| 12.04.2019 – Grimlock is one of the favorite characters in the Transformers brand that has transcended and reincarnated in various forms of the succeeding series. The Dinobot Commander is so popular that there’s a plethora of merchandise based on the character alone ranging from action figures to even a Happy Meal toys.
There have been better designed reiterations of Grimlock that’s from the Masterpiece range and recently with Generations as part of the ‘Power of the Primes.’ Almost five years ago there was also a revival of sorts with celebrating the ‘Thrilling 30’ from the brand it produced the Evolution 2-Packs and one of these three is Grimlock! |
It has been a long time since Hasbro ever produced a modern take on Grimlock. The first one was in 2004 as part of the Energon series under the Unicron Trilogy that was seen packed with Swoop that combines to form ‘Mega Dinobot’ but never appeared in the animated series or even in the comicbooks published by IDW Publishing.
By 2014 Hasbro was celebrating the brand’s thirtieth anniversary with diverse line wide products that takes back to its original roots, which is Generation One. This was the time where the fourth live-action movie was about to be released, which was Age of Extinction making the Grimlock and the dinobot’s first appearance in the said film.
Thrilling 30 | Age of Extinction: Evolution 2-Pack
For the thirtieth anniversary Hasbro and Takara Tomy team-up to produce the ‘Thrilling 30” themed Special toys ‘checklist’ of all the 30 assortment editions from its current range of Transformers series of toylines and franchises. There are five Age of Extinction 2-Packs as part of the ‘Thrilling 30” special line of toys.
Grimlock is one of those five characters that were given that edition as sort of ‘Then & Now’ look on the past and present representation of the character. The two-pack consist of Grimlock from 1984 and the then present 2014 version of this character appearing in the live-action film that made it an interesting pairing in the set.
AoE Grimlock
There is no difference from the original released in comparison to the Takara Tomy version of AoE Grimlock to the standard release singe figure. The only difference is the US release has metallic paint on the dinosaur's head as the original release than the Japanese release comparing it with this one packed in the Evolution set. This one will not be given a spotlight as this Grimlock has been reviewed before.
Furthermore, the transformation from robot to dinosaur mode is the same just the paint application on the original release packed in a window-type box and this Evolution version is one and the same.
Energon Grimlock
This ‘G1 Grimlock’ is not completed the vintage figure that was released in 1984, but a modern take on the character released in 2004 packed with Swoop as part of the Transformers Energon series under the Mega Class assortment. Both figures where produced by Hasbro designers, which is a first without Takara counterpart’s feedback.
Energon Grimlock is repurposed as ‘G1 Grimlock’ for this Evolution 2-Pack set is the same figure released for the Energon series as a store exclusive in North America. It is the same figure that can still combined with Swoop to form ‘Mega Dinobot’ that pre-dates the Power of the Primes’ Volcanicus as a Dinobot Combiner not counting Power Core Combiners version of the Dinobots featuring Grimstone.
Robot Mode
Grimlock is considered a Deluxe Class size figure with minor retooling of both fists that can now accommodate 5mm weapons as it includes G1 Razorclaw’s sword repainted in red as its immediate accessory. It is the same figure that still can combine the upper half of Mega Dinobot and all you need is Energon Swoop.
Comparing to the other iterations of Grimlock that followed the Classics and WFC version has their own greatness in bringing the elements of the character’s personality. But this Energon Grimlock repainted in its G1 colors surely brought the best of the character and there’s no difference in how it is transformed compared to the vintage version with minor changes to the concept design.
The head sculpt design is sort of based from the Transformers War Within mini-series comicbook written by Simon Furman and illustrated by Don Figueroa. Although not confirmed to be based from that characterization and design of Grimlock it gives you that vibe on this toy’s design that sure has some kind connection that.
Dinobot Mode
In dinosaur form Grimlock features moving jaw and the ‘Mega Dinobot’ head are tucked underneath its neck. The dinosaur legs that turns into his arms are also ratchet jointed as well as his legs in robot mode that becomes its tail. The small dinosaur arms are tight jointed and are now in yellow as opposed to being painted in grey when it was released originally in the Energon series.
Grimlock’s colored in its vintage G1 colors can be convincingly standing in for the G1 version, which both Hasbro and Takara Tomy can no longer produced since the original molds of all five dinobots where lost, stolen or destroyed. If you’re looking for vintage reissues, those are the ones that where available on auction sites like eBay are either fake or knock off from the original.
In dinosaur mode you can see the size difference between the Classics version released in 2006 and the WFC version from 2012 have more improved design aesthetics of its alternate mode. But none of the above mention can be a ‘stand-in’ for the 1984 version as this one packed with the AoE Grimlock.
Overall Energon Grimlock is not the best figure despite being released in 2004 and it is not actually a representation of the original vintage figure. But it is close to the design aesthetics down to how the G1 version with the build of the figure and dinosaur mode where it took some inspiration from the latter.
“Age of Extinction Evolution 2-Pack Grimlock” is a unique set as part of the Thrilling 30 celebration in 2014, which was acquired during the Toy Kingdom Toy Warehouse Sale retailed on clearance at ₱ 1,000.00 PH Pesos ($ 28.73 AUD | $19.62 USD **)
** - Currency Converter via Google.com
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