Poindexter Robo

I've always liked Perceptor. There's just something charming about him. Before we go any further, I vastly prefer the cartoon version to the newer sniper version. This isn't a battle line to fight over, just a preference. That's why we'll be looking at the Studio Series 86 figure of Perceptor toy. I got it a few months ago, that ever growing backlog keeps getting bigger. If this was a review site, I'd be more hard pressed to get posts out about certain toys faster. That's just not what I do here though.

What I'm doing here though (today anyway) is looking at this newer figure of a classic character. It's a really solid update of Perceptor. Like other newer updates of classic Transformers, Perceptor looks like he just walked off a cartoon screen. He's pleasantly articulated and has the gun you expect him to have. Of course a microscope is the alt mode and just like always... it's not the most accurate microscope, but it'll do. Once again, it looks like how you'd expect it too. The tank mode (yes, he was always a triple changer) is right along with the same accuracy to the original. I don't know if it could fit a Microman, maybe something smaller. I didn't test that out. I could see a Mega Construx figure sliding in there without any issue.

This is really just a new update. That doesn't bother me and Perceptor is a character I'll always appreciate getting a new toy. The last one can out 5 years ago. Not the worst timing for another new figure. I've always liked his reds and blues. The bright colors really pop against such a rigid looking robot design. His design always reflected his personality to me in that way. Perceptor is this really smart bookworm who'll give you the most elaborate answer you didn't want. Then he'll drop something and say "oh dear" before hitting his head. That design is the genius, the color is the silly. I never outright desired a microscope that also turned into a tank and a robot... but I learned a long time ago that one was necessary.

Gigan The Pointy

In the initial batch of figures of Godzilla and Kong figures by Playmates is Gigan from Godzilla: Final Wars. He went from outright bizarre looking in the Showa era to hardcore space badass while retaining his trademark looks. Like the other new kaiju toys Playmates has made, this is an outright action figure as opposed to the sofubi that I usually prefer when it comes to kaiju toys. Though it fits in with my Bandai Creation vinyl figures. You wouldn't know it's not a sofubi until you touch it. 

I'm quite fond of these Playmates toys as they're coming along nicely and this Gigan is a good reason as to why. They could have went with his classic looks as it's more common place, his 2004 design is literally in one movie (not counting other odd appearances). Since he's more of an action figure, I do find myself wishing his arm hooks swapped out with the chainsaws he sported in the final battle of Final Wars. Though, maybe that will be on a later edition. They're so close to vinyl figures I wonder if they're using those for a basis. 

It's a really cool line for something exclusive to Walmart (here in the states) and a lot more nerdy than I expected. Since they've released some of the Bandai Creations molds in the line mixed with these action figures, I hope future waves will continue to have a mix of reissues and new figures. I'd love to have crazy things like glow in the dark and transparent figures... but if the line just keeps on... I'll be happy.

 

Shadow Striking

I really wish the upcoming Shadow Striker figure was smaller. Like a Warrior or Scout class (not that there isn't a chance of one). I plan on getting one anyway, because I like the way the toy looks. I just happen to think that design would look a whole lot better in a more compact size. That's a sharp figure non the less, the purple and light blue really go together well. I almost want to paint one up, really bring out a lot of that sculpted detail out. The current toy economy is playing a huge factor in and the Ultra Class is basically a Cyber Battalion figure rebranded. It is what it is, and a big chunky plastic toy for $20 is going to have some concessions. But man, what a great looking figure.

Beast Wars 2 AutoJetter

My living room makes for a good backdrop, I guess.

Years ago at Charticon, I bought this awesome AutoJetter figure for a whopping $10. It was a great deal, I had been meaning to get one eventually and for that price, who could argue? I'm quite fond of the Autorollers from G2, and the fact that the two unused molds got released in Takara's Beast Wars II line had always made me happy.

Yes I know, he's not an animal in Beast Wars.

As you can tell from the picture, this is the Korean release, which I tend to prefer for their neat packaging. I don't know why I like a box with a tray better than a window box. I just do. What's neat is, the tray inside the box has a page from a Korean newspaper taped over the tray. For what reason, I don't know. Maybe it's just the way the kid stored his toys. Or perhaps the kids grandparents kept toys at their house and felt they needed to seal up the tray. Either way, my AutoJetter has a page of Korean newspaper taped to its tray and if that's not a reason to brag, then I don't know what is.

From 1999 even! That's such a special year, even Prince sang about it.

Once you open up the special Korean newspaper seal, you find AutoJetter and his parts just lying there like a lazy bum.

Just going to lay there all day?

What's neat about this toy is, it kinda transforms itself. Like all Autorollers, you just roll him along and he folds up into robot or jet mode. That's fun in the same way popping bubble wrap used to corner the market in. With a little switch in the back, you can lock him into a mode. That's handy, because if you don't, he gets floppy. And nobody has the time for that nonsense.

As you can expect, AutoJetter turns into a jet.

Another neat play gimmick is his missile firing wings. Each wing holds 3 missles, when you move the sliding lever, it fires the missles in order. It's pretty neat and even carries over to his robot mode.

You don't want him making finger guns at you.

In robot mode AutoJetter looks kinda like a knight. There's a dominating blue color that is hidden almost completely in jet mode. Personally I love this toy. When it comes to classic toy styling or silhouette, I vastly prefer the G2 visual style. It's just got this character to it that's firmly rooted in it's time and isn't often duplicated.

AutoJetter, like all Autorollers is all toy. Which is something great considering he was made for small children to play with. I like toys better than fancy shelf pieces. A great toy is just more impressive to me and AutoJetter is both impressive and a great toy.

Also, mine is sealed in a Korean newspaper, so I have no choice but to think mine is special. Because he is.