Hercules: Exgraver

After waiting for months, here he is! The first sixth of Transformers Club's attempt to remake their own version of Devastator. Of course, being that TFC is an unauthorized fan group, they aren't allowed to use trademarked names like Devastator (or Decepticon or Constructicon, for that matter). So this is the first part of "Hercules", he is "Exgraver" and "not Scavenger."
Not-Scavenger come out pretty well despite the general reaction that he isn't quite up to Hasbro/Takara standards. Exgraver is made of the same type of solid ABS plastic. He stands about 7 inches high (his head to his feet). Everything on him moves - from shoulders to hips, knees to elbows, even his head is on a ball joint allowing him to look up at you from your desk. This is especially important since he also features light-piping in his eyes. And the "Hercules's right arm" configuration doesn't seem like an after-thought either: the arm also has an elbow and wrist, both which rotate and swivel. Not-Devastator's hand even has articulated fingers.If he's so posable, does that mean Exgraver is playable? Well... this is where I have to deduct points. Hasbro/Takara are in the business of making kids' toys. And kids can be a little rough. I've noticed in recent Transformers instruction manuals that they specifically say forcing parts may cause them to pop off. They don't break; you simply pop the parts back into place. I don't feel so comfortable here. I feel like if a joint is just a bit too tight, I don't want to force it. Part of this is due to design and part due to implementation.

Do this first......then this (the thumb will be behind the head)...
...and then this (plug in and then fold fingers over the face).

One of the first steps in the included instructions is to stow Hercules's hand onto the robot so that it becomes part of his vehicle mode. Well, I discovered that there simply isn't any give. If the hand is in place, there's barely any room to flip the shoulders up and plug into place. Well, there's a little room, but there is the risk of scratching up the parts that meet. I've since discovered it's safer to just reverse the steps - fold up and peg the parts before putting in the giant purple hand.
Myclone Optimus Prime is exactly 2.5 inches tall, to give you an idea how bulky vehicle mode is. With the "Hercules hand" stowed away there are a few more 5mm holes and pegs around to also plug in the two gun accessories. No baggie required for left-over parts. Exgraver may require parts-swapping for the cab (that is actually plugged into an upside down fist when in vehicle mode) but at least he cleans up after himself. And as you could see in the first photo above there are a variety of ways to plug everything in robot mode as well.

The instructions say this......but you can do this if you jiggle the black panel a bit...

Last but not least... the obligatory picture of Exgraver's arm-mode. This is going to be a seriously large figure. The hand compares with Optimal Optimus from Beast Wars. The connector for the shoulder joint is not at the very tip but that makes sense as the prototype photos released by TFC have shown that the head and shoulders formed by "Not Hook" will be very beefy.
I can understand the common complaints - that this figure is too expensive for what it is. But let's be serious - TFC is no Hasbro. They accepted a risk to undertake this project, but they aren't stupid. They have shopped around and must have found the best factory they could afford. And in order to make back the costs of a limited production run, they priced their figure accordingly. "Hercules" is not priced for everyone, but those of us who took the plunge should not regret the decision to support the project. Because I can't wait for the next one!