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TFA Bulkhead report

Posted by:
Jason at 2008-01-07 11:25 pm   (site update)
Here is the very first look at the Voyager class Animated Bulkhead in and out of his box! Click here to check out the exclusive unicron.com web-album for some great high-res pics of this figure. Click on Slideshow to see full screen pics and make sure to check out the full review below!

Review:

Alt Mode: Nice looking alt mode. A little weird for a vehical concept, but hey, it's the future right. I totally love the new matte finish that this figure (and aparently the whole line) has. It particularly works with the very stylized look of this figure. The scale of Bulkhead is about right for the "mega" scale of the Beast Wars days, but seems a bit small in vehicle mode for a Voyager Scale figure. (more on that later)

Transformation:
Fun transformation. Not terribly complicated/challenging, but there are some intricacies that make it really great, and down right interesting to transform. There are a couple sets of diagonal transformation hinges that make this figure both fun to transform and great to look at it robot mode. Bulkhead does sport about 1.5 automorph features. He head flips out automorph style while you make one of the major torso shifts in the Transformation. This is a very solid automorph feature which I like a lot. Also the shoulders are spring loaded. It's totally not necessary, but Hasbro threw it in there surely just to add some fun Transformation value to this figure. I'm not sure I would call it automorph exactly (hence the .5), but it is pretty cool and I'm glad they put it in there. At BotCon one Hasbro team member said something to the effect of "These figures won't have special gimmicks. They're Transformers. The play value is in the Transformation." You can tell that Hasbro was really designing this toy with that in mind. While Bulkhead does have a shooting-cannon-ball-hand and other gimmicky features, they by no means get in the way of its focal point feature: Transforming from a cool animated looking military truck, to a cool very animated looking robot.

Robot mode: Wow, this robot mode it totally unlike anything we've seen in Transformers to date. Even the toy has personality. At first glance Bulkhead's robot mode somehow doesn't really make you think Transformer; however, this mode is so smooth looking that I hope it soon will. After looking closer to find the silver Autobot symbol emblazoned on his chest, I find myself totally excited for all of the TF: Animated awesomeness that Hasbro has in store for us. To address the features of this figure directly, he (of course) has his shooting-cannon-ball-hand, and Automorph features, but he also has a right arm spring-loaded elbow punching action that is neither highlighted on the packaging nor in the directions. That's what the black button on his right bicep is for. My only complaint about this toy, which becomes glaringly apparent when placed next to any deluxe sized figure, is his size. He just seems too small in robot mode. In order to give him the wide bulky look in robot mode, they clearly needed to sacrifice hight. As seen in the gallery pictures of Bulkhead next to  movie Bumblebee and Jazz, this is one small Voyager robot mode. Hasbro has commented on their interest in keeping the Decepticons larger/taller than all of the Autobot figures. I for one am very glad that Hasbro is making a point to observe the scale considerations for show/toy accuracy, but it seems like they went a bit overboard with trying to keep this particular Autobot smaller. For Animated Bumblebee to be in scale, he'd have to be smaller than the average scout class (and he's not). Alone, this figure is totally awesome; however, I'm afraid he just won't look quite right in robot mode next to the rest of the team. He's the biggest Autobot on the team in the show, but he just may end up being the shortest (albeit widest) Autobot toy.

All in all: 8 out of 10   Bulkhead is a great figure. He's got some fun robot mode features that don't get in the way at all, and looks great in both modes. The freshness of style that the movie brought to the Transformers brand is perhaps even overstepped by how refreshingly different this figure is (and quite possibly, the TF:Animated line as a whole). Bulkhead's size is really this toy's only down side. Even looking a bit oddly small in his box, this figure really should be 1.5 times its size. However, despite his size, I still highly recommend buying this toy.

Comments
Sabrblade said,  - 2008-01-08 05:43:28
In the words of BW Megatron: "Ohh, I like him."

I just with he was a little bigger. I saw a picture of him standing next to BB at TFW2005.com and BB's taller.
Tyscream said,  - 2008-01-08 06:05:34
Hey guys. Also at TFW2005.com theres a picture of animated Starscream in packaging near the middle of the home page. Go check it out! Post if you want to as well. I've seen Bulkhead a lot any way.
Brian said,  - 2008-01-08 06:32:41
Those are some awesome pictures.
Autobutt said,  - 2008-01-08 07:09:38
wow i really think that Animated toys are actually the best because they are the closest to the cartoon... impressive!
TriPredRavage said,  - 2008-01-08 11:26:04
I just hope that the Animated figures have good posibility and such. I like the figures we've had over the years, but the Movie and Classics were some of the better more recent ones. The closer we get to the Beast Wars figures' ball joints and the farther awar from Cybertron's clicking joints, the better, IMHO.
cyberwuss said,  - 2008-01-08 11:49:11
Cool. I like the way this line is shaping up.
Perceptor said,  - 2008-01-08 12:55:43
Indeed. toys looks awesome! Can't wait to get my hands on an O.P.
Autobutt said,  - 2008-01-08 15:08:46
uhhh wat does IMHO mean?
Tyscream said,  - 2008-01-08 16:01:01
Hello fellow fans. Just wanted to ask yal a question. Who will be the first Animated fig you'll get?
Luketroop said,  - 2008-01-08 16:05:40
I like the Bulkhead toy better than the one from the show. Tyscream the first Animated guy I am getting is Starscream because he was so big and you can't go wrong with him. I have a Question what is your favorite Animated toy you have seen.
Tyscream said,  - 2008-01-08 16:06:45
Hey I'm gonna get Starscream first too!
Mechaburst said,  - 2008-01-08 16:09:09
I want ALL of 'em
Tyscream said,  - 2008-01-08 16:41:02
Hey guys. I need to ask you a serious question. I just got done talking with my best friend on the phone and, recently we've been having some friendship problems. He's growing out of collecting toys and stuff and I still have the love for collecting. I personally think it's because in way, I think I'm, well, stronger them him in a way. It's really ruining our friendship. Please help.
TriBlurr said,  - 2008-01-08 16:58:48
Can we get a closer shot of his quote and Bio please? He looks great, if a little small.
deceptifan said,  - 2008-01-08 17:24:35
Cool pictures
chicane said,  - 2008-01-08 18:43:28
as posable as ball joints are, they're very fragile. Clicking joints are sturdier, and hasbro designed this so that eight year olds don't break the things 15 minutes after opening the package. Well,not really, but that's what I'm guessing.
Tyscream, I'm no proffesional, but you really need to decide if you value tf's or friendship more.
Or just hide your collection in a closet every time your friend comes over. :)
GRIMLOCK said,  - 2008-01-08 19:40:39
TRANSFORMERS ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IM THE GENORATION 1 AND 2 BEST FAN I WANT YO GUYS TO PUT G2GRIMLOCKS PAGE
GRIMLOCK said,  - 2008-01-08 19:45:40
YO GUYS HAVE THE BEST PAGE I LICKE YOUR G1 ,G2ENERGON AND 2007 MOVIE TRANSFORMERS i WANT ALL THE G1 ANS G2 TRANSFORMERS PLESE I LIVE IN 3309 SANBENITO MISSION TX . KEP UP GUYS
Jumpercliff said,  - 2008-01-08 20:09:00
Bulkhead looks really great, especially with G1 Hound's color scheme. I imagine that he'll be a bit bigger than the ANIMATED Bumblebee, not the Movie one.

GRIMLOCK, don't be so loud! The Lukis Bros. are probably very busy guys, and it takes up their time.
Mighty Maximal said,  - 2008-01-08 20:35:24
I think this is one of the better of the "Animated" toys.
Jason said,  - 2008-01-08 21:05:39
Triblurr, if you click on "Download Photo" to the right of where you are viewing the picture, you see that these photos are really very high resolution the bio on the back of the box is really quite easy to read at full res. Alternatively, you can click on the magnify glass to zoom in on the words.
Scorpomike said,  - 2008-01-08 21:59:28
Bulkhead looks great. I'm getting Bulkhead and Lugnut for sure. I suppose the next Transformer toy line will be for the second movie.
GRIMLOCK said,  - 2008-01-10 19:01:10
roke and roll
GRIMLOCK said,  - 2008-01-10 19:01:11
roke and roll
Danny said,  - 2008-01-12 00:04:21
Where....wait a minute,HOW did you get it?????
onslought rockz said,  - 2008-01-26 23:23:38
transformers rock!!!!
if i had to choooze btween my parents and transformers...
i'd chooose transformers
onslought rockz said,  - 2008-01-26 23:23:39
transformers rock!!!!
bruticus is the best, he should be the leader of the decepticons
ZhaneX said,  - 2008-01-29 03:48:22
Bulkhead is kinda....samll. I mean, for a Voyager class being as tall as a deluxe is fairly small.....
prowl said,  - 2008-01-30 17:39:24
transrormers rock prowl you herd it here first their bringing a new transformers seires the transformers anmated one o yah !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! prowl out
you said,  - 2008-02-20 13:35:38
ITS BRILLIANT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
quickfire said,  - 2008-02-23 10:26:24
i may not get him. Only Prowl and a few others look cool.
rodimusprime007 said,  - 2008-02-27 20:01:01
i have a ? how yall think a transformers store would do? i'm think about opening one up
ROADGUY said,  - 2008-03-08 19:07:25
UNIVERSE SUPERION ROCZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AIRRAID AND ROTOR ROC AND BULKHEAD ROCKZ UR SOCZ
ROADGUY said,  - 2008-03-08 19:09:53
ALSO UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
BRUTICUS ROCZ
onslought rockz said,  - 2008-03-08 19:11:02
thnkz roadjy
quickfire said,  - 2008-03-11 18:02:31
bb.
GRIMLOCK said,  - 2008-05-20 18:18:44
STAR WARS TRANSFORMERS ARE STUPID RE MAKES AND COBINATIONS OF TFORMERS AND STAR WARS THAT SUCK . ON THE OTHER HAND TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED ARE MUST HAVES BUT NOT LOCK DOWN GRIMLOCK OUT MESEGE ME HERE AGIAN GRIMLOCK OUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
Megatron1235 said,  - 2008-06-23 16:20:04
I'm from youtube.com and I might get that awesome toy. It's sick a**!!!!!!!!
megatron1235 said,  - 2008-10-04 09:57:24
his a stupit fatso that transforms into a silly car with four stars whts the big deal
GRIMLOCK said,  - 2008-10-04 23:57:13
he has a tincan for a brain


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