Just wanna thank JFAK again for posting his
awesome version of Optimus Prime -- it was really the kick in the pants I needed to get mine finished.
I'd been thinking about this ever since Jin Santome posted a
Joe-sized Optimus a while back. But I wanted to go for a kick-ass huge robot look, yet still making him recognizable.
I started with a Target Exclusive Spartan MK IV (the best Halo fig ever produced, IMO) because he had the right look. Unlike other Spartan figs, he has a nice broad chest, broad shoulders, and great articulation.
When John posted his OP, mine was little more than a paint test-shot - a little slap of red & blue with no mods to the figure. I'd been waiting to find a head and just kinda forgot about him.
Well, now he's more or less done (until I find a better head.):
-- I was shooting some test pics of the WIP and saw Tripwire's robot in the corner of the frame and instantly knew I had to make a "Roller" for him.
So for how he fits into my 'verse: I wasn't sure at first whether to make him an alt-universe version or work him in with the actual TF verse. So I figured it this way - the Autobots managed to chase the Decepticons back to Cybertron (or wherever), save for a few small leftovers. The "real" Optimus, knowing that his allies on Earth would still need some support, downloaded a copy of his Spark into a smaller robot body (non-transformable, of course). That way, he could effectively be in two places at once - leading the fight against the Decepticons and still staying behind to help the Joes. He decided to use a smaller 'avatar' body so he could work better with humans and avoid any needless destruction due to his massive size. Or some "LASER BLAST" like that...
And I figure his name will just be "Optimus" - since he's not the "Prime" guy or anything. And "Optimus Minor" sounds a little demeaning
Head is from an older Prime/Megatron 2-pack (one that came with a DVD) -- not 100% happy with the head, since the "mouth" is a little small, but it'll do for now.
I'm debating whether or not to make a Megatron - I did a quick mock-up using a craptacular Mk VI Scout body and the Meggy head from that same 2-pack, but I don't like how it's looking - might try to find an entirely different base figure. I might even just use another Mk IV and mod it slightly. We'll see what I find the next time I'm at Target.
Here what he looked like right before JFAK posted his custom - again, mainly just a test shot of the paint. But after seeing John's, I had to finish him
So thanks again, John!!
As always, critiques & suggestions are welcome.
Cheers!
EDIT: Screw Megatron - I'm totally making Grimlock next