Tag: Slick

BadCube OTS-9 Grump

BadCube just reissued their version of Masterpiece Gears – the final BadCube mini-bot that I need for my 1984 Autobots!

The Box

The traditional BadCube box comes in red and blue to mirror the figure inside. When I first saw these boxes I thought they were plain, but I have to admit that they’ve grown on me.

Inside the box you get a trading card, instructions, pistol and TOE* personality card and welder.

The personality card is detailed to look like a VHS tape.

The card fits very tightly into the chest, I had to use a small pair of pliers to get it back out.

The Figure

Grump has a lot of personality and looks like he just stepped out of the cartoon.

Happy to help Megatron, good buddy!

Grump’s head contains both faces. The whole face folds up and everything below the eyebrow spins.

The Truck

Just like Slick, locking Grump’s chest piece in place for vehicle mode is challenging but, due to the quarter panels being attached to the hood, not quite as difficult.

The Mold Mate

(Autobot symbol sold separately)

Although I usually don’t display Slick with his wheels out, it does help differentiate the two versions.

(Autobot symbol sold separately)

Not much difference in vehicle mode besides the colors, as it should be.

The Masterpiece

Beside Bumblebee, Grump’s vehicle mode doesn’t look nearly as realistic.

The Conclusion

(Autobot symbols sold separately)

I was pretty happy with Slick and am just as happy with Grump. He looks great with the rest of the mini-bots. Now I just need my X-Transbots Boost to arrive to complete the set!

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

February 1, 2019
BadCube OTS-3 Backland

Although Brawny was a little eclipsed by Huff, which arrived on the same day, it’s still a great figure. When I saw an opportunity to pick up Backland (aka Masterpiece Outback), which is sold out everywhere, I jumped at the chance.

The Box

Continuing their two tone style, the box is brown and beige to match the figure inside.

This is the original version so it does not include the spare face and TOE frisbee bomb accessory that were sold in the Quintesson Journal pack. The standard TOE Decepticon detector (which stores in the fuel can like Brawny’s pistol) and large roof-mounted cannon came with both releases.

Being the original release it also has an explanation that BadCube is the new version of Cubex.

The Figure

To differentiate him from Brawny, Backland has the truck grill over his head and faux window panels on his shoulders to evoke his G1 toy and cartoon appearances. Personally, I would have preferred that the grill fold away like Brawny’s does but this way, I guess, he doesn’t need to worry about the rain.

I really wish there was someplace to store the Decepticon detector in robot mode when not in use. It can’t just be left in the box since it’s the core of the fuel can in vehicle mode and the other two parts of the can fill in the robot calves. So you end up with a choice: spare part or gappy legs.

The Truck

I like that they gave Backland a detailed winch instead of the plain bumper on Brawny just like the G1 version had.

The biggest issue with the vehicle mode is the gap in the gas can where the Decepticon detector is hidden which is not a problem Brawny had.

The Comparison

Some comparison shots to really show off the differences between his mold-mate Brawny. He comes out a bit taller due to his head piece.

In the side view you can see the faux windows attached to the shoulders which make getting the arms properly positioned for vehicle mode much more challenging than with Brawny.

Vehicle mode complete with signature roof cannon.

Masterpiece

(Autobot symbols sold separately)

Just like Brawny, Backland fits in well with the rest of the Masterpiece line.

(Autobot symbols sold separately)

The Conclusion

(Autobot symbols sold separately)

This is the fifth BadCube MP mini-bot that I’ve purchased and leaves me with only Grump on my want list.

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

June 19, 2018
BadCube OTS-10 Slick

I had very good experiences with my first two BadCube mini-bots but their Grump (aka MP Gears) is only available at after-market prices so I thought I should take a look at his mold-mate Slick (aka Masterpiece Swerve) before plunking down any cash for it.

The Box

Continuing their two tone style, the box is red and white to match the figure inside.

As you can see in the photo above, it is also the smallest box that I’ve seen from BadCube so far.

Only two accessories for Slick, a pistol like the one they include with Grump but with no wings on the sides and a TOE (aka “That One Episode” – the obligatory Masterpiece accessory that the character used once in the cartoon) screaming face suitable for use while being trampled by your evil city-bot of choice.

The Figure

Certainly no complaints about this view, it’s clearly Swerve from the original cartoon.

Sadly, in the official transformation, the calves are hollow like on Brawny, except that here there is no gas can to fill the gaps.

Not a deal breaker but a flip out panel like on MP-12 would have been a nice touch.

Fortunately, if the gap bothers you you can borrow some steps from Grump’s transformation and fold the wheels into the calves. It’s nice to have a choice! I prefer the solid legs and plan to keep him in that mode.

Sharing a mold with Grump also gives you an access hatch on his chest with his own unique set of inner workings.

The chest panel is also where the most difficult part of the transformation lies. The two grey posts lock into the front wheels to hold them in place in vehicle mode. Those posts have to swing out to the position of the one on the right in the photo above but tend to either swing back in or swing out to the fully extended position of the one on the left.

The Truck

Never quite an exact match to a real-world vehicle it always looked like a 1950’s or 1960’s pick-up with a custom cargo bed cover to me. I get the same feel from this version, which is a success in my book.

Slick’s rifle stores at the rear of the vehicle mode as a slightly oddly shaped bumper.

The Masterpiece

(Autobot symbol sold separately)

Sad but true, third-party is still the only way to go for Masterpiece mini-bots.

(Autobot symbol sold separately)

The Conclusion

(Autobot symbols sold separately)

In hand this is a fun figure but not as fun as Huff but about the same as Brawny. The transformation is also less intuitive than either Huff or Brawny.

This is the fourth BadCube MP mini-bot that I’ve purchased but the packages crossed in the mail and #3, Piper, should be here soon.

As for Grump, I’m undecided. Do I pay a premium to complete my 1984 mini-bot set or do I hope for a reissue?

June 8, 2018