Transmetal II Scarem
Finally hit the shelves along with other two yesterday. There were two
assortments, the Transmetal sticker with the regular Roman numeral
'II', and the numeric '2'. The '2' assortment was plentiful, with
only 3-4 of the Roman numeral ones. I got the 'II' for all three toys.
Beast Mode
Some beetle with really big mandibles, Scarem does a good job at being
a creepy bug. About 6.5cm from end to head, slap on another 5cm for the
scythe-like mandibles. The body is dark green, with chrome blue,
and orange for the legs. Bright pink and yellowish green is painted on
the body, giving the bug a very nice creepy touch. Unlike most other
insect BW toys (most of the preds are bugs anyway), this one can
actually stand on it's own legs, without it's belly touching the
floor. It has six legs, with the two rear ones on ball joints, and
the front pair on swivels, which makes the toy look weird, but does
the actual supporting. The middle pair of legs have two joints, a
ball joint, and a swivel joint at it's 'calf' section.
Transformation
Pretty simple once you get the hang of it, but things have to bedone
in order, otherwise pieces block each other. Swing out the mandible
scythes, fold the insect head half way, open the shell, fold the
insect head down, then swivel the waist, and arrange the legs, either
in four legger, or two legger modes.
Robot Mode
About 10cm at the head in two legger, a little shorter in four legger.
8 joints in two-legger, add another 4 joints in four-legger mode.
The two legger locks two insect legs together to form one single leg,
but restricts the knee joint. The four legger frees this joint, and
gives him a real cool look. The scythe mandibles are on ball joints,
at a permanent bend, and can only move inwards towards the body.
The bug shell forms shoulder pads, which makse it kind of hard to open
the chest compartment.
The chest opens to reveal a Purple Predacon
Spark crystal. The Spark crystal is a half globe shaped plastic,
with a Predacon symbol carved into either
the plastic, or the body itself. There seems to be a layer of vac-
metallised chrome underneath, making the symbol 'light-up' when it
catches the light, a truly spectacular effect. However, because the
insignia and the crstal are both purple, this reduces the effect a
little, unlike ones with contrasting colors like Op Minor and Sonar.
Like Op Minor, Scarem is very asymmetric, with almost every piece
being different, like his scythes, which have one organic and the
other robotic.
This toy is very good, although lacks in clors, IMO. Definitely a
good buy.
Rating: A+
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