Transformers Evolution Prime Skyquake review

Skyquake is normally considered to be seen as a one-shot character apart from his infrequent appearances as a Terrorcon in Transformers Prime (especially since his twin brother Dreadwing takes up the spotlight). That being said, the character has had some form of merchandise, all of it being post-humous and serving as straight repaints as the more prominent blue brother. If anything, I am more than happy to delve into what might be a glorious iteration of a TFP character that is done much more justice than any of the other characters in the line-up. Will Skyquake not be compromised by the Geewunification regardless? Let's see in today's review!

Here's Skyquake in his jet mode. It's not the same kind of unlicensed F-35 Lightning II he took the form of before he died in the same episode, at least the entirety of it. The front is definitely similar to that vehicle, with the side fins, fuselage, and cockpit. By contrast, the back of the jet mode is based on the G1 version, with more Cybertronic details, the mini-cockpit behind the TFP one, and wings that are somewhat smaller than in the TFP iteration. It kind of results in an unusual mashup of aesthetics that are not the same as one another, and I feel that this was done in order to make a pretool hint for a proper G1 Skyquake even though we already got a TFP iteration. It's not a terrible mashup, and I do value that it still works well for Skyquake given he was represented in these different continuities, but I know some people would not value them well. At the very least, we have silver and faded red paint apps to break up the olive green that is accurate to the figure. Underneath the jet mode is a set of landing gear (with non-functional wheels) and weapon storage for the cannon, giving it a decent spot to hide.

Interestingly, this guy does have some compatibility with the previous-wave's Deluxe figure, which is in reference to the G1 toy's ability to allow smaller Predator jets to dock on top of it. Who Needlenose will be retooled into right away, we don't know.

The cockpit can open up, which gave me flashbacks to when TFP Airachnid's terrible Deluxe figure had a questionable inclusion of a cockpit that contributed to its list of functional compromises. Luckily, the cockpit doesn't have its seat as part of the robot head, as this is a piece of its own this time around. That being said, it doesn't have any space for figures to man the jet.

For a jet mode comparison, here he is with his original TFP iteration, which I admit has the more accurate jet mode, though I will admit that the Evolution version has a more cohesive jet mode when it comes to the undercarriage of the jet, as the waist doesn't clash with the flow while the hands are actually hidden away. The shade of green is much closer to the CG model than the original version, though I'll admit I like the shade of green on the TFP toy more. And yes, the toy gets a Leader Class upscale as it should. Makes sense since Skyquake is a larger character.

And why not, here he is with other Jetformers in the Evolution line. I think you probably know by now that Skyquake is my favorite figure in the line, what with how much of a TFP fan I am. It also looks more like a proper jet, as Metalhawk looks pretty half-assed in jet mode while Needlenose pulls a Silverbolt

Transformation is very complex, with the figure requiring that the steps go in a certain order if you want them to go from one part of the sequence to another. Between having to both straighten the legs and continue twisting and turning to the right positions of the hips and thighs, while the fuselage has to collapse itself and the wings need to be swept to the back, but you'll have to turn the waist swivel halfway through. And you may struggle to get the back kibble to stay in place at first, but be sure to have the cockpit go through the hole of the back. The robot mode we end up with continues to mash up the G1 elements with the TFP design, such as the head crest, chest, and feet of the original iteration while the rest of the design is more or less the same, albeit less stylized and with wings that are in the standard Starscream position. The differences make him look less accurate to the TFP design, but I still feel that it works well enough for him to not look like he's either an entirely different design (Bulkhead) or a duller bastardization (Arcee & Knockout). I heard fans had come up with an alternate transformation scheme that gives the wings the proper orientation as well as granting him the normal cockpit, but this requires swapping the forearms out while accepting the chest looks incomplete and nowhere near as filled in. Speaking of, there are no severely hollowed out parts on this guy for the most part.

Head sculpt is, as mentioned before, a mix of the overall TFP design with the G1 head crest that makes him closer to the original iteration of the character. It is unknown if G1 Skyquake will receive a new head or not since he has his own unique attributes on the face.  His articulation is standard for the line, with a ball-jointed neck, shoulders that move front and back on swivels and ratchet in and out, swivel at the biceps, bend at double-joints for the elbows, the wrists swivel, there are butterfly joints thanks to the transformation the waist swivels, the hips move front and back, in and out, the thighs swivel, the knees bend at two points, and the ankles pivot. Sadly, the feet don't really help with balancing the toy that well.

His weapons include his sword, cast in clear plastic and is weirdly able to face the right way if hend in the left hand, but he also has his gatling gun, which should be meant moreso for Dreadwing since he had rapid fire while Skyquake didn't. The articulation of the arms allow him to hold the weapon much better than any normal toy would because of the added articulation, and the same also goes for the handle.

The figure saw another repaint as his twin brother, Dreadwing. Apart from having the green as blue and the orange as red, this guy also has some nice gold highlights and a retooled cannon that isn't rapid-fire based. I don't mind that the changes are cosmetic since Skyquake and Dreadwing are essentially twin brothers.

For a robot mode size comparison, he is not only taller than the TFP Voyager, but he is also a much better figure overall. Once again, I still like the design of the TFP figure more, but the engineering of the 2012 toy felt like a mix between complex yet limited, resulting in a robot that doesn't feel complete with the mediocre quality it possesses. Plus, the height of a Leader Class figure works better for Skyquake since he, once again, was a taller character in TFP.

I genuinely feel this guy is worth getting, even in spite of those issues that I have with the figure. While I wish there was a little more work to make the toy even better than it already is. Maybe have the feet more stable or add some paint to the sword so it won't crack, but regardless, this is a figure fans should get because it not only manages to outdo the TFP characters in terms of not Geewunning itself, but it also has more going for it than the other characters do in terms of design. I can't wait to get a Dreadwing repaint out of this guy.

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Transformers Evolution Animated Prowl review

Transformers Animated turns 15-16 this year, and it's such a long time since we heard anything major from it. What I like about Animated is the fact that the series balanced elements of newer Transformers series with older ones, a trend that makes sense for the anniversary and is an approach I liked that we saw over time in later shows up until the release of Cyberverse, where it relied on the Evergreen aesthetic (before we saw more creative designs over time). Prowl has been in RID and Energon with Japanese-influenced design traits, with personalities that made them either similar or different from the G1 iteration; Animated's version goes for a Cyber-Ninja that was initially a loner before making a strong alliance with the space bridge repair crew that would later serve as the Autobots who saved Detroit. But with all that said, let's take a look at Prowl's newest toy!

Here is Evolution Animated Prowl in vehicle mode. It's a slick, black and gold motorcycle with police elements added since this was a futuristic police cycle in the show. It doesn't look too different from his old Deluxe counterpart, though I would be lying if I said this one was an improvement since the original one looked much cleaner in bike mode; this guy's hips, waist, and shoulder joints are more exposed and don't really blend in with the rest of the bike. In addition, because of how chunkier the throwing starts are this time, they kind of don't blend in with the rest of the bike too well unless they were painted gold like the rest of the toy. I also like that you get each siren light colored differently from one another. 

Here he is with his fellow wavemate and Cycleformer, Crashbar. I gotta say how cool it is to have more of an increase on bikeformers that aren't just fembots or Arcee, especially since Prowl was a main Autobot in Animated while Crashbar is a Junkion (and he'll be focused on later on).

Transformation is faithful to the original toy, sith the front being the chest, both wheels serving as the legs, the sides of the bike being the winglets, and the backseat becoming the arms. It's something I like that they carried over, especially since it keeps the legs symmetrical. The robot mode shares the same Geewunification that affected the TFP characters, with everyone in the last line being compromised except for Skyquake. While Prowl isn't as lean and mean as his old self, he at least looks like Animated Prowl without being Sunbowified. He doesn't feel boring or compromised. While I'd love a leaner, meaner version of him, this is still a good take on the character if you ask me. Plus it's not like G1 Prowl wanted to compromise the look...now saying that, I fear for Optimus Prime, Bee, Megatron, and any character who looked G1 enough in Animated to have a worse treatment.

Head sculpt ditches the chin sadly, but he still has that Animated flare that makes him iconic among his teammates, and he has a bit of that chin present, as small as it is. His visor isn't sharp and lacks that dynamic Gurren Laggan aesthetic, but it still pops with the bright blue that contrasts his mostly dark head. His articulation consists of a ball-jointed neck, shoulders that move front and back, in and out, bicep swivels, elbow bends, slight hand curls, a waist swivel, hips that move front and back, in and out, thigh swivels, knee bends, and ball-jointed ankles. The hubcaps on the outer sides of the wheels can deploy three blades and serve as ninja stars, albeit chunkier than they should be. His right hand can't really hold them as well as his left hand, but the weight that they possess makes them harder to stay in their hands.

Here he is with last line's main bikeformer in the line, albeit represented as Road Rockett. I feel that while this figure was meant to be TFP Arcee, the Legacy style did not benefit it as well as it should, making it easier to repurpose for any other character with how simplified the design looks. By contrast, Animated Prowl makes it harder to repurpose into a different character, with the only possibility being an upgrade that gives him his samurai armor...now that I mentioned it, he should have come with his Samurai armor to make the bulk easier to stomach for fans that feel annoyed it's bulkier.

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Star Wars The Black Series Jango Fett & Phase 1 Clone Trooper review

While Disney likes to subvert expectations in a bad way, George Lucas's approach in making the Clone Wars, and the Clones that were alluded to for years, the way we ended up getting them was a very unexpected decision. For years, fans thought that the Clone Wars depicted the titular beings as antagonistic, but it turns out they were the good guys, and nobody saw it coming up until Attack of the Clones came out! And the fact that they all came from Jango Fett, the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy, shows how stupid it was for the Galactic Empire to NOT continue using them before the events of the Original Trilogy. Anyways, onto the review!

Here we have Jango Fett in-hand. This version of the character is based on his appearance in Star Wars: Bounty Hunter. While this is based on his appearance in the game with a purple jump suit and a different jetpack, the seller I got this toy from actually customized it to look weathered in addition to giving it leather straps. New concept not done officially. It's a great-looking figure if you ask me, with a great level of detail that makes the figure look closer to the movie likeness while remaining in the 6 inch scale. The blue on the jetpack and helmet do contrast the purple of the suit, but it works in a weird way. The holsters go well with Jango Fett, the paint apps on the aforementioned jetpack and his flamethrower mounted on his left hand are nicely applied, and the figure does not disappoint in terms of sculptwork.

The helmet is especially the highlight for fans of the Mandalorian suit designs; it has the T-visor, the blue contrasting the silver, and the antenna that doubles as a targeting reticle (which is non-articulated here). There is even a dent from Episode 2 (which nay not be accurate to SW:BH). We'll uncover what's underneath it after the articulation. His head xan look left and right as well as up and down, his shoulders move front and back as well as in and out, his forearms swivel at the elbows and bend as well, his wrists swivel and hinge, the diaphragm joint has articulation, hips move front and back, in and out, thighs swivel.limitedly because of the holsters, knees bend at two points, and the feet can hinge as well as pivot. He can whip out his twin blasters and look badass as always. And removing the helmet gives us a much better likeness to Jango's actor, Temura Morrison. This looks much closer to him than the old version did, as is the case for a lot of Black Series figures of late.

Here he is next to his son from the future, Boba Fett. I'm sure the photo is making one look taller than the other, but I like that the two are able to differentiate each other beyond the colors. Jango Fett is skinnier and more refined in his design, contrasting Boba's baggier and less-practical look. This is especially noticeable for the legs, but Boba has a bit of a cape while his dad doesn't have one. And speaking of the deco, Jango remains somewhat pristine even with the worn paint while Boba looks dirtier by comparison. And their weapons aren't the same. Also here is Jango running away from Mace Windu. Good luck with that, Jango!

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Up next, here is the Clone Trooper in Phase 1 armor. It's great going back to the first iteration of Clone armor in the regular live-action style, for merch, even if it was popular in the 3D Clone Wars style. It's a sleeker precursor to the eventual Phase 2 armor that Clones eventually receive, as it was thinner and not as durable as the replacement gear. Still, it is neat to see the first iteration of Clones in the standard white for your armybuilding needs, as fans can later obtain the likes of Captain Rex and other, more colorful Clone types in the rankings. The sculptwork is simple but it fits the aesthetics of the Clones as futuristic soldiers.

This helmet is updated from the first version of the Clone Trooper, being proportionately accurate to the CG model (I say that because all Clones were CG animated in the prequel trilogy) yet the mouth piece should extend the points more. It's a little more flexible of a material, though, so do take note of that. His articulation is the same as Jango's, but with a double-ball neck and elbows/knees that are more flush in the anatomy yet retain more or less the same range. It's a little more limited than Jango's, though.

His rifle is also included along with his blaster, giving fans two options to display the figure. Also makes your clones more interesting on a shelf. Overall, the Clone Trooper is as successful as the man he is based on, but you would probably get him to complete your collection.

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Transformers Evolution Shrapnel review

Shrapnel is no different from his fellow Insecticons, Insecticons. The three of them always go around having the same deco with different designs, designs. Shrapnel has gotten toys without it being simultaneous with his partners, though with the Thrilling 30/Prime Wars Legends, he was the first to pop up with Reflector, Reflector. After we got Kickback last year, who was okay; this guy should either be worth getting or not, assuming it depends on how he turned out as a whole, whole. We'll see if this guy is worth getting or not, not!

Here is Shrapnel in his insect mode, mode. A robotic stag beetle, this guy doesn't stray too far from the norm as a G1-legacy toy but with articulation replacing the die-cast and more steps implemented, implemented. It's got a few red and blue paint apps as well as a similar approach to making a cockpit that looks believably layered yet not intended to be opened, opened. He has no rolling wheels, wheels. Beyond that, I don't think there's much else to say about this little bug, bug.

The purple legs on his beast mode can be stored underneath as extra legs, legs. It's a neat idea if you as me, me.

His gun can be stored on the top, top. Though if you don't want to have asymmetrical weapon storage, it can be pegged underneath the body like with Kickback, back. This gun, much like the gun legs, were molded in purple plastic before getting silver paint for this gun only, only.

Speaking of, here he is with his Legacy teammate, mate. Kickback is basically the robot mode with parts of the toy scrunched up or split up here and there, in contrast to Shrapnel bunching up to be a more compact insect, insect. And it appears that there is going to be a new form of inconsistency between the teammates, much like the Legends figures; basically, T30 Skrapnel had an opaque yellow chest, Combiner Wars Bombshell had a golden chest, and Kickback has a translucent cockpit with inaccurate yellow wings, wings. Here, Shrapnel has plain gray pincers while Kickback once again has clear yet non-yellow wings; I wonder if Bombshell will add chrome parts, parts.

Transformation is very simple, with the typical leg transformation, waist swivel, and slight adjustments to the arms and upper body, body. It's nothing too crazy, though it is funny how the head reveal feels more Megazord than Transformer, former. The resulting robot mode is definitely accurate to the G1 design, design. I mean, I like how the horns are now pylons that stand out from the upper body, and the legs folding away in the back are fine enough, enough. There's not much else to talk about beyond the interesting nature of 5mm ports being on the back of the shoulders and forearms rather than on the outer portions or how odd it is for the thighs to be painted (or at least cast) in a lighter shade of gray, gray. Other than that, there's not much else to say about it but check out the middle image being flat as hell, hell.

Head sculpt is spot-on to the source material, but then again, that's expected for the WFC/Legacy-era of figures, figures. Unlike Kickpack, it appears that this figure has been cast in a different color and later painted black because the mushroom joint for the neck was initially stuck in place, place. I disassembled the toy and removed the head to discover the paint probably dried up when it should have been done before the toy was put together in the factory, factory. Apart from the neck swivel, the shoulders move front and back, in and out, bicep swivels, elbow bends, waist swivels, hips move front and back, in and out, thigh swivels, knee bends, and ankle pivots, pivots. His gun goes in his hand as expected for any normal figure like this, this.

The two purple legs he comes with can combine as part of the Evo-Fusion gimmick, where one gun goes on the back of the main blaster while the other goes underneath the main blaster to work as a larger cannon, cannon. Not bad for what it is, is. For a robot mode comparison with Kickback, the two characters are summed up best as being figures that do what they need and aren't too interesting beyond the concept of being new Insecticon toys, toys. I will admit Kickback is better in some ways with those clear purple weapons and the way the arms transform into bug legs, legs. I think these guys worked well as Legends because the cheaper price tag meant expectations and no new engineering traits would only make sense for the scale they're in, in.

Final ranking, ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐