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General Information
Release Date: November 2023
Price Point: $34.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: Limited Time Amazon Exclusive which would later become available on BigBadToyStore and Entertainment Earth (Preceding links are from Sponsors/Affiliates)
Accessories: Cannon/Tesla coil, Blast Effect
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com:
- MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE: Transformers robots have always been More Than Meets the Eye. Now fans can experience Transformers characters as they mash-up with iconic characters who share this same quality
- UNIVERSAL MONSTERS X TRANSFORMERS MASH-UP: It’s alive! Welded together from deceased Cybertronian parts, a new creation has escaped Dr. Frankenstein’s lab – Frankentron!
- FRANKENSTEIN MOVIE-INSPIRED ALT MODE: Frankentron figure converts from robot to tank mode in 16 steps. Inspired by Frankenstein’s Monster from the 1931 Universal Pictures film, Frankenstein
- MOVIE-INSPIRED DETAILS AND ACCESSORIES: Features screen-inspired sculpt details and comes with a cannon accessory based on Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory equipment in the film. Also comes with a blast effect piece
- VHS TAPE-INSPIRED PACKAGING: Packaging is designed to look like a video tape copy of the movie, Frankenstein. Not for use as an actual video tape
The worlds of Transformers robots and Universal Monsters collide with the Universal Monsters Frankenstein x Transformers Frankentron mash-up pack! The iconic monstrous creation from Dr. Frankenstein’s lab is now a Transformers robot! This figure converts from movie-inspired robot mode to tank alt mode and features sculpt, deco, and details based on the film. This pack comes with a cannon accessory and blast effect piece. Transformers robots have always been -- More Than Meets the Eye -- but now, through the Transformers Collaborative, fans can experience these larger-than-life characters as they team-up, mash-up, and meet up with other characters, teams, and people who share this same special quality.
Background:
In the year 1818 author Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein The Modern Prometheus which focused on Victor Frankenstein creating a sentient creature and the tragedies that would follow his experiment. Over a century after its publication, Shelley's novel would serve as the inspiration for a theatrical film in 1931 titled "Frankenstein". While the title refers to Victor Frankenstein, pop culture has largely associated the name "Frankenstein" with the monster itself. This film also became one of the pillars of the Universal Studios "Monsterverse" which includes other creatures such as the Wolf Man.
The Transformers franchise would find itself influenced by Frankenstein in the 80's when the episode "Autobot Spike" featured Spike Witwicky transferring his consciousness into a robot body mad of cobbled together parts (see below):
In late 2023 Frankenstein and Transformers crossed paths again as a Collaborative figure between Universal Studios and the Transformers franchise. This figure is a redeco and retool of Siege Impactor so you'll definitely want to check out that review. This review will focus on the changes made to the figure for this release.
Packaging:
The packaging for the "Universal Monsters" Collaborative figures is one of my favorite in recent years. As a nod to the classic monster movies by Universal the box is designed like a VHS tape with a slip cover. The outer cover features a "Universal Monsters" logo at the top with the "Frankenstein" logo under it. The "Transformers" logo is set vertically on the right. The Collaborative logo is towards the bottom. The artwork for the character shows a close up of him from the mid-body up on a lab table. Behind him a Tesla Coil crackles with energy. The character, Tesla Coil and energy all reference the items included in the set itself. The back of the box features the figure in both modes and a third picture shows the Blast Effect attached. The "Transformers" logo is set at the top with lighting striking it, a callback to how the creature is brought to life in the 1931 movie.
Pull the tray inside out and Frankentron is sitting inside with his accessories. Look on the other side however and you'll see the details of an Old Skool VHS tape printed including the "tape" on the left side and a label reading "Frankenstein" in the middle. For someone who grew up with VHS tapes this is a really cool way to package the figure and nod to its theatrical past.
Accessories:
Frankentron does not include the same accessories as Impactor. Instead, two different accessories have been created for this figure:
- Blast Effect: The Blast Effect included with this set looks like a burst of energy made of lightning bolts. This piece is made of soft, purple plastic (mirroring what is seen on the box's artwork). This piece attaches to the end of the Tesla Coil/cannon.
- Tesla Coil/Cannon: Frankentron's cannon is based on the look of the Tesla Coils see in the 1931 film. It features a cylindrical section with several discs running along the barrel. The top is a sphere. This piece features a lot of 5mm attachment points. The base has three 5mm ports while the section above that has four 5mm pegs. The top has five 5mm pegs allowing for a wide variety of ways to combine this with other weapons. This piece is made of green plastic with a lot of silver paint on it.
Robot Mode:
Frankentron uses the Siege Impactor figure as its foundation. This is not a simple head swap however. Here's what's been changed:
- Head: The head sculpt is a robotic version of the Frankenstein's Monster seen in the 1931 film. Like that design it features a large forehead (complete with a scar on one side), a pronounced "brow" piece above the eyes and small bolts on either side of the neck. The top part of the "helmet" section is even sculpted to look like "hair". That said, all these design elements feature mechanical looking bits that remind you this is a robot in disguise! After the 1931 movie this became the most popular visual interpretation of the character in pop culture so this head sculpt immediately evokes that design.
- Chest: The chest panel has been replaced with a new one that has an asymmetrical design. It looks like someone took scrap from different robots and cobbled it together into a chest plate. Given Frankenstein's Monster was made of different human parts mashed together, this design makes perfect sense. I appreciate how some details look like armor panels overlapping other details and there is even a big crack/scar on the right side.
- Hands: Impactor's hands have been replaced with new ones that are set in a horizontal position with his fingers partly extended. This is intended to mirror the way Frankenstein's Monster walked in the film. I actually love the idea behind this retooling but I think it could have been done better. While the hand does have a 5mm port for him to hold his weapon, it cannot be turned so his hands constantly look like they're stuck in the horizontal position. Also, when you swing the fists in, there are no ports like Impactor had. It would have been neat to keep that functionality. These hands are made of green plastic with no paint applications.
- Right Thigh: The right thigh has been changed to a new piece featuring a vertical vent design in the middle with beveled armor designs around it. The back features a circle that looks like the head of a giant screw. This piece is green plastic with gunmetal grey paint on the vent section.
- Left Thigh: The left thigh features a different design than the right, continuing the thread of asymmetrical design. This thigh piece features a distinct, vertical strap on it with round bolt-like designs on the front and the outer thigh. This piece is green plastic with silver paint on the "strap". I love this particular design as it looks like parts of Frankentron are being held together with armor scraps and bolts.
Frankentron is made up of gunmetal grey, green and light grey plastic. The gunmetal grey and green in particular are the "robotic" versions of the dark grey (or black) and green colors often associated with the character (even up to the portrayal of the character in the comedy series "The Munsters"). Paint colors include metallic green, silver, gunmetal grey, purple and red. The red is particularly striking. It is used on the inside of the shoulder cannon and the eyes, which contrast beautifully with the light grey and green plastic colors respectively. Purple can be found on the back and as a Decepticon symbol on the chest. There is an argument to be made that putting Frankentron in the Decepticon camp is a bit unfair since he is larely a tragic figure, but in the 1931 film it is made clear that while tragic, Frankenstein's Monster is no gentle, innocent soul.
There are twenty two points of articulation on this figure. That includes five in each arm and leg. There are eleven 5mm ports in this mode including two on each arm, the hands and one on each leg. This gives you a lot of choices as to where to attach his cannon. A lot of these attachment points carry over from the Siege era, so he still has 5mm ports on the bottom of the feet intended for parts from Weaponizers (or Fossilizers). Another fun carry over fro Siege can be found on his shoulders where he has small pegs to attach Blast Effects to make it look like he is taking weapons fire. The forearms also have 5mm pegs on them, allowing you to attach the cannon a different way so it sits on top of the forearms.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing in each fist into the forearms.
- Swing the back panel open.
- Turn the head around and swing it down into the open slot, then swing the back panel back into place.
- Swing the chest panel up.
- Rotate the forearms around so the parts with the raised circles are facing front.
- Swing the arms up, then swing them down at the shoulders. As part of this movement, attach the cannon to the two 5mm pegs on the forearms.
- Connect the tabs on the chest panel into the corresponding slots on the forearms.
- Swing the front of the feet back.
- Swing the upper body forward, using the hinge at the mid-body.
- On each leg, swing the feet out at the ankle joints.
- Rotate the panels with the treads on them back.
- Swing the robot feet in to hold the back of the tank mode together.
- Push the two halves of the tank's front end together.
Vehicle Mode:
Frankentron's vehicle mode mostly looks just like Impactor's save a few details such as the cannon and the chest plate which is visible on top. Other key details of the tank are the same including the small dual barreled cannons on the sides and the "cow catcher" details in front. That said, it is pretty extraordinary to see how changing the cannon piece does give the vehicle a very different "feel". Instead of Impactor's "scifi" look this vehicle has an oddly retro future Steampunk feel to it that is very cool.
This mode shows off the same colors as the robot mode. That said, the shade of green on the sides is lighter than the one used for the fists and chest. There are some fun paint applications in this mode. The top of the shoulder cannon shows off some gunmetal grey details with a small, purple Decepticon symbol on top. Meanwhile on the sides of the treads are parts of gigantic Decepticon symbols set at a dramatic angle. Silver paint is used for other details including the edges of the tread sections and the front of the vehicle.
The main change in functionality from Impactor to this figure is the cannon. The front of the cannon can fit the Blast Effect, making it look like it is firing off a huge blast of purple lightning. It looks great and adds to the Steampunk feel of the vehicle.
Final Thoughts:
Frankentron is a fantastic retool and redeco of the Impactor sculpt. The packaging is also super fun and well done. That said, some folks will likely have issues paying a Voyager Class price point for a Deluxe Class figure and I totally get that. This really is a niche figure so I don't think every fan needs to run out and get it but if you dig the Universal Monsters and fun crossovers this figure is for you! Recommended.
Pros:
- Excellent retooling that is not only different from the original figure but it is also very much in tune with the character of Frankenstein's Monster.
- Good deco that calls back to the monster's classic appearance.
- Very cool new cannon weapon.
- Love the Blast Effect.
- Fun and intuitive transformation.
- Good articulation and plenty of connection points adding some great play value.
Cons:
- I do wish there was one more accessory. Sure the Blast Effect "replaces" the hook, but one more weapon would have been neat.
- I really wish the hands could turn at the wrist.
