For more pictures, click on the image above

Robot Modes: As a Double Spy (a subline of one, actually) Punch possesses two distinct robot modes. The first is Punch himself, an orange-chested Autobot with blue-and-black arms and legs. Punch's head is somewhat reminiscent of Optimus Prime, just as a side note. Posability of this robot is pretty much average for his time. He can swivel his shoulders and bend his arms at the elbows (though the elbow joints sit right below the shoulders here). That's it, the rest of him is a statue. Well, he can move his wrists a bit, too. In this mode Punch carries a double-barreled orange weapon that fits in well with his overall color scheme. Detailing is also quite good on this figure, if short of spectacular, so overall a pretty nice, solid robot. No complaints.

As a spy Punch has the ability to disguise himself as a Decepticon, though. Getting him into his Decepticon robot mode isn't particularly challenging. You simply turn the figure around, push the helmet backwards so that the Decepticon face is visible (and the Autobot face on the back of the head now obscured), fold in Punch's robot arms and unfold Counterpunch's robot arms. That's it. Oh, and you need to unfold Counterpunch's toes, too, if you haven't already done so to use them as heels for Punch.

Despite the fact that it's basically just the same robot turned around, the two robot modes differ quite a bit and it's not immediately apparent that they're one and the same. His thighs are pretty much the only thing that look identical to Punch. Counterpunch is mostly blue with only a tiny bit of orange visible on his shoulder pieces. Posability is pretty much the same as it was with Punch. Counterpunch can swivel his shoulders and bend the elbows, though sideways in his case instead of forward as Punch could. Counterpunch has the car's roof as a chest, which somewhat limits the amount of detailing on him, but overall he looks pretty good as well. In this mode he carries a single-barreled black rifle, which also fits in quite well with his color scheme. So overall a nice-looking, sufficiently different second robot mode.

Overall the gimmick of incorporating two robot modes into a single figure is done very nicely here despite the rather minimalistic design. Due to the arm switch and the helmet, which can obscure whatever face isn't in use right now, you can look at each robot mode from the back as well without immediately guessing that it's a second robot mode. Standing the two robots side by side (as I've done digitally in that one picture with G1 Prime), the two robots do look somewhat similar, but far from identical. So not only do we have two nice robot modes here, but they're combined into a single figure quite well. Thumbs up.

Alternate Mode: Punch and Counterpunch share a single alternate mode between them, a rather generic-looking blue sports car. There isn't a whole lot I can write here. Detailing on the car is minimal, just enough to keep it from being completely boring, but it's otherwise unremarkable (which is kind of what you're shooting for, of course, when you're a spy). You can glimpse Punch's shoulder joints on the sides, other than that the car looks pretty wholesome and offers little clue as to the robot(s) inside. So overall an okay, if boring car mode.

Remarks: Not too long ago I acquired Animated Shockwave, a Transformer with two distinct robot modes, one Decepticon and one Autobot. And while Shockwave took his name elsewhere, the concept of the Double Spy originated right here with Punch / Counterpunch. And as a matter of fact there will be a new version of this character soon, as the Transformers Collectors Club is going to release one, based on the Universe Sideswipe / Sunstreaker mold.

As for the original here, despite his interesting concept as a double agent, Punch / Counterpunch hardly ever made an appearance in any media. He had a very small role in the Japanese Headmaster cartoon and one could briefly glimpse him in the Marvel comics, but that's pretty much it. Which is kind of sad, as the character had a lot of potential in my mind. The Dreamwave profile series hinted at a multiple personality disorder, meaning that the Counterpunch persona he'd created was beginning to take over Punch, but nothing ever came of it in the accompanying comics before Dreamwave went bankrupt. So here's hoping that Punch / Counterpunch might yet get a bigger role, be it in the IDW comics or maybe in the Transformers Club comics once the Club Exclusive comes out.

The original G1 toy here is a very innovative, nicely executed figure. The two robot modes are done very well and while the car mode is rather boring, it wasn't the main point of the figure to begin with. So while Punch / Counterpunch is, of course, somewhat lacking in terms of posability and detailing from today's point of view, he's definitely one of the best figures from that particular year. Recommended to all G1 fans who can afford the rather hefty price tag of this figure.

Rating: A-

 

Thanks for the memories with the review. Reminded me of the time I had him when I was a kid.

 

I still have this guy. one of the better figures out of late G1.

 

Great figure and great review. I was able to pick this guy up a couple years ago and really enjoy him.

On a related topic, does anyone know when the Club version is coming out? Is it a 2009 release or 2010?

 

a great toy, simple and effective, i wish takara would reissue this.

 

Love love love P/CP! Need to dig mine out.

I always thought his alt mode was meant to be a Pontiac Fiero. Anyone else?

Didn't he show up briefly in "The Rebirth"?

Cannot WAIT for his new TCC version!

 

one of my favorites as well. Thanks for the review.

Here was my tribute to CP/P:

 

Wooo! Good review, this is one of my favorite figures, and one of the most under-rated.

 

Yes, his animated counterpart showed up briefly - REAL briefly.  

 

Thanks for the review! It's always good to see more G1 reviews. I'm glad I still have my Punch.

Same here!

 

I see what you did there.  

 

This is one of my all time favorite Transformers and that custom is awesome! I hope the club version does the character justice.

 

I got this guy recently and he is awesome. Does anyone use the alternate transformation for Punch that Tfwiki claims is the intended one (inset)? I can see why it was abandoned for the instructions...

 

As luck would have it I ALSO just (re)bought a Punch-Counterpunch, and figured out the alt Transformation for the first time. It is without a doubt intended. Everything clicks into place very purposefully. And as doofy as it looks, I kinda love it. BEHOLD!

 

^ you purposely have his legs in mid transformation?

 

It's not mid-transformation; it's the intended transformation from the box-art and instruction line-art. There're an additional set of pits on the bottoms up the upper-legs that correspond to a set of nubs inside that section of the lower legs. They don't serve any other purpose; nor does the ability of the feet to flip out that far (and click into place). On the bottoms of those feet are small bumps designed to keep the base level with the car wheels. See those little blue rectangles in the front of the legs? They don't serve any other function on the toy other than to help hold the legs in place or this transformation. I know it looks weird, but think of it like G1 Jazz's legs or a reverse of G1 Prowl's. Everything snaps into position like it's supposed to be that way.

 

It's "Dorf on Golf" mode!

I can see what they were going for - sorta, but mostly I'm seeing the 'put the shoes on the knees to play a short guy' comedy bit.

 

Totally. It's funny though; when I first did it I was like "wow, cool! But it looks dumb. I'll never keep it in...this....man...man he's so cute..." and I can't not keep him in that mode now. For me it works best to think of him as being secretly a Decepticon, and this doofy Autobot mode being the perfect disguise. No one would suspect the chubby yellow little goofball! Plus, I dig the height-change.

 

My main memory of Punch/Counterpunch was bringing him to my 1st grade class and having him stolen out of my bookbag  

I hope you're happy with yourself, jerkface,

 

Yeah, it's actually growing on me too. Haha re Dorf.