Here, fresh out of the box, are Maketoys' versions of Swerve and Gears--Trash-Talk and Cogwheel.

First, the packaging.









What comes with the set.





Instructions.





Alt-mode comparisons.





Bot mode. Transformation is very straightforward, which is a good thing. I like how the wheels swivel towards the back of the calves. Only trouble I had was pegging in the wrists--hard, but doable.

Notice the shoulders, arms, and even Cogwheel's head sculpt--these guys were unmistakably designed by the same person/team that designed Fansproject's Stunticons.



For articulation junkies, these figures will make your day. They have some of the most articulation I've seen in any class, and then some. The only thing they don't have are articulated fingers, but we won't take that against them, right? Ankle ball joints, full knee bend, thigh swivel, hip ball joints, waist ball joint (!), wrist ball joints, >90 degree elbow bend, bicep swivel, full lateral shoulder extension, and head ball joint--whew.



Heads may be replaced by dismantling the chest/shoulder/arm assembly.



What sound does this make again? I forget.







Hoods pop open, by the way. And that stalk on swerve is on a ball joint :|.





Final thoughts. Build quality is top notch, paint apps (whatever's there) are perfect and plastic has the same excellent MT feel and finish, joints are tight. Awesome articulation, better than 99% of what's out there. Great play value with the replaceable heads and accessories. Transformation is not frustrating. Both bots look very nice, and have interesting alt modes. Whether Trash-Talk or Gen. Swerve is more comic accurate is debatable.

So the only downside is the price. But at $58 from a HK seller before shipping for the set PLUS MFB, that's $24 per figure, excluding the cost of MFB. Apex and Geminus were 70 for the pair, so $11 more expensive per figure. Yes, TT/CW are smaller, but they're more different from each other than Apex and Geminus were.

How about Generations Swerve? He's a great figure and very comic accurate. It cost me around $13 here in HK. But it has a sloppy paint job and the plastic feels inferior. For the extra $11 for TT, you get a figure with better build, more heft, more articulation, more accessories, and more play value. To many people like me, all these advantages are worth paying a little extra for. Well worth it.



UPDATE:

By the way, I forgot to mention that MFB has a thinner handle than 5mm, if you're thinking of getting it for Gen. Swerve you'll have to thicken the handle a bit. Looks great on him, though.

 

Very nice pictures! Nice review.

You're right, they are remarkably similar to FP's Stunticons.
Can't wait to get a set of my own.

Thanks archieboy  

 

You're welcome, man! Pics could be better, though, but I was too tired to post process them.

 

Nice looking figs! Can't wait to get 'em!

 

Nice pics man, just ordered my set and can't wait.......I is excite!!

 

Excellent review

Sounds like not enough ball joints were used, LOL

That is Figuarts level articulation there

Love the opening hood

 

How tall is he in inches? Hard to tell with all the heroc stances. Or how big next to an igear minibot?  

 

Will definitely be getting these two. Great review.

 

Great review. The bot modes have such great expressions. Can other bots hold the energon drinks? Will it fit in their hands?

 

I'm all over these guys! Too cool!

 

Man, really digging Cogwheel with the alternate faceplate look. Where can we order these guys from?

 

Thanks guys!

Yes, TT and CW can hold the glasses and mugs individually, but the stems are too thin for figures with 5mm hole fists.

These were available at actionrobo.com, but are now sold out, I think.

More comparison pics.

 

So their hands aren't 5mm-compatible then? Awww… still, neither are Code's. I wonder if Classics Hot Rod can hold these weapons well? His hands & blaster aren't 5mm either.

At least 5mm figures can hold the glasses… too skinny for a secure fit, but gravity should keep 'em in the hand (unless they're open hands, perhaps) since the top of the cups are wider.

Awesome pics & review! The only critique I've got is that you put the MFB in Trash-Talk's hands in the 'blasted-head' image… it should be the other gun, the Shoomer  

 

Thanks man. Yes, I realized it after posting the review. Will have to do a reshoot.  

 

Must have for me. This rules!

 

TT's headsculpt barely resembles Swerve and they dropped the ball hardcore by not making MFB's handle 5mm, but I can't deny that these figures look great. I might have to get them just in the hopes of supporting further MTMTE toys.

 

Red helmet, blue Oakleys, big dopey smile… that's Swerve to me! Sure the face doesn't 'fill out' the helmet as much as it often does in the comics… but the only MTMTE alternative is Hasbro's, where the whole head seems too skinny, and where the alt-mode looks nothing like the one in the comics.

 

Wow, these look really great. I hope they show up in other places for purchase, because I wants them.

 

Can I make a photo request? I'd just like to see what the Hasbro Swerve looks like holding the My First Blaster.

 

I think what you seek is on the first page, last photo...