Review: #145
Name: Bumblebee
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations
Year of Release: 2013
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 5)
Variations: repainted into Goldbug
COMIC:
Bumblebee comes with a pack-in comic (a full issue) showcasing the inspiration for the toy. It's under the banner of The Transformers Spotlight: Bumblebee, the title of the story The Question. It's an average issue, not as great as Trailcutter's spotlight, the story wasn't that gripping or could standalone as a one-shot read. The art can also be inconsistent, ignoring the fact that the curves and proportions feel a bit kiddy/cutesy, it can be inconsistent. In some panels, the details on the characters are good, but in other panels, they're little more than some vague sketches that's colored (and they're not background characters waaaay into the background either). The character design in the comic doesn't translate as faithfully as Megatron and Trailcutter either.
VEHICLE MODE:
Bumblebee transforms yet again into a yellow sports car. The front grill and headlights doesn't feel sporty enough though, maybe if the headlights were more slanted and slim, it would look better (but it's just my personal preference).
This is a great car mode, and I love the fact that unlike so many other car Transformers nowadays, the back doesn't have any gaps where you can see robot parts. It's completely realistic , with painted rear lights and spoilers. Although it is a sad fact indeed of the quality of recent figures when I feel impressed by toys that have realistically sculpted and paint rears.
Bumblebee has the biggest car mode out of all his wave-mates, being as large as a 'normal' Deluxe toy (that is, before all the drastic cost-cutting from DOTM onwards). Sadly, he features painted rear windows, it's in metallic blue which is at odds with all the other transparent clear windows.
There are ports on the back where you can plug in Bumblebee's robot weapons, stinger-like weapons. He doesn't look too bad with these weapons attached.
There are a few panel breaks but they're not too bad. He also has silver painted hubcaps which is nice. The rolling wheels and the detachable weapons are the only play value in this mode.
A decent car mode, okay, it's a great car mode but it feels generic. There's nothing here that makes Bumblebee stand out amongst all the other car Transformers. That, and I don't like how the black stripes don't completely line up.
TRANSFORMATION:
The transformation is by no means bad, but it feels awkward and clumsy thanks to the quality of plastic used. It's not the solid yellow plastic you would hope, but it's a milky dully yellow that's also softer than you would expect. This makes manipulating the parts a more unsatisfying process that it is. He also has all these parts that peg together, but the way these pegs are designed are unorthodox. They kind of force you to wiggle it in the hope of the pegs separating coz they clip onto each together in a vice grip (e.g. the door clips in such a way that you cannot unhook the peg by pushing it or pulling it). The sliding chest also feels like it could break due to the soft plastic. When going back into car mode, it takes some effort to peg the legs together. Bumblebee might sound like he has a bad transformation but it's actually not horrible, just that there are some design issues and the type of plastic used.
ROBOT MODE:
While Bumblebee still looks nice in robot mode, he doesn't look as great as stock photos, and that's just because the yellow is so dull and uninspiring. Bumblebee needs a more vibrant and bright yellow. Anyway, the headlights as his shoulder pads looks nice and I like how they formed his door wings.
There's an annoying piece of kibble (comprised of the roof and hood of the car) that sits on his back. There's a peg that tries to hold it upright but it doesn't work, and ends up resting against the back of his legs anyway. They should have added an extra joint so you can push it up and rest it directly against the back.
The head sculpt feels a bit flat but it's still nicely detailed. The lightpiping works really well and I like how there is more than just a touch of silver paint. The head is only on a swivel joint, which is unusual (since it's not on a panel which moves at all during transformation, so using a balljoint won't make the head coming off a risk when transforming).
Bumblebee is decently sized, but he feels light. Due to the way his leg unfolds, it's practically just a shell. The plastic used here is much less dense than in the past.
Now with the weapons, there's his two stingers, which looks really good.
He can hold them like normal blasters, although they are a little bit flat when used like this.
You can also plug them to the underside of his forearms, which is awesome.
Lastly, the two pieces can combine together to form a bigger gun. However, now the barrel looks like it's too big thanks to the thin middle section.
It's still a nice weapon. The yellow paints doesn't match the yellow plastic at all, it's a combination of the yellow paint not being the right shade, and the coating is not thick enough (the forearms are black, so you'll need more paint).
Articulation is okay. They've missed an opportunity but not giving Bumblebee some wrist swivels (would have gone a long way to improving the toy). The feet can also feel a little bit restrictive and the range of his elbows/elbow swivel could be better.
This is still a great robot mode though. He looks great and I love the way his shoulders look. Bumblebee feels blocky and solid. That said, the way his legs form remind me quite a bit of Reveal the Shield Windcharger.
OVERALL:
Bumblebee is a solid Transformer, just not a spectacular one. He feels like a generic bot, with no sparkle or element that is unique to him. There are no surprises here, but Bumblebee still makes a great display piece. Recommended if you still haven't gotten sick of Bumblebees just yet.
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The review of other toys in this IDW wave can be found here.
