Toys / Toy Collecting

Robot Heroes: Optimus Prime and Ravage

By Josh Hechinger
June 2, 2007 - 20:27

Autobot Leader, Decepticon Kitty Cat, Photos from Hasbro.com

Following in the wee little footsteps of Hasbro’s Star Wars Galactic Heroes and Marvel Super Hero Squad toy lines, Robot Heroes is a line of small, stylized, non-transformable figurines of classic Transformers characters.

Optimus Prime is the leader of the heroic Autobots. This noble leader is dedicated to the freedom of all sentient beings, be they robots in disguise or the humans that love them.

Ravage is one of the Decepticon Soundwave’s little cassette sidekicks. Whether he’s savaging the Autobots with his razor claws or stalking their fleshy biped allies, Ravage is a fierce opponent.

Likeness

Despite their diminutive size and exaggerated features, these are clearly the Generation One versions of Optimus and Ravage. Whereas the Optimus toy seems to be based more on the character’s animation model, the Ravage toy is more accurate to the character’s original toy color scheme and design.

Sculpt

One of the selling points of this series is the charmingly “kiddyfied” takes on the characters. The toys are designed with a “big foot” or exaggerated and cartoony mind-set, as opposed to a “small-foot” or realistic one. That said, the characters are surprisingly detailed, with etched-in vents and seam lines giving the definition almost despite themselves.

The end result is that the overall sculpts are suitably cartoony without giving the impression of being smoothed out or watered down.

As for the individual characters: Optimus’ pointing pose is nothing new, and has featured on most non-transforming depictions of the characters.

Ravage’s sitting pose plays up the cuteness of the line, while neatly sidestepping the usual vicious snarling leap the character’s been frozen in since the 1980s. It works with the spirit of the line very well.

Paint

The paint on both characters is crisp, with very little color bleeding and some nice detailing (the tiny arrows on Optimus’ arm and the inside of Ravage’s mouth, for instance). The primary colored Optimus is a bit more striking than the predominantly black Ravage, but neither toy screams for home improvement.

Scale

Like the Star Wars and Marvel sister lines, both Robot Heroes stand roughly two inches tall. However, they lack the baby-fat look of the aforementioned lines, and seem a bit leaner, more sleek.

Stability

The big feet make for rock solid footing, especially Ravage, who supports himself on four feet and his rear (or is that shanks?)

Articulation

Neither figure sets any records for articulation: Optimus’ head moves from side to side, and his arms move up and down at the shoulders. Ravage can only turn his head and watch as Optimus struggles to touch his toes.

Plastic

Both figures are made out of a slightly soft PVC. Not surprisingly, the material isn’t a million miles away from what’s used to make children’s toys. It’s built to last, no matter where it’s thrown or who’s mouth it goes into.

Packaging

The toys come in a card-backed plastic bubble. The card features the standard Transformers logo on the front, and other figures in the line on the back. The bubble features the characters names and cartoony artwork of each.  

Cost

The official Hasbro website lists the toys’ price as $5.99. My Toys R Us had them for $5.16 or so, but that might’ve been a special new release price or some such.

Availability

The June 2nd weekend saw the line’s release as part of a Transformers toy blitz (in anticipation for the upcoming film). Wherever you usually get your Transformers from, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to get these from there as well.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12