Springer (Car and Attack Helicopter) [Wheels CO2 & CO3 Wreck 'n Rule 2 & 3]

@robfromzonebase Springer (helicopter and car) [Transformers Blokees Wheels CO2 & CO3 [Wreck 'n Rule 1 & 2] #zonebase #transformers #blokees #blokeestransformers #blindbox ♬ Witching Hour - NECRONOMIDOL

When it comes to my name, people automatically assume it's a screen name or ask if I'm related to Jerry.

Ironically, I'm related to a Jerry, yeah—the guy on TV.

No, not that one. The guy who robbed a gas station.

Either way, the answer is no, and it just happens to be a slightly common name. For example, an artist on the original Transformers comic was named Frank Springer. However, Springer allegedly wasn't named after him either.

I say allegedly because the name apparently comes from his special ability to jump or his tendency to jump into battle. Transformers are more than meets the eye, and getting "Springer" from that is a pretty big leap.

I'm guessing Frank pissed someone petty off somehow.

In 1986, Springer made his big-screen debut in Transformers: The Movie. I was there opening weekend, drinking my cherry ICEE next to my Mom, who kept nudging me with a smile every time they said his name. My brother was sitting with a kid from the bus who'd apparently been there all day watching every showing.

To this day, I wonder if I know him now as an adult fan.

This past weekend, like many of you, I went to see the 40th anniversary showing at the theater. This time without the cherry ICEE, because I'm older now and that's too much sugar.

In case it isn't completely obvious, this post is my way of observing the occasion.

Springer's Wheels releases were spread between the two different cases in the Wreck 'n Rule series, with the car appearing in Part 1 and the attack helicopter in Part 2. Both also have special editions, the Hologram and Titanium versions, in addition to the standard releases.

Both of mine are the standard editions, which I'm perfectly fine with. Though those Hologram versions are mighty neat looking.

Springer's Wheels kits are based on his appearance in IDW's Last Stand of the Wreckers. The car looks a bit different from his traditional design, while the attack helicopter isn't too far removed from what we're used to seeing.

Blokees Wheels are specifically sharp-looking kits, and Springer definitely falls into that category. Both kits use that super-satisfying compound known as Solidex, and it just brings them both to another level.

Seriously, Blokees. Just make the entire thing out of the stuff. I love it.

The combination of the design, Solidex, and the smaller scale makes these completed kits feel like a high-caliber product. Blokees Wheels almost feel like a more sophisticated model kit.

Does that make sense?

I had absolutely no problem assembling the car. None.

The attack helicopter gave me some trouble, though. A lot of that had to do with my ongoing issues with reading the instructions clearly. The main body piece that everything assembles out from? I had it backwards for what felt like forever while trying to decipher what I was supposed to be doing and what I was doing wrong.

I enjoy the helicopter blades resembling swords. I don't recall if they did this in Last Stand of the Wreckers, but since the helicopter blades normally become his sword, it was a nice touch.

Another nice touch is that the Wreckers Hammer that comes with Cosmos in Wreck 'n Rule Part 1 can also be mounted on the car.

Overall, these are just neat kits, even if I had a little trouble assembling the attack helicopter. Like I've said a few times before, I'm surprised by just how much I'm enjoying these Wheels kits.

They're just really freaking neat, you know?

Attack of the Demon Programmers

Demon Attack is often forgotten about these days due to... well, it was just another copycat game for the Atari that added to the growing problem that caused the video game crash.

However, the commercial is pretty great. You've got a room full of Imagic employees, and apparently a freaking monstrous demon is a programmer there. Just straight-up sitting there in the...

Wait, why is this company's office all dark and smoky? It looks like the back room of an illicit business where mobsters meet.

Man... the programming world is scary.

White Tiger Thunderzord [Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Re-Ignition]

@robfromzonebase White Tigerzors [Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Re-Ignition] #zonebase #mightymorphinpowerrangers #powerrangers #zords #megazord ♬ Running like a Tiger - Damian Hamada's Creatures

It's fall, and that means it's time for Playmates Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Re-Ignition Season 2 to start!

As many of you know, I was really fond of the Season 1 Zords, and I'm looking forward to completing that set once the Dragonzord ships next year. Fortunately, there's no weird stipulation with Season 2, and the entire set of Zords is available at standard retail.

The Thunder Megazord was always my preferred Megazord, and it's nice to see him getting the Re-Ignition treatment. I know some folks vastly prefer the nicer, higher-end options, but I really like these because they're just fun, big-ass robot toys that are not only easily available... but also fairly cheap.

At $20 each from my local Walmart, they're not a bad way to build a big-ass Megazord. Not to mention, it's fun to acquire them week by week and slowly assemble the team.

These figures are developed by Playmates themselves by their Hong Kong team—the group that made their Voltron sets that I was a big fan of—and they're heavily based on the original Zords. As a result, they have a nice, satisfying old-school Bandai feel to them.

Not to mention, they're nice and large. Like a Jumbo Shogun Warrior.

I'm starting my look at Season 2 with what has to be my all-time favorite Zord, the White Tiger Thunderzord.

Super Sentai fans know him as Mythical Qi Beast Won Tiger from Gosei Sentai Dairanger, though I mainly associate him with MMPR since I haven't watched nearly as much Dairanger as I have Zyuranger.

When I was younger, I had assumed he was meant to resemble a sphinx, but instead he's based on the Byakko from Chinese mythology. That's something I was fairly ignorant of as a kid, despite being surrounded by its imagery quite often thanks to my hometown having a largely mixed population.

When the tiger transforms into Warrior Mode, it's intended to resemble ancient warrior statues, something I've always thought looked cool. Another thing I like is the white base color with the black, red, and gold accent colors. It just looks so sharp, and with that classic Bandai design, it looks awesome.

In Warrior Mode, the tiger's head becomes his chest, which is a design style many transforming robots have used, but once again, that classic Bandai look gives it a charm all its own.

Like the other Re-Ignition toys, it feels like a giant Gobot... which, if history had gone another way, the originals might have ended up as.

This is a really satisfying toy thanks to its larger size and chonky design. Being intended to homage the original, it's fairly simple... and that's not a bad thing.

Transformation... whoops, I meant morphing from tiger to warrior... isn't complex at all. The tail is his scimitar, and the whole package just comes together nicely.

Of course, you can attach the other Thunderzords and form the White Tiger Thunder Megazord, which we'll get to once all the members are acquired.

For now, however, let me just bask in a new toy of one of my favorite designs.

You might just have an alcoholic in your house

To be honest, the rules regarding Gremlins are pretty... crap.

Don't feed them after midnight. What time zone? How do they know? Do they update with daylight saving time?

Don't get them wet... how wet? There's moisture in the air. Does condensation count? Isn't hydration technically...?

Sunlight and bright lights? Okay, I get that one. I mean, that's workable... except when they're surrounded by lights in various scenes, but a random desk lamp is an issue.

Now... we've got to worry about them drinking and driving. Which is a pretty big rule for everyone, not just Gremlins. Like, seriously, don't do it. That's one of the most irresponsible things you can do, and you have to be a pretty big piece of shit to do it intentionally.

The Gremlins, though... they're already destroying everything, and then you let them behind the wheel of your Mom's '89 Ford Taurus, drunker than a sailor on payday?

While we're here, can we point out how many jump scares this PSA has?

Good thing Gizmo's adorable.