New Chapter

It's been awhile since I updated my blog. It's has been almost 3 weeks that I've become a husband, can't believe that it finally happened and I'm as happy as I can ever be

Family Picture

For years I've been focusing on the Neo-G1 line and I'm proud to own what I owned now.

Received Universe 2.0 Starscream from a dear friend as a wedding gift, completing my Starscream variants. However, I'm still far behind in completing the seekers mold, still looking for Thundercracker and Skywarp's variants

Completed my Onslaught's mold with Henkei Onslaught. Still looking for Henkei Powerglide and Wal-Mart Exclusive Powerglide. My completed molds are

1- Optimus Prime (7 Variants, not including Lucky Draw and Unreleased)
2- Silverbolts (3 Variants)
3- Jetfire (5 Variants)
4- Inferno (7 Variants)
5-Onslaught (4 Variants)
6- Warpath (2 Variants, excluding Strika)
7- Rodimus (8 Variants)
8- Astrotrain (2 Variants)

Still looooong way to go. Got around 7 new Henkeis coming in 2-3 months, with that, Hotshot and Sideswipe will be complete

Damn, 2013 is the Revival of Generations year, must survive this!

PS : I luv my wife

KODX Black Convoy - Pictorial Review

First and foremost, this post merely act as a review and comparison between the original United Black Convoy and the new KODX Black Convoy, not endorsing it

Tracing back, the release of KO Optimus Prime mold started with the low-end quality version of Henkei Prime, Ultra Magnus (Blue Body) and Nemsis Prime (All black, silver thigh), then the KOLD (KO Lucky Draw) version which include KO Crystal Convoy, Gold and Silver Versions, Shattered Glass, Double Shattered Glass, Wonderfest, KO Wonderfest and few more iterations of the mold. Although better the quality is still below average.

The KODXs released end of December, currently consist of 4 version, KO Shattered Glass, KO Crystal Convoy, KO Henkei Convoy and KO Black Convoy

Alt Mode

For this review, original United Black Convoy will be on the left-hand side while the KO are on the right-hand side

There are a few apparent differences between these two and here we can see two, 1) KODX have a solid black front bumper and grill while the original is silver painted on both; 2), the stripe that ran through the front of KODX is more pale than the metallic blue/green on the original.

I wish I could say that KODX has worst finishing but apparently, the original United Black Convoy's finishing aren't that good either

The difference in color of the stripes apply to the wind vane as it is to the truck cab. Also, the tips of the gun (that formed the smokestacks) has dotted black instead of full black like on the originial

The screw used on KODX are standard (silver) screws while the original United Black Convoy's are matted black

Robot Mode

Before I proceed, I would like to mention that KODX's mold is solid! How solid? It's on par if not better than the original. It is basically as heavy as the original and transformed perfectly

A glimpse, both the figures looks almost exactly the same. Unlike the previous version, the molding of the head came out perfectly like the original. The gun however still have a KO-ish feel to it

As you can see, the metallic blue/green paint of KODX is the same throughout the figure, paler than the original

From the back, the solid black grill and front bumper is easily visible

Another giveaway for KODX would be that his insignias are Autobots Shattered Glass version instead of Decepticons insignias

Near KODX Black Convoy's right shoulder, there's a print of "Not For Sale" which wasn't on the original.

Aside from the color, KODX's wind vane does has a problem fitting well together. It does transform into the blaster without any issue though

KODX using 4 normal screws

Another surprised is that on the marking on the right leg is the same as the original, spelt "TAKARA 2006 CHINA"

While on the left leg

KODX Black Convoy

United Black Convoy

The marking of "2006 Hasbro Inc" is basically the same for both but the original does have serial number on it

Double Trouble!

Toyworld TW-H01 Hardbone - Pictorial Review Part 2

Robot Mode

First of all, I'm gonna say it out loud. Hardbone's robot mode gave me a mix feeling. It might just be me, for you all to decide

A great homage, hands down. One thing I learned about any figure, if you can see the homage (character it intended to be) without people telling you, then design is great!

Simple mix of green and grey with a small touch of yellow, Hardbone hit the spot right on. Updating his G1 selves, Hardbone is a fine mix of his G1 selves with re-imagining by Toyworld

Back View

I would like to, however, question the reasoning of the usage of yellow clear plastics on Hardbone which to me aren't nesessary especially the flap on the back of his shoulders and his ankles.

Awesome head sculpt, I have to say. This personally won me over, even better than Headrobot's Hothead (normal and alternate universe version)

Features

Aside from the Headmaster, Hardbone have 3 features incorporated in his design

Right leg

Stored in his right feet compartment is a knife that can be attached to his gun as a bayonet and;

Left leg

A (what I presumed) stick grenade which can be attached to his gun forming a rifle (or as a silencer)

Lastly, a power-core sort of thing replacing G1's Tech Spec Meter of Headmasters

Articulations

Hardbones's head is attached on a panel embedded in his body which allows 360o rotation without the ability to look upwards nor downwards which (to me) is understandable

Other than that however, I find that Hardbone has a bit limited articulations compared to standard current Transformers releases. Lower body, Hardbone has a 360o swivel on the waist, forward/backward and side movement on the thighs, swivel above the knees and ankles. But the knees are a bit limited (as shown in the picture above)

Silencer (or rifle, if you will)

On the upper body, things get a bit crowded (especially on his right shoulder due to the shoulder cannon and the shoulders themselves) which limit the articulations on the shoulders. Full swivel above the elbows, 360o wrist swivel but only 45o range on the the elbow itself (to the front).

Nonetheless, with the right way, he looks great!

Added bayonet

Size Comparison

He's considerably a large figure, even when compared to a big (tall) voyager as Springer

Roughly the same but Universe Hardhead still won in terms of bulkiness (IMO)

Warriors of two world

Is it worth it? Well, answer this, will you be satisfied if HasTak release a non-headmaster Headmasters character (like Universe Hardhead). And will it be enough to upgrade the figure with add ons like Hardhead was which to me a lucky deal.

If not, then you have an option being that Fansproject will be releasing their Function X characters while Toyworld just update us with Not-Brainstorm.

If I may, I would like to recommend Toyworld version of Headmaster due to the size and homage. But to each their own

Pic Credit : Web

How will he turn out, I wonder

Toyworld TW-H01 Hardbone - Pictorial Review Part 1

During Rebirth Part 1 - Part 3, the last 3 episodes of Transformers Generation 1 (Season 4, US version) in 1987, Brainstorm proposed the idea of experimenting the pairing of a Transformers with a human partner to enhance the capability of combat which was scrapped with sole purpose of not involving the human directly in the war (REALLY?!!)

However, the assault to the Autobots and the lost of The Key To Plasma Energy Chamber changed it all. Fighting for their life, Hardhead and some of his Autobots comrades crashed landed on Nebulos and taken captive by the resistance, soon joining them in the fight against their oppressor, the Hive. And the Headmaster project began.

They see me smilin, they hatin~
Pic Credit : Web

Being a soldier to the core, Hardhead was stubborn as a rock, believe in his strength but a great comrade nonetheless. Let see how he was back in the day

As tough as a brick!
Pic Credit : Web

In 2009, Hasbro decided to release a homage to Hardhead showing their recognition to the legendary character. But, the execution was underwhelming, with straight repaint of Universe Onslaught (he received an upgrade kit from Headrobot but we'll get to that after this)

As I always said, good mold but not Hardhead enough
Pic Credit : Web

Fansproject jumped in with their Function X release (started with Not-Chromedome) which to me was very poor in design, small figure with a hefty price tag. Toyworld answered the call, with the release of TW-H01 Hardbone (and later, not-Brainstorm)



In Package

Don't put an 'R' at the end of his name~

I can't help but notice, the layout of the box resembles TFC releases, a lot!

In Box

Neatly packaged but be cautious, the Headmasters can easily fall from his compartment which could result in lost of parts (the visor can be detachable so beware)

Like any other Toyworld releases (and other 3rd parties....and HasTak's), Hardbone comes with an instruction sheet and biocard



Alt Mode

What ever you might think, you can't deny that THIS IS HARDHEAD! Fine and clean execution from Toyworld, bringing in great homage of the character. If you wonder about the yellow piece of plastic on his turret, yes, it is detachable (but I will leave it on for this review)

kinda naked, ain't it?

I've owned 2 out of 3 Toyworld releases and I had to say, Hardbone possesses great detailing and better paint job then Not-Megatron and Not-Thottlebots.

Rear View

Hardbone has a clean transformation, hiding all the robot parts nicely. If you look again, the alt mode resembles his G1-self to the core albeit the flat cockpit

Size Comparison

Use for the comparison, a different version of Hardhead, with the Headrobot's (Alternate Universe) Hothead

Despite being a bit flat, Hardbone is considerably large, roughly the size of Ultra Class Universe Hardhead. Paint wise however, I wish it was more of Universe Hardhead's rather than the neon-green

The Headmaster

Homaging Duros, Hardhead's partner. Designed with (a bit) dissapointing articulations but fine detailing considering the size

Toyworld could have, however, design a flap or any mechanism to hide Hardbone's face. It would be a better touch

Toyworld's Not-Duros is a tad bit taller than Headrobot's Not-Duros with better detailing and design and more importantly, better joints

Go home Duros, you're drunk
Stability Test

Hardbone's alt mode provided a compartment for his Headmaster

The compartment however is a bit small where it's kind of difficult to positioned Not-Duros correcly for the compartment to close

Not-Duros taking the wheel!

Weapon of mass destruction