G1 Blaster

Robot Mode: Blaster has one of the most cartoon-faithful likeness of the entire G1 line. His robot mode (and his alternate mode, too, for that matter) look pretty much exactly like it did in the cartoon. So absolutely no complaints on that front. Despite being rather boxy, Blaster also looks pretty cool and especially his head and face are very well made, conveying the impression of the fun-loving Autobot communicator.

That said, though, Blaster does have a few problems. Posability is average for a G1 figure from that time. He can move his arms at the shoulders and his legs sideways at the hip. Not much for dramatic poses. He can turn his head, though, which is rather unusual for a G1 figure. His biggest problem, though, is that he's simply too big. Blaster stands at equal height with super-sized G1 figures like Shockwave and Jetfire, easily towering over his Decepticon counterpart Soundwave and most others, too, even most Combiners.

Once you disregard that, though, you are left with a very nice figure. Just like his nemesis, Blaster features a tape deck on his chest, where you can store cassette-type Transformers. Unfortunately I don't have any cassette Autobots yet and Blaster downright refused to let any Decepticreeps into his chest. That's okay, though, seeing as Blaster didn't have any cassettes in season 2 of the cartoon, either. His tape deck is one of Blaster's weakest points, as most Blasters you'll find these days are malfunctioning there, the tape deck won't open by way of the eject button anymore. Thankfully mine doesn't have that problem. Keep your fingers crossed.

So to sum it up, if you disregard the G1-typical limitations, you're left with a very nice looking robot mode.

Alternate Mode: Blaster transforms into a radio / tape deck combination. I don't know if kids today still call it a Ghetto Blaster, but that's what he is (Hmmm, could that be the source of his name? What do you think?). The tape deck doesn't look quite as realistic as Soundwave's alternate mode (I don't think this one is modelled after an actual existing model of that time, either), but it is easily recognisable as what it is and carries a fair amount of details.

There is an on/off button molded into the side, the buttons are labelled, and there is even a socket for ear phones molded onto the back. Again, not quite as good as the detailing on Soundwave, but nice. So overall a good alternate mode, no complaints.

Remarks: Probably due to the popularity of Soundwave and his cassette warriors, the Autobots were gifted with a Communicator of their own come season 2 of the cartoon series. Blaster was a fun-loving rock music fan, but pretty good in a scrap as well. He was also one of the few early Autobots allowed to remain after the Movie (1986) and was promoted to commander of Autobot City on Earth, where he was responsible for the security and deployment of Metroplex.

In the comics Blaster held an even more prominent role. He started out as commander of an Autobot resistance cell on Cybertron before coming to Earth. On Earth he was one of the few Autobots to resist Grimlock when the Dinobot took over command of the Autobots, he and Goldbug even went rogue for a while, and fought Grimlock for the role of leader.

As a figure Blaster is pretty good. Like I said, he's much too big, which makes it hard to restage his battles against Soundwave properly, but apart from that there is very little to complain about. A very nice rendition of one of my favorite Autobot characters. A definite recommendation for every G1 fan. If you can find one with a working tape deck, that is.

Rating: B+