The modern comics universe has had such a different take on G1, one that's significantly represented by the Generations toys, so they share a forum. A modern take on a Real Cybertronian Hero. Currently starring Generations toys, IDW "The Transformers" comics, MTMTE, TF vs GI Joe, and Windblade. Oh wait, and now Skybound, wheee!
I recall some orange, (or maybe it was red), detailing on US Skywarp. It does not look bad. But, it does not look G1-ish. (And, if we got all 6 looking like that, then I would be fine with it. But, nooooooo, Hasbro has to punch us in the face...again and again and again......)
I actually like the VTOLs as separate pieces myself. I allows for more diversity and a more dynamic figure.
True. The customizing potential alone makes me like this figure. But, the wings are meaninfully different in appearance from the original, which kind of irks me. (Again, if we had a complete set of 6 with new colors and or wings, that would be a different matter. But, as it stands now, it is only possible to get a consistent set if one goes retro and is willing to buy expensive rarities and/or imports.)
Eh, I would still argue that the Henkei seekers are more or less consistent with each other, Ramjet is the only one without chrome on his launchers, he has it on his tailfins instead. It also sounds like Hasbro does have the intention of doing and US Thundercracker, but it also sounds like it won't happen until next year.
Not quite. "Henkei" Ramjet and Starscream have G1 color mapping. Dirge and Thrust have color mapping more similar to "Classics" Starscream or Ramjet. And, "Henkei" Thrust's wing moulding is decidedly not G1.
Has active plans to buy a Botcon 07 set and mold copies of Thrust's wings.
Oh no you don't. To remove the wings, you need to remove a few screws. To get to the screws, you need to remove/destroy a sticker. Do you really want to ruin a $200+ toy in order to bootleg some parts? (I mean, hey, i would buy a set from you. But, I sure as hell ain't gonna tell you it is a good idea to wreck your toys to do it.)
Dom
-no, really, I will buy a set of wings from you. But, you could also just give me the money if you plan to wreck the toy to begin with.
Dominic wrote:I recall some orange, (or maybe it was red), detailing on US Skywarp. It does not look bad. But, it does not look G1-ish. (And, if we got all 6 looking like that, then I would be fine with it. But, nooooooo, Hasbro has to punch us in the face...again and again and again......)
I don't have my Classics Skywarp in front of me, but I don't recall any red on it. Maybe in the shoulder vent detailing, but I'd have to look to be sure. The canopy is orange, but that's the only orange. Dom, you may be thinking of how the purple used on Classics Skywarp is more of a violet. It tends to be more on the red range of purples than on the blue side, and it's certainly not accurate to the G1 color scheme.
Has active plans to buy a Botcon 07 set and mold copies of Thrust's wings.
Oh no you don't. To remove the wings, you need to remove a few screws. To get to the screws, you need to remove/destroy a sticker. Do you really want to ruin a $200+ toy in order to bootleg some parts? (I mean, hey, i would buy a set from you. But, I sure as hell ain't gonna tell you it is a good idea to wreck your toys to do it.)
Dom
-no, really, I will buy a set of wings from you. But, you could also just give me the money if you plan to wreck the toy to begin with.
FP put stickers over the wing screws? That's retarded. Eh, I'd still do it. Ultimately the sticker is somewhat replaceable. Plan B would be to just pull it off at the peg, which on the seekers just snaps in and out. Course, the detail of the sticker would become part of the mold, but...
Shockwave
-Will have to get one and see what my options are. Also is not above removing the sticker if necessary.
Drift: I really have no complaints with this figure, other than the obvious one of the flimsy plastic for the swords. I missed the "hype" for the character and haven't really been beaten over the head with him. I like how the smaller swords store in the side doors. Paint job is ok, I don't hate it but I don't love it either. I bought a second one to customize into either Dead End or Wildrider.
And because I have both of 'em now, and because nobody reviewed this set back in the day...
Universe Dirge vs. Roadbuster set!
Which I sort of wanted to get back when it came out, but was suffering from a severe case of the brokeass. Fortunately, I found Dirge complete at a comic shop for three damn dollars, and traded with Dom for Roadbuster. This is a pretty neat set right here.
Dirge!: Dirge is another repaint of one of my favorite molds, and one of my favorite general designs. I've got the giant-sized version of this design, the tiny-sized one, and another example of the mid-sized version. Also, I'll kick myself forever for missing the deluxe-size knockoff I saw that one time, surely I didn't need gasoline and food that night. Sigh. Anyway, I like this mold a lot. The transformation's a classic example of the fairly simple series of steps that gives you two well-defined molds, and the alt. mode manages to be a Cybertronian alt. mode without looking like some pile of bullshit. Yeah, you hear me, "Fallen". But yeah, the jet mode looks really good, and is clearly definable "space jet", and the colors on it look really good. But the repaint job shines on the robot mode. Now, normally I wouldn't be behind a straight repaint of a non-conehead into a conehead, but in this case, it works. For one thing, the black paint on the face of this guy just eats up the light, and hides his face perpetually in shadow. Not Dirge-y, as such, but neat, and makes this figure distinct from his mold-mate Starscream. That figure's face is distinctive, this one makes up for a lack of remolding in the head by hiding the face. It looks really good. Then overall this guy's just done up in a pleasing shade of blue, with the dark yellow that just says "Dirge" on the wings and legs. It's a really good repaint, I highly recommend. Also I spent three damn bucks on this guy, I'll call it a win.
Roadbuster: I'd reviewed this mold positively before, but that didn't stop me from selling him off cheap earlier this year. The colors on that version of the mold never appealed, and Hot Shot is less and less entertaining to me these days. But apparently I liked the mold, because I jumped on the chance to have this version of him. Anyway, this is a fairly decent interpretation of Roadbuster's G1 vehicle mode by way of Cybertron mold, the vehicle mode here rocks an orange, brown, and green color scheme, and this is where the resemblance to his namesake shines. They're both armored cars with similar color patterns, it works. It's kind of a stretch in robot mode, especially around the face. The toy didn't get a remold, after all, it's just Hot Shot's face repainted green, with a brown and orange helmet. It doesn't quite evoke the aesthetic of the original, and the green face is all green, eyes, face, everything the same shade, which just looks kind of cheap. I mean, I know the limitations on a store-exclusive repaint set, but I feel like it could've been handled better. Still, other than that minor flaw, this is a fun figure. The amount of unfolding panels that reveal gun barrels or missile pods is ridiculous. They all maybe stood out more in the Hot Shot version, with all the yellow paint lighting up each "missile", but you can still see the exposed "weapons" in this version of the figure. I love, too, how the figure's cast with holes at the ends of his arms that his knife can fit in. The knife call also fit between Roadbuster's legs in vehicle mode, making for a more secure storage space than the clip on his leg. As an added bonus, the problem of the gun barrels mounted on this guy's back cannons falling out is fixed for this mold, his missile pods can flip out of the machine guns on this fella's back and manage to not fly across the room. So that's good.
Overall, I'd recommend both the figures in this set. They're not perfect adaptations of their G1 namesakes, bu they're both toys that have decent recolors of pretty damn good molds. I know I'm way late to the party on this thing, but I'd recommend them both, really. If you find 'em both at once, make it happen, if you find 'em seperately, I'd go with Dirge over Roadbuster. Still, both good toys.
Dominic wrote: too many people likely would have enjoyed it as....well a house-elf gang-bang.
I've got the Dirge vs. Roadbuster set, but it's one that I bought and never opened. I think the Cybertron Starscream mold looks great in Dirge's colors, and Hot Shot makes a decent Roadbuster. The face isn't exactly right though, but other than that it's a good choice.
Cybertronian Megatron is a deluxe figure based off the character model from WFC. The figure is what Titanium War Within Megatron should have been: a good representation of Megatron's form before he came to Earth, which has two good modes and a decent transformation.
The figure comes in robot mode, so that's where I'll start.
Robot: Clearly a variation on the G1 Megatron design, which is what inspired me to buy the figure. There's the massive cannon on the arm, the red, grey and black color scheme and the "bucket" head. The figure is asymmetrical, at least when it comes to the arms. There's a lot of good articulation and some fairly large feet, which means any number of good poses can be made. The head looks like it's set up for light piping, but the eyes are painted over. There's a purple Decepticon insignia dead center on the chest, which I'm glad is not metallic silver. There's also some details of the symbol molded into the figure's back. The hands are not the cheap block fists with a hold, but are nicely scuplted partially open hands.
The plastic feels different than other figures I own. It's lighter, with a different texture. Slightly hard to describe. The quality is still good though.
Transformation: remove the arm cannon. The transformation is a little tricky to describe, but it's fairly simple. Forearms split in two and become treads, head folds down, upper arms become the front sides of the tanks, legs become the rear of the tank, and the cannon is attached dead center. It's a little more detailed when actually doing it, but that's the gist.
Vehicle mode: looks good. That massive cannon ends up dead center, with all sorts of angled panels on the body of the tank. The treads can fold under for "hover mode" or down for treaded tank. The cannon can't turn or elevate per se, but it's a hovertank. Just angle it upward. This mode homages Megatron's old pistol mode in that his alt mode is still largely focused around the gun barrel, which is by far the dominant feature on the tank.
Overall: This is a very nice Transformer, and a great version of Megatron. As long as you don't mind the vehicle being a total fantasy, rather than a real-world car or plane. Transformation is satisfying while not being overly complex, and the robot has good articulation and stability. Don't pass this one up.
