The Energon Pub

funklizard wrote:I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone else mention this… but doesn't the nose look like a jet intake?

I'm sure an AeroE could launch into a lecture about the functional role of a jet engine in an aircraft, but I'll just say that I've noticed this too, but have yet to spot any sort of outlet for the thrust - were I to B.S. an explanation, I'd say it was the air-intake for the monstrous internal combustion engine necessary to drive those two over-sized props. My wife argued that it was in fact a deflector array.

I have two explanations for Highbrow's alternate mode -

1. He uses the same alien anti-gravity technology that the G1 Cartoon Decepticons and Dinobots used in order to provide lift, and his alternate mode simply provides thrust and maneuvering, or is purely aesthetic.

2. The old codger landed on earth, and selected a badass looking prototype aircraft for his alternate mode, without checking first to make sure it could actually fly.

I bloody love Highbrow. I want more vintage alt mode TF's. He just looks superb in both forms though perhaps that blue does look a bit off though that's the only complaint I have.

The Fallen looks great too and I love that he's got a removable face, hehe. I don't yet own any figure of him so I'm tempted with this one. Ok I definitely want both these figures.

Lovin' the plane talk here, I used to be really into WW-II era planes, and to a lesser extent, earlier things, like biplanes, Zeppelins and such.

So I'm really looking forward to Highbrow, non-flying alt-mode or not!

I really dig Highbrow and was planning to put him in my Christmas pile but he got bumped in favor of the sweet USB Hub Blaster.its classics first for me all the way.

To anyone that owns this figure: does the hand/arm design bug you? Or is it something that can be overlooked?

amcgrath929 wrote:To anyone that owns this figure: does the hand/arm design bug you? Or is it something that can be overlooked?

It bothers me.

Counterpunch wrote:

amcgrath929 wrote:To anyone that owns this figure: does the hand/arm design bug you? Or is it something that can be overlooked?

It bothers me.

I'm afraid that will be the case with me as well. I really like the alt. mode but the robot mode is full of fail.

Counterpunch wrote:

amcgrath929 wrote:To anyone that owns this figure: does the hand/arm design bug you? Or is it something that can be overlooked?

It bothers me.

It used to bother me, but now that he is holding guns in both hands, not so much.

amcgrath929 wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:

amcgrath929 wrote:To anyone that owns this figure: does the hand/arm design bug you? Or is it something that can be overlooked?

It bothers me.

I'm afraid that will be the case with me as well. I really like the alt. mode but the robot mode is full of fail.

Ditto, if someone finds a way to modify it and make it better I'll get one, otherwise I'll pass.

I don't really mind the colours on Fallen, but he just doesn't really look like he's supposed to.

funklizard wrote:I actually like where they were going with this guy's retro design aesthetic; but I'll pass.

Or not.

I ended up ordering the TakaraTomy version of this guy a few days ago. (I prefer the darker blue; and prices on the Hasbro version have gone up enough at this point that I could get the TakaraTomy one for just a bit more.)

I still see quite a few flaws with this figure. But ultimately the pros outweighed the cons for me:

• Highbrow is one of the more unusual and ambitious designs we've seen in a while. He's not a complete success; but he's far from being a complete failure.
• We don't get all that many Autobot planes.
• Love it or hate it, the alt mode is definitely distinctive.
• I'm surprised I haven't seen this mentioned more: the bot mode bears a striking resemblance to Energon Bulkhead. The proportions are similar; both sport weaponry mounted on flaps above the hips; and the color scheme is reasonably close. Both characters are even described as uncommonly old in their bios. I'm a sucker for homage; especially to a character that in turn homages G1 Springer.

I'd be very interested to get more backstory on the design of this guy.