Transformers Review: Darkmount/ Lord Straxus (Deluxe Generations)

Intro:

            The character originally named (Lord) Straxus exclusively appeared in the Marvel Comics, as well as the Marvel UK Comics.

            Now otherwise known as Darkmount (due to probably the loss of copyright to use the Straxus name), he was one of the most powerful Decepticons, whose firepower rival even that of Megatron’s and Shockwave.

            Though the character was first conceived in the original run of the Transformers comics by Marvel Comics (1984 – 1991), Straxus never did receive an action-figure treatment, until 2010. In order to overcome the lack of copyright to use his original name, he is instead named as Darkmount – the impenetrable fortress that he resides in.

            This was one of those characters that I never planned on buying in the first place, but due to the good reputations of the Generations line then, as well as this being an entirely new mould (and an interesting character as a whole), I thought I might as well give this guy a chance.

Alternate Mode:

            Darkmount transforms into a half-track tank that really packs a punch – he’s armed to the teeth! 

I’m not sure if the alternate mode is actually based on an actual tank model, but he looks realistic enough to pass as a real one indeed.

            There is also the code M17 on both the right-side front and left turret of the tank.

            The tank threads, although intricately carved are non-functional. There are, however, two smaller wheels underneath the threads to provide movements to the tank, along with the bigger front wheels. 

            The main gun, formed by the hilt of the axe wielded by the robot mode, can tilt up and back down. The turret can rotate 360°.

           

Robot Mode:

            Darkmount is your typical pre-size-reduction Deluxe-class figure (Yep, how I wish Transformers: Prime figures nowadays kept their original sizes).

            I especially love his head sculpt – it oozes evilness. It looks as though he is wearing some sort of a mask, but he’s not! That face alone, I reckoned, would scare the living daylights out of any ordinary Autobots or Cybertron civilians. 

            In this mode, he wields is signature axe. It is sad that Darkmount is an excellent melee combatant and a swing of his axe can cut many a Transformer in half. 

            Although it was clear in the comics that he never wielded any ranged weapons, the designers actually included two ranged weapons: i.e. the missiles launcher and the laser gun, both of which could be mounted onto his shoulders via universal clip. Another set of blasters, also on universal clip, can be mounted on the side of the left leg.  

            Articulation-wise: the head rotate 360° and is able to tilt very, very slightly; the inner shoulders swing in and out, while the shoulders-proper are on ball-joint; the elbows bend and the wrists are on ball-joint; Darkmount also comes with a waist-joint; the ball-jointed hips are very loose unfortunately; the knees bend and rotate; and finally the feet, though having a somewhat awkward designs, are on ball-joint as well. 

            Darkmount’s total range of motions is quite interesting, and you could really put him into a variety of poses.

The best part is that he could even wield his axe with both hands!

 If it weren’t for some of his joints being a bit loose, he would’ve been very perfect.

            This mode really oozes deadliness as well as evilness, and I could really imagine this guy giving Megatron a real run for his money, just like Shockwave did.

Overall:

            I like this figure. I like his characterization in general, as well as his aesthetics. For fans of the comics, this is probably one of those long-awaited figures.

            Overall, I think the designers did a great job on this figure, and if it weren’t for the loose joints, this is would’ve been a perfect figure.

            Still, this figure definitely earns a place in any Transformers collection.

            Highly recommended.

            Final verdict: 9/10.

                                                                                          

Transformers Review: Gaia Unicron (Voyager Arms Micron)

Intro:

            For a time, I considered sparing your wretched little planet Cybertron, but now, you shall witness…its dismemberment!!!

            As far as Unicron is concerned, that is probably his most memorable quote ever! Every time I talk about Unicron, that quote is the first ever thing that comes to my mind.

            Since 1986, we have waited for so long for an actual Unicron action figure, which we duly got when Unicron was reintroduced into the Armada series. That version of Unicron, and its various reissues, repaints and retools, was probably the best Unicron we ever going to get and I am extremely happy with that. 

            The fact of the matter is, up until then, in holding up to the theory that Unicron (and Primus) is a multiverse singularity, all figures released were based on a common mold.

            Then in 2005, Hasbro and Takara decided to do something radical – they released Unicron in a totally new mold, and unlike all of his previous namesakes, the Cybertron/ Galaxy Force Unicron was small. Gone were the days where Unicron was the eater of worlds, he was now a small-fry, but mean-looking tank-ish contraption. Despite having the figure released, the character was never shown in physical form in the entire series…

            Until now…

            After years of character dormancy, the character Unicron was finally mentioned again, and this time, in the Transformers: Prime series. Though he was never shown in actual form, this Unicron managed to live up to his planetary-hype. Instead of a planet, he is actually a planet’s core – Earth’s core. 

            I was very excited to finally manage to get a hold of this figure. At this time of writing, Unicron, or Gaia Unicron to be exact, is a Takara-Tomy exclusive, under the Arms Micron line, with the release number of AM19. So far, there has been no plan as of yet for Hasbro to release a Unicron figure under the Transformers: Prime banner. 

Clockwise from left: AM Gaia Unicron, Universe Unicron, Cybertron Unicron, Cybertron Unicron's severed head

            This Unicron figure has been a priority figure for my most-wanted list this year, and that shouldn’t come as a surprised, really – HE’S UNICRON for Pete’s sake!

            So, after all the anticipations, here we are with this review, and I can only hope that I won’t be disappointed.

Alternate Mode:

            To be honest with you, since I don’t read Japanese, I have no idea what he turns into.

            From the various depictions on the box, it looks as if this is supposed to be some sort of an aircraft. But if that’s indeed true, that it is definitely one ugly aircraft.

            However, if you observe it again, you’ll notice that it actually vaguely resemble an erupting volcano with Unicron’s face appearing on the side of the volcano. 

            This actually makes sense (*spoilers alert*) since Unicron was said to be the Earth’s core, and plus, his real physical body was still dormant, but gained the ability to turn the entire planet Earth into his various avatar, i.e. armies of himself which were made of stones.

            He does pass as a Volcano with his face on the side, except for one significant issue: the volcano isn’t able to stand up on its own.

            Yep, you heard right, the only way you could have him stand straight is by attaching his Micron partner onto his back.

Micron Partner:

            Well, the little guy isn’t exactly Unicron’s partner per se; in fact, I don’t know who the little runt is.

            As usual with Arms Micron figures, you have to assemble the Arms Microns partners. 

            Anyways, at first glance, the little runt look like a lump of rock, but after s close inspection, you’ll noticed that the little guy actually sports 4 sets of carved tank threads, and if you look carefully at the small pointy tip in front, it actually looks like a tip of a drill. 

            So, I’m guessing that he’s a driller with a funny pointy little thingy poking at the back.

Robot Mode:

            Obviously, this is the reason why I wanted to get this figure in the first place. At a quick glance, you’ll realize one thing instantly – he’s small.

            Yeah sure, he’s bigger than Deluxe-class Unicron released in the Cybertron line, but compared to the various G1-esque Unicron that we got via Armada, Energon, Universe and Transformers 2010 lines, he’s still puny. 

            The figure actually reminds me of a lot of things. The head sculpt, while still distinguishable from the typical Unicron head, kinda reminds me of Loki. This is due to his very long horns, which is by proportion, the Unicron with the longest horns.

            From the sides, he looks very skinny, and with the addition of the grey branches at the back, he kinda reminds me of an Ent, i.e. the tree-herders from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.

            The overall rock-theme of the figure kinda reminds me of some stone creatures from various fictions. 

            While the materials used can be questioned, I actually like the shiny golden chromes on the chest and legs. Other reviewers did however highlight that this particular material used is prone to brittleness over time, so that is probably worth noting. 

How the elbows bend...

 

            The hands are kinda funny-looking, and do not look anything like his depiction on the show. This can be solved by using the little runt mentioned earlier.

            By folding up the tank threads and swinging out the pointy tails outward, you will end up with Unicron’s left hand. As for the existing hands, you can clamp both of the pieces up and attach it to his right arm. 

            So now, Unicron will end up with a buffer right arm and a shorter left arm. However awkward-looking this maybe, this was how Unicron was depicted in the show. 

            Articulation-wise: while the head can look both to the left and right, as well as looking down and up slightly, the overall head movements are a bit limited; the shoulders and hips are on ball joints, although the hips joints can be a bit loose to my liking; the elbows bend and rotate; the left “finger” moves in and back out; the knees bend limitedly; and finally the ankles pivot.

            The overall orange colors works well with this figure and I have to admit though, overall, he looks fantastic.

Gimmick:

            Gimmick-wise, Gaia Unicron has the ability to combine with both the Voyager Optimus Prime or Megatron as an armor-of-sorts. Unfortunately, I do not have any of these figures, so I can’t really review.

            However, from photos that I’ve seen, I can’t really the point in it. The combination between Megatron and Unicron at least makes some sense due to the fact that the former has the latter’s blood coursing through him, as well as both being the harbingers of destructions.

            But having Unicron combining with Optimus Prime just doesn’t cut it for me. If there’s supposed to any Transformers deity combining with a Prime, it should be Primus.

            So maybe one day, if I ever get myself to buying either Megatron or Optimus Prime, I’d probably do a revised review later, but till then… we’ll see…

Overall:

            I love this figure. Although he can be a little bit pricey (he is a Takara-Tomy exclusive), the robot mode looks absolutely fantastic.

            The alternate mode, as well as his Micron partner may be a bit questionable, but overall, I think he deserves to be in any Transformers collections. If you already have other Unicron figures already in your collections, then what are you waiting for?

            Definitely highly recommended.

            Final verdict: 9/10.

Diorama - Oppa Transformers Style

THREE WORDS -- Oppa Gangnam Style. Everywhere I turn, I hear either this song or its numerous parodies playing on the airwaves. In shopping malls, ringtones, wedding dinners (oh yes, it's that bad), on TV, in my office -- virtually everywhere!

It irritates me to no end.

It's probably a losing battle for to attempt to suppress this worldwide phenomenon, and as the saying goes, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

So here it is ladies and gentleman, some of my Transformers doing the Gangnam Style...