Optimus Prime (EarthSpark/Deluxe Class)

At some point I got over my initial irritability over price points in EarthSpark and decided to get the Deluxe Class figures. As of this writing, I just need Starscream to have all the Mandroid build-a-figure parts. Neat! This figure of Optimus is a very good representation of Optimus Prime as he appears on the EarthSpark cartoon. Thankfully, however, his face plate is up. Interestingly, this Optimus figure is a heavy remolded version of the Cyberverse Deluxe Class Optimus Prime figure. Sharing essentially the same 'skeleton' , but with new robot and truck parts. I never got that Optimus, so I can't compare the two in person. If this information wasn't made known to me, I'd never been able to tell. Optimus transforms into a semi-truck as you'd expect.

Optimus transforms fairly easily. Aside from getting his legs in just the right spot, I practically did it purely from muscle memory of other Optimus Prime toys. This is generally a pretty standard toy of him. Thankfully, it's also a pleasant toy of him. Featuring a fair amount of articulation and a very traditional looking rifle and energy axe, Optimus is ready to fight! The rifle and axe store away very conveniently in truck mode, which is something I just love. Honestly this is a pretty predictable Optimus Prime figure. It's pretty much what you expect. However, it's a good figure of Optimus Prime as he appears in the EarthSpark cartoon. So I can't complain. The Hasbro release comes with a Mandroid part, though I'm hearing newer found copies don't now. I'll need to find that Starscream sooner than later. Like other EarthSpark toys, the Takara version doesn't have the Mandroid part, but a more show accurate deco. 

Optimus Prime (EarthSpark/1-Step Flipchanger)

Continuing our look at the 1-Step Flip Changers from EarthSpark is Optimus Prime.  You've probably noticed from the pics that he's pretty similar to Swindle. The two share engineering and transformation schemes, but have individual molded parts. This isn't uncommon for these smaller gimmick toys. Optimus did come before Swindle in the series 1st wave while Swindle was in wave 2. I'm obviously not covering these in any particular order. Think of it as a playlist set on random. Optimus turns from robot to semi truck by flipping in the air or pushing over face first in robot mode.

While simple, it's a pretty satisfying process. Like the other Flip Changers, he isn't articulated unfortunately. However he could hold a 5mm weapon if desired. I'd like to see this toy in Machine Wars colors holding that particular version of Optimus Prime's gun. I wish there was more to say, but Optimus looks like Optimus. The EarthSpark version of Optimus, of course, but it's still Optimus Prime tried and true. His colors are simple like the others, and the Takara Tomy version has a better paint deco like others. These Flip Changers are a fun and simple way to collect the characters from EarthSpark and you need Optimus Prime!

Bumblebee (EarthSpark/Deluxe)

EarthSpark is a generally pleasant Transformers series that I have hardly anything to complain about. Of course Bumblebee is one of the stars of the series, so he's getting plenty of toys. Fortunately I'm a Bumblebee fan and enjoy his design in EarthSpark, so you'll hear no complaints from me. Today we'll be looking at his deluxe class toy from the toy line. I said I like his design, and I do. The yellow doesn't match on his various parts. I suspect that has to do with the yellow on different plastics used on the toy. It's not a deal breaker for me, just an inconvenience.

Another thing I don't like is that I find his robot mode arms just a little too short. The car fenders look really cool as shoulder pads... but I could have used a little extra arm length. Once again, not a deal breaker. I get accused some times of being too positive, so i thought I'd lead with the things I don't like about the toy. Honestly they're just some minor quibbles as I actually like this toy a lot. It's really cool looking. His gun/stinger turns into a car thingy that fits on the car roof. I'd like to think it's Tupperware that was forgotten up there. Grandma sent some lasagna home and somehow it just didn't fall off.

Bumblebee is very well articulated and his transformation is pleasant. I really like the car mode. While I prefer Bumblebee to be his traditional Volkswagen form or a sporty small car when they have to go another route... I don't mind his sports car forms. In EarthSpark they actually give an in story reason for it and it works pretty well in story. Seeing as that episode was pretty recent, I won't spoil, but found it pretty sensible. This time they got a little more creative with his sports car and it's a pretty sharp ride. I'd like to see this mold repainted into other characters (maybe with a different head) and I keep picturing this car in black. It'd make a great Drench.

Optimus Prime (warrior class, EarthSpark)

At this point it feels like I own 9 million Optimus Prime figures. A new Optimus Prime toy used to be a special occasion, however, these days the main characters tend to get the most figures. When a character gets multiple figures in multiple price points, it's fair to think the different classes are a sign of quality. This newest warrior class figure of Optimus from EarthSpark though... It could have been a deluxe in prior toy lines. It could be the same thing going on with Rise of the Beasts toys, in which the mainline figures are giving the Studio Series ones a run for their money. I don't have a deluxe Optimus from EarthSpark yet... but kinda not seeing a reason for one after getting the warrior class toy.

What I'm saying is that this is a really pleasant Optimus Prime toy for a lower price than you'd pay for a deluxe, voyager, or leader class figure. I got him at Walmart for $14.99 and considering the rising cost of everything... am struggling to find a reason to buy another, more expensive toy. I guess more articulation, or gimmicks could be a reason... but this one is decently articulated for my liking... and like I said... could have been a deluxe in a prior line. This is a really satisfying Optimus Prime toy. I kept him near me all day and would fiddle with him on and off constantly. I like this toy. Optimus as an attached energy axe that can flip out. It's a neat weapon that won't get lost. That's neat.

I'm not saying he's perfect, there are a few things I don't like. His face for one... EarthSpark has some ugly faces. Not all of the characters have this problem, but it's impossible to ignore on the ones that do. The problem is that it's too long. The head itself is actually quite nice looking... but that long face is bad. IF it was shorted, closer to a normal Prime face, that'd be pretty great. I actually like Optimus's design in EarthSpark... just that face is a sticking point. The other thing I don't like is hard to describe. He was hard to transform... and I don't mean as in a complex transformation. Optimus transforms just as you'd think by looking at him. Just he didn't really fit together for some reason. I messed with him for a while trying to get everything to go into place... and for some reason something would always not go in exactly. Maybe mine has some quality control issues? Maybe I did something wrong? Maybe somethings just not perfectly executed? I don't know, but good grief I couldn't get around it.

Aside from the personal gripes... this is a pretty good figure that could give the more expensive figures some competition. This is something that I'm seeing going forward ... and that's a good thing. While I should expect a more expensive figure to be a nicer, the less costly one doesn't need to be obviously a lower model. Like I said... this is a satisfying toy and I'm struggling to find a reason to buy a more expensive toy. The cost of everything keeps going up, including Transformers. I don't get these things for free and real life comes before hobbies. This Optimus is a positive sign of things to come. Hopefully others follow suit.

Tacticons wave 1 (EarthSpark)

It's no secret that I'm a fan of smaller Transformers toys, after all the site is named after a play set for smaller Transformers toys. That being said, it's probably no surprise that I'd be a fast fan of Tacticons. Tacticons are a new size class of Transformers toys (specifically in the EarthSpark toy line) that are pleasantly small. When they were first shown I figured I'd just get a couple as I wasn't immediately interested by silly finger puppets. Then I got one and that's all it tooked to get hooked. Currently the only toys available as Tacticons are Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Bumblebee. Hasbro has a history of leading with main characters.

Like I mentioned up above and you've probably already heard... they're finger puppets. That's a silly thing you'd expect from a toy... which these are. However the finger puppet gimmick is mostly a distraction from what you're really getting- some cool little bots! Standing around an inch or so tall and transforming into chubby little versions of their alt modes, these little guys are cool. These are simple one step style Transformers in the purest sense of the word. I wish they came with trading cards.

Unlike other smaller Transformers toys, they're not articulated... or at least these three. Fortunately the simple neatness of the tiny toy overcomes that. You didn't buy a Tacticon to display on your fancy shelves... it's a fiddle toy that's in your hoodie pocket. Although they'd look your fancy shelves. There's something oddly satisfying about seeing them standing next to each other. Small toys like this tend to get a lot of interesting repaints and exclusives. That's something I really hope happens here. I'd love to chase down some unique Tacticons. Small, inexpensive toys can be fun to collect and easy to store. Just stick them in an old shoe box... but be sure to label it. Wouldn't want to get those Hey Dudes mixed up with your Tacticons.

G.H.O.S.T. Megatron in Deluxe Missions

It's not often that I like a Megatron enough to actively pursue a figure of him (outside of beast era). It's not that I dislike him, it's just that I vastly prefer other Decepticon leaders. That being said, I really enjoy the Earth Spark version of Megatron. The bad guy turned good gimmick has been used before, but I kinda like it this time. After all, most bad guys don't think they're doing bad. Earth Spark seemingly follows the G1 cartoon (thematically, it's not a super definitive relation) with Optimus Prime and a reformed Megatron (he's changed his ways... but it's still him) working with the Earth military organization named G.H.O.S.T. (whose symbol I REALLY like).

This is the deluxe class toy of Earth Spark Megatron and a pretty decent representation of his on screen character. I very much like the mixture of classic Megatron with a decidedly more heroic look. Clearly the same guy, but those hard lines are softened. It's a good look. In this version, Megatron transforms into a tiltrotor/osprey type vehicle. It's an oddly fitting alt mode for a flying vehicular form. As a weapon, Megatron is carrying a variation of his trademark Fusion Cannon. It can be held in hand or arm mounted traditionally. The cannon splits in half to be part of the tiltrotor's wings. It's pretty impressive how everything comes together uniformly.

The toy transforms pretty easily, though I did get stuck in a few places. Nothing major, just getting it right types of mistakes. Robot mode is pleasantly articulated, though some of the alt mode kibble will need to be adjusted at times. Like Cyberverse deluxe toys, Megatron comes with a build-a-figure piece. Specifically Mandroid in this case and Mandroid's left arm with this toy. I'm not sure if I'll complete this figure as my focus with Earth Spark toys will likely be warrior class and turbo changers. In case it's not obvious... I like this toy. He's perfectly satisfactory on all fronts. I'm sure others may take issues with things and that's fine. For me... he just works. This is a good toy of Megatron with a slightly different take than you expect coming in.

Earthspark is good

Transformers Earthspark, the newest TF cartoon, premiered today on Paramount Plus. The first episode was available via a few sneak peaks that I wasn't privy to and the pirated copy floating around on Facebook that big name sites hid behind click bait links... I never had time to watch. It's an extremely busy time for me and things happen. I did manage to watch a few episodes of Earthspark today and want to talk about it a minute because I really liked it. I had been looking forward to the show and am really glad that it's turned out so good.

I won't intentionally get into spoilers, the show just came out and I'm sure you'd rather find out stuff for yourself. I will talk about things I feel are fair to talk about publicly. Lot's of this is already out as part of the marketing blitz, so you probably know most of it already. The basic premise is that the Autobot/Decepticon war is over. Megatron has joined up with Optimus Prime and other Autobots as part of an X-Files style government organization called G.H.O.S.T. that are gathering up all the remaining Decepticons that are still doing bad guy stuff.