General Information:
Release Date: October 2022
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Blaster, Front Grille/Blaster
Official images and product description in italics below are from Amazon:
- TRANSFORMERS G1-INSPIRED DESIGN: This Transformers: Legacy 5.5-inch Crankcase robot toy is inspired by the animated series, The Transformers, updated with a Generations-style design
- UNIVERSES COLLIDE: Universes collide with Transformers: Legacy! This epic line of Transformers toys brings together fan-favorite characters from across the Transformers multiverse
- 2 EPIC MODES: Crankcase action figure converts from robot to off-road vehicle mode in 14 steps. Remove the front grill of vehicle mode to reveal a large blaster accessory
- HARNESS THE POWER OF ENERGON: Gear up with the most powerful substance on Cybertron, Energon! This Transformers Crankcase figure comes with an Energon blaster accessory that attaches in both modes
- SCAN THE CODE: Scan the code on each package to reveal character tech specs from across the multiverse! Collect other Legacy figures to reveal their character tech specs (each sold separately, subject to availability)
Harness the power of Energon with the Transformers: Legacy Deluxe Crankcase robot toy! Crankcase hates everyone and complains about everything. The only thing that brings him joy is making life miserable for others. Universes collide! Transformers: Legacy brings together fan-favorite characters from across the Transformers multiverse. Figures feature deco inspired by their universe with an updated Generations design. In honor of the almost 40-year legacy of Transformers entertainment, the fandoms come together from across the Transformers multiverse, all in one toy line. Transformers: Legacy action figures are great kids’ toys and exciting collectibles for fans of all ages. Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
Background:
In 1988 a new team of Decepticons were introduced: the Triggercons. Each of these Decepticons had dual weapons that could deploy using a gear or spring loaded mechanism. One of these characters was Crankcase. This character has made appearances in comic books over the years, but it would be decades later until a new version of the character was created for Legacy. Interestingly, the other two Triggercons did receive the Generations treatment as Botcon exclusives in 2016 (you can see their reviews here and here).
Crankcase is an extensive retool and redeco of the scupt used for Legacy Skids and Burn Out. Check those reviews out for my thoughts on the base sculpt used for this figure. This review will focus on the changes made for this release. You'll also want to check out Hasbro designer Mark Maher's post about Crankcase for some "behind the scenes" info.
Packaging:
Crankcase is packaged in the standard Legacy Deluxe Class box. The box design starts with a rectangular shape, but it angles back on the top and left side (if you're facing the box). The Legacy logo is large and in charge in the front of the box with an illustration of Crankcase in vehicle mode above it, weapon attached, firing away at an unseen enemy. To the left is a chyron with Crankcase's name with no universe designation. The angled, left side part of the box has artwork of the character in robot mode. The back of the box shows off the figure in both modes calling out an 14 step transformation. Below that is a QR Code you can scan to reveal the character's tech specs online. I have screen captured the tech spec and included it in the gallery at the bottom of this review.
Accessories:
Crankcase includes two weapons. One carries over from Skids while the other is a brand new piece.
- Energon Blaster: This is the weapon that originally came with Skids. This time out it is made of translucent grey plastic (hence me calling it an "Energon Blaster"). This weapon has one 5mm peg on the bottom and two 5mm ports, one on top and one on the bottom. The end can accommodate Blast Effects, which is a great touch since those have not been included with Deluxe Class figures for quite some time now.
- Grille/Blaster: As part of the way this figure was retooled, the front grille of the vehicle mode is a completely separate piece. This piece detaches, and you can swing out one side to reveal two small weapon barrels. This piece is made of black plastic with silver paint applications (mostly for the headlight details for the vehicle mode). There are two 5mm pegs on this piece. One on the back (or side depending on your perspective) and one on the bottom (to serve as a handle).
Robot Mode:
Burn Out was a fairly easy redeco/retool of Skids, featuring a new head an new colors. For Crankcase, the designers decided to make much more extensive changes and the result is a figure that shares some parts with Skids, but has some significant changes. These include:
- Head: The new head is based on Crankcase's G1 toy (and comic book appearances). It features an angular design with visor eyes and a frowning mouth.
- Back Pack: The vehicle mode section on the back is different than the one on Skids. It is a blocky and features door panels on the sides that sweep back instead of acting as "wings" as they do on Skids. This back pack piece also has a feature that calls back to the G1 toy. That figure from 1988 figure featured two blasters that would flip out and wind up on either side of the head in robot mode. To pay homage to that, small blasters on hinges are set inside the back pack. They're not particularly big and they do not extend out to flank the head so it would be easy to miss them. They're not perfect, but I appreciate the callback.
- Shoulders: The shoulder pieces are chunkier than those on Skids and actually feature a callback to G1 Crankcase's legs. You'll see a raised section with grille lines inside and three angled lines. These are both details found on G1 Crankcase's legs and it is fun that they found a way to bring those details over to this figure.
- Chest: The chest section no longer looks like the front of the vehicle mode. Instead, there is a panel with a design that is based on the G1 action figure's chest. This includes window like sections on top and layered lines going down to the lower part of the chest. This still forms part of the vehicle mode's front end, but it is not the same design as Skids or Burn Out.
- Lower Legs: The parts that form the sides and back of the lower legs are new pieces. Among the more distinctive details are rectangular storage containers sculpted into the sides and a spare tire section on the back of the right leg.
Many parts including the front panels of the lower legs, the hip area, the thighs and the forearms are all carried over from Skids, but the changes made are so significant that he really looks like a whole new figure. I'm very impressed.
Crankcase's deco is also based on his G1 predecessor. The main plastic colors used are black, blue and translucent grey. Paint colors include dark blue, orange, light blue and silver. The black and blue colors alternate quite a bit. For instance, the shoudlers have both blue and black on them, the elbows are black, then the forearms are blue and so on. This really helps keep the figure from looking dull. Then the orange on the face and the blue and silver on the chest really help give the center of the figure some visual impact.
There are twenty four points of articulation on this figure. That includes six in each arm and five in each leg. Like Skids, Crankcase has a 5mm port in his fists and on the forearms. He also has a 5mm port on his back. The joints are nice and tight on my copy of this figure. I had no problem posing it out for this review.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the accesories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the front panels on the lower legs forward.
- Push the two lower legs together.
- Swing the wheels on the bottom of the lower legs out.
- The top half of the robot is set on a hinge. Swing that hinge back.
- Swing that top half of the body over the top of the thights.
- Swing the back panel and chest back, connecting the back panel to the tabs on the section formed by the lower legs.
- Swing the chest panel up over the robot head.
- Swing the back pack piece against the chest piece.
- Swing the arms in so the wheels on the shoulders face outward. The ports on the forearms should face down. Connect the forearms to the small tabs on the robot torso.
- Swing the doors down.
- Attach the grille/weapon to the front.
- The other weapon can attach to the top of the vehicle.
Vehicle Mode:
A lot of the time when a figure is a redeco/retool, the vehicle mode just winds up looking the same as the base sculpt with different colors. Crankcase however is a completely different story. Instead of the rather sleek and smooth looking vehicle form used for Skids and Burn Out, Crankcase is very blocky and chunky looking in vehicle mode. Overall, the vehicle looks like a rough and tumble off-road vehicle you'd take camping (or sure, into battle). Aside from the overall shape, the front grille/weapon piece really adds a lot to the look of the figure. It is also based on the front end of the G1 figure featuring two large round headlights and then three smaller ones on top. Overall this vehicle looks fantastic.
The translucent grey color makes up a lot of the top of the vehicle in this mode while the solid black and blue parts make up most of the lower half and back of the vehicle. There are two beautiful tampographs on this figure. The front hood features a purple Decepticon symbol outlined in silver with a metallic light blue background. This is a direct callback to a similar detail on G1 Crankcase. The other detail is a silver, metallic light blue and black tampograph over the spare tire section on the back of the figure. Silver is used to paint the headlights and the sides of the wheels.
There are three attachment points for weapons with 5mm pegs. One is on the top while the other two are in the back.
Final Thoughts:
Crankcase is a fantastic retool/redeco of the Skids sculpt. In both robot and vehicle mode he looks dramatically different than his base figure and he's fun to play with to boot. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Extensive retooling that makes him look dramatically different from Skids and Burn Out in both robot and vehicle modes.
- The new grille weapon is a really nice touch.
- Deco looks good and pays homage to the original Crankcase.
Cons:
- I do wish the "shoulder cannons" had been bigger somehow but I understand the cost issues involved prevented that.
