It's been awhile since I've talked about a vintage toy here on the site, and since I recently acquired this Flamefeather, now seems like a good time to do so. Long time readers know of my fondness for Firecons... and more sarcastic ones will note my many soft spots. Look, you follow something for your entire life and there's many layers and levels. In the case of Firecons, it all stems back to a rainy weekend in 1988.
My Grandfather was coming to stay with us as there was a tornado warning and he lived in a trailer. A trip to the grocery store and neighboring K-Mart prior to his arrival netted me one Sparkstalker that was the center of my attention that entire weekend. Ever since then, I've always liked the little shits. That and they turn into monsters. I, uh, like those. To be fair, I've always favored the post movie Decepticons of G1 due to the colors and far out alt modes. Many of which are monsters, and I like those.
When talking about Flamefeather himself, he's a simple little guy. The Firecon's alt modes are their more dominant forms while their robot modes aren't often seen. They weren't in the US cartoon, but did appear in Masterforce. Similarly, they had small appearances in various comics. Amusingly enough, in the Fleetway G2 book, they attacked a theater showing Jurassic Park. In robot mode, Flamefeather (like the others) is a squat little brick. Aside from his legs, there's no articulation. In monster mode, however, his little arms can also move.
Folding them and the legs up allows for him to be rolled along the floor (or table, go nuts). Doing so causes sparks to emit from his mouth. You can let him roll along for a second, just shooting those sparks and hopefully not catching anything on fire. You've probably noticed this Flamefeather has some paint scuffs and oddly darker blue on certain parts. Well, this is a 37 year old toy I bought for $12. It's going to look a little worse for wear. The darker blue is probably from some sun damage and his gimmick caused the paint scuffs. I can imagine Flamefeather was rolled right into a wall or two. Flamefeather, like the other Firecons, is a simple toy with a fun gimmick. The monster is charming and the gimmick is fun. It's hard not to like Firecons.
I've made my fondness for the Showa MechaGodzilla known several times on the site. It's hard not to love those classic old school sci fi looks combined with the characters savagery. Today I want to specifically take a look and appreciate this ReAction figure of him I got recently in a blind box. I've been a fan of Super7 and their ReAction figures since they were introduced. That old Kenner Star Wars figure design is a form factor I'll always love. When applied to the Godzilla characters, they come out as really well done kaiju figures that are fun to collect.
I know certain folks take issue with ReAction. They either don't like the price (understandable), somehow magically take issue with anything popular (cringe), or it might just not be their thing (fair enough). I buy a good deal of designer toys, so something like a $20 blind box doesn't phase me. Sure, I'd love a lower price, but there's an old saying. If you want to play, you've got to pay. I just try to make good decisions so the occasional splurge doesn't hurt too much. Not to mention, not many designer toys are available at places like Target or Walmart. So the selection Super7 has at local retail is appreciated. The selection of designer gatcha at more boutique stores will can make that $15 I paid for this box feel a lot more reasonable. Super7 has a lot more expensive items out there to be sure.
Hopefully my tangent didn't come off pretentious or assholish, but maybe I should talk about the figure now. If this was a Facebook post, I would have followed that with a 'lol'. This is the same MechaGodzilla mold Super7 has used a few times already in various ReAction series. It's a great sculpt, so I don't mind. Each edition has it's differences to make them all cool and unique. For this pretty great Godzilla Monster Island blind box series they've made him look pretty good. I know I say this often, but I always mean it. This feels like a more premium figure than it is. The paint applications look great. My wife has called MechaGodzilla 'tin foil guy' in the past, and in a lot of those cases it's a fair description.
I may love them, but the silver on some of the toys does lack a little in visual pop. Not here, Mecha G looks sharp in a very chrome color with nicely done dark greys. The blood red details and yellow eyes contrast very well against it. The sculpt is very detailed giving these fantastic colors a nice base to show off. A lot of kaiju toys don't feature a ton of articulation (some do, I know) and these ReAction ones are pretty similar to the Bandai sofubi ones I generally buy. Mecha G's head turns, arms move at the shoulders, and legs swivel at the thigh. It's just enough for a toy this size. This is a fantastic little figure and I plan to pick up a few more from this series when I see them. Nice things are nice.
I can relate to Scavenger a little. I've had my share of self esteem issues over time and know what a bummer they can be. When I was a kid, I wanted to fit in with others to usually no avail. Leading me to either make a fool of myself or just not say anything to anyone. Where do I belong? Who knows, but Scavenger is that guy too. Of course the Decepticons are jerks, so no matter what, they think he's a loser. Wow, just like the other kids at school!
However, Scavenger has a useful skill that they actually need. Scavenger turns into an excavator and his shovel can detect useful materials. Man, if only he had some sense of self worth and knew his value. But just like society, they keep putting him down. It's all about being controlled by jerks who just want you to do something for them. Don't worry Scavenger, one day you'll stand tall. I believe in you. Know what Scavenger? You've got one impressive Blokees. Those bright Constructicon greens and purples look great and your looks go super well with that signature Blokees style. Your way cool shovel isn't just one piece hanging off your back, it actually features a few points of articulation. That's a nice little extra they didn't have to do.
You've got your trusty Laser Pistol for fighting others battles and of course the standard Blokees set of hands, symbols, and display stand. See Scavenger, you're just like everyone else... except that special shovel. Megatron needs someone to hold him in gun mode, think about that. Scavenger, I also really like how your face came out. Blokees heads assemble uniquely by combining the helmet parts around the eyes and face components. Thanks to this and that Blokees style, your head came out a little extra distinct looking to me. Scavenger, one day I hope that you see that you're something special. Because like your Blokees shows, you are!
It's Monday yet again Zone Base readers, and boy... I'm not ready to start another work week. How was your weekend? Mine was pretty good and restful. I did a small amount of shopping and did some toy organizing. I've got a big unorganized mess to clean that's shapping up a little each weekend. I also spent some time playing Doom 1 + 2 on my Switch. I've been playing these games all my life and never get tired of them. This edition has a bunch of expansion packs included, so it never gets old. As for toys, Walmart still didn't have anything new. I did order the Mandelorian Transformers crossover toy and an Optimus Primal Blokees kit that should be here later today. I'm actually in a doctors office writing this as today is the first of the trio of medical procedures I have to drive my mother to and from over the next few weeks. My re-reading of the Transformers manga is benefiting from the waiting room time. That being said, I'm going to get back to my book. I've got a fun week of posts coming for your eyeholes. Thank you all for reading Zone Base, I really appreciate it. Please don't forget to share with your friends and Mutual High Fives everyone!
Say what you will about Energon, but the series had some really cool designs. I have vivid memories of Hasbro unveiling it at OTFCC 2003 to thunderous applause. I still like it to this day and feel like a look at the Transformers Legacy United Core Class Galvatron is in order! Galvatron, is not merely a repaint of the Core Class Energon Megatron, it's a repaint of him in (mostly) show accurate colors!
That's important as the original toy had it's differences while the Takara version was much closer (but not exact). Finally, 20 years later, we've got a (mostly) show accurate color toy. While I've covered much of the details about this toy in the Megatron post... I felt the urge to talk about something else as everything is the same here from that toy aside from the colors. The tank/sword weapon. What a weird combination, right? Of course the tank is meant to represent his former Armada body, the sword is an oddity. Instead of being a normal hand held weapon, it plugs into the tank. That's always been a bit strange. In the original toy, the sword would light up and a 'clang' noise would emit from the tank if pressed against something. That's a neat gimmick, sure, but most folks would rather a traditional sword for Megatron/Galvatron to hold. I can't say I'd be opposed to one either, but just took the whole thing in stride.
At the time, lot's of fans were finding work around for the toy so that it could hold the damn sword traditionally. From gluing handles, to using bread ties (I'm not kidding), to tethering it to his hand... folks were really focused on making it a hand held sword. I recall a garage kit version of the sword making the rounds. There was a Wonderfest Exclusive set to convert a Microman female body into Misha to match with Kicker. Maybe it came with it? The specifics of that are a little fuzzy but I remember a friend creating a harness with wire crystal clear. It was a strange, but fun time.
I don't know who was saying he had to go, because it wasn't me. Today we'll be looking at Godzilla in Monster Egg Series form! Out of the 4 in this 2024 reissue set (the Gigan from 2014 isn't available at this time) Godzilla is the star. Not just because he's the main character of the films... but he's also the best of the batch! Thanks to the transformation he's got quit a bit of articulation compared to the others. The head and tail are jointed, twice in the tail! Arms and legs can move... there's even twists in the ankles!
Bandai is the best at this sort of thing and they proved it with Godzilla. Unlike most egg toys, he retains his traditional proportions. Transformation is easy and everything folds up neatly into place. Egg form is truly monstrous (as it should be) and this is one truly well done toy. Go Go Godzilla!
Whenever Transformers is brought up, Soundwave is one of the trademark characters to be mentioned immediately in the conversation. It's to no surprise either, he's just that cool. You've got a guy who turns into a cassette player that ejects cassettes that turn into little robots. That's as rad as it gets, then add in his signature reverb voice and he's just as iconic as it gets. It doesn't hurt that his face is the symbol of the Decepticons. This Blokees version is pretty great. It's the standard Soundwave we're all used to and that's all it takes to be outstanding.
He just looks extra by being, of course he is extra compared to your normal Blokees figure. The trademark tape door chest is present and it opens! Being a non-transforming model kit, you'd assume it's just be a sticker... but nope! There's even a little cassette to insert! The tape doesn't transform, but that's still a great little touch. He has both his rifle and shoulder cannon. Man, I swear everything about Soundwave is a trademark. I've always thought these guns formed from the tape players batteries were awesome. Of course, there's the standard open and closed hands as well as display stand with symbols you'd expect from a Blokees. Speaking of, that specific Blokees style you'd expect really lends itself to the specific look of Soundwave.
Monday has risen from it's icy grave and with it the entire universe is in danger. We must join forces and defeat it's evil! Thanks for coming back for another week of robots, monsters, and misadventure Zone Base readers! I hope you had a great weekend, mine sure was! Friday was Valentines Day, and even though I had flowers and candy for the Mrs then, we had a little dinner date Saturday to enjoy the occasion. Afterwards, there was some shopping where I picked up the new Funko Pop Soundwave and Megazord figures. I've been looking forward to these as their from a new subline in Pops that I find neat. They're a little larger and come with itty-bitty Pops to serve as pilots. Soundwave came with Rumble and The Megazord with the Red Ranger! They even come in boxes that resembled vintage packaging. You guys know I love a good pilot figure!
Walmart had a really good sale on their app in the week that I totally missed out on! Between monthly bills and Valentines Day, I wanted to wait until purchasing any toys. I had plenty items in my cart to wait untill then weekend and well, whoops. I'll be buying the figure in time, but I totally missed out on that sale. Dammit, but other stuff took priority and real life comes first! Speaking of real life, the next episode of Transform Squadron will be a little delayed. My mother has a few medical procedures that will be taking up some extra time over the next few weeks as I've got to drive here around. Sometimes I can get busy really fast.
Also speaking of real life, Saturday night after we got home, there was some pretty big storms here in my home state. Early Sunday morning around 4am it got super nasty and a few small tornadoes caused some havoc. Our entire county and a neighboring one were without power for a while. Some still don't have any. Fortunately ours came back on around 11am. It wasn't the longest I've been without electricity, but still not great. Hopefully those without will get restored soon. It's pretty cold and I'd hate for them to be without heat. I did spend Sunday morning listening to a radio while playing my Evercade EXP-R untill the batteries died (only had a half charge). I then read some G1 manga untill the power came back on. I've been meaning to re-read it, so that gave me a good chance to jump back in. I watch a few episodes of G1 every day on the TF channel, so it's always great to go a little deeper.
Speaking of the Transformers Channel, I've been noticing some weirdness. The channel is on a few different apps and usually has the same schedule across them all. Lately the Pluto TV version has a different schedule. Weird. Also, Cartoon Rewind has only started showing a few episodes of Gobots a week instead of the full series at a time like they do their other shows. Thankfully I have a lot of DVR recordings to get my fix whenever, but that's really annoying me. Also annoying, the Godzilla channel was shut down and the beginning of the year and now Tokushoutsu has been removed from Pluto TV. What the hell is going on? Fortunately Tokushoutsu still has a great presence on YouTube. Between that, the Godzilla channel, and the Godzilla: Monsters and Friends channel leaving Amazon Prime... I feel attacked! Thankfully most of the content is on demand (and DVDs). I just really like channels, you know?
Well, this has turned out to be a longer weekly update than I planned, but hey... I don't know how to follow that. I've got to get some more toy pictures taken for upcoming posts and household chores to do before work tonight. I hope you all have a great week. Thank you for reading Zone Base. Your support means the world to me. Please don't forget to share with your friends and Mutual High Fives everyone!
I've been a big fan of the Walmart Exclusive Transformers Legacy series as they're just so cool. Somehow, I've hardly covered them here on the site until the Star Raider Collection, which I've managed to completely showcase. That was a weird way to reflect on the series while also acknowledging that today's space pirate is the last of the series. Like Lockdown, Canonball was a Christmas gift from the Mrs. who spoils me every year.
Cannonball has pretty much always been a pirate character, though his crew tends to change depending on fictional setting. As a toy, he's always been a repaint. The original was a repaint of the Deluxe Cybertron Red Alert figure. This new one is the latest use of the Legacy Skids mold. That mold itself has seen more miles than a long haul tractor trailer with multiple repaints and remolds. Cannonball specifically is a repaint/remold of Crankcase. I have Crankcase, but don't think I've covered him here. Despite the reuse of prior molds, Crankcase and Cannonball almost feel like completely different engineering. There's only been two Cannonball figures, but ironically he's been a Walmart exclusive twice. The original was reissued in an exclusive set, while this new figure is from the Star Raiders collection.
Cannonball is very similar to his original design, but now turning into a crossover style SUV while the original was a Dodge Magnum. Which was a station wagon that was pretty popular at the time. Cannonball has a new head that looks almost just like the original as well as the original's laser hand. There's a claw and hammer accessory that can fit on the laser hand and store in his legs. He's holding the hammer in my pic as I wanted to show it off, but apparently in not the very best way. One nice touch is the Cyber Key. It doesn't unlock anything... but is a nice nod to the past. The key is sporting a Star Seeker insignia, and that's really cool.
Another nice touch is the skeleton graphics on the original toy's car doors are replaced with a Vok one. The Vok resemble a flaming skull, so it's a really nice Easter Egg. Like all the other instances of this mold, like Burn Out, transformation is easy and articulation is plentiful. It's really neat how much this toy looks like the original. The Star Seeker Collection was fun to collect as was the exclusive sets prior. I'm sad to see it over, but as Cannonball was originally a Cybertron toy, I feel like him ending this series makes a nice segway to this years Walmart set. An all Cybertron themed collection to celebrate the series 20th anniversary. So look forward to more Cyber Key action later this year!
There's something magical about classic MechaGodzilla. Sure, more modern takes are extra awesome looking and super badass... but there's no denying the classic sci fi charm and style of his era. You can laugh at his rainbow colored beams all you want... but he did draw blood. Those fights with Godzilla were specifically gory and it was this version that did the damage. While we're talking about his far out looks and hardcore fighting... let's look at his egg monsters toy. Like any Bandai transforming egg, he's well done.
Minimal articulation, but that's common for this type of toy. He looks pretty great in both modes. Robot mode looks pretty spot on, maybe a little extra round, but that's another side effect of this type of toy. You expect it. Egg form looks like some sort of crazy bomb G-Force devised to stop these monsters and run off the evil space aliens. Or since this MechaGodzilla is from space and working for those evil space aliens... maybe it's something they made for us! I haven't mention yet that this series is a reissue set and they were originally released in 2014. It's super cool Bandai did this and had it at Target. The Mrs saw them and knew they'd make perfect stocking stuffers because of that. So many people are complaining about the price of eggs these days, but these ones are priceless to me.
I've always liked Red Alert. It's hard not to after Auto Berserk, an episode where his paranoia gets kicked into overdrive leading him off the deep end. Toy wise, it's the deco that wins me over. I've always liked a police car deco, and the fire chief variation is even better. That white and red just pop in a specific way that looks great. Normally, G1 Red Alert is a repaint of Sideswipe and that's the case in Blokees as well.
This time they've given him a different helmet to be show accurate and frankly as Red Alert, it feels like a more premium version of the toy. It just looks great! Aside from the helmet and colors, everything else is the same as Sideswipe, including the double set of hands and display base with symbols. Red Alert may think everyone's out to get him, but with a toy like this, can you blame them?
I could do for another few days off, but the weekend is over and Monday is here. I had a pretty great weekend even though not much was done. Unfortunately, the Mrs caught my cold as I was getting better and spent the weekend not feeling so great. I recover extremely fast from being sick, but unfortunately it took a toll on her. I spent most of the weekend taking care of her and playing my Evercade EXP-R. I did get out to the store for some needed items, unfortunately Walmart still hasn't restocked from Christmas. The first quarter is always a bit barren for toy stock, but piles of unsold toys makes it hard to not feel a little down. Transformers One was a great movie and those are good toys! I'm glad it's found success on streaming, but wish the unsold stock from it (and Earthspark) would move sooner than later. Cyberworld doesn't look like it will show up until later in the year, so thankfully what's going on now won't hold it up.
I did order Transformers Legacy United Armada Universe Wheeljack from Amazon. So, I didn't come out of the weekend empty handed. It and the Optimus I ordered last week will come in soon. I've enjoyed Legacy, but the coming Age of the Primes toys look like a fun Generations line and a suitable replacement for Legacy. If anything, I'll be be happy for the easier name. When I wasn't playing video games this weekend, I kept up with convention news. Hasbro had a booth at Megacon and showed off some exciting new Transformers coming this year.
I was more excited for the news that came from Wonderfest this weekend. The winter 2025 show did not disappoint with cool reveals. My beloved 52toys shown off so much cool stuff... it was jaw dropping. BeastBox is going to be great this year. Not to mention Mad Cars looks like a lot of fun. There's always room for Inchmen on Zone Base! Of course all the cool garage kits were fun to look at. As always there was fun Godzilla, SplatterHouse, and Microman stuff available that really grabbed my attention. That's not selling the other things short either, just man, I was blown away! Well, it's time to get the day started. I've got some household chores to be done and pictures for upcoming posts to take. I'm really excited for the things 2025 looks to be bringing. Thank you all for reading Zone Base. I know it's just a small podunk site, but this is a labor of love and fun to share my hobbies with all of you. There's no ads, no affiliate links, or any sort money talk around here. All I ask is that you share the site with your friends! That and I hope everyone has a great week! Mutal High Fives!
It's time to look at another Armorizer, a favorite group of Transformers around here on Planet Zone. Armorizers are a fun combination of RockLords, Mutores, and The Rock People of Daira. Georcron's head sculpt in particular is based on one of those Daira residents in particular as was Calcitron. Armorizers have been a fun throw back to a time when transforming toys were certainly more imaginative. Also... I really like Rock Lords, so they've been a fun thing for me on a personal level.
Geocron might be the last Armorizer sadly (I haven't seen any more listed), so it's fitting that he uses the same mold as Bouldercrash, whom was one of the first. I really liked Bouldercrash, so the use is a welcome one. Unlike the other Armorizers, it's not specified what type of rock Georcron is composed of. It's pretty obvious by his colors and name that Geocron is a geode. That works pretty well as I'm taking that as a Jewel Lord reference, even if it's unintentional. It's also not clear if this is a male or female, so I've been referring to it as a him generically. Georcron is a mixture of browns with a metallic purple color showing through at parts. It's surprisingly nice looking as that purple really contrasts sharply against the brown.
Transformation to rock bike is easy, and his weapon mode can be formed from vehicle mode or during transformation as it's not much more than an extension of vehicle mode. I didn't take a picture of it here, but there's one in Bouldercrash's post. Speaking of weapon, Geocron has the same as Bouldercrash... a sort of rock sword thing. It's hard to describe without sounding silly, but it looks neat. I like to think it shoots an energy beam. Geocron looks great and by all counts is a pretty solid toy. If he is the last Armorizer, he's a good one to go out on. I've been really fond of the Armorizers and hate to see them go. It's nice to see that Infernac, a setting from Inhumanoids, get revisited and offer a new Transformers life form while at it. Ever since Rokkon and Stonedar I've been hooked on transforming rock toys and a new set was and still is exhilarating for me as a fan. Geocron, and all the Armorizers is awesome. It's a rock fact.
I love kaiju and transforming egg toys and by God, Bandai makes the best of both worlds. Hailing from the Monster Egg Series Godzilla toys the Mrs. gave me at Christmas is this super rad. Mothra usually appears in either larva or adult form, so this toy features both! That was a super neat surprise when I opened up Mothra's package. The larva actually combines with the moth's underside and the egg shells form around the two creating a neat egg. The same egg shells are Mothra's wings and the entire thing is super cool and creative. Admittedly, I'm not a great photographer, so Bandai's site offers some better looks at the toy. I mean damn, I have her sitting on the lid from a Yankee Candle. A lesser company would have just made a moth that transformed into an egg, but Bandai is just the best. Just the best. I like the toy, btw.
Mothra, o Mothra Through thy magical life energy Accept the prayers of thy humble servants Arise and Show us your magic power
Everyone's favorite little yellow buddy is back in Blokee form as we look at Bumblebee today! Pleasantly, he's a little more extra than you'd assume going in. For starters, as a Blokeee, he comes with the standard 2 sets of hands... but Bumblebee has an additional thumbs up hand for positive encouragement. He has his pistol, which you'd expect... but there's also a blast effect that attaches to the barrel. He's got an Energon Cube, which I love, and a communicator that can plug into his forearm that displays Spike. I guess they're talking about stuff.
Of course he's got the standard display stand with symbols, but you won't be plugging the standard feet into it. Nope. Bumblebee has some custom boots! The front of his Volkswagen car mode forms those traditional BB feet and that's replicated here making for one fairly show accurate kit! The cute style of a Blokee really works with Bumblebee's design making for a great little figure when fully assembled. For such a little guy, he's a big deal. So much so that even his Blokee is extra!
Hello there Zone Base readers! A new week is upon us and... I've got a cold. Somehow the crazy weather here in the south has given me a case of the sniffles. Not fun, but I've got a fun week in store for you! But before we get to that, let me tell you about this weekend I had. Saturday the Mrs and I stopped by a local toy store that recently relocated to a much better location and I plan to visit more often. They were fully stocked with all sorts of cool toys. There was Transformers, Gobots, kaiju, MOTU, vintage video games... you name it, they had it! I picked up a G1 Flamefeather and a Leader-1 figural pencil sharpener and will definitely will be back more often. I also picked up a Super7 Godzilla Monster Island blind box and a Transformers Hot Wheel while at Walmart! Mechagodzilla was in the blind box and the Hot Wheel was Age of Extinction Crosshairs (I've always liked him).
Unfortunately, Walmart's Transformers selection was still fully stocked with leftovers from last year, so nothing new there. Store stock is always a little barren at the beginning of the year, but extra movie stuff doesn't help. I ordered the Legacy United G1 Optimus Prime and plan to order a few bots a week. Last year around this time, I almost completely switched to online orders... looks like it's headed that way again. I feel asleep Saturday night watching the Transformers Channel like a boss.
I may have feel asleep like a boss, but I woke up like a chump. A sniffly nose and a head cold, bleah. While I got a bit done Sunday, I had planned to organize my toy room some, but wasn't feeling up to it. Instead, I played Pac-Man World Re-Pac. The e-shop had it on sale for $7.50 and that was an easy buy! I loved the Pac-Man World games back in the day and had been meaning to play this new edition for some time now. It definitely was a good way to ride out a cold. Well, I'm still not feeling great, so another day of Coricidin and rest awaits me. Like I said around the beginning of the post, I've got a fun week in store for you. Thank you all for reading and please don't forget to share with your friends!
