Huffer is cynical, hard-boiled, and pessimistic. "He looks at the world through sludge-colored wind-shields." Will complain it can't be built, then builds it anyway. Not too sociable, but absolutely reliable. Arm sensors can test materials for strength, heat, resistance, elasticity, etc. Extremely strong. Superior mathematical and geometrical abilities. Often unhappy and homesick for Cybertron.
First/Last Comic Appearance (US) - Issue 1, September 1984 / Issue 41, June 1988
First/Last Comic Appearance (UK) - Issue 18, May 18th 1985 / Issue 50, March 1st 1986
First/Last Cartoon Appearance - Episode 1 (Series 1 Episode 1), September 17th 1984 / The Transformers: The Movie, August 8th 1986
Figure Details
Manufacturer - Hasbro
Toyline - Botcon
Additions/Mods:
- Added Autobot symbols to the shoulders
- Added Autobot symbols to the cab
- Covered the 'upside down' tampographed Autobot symbol
Review
Huffer is a tough little guy who I fondly remember from the G1 cartoon, and I was suitably underwhelmed by the drab Power Core Combiners figure bearing the same name. I finally relented and picked up the
Botcon version of Him, after getting the figure I use as '
Pipes' in hand. I am a massive fan of the mould, so let's see how it stands up to getting the Botcon treatment.
Appearance (Robot Mode) 8/10
The vibrant colour scheme seen here really does the mould the justice it deserves. Huffer looks like a mean little 'bot, with his squat proportions. I can imagine him knocking a much bigger Decepticon flat. I covered the tampographed Autobot symbol on his leg, because it is upside down. I'm also really pleased with the paint apps, which are in keeping with the usual high standards of the Botcon exclusives. In terms of his overall look, it's only really the colour scheme that would make you see this as Huffer, as the headsculpt is quite different. But then the original toy had smokestacks for arms so change isn't always bad.
Appearance (Alternate Mode) 8/10
This is a really cool little truck which almost looks super-deformed, as were the original Mini Autobots. I suppose you could just remove the crane to make it look more like Huffer if you wanted to - it is easily removable. A very nice little piece. A really nice touch is the 'Cybertron Wrecker Service' tampograph, which is either side of the cab. As with the robot mode, the mould really 'pops' in Huffer's colour scheme.
Transformation 7/10
I like the way that the legs fold out of the roof, and that the grille and cabin are actually upside-down when in Robot mode. I had to be careful when sticking on extra symbols, though! The grille lifts up to reveal missiles when you put the Cyber Key in place. The crane arm is detachable and forms the weapon in robot mode, which kind of works, but not brilliantly.
Poseability 6/10
Not bad for his size. His diddy head is in a ball-joint, and his shoulders and hips are also ball-jointed. He has waist swivel. He has knee joints and his feet can move about slightly. He has ball-jointed elbows but no wrist articulation, which is understandable given that his wheels would impede that anyway. He is relatively poseable and his barrel-chested shape makes him look slightly unwieldy - not necessarily a bad thing. I have marked this figure down though because one knee is very loose, I don't know if this is just limited to my figure though.
Quality 8/10
This is a very squat and compact mould and everything feels solid, it's the kind of construction I yearn for on the more recent hollow
Hasbro efforts.
Overall - 37/50
I am glad that I added the Botcon version of this figure to my collection. Something about the
iGear Huffer just doesn't sit right with me. So, for my money, this is the best incarnation of G1 Huffer to date. He also looks great alongside Pipes!
