Maz's 3rd Party Articles & Reviews

Mastermind Creations, under the guise of Masterpiece-focused Ocular Max branding, have introduced a sub-line into that sub-line! The Remix line begins with RMX-01 Jaguar, a figure that homages the Generation 1 Decepticon cassette Ravage. Now why bother launching a line with something already covered by the official TakaraTomy Masterpiece collection? For a start, not everyone seems to share my high opinion of MP Ravage, it's true to say some actually dislike the figure thoroughly. While the MP Ravage is scaled to a micro cassette like the original G1 rendition and fits inside MP Soundwave's chest, Ocular Max believed that it was too small in kitty mode. Their reasons for developing this product are for a better experience in transformation and posing, as well as scaling with other associated Masterpiece figures like Soundwave in jaguar mode. For the moment, this has been offered as a Planet Steel Express exclusive.

Square One: Ocular Max Remix RMX-01 Jaguar

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All the best
Maz

Now the world don’t move to the beat of just one drum. FansToys have ensured that Masterpiece-style collectors have an option other than just MakeToys Gundog or TFC’s effort when it comes to the chirpy green heroic jeep Transformer who was once meant to be the main human-loving TF liaison before Bumblebee. Criticisms of prior 3rd party efforts to nail this character in the expected aesthetic led to much excitement when FansToys revealed they were stepping into the Car Robot arena. With ongoing doubts about FT’s ability to sculpt a screen accurate head for their figures, FT-15 Willis was no different during its pre-production reveal. How did the almost final thing turn out?

FansToys FT-15 Willis | Source Blog <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

Forager makes three! The Masterpiece-styled evil insect robot team is finished and man alive, they look complete together. This pre-release review sample, FT-14 Forager test shot to be precise, rounds out the team of three bugs within 8 months of Grenadier first introducing us to FansToys’ take on this popular set. By the time it sees release in June, it will still have been less than a year since FT-12 hit the market. Grenadier was a real hit with me, but Mercenary took longer to love thanks to a total pain of a transformation, so where does Forager sit?

FansToys FT-14 Forager | Source Blog <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

Ocular Max PS-01A Sphinx Alternative (MP Mirage) - brief gallery, article and comparison!

Square One: Ocular Max PS-01A Sphinx Alternative <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

Third Party company BadCube (formerly Cubex) had previously mainly tackled Generation 1 minibots such as Huffer (Huff), Brawn (Brawny), Outback (Backland) and Warpath (Wardog). Evil Bug Corps (Insecticons) aside, they took an enormous step towards being a headline event with OTS-08 Sunsurge, their take on Autobot car Sunstreaker in the Masterpiece style and scale. The Autobot cars are massively popular still, and the Masterpiece Transformers have proven to be as desirable as anything else around. Being the first company to get a legitimately MP-style Sunstreaker on the market ensured Sunsurge's success. Now, BadCube have repainted the modified yellow Lamborghini Countach into its red predecessor, known widely as the Diaclone "Red Sunstreaker"- named BadCube Old Timer Series Special 01 - Sentinel Blaze. I'm going to have a brief look at this upcoming figure, explain its history and significance because it excites me hugely, and needs some defending. Much as I felt the need to address the question Who Is Tigertrack for the Masterpiece release in 2013, let us now ask Who is Blaze?

Who is Blaze? | Square One <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

Pandinus review is finally done!

MakeToys MCB-03 Pandinus | Source Blog <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

DX9 have developed a reputation for producing very good-looking, high quality and enjoyable Masterpiece-scale transforming figures that bring them more fans with every subsequent release. Having grabbed attention with their Invisible car robot figure as first to market at MP scale, they followed it up with the brilliant Chigurh, exceptional Carry and popular Tyrant. Now they tackle yet another triplechanger, one who they could not afford to make a mess of with KFC’s Ditka looking as pretty as it does. How have they fared with one of the original two evil triplechangers, the one they call D-08 ”Gewalt”?

DX9 D-08 Gewalt | Source Blog <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

Unique Toys and their alter ego DX9 are developing a solid reputation for getting triplechanging transforming characters right for the most part. While they don’t always nail all modes, chances are you’ll get a very high quality, enjoyable figure which displays beautifully in at least 2 modes out of 3. Their Provider, Chigurh and Gewalt are all superb figures that we have reviewed here and thoroughly enjoyed. Now they’ve taken a shot at one of the heroic variety, with Y-03 Sworder representing the 1986 triplechanger hero whose orange, yellow and black colours have become his identity.

Unique Toys Y-03 Sworder | Source Blog <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

Ocular Max have had a very successful start to life as a Mastermind Creations sub-brand. The Masterpiece-style Perfection Series and the Remix line have been well received with figures PS-01 Sphinx and RMX-01 Jaguar taking plaudits for quality, design and aesthetics. While not everyone agrees with the apparent melding of cartoon, toy and Studio Ox vision that Ocular Max are going for, it’s fair to say they’re on a roll. The newest mould aimed at filling a (short-lived) Masterpiece gap is PS-03 Backdraft, based on the original heroic transforming fire truck. With competition already established in the form of MakeToys MTRM Hellfire, together with upcoming releases from TakaraTomy Transformers Masterpiece and KFC/XTB Dante, Backdraft’s got a lot of work to do in convincing people to go unofficial – specifically Ocular Max – with a confirmed official release on the horizon.

Ocular Max PS-03 Backdraft | Source Blog <- CLICK TO READ

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All the best
Maz

Anyone care for a quick article on Ocular Max PS-02 Liger - their Diaclone red Mirage homage?

Square One: Ocular Max PS-02 Liger

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All the best
Maz