With Siege slowly receding in the rear-view mirror as we power along Route WFC to a destination unknown, the next signpost is for Earthrise and a return to everything we've barely left behind. Strap on your hardhat and hi-vis cos it's time to get planning permission for voyager Grapple!
Now that the second chapter of the War For Cybertron Trilogy is beginning to filter out into the world, I grabbed Grapple as my first taste of this sequel which will hopefully prove more of a Spider-man 2 than an Amazing Spider-man 2 if you know what I mean... Grapple is a voyager class figure hewing incredibly close to his G1 character design, incorporating elements of the original 1985 toy, his cartoon model and even (I'm told) a smidge of his Masterpiece figure. As such he sets a nice precedent for the rest of the line, but it's one that may not sit so well with all fans.
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| "Tch, you've had some right cowboys in 'ere..." |
A non-zero amount of criticism for more recent Generations figures has been down to their slavish accuracy to the original designs, ultimately causing some to feel like there's a dearth of actual originality to the toyline. Up to a point, I'd agree with this claim but every now and then a figure comes along that hits the sweet spot of exactly what you want from an update of a character and Grapple is one of those without a doubt. Pulling no punches to render his classic Earth mode but still feeling at home next to Siege's Cybertronian lads and ladies.
The previous Generations standard effort, Solar Storm Grappel from the Reveal The Shield line has been a mainstay in many collections for years but was it every really Grapple? If you're going by the name on the box, well... While that's a figure I do have some kind of soft spot for (whether due to the toy itself or just my memories of RTS in general) it hit few of the distinguishing features I'd look for in the character. Since acquiring a G1 Inferno reissue, I've entered the camp of revering the Diaclone Fuso truck design alongside the likes of the rest of the original Autobot Cars. So to see the big wedge feet, collapsing crane head bucket and wrist rocket make their worthy return to a modern Grapple toy is great to be honest.
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| "Site safety!" |
In terms of modern voyager figures (whatever that means in 2020) Grapple is a nicely sizable and solid affair. Standing roughly as tall as Optimus Prime but no longer a hulking monolith looming over his comrades like the RTS figure, he's an exercise in using length. However for his vehicle mode, I can't avoid how this factor seems to be its main detractor. It's just, too long? Too low and flat? It's been squished. Is this to do with avoiding Fuso licensing the Masterpiece makes use of? (God, imagine a deluxe Allitalia Wheeljack...) Who can say, but it's quite plain the thing isn't really the right shape.
Proportions aside, the crane does pretty much everything you'd expect. Honestly it's a surprise to see a boom arm that extends, raises and lowers and pivots about its base. Take that Hook. As an extra touch the end of the crane can be swapped for a big meaty claw which sadly doesn't articulate its pincers but does feature a clip to interact with Earthrise's new A.I.R. Lock rampy bit system. I suppose that's nice. What else can be said for vehicle mode? All the wheels roll - the front ones actually only spinning their tyres, not the wheels themselves - it's got see through blue windows and very little paint on the sections not needing to cover up all that clear plastic. A couple more hazard stripes or silver bits would not have gone amiss here.
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| "Listen mate, if you say 'Hauler, haul 'im up' one more time, I'm gonna be filling in a P45." |
But what about Grapple's robot mode? Getting there may be more of a hassle than you want depending on your copy of the figure. It's a very common issue that the pegs that secure the back end of the crane get stuck in the holes they match up to and break off when you try to dislodge them. Adopting the builderly spirit of Grapple I bought some sandpaper just in case but with careful application of force, I've been able to extricate these connections without trouble so far. Apart from that, the transformation's a hoot, working exactly as you'd expect and even doing some bits exactly like the old one. Nothing fancy, certainly nothing as bonkers as the Masterpiece, just satisfying.
As a big Solero-coloured man, Grapple extols the virtues of modern articulation with perhaps only a missing wrist swivel or neck ball-joint leaving you wanting. My favourite bits are his massive feet which not only tilt but can move back and forth on their transformation joint, ensuring a firm foundation at all times. Along with the requisite joints, Grapple also features the current trend of being riddled with 5mm ports ripe for Weaponizing, including two on the crane section behind his head which will surely be used for Inferno's silly Captain America head wings.
In terms of accessories, much like the crane functionality, it feels like you get just a touch more for your money than you'd expect. Including the aforementioned claw, Grapple also comes armed with a nicely sized and detailed rifle but also the missile/nozzle/fondant icing dispenser to replace one of his hands. Personally I'm hoping this will look much more like a finned missile for Inferno but the fact it's there at all is a nice surprise. And as set down in Siege, all these weapons and many more points on his body than we've previously seen are compatible with the shooty bang bang bits you'll find with either the cheapest smallest figures in the line or the flipping biggest expensive ones.
Overall, Earthrise Grapple is really nicely satisfying. Not a mind-blowing achievement like a lot of Siege felt the first time, but just a spot on version of a good robot. A bit of sunshine on a cloudy day. Continuing that "Mini Masterpiece" vibe War For Cybertron seems to be going for, if you're after a Grapple for your Generations shelf, you can't really do much better than this. Except if you want him to have a black head, I dunno. The QC issues aside, I'd feel the main criticism I have of Grapple is paint. There just doesn't seem to be very much and it leaves him looking slightly flat. Put under a strong light, you'll notice it all the more as the orange plastic lets in just a bit too much than an opaque surface should and highlights surfaces - especially around his eyes - where there shouldn't be orange. But all-in-all I'm having huge fun with Grapple and am eagerly awaiting the email telling me Hoist is on his way and a bit further down the road, the inevitable Inferno rework. Solar power, baby!
