Review: #276
Name: Brake-Neck
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Generations - Combiner Wars
Year of Release: 2015
Size Class: Deluxe
Mold Status: remold of Dead End with new head
COMIC:
Unfortunately, Brake-Neck comes with the
same comic issue as Dead End, which is Robots in Disguise #16. A bit disappointing as it would have been
better if a non-duplicate issue was provided.
Anyway, this is the last issue in the Superion/Prowlastator arc. Ironhide and the Dinobots come to help out
the battle against Devastator. The way
Devastator was defeated was to be expected since they can't have too much
violence in this area, however, it was still somewhat anticlimactic. The best part of the issue was the ending,
and how everything finalized itself. The
way it ended felt natural and made sense, especially considering how Starscream
and Bumblebee were thinking throughout the arc.
Megatron's involvement and his defeat was disappointing too. Overall, the story was decent, artwork was
good and it was engaging throughout. A
shout-out to the bio on the back of the packaging as they cleverly woven in
Brake-Neck's original name (Wildrider) into it.
VEHICLE MODE:
Brake-Neck, or really, Wildrider as he was known in G1, transforms into a grey sports car with red on the sides.
This is a really good mold and is one of the best in the Combiner Wars line. The rear of the vehicle doesn't have any exposed robot bits which is rare these days, and while there are still two different colored plastics used, it is not as obvious as on Dead End or Streetwise. Unfortunately, they couldn't be bothered to paint the rear windows, :(.
In terms of size, Brake-Neck is a Deluxe figure and he is a decent size against the older Deluxes from a few years back.
A quick comparison with Dead End, where there are no mold differences in this mold. It sucks that Brake-Neck couldn't get a new mold but he looks pretty good now anyway.
You can attach all the weapons in this mode although it doesn't look that great. Of note is that Brake-Neck is an online retailer exclusive, while a lot of retailers stocked him, all had really limited numbers.
A great vehicle mode overall.
TRANSFORMATION:
Brake-Neck has a neat transformation, while it is simple, it is clever and fun. The way the legs form is different to the other Combiner Wars figures and very intuitive, while the head hidden underneath the hood and having the chest flap covering over the chest is also great.
ROBOT MODE:
Onto robot mode, where a lot more red shows up, mainly around the limbs. This is a great looking robot mode, with fantastic proportions and some nice sculpting.
He does carry the vehicle hood on his back but it sits very close to his body so doesn't ever feel like it gets in the way or a piece of unwanted plastic.
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Brake-Neck gets a new headsculpt for this figure, it looks nice although it is a big organic, it's also a bit slim, being slightly wider would have helped.
In terms of size, Brake-Neck reaches a respectable height and he feels substantial in your hands too.
Now a quick comparison with Dead End, both look good in their own ways.
As expected, poseability is excellent. Brake-Neck feels more agile and flexible than many other figures, that said, the elbows are kinda weird in how the joint is positioned.
His large feel also allows Brake-Neck to achieve many action poses without fear of falling down.
He combines with a club that looks like an exhaust pipe (although it is not an integral part of the vehicle).
Brake-Neck is able to hold the club weapon in either hand although it looks somewhat awkward to use as a weapon.
The other way you can do it is try to let him hold it as a tonfa and it even seems like it was designed that way, however, the plastic that juts up under the wrists prevents Brake-Neck from holding it this way securely.
One of the best things about this mold is that they covered the combiner piece in his chest, which gives Brake-Neck a more unique flair.
His other weapon is the extra combiner piece that forms either the hand or foot.
It can be held like a gun, of note is that the mold is exactly the same as Dead End's.
The better way to use it (since the gun is so oversized) is as a shoulder shield. A great robot mode, the red and grey works really well together.
STUNTICONS:
Of course, Brake-Neck is supposed to replace Offroad within the Stunticons subgroup, and you cannot deny that he fits right in and looks better than Offroad, thanks to the racing theme within the group.
Including Blackjack into the mix and you have the complete updated Stunticons.
In robot mode, they look equally good although it is fairly obvious that Dead End and Brake-Neck share the same body type.
Nevertheless, Brake-Neck is pretty much required if you intend to form Menasor the way he was meant to be.
MENASOR:
In traditional G1 scramble city style fashion, Brake-Neck can form either a leg or an arm. His leg mode is pretty basic being the vehicle with the hood flipped over (although it's not a knee cap).
His arm mode is pretty good although the forearm is a bit too wide.
Combined as Menasor, he looks fantastic, also mainly because his legs are more symmetrical now that both legs have the combiner ports exposed (since Offroad covers one with a kneecap).
Poseability as Menasor still stays the same, which is to say, fairly unstable due to Motormaster's weak joints.
You can swap the limbs around if you wish.
Fantastic looking and finally true to the original, Brake-Neck enhances Menasor.
OVERALL:
Brake-Neck is a fantastic figure. While being a remold of Dead End is a bit of a downer, he still looks great, plus, he has a remolded head. Of course, the real draw is being able to form Menasor that stays true to his G1 self. Definitely worthwhile to get however, if you want a Menasor from fully unique molds, then you might want to just stick with Offroad.
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