MATRIX OF LEADER

 

It was by chance that I stumbled upon this in one of the online blogs. However, I noticed there were a few variations that were available in the market. I was trying to find out which was the best one in my opinion & not long after I ended up with this.

This matrix is manufactured by Junkion Blacksmith, hence the code J-08 Matrix of Leader. It comes in a solid black box with some paper inserts inside to keep the matrix in place.

 

The toy comes in 2 main pieces, the matrix & a display stand.

Inside the kit is also provided with a certificate in the form of a card & an Autobot emblem sticker.

 
The certificate shows '1856', out of 2010 sets worldwide.

Here's what the stand looks like after applying the emblem. From the image, you can see that the matrix comes in gold & silver chrome finish. However, in reality, the matrix is actually very light.

Additional images of the matrix. From the top you can see there is actually a latch for you to clip a string through it in order for you to hang it around your neck.

Here's the cool factor. The matrix is actually spring loaded and you can actually pull the matrix apart to make it light up!

Overall, this toy cost me less than USD80 inclusive of shipping if you where to get it. I'd say it was well worth the money. This toy serves as a great display unit in your cabinet surrounded by Optimus Primes, or even Rodimus.

SOUNDWAVE (FALL OF CYBERTRON)

One thing I must say is that I couldn't be happier to know that Soundwave was going to be released again, but this time in voyager class. The initial Soundwave was released under the War for Cybertron line & it came in deluxe class.

This time around it's bigger! But we'll see if bigger equals better shortly.

I never had the chance to play both the Transformers game War for Cybertron & Fall of Cybertron but this toy is based on the video game series.

Upon closer inspection, there seems to be what looks like a seat at the top of the vehicle that fits a human figure from the Dark of The Moon, Human Alliance toy line.

In vehicle mode, the 'chair' on the roof works as a lever for you to push the roof forward. This action will force a disk out from front cabin of Soundwave. The disk actually transforms into Laserbeak.

Here's Soundwave in robot mode.

Different angles here show that the design of Soundwave is well-rounded & everything seems to be in proportion. Unlike the G1 version, the shoulder missile launcher cannot be stored at the back.

I was surprised that I managed to find an angle to make Soundwave stand on one feet without falling off the table.

Here's a closer look at the disk. From this angle you'll see that you can probably fit another disk in the chest compartment.

From the side view, all you have to do is push the protruding lever inward to push the disk out.

Here's taking a look at the disk from various angles. There is a small black button that is pressure sensitive. All you have to do is to push it lightly & the disk will automatically transform into a robotic bird.

A closer look at Laserbeak.

There are additional disks sold separately but they weren't out in the market yet when I started taking pictures of Soundwave for reviews. Perhaps I'll review the other disks along with Fall of Cybertron's Soundblaster.

It's a pity that Laserbeak doesn't have any legs to stand up right or to perch onto Soundwave's shoulders.

BEIJING TRIP - SEPT 2013 HAUL

 

Being my third visit to Beijing, I decided to do some homework to find out where I can pick up some toys. I finally found a mall towards the Southern part of town. When I arrived, I was happy to see that quite a handful of toy stores there are actually wholesalers as well. In China, there is a very popular online store known as Taobao & most of the store owners use it. It's the equivalent of eBay in China. Anyway, this mall consists of 4 floors & connects to another mall next door that sells mainly clothes.

Behold, the stuff that I managed to purchase from the various stores in the mall include:

Fansproject Function-X1 - 元460

Fansproject Function-X2 - 元450

JB-00 Infinity Warfare - 元50

JB-06 Infinity Warfare II - 元50

Autobot insignia sticker sheet - 元5

Decepticon insignia sticker sheet - 元5

Revoltech Mini Danboard (Tamiya Vr.) - 元48  

Beast Hunter Smokescreen - RM64.90 (KLIA Terminal) 

Besides squeezing some discount out of the store owner, I manged to get a few copies of the G1 checklist that we can hardly see these days. This dude has a whole stack of'em! 

I didn't bring enough cash, otherwise I'd have purchased a whole lot more. There was only 1 store that accepted Credit Card & all i purchased from that store was a measly Danbo. Nevertheless I'd like to share my finding on the price of other toys that were available there so that you'll have a better gauge on the cost of these toys before purchasing them in your home country wherever you are. Prices negotiated are as of Sept 2013 if you so happen stumble upon this post in the future.

They are as follows:

KO G1 Scorponok - 元780

Toyworld TW-H01 Hardbone - 元550

Hasbro Sandstorm - 元180

Takara MP12T Tigertrack - 元320

KO Takara MP14 Alert - 元150

CHMS KO Botcon Punch/Counterpunch - 元85 each

KO Animated Arcee (Pink/Green/Blue) - 元35 each

Hasbro Alternators Hot Rod (factory reject) - 元50

Optimus Prime with Trailer (DOTM Movie Trilogy Series) - 元60

TF Prime Dark Guard Optimus Prime - 元240

ACG-Con Metroplex - 元990

KO G1 Weirdwolf - 元190

KO G1 Aerialbots/Menosaur/Protectobots - 元265

Justitoys WST Dinorobots Vintage Edition - 元480

TRU MP-02 Soundwave - 元1280

Some of these prices are after attempted negotiations, while others are fixed as they are already dirt cheap. Bear in mind, only cash terms. There was only 1 store selling Transformers/Spawn that accepted credit card. It's on the 1st floor, next to the escalator. If you want to visit this place, here's how to get there.

Where is it: Beijing International Toy Centre (北京国际玩具城)

Address: 77, Nanshanhuan Zhonglu

Chinese address: 南三环中路77号

Nearest subway: Line 5 - exit at Liujiayao & take a 15 minute walk

Happy hunting! 

THRUST (DOTM)

Today let's take a look at Thrust, a Decepticon jet from the Transformers Dark of The Moon movie series.

This vehicle wasn't part of the DOTM movie & is actually part of the extended toyline. As you can see, I've applied silver linings & marking on the jet. Otherwise, it would look very dull entirely in maroon.

Up close, here's the head of Thrust. It's actually tucked in the cockpit of the vehicle. From pictures that you see online & in this blog, the head looks pretty decent. However take a closer look at more images below.

You'll see that the head is actually still hidden in the cockpit of the vehicle. It's as though the face is embedded onto the upper chest of the robot.

Although the robot's arms are not symmetrical, the design is still alright. There is a small gattling gun mounted onto the right arm of Thrust.

Lastly, I have to say that the 'gorilla toes' stand out quite a bit. However I find that the design is perfectly fine. The presence of waist joints allows Thrust to be posed in an array of manner.

DARK SKYFIRE

A remake of Jetfire, today let's have a closer look at Dark Skyfire from the Transformers Henkei line.

Dark Skyfire resembles an F-14 Tomcat jet. The only thing that looks out of place for now would be the cone of the jet. Instead of being rounded & pointed, the cone is triangular in shape.

The wings can open up as seen in the picture above.

Here's Dark Jetfire with the add-on booster pack. The booster pack draws its resemblance to the Transformers G1 Jetfire, as well as the early Macross/Robotech era.

A pair of laser blasters actually flip out from the booster packs.

Now let's have a closer look at Dark Jetfire in robot mode.

Transformation is easy & in robot mode, Dark Jetfire actually looks like a black butterfly. The only thing that I don't quite like about this figure is that it just seems too 'dark' & boring. It would have been nicer if I applied more lining on the figure. If you take a closer look at the images below, You'll notices that I have used a silver pen to mark some of the linings on this robot to give it more depth.

Posing this figure is easy. Being a Takara figure, the joints are very sturdy & they don't loosen up that easily as compared to Hasbro's version of Jetfire.

Now we have the powered-up mode of Dark Jetfire. Here's the additional helmet that comes with the figure. This mask really gives Dark Jetfire a Macross Valkyrie-ish look with the twin antennas on both sides of the head.

Behold, Dark Jetfire, all powered-up with the booster packs attached onto the back.

The booster pack can be flipped down as shoulder blasters to attack enemies from the front.

Among other poses of Dark Jetfire as you can see. Somehow, I never saw this figure as an exclusive or a limited edition toy. I found it easily & at a bargain I must say. The only thing exclusive about this figure I reckon, is the black & white box design. Nevertheless, beggars can't be choosers. Although this may just be something ordinary to me, but to others out there, it could be a rare gem.