Transformers Studio Series SS86 Commander Class Ultra Magnus - Pictorial Review

I can't say that I've been waiting for this for quite some time as I generally have a rule to not 'upgrade' my existing figures (as it would be an endless cycle of buying the same figure). No excuse for getting this. I have display for my Movie 86 fig (with Kingdom Magnus) and 1 display for Headmaster series.

I'm bumping my Kingdom Magnus to the Headmaster series so technically I don't have a duplicate figure

In Package

SS86 Ultra Magnus is the first Commander Class figure under the SS lineup (both live action movie SS and SS86) and the 2nd Commander class of the year after Armada Optimus Prime.

It seems like pattern recently is 2 Commander class per year with last year Motormaster and SG Jetfire.

Ultra Magnus (UM) comes in a windowless box with a very well done artwork of him, based on the 86 Movie (I'd guess it's the scene where the Autobots are escaping Galvatron's attack)

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.

KFC E.A.V.I Metal Citizen Stack [1st Issue] - Pictorial Review

This review is way over due, am really sorry bout that. Most of you have already known that Takara is releasing MP-22, the iconic character, Ultra Magnus. But back when the news was just a rumor, Keith's Fantasy Club (KFC) announced that they are releasing an MP figure homaging G1 Ultra Magnus, dubbed Citizen Stack (based on the name of Ultra Magnus voice actor in 1986's movie, Robert Stack).

Pic Credit : TFWiki

Not an unfamiliar face. Since Ultra Magnus made his debut in 1986, he's been one of the recurrent characters in Transformers universe, From G1 US (Season 3-4), G1 Headmasters, Robots in Disguise, Animated, TF Prime and more. However, after G1, most of the time Ultra Magnus toys is just white Optimus Prime repaints.

In G1, Ultra Magnus has kind of an unconventional alt mode. While most Autobots have a domestic vehicle as their Alt Mode, Ultra Magnus transforms into a car carrier equipped with missiles, one on each side. Fitting his role considering how he regarded himself as nothing more than a soldier for the Autobots cause.