Review: #146
Name: Orion Pax
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations
Year of Release: 2013
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 5)
Variations: none as of yet
COMIC:
Orion Pax comes packed in with The Transformers: Spotlight, Omega's Conundrum, which, naturally, features the character prominently. Reading this as a one-shot, the plot still makes sense, although Orion Pax doesn't feel like a timid Optimus Prime (which is usually how he is depicted), nor does he feel very much like Optimus Prime (Orion Pax itches for action too much). It is a simple plot though, so you're not going to be amazed or anything like that. The art is solid. There needs to be an injection of humor as it feels lacking in that department (it does well enough as it is though, so it's not like it's desperate for it).
VEHICLE MODE:
Orion Pax transforms into a Cybertronian-inspired pick-up truck. Apart from the wrap-around windshield and the weird grey things on his back, it's passable as an Earthen mode and doesn't feel too fantasy.
While in general, this truck looks pretty good, the rear is fail, with gaps formed by his arms, and you can clearly see the leg joints. There are molded rear lights, but they aren't painted so it's hard to pick out.
Obviously, the wheels roll. There's quite a bit of paint, but a lot of that is used to paint the front pieces red (they're molded from blue plastic).
Orion is pretty small, especially if in real life, the truck would be a decent size. Orion feels thin, the mass of plastic used is low.
The robot weapons just plug in on either side (there's no ingenious hiding spot here) via 5mm holes.
They don't look that great plugged in, but storage is storage, you could always leave them off if you so desire.
They should have incorporated a peg hole onto the roof so that you can plug in the gun and maybe the axe could plug in as well, it'll surely look better than just tacking it onto the sides.
This is a decent truck mode, if a bit small. Some more paint on the grill (the blue section) would be nice.
TRANSFORMATION:
There is one aspect which is really surprising here, and that's in regards to his legs. From pictures, you would have just expected that the front of the truck just folds out to form his legs. Nup, the hood, along with the sides, collapse into his legs (which are the back of the truck), this was unexpected and interesting. Although this makes him more of a shellformer, and means that the front of the truck is hollow. Other than that, nothing else here surprises, and it's a fairly standard affair. The way his feet are formed and how they look reminds me a lot from Generations FOC Optimus.
ROBOT MODE:
Orion Pax's robot mode isn't too bad, but he has some slight proportion issues, such as long forearms, big legs, and a skinny torso.
There isn't too much kibble, just that big panel behind the head and the front wheels. Most of the car folds away into his legs.
He is a small toy though, he lacks bulk and height. Slightly disappointing as you'd wish he was bigger so he could be more imposing.
The head sculpt is really good, although it doesn't remind you too much of Optimus (whom Orion Pax eventually turns into). Although it does keep with the theme of Orion Pax being a young and innocent bot.
Orion Pax comes with two weapons, which is a neat aspect. There's an Energon axe, and a gun that resembles the G1 one.
The axe's sculpting is good, and the shape looks great. However, the whole thing is molded from transparent plastic, this means that the black shaft is actually black paint, which would potentially flake off if used too often or if your figure's fist holes are just a smidgen smaller than they should be.
The gun is a thick but short affair. Still looks great and powerful though. Unfortunately, you cannot store either of these weapons on the robot if Orion isn't using them.
Articulation is decent, he even comes with wrist swivels!! Like Trailcutter, Orion uses the vehicle's side mirrors as tabs for his shoulders, they work better here, but still not the greatest (they will detach when you try to pose his arms).
The eyes are painted blue so no lightpiping here. Orion can pull off a wide variety of poses.
This is a decent robot, it looks good but feels fairly generic.
OVERALL:
By not means a bad toy, but Orion Pax is clearly the weakest in the wave he's in. Add to the fact that Orion isn't exactly a toy-selling character, and he just might be the shelfwarmer of that wave. Nevertheless, the toy is solid, some minor issues such as his size, shellformery nature and the way things are pegged together. A plus is that he comes with two different weapons which boosts up his play value.
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The review for the rest of the wave can be found here.