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General Information: Images:
Naturally, if you're going to make a Stunticon based set of figures, the Transformer "Breakdown" is going to be part of the set. In recent years due to trademark reasons he's been called "Brakedown" (such as the "Hunt for the Decepticons" Brakedown figure). This time out, the Botcon crew managed to get this guy named properly. Breakdown is also of particular note because he has already been the subject of two official and one "unofficial" Botcon toy release in the past. This is the first time that he is being produced in a color scheme based on his "Generation One" appearance rather than his "Generation 2" appearance. If you've read my other Stunticon reviews so far and you're familiar with the toy line in general, you'll know that there are only so many sculpts you can use that are "race car" style vehicles. For the sleek form of Breakdown, Fun Publications decided to use the Toys R Us exclusive "Rodimus" sculpt, making this somewhat unique as both a Toys R Us and Botcon exclusive mold (at least in the US). This review will focus on the changes made to this sculpt for this release. Check out detailed review of Animated Rodimus in the "Transformers Animated" toy review section.
Vehicle Mode: It also helps that G1 Breakdown's basic colors are almost nothing like Rodimus' more flashy reds, golds and yellows. Instead, his primary plastic colors are a dark cream color, blue, black and translucent black plastic. These are very similar to the basic colors of Generation One Breakdown, who had a lighter cream color, black wheels and dark blue parts such as a cannon that attached to the back of the vehicle. Here, the cream color makes up most of the top of the vehicle. I almost called it light grey, but it definitely leans towards being a shade of the color used on G1 Breakdown. The translucent black makes up the windows as you would expect. The dark blue plastic is found mostly on the lower half of the vehicle, the engine in the front and the exhaust pipes in the back. As you'd expect, the black plastic makes up the wheels, but it is also used for the section in the back that connects to the spoiler. The colors all work very well together. The cream color acts as a fantastic contrast to the rest of the colors, which really makes them pop. There aren't a ton of paint applications on this figure, but that is deliberate as the Generation One version tempered its paint scheme as well. Orange, a color borrowed from G1 Breakdown is found on the headlights and rear lights of the figure. A dark, maroon color is used on the top of the canopy and the hood of the car. Paint color matching the cream color is found on the top of the canopy as well since that portion is cast in clear black plastic. A bit of silver can be found on the sides of the wheels. Dark blue paint is used to paint a lot of the details on the front and sides of the vehicle, matching up with the blue plastic that peeks out from the underside of the car. The blue matches perfectly with the plastic color and offers a fantastic contrast to the rest of the vehicle. Breakdown's bow weapon is also cast in the cream color and blue. The missiles are cream colored as well. These fit well in the slot at the back of the vehicle, but not perfectly. That's not really something I hold against this version of the figure however, it's more the sculpt in general having issues. It holds in place, just not super tightly. Transformation to Robot Mode:
Robot Mode: The newly revealed parts are mostly blue in color including the middle to lower legs, the hands, neck and head. The exhaust pipe pieces on his thighs are also cast in blue. His thighs and forearms are the same cream color as the one that makes up most of the vehicle mode. With the engine having been flipped, you now get a flat panel on the chest (which is composed of the front of the vehicle) featuring a silver Stunticon symbol (which is a Decepticon symbol with extra details in the back). The face is colored the same maroon color as the face and his eyes are orange. Small details on the head are white. A bit of cream colored paint is used on the collar around the neck area. Overall, this paint scheme is so distinctive that you almost forget this body was originally meant for a Rodimus/Hot Rod style toy. All of the parts on the figure are still nice and tight and the weapon works without a problem. No surprises here since this sculpt hasn't been used all that much yet.
Final Thoughts:
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Botcon 2011 celebrated a Transformers series that many feel was too short lived. While still controversial, "Transformers Animated" remains a favorite among a significant portion of fandom, making it the perfect subject for Botcon 2011's boxed set. The set features five figures, each based on one of the Generation One Stunticons
