Transformers Siege War for Cybertron Hound

If you can't protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can.

The Transformers Siege Hound is the Hound that we want, and the Hound that we deserve.

In 2008 HasTak released  what we then thought was the "perfect"version of Hound - and to be fair in some aspects that we will get into later, it is better than the Siege version - but that version can be classed as.... cartoony. The Siege version has this "War-Machine"appeal to it, and - even if we're not a fan of the "effects" that you can purchase with the rest of the Siege line.

If we're right this is the first of the Transformers toys to precede the video game that it is based upon. We wonder if that's a software development deadline problem or if the developers were simply afraid that the third installment of the Transformers War for Cybertron trilogy would be a flop.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

Transformers Titans Return Blurr and Hyperfire

Transformers Titans Return Blurr and Hyperfire

Presenting the Blurr and the Headmaster Hyperfire from the Transformers Titans Return toyline.

If our memory serves us correctly: Blurr was never originally a Headmaster. He's a Targetmaster - which means his gun transformed into a mini-Autobot. However it was because Blurr lost a race (We know right? How'd that happen?) to Hot Rod (Yes the guy who got Optimus Prime killed) while Daniel Witwicky was driving or partnered with Hot Rod, that Brainstorm started espousing the benefits of having a "pilot" merged with the Autobots.

For more about Brainstorm and his Headmaster Arcana, click here.

Daniel would later be injured in combat and to save his life, Brainstorm turned Arcee's head into a cockpit/exosuit and Daniel became the first Headmaster - also creating in the process, the first Transgender Transformer - and ending the crush that many of us had on Arcee.

For more about Arcee before she became a Headmaster, click here.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP:

WFC Optimus Prime Reprolabels

WFC Optimus Prime Reprolabels

Presenting a War for Cybetron (WFC) Optimus Prime with upgrades by Reprolabels and a Dream makers Matrix, Battle Axe and weapons set.

We've actually featured the Dream Makers Warrior from Cyborgtron upgrade set before - which includes the transforming ax, chest modification which allows it to open up and reveal the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, what could be a WFC ion-blaster, and what could be a WFC Neutron assault rifle.

It's just that we were so disappointed with it because we the central screw that holds the chest-piece in place ate through the threads because we didn't realize that it was too big. Now it's stuck there and unless we drill it out, it will stay stuck.

Boo.

But then we got the Reprolabels! And we attached it to the WFC Optimus Prime armed with the Dream Makers Warrior from Cyborgtron upgrade, so there.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP.

Transformers Platinum Edition Year of the Fire Monkey Optimus Primal

Year of the Fire Monkey Optimus Primal

Presenting the Transformers Platinum Edition Year of the Fire Monkey Optimus Primal.

Gong Xi Fa Cai! The New Lunar Year has rolled in and we are now under the gracious auspices of the Chinese Zodiac's Fire Monkey. Lucky numbers for the year are 1, 8 & 7. Lucky colors are Gold, Blue and White.

In celebration of the new year, new hope and new beginnings, Hasbro decided to release this redeco of the 2001 Robots in Disguise Air Attack Optimus Primal.

Personally we'd rather that they reissued the 1998 Super Optimal Optimus, but this is still a gigantic leap over the YOTG debacle last year involving the translucent G2 Battle Convoy armed with pink missiles (It couldn't get any gayer). While it's no YOTH MP10 Optimus Prime, it's still a step up over last lunar year.

Transformers Combiner Wars Sky Lynx

Transformers Combiner Wars Sky Lynx

Presenting the Transformers Combiner Wars Sky Lynx.

Sky Lynx is quite a unique Autobot. One of the few major characters of power and reknown that does not have a humanoid form (Well... til now that is). He instead transforms into.... well the G1 manuals call him a "dino-bird", but clearly he's a form of gryphon.

He's so unique in fact that he's actually quite vain  (Though he can back up his vanity and rank of Lieutenant Commander with power, speed, grace and talent, so "Bite me" seems to be his standard response to any criticism.)

Sky Lynx is so vain he's known for the quote "Before you do anything, think, 'Is this what Sky Lynx would do in my position?', and you will not go far wrong."

That's probably why Springer calls Sky Lynx "Commander Modesty".

Transformers Combiner Wars Rodimus Prime

Rodimus Prime, leader of the Autobots

Presenting the Transformers Combiner Wars Rodimus Prime - or just plain Rodimus.

We're honestly not sure why someone in Hasbro in his infinite wisdom blurted out "Hey let's shrink the little guy! No one likes him anyway, they won't notice!"

Sigh. For all the misgivings we may have about the guy who: Caused the death of Optimus Prime; stole the Matrix of Leadership from Ultra Magnus, and; led the Autobots to near destruction prompting the resurrection of Optimus Prime; Rodimus was still the leader of the Autobots and deserves a little more dignity than this.

And everyone else from the IDW comic books more or less got to scale toys made out of them, so why is Rodimus so diminutive?

What do we care, we don't like Rodimus? :)

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

GI Joe Devilfish

Presenting the GI Joe Devilfish the riverine warfare and patrol boat of the GI Joe team. 

The GI Joe Devilfish first made an appearance all the way back in May of 1986 in the Marvel Comic book version of GI Joe. The issue was GI Joe 47, which carried the story-title "Sea Duel" 

It was the first and last appearance of the Devilfish in the Marvel Comic books. 

BUT it was one of the most pivotal issues of GI Joe!

"Sea Duel" takes place right after Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow storm Cobra Island in order to avenge the death of the Hard Master by slaying Zartan, the Cobra Master of Disguise.

Which they fail to do.

Believing that Zartan had fled the island, the two ninjas are now faced with having to fight their way out of Cobra Island.

GI Joe Retaliation Trooper

Presenting the GI Joe Retaliation Trooper.

Today is the 11th Anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy so I thought it would be nice to review such an iconic figure today.

The GI Joe Retaliation Trooper is the current chase figure thanks to it's troop building value - and the fact that, if rumors are true - there's only one GI Joe Trooper in each of the currently dispatched Hasbro Boxes.

I'm personally not sure if he's rarer than the Red Ninja... Just occurred to me that I have a Red Ninja somewhere and I've totally forgotten about him... anyway, personal experience indicates to me that he is rarer than the Retaliation Cobra Red Ninja.

I actually found this particular GI Joe Trooper in - of all places - a bookstore.

Marvel Avengers Movie Series: Captain America Shield Launcher

Presenting Captain America (Shield Launcher) from the Marvel Avengers Movie toy series.If you read our review of the Avengers Goliath Assault Tank, then you've already seen this figure replacing the crappy Captain America that accompanied it.

In a nutshell, this is the modern adaptation of the movie-based Captain America as it will appear in the upcoming Avengers movie. As you may recall, Captain America's original costume - not the pansy one he wore while selling war-bonds - was born out of the 1940s. They obviously thought that he needed an up-grade and here he is.

As with his 1940's movie costume (Though he kept losing his helmet), this modern uniform is closer to the Ultimates Captain America uniform (By Brian Hitch) than to Captain America's uniform in the normal Marvel Universe timeline.

Transformers Powercore Combiners: Bombshock & the Combaticons

Presenting Bombshock and the Combaticons from the Transformers Powercore Combiners toy series. We first showed Bombshock and his Combaticon drones when we showcased Grimstone and his Dinobots, but we only used him as a reference comparison between the two Power Core Combiners.

But since we'd already shot, him, why not showcase him?

Unlike Grimstone, Bombshock does exist in regular Transformers lore. Originally he was an old, bitter, backstabbing Decepticon Micromaster - literally tiny fuel-efficient Transformers. Although later on in the "Return of Convoy" Manga he was a childlike, joyous Autobot. He again reverted to being a bitter, old Decepticon with "Fight till I die" (And he did at the hands of Optimus Prime) in the novels.

Powercore Combiners do not exist in the regular lore of the Transformers so like Grimstone, Bombshock is a figment of someone's imagination at Hasbro. However, unlike Grimstone who I saw as a juvenile Autobot out to prove himself, Bombshock is still pretty much the same little Micromaster - which fits because some Micromasters are Combiners (Only Bombshock combines with Drones - who won't backstab him - and not other Micromasters) - especially after you read his blister card.

Though when combined, he looks like a wannabee Bruticus - or his younger brother.

G.I. Joe Renegades Airtight

Presenting from Airtight the GI Joe Renegades Hostile Environment Specialist. The original Airtight is the second G.I Joe to come into my possession way back in the 80s and I was in love with him because of the "Spaceman" look of his uniform and gear - till I realized that he was walking around with a vacuum cleaner. Thirty years later Hasbro reintroduces Airtight in the same environmental suit, but with an entirely different history as they tie him into the G.I. Joe Renegades cartoon.

Corporal Kurt Schnurr CBR (Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warefare) and Ordnance specialist AKA Airtight is now Doctor Kurt Schnurr, a civilian Biochemist. Both are from New Haven Connecticut.

The civilian Dr. Kurt Schnurr actually starts out working with Cobra in the G.I. Joe Renegades cartoon. Together with Dr. Monev (Really? Couldn't figure out that there was something wrong with his name huh?) they develop the Anaconda Strain virus which turns mammals into reptiles. Dr. Monev infects Airtight and the Joes come to rescue him on the behest of Airtight's daughter, Elena.

They rescue him and administer the cure to the Anaconda Strain. The bad news is, the Joes were fooled into rescuing Airtight. Unbeknownst to all... it's a trap! Airtight had been infected for too long a period that he was no longer showing symptoms but was spreading the virus. The Joes rush again to rescue him and Airtight is forced to permanently wear his containment suit while he struggles to find a permanent cure for Anaconda.

Star Wars Republic Attack Dropship

Presenting the Star Wars Republic Attack Dropship - No. We are not going to call it the Star Wars RAD.

The Republic Attack Dropship is... a "Shock-and-Awe" troop delivery vehicle that gives the Republic Grand Army a vehicle versatile enough to deliver a point of heavily armed crack-troops (Dare I say suicidal troops); and transform to provide that point with the vital air support as well.

You can clearly see the Mandalorian influence in it's design as it is reminiscent of Jango Fett's Slave 1 freighter.

I have to admit that I was hesitant about the practicality of this vehicle at first. I mean what can this do that a more heavily armored and  heavily armed Low Altitude Assault Transport/Carrier (LAAT/C) can't? Answer: It's not a lumbering forty ton rock in the sky.

The Republic Attack Dropship is probably faster and has the sleeker width of a human being so it's definitely harder to hit; What it loses in terms of the number of troops it can deliver, it makes up in providing them with portable firepower; and, if you remember the craggy terrain of Geonosis and Utapau - and even the rain forests of Kashyyyk, then you can see the need for a smaller, lighter vehicle that can maneuver in tight spaces and deliver troops in areas that would be considered too tight for the LAAT/C.

Transformers Power Core Combiners: Grimstone and the Dinobots

Presenting the Mighty Grimstone and the Dinobot Drones from the Transformers Power Core Combiners series. While wiki-ing this particular Dinobot combination for this article, google revealed that I had previously endorsed a review by a fellow blogger on a group blog that I also write for: Transformers Philippines.

The write-up, written by Slangards - the infamous Hippopatami on the Lam, now presents a unique dilemma for me because ... well he didn't like Grimstone and the Dinobots. I chanced upon a set, and.... I do.

So this is the dissenting opinion.

Toy News: Marvel Legends Bucky Cap

Presenting some of the first images of the Marvel Legends Bucky Cap that's supposed to be released this year (2012). I have to say that I'm not a fan of Bucky Cap. I always thought that he was a pretender to Steve Rogers' shield and that he didn't deserve the mantle. It's no wonder that he never got to lead the Avengers nor was he looked upon as an inspiring figure to rally behind.

And I was so happy when he got killed.

Only to curse Marvel when it turned out that it was a Life Model Decoy of him because Bucky wanted Steve to re-assume his rightful place as Captain America (He couldn't hack it).

G.I. Joe Retaliation 2012 Toy News

Hasbro is all set for next week's SDCC 2012 where it will reveal this year's G.I. Joe Retaliation toy-line up. And I have to say I absolutely love what I see! The full line-up of toys can be seen here at Hasbro's site.

But here are some highlights that I'm looking forward to including the SDCC exclusive Kim Arashikage (White Ninja on the Right) - which makes me wish I lived in San Francisco (If anyone reads this blog and is going to the SDCC, please do PM me, I'd so love to have one sent over.The Kim Arashikage on the left is the retail version.

Marvel Universe: Thor (Wave 7 Lightning Variant)

Presenting the Lightning Variant of Marvel Universe's Thor, Odinson, God of Thunder, Founding Member of the Avengers, Goldilocks.

Thor is the 12th figure of Wave 7 of the Marvel Universe 3.75" line released in 2010. This particular variant is not well known and it's not even available on Amazon. So I was surprised when I ran into it in, of all places, the Budget Terminal of Changi Airport (Singapore).

At first I just thought it was just a regular Marvel Universe Thor and ignored it, but something bothered me about him and I kept coming back to him - thankfully the flight was delayed (Cebu Pacific - as usual). I'd seen the Marvel Universe Thor before and there was something different with this Thor in front of me. While sitting down it dawned upon me - he was brighter! I went back and was 100% sure that he was brighter. Further, I was also completely sure that the Marvel Universe Thor did not have a lightning-blue Mjolnir.

He was a variant. Into the bag he went.

Cobra HISS Attack Scout versus the Howe & Howe Tech Ripsaw

I wasn't really planning on reviewing the Cobra HISS Attack Scout because it's a fairly common toy and I didn't get it up on for review fast enough, but - being a fan of the Discovery Channel, I really felt that I had to point out a real life version of the Cobra Hiss Attack Scout.

Howe & Howe Tech is a U.S. based military contractor that makes vehicles for the U.S. Army - and as an incidental client, Hollywood. And one of their vehicles they developed, the Ripsaw, bears more than a striking resemblance to the HISS Attack Scout.

Transformers Prime: Bulkhead

Presenting Bulkhead from the Transformers Prime Animated Series. Think of the Transformers Prime Bulkhead as the smaller version of his Transformers Animated Series Legends class cousin - down to the wrecking ball.

Transformers Prime Bulkhead is the sterotypical gentle giant - down to the big-blue eyes (Hats off to Hasbro, something that small is actually pretty good detailing).  While he  seriously looks like a green gorilla on steroids, he also delivers on being the green gorilla that can drive you into the ground and both dish and take on a lot of punishment.

Bulkhead never saw himself as a genius and started out as a Wrecker but eventually followed Prime and was one of the last ones on the Earth-bound Ark - ironically the Wreckers, led by Ultra Magnus held off Trypticon long enough for the Ark to escape. The Wreckers stayed vowing to take apart Shockwave's new empire.

On Earth, Bulkhead befriends, and is most protective of, 15 year old Miko Nakadai who accepts his clumsy but well meaning ways.

It is this friendship that brings Bulkhead back from a coma after he accidentally gets into a situation akin to what happened to Spike Witwicky in the Transformers Revenge of the Fallen movie - except that because Bulkhead is... intellectually challenged... it overloads him, literally.

STAR WARS: Rahm Kota (The Force Unleashed)

Presenting from the STAR WARS Force Unleashed video games and literature, Jedi Master Rahm Kota.

You may better remember Rahm Kota as the blind, half-drunk Jedi Master who fights by the side of Galen Marek, and much later, his clone Starkiller - which is ironic considering it was Galen who blinded him and sent him into a drinking binge. This incarnation of Rebel General Rahm Kota is seen in the STAR WARS Force Unleashed video game (The 1st one) as Galen Marek's first boss battle aboard the a crashing TIE Fighter Production facility above Nar Shadaa. After that he wanders around with bandages over his eyes; a tattered version of the Mandalorian Armor that he wears here; loses his topknot in favor of the wavy hair look; but can still fight effectively with his lightsaber - Hey if Luke can do it, so can he. The playable character if I remember correctly, is this version and not the blinded version.


Rahm Kota was actually trained by Master Yoda and survived Order 66 only because he didn't like to use clones during the Clone War, and actually organized his own militia.

Rahm Kota is also known as the "Samurai" Jedi having been built along the lines of  the roguish mentor image of QuiGon Jinn - though I think "Ronin" or "Masterless Samurai" is a more appropriate description for both QuiGon and Rahm as they did/do have their issues with the Jedi Leadership - strangely enough, Rahm was trained by Master Yoda. Qui-Gon was trained by Count Dooku who was also trained by Master Yoda. There seems to be a spring of rebellious spirit springing from that little guy.

Transformers Prime: Arcee

Presenting Arcee from the Transformers Prime animated series. Arcee is a Cybertronian Scout - when is she never a scout? One of Optimus Prime's best actually.





Except this particular Arcee is suffering from a severe case of Survivor's Guilt. Before the Autobots in the Transformers Prime universe abandoned Cybetron in what would be later called the Great Exodus, Arcee was paired with an Autobot named Tailgate.

During a mission, Arcee was captured and tortured for information by the Decepticon Airachnid. When Arcee refused to reveal any information, Airachnid brought our Tailgate - who was apparently also captured. Tailgate was tortured will Arcee admitted that she did not have any valuable information. Satisfied, Airachnid killed Tailgate. Arcee was rescued before Airachnid could do her in as well.

After the Exodus, Arcee was again paired with another Autobot, Cliffjumper. He not only looks like Tailgate, he gets killed too - well later he gets re-animated as a psychotic Zombie, cut in half by Megatron and scattered in a mine. Anyway, this drives Arcee - understandably over the deep-end and Arcee ends up hating having to be paired with anyone. Ironically, she's assigned by Optimus Prime to protect the human Jack Darby. You can imagine her joy at having to protect someone from the Decepticons.