General Information
Release Date: September 2025
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.) - Preceding links are sponsor/affiliate links
Accessories: Blaster, Axe
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com:
- AGE OF THE PRIMES VENIN: This Transformers Venin figure features deco and details inspired by the Transformers universe
- 5.5-INCH DELUXE CLASS TRANSFORMERS FIGURE: In robot mode, the Transformers action figure is 5.5 inches (14 cm) tall
- CONVERT BETWEEN ROBOT AND WINGED CICADA MODE IN 17 STEPS: This Transformers toy figure converts between modes in 17 steps
- ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Age of the Primes Transformers figures feature articulation for display-worthy poses or action-packed play
- 2 ACCESSORIES: Figure comes with axe and blaster accessories that the figure can hold. Accessories combine to make a larger axe
- PART OF THE AGE OF THE PRIMES COLLECTION: Everything in the Transformers universe can be traced back to the original bots, the Thirteen Primes. Venin is the leader of the Insecticons, descended from Liege Maximo Prime
- GIFT TRANSFORMERS COLLECTIBLES: Transformers action figures make a great gift for boys and girls 8 and up or anyone who collects Transformers toys
Experience the epic universe of Transformers robots with the Transformers Venin toy! The 5.5-inch (14 cm) figure converts from robot action figure to insect mode in 17 steps. With intricate poseability and attachable blaster and axe accessories that can be combined into a larger axe, this Venin action figure makes an awesome addition to any collection. Look for more Transformers collectible toys (sold separately, subject to availability) featuring favorite characters like Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, and more to create a lineup that is — More Than Meets the Eye. TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc.
Background:
Most Transformers fans know about the three original Insecticons Bombshell, Kickback and Shrapnel. However, less known are the "Deluxe Insecticons" Barrage, Chop Shop, Ransack and Venom. These four Insect-based characters did not appear in the G1 cartoon and their appearances in print were sparse, so it is no surprise they are not well known.
Hasbro has not forgotten about them however. The Buzzworthy Bumblebee line gave us a modern version of Ransack while a more recent release gave us a multi-pack that included Barrage and Chop Shop. This left the fourth member of the team as the only one without a Deluxe Class update - until now! As part of the September 2025 wave of Age of the Primes releases, a brand new Venom figure was released. Unlike the other three Insecticons, this figure is an all new set of tools. Technically there was a previous version of the character in Generations when he was released as the "Targetmaster" partner of Acid Storm but this is the first Deluxe Class representation of the character in the line. Due to trademark reasons, his name continues to be "Venin" instead of Venom (but most fans still just call him "Venom").
Packaging:
Unlike the unique packaging design of Legacy, the Age of the Primes packaging is more aligned with the look of the Studio Series line. The boxes are now rectangular with a flap on top to hang on pegs. The background color is a flat black. The front features a new series of icons giving information about the figure. This is set to the left and features a faction logo, calling out how many steps are in the transformation (17 in this case) and the age recommendation (8+ on this box). To the right is artwork featuring Venin holding his axe overhead and the blaster in his other hand. Beneath him is artwork of his beast mode. In between is the figure with a window cut away with the return of a plastic window! These had been removed the last few years but Hasbro heard the fan outcry (and probably got sick of figures getting damaged in box by vandals) so they're back and I'm really glad about that. Below the artwork is the "Transformers" logo now set horizontally for the first time in about a decade. Under that is the "Age of the Primes" line looking a lot less stylized than the Legacy logos of years past. The bottom features Venin's name, a Decepticon symbol and the Hasbro logo to the right.
The back of the box features the figure in both modes calling out the 17 step transformation. A small window shows his weapons combined. The bottom half features legal information in multiple languages and an "Authentic Transformers" logo. The box is definitely going for a premium appearance and it aligns the look more with Studio Series but it definitely does not feel as special or unique compared to previous years.
Accessories:
Venin includes two accessories based on those that came with the original G1 figure:
- Axe: Venin's axe is a small weapon that is really just the head of the axe with a tall, curved blade in front and a smaller angled section in the back. The shape is based on the G1 weapon and features similar sculpted details such as an indentation on the bottom half of the blade. This piece is made of grey plastic with no paint applications. It features a 5mm peg in the back.
- Blaster: The blaster included with this figure takes some design cues from the G1 Venom's blaster, but it is does not totally replicate the design. Like the G1 weapon this one features a tube with an indentation on the sides at the base of the barrel and some layered sections towards the back. It also featured a section on top that looks almost like a targeting scope. That is missing on this version of the weapon, likely because the designers wanted to make this blaster double as an axe handle (more on that in a moment) so they wanted to streamline its appearance. This blaster features a 5mm peg on the bottom and a barrel end that can fit Blast Effects. The back has a 5mm port. This piece is made of green plastic with no paint applications.
Unlike the G1 Venom weapons, Venin's weapons can be combined! Attach the axe weapon to the port on the back of the blaster and it forms an axe with a handle. The end of the blaster is 5mm allowing Venin to hold it in his hands. I really love this simple, yet elegant way to get interaction between the two weapons. The weapon looks cool and functional.
Robot Mode:
The original Venom was a redeco and re-release of the "Beet-Zeguna" mecha from the Japanese toy line Armored Insect Corps Beetras by Takatoku Toys. The other three Generations Deluxe Insecticons were all retools of the previous Insecticons. While they were great examples of retools, Venin is the first in the team to feature a brand new set of tools. The great part about this is that the designers did not change the design of the character. Instead they took the design of the original figure and updated it into a modern form with more articulation. This means a lot of the design comes right from the G1 figure. These design elements include:
- Head: The head design is based directly off G1 Venom's complete with visor eyes, a mouth plate, insect eyes on the sides of the head and a stinger on top.
- Torso: The two sides of the chest armor feature six sided panels with a curved section with a semi-circle in the middle of the body. The sides right above the hips feature hinges for the wings which swing to the back in this mode. Also, like the G1 figure, the insect legs are on the back of the robot torso.
- Wings: The wings feature organic designs like those on a real life Cicada on one side and mechanical details on the other. This intricate level of detailing was also present on G1 Venom's wings (but they mostly featured mechanical designs).
- Arms: On G1 Venom there are circular designs on the shoulders and forearms. Venin includes designs like this but the circles on his forearms double as 5mm ports to attach accessories.
- Legs: The legs feature a design with a set of angled segments.
There are many small details sculpted into the figure that are based on the stickers included with G1 Venom. This includes the designs on his knee armor and the horizontal lines on top of each segment on the front of his legs. Overall Venin looks amazing. He is one of the most pure examples of a classic design being updated with G1 aesthetics and modern day toy engineering.
Venin is made up of orange, grey, green and translucent orange plastic. The translucent parts are used extensively which is very unusual nowadays. His wings, parts of the head and torso are all translucent and they look great. Among my favorite translucent parts are the eyes and insect eyes on the sides of the robot head. They really look distinctive and eye catching. Paint colors include grey, black and red. Most of the deco is on the torso and legs. The right side of the chest features a purple Decepticon symbol (which is where it was placed on the G1 toy's illustration). Venin looks awesome overall.
There are twenty three points of articulation in this mode. This includes four on each arm and six in each leg. His head is on a hinged piece so it can look up as well as side to side. This figure also features nine 5mm ports. Two are on each arm (forearm and fist) while the bottom of the feet have two on each side. Then there is one on the back for weapon storage.
Transformation to Beast Mode:
- Detach the accessories and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the wings forward.
- Swing the fists into the forearms.
- Rotate the arms below the shoulders so the 5mm ports point out to the sides.
- Swing the forearms up over the upper arms.
- Swing the head up.
- Push the shoulders into the slot where the robot head was.
- Swing the head back down, connecting the tabs on the grey shoulder pieces to the slots on the head's hinge.
- Swing out the insect feet.
- Swing the grey foot pieces back into the bottom of the feet.
- Rotate the legs so the knee armor pieces face inward.
- Swing out the feet and press them against the sides of the lower legs.
- Swing the lower legs up over the thighs then connect them together.
- The axe and blaster weapons can be attached to the back or the sides.
Beast Mode:
G1 Venom did not transform into a realistic, Beast Wars style Cicada. Instead, he was a robotic approximation of one. Just as the robot mode was very faithful to the original figure's design, Venin's beast mode reflects this robotic Cicada form. The designers really went the extra mile to pay homage to the original including having the robot mode's "visor" eyes pointing forward even though the insect eyes are on the sides of the head. You can also see the robot chest on top of the beast mode, just like the G1 figure and the insect legs feature distinctive segments with mechanical details sculpted onto each one. This mode also draws the eye to the translucent orange on the top of the beast mode. Look under it and you'll see mechanical details underneath, a wonderful visual touch. Overall the beast mode looks like a perfect modern day translation of a decades old design.
The green, orange and translucent orange colors all shine in this mode. The grey paint details from the torso now wind up on top of the beast mode, just like the G1 figure. The colors are all very eye catching and faithful to the original figure.
There are ten points of articulation in this mode. Each of the six legs can swing forward or back. Interestingly, the panels that form the feet have angled segments on them for the rear legs to rest against. I love this level of detail in the design. The other articulation is based in the wings. Each can swing out to the sides as well as up and down. In another nice design touch, the wings each have a small tab on the bottom. These can attach to small slots on the back of the beast mode for the wings to be in a "resting" position and lock in. The rear section has two 5mm ports and there is one 5mm port on either side (from the forearms). There is also one on the bottom.
Final Thoughts:
Venin is absolutely awesome. The figure is a perfect example of taking a G1 toy design and updating it to modern standards. The figure is visually bright and it is a fun toy to play with. The transformation is intuitive but not overly simplistic. The ability to combine the weapons is also a great idea. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt in both modes that perfectly pays homage to the original figure.
- Beautiful deco.
- Excellent articulation.
- Fun weaponry play feature.
- Sculpted details that reference G1 stickers!
Cons:
- Fans who wanted a modern day re-interpretation of the original figure will be disappointed.
