Tomahawk
Hasbro has really impressed me with their moves with their Transformer line. They’ve been able to sustain interest in the good old robots in disguise toys for quite a while, unlike their G.I. Joe line which have kind of stagnated and are moving out of the toy stores. A big part of that renewed interest is due to the two hit movies (something I will thank Michael Bay for), but more than that, they’ve come up with some great new toys overall, and ones that fit well with either the Bayverse or your G1 or Classic toys.
Currently, there are several ongoing Transformer sub-lines. There’s Generations line which is similar to the Transformers Classics line and focuses on characters from the G1 continuity and comics. There’s also a set from Takara in Japan, a newly re-painted Transformers Animated line (though, we’ve already seen these from Hasbro). You’ll also see the tail end of the Revenge of the Fallen movie toys on the shelf.
Then there’s the new Hunt for the Decepticons line.
These toys are new ones that are shoehorned into the space between the second and third movie. It’s there to keep people’s interest in the brand name as we wait for that upcoming film. The toys that have come out so far are a mix of the blocky G1 designs (most of these toys are leftovers from the Transformers Universe line that weren’t released - like Seaspray) and more insectile, or avian aesthetic like the bots in the movies. This new look to the Transformers has been hit or miss for me; I liked the Leader Class Starscream, and Leader Class Optimus Prime, but many of the rest left me cold. I’m glad to say that the new toys look like they’re gonna be all right.
Tomahawk is one of the new Hunt for the Decepticons Autobots. I got mine during the recent Hasbro/Toys R’ Us World of Heroes event at Robinson’s Ermita. Note that even with the huge amount of stock at the location, Tomahawk went pretty fast on the second day (it was a 3-day event and the new figures were only released on the second day) and was pretty much gone by lunch. That gives you a pretty good idea what’s gonna show up on eBay in the next few weeks.
It’s not surprising. Tomahawk has a lot of things going for him:
1) he’s a flying Autobot
2) he’s all black and awesome
3) he’s got an original transformation scheme
4) he’s a helicopter
5) it looks like he’s short-packed
6) his articulation is pretty good
7) he’s loaded to the gills with weaponry
8) he’s got a gerwalk mode (Robotech!!!)
9) he’s got less kibble than expected
10) it says on the back of his card that he kicks ass
Honestly, that’s good enough for me.
The figure comes packaged in a standard looking card with plastic bubble, colored yellow rather than red. Inside, you’ll get the manual, a small catalog, and a small slip of paper with a code for the Hunt for the Decepticons site that will let you unlock content there.
Tomahawk starts off in vehicle mode, which is understandable since the robot would require much more space in the bubble. It’s a great looking toy by itself, and looks like it might be loosely based on the Boeing AH-64 Apache. What’s great about the Apache is that it’s a flying arsenal, with a 30 mm chain gun, Hellfire and Hydra rocket pods, and wingtip stations for Sidewinder or Stinger missles.
That is a lot of hurt.
To see how much hurt this guy can throw down, click HERE.