Still holding out for the xtb inferno

 

Yeah. TT MP Inferno has it's pluses but the lack of detail in the back of the alt mode wans't the best choice. Same with TT MP Grapple.

 

Okay so I finally bit the bullet and got this guy. I already had the TT Grapple and I fucking love that toy, so I was in a quandary about getting the official which I knew I would like but would be in many respects more of the same or getting one of the 3Ps which would be different but potentially not as impressive. In the end I took a shot on the MMC because I liked it the best and I've wanted to own more MMC bots since Sphinx rocked my socks.

At first I was a little unsure about him. He definitely captures the toy aesthetic more than toon versus my Grapple who goes the other way. Now I fondly remembered my G1 Inferno but I kind of already had that experience, whereas the joy of Grapple is that for the first time I can see the cartoon coming to life in reality. I can see how some people prefer toy to cartoon but I have to say I swing more the other way.

In vehicle mode he's slightly smaller than my Grapple, which doesn't bother me. He also kind of looks like an older vehicle - the front detailing and the larger blockier lights on top really say "old timey firetruck" to me a bit more than the TT mould. I think the smoother lines and brighter colours of the cartoon don't convey that look as strongly. My favourite part is the diamond plate sections on the back, really looks nice and adds a lot to the vehicle mode. I have to say the ladder is my least favourite part - on the plus side it forcefully reminds me of the ladder on my old G1 toy... but that's not necessarily a good thing! I think the ladder on the TT looks a bit more substantial, I would've probably preferred something more in that vein. Overall Backdraft held together well in alt mode though the rear end tended to slightly misalign no matter how I adjusted it.

The transformation was really well designed IMO. The main pieces move in a nice intuitive and satisfying way. There was some kibbly chaos going on in the back of the vehicle that then formed the backpack, I was concerned about that part and it was the most fiddly aspect of the transformation but when it finally came together it worked out quite well. Not quite as impressive as TT's magical disappearing act but still, well done MMC.

I really started to like him once I got him in bot mode; he grew on me. I definitely prefer the smooth legs on Grapple to Backdraft's very toy-reminiscent chunky legs, and the TT mould's arms fit in better with say Ironhide whereas Backdraft's recall the G1 toy more. Also the default head is a bit disappointing, I like the folding ears but the face itself is a tad narrow and IMO it really needed the yellow highlights in the ears (I don't understand why it doesn't have them to be honest). If that had been the only face that would be a serious negative, luckily the alternative face is broader and better looking (and the ears have yellow paint in them... I don't get it). Did MMC redo the head from scratch based on feedback but keep the test head? Also the head is secured with a screw rather than held together with friction like TT's, so changing faces is a bit of a nuisance... fairly minor quibble though.

Those things said, he's still a good figure in many ways. I'd say if you're a toy guy, you want Backdraft - if you're a toon guy, you might prefer TT's. I'm pretty happy with him though, despite being more toon in general.

Dunno if it's just mine but I noticed some chipping on the chrome out of the box.

Then again, that reminds me powerfully of my old G1 toys... nostalgia?

 

Mine just came in today. I don't have any particular feeling for the character so the purchase was driven by a completionist impulse, and by grabbing him super cheap - $69.00 shipped, brand new.

Now that he's in hand though I like him a lot more than I thought I would. I prefer the toy look of this one to the flat 'toon look of the official. I'd probably try to pick up Maketoys' Grapple just to have a bit of diversity in my molds, and I like the idea of Grapple being a bit tubbier than Inferno.
Mormolyce's post above covers most of the things I would point out and I agree with most of it, save that if forced to choose I'd go toon over animation for my preferred detailing. One thing that surprised me was the ease of transformation: with most 3P figures I feel like I have to spend a fair amount of time poring over the instructions, flipping back and forth to the toy. I was able to transform this guy without any difficulty and without much guidance. The instructions themselves were relatively unambiguous, too. I had no QC issues or defects save for one very small scratch to the gray panel right above the bumber. Only visible when I'm holding it closely to transform; he's about a foot away from me right now and I can't see it from here.

He's much taller than I expected, even though I'd looked at plenty of pics. I think he has great presence. Pretty much everything I wanted and then some. I was kind of "ho hum, I guess my Inferno will be delivered today" to "wow, where have you been all my (collecting) life?" I know more recent releases have not been as warmly received as Sphinx but I have yet to be let down by an Ocular Max figure. Hoping I can pick up an Artifex on the cheap sometime soon.

 

Congratz   The squirt gun hand club does look pretty good when you mix and match 'em.

 

This guy is perfect if you want a toy version of Inferno (you'll get crucified for complimenting this figure in the official thread). I have the TT Inferno since I'm a toon guy, but have Kojin for Artfire. Same as you, I liked him a lot more than I thought I would.

 

WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree!!!

 

Hmm, anyone got any advice on a screwdriver to remove the head? I tried my regular screwdriver (too big to get in there) and the teeny weeny screwdriver set (all kinda too small)... feel like I'm just stripping the heads. Are they just on tight or am I using the wrong kind of screwdriver?

P.S. How do you guys feel about the included stickers? I have yet to decide if I want to apply them.

Yeah it's funny, despite the alt mode being a tad smaller than my TT Grapple he's if anything a smidge taller in robot mode.

 

If a regular Philips isn't working, pick up a set of JIS screwdrivers/bits. They're almost identical, but with a few small, but key, differences.

 

So I ended up getting a set of JIS screwdrivers, no joy - I guess I stripped the head. I could swear I was careful.

Sigh. Any ideas on how to remove the screw from the second head? It's recessed as well so it's going to be a bitch to get out without damaging anything. Why can't 3Ps use screwless head swaps like TT? QQ.

 

I've actually found that if you'll use a flathead on these cheap Phillips head screws, even after they've been mostly stripped, you can more easily unscrew them, without stripping them out (if they haven't been stripped already, obviously).

I don't know if that will help you at this point, but maybe it will.

Another option might be to just fill the stripped area with a bonding agent of some sort, crazy glue, JB Weld or something (without getting it on the plastic surface!), and using it as a grip to get a turn started so you can unscrew it. Heating the plastic with a hairdryer for several seconds before unscrewing may also help by allowing the plastic to moreeasily release the screw.

Hope you have success!

 

Mmmm good suggestions I'll give those a shot!

 

Picked this up while Black Friday shopping, and I've got the crotch that won't stay tabbed in. I'll shoot a message to my retailer, but just in case they don't have the replacement parts (since Backdraft is a little old now) does anyone know how to get in touch with MMC directly?

 

[email protected]

Let them know you need the parts. Also @Peaugh and @Paik4Life have YouTube videos showing how to install them.

 

Can anyone confirm what faces come with Backdraft: chrome/silver or grey? Seen pics of him with both versions, and the grey would probably be a deal breaker, as I’m not a fan of the toon look and it looks especially out of place on a figure that’s so toy based.

 

I remember painting it silver on mine, but I don’t recall, I think it was white, but a dull white?

 

Their are no silver or chrome faces and he comes with two heads with one face each, a toy head and a toon head, both with off white/light grey face paint. Their is no face swap feature.

The test shot in the official photos had a silver face, possibly what's mislead you.

 

Thanks!

Yeah, I did wonder if the pics of the silvery faced one were pre-release. Just makes the choice of going with a toon face despite the toy look all the weirder. Guess I’ll have to write him off as a possible MP Inferno. :/

 

I definitely want to get this guy, if I can find one at a decent price somewhere...or a solid, quality KO, if nothing else. I've seen the MP Inferno KO's for cheap, but I won't buy those, because I don't want that bland animation version of the figure.

The face coloration is no problem, because I can easily paint it silver and be done.

 

I just sold mine for 65. It has weak ratchets and just floppy all around. . I would recommend getting the ko inferno and adding repro labels. The ko is far superior to the backdraft. The repros make him come alive imo.