Star Eagle [Transformers/Deluxe Class]

@robfromzonebase Star Eagle (Transformers/Deluxe Class) A Walmart Exclusive Transformers toy as part of the USA 250th Anniversary... yeah, seriously. Admittedly I'm really rusty at making these and trying to improve. Bare with me and please check out www.zonebase.org #zonebase #transformers #maximals #independenceday #deluxeclass ♬ PLAY BACK TV size (Theme Song of "KAMEN RIDER ZEZTZ") - YUTA

I love a good holiday-themed toy. A Transformers figure themed after the 4th of July? That's not the holiday I expected to see celebrated in Transformers toy form, but here we are with one commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

Even more out of left field is the fact that it's a Beast Wars toy.

Thematically, it's perfect. An eagle is an obvious choice. However, being that this is strictly branded as Transformers and not under any specific sub-line, I'm surprised it isn't some patriotic version of Optimus Prime. I'm certainly not complaining, as you all know how much I love Beast Wars, and it's a brand-new character to boot!

Not to mention, while it's very hard to completely enjoy summer here in the American South (it's so VERY hot), I do enjoy it to a point. A nice swim in the pool, fireflies in the evening, walking around in flip-flops and shorts while enjoying ice cream, watching fireworks...

Hey... 

Speaking of ice cream and fireworks, you know what another fun summer tradition is?

Bomb Pop flavored things.

The red, white, and blue combination of cherry, lime, and blue raspberry is everywhere this time of year. Some are so popular they're available year-round, but they're especially abundant during summertime thanks to all the patriotic holidays. That's honestly what Star Eagle reminds me of more than anything else.

Yes, I know those are the colors of the American flag.

I know they're symbolic.

But all I see is a Bomb Pop robot and I'm all in for anything Bomb Pop.

Especially Bomb Pop Faygo. It is exquisite.

Speaking of Bomb Pops, I've got a pack of Bomb Pop scented Dude Wipes. They're called Poopsicle and smell amazing.

Star Eagle is a straight repaint of Kingdom Airazor, whom I've talked about here before. I've also covered Kingdom Skywarp and Legacy Filch, who are remolds and repaints of this same mold. It's probably safe to say by now that I enjoy this mold quite a bit. Feel free to visit those posts (I linked them!) for more conversation about things like the transformation and articulation.

For the 4th of July, however, I feel it's better to spend my time pointing out the more trivial aspects of the toy.

Not to mention, this is the sole post during a holiday week.

Hence talking about Bomb Pops so much.

It's seasonal.

How many times have I said Bomb Pop?

Bomb Pop.

So Star Eagle is a red, white, and blue version of the Legacy Airazor mold that looks pretty fantastic. I'm not completely sure of Star Eagle's intended gender and the toy doesn't seem to have much characterization at the moment. Personally, I like to imagine Star Eagle as a soldier utilized by the U.S. government as part of a partnership with the Transformers, or perhaps someone created using Cybertronian technology.

Sort of a Cybertronian Captain America.

That's the sort of backstory I could see Takara Tomy giving them in one of their awesome Transformers web manga stories.

Speaking of Beast Wars and Takara Tomy, the bulk of Star Eagle is blue. That immediately reminded me of Blue Bolts and Bound Rogue.

Blue Bolts is the current incarnation of Car Robots God Magnus/Robots in Disguise Ultra Magnus's ENORMOUS blue gun in the End of G1 Universe storyline from that same web manga I mentioned. In that story, Blue Bolts has been given a more traditional Transformers body and, in the storyline accompanying Dark Amber Leo Prime, Blue Bolts uses a blue variation of the Airazor/Skywarp design.

Bound Rogue is another Beast Wars repaint from the Robot Masters line that had a blue beast mode and a red face that's very similar to Star Eagle's red helmet crest.

It's a pretty nice look.

For whatever reason, up until my Star Eagle showed up, I thought its name was Star Bird, which would have been super fitting. It also gave me hope that Hasbro had the name Star Bird available in case they wanted to bring that toy line back, and part of me was honestly giddy about that idea.

Star Eagle is exclusive to Walmart alongside other patriotic-themed Hasbro toys. The box looks very similar to a modern Generations package, though without any specific line branding. Just Transformers with some fun stars decorating the packaging.

I'm not sure if it'll be sold outside the United States or not.

Funnily enough, Star Eagle is supposed to transform into an eagle.

Hence the name.

However...

Since it's a straight repaint of Airazor...

It's actually a falcon painted like an eagle.

A blue eagle.

To be fair, at first glance it absolutely looks like a blue eagle and works perfectly fine. But the closer you look, the more obvious it becomes that it's still a falcon underneath. It's been pointed out that Hasbro could have used the Skywarp version of the mold since it actually turns into an eagle.

Though I admit, Airazor's robot head with these colors really does give off Captain America vibes, so I assume that's why they went with it.

The falcon pretending to be an eagle isn't a huge issue.

But it is pretty funny.

The toy is normally sold alongside the other patriotic items in Walmart's seasonal section, but I ended up ordering mine because my local store only had the hilarious Furby and Nerf blasters. Of course the section was also packed with fireworks, festive decorations, and those obnoxious Budweiser American flag cowboy hats they sell every year despite me never actually seeing anyone wear one.

Just like with Cyberworld Optimus Primal, which I also ordered, I kind of wish I'd opted for drone delivery so my new neighbors could have heard my toys arriving.

Hi.

I'm new to the neighborhood.

And I bought something stupid.

This is also the first post in a small change to my posting style. I'm experimenting with short-form videos instead of using static pictures. I actually enjoy making videos and fell out of the habit years ago. I'm pretty rusty and relearning things as I go, so please bear with me while I knock the rust off.

This is also the first post in this year's return of Beast Summer.

While writing Summer of Swapticons last month, I noticed just how many Beast Wars characters appeared in that line and realized something:

Summer of Swapticons was inspired by Beast Summer from 2023.

So...

What if Beast Summer returned?

Also, I just really like beast warriors.

And it's the 30th anniversary of Beast Wars.

Between Beast Summer, Spooky Summer, and all the other seasonal nonsense I get into around here, I think it's pretty obvious that I enjoy making summer special on Zone Base.

I hope you all enjoy it too because I have a lot of fun doing these kinds of things.

Of course, being a holiday week, things are a little abbreviated around the site, but I'll be back to my normal posting schedule next week.

Thank you all for reading Zone Base.

Please share the site with your friends and be excellent to each other.

Welcome to Earth

It's time for another holiday week here on Planet Zone!

After spending the past few weeks moving, I've got plenty of organizing and unpacking left to do over the next few days. Though I'm also hoping to squeeze in some time with the new Star Fox game and maybe take a dip in the pool with the Mrs.

Being a holiday week, we've got an abbreviated posting schedule around the site, with things returning to normal next week. Sometimes it's nice to slow down just a little and enjoy summer while it's here.

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday, stays cool in the summer heat, and gets to spend some time doing something fun.

Thank you all for reading Zone Base. I truly appreciate your support and ask that you please share the site with your friends.

And as always...

Be excellent to each other.

Monday Rises

Holy Start of the week Zone Base readers! It's Monday again and time for more robots, monsters, and misadventure! I hope you all had a great weekend, I sure did! I actually had a long weekend as Friday was the 4th of July and led to a 3 day weekend and a much needed break. I've enjoyed the 4th of July since childhood as it's always meant a cook out and shooting fireworks. Summer may be miserably hot here in the American South, but there's still fun to be had. We had a family cook out at my Mother's house. It was good to spend some time with my brother and shoot fireworks with him after some great food. On the way back home that evening, my entire neighborhood was in the streets shooting fireworks as well. It's fun anarchy that I love taking place in.

Saturday the Mrs and I did some weekly shopping which included a trip to the jewelry store to get her jewelry inspected as needed every 6 months for their lifetime warranty. While there, the Mrs did some shopping and I suprised her with a new piece from the jewelry store. It was our wedding anniversary week and I wanted to get her something special. I didn't find any new toys while out Saturday, but an early trip to Target Friday morning did result in some great deals! I got Studio Series B-127 finally, but on clearance for $12! Ironically that's what he would have cost in 2012! I also finally picked up the Grizzlor and Hordak 2 pack on clearance for $14! This is a cool MOTU Origins set based on concept art that looks quite different than the characters we're used to. I thankfully also found Megatronus from Age of the Primes. Unfortunately he was full priced... which is a little higher at Target now. 

Target also had a newer blind box Godzilla series featuring well sculpted mini figures of Godzilla and company in capsules that resembles buildings. It's a Bandai product, so you know it's quality! The chase figure is a glow in the dark Godzilla, so that gives me an excuse to buy more! I had gotten a Showa MechaGodzilla in mine and he needs someone to battle! While Walmart didn't have much of anything (other than leftover TF One stock), I'm anticipating Cyberworld to show up soon. It starting to appear in stores and the show debuts July 12th. I'm very excited for this series and can't wait to cover them here. It's a combination of Transformers legend/ legion class (in a bigger size) with the play patterns found in Microman and Action Masters. Super fun! 

The rest of the weekend was spent at home enjoying some rest and relaxation. The Mrs and I opened some Blokees that came in during the week, played Mario Kart World, and enjoyed a spaghetti dinner Sunday night. Mom came as usual and our rewatch of Stranger Things is going well. We're 3/4ths into season 2 and Mom is hooked! She literally can't wait to see it each week, while I'm happily enjoying one of my favorite shows. It'll be good to see the new season... and a little sad as it's the finale. Oh well, reportedly an animated series in the vein of The Real Ghostbusters is in production. I hope it's good.

That leads us to spooky season talk. Halloween is around the corner and Code Orange is not only in effect, but has developed into a new form this year. In  addition to Code Orange, many of us have used the term Summerween to describe the early Halloween shopping that takes place in summer. Well, apparently companies have taken that to heart and have made Summerween an offical mini celebration! All sorts of summer themed spooky fun is available with jack o' lanterns carved from fruit, ghosts wearing sunglasses, festive summer colored skulls, and more! It's super fun and another chapter to the spooky season that's became part of summer in addition to fall. Here at Zone Base, I take credit for that partially as our official Halloween Party starts in August, which is the hottest month of summer. While this corresponds with Obon, Hungry Ghost festival, and the spooky summer activities throughout the word- I also can't wait for my favorite time of the year!

Thankfully with Code Orange and now Summerween, it's the perfect time for Zone Base's annual Pumpkin Spiced Mayhem to run wild. We've got one hell of a Halloween in store this year. I've got a bunch of cool Halloween posts to place in between regular content (which also will be extra spooky) for the entire 3 months of Zone Base Halloween. I hope you all enjoy it as I love doing it! Well, that's still a little off, but we've got an awesome July in store! Thank you all for reading Zone Base. I've got a fun week in mind for you all. Please don't forget to share with your friends and Mutual High Fives everyone!

On Holiday

You're used to seeing a new week post at this time... well... it's a holiday weekend. I'm taking some very much needed time off to recharge my batteries. Instead this week will start tomorrow and today is something of an anomaly. Sorry for the break in schedule, I just really needed some rest. Thanks everyone for reading Zone Base! It means so much to me to see you all enjoying my nonsense. Regular posting will resume tomorrow.

Happy 4th Of Summerween

It's the beginning of July and now that we're fully into summer, it's only natural to talk about a holiday four months away. But hey, what's logic got to do with Summerween? It's a holiday weekend. July 4th is celebrated here in the states usually with fireworks, pool parties, and grilling. It's a good time. 

Ever see Silver Bullet? Marty fends off the werewolf with a bottle rocket on 4th of July and later the final battle is on Halloween night.

Something about these extra few nights off makes for great horror watching. A plate of leftovers from the cook out and kick back with something spooky. It's not just my nonsense, the Halloween spirit is in the air now. More and more pumpkin spice mayhem will soon appear. It's a good time.  

I Did Stuff This Weekend

This weekend was a holiday weekend. Well, the holiday was on Saturday. So I had Friday off in observance. It was nice to get some rest after such a hectic and busy month. Between cooking out Saturday on our back patio and enjoying stretching out on our new living room set, we also got some stuff done around the house. We made a visit to At Home and Joann's to see what Halloween stock they had. Joann's just had some cloth (which some was purchased), but At Home had really added much more since last weekend. My Instagram has pics if you're so inclined to check them out.

Saturday night I began work on my new toy room, which mainly meant repairing my old shelves and doing some organizing. Next weekend I'll start working which toys will go on said shelves and rearranging the mass of storage totes I have in our garage. There's a few thousand Transformers in those totes and it's a considerable effort to try and keep some semblance of organization. That's not including kaiju, keshi, mini figures and other toys. So I've got a bit of work ahead of me.

I did get together my little micro console set up. I plan to spend a good bit of time parked in front of that set up, so considerable effort was made to get it just right. I'll probably readjust it a billion times, but I've got a start. Various pictures were hung with help of the wife for second opinions on placement. I'm trying to keep it reasonably nice looking in there and not just a pile of toys and video games. So taking some extra time and getting second opinions are definitely appreciated.

Over the course of the weekend I got a few toys. I picked up Destroyah from Playmates Godzilla and Kong line. A Treasure X Alien Egg from Five Below, and a Scout Class Cyberverse Ratchet while waiting for my order at a Rose's near Little Caesars. I eyed a Netflix Sideswipe and Megatron at Walmart and I most assuredly need to pick those guys up soon. I just like Sideswipe, always have, always will. So a new toy of him is something I'll eventually pick up. I like Siege Megatron, but really it's the Battlemasters that's pulling the trigger there. I kinda want the new Seeker for the same reasons, but Megatron's included are just much more interesting.

Bios- Captain America

Sometimes world-class threats require world-class power. That's when Captain America steps into his specially-built mech suit. Fast, made of same indestructible Vibranium alloy as his shield, and attuned to his perfect reflexes, only a Super Soldier like Captain America could control the awesome power of this battle suit. Plus, the vehicle mode is rugged and stealthy, giving him the drop on evildoers!

Summer Holiday

I'm enjoying my holiday weekend, summer is a spooky season.

Sgt. Slaughter is a Real American Hero

It's the 4th of July! I can't wait for the cook out and shooting fireworks!