A Cybertron Christmas

Random Toy Reviews would like to thank you for all of your support in 2017. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Cast of characters:

Mary - Legends Arcee

Joseph - G1 Springer

Baby Jesus - Legends Go Shooter

Wisemen - Beast Wars Optimus Primal

   Beast Wars JP Optimus Primal

   Botcon Onyx Primal

Animals - Beast Wars Razorbeast

   Titans Return Sharkticon

   Titans Return Ramhorn

   Titans Return Ptero

   G1 Steeljaw

   G1 Lione

GI Joe Sigma 6: Zartan

I was really shocked and against the move Hasbro took with the GI Joe franchise when the Sigma 6 toy line was launched...however I purchased a few figures I started to enjoy the overized, stylized version and their many accessories. I recently came across pictures of Zartan that I once owned, the pictures dating back several years more than likely. Instead of just deleting them because they weren't up to my current standards, I decided to go ahead and share them.

While some of the classic Joe and Cobra characters were given a new look in the Sigma 6 series, Zartan for the most part kept his classic look. The classic colors, the outfit including the hood are all straight out of the comics, cartoon and the original A Real American Hero toyline.

Zartan came packaged with a few weapons and accessories: a crossbow with a quiver and an extra arrow plus a machine gun. These weapons could be attached using the various ports found all over the figure. 

The quiver had an elastic strap that would easily allow it to be placed around the shoulder of the figure. The crossbow was a real working weapon that would fire either arrow. The machine gun looked the best in my opinon when attached to his wrist. The gun had two removeable clips and red painted knives on the back for upclose combat.

Once all of Zartans weapons were attached tot he figure, he looked like a one man army. I don't recall ever seeing any version of this character so heavily armed. When I still owned this figure, I only displayed him w/ his crossbow however as that seemed like a more natural weapon for him.

Great figure, decent amount of articulation with some good accessories. Zartan came packaged in the early waves of figures with the big plastic weapon storage "lockers". The mold would later be repainted purple and neon green as Toxic Zartan. A wild deco, but an equally fun figure, even if that version lacked many of these accessories.

Marvel Legends Infinite Series: Daredevil

Marvel Legends have come a long way...and I'm a long way behind in sharing some of the purchases I've made! In the Spring of 2015 Hasbro released the Hobgoblin wave featuring primarily Spider-Man characters. I know that Spidey and DD have crossed paths plenty of times in the comics, I do feel as if Daredevil was shoe horned into this wave. Regardless, I ended up enjoying this figure much more than I thought I would.

The packaging for the Infinite Series remained unchanged for this wave. Decorative black matte box with a large window to show off the figure. The back of the packaging gives a small write up for the character in multiple languages, along with a product shot of the figure. Along the bottom are thumbnails showing off the other characters in the wave, along with the Build-A-Figure specimen, Hobgoblin.

I go have to admit that I probably got more enjoyment out of this figure after watching the Daredevil Netflix series. I never collected or read Daredevil comics growing up so my knowledge of this blind Marvel superhero was very limited prior to the Netflix series. While there is a more show accurate version of DD on retail shelves now, I prefer the classic comic look when it comes to my Marvel Legends figures.

The sculpt on this figure is spot on for the character. From the classic DD logo on his chest, to the different shades of red to the horns on his cowl. There is no mistake who this character is. He comes included with his patented billy club weapon that can be holstered on the side of his thigh.

Sorry for the lack of action photography. I'm not the best at posing super articulated action figures such as Daredevil here. I'll let the pros take care of that. At one time I only intended to purchase mostly Spider-Man related Marvel Legends figures, but now my collection is starting to add many other characters from the Marvel Universe. Daredevil is a great figure and if you're a fan of the character or just the street level heroes of the MU, I highly recommend tracking this figure down on the secondary market.

Transformers Power of the Primes: Beachcomber

My look at Hasbro's newest line of Transformers, Power of the Primes rolls on with the Autobot geologist, Beachcomber.

The packaging is your (now) standard far for this size/price point (MSRP is still $9.99) with character art on the top and a black bar down the side; featuring the Transformers name in large, bold red letters.

The really isn't much of a bio anymore, which is really sad, so the back of the packaging is pretty bland. We do get two product shots of the toy as well as a blurb that a Prime Master figure can actually sit inside Beachcomber's vehicle mode.

The original Generation 1 toy of Beachcomber was always a favorite of mine growing up. Originally a minibot, this updated version does a great job capturing all of the features that made the original toy so great. After having a few on hands moments with this mold and I can honestly say there isn't much I'd change. The porportions all seem good, colors are spot on and the level of articulation for such a small robot is impressive. 

Beachcomber features both ball joints as well as swivel joints so you have the freedom to pose him in many different ways. He doesn't have a waist swivel due to his transformation, but I think most will be pleased overall with the articulation.

Transformation to his vehicle mode is straight forward and pretty easy to pull off. Other than the rollbar cage, he pretty much transformers just as his G1 toy. Flip up the legs to form the front part of the dune buggy, collapse the body to hide the head, fold up the pieces of the rollbar cage and snap the arms on each side.

Beachcomber's vehicle mode looks fantastic. From the rigid tires to the suspension and the exposed engine, he has a much more authentic looking dine buggy mode when compared to his original G1 toy. I don't care for how the front wheels look with the exposed blue plastic in the center, but the rest is so great I can overlook this.

Some may not care for the exposed "hole" on the back of the vehicle. Since it's on the back it doesn't bother me, but it would be nice if there was a small door or something that covered this cavity.

The underside if the vehicle does a pretty good job at hiding his robot bits. Yes, you see his hands exposed, but that really doesn't bother me.

Comparison time! As you can see there is no doubt the designers wanted to keep to the original toy as much as possible. The color of the blue plastic is spot on, though the gray plastic is a shade lighter. The Power of the Primes figure is larger, but that is to accompany a Prime Master (or Titan Master) figure. I do apologize that I forgot to photograph this feature. My only grip when looking at these two side by side is that I wish the rollbar cage was black to match the G1 toy. Other than that, I love the homage.

All of my praise carries over to the robot mode as well. From the chest, to the duplicated detail of the stickers on the G1 toy. The designers nailed it. Beachcomber's headscuplt is great. I love the squared "hood" around his head and the silver visor. The one area that was changed was he was given a proper nose and mouth whereas the G1 toy had more of a mouth plate. Mix in the increased articulation and you've got yourself a great Transformer.

Most of the first wave of Power of the Prime toys are starting to hit brick and mortar stores now. Walmart stores currently have "stocking stuffer" displays that contain the first wave of scout class figures (Slash, Windcharger and Skrapnel) and I believe Amazon.com will start shipping/selling the toys on the 15th of December. If you are a fan of the G1 line, Hasbro has done a great job updating many of the classic characters including Beachcomber. He's a solid A in my book.