Scavenger [Galaxy Version 03 The Autobot Run]

I can relate to Scavenger a little. I've had my share of self esteem issues over time and know what a bummer they can be. When I was a kid, I wanted to fit in with others to usually no avail. Leading me to either make a fool of myself or just not say anything to anyone. Where do I belong? Who knows, but Scavenger is that guy too. Of course the Decepticons are jerks, so no matter what, they think he's a loser. Wow, just like the other kids at school!

However, Scavenger has a useful skill that they actually need. Scavenger turns into an excavator and his shovel can detect useful materials. Man, if only he had some sense of self worth and knew his value. But just like society, they keep putting him down. It's all about being controlled by jerks who just want you to do something for them. Don't worry Scavenger, one day you'll stand tall. I believe in you. Know what Scavenger? You've got one impressive Blokees. Those bright Constructicon greens and purples look great and your looks go super well with that signature Blokees style. Your way cool shovel isn't just one piece hanging off your back, it actually features a few points of articulation. That's a nice little extra they didn't have to do.

You've got your trusty Laser Pistol for fighting others battles and of course the standard Blokees set of hands, symbols, and display stand. See Scavenger, you're just like everyone else... except that special shovel. Megatron needs someone to hold him in gun mode, think about that. Scavenger, I also really like how your face came out. Blokees heads assemble uniquely by combining the helmet parts around the eyes and face components. Thanks to this and that Blokees style, your head came out a little extra distinct looking to me. Scavenger, one day I hope that you see that you're something special. Because like your Blokees shows, you are!

Predacon Inferno (Legacy/Voyager Class)

I was absolutely ecstatic when Inferno from Beast Wars was announced for the Transformers Legacy  toy line. A long time fan (and personal) favorite from the series was finally getting an update. Unfortunately distribution wasn't the greatest and it took a while to find one. I finally did sometime in the late spring/early summer of this year, thankfully, and now seems like a great time to talk about him. Like most modern updates of classic characters, Inferno is very show accurate. I know I often say they look as though they walked off my TV screen a lot, but that's what they do and Inferno most definitely does. His mouth can even open for those famously maniacal bouts of insanity. Inferno rules.

As he should, Inferno transforms into a fire ant. A VERY LARGE FIRE ANT. The ant is fairly realistic and transformation from robot to beast mode is reasonably easy. The ant's legs feature a decent amount of articulation with moving legs and pinching pincers. In robot mode, Inferno has an impressive amount of movement. This is really a great toy of him. I've always held the original up to a high standard and this is a big improvement. They did a great job. Inferno's signature BFG from the show is well represented and doubles as the rocket for his blender butt flight mode. Said mode doesn't have the propeller gimmick of the original toy... but I don't mind that. There is some inner detailing sculpted in intended to resemble Scavenger. The Antagony version of this mold comes with a Scavenger head that can be used on Antagony or Inferno to bring the third Beast Wars ant toy up to date. Scavenger is a different character, however the toy was meant to represent a Transmetal version of Inferno in Japan. So you can either have a new Scavenger or Transmetal's Inferno if you choose.

I don't have anything bad to say about Inferno. I can imagine the beast mode kibble turning off some... and that's fair. I personally expect it to be there as the bug legs have a history of hanging around in robot mode. Fortunately they can be posed out of the way or removed if one desires (just don't loose them for later transformations). Once again, this is a really great update of a classic fan favorite that looks like it just walked off my TV screen. I shouldn't speak for others, but I feel like saying this is a special toy for Beast Wars fans. The others get regular updates, but Inferno... not so much. That's not cool. Inferno rules. Thankfully this one's good enough to fill that insane gap for a while. 

For the Royalty.

Biocombat on a dark and stormy night

Transmetal Scavenger is a funny toy. He was obviously intended to be Transmetal Inferno at some point, so much so that the Japanese version IS Transmetal Inferno. Considering Inferno was originally meant to be Megatron, Inferno has a habit of intended to be somebody else at some point. Hell, I still remember my Scavenger's receipt saying 'Inferno'... and Rampage's said 'Killer Crab' which would have been a great name. Though on his own, Scavenger is a good looking toy. I'm convinced he's a homage to Warudaros, but that's a return to all the intended to be talk earlier.

STOMP STOMP STOMP

I've said before a few million times that I really like big chunky robot toys. That was part of the reason I loved Armada so much. The was one guy from Armada really took the cake in that department that was ever so fun to play with. Scavenger may look like a Constructicon, he's got the colors, the name, and the look. So much that his Japanese name was Devastor, because freaking look at him. Armada was like that, full of homages while still doing something different. Scavenger in this case is an Autobot, which follows in the Build Team's lead of Autobot Constrution equipment guys.

Scavenger's Mini-Con is named Rollbar, who's a likeable enough Mini-Con that can turn into a dune buggy type vehicle. In robot mode Scavenger has a few 'dead' Mini-Con ports, but most notably is his hip mounted missile launcher that can be fired when attaching a Mini-Con. Yes it's weird. His Mini-Con interaction is more notable in vehicle mode, I'll get to that in a minute. As you can tell by the picture above, Scavenger is a big old boy with some big old arms. Though you've probably noticed his legs, they have no articulation whatsoever. Instead they feature the robot modes biggest and most fun play feature. As you push Scavenger across the floor, he stomps his feet making zany robot noises. He just stomps around in a lovable manner that won my heart over the first time I tried it for myself. It's a silly toy and I love it. 

Armada Scavenger and Jetfire

Man, I loved Armada. Such a cool line with fun gimmicks and big chunky robots!

Put mah jet pants on

Armada toys were so stinking fun to get.