Prefers brute force over reason. Steam comes from his nasal ducts when he's enraged. Smashes head-first into highway trestles and small buildings to relieve his aggression. Always feels better afterwards. Carries 4 exterior fuel tanks, capacity: 1600 gallons, as a reserve for himself and his comrades. His horns shoot bolts of 20,000 volt electricity. Carries a catalytic carbine that shoots destructive chemicals, and an electro-sword. Combines with fellow Predacons to form Predaking.
First/Last Comic Appearance (US) - Issue 25, February 1987 / Issue 50, March 1989
First/Last Comic Appearance (UK) - Issue 98, January 31st 1987 / Issue 279, July 21st, 1990
First/Last Cartoon Appearance - Episode 70 (Season 3 #5), September 19th 1986 / Episode 79 (Season 3 #14), October 31st 1986
Figure Details
AKA 'Bovis'
Manufacturer - Mastermind Creations
Toyline - Reformatted
Additions/Mods:
- Added a Decepticon symbol to the chest
Review
By all accounts Tantrum was slightly unhinged when he first appeared on the scene, and things deteriorated rapidly from that point. Good then that his alternate mode was a permanently enraged bull, and that he comprised the right boot of the notoriously prickly
Predaking. Amongst his fellow
Predacons, Tantrum is the brainless muscle, whilst some of the other members are more cerebral in their approach. It was something of a treat when it was announced that
Unique Toys would be making a Predaking, and my interest was piqued when
Mastermind Creations were throwing their hat into the ring, too. Some time later, the dull and uninspiring 'talents' at
TFC also announced their intention to get involved. But I was instantly excited by Mastermind Creation's (MMC) involvement. They had produced some very ornate transformers to homage the steampunk-themed Hearts Of Steel miniseries, and I was really excited to see them turn their attention to some of the thus far ignored G1 characters, with their thoroughly impressive Six Shot. So surely the Predacons should be easy for them?
Appearance (Robot Mode) 7/10
When I first saw this figure I was somewhat disappointed, although it has grown on me since I started messing around with it. My initial bad impression was due to the size of this figure - he is a tall voyager who stands head to head with
Blitzwing, but with additional bulk. Too big? I guess only time will tell - this is only a limb-bot, after all, but absolutely dwarfs the components of
Devastator,
Menasor and
Bruticus. I won't even mention poor
Superion. Also, that headsculpt is sooo over the top to the point of being ridiculous. I still don't really like it, partially because of the constipated expression and partially because of the red visor, which is practically indistinguishable from the red of the helmet. In actual fact, the visor is painted in a nice metallic hue but it is head to discern. The result is a face which looks half-painted and over the top. I wish MMC could have pared the sculpt down somewhat. With those gripes out of the way what remains is a really great-looking figure, with nice proportions, and a colour scheme which perfectly recalls the original. Tantrum comes with 2 pistols as well as 2 knives which I haven't worked out how to secure to his fists, and I hate them anyway so no bother. The lower legs are rather on the wide side, but this helps to emphasise the sheer power of the character. But my overall impression of this figure is ever-so-slightly 'meh'.
Appearance (Alternate Mode) 7/10
This mode is a lot of fun, with a nice sculpt for the bovine head, and some impressive detailing. Again things feel slightly sparse overall, with the expanses of orange and virulent red punctuated by blacks and greys. I would have liked to see some more paint apps, although what is in place is very high quality. There is a decent range of movement in both legs, you can also splay them as well. He also looks good with figures trying to ride him without being ground into mush! The eyes in the headsulpt are pretty deep set, which can lead you to believe that they are not even painted, and also when the beast mouth is open (even a crack) it is all-too-easy to notice the robot face, lurking within. It looks like last night's supper and is quite unnerving.
Transformation 8/10
This area is where I think MMC excel because they have struck the right balance between an overly-simplistic transformation and one you lose sleep over. The wrists fold into the forearm and then the forearm is connected to the upper arm. The front feet are unfolded from behind the upper arm and click securely into the resultant 'stump' to form the front beast leg. The large pods on either robot leg are pulled free of their tabs, and again the lower beast leg is unfolded and slotted into place, in the manner of the front legs. The robot head is rotated and slotted into place to form part of the lower jaw. The large robot feet are rotated and tabbed onto the lower leg, and the waist is rotated. Then the robot legs fold back on each other and form the rear of the beast mode torso. You are then left with a very squat and imposing bull.
Poseability 8/10
This figure comes with a lot of articulation, but in one or two places the actual positioning of the panels gets in the way of a decent range of movement. He has lateral and side-to side movement in the shoulder and hip area, as well as a swivel waist and ball-jointed head. He is equipped with both bicep and thigh swivel. He has double-jointed elbows and wrist swivel, and also the fold inwards necessary for transformation. The knee joints offer good poseability, and the ankle is ball-jointed with an additional joint towards the 'toes'. It is unfortunate that the shoulder movement is largely impeded. He is a heavy figure but stands up well thanks to the large feet. Most of the joints are very tight and some offer ratchet-like performance which is great on a figure of this size.
Quality 8/10
I have heard reports of the right elbow ratchet stripping, and although this is a purely cosmetic issue (apparently) it is still a real shame. Because in every other respect, quality is probably the most impressive aspect that MMC have to offer. Anyway, I removed one pin from the assembly which allows you to face the joint the correct way. Basically there is a tab which strips the gear from the right elbow because it is the wrong way around, youtube reviewer Peaugh details the fix which took me about 2 minutes. The plastic used is extremely durable and feels fantastic in hand. Just the weight of this figure is incredibly impressive, and I have no doubt that this figure will be able to stand up to the rigours of being the limb of an absolutely massive (and heavy) combiner.
Overall - 38/50
I have seen enough from this figure to suggest that MMC are eventually going to produce a wonderful Predaking, and I am very excited to get this whole thing in hand. I hope that they can iron out their little niggles on this figure, and perhaps offer replacement parts such as
fansProject did with the
Insecticon weapons. I would still say that this is a largely successful figure, and I hope that the resultant combiner doesn't dwarf the rest of my collection too much. Although I suppose
Metroplex will still be able to slap him down...
