Autobot Bumper [Age of the Primes / Target Exclusive 4-Pack]

"I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."

The grumpy one then made bold to inquire what business brought him there. “Your spark!” said the Ghost. The grumpy one expressed himself much obliged, but couldn’t help thinking that a night of unbroken rest would have been more conducive to that end. The Spirit must have heard him thinking, for it said immediately: “Your reclamation, then. Take heed! For the seeds of the future lie buried in the past."

Bumper is an oddball Transformers who’s been around since the beginning but has only really been a character for about the past 20 years. As has been said more times than necessary, the bulk of the original Transformers toys from 1984/1985 came from Diaclone and Microman molds. Bumblebee and Cliffjumper specifically came from the Microman Micro Change line. They shared engineering — essentially the same toy skeleton with different car parts and robot heads.

Another robot from that Micro Change series was MC-04 Mini CAR Robo 02 Familia 1500XG. Same engineering again, but transforming into a Mazda Familia 1500XG as the name suggests. All of these toys came in multiple colors, but it’s common to see this one in yellow. When the molds were used for Transformers, Bumblebee and Cliffjumper were released in their familiar yellow and red. Though, as many know, reversed-color versions also slipped out. During that weird early era, the Mazda mold ended up released in Cliffjumper packaging in yellow. Rumors persist that it also came in Bumblebee packaging, but no packaged sample has ever surfaced, while Cliffjumper-labeled ones are plentiful.

Plenty of speculation says Hasbro may have intended the Mazda toy to be its own character and that’s what caused the weird release — but nobody knows for sure now. It’s just one of those oddities from the strange early years of Transformers. Multiple toy lines mashed together to create a single brand. It’s been 41 years and we’re still discovering things from that time. The toy was widely known as “Bumblejumper” in the fandom for years, eventually shortened to Bumper by some. During the Dreamwave comics era, he was made an official character and officially named Bumper. Twenty years after being released seemingly by mistake, he finally became part of the team!

Bumper has always been special to me. Not just because getting one back in the day meant a lot, but also because I once had a cat named Bumper. I remember bringing that kitten home from the store, watching him roam around the living room while I tried to think of a name. I wanted a Transformers name… let’s see… Eject… Swerve… BONK! He walked head-first into the wall. Bumper. And that was that. All these years later, Bumper finally gets an official toy actually named Bumper — only his second ever. Imagine how slighted he must feel.

The figure itself is a remold/repaint of Studio Series 86 Bumblebee. I talked about that figure in a prior post, so most of the ins and outs are there, but let’s look at what makes Bumper different. Obviously he has a new head sculpt faithful to the original Micro Change toy. It’s hard to notice without comparing them directly, but he’s a different shade of yellow. Headlights are colored a little differently. His Autobot symbol has a silver border, making it look more like the stickers from the original toys — a nice touch I really appreciate, probably thanks to my early-2000s Mini-Bot obsession. It wasn’t uncommon to see one in my messenger bag back then. These days a Legion/Legend Class Bumblebee lives in my sling bag. Guess some things never change.

When Studio Series Bumblebee released, a lot of fans scoffed at his very angular car mode. Robot mode was perfect, but the car was off-model from the classic VW Bug. As Bumper though, it works so much better. Not exactly a Mazda Familia… but close enough. I really like this toy, and that carries over here. Guess I just like these guys. Bumper has the same gun as Bumblebee, now molded in a gunmetal color. It can store on his backside in car mode. It’s probably no surprise that I like this toy — the base mold is one I already loved, and the old-school fan in me appreciates the new Bumper figure even more. I spent more time looking at the past than the present with this one, but a toy like Bumper is the type that makes you look back.

Bios: Magnificus

Function: Outcast

Once the Military Consul for the Decepticon domain of Mebion, Magnificus was framed and convicted thanks to a crafty trap set by Decepticon command staff who were jealous of his position.  He was ousted and sent to be a pit-fighting robot in a remote region of space.  His partner Ga'mede was a member of the royal family of Xeptos, a planet existing a subatomic inner space, but just as he was to be executed over a family dispute, he was rescued into the macroverse thanks to Magnificus' matter-enlarging scope.  The two were bonded almost immediately by implicit trust owing to their similar circumstances, and have crossed numerous battlefields and parts of the underworld together.  Their travels have gained them a suitable stock of wealth and armaments, with which they carry out a campaign of heartless revenge on the traitors who brought Magnificus low.

Strength: 10 Intelligence: 10 Speed: 5 Endurance: 10
Rank: 0 Courage: 10 Fireblast: 10 Skill: 10

Twincast with Rewind (Legacy Evolution)

I recently lucked up on Twincast and Rewind at my local Gamestop and eagerly purchased them. For the record, my local Gamestop is rather large, well run, and feels more like a small toy store than a traditional Gamestop. I'm quite aware others don't have that luxury... and find it kind of weird myself. Twincast happily came home with me and even though I have the Blaster and Eject this set is made from... they're sadly in a backlog of unopened toys. So this is my first time experiencing the mold in all it's glory. Twincast and Rewind are pretty much a straight repaint of the prior toys, thought Twincast does have a slight head remold. He's giving a slight wink, similar to his first appearance in the Headmasters cartoon. While I understand this incarnation's backstory is that of a failed clone by Shockwave... we all know who he's supposed to be.

It's easy to automatically think Twincast uses Radi-Casse Robo's colors, but he's actually quite different. The blue does make me mentally think Mico Change and I find myself forgetting the differences as well. Actually, both Microman versions are similar enough to the Transformers toys that a straight homage would probably get a lot of criticism. That's a shame, it's an exclusive version I'd like to see. Especially using this mold as a basis, because it's a great update to Blaster/Twincast. Pleasantly larger than a standard figure being a Voyager class and well articulated. His transformation into a boombox is pretty easily done. There is a little bit of panel forming that can make the process a bit fiddly if you don't get everything lined up just right, but I found it pretty simple. Rewind is, of course, much smaller but feels pretty well done. Like with Eject before him, Rewind is mostly cast in translucent plastic. That's a sticking point for some as the stuff tends to get brittle and crack in time, but it does look nice. 

Rewind of course turns into a cassette tape that fits in Twincast's tape deck via pressing the player's buttons. Doing so will cause the door to pop open, allowing for Rewind or any other to scale tape bots to fit in. I do love my cassette robots, really with I could have scored that Siege two pack that got released with the Micromasters a few years ago. Oh well, hopefully some more will find their way out. Blaster and Twincast could use a Ramhorn and Steeljaw. Twincast comes with his Electro-Scrambler rifle as did Blaster. It can store on the back of the stereo or held in either hand. His right hand is posed with an outwards finger to simulate pulling the trigger or pressing his tape deck buttons. It's a cool touch. Twincast is an Evolution toy, which means he features some for of combination gimmick as does the rest of the Legacy Evolution figures. Though being a mold from a prior line they try to sell storing the gun in alt mode as his Evo-Fusion ability on the back of the box. Yep.

Aiming for a good Week

Another Monday has cursed us with it's presence, but at least a new week on Planet Zone is here to ... I dunno, do something. Like you all, I wish there was more weekend to enjoy. Such is life I guess, and if it means anything, I've got a fun week of posts to hopefully help get you to next weekend. 

As far as toys go, I got a few. Transformers Earth Spark warrior class Optimus Prime and Tacticons Bumblebee and Megatron. I originally planned to get just a few Tacticons... and since getting Optimus last week... I'm hooked. They give me Mini-Con energy and that's all it took. They're surprisingly fun, simple little bots. Hopefully they'll be as fun to collect as Mini-Cons were.

I stated off Sunday waking up early and watching Tokushoutsu. I do love that channel and Sunday morning just the proper time to indulge in it. A stop by Five Below later provided a little extra fun. I picked up another copy of the Yokaiden manga... I still haven't read the last one, but I do love some yokai. It's February and hankering for Halloween is running wild in my heart. So of course spooky shit is more than welcome. 

The store also had a new surprise for me. Bakugan figurines! Instead of the normal changing little orbs, figurines of a few Bakugan as they appear on the show. I got a white and blue Hydorous. The figures are sold in two alternate colors and come with cards and coins. Pretty neat! I should get this week started, there'sstuff to do. Thanks to everyone for reading. If you could, please share my posts with your friends. That'd be awesome.

Bios: Magnificus

 

Function: Outcast

Once the Military Consul for the Decepticon domain of Mebion, Magnificus was framed and convicted thanks to a crafty trap set by Decepticon command staff who were jealous of his position.  He was ousted and sent to be a pit-fighting robot in a remote region of space.  His partner Ga'mede was a member of the royal family of Xeptos, a planet existing a subatomic inner space, but just as he was to be executed over a family dispute, he was rescued into the macroverse thanks to Magnificus' matter-enlarging scope.  The two were bonded almost immediately by implicit trust owing to their similar circumstances, and have crossed numerous battlefields and parts of the underworld together.  Their travels have gained them a suitable stock of wealth and armaments, with which they carry out a campaign of heartless revenge on the traitors who brought Magnificus low.

Superior to the Core

I picked up Core Class Soundwave this past weekend. I really like this new size class Kingdom introduced. Seeing as it's continuing in Legacy and being worked into Studio Series, I'm not the only one. Soundwave is a really nice toy for what's is the new basic size.

He's pleasantly articulation. Mostly due to transformation, but I'm not complaining. In fact, it almost makes him comparable to the Microman figures he originated from. Soundwave turns into his traditional cassette player and even has an opening door complete with Laserbeak in tape mode!

Laserbeak doesn't transform, but it's still a nice extra. I have no complaints with this figure whatsoever. I do wish his robot mode feet tucked away better in alt mode from abetter looking tape player. So far Core Class has had some really great figures. I'm really looking forward to more as it's been great so far. This one though, is going to be pretty hard to beat.

Bios: Howlback

Function: Enforcer

A member of the Cobalt Sentries, a public safety unit attached to the Decepticon Secret Police, comprised of elite soldiers regularly clad in blue armor. She exercises her abilities suppressing insurgents or exposing resistance activities in the Decepticon-controlled regions of planet Cybertron or on occupied worlds, and has the unconditional authority to arrest and execute any citizens suspected of disrupting the Decepticons' steel order. Possessed of graceful bearing and elegance, she is also extremely severe and uncompromising, and will silence backtalking subordinates with a sharp roar. In combat, she employs a Feedbacker Shield, which absorbs, modulates, and redirects energy weapons back at enemies.

Soundwave Superior

Another of my Christmas gifts from the Mrs. was the new Netflix War for Cybertron Soundwave. Like all other Netflix Transformers toys, he's exclusive to Walmart and quite the hot commodity right now. While most of the Netflix lines is repaints of prior Siege and Earthrise toys, Soundwave is a remold of his Siege toy. In Siege he had a pretty G1 faithful robot mode and turned into some kind of space ship. Now with a few remolded parts, he can turn into a very faithful version of his G1 tape player mode. 

This gives fans the best homage of the original Soundwave as a Generations toy. Prior to that was the Masterpiece toy which can command a pretty high price these days and may not be as easy to find. Now you can easily go to your local Walmart and pick one up for $40. Not a bad deal at all. Now the only issue is if he's in stock, which results may vary.

Like I said, he's a very faithful recreation of the Soundwave from G1 and looks very much like his cartoon appearance. He even comes with a Laserbeak and Ravage. Those are direct reissues of the Siege versions as far as I can tell. I'm a big fan of the Laserbeak, though Ravage is a much blockier cat than you expect going in. I don't mind it, but there's no ignoring it either.

Soundwave can store a single cassette in his tape door and the eject button opens the door as you'd expect going in. The transformation from robot to tape deck is pretty simple and not very much different from the original G1/Microman toy. You do have to get a few things exactly right or he won't tab together correctly. It's not too hard thankfully.

Soundwave overall is pretty great. I already really liked the Siege version. I can't really complain about an improved version of it. He's classic G1 Soundwave with modern toy upgrades such as plentiful articulation. When you buy this, you know 100% what you're buying it for and you're getting exactly that. 

I'm not sure if he can still change into the spaceship mode the original Siege toy has. I didn't even bother trying, I already have that toy (and Soundblaster) and wanted this for the obvious reasons. I don't really have anything to complain about either. Though have seen some complaints about some of the random gaps in robot mode from part storage in alt mode.

That's kinda a 'is what it is' thing with Transformers though, just going to happen sometimes. I've seen others complain that it's another G1 update, which is another 'is what it is' thing. Hasbro is a big successful company, their going to do what makes them money. That's just how the world works. It is what it is.

For me, Soundwave is another one of those classic characters I just can't get enough of. I don't mind when they get experimental with him or when they do something like this. He's one of the more iconic parts of Transformers and as the line approaches 40 years it's legacy is going to be more and more important. They'll make a brand new looking Batman and release a traditional one right after. They'll be a new bad guy in Star Wars and a updated Darth Vader figure on the hooks as well. That's just how legacy brands work and I don't have a problem with that. I'm happy to have another updated classic Soundwave.

Netflix Bumblebee And Chill

One of my Christmas gifts from my wife was the new Netflix deluxe Bumblebee. Part of the War for Cybertron series exclusive to Walmart, I was really excited when I opened him up. I really wanted this one. Y'all know I love me some Bumblebee. Unlike prior Classics or Generations style Bumblebee figures, this one turns into his classic VW Bug alt mode. I've never complained about the sporty hatchback they've used in it's place, but man I do love that classic look.

Bumblbee is a re-shelling of the skeleton used for Earthrise Cliffjumper (I also have him). Which means literally the same thing it meant for the G1/Microman versions of the toy. Same skeleton, different car parts and head. So if you liked one, then you'll like the other. Probably. 

There's also a Bugbite and Hubcap version of the mold and I must get the Bugbite. Ever since that old E-Hobby set, I've had a thing for Bugbite. I'm going to say Bugbite one more time.

Bugbite. 

Bumblebee has the same big ass gun that Cliffjumper had. It can be split into 2-3 smaller guns, which fit Bumblebee better. The back stock of the big gun can be unfolded and used with the guns, but all I could ever come up with was a panini press which is just silly. He's fighting a War for Cybertron, there's no time for lunch.

The back windshield/roof of the car can also be used as a shield. Which anyone who's had a pine comb fall on their car while driving or a rock hit their windshield can tell you is a horrible idea. But once again, alien robots from outer space who disguise themselves among humans as dinosaurs. Reality isn't their strong suit.

I hope Bumblebee doesn't try to run holding that big gun. He's gonna trip and bust his bumble ass.

Bumblebee is exactly what you'd be expecting when buying a War for Cybertron toy. That's a very faithful updated toy of a classic character. There's no mistaking classic G1 Bee when you see him and that's him 100%. As a toy he's pretty well articulated with a variety of joints. If scales your thing, you should be pleased that he's fairly to scale with other Generations figures appropriately to character. I think that made sense.

Transformation isn't too difficult, though I did have problems getting everything to fit in at first. I admittedly use baby hands when transforming these things as to not accidentally break my toy. I have big grown man hands things can happen. That being said, I couldn't get that back portion to sit in flush with the rest of the car. I probably did something wrong.

Overall, I really like this figure. Not in that "Rob likes everything" way (I'm that weirdo that enjoys his hobbies), but as in I was very pleased with him outside of expectations. I've been a fan of the War for Cybertron toys (as you know) and this is another really good one. It feels like Bumblebee walked off my TV screen and awkwardly posed on a TV tray in my living room.

Bumblebee Strikes A Blizzard

The Dollar General Kreon Iceberg continues as we take a look today at Blizzard Strike Bumblebee. As the name implies, he's the Blizzard/White version of the Armor Up Bumblebee I spoke about earlier this week. I've yet to find the Night Strike variation... and hopefully I will soon. It's stealthy. 

Blizzard Strike Bumblebee however is fantastic looking. Like the other color variations of these guys he's a straight recolor of the regular toy. His armor is white to match his arctic theme, while the rest of it as well as the standard kreon is this WONDERFUL translucent/clear yellow that just POPS. There's sharp, and then there's this.

I've always been a fan of translucent colors on Transformers and this is a prime example of why. It just looks marvelous. Of course the Microman resemblance is strong here. The standard Kreon looks a lot like a Microman M10X type or with the armor a little like a Rescue M25X type. It's funny how just a few colors can make a recolor look like a different Microman, but it does. When Hasbro first got the Micronauts license, I said they should use them in Kre-O.

I was so right.

Armor Up Of The Bumblebee

Continuing on our Custom Kreons found at the Dollar General adventures on what's apparently a Bumblebee heavy week... man that was a long sentence. Here's Armor Up Bumblebee! Bumblebee is a bit of a standout from the other figures in this selection. Instead of having ornate armor, BB has two big chain guns just hanging off his shoulders. I mean, why not?

I didn't go into these expecting everyone's favorite little yellow guy to be carrying the heavy weapons, but I ain't complaining. It looks great. Just for good measure they gave him a standard laser gun. Just to make sure he REALLY kills somebody.

In all honesty, as good as he looks, he doesn't make me think of Bumblebee at all. The Kreon makes me think of a Saram from new Microman. Those are from the Microchange era of Microman, which ironically is where the original toy mold for Bumblebee comes from.

These resemblances can't just be a coincidence.

Immortal Bumblebee Toy

The Legends/Legion Bumblebee mold from Reveal The Shield has been re-released so many times over the past decade that I'm amazed it's still in use. I think it's run as a discount store toy has been going for a steady 6 years straight with no end in sight. I don't know who's counting, but this is probably the longest running Transformers toy of all time.

The figure gets random changes as time goes. From different releases or just whatever random reason, they'll be something different about it occasionally. That was the reason I got it again recently. In October actually, my wife was at Five Below and sent me a picture of the toys asking if I wanted anything. I spotted the Bumblebee and asked her to grab me one. It'd been a while since I'd gotten a version of it (maybe the Cliffjumper from 2015) and I was curious to see what was different this time.

If you've never had the figure, it's still a good one to get. Classic Bumblebee as you expect him updated to transform into a sporty hatchback. The toy predates the current return to VW Bug Bumblebee toys and was released during the time VW wasn't ok with their car being used.

The sporty hatchback has always been a good replacement to me and kinda looks pretty similar to a Bug. This figure is pretty close in size to the original Microman toy and it's always felt like a natural evolution of it to me. 

The toy itself it pretty good. He's got the basic level of articulation you'd expect from a Legion Class toy. In robot mode it looks like Bumblebee got a new alt mode on some episode and it walked off the screen.

His transformation is pretty similar to the original as well. Pull them legs up and fold those feet down. Push those arms in and fold the back over to cover the head. Classic Bumblebee. They were clearly updating the original toy.

He wasn't too different from what I can remember of the last time I got this toy. Same stripes and Autobot symbol placement. The grey on his robot parts looks darker and I swear the yellow is a little too. Not enough to qualify as a new variation, but it's darker than I remember. I'm sure.

The plastic felt a little flimsy this time. Not sure if that's from mold degradation or maybe just a cheaper plastic used. Considering the toy only costs $5, I'm sure they've needed to adjust the recipe a little over the years.

They downsized the bubble on his card and MADE the figure fit inside. Bumblebee is crammed inside the packaging half transformed. At first I thought I had gotten a broken one. Apparently all of them at the store were that way... in 10 years a fan who was a kid in 2020 will make a custom Bumblebee based on this. I really look forward to it.

Blast It!

Blaster is one of those guys I've always liked. Admittedly Transformers made from Microman molds have a special place in my heart, but he's just so cool! He also looks like the last of the Walmart exclusive G1 reissues. So, I'm looking forward to getting mine soon. Well I think he's the last, they haven't really said they'll be anymore. I guess they could sneak one out.

In August I decided just to pre-order one instead of trying to find him at my local store.You know, just let him get delivered to my door and not worrying about anything right? Right? A week before the order is to ship, they send me an email saying it's been delayed until October 9th. Well, whatever, I've got one right? I'll just be patient.

There he is, just a pile of Blasters sitting on the shelves of my local Walmart. But hey, I'll just wait. Then as I add a He-Man to my grocery order (I can do it, so I did) and there he is... on the app. Groceries get delivered to my doorstep with a He-Man. 

No problems. 

But I'm going to be patient. Stop by same store, same pile of Blaster toys on shelves. I'll be patient. Then today I see multiple people who pre-ordered Earthrise toys get shipped Essential Oils instead... 

I've been patient. But that doesn't mean I don't know a future headache when I see one. I canceled the order and added him to my grocery list. I mean dang.

 

Wal-Mart, get your shit together.

Bios- Warpath

A good shot is worth more than a good intention.

Thinks he is more impressive than his comrades do...likes to show off his sharpshooting. Boisterous, loud-mouthed...raucious sense of humor makes him welcome company. Vain----upset by even the smallest scratch in his gun barrel. Can go 30 mph over roughest terrain, hit a hex nut 1.5 miles away. Shoots explosives, thermal, cryogenic, acid, and sonic shells. Great strength but helpless if upended.

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.

If all your friends were jumping of a cliff...

Images of the new Earthrise Cliffjumper toy surfaced earlier today and man does he look sharp. I really like the inclusion of his overcompensation cannon. I always dug that from the cartoon (where did he even keep that thing?) and they did a really good job recreating that classic look. I've always liked that red on black deco and his squat robot form.

His car mode looks really nice. It's not a toy car like his G1 toy turned into, but that's not really a big deal. I don't think any of the Mini-Cars kept that aesthetic after the original molds. Not to mention, despite being a homage, it's still not the original toy. So seriously. Cliffjumper's a deluxe, and a smaller figure than other deluxes which is kinda a bummer since he's still going to cost the same deluxe price. Though I guess scale accurate folks will like that. His overcompensation cannon probably makes up for some of that in the overall cost.

I'm really glad to get a pretty accurate Cliffjumper. They've generally made steps to make him different in more recent toys and that's cool, but with the obvious classic-ness of the WFC toys, duh. I've always been pretty fond of the Mini-Cars and whenever they do a new version of them, I'm usually all over it. Looking forward to the various conversations over him in the Microman groups.

MC05- Looking at You

I've been slowly building my Siege Reflector/Refractor, buying a figure once a week. I've got two so far, just need one more and boom. I decided to buy the retail version as the sculpt is decidedly based on the Reflectors classic cartoon appearance as is the retail colors. The Amazon set is pretty tempting as it's based on the original toys colors, but I think I'd much rather have an original set in those colors. I've never had a G1 Reflector and with so many of the knock offs floating around the internet, I'd like to get one of that. Though in the end I'll probably just get the Amazon set, but still.

Let me tell you about my Micromans

This past weekend I was looking through the closet in my toy room for something and came across a few of my Microman toys. This lead to my wife asking what they were and a small discussion about them. I really wish I would have put some pictures of them on my Instagram as they're such nice looking toys. It didn't really occur to me at the time though as I was doing something else. Still, I do wish Takara would bring back Microman again.

They've been doing seemingly well with the Diaclone Reboot (I assume) and I was a big fan of the early 2000's Microman stuff. I've been holding out for whatever Hasbro does with Micronauts as a filler... though part of me is starting to wonder if anything will actually come. It's 2019 and no cartoon as told and 2020 is half a year away and nothing yet from that movie. I recall a job listing for a brand manager for the division, but that was before Hasbro's recent business developments, so who knows if it's even on the table anymore? I try to be optimistic about things, but reality is reality and sometimes projects just don't come to fruition. Hopefully something will come sooner or later.

Punch Robo vs Death King

Micro Robot 7