Airachnid and Energon Surge Off Road Bumblebee [Cyberworld/Armored Cyber Changers and Cyber Changers]

@robfromzonebase Airachnid [Transformers Cyberworld/Armored Cyber Changers] There's lots of spiders in Transformers and this one has a little Convertors evergy (that's a good thing). #zonebase #cyberchangers #hasbro #cyberchangers #cyberworld ♬ Children of the Night - NECRONOMIDOL

It felt so good to finally get my hands on an Airachnid Armored Cyber Changer after chasing one for what felt like forever. She was the last of the "Season 1" Transformers Cyberworld toys I needed on my quest to complete the line and blog the entire thing here on Zone Base.

Airachnid (no, she's not Black Arachnia) makes sporadic appearances toward the end of the first season in a role that isn't entirely villainous for a Decepticon. One of the things I really enjoy about Cyberworld is that the line in the sand isn't always clearly drawn. Considering the episodes only run about five to ten minutes, they could have easily just been nonstop action scenes. Instead, they're surprisingly competent little cartoons.

This version of Airachnid is also quite a bit different from her previous incarnations. In Transformers Prime she was an extremely villainous schemer, while in Transformers One she served as Sentinel Prime's sneering right-hand enforcer and leader of the Death Trackers. There's an ongoing rumor that this version was originally intended to be Crasher from GoBots. Whether that's true or not, who knows? It's a fun coincidence considering how often I compare Cyber Changers to Machine Robo toys anyway. Here, Airachnid is more of a scientist and actually helps the Autobots probe Optimus Prime's memories in an effort to better understand the Cyberworld and why they've all ended up there... which naturally leads to more drama.

As a toy, Airachnid shares her engineering with Chop Shop, although nearly all of the sculpting appears to be unique. Being an Armored Cyber Changer, she also comes with the oversized MechTech-style weapon/armor thing that Chop Shop included.

Interestingly, Airachnid already has an upcoming Energon Surge version that features an entirely different weapon/armor thing. Combined with the fact that its product number is actually lower than the standard release we're looking at today, it's led to speculation that this version may have been rushed into the original assortment while the intended accessories were still being finalized. Since Airachnid was the only new figure in her wave before later being repacked, the theory isn't impossible.

If nothing else, it's fun to speculate.

As her name suggests, Airachnid transforms into a spider, and that beast mode influences nearly every aspect of her robot design. It makes for a wonderfully creepy-looking robot, making her a perfect Spooky Beast Summer entry.

Despite the inherent simplicity of Cyber Changers, she has a ton of personality. Like every other Cyber Changer, she shares the standard size and articulation, but thanks to her spider mode she has a completely different silhouette. The spider legs remain attached to her arms and even swivel slightly, adding just a little extra articulation.

One particularly fun accessory is the pair of front spider legs with an integrated chain gun. They can either attach at her navel or be held awkwardly as a handheld weapon. Transformation is exactly what you'd expect from the line—quick, easy, and largely handled through the auto-morphing gimmick.

Spider mode is fantastic. The colors work really well, and I especially like those front legs with the chain gun.

Of course, Cyber Changers constantly make me think about older toy lines. Airachnid immediately reminds me of an early Beast Wars Basic figure, while her shared engineering with Chop Shop still brings Creepy from GoBots to mind. Honestly, I'd love to see this mold repainted into the old Happy Meal Transmetal Black Arachnia. The sculpt is surprisingly close, especially with the spider legs hanging from her arms.

Then my brain starts wandering.

The spider mode makes me think of Armored Insect Corps Beetras. The colors remind me of Convertors. I also keep comparing her to Phobia from Zoids Wild. If I hadn't just moved and packed Phobia away, I'd have loved to photograph the two of them together.

Phobia would've been a great name for this toy.

@robfromzonebase Bumblebee (Off-Road) [Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge/Cyber Changers] My quest to blog all the Cyberworld continues with the slightly Microman vibed Energon Surge series. #zonebase #transformers #cyberworld #hasbro #cyberchangers ♬ CORNDOG! - RinRin

Of course, as the title says, we're also talking about Energon Surge Off Road Bumblebee.

This is my first Energon Surge figure, and I absolutely love him.

It's pretty obvious this is simply the Off Road Bumblebee Cyber Changer I reviewed previously with a slightly different color layout, so I'll link to that review for anyone wanting a more detailed look. Since I'm trying to blog the entire Cyberworld line, though, I still wanted to cover the differences here. Because.

Thankfully, these toys are inexpensive, so buying another version of a figure I already own doesn't bother me. It comes with the territory. 

The biggest and most obvious difference is that translucent blue torso, which immediately makes me compare Cyberworld to Microman and Micronauts even more than I already do. There's also a bit of glow-in-the-dark paint on his shoulders.

When an Energon Surge figure is connected to the Power Spark Bumblebee, the electronics light up. That light charges the glow-in-the-dark paint, causing it to glow afterward. It's a really fun little play feature.

Obviously, it's a gimmick designed for kids.

What's funny is just how many adult Transformers fans have embraced Cyberworld anyway, despite there already being countless collector-focused lines aimed directly at us.

I think that just goes to show what the right combination of affordability and fun can accomplish.

Nemesis Prime [Defender Version 07- Power of the Beast]

@robfromzonebase Nemesis Prime [Transformers Blokees Defender Version 07- Power of the Beast] #zonebase #transformers #blokees #beastwars #blokeestransformers ♬ Mind Over Matter - E.G. DAILY

I was pleasantly surprised to see that one of the special versions available in Blokees Transformers Defender Version 07: Power of the Beast was Universe Nemesis Prime, the 2004 Target-exclusive repaint of Big Convoy. I was expecting things like metallic paint or some extra fancy weaponry (which another special version of Big Convoy in this series actually has), but instead they went with one of the more obscure versions of Nemesis Prime. That's a pretty deep cut, and I love seeing Blokees do things like that.

Nemesis Prime originated in the original Transformers Universe toy line, which featured previously released molds repainted into new versions of existing characters or, in some cases, entirely new characters. Initially, Universe served as a companion line to Armada before continuing alongside later Transformers series. Store exclusives, convention exclusives, and even an ongoing comic published through the Official Transformers Collectors' Convention/Club all fell under the Universe banner. This was back during the 3H split era of BotCon.

The storyline centered around Unicron's return. He began pulling Transformers from countless alternate universes and forcing them to battle inside his body. As each Transformer fell, Unicron consumed their Spark and grew even more powerful. The Maximals from a post-Beast Machines Cybertron joined forces with the Autobots against Predacons and Decepticons loyal to Unicron... although the battle lines weren't always so clearly drawn.

Of course, there have been several different characters named Nemesis Prime over the years. This particular version originated from the corpse of one universe's Optimus Prime, who had been killed by Mega Zarak. Unicron cloned the fallen Optimus and transformed him into his own dark version of Prime, complete with the Dead Matrix, an artifact capable of killing Primus.

In the early TFCC comics, which took place on a version of Cybertron during the events of Transformers Cybertron/Galaxy Force, Nemesis Prime and Ramjet, another of Unicron's Heralds, arrived on Cybertron while it was largely abandoned. Most of the Transformers were searching for the Cyber Planet Keys and the Omega Lock in order to awaken Primus and stop the Unicron Singularity, which was busy tearing reality apart.

Because catastrophic events are just another Tuesday when you're a Transformer.

Nemesis Prime and Ramjet planned to use the Dead Matrix to kill Primus while he slept and had virtually no one left to defend him. Naturally, they were defeated, the Dead Matrix was taken away, and Nemesis Prime was imprisoned.

You'd think that would be the end of his story, but nope. This version of Nemesis Prime continued popping up during later inter-dimensional adventures. Alternity even redeemed him and turned him into one of the good guys! It just goes to show there's really no such thing as a burned bridge in a fictional universe.

Just like the original toy, this Blokees kit is a repaint of Big Convoy. While the original figure reused the Beast Wars Neo toy mold, this special Defender Version is a repaint of the Big Convoy model kit found in the blind boxes. I'd still love to get the regular Big Convoy from Series 07, but this was a pretty awesome surprise to open.

I still remember getting my original Nemesis Prime 22 years ago. I'd already owned the original Big Convoy, specifically the Korean Sonokong release, where the character was renamed "Mammolike." Getting the evil repaint afterward was incredibly exciting. One of the things that made Universe so much fun was that Hasbro would occasionally take molds American collectors had never had access to and suddenly release them as store exclusives. There were even plans to reuse molds from Brave, although those unfortunately never happened.

Years ago I remember saying online that it'd be really cool if some of those classic Universe color schemes found their way onto modern updates of those characters. It's neat to see that actually happen, especially in a format that I've clearly become a huge fan of.

Big Convoy's design works incredibly well as a Blokees Defender Version. You'd think the smaller proportions would make him look cute, but somehow he's just as badass as ever. Nemesis Prime isn't simply a black repaint either. His color layout is surprisingly sharp. The cream-colored plastic used on various parts of the robot really pops against the darker colors.

Yes... cream.

That was one of the charms of the old Universe repaints. Instead of using obvious colors like gold, they'd use champagne or other unusual shades that gave each figure its own unique personality. Some of those decos were genuinely creative.

Building Nemesis Prime felt like a premium experience, much like Magmatron did. There are so many unique parts that help separate him from the standard release. The mammoth tusks are separate pieces that attach to the beast kibble on his back, giving the whole design an even more dramatic silhouette.

The paint applications are another highlight. The red tips of the tusks and the red chest clearly draw inspiration from Robots in Disguise (2001) Scourge's windows and sword, while the teal detailing on the legs mirrors Scourge's own teal highlights. The resemblance is so obvious that, in the TFCC comic, Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime actually takes note of it. Apparently the similarity wasn't lost on the fictional characters either.

Assembly is exactly what you'd expect from a Blokees kit. Everything goes together smoothly, and there aren't any tricky spots worth warning you about. Honestly, with a design this ornate, I expected at least one frustrating step... but nope. It's another straightforward, enjoyable build.

Since this is simply a repaint of the regular Big Convoy, he comes with the standard Big Cannon. The other special version includes metallic paint along with the upgraded Matrix Buster version of the weapon. I'd honestly love to own both of the other Big Convoy variants someday—one to display alongside Magmatron, and especially that spectacular Special Armor Type version.

Having a small model of Universe Nemesis Prime wasn't something I ever expected Blokees to make, but I'm certainly glad they did. Once again, they've shown they're willing to dig deep into Transformers history instead of sticking to only the obvious choices. That's one of the reasons I've become such a fan of this line.

And honestly... he's just pretty damned impressive looking.

Blackarachnia and Predacon Tarantulas [Swapticons]

The Summer of Swapticons continues with another taste of Halloween because, if anything, I've got tunnel vision. Code Orange is a summer tradition longtime readers know I really get behind, so some creepy spiders are just the thing to remind us that fall is coming during these blistering hot days. However, if you're not the Summerween type... there's tons of bugs in the summer too.

One thing (among many things) I love about Swapticons is their embracing of Beast Wars. Sure, the beast warriors have been getting a bigger spotlight in recent years, but it's super nice to see a line intended for smaller children highlight them. This set is especially fun as it's the two spider bots from Beast Wars that were a big problem most of the time: Tarantulas and Blackarachnia.

Starting with Tarantulas, who was arguably as much of a threat as Megatron. The Predacons' mad scientist always had some clever invention or scheme causing the Maximals problems. Not to mention, his own treacherous ways caused Megatron plenty of trouble as well. He wasn't just this way by chance either. Tarantulas was actually an agent of the Tripredacus Council and was secretly working on their behalf. Due to the Tripredacus Council's intentions, he found himself opposing the Vok and their plans, which ultimately led to his downfall at their hands. However, as 3H-era BotCon fiction went, Tarantulas' dead body, possessed by the Vok, returned to cause trouble.

Talk about irony.

There's a lot about Blackarachnia that I'm not going to tell you. You already know. She's a schemer and treacherous. She's out for herself and not afraid to admit it. So much so that Starscream saw her worth taking under his wing... only for her to betray him! She out-Starscreamed Starscream.

However... underneath it all, she's actually good, and her relationship with Silverbolt slowly sways her to the Maximals' side of the Beast Wars. She was actually a Maximal to begin with, and it was due to the Predacons, specifically Tarantulas, that her protoform was altered, creating the problem she became. Of course, she and Tarantulas had a toxic partnership of their own that could be a textbook example of terrible behavior.

We could go on forever about Blackarachnia, but thanks to creepers on the internet... she's pretty well known.

It's fitting that the two are Swapticons teammates due to their personal history and, well... both being spiders. Kind of a no-brainer, I suppose.

Combined, the two make a pretty decent-looking spider... or you can go crazy with other Swapticons and have a spider cat or spider car. The gimmick pretty much makes the fun obvious, but I just wanted to point out that I accidentally misspelled "and" as "nads" while writing this and found that absolutely hilarious.

The individual robot modes are, of course, very blocky with goofy faces, but thanks to the spider legs serving as robot mode arms and those chunky proportions, I'm reminded of Buddy L Bug Bots and Sacred Beast Legend Bioroid toys. See? I can compare Swapticons to something other than BotBots and the newest batch of Changeables.

Which they also remind me of.

Starscream and Decepticon Slipstream [Swapticons]

Seekers. Everyone loves them, especially Starscream. So of course they're perfect for the Summer of Swapticons! Usually Seekers are repaints of Starscream. However, this time these two are repaints of Ramjet and Sandstorm, who were included in the Desert Dunes 5-pack that I haven't been able to track down yet. Starscream, of course, is one of the main characters in Transformers and there's not much that can be said about him that hasn't already been said. Slipstream is a Seeker that originated in Transformers Animated and has stuck around since as a popular member of the Seekers with a really cool color scheme.

Of course, I can't help but associate her with a background generic Seeker from the original cartoon. Often generic Seekers, Insecticon clones, and Reflector bots were used as cannon fodder Decepticons. Purple Seekers were often seen, even appearing in a very cool OTFCC Exclusive Heroes of Cybertron Seeker figurine set.

One of those purple Seekers was drawn skinnier than the others, almost feminine, leading several older fans to think that one was female. The "Lady in Purple" appeared in various fan works for a while and I like to think she was one of the initial beginnings of Slipstream, influencing future creators during her creation. 

Since this is my first time with this mold set (I do hope to get that 5-pack, it's driving me crazy), it's a new experience for me and a pretty pleasant one at that.

The blocky and silly proportions Swapticons have often remind me of SD-style robot toys, but also of character sprites from older video games. Thinking about it, Swapticons would make for a fun game mechanic. Combining two individuals into one and creating unique abilities. I'm sure it's been done before, but it'd be fun.

Surprisingly, Starscream forms the rear of the jet with Slipstream becoming the front. I'd think the main Seeker would be the front end, but he is an ass... so it works.

The jet is an elongated thing that doesn't look bad, but once again feels like something out of an older game. I could see it being used on a map screen where you'd choose which area to play next.

Thanks to the silly faces, Swapticons once again feel like a spiritual successor to BotBots, and the chonky designs really make me want to look into the designers and see what else they've worked on. I'm swearing the same designer worked on Changeables and I'm not going to stop saying that anytime soon.

The colors really pop on these little sculpts, arguably giving them more character than the goofy faces. The purple on Slipstream looks legitimately nice.

They've got a small bit of arm articulation, which Swapticons generally have. It's not a lot, but it does make for a nicer toy.

Overall, this is a great little Swapticons set. Good colors, fun designs, and a surprisingly neat jet mode. Plus, any toy that lets Starscream literally be the ass-end of something gets bonus points from me.

Shadow Panther and Ravage [Swapticons]

Continuing our journey through the Summer of Swapticons is a duo of black cats. Obviously, whenever you get a Cheetor and Tigatron, Shadow Panther and Ravage are coming. Well, Cheetor and Tigatron were in the first series of Swapticons, so we've got Ravage and Shadow Panther here in Series 2.

For a change, Tigatron and Ravage aren't repaints of Cheetor. Instead, Tigatron was a new mold and Ravage is a repaint of Tigatron. Both turn into a butt.

Funnily enough, in the past, the infamous Ravage X-9 toy was a heavy remold and repaint of the Transmetal Cheetor figure and was later repainted into Tigatron for a BotCon 2001 exclusive figure. That's a toy I have and a BotCon I've attended.

It was a good time, and due to the layout of the hotel, the dealer room was split into a larger and smaller set of rooms. It's 2026, 25 years later, and I can still smell that smaller dealer room. Good lord, the amount of body odor in that small space was a crime against humanity.

Funnily enough, the following BotCon in 2002 also featured an exclusive made from a Cheetor toy that hasn't made another appearance yet: CatSCAN. I'd love to see a new version of him.

That BotCon, however, is where a story about Shadow Panther comes from.

There I was in the dealer room (only one that year, more room to breathe) and came across a table selling Ravage X-9 figures for $60 each. That was a steal, even back then, and as I reached into my pockets... I realized I only had $30 on me at the time.

These were the cash-only days at conventions, so I found myself rushing to the ATM... which was out of cash. Dammit.

I had been staying at the convention's overflow hotel, which was about two blocks away, and had stopped at an ATM somewhere in the middle of the walk to the convention center. Remembering that ATM, I made a mad dash toward it, got some much-needed cash, and hurried the hell back to that dealer.

...he was sold out.

I looked over and saw a guy laughing like Muttley while carrying the stack of them to his dealer table.

Said guy then put a much higher price on his new stock of toys and, out of spite—pure, unadulterated spite—I refused to stop by that booth for the rest of the weekend.

However, the dealer with the decently priced Ravages had a Shadow Panther for $20... and I bought him.

Ever since then, I've felt a kinship with Shadow Panther.

Which rings true about this site. We're the rejects and the weirdos that get overlooked while someone else gets all the attention and gets overvalued. Ten years in and millions of views later, us rejects are still here flipping the bird.

Speaking of weirdos that don't cost too much, this Shadow Panther comes with Ravage and it's a fun toy of two bots that fit together to make a very long black cat. I talked about the Cheetor and Tigatron toys this set is a repaint of last year, so feel free to check that post out for a more in-depth discussion of the actual toys.

Clearly I've got a fire in my ass today.

Starscream [Galaxy Version 07-One Wave 2]

I found a little time to assemble this Starscream kit amongst the hectic nature moving has me living currently. It's a very cool Blokees Transformers Galaxy Version kit that represents his appearance in the movie Transformers One.

As I mentioned while talking about the initial wave of Transformers One Galaxy Versions, I really like the combination of the Blokees style with the specific look of the Transformers One designs.

It's a nice combination of visual aesthetics that works very well together. Not to mention, Transformers One was pretty great and I'm all in for anything from it.

One thing I can say about Blokees is that they are always tinkering with their product. You'd think the Hero 10 scale, which seems to be their most popular size, would stay consistent in its builds, but that's not the case. They're always tinkering with it and there's constant change throughout the various series while still keeping them visually similar to each other.

I think the only visual difference I ever really notice is that kits from the early waves (and repaints of those molds) have that super obvious neck, while in the mid-to-later series they've made the necks look better. I haven't gotten a full case of Series 07, instead opting to pick up a blind box or two whenever I'm at Walmart.

One thing I've been noticing is another change to the standard body frame. This one has a ball-jointed waist as opposed to the standard waist from earlier releases, or the more jointed one from more recent series. I'm not sure which one I like better, though I may be leaning toward the more jointed version.

Another change I wasn't aware of involves the joints. They've been universal up until now, but there's now a smaller version meant for the upper arms and elbows. I wasn't aware of that. I just stuck them in out of habit and kept wondering why Starscream was off balance. After I put him away, I did a little looking and... you know those moments where you just stare at absolutely nothing while you realize something? I've got to remember to go back and swap his joints out now.

Starscream has a very sharp-looking design in Transformers One and that translates really well here, making him feel like a more deluxe kit. I'm particularly fond of the metallic silver they used. Initially, I thought I had lucked into one of the special versions from the series, but no, they just made him extra nice.

He's got lasers on the wings of what would be his jet mode if he transformed, along with his trademark Null Rays on his shoulders. Aside from those joints, you've also got to pay attention to his shoulder armor during assembly. It's easy to put it on backwards and not realize it. It's not a giant issue, but if you do, you'll hide some of the painted detail.

Of course he's got the standard closed and open hands and, for some reason, I really want to give him a sword. He's just so nice-looking that it feels like one would just... look great.

Basically, this is a really nice little kit that feels more premium than it is. I wonder if they're making other Seekers from it?

Terrorsaur and Lazorbeak [Swapticons]

The inclusion of Beast Wars characters in Swapticons is just a huge plus. Lazorbeak, however... that's a surprise.

The original Beast Wars Lazorbeak toy was a nicely colored figure that, believe it or not, was an entirely new mold from Terrorsaur despite looking nearly identical. Later releases of Terrorsaur actually used Lazorbeak's molding, which makes things really confusing if you keep up with such things. It's also not completely clear if Lazorbeak is meant to be G1 Laserbeak in a new body either. There are some similarities in the bio and some differences. Mainly, Lazorbeak isn't a coward like Laserbeak tends to be.

Terrorsaur has always had a cool design, and his similarities to Starscream on the show are impossible to ignore. So much so that when Starscream possessed Waspinator... everyone was a little surprised it wasn't Terrorsaur.

As Swapticon figures, the two are VERY blocky, which fits the Swapticon look but is a little odd for two robots that turn into a pterodactyl. They are, however, very good-looking Swapticons... and Lazorbeak is so happy about that. Just look at that grin!

Lazorbeak forms the rear end of the rather monstery-looking pterodactyl, with Terrorsaur forming the front. The beast mode head and tail fold up onto their respective bots' backs in robot mode, with the wings becoming Terrorsaur's arms (he's even got a little gun!) while the legs become Lazorbeak's.

The combined pterodactyl mode is... very long-bodied thanks to the way Swapticons are proportioned. It's silly, but fun and... kind of looks like a hot dog. Honestly, this shouldn't be as neat as it is, but it just is. This is simply a really fun Swapticon. It's silly, it's weird, and it's perfectly enjoyable.

Clench and Nemesis Prime [Swapticons]

A recent goal of mine was to write about every Swapticon and Cyberworld toy here on the site (within reason). Now that summer's upon us, it's time to get back to Swapticons, as I sure haven't posted about them since 2025. I've actually been waiting until now to do so, as summer just feels like the right time to give them a big focus. Why? I... don't know. It just is.

So we're starting off our Summer of Swapticons with a look at Clench and Nemesis Prime! Because I like them!

These two are repaints of the Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime Swapticons set from 2025. Nemesis Prime was an obvious and predictable repaint of any Optimus Prime toy, but Clench was a bit of a surprise. I'm not really sure who else they would have used, but I'm glad to see him here. If anything, it means Hasbro has the name active right now, so maybe he'll get a new figure in Generations or Cyberworld sometime soon. Thinking about it, he'd actually make a great reuse of the Off-Road Optimus Prime Cyberworld figure.

Like all Swapticons, one robot forms the front of a vehicle mode while the other forms the rear. This is the same basic idea as the old Micromaster Combiners, and initially what I hoped Swapticons were going to be a return to. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised with what Swapticons actually ended up being: a silly little line of Transformers mini figures with really boxy proportions. They've got a lot in common with BotBots (which I loved) and are VERY similar to the more recent series of McDonald's Changeables that myself and other robot fans were going crazy for back in February.

Worth noting, there's another series of Changeables in Japan that I'd love to see make their way here. I wonder if the similarities are coincidental, intentional, or if some of the same toy designers worked on both? Who knows.

I usually like Nemesis Prime toys, and this one is no different. The Optimus Prime design just looks good in black, and it naturally makes for a good bad guy toy. There are always people who claim Nemesis Prime is boring... but they're usually just trying to look interesting. And failing.

Clench looks marvelous, as toys of Clench usually do. Those bright colors contrast against the darker colors so nicely that it even looks sharp on a silly little figure like this one. Their combined truck mode is pretty great looking as well. Once again, those colors are working overtime. It's hard not to love such an angry-looking duo as chonky little silly robot toys.

SG Sideswipe [Wheels 02-Wreck 'N Rule]

The Shattered Glass version of Sideswipe is one of those characters that's just chock full of Transformers trivia. On the surface, he looks like a version of Sideswipe who left the Autobots and joined the Decepticons (you could say he swiped sides). I've explained it before, but let's see if I can do it in a shorter version.

Originally there was a toy in Transformers Armada named Wheeljack who looked like traditional Sideswipe and had left the Autobots to join the Decepticons. Meanwhile, there was also a character named Sideswipe... who didn't look like traditional Sideswipe. It was a weird time.

Then in the early 2000's version of Transformers Universe, there were plans to use that Armada Wheeljack mold as a new version of G2 Drench. I had always liked G2 Drench's colors and loved the Armada Wheeljack toy, so I was super excited about this at the time. Unfortunately, it was canceled. A few years later, when Shattered Glass was introduced as a BotCon exclusive, Sideswipe made from the Armada Wheeljack mold in that canceled Drench deco was released. Needless to say, I was a fast fan.

I think the only version of SG Sideswipe I don't own is the Generations Selects version that I really should get. I clearly wasn't his only fan either as Sho Utsumi from SSSS.Gridman is heavily patterned after SG Sideswipe. Actually, most of the cast in that show is modeled after Transformers characters, which is pretty neat.

This incarnation of SG Sideswipe is from Blokees Transformers Wheels Series 02-Wreck 'N Rule. A 1/64 scale model of his vehicle mode. It's pleasantly small and the Solidex is satisfyingly used for the main car body shell. Really, the colors pop as it just looks so sharp.

The kit came together well. The universal chassis all Wheels kits seem to share connects to a skid plate type piece and everything builds up from there. A Blokees driver can fit inside the car's interior nicely and probably most Inchman style figures could as well. I'm moving, so I don't have time to experiment with this currently, but I really want to stick a Micro Galaxy Squadron Storm Trooper in there.

SG Sideswipe shares a mold with the Blokees Wheels Breakdown who is in the same series. I'll definitely be talking about Breakdown a little later as I assume the Stunticons will eventually be represented fully as Wheels kits.

Ultimately, this is a very slick looking little car and another great Wheels kit.

The Insecticons [Galaxy Version–06,08,09]

This is a post I’ve been wanting to write for a while. Longtime readers know about my affinity for insect-based robots, and that absolutely includes the Insecticons.

They’ve always been this creepy subgroup of the Decepticons that tend to follow their own path. Wherever they go, they consume everything around them, leaving nothing but wasteland behind. You’d think that wouldn’t be such a big deal—there are only three of them, at least in the cartoon—but that’s never really been the case. They can clone themselves, creating an entire swarm.

The Insecticons originally began as the Waruders in Diaclone. While I’ve got various G1 versions of the characters, I’ve never been lucky enough to own the original Waruders themselves. Thankfully, in 2005, E-Hobby released an exclusive recolor set in those Waruder colors. Within Transformers fiction, they were meant to represent the clones—so in a way, they finally brought the Waruders back into the fold. I jumped on that set immediately.

These days, Blokees Transformers Blind Boxes kits (and similar model lines) have become a big part of how I enjoy Transformers. Starting with Galaxy Version Series 06, they began releasing the Insecticons, and I knew I had to complete the trio. Each one even comes with a tiny insect-mode partner, which is absolutely my thing. I’ve always had a soft spot for partner figures, so this set was basically designed to hook me. 

Let’s take a look at each one.

Kickback – My personal favorite of the group. Between the wings and antenna, he’s just a great-looking design. As a grasshopper, it makes sense that his specialty is jumping long distances. He’s probably the Insecticon most people associate with the team. Released in Series 06 Parallel Universe, he comes with a tiny Shrapnel and his Electrothermic Blast Tube.

Shrapnel – The leader of the group. My older brother had one when we were kids, and I’ll never forget thinking his pincers looked like horns. They’re used for his electrical attacks, which always looked great on screen. He comes with a tiny Bombshell and his Grenade Launcher. Released in Series 08 One Shall Fall.

Bombshell – Arguably the most dangerous of the three. His Cerebro-Shells let him control other beings, launched from that dramatic rhinoceros beetle horn over his head. I’ve always had a thing for rhino beetles, so he’s hard not to like. He comes with a tiny Kickback and his Twin Ion Impulse Blaster. Released in Series 09 Darkest Hour.

Each figure comes in a blind box and is fairly easy to assemble. The included insect-mode partners are fun little builds too, and I really hope Blokees continues doing things like that.

As expected, they all include open and closed hands for posing. Kickback, being from an earlier wave, uses the older body style—slightly less articulation and a higher resting head. Shrapnel and Bombshell use the updated construction, which allows for more dynamic posing. It doesn’t make Kickback look bad by any means, but the difference is noticeable when you’ve got all three together.

Even so, there’s a strong sense of cohesion across the set, which is important for a team like this. My only real gripe is that Shrapnel’s Grenade Launcher is purple while the others weapons are gray. It’s not a big deal—likely just a result of mold tree layout—but I do wish it matched the others.

Overall, I’m really happy to have completed this trio. I’ve been picking up more Galaxy Version kits individually lately, so finally assembling the full Insecticon team felt like an accomplishment.

I don’t even like real bugs… but I go crazy for robot ones.

It’s weird. I know.

Starscream [BMK Series 1]

Ending out Yolopark’s first series of BMK simple model kits is Starscream, everyone’s favorite Seeker.

Starscream might also be the most complex figure in the series, with a larger part count than the others. Like the rest, though, he’s built around a main torso piece that includes the legs down to the knees. The rest of the legs attach below that, adding some extra ankle articulation.

The arms come together separately and are fairly well articulated, as is the head. The remaining parts are his wings, which attach to the back, and the null rays that connect to the arms.

Once assembled, you get a solid representation of Starscream. Like the other BMK kits, articulation is limited, but it still looks pretty good on display.

I’ve been seeing people customizing him into the other Seekers, which is predictable—but I’ll wait for Yolopark to get around to those. There’s also been some detailing work and repainting, especially giving him the more familiar gray face. I get it—most fans are used to that look—but his original toy (and often in the comics) had a black face. That never bothered me. If anything, it brings back memories.

When I was in kindergarten, that first Transformers commercial aired one afternoon after I’d come inside from playing. The Seekers had black faces in it. The next day at school, during some kind of standardized testing, I found myself daydreaming about what I’d just seen. For whatever reason, I’d decided those “jet guys” were basically monsters. Looking back now, part of me wonders how much of those early animation models were still pulling from the original idea of the Decepticons as electronic life-forms.

Anyway, this is a great little simple model that’ll look good on my future display—something that’s now shifted from “end of a long organization project” to more of a “when I get moved in” kind of thing.

Megatron [BMK Series 1]

I had been meaning to dip my toes into Yolopark’s newer BMK line of simplified model kits. Meant for younger children, these are extremely easy snap-together kits that are just right for getting them started without overwhelming them with a large part count. Snap together a handful of pieces and you’ve got a solid figure of the classic Transformers, looking like they just stepped out of the TV.

Considering I’m not exactly a younger kid and have been handling toys and models my entire life, what do these hold to make me want them? For one, they remind me a little of older garage kits. More importantly, they make for great representations of the main characters, and a long-term goal of mine is to have a decent representation of the cast on a shelf, with almost all my stuff in a more organized storage solution. Initially, I intended to use the Yolopark minis for this… but I do like the BMK kits’ size. So I’m thinking these, paired with a small acrylic Transformers logo stand, will work pretty well.

Seeing as the word “Mega” has flavored this week, Megatron seems like the ideal starting point to look at in this series. So far (in Series 1 anyway), the BMK kits seem to follow the same template: legs from the knee down, arms, head, and accessories all connect into the central torso. For the most part, they snap into place easily, though some of the heads take a bit of pressure to seat properly. The joints are tight and the plastic quality is pretty solid — maybe a little too solid. Megatron’s left arm squeaked loudly when I moved it.

Once assembled, Megatron looks great. There’s a reasonable amount of arm articulation, along with movement in the neck and feet, plus a waist swivel. While the finished product may be basic, it looks sharp, and the larger size should look good in that future display.

Megatron [Wheels 01 – Roll Out]

I’ve been meaning to talk about this particular Megatron from Blokees Wheels Series 1 – Roll Out since assembling him. It’s one of the larger kits in the series, and it’s pretty damn impressive. Unfortunately, having more parts apparently means no Solidex pieces like the regular-sized kits include. That’s unfortunate, as that would have been especially nice on Megatron considering his design.

Megatron is based on his appearance in IDW’s Stormbringer comics, a design by Don Figueroa that gives the Decepticon leader a pretty cool-looking tank alt mode. Thankfully, the turret articulates with a satisfying click, which keeps it in place when posing instead of spinning freely, as is often the case with tank toys. It can also be removed to allow a driver to be placed inside.

The detailing and colors create a sharp-looking little tank that I could easily see blending into a Diaclone battle scene.

Wheels kits are generally pretty easy to assemble; however, each kit’s instructions are presented in the same format as a Defender Class, printed on the back of the mini trading card included with the kit. For a Defender, that’s not a problem, but Wheels kits have more parts, and it can sometimes be tricky to determine the correct orientation from the smaller diagrams. After assembling Megatron’s front treads, I think investing in a magnifying glass for future builds might be in order.

It’s a minor quibble that doesn’t result in a lesser product, so it’s not actually a real issue. Overall, despite how much better Solidex would have made Megatron, he has a very satisfying build process, and the final product is pretty impressive.

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.

Megatron (2007 Movie Version) [Classic Class]

Megatron’s movie design was a bit of a departure from his original looks. That goes without saying. To me, there was always some King Walder and Acroyear DNA in his new appearance. Considering the 2000s Microman line and Cool Girl — which had a heavy Diaclone influence — were being produced by Takara around the same time those first movie toys were being designed, I wouldn’t doubt there was some cross-pollination. I’ve also always found him a little similar to the Guyver. Not completely, but just enough to notice. Of course, Megatron got a new design in each movie, but today we’re looking specifically at the 2007 version.

I got this model kit among a mountain of others at Christmas from the Mrs., who absolutely spoils me. Considering how many redesigns Megatron gets throughout the movie series, I was eager to spend some time with the 2007 one, so building it was a real treat. As a Classic Class kit, Megatron is larger than the Galaxy and Defender Versions that are really popular right now. Once assembled, you end up with a pretty premium-looking figure that just looks amazing. It’s easy to forget how neat his 2007 design actually was. There’s a lot of detailed alien design packed into all those sharp points, and I’ve always appreciated the more feral look of the Decepticons in the earlier movies. I’ve felt for a long time that part of the design philosophy was to make them feel like living creatures. Honestly, the live-action designs always felt like a continuation of Beast Machines to me. Part of me likes to think that if things had continued as originally planned, something like the Bayverse designs could’ve ended up on a Saturday morning cartoon.

This kit looked like it would take longer to assemble than it actually did — and that’s not a complaint. With all the intricate pieces that make up Megatron’s armor, I assumed I’d be building tiny sub-assemblies forever. While there are sections like that, especially in the arms and legs, the process flows pretty smoothly: assemble the forearm, attach armor parts, connect it to the upper arm, attach more armor, and so on. I do find it amusing that at the core of Megatron is a standard Blokees Shining Version upper torso piece. The entire much larger figure builds outward from it, which I just find funny. That core also houses the components for Megatron’s light-up features.

Speaking of his upper torso, you get a choice of chest pieces. There’s the standard chest armor like the one shown in the photos, or an alternate piece depicting his death at the end of the movie. There’s even a tiny Allspark Cube included.

Megatron comes with his Fusion Cannon, which can be held in either hand. You can’t quite combine both arms into the exact pose he used in the movie — maybe an approximation, but not a perfect match. It honestly didn’t bother me. When held in one hand, it almost reads more like a rifle, and that works just fine here. His eyes light up a really satisfying red, which surprised me with how much I liked it. It genuinely breathes a little life into the finished kit.

It’s probably been a bit too long since I spent real time with the 2007 design. Building this made me appreciate the layering of silver over bronze parts much more than I ever did back then. A lot of the toys released around the movie glossed over those details, and I haven’t handled a newer take on this design until now. I always thought it looked cool, but its intricacies are standing out more to me this time around.

His head is amusingly a mix of the final movie design and elements from the abandoned earlier look. It’s funny — what we ended up with was considered to be more “G1.” I can kind of see it, but it’s still very much its own thing. At the time, Megatron getting a new design every incarnation was pretty much expected. So it was pretty status quo at the time. Thinking back, that stretch from 2003 — when the movie was first announced — to its release in 2007 was strange. News came and went, things were constantly in flux, and part of me is still surprised it ever actually came out.

I really like his animalistic face. There’s definitely some H.R. Giger influence there, and the part of me that loves bio-horror is all over it. A display stand with whoosh effects is included, but I found Megatron perfectly capable of standing on his own without it. This was a cool build and a great experience overall. The finished product looks fantastic, and it was genuinely fun reflecting on this version of Megatron while assembling it. At this point, I’m convinced Blokees is incapable of making a product I don’t like — and what kind of idiot would complain about that?

Carnivac w/ Survivor [Age of the Primes / Wreck ’N Doom Collection]

Carnivac is a really cool addition to the Age of the Primes series. He’s the main reason I wanted the two-pack he comes in alongside Fisitron, who I talked about earlier this week. Carnivac is another somewhat obscure Transformers character. He’s featured more heavily in various comics, but exists just under the surface enough that mainstream audiences—and even some fans—may not be aware of his existence.

His biggest role is in the Marvel UK comics, where he was featured regularly. Similar to Dinobot in Beast Wars, Carnivac was a Decepticon whose own sense of right and wrong led him to become a more heroic character. Eventually, after a major event, surviving Autobots and Decepticons formed a new group known as The Survivors, which later led to another group known as Earthforce. I particularly enjoy those issues. 

This is Carnivac’s second official toy to date, the first being a Pretender. This time around, he’s a Headmaster with a new partner named Survivor.

I don’t know if Carnivac being a Headmaster instead of a Pretender rubs anyone the wrong way, but I love it. I love Pretenders, but Headmasters hit a particularly sweet spot for me. Not to mention, he looks a lot like the inner robot from his original toy—which is how I’m used to seeing him anyway from those UK comics.

Also worth noting: my own G1 Carnivac is missing his Pretender shell. I picked up the inner robot for practically nothing from a dump bin at Charticon, so I’m just accustomed to seeing him that way. Another sweet spot for me is that they used a Titans Return mold as a base, which is absolutely one of my favorite Transformers series. This one is hitting all the right chords for me.

Oddly enough, the Takara version has the Headmaster as Carnivac himself, with the main body intended to represent his Pretender shell.

As mentioned, Carnivac is made from a Titans Return mold—specifically Wolfwire/Weirdwolf. There’s only a small amount of new tooling here. He gets a new wolf tail that becomes a sword in robot mode, along with a blaster. Survivor has a new faceplate for head mode, tooled after Carnivac’s appearance in Time Wars. I really like that—he looks almost straight off the comic page and makes me want to dig my copy out and re-read it.

Outside of that, Wolfwire/Weirdwolf makes a solid base for a very well-done Carnivac update. Despite the mold being about ten years old, it still looks great. Carnivac’s mix of metallic purple, green, and copper looks fantastic and makes the whole thing feel like a more premium offering.

Robot mode offers a decent amount of articulation—more than his boxy looks would suggest. When Titans Return first came out, many described it as “G1 with knees,” which is clearly something people still love, as Missing Link has proven. Combined with his new face sculpt, Carnivac is really expressive. He just oozes attitude, and I love it.

Transformation is very straightforward. Pop the head off and fold the beast-mode head over. You essentially lay him down and adjust the arms and legs into the wolf’s legs. The sword becomes the tail, and his gun mounts on the back for some canine firepower.

Survivor can unfold into his humanoid mode and hang out, or fit into a cockpit on the wolf’s back. He doesn’t slide in as smoothly as you might expect—you’ll basically need to have him in head mode to fit properly—but once he’s in, it’s a snug fit.

It’s impossible for me not to get Zoids vibes from this, though I get that from other beast-mode Headmasters as well. I also get slight Beast Machines vibes, specifically from the legs and transformation, which heavily remind me of Night Slash Cheetor. I always liked that toy, and while this isn’t the same thing exactly, there are enough similarities to make the connection.

Every use of this mold that I’ve picked up has been pretty great, and as Carnivac it really excels. It’s funny how a toy meant to update one character can work so perfectly for another. This is one of those toys that gets me excited and happy in that fanboy way that’s hard to explain to people who don’t get it.

This two-pack is pretty great overall. I might be tempted to grab the other Wreck ’N Doom Collection sets—but I also feel like I already have the star of the show.

IDW Megatron [Galaxy Version 06 – Parallel Universe]

Megatron had a pretty fun design in the More Than Meets the Eye comics, so seeing it represented as a Blokees Galaxy Version kit is pretty great. I lucked up on a case of Series 06 – Parallel Universe at a local Target not too long ago, and he seemed like a great choice for today’s post. Today’s post is, of course, the first toy post of Zone Base’s 10th year — well, aside from the regular weekly update on Monday — but I think you get the idea. For the start of Zone Base’s 10th year, he felt like the right pick.

I’m not sure if you reading this are aware of where Megatron was in the IDW Transformers comics around the time this design represents, but he had switched sides and joined the Autobots, eventually finding a home among the misfit crew of the Lost Light and its adventures. More recently, Megatron also switched sides in the Transformers: EarthSpark cartoon series. The “bad guy becomes a good guy” trope gets reused a lot, but I don’t mind it when it’s done well. My personal favorite version of this is still the G2 Marvel comics, when he and Optimus teamed up to battle Jhiaxus. Sure, if that comic had continued, Megatron probably would have gone back to his old ways eventually — but he really came off well in those issues.

As a Blokees Galaxy Version kit, Megatron comes out great. Admittedly, I can’t really find fault in anything Blokees does, but their signature style matches his design especially well. I’ve compared the Galaxy Version look before to a Mega Man X–style design. There’s just something very 16-bit game energy about these figures once the model is built. Megatron feels like he should’ve been in a PC Engine CD-ROM game. Galaxy Version 06 uses the sturdier bodies with improved construction that I’ve raved about in prior Blokees posts. There have been more waves with that improvement than without at this point, and I still can’t stop talking about it. This Megatron is one of the nicer Galaxy Versions, with a more deluxe set of parts — you start to get a feel for that sort of thing once you’ve built enough of these. It’s a really nice kit, and I especially like his backpack. Even though these don’t transform, the alt-mode kibble displays really nicely.

Megatron, of course, comes with the standard closed fists and open palms for a variety of poses, as well as the display stand that Galaxy Version kits included up until recently. He also comes with a purple blast effect that plugs into his cannon. I didn’t include it in my photos (total brain fart), but it’s a newer version of the pew-pew laser effect that comes with some of these kits. In addition to his standard parts, he also has a new set of forearms unique to this version, which are more comic-accurate than the usual Galaxy Version forearms.

Overall, Megatron just feels more extra than what you normally expect — and I like that. It’s neat that some of these figures are nicer than others; it makes the blind-box nature of the line a little more exciting, you know? There’s also an all-white version of this Megatron that was produced as an exclusive for a campaign at the Toys “R” Us in the Power Plant Mall in the Philippines. That would be super neat to own, but unfortunately it’s a little out of the way for me. Thankfully, the standard version is excellent in its own right. This was a satisfying experience all around.

Soundwave Dreadnok Thunder Machine with Ravage, Zartan, and Zarana [G.I. JOE x Transformers]

The G.I. JOE X Transformers Collaborative series has turned out some really neat toys, but there’s one I find specifically neater than the others. And that’s the subject of today’s post: Soundwave. Not just any Soundwave though — this one turns into the Thunder Machine! The Dreadnoks have always been among my favorite groups in G.I. JOE, so this particular team-up hits all sorts of thematic high notes for me. It also happens to be a pretty great toy, which makes for prime posting material.

I actually picked this set up at Ross last year around this time. Those in the know are well aware of the phenomenon of liquidation stores — particularly Ross — getting boatloads of semi-recent toys and selling them dirt cheap around Christmas time. This yearly tradition is fondly known as RossCon among toy nerds, and man… getting this set for twenty-something dollars still feels like I committed a crime.

The set isn’t just Soundwave either — he comes with a few extras worth talking about first. Zartan and Zarana are included at a compatible 3¾-inch scale, and they’re even packed on traditional cards inside the box. While these are recreations of the original figures, the presentation gives the whole package a fantastic vintage feel, especially paired with the box that resembles a classic G.I. JOE release.

I do wish Zandar had been included to round out the Dreadnok siblings, and I’m honestly surprised Thrasher — the original Thunder Machine driver — didn’t make the cut. That said, I’m very happy we got two figures instead of the one you might expect.

Both figures come with accessories. Zartan includes his pistol, mask, and backpack — which can actually hold the mask. I don’t know who he’s fooling, Zartan slips the mask under his hood and behold: Liam Neeson. Truly, the master of disguise. Zarana comes with her backpack and that wonderfully weird rifle with the spinning blade on the tip. Both figures also include display stands.

Also included is a surprisingly well-done Ravage. Recent Ravage releases have left a lot to be desired, but this one is genuinely solid. He even transforms into a cassette that fits into Soundwave’s chest. I didn’t realize this at first, but he’s apparently a recolor of the Masterpiece Ravage mold! It’s been so long since I’ve handled mine that I didn’t make the connection — but yeah, no wonder he’s so good.

Ravage isn’t in his usual black and silver colors either; he’s blue and red. While that works nicely for a Cobra-aligned version of the character, it’s actually based on Ravage’s pre-production concept colors from the original Transformers cartoon. It also makes him resemble Howlback or the blue Microcassette Robo MC-02 Jaguar from the Microman Micro Change line. So no — this isn’t just another Ravage among the sea of Ravage toys. He’s quietly carrying a whole chunk of Transformers history. His trademark rockets are molded into his hindquarters, and he comes with a collar and chain accessory that Zartan or Zarana can hold.

Soundwave himself is big. I’d say he’s around Leader Class size, but there’s more mass here than you’d expect. Despite transforming into the Thunder Machine, he still retains a lot of classic Soundwave design cues — including his cassette door chest, which opens to store Ravage. Since Ravage is a Masterpiece cassette, Soundwave could probably hold any MP scaled cassette. Neat.

He’s also very well articulated, allowing for some expressive poses. The Thunder Machine kibble integrates into robot mode fairly well. The roll cage attaches to his lower legs, giving him an almost hockey-goalie look. The vehicle’s front fenders sit on his forearms, creating a unique armored appearance, while the wheels mostly stay out of the way. The roof forms a backpack with a long antenna sticking out — it’s removable if you’d rather not have it there. I kind of wish it doubled as a weapon. Imagine him whipping Autobot ass with that thing.

Several Thunder Machine features convert into weapons. The front dual Gatling gun becomes a handheld chain gun of doom. The barrels rotate and move the ammo belt as they spin, which is oddly satisfying. The massive rocket engine becomes Soundwave’s shoulder cannon, and it’s huge. It honestly makes me think of the Machine Wars version of Soundwave. He also comes with a big military knife, which I find weirdly endearing. Like, if he can’t hit you with bullets or rockets, he’ll just stab you. I imagine him sitting around sharpening sticks with it.

Transformation to vehicle mode is fairly straightforward — I didn’t even need the instructions. A few glances at the back of the box were enough to figure it out. The roll cage and chain gun need to be plugged in, and Zartan and Zarana fit easily inside the cabin to drive. Figures can also stand behind the dual chain gun or ride along various points on the vehicle’s exterior.

I had a little trouble getting some parts into place at first, but that was on me — a bit of extra adjusting solved it. Once complete, the Thunder Machine is stable and sturdy. This is a very well-made Transformer, and honestly pretty impressive.

A really nice touch is the vehicle’s design itself. The Thunder Machine is a Mad Max-style mishmash of parts with a rocket engine, and the front end is made from licensed Pontiac Firebird components. That’s such a small detail that could’ve easily been ignored, but it wasn’t.

This is a genuinely premium feeling toy — one I somehow got away with buying for way too little money. Soundwave is visually impressive, loaded with extras, and incredibly unique. What an awesome way to end one hell of a year.

Horri-Bull w/ Kreb [Age of the Primes/Target Exclusive 4-Pack]

Horri-Bull’s eyes opened. In front of him stood his partner, Kreb.

“What’s today?”

“EH?” returned the Nebulon, with all his might of spite. 

“What’s today, asshole?” said Horri-Bull.

“Today…” replied Kreb. “…it’s Christmas.”

“It’s Christmas Day!” said Horri-Bull to himself. “I haven’t missed it. The Spirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like. Of course they can. But so can I… HEAD ON!”

He had no further interaction with Spirits, but lived upon the ways of the Decepticon regardless, ever afterwards; and it was always said of him that he knew how to stop Christmas, if any bot alive possessed the knowledge. And so, as Tiny Tim observed, Take cover, everyone!

One thing I’ve grown to really appreciate about these Target Exclusive 4-Packs is the Headmasters created for the sets. Almost each time, there’s an updated classic Headmaster character creatively made from a Titans Return toy mold. This time we’ve got Horri-Bull, made from Titans Return Skullsmasher/Skullcruncher in a very clever remold. Actually, all of these Headmasters in the 4-Packs have been very clever remolds, and I’m thinking a look at ones I haven’t covered here on the site is in order.

Horri-Bull is known as Bullhorn in Masterforce, so if you’d rather use him as Bullhorn… go right ahead. I’m forever delighted by pun-based names, so I’ll stick with Horri-Bull. I don’t believe I covered Skullsmasher/Skullcruncher here on the site, which is another thing I should probably go back and do. I’ve also been considering an in-depth look at the Titan Masters from Titans Return, but for now, let’s look at our grumpy star of the season.

Horri-Bull is a pleasantly articulated toy that’s wonderfully blocky and chonky in the vein of classic G1 Transformers. Skullsmasher was a great base to use, as his basic silhouette isn’t all that different from Horri-Bull’s to begin with. Really, it’s his head, colors, and beast mode kibble that make the visual difference. This was seemingly easy (or as easy as new parts are probably still an undertaking) to accomplish, with the bull monster head and claws being new parts and Skullsmasher’s alligator tail being removed.

Also remolded is his chest, which you might think is missing a cover for the Headmaster technical data, but this is true to his original toy. Considering Titans Return toys were originally released almost a decade ago, the mold has held up pretty well, though his arms did feel a little loose. I’m guessing the mold got a bit of refurbishing with this update, but time still seems to be catching up. With his cool late-G1 colors, he looks great. I’ve always been a sucker for those post-movie Decepticon palettes.

He’s got both his Concussion Blaster and the beast mode tail, which becomes a double-barreled flamethrower. The two guns can be combined or held separately.

In beast mode, Horri-Bull is a cross between a bull and the Terror Dogs from Ghostbusters. So really, he’s a robotic incarnation of the Hodag in wonderful colors. Transformation is pretty easy: remove Kreb and fold the beast head into place. Arms and legs become the monster’s legs, and the robot mode feet fold around the upper thighs, becoming the beast’s rear end. As mentioned above, the two guns combine to form a tail.

Beast mode is simple but effective. The legs can move, most notably the front ones, and the jaws on his head can open for a little chomping action. Speaking of that head, the horns will need to be moved around a bit for the proper look in both robot and beast modes. They’re separate pieces that need to be clipped from sprues out of the package. The horns are also painted, so there will always be a small spot left from clipping unless you touch it up with paint.

Of course, Kreb can pilot Horri-Bull in this form via a cockpit on his back. I’ve always really liked that feature on Headmasters. Kreb himself is a remold of Grax (Skullsmasher’s Titan Master). I do wonder why they didn’t use the individual Titan Master Terri-Bull for this project. Maybe the mold wasn’t available? Weird.

Regardless, the whole package is another well-done Headmaster update pulled off in these 4-Packs. They’re really the highlight of each set for me, and I’ve always been especially fond of the Headmasters from Masterforce. All in all, this year’s set has been a really good one, and as always, I’m ecstatic to have it.

Primus bless us, everyone...RUN!

Nemesis Prime [Age of the Primes/Target Exclusive 4-Pack]

"I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come?"

A solemn Phantom, dark and hooded, came like a mist along the ground toward him. The grumpy one bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved, it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery.

It was shrouded in deep black armor that concealed its form and left nothing visible save one outstretched axe. But for this, it would have been difficult to detach its figure from the night and separate it from the darkness by which it was surrounded.

He glanced toward the Phantom.

"Lead on. The night is waning fast, and it is precious time to me, I know. Lead on, Nemesis."

One reason I like things such as store-exclusive repaints is the deep dives they tend to take. Sure, to those not in the know, they’ll get the standard complaint: “another lazy repaint by Hasblow.” However, for those of us in the know, they’re pretty cool homages that aren’t always obvious. Today we’re looking at Nemesis Prime from this year’s Target Exclusive 4-Pack — the Voyager Class figure of the set, taking the Legacy Animated Optimus Prime mold and giving us an update of a previously very hard-to-get figure from the past.

Like I said in the Ultra Magnus post earlier this week, Optimus Prime toys tend to look good in any color. A black repaint is practically guaranteed with most Optimus toys. It’s another color scheme I always like as well, just like with Magnus. Normally these repaints are called Black Convoy in Japan — pretty straightforward. But here in the United States, they’re usually either named Scourge or Nemesis Prime.

Since this is a repaint of a toy I’ve covered previously, I’m going to focus on this version’s differences and what makes it special. I’ve linked to that post and its other repaint in case you’re not up to date on it. Also, I like the toy and want to show it off. Like a mama otter holding out her baby. Except I’m a grown-ass man and this is a robot toy. So instead of adorable, it’s kinda unsettling and you wish I’d stop.

Earlier I mentioned this was an update of a harder-to-get toy and then said black Optimus repaints happen fairly often. Both of those statements are true. Often the black repaint is an exclusive of some sort, and in the case of Optimus Prime Black Ver. (after the 2007 movie, Convoy was often called Optimus Prime in Japan), it was exclusive to the Transformers Museum event at the Seibu department store in 2010. If that didn’t already make it tricky to get, the release was limited to 300 pieces. There are probably a few hundred thousand of this new update available, so it’s a nice alternative.

Obviously Nemesis Prime is mostly black as opposed to Optimus’s red and blue. There’s also some nice metallic teal used for accents that contrasts really well against the dark body. His windshield and eyes are a dark red that looks menacing and fits perfectly. In robot mode, he has an alternate head with a mouth plate instead of Animated Optimus’s open-faced design. It’s a darker gray that pairs well with the rest of the deco, giving him a more threatening look.

Nemesis comes with the same axe weapon Optimus had. The blade is that same dark red used for the windows, and the whole package looks forbidden — like the outlook isn’t too good when this guy shows up.

The colors transfer nicely in truck mode, and Optimus’s lightbar makes a return as well. It plugs into the top of the cab. I guess you can technically use it as a weapon. A weird weapon, sure, but getting hit with one would still hurt. Nemesis Prime looks threatening in truck mode too thanks to the colors. I wouldn’t want to see him behind me in traffic… or in general.

The look of Animated Optimus Prime is stylized already, but it looks really sharp in these colors. Without the red, it’d be more slick than scary. Funny how much difference just one color can make, huh?

I’ve liked each instance of this mold, so it’s probably no surprise I like this toy as well. Frankly, it’s hard not to like something like this when you’re into this sort of thing. It hits all the right points and has more depth to it than a simple repaint normally offers. As a fan, I like that — and as a fan since the beginning, I remember seeing the original on the news sites. This one has a slightly different color scheme, which is fine. But still, it’s nice to finally have a version of this toy after all this time.

Weird… time seems to be a recurring subject this Christmas season.