Grimlock

Him No Bozo, Him King

Hasbro, Transformers Generations Toyline, 2006

Nope, you’re still not reading that wrong. And yep, we’re reviewing Grimlock again. This time, our leader of the Dinobots comes to us in the form of the Generations toyline which was a reimagining of the original line and characters, 25 years later.

I think this evaluation is important because it says a lot about toys have evolved in the last quarter-decade. If we look at the Transformers as they first arrived and what we have now, it speaks volumes about the fandom and the world said fandom inhabits.

Background

For 25 years, Hasbro has been producing Transformers toys. Believe it or not, there’s never been a point when Transformer toys haven’t been in production and available. Through the dark days of the Gen-two era, through the beacon that was Beast Wars and then to the nightmare that was Beast Machines, and into Robots in Disguise and the Unicon Trilogy, and finally to the arrival of the live-action movie, Transformers have remained a part of the fabric of entertainment.

As was en vogue at the time, it was a return to the 80s, with 80s shows, movies, and concepts rising to the forefront of entertainment. It was an era rife with relaunches and reimaginings. And Transformers was no different. And so we got the Generations toyline.　

Appearance – 4 out of 5

It’s not going to surprise anyone if I describe this toy is beautiful. It elegantly captures the original design and appearance of Grimlock – in both robot and dinosaur mode – and then him to the next level.

Construction – 2 out of 5

While there is nothing poor about this toy, it is a little lacking in the materials. The plastic feels a little light and there are some movements that require a bit of elbow grease which, with the light construction, can give one pause about doing possible damage. Also, some joints don’t really lock into place so it’s too easy for them to swing open with even the slightest movement.

Movement – 4 out of 5

Speaking of movement, this thing is a charm. Beautifully done, this figure is (already referenced above) incredibly poseable and comes with an array of joints that correspond with the anatomy. Both robot and dinosaur modes can move fluidly and naturally.

Extras – 3 out of 5

The toy comes with two extras: a tail/sword weapon of some bizarre design and a gun with a blade (which is absent from the photo above, sorry). Both of these fit into the character’s hands in robot mode and fit onto the figure in dinosaur mode.

Packaging – 4 out of 5

I know; I have a love affair with Hasbro and its Transformers packaging. And you know what, the Generation’s line didn’t let us down. Beautifully illustrated, this accentuated the newness of the toys’ designs while still harkening back to the original line.

　

Overall – 4 out of 5

This is a fun toy to play with that’s well-built and pretty sturdy. Combine with that its familiarity to the fans that have loved the franchise since the start and you’ve got a great toy. If there was any mistake to level against this toy, it should be obvious: it should be bigger. It’s Grimlock, afterall!

Grimlock

Him No Bozo, Him King

Hasbro, Transformers Animated Toyline, 2007

In the wake of the live-action Transformers movie, Hasbro had a real problem. On the one hand, they had a very popular and very successful movie on their hands. On the other hand, they had a lot of jilted fans that were a little annoyed at the liberties taken with their favorite franchise. Never ones to look back, Hasbro launched their Transformers Animated line in conjunction with their new animated series that drew from every source prior as well as becoming its own entity. However, as has been stated before, Hasbro knows where its bread is buttered and they went to great lengths to make sure the fans didn’t feel left out on this one.

　

Background

Quick question: what’s more awesome than robots that turn into cars and planes? If you said robots that turn into dinosaurs, you’d be right. Such was the thinking when it came to the first sub-class of Transformers, the Dinobots. With a wide variety of origins ranging throughout the different variations of the story, everybody seems to have their own spin on the Dinobots. But one thing that is never questioned is who is in charge: Grimlock.

Grimlock, who transforms into a Tyrannosaurus Rex, is always the leader of the Dinobots and is often jockeying for leadership of the Autobots themselves, typically leading to friction and even out-right confrontation with Optimus Prime. While he is the brains (sometimes a dubious claim) of the Dinobot operation, he’s often the most physically powerful as well. This was beautifully illustrated in the Transformers Animated series.

Transformers Animated was a colorful and somewhat more kid-friendly version of the original series. The characters are a little bit more outlandish and extreme than their Gen-One counterparts, but they also benefited from superior character development. And while the plots of individual episodes tended to be a little less complex, the overarching season and series plots were the wonderful result of the anime invasion in the late 90s. As a result, Grimlock in Animated is like a caricature of his Gen-One self. However, like all good art, through this exaggeration we see even more clearly elements of the character we know and love.

Appearance – 4 out of 5

The Grimlock figure is very well made and beautifully represents the character from the show. And like the character from the show, it clearly harkens back to the original character from Gen-One, all the way down to the nigh-identical transformation sequence. The character is nicely colored and manages to capture the somewhat whimsical look of the character from the series. The only real complaint I have is that seams and screws are way too obvious. There’s pretty much no way for the character to stand that you don’t see at least a few reminders of how the toy was put together.

Construction – 3 out of 5

The figure is relatively solid in its construction and the plastic is a bit on the weighty side, though I wouldn’t bee too quick to apply the adjective ‘rugged’. All the joints are sturdy, but there’s still a certain sense of fragility to the figure that isn’t as common to Transformers as one would first suspect. It feels a little light in the hands and the limbs feel a little too disproportionate for their weight distribution. There’s no clear issue with the construction, but it’s just not quite there to make it solid and well done.

Movement – 5 out of 5

This figure is beautifully mobile. It’s got every joint you need and none of the ones you don’t. There isn’t a pose this figure can’t take. The head turns, the jaw of the T-Rex head opens and closes, the shoulders are ball-joints, there’s a waist, and more. The only thing it’s lacking are ankles and you really won’t miss them. Seriously, both forms are extremely mobile and natural to move. The toy even has opposable thumbs for crying out loud!

Extras – 2 out of 5

Grimlock comes with only one extra, but it’s a doozy. He comes with a flaming sword that (in theory) doubles as a gust of flames from his mouth. The sword is appropriately large for a thug like Grimlock and it even has little sprouting flames that pop out by putting it in his hand. In dinosaur form, the sword is supposed to stick into his mouth to simulate his fiery breath. The reality is not so cool as the sword barely fits in his mouth and when it does, it still looks like a sword stuck in his mouth. A for effort, but a D- for execution.

Packaging – 3 out of 5

The Transformers Animated packaging was quiet nice and bordered on excellent, but it just didn’t quite make it. Each package came with a picture of the figure on the front, a plastic window to see the figure inside, and an explanation of the character’s powers and personality on the back. Unfortunately, the explanation was a little sparse and there was no real explanation of the story itself. Other characters were presented, but they seemed haphazardly chosen and represented only a fraction of the available line. Overall, it was good packaging and well-done, but not anything to write home about.

　

Overall – 4 out of 5

This is a fine example of a very decent toy. While it’s definitely lacking in some notable areas, overall it’s still a well-made toy that’s a lot of fun to play with. The transformation movements are smooth and make sense, the figure is very easy to pose and will hold poses without much effort. I don’t think this is the most sterling example of a Four, but it’s simply too well made and too much fun to play with to reside with the mediocrity of a Three.

Omega Supreme

The Big Boy Returns

Hasbro Transformers Cybertron Line, 2003

When you talk about the Transformers, there are a few big players that need to be mentioned. Not big in the popular sense like Optimus Prime or Starscream, but big in a more literal sense. Some of the Transformers are physically gigantic. Some of the names that would come along include the walking cities of Fortress Maximus, Triptycon, Scorpinok, and Metroplex. And then of course, there's the planet-god Unicron. But if you go back to the beginning, there was one name that appeared before all the others. The original 'Big Kid On The Block', whose name struck fear in all Decepticons; Omega Supreme.

Background

Omega Supreme occupies an interesting place in the Transfomers mythos because he's often depicted as a victim of the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons. In the original series, he was a semi-derranged psychopath hell-bent on revenge. Even dressed up to be safe for US cartoons, it doesn't take a lot to realize that this Autobot suffered from a variety of mental illness as a result of the war with the Decepticons. Remember, he ATTACKED Optimus Prime in order to get as his percieved enemy. Prime managed to talk him down, but he was prepared to let San Franciso be destroyed just so he could get as his sworn enemies, the Constructicons. Even in the most recent incarnation of the show, Transformers Animated, Omega Supreme was the ship that upon which Optimus Prime and the others traveled to Earth. He was actually a sentient being, but was so mentally devastated by the war that he willing chose to be put into coma so as not to have to deal with the horrors of the on-going conflict. This is most tragic when you realize that Omega Supreme is almost always obscenely powerful, to the tune of being the commander of the elite Omega Guardian robots (at least in the original series). This juxtaposition of unbridled power and unhealing wounds, especially mental and emotional wounds, has only helped to add to this character's enduring appeal.

Outside the mythos of the Transformers, the original Omega Supreme toy is one of the most sought-after because it's almost impossible to find in completion. Made up of a billion-gazillion tiny pieces, almost all of which were integral for the robot's integrity, most of the toys live on as half-completed forms that can't fully transform. Fortunately, when it was announced that there would be a new Omega Supreme toy for the Transformers Cybertron line, fans were understandably psyche.

　

Appearance – 4 out of 5

This is a well-made toy that looks not only like the Transformers Cybertron incarnation (upon which it is based), but also harkons back to the original character from the Generation One series. This makes the toy very appealing to fans of Cybertron, the original series, or just the franchise in general. There's visually quite a lot going on with this toy, but it works together into a very harmonious display, with the colors and textures balancing rather than clashing. It would have scored higher except that for a toy this size, a bit more variety and depth of texture would have been nice to see.

Construction – 5 out of 5

This is a very rugged and sturdy toy that is damn-near impossible to break. Every facet of the toy that moves is designed to disengage and snap back into place rather than break irrepairably. The toy has a dozen subtle moving parts, some of which move in tandem and they all work beautifully. A grat example is the trio of turrets on the left shoulder and arm of the toy. The turret on the arm never fails to sync up with the turrets on the shoulder when the toy is in vehicle mode, a level of care and forethought that is almost unprecedented.

Movement – 5 out of 5

The toy is extremly mobile with lots of joints and posing potential.

Extras – 2 out of 5

The toy comes with two missiles that load into a missile launcher (on the left shoulder) and a figure that becomes the head. Unfortunately, that is all. There are no additional features, no added weapons or bonus options, nothing. Given the character's tremendous size and power in the narrative, this isn't too unbecoming, but it still would have been nice to have a few additional clip-on features or something.

Packaging – 4 out of 5

The packaging is pretty standard for Hasbro, which means it's above-average for the toy industry. There's an ID card that can be cut out that gives stats and a character overview, a crash course in the series story, depictions of the toy in robot and vehicle mode, and a clear plastic view of the toy itself. Nothing too remarkable, but everything done and done well.

Overall – 4 out of 5

I'm almost ready to give this toy a Five rating, but the lack of a meaningful vehicle form is what held it back. The toy transforms into two trains that can link into one super-train that, while cool, don't really do anything. There are no features in the vehicle form that aren't available in the robot form, which means that few people will be inclined to transform the robot. This is probably for the best as the transformation process is exceptionally simple and not compelling at all. Odds are, you'll simply leave this toy in robot form, which kind of defeats the purpose of it being a Transformer. But other wise, that's perfectly fine because the robot form is frickin' awesome.

Cybertronian Starscream

The Original Backstabber In His Original Form

Hasbro Transformers: Titanium Series, 2006

In the beginning, Hasbro made their Transformers toys using die-cast steel. And it was good. Then, they moved to the cheaper and more manageable plastic. And it was…meh. And then, on a glorious day, they released a Transformers line based around using the beloved die-cast construction. And it was good. Very, very good.

Background

For the four of you who aren’t familiar with the background of the Transformers (and I am referring to the animated series, not the live-action movies; the live-action movies are generally regarded as, at best, really ambitious fan fiction, with all the preferences and prejudices that go along with that designation), the Autobots and Decepticons were damaged in their crash landing onto Earth and were given the forms of earth vehicles (jets, cars, trucks, etc). But in the first episode of the animated series, ‘More Than Meets The Eye’, we got a glimpse of a few of the Cybertronian forms that they original held, forms there were quite appropriately alien.

Probably none of these forms has been more popular than the ‘flying pyramids’ that would become the Decepticon jets. And there is probably no Decepticon, jet or otherwise, more notorious than Starscream. The eternal opportunist, Starscream’s propensity to run his mouth is rivaled only by either his cowardice or his ability to back up his smack-talking (his abilities varied WIDELY from episode to episode in the animated series). However, given that he openly and frequently told his superior (Megatron) about he was going to usurp power from him – and still lived to tell about it – it’s considered canon that he could backup his smack more often than not.

Starscream has been a perennial favorite, arguably as popular as any other character with the exception of Optimus Prime, and has been a prominent figure in just about every incarnation of the series. So when the fans had a chance to get a die-cast toy of him in his original Cybertronian form, well, that was just too good to pass up.

Appearance – 4 out of 5

This a visually compelling piece, no doubt about it. It quite clearly harkens back to the original depiction of Starscream (from the generation one animated series) with the color scheme and overall design. The fact that it’s metal is almost immediately apparent and adds some credibility to this toy’s appearance (as the robots themselves are – shocker – metal).

There are some problems however, not the least of which is the transformed version (the vehicle mode) looks only remotely like the flying pyramids from the animated series. Aside from an overall triangular aesthetic, the vehicle form bears little resemblance to what we saw in the show.

On top of that, I have one personal complaint and that is the toy’s face. While the head is nicely detailed and well-sculpted…it just doesn’t look like Starscream! It looks…I don’t know, like Starscream’s inbred twin brother or something. I know it’s a small complaint overall, but come on guys!

Construction – 5 out of 5

The toy is very well put together and, since it’s die-cast, it’s pretty much the very definition of tough. Seriously, you could sharpen this toy into a knife if you wanted, and if you continued to call it Starscream, it would be the awesomest knife ever. In all honesty, this toy is practically the yardstick of durability and ruggedness. It does have a critical flaw, however, which is discussed below.

Movement – 3 out of 5

Scoring the movement category is a little tricky because while the toy is overall quite mobile (elbow and shoulder joints, rotating wrists, hip, knee, leg, and toe joints; hell, even the head turns), the joints don’t really feel too sturdy. This is because while the toy is constructed of mostly die-cast, some parts (namely the joints) are necessarily made of plastic. The problem with this is that the plastic is not nearly as strong as the metal and its there that we learn an ugly little truth about mecha in real life. In order for the joints to support the weight of the limbs, they have to be remarkably strong (read: rigid). This means that in order to move the joint, a great deal of strength has to be used (read: force). And that amount of force means that you constantly feel like you could snap a limb off at any time. This is really the only flaw in the toy, but unfortunately, it’s not a trivial one.

Extras – 2 out of 5

The toy comes with a small stand that is identical to every other toy in the series, save for the nameplate that’s unique to each figure. Other than that, there’s nothing. No clip-on weapons, no handheld weapons (since the hands are closed fists, that probably goes without saying), nothing.

Packaging – 4 out of 5

The packaging for this entire toy line was very well done. It emphasized the die-cast element and gave us a quick bio for the character. Franchise and narrative history was lacking, meaning that this toy was clearly meant for collectors and long-time fans, but that does little to detract from the packaging. Each package as distinctive and it was quite obvious even without seeing the figure inside to tell whom it was that resided within.

Overall – 4 out of 5

This is a really great toy that is very sturdy, tactilely very satisfying, and is overall just a beautiful product. The joint strength is really all that keeps this from ranking higher because even if the vehicle form doesn’t look exactly like the flying pyramid, this is still a fantastic toy for fan and non-fan alike to enjoy.

Astro Boy

The Icon Of Anime Gets A Toy

Bandai, 2004

For starters, let me wish all of you a happy Cinco de Mayo. As I’m updating this in the mid-morning, I’m pretty sure at least a few of my readers are already three sheets to the wind. Good job, boys! Make me proud!

Now, with that out of the way, let’s discuss today’s toy which is a rare gem in that it is not part of a larger series. The AstroBoy toyline was produced by Bandai shortly before the release of the CG adaptation of the classic anime and manga series, no doubt in an effort to drum up interest in the newest generation of fans of robot superheroes. Why I consider this a rare gem is because this toyline disappeared about as quickly as it appeared, and with little fanfare going or coming. But what we were left with is a fantastic toy that will hopefully stand the test of time.

Background

If you don’t know who AstroBoy is, you probably aren’t an anime fan. AstroBoy is to anime what classic M&Ms are to candy, Lost in Space is to science fiction, and Pong is to video games. The series, created by Osamu ‘the Grandfather of Anime’ Tezuka, is of the same ilk as Gigantor and Speed Racer and was released in the United States alongside series like those as well as Johnny Quest and Space Ghost (the original, not the talk show).

AstroBoy is a Pinocchio-esque story about a young boy who is a robot with phenomenal superhuman powers (such as the ability to fly, super strength, etc). Much of the series focuses on his efforts to understand humanity as it is his combating the forces of evil. As one of the first manga series (and subsequently one of the first anime series), it established a lot of the characteristics and traits that anime would follow to this day. The series ended in Japan with AstroBoy’s death in an effort to save the world. It goes without saying that in the United States, the final episode was not aired.

Appearance – 4 out of 5

This is a beautiful toy that really stands out. The action figure looks just like the character from the show, from the colors to the expression on his face to the style of his hair. The proportions are well preserved and the anime look (notorious for not transitioning too well to ‘real’ depictions) is done very well with this toy. The lack of textures is a small issue because, like in the manga and the series, a stylized simplicity takes precedent.

Construction – 3 out of 5

The toy is well constructed and sturdy, but there is little to stand out about the figure. The plastic is above-average in its durability, but is far from remarkable. There is some heft to the figure but nothing that’s really worth mentioning. The inclusion of obvious joints and seams is what keeps this score from being a bit higher.

Movement – 5 out of 5

At first glance, it would appear that this toy is extremely mobile. With hips, shoulders, and elbow joints, this figure looks like it can take on the world. Upon closer inspection, though, it’s revealed that each limb has a fairly limited range of motion. The arms can only swing up and down, from the sides to over the head (180 degrees range of motion). But because the arms are angled, it feels much more natural. The hips likewise have a limited range of motion that is saved by the unique angling. The knees, though, can not only bend but can also rotate, granting the legs the appearance of a far greater range of motion than it first seems. These little tricks to feel more ambulatory than the figure actually is makes it all the more intriguing to handle and play with. This kind of cleverness in the design is almost more interesting than true mobile versatility.

Extras – 2 out of 5

There isn’t really much extra to this toy, but that’s in keeping with the concept of the character (AstroBoy doesn’t have many gimmicks like ray guns or the like). There is a small set of cards that are meant to activate AstroBoy’s different powers, but the cards are simple cardboard and the powers work regardless, so their inclusion is moot.

What extras there are happen to be built into the toy. AstroBoy’s shins open up to reveal chrome mechanizations. His chest opens to reveal his heart (which lights up with sound effects). His left hand shoots off. He has rockets built into his feet (yes, they fire), and when you turn his otherwise immobile head to the left, his eyes light up. As cool as these little powers are, however, it would be nice to have some additional pieces.

Packaging – 4 out of 5

This toy has some beautiful, if simple packaging. It’s distinctive, colorful, and it gives you all the information you need: the history of AstroBoy the franchise, the history of AstroBoy the character, a layout of his various powers and features, everything. While there’s nothing groundbreaking, the packaging in general is just a fine example of doing everything right.

Overall – 4 out of 5

This is a fantastic toy. It’s a little basic, what with the lack of extra parts and the unremarkably good construction, but it’s a blast to play with, has a lot of little features, and is sturdy enough to survive years of play. Plus, it’s just fun to handle and pose, which often times makes for the best toys of all. This is a great toy that enjoyed a limited run, but will hopefully be remembered by fans and collectors alike.

Heavy Arms Gundam

Because Nothing Says ‘You’re Screwed’ Like A Giant Robot With Big @$$ Guns

Bandai Gundam Wing Toy Line, 2001

In the early 2000s, anime was making its big push. Asian Chic was coming into style and the Japanese elements of many cartoons, once anathema as far as the entertainment industry was concerned, had become such a hot commodity that the many studios were looking for anything and everything they could find that had any Asian elements to it. It was during this time that Gundam Wing aired on Cartoon Network and, for a brief time, would become the king of that particular hill. Bandai, the international toy manufacturer, model producer, and all-around makers of mirth, decided this would be the perfect time to unleash upon the world some of the best mecha toys ever produced.

Background

Gundam Wing follows the story of five pilots who fly giant robots (called Gundams) in a war between the Earth and the colonies earth has established. If this sounds familiar, it’s because it’s pretty much the recurring plot of each Gundam series. Gundam Wing takes place in an alternate timeline from the main Gundam series and, as a result, takes some cinematic liberties with the mecha.

Heavy Arms is, like the other Gundams in the series, colorful in both design and in use. Its pilot, Trowa Barton, is reserved and dedicated, something that doesn’t quite match with a giant robot that has a huge gun for an arm and is bristling with missiles. Still, Trowa was a fan-favorite and Heavy Arms has been a memorable stand-out from the series ever since.　

Appearance – 5 out of 5

The term ‘attention to detail’ immediately comes to mind with this toy (and with all the toys in the line). The amount of work that went into this figure is quite honestly unheard of. There are textures and details that just seem beyond reasonable (such as under the arms and on the bottom of the feet. The paintjob is beautiful with absolutely not flaws or blemishes. The only figures that can compare with these would be actual models and even then, they couldn’t do much better. About the only way to have a more detailed figure would be to build the actual Gundam!

Construction – 4 out of 5

Heavy Arms has some beautiful construction, but also some problems. The plastic used is clearly a very heavy grade and high-quality. Unfortunately, the joints aren’t really up to the task of supporting the limbs, leaving them feeling week by comparison. Limbs tend to not stay in place if you pose the figure and its all too easy for an arm or a leg to pop-off during play.

Bandai, however, being the masters of their craft, have prepared for this by designing the toy to snap apart. That's right, it's designed to be broken so that it can be more easily fixed. If the arm comes off or the leg pops out, it’s really easy to just snap it right back into place. This isn’t as preferable as the limbs not to break to begin with, but if fixing them is a snap, it becomes almost a minor complaint.

Movement – 3 out of 5

Unfortunately Heavy Arms illustrates some of the impracticality of mecha. One is the lack of balance. The toy has some tendency to fall over if the arms are both extended. The other problem is the lack of mobility. While the leg joints are perfectly mobile and capable of great range of motion, the hip armor prohibits such movements, making elaborate stances and even kicking not really possible.

Extras – 3 out of 5

The figure comes with detachable hands, a single-barrel gun, a double barrel gun that doubles as the shield and, of course, the beam saber. There isn’t much else, but this arsenal is pretty substantial. As is frequently my complaint, there’s nowhere to store the unused parts (if the single-barrel gun is on the arm, there’s nowhere to put the second gun or the beam saber or the detached hand).

Packaging – 1 out of 5

The packaging is pretty much the standard generic fare. The back shows the figures available in the series with no explanation as to the plot or the characters or anything. The front has no distinguishing traits above the name of the Gundam written on a paper nameplate inside with the figure.

Overall – 4 out of 5

This entire series is composed of some of the best mecha figures ever produced and that’s saying something. While sometimes the maneuverability is a bit lacking and the functional nature of the toys can be a little off thanks to the weak joints and heavy plastic, these things are none the less an absolute joy to play with. They are a tactile dream and beautifully evoke the series that inspired them.