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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