Mudflap

Poor Mudflap. No one liked you but everyone wants you, yet nobody can find you. Oh the irony!

Hasbro continues the large action-scene-window-box packaging they started with Human Alliance Bumblebee. For the suggested retail price of $29.99 you get …

• Mudflap
• Chromia
• Agent SImmons figure

The Human Alliance line is a larger scale of Transformer that has more complex transformations akin to the Alternator/Binaltech releases. These releases are more screen accurate than previous Voyager or Deluxe class releases, have interactive play features, and include a human driver. Mudflap (being a smaller car and robot) comes with Agent Simons and a bonus transforming robot, the Autobot motorcycle Chromia.

Mudflap transforms into the SUV concept version of the new Chevy Trax. His car mode is a solid vehicle mode with free rolling wheels, opening doors, and minimal panel lines.

The cockpit accommodates two of the Human Alliance size figures. Pegs on the upper seat fit into plug holes on the back of the human figures to hold them in place.

Transformation on this release is a level 3 and going from car to robot mode is fairly easy. Hasbro’s included instructions are clear and understandable, and I had no problems transforming it the first time.

Robot mode on Mudflap is good. Although he is an all new sculpt his transformation, shape, and size are almost identical to his ‘twin,’ Skids.

Articulation on Mudflap is more than adequate with an excellent range of motion and articulation in his arms and legs. Mudflap features a waist joint, however, the design of the transformation prevents it from moving much.

My only nitpick is the same as Skids. He’s a bit of a shell former, carrying the bulk of the upper back part of the car on his backside. Collapsing panels do, however, minimize the overall effect a bit.

His head rotates, and if you push down on it it will make the lower jaw move, simulating talking.

All of the Human Alliance releases feature several play points for the figures to ride the transformer into battle or man a weapon of some sort. What I love about these play features are they pack a lot of “play value” into these but do not clutter up the look of the robot for adult collectors. It really is the best of both worlds.

Play features built into Mudflap are…

Flip out Gatling cannon and forearm mounted seats (to bring friends.)

A working grappling hook.

The included Agent Simons figure is fairly generic looking but paint applications are neat and clean. Lucky Sector 7 bikini briefs are not included.

Chromia is pretty much a piece of junk. It makes a decent motorcycle but a sucky robot. I liked the motorcycle designed robots as they appeared in the movie, but Hasbro’s attempt at a cheap, little toy is pretty bland in robot mode. While the arms move there is not much you can do with it otherwise. It was a nice Hasbro included it but I would have preferred they shaved 5 bucks off the price then try to “hold” the price point by including it. No biggie, just a nitpick.

Confession time. I paid far more than retail for this to complete my Human Alliance set (yes I have them all.) I don’t really know what the story is but Mudflap was incredibly short packed when released early this year and has remained impossible to find on the shelves. It is very ironic considering how much hate was spouted over this character when “Revenge of the Fallen” hit theaters. You know you’re out there; someone has to be buying these up as they hit shelves… hypocrites.

It’s a solid transformer, a good Human Alliance release, and looks good with the rest of the set but it’s for completists only, or closet Mudflap fans. If you can find him at retail it’s worth picking up but not worth the collector price it’s been getting.