Legends (Transformers)

Legends is a Transformers toy line introduced in 2005.

Legends of Cybertron

The Legends line began as the "Legends of Cybertron", a sub-line of the line. It is made up of smaller, less detailed versions of the larger toys and were released in waves of 4 figures at a time.

The Legends of Cybertron toy line follows the Heroes of Cybertron and is similar in price range, but has a few changes - Legends toys transform and are articulated, whereas Heroes toys are solid statues. Legends toys are based on Transformers: Cybertron characters, whereas Heroes toys are based on Generation One Transformers.

Although referred to as "Legends of Cybertron" by Hasbro, the packaging itself simply says Transformers: Cybertron on it and the toys are described as "Micro" class.

Series 1:
*Hot Shot
*Megatron
*Optimus Prime
*Starscream - Based on the form of Supreme Starscream

Series 2:
*Evac
*Jetfire
*Leobreaker
*Scourge

Series 3:
*Galvatron - Redeco of Megatron.
*Red Alert - Cybertron Defense version.
*Soundwave
*Vector Prime

Series 4:
*Hot Shot - Red recolor, seemingly a Legends Excellion toy.
*Optimus Prime - Dark recolor, in the style of Leader Class Galaxy Force Optimus Prime.
*Sunstorm - Redeco of Starscream.
*Thundercracker - the only new mold in this wave.

Classic Legends

The Legends line continued as "Classic Legends" for the line. This line was made up entirely up of redecoed Legends of Cybertron toys.

Series 5:
*Fireflight (cargo jet) - redeco of "LoC" Jetfire. Originally intended to be Powerglide, but Hasbro couldn't obtain a trademark on that name.
*Leo Prime (lion) - "repaint of LoC Leo Breaker", a redeco to "Beast Wars II" Lio Convoy.
*Perceptor (satellite rocket carrier) - redeco of "LoC" Cybertron Defense Red Alert.
*Trypticon (three-headed dragon) - redeco of "LoC" Scourge.

Series 6:
*Bumblebee (sports car) - redeco of "LoC" Hot Shot.
*Jetfire (jet fighter) - redeco of "LoC" Thundercracker.
*Menasor (flatbed truck) - redeco of "LoC" Optimus Prime. Originally intended to be Motormaster, but Hasbro couldn't obtain a trademark on that name.
*Whirl (helicopter) - redeco of "LoC" Evac.

Movie Legends

The Legends line went on as "Movie Legends" for the Transformers movie toys line. Now made up of new molds.

Series 7: [http://www.eyrie.org/~dvandom/BW/Movie/Legend1]
*Jazz - Modified Pontiac Solstice.
*Barricade - Saleen Mustang S281 police car.
*Bumblebee - 1977 Chevrolet Camaro.
*Ratchet - Emergency Hummer H2 search and rescue vehicle.

Series 8:
*Megatron - Decepticon 1/142 scale Cybertronian interstellar jet.
*Optimus Prime - Peterbilt 379 semi truck.
*Starscream - Decepticon F-22 Raptor jet.
*Blackout - MH-53 m Pave-Low IV helicopter.

Unreleased:
*Cliffjumper - A red redeco of Movie Legends Bumblebee.
*Bonecrusher - A new mold.
*Recon Barricade - A redeco of Movie Legends Barricade.
*Rescue Ratchet - A redeco of Movie Legends Autobot Ratchet in white and red.
*Decepticon Brawl - A new mold.
*Ironhide - A prototype was seen based on the movie Ironhide toy at Botcon 2007.

Promotional toys

A number of Legends class figures have been made as promotional items.

*Skywarp - A redeco of Cybertron Starscream done in the color of Generation 1 Skywarp. A promotional item at SDCC 2006.
*Ramjet - A redeco of Cybertron Starscream done in the colors of "Universe" Ramjet. A promotional item at Botcon 2006.
*Scanning Bumblebee - A Hyper Hobby exclusive clear yellow redeco of movie Bumblebee.

Bootlegs

Being a simple toy the Legends lines are subject to a great deal of copying by smaller toy companies, particularly coming out of China. Simple recolors made of cheap plastic of Legends Leobreaker and Scourge have been seen at dollar stores like Dollar General in 2007. Some Legends toys have even been modified into combiners or enlarged to represent their larger sized cousins on shelves.

References