World's Smallest Review

I was working on this week's review but I had a change of plans. That change came in the mail today and so I just had to share my latest online find. If you have read previous reviews (and you should be) I have not held back in saying that my favourite character to collect is Starscream. If they give any figure that name, chances are I will be interested.

This purchase is no different, but with a little extra. Not only did I add to my Starscream collection, but I also received a World's Smallest Acid Storm. When researching these guys I found that they could go into two different categories. The first being that they are Knock Offs of the original releases of WSTransformers. The second and a far better description is that these figures being WST 2.0.

The reason I would prefer calling these guys WST 2.0 is for the Null Rays. With the first run of WST the Null Rays were a closer representation to their G1 counterparts. The 2.0 version have Null Rays closer to the one that came with the Classics/Generations Seeker mould. Outside of that one main difference, they appear to be almost identical to WST 1.0.

I feel no need to explain the transformation process, it is identical to the original GI releases, or even the KO versions I reviewed earlier. There is one additional piece of toy engineering that I did not expect in a figure of this size. Hidden inside the nose cone is a front landing gear that flips down and eliminates the chance of losing a very tiny part. Now the designers did eliminate all concerns with losing parts. The fists slide onto the arm nubs, just like the G1 and KO versions, but if lost will be far harder to locate.

Along with all the little plastic goodness, there were stickers that needed to be applied. I don't know exactly what it is about stickers that makes me happy. It could be a little piece of my childhood appearing once again, it could be the fact that I can look at the figure and say to myself, yes I put those on. Now I did do one slight change, I did not like the Decepticon symbols that were meant for Acid Storm, so I went with different ones that I had available.

The colours are spot on to the original Starscream in both Robot and Jet modes. Even though there was never a official G1 version of Acid Storm but if there were, I'm sure they would be spot on too. There are a couple of flaws that need to be addressed. The first being are the hollow parts in the robot legs and under the nose cone. With the hollow bits in the nose you can never have a acceptable Conehead. The stickers that did come with the figures are slightly off cut,  and they do lose some of the details that were present on the sticker sheet when applied.

All in all, I am happy with my find and purchase. The amount of detail in these little guys is impressive. The panel details, the Null Rays and you can almost make out the majority of the face details. Of course at this scale other details had to be omitted but there are far more overall than I expected. The only real poseibility is in the arms and with the upgrade to ball joints versus a pivot point so the range is far greater than just in and out.

I thought when I first started this tiny review, I would have more little jokes but I feel I just came up short in that task. Oh well there is always next time.

TheRealRonin
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The stickers make the Robot

In a previous review I went over the figure that rekindled my enjoyment of Transformers. While handling my dollar store Devastator, I was amazed with some of the paint apps, the build quality and the over look of the pieces, but I felt something was missing.

While reviewing the originals in the photo galleries available on www.seibertron.com I noticed that these figures were closer to the originals than I had first imagined. That realization started the wheels in my head spinning and I wondered if Reprolabels had a complete set to provide me with some extra details. That answer is yes.

This is the first time I have order from Reprolabels. I could only go by other reviews that I have read or seen, so I was wandering into uncharted waters. I easily order the set through their site via PayPal and in a week they arrived. They arrived inside a plain envelope with my name and address, sandwiched between two cardboard pieces to prevent bending during shipping. With my order came my set for Devastator, replacements for my original G1 Sandstorm, as well a very pleasant surprise of clear Autobot and Decepticon faction symbols.

With all the eagerness of a child at Christmas, I began the process of removing the stickers that were already present on the figures and the decisions begin. Do I remove them all or keep some? The choice was made to remove them all and the pain staking task of the goop removal that follows. Some were easier to remove than others, but in the end I had six naked figures ready for their transplant.

Being the first time I have held Reprolabels, I will admit my preconceived notions I my have had were quickly gone. I first thought they would be identical to the stickers I am familiar with as a child but I could not be more mistaken. They are thinner than the originals but do not let that fool you. I feel these stickers are even better quality then the ones that came with Metroplex.

I picked Not Mix Master as my first subject. Once I got the stickers removed using my finger nails, cleaning wipes to loosen up the paper and a good deal of elbow grease, I was ready to begin. As I started I noticed that I have mistransformered Mix Master the entire time, a fact that I'm surprised no one pointed out to me in my last review. It did not take long for me to wonder how I did this as a child without the patience that I have gained over time and a good pair of tweezers. You can see from the placement of one sticker on the chest it is not correctly placed.

For being a knock off, I am impressed that each sticker went exactly were it should go without any overahang. There was only one alteration that needed to be done. On Mix Master the level to launch the missile that plugs into the top of his head is placed in the centre versus near the top on the original. I cut the sticker from the sheet and from an eyeball measurement cut the sticker once again to fit around the lever. Another addition would be after I removed the sticker that was around the drum. To remove the bland look I used a couple clear Decepticon symbols from the freebie sheet to add some additional details.

Short of that one alteration, the rest of the stickers were applied in their correct locations. The transformation (pardon the pun) is impressive. Minus the multicoloured difference, these figures could now pass for off brand originals. The 6 members of Devastator look like they finally belong to the Decepticons, faction symbols and all. The original stickers were boring in comparison, and they add the extra details to blank areas that were overlooked by the original labels or paint applications.

In the past I have only ever displayed the team in their combined mode, but now I am debating if I want to keep them combined? For now I shall keep them combined but I would feel no shame in the future showing off the members in their individual alt and robot modes. Spending nearly 2 hours of removing and applying stickers, I will without a shadow of a doubt recommend this set to anyone with an original or KO Devastator. I cannot wait till the time I can add some fresh life into the G1 Sandstorm that I have had since a child, but that will need to wait.

The following is a side by side comparison of the figures so you can be the judge. Tell me what you think by leaving a comment. I feel I made the right choice but it still feels odd about putting $13 stickers on a $6 toy. 

TheRealRonin
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"Worst Transformer Ever!"

This review was delayed for a very important reason for what I am reviewing was not released until Saturday May 3rd 2014. I bring you something not made of plastic, vinyl or metal, but of paper and ink. On Free Comic Book Day a start of a new comic series began with IDW's Transformers vs GI Joe Issue #0.

There is no articulation with this comic book, no alt mode as well comes already bound in its own package, but what would you expect from a comic book? Within the 26 pages you have the start to a new story arc that brings together two of my childhood memories. Sure there have been crossovers before, but here I feel we may be in for a new treat.

Issue #0 was written by Tom Scioli and John Barber, with Tom receiving the credit for the artwork and cover. I would like to thank a co-worker of mine for scoring me this copy, as I was unable to attend FCBD this year. The cover screams classic Joe and Transformers from my days as a child. It appears they ripped the art directly from that time. On the cover you have Starscream and BumbleBee fighting it out, with Scarlet, Roadblock, Stalker and Snake Eyes battling an out of control weed.

Turning to the first page you see Starscream chasing down BumbleBee in space. Starscream's alt mode resembles the Nemesis. BumbleBee is piloting a mini (if anything in the Transformers Universe can be considered small in scale) of the Autobot Arc.
This appears to be an origin story, as soon as you meet the Joes, they are flying into a battle to stop a Cobra plot. Keeping in with an origin story idea, you get to meet Snake Eyes. He speaks, removes his mask and plays a large part in the story.

I could spend a paragraph explaining the story and art work on each page, but I will allow you to read the panels, as I have included them with my review. The look of the classic art work even continues to the feel of the comic. The pages are printed on the new glossy paper, but they went out of their way to make the white boarders look like the old newsprint, a look that I wish for them to continue with the series.

One great little addition to this issue is an interview with Tom Sciolo and John Barber explaining the process in creating not only this book but giving glimpses into the upcoming series. A page by page break down of the creative process, a very unique read if you are interested into how the writers, producers and artists choose what, where and when things go into making each page. I for one was amazed at the amount of discussion and planning goes into choosing which page a certain scene or panel should be placed. 

Issue #1 is expected to be released in July 2014 and for a non comic book collector such as myself, this is a series I am looking forward to follow. I feel this will be a fresh retelling of an old and familiar story. So please enjoy Transformers vs GI Joe Issue #0.

TheRealRonin

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