Here we have Sea Spray in his vehicle mode, which is a transport hovercraft of made up model. Not like it matters when it looks dope as shit. I love the way the blue parts make up the air cushion skirt in a way that gives it a badass look, almost like a big chin to go with a set of windows that look pretty stern. The boat name on the top combined with the silver used on the steps add an extra bit of detailing that a boat like this should have. The difference in texturing for the white plastic on top and the bottom cushion is also the kind of attention to detail one wouldn't normally expect to find on a boat Transformer, especially since it helps distinguish the types of materials they would resemble compared to the real life equivalent of this alt mode. The turbofans on the back of the altmode are great to have as always for a character like Seaspray, though they are a more muted caramel brown that I think would look better if they were at least a metallic shade instead. Or painting them golden yellow would work.
The altmode can do more than roll on its tiny wheels, as the turbo fans are able to rotate as well as hinge closer to each other depending on what display you're going for. Would have been nice if they could spend via a button like the propellors on Highbrow. The weapons on the sides of the altmode can attach onto the cushion skirt of the hovercraft, and they both have harpoon missiles cast in clear blue plastic.
A cargo bay normally meant for Hunt for the Decepticons Breacher is the perfect way to show off how tiny G1 Seaspray is. I don't know if I would get Breacher ASAP, but I hope he isn't too expensive on eBay.
Transforming Sea Spray is a more involved take on the G1 design, from the way the legs are more broken up than the G1 version to the arms now having some color break-up in addition to no longer being merely part of the sides of the altmode as flabby arms like on the G1 toy. Even the cargo bay folds up nearly and forms a backpack where the turbofans reside to give him the G1 homage. And for a bonus, you have optional flippers in his feet. Seaspray's robot mode is an awesome reimagining of the dumpy G1 design, making him more of a powerhouse yet retaining him his aquatic theming beyond the altmode. The turbofans are already a neat touch, but the but things like the flippers and the air tanks on the back give him an unexpected wetsuit look to his robot mode. Even the Autobot insignia and his name tag add to that whole influence, al beit more of a military approach. That being said, some will probably think that the legs are too chicken-like, but come on, let the guy use them make himself more visually unique, whether he's in an older CHUG display or hanging out with your original Bayverse trilogy Autobots!
His head sculpt takes things a step further by giving him a scuba visor and a breathing apparatus! Normally, things like this would be out of place for a Transformer given how uncommon those meant for aquatic versatility can be, on top of them not needing to breathe like humans, but hear me out: Sea Spray works differently than most of his Autobot allies due to having a more durable robot mode than even Optimus Prime and Ironhide. It allows him to not only remain safe from being crushed deep within the ocean, but the apparatus and visor serve to both help him see better underneath the murkier parts under the sea and utilize energon to keep his stamina in check whenever he's attacking Decepticons underwater until he needs to return to the surface. Head canon ideas aside, Seaspray's articulation consists of a neck swivel and hinge, rotation at the shoulders, outward arm movement, bicep rotation, funky elbows that aren't quite double jointed, wrist joints, ratcheted hips, thigh swivels, hinged knees, and slight ankle rockers.
For prior reuses, the Takara version has more saturated colors to give him a more Geewunish flavor. I think the turbofans aren't that much better, so painting them a metallic color would have helped. That and leaving the blades inside black.
As for Deep Dive, he has a more 'realistic' deco than the one on Seaspray. The yellow visor gives him a more jetpilot look than a scuba diver.
And finally, we have BotCon 2012 Octopunch. Many who used to watch TF reviews before we had the more "quirky" video essay clowns of today (and also back when Optibotimus, Peaugh, etc were good) probably remember when Baltmatrix vented about the way this repaint turned out. Yeah, the tentacles look like ducks on the chest, but this was never meant to be G1 Octopunch. This represented his Shattered Glass counterpart, meaning he is a HEROIC Decepticon rather than the ugly monster of a Pretender with actual tentacles and a big ass diving helmet.
For a size comparison with a more modern figure, here he is next to Studio Series AOE Optimus Prime. As much as it hurts to see Leader Class figures made today being shorter than the ones we got over a decade ago, at least the one benefit is that Seaspray can scale well with your Bayverse display. And with the Retro Deluxe coming soon, this is the perfect opportunity to keep an outstanding figure instead of selling him to make room. In fact, I'd argue this version of the aquatic Minibot is the best he's ever going to get. I'd argue that Hasbro outdid themselves with the engineering and design. Sure, some people will go "erm what about the cartoon accuracy ☝️🤓" but that can be shoved up their ugly ass! You heard us right! Shove it up their ugly ass! In fact, with Hasbro making Voyagers nearly $45 with yet another price hike, you're better off buying this in the aftermarket than a half assed package refresh like AOTP Heatwave.
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