The hyper-detailed Martini Manero from New Age Toys has arrived at JunkionHQ!
The Box
Originally announced as H2EX, Martini Manero’s packaging is labeled 02M. Like with G2 Manero, I’m sticking with the original numbering for this post and my unofficial catalog.
Inside the box you get all the same accessories that came with the original version.
The Robot
Like the original release, the robot mode is clever and fun, the best we’ve seen in this line so far, now with beautiful details.
They even painted the tiny little details on Manero’s chest.
The Porsche
Here’s where the new details really shine, it truly looks like a shrunken down version of the original toy.
(Autobot symbol sold separately)
The Comparisons
Here are all four Maneros side by side:
The Conclusion
The Legendary Heroes line is occasionally referred to as “mini-Masterpieces” and, for me, this release fits that description perfectly. My perfect Masterpiece is an accurate real-world vehicle mode, like Diaclone, paired with a robot mode that strikes a balance between the cartoon and the original toy.
The first of the new Maneros (Manerii?) has arrived at JunkionHQ!
The Box
Originally announced as H2V, G2 Manero’s packaging is labeled 02G, which was already used for Capoeira. Because of this, I’m sticking with the original numbering for this post and my unofficial catalog.
Inside the box, you find the expected Manero accessories as well as two of the missile launcher from Harry in G2-inspired blue and green.
The Robot
The first thing that you’ll notice about the robot mode is that it doesn’t look like the box art. On the box we can see the entire musical note from the hood on the robot’s chest. On the toy, we can only see the bottom of the note which is rather odd. I thought at first that they were trying to replicate the exact layout found on G2 Jazz, it’s further forward on the hood there, more like the box art.
I don’t think Harry’s missile launchers really work here since the hollow “bottom” is exposed when mounted on Manero’s shoulder. It also doesn’t look anything like the launcher that came with G1 toy or even the G1 version.
The Porsche
I’m still surprised that they included the “Jazz” details on the windshield and spoiler. I’m guessing that, since Hasbro no longer owns the trademark (they have to use “Autobot Jazz” now themselves), they felt safe enough. The result, however, is a fantastic and complete tribute to the G2 toy.
The Comparisons
In robot mode the G2 version, paradoxically, comes off as pretty plain.
Vehicle mode is where the G2 markings become obvious and this release starts to stand on its own.
Here’s a shot of the missile launchers beside Harry’s, no changes except for the paint job.
The Conclusion
A nice release, especially for those of us who remember the G2 toy line, but it’s certainly not for everyone. For now it will be displayed with the other odd-ball releases from this line.
Translucent Multiverse Cyclops has arrived at JunkionHQ!
The Box
Another G1-inspired grid, this time with an artist’s rendition of the figure inside.
Just like the previous Cyclops, all you get inside the box is the figure and instructions sheet.
New Age originally solicited this release as H02PT Vizla, but the name was dropped for the official release. This is doubly odd when you consider that the translucent Manero announced at the same time retained it’s dedicated Kagemusha naming.
The Robot
No surprises here except that, with the translucent plastic the color darkens to a deeper purple that is a better fit for the character.
The Porsche
Unlike Kagemusha, the vehicle mode doesn’t suffer quite as bad from the visible panel lines and hinges. Again, the deeper purple has improved the look.
The Comparisons
With the original Cyclops:
The Conclusion
The color alone might be enough to convince some to pick this up over the original release.
There’s an after-image in the image we’re receiving…
The torrent continues: another New Age release has arrived!
The Box
The box is similar to the G1-inspired boxes but with an all-black background.
Inside the box you get the standard instructions, a rifle and two missile launchers.
The Robot
No changes from Murphy here except for the silver paint job which is limited to just the external body panels of the vehicle mode.
The Datsun
Again, no changes here besides the, very nice, shiny new paint job. Looking at this makes me long for a re-release of Gremlin with a proper gold paint-job.
The Comparisons
Here’s Maverick, Black Rain and Kitt side-by-side:
The Name
The name appears to come from the movie Black Rain released in 1989.
The Conclusion
For G1 fans, this is your toy-inspired Bluestreak!
Another day, another Datsun: New Age Toys’ Diaclone No. 7 Fairlady Z blue version inspired Kitt has arrived.
The Box
Th box is very similar to Maverick‘s with a very strong 1970’s feel that replacing the racing flag pattern with a sea green background and removing the Ark Warrior badge. Unlike the rest of the Bluestreak-inspired releases which were numbered H4_, Kitt has been added to Harry‘s numbering scheme: H3B.
Like the rest of the Datsuns this includes the rifle and two of the same missile launchers that came with Harry for a more toy-inspired look.
The Robot
No changes from Murphy except for the blue. I was a little concerned by some of the early photos of this figure that the shade of blue would be overwhelming but, in hand, it looks fine.
The Datsun
Again, no changes here besides the blue paint job.
The Comparisons
To really show off the blue, here’s Kitt with Maverick.
There is now a Bluestreak for everyone; animation, toy or Diaclone. I have no doubt that there will be clear versions in the near future for those of you that just need more Datsuns.
War for Cybertron Siege Commander-class Jetfire has arrived and there is really only one word that describes this figure: WOW!
The Box
The box is, unsurprisingly, huge with a tease of the upcoming Titan-class Omega Supreme.
The Robot
Robot mode has quite a presence in hand and not just due to the size. This is unquestionably “Skyfire” from the G1 cartoon.
There are so many little details with no splotchy “weathering” to get in the way.
They even included a TOE* swapable faction symbol to recreate his brief time with the Decepticons.
The 5mm port in the hand is very clever, it moves out of the way when the hand is open and back again when it is closed.
The battle mask stores in a dedicated chamber within the extra chest armor.
Here he is with all of his armor attached.
An now with effects!
My only complaint is that there’s no ankle tilt which can limit poseability.
The Space Jet
Jet mode is, once again, almost straight from the cartoon with lots of little details.
It even has retracting landing gear:
It comes packaged with a plug in the cockpit covered with tech details, if you remove this you can place a Titan Master there instead.
Weathering
Instead of the splotches found on many Siege releases, the weathering on Jetfire is limited to much more subtle grey paint applications on the jet nose and robot legs.
Weaponizer Parts
The armor and weapons can be assembled into a jet sled.
The Conclusion
A truly great figure that fully justifies the new size class. Here he is with Siege Optimus Prime to give you a better sense of scale.
* “That One Episode” – the obligatory accessory that the character used once in the cartoon.
Basic black is a great look for the Maverick mold!
The Box
Alonzo’s box is inspired by the 2007 movie toy line packaging and includes a huge window on the front.
It is the first release in the line that was not given a function. Even Multiverse Cyclops was had a function of “Security Police”.
There’s also a movie-style bumblebee logo on the back
In the box you get a rifle, two shoulder cannons and the same instruction sheet that came with Harry.
It is a little disappointing that they painted the weapons gold instead of just casting them in that color. The unpainted rifle handle really stands out and the extra paint makes the shoulder cannons extremely difficult to use.
The Robot
The robot mode doesn’t have any changes from Maverick with the sole exception of having Harry’s roof.
The Datsun
Here’s where this release really shines! The classic black and white police car looks fantastic.
Sadly mine has a scratch on the door that really stands out in close-ups.The language barrier turns Barricade’s slogan into “to punish V enslave…”
As originally speculated by Scurv on the TFW2005 boards, the name comes from Robocop (1987). This thought was most succinctly put by zeroblue2099 on TFW2005, “Alex Murphy starts the movie as a cop (Prowl) and is rebuilt into a black and silver cyborg”.
The Conclusion
This will be the primary Bluestreak for my display as far as robot mode goes.
It’s been a busy time for New Age with seven retail releases and a giveaway all in the space of a month. Maverick (aka G1 Smokescreen) is release number six.
The Box
The box is inspired by the Diaclone No. 11 Fairlady Z Racing Type 280 ZX Turbo packaging but with a much heavier usage of the racing flag pattern. It also features the return of the Ark Warrior branding last seen on Harry’s packaging.
In the box you get a rifle, two shoulder cannons and the same instruction sheet that came with Harry.
The Robot
The robot mode gets an animation accurate head, front bumper extension and shoulder wheels.
Although I applaud the accuracy and love the look, the shoulder wheels do limit articulation. Since the top of the ball joint is now covered, the arms cannot be posed straight out to the side without rotating the hood piece up and nearly hitting the side of the head with the tire.
In some early photos it appeared that Maverick’s head had a flat back, which is almost true. To match the cartoon design, the head is very tall and pill-shaped.
To complete the cartoon look are Smokescreen’s iconic shoulder cannons.
The Datsun
This is a very fun vehicle mode, with a lot of strong colors and great details. The only thing missing is the rear spoiler which, admittedly, would probably have interfered with the transformation.
The rough edges are only noticeable in these close-ups, in hand it looks great.
Due to the extra hinge in the arms, Maverick’s head needs to be tilted down below the rest of the undercarriage in order to get the hood transformed correctly. This is certainly a bot who must hate speed bumps!
The Comparisons
When side-by-side with Harry you can see all of the mold changes that help set Maverick apart.
To further demonstrate the shoulder articulation issue mentioned above:
The Name
New Age has shown a fondness for media references in their release names. I wasn’t able to figure this one out myself but there are two theories over on TFW2005:,
LoserBroadside proposed that it’s a reference to the TV show Maverick (1957) “Maverick’s name comes from: the James Garner tv show about a gambler. Smokescreen was introduced in the episode ‘The Gambler.'”
I’m leaning towards the TV show idea, it’s a much better fit.
The Conclusion
With Murphy (anime Bluestreak) being delivered, Kitt (Diaclone blue Bluestreak) and Alonzo (G1-ized movie Barricade) shipped from the factory we’re only one Datsun away from the complete set!
We’re rapidly running out of announced figures! Will New Age wait until December to show off their next batch of releases or will we see some new molds after the vans come out? Here’s what we know:
Pending Releases
H4 Murphy: in the mail
H3B Kitt and H5B Alonzo: shipped from the factory
H4G Black Rain: expected in June
H7 McCoy and H8 Miller: expected by the end of August
H2PT Vizla and H2P Kagemusha: expected by the end of the year
H9 Agamenmnon: no release date or pre-orders yet – we haven’t even seen renders of the final colors, only the grey prototype shown back in December
