Bruticus [Defender Version]

I felt pretty accomplished after completing and combining the Defender Version Devastator last year, so you can imagine how proud I am after forming the Defender Version Bruticus recently. Blokees Transformers Defender Version kits just might be my favorite Blokees product out right now… hell, maybe my favorite Transformers thing at the moment. I get so damned excited when a new series is released and have so much fun assembling them. Cherry picking random completed figures from the waves to come up with posts is super fun too… they really are a blast to blog.

Like Devastator, Bruticus is the culmination of individual releases spread across multiple Defender Version series. The Combaticons were available in vehicle mode: Brawl from 04-Tyrants Fury, Swindle and Onslaught from 05-Traitor to Tyranny, and Blast Off and Vortex from 06-Brutal Fang. The kit required to form Bruticus was initially available through scanning QR codes before being made available for sale. Sundays have become my model days—Blokees are pretty easy to assemble, so some days I’ll put a few together in the living room while watching TV with the Mrs. Just my folding laptop stand next to me, a little tray for parts, and my model tool kit nearby. Inside the parts kit for Bruticus are the rest of the pieces needed to combine the team, along with a pretty detailed instruction manual. Like Devastator, keep a ziplock bag handy—there will be unused parts from the individual Combaticons.

Each individual Combaticon needs to be converted to limb mode before assembly. The instructions are detailed, but it’s easy to miss a step. Blast Off has a part toward the rear that needs to be removed, and Onslaught’s grill has to come off. Some of this can be tricky. I’ve raved about Blokees’ slightly soft plastic, but disassembling can be a pain. Onslaught’s grill kept bending, so I took a tiny flathead screwdriver and worked it off slowly. Be careful—looks easy to snap in half if you rush. Baby fingers gang, use your baby fingers. I even broke a thumbnail during this step… not the first time, but it’s always jarring. Sounds brutal, but that's Bruticus.

Bruticus’s knees impressed me. The kit comes with upper thighs that connect to the waist, with Swindle and Brawl forming the calves. A small joint piece inserts into the thigh, with an additional knee piece that fits over it. This hides the joint nicely and makes a sort of kneecap when bent. It took a few tries to get right, but I love it. The upper torso is equally impressive: there’s a chest piece and a larger version of Onslaught’s twin laser cannons for the back. I honestly assumed the Onslaught pieces would be used, but they’re tiny compared to this kit. Onslaught’s rear panels disconnect and attach sideways to his front, the chest and back panels peg in, and suddenly you have a very solid upper body. Wow.

Once everything is connected, Bruticus looks fantastic. Like Devastator, it’s hard to believe this started as cute little Defender Version kits. He’s around Voyager Class height, towering over other Defender Version bots, and is surprisingly sturdy. He comes with two closed fists, a laser rifle, and an open left hand that can hold Starscream—or anyone you want dramatically posed thanks to little pegs. That’s a really nice touch. The articulation is great, allowing for dramatic poses or careful gun aiming.

After Devastator and Bruticus, I’m really excited to see what Blokees has in store next. Predaking or Piranacon would be amazing. I’ve even seen speculation about Volcanicus, thanks to the Beast Mode Dinobots in Defender Version cases, and I’d love that. Watching Bruticus come together from five small vehicles made me appreciate the thought behind these combiners all over again. This was an awesome experience.