A beautiful site, but just what are we looking at?
Check out this auction by Heero Toy Maker.
The auction is listed as “G1 Starscream prototype near perfect complete.” So what does that actually mean? Well from the looks of the photos, we are talking about a prototype from 2003’s Transformers Collection #9 Starscream. And as you can see in the photograph below… I already have this prototype.
Something tells me these aren't original prototypes worth $500...
So just what is going on here? Let’s talk a little bit about Heero Toy Maker first… He is known for making very awesome recasts of the WST Optimus Prime and Seeker molds. His WST seekers differ from the official originals in a few ways: the wail fins are two separate pieces, and the weapons are of the null-ray shape instead of the missile shape. Overall, these unofficial unlicensed toys actually excel when compared to the official originals. Heero knows how to mass produce figures, and do it extremely well.
So when he first put one of these almost glow-in-the-dark looking G1 Starscreams on Ebay, I went nuts and made him an offer to buy it right now. Of course, by doing this, I set the price for this figure. This was almost one year ago, and I thought that if this really is a prototype, it must be for some sort of Encore version of TFC 9 Starscream with the Megatron gun. I have been patiently waiting for this reissue ever since, and it has failed to appear.
Starscream is joining Jay-Z and his next White Party
About the only conclusion I can come up with is that the industrious Mr. Heero has decided to change gears and try mass producing his own full-sized G1 seeker molds now. What he is actually selling are his own personal ‘prototypes’ of these completely unlicensed figures, not original official factory samples. Can I confirm this? No, but the writing is on the wall. I also do not pass judgment as to whether this practice is OK or not, that is up to you. I only wish to inform anyone thinking of buying this to make sure they know what they are buying, and also realize that yes, I already have it so you do not have a one-of-a-kind toy. Sorry Charlie.
The copyright stamp is even in tact. I give up.
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