Ultra Magnus [Galaxy Version 03 The Autobot Run]

I've always really liked Ultra Magnus in cab mode. I've always liked Ultra Magnus in general, but that white cab mode is so pretty. Originally, Ultra Magnus was made from the Diaclone Powered Convoy toy, which was an upgraded version of Battle Convoy. The toy that Optimus Prime was made from. I've heard a few different times that originally Ultra Magnus was intended to be an upgraded Optimus Prime before they settled on making him an all new character. Considering I can't currently find a source for that, maybe it's best to chalk that up as an unconfirmed trivial fact.

In most media, Ultra Magnus was shown only combined with his trailer. Obviously to cut down confusion, but as a result, it isn't common knowledge to everyone that Ultra Magnus has a cab mode and that the cab mode is basically a white Optimus Prime. It's to no surprise that a cab mode Ultra Magnus is one of the standby repaints you can expect to see when a new Optimus Prime toy is released. That's the story when we're talking about today's toy. Cab Mode Ultra Magnus as a Blokees, is mostly a straight repaint of their Optimus Prime kit that as you can expect is very sharp looking.

I say mostly a straight repaint as he has a different axe weapon included, a blue variation of the axe Optimus tends to use in Cybertronian depictions. Also, to my understanding, his inner head has some retooled pegs which hold his inner face parts in place better during assembly. I didn't notice it when I was putting him together, but now remember being frustrated with Optimus's head. So that's an improvement. Aside from that, he's pretty much a straight repaint of the Optimus Prime Blokees I talked about earlier that comes with all the same accessories and parts (except that alternative axe... damn, alternative axe sounds rad). However now, it's extra pretty.. you know. Because of that white cab mode.

Slag (robot mode) [Galaxy Version 03 The Autobot Run]

In robot mode, Slag is one fancy looking Blokees figure. He's got quite a bit of custom parts to stand out among the other Galaxy Version AMK kits. Considering how rebellious Slag is, it's kinda appropriate. He's got a bad attitude and likes to fight a little too much. You know, it's be fun if they made a Horn Geist based on this kit. I've always enjoyed the Space Pirate Geisters and considering all the reworks of modern Transformers toys these days, it's surprising some of the Brave characters haven't been explored.

Not to mention... I think it'd look great in the signature Blokees style. Slag of course comes with the typical robot mode parts you'd expect in a Blokees Galaxy Version kit. The two sets of hands, a base and symbols. However, he's also got some really great custom parts that just make this kit stand out. Most notably is is dino mode head kibble. This is of course all part of Slag's look, but it makes him look so extra here. The parts are the same from the dino mode kit, but that doesn't diminish their visual impact whatsoever. In fact it creates a great synergy between the two kits that I appreciate. Topping everything off nicely is his Energo Sword. Super robots with swords just look cool and that's the same case with Slag. Just great.

Slag (dino mode) [Galaxy Version 03 The Autobot Run]

You know, I've gotten pretty used to the standard Blokees body formula. Then this newest batch I've received throws me a curve ball. An alt mode. Blokees are non-transforming AMK model kits and the Transformers characters are usually in robot mode. Well, starting in series 2 (which I don't have any of yet), they started putting out characters in alt mode. That's neat.

They don't transform, but when you have a character like Slag who spends a great deal of screen time in alt mode... it feels absolutely necessary. This also keeps things fresh as after working my way through a case, aside from unique parts... everything pretty much assembles the same. So a little variety is fun. Sometimes the way something is made or works can be very interesting. Slag, despite being a triceratops, uses some robot mode parts. At the core of his body is the main torso section from a standard Blokees kit. The body and head connect much how the custom chest parts for a character would. There's a different waist piece, which allows the rear legs to plug in as the front connect much like arms. It's pretty clever!

A few of the pieces are also used in the robot mode Slag figure that we'll be looking at a little later. I almost thought mine was missing a horn initially. Make sure you check inside the folds of the bags inside your blind box. Smaller parts can get stuck in them. Once assembled, Slag is very expressive and full of fun. His limbs and tail articulate as does his head and jaw. I'm so used to smaller beast modes being mostly static that the overall thing was pretty impressive. Blokees are really fun as is, but in instances like Slag, they can be extra surprising.

Soundwave [Galaxy Version 03 The Autobot Run]

Whenever Transformers is brought up, Soundwave is one of the trademark characters to be mentioned immediately in the conversation. It's to no surprise either, he's just that cool. You've got a guy who turns into a cassette player that ejects cassettes that turn into little robots. That's as rad as it gets, then add in his signature reverb voice and he's just as iconic as it gets. It doesn't hurt that his face is the symbol of the Decepticons. This Blokees version is pretty great. It's the standard Soundwave we're all used to and that's all it takes to be outstanding.

He just looks extra by being, of course he is extra compared to your normal Blokees figure. The trademark tape door chest is present and it opens! Being a non-transforming model kit, you'd assume it's just be a sticker... but nope! There's even a little cassette to insert! The tape doesn't transform, but that's still a great little touch. He has both his rifle and shoulder cannon. Man, I swear everything about Soundwave is a trademark. I've always thought these guns formed from the tape players batteries were awesome. Of course, there's the standard open and closed hands as well as display stand with symbols you'd expect from a Blokees. Speaking of, that specific Blokees style you'd expect really lends itself to the specific look of Soundwave.

Red Alert [Galaxy Version 03 The Autobot Run]

I've always liked Red Alert. It's hard not to after Auto Berserk, an episode where his paranoia gets kicked into overdrive leading him off the deep end. Toy wise, it's the deco that wins me over. I've always liked a police car deco, and the fire chief variation is even better. That white and red just pop in a specific way that looks great. Normally, G1 Red Alert is a repaint of Sideswipe and that's the case in Blokees as well.

This time they've given him a different helmet to be show accurate and frankly as Red Alert, it feels like a more premium version of the toy. It just looks great! Aside from the helmet and colors, everything else is the same as Sideswipe, including the double set of hands and display base with symbols. Red Alert may think everyone's out to get him, but with a toy like this, can you blame them?

Bumblebee [Galaxy Version 03 The Autobot Run]

Everyone's favorite little yellow buddy is back in Blokee form as we look at Bumblebee today! Pleasantly, he's a little more extra than you'd assume going in. For starters, as a Blokeee, he comes with the standard 2 sets of hands... but Bumblebee has an additional thumbs up hand for positive encouragement. He has his pistol, which you'd expect... but there's also a blast effect that attaches to the barrel. He's got an Energon Cube, which I love, and a communicator that can plug into his forearm that displays Spike. I guess they're talking about stuff.

Of course he's got the standard display stand with symbols, but you won't be plugging the standard feet into it. Nope. Bumblebee has some custom boots! The front of his Volkswagen car mode forms those traditional BB feet and that's replicated here making for one fairly show accurate kit! The cute style of a Blokee really works with Bumblebee's design making for a great little figure when fully assembled. For such a little guy, he's a big deal. So much so that even his Blokee is extra!

Bonecrusher [Galaxy Version 03 The Autobot Run]

I'm not sure why, but at some point I've started really appreciating the individual Constructicons. There's just something about those purple and green guys that's impossible to resist. Naturally, combined they form Devastator, who's one of the more popular Transformers combiners. Being the first will earn you that sort of admiration. Blokees, of course, don't transform or combine. Therefore these little kits give us great representations of the characters, and a great way to enjoy those individual Constructicons. Bonecrusher is one of the more signature Constructicons who pops to mind when the team is mentioned. Despite the team colors, he has some unique style. The bucket of his bulldozer alt mode forms his chest and gives him a stocky appearance.

I've always thought he looked muscle bound because of it. Bonecrusher is a bit of a perfectionist... and a little psycho. He likes to destroy things, he loves to show off when he's destroying things. If something isn't perfect in his eyes... he's going to destroy it. There's something admirable about that. He's packing his laser pistol and has a set of open and closed hands as well as the display stand (with symbols) that come standard with Blokees. The Blokee style really lends itself to Constructicons I think.

Sideswipe [Galaxy Version 03 The Autobot Run]

It's been far to long since we've talked about Blokees Transformers model kits here on the site, and since the Mrs gave me a box of Series 3 at Christmas, now seems like a great time to get back to those great little kits. Blokees have been very popular among the Transformer fan community for good reason, they're fun! I'm reminded of buying Transformers SCF figures in the early 2000's. Sure those were blind boxed figurines and not models, but these bring out the same sense of joy that those did. Today we'll be looking at Sideswipe, an original cast Autobot loved by everyone. He's often known for being a bit of a meat head and a little reckless. Sideswipe usually wears a rocket pack that's used for flight in the original cartoon as well as utilizing arm pistons to dig at times.

As a Blokee, Sideswipe is presented as you'd expect him, but in that cute Blokee style. He's got a great deal of articulation and comes with the laser gun and shoulder mounted rocket launcher you expect to see. Of course he also has open and closed hands as well as a display stand with Autobot and Decepticon symbols for decoration. Sideswipe toy molds often get used for a variety of different characters, so I hope to see a variety of characters made from this kit's parts in the future. One is already in The Autobot Run wave (we'll be getting to him later), but there's quite a few that can come from these parts. It's impossible to not like Sideswipe... or this model.