Buying A Megatron

The Story about the Evolution of Megatron Toys: From Trigger Crotch to Tank Commander! Megatron has transformed a LOT over the years—sometimes into a gun, sometimes a tank, sometimes… a car? In this second part of my Megatron deep dive, I blast through the many incarnations of Megatron toys from G1 to Masterpiece, from grungy Siege tanks to stylish Alternity Nissans and Nerf blasters in disguise. I’ll share which ones earned a spot on my shelf, which ones got the "hard pass," and which Megs had me questioning my life choices (looking at you, MP-05). Whether you're a GEEWUN purist, a CHUG collector, or just want to hear me rant about trigger crotches and orange barrel tips, this one’s for you!

Making A Megatron

The Story of MEGATRON: The Transformers Miner turned Megalomaniac. Every great hero needs an equally epic villain—and when it comes to Transformers, they don’t get badder (or more misunderstood) than Megatron. In this deep dive, after a lot of dodging, I'll finally tackle the twisted, tragic, and kinda poetic rise of the Decepticon leader—from Cybertronian miner and reluctant gladiator to warlord with a vision (and a fusion cannon). Whether you're into G1 nostalgia, IDW lore, or just love a well-done villain arc, this is the Megatron origin story , straight from The Toyshelf. Just don’t expect a toy rundown…yet. 😏

Snow Your Joe!

The Snow Must Go On: A Chilly Look at GI Joe's Arctic Specialists ❄️ Ever wonder why GI Joe had so many snow troopers when half the world barely even sees frost? As a lifelong fan from the sunny, snowless Philippines, I’ve always had a frosty fascination with the coolest Joes on the team—guys like Snow Job, Iceberg, Frostbite, Blizzard, and Sub-Zero. In this episode, i'll slide into nostalgia and dig through the snowdrifts of toy history to uncover who these winter warriors were, what gear they packed, and how their stories played out across figures, comics, and cartoons. From Olympic biathletes and tundra rangers to machete-wielding ski instructors and snow ninjas (yes, really), these characters prove that cold just means an excuse to look extra badass. So grab your snowshoes and let’s chill with some real American (arctic) heroes!

Alternate Bounty Hunter

The story of the Transformers ultimate hunter, Lockdown! Lockdown isn’t just any shady and creepy character — he’s THE bounty hunter of the Transformers universe, a ruthless tracker with no allegiance except to the highest bidder. From his debut in Transformers Animated to his big-screen showdown in Age of Extinction, Lockdown has cemented himself as one of the most unique and feared characters in the franchise. Whether he’s stealing Ratchet’s EMP, training with Cyber Ninjas, or product placing for Lamborghini, he’s always a step ahead. But is he the ultimate bounty hunter in Transformers history? Let’s break down his legacy and find out!

Can You Smell What The Block Is Cooking?

The Story about ROADBLOCK — The GI Joe Legend with a Machine Gun and a Frying Pan What do Magic Johnson, a tooth fairy, and a giant machine gun have in common? They all somehow connect to Roadblock—the rhyming, righteously cool heavy machine gunner of GI Joe! In this episode of Stories from the Toyshelf, I take a hilariously honest (and slightly awkward) walk down memory lane as I recount how childhood fears and Filipino family quirks somehow made Roadblock one of my all-time favorite Joes. From his animated heroics in The Revenge of Cobra, to comic book patriotism and neon space suits, to that time The Rock tried to ninja-fy him (sigh), we cover it all! Whether you're a vintage toy collector, comic book fan, or just here for a nostalgic ride, this one's packed with rhymes, rifles, and ridiculous 80s action. So hit that like button, subscribe, and let’s fire up the grill—because Roadblock’s serving up some Joe history you won’t want to miss!

Hairy Scary Crazy Jarhead!

The Story about Gung Ho, the swamp-brawling, vest-rocking, chest tattooed Marine! 🐊💪🔫 From the Louisiana swamps to the frontlines of G.I. Joe, Gung Ho has brawled, battled, and bare-chested his way into Joe history! But what’s the deal with his powder blue uniform, mysterious hometown, and ever-changing tattoo? From his famous gumbo in the cartoons to his comic book beatdowns (including a couple of unfortunate run-ins with Storm Shadow’s sword!), we’re breaking down the legend of Ettienne R. LaFitte—aka the hairiest, scariest, and most grenade-launching Marine to ever rock a vest that may or may not be a repurposed tablecloth. Whether you grew up with the ‘83 original or the Mega Marine madness, there's a Gung Ho for every Joe fans! Yo Joe! 🇺🇸🔥

The Great Pretender

The Story of Bludgeon: The Decepticon Samurai Who Conquered Comics and beyond! So let's dive into the twisted, sword-swinging history of Bludgeon, the Decepticon Pretender who went from obscure toy to comic book legend. From his unforgettable samurai skeleton look to his brutal rise to Decepticon leadership under the pen of Simon Furman, Bludgeon’s journey is nothing short of epic! Plus, I’ll go over some of his coolest toys and ecplain why I think that he’s a standout among Decepticons. Grab your Energo-Swords and prepare to unleash the Metalikato madness!

Bat Out Of Hell

The Story about the often most overlooked minion of Soundwave, the Transformers Ratbat He's the most unexpected Decepticon boss you've probably never taken seriously — Ratbat! From his awkward debut as a "rat-looking bat" cassette to his wild ride as a cold and calculating leader and sinister mastermind in the Marvel comics, this little bat sure packed a punch. And that's not it! I'm also taking a look at the different Ratbat toys, including that masterpiece knockoff I ended up getting...shhhhhh. And of course, the animated keytar version—because why not? Join me as we spread our wings and soar through the twisted tale of Ratbat!

Less Is More

The Story about GI Joe covert operations specialist Lady Jaye. Why did Lady Jaye trade bullets for… javelins? And how did she become the Lady of G.I. Joe, standing toe-to-toe with Scarlett, Cover Girl, and even the Baroness? From her cartoon debut in The Revenge of Cobra to her surprising family ties with Destro (yes, that Destro), I'll dive into the full story of Lady Jaye — the covert operations specialist with a mix of military grit and pin-up girl charm. I'll also break down her iconic relationship with Flint, her risqué 80s card art, and every action figure release from the classic 1985 version to the modern Classified Series. Whether you’re a G.I. Joe collector, comic fan, or just here for some nostalgia-packed fun, let's go unzip everything there is to know about Lady Jaye

Ruling Through Wrecking!

The Story about the deadliest, toughest and oftentimes craziest Transformers best known for wrecking and ruling...the Wreckers! The Wreckers—Transformers' ultimate last-resort Autobot strike team—were born from forgotten toy molds and the UK comic pages, but they've since become legends in their own right! From the obscure Deluxe Autobots to the reckless Jumpstarters, the triple-changing warriors, and the unstoppable Springer, this video gets into the history, toys, and evolution of the Wreckers across Transformers media. Whether you're a comic fan, toy collector, or just love a team of hard-hitting bots with an attitude, it's time to gear up and shout Wreck ‘n Rule!

Hello! Ve Are The Vipers

The Story about the different Cobra troopers collectively known as...VIPERS. Cobra may be an evil terrorist organization, but let's be honest—their troopers are some of the coolest action figures ever made! From the classic blue-clad grunts of 1982 to the monstrous Bio-Vipers of the ‘90s, I'm covering every Viper to ever slither into the GI Joe universe. Who were the deadliest? The weirdest? The most bizarrely fashionable? And seriously—what was up with those Hydro-Vipers?!