SG-Sideswipe [Defender Version 01- Galaxy Shining]

When I first saw that the Transformers Shattered Glass version of Sideswipe would be represented as a Defender Version Blokees, I was sold on the spot. Admittedly I'm pretty much instantly sold on anything Blokees at this point, especially Defender Version Blokees, but this was a cool one for them to do. Long time readers may remember me talking about his colors and what makes it so cool.

So I won't go into super detail about that here as that's one of my longer posts and hey... feel free to check that out if you're interested. It's literally one of those times several things are referenced and branch off from. Kinda neat. Shattered Glass Sideswipe toys are usually made from Armada Wheeljack toys. Because they look A LOT like Sideswipe and that particular Wheeljack has a backstory that the name Sideswipe really fits.*sigh* Obviously this SG- Sideswipe is made from an upcoming standard Sideswipe Defender kit and gives me hopes that all the different recolors made from Sideswipe toys get represented.

Because they're cool.

Considering SG-Sideswipe is very similar to Armada Wheeljack's backstory, the more eagle eyes ones of you out there probably noticed the lack of chest would scratching out the Autobot symbol and new Decepticon symbol underneath it. That leads one to think this kit represents a pre-turn version of Sideswipe. Which is also pretty cool. I'm also appreciating the colors unmarred by the scar as not only is it a really nice color scheme, but I love G2 Drench's colors. If I had an extra one of these, I'd definitely make a project out of bringing a Defender version of him to life.

Of course these Defender kits assemble super fast and result in a very pose able mini figure. Sideswipe has the standard Defender laser, which kinda resembles classic Sideswipes laser gun. He also has the rocket launcher G1 Sideswipe has... and it really looks great. I've always been a fan of Diaclone shoulder rockets and they really translate to the Defender Version style very well. This is one of those times where a lot of things I like are combined into one thing I like. I really like that sort of thing.

Eat something Scary

Heinz Scarios were a spooky shaped pasta in sauce available throughout the 80's in Canada. For the record, I'm very jealous of those of you in Canada who were able to eat these. They look amazing. Admittedly I'd probably eat them all year, but it would be perfect on a cold October night spent inside watching Sleepy Hollow.

originally posted 9/21/22

South Claw [Gobots/Monster Gobots]

Usually when I talk about a Transformers Combiner, I make a point to talk about the concessions made for the combiner mode. With Gobots... that's not really the case. South Claw forms the left arm of Monsterous, but aside from the connector peg, you'd probably never know. South Claw is also known as Weird Wing in Machine Men and Death Claw/Number Three in Machine Robo. It's also worth noting that Monsterous is also known as Puzzler Fiends in Machine Men and Devil Satan 6 in Machine Robo. Also worth noting, I love the names in Gobots/Machine Men/Machine Robo. He's pretty much the same toy in each line, I think the only notable change is the wings are a lighter grey in Gobots.

South Claw is a Monster Gobot member of the Renegades who turns into a pretty gnarly flying kaiju monster. One fun thing about Monster Gobots is just how far out their designs are. South Claw is this weird cycloptic freak who looks like something Samus Aran would battle. Like most Gobots, he's reasonably articulated for a toy of his time... actually, maybe a little bit more. His forearms have a nice swivel and his wings can be posed in robot mode to give him an extra devilish look. Transformation is pretty easy as he mostly folds in half with parts re-arranged. I really like the purple/pink he's cast in.

I got this South Claw (it's a play on south paw) at ToyLanta 2024 from a hipster couple who regularly run a pretty decent booth. They sold him for a really low price because, as you can probably tell, he's got a chewed up foot/claw. Either someone's dog or feral cousin got a hold of it. Outside of that, the toy is in decent shape. A little paint wear and dings here and there. It's to be expected when paying a few bucks for an almost 40 year old toy. Maybe I'll find a junker to swap out parts with... or just have a South Claw with a fucked up foot. Sometimes these little dings give older toys extra charm. South Claw is a pretty good Gobot on his own and part of a pretty cool combiner team. His weird looks give him extra character and those colors make him look out of this world.

Ichabod's Bogus Journey

Sleepy Hollow has problems. For one, the damn Headless Horseman is constantly terrorizing the town. The other? That whole milk crate thing. Where the hell do they keep getting those anyway? There's a serious problem with a Headless Horseman and these damn fool kids all have broken hips! The local school teacher, Ichabod Crane, is into the paranormal. So he forms a team with Rip Van Winkle and some dog to go confront that damn headless fool. He's a shitty teacher, so the whole milk crate thing doesn't even get a speech in homeroom. Things don't go how you'd expect them to as they face all sorts of monsters in a spooky showdown with a wicked witch. For the record I didn't make any of that up, that's what happens, and yes this is one weird cartoon. Also people keep hurting themselves climbing milk crates. Happy fall y'all.

originally posted 8/27/21

Prowl [Defender Version 01- Galaxy Shining]

The neat thing about Defender Version Blokees is how they take a really well know looking bot and just make it look fresh thanks to their style. Prowl is one of the original 1984 cast whom originated as a Diaclone mold with other Autobots that share his base mold. It's like the Autobots version of the Seeker. As a Defender Version, what was already a good looking design is now level'd up thanks to the sizes signature look.

Somehow it's both adorable and beefy at the same time. I've always liked the Police deco on robot toys. The white and black tend to look great on the boxy bodies. Prowl, I guess, is the first Police Type Transformer. His characterization tends to fluctuate as time passes. He's normally a by the book type, but how big of an asshole he is depends on the writer. As usual, I usually focus on the original cartoon. The, he's just one of the Autobots and usually fighting the Decepticons alongside the gang. The standard generic Defender Version laser makes a good double for his Acid Pellet Gun, though he doesn't have the traditional shoulder missiles. I really like how the car door wings and his head with chevron looks as a Defender Version. The visual style makes them pop. These are pleasant little models kits that result in a well articulated mini figure. Prowl makes a good showing here, if only he had his Turbo Cycle.

That's Mr. Donuts, like my father

I love donuts. When I've had a hard night at work, stopping by my local Frazier's for a Mountain Dew Zero and a donut is just the thing. Big chain, local joint, or even a grocery store bakery. I don't care where it's from. I love 'em. Of course special occasions are extra fun and most donut places do something awesome for the spooky season. It warms my heart remembering those old visits to Dunkin Donuts and getting a dozen of their annual Halloween donuts. I often find myself wishing that I had access to cool things from Japan. Like these awesome Halloween donuts from Mr. Donuts. Just look at that damn jack o' lantern one. I'd be just right with a warm cup of pumpkin spice.

No Danger, I'm lying

It's Monday again Zone Base readers. Time for another week of robots, monsters, and misadventure! Thank you all for coming back and supporting the site. I hope everyone had a great weekend, I sure did! Saturday the Mrs and I watched the latest The Conjuring movie despite planning to wait for streaming (we couldn't wait). It was good, not perfect, but definitely better than the last one. They're clearly setting the series up for the upcoming TV show. We also decorated the yard and front porch for Halloween. Well, mostly. I plan to redo the power cords for the lights and maybe put up some spider webs next weekend. I have no clue how it takes all day, but it does. 

We bought a new decoration this weekend that a lead to an ill-fated order pick-up at Home Depot Sunday morning. The Mrs ordered it Saturday night with intentions of me picking it up before breakfast. Well, there I was in the pick-up area for 30 minutes before barging in the store. Ugh, oh well, we now have a 6ft demon skeleton hanging in front of our garage! Thing is pretty heavy too. Friday, I picked up the new Silent Hill F game for the Mrs. She loves the series, I played it some Sunday myself. It's a solid new entry in the series. Once again stores didn't have much in the way of new toys (dammit), so I ordered Transformers Cyberworld Off-road Bumblebee and Elita-1.

The Mrs and I have been working on our annual Halloween gifts to each other and I got a great order placed for hers. We exchange them a little before the holiday, so times a ticking! I think this year I've been building her a pretty good haul. Hopefully the rest of it fills out well. I know October is just starting this week, but it feels like the season is already over! It's went too fast this year for my liking, but it's been a good one so far. Sunday evening the Mrs made chili for dinner and Mom came over as usual. We watched half of Over the Garden Wall and Mom loved it. We'll finish it next week and I look forward to Spooktacular Sundays on MeTV Toons starting. I've greatly enjoyed the channel since launch and their holiday programming is so fun!

Well, I guess it's time to get this Monday started. I'm currently watching Beast Wars and drinking coffee... that reminds me. I need to track down more of those BW Funko Pops. Well, I've got some toy picks to take and chores to do before getting todays exercise in. We've got a whole month of the Halloween party on the site left, it's time to crank up the pumpkin spice! Thank you all for reading Zone Base. Traffic has really been up the past few months and it's so flattering that so many of you are coming to see what I've got to say. Please don't forget to share with your friends and MAXIMIZE... wait... that's on TV. Mutual High Fives everyone!

FirePower Robo [BeastBox/1/4 Squad]

Following up on SacredPower Robo is FirePower Robo from 52Toys. FirePower Robo is another homage to old school super robots as a BeastBox and a really cool one at that. Instead of Chinese Mythology, this time we've got a group of vehicles rolling into the battle! Just like last time, I also acquired the special edition of this set and got the fancy slip cover and keshi set of pilot figures! FirePower Robo units are also able to combine with SacredPower Robo members for unique team ups. While I've loved both sets and this idea... I'm definitely a bigger fan of FirePower Robo. This was much to my own surprise as going in, I thought it would be the reverse. The vehicles make for less kibble and a more solid combined mode. Not to mention, he just looks cool.

Each vehicle can form it's own little box that can be combined with the others to make a standard sized box mode. Like before, I couldn't figure out how to get the weapon inside the Box Charger... so I'm really hoping someone points out just how to do that. Let's talk about the individual units. Peacemaker Railgun is a heavily armed bullet train that forms the mecha's legs. It's fairly articulated and can snake around. The cannons that form the combined modes gun are from this train. There's also some additional cannon along it's body that can be raised or lowered. Peacemaker Gunship is a boat that splits in half to form the arms. It has some cool turbines and cockpits that can be folded out of the way when converting (something I forgot to do in the pic). Peacemaker Tank is a really neat blue H-tank that forms the body. I'm really fond of it's shape and color. It's a really neat little toy. Finally, we have Peacemaker Fighter. A jet that forms the head and shoulders. Peacemaker Fighter looks great in it's black and silver color scheme.

FirePower Robo comes together very easily and hold sturdily. It's fairly articulated, though some part maneuvering will be needed for some poses. Even though Bismark/Ramrod wasn't a combiner, I can't help but to draw similarities due to the hat. I really like this one, it's got a Machine Robo look going on... and you all know I can't resist that! The bonus keshi drivers are really neat too. Each one is individually sculpted in a cool military themed armor. They look great in the blue color that they were cast in. I swear this is the cast from some PC-98 game. FirePower Robo is another excellent BeastBox release and I'm loving the 1/4 Squad series. The old school robot toy box, the keshi drivers, the entire package is great. I really hope more of these follow.