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.
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