One must not mess with the power of Dark Energon… Well I guess Dead End didn’t receive the memo.
Price: 15.95 USD
Released: 2nd Quarter 2012
Where to buy: TFSource
As we all know Hasbro loves to retool and redeco their Transformers toyline and that doesn’t include G1 transformers figures in the 80’s. (ok so the seekers are alike? Go figure!) Naturally the reason behind this move is to save budget costs regarding toy molds and of course catching up with the fads of collectable figures. Remind you that toy molds are pretty expensive stuff due to R&D to create them including this figure that I’m going to review. Dead End has been in the storyline since Transformers started. He was a part of a group called Stunticons headed by Motormaster and when combined together formed Menasor (We all know that!) So with all the different storylines him having different personas comes TF Prime. TF Prime as we all know too well a continuum created for Cartoon Network that was aired in between 2012 and 2013. Most of the characters pretty much had a modernized look and as you can see the proportions are sleek and streamlined including their alt modes. This is where it all started to get pretty interesting. The show had stated that “Dark Energon” should exist as it was taken from different continuum (comics, videogame, etc) As we know Dark Energon is the blood of the planet eater called Unicron and they say that Megatron was the first Cybertronian to harness the power of Dark Energon making him powerful and ruthless, NOT! This is where TF Prime Dead End comes in.
His character wasn’t given a formal introduction in the show not to mention he’s a retool version of Wheeljack. Obviously, all Stunticons are speed freaks, Dead End on the other hand is different, one incident got him overexposed of “Dark Energon” making him a lethal, uncontrollable, moody, hungry for violence, and it actually shows in the figure itself. Head sculpt is remarkable given that green light piping on the eyes and the mouth part. It gives you that organic feel, more like a mutated looking mech. The color scheme is awesome, Shattered Glass like awesome! At first, I thought it was a botcon edition figure because of it. I picked it up and what do you know I got hoaxed in a good way. But for the love of Allspark, Those shade of orange and yellow on that dark grey color really stands out! Plus the green wheels, I don’t know if I have to hate it but I definitely love it! “Adequately appropriate” as what Shockwave would say. He looks ready to gatecrash a Halloween party and winning the best costume of the night trophy. Love the windshield and mirrors contrasting on the whole alt mode itself. Amazing job Hasbro. It was the first time (for me) that they did a great job on execution and detail but for sure somethings amiss here. You know the saying “don’t count the eggs in one basket” or “don’t judge the book by its cover” or “This is bad comedy Cyclonus!” you know what I mean right? Flaws are there when you least expect it. Articulation is one thing. A few missing articulation that you would expect as this is a wheeljack retool, less arm swivel and no waist swivel. Thats it! You’ll live to see the day without those. Imagine my days when G1 was out, only through our vivid imagination that make those boxy bot move! But one thing that gives it a plus are those balljointed ankles. It does give you lots of posing time. Balljointed ankles are mostly voyager class territory, but for this figure its out of this world. I love playing with this guy! He’s made to last from every snot licking child playing recklessly with his toys. And who would not love a bot killer wielding two katanas, wakisashis, chisa, or whatever they call it. I’m a katana lover and this is my first Decepticon figure wielding a katana (I don’t have Bludgeon sorry).
He really is mean looking and acts like one. Check out my gallery and you’ll see. Does he look scary that makes an autobot run for his spark? I would say definitely. The only thing that would make you pass this guy is if you’re not a TFPrime fan or even a collector for cryin’ out loud! If you don’t have him, I say pick him up and better wear those containment suits because it might just get wild and crazy in one of your detolfs shelfs.
Score: 8/10
