Long time lurker, first time poster, here we go. To understand the question, some background:

I didn't start collecting movie figures until AFTER the movie came out, and so, as a result, missed out on my chances of getting most of the good early ones. This is why the upcoming Premium Series excites me, seeing as I'll get a second shot at owning some of the more prominant characters (I don't do online shopping).

Anywho, an opportunity has possibly presented itself. A TRU near me today had a massive shipment of original (NON PREMIUM) Voyager Blackouts (like 2 rows worth), and I'm contemplating whether or not to get one. I'm aware of the figure's shortcomings, but I collect based on characters I like rather than construction aesthetics, if that makes any sense. I just want a figure of Blackout, on decent scale with my other movie figs, essentially.

Here's the thing, though. The Premium series is coming out soonish, and the reissue Blackout looks way better. His colors are less monotonous, more movie-acurate, and he has a PAINTED Scorpinok figure. So I wonder if I should wait for that version to come out, or snag the one I have a chance to grab now.

Here's the other kicker, though. I'm based in Canada. Let me explain:

Canada's gotten shafted in the past when it comes to TF's. Our triligual packaging used to mean shortened, edited tech specs, though now they just put them on paper inside the package. But more importantly, stuff sometimes doesn't get released here. We never saw Masterpiece Starscream, we saw very few Alternators, and while the NEW movie scout class figures are here, I don't remember ever seeing the early assortment (elita one, et al.). So I worry that the Premium series, a last-gasp line before the animated figs, may not even be released here. So, I guess my questions are:

A) Does anyone know if Canada will get the premium series? I have no idea myself, and

B) Do I get the normal Blackout, or wait for the premium one, bearing in mind that I have no clue if I will ever actually see it released here.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

I hear ya, but we did get the early assortment Scouts. I picked up Elita-1 at Wal-Mart a week or so ago. So they are there, you just have to look for them.

And the trilingual language deal with the tech specs folded up makes sense in principal, but I still have no idea why Spanish is on there.
This is Canada, we have two official languages, English and French. What's the deal with Spanish tech specs?
I can see how fitting two languages on the box would be difficult, hence the need for the tech specs inside the packaging, I just wish they would make those specs a little condensed/cramped by dropping the Spanish translation.

As for distribution, I wouldn't say it's we get short-shafted, we just get delayed. We got Leader Brawl a week or so after it was released down south, and they've only now started to release the beginnings of the AllSpark Powered line.

We didn't get Hasbro's MP Starscream (damn you Hasbro, the one MP I was planning on buying), but I can overlook that because it seemed to me that Hasbro was treating it like a speciality figure. From what I hear, it was hard to come by in the States.

So for the Premiums, well I'm in the same boat as you. I want to pick up Blackout and Megatron, and I'll look into importing Starscream from the States (Starscream, being a Target exclusive, is the only Premium guaranteed not to see the light of day up here).
So I guess it's a waiting game. I wouldn't go into panic mode if we don't get them at the same time the Yanks do, we're always behind on that sort of stuff. If a month or two passes and still no Premiums, then it's time to cry bloody murder.

D'ya think it's worth it though? Like I said, I have a shot at picking up the original version of Blackout, and it'll probably last a few days, seeing as there was a TON of him, and scalping isn't really a huge problem in this corner of the country, from what I've seen. Basically, does anyone think it worth playing the "waiting game" or just grabbing the original? Essentially, from people that own the non-premium figure, do you think there's enough of an improvement in the Premium version to warrant waiting for that one? One of them not being out yet makes it touchy, but I want to hear some opinions.

Also, now that I think about it, I don't think the Best Buy version of Voyager Megatron ever got here either. That annoyed me.

Well I have the original Blackout, and I can honestly say, he's not that great. I wouldn't waste money on the original release. The Premium version looks like a vast improvement.
Colour-scheme wise the Premium version of Blackout blows the original out of the water. It's the new Premium colour scheme that's convincing me to buy a second version of a mediocre mold. So I would say wait for the Premium mold, forget about the original release.
If we get Premiums up here, awesome. If not, then you haven't missed much by skipping Blackout.


True enough. Forgot about those. Didn't bother me though. The improvements to Ratchet didn't do much for me, and I prefer the Leader mold of Megatron over the Voyager version.

I'm guessing that the tri-lingual packaging is intended for Canada and Mexico.


With regards to Premium Blackout - I like the painted Skorpy, but I like the black robot bits on the original release better than the tannish ones on the new one.

News post at cybertron.ca says the premium deluxes are going to be a Zellers exclusive. Don't know if that'll apply to the voyagers too? They'll probably end up here, just a question of numbers probably.

I'd say grab an original when your tru is about to run out and keep it in box for a bit. Buy a premium later then refund it or crack it open if it word comes out we won't get them.

To be honest, I like the original Blackout release over the premium. The bone-colored pieces look out of place in the robot mode. Yes, painted Scorponok is an improvement, but meh...

Though personally I wouldn't get either. Single most disappointing movie figure for me. One of two Transformers I've ever sold.

I'm perfectly fine with first release Blackout.

Definitely not worth buying twice IMO.

The only premium figure I'm waiting to see is LC Megatron.

Still not perfect but a vast improvement IMO over what I've seen on shelves.

LC Megatron is pretty much the only in movie fig I'm still missing so looks like it'll be premium or nothing at this point.

The original Blackout is better IMHO. I think it's a character worth having but not twice.