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| '''First 4 Figures''' is a high-end collectible model and figurine company operating out of the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Hong Kong]]. Established as "Puzzle Productions" in 2002, the First 4 Figures brand was put on the map in 2003 when they acquired the worldwide resin statue license for what was then known as {{w|WWE|WWF}}.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070211085053/http://www.first4figures.com/aboutus.asp "About Us" section on the First 4 Figures website] (archived)</ref> After also acquiring the license for ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'', a genial relationship with [[Hasbro]] enabled the smooth negotiation for the ''Transformers'' license, a childhood favourite of the company's director, [[Alex Davis]].<ref name=alex>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2006/04/11/alex-davis-of-first-4-figures-on-transformers-battlefield-2-16430 TFW2005.com interviews Alex Davis in 2006]</ref>
| | {{faction|autobot|hofsilver}} |
| | {{disambig3.5|the little Autobot who could|French-accented Autobot who couldn't|Hot Rod (TLK)|Rodimus}} |
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| First 4 Figures' ''Transformers'' merch began with high hopes, with several different lines and multiple characters on the docket for production. Davis proved communicative with the fanbase, posting polls on the company's homepage, directly emailing fan news sites himself, and even running a contest in conjunction with TFW2005.com to get a fan submission made into an actual figurine.<ref name=poll>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2005/10/05/tfw2005-and-first4figures-present-the-sd-transformers-statue-contest-2-3738 "TFW2005 and First4Figures Present The SD Transformers Statue Contest!"] at TFW2005.com</ref> Unfortunately, a challenging marketplace affected the company's ambitious plans, with lack of retailer interest causing pre-orders of future items to remain unfulfilled before ultimately being cancelled by 2008.<ref name=cancel>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2008/08/28/first4figures-ravage-baroness-statue-still-possible-other-f4f-transformers-items-cancelled-165672 "First4Figures Ravage & Baroness Statue Still Possible, Other F4F Transformers Items Cancelled"] at TFW2005.com</ref> All told, the ''vast'' majority of ''Transformers'' models planned by First 4 Figures remain unreleased.
| | :''Rodimus is an [[Autobot]] from the [[movie continuity family]].'' |
| | [[File:DOTMCyberverseRodimus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.6|It's a pretty impressive... ''promotion'' for a bonus figure.]] |
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| Despite these setbacks and humble beginnings, First 4 Figures persisted, and now produces collectibles for the highly popular video game and anime markets, with merchandise for franchises like [[Nintendo|''Super Mario'', ''The Legend of Zelda'']], ''[[Samus Aran|Metroid]]'', ''[[Steve Blum|Cowboy Bebop]]'', ''Fullmetal Alchemist'', ''Spyro the Dragon'', ''[[Solid Snake|Metal Gear Solid]]'', and ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''. Not bad for a company which counted the [[Dwayne Johnson]] ''{{w|Doom (film)|Doom}}'' movie among its first licenses.
| | '''Rodimus''' is a mysteeeerious Autobot. He's probably super-duper heroic, because sometimes he becomes '''Rodimus Prime'''. |
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| ==Merchandise== | | ==Fiction== |
| {{note|Owing to First 4 Figures' loss of the license, much of the figures below did not see release. Figures that actually ''were'' released have been rendered in '''bold text'''.}}
| | ===''Timelines''=== |
| ===''Transformers Battlefield''=== | | In a universe where [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] died in the Battle of [[Chicago#Dark of the Moon film|Chicago]], Rodimus took the mantle of Prime, ultimately defeating [[Megatron (Movie)#TransTech|Megatron]] in a struggle atop a [[space bridge]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)#TransTech|Botcon 2015 Megatron bio card}} |
| [[File:First 4 Figures Battlefield Optimus vs Megatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|One shall stand, one shall not.]] | |
| Announced in conjunction with their acquisition of the license in June 2005, ''Transformers Battlefield'' was an ambitious concept: each release would feature a battle scene between two "[[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]]" characters, complete with a square base designed to interlock with other bases in the same range to create a massive diorama. The statues also made use of "REPs", or "Replacement Exterior Parts", to allow buyers to minorly customise their purchases. Each release in ''Battlefield'' was to be designed by [[Argentina|Argentinian]] sculptor [["Mad" Alterton]].<ref name=alex/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060226181047/http://www.first4figures.com/newsarticles.asp?newsid=5 The First 4 Figures website announces its upcoming ''Transformers Battlefield'' line] (archived)</ref>
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| Unfortunately for a series designed around interconnectivity, only the first set, Optimus Prime vs Megatron,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070216050810/http://www.first4figures.com/exclusivesproduct_detail.asp?range=3&id=13 First 4 Figures' listing for the Optimus Prime vs Megatron set] (archived)</ref> was released. Online retailer [[BigBadToyStore]] solicited three sets before F4F lost the license, revealing the characters intended for release in the next two.<ref name=bbtsstat>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070426030454/http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=527&company=130 BigBadToyStore's listings for First 4 Figures' statues] (archived)</ref>
| | ==Toys== |
| | ===''Dark of the Moon''=== |
| | *'''Bumblebee / Soundwave''' with '''Rodimus''' (Cyberverse 3-pack, 2011) |
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| <ul class="iconlist">
| | :''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' "Rodimus" is a redeco of the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Rodimus]], transforming into an orange sports car. On the United States market, he is only available as a [[Walmart]] exclusive, as the "Bonus" figure in a pack with [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BeeSoundwaveRodimus|Bumblebee]] and [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#Cyberverse|Soundwave]]. This three-pack was also available as an Asda exclusive in the United Kingdom, from Rossmann stores in Germany and from Auchan stores in Hungary and Italy. Of note is that the [[Multilingual packaging|European packaging]] does ''not'' market Rodimus as a "bonus figure" (presumably so stores can charge full price for three toys), and his window lacks the yellow edges highlighting him as a special feature, despite still being separated from Bumblebee and Soundwave, who share a common window like in the U.S. version. Despite this, Rodimus still doesn't get a mention on the back of the packaging, which only features a one-sentence "bio" about Bumblebee planning to bring down Soundwave in twelve different languages. |
| :{{Bp-a1d1|'''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#First 4 Figures|Optimus Prime]] vs [[Megatron (G1)/merchandise#First 4 Figures|Megatron]]'''}} | |
| :{{Bp-a1d1|Hot Rod vs Ravage & Rumble}}
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| :{{Bp-a1d1|Soundwave vs Jazz}}
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| </ul>
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| {{-}}
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| ===SD Ultra Magnus===
| | :All versions of the packaging also lack any logos that label the toys as [[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]] products. |
| [[File:Sd ultramagnus statue.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
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| In September 2005, First 4 Figures partnered with fan site TFW2005.com to run a contest to create an original ''Transformers'' statue in the [[super deformed]] style. Artist submissions would be narrowed down to a top ten by the TFW2005 staff, before being narrowed down to a top five by forum voting, and finally a simple poll on the F4F homepage. In addition to seeing their design be turned into a figure, the grand prize winner would also get a $400 spending spree at the First 4 Figures online store, with the first and second runners up being awarded $250 and $150 credit respectively. All ten entrants would receive a poster print that collaged all ten original pieces of art ([[#Posters|see below]]).<ref name=poll/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060226181025/http://www.first4figures.com/newsarticles.asp?newsid=22 First 4 Figures announces the SD contest] (archived)</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060211212157/http://www.first4figures.com/newsarticles.asp?newsid=25 First 4 Figures announces the top five voting is open] (archived)</ref>
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| Submissions closed on October 1, and after the various rounds of voting were completed, the winner was announced on October 15: a design of Ultra Magnus by Xu Wei (a.k.a. Ironbird).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060226181039/http://www.first4figures.com/newsarticles.asp?newsid=26 First 4 Figures announces the contest winner] (archived)</ref> The figure was limited to 500 pieces in the U.S., and 500 pieces in Europe.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060215055347/http://www.first4figures.com/newsarticles.asp?newsid=40 Details of the SD Ultra Magnus' upcoming release on the First 4 Figures website] (archived)</ref> An even more limited version of 100 pieces, decoed in the colours of the ''[[Diaclone]]'' toy [[Delta Magnus|Powered Convoy]], was available exclusively at the F4F online store.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070216050829/http://www.first4figures.com/exclusivesproduct_detail.asp?range=15&id=37 Original product listing for the Diaclone colours Ultra Magnus] (archived)</ref>
| | :This sculpt was also used to make ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Smokescreen (Movie)|Smokescreen]]. |
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| <ul class="iconlist">
| | ::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/WMLegRodimus/rodimus.htm More information on Rodimus at TFU.info]'' |
| :{{Bp-a1|'''[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/merchandise#First 4 Figures|Ultra Magnus]]'''}} | |
| :{{Bp-a1|'''[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/merchandise#First 4 Figures|Ultra Magnus]]''' (Diaclone)}}
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| </ul>
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| {{-}}
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| ===''G.I. Joe vs the Transformers''===
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| First 4 Figures also held the license for ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' resin figures, and solicited a number of models based on the [[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers continuity|most recent crossover continuity]] between ''Joe'' and ''Transformers''; more specifically, each statue embodied a cover from [[Devil's Due Press|Devil's Due]]'s ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]'' miniseries.
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| '''First 4 Figures also produced statues based on the [[Devil's Due Press]] ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]'' crossover, specifically a rendering of Storm Shadow atop the disembodied head of Optimus Prime [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise|Optimus Prime]], as well as a version of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise|Optimus Prime]], depicted as a transformed HISS Tank, holding a battle-ready Snake Eyes. Other proposed cross-over statues, including a sculpted Baroness and Ravage, were later cancelled due to poor retail interest.'''
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| <ul class="iconlist">
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| :{{Bp-cob|'''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#First 4 Figures|Optimus Prime]] vs [[Storm Shadow#First 4 Figures|Storm Shadow]]'''}}
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| :{{Bp-a1|Optimus Prime & Snake Eyes}}
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| :{{Bp-cob|Baroness & Ravage}}
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| </ul>
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| The unreleased statues, save Baroness & Ravage, were reportedly cancelled by mid 2008<ref name=cancel/> (give or take a journalistic error<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Ummm…. I've got the Storm Shadow vs. Optimus Prime statue. I believe it was released through comic shops last summer. Maybe they mean the Optimus Prime and Snake Eyes statue, which I think they were supposed to release?|link=https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/posts/2326516|name=The Crazy Collector|site=TFW2005.com|year=2008|month=08|day=29}}</ref>), but even that holdout wound up cancelled in early 2009.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110228050028/http://www.theterrordrome.com/2009/03/first-4-figures-baroness-ravage-statue-canceled/ "First-4-Figures Baroness & Ravage Statue Canceled"] at theterrordrome.com (archived)</ref>
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| ==="Generation One" series===
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| A challenging retail market place affected other ambitious plans for the company, including a series of ''Beast Wars'' busts<ref>https://news.tfw2005.com/2006/02/24/first4figures-optimus-primal-bust-press-release-4390</ref>, planned Battlefield extensions featuring Soundwave versus Jazz and Hot Rod versus Ravage and Rumble, and Generation One statues including Scourge, Jetfire and Swoop.<ref>https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/more-new-transformers-statues-at-bbts-hot-rod-jazz-and-more/7195/</ref> Although images of a number of prototypes (including Scourge, busts of Optimus Primal and Waspinator, and the Baroness/Ravage combo) were prepared and shared on the internet and at various presentations, subsequent orders were unfulfilled until being ultimately cancelled in 2008.<ref>https://news.tfw2005.com/2008/08/28/first4figures-ravage-baroness-statue-still-possible-other-f4f-transformers-items-cancelled-165672</ref>
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| *Scourge
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| *Swoop
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| *Bludgeon
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| *Jetfire
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| *Galvatron
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| [https://web.archive.org/web/20070607232229/http://www.first4figures.com/newsarticles.asp?newsid=55]
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| ==="Beast Wars" busts===
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| {| style="margin-left:1em;"
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| |width="30%" valign="top"|<u>'''$49.99 SRP'''</u>
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| <ul class="iconlist">
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| {{Bp-m1|Cheetor}}
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| {{Bp-m1|Dinobot}}
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| {{Bp-m1|Rattrap <ref>[https://tformers.com/ig.php?mode=album&album=6265&dispsize=800&start=0]</ref>}}
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| {{Bp-d1|Ravage}}
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| {{Bp-m1|Rhinox}}
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| {{Bp-p1|Scorponok}}
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| {{Bp-p1|Terrorsaur}}
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| {{Bp-p1|Waspinator}}
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| </ul>
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| |width="30%" valign="top"|<u>'''$54.99 SRP'''</u>
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| <ul class="iconlist">
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| {{Bp-p1|Megatron}}
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| {{Bp-m1|Optimus Primal}}
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| </ul>
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| |width="30%" valign="top"|<u>'''$64.99 SRP'''</u>
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| <ul class="iconlist">
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| {{Bp-m1|Depth Charge}}
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| </ul>
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| |width="10%" valign="top"|<br>
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| |{{Twoimages|File:BWDinobot minibust.jpg|w1=150|File:First 4 Figures Optimus Primal.jpg|w2=150|caption=<br>|float=right}}
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| |}
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| [https://web.archive.org/web/20070407160752/http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=526&category=2037]
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| [https://web.archive.org/web/20070607190207/http://www.first4figures.com/newsarticles.asp?newsid=49]
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| [https://web.archive.org/web/20070214013533/http://www.first4figures.com/exclusivesproduct_detail.asp?range=3&id=40]
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| ===Film cells===
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| They also produced G1 film cells for sale through their website.<ref>https://news.tfw2005.com/2005/10/05/limited-edition-transformers-g1-filmcells-from-first4figures-3692</ref>
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| [https://web.archive.org/web/20070911091827/http://www.first4figures.com:80/products.asp]
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| [https://web.archive.org/web/20060226181013/http://www.first4figures.com/newsarticles.asp?newsid=17]
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| ===Posters===
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| Further in 2005, First 4 Figures partnered with fansite tfw2005.com on a contest to create a fan-designed super deformed original Transformers statue. The top ten entries were announced in October 2005, and included renderings of ultimate winner [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/merchandise|Ultra Magnus]], along with Cosmos, Jazz, Shockwave, Unicron, Skybyte, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Jazz and Trypticon.<ref>http://www.toymania.com/news/messages/7662.shtml</ref> All entries were later incorporated into a collage-style poster made available through the First 4 Figures website.
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| *1) Xu Wei/Ironbird – Ultra Magnus
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| *2) Mike Doherty – Shockwave
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| *3) Derk Vrijdag/RunaR – Jazz
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| *4) Herman Lau/Kywyn – Cosmos
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| *5) [[Chad Porter|Chad Wm. Porter]]/C.H.A.D. – Red Alert
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| *6) Dylan Glassford/Ninjatron – Skybyte
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| *7) [[Josh Perez|Joshua Perez]] – Bumblebee
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| *8) Jeff Ellis/The Madness – Trypticon
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| *9) [[Ryan Button]]/Private Random – Unicron
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| *10) Simon Chiddington/DeadCal - Grimlock
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| [https://web.archive.org/web/20060226180949/http://www.first4figures.com/newsarticles.asp?newsid=18]
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| [https://web.archive.org/web/20070214013756/http://www.first4figures.com/exclusivesproduct_detail.asp?range=15&id=38]
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| [https://web.archive.org/web/20060224100123/http://www.first4figures.com/exclusivesproduct_detail.asp?range=3&id=32]
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| [https://news.tfw2005.com/2006/04/11/featured-fan-artist-july-2005-littleiron-17023]
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| ==Notes== | | ==Notes== |
| *Neo-Knights [https://news.tfw2005.com/2006/01/03/first-4-figures-neo-knights-statuesbusts-from-the-marvel-transformers-comics-4157]
| | [[File:TF3concept-HotRod-MassiveBlack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Promotion? Bonus figure? Eh? ''Eh?'']] |
| *War Within [https://news.tfw2005.com/2006/02/24/do-you-want-more-transformers-war-within-statues-4392] | | *''Dark of the Moon'' Rodimus's packaging gives him no technical notes or biographical information and, for four years, he had no fictional appearances. This changed in 2015, when Rodimus ''Prime'' was mentioned in [[BotCon 2015]] Megatron's bio card, which featured a variant timeline that diverged after ''Dark of the Moon''. Being such a minor player, he was soon eclipsed by the [[Hot Rod (TLK)|Hot Rod]] that actually appeared ''on screen'' in the live-action film series, and we've no doubt the makers of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'' based that Hot Rod on the [[Hot Rod (G1)|"Generation 1" character of the same name]], rather than the toyline-only Rodimus. Rodimuses that aren't Hot Rods are [[Rodimus (SG)|uncommon]], [[Rodimus (Energon)|but not]] [[Rodimus (WFC)|unheard of]]. |
| | **That said, while there's nothing explicitly linking ''Dark of the Moon'' Rodimus to ''The Last Knight'' Hot Rod, there's nothing explicitly ''separating'' them either. Hot Rod had been on Earth since at least the 1940s; maybe he changed his name to "Rodimus" for a spell in the early 2010s? |
| | *Concept art for "Hot Rod" appeared in the "Transformers 3" section of [[Massive Black Volume 2]], along with various other designs.<ref>http://www.ballisticpublishing.com/flipbook/mb_2/index.php</ref> |
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20060226180939/http://www.first4figures.com/newsarticles.asp?newsid=14]
| | <references/> |
| {{reflist}}
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| ==External links==
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| * [http://www.first4figures.com First4Figures homepage]
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| * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060411224626/http://www.tfw2005.com/gallery/Hosted-Galleries-SD-Transformers-Statue-Contest Gallery of the TFW2005.com contest entries] (archived)
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| Category:Companies | | Category:Cyberverse |
| | Category:Dark of the Moon Autobots |
| | Category:Hall of Fame characters |
| | Category:Primes |
| | Category:Wal-Mart exclusives |
