In a way, when Hasbro first released Alpha Bravo back with their first wave of Combiner Wars figures, fans everywhere immediately knew that Vortex was just a matter of time. Not only was Vortex the same distinct kind of helicopter that Alpha Bravo was, but even the head sculpt was pretty unique to that Combaticon. With Quickslinger’s release, Alpha Bravo became the odd man out of the Aerialbots, so at this point, even though Vortex is a straight repaint of that figure, it doesn’t feel like a big deal, because the original version of the helicopter combiner has been rendered more or less extraneous.
I’ll admit Alpha Bravo was never my favorite of the first run of Combiner Wars, and that opinion is maintained with Vortex. The transformation feels a little clunkier and the robot isn’t quite so fluidly articulated as some of the others. That being said, looking at the Vortex source material, Hasbro did a pretty spectacular job of updating that character to a modern version, while maintaining much of the spirit and uniqueness of the original.
Most of Vortex is gray, like the original, with just the right hints of that nice shade of green. Even the yellow painted missiles are a nice mimic of the yellow stickers adhered to the side of the original G1 Vortex.
Even with the transformation being not as intuitive as other releases, it is still relatively easy and accomplished quickly, allowing for much more enjoyable “play time” for those of us who are Transformers novices.
I love the colors, really like the character now that I know him better, and consider this a pretty great update to the G1 original.
Combiner Wars Vortex
Character
Articulation
Vehicle
Robot Mode
Transformation
3.1
Summary
The original Combiner Wars helicopter, Alpha Bravo returns in the form of Vortex, and most Transformers fans agree this is who he should have been from day one. A very Vortex-esque head sculpt with a great vintage accurate paint scheme, brings us the assault copter version of the Decepticon Combaticon, only with two propellor blades instead of the vintage four. Using a very familiar base figure with cool transformation and great articulation helps the end result, though Vortex feels exceptionally familiar.
All the way back in the mid 80s, during Season 3 of the Transformers animated series, the Sunbow writers made their clear link between the G.I. Joe and Transformers universes by introducing both Marissa Faireborn (daughter of Flint and Lady Jaye) and even more directly bringing forth the character of “Old Snake” a mysterious former terrorist who looked and sounded remarkably like COBRA Commander. Leveraging the whole idea of Synthoids only went to further that story.
Do you like your peanut butter in your chocolate? Some do, some don’t, but whatever your preference, the G.I. Joe and Transformers Collectors Clubs have taken steps to offer exclusives linking together the universes of G.I. Joe and Transformers, and their first entry into that world is Marissa Faireborn w/ Afterbreaker.
Actually released earlier last year, I only got the opportunity to pick this figure up a month or so ago, and am now getting around to the review. You can check out the review on the G.I. Joe Collectors Club review page, or the direct link below.
If you’re like me, you’ve been captivated by Transformers: Devastation ever since you saw the first trailer for it…well, now Amazon has it at a great, low price, only around $35! Click the image below to grab it while it lasts!
Along with this, the great looking Toy Soldiers: War Chest game featuring G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (and Masters of the Universe) characters is only $19.99!
Along with video games, Amazon obviously has a ton of other great deals as well, including the Jurassic Park Blu-Ray collection for only $25:
And an Amazon Fire Tablet for $35!
Tons of other great Amazon Black Friday deals, too, and if you use the affiliate links above you help support the site! Happy shopping!
We are less than a week from the UK’s biggest and best G.I. Joe/Transformers Convention, Roll Out Roll Call, in Southampton! Attendees have come to expect a fantastic show with lots of great dealers, great insight from special guests and lots more.
Well, this year, things might be getting even MORE interesting.
Fun Publications’ own Pete Sinclair will be in attendance at Roll Out Roll Call this year, and will be hosting panels to talk about what’s coming up for the Transformers AND G.I. Joe Collectors Clubs! Time will tell if there will be any special news or reveals from the show, but it seems to be they wouldn’t be doing panels if they didn’t have some fun new stuff to talk about.
If you live anywhere near Southampton, UK, this could be a very unique opportunity to come to a show and soak up this fun hobby and enjoy the company of a GREAT crew of diehard G.I. Joe (and Transformers, and Masters of the Universe, etc…) fans. Everything I hear about the show is good.
Check out all the details at All The Cool Stuff or on Facebook and I’ve mirrored some info below as well. This should be another great show!
Saturday, Transformers Collectors’ Club Panel at 16:00
Join Pete Sinclair from the Transformers Collectors’ Club as he gives you an insight into the Club, offers up NEW PRODUCT REVEALS and discusses the 2016 official Collectors’ Convention, BotCon.
Sunday, Transformers & G.I. Joe Collectors’ Clubs Q&A Panel at 15:00
Once again join Pete Sinclair from Fun Publications who will field your questions relating to both Collectors’ Clubs, with A SPECIAL FIRST LOOK AT UPCOMING ITEMS for the G.I. Collectors’ Club.
A pleasant Thursday afternoon surprise today as the G.I. Joe Collectors Club and Transformers Collector Club joint exclusives are now up and ready for purchase in the Club store!
This includes Marissa Fairborne w/ Afterbreaker and Old Snake w/ Stealth B.A.T.s! The G.I. Joe community has been clamoring for a Transformers crossover for a long time, and now we’re starting to see something develop. Pretty cool.
Also in the Club store today is the 2015 Vehicle exclusive Wave Crusher w/ Sub Viper. Links to all three products can be found below.
