Unlike every other version of this mold (including the exclusive clear version) Flipper only includes the pistol and instructions there’s no jet pack here.
(Autobot symbol sold separately)
Just like the main figure, there are a lot of details on the tiny little pistol
The Robot
(Autobot symbol sold separately)
The paint on my version isn’t great in this close-up but It’s not noticeable normally. Even with the flaws the sculpt is still impressive.
The Volkswagen Bug
The biggest flaw in the vehicle mode is that the black shoulders are extremely obvious and break up the door panels.
(Autobot symbol sold separately)(Autobot symbol sold separately)
Even though they don’t spin, the wheels are fully painted.
Harry (aka Prowl and, presumably, “Clean” Harry), the newest release from New Age‘s new legends-scaled line has arrived at Junkion HQ!
The Box
Harry comes in a Diaclone-inspired window box.
Apparently the Autobot car-inspired releases are Ark Warriors while the mini-bot-inspired releases are Mini Warriors. Harry is also labeled as Alliance Military Strategist which is a designation the Mini Warriors lack.
In the box you get a rifle, two missile launchers and instructions.
The Robot
One thing I really like about New Age’s products is that they feel very sturdy in hand which encourages you to spend time with them. I have plenty of third party products that are larger and more expensive that are both more fragile and less fun.
Harry is extremely well articulated! In addition to ball joints in the arms and hips, Harry also has thigh swivels and ankle tilts.
New Age also didn’t skimp on the details, here’s a close-up of the amazing head sculpt.
And the tiny details on the robot’s waist.
And now, fully armed!
The Fairlady Z
The biggest change with Harry is that, unlike Flipper, the wheels actually spin!
There are just so many details for such a small vehicle that I wanted to spend some extra time with the macro lens to really capture them all:
Hood logo and turn signalsHead lightWindshield wipersDoor badgeFully painted rolling tires!Tail lights
I’m amazed by the paint apps on this figure!
The Comparisons
Looking at Harry and Flipper in robot mode really shows off how much detail they put into this release.
(Autobot symbols sold separately)
The vehicle mode continues the trend making Flipper (who really is a nicely painted figure) look plain by comparison.
(Autobot symbols sold separately)
To give a better sense of scale, here’s Harry with Masterpiece Prowl.
(Autobot symbols sold separately)
The Rest of the Legendary Warriors
At the 2018 Shanghai Wire Factory (SGC) show, New Age showed off sixteen different figures!
New Age’s Legendary Heroes line as shown at SGC 2018 (photo by Chicken Fritters on Weibo)
Heaven knows how long it will take to get all of these released but here is the full line up:
* I’m not actually sure which one is H2C and which one is H2W – I’m just guessing that W is for ShockWave. Corrected after TFcon 2019 ** More guesswork: McCoy just seems to fit Ironhide better. Confirmed, TFcon 2019
It’s unlikely, but I’m hoping that H10 ends up being their version of Optimus Prime for the MP-10 nomenclature symmetry.
The only disappointment that I can come up with for this line is that, by what we’ve seen for the pre-orders, it looks like they’re not giving the Max repaints unique names like they did with Gremlin and Critter. If that’s the worse thing that they do I’ll be very, very happy.
The Conclusion
I’ve never been a Legends-scale collector but I am now certainly a New Age collector. This line is just pure fun! Transforming them is a joy despite their diminutive size. I am really looking forward to their upcoming version of Cosmos and hope to hear more about their other releases very soon!
My final 1984 Masterpiece mini-bot, Boost (aka Windcharger) has arrived at Junkion HQ!
The Box
The box featured a nice illustration of the figure in robot mode on the front and G1-style tech specs on the back.
Unfortunately, they sealed the box with large “X-Transbots” decals that cover the edges of the tech specs.
In the box you’ll find a pistol, tractor beam attachment, toy visor with compatible head piece, trading card and instructions book.
Another cool thing about the box is that it was designed to be displayed along side the box for mold-mate Hatch. The front of the box is actually a single illustration of both figures and the back shares a line drawing of the robot mode.
The Robot
The robot mode looks great but the transformation has a lot of steps that require parts to be precisely positioned. When transforming the arms you can’t just fold out the hands, you have to manipulate the hand around a raised edge on the forearm starting with the thumb then spinning it so that the palm clears the edge. The feet are an even more awkward with multiple parts that have to be positioned just right before everything can be rotated into place. I’m not sure I’ve managed to do it in the correct sequence yet, I usually just fiddle with it until the pieces finally fall into place.
Windcharger’s G1 vehicle mode was not nearly as deformed as Cliffjumper‘s or even Bumblebee‘s retaining a similar basic shape as a classic Trans-Am so it is much less of change to see such a realistic vehicle mode.
One thing I always appreciate is having a place to store weapons while in vehicle mode. Boost can not only store his pistol but also his tractor beam between the rear wheels.
The Masterpiece
X-Transbots did a good job matching Boost with MP-21, on display they certainly look like they are from the same line.
(Autobot symbol sold separately)
In vehicle mode, Boost fits right in too.
(Autobot symbol sold separately)
The Conclusion
I ordered this set as soon as the pre-order appeared in June 2018, long before I even knew there would be multiple versions. As it turns out, I got the one I would have picked anyways! The chrome legs on the other two versions wouldn’t really fit with the rest of my Masterpiece collection.
(Autobot symbol sold separately)
* “That One Episode” – the obligatory accessory that the character used once in the cartoon.