Phil's Spychanger Scourge & Optimus Prime Review

Scourge

Ah Scourge. Scourge is a slimmed down version of the recoloured version of G2 Laser Rod Prime. I always though Scourge was misnamed. Not because Scourge is an unsuitable name, far from it. The problem is the RID Combaticon leader is called Mega Octane. I associate the word Octane with fuel and the laser rod Prime is a fuel tanker - a big one too. Therefore the name Mega Octane is apropriate to the laser Prime mold whereas it's less apropriate to the G1 Onslaught mold.

Needing a toy to have a little version to serve with X-Brawn in a 2-pack they chose Scourge - partially I suspect because the larger toy had a limited release as a store exclusive and the character appears in the cartoon. You could argue that he deserved a larger small toy - like the basic sized Spychangers for Optimus Prime & Megatron. Instead he's rendered in the smaller size. Only the cab is used in this smaller version making it I think the first Optimus Prime mold toy without a trailer (IIRC the TF Jr version in the 3 pack has a cardboard trailer) Others would follow in Armada, Energon, Classics & the Movie. The long nosed truck look is captured perfectly in this mold, mainly in black with red windows and headlights, a silver radiator and exhaust pipes and a Decepticon logo on the bonnet.

TF: We have the standard Spychanger pull back the back of the car to form the legs. Look at the underside and pull the front of the car in half down the middle, pull to the sides and down a bit to form the arms. Fold up the head.

Much more grey is revealed on the body in robot mode with a lot of blue detailing. The windows and radiator grill of the molded Prime chest are perfectly picked out in the molding, as is the Prime style head - black, with red eyes and a silver faceplate. The arms bending bellow the shoulder panels is the only articulation on this toy.

Overall: Perfect mini version of Scourge. The only thing lacking is his sword !

Optimus Prime

Really it was inevitable that the Scourge Spychanger would eventually gain it's larger form's original colours. And lo it came to pass. The front of the truck is cast in red plastic and the bed at the back in blue as per all good Prime toys. The windows become silver and he now has an Autobot logo on the bonnet. He maintains the teal stripes along the tops of the wheel arches at front and back. Robot mode has the blue legs and head and red arms. This time round the grey shoulders and chest are cast in white plastic but the chest is painted red & silver so you don't notice. Some teal detailing remains - round the circles on his shoulders and on the kneecaps.

Fabulous repaint. It's another essential addition to your collection to command your smaller Transformer forces. He even has a counterpart now in the shape of the Universe Legends G2 Megatron tank.

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