January | 2019 | JunkionHQ

Transform and Rollout TR-01 Agent Meister

Posted on January 30, 2019
/Under Transform and Rollout
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Transform and Rollout’s first release, TR-01 Agent Meister (aka Masterpiece Jazz and the robot formerly known as Hova) has arrived at JunkionHQ!

Inside the box you’ll find Jazz’s signature rifle, two speakers, his TOE* winch, instructions and a trading card.

The Robot

The robot looks great however, the transformation has a couple of rough points. The worst is how the shoulders have to be twisted into place to lock into two indents on the underside of the hood which feels very awkward. So awkward in fact that I haven’t tried the alternate toy-accurate mode (where the wheels sit above the shoulders) for fear of over stressing them. Also, the wheel wells on his calves don’t lock into place and can shift during posing, as they have in the following photo.

The cone speakers post into the back of each shoulder and the hip flaps fold out to reveal a second set of speakers.

Agent Meister with speakers — *Ready to rock and roll!*

Agent Meister grappling hook — *Grappling hook deployed!*

The Porsche

One of the things I really liked about this version of Jazz is the vehicle mode, which is spot on with all of the original livery.

One of the best parts of the vehicle mode is the back end which is problematic on both ToyWorld’s Coolsville (which has a big black bulge under the rear bumper) and Make Toys Downbeat (which has a weird dropped rear bumper).

A True Masterpiece

Agent Meister vehicle mode with Sideswipe

Meister really fits in well with Masterpiece Sideswipe!

The Conclusion

Quite a promising start for Transform and Rollout. I love the look of the figure in both modes and am happy to have this as my official Masterpiece Jazz!

My biggest gripe is that the ankle tilt is so slight that it makes dynamic poses difficult. Oddly enough, this kind of works too since it puts him in the same possibility class as Sideswipe.

I have heard some people complain about having the entire car hood sticking out of his chest. For me, it reminds me of the original figure so, instead of a flaw, I see it as a nostalgic nod to G1. Take a look and judge for yourself:

* “That One Episode” – the obligatory accessory that the character used once in the cartoon.

52Toys BeastBOX Dio BB-01 B.B.P.D.

Posted on January 23, 2019
/Under 52Toys
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I’ve been curious about this series from 52toys for a while now and finally decided to add it to an order and try it out.

Although this is the police themed version of Dio, the packaging still shows the original yellow paint job.

In the box you’ll find the figure, in cube mode, an Internal Structure display (which you can see through the window on the box) and a catalog of other releases in the line.

The, very simple, instructions are printed on the back of the box along with a teaser showing three of the other figures in the series.

The Dinosaur

Dino mode is nicely designed and fun. The neck is double jointed and ends In a ball joint and the head mounted on that joint features a jaw that opens quite wide.

Although the toes and heels are articulated in a way that could allow for dynamic poses, the hips and knees get in the way.

The Cube (aka “Mech-Box”)

DIO B.B.P.D cube mode — Fits easily on a pallet.

The “Mech-Box” is understandably busy with a large gap underneath. Really more of a “ready to ship” mode than an alternate mode.

The Rest of the Line

As mentioned above, there is a pack-in catalog showing off the entire line.

As you can see above, since Dio comes in eleven different versions, the front of the catalog is dominated by this single mold. The only other figure on this side is BB-02, Ghostdog, which is the same figure with a new head.

The back of the catalog is where things get more interesting:

BB-03, Jojo, a gorilla that comes in four styles
BB-04, Moma (aka Elephinx), a mammoth that comes in five different styles
BB-05, Delta (aka Vanguard), a triceratops that comes in four styles.
MB-01 – an officially licensed Alien figure complete with face hugger!

Not featured in this catalog are:

BB-06, Rhyden, a clockwork rhinoceros
BB-07, Bohemoth, a hippopotamus
BB-08 IceQube which splits into four penguins
And a variety of repaints including camouflaged jungle versions

The Conclusion

Overall, I really like this figure and am thinking about getting more from the series.

Here he is with Siege Sideswipe and Masterpiece Prowl for a sense of scale.

DIO B.B.P.D with Masterpiece Prowl — Deploying with the Highway Patrol!

New Age H1G Gremlin

Posted on January 21, 2019
/Under New Age Toys
/With 4 Comments

New Age‘s Gremlin “gold” repaint of their Flipper mini-bot has arrived at Junkion HQ.

In the box is an extremely tiny pistol, jet pack and instructions sheet.

Like the original G1 Goldbug, Gremlin is more of a mustard yellow than a gold.

The VW Bug

The only drawback with the vehicle mode is that it lacks rolling wheels.

The Robot

This is a super fun little figure!

It’s very poseable for its size and has a great intuitive transformation.

Unlike Flipper, Gremlin includes the jet pack from Dinobot Island.

The Comparisons

This is not my first New Age mini-bot: I picked up Flipper a while back but never got the chance to review it. This where the clever transformation really shines. Because of how the rear window transforms it allows Gremlin to have a Throttlebot-style hood and hides that kibble for Flipper.

Gremlin with Flipper robot mode — *(Autobot symbol sold separately)*

Flipper has one big flaw in vehicle mode compared to Gremlin, his black shoulders stand out awkwardly just under the side windows.

Gremlin with Flipper vehicle mode — *(Autobot symbol sold separately)*

Not having one of his own, Flipper has to borrow Gremlin’s jet pack to recreate TOE*.

Flipper with jet pack — *(Autobot symbol sold separately))*

360 Degree Turnaround

* “That One Episode” – the obligatory accessory that the character used once in the cartoon.