Civil and sophisticated yet very cruel and destructive. Approaches his lethal tasks like a fine artist. Each
deadly mission is like working on a new masterpiece. Can pinpoint and photograph a thumbtack from 20 miles away. Flies at 250mph. Carries twin mortar cannons. Diamond-hard, micro-serrated beak can carve up almost any opponent. Due to large ego, will often sulk rather than proceed if his plans go astray.
First/Last Comic Appearance (US) - Issue 1, September 1984 / Issue 50, March 1989
First/Last Comic Appearance (UK) - Issue 13, March 9th 1985 / Issue 18, May 18th 1985
First/Last Cartoon Appearance - Episode 19 (Season 2 #3), October 17th 1985 / Episode 33 (Season 2 #17), October 16th 1985
Figure Details
AKA 'Buzzer'
Manufacturer - Perfect Effect
Toyline -
Additions/Mods:
- Added a small Decepticon symbol to the 'back'
Review
I feel sorry for Buzzsaw, for he was always 'the other one' to
Laserbeak. He was so forgettable, they even forgot to put him into the cartoon until season 2. I guess it's a fate shared by the less-illustrious 'mould mates' in the franchise. I know that he was the one with the sharp beak and I think he had a run-in with
Omega Supreme at some point, but other than that who knows or even cares? I will try to put my apathy aside while I have a look at this
Perfect Effect offering - if I can only keep awake...
Appearance (Robot Mode) 7/10
Ok so we're not strictly dealing with a 'robot mode' here, but it certainly feels more like a 'main mode' than the others. As you might expect, Buzzsaw shares an identical mould with his more famous 'sibling'. I like Perfect Effect's interpretation of the 'bird of prey' cassettes, although they seem to have become vultures as opposed to condors, perhaps snacking on too many Energon cubes along the way. The head sculpt is really very nice, and the wings give them an added menace. Unfortunately, there are no feet or talons to speak of, but the paint apps are decent enough for such a small figure, with nice amounts of moulded detail.
Appearance (Alternate Mode) 6/10
Not much to write home about, really. The mode I have pictured is supposed to be a shuttle-type thing. I suppose it's ok. I guess that I am being a bit unfair, because there is another alt mode which resembles a pod which you attach a massive blade onto. It's only really any use if you have Shadow Commander. I suppose Perfect Effect had little to work on if they were not going to go down the cassette route, and at least the alt modes seem an appropriate match for the characters.
Transformation 7/10
This is a cleverly-constructed figure and the transformation is pretty nice, really. It's not massively complex. The head folds in to the 'neck' which becomes the cockpit of the craft. The wings fold away particularly cleverly, as does the extended neck. The small weapon pod thingies are a real pain to remove and stow, though.
Poseability 6/10
I dunno. I mean, it's a bird. The neck arcs and cranes nicely, and the pitch and angle of the wings can be tinkered with, so that is pretty nice. But the thing has no damn feet to speak of, which really limits what you can actually do with the figure. Although, you can supposedly attach him to
Megatron's arm, but I haven't figured out how to yet, because I am a moron. Besides, Megatron wouldn't have any time for Buzzsaw. No-one does.
Quality 8/10
All the Perfect Effect efforts feel impressively sturdy for their size (with the exception of the dreadful Kingbat), and this figure is no exception. I never feel like I am going to snap anything, despite the tiny parts. Which is more than I can say for some other 3rd parties. Nicely done.
Overall - 34/50
I appreciate that Perfect Effect had to squeeze 3 different modes into this pretty small figure, and I am only reviewing 2 of them. Despite the fact that Buzzsaw has no feet to speak of, this is still a nice little figure. It is miles better than anything Hasbro will bother to produce, so if you want a Buzzsaw in your collection (and that's a big if) then I suppose this is a good choice.
