General Information
Release Date: September 2022
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Swords x 2, Cannons x 2
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com:
- TRANSFORMERS G1-INSPIRED DESIGN: This Transformers: Legacy 5.5-inch Skullgrin 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: Skullgrin action figure converts from robot to Cybertronian tank mode in 20 steps
- FEATURES AND ACCESSORIES: Comes with 2 weapon accessories that can be held by the figure as blasters or swords. Features removable swivel turrets on the figure’s tank mode
- 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 Skullgrin robot toy! Skullgrin is a destructive menace on the battlefield. He won’t stop his attack until everything is completely destroyed. 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:
Skullgrin a character whose roots go all the way back to G1. Originally released as a Pretender, he would later pop up in Generations as a retool/redeco of Darkmount. Almost a decade later the character would serve as the design foundation of the Liege Maximo Prime Master. Now the character is back in Legacy offering a fun nod to the G1 era of Pretenders.
Packaging:
Skullgrin is packaged in the standard Legacy box design. The box is roughly rectangular with an angle on the top and side. The front features an open window and there is a cardboard hook on top. The background graphics lean heavily towards purple colors featuring lots of mechanical looking details. The tray Skullgrin sits in features purple and lavender colors. On the left side is a box with the name "Skullgrin" inside. The Legacy United logo is under artwork of Skullgrin's vehicle form. The left side of the box (if you are facing it) features Skullgrin's robot mode art. The back of the box shows Skullgrin in both modes calling out an 20 step transformation. Under all that is a QR code that takes you to Skullgrin's online tech spec (which as of December 2024 still works sans the animated image of the figure).
Accessories:
Skullgrin's accessories act as callbacks to the original G1 figure while also offering up updated and unique designs. Here's a rundown:
- Cannons: This figure includes two cannons. These are similar in shape to the cannons from the top of G1 Skullgrin's vehicle mode (which were formed from his robot arms). These feature two sections: an angled, blocky section from the back to the middle and then a barrel from the middle to the front. Each cannon piece features a 5mm peg on the side and three 5mm ports. The front of each weapon barrel features a port allowing you to attach Blast Effects. This piece is made of a plum colored plastic with the back half left unpainted and gunmetal grey on the weapon barrel. This deco also calls back to the G1 Skullgrin cannons which had similar colors.
- Swords: G1 Skullgrin's blaster weapons were cannons that featured small wings on top (which became wing-like extensions on the sides in vehicle mode). As a nod to that, this Skullgrin includes two identical sword weapons that can double as blasters. The swords have small fins near the hilt which call back to the fins on G1 Skullgrin's blasters. These weapons are made of soft white plastic for safety reasons. Gunmetal grey is used for the blaster portions on each sword. Each sword features a 5mm handle to hold as a sword and a 5mm peg to hold the weapon as a blaster.
Robot Mode:
One of the early Legacy releases was Iguanus, another G1 Pretender character brought into a modern toy line. That figure took elements of the G1 character's Pretender shell and inner robot and merged them into one figure. This Skullgrin figure uses the same design philosophy, taking elements of the G1 Pretender shell and inner robot to create one cohesive figure.
First let's look at the Pretender shell elements. For those unfamiliar, G1 Pretenders featured techno-organic outer "shells" which disguised the robots inside as monsters or humans. Depending on the lore these "shells" could also assist the inner robots in battle and provide regenerative capabilities. Here's a rundown of the Pretender shell elements on this sculpt:
- Head: The head is a monstrous interpretation of a Ram's skull with some scary looking eyes and mean looking teeth. There are curved horns on either side that curve upward dramatically with smaller horns on the back of the head and under the cheeks. It's a beautiful head sculpt and evokes the original figure beautifully. Like the original head, the figure lacks a lower jaw piece. This is a bit of an in-joke. On the original G1 Skullgrin figure there was a lower jaw piece...sculpted into the torso. This wound up being left unpainted when the figure was released so many fans assumed it was a stylistic choice not to give the skull head a lower jaw when in reality it was there all along. This time there definitely is not a lower jaw (but I assume Skullgrin can talk just fine).
- Shoulders: The shoulders look partly mechanical and partly organic. The shoulder armor itself looks like curved armor but the horn sticking out on top looks like bone. Overall the shape of the shoulders calls back to the shoulders on the G1 Pretender shell.
- Fists: While the fists are mechanical looking, each features what appear to be three claws at the knuckles. This is a callback to the claws on the G1 Skullgrin's Pretender shell hands.
- Waist/Hips: Many of the G1 Pretender shells had belt pieces that sometimes included hip armor. In Skullgrin's ase he had both. His waist/hip area is designed to call back to this piece on G1 Skullgrin. This includes a skull "belt buckle" in the middle and oval panels on the sides with three spikes sticking out of it.
- Knees: The knees look like they're made of armor plates, but right in the middle are spikes sticking out. These spikes are based on similar details on G1 Skullgrin's Pretender shell knees.
- Tail: On the back of the figure is a piece that really serves no other purpose than being what it is: a curved tail with sculpted segments. This piece is based on the tail found on the G1 Skullgrin Pretender shell. This particular piece surprised me. It's small but it definitely adds a bit of a punctuation mark onto the organic shell influence on this figure.
While this form is definitely robotic looking, it is really impressive just how many "organic" elements the designers worked into this figure. Now let's look at the more mechanical details based on the G1 Skullgrin's "inner robot":
- Torso: The torso on this figure is largely based on the torso of the robot from G1 "inner robot" figure. This includes rectangular sections on either side of the chest and a section in the middle that sticks out a bit.
- Legs: Each leg features a couple horizontal, raised armor sections right above the feet. These details are based on the design of the legs on the G1 inner robot. The sides feature a vertical section with a series of horizontal lines inside. This is also based on a detail from G1 Skullgrin's legs.
Skullgrin's colors are all inspired by the G1 figure. His colors include the aforementioned plum color, white and grey. Paint colors align with the plastic colors with the addition of red for the eyes. A purple Decepticon symbol graces the middle of the chest. Overall the deco looks great and it really helps that G1 Skullgrin's Pretender shell and robot were color coordinated.
There are twenty one points of articulation on this figure. This includes four on each arm and five on each leg. I'm including the ability of the tail to move up and down as well. It may sound odd but I was most impressed by the head which sits on a ball joint. This allows for a wide range of movement so he can look up and side to side (or even behind!). There are eight 5mm ports in this mode to attach his accessories. This includes the fists, the shoulders and the attachment points on his back for the cannons.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now. Technically you can leave the cannons on but I prefer them off.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- On the back, swing the tail up.
- Swing each fist into the forearms.
- Swing each curved horn on the head in so they cover the eyes.
- Swing the small horns on the back of the head back and down.
- Swing the robot head up.
- Swing the chest panel open.
- Push the robot head and the panel it is attached to down, moving it into the spot that the chest panel was covering.
- The arms are connected to a white piece that can slide up. Slide this up.
- Swing each robot arm in, then rotate the elbows and forearms around, then connect them to the tabs on the white piece from the last step. Also connect the forearms together using the tabs and slots in the middle.
- Push the chest plate back in place.
- On the back of each leg, swing out the treads and the pieces they are connected to.
- Point each foot down.
- Swing the lower body down using the hinge above the waist section.
- Swing the robot legs up.
- Swing the front panels on each lower legs up and back.
- Connect the front panels on each lower leg together.
- Swing the sections with the treads back.
- Move each tread piece so it is out to the sides, then connect it to the slots on the robot shoulders and forearms.
- Reattach the cannons and attach the swords to the sides of the treads.
Vehicle Mode:
Like his robot mode, Skullgrin's new vehicle mode is loosely based on his G1 figure. Back then, his "inner robot" transformed into a Cybertronian tank. This time he transforms into well...a Cybertronian tank just of a different model (I guess?). Much like his G1 predecessor this mode is very much a (as I like to call them) "because we say so" mode. It has cannons on top and there are tread panels on the sides so sure, it's a tank. Future uses of this sculpt will turn it into other vehicles by simply replacing certain pieces so this is a fairly generic form. I'm okay with this since the G1 version was also a "because we say so" tank mode.
All the robot mode colors carry over here with the plum/purple color focused on the back. The gunmetal grey on the cannon barrels, treads and swords looks great in this form. I would have liked some more deco on the front but that's a minor complaint.
Despite being a tank, there are no functional wheels or treads on the bottom of this vehicle so don't go scraping it against the ground. The turret on top can spin in a circle which is great. The bottom of the tail has an additional 5mm port to attach extra weapons and the treads have two 5mm ports each so you can configure it with even more weaponry!
Final Thoughts:
I have always had a soft spot for the Pretenders. During the G1 era I enjoyed their portrayals in both the Marvel Comics and the Masterforce cartoon. Skullgrin even got a fun mini-story arc in the G1 comic where he became an actor! This is all to say I'm predisposed to giving the Pretenders a lot of grace. This figure doesn't need it however. Despite not having the strongest vehicle mode, I love the way the robot mode combines elements of the Pretender Shell and inner robot from G1. Recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent blend of Pretender Shell and Inner Robot features in robot mode.
- Good play value with fun accessories.
- Really nice deco.
Cons:
- The vehicle mode is not the greatest.
