Overlord (Plane and Tank) [Wheels CT-02: Wreck n' Rule]

@robfromzonebase Overlord (plane and tank) [Transformers Blokees Wheels CO2- Wreck 'n Rule] #zonebase #transformers #blokees #blokeestransformers ##blindbox ♬ Catcat Heaven - The Lethal Weapons

I know I talk about "back in the day" a lot around here, but I'm going to do it again for just a minute.

Overlord is one of those really big-deal Transformers characters. No matter how many toys get made of him, every new release feels like an event. That goes all the way back to his introduction in Transformers: Masterforce as one of the series' original characters and toys. Aside from a European release of the original figure, Overlord didn't really get a worldwide release until around 2003, when his Super Collection Figure PVC was released under Hasbro's Heroes of Cybertron line named Powermaster Gigatron. Even then, it was pretty much a one-off until Overlord exploded in popularity thanks to Last Stand of the Wreckers in 2010. That IDW incarnation won over a whole new generation of fans and has led to a steady stream of new toys ever since.

Today we're looking at the Plane and Tank kits from Blokees Transformers Wheels CT-02: Wreck n' Rule.

It's been a little while since I've talked about a Blokees Wheels kit here, and honestly, I've built up a bit of a backlog. Thanks to the move, I've still got most of CT-02 sitting unbuilt and CT-03 completely untouched. Like a few other things I've yet to cover here, expect the TikTok and Instagram pages to suddenly get flooded with assembled Wheels kits. I hate to be one of those guys, but if you'd like to follow me over there, I'd really appreciate it. Those pages have become an extension of Zone Base and are a fun way to share things that don't always become full blog posts.

For those unfamiliar with them, the Wheels series focuses entirely on vehicle modes. In the case of Transformers, that means building the alternate modes instead of the robots. It's a surprisingly fun twist, and while they share some similarities with the Defender Version vehicle kits, they're definitely their own thing.

The tank is a simpler build than the plane, although I did struggle with the instructions a bit. Like the Defender Version kits, Wheels uses those tiny instruction cards, and sometimes the illustrations are just a little too small to make out clearly. For the most part I did fine, but the Universal Chassis Connector, the rear tread assembly, and one tiny black piece that fits beneath the turret all had me scratching my head for a few minutes. Once everything finally clicked together, though... it just worked.

The tank also uses some of that wonderfully satisfying Solidex, which immediately made me forget any frustration I'd had. I really do appreciate that stuff.

The plane, unfortunately, doesn't use any Solidex.

Blokees...

Why?

I honestly can't even tell you exactly where it would have been useful. I just know I'd have appreciated more of that magical material. What if they made an entire kit out of Solidex?

Whoa.

The jet itself assembles fairly easily. Once again, I stumbled a little on the Universal Chassis Connector, though I have to admit that's mostly a me problem. I seem to trip over that step on almost every Wheels kit I build, so I can only blame the instructions so much. If the Universal Chassis System were made of Solidex, I'd probably get it right every time.

My only real complaint with the plane is the landing gear. It's awesome that they included working landing gear, but the pieces have a tendency to pop off pretty easily.

It's also worth mentioning that these kits represent the IDW Comics version of Overlord rather than his original G1 design. The tank isn't dramatically different, but the jet is much sleeker and honestly looks like something straight out of a 16-bit shooter.

Everyone take a shot.

I compared a toy to a non-related video game.

Of course, these kits don't combine into Overlord's robot mode or city mode.

They do, however, combine into two different super jets that I think look absolutely fantastic.

You can replace the tank's treads with the plane's wings to create one heavy duty looking fighter, or attach the treads to the jet itself before combining everything into a much larger super aircraft. Once again, my brain immediately goes to old shooter games. These things just have that aesthetic. I'm convinced they'd have starred in some long-forgotten multi-platform shooter with several sequels, brutal difficulty, and incredible music.

Naturally, the CD-ROM version would have fully animated cutscenes.

I've probably spent way too much time on that analogy, but that's honestly how strongly these designs hit that part of my brain.

Speaking of the designs, Overlord's classic black and teal color scheme looks absolutely fantastic on these kits. They're sharp-looking models, and while I understand that blind-box packaging makes special editions a little less practical, I'd still love to see alternate versions someday. Cast them in translucent plastic. Give them metallic paint. Throw some glitter in there.

The possibilities are endless.

Awesome job, Blokees.

38 Years of Masterforce

April 12 1988

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!

Squeezeplay with Lokos and Browning [Legacy United 4-Pack/Deluxe Class]

Finishing up with our look at the Target Exclusive Transformers Legacy United 4-Pack is the main reason I wanted the set, Squeezeplay. I've got a real fondness towards the era of G1 he's from and the gimmicks they had. Admittedly I have a fondness for Transformers period, but it's like your longtime favorite restaurant. There's multiple things you like for multiple reasons. Squeezeplay is from the post movie G1 era where the Decepticons had fun colors and changed into more crazy alt modes like monsters and I love monsters. He's a Headmaster, I love partner figures and pilot figures.

His Japanese incarnation, Cancer (like the crab, I didn't name it), was heavily featured in Masterforce. A specific series I really like. Adding to that, this update is a reworked Titans Return mold, which is going down as one of my favorite Transformers series. Let's add one more specifically 'me' thing, he comes with a tiny gun mode Browning as a weapon... things like that are super awesome for me. This toy is like a bunch of beloved songs from my favorite band.

Squeezeplay uses Titans Return Mindwipe as a base mold. I most recently talked about this mold in it's use as Draculus, which was another clever use of it. Squeezeplay is pretty ingenious as they took a bat alt mode and turned it into a pretty convincing recreation of his reptile/crustation themed monster form. The entire toy is a pretty remarkable update of the original all things considered. I should probably talk about the actual toy more than just go on and on about how cool he is.

In robot mode Squeezeplay looks an awful lot like his original toy with Lokos transforming into his head. There's a little tail piece from alt mode that can be a shield or weapon and cleverly playing into the similarity of his original gun accessory is a gun mode Browning. Browning is another original series Transformer made from a Microman toy. Browning was also in Masterforce and tended to partner up with Cancer. Just so we're clear, there a character in Masterforce named Cancer whom was a child that worked with the Decepticons and was carrying around a gun that he was friends with.

Browning doesn't transform, but is a cool little extra. Robot mode is decently articulated and looks pretty good for a mold from 2016 compared to the other more recent molds in the 4-Pack. Transformation isn't difficult, but just involved enough that you need to pay attention. Lokos feels like a softer plastic, I popped his legs off accidentally bending his knees to sit him in the cockpit. I'm really impressed that his transforms mostly the same way as Mindwipe did, but now instead of wings there's arms. Alt mode looks pretty on par as an update to the original. I'm very surprised just how good this came off as, once again, the source mold turned into a bat. I think the only new parts here are the head and arms too. I'm always fascinated by design stuff like this. Ingenuity is really neat, you know? The monsters chest compartment opens up to become a cockpit for Lokos as I mentioned above and Browning can be stored on the tail... or just held. Man, imagine a monster packing heat. The really did an amazing job with Squeezeplay. The 4-Pack is a good set all around, but Squeezeplay is definitely the stand out toy of the set. So, so very good.

Transform Squadron 57- Dial One for Terrorcon

LISTEN NOW!

Rob’s gushes over Transformers One and the promotional box Hasbro sent Zone Base! Also, the Halloween episodes continue with talks of Terror... Terrorcons that is!

BIOS: Buster

Function: Space Aviator 

While not as cool and extreme of character as his older brother Hydra, Buster is far more gentle. He loves birds and owns some, and can even convey his thoughts to them.

Strength: 8 Intelligence: 7 Speed: 6 Endurance: 10
Rank: 5 Courage: 9 Firepower: 6 Skill: 7

BIOS: Hydra

Function: Space Aviation Officer
Hydra was an assassin who made his name in America's criminal underworld. Having lived the lone-wolf way of life, he is always planning to betray his companions. Hydra firmly believes that Humanity should be ruled by the Destrons. He and Buster are brothers.

Strength: 4 Intelligence: 8 Speed: 6 Endurance: 10
Rank: 7 Courage: 10 Firepower: 6 Skill: 8

Skullgrin (Legacy/Deluxe Class)

The thing I hate most about skeletons is you can never tell when they're smiling.

Skullgrin is one of those bots I just like. So far, I've managed to get each one of his toys (that I know of) and plan to continue doing so. It's hard not to like this big skull headed  brute. His newest figure is an update to the original Pretender toy (of course) that's combining the originals shell and robot mode. Most modern Pretender updates do this and they really nailed it with Skullgrin. For whatever reason, his big mechanical body with random skulls just works.

The big old skull head is made of a softer plastic. This is probably for safety concerns and helps move it out of the way during transformation. His sword/gun weapons are also made of a similar plastic. Those can be held as a sword or a gun. Hence the wording. They can be attached to his upper arms as well, giving him arm sword laser things. The tank mode cannons mount either on his back or can be held as guns. If you're covered with skulls, having a lot of firepower is expected. 

A neat callback is the fists carved into those tank cannons. They draw back to the original toy for a cool big of design homage. Honestly, I'm pretty impressed by that little touch. I mentioned a tank, that's what Skullgrin turns into. It's very similar to the original toy tank mode, while being a lot beefier and more tank-y looking. One little neat bit is... Skullgrin's tail. It's silly, sure, but cool for the design. That tail turns into a seat for the tank! I'm pretty sure you could fit an Inchman style figure in there. Try it! I dare you! Those original Pretender alt modes are pretty simple, so fleshing them out more is a good idea. Skullgrin is decently articulated and is just a good toy. Like, I have nothing bad to say about him and that's not just because I have a thing for the character. They did a great job here. Transformation is good and I just can't find anything to complain about.That's awesome, and so is he.

Metalhawk (Legacy: Evolution/Voyager Class)

Thoughts of Masterforce take me back to the days of fuzzy episodes on worn out VHS tapes and VCD's full of digital noise giving me a different appreciation of toys I already had like Powermaster Optimus Prime and desire for out of reach ones like Overlord. It was exciting to see the Pretenders animated (aside from footage used in commercials and the season 5 intro) lead by Metalhawk. 

Thankfully, Metalhawk these days has the occasional release outside of Japan, like the toy we're looking at today. Released in Transformers Legacy: Evolution, Metalhawk is a remold of the excellent Kingdom Cyclonus toy (who I have, but never talked about here). Unlike his prior updates, this time Metalhawk is based on his inner robot form and not the Pretender shell. I'm a fan of the shells designs,but it's a nice change of pace. 

Metalhawk is a larger toy as a Voyager Class figure that's pleasantly articulated and features his trademark sword and blasters. The blasters are formed by the tail fins from vehicle mode. They join together for form the blaster. The Evo-Fusion gimmick of the Evolution sub line isn't always spectacular, but I guess it makes sense here. In all honesty, it's just clever marketing to keep retailers happy while not sacrificing anything on the toy. Still, it can be funny sometimes. Other than the shell, all Metalhawk is missing is his larger rifle. Hopefully some fan groups produce an aftermarket gun and shell to really round out this pretty solid toy. 

To be honest, if I didn't know better, I would have thought this was a new mold. Metalhawk is a great update to his original toy. They really did a good job here, it looks like he stepped right off the TV screen.  Transformation is easy and felt natural. If you have Cyclonus you already know this as did I. Though it felt fresh this time. Even though I have a few other Metalhawk toys, it's still exciting owning this one. I'm brought back to the days of being a purple haired kid in a dingy hoodie working at a office supply store despite being a shaved haired middle aged man working an office job in a regularly washed hoodie. It's much easier to watch Masterforce now than it was then, though I still have that VCD set somewhere.

Bios: Black Zarak

Function: Dark Emperor

Abilities: The secret weapon of the Destrons possessing the rebuilt body of the former Mega Zarak using ultra-weight metal. His size is smaller than before, but his weight is heavier. Does he hold a black hole within him? Leaving destruction in his wake wherever he goes, he is the ultimate weapon of mass destruction!

Weapons: Black Hole Cannon, Blacking Cannons, Tyrant Spear, Black Scissors, Golden Scissors.

Final Attack: "Black Thunder."- He utilizes his super-soul power at maximum strength creating a strain on the surrounding fabric of space, swallowing everything like a black hole.

Strength: 10 Intelligence: 10 Speed: 9 Endurance: 10 Rank: 10

Courage: 9 Firepower: 10 Skill: 10

Pretty Mayhem DASH'

 

Somewhere between the running in the sun, shooting fireworks, and pool parties is some unfortunate tragedies. Summer is fun... and scary. Continuing our ongoing look at fireworks and monster Transformers this week is Sparkdash. Those lovable Firecons and Sparkabots we've been talking about also were featured in the Japanese Transformers in Masterforce. The Decepticon Sparkdash were drone foot soldiers similar to the Seacons in this series. The Autobot Sparkdash were toy only, not appearing in cartoon or manga. 

Unlike the G2 versions, the full teams were released in different colors (some characters more than others) and with different names. The Firecons are the only Sparkdash to appear in the fiction. Manga was of course black and white, but on the cartoon, they had the same colors as the Hasbro versions and not their Takara toys. Like other toys of the time, the Masterforce releases came out around the same time as the G1 versions. All the neat monsters in Masterforce help add to it's more unique spot in Transformers history. It's got more in common with more traditional super robot or tokusatsu productions. All those scary monsters  and fireworks sure make for a fun and spooky summer.

Happy Memorial Day from Zone Base!

 

It's Memorial Day! The beginning of summer and more importantly spookier times around Planet Zone! I'm currently taking the holiday weekend for a much needed break. Regular content will continue tomorrow as usual. For the moment it's time to get some rest, cook out, and just enjoy life. I hope you're enjoying the holiday weekend as well. Thank you for your continued support of Zone Base! As always, please share with your friends!

What if Destroids?

 

It was a dark and stormy night. A lone security guard patrols the medical university when he discovers the door to the morgue is open! Upon investigating he finds Decepticon Pretenders robbing the bodies of the dead! What could those dastardly fiends want with a bunch of corpses? They plan to make an army of un-dead soldiers, THE DESTROIDS ARE HERE! Part of the reason I love Masterforce so much is that it's complete departure from traditional Transformers story telling. While other series have strayed from the trail on occasion, Masterforce was the first to go it's own path. From the spooky depictions of the Decepticon Pretenders, to the Destroids, to an outright witch... Masterforce didn't mess around. Someone wanted to tell a scary story.

Run toward the victory Soldier Boy

 

I've spoken of my love of Masterforce here before and dammit I'm going to again. Recently I've been re-watching it, mostly by myself, though the other day while my wife was napping on the couch. She woke up and asked me what I was watching. I just told her robots. We often just say robots in regards to Transformers. She then said 'no, really, what even is this', and I said 'it's my Transformers cartoons'. She still did not believe me and probably still doesn't now. Masterforce is just that different of a Transformers series that it takes people completely by surprise.

Why is it so different? During development, it was decided the ongoing story had reached a natural conclusion and a fresh start was needed. The show is still in continuity with the previous shows and following shows despite of that. It's a little out of place though as it went from the then future, to obviously the late 80's. Sometimes it's best not to dwell on that sort of thing as the show was great regardless. Initially focusing on Pretenders, the show later works in Headmasters and Godmasters/Powermasters into the mix. 

The overall vibe of the show is different too. It's clearly taking inspiration from traditional super robot shows as well as tokusatsu like Super Sentai and Ultraman. MetalHawk and Shuta Go remind me a lot of older Ultraman shows where the Ultra of the series would often serve as a mentor to a local child. The kids before becoming Headmaster Jr's make me think of the team from Hard Gumi. The Pretenders go from standard human disguises to armored mode in battle. Then release their inner robot mode as things get complicated when fighting the monstrous Decepticon Pretenders and Seacons. Which follows the standard fighting sequence of a Super Sentai/Power Rangers series. Godmasters/Powermasters are handled similarly as well.

Aside from the stark differences, the show is just fun. From the all out brutality of the Decepticons to moments like Shuta playing soccer at school. The show is a roller coaster ride, and that's just the first few minutes! Clearly as someone who likes monsters, spooky stuff, Pretenders and loves Powermaster Optimus Prime like I do would favor this show. Not just that, but Transformers every once and awhile needs a refreshing and this was the first major one. Not just a change of scenery or new characters, they practically reinvented the wheel while still staying true to it's roots. It's a real treat to watch the first time and again for the millionth.

Tales From Medical Hell Prt.1

To say this week has not gone as planned would be an understatement. It's night 2 at the hospital and I've gotten a little too used to the TV system already. So far I've put in viewings of Gozilla, Godzilla Raids Again, and the original Star Wars trilogy. Not counting various reruns of Golden Girls and Family Guy. I had planned to do some gaming or more updates to the site, but with doctor's in and out all day... it didn't happen. I did manage to pre-order T-Wrecks, so go me! 

I've got more doctor's work to be done before they let me go home. Going to be on some medication for awhile and a low sodium diet. Not forever, just for a while. So here's hoping I don't make any mistakes in the next few months. Don't feel like a heart transplant later and would rather not spend another week in a hospital. I'm finally in a room and not in the ER. So much cozier accommodations for the rest of the stay. Though the ER had a ghost that moaned the entire time. When I say ghost, I mean crazy old woman moaning non-stop. She may be a ghost.

Seeing R.E.D Over MEGA SCF

The new Transformers R.E.D figures appearing on store shelves have been drawing a lot of comparisons to Action Masters due to the non-transforming nature of the figures. That's a fair comparison, but Action Masters aren't the only non-transforming Transformers toys (or even the first). I'd compare those more to the ReAction figures by Super7. While an Action Master has a little more articulation, they look similar. 

My mind instantly goes to MEGA SCF when looking at R.E.D figures. They're pretty similar in sculpting and honestly the R.E.D figures seem like an evolution of them more than anything. 

Super Collection Figure (SCF) was a blind box figurine line by Takara in the early 2000's that I was a very big fan of. Great little figurines that were perfect little representations of G1 Transformers based on their cartoon appearance. The line went from the early years to Victory before ending with Legends of the Microns (Armada). 

Hasbro brought the line to America as Heroes of Cybertron and was generally sold in smaller stores. I was in heaven with these figures and was pretty sad when it ended. They were very fun to buy and collect. I still  remember gathering around a table with a few others SCF fans at BotCon 2002 and talking about the different chase figures for what felt like hours. Shortly before the con, a local comic shop had a box of the Masterforce series and I bought the entire thing one Sunday morning. Having that Black Zarak build figure was something I was very proud of at the time.

As the line progressed the MEGA versions came out and they were a pretty big step up. Larger and featuring a good bit of articulation with extra parts for all sorts of scene recreations. Like regular SCF they ranged from various points in G1 and Armada. 

Some people make the comparisons to Revoltech when talking about the R.E.D figures. Those are nice, don't get me wrong, but their sculpting was very different. These look more in line with the sculpting style of R.E.D. Which admittedly is part of the draw to R.E.D for me. They seem like a continuation of a former line I liked a lot.

I'll just have to buy them too. 

Darn.

Bios- Guzzle

Abilities: Proud of his land attacks. He produces flames from his mouth which melt the ground and advances, dashing to the ground.

Weapons: Unknown

Final Attack: "The Ground Fire" - He is able to shoot flames into the ground which appear under his enemy's feet.

Gun Robo Violence

There's something about a small boy straight up pulling a gun out like that. Though, I I saw an Acrosatan out in the wild, I might do the same. Fortunately that's not ordinary gun, that's a Gun Robo M-1910. In Transformers the mold got used for Browning in Masterforce. I remember for a while there was a rumor going around that M-1910 was considered for Megatron instead of the Walther P-38. I would have liked that better, I've always thought it was a better toy.

Back on the chain gang

I love Pretenders. Seriously, there's just an extra level of fun by adding those goofy shells. Sometimes it's pretty weird how some concepts are handled in other countries. Takara's use of Pretenders was pretty dammed superior to Hasbro's. Takara didn't take a bunch of time to explain the concept like Hasbro, they gave it a few words and just ran wild with it. Though it doesn't hurt that the gimmick was pretty similar to other henshin heroes type shows and lines. Masterforce was practically an animated Super Sentai series, really.

Masterforce English dub bumbers

While we're all enjoying the holiday break, why not take a few moments to enjoy the bumper segments for the Star TV/Omni/RTM1 version of Masterforce. That guy totally gets hoarse halfway through.