Hooray! got another package in the mail today!
Jetfire and Jetstorm, the AeroTwins! Both have the Elite Guard logo, having been created by the Elite Guard while trying to duplicate Starscream and give the Autobots a flying warrior! Success, as the two are each capable of becoming a jet:
I was going to complain that the jet modes were a floppy mess, and then I discovered that when you transform them correctly, there's a tab on the waist armor that pegs into the top of the knees to keep jet mode stable:
Although honestly, if you angle the wings for the combined X-mode, I think the individual jets look better AND aren't floppy anymore:
Combined mode is just snapping the two together. The x-configuration looks better than leaving the wings horizontal, but it's still just two jets glommed together. It's okay, but nothing to write home about
:
Pop them apart and with a few twists and turns, you've got the brothers in robot mode, where they really shine:
I honestly wasn't all that excited about Jetfire. He didn't look like much of an homage to anything that came before with the name, and looked a little silly. Once I had him in my hands though, wow. He really shines with personality and attitude. Design-wise he's almost like an Animated robot version of the Human Torch. I LOVE the goggles:
As for Jetstorm, I've every bit as happy with him as I expected to be. I think he's the better one of the pair, ever so slightly edging out his twin for the top spot. Part of that is because he's clearly an homage to
BM Jetstorm, and a rather spiffy one at that. Jetfire's design lives up to the concept of hothead, and Jetstorm definitely looks more like the slick, mischievous one:
However, as awesome as their robot modes are, they have more to show you. AeroTwin powers, ACTIVATE!
Form of HALF A PERSON!
The two are capable of combining in the symmetrical docking vein, forming the powerful Autobot warrior, Safeguard! (yeah, I think it sounds like some brand of deodorant as well
):
Combined mode is cool, if a little bit gappy. The individual arms can be positioned just about any way you wish. What you see here is my favorite configuration. It keeps them from getting in the way and retains the "X" motif of their combined jet form. Here's a shot from the rear to show how it works:
Also, for those asking, here's a shot of the chest emblem. It's vaguely reminiscent of the old mini-con symbol crossed with Superman's s-shield:
And for a nice group shot, here they are individually and combined with the rest of the EG. (Blurr coming soon!)
Overall, they're far niftier than I would have given them credit for based on early pics. Their individual robot modes are the highlight of the set, but the individual jet modes and Safeguard look good with the right configuration, and there's enough leeway for you to find a configuration that works right for you. There's not a whole lot that can be done to improve the combined jet, and it's easily the weakest part of the set. The pair isn't something I'd actively encourage others to seek out pre-release, but I think the set is definitely worth the retail asking price, possible even worth the mark-up from online retailers provided they aren't gouging the price. If you love Animated, I think this figure gets a solid B+, with the rating dropping from there depending on where you stand on the Animated line as a whole.
Video review is up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBdR0Ez1YPU
Okay, Picture update time!
First off, as requested, the Fusion Dance:
Here's a shot of the folded down wings from behind. It didn't spend as much tiem making it look nice, but you get the idea:
Here's a show of the arms in cockpit mode from front, side, and back:
Comparison shots with Starscream in all modes:
The backs of the individual bots:
Here he is with the Elite Guard (including Longarm Prime):
I think this is actually the correct back kibble:
It makes the "X", looks like the box art, and is one of a few combinations I've found that doesn't have the shoulder mount pieces rubbing against each other and pushing the figures apart.
Finally, Safeguard is no match for a sword, apparently (He'll get better!):
(I could have blocked this one better, but I put Megatron back on the shelf before I loaded the bigger pic on the computer to catch it, batteries died in the camera on that last shot (it actually shut itself off right after taking this pic), I've taken enough pics today, and I need to go vote. So you might see a better shot of this later on, but please don't bug me about it. I'll get to it when I have a chance.)
I'm still taking pic requests, but I respectfully ask no more requests for combined back kibble configurations. You can clearly see that it's open to lots of interpretation, and I just don't have time to fiddle with every permutation.
