Who would have thought this day would ever come? It’s here though and it’s for real. After many rumors and speculations (even a bogus knock off that was supposedly in the works) an official Takara reissue of Fortress Maximus is coming to the G1 Encore line. Excuse me as I jump and scream with nerdboy happiness!!!
Fortress Maximus is hailed among many collectors as their grail: the one figure they want to “complete” their collection. For many years I have been watching numerous auctions for this figure on eBay and they always have flown right past my spending limit. I dedicated a small “savings” pile that I started in hopes of being able to save up for a complete Fortress Maximus – my hopes were I’d be able to buy one in a decades time. But what does this Encore release mean for the G1 Journey? It means that you can bet your sweet ass this figure will be added to my collection come February/March!
A lot of debate, or maybe even controversy, has been brought to discussion regarding this Encore reissue. How will this affect the vintage 1980’s Fortress Maximus figures? Is this reissue the “real deal?” Does this upset the people who have kept their Maximus figures from their childhood, or maybe the ones who paid upwards of thousands of dollars for theirs? It’s hard to answer any of those questions and in all honesty I’m not interested in doing so.
Is this reissue the “real deal?” Are vintage collectors mad? What do YOU think?
As a collector trying to obtain a G1 collection, my goal is to have these figures in my hands so I can experience what they feel like, the play value, and the personal “value” they are to me. Although I’m much more of a fan of the vintage figures, I believe reissues are a beautiful thing to collectors and only good can come out of them. I will say this: nothing will ever replace the history that comes with a 25 year old or older G1 toy. How can it? Those toys from the 80’s will have been through sooo much and the stories attached to them can be endless! But for such an unattainable figure, until now, this reissue is such a great opportunity for collectors like me .. and I have no doubt it’ll create just as many stories.
In my opinion, as many collectors as possible should have the opportunity to experience the Transformers we know as Generation 1. Those collectors who have the Fortress Maximus from 1987 … I’m absolutely jealous of you. Although my collection will have this 2 foot tall badass come early next year, someday I’ll get my vintage figure. There are just certain figures from the G1 line that you need to have the vintage feel with … I can’t say I’m still not going to try and get a vintage Fortress Maximus someday.
What do YOU think?
***review coming early 2013***
