Leo Prime/Lio Convoy (Robot and Beast) [Defender Version 07 – Power of the Beast]

@robfromzonebase Leo Prime/Lio Convoy (robot and beast) [Transformers Blokees Defender Version 07- Power of the Beast] #zonebase #transformers #blokees #blokeestransformers #beastwars ♬ Volcano Girls - Veruca Salt

I was extremely excited to see Lio Convoy (or Leo Prime, as Hasbro now him) included in the Blokees Transformers Defender Version 07: Power of the Beast assortment when it was first revealed.

Extremely.

Sure, I get excited for every Defender Version assortment, but this one was a particularly big deal for me.

During the Beast era, Lio Convoy was one of the coolest-looking Transformers on the planet. College-aged me (who was perpetually broke) couldn't afford one, so for the longest time he existed only as JPEGs I'd printed on my old HP inkjet printer and thumbtacked to the wall next to Coal Chamber posters.

Remember that terrible OfficeMax job I've mentioned before? While working in the copy center, I printed one of the Beast Wars II movie promotional images of Lio Convoy battling Galvatron as a poster.

It proudly hung on my wall for years. In fact, I still have that wonderfully pixelated poster folded up inside a tote in the garage. It spent years hanging on whatever refrigerator I happened to have.

Come to think of it...

Maybe I should turn that image into a refrigerator magnet for the current one.

At BotCon 2001, I finally picked up a pair of sofubi figures of Lio Convoy and Galvatron. Between those, a few PVC figures, and some little keshi, they were my stand-ins until I eventually tracked down the real toys.

These days you can hardly throw a rock without hitting a new toy of one of the Japanese Beast Wars leaders, but there was a time when they felt incredibly special.

Honestly...

They still do.

In this assortment, Lio Convoy is available in three different forms: his beast mode, his robot mode, and a Special Armor Type version of the robot. I'm thrilled to have the standard robot mode, but I'd really like to add the Special Armor version someday. It features chrome detailing, Energon Tonfas, a blast effect for his jet pack, and the Convoy Council cape from his later appearances.

Now that I think about it, Flame Toys even produced a Furai Model version with the cape.

I really should pick that up.

There have been all sorts of alternate color versions of Lio Convoy over the years, but part of me wishes Blokees would surprise us with an Alpha Trion version. During the old 3H era of BotCon, there were plans for an Alpha Trion toy based on Beast Machines Snarl. When Alpha Trion first appeared in that story, though, he was illustrated using Lio Convoy's silhouette instead.

That's one of those wonderful "what if?" moments that would make for an incredibly fun special edition.

Today we're looking at both the standard robot mode and beast mode kits. Like the other Defender Version releases, Blokees treats each mode as its own separate model instead of trying to engineer a transformation between them.

Personally, I love that approach.

A transforming toy always has to make compromises. By separating the two modes, both end up looking as good as they possibly can.

The lion assembles very easily. The body begins with two large halves connected by an internal frame that acts as the skeleton for the rest of the kit. The legs and feet go together quickly, while the head gets a little extra attention. The lower jaw is assembled separately before attaching to the face, which then connects to the mane. Additional mane pieces can fold upward to recreate the Lion Typhoon attack.

Once complete, the lion has a modest amount of articulation. The jaw opens, and the mane pieces can be displayed raised or lowered.

The robot builds much like a standard Defender Version kit, although it has a few fun gimmicks. The lion claw sections can be displayed forward for his claw attack or folded back to resemble the mane pieces seen on his forearms. The lion head that normally sits on his shoulder can also be swapped with the full beast-mode head, allowing you to display the Lion Typhoon in robot mode. It's a little oversized, but it looks fantastic.

Like a few of the Beast Wars Defender Version kits, the extra armor around the forearms slightly limits articulation. Personally, I don't mind, although I'm sure it probably drives somebody on the internet absolutely crazy.

Lio Convoy also includes a yellow blaster using the same mold that's been included with several Defender Version kits. I tend to think of it as this line's equivalent of the classic Optimus Prime rifle. Part of me wishes Lio Convoy had received a yellow version of that weapon instead, but this one still looks great in his hands.

Once assembled, this is an incredibly sharp-looking mini figure.

Like Cheetor before him, I can't help but compare him to the sprites from Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle on the Game Boy Color. The proportions are surprisingly similar, and now I've got myself wishing Blokees would release a line of Defender Version kits painted to match those pixel-art colors.

Now that I've said it...

I want that even more.

Lio Convoy has always been a special character to me, and Blokees absolutely nailed him. This is one of those rare instances where I honestly don't have a single complaint.

I'm just ridiculously, blissfully happy with it.

I wish everything did that.

Nemesis Leo Prime (Legacy Evolution/Voyager Class)

As happy as I was to get the updated Lio Convoy, it's probably no surprise that I'd be all over his repaint. I have a few different Lio Convoy toys from over the years, but this is the first 'black' version that I've gotten. Takara often does a 'black' version of some of it's toys. It's a simple repaint and often used as a special edition. With Hasbro, it's usually an easy repaint called 'Nemesis' instead of 'Black'. In Beast Wars II, Black Lio Convoy was a result of the Copy Machine creating an 'evil' version of Lio Convoy and some of the other Cybertrons. Black Lio Convoy was a much more arrogant character than Lio Convoy as these 'evil' mirror image types tend to be reversals of the characters they're based on. It's an old trope that's fun if handled right.

So far there hasn't been much to make me think Nemesis Leo Prime is a separate character, other than he's in the Velocitron Speedia 500 manga as a background character. I guess he could be another guy. There's also Dark Amber Leo Prime, who's a repaint of the Masterpiece Lio Convoy and another character. Dark Amber Leo Prime is created from the body of Lio Convoy/Leo Prime (spoiler, he died... like all Transformers leaders do regularly) and some of Unicron's energy. Bluebolt thought it would be a good idea to revive Lio Convoy to save the dying universe (in Transformers, our words are in danger... always). Of course he isn't Lio Convoy reborn, but a new character who borders on good and evil for a bit. Not sure if he saved the universe yet, but if that's him in the crowds on Velocitron... 

Really, I wanted to talk about this new toy, but as it's a straight repaint of one I got not too long ago, there's not too much to say. Despite his naming, Nemesis Leo Prime is more than just a black repaint. There's a mixture of dark gray and teal in the mix creating a very pretty toy. I do wish there was some new feature added for this figure, but he's  literally an easy repaint. I don't mind though as it is what it is, and repaints in Transformers is just how it is. Either way, I'm happy with my purchase. Lio Convoy is one of those Transformers characters I hold in a higher regard. Whenever I get the chance to buy a new toy of him, I usually jump on it (assuming I'm able). Prior versions of Black Lio Convoy were special editions, so having a version available at general retail is hard to complain about. 

Leo Prime/Lio Convoy (Legacy Evolution/Voyager Class)

Lio Convoy is one of those Transformers characters that'll forever be on a higher shelf in my heart. He was introduced in Beast Wars II when I was in college, blowing me away with just how cool he looked. I even made a poster from some Beast Wars II art featuring Lio Convoy facing off against Galvatron. That poster remained a fixture on my walls for a long time. I still have it, though it's folded away and enjoys retirement inside a box these days. When Hasbro announced an update, I was ecstatic. Sure, he's gotten some new toys over the years and I've gotten a lot of them... with the current updates the excitement was much higher. They're just that good. These days he's known as Leo Prime here in the states to be more English packaging friendly, but it's the same guy.

This new Voyager Class toy is a really nice upgrade. As much of a big deal getting the original toy was to me back in the day, it's far from perfect. In Legacy Evolution he gets a nice upgrade. As the name implies, Leo Prime transforms into a lion. A white lion to be specific often speculated to be playing off Kimba the White Lion. According to various sources, his original concept was to be a Cheetor retool as Optimus Prime. Beast Wars was original conceived as a continuation of the original ongoing Transformers story line. Cheetor was intended to be Prowl, and Optimus got toys inspired by Batman and King Kong. A majestic lion Optimus was a natural choice, and not the first time a lion Optimus was considered. For Beast Wars II a new cast was created and with it a new leader. That lion finally found it's way to toy form.

This new toy is a pleasantly large Voyager Class figure with lots of articulation and features. Lio is a little tricky to transform, but not anything resembling the Lament Configuration. Part of his robot design is the regal draping of the lion over his shoulders giving a royal vibe. The lion's mane can be used as a weapon too. It folds out in places to display weapons for an attack mode. This is a throwback to the original toy as is a hidden Matrix of Leadership within his chest. That sort of thing always triggers the same sense of giddiness it did back in the older days when it wasn't as often used. In lion mode, Lio Convoy has giant fold out claws that also can be deployed in robot mode as can the beast mode's attack forms.

They look cool and give that royal look a little edge. Lio Convoy, Leo Prime... whatever he's called is a classic in my book. This newest figure is a wonderful update that makes me just as happy as the original did a long time ago.