Thursday 1 May 2014

G1 PUNCH/ COUNTERPUNCH 1987

Punch /CounterPunch was one of the more unique toys from G1. He was one of if not the first faction swapping transformer. But a bit more ambitious in the fact that he had two separate robot modes. One Autobot ( Punch) and One Decepticon ( Counterpunch) Punch is quite an interesting character in the fact that he is a spy for the Autobots. He can completely change his robot mode colour scheme and even his personality to some extent. For the ultimate disguise.For all intense and purposes he becomes a Decepticon giving him the altimate disguise. It does have its flaws though as he sometimes has trouble controlling his Decepticon aspect Counterpunch. Everytime he transforms into his disguise mode the stronger and more dominant Counterpunch becomes to the point that even when in Autobot mode he has to fight the urge to be a Decepticon. He has a Cybertronian  personality disorder. So eventually it may become the case that Counterpunch will dominant and Punch will be his disguise. This does frighten Punch because it  is a constant internal battle like Ying and Yang.

However, you don't really see any of this in the cartoon. He appeared in "The Rebirth part one" where he was trying to stop Pounce and Wingspan from steeling the key to the Plasma Energy Chamber. He failed when he got pounced upon by Pounce. Later on you saw him on Cybertron just helping Fastlane and Cloudraker to search the planet for the Matrix of Leadership on Optimus Primes orders. That is all he does really in the Sunbro cartoon
He does a little bit more in Takara headmasters cartoon. He is more in it in the end where he is the Autobots spy in the Decepticon ranks.

 
FUNCTION, Double Agent
 
MOTTO, " In my business, there are no friends,only suspects"
 
BIO, Punch the Autobot transforms into Counterpunch the Decepticon to infiltrate enemy installations. Cool headed, a robot of few words reveals little of his true self to either side. Maximum car mode speed 160mph. Uses twin mortar launcher in Autobot mode, Photon Cannon in Decepticon mode
 
STATS, Strength 6, Intelligence 9, Speed 4, Endurance 6, Rank 7, Courage 10, Firepower 6, Skill 9
 
 
 
Car mode front
 
 
 

 
                                                        Punch Robot mode


                                               Counterpunch Robot Mode




His car mode is great. Super clean apart from the hinges just behind the front wheels. Other than that on first glance it would be hard to tell he was a Transformer unless you knew what you were looking for. There is actually some very nice detailing on this car mode. Shame there is not a enough paint apps to bring those details out. In fact the only paint app on this car mode are the grey on the windscreen and windows. But the paint does not continue to where the window goes past the door.
The fact the  blue on the rear of the car is  a completely different blue to the rest of the vehicle which is a little distracting.
Apart from these minor problems its still a nice car mode and would look good in a display.

His transformation is quite simple. The hardest part is folding out his arms which are extremely tight at least they areon my figure.
Punch's robot mode is pretty solid. I don't really care for the big chunks of car hanging off the sides of his body and it makes his arms look a little scrawny. The fact that he has no pelvis or feet what so ever. His legs are also pretty hollow. Ignoring those flaws he is a good looking robot mode. I especially like the head sculpt which I think looks a bit like Optimus Prime.
There is some decent detailing on his chest as well as his Autobot rub sign.
His only articulation is he can move his arms up and down and his hands from side to side. 

His Counterpunch robot mode I think has a nicer aesthetic. He still has no pelvis but his legs are no longer hollow and he has feet. I like his weapon better as well. The long black Photon Cannon looks better than the yellow twin Mortar launcher that Punch has.
I also think I like the colour scheme better on Counterpunch. The dark blue makes him look more evil and Decepiconish rather than bright yellow which works for an Autobot
His head sculpt is still nice and has a rather Voldermort/Quirrel thing going on with a face on either side of his head. His face is not quite as detailed as Punches and his visor is wide. His mouth is moulded on a open position kind of like he is screaming in horror at something.
It is not all good though his arms are even scrawy than Punches and his shoulders are too far back. But I can forgive these flaws as he is such a great looking figure.

Punch/ Counterpunch is a pretty rare figure to find and I got lucky with mine. We paid about £40 on Ebay. If someone is aware of its rarity then alot more can be paid.
I definitely think it is a good figure and worth getting. Yes, It does have its flaws in both robot modes but needs them to function.

Get it if you can


 

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