Generations Legends LG-09 Brainstorm - Pictorial Review

For most fans, 3rd Party releases are always better than HasTak. That, to me is not the case. But, there are some releases that most fans will agree that HasTak did better jobs. One of it would be Generation Springer. Now, for another one, Brainstorm. 

For G1 Brainstorm back story and also review of Toyworld's take on the character, please click here and here. This figure however, are of a more darker Brainstorm, the IDW version.

IDW Brainstorm
Pic Credit : Web

In Package

Brainstorm's box design follows the same design as the previous Generations Legends releases. The box is quite big as you can see the extra spaces inside.

The artwork follow the design of IDW Brainstorm but with less detailing.

Back View

Toyworld TW-H03 Swamper - Pictorial Review

It's been quite sometime since I reviewed anything by Toyworld. The last was TW-03 BII in January. Let us move on to their new offering, TW-H03 Swamper (Not-Skullcruncher), the first Decepticon Headmaster from Toyworld.

Pic Credit : TFWiki

In The Headmasters cartoon series, Skullcruncher was among the group small Cybertronians who flew out to escape the never ending war, under the command on Fortress [Maximus].Crashing on Planet Master, the crew fight for survival on the planet which resulted them building a larger, lifeless Transformer bodies called Transtectors.

After rigorous physical and mental training, the crew manage to master this new technology and became the Headmasters. However, Skullcruncher and several others rebelled against Fortress and sided with the traitor, Scorponok.

Pic Credit : TFWiki

Toyworld TW-H02 Brainwave - Pictorial Review Part 2

Robot Mode

Brainwave, Head On!

Toyworld TW-H02 Brainwave - Pictorial Review Part 1

Now, it's time for the one who conceptualize the Headmasters project, the new brain of the new era of Transformers, Brainstorm. A genius, one of the brightest mind in Cybertron who doesn't really bow to constraint of society, safety and well...don't-start-an-apocalypse-things.

Pic Credit : Web

First appearing in the 3-parts finale of Transformers G1 Season 4, Brainstorm spelled out his new theory of dramatical improvement on Cybertronians fighting abilites through the integration with Human. Though was found as blaphemous at first, the idea was revisited in the event of retriving the key to the Plasma Energy Chamber and helping Nebulon's freedom fighter against their oppressor, The Hive.

Brainstorm appeared differently in the Transformers G1 Finale and Transformers Headmasters and his initial characteristics mostly change in the latter.

Brainstorm : Na ah, not you!
Pic Credit : Web

Toned down color with a more gentlemen-er expression
Pic Credit : Web

Unlike most of other Transformers characters, Brainstorm is a unique name only used to refer to him. Additionally, G1 is the only toy version that Brainstorm has, with not even simple repaint...until 2 (and possibly 3) 3rd Party companies decided to do it, namely Toyworld and Fansproject (with possability of 3rd from MMC)

Pic Credit : Web

Toyworld TW-H01 Hardbone - Pictorial Review Part 2

Robot Mode

First of all, I'm gonna say it out loud. Hardbone's robot mode gave me a mix feeling. It might just be me, for you all to decide

Toyworld TW-H01 Hardbone - Pictorial Review Part 1

During Rebirth Part 1 - Part 3, the last 3 episodes of Transformers Generation 1 (Season 4, US version) in 1987, Brainstorm proposed the idea of experimenting the pairing of a Transformers with a human partner to enhance the capability of combat which was scrapped with sole purpose of not involving the human directly in the war (REALLY?!!)

However, the assault to the Autobots and the lost of The Key To Plasma Energy Chamber changed it all. Fighting for their life, Hardhead and some of his Autobots comrades crashed landed on Nebulos and taken captive by the resistance, soon joining them in the fight against their oppressor, the Hive. And the Headmaster project began.

They see me smilin, they hatin~
Pic Credit : Web

Being a soldier to the core, Hardhead was stubborn as a rock, believe in his strength but a great comrade nonetheless. Let see how he was back in the day

As tough as a brick!
Pic Credit : Web

In 2009, Hasbro decided to release a homage to Hardhead showing their recognition to the legendary character. But, the execution was underwhelming, with straight repaint of Universe Onslaught (he received an upgrade kit from Headrobot but we'll get to that after this)

As I always said, good mold but not Hardhead enough
Pic Credit : Web

Fansproject jumped in with their Function X release (started with Not-Chromedome) which to me was very poor in design, small figure with a hefty price tag. Toyworld answered the call, with the release of TW-H01 Hardbone (and later, not-Brainstorm)

The gimmicks!

In Transformers, there's a handfull of characters with gimmicks that will always be something the fans looked forward to, like Gestalts, Multi-changers (Triple Changer, Six Changer, etc), City Bots, Headmaster, Powermaster and Brainmaster.

Believe it or not, proper execution of these characters is consider are quick win for the fans. 3rd party dove into the gestalt's arena and almost all (ALMOST) releases hit the fan hard (financially)

The monster (I'd like it to be) in my closet
Pic Credit : Web

Fansprojects and HasTak (recently back in the game) tackled some Triple Changers which I see are quite sought after, not to mention the next Not-Sixshot, a Six-Phasers. 

HasTak getting back in the game
Pic Credit : Web

Magnus Killer!
Pic Credit : Web

Headmaster, Powermaster and Brainmaster are 3 gimmicks that were used widely in the Japanese G1 series of Headmasters, Masterforce and Victory. HasTak basically haven't even touch the surface of these in their Neo-G1/Classics releases which fans (me) turned to 3rd party companies.

Fansproject's take on Powermaster
Pic Credit: Web

The best of the bunch, would be the big bot to be release by HasTak

Generations Metroplex
Pic Credit : Web

Exciting time indeed!