bizarrely quite timely, as we’ve only just recently undertaken a Triple Takeover read-through of the series, culminating in an ‘end of year one’ special double-episode featuring none other than series writer James Roberts! We even chatted with him about some of the characters now appearing in toy form!

Alongside stuff like Tarn, it’s great to see the current Transformers toy line paying dues to the IDW comics more and more, so with that in mind, here are 10 IDW original characters who were prominent in year one of MTMTE that deserve some Legacy love.

POTENTIAL SPOILERS to follow!

#10: Fulcrum

More Than Meets The Eye #8, artwork credit: Milne / Burcham

After being convicted of cowardice and sent to a Decepticon prison colony, Fulcrum was re-engineered to transform into a bomb, making him a unique prospect in toy form! He survives due to a system error triggered by his fear and eventually becomes targeted by the Decepticon Justice Division (more on them in a moment!) before joining the Scavengers. He’s not only a memorable presence in the first year of MTMTE but would surely make for a very different entry in a Legacy line-up, too!

#9: Ambulon

More Than Meets The Eye #4, artwork credit: Milne / Burcham

If Fulcrum would be unusual as a toy, how about this guy? Ambulon might be one of the most terrifically-named Transformers of all time, considering that his alternate mode is quite literally a leg. A former Decepticon, he was part of a botched experiment to create a combiner, hence his limb-related transformation. He subsequently defects to the Autobots and is stationed at the medical facility known as Delphi. Having him in Legacy would surely be a leg up.

#8: Roller

More Than Meets The Eye #10, artwork credit: Milne / Burcham

Roller is a name that’s been synonymous with Transformers since the beginning. However, the MTMTE interpretation is very different to the little scout who used to live in Optimus Prime’s trailer. Instead, he’s a rather sizeable ‘bot all of his own right and is great friends with Prime in his pre-war Orion Pax guise, proving extremely useful on various missions. As such a distinct take on a classic part of the franchise, Roller certainly would be an intriguing addition to Legacy, complete with drink and straw, natch.

#7: Vos

More Than Meets The Eye #8, artwork credit: Milne / Burcham / Lafuente

The Decepticon Justice Division is undoubtedly one of the more sinister (and enjoyable) elements in the first year of MTMTE‘s run, so naturally, it would be great fun to see them all recreated as toys! With DJD team leader Tarn already done, one can only imagine how creepy it could be to see Vos given the same treatment, complete with a detachable face gimmick for maximum ick factor.

#6: Helex

More Than Meets The Eye #8, artwork credit: Milne / Burcham / Lafuente

Another DJD member, Helex would be genuinely fascinating to see in toy form. Firstly, he’s *huge*; big enough to fit other robots inside him as a method of imprisoning and torturing them, anyway, which would also be a neat gimmick to see done justice (pardon the pun). Secondly, he has four arms, including a standard set and smaller appendages sticking out beside his waist. Make sense of all that, toy designers!

#5: Kaon

More Than Meets The Eye #8, artwork credit: Milne / Burcham / Lafuente

If Vos or Helex seem like unusual choices for the Legacy line, how about Kaon? After all, this chap turns into an electric chair. Need we say any more? You’re already imagining how it might work, aren’t you? Admit it!

#4: Tesarus

More Than Meets The Eye #8, artwork credit: Milne / Burcham / Lafuente

The final member of the DJD line-up on this list is Tesarus, who’s equally as bizarre a prospect as the rest. Like Helex, he’s an absolute giant of a thing, although in this case, he features a massive cavity in his chest with whirling blades, somewhat akin to a nightmarish food processor. He’s also sporting a set of extendable claws that capture his victims and force them inside, which could be interesting to see made real!

#3: Drift

More Than Meets The Eye #12, artwork credit: Milne / Rojo / Burcham

Drift didn’t originate in MTMTE, but he’s certainly become an integral part of that storyline, nonetheless! One of the more famous faces from IDW comics, he’s also been attempted in toy form a couple of times before (most notably as a Generations effort in 2010. Still, there’s more than enough room on the table for a new take, especially if it was faithful to his presence aboard the Lost Light.

#2: Pharma

More Than Meets The Eye #5, artwork credit: Milne / Burcham

Pharma is an Autobot through and through and hates Decepticons with a passion. Still, that doesn’t mean he’s a good guy, as proven by murdering his fellow ‘bots and later developing a deadly plague. However, he does sport a brilliant design, complete with an alternate jet form (which feels unusual for a medic) and a set of pop-out shoulder cannons that would be thrilling to see recreated on a toy. Everyone loves a bad boy.

#1: Rung

More Than Meets The Eye #2, artwork credit: Milne / Burcham

Come on, you knew it had to be. Without a doubt, the most famous original face of MTMTE, Rung is surely a shoo-in for a fully-fledged Legacy effort at some point, no? Sure, he’s had toy nods before, most notably as a Siege Battlemaster, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still a need for something more substantial. It would be godly.

So that’s our list! Which MTMTE characters would you most like to see done in toy form?

TTFN