A very good day to all my trusted followers and bloggers from around the world! Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere apologies for not keeping up by posting any note-worthy Transformer acquisitions recently on my blog, as it has essentially been a VERY tiring April month, filled with rest and alot of changes to the working and personal space. Well, better late than never to kick-start the month of May 2010, as yours truly WSX prepares (once again) to get back on track and groove --LOL! with yet another awesome release by the folks at ToyHobbyMarket Japan!
I had an eye on this exclusive "Destron/ Decepticon" version of the Autobot Flight Commander-Scientist Jetfire sometime ago when it was first previewed in the closing months of 2009. The initial pre-orders were up in November 09'-- however, thanks to some online scouting and good buyer sense -or sheer luck-LOL! I was able to track down this Japan Black repaint at only US$35 a pop! Decided there and then that I would be wise to purchase multiple quantities of this toy, as the likelihood of it being extremely rare collector's edition item was stuck in the back of my mind... The Items arrived on a good afternoon sometime last month on the 26th of March, all snugged up in bubble wrap and just waiting to be ripped open!
The initial promotional shots of Takaratomy's webpage had depicted that Gentei Dark Skyfire would have a more "muted" gray colour scheme, which IMHO was just fine as far as being a different version of the Autobot character all together...Most Transfans are aware of Jetfire's Decepticon past, and it was explored to good effect in the Revenge of The Fallen live-action movie form last year's summer blockbuster by action-director Michael Bay...(A decent effort I thought of a movie)..Moving on-- however, more recently, there have been newer photos of this Dark Skyfire in his final paint scheme which has bee circulating on the internet-- this time showing that the initial grey-ish combination was somewhat been replaced by a more dark and "sombre" black colour scheme. Prefect! The box design is akin to the regular Jetfire release, albeit with a monochrome style which, to be honest is stylized but not to shabby.
The translated tech-spec, pictures and character bio is credited and linked to resident Japan news-hound "Masabon" from the tfw2005.com ultra resource site, as well as www.kotoys.com/ seibertron.com!
http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/extensive-gallery-of-gentai-dark-skyfire/17992/
Many sincere thanks to the both of them!
ROBOT MODE
Essentially a straight-up repaint of the Henkei/ Classics white and re-imagining of how (supposedly) Jetfire's Decepticon/Destron past was before he choose the path of goodness to become a piece-loving and freedom fighting Autobot. It works great, especially the minor Destron/Decepticon insignia detailing on the wings of Dark Skyfire. Of note is to mention that for this release, the folks at Toy Hobbymarket had the good sense to add a slight "remould" to his chest/ cockpit area. Gone is the top portion where the "Autobot insignia" was on good ol' Jetfire, and in place, this is now made into a two-piece translucent plastic-- dark green glow- lends to the sense of "eeriness" or well, to bluntly put it, a tall, "dark" and ominous figure! LOL! A+ for the effort, which makes a heck of an aesthetic and make-believe evil "past character" vibe.
"BATTLE-DROID" MODE
Essentially, his repainted face and maroon eyes are a really attractive combination. Good on the eyes, and oh oozes an intrinsic "evil" charm. The green visor on the matching helmet is a neat touch, giving the battle mode a sense of being an all-powerful and conquering BAD-A$$! A+
VEHICULAR/ PLANE MODE
Apart from the different-Decepticon purple inspired jetpack/ twin-cannons, not to mention the "gunmetal" painted chromed thrusters, the overall combination of black on purple does not dissapoint. The little detailing of the "Air Force" markings by the side of the cockpit shows that the makers set out to tie in Dark Skyfire's military/ infantry Air Commander past, and this is pulled of even more stylishly and "realistically" when he is transformed into his devastatingly stealthy and natural aerial mode. Love the overall plane mode than his robot mode! A++
FINAL THOUGHTS:
WELL, THIS IS A WELL EXECUTED REPAINT OF AN ALREADY COOL UPDATE ON A CLASSIC CHARACTER. GRANTED, AS WITH MOST "DARK" REPAINTS AKA EXCLUSIVES, THERE ARE ALWAYS THOSE WHO ARE NOT REALLY INTO IT, AND THOSE WHO CAN EMBRACE IT. FOR ME, AT LEAST, THIS IS A PERFECT RENDITION OF JETFIRE'S EVIL DECEPTICON PAST, AND ONE WORTHY ADDITION TO KEEP AND SAVOR. A+++
The translated tech-spec, pictures and character bio is credited and linked to resident Japan news-hound "Masabon" from the tfw2005.com ultra resource site, as well as www.kotoys.com/ seibertron.com!
http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/extensive-gallery-of-gentai-dark-skyfire/17992/
Many sincere thanks to the both of them!
ROBOT MODE
Essentially a straight-up repaint of the Henkei/ Classics white and re-imagining of how (supposedly) Jetfire's Decepticon/Destron past was before he choose the path of goodness to become a piece-loving and freedom fighting Autobot. It works great, especially the minor Destron/Decepticon insignia detailing on the wings of Dark Skyfire. Of note is to mention that for this release, the folks at Toy Hobbymarket had the good sense to add a slight "remould" to his chest/ cockpit area. Gone is the top portion where the "Autobot insignia" was on good ol' Jetfire, and in place, this is now made into a two-piece translucent plastic-- dark green glow- lends to the sense of "eeriness" or well, to bluntly put it, a tall, "dark" and ominous figure! LOL! A+ for the effort, which makes a heck of an aesthetic and make-believe evil "past character" vibe.
"BATTLE-DROID" MODE
Essentially, his repainted face and maroon eyes are a really attractive combination. Good on the eyes, and oh oozes an intrinsic "evil" charm. The green visor on the matching helmet is a neat touch, giving the battle mode a sense of being an all-powerful and conquering BAD-A$$! A+
VEHICULAR/ PLANE MODE
Apart from the different-Decepticon purple inspired jetpack/ twin-cannons, not to mention the "gunmetal" painted chromed thrusters, the overall combination of black on purple does not dissapoint. The little detailing of the "Air Force" markings by the side of the cockpit shows that the makers set out to tie in Dark Skyfire's military/ infantry Air Commander past, and this is pulled of even more stylishly and "realistically" when he is transformed into his devastatingly stealthy and natural aerial mode. Love the overall plane mode than his robot mode! A++
FINAL THOUGHTS:
WELL, THIS IS A WELL EXECUTED REPAINT OF AN ALREADY COOL UPDATE ON A CLASSIC CHARACTER. GRANTED, AS WITH MOST "DARK" REPAINTS AKA EXCLUSIVES, THERE ARE ALWAYS THOSE WHO ARE NOT REALLY INTO IT, AND THOSE WHO CAN EMBRACE IT. FOR ME, AT LEAST, THIS IS A PERFECT RENDITION OF JETFIRE'S EVIL DECEPTICON PAST, AND ONE WORTHY ADDITION TO KEEP AND SAVOR. A+++
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