TEMPORARY HIATUS [Hopefully]

Sorry for not updating the blog for quite sometime. Here I'm announcing my review will be [temporarily, I hope] put on hold for unspecified period of time.

I've been swamped with my work these past couple of years and I don't see it getting better in near time. Also, my attention will also go fully to my family so I can't see any way for me to cater for both aspect of my personal life AND posting quality reviews in acceptable time.

In addition, I'm trying to stablize my financial situation so I won't be able to get my hands on any new exciting stuff for the time being. Although before, I was lucky enough to have friends providing me their stuff as review materials, most of the stuff were bought by me and for the review to be done fast to help other collectors made purchasing decision, I often paid more than usual. Given the current situation, that's a luxury I couldn't afford.

Thank you all for your support, especially my loyal readers. Hope that one day I'll be able to come back and sharing with you guys my reviews. 

Till All Are One!

Generations Combiner Wars Titan Class Devastator - Pictorial Review

This review is courtesy of Hasbro Malaysia and MyToy. This is a review unit, will hit the shelves in Malaysia around July/August.

Almost every year, there will be at least one Generations figure that fans look forward to. There are quite a few interesting official releases that were revealed for 2015 Generations Combiner Wars line like Leader Class Megatron, Ultra Magnus, the Stunticons, Aerialbots, Protectobots and few others. Personally, the most intriguing would be Titan Class Devastator, the 2nd Titan Class ever released.

To be honest, I'm quite surprised with the choice they made considering the other three combiners are around leader class and they already planned a more suiting Titan Class figure to be released within this couple of years (hush hush for now). However, knowing that Devastator is the most iconic combiner, the decision doesn't really feels weird.

So, let's get right it, one member of the Constructicons at a time.

1 - In Package 

The box is quite big, compared to regular releases but for those who are familiar with Titan Metroplex's box size, this wouldn't surprised you much. The artwork on the front looks really good, I must say.

The tech spec design can be seen on the top left corner of the box.

Botcon 2015 General Optimus Prime - Pictorial Review

For now, this will be the last review of Botcon 2015 exclusives, haven't got any plan to acquire any of them in near time. This is a review of General Optimus Prime, a redeco of Generations Roadbuster, a homage to the unreleased G2 General Optimus Prime (would have been a redeco of G2 Dirtbag).

Pic Credit : TFWiki

It was revealed that General Optimus Prime will be part of Botcon 2015 souvenir set, together with Sgt Hound a repaint of Generations Scoop.

Alt Mode

Botcon General Optimus Prime is basically Generations Roadbuster with green military camouflage.

SDCC 2015 Exclusive Transformers Generations : Combiner Hunters Arcee - Pictorial Review

Continuing with Combiner Hunters set, now we'll proceed with Arcee. Sorry as I don't have Windblade right now, hopefully will manage to find he in near future.

Just like Chromia, Arcee didn't come with the large sword and also missing her two guns which I'm not sure whether that's how she's supposed to be or not.

Let's continue.

Alt Mode

The approach for Arcee's paint scheme is different compared to Chromia. While the latter comes with metallic paint job (on certain parts) and flame/tribal tattoo, Arcee comes in normal black and pink paint scheme.

SDCC 2015 Exclusive Transformers Generations : Combiner Hunters Chromia - Pictorial Review

Mid of the year, a great time for unknown exclusives. After [supposedly] Botcon 2015 Black Skids review, we will continue with another figure who was at first, thought to be another Botcon exclusive but turn out to be part of a 3-pack Combiner Hunters set, available at San Diego Comic Con 2015. Let us first start with Chromia. However, just to make clear, mine doesn't come with the big sword (as in promo pictures) nor can I confirmed that the paint scheme is final. 

Pic Credit : Web

Again, the review will be short as it's a repaint of a figure I reviewed before. The review for normal version of Chromia can be found here.

Alt Mode

Botcon 2015 Burn Out - Pictorial Review

This is a gallery and brief review of a figure, rumored to be part of Botcon 2015 exclusive line-up. There's no official name for him yet, so we'll just call him Black Skids for now.

*Update : He's called Burn Out

This variant is said to be a homage to the black Diaclone version of Skids/Crosscut.

Pic Credit : TFWiki

Review of the previous variants can be found below

• IDW Skids
• IDW Crosscut
• AOE Rollbar

Alt Mode

Just as the name implied, this variant of Skids comes in black paint app with red highlights nicely put on the side. This is a bit different compared to the Diaclone version where the stripes on the side are yellow rather than red.

Mastermind Creations R10 Salvia Prominon - Pictorial Review

Now, closing on Mastermind Creations' fembot, the sixth variant homaging one of the Thirteen, R-10 Salvia Prominon aka Not-Solus Prime

Pic Credit : TFWiki

In IDW G1 continuity, Solus Prime is one of the Thirteen, the first Transformers created by Primus. She is known for her phenomenal crafting ability, creating weapons for the other Primes, including the Star Saber and the Matrix of Leadership.

It was said by Nexus Prime that war between the Thirteen and their tribes broke off after Megatronus broken his promise to Solus Prime. She and most of the Thirteen left Cybertron to other planets where Solus Prime resided and started the Caminus Colony.

Reviews of previous variants can be found below

• R-08 Azalea
• R-08D Azalea Stealth Assassin
• R-08 Azalea Asterisk Mode
• R-08Z Zinnia
• R09 Eupatorium

Again, this is the 6th release of the mold hence the review will be very brief.

In Package

Front View

Mastermind Creations R09 Eupatorium - Pictorial Review

After series of official releases, let us continue with a 3rd party releases, this time by Mastermind Creations. After Cynicus, presenting R-09 Eupatorium, MMC's take on Elita One (also as Elita-One and Elita-1).

Pic Credit : TFWiki

Just like Optimus Prime, it wasn't always Elita One. Before the war, the soon-to-be Elita One, Ariel, is a young dockworker and girlfriend of Orion Pax. Due to Orion Pax's bad judgement call, Ariel was gunned down by Megatron trying to save him which she later was reconstructed by Alpha Trion  as Elita One.

Hunt For The Decepticons Elita-1
Pic Credit : TFWiki

Elita-1 is also the name of one of the 3 sisters appearing in Revenge of the Fallen but let us just forget about her...

Since Eupatorium is a retool of Azalea, this review will be brief. Review of previous usage of the mold can be found below

• Azalea
• Azalea (Stealth Assassin Version)
• Azalea (Asterisk Version)
• Zinnia
• Salvia Prominon 

In Package

Eupatorium comes in a box with the same design as other Reformatted series releases with a artwork of their Not-Elita One on the front.

Generations Combiner Wars Leader Class Ultra Magnus - Pictorial Review

Now, a release that fans had been craving for so many year, the one and only, the legendary and iconic, Ultra Magnus!

Pic Credit : Web

Ultra Magnus was first introduced in Transformers : The Movie in 1986, an elite soldier that was entrusted with the Matrix by Optimus Prime in his death bed (but the Matrix chose Hot Rod). Ultra Magnus was one of the main cast in the season 3 and 4 of US G1 series, all the way to G1 Headmasters. 

G1 Ultra Magnus
Pic Credit : TFWiki

 

Ultra Magnus's G1 toy is actually a white version Optimus Prime with a convertable trailer that becomes his armor. This indirectly the reason why several version of his toys afterwards are a white repaint of Optimus Prime. Some, not all. There are few series where Ultra Magnus were designed uniquely such as in Robot In Disguise/Car Robot, Animated and also Transformers:Prime.

Dreamwave Ultra Magnus

In Dreamwave Generation One continuity, Ultra Magnus IS actually a white Optimus Prime. Ultra Magnus shed his armor in the episode Countdown to Extinction after he was shot down by Shockwave.

Pic Credit : TFWiki

In IDW Generations 1 continuity, Ultra Magnus is not just one bot. The 'immortal' lawman was close with Orion Pax, Skids and Delta Magnus where he fought alongside them in countless wars, witnessing a lot of historical event. However, after his death (the cause has yet to be revealed), Chief Justice Tyrest who was inspired by Magnus's legend, fashioned a suit of armor cast in Magnus's image and bestowed it upon a succession of other robots. Currently, Minimus Ambus is the mastermind under the suit of the legend.

Alt Mode

He's finally here! 

Ultra Magnus comes in a box with the same design as the previous three Combiner Wars Leader Class figures (after Megatron, Armada Megatron and Thundercracker).

Might not be big but the artwork of Ultra Magnus is clearly based on IDW version of the character.

Generations Combiner Wars Leader Class Thundercracker - Pictorial Review

Now, a repaint that no one saw coming but inevitable, Generations Combiner Wars Leader Class Thundercracker, third repaints of Jetfire mold after Hasbro and and Takara Jetfire. This review is courtesy of MyToy.

MyToy

Pic Credit : TFWiki

A character that is frequent in both the cartoon series and in the toyline. Thundercracker, along with the other Seekers (Starscream and Skywarp), was one of Megatron's warriors that participated in the attack of the ark. The character ended after the attack on Autobot City where he was gunned down by Optimus Prime and later thrown out into space only to be reformatted into Scourge by Unicron.

This is the 3rd mold ever used for a Thundercracker in CHRUG line, after the first classic seeker mold and then the FOC version. BUT, if you consider all the repaints and variants, it's another story. For instance, for the first classic seeker mold, there are 4 variants which are Botcon 2007, Henkei, Generations and United 3-Pack version (5, if you count the Shattered Glass version).

Review of Generations Leader Class Jetfire can be found here.

In Package

Let us get started, shall we? Thundercracker comes in a black box with his artwork on the lower left corner.

Iron Factory IF-EX05 Windsaber - Pictorial Review

Now, let's take a break from Dinobots, Combiners and whatnot, be it official or 3rd party releases. Here's something out of the ordinary, a legend-size figure by the third party company, Iron Factory. 

EX-05 Windsaber (Windblade) is the fifth release after EX-01 (FOC Grimlock Add On), EX-02 Turrets and Manacle (Scramper and Slammer), EX-03 Sonictech with Bassrhino and Leotrible (Blaster with Ramhorn and Steeljaw) and EX-04 Fortress/City Commander (Ultra Magnus).

Review of the original figure, Hasbro Windblade can be found here.

Windsaber review will be brief considering how simple the figure is but will have a lot of pictures for your viewing.

In Package

Windsaber comes in a small box with japanese-style patterns on the right side. The overall design is different compared to EX-01, EX-02 and EX-03.

Back View

The design at the back of the box is pretty simple with the top-half containing silhouette of Windsaber standing on top of what appears to be HasTak Titan Class figure, Metroplex, with caption "I'm Standing On The Shoulders of Giants) on the bottom left side.

Toyworld TW-D02 Muddy - Pictorial Review

Time for another Dinobot, this time the second figure from Toyworld lineup, Muddy (Not-Sludge). TW-D01 Muddy is one of four Not-Sludge released for CHRUG line (the other 3 are Fansproject's Columpio, Planet X's Neptune and the most recent, GCreation Thunderous, which I will be reviewing afterwards).

As of now I only had the chance to review Fansproject's version and can be found here.

Review of previous Toyworld Dinobot, Roar (Not-Snarl) can be found here.

In Package

Muddy comes in a black box with the nice artwork of the character on the front, just like TW-D01 Roar.

Mastermind Creations R12 Cynicus - Pictorial Review

Now, let us venture into another subgroup in IDW continuity, the infamous Decepticon Justice Division (DJD).

Decepticon Justice Division
Pic Credit : TFWiki

The DJD is a small unit in the Decepticon army, consisting small number of bots carrying Decepticon's 'justice'. Being Megatron's enforcer, they act based on the The List, containing names of traitors, deserters or transgressors that opposed the Decepticon's cause either directly or indirectly. The known members of DJD are

• Helex
• Kaon
• Tarn (Leader)
• Tesarus
• Vos

There are also 2 others associated with DJD

• Nickel (medic, first female Decepticon in IDW)
• The Pet

Most of the names are codename based on the early cities the Decepticons conquered. The codename will will be used by new member in the event any of the current member dies.

DJD Vos
Pic Credit : TFWiki

The current Vos is at least the second bot that took the codename. Vos is a scientist and a linguistic purist, speaking only in Primal Vernacular instead of Neocybex, the modern Transformers language. Vos transform into a sniper rifle and wielded by other DJD members (and on occassion, Megatron himself).

In Package

Generations Combiner Wars Defensor - Pictorial Review

To continue my previous review, here's Combiner Wars Protectobots combined form, Defensor.

Pic Credit : TFWiki

Always went head-to-head with the Combaticons, Defensor can be considered the exact opposite of Bruticus, focusing primarily in safeguarding the civilian while repelling the Decepticons' assault. Other than his combat skills, Defensor also equipped with the ability to generate a forcefield (which sometimes failed).

G1 Defensor
TFWiki

G1 Defensor was released in 1986 both separately and and as a giftset. Later he was repainted as Guard City in 1992 and released in Japanese market.

Review of TFC version of Defensor, Prometheus, can be found here.

Also here are the reviews for Combiner Wars Stunticons and Menasor.

Combiner Wars Protectobots

Generations Combiner Wars Protectobots - Pictorial Review

Now, time for Combiner Wars. The Protectobots are released under the third wave of the line with different approach as before. Unlike the Aerialbots and Stunticons, all members of the Protectobots are all released in the same wave.

G1 Protectobots
Pic Credit : TFWiki

Aside from G1/G2 version (and comic books), the Protectobots (as a team) were never included in any other newer Transformers series unlike Constructicons, Aerialbots and Combaticons for instance, that made appearance (an iteration of them) in the Energon/Superlink series among others.

Some back stories of the characters and a third party version of them by TFC can be found below

• TFC Gumball (Not-Streetwise)
• TFC Warning Line (Not-Groove)
• TFC Hydrant (Not-Hotspot)
• TFC Red Cross (Not-First Aid)
• TFC Verti-Aid (Not-Blade)

Q-Transformers QT-02 Bumblebee and QT-08 Bumble - Pictorial Review

Just for fun, I'm doing a review of a new Japan Transformers line, Q-Transformers, that was launched late 2014.

Q-Transformers is, in a way, a continuation of Choro-Q line and exhibit similar design of super-deformed characters that transform into fully licensed vehicles.

The cartoon series, Q-Transformers : Mystery of Convoy Returns was released in support of the toyline and also a mobile game under the same name.

The first wave was released on December 26th, 2014, consisting 8 characters which are 

• QT-01 Optimus Prime (Western Star 4900 SB Tractor)
• QT-02 Bumblebee (2014 Camaro Concept)
• QT-03 Lockdown (Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4)
• QT-04 Crosshairs (Chevrolet Corvetter C7)
• QT-05 Lamborghini Countach LP500S)
• QT-06 Prowl (Nissan Fairlady Z-280Z-T)
• QT-07 Hot Rodimus (Toyota 86)
• QT-08 Bumble (Daihatsu Copen)

Fansproject Function XV M.A.D.L.A.W (Master V) - Pictorial Review

Continuing from where we left off, here's a review of another Sixchanger, by another company that's not Mastermind Creations, but the old-timer, Fansproject, with their take on G1 Quickswitch, Function XV M.A.D.L.A.W (Master V).

Pic Credit : TFWiki

What do we know about him? Well, aside from his appearance in Marvel The Transformers comic #240 Out To Lunch! and his own commercial (where he was declared to be Sixshot's son, adamant to make up for his father's mistakes), Quickswitch was only in G1:Season 5 (which consist of  more than 10 episodes from previous seasons and The Transformers: The Movie), at the end segment of Five Faces of Darkness Part 2. 

All the end segments featured stop-motion puppet of Powermaster Optimus Prime and a [real] boy, Tommy Kennedy (some information can be obtained here).

PuppetMaster Optimus Prime
Pic Credit : TFWiki

So, is that it? Yes, technically. It's because Quickswitch is actually the Hasbro version of Sixknight, a character that appeared in Masterforce series. Both versions was released simultaneously in 1988.

Pic Credit : TFWiki

I will explain about Sixknight if I do a review of toy version of the character in the future (a repaint is coming, from what I heard).

G1 Quickswitch
Pic Credit : TFWiki

Three out of six Quickswitch's alt modes are basically the same as Sixshot which are robot mode, Cybertronic Jet, laser pistol while the rest are a drill tank (while Sixshot is a tank), a hovercraft (Sixshot's off-road vehicle) and a flying puma (Sixshot's winged wolf).

In Package

Mastermind Creations R-01C Terminus Hexatron Continuum - Pictorial Review

Sorry for not having new reviews recently, was in the middle of moving to a new house and also my daughter was not well for quite some time.

This review of MMC R-01C Terminus Hexatron Continuum will be brief as the main review had been done for R-01 Terminus Hexatron. This figure is the 4th variant after Hexatron Super Nova (Limited Edition), Terminus Hexatron and Terminus Hexatron Shadow Emissary.

In Package

This is by far my favorite packaging compared to the rest of Hexatron's variants. It's not that the packaging of the Reformatted Line is bad or anything, but there's something about the badass artwork on the box that I love so much. But is that it?

Nope, inside there's a second clear packaging, homaging G1-style packaging. While I personally don't prefer this clear packaging as they tend to crack overtime, with proper care and handling, I don't think there will be a problem here.

Back View

The Japanese style artwork at the back of the box really gives me G1 Headmaster vibes.