I’m not as up on my Transformers history and lore as a lot of other TF collectors around these parts. All I have to go on are my memories of the G1 cartoon, a little of the Marvel comic series, and a lot of toys from when I was a kid in the ’80s. So that’s where my interests in the modern toys lie: nostalgia. When I learned that Cosmos was coming in the Generations line, I couldn’t contain my excitement even though I had my doubts given the size of some other Legends Class figures I had rummaged through on the shelves. But he doesn’t disappoint.
The packaging is pretty standard here so I won’t go into it much. Here’s pictures of it before it went into the trash.
As for the figure itself, I couldn’t be happier. I had played with the idea of getting the iGear version before I knew of the existence of this figure but it didn’t do much for me. But this definitely does. While it strays from what I remember, it’s a solid update to the vintage. Hell, I’m always happy when the feet aren’t fused together.
Articulation is more than decent. I’ve had to temper my expectations when it comes to Transformers in some cases, coming off years of enjoying the abundant articulation of lines like Marvel Legends and DC Universe Classics. But I wouldn’t say it’s a trade-off. Would I like Cosmos to have ankle tilts, a ball head, and wrist swivels? Sure, but I’ve found that I can do without in order to get a great version of a character who transforms into something else. And really, the articulation is great for the size and shapes of parts that we’re getting here.
- Ball shoulders with a hinge that moves up and down
- Swivel head ( Side to side, no up and down)
- Swivel waist
- Ball elbows
- Ball hips
- Ball above the knee
- Double hinge knee
Now, some of those points seem to only be there to aid in transformation, but I’m not complaining. If it works, it works.
His alt mode is a straight up UFO. Yup, that’s definitely a UFO. And it looks pretty good. Some of the panels are a bit difficult to line up and stay together, but it works. And it’s easy! That’s one of the things I’ve missed with modern Transformers, the ability to just rip open the package and start transforming. Makes me feel like I’m 10 again. At least until I get my next Masterpiece.
And this is where Payload comes into play. Yeah, he’s tiny. He only has two points of articulation in robot mode. But his alt shuttle mode works fantastic with Cosmos in UFO form.
It wasn’t until I took these pics that I noticed the sloppy paint around the face, but in person it’s not really noticeable. Speaking of paint apps, what few Cosmos has is really clean. Most of his parts are molded in the right color with the only major paint being some yellow on the upper body and the windows.
Back to Payload, I don’t mind the robot mode at all but I’m a big fan of thick legs. I’m also a fan of separate legs, but what can you do with just over an inch to work with. The thing that throws me is the red, blue, and yellow just seemingly thrown in the mix for no reason, but it does make me think of those old, sometimes oddly colored characters in the Marvel comic series, so I can live with that.
His third mode is a gun for Cosmos.
It works, but it doesn’t work for me. I think if it wasn’t for the tiny arms sticking out and the wings I’d be okay as I like some big barrel guns. But as is it looks like Cosmos is taking his model airplane to the park for some leisurely afternoon fun.
And now to look at scale since I’m all about the robot mode.
While I do tend to think he’s small, it doesn’t bother me nearly as bad as I thought it would. And I’m guilty of mixing and matching figures from lines that probably shouldn’t be mixed. For some reason I feel he should be as tall as Warpath, who I absolutely love standing next to other figures.
But like I said, not bad at all. I can forget the size when he’s as cooler than he has any right to be.
