For the first proper entry in this series, I figured there would be no better place to start than with the most iconic character from Transformers mythos; the legendary Optimus Prime. Throughout this journey, we’ll take a look at a number of figures of everyone’s beloved truck dad. In this entry however, we’re looking specifically at the version that is my ideal version of the character as he exists in my mind. This is Transformers War for Cybertron Trilogy: Siege Optimus Prime.
Now off the bat, you’ll notice that my copy looks a little different than other copies. Occasionally, I will modify a figure to improve the overall look or function to my preference. Of note, I am proud of the new shoulder plates with the smokestacks. The ones that come stock on the figure don’t stick up far enough for my liking in alt mode, so I designed some replacement parts that are just that little bit taller.
But anyway, on to the figure itself. What sets this iteration apart from other versions of the character that many claim to be the “best Generation One Optimus toy”? Broadly speaking, it just comes down to personal preference. With numerous toys of the heroic Autobot leader, this just happened to be the one I gravitated towards. In the following sections, I’ll detail what specifically makes this toy of Optimus stand out.
First and foremost, the overall look of the figure does a lot for me. There is some stylization, as was common for figures from Siege, but it’s still recognizable as G1 Optimus Prime, from the smokestacks on the shoulders, to the truck grille abs, down to the solid-blue leg columns. The designers also nailed the proportions, in my opinion. There are some figures of Optimus that just look ever so slightly off to me for one reason or another. With this figure though, it looks exactly like how I envision Optimus to look.
There are some details that don’t line up with the animation model, such as the back panel, bits on his arms, and the half-exposed wheels on the legs. I personally welcome these additional details, as I prefer when my figures have plenty of clues as to what they transform into.
Siege Optimus looks the part, but then how does he feel? For me personally, I tend to fidget with my figures, so the hand feel is a very important aspect. I am pleased to report that he feels just about as good as he looks. Some joints are a little loose from messing with it for approximately seven years semi-frequently, but that’s to be expected. If anything, it just gives more credit to how good he feels.
I want to preface this next statement by saying that this blog is not intended to have objective reviews for the figures in my collection. I am using this space as a means to reflect on my collecting journey and to express what these figures mean to me. As such, I won’t be going in-depth about the articulation or transformation. There are other blogs that I encourage you to seek out if that’s something you’re interested in.
Anyway, Siege Optimus is a master class in retail Transformer engineering. Nearly every joint that you would want is there, save for some joints to allow his arms to cross his chest for some axe-wielding poses. All of those joints then culminate in a super nifty take on the classic OP transformation scheme. The arms and legs end up where you’d expect them to, but not quite how you’d expect. There’s enough new steps to the transformation that make it interesting but not overly complicated. After said transformation, you are left with an interesting but slightly divisive take on Optimus Prime’s semi truck mode.
As previously mentioned, the Siege line opted to go for a more stylized approach when adapting classic characters. The alt modes are made to look more space-age and alien, since they look as they might have on their home planet of Cybertron before coming to Earth and acquiring alt modes to blend in with our vehicles. I do understand why some fans might take issue with these reinterpretations. There are some details that look a little odd compared to our frame of reference. I, for one, am fully on board with reinterpretations like this, and am disappointed that they didn’t commit to doing more like this after Siege concluded.
As the title of this entry and the first picture have alluded to, I will be briefly touching on another figure related to Siege Optimus. Over the years, there have been numerous redecoes of the base Siege Optimus figure, which means that Hasbro has molded the plastic in different colors and/or given it a different coat of paint. The redeco pertinent to this entry is “Energon Optimus Prime” from the Age of the Primes line. What makes this figure interesting is it’s been cast in mostly transparent blue plastic and given Tron-esque line details. The whole look is intended to make Optimus look like he’s overcharged with Energon.
Truth be told, I was not originally planning on getting this figure. I thought the new deco was interesting, but ultimately fine enough to where I felt like I didn’t want it. However, this figure released at a unique time to be a Transformers fan. The release of this figure unfortunately coincided with the passing of Peter Cullen, the iconic voice of Optimus Prime since the franchise’s inception in 1984. I felt compelled to go out and look for this figure as a way to honor Peter Cullen. This ethereal version of Optimus Prime helps to remind me that while the man that gave the character life may be gone, he will always have a place in our hearts.
Optimus Prime is one of my most beloved characters from any piece of fiction that I hold dear. I remember thinking it was a big deal any time I got a new figure of him that wasn’t one of the smaller offerings. In a world where there are plenty of G1 Optimus Primes, War for Cybertron: Siege Optimus Prime has always stood out. The figure not only looks like how I imagine Optimus to look, but also represents the qualities I love about Transformers as a whole. To me, no other retail figure of the Autobot Commander truly captures the essence of the character, to not just be a hero, but to be strong enough to be gentle. Thank you, Peter Cullen, and may you rest in peace.