General Information:
Release Date: November 2022
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth etc.)
Accessories: Peacemaker Targetmaster Figure/Weapon
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon:
- TRANSFORMERS G1-INSPIRED DESIGN: This Transformers: Legacy 5.5-inch Autobot Pointblank 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: Autobot Pointblank action figure converts from robot to Cybertronian racecar mode in 17 steps
- COMES WITH TARGETMASTER FIGURE: Includes an Autobot Peacemaker mini figure that converts into a weapon accessory! Convert from robot to blaster mode in 2 steps
- 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 Autobot Pointblank and Autobot Peacemaker robot toys! Pointblank is tired of the endless Cybertronian war. He believes that words are more dangerous than weapons, so he doesn’t say much. Peacemaker always tries to cheer up his partner, with little success. 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.
Packaging:
The Transformers Legacy packaging represents a radical update to Transformers packaging for (what is presumably) a new "trilogy" of Generations toys. The shape calls back to the War for Cybertron trilogy design featuring a rectangular box with one side set at an angle. This packaging was designed with a new ethos in mind: minimizing the amount of plastic used to be more eco-friendly. That means the "window" that reveals the toy has no plastic over it. Instead there is just an empty space.
The box art itself is pretty spectacular. The more Earth-tone colors of Kingdom have been traded up for a very retro-scifi (circa the 90's) look. The background tones are mostly purple and black and the Legacy logo just jumps out at you visually with its sharp angles and beveled letters that look like something right out of 90's toy packaging (and yes, this is what the BWTF logo circa 2022 is a homage to). On the right is the now traditional vertical Transformers logo with the Generations logo above that. Both have a "worn metal" coloring on them that really looks great. Since Pointblank is packaged in robot mode, his alt-mode is shown driving forward with Peacemaker in weapon mode attached. To the left of that are the names "Autobot Pointblank & Autobot Peacemaker". The left (angled) side of the box features the robot mode art while the other side features Autobots including Optimus Prime and Blaster. The back of the box features Pointblank and Peacemaker in both modes, calling out a 17 step transformation.
The Legacy boxes also feature a QR code, next to a snippet of a classic looking Tech Specs images. Scan the QR Code and it takes you to Hasbro's web site and the character's tech specs. I have screen captured the spec and placed it in the gallery below. This is a great idea, but I do wish the profile was more robust. Still, this is a great way to get around the limitation of having to print tech specs in multiple languages on the box.
Background:
In 1987, a new group of characters were introduced into the Transformers canon: the Targetmasters. Each of these characters were paired with a smaller robot (or mechanically enhanced Nebulan) who could transform into their weapons. Some Targetmasters were previously released characters with different weapons and slight retooling (ex: Hot Rod and Blurr) but others were brand new. One of these was the Autobot, Pointblank who was paired with Peacemaker. Decades after the release of the original figure, Legacy brings us a new version based on his appearance in the final episodes of the G1 cartoon.
Accessory:
Pointblank includes one accessory: his Targetmaster partner, Peacemaker. The inclusion of this mini-figure has been the subject of much conversation among fans. By including this figure (which transforms into a weapon), this ate into the budget for Pointblank himself. Given the choice of just having a weapon that looks like Peacemaker versus actually having him as a separate figure, I'm glad the designers chose to go this route and made him a transforming figure. That said, he is not anywhere near the same level as the Targetmasters included with the Takara Tomy exclusive Legends figures or the War for Cybertron Battle Masters. This Peacemaker figure is much more like the G1 figure. It features two hinge joints. One for the legs to swing up over the top half of the body, then another to swing out the weapon barrel. While he has fully sculpted arms, legs and a head, none of them can move. Some fans aren't crazy about this, but when it comes to these "partners" the priority for me is recognition of the character. I prefer having a two mode Peacemaker figure with Pointblank instead of say, a solid plastic weapon that looks like Peacemaker in weapon mode without a humanoid form.
Peacemaker's sculpt is based on the G1 version of the character. This includes "L" shaped designs on his shoulders, two angled lines on his chest, a "grille" like detail on his mid-body and a round "helmet" section on the head. Unlike the G1 toy, this design uses the "visor eyes" he was seen using in the Marvel G1 comic book. Sure he can't move, but the details in this sculpt look great!
Peacemaker is made up of red and black plastic. Surprisingly he has several paint details including silver on his face, blue on the eyes and chest and black on the shoulders.
Transformation is simple. Swing the legs up over the top half of the body, then swing out the weapon barrel. He winds up in a mode with a slightly shorter barrel than his G1 and Legends counterparts but he still looks cool. He features a 5mm peg on the bottom for Pointblank to hold him and a 5mm peg in the back. This will allow you to attach him to other weapons but I also feel like this back peg might have at one time been intended to allow you to attach the Targetmaster to Pointblank's forearm in a similar manner to the Japanese Headmasters show, only to have the idea abandoned. The end of the weapon barrel can fit a Blast Effect.
On a related note, G1 Pointblank included an additional accessory that was an attachment for the vehicle form that had two angled fins sticking out of it. This was considered for this figure but had to be cut due to budgetary limitations.
Robot Mode:
The decision whether or not to include Peacemaker in this set was one big choice that had to be made. The other? Which head design to use?! The original Pointblank action figures had an angular head with two thin antennae like protrusions sticking up on the sides. The face had two distinct eyes, a nose and mouth. Then came the G1 three parter "The Rebirth" which introduce Pointblank with a completely different head design. Gone were the two protrusions on the sides and in their place was a thin crest on the top of the head. He no longer had two distinct eyes but instead had visor eyes. Interestingly, the Japanese exclusive Headmasters series did use the G1 toy's head design so this character has appeared in two different G1 cartoons with a different head design!
This figure does a great job of giving us the "Rebirth" head. Some fans were disappointed by this choice, and I can understand that, especially if you're particularly attached to the G1 toy and the Headmasters cartoon. I personally watched "Rebirth" dozens of times over before I ever saw my first episode of Headmasters, so to me this head design has been the "default" one in my brain for years.
The body of this figure borrows heavily from the G1 toy and animation designs. Pointblank has one of the most distinct designs among the Targetmasters of that era, including the split halves of his vehicle mode's front end forming wide shoulders, the cabin section of the vehicle mode forming much of his torso and the distinct knee armor with "fins" sticking out the sides. The designers also worked in some other cool details such as a trapezoid shape with a rectangle inside in the crotch area. This is a direct callback to a sticker found on G1 Pointblank. His thighs also have distinct line designs that are wide at the top then narrow down to the knees. These are present on both the G1 toy and animation model for "Rebirth". I love this attention to detail and to me the sculpt on this figure is a winner.
Pointblank is made up of four main plastic colors: red, black, light blue and translucent blue. Paint colors include silver and light blue. These colors generally seem to lean more towards the colors of the G1 action figure and Headmasters animation model instead of the "Rebirth" model. That one used much darker shades of blue. Also, G1 Pointblank had two distinct shades of blue between the biceps and forearms, but here they both share the same light blue colors. As a representation of the animation model, this deco looks great.
Pointblank features twenty two points of articulation. This includes four in each arm and six in each leg. That said, due to budgetary limitations (resulting from the inclusion of Peacemaker), Pointblank has neither wrist articulation or a bicep swivel. This limits how you can pose the figure with Peacemaker in weapon mode a bit, but it's not a deal breaker in my opinion. He can still strike some very dynamic poses and all the joints on my copy of this figure are nice and tight. Aside from his hands, Pointblank has three additional attachment points for 5mm pegs. Two are near his ankles and another is on his back.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach Peacemaker (if attached) and set him aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the back panel down, then swing the head into the chest. Swing the panel back up.
- Swing up the small windshield portion and connect it to the larger translucent blue piece.
- Rotate each arm at the shoulders so the arms point back.
- Swing the forearms up over the biceps. The panel that is painted red (with the halves of the Autobot symbol) should slide over the curved, blue panels.
- Swing the arms together to form the front of the vehicle.
- On each side of the torso there are small red panels on ball joints. Swing them up and connect them to the robot shoulder sections (there are slots on the shoulders and tabs on the red pieces).
- Swing up the larger translucent blue panel.
- Rotate the lower body around.
- Swing each lower leg over the thighs.
- Connect the tabs on the top of the small red piece in the middle to the corresponding slots underneath each robot foot.
- Swing the translucent panel down.
- Peacemaker can attach to the back of the vehicle using the two large tabs on the bottom of the weapon and slotting them into the openings on the back of the vehicle (where the fans are sticking out to the sides).
Vehicle Mode:
One of my favorite design aspects of Pointblank has always been his vehicle mode. Instead of a more traditional 80's or 90's Earth vehicle, this one looks like something from the imagined future of the Transformers G1 universe where Earth Defense Command works alongside Autobots to defend against the Decepticons. This car is both sleek and very "scifi" looking at the same time. Perhaps its most distinct feature are the headlight sections that extend out in front on either side of the vehicle beyond the section where you'd expect to see the engine. The driver's section is curved and sleek, looking more like the cockpit of some space ship than a car on land. Then add in the fins in the back that angle upward at a slight angle and you have one cool looking car. The only detail "missing" with this sculpt is the aforementioned piece with two large fins on it that would have attached to the middle in vehicle mode towards the back. That said, once you attach Peacemaker there it looks great.
This mode shows off a lot of the red plastic coming together. The light blue is still present on the wheels and painted on the middle and back. In a really nice callback to the G1 figure, the headlights have a silver outline on them and the shapes over the front wheel wells are painted black. Overall the vehicle mode looks great even if a piece had to be eliminated due to budget.
The 5mm ports from the sides of the lower legs wind up on the sides towards the back so you can attach two more weapons in addition to Peacemaker.
Final Thoughts:
Any honest review of this figure has to acknowledge some of its shortcomings due to the budget choices discussed above. Apart from the bicep swivel, apparently the area around the legs were supposed to be more substantial (according to designer Mark Maher) and at one point we would have gotten the middle piece for the back with fins on them. However, given all that I'm glad this release came with a transforming Targetmaster mini-figure and I think it looks great. It's not perfect, but it is definitely recommended.
Pros:
- Nice sculpt in both modes.
- Good deco with some details that pay homage to stickers from the G1 toy.
- I'm really happy Peacemaker is included.
- Good (but not great) articulation.
Cons:
- Lack of bicep swivel.
- Peacemaker is not articulated.
- Missing the middle "fin" piece in vehicle mode.
