I had this custom finished quite a while ago but wasn't able to show it off for the contest I entered it in. Sadly another one just like this one came up by another member (Rubicon) on TFW a few weeks after this one was finished. I was sad I didn't get to show off mine first but, on the other hand his looks awesome and has inspired me to make other dinobots out of the beast hunters mold, so overall it's a win! (Yes I will be doing something similar to finish off my team after seeing his. If you haven't seen his set please check out his thread here) Anyway, now that the contest is over, I figure i can post it now! The contest was "the next prime" over on sector70.com and we had to come up with whom was the next prime as well as the story as why they got the matrix of Leadership. So I chose Grimlock! About the Custom: The moment I saw the new beast Hunters Optimus Prime I knew that I had to customize it. The head for Grimlock is still the standard Optimus Prime head with some putty put in place and sanded down to give that signature Grimlock “visor” and face plate. I then went ahead and added some styrene to make a crown, because when I think of Grimlock as leader, he needs to have his crown! During the paint process I was delighted to see that it looked like there was a vestigial robotic Tyrannosaurus head on his forearms. After completely finishing painting Grimlock I felt that he needed MORE to distinguish himself from Optimus, so I began scouring for weaponry. I decided I'd like to make some accessories (or take them from elsewhere) to enhance the shelf presence of Grimlock. I first started with a Universe Dropshot and took his missile launchers off. I figured they'd give a nice weaponized look to Grimlock. I attached it with a modified Xovergen Grand Patriot missile arm, so that the missile rack could be positioned any number of different ways). After painting them up I still felt something was missing (considering the holes on the side of the truck) so I went scouring through my parts and found the Headrobots guns for “Butcher” which added the energon knives. So I pulled them out as well as the sword that came with the FoC Grimlock and gave them to my creation. The guns gave that extra battle ready look to the truck and gave some interesting combinations when the wings were deployed in robot mode. It also gave Grimlock a full variety of armament at his disposal. For this reason I decided I wouldn't permanently attach the Missile launcher to his back so I could give him a full variety of accessories that would enhance playability. He could dual wield guns, get his hands dirty with the energon knives, or just pull that energon sword off his back (in place of the missile launchers) and be ready for toy shelf combat. Overall, I absolutely adore how this guy turned out. I am proud to say this is my favorite custom I ever created, and one I'm proud to place on display on my house." Now The story: "How Grimlock got the Matrix: Many years after the defeat of Galvatron and the resurrection of Optimus Prime the Autobots had won the war and it seemed like there was peace at last. However there was still an unsettling rift between Autobots and Decepticons. A small group of Decepticons, lead by Zarak, were secretly conspiring an attack that would assert Decepticon dominance once and for all. With the new leadership system in place, the Decepticons pushed to ensure Octane was elected to the head of the Energon Allocation and Location Division. Unbeknownst to Octane and most of the remainder of the cybertronian population, the Decepticons secretly tampered with Octane's Circuitry so that he and all the energon he was carrying could be remotely detonated. During a meeting of Cyberton's Leaders, which included Octane, the Decepticons decided the time was right to set their plan in motion and detonated Octane and the energon within him. There was an enormous Blast that shook the very core of Cybertron, among those destroyed in the blast were the two most influential Autobot Leaders, Optimus Prime and Rodimus. There were many other casualties including Bumblebee who many thought would be the next bearer of the matrix of leadership.The Autobots were in disarray and many of the Decepticons were eager to take advantage of the situation. For Grimlock however, war is all he knew and was quick to arrive at the blast location to capture and punish the terrorists. When Grimlock arrived at the rubble and saw the smoldering body of Optimus Prime, there was the Matrix of Leadership.Grimlock reached for the Matrix to keep it safe, and the moment he touched it there was a flash of bright light and the faces of the Primes past appeared in his mind. Every synapse of his circuitry felt like it was a blaze. The voices of the Primes told Grimlock the Autobots needed a leader, someone strong and willing to do what would be necessary so peace could be attained in what seemed to be the Autobots' darkest hour. While the Primes spoke to Grimlock the power of the Matrix reformatted Grimlock into a shape that embodied Grimlock's true nature, a noble but fearsome warrior whom honors those who have come before him. As the feeling in his circuitry dimmed, the visions of the Primes faded and Grimlock was back standing in the blast site his body was changed. A crown upon his head and an altmode that paid homage to the most recent fallen primes, and would strike fear in the hearts of his enemies. He was no longer just a Dynobot, he was now the Autobot Leader chosen by the Matrix. A new Era was upon Cybertron, one where the darkest hour was lit by a fearsome Autobot Leader seeking to end the Decepticon threat once and for all.
This is really cool. Honestly think this is one of the best portrayals of Grimlock with no dino mode. He really evokes Grimlock.
looks great !! i was toying with this myself but was worried it may not look right, but now seeing how good it looks i may take a crack at it. this mold suits him perfectly!
Thanks everyone! This was probably one of my top two favorite customs i've ever made. This mold is a blast (except his feet are horrible).
I love the use of this mold as Grimlock! Great job on the head sculpt, love the CROWN and paint looks great! Story is very well thought out also! You did a awesome job man! How did you do in the Contest?
I was up against some fierce challengers! I did not win but am happy with my work and think the guys who did win absoutely deserved it.. I mean a junkion as a prime.. Brilliant!
I really like how the paint job totally takes this mold into the Grimlock you were going for. And the extra weapons are a fantastic addition.
Dude if you ever sell this or if you'd make another tell me the price cause this as a Grimlock lover is something I would love to own.
Dude if you ever sell this or if you'd make another tell me the price cause this as a Grimlock lover is something I would love to own.
Awesome use of the dropshot turret. After my shockwave I've been wondering what to use mine for. Thanks for sharing