General Information:
Release Date: June 2018
Price Point: $5.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General (Toys R Us, Target, Wal-Mart etc.)
Accessories: Club weapon, Bludgeon Decoy Armor
Official images above are from Hasbro. The official text below in italics are from Amazon.com:
The Autobots and Decepticons use Prime Masters to wield the incredible powers of the legendary bots who shaped the universe: the Primes. The Prime Master of Quintus Prime grants bots the ability to seed life across the universe. How will the Autobots and Decepticons use this life-creating power? Anything is possible and everything is at stake when the Power of the Primes is unleashed! Transformers Generations Power of the Primes Prime Master figures are 1.5-inch-scale figures that work with other figures. Attach this Prime Master figure to a Power of the Primes Deluxe, Voyager, or Leader Class figure (each sold separately) and imagine that bot wields the power of Quintus Prime. Figure Specs: Quintus Prime Prime Master 2 Modes: robot, spark Converts in 1 step Comes with Decepticon Bludgeon decoy armor -- the Prime Master figure hides inside Decoy armor converts to weapon Works with other Power of the Primes figures (each sold separately) Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
The trilogy that began with "Combiner Wars" concludes with "Power of the Primes". This line focuses on the original 13 Primes themselves returning. However, instead of gigantic beings storming the battlefield, the Primes have distilled their essence into Sparks that can be used by Transformers to gain all new powers. Depending on which Spark the Transformer takes on, they are powered up in different ways. From a play value standpoint these figures are an extension of the Titan Masters from last year. Instead of coming with beasts or vehicles, these mini-figures now come with "Decoy Armor" based on the designs of G1 era Pretender shells. The idea is that the Primes do not want just any Transformer to take their power, so they infuse these characters with their essence and are "pretending" to be other Transformers, a wonderful play on words and concepts.
Generation One Bludgeon was released during a time when the Transformers toy line was fading in sales and popularity. There was no cartoon to support the current product so it fell to the comic books (and Japanese exclusive cartoons) to keep the fiction of the line alive. Bludgeon could have easily fallen into obscurity, but thanks to Simon Furman introducing the "Mayhem Attack Squad" the character would go on to be known among Transformers fans for years to come, partly due to his striking visual appearance. Since Generation One, Bludgeon has popped up now and then in the Transformers multiverse. There was a "Robots in Disguise" (2001) version, years later he would be introduced into the . In more recent years he has appeared in the "Robots in Disguise" (2015) toy line and there was a "Combiner Wars" version of the character.
Packaging:
The packaging for the Prime Masters is similar to last year's Titan Masters. The figures are in a blister attached to a small card. Unlike last year however the card art on the front features Quintus Prime in his Bludgeon armor holding a stylized version of his club weapon (drawn to look more like a sword). This is a far better choice than last year where Fortress Maximus' head was on all the packaging for the Titan Masters. The back of the packaging shows a CG render of Quintus Prime and how he interacts with the Decoy Armor. On top it shows the weapon mode. The side shows a cosell of Solus Prime.
Robot Mode:
The basic structure of the Prime Master figures share the same core design as the Titan Master figures. They have the same tab on the back that allows you to attach them to vehicles and playsets from "Titans Return" and "Power of the Primes". The heads are also square in shape and while these figures do not form heads, you can attach them to the larger figures from "Titans Return".
The sculpt used for Quintus Prime is a retool of the sculpt used for Alpha Trion,Vector Prime and the Thirteenth Prime. The torso and waist area use the same sculpt as those figures. The head, arms and legs are all new parts. These are all based on the design of G1 Bludgeon's "inner robot". The similarities include:
- The head features a crest, visor eyes and a mouthplate.
- The arms feature tread patterns on them, a carry over from G1 Bludgeon being able to transform into a tank.
- On the thighs there are rectangular sections with a series of horizontal lines on them. This comes directly from G1 Bludgeon.
This figure is cast in orange and purple plastic. Both colors are inspired by G1 Bludgeon's "outer shell" colors. Orange was G1 Bludgeon's primary shell color, but he also had some reddish brown parts. Here the designers chose purple instead which was instead inspired by the character's colors in the G1 Marvel comic book.
The main detail that is unique to this figure is the symbol of Quintus Prime symbol on the back. The symbol has a central, rounded section that has lines extending out that look like tentacles. This is likely inspired by Quintus Prime's association with the Quintessons.
The Prime Masters all have five points of articulation. This includes the head, arms, hips and knees. The legs move together since they are fused together. The joints on my copy of Quintus Prime are nice and tight with no issues.
Transformation to Spark Mode:
The Prime Masters all transform in the same fashion as the Titan Masters from "Titans Return". Swing the hips up and fold the lower legs in.
Spark Mode:
The Spark mode is basically the same as the head modes from last year's Titan Masters. Instead of a "face plate" however, there is panel with Quintus Prime's ancient Cybertronian symbol (discussed above). The only paint application in this mode is orange paint on the symbol on his back.
The Prime Master Spark modes are designed to attach to Voyager Class figures directly or connect to the "Prime Armor" included with Deluxe figures in the "Power of the Primes" line. They can also replace the various Matrix accessories included with figures such as Nemesis Prime.
Decoy Armor Mode
The Bludgeon Decoy Armor is based on the design of G1 Quintus Prime's Pretender shell. This Decoy Armor has many of the key elements of that shell's design. These include:
- The head is designed to look like a Kabuto, a Samurai helmet.
- The face looks like a human skull, one of G1 Bludgeon's most distinctive features.
- On each arm there is are armor panels known as Sode that feature distinctive raised ridges.
- The forearms feature Kote, long glove like sleeves with raised, lines running to the elbow area.
- The torso armor features a part that curves upward in the middle with horizontal line designs inside.
- There are thin "straps" that run from the back to the front of the chest armor.
- Over the thighs are thigh guards known as "Haidate", featuring raised sections and indented sections in between.
- The knee armor is round.
The Decoy Armor is cast in orange and purple plastic. Details are painted in using white, purple, grey and metallic copper paint. There is also a Decepticon symbol on his chest. These colors all reflect the colors of both the original G1 Bludgeon figure and his appearance in the G1 Marvel comic books. I think it looks great!
The Decoy Armor has two points of articulation: the arms. The weapon accessory included with the figure can be held as a melee weapon or attached to the back for storage. Interestingly, the fist holes are 3mm, allowing you to attach Cyberverse weapons too!
Transformation to Weapon Mode:
- With the weapon attached on the back, swing the club forward.
- In between the feet, swing the peg down.
- Attach Quintus Prime in Spark mode to the small pegs in the back.
Weapon Mode:
In the G1 Marvel comic book, Bludgeon carried a Katana but the action figure did not include such a weapon. Still, his association with Japanese weapons was solidified in Transformers lore. This time out however the designers decided to get a bit literal and have the Bludgeon armor transform into a Kanabō, a studded war club. So the Bludgeon Decoy Armor literally transforms into a weapon you use to bludgeon an enemy! I find this both cool and hilarious at the same time.
The 5mm peg in the back allows most modern day Transformers figures to hold this weapon, but it is likely he will be more stable with figures from Deluxe Class and up.
Final Thoughts:
Bludgeon was one of my favorite Decepticons from the latter G1 era and I have enjoyed the various versions of the character released over the years. This is no exception. I appreciate the designers not going for the obvious and making the weapon mode a sword. If you are into the Prime Masters at all, this needs to be in your collection.
Pros:
- Both the Armor and inner robot are great homages to a G1 character.
- The weapon mode is funny and cool all at the same time.
- A wonderful modern take on the Pretender concept that some considered goofy in the 80's.
- Good deco and sculpt on the Decoy Armor.
Cons:
- If you are not a fan of the Pretender concept, this likely won't change your mind.
