TRANSFORMERS TOYS AND MERCHANDISE SECTION

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Blackjack's review: Hound and Ravage

Both Hound and Ravage were among the very first wave that set off the now 25-year old phenomenon known as the Transformers. Whether you are talking about the toys, the cartoon, or the comics, Hound and Ravage were there all along.

I'll start with each of them separately.

Name- Hound
Allegiance- Autobot
Function- Scout

"Observe everything, remember even more."

Hound, the Autobots' resident tracker and hologram projector, has been... more or less thrown aside as crowd filler most of the time, making way for guys like Grimlock and Hot Rod to hog the spotlight. Hound, despite being a prominent character in the first few episodes and comics, dwindled until he was nothing more than a backstage prop. Hound's special power is creating lifelike holograms. He can disguise himself, and in one particular instance confuse Devastator. However, his powers are often mixed up with that of fellow Autobot Mirage. Mirage's power is supposed to be invisibility, but in several cases (the episode Masquerade and IDW's Spotlight: Mirage) Mirage was mistakenly given hologram powers.

To make things worse, names like Cliffjumper and Mirage and Sideswipe popped up now and then through various franchises, but never Hound. So technically, there is only and ever has been Generation One Hound.

Now, however, Hasbro decided to brush the fifteen-inch thick dust off Hound (and indeed other neglected characters like Brawn and Windcharger) and gifted him with new toys. First, there was the 2004 Alternators toy, which represented Hound as a new model jeep. In 2008, a legends class representation of Hound was released as part of Universe 2.0. Now, 2009 marks Transformers' 25th anniversary, and Hasbro decided to pull out two of their original characters--Hound and Ravage--and stick them into a Deluxe pack.

The original Hound toy was a Mitsubishi J59 Jeep, if I'm not mistaken. Hound's special ability was holographic projection, and he is able to create holograms and confuse Decepticons. In the original 'More than Meets the Eye' pilot episodes, Hound had a large role and was actually meant to be the kid-friendly character... until Bumblebee stole that spot. Hound's role in the cartoon became less and less until his last cameo in Transformers- the Movie. In the comics, Hound was there from the first comic, but he didn't get any spotlight. Not even in Earthforce. He was later killed by Starscream in the Underbase massacre. Hound reappeared in the Generation 2 comics, presumably revived by Nucleon or some other means. Hound has appeared in both Dreamwave's and IDW's reboots.

VEHICLE MODE

While Hound's Legends class toy transforms into a jeep that resembles his original Mitsubishi alternate mode, the deluxe version of Hound is more of a Classics-style update to him. The vehicle Hound picks this time is more modern, sleek and up-to-date.

To a quick unobservant person, Hound doesn't look like he would transform. No kibble or any indication that it is a transformer. Even if you flip him up, you will only catch a glimpse of his head, and his hands are folded neatly.

Hound's alternate mode is a sleek jeep, which, if not for moderately heavy detailing, would fit in rather nicely with Animated toys.

A bit of comparison with G1 now. The main difference is colour. The original Hound's colour is a deep but vibrant green. Viridian, I think, but I ain't exactly the art type. This Hound sports a rather pale shade of green, which brings about realism. I mean, what jeep would be able to stand in a parched military base but still look so jolly and bright?

Another big difference was the front metal bars, or grille. In the original toy, it was a small but noticeable silver engine-thing, and a big yellow star was on it's right side. In Universe Hound, the engine has been transformed into a more realistic gray bumper-thing, and I found myself liking it immensely. The big yellow star have been reduced into a more militaristic small white one.

Hound's chairs are large and interesting. Gives him a kid friendly feel. Hound's gun, presumably the holographic gun (which had been super-deformed) can latch onto the back of one of his chairs. There is a molded dashboard and steering wheel. The windshield is Allspark Blue.

Pretty much, that's all the vehicle mode has to offer. Oh. One more thing. Cassette-mode Ravage can latch onto Hound's vehicle mode via pegs on the back.

Regardless, unlike Cyclonus' slightly pudgy jet mode, Hounds alternate mode look realistic enough whilst having that child-like Generation One/Animated feel to it. Hound will look at home in any Classics or Animated line of vehicles. But there is still more.

ROBOT MODE

Hound's transformation is spectacular. It is actually very similar to the original toy's transformation, when you think about it. So, like the Prowl mold, Hound remains faithful to its original transformation scheme, unlike a certain big red minivan.

Sarcasm aside, Hound's transformation is innovative. Effort is clearly put into this mold, unlike the half-arsed piece of crap that is Cheetor. The transformation scheme had been clearly thought out. Chairs fold neatly into barely noticeable kneecaps, the front of the car folds down to form Hound's chest, the back of the car folds in the exact way the original toy does to form his legs.

Kibble is surprisingly well hidden (the chairs impress me) other than those that are present in Hound's character model. The paler green surprisingly suits Hound, and I prefer this. Since Hound isn't going to be a kid-friendly character *coughs*Bumblebee*coughs*, he might as well as lose the bright green paint. It's gonna make him stand out in the mostly red, white and yellow Autobots.

Hound's front wheels have changed their position. Instead of hanging uselessly on his sides, they fold and twist up onto Hound's back, giving him an Alternators/Movieverse look.

Poseability is excellent. Hound's head rotates excellently, and the legs are nicely poseable, with knee and hip joints. The hands have shoulder ball joints and elbow joints. Hound can be posed into a large range of poses. Best Hound toy ever.

And, following Universe's current [sarcasm]gimmick[/sarcasm] of dinky little guns, Hound's holographic gun (based on the cartoon character model rather than the toy, which is a shame. The toy's gun is wicked cool.) can be mounted on his shoulder or held by his hands.

Overall, I prefer the look of this Hound than his original character model. Unlike Ironhide or Prowl, the transformation is not needlessly complicated, and is directly lifted from the original character model. Overall, he's full of win, and is a must-have if you don't have a Hound. I'm sentimental. Sue me.

Name- Ravage
Allegiance- Decepticon
Function- Saboteur

"Today's Autobots are tomorrow's scrap metal."

Ravage is one of my all-time favourite characters. (Well, technically every first-year Decepticon counts among my 'all time favourites'.) Ravage, like Hound, was featured in a major role in the pilot episode, where he was captured by Hound. In the pilot comic, Ravage clashed with Hound as well, running away from Hound's hologram missiles. Generation One Ravage has a whole lot of distinctions and awards.

-Ravage was the first transformer to speak in the comics.
-Ravage is the only Generation 1 Transformer that had a major role in the Beast Wars. (Prime and Megatron mainly fills the backstory et al) He even has an all new BW character model!
-Ravage has two Alternators toys.
-Despite being a major character, Ravage never appeared outside Generation One, sans his incoming role in Revenge of the Fallen. (Energon was Battle Ravage, while Beast Wars and Alternators is technically G1 continuity.)
- Ravage was the only first-wave Cassetticon that has a unique mold. (Frenzy and Rumble share a mold, while Laserbeak and Buzzsaw share the other.)
-WST Ravage is officially the smallest transforming transformers toy.
-All of Ravage's repaints are female. (Japanese exclusive Howlback and Glit.)

Impressive, isn't it? Unlike Hound, Ravage has gone and made a name of himself, invading the Beast Wars ("Decepticons forever!") and wrecking havoc with the time line.

Ravage's original toy was a micro cassette which transformed into a jaguar/puma kind of animal. No, he's not a wolf. He's a kitty. There. The original Ravage toy (I have the classics reissue) was paper-thin, but was quite poseable, with multi-jointed legs. He was able to be inserted into Soundwave's chest capacity, and is almost always pictured alongside his master.

Ravage's role in the cartoon is pretty much minimal, as he functions as Soundwave's attack dog- I mean attack kitty. Ravage never speaks other than a line in 'More than Meets the Eye part 3', and even then he was in cassette mode, playing back his findings. Other than that, he basically growls and roars. He appeared a lot of times in the first and second season, in Transformers the Movie and was featured at times even until the third season.

In the comics, he was legendary as well. Ravage was able to speak (he delivered the first line of the comics) but he went into absence after a skirmish with Skids. When Simon Furman took over the reins of both US and UK comics, Ravage returns in a big way, participating in Time Wars, the Unicron Battles and the Decepticon Civil War.

In the Beast Wars, Ravage helped to cement Beast Wars into Generation One continuity. Starscream's ghost had appeared before, and references to Shrapnel and Optimus Prime had been made. But a character--dear ol' Ravage--coming from the future, and the introduction of the Ark and Nemesis in a two-parter fully placed Beast Wars in Generation One.

Ravage still transformed into a micro cassette, but has a different beast mode. While he died at the end of the two-parter, Ravage's legacy continues on with a few Beast Wars toys and his revival in the modern Beast Wars- Gathering comics.

Other versions of Ravage? Beast Machines? Nope. RiD? Nope. Armada? Nope. A Terrorcon based on G1 Ravage was featured in Energon. But he was called Battle Ravage and was a mass-produced drone, so he doesn't count. Cybertron? Nay. Animated? Not (yet). The Movie? Zilch. Ravage will, however, return into the big screen in 2009's Revenge of the Fallen, where he is a cyclopean Hellhound of death.

Generation One has a Ravage. Beast Wars has a Ravage toy as well, under the name 'Tripredacus Agent'. Energon, if you count that, has two Ravages, namely Battle Ravage and Command Ravage. The Alternators line features a Battle Ravage (car to human) and a Ravage (Jaguar car to Jaguar. Dat's cool!). So how does the Universe Ravage fare?

BEAST MODE
The first thing you notice about Ravage is that he now has width. No longer will Ravage fall under the slightest breeze. The legs have been spaced out, and on first glance he is very similar, nearly identical to his character model.

The key word is nearly. Where. The. F***ing. Hell. Are. Ravage's. Missiles? I mean, he looks weird without the missiles that are always attached on his back legs. Nope, nowhere... Wait! It's there! TreadshotA1 pointed it out to me, (thanks by the way) that the dinky little missiles are there, molded but unpainted. Hell, I missed it on reviewing, so how can I expect it to be seen by casual fans? Alternatively, you can attach the missiles from a Generation 1 Ravage, which look damn impressive, but what about those who do not have a G1 Ravage?

One other thing. Ravage's legs are less articulated than his original toys. The original Ravage is able to rotate his legs at the top of the legs (shoulder/hip), the knees and the paws. This Ravage can only twist his knees and back hips. And neck. So unlike Hound, who gained elbows and knees and ankle joints, Ravage actually lost articulation. Sad.

That aside, though, Ravage is an excellent toy. His fanged mouth, his paws and cool body design would surely enthrall kids. But this is a step back in poseability. But hey. Ravage's a bonus toy.

CASSETTE MODE

Ravage transforms into a micro cassette. Unlike Hound, he features an all new transformation scheme, which is fine bw me. He is able to be latched onto Hound's back in vehicle mode, although this looks pretty stupid. Either Ravage has grown into a gigantic tape, or Hound has shrunk. The feature I appreciate the most--he's exactly the same size with Generation One cassetticons. You can insert him into your G1 Soundwave/Blaster that are lying around.

Marks out of ten for the following:

TRANSFORMATION- 4/10 for Hound in terms of hardness. 3/10 for Ravage in terms of hardness. In design, though, it's another story. Hound gets a whooping 10/10 while Ravage gets a 8/10.
PRICE 10/10 Two for the price of one. Now that's good pricing.
FUN 10/10 Come on. This is Hound and Ravage we're talking about here.
DURABILITY Hard to say. Feels quite durable though. Possibly an 8/10.
OVERALL 11/10 Hound is simply perfect. I'm a Geewun sort of person when it comes to reliving G1 characters, but this Hound has replaced his original design. Ravage is okay, but it could be done better. Hound and Ravage is the best toy so far, however. Cyclonus and them are the Best. Get them, damn it. Don't give it a second thought.