[REVIEW] Dave's KB Exclusive Rant: Jhiaxus, Megabolt

Dave's Kay Bee Exclusives Rant

     Jhiaxus
     Megabolt

     Well, the Robots In Disguise line is being used to squeeze out a few
more recolor exclusives.  Normally, I wouldn't have bothered with these, but
between the 25% off Transformers sale and the 30% off $30 or more sale
(offered as part of a settlement in a suit against Kay Bee for deceptive
pricing regarding their famous Instant Clearance tags), they came out to
$6.82 each and I was willing to snag both.

     Here's all my previous reviews for the Jhiaxus mold:
     Jetstorm: http://www.eyrie.org/~dvandom/BW/BMac/BMDelux1
     Sonic Attack Jet: http://www.eyrie.org/~dvandom/BW/BMac/BMDelux3
     Storm Jet: http://www.eyrie.org/~dvandom/BW/RiD/StormJet

     Here's my review of the original Megabolt Megatron:
     http://www.eyrie.org/~dvandom/BW/RiD/Megabolt

     My reviews will focus on the packaging, the new colors and any physical
changes caused by the different plastics and paints used on these versions.

CAPSULES

     Jhiaxus: Halloween-colored, opaque missiles, and tends to fall apart
more often during transformation.  It *is* notable as being an official toy
based on a name from the comics (specifically, the G2 Marvel series),
although it doesn't really resemble the original bearer of the name.
Deceptive packaging.  Mildly recommended (weak implementation of a strong
mold).  $12.99 shelf price at Kay Bee.
     Megabolt: Not Megabolt Megatron, it's worth noting.  Colors work better
than I'd expected they might, and joints are tighter than on my original
Megabolt Megatron.  Recommended.  $12.99 shelf price at Kay Bee.


RANTS

     Packaging: These are in Armada-style bubble cards, with Armada
patterning but slightly different colors than either first or second year
Armada cards.  However, the logo says Robots in Disguise, not Armada or
Universe.  Both figures are twist-tied into the package in vehicle mode
(Jhiaxus has the wingtips pointed back, not swept-forward), and their
missiles are individually twist-tied into the tray.  
     The name cards in front proclaim their functions with exclamation poitns
("Emissary!" and "Air Space Commander!"), and promise "Includes 2 collector
stickers!"  This is, strictly speaking, true, because in addition to the
usual Armada-style trading card sticker, the logo pieces are now stickers
rather than bookmarks.
     The instructions look to be the original sets, since Megabolt's assumes
you start in robot mode (as he was packaged originally), and has no
instructions specifically for transforming TO robot mode.
     Rather than being held by the tray shell bits, the stickers are in
baggies that are stuck to the trays with double-sided tape.  It's kinda hard
to get them free without damaging them.  The art is new, mediocre, and
incorrectly colored.
     The first wave Universe deluxes are on the back of both cards as
co-sells, and each has the other's pictures slightly smaller on their card.
Jhiaxus's card back has two errors.  One, a label and arrow from Megabolt's
card referring to the small picture of Jhiaxus is still there, and claimes
Megabolt has hidden thrusters in his legs.  Two, and this error is repeated
on Megabolt's card, a label claims that Jhiaxus's canopy opens.  This claim
alone convinced me to at least get Jhiaxus, just in case there was a remold.
But it's a copywriter error, misinterpreting the "cockpit pops forward"
gimmick on the mold.  Finally, the pictures are themselves a little deceptive
in terms of colors.  The colors are correct, but the way the pictures were
taken make Megabolt look gold in front rather than tan, and darken the gray on
Jhiaxus. 

     Jhiaxus: The main plastic colors are safety orange, black and light
gray.  The spark crystal is opaque red, probably from the same lot as the RiD
recolors of Basic BMac vehicles.  The clear plastic for the glowing eyes and
cockpit is reddish orange, but the normally clear missiles are opaque light
gray.  Decepticon symbols are tampo-printed on the nose of the jet and on the
bit in back that covers up the robot face.  It is very bright.
     This seems to use the softer plastic used in Storm Jet, but it's not
quite as gummy or sticky, they seem to have improved the black paint used on
it.  The packaging warps the wingtips, but not the tail (head fins).
     Several of the joints seem to be weaker than on previous versions,
either because the plastic isn't as strong or because the tolerances have
slipped and they're not quite as tight.  Either way, a leg and both arms came
off during careful transformation, and the chest pieces don't pop on nearly
as solidly as in earlier versions.  
     The function of "Air Space Commander!" is another example of bad
copywriting.  Should be Aerospace or maybe Air/Space.
     Other than being appropriate for Halloween, Jhiaxus isn't as good as
previous versions of this mold.  Recommended if you have no other versions of
this mold, but mildly recommended if you have even one.

     Megabolt: Redone in olive green, bright blue and a sort of almost golden
tan color, with some gold and silver paint accents.  The crawly legs are
black, as are some painted details.  The chest of robot mode has a splash of
moderately metallic purple paint, and the spark crystal is opaque blue with a
Decepticon symbol painted on it.  There's also a bit of purple on the robot
face.  While not great colors, the scheme works pretty well.  Too bad they
didn't make it yellow and purple to work as a Unicron head, though.
     Many of the joints are stiffer this time around, and it will stand
nicely without using my little sideways-legs trick developed for the original
Megabolt Megatron.  On the other hand, the leg-moving mechanism is a bit
stiffer as well, so it's harder to get it to work well.
     If you don't have the previous Megabolt Megatron, you might want to look
into Megabolt, especially if you find it during a sale.

     Dave Van Domelen, off to stick Jhiaxus with the rest of his fleet....