Gigastorm and BW Galvatron [Defender Version 07- Power of the Beast]

@robfromzonebase BW Galvatron [Transformers Blokees Defender Version 07-Power of the Beast] #zonebase #transformers #blokees #blokeestransformers #beastwars ♬ rondo - Uz:ME

Admittedly, I get pretty excited for just about every character Blokees includes in a Transformers Defender Version assortment. Of course, like the other Beast Wars characters they've released, I was ecstatic when these two were revealed. With Defender Version 07: Power of the Beast, Blokees dipped into the Japanese-exclusive Beast Wars series and included characters that have always been a really big deal to me. I was blown away to see both Galvatron and Gigastorm from Beast Wars II included. Frankly, it surprised me since there was already a version of G1 Galvatron in the assortment, and I never expected them to tackle something like Trypticon or Gigastorm in the Defender Version size class. This one still kind of blows my mind.

Galvatron serves as Lio Convoy's counterpart and the main villain of Beast Wars II. The Emperor of Destruction eventually becomes corrupted by Angolmois Energy and later falls under Unicron's influence during Beast Wars Neo. Depending on how you look at it, that technically makes his original toy the first Unicron action figure. For a long time, the original Beast Wars II Galvatron toy was considered one of the greatest Transformers toys ever made, and mine is still very special to me. I'm hoping to pick up the new version soon, but just like the other Beast Wars characters in this assortment, there's a lot of love attached to him. The kit itself does a great job capturing the character's look and even includes his signature Galva-Axe rather than a generic weapon.

In Beast Wars II, Galvatron has a younger brother named Megastorm, whose toy was a reuse of the original Generation 2 Megatron mold. Thanks to the effects of that pesky Angolmois Energy, he and several other Destrons were mutated into gnarly cyborg beast warriors. Megastorm became Gigastorm, who was created from a remold of the original Generation 1 Trypticon toy. At the time, both Megastorm and Gigastorm became affordable ways for fans to obtain molds they might have otherwise missed. Around the early 2000s, these toys seemed to sit on clearance at online retailers forever. Gigastorm was especially fun because he featured a large nose horn that somehow made an already giant dinosaur even more kaiju-like than Trypticon had been.

@robfromzonebase Gigastorm [Transformers Blokees Defender Version 07-Power of the Beast] #zonebase #transformers #blokees #blokeestransformers #blindbox ♬ 苦悩の聖人 (Saint of Suffering) - Akuma Dollz

Gigastorm is an especially impressive kit. While building him, I kept finding myself impressed by just how well Blokees adapted the design. Assembly follows a similar approach to other beast and dinosaur Defender Version kits, with a central frame surrounded by shell pieces that form the body. The limbs then plug into place around that structure. While this certainly isn't a Master Grade-style build or anything, I really enjoyed assembling the head. The horns fit through slots in the upper head section, which also houses the eyes. The lower jaw then attaches before the completed head connects to the neck and upper body. It's not especially complex, but it feels involved in a satisfying way.

I had actually built Dino Mode Sludge right before Gigastorm, whose head wasn't much simpler, yet somehow Gigastorm's assembly felt more substantial. The neck section is particularly fun, as it can be connected regardless of position but only looks correct when oriented properly. It's a small touch, but one I appreciated.

Another detail I absolutely loved was the inclusion of the tiny Gigascouter attached to his body, just like on the original toy. That's the sort of detail Blokees could have easily skipped, but they didn't. If you remove it, you'll even find a tiny molded Predacon/Destron symbol underneath. Again, they didn't have to do that, but they did. Those little extra touches are one of the reasons I enjoy these kits so much. Blokees could cut corners, but they usually don't.

Of course, seeing Gigastorm in this line immediately gets my imagination running wild. If they can do Gigastorm, then surely a Defender Version Trypticon can't be too far behind. I'd be completely on board with that. Honestly, I've always wanted a red Trypticon. Maybe they could even do a special version inspired by Starriors Cosmittor or Zoids Rex. I also hope Gigastorm's inclusion eventually leads to Megastorm, which in turn could pave the way for a proper Generation 2 Megatron.

That would be awesome.

Splatter in your House

I'll never forget that one morning as I was getting ready for school. I was in the 6th grade... and miserable. Middle school and high school were not happy times for me, and I dragged my feet each morning, watching cartoons before leaving for the day.

I was watching The New Adventures of He-Man when this AWESOME little spot for the TurboGrafx-16 version of Splatterhouse came on, farming all the aura possible. Splatterhouse was a game that felt like an urban legend. Either you'd seen it or you hadn't, and nobody believed you if you said you had.

ME? I'd played it at the Circle K by my grandmother's house and was blown away... and still am to this day. It's wild they allowed a game like this to happen at the time, and this particular version got some pretty crazy edits to play it safe. Still, I mentally default to this versions red horror mask whenever I think of the game.

It's the perfect way to spend an evening during the spooky season.

X-Ray Men from Space

Earlier today, while doing my daily five miles on the exercise bike, I found myself thinking about X-Ray Man from Fisher-Price Adventure People. More specifically, the astronaut version my brother had that came with the Firestar 1 and Alpha Star 1 sets.

Alongside Clawtron, X-Ray Man and X-Ray Woman were some of the line's resident space adventurers and featured some pretty far-out designs. Of course, they were clever repaints of existing Adventure People figures, but let's be honest: some of the coolest toys ever made have been repaints. Don't be a hater.

My older brother and I were big Adventure People fans back in the day, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that we had quite a few of them. I've mentioned Clawtron before as one of those figures that remained on his bookshelf well into adulthood, and I still fondly remember his Firestar 1 battling my Alpha Interceptor during countless imaginary space conflicts.

Sometimes I wish the astronaut version of X-Ray Man got a little more attention. He was a fun design, looked great alongside the other space-themed Adventure People figures, and honestly deserves a little more love than he gets.

The Long Ass Halloween

Somebody, somewhere decided having kids trick or treat with a character would be a fun thing to do. In theory they were right. In practice they get your drunk Uncle dressed as Batman. In this special community event where a handful of kids get to meet the caped crusader and receive "a pot of gold". You know, it's hard to poop all over something like this... but something about... somebody help those kids. Not Batman.

Originally Posted 8/25/2022