@robfromzonebase Overlord (plane and tank) [Transformers Blokees Wheels CO2- Wreck 'n Rule] #zonebase #transformers #blokees #blokeestransformers ##blindbox ♬ Catcat Heaven - The Lethal Weapons
Overlord is one of those really big-deal Transformers characters. No matter how many toys get made of him, every new release feels like an event. That goes all the way back to his introduction in Transformers: Masterforce as one of the series' original characters and toys. Aside from a European release of the original figure, Overlord didn't really get a worldwide release until around 2003, when his Super Collection Figure PVC was released under Hasbro's Heroes of Cybertron line named Powermaster Gigatron. Even then, it was pretty much a one-off until Overlord exploded in popularity thanks to Last Stand of the Wreckers in 2010. That IDW incarnation won over a whole new generation of fans and has led to a steady stream of new toys ever since.
Today we're looking at the Plane and Tank kits from Blokees Transformers Wheels CT-02: Wreck n' Rule.
It's been a little while since I've talked about a Blokees Wheels kit here, and honestly, I've built up a bit of a backlog. Thanks to the move, I've still got most of CT-02 sitting unbuilt and CT-03 completely untouched. Like a few other things I've yet to cover here, expect the TikTok and Instagram pages to suddenly get flooded with assembled Wheels kits. I hate to be one of those guys, but if you'd like to follow me over there, I'd really appreciate it. Those pages have become an extension of Zone Base and are a fun way to share things that don't always become full blog posts.
For those unfamiliar with them, the Wheels series focuses entirely on vehicle modes. In the case of Transformers, that means building the alternate modes instead of the robots. It's a surprisingly fun twist, and while they share some similarities with the Defender Version vehicle kits, they're definitely their own thing.
The tank is a simpler build than the plane, although I did struggle with the instructions a bit. Like the Defender Version kits, Wheels uses those tiny instruction cards, and sometimes the illustrations are just a little too small to make out clearly. For the most part I did fine, but the Universal Chassis Connector, the rear tread assembly, and one tiny black piece that fits beneath the turret all had me scratching my head for a few minutes. Once everything finally clicked together, though... it just worked.
The tank also uses some of that wonderfully satisfying Solidex, which immediately made me forget any frustration I'd had. I really do appreciate that stuff.
The plane, unfortunately, doesn't use any Solidex.
Blokees...
Why?
I honestly can't even tell you exactly where it would have been useful. I just know I'd have appreciated more of that magical material. What if they made an entire kit out of Solidex?
Whoa.
The jet itself assembles fairly easily. Once again, I stumbled a little on the Universal Chassis Connector, though I have to admit that's mostly a me problem. I seem to trip over that step on almost every Wheels kit I build, so I can only blame the instructions so much. If the Universal Chassis System were made of Solidex, I'd probably get it right every time.
My only real complaint with the plane is the landing gear. It's awesome that they included working landing gear, but the pieces have a tendency to pop off pretty easily.
It's also worth mentioning that these kits represent the IDW Comics version of Overlord rather than his original G1 design. The tank isn't dramatically different, but the jet is much sleeker and honestly looks like something straight out of a 16-bit shooter.
Everyone take a shot.
I compared a toy to a non-related video game.
Of course, these kits don't combine into Overlord's robot mode or city mode.
They do, however, combine into two different super jets that I think look absolutely fantastic.
You can replace the tank's treads with the plane's wings to create one heavy duty looking fighter, or attach the treads to the jet itself before combining everything into a much larger super aircraft. Once again, my brain immediately goes to old shooter games. These things just have that aesthetic. I'm convinced they'd have starred in some long-forgotten multi-platform shooter with several sequels, brutal difficulty, and incredible music.
Naturally, the CD-ROM version would have fully animated cutscenes.
I've probably spent way too much time on that analogy, but that's honestly how strongly these designs hit that part of my brain.
Speaking of the designs, Overlord's classic black and teal color scheme looks absolutely fantastic on these kits. They're sharp-looking models, and while I understand that blind-box packaging makes special editions a little less practical, I'd still love to see alternate versions someday. Cast them in translucent plastic. Give them metallic paint. Throw some glitter in there.
The possibilities are endless.
Awesome job, Blokees.
