General Information:
Release Date: October 2023
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Blaster, Insect feet/weapons x 2
Official images and text below in italics are from Hasbro Pulse:
- CELEBRATE THE LEGACY: Transformers Legacy Evolution celebrates the last 40 years of Transformers history. The Insecticon Bombshell action figure is inspired by the Transformers G1 animated series
- 2 EPIC MODES: Transformers action figure converts from robot to beetle mode in 13 steps
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: This Insecticon Bombshell toy for 8 year old boys and girls comes with 3 blaster accessories that attach to the figure in both modes
- EVOLVE THE BATTLE: Transformers toy robots are upgraded with Evo-Fusion battle features! Evolve the battle by combining the 3 blaster accessories into a triple-barreled blaster accessory
- REVEAL TECH SPECS: Scan the code on each package to reveal character tech specs! Collect other Transformers figures to discover facts and abilities (each sold separately, subject to availability)
Background:
Generation One was choc full of sub-groups representing distinctive groups of Transformers. Some were defined by their alt-modes including the Insecticons. This band of Decepticons all had insect-based alt-modes. One of these Insecticons was Bombshell, who is best known for his mind controlling “Cerebro Shells”. Believe it or not, it has almost been a decade since the last time Bombshell was made into a new figure (and not a reissue of the G1 toy) when he appeared as a Legends Class figure in Combiner Wars. With this release, Bombshell joins Legacy Shrapnel and Kickback, completing the trio of original Insecticons! This figure is an extensive retool and redeco of Shrapnel, but I’ll largely be treating it like a brand new figure.
Packaging:
Bombshell is part of the second phase of the Legacy line: Legacy Evolution so the packaging has been refreshed. The shape of the box is still the same, and for the most part the logos and other parts are in the same place. Sticking to the principle of plastic-free packaging, the window on the box is open but this year there is an extra layer of cardboard that sits on top of the figure to prevent theft. This covers most of the figure, leaving only the chest and head peeking out. Under the figure is an illustration of Bombshell in beast mode. To the side is a close up of him in robot mode. The QR Code to scan for the tech specs has been moved to the top of the box instead of being on the back.
The back of the box shows Bombshell in both forms calling out a 13 step transformation. It also has a huge logo for the "Evo Fusion" gimmick which appears to be a new term to describe the gimmick that began with Siege where toys across multiple classes can be combined to form different types of weapons.
Accessories:
Bombshell includes three accessories:
- Twin ion impulse blaster: This blaster weapon is a slightly smaller version of his G1 weapon. It has an angled base with a small flat panel set vertically on top. This leads to a barrel that includes two small cylinders connected to the end of the weapon. It is a very distinct weapon and looks cool. The weapon has two 5mm ports and the end can fit a Blast Effect. This weapon is made of grey plastic and is mostly painted silver.
- Insect feet/weapons: One of Bombshell’s more distinct features were insect legs attached to his forearms in robot mode. The designers have taken these insect legs and turned them into blasters. Each features a 5mm peg in the back and an attachment point in the front for Blast Effects. These weapons are black plastic with no paint applications. If you’re not using these weapons as “insect legs” on Bombshell himself, they can be attached to the sides of the Twin ion impulse blaster, representing the “Evo Fusion” play pattern.
Robot Mode:
This figure is based on G1 Bombshell’s appearance so it features a lot of design elements from both his G1 action figure and animation model. These include:
- The head design features triangular eyes and a mouthplate that has vertical lines etched into it. Over the head is a curved cover that has a blaster attached to it that looks similar to his handheld blaster.
- The torso has a curved shape (representing the insect mode’s curves) and a section in the middle that resembles the cover of a cockpit. This is a nod to the original Bombshell figure which had a cockpit for a pilot built into the torso, a carry over from the figure’s origins as part of the Diaclone toy line.
- His shoulders are curved featuring insect legs sticking up.
- Each thigh features two circles, one on top of the other. This is a detail found on the original Bombshell action figure.
There are a lot of additional sculpted details on this figure including two rectangles on their forearms, a curved section on the lower legs and a vent-like pattern on his feet. Overall Bombshell looks great. My only reservation is that the cover for his head is a bit large and dwarfs the head somewhat but that can be dealt with by swinging it back further.
This figure is made up of several plastic colors including black, silver and translucent yellow. Paint colors include purple, silver, gold and red. I am pretty sure most of the torso is translucent yellow plastic with a majority of it painted purple (otherwise it is broken up into purple and translucent yellow sections). Silver is used for detailing such as details on the middle of the torso and the “cover” over the head. A Decepticon symbol is tampographed onto the chest. The colors work perfectly for the character, representing the typical black/purple/silver colors of the Insecticons.
There are twenty six points of articulation on this figure, above the average of figures nowadays. That is due in part to the ability for the “head cover” section being set on a hinge and then the blaster on top of that also being on a hinge. All the joints are nice and tight. Bombshell has eight 5mm ports in this mode. Two on the bottom of his feet, two on the back of his legs, two on the forearms and of course the ports in the fists. His insect leg/blaster accessories are intended to connect to the ports on his forearms, giving him more of a G1-esque appearance.
Transformation to Beast Mode
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the fists into the forearms.
- Push the head cover over the head and tab it in to the slot on top of the chest.
- Straighten out the blaster on the head cover.
- Swing the arms back, keeping the forearms slightly raised.
- Rotate the lower body around.
- Point the feet down.
- Swing the panels on the lower legs open.
- Swing the lower legs over the thighs.
- Rotate the robot forearms so the 5mm ports point downward, then push them up.
- Attach the insect leg/blasters to the ports on the robot forearms.
- The blaster weapon can be attached to a port on the top of the beast mode.
Beast Mode:
Bombshell’s beast mode is very similar to his G1 design. The front section features his “horn” sticking out in front. The “head” features what appears to be two large eyes on the sides leading to a more blocky rear section. The rear section is significantly more bulky than previous iterations of this character. That’s because the rear section is where he mostly shows off the parts carried over from Shrapnel’s tooling. The biggest give away is the way his feet stick out the back and two “fins” sticking up on top of this section.
This mode carries over most of the colors from the robot mode, but we see some really fun details too. The “eyes” on the sides are painted yellow, offering nice contrast with the purple colors. On the rear section a strip of detail is painted metallic blue with gold circles. This is based on a sticker from G1 Bombshell. The sides have a red and silver striped detail that is also a direct reference to a sticker from G1 Bombshell. Overall the figure looks a bit bulky but cool in this mode.
The main articulation in this mode is the horn in front and the front legs. That said, plenty of 5mm ports are exposed in this mode so you can attach plenty of accessories. The Blast Effect attachment points on the insect legs also allow you to attach Effects to make it look like he is flying!
Final Thoughts:
Bombshell is a well made and welcome addition to the Legacy Insecticons. He’s instantly recognizable as his G1 counterpart and being a retool does not diminish the figure in any way. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Excellent retool of Shrapnel.
- Simple and intuitive transformation.
- Plenty of attachment points for accessories.
- Nice deco with fun nods to G1 Bombshell.
Cons:
- The “head cover” section is a tad big for my tastes, causing the head to be de-emphasized visually, but this is not a deal breaker.
