Who needs another Megatron? I thought "not me" but it turns out I was wrong. Taken from the IDW comic book (which is included with and will sell you on the toy), this version of the Decepticon grand commander takes a smidgen of inspiration from a supremely rare Megatron ATB toy from Generation 2 and is generally a completely new and generally fun concept. It's not too tough to transform, just a little tricky, with a nice robot mode and a typically bland bomber mode. It's a nice bomber, but as a deluxe plane it doesn't do much.
The good thing about this figure is that it's obvious Hasbro and IDW managed to show the world a character design that just works as Megatron. If, in 1995, someone showed you this toy and said "this fell out of a time warp and it is how Megatron will look by 2015" you'd probably squint, and quickly agree that this is a totally reasonable thing. The dark grey evokes early Megatron from 1984 just a little bit - he was lighter grey, but it works - and the purple recalls Galvatron on the cartoons as well as the Decepticon color. He's not too chunky, not too kibbly, and his head looks like Megatron. A revised take on the classic bucket should appeal to G1 purists while evoking a more modernized look with added sculpted accents and a nice silver painted face. Collectors should appreciate the 5-inch robot's 15 points of articulation, red highlights, silver highlights, and generally pose-friendly design that at no time makes you want to crush it with a large rock.
The tips of the vehicle mode's wings pop off and become his new Fusion Cannon, which can be easily mounted to either arm. It still looks like plane wing chunks, but the form factor is basically as it should be. It should work for you.
If there's one place the Generations line of 2012-2013 suffers, it's the vehicle modes. They look good, but functionally they're all over the place. Megatron's stealth bomber mode looks like one, but with no dropping bombs or moving parts it's just kind of there. Unless you've got a strong desire for the puzzle and transformation functionality, there's really no reason to change him back very much. It's simple to do, sure, but the vehicle mode just kind of sits there. It doesn't hurt anybody, but it won't leave you grinning.
The comic book included is great - it tells of Megatron's revival in this body and shows him beating on Starscream at length - which is what you want out of your evil boss. It's not enough to destroy those who wrong you - you have to make them come back for more. The entire package is worth the price of admission, particularly if you can get it for $13 rather than $16. It's also worth noting a variant of the figure has shown up on eBay, cast in purple and covered in Nike swooshes. This "Calvin Johnson" edition dropped in price quickly and could be had for under $20 delivered in early October 2013, but at this time it has not been confirmed if this is a legit Hasbro offering, a jettisoned concept, or a lunchtime special of some sort. We'll see. But for now, go ahead and get the retail version of Megatron. He's on the happy side of fun, plus if you really like the mold a retool/redeco as G2 Dreadwing is out there as well. (And yes I'll be buying it.)
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