Kool Kollectibles content

25 Jun 2020

ThreeZero DLX Scale Optimus Prime

I was pretty impressed with the ThreeZero DLX Bumblebee figure, so was definitely looking forward to their release of Optimus Prime. And they certainly didn't disappoint. The build quality, attention to detail, paint application, and articulation on this figure is outstanding!

Click through below to check out my full video review over on the Kool Kollectibles YouTube channel! Make sure to click that like button and subscribe to the channel 😀


The set doesn't really come with too many accessories, and I guess that's a reflection of what the character was seen with in the movie. Luckily what is provided is of high quality, with a great looking rifle and enough hands to cover most action poses. The main focus of course is on the figure itself, and it's most impressive!


If you're not thinking "Wow!" when you unbox this thing, then you mustn't be human! The sheer detail in this thing will have you pouring over all its features and being amazed at how they've assembled everything.

I've been told now that the style of the shoulders and forearms are to match the earthbound look that Optimus had in later scenes of the movie. In my review I thought they had made some error since it differed from the way he looked in the opening scene, but that was his Cybertron look. So ThreeZero have actually made it very accurate; unfortunately the DLX doesn't have swap out pieces like the larger Premium scale figure that will have swap out features for each mode.


Regardless, the way this figure moves is one of its most impressive aspects. The joints and various points of articulation all move so seamlessly, that seem completely organic and natural in a way that you'd imagine a real robot to move.

Each move reveals or hides some detail as appropriate, especially around the shoulders, elbows, and knees. It's amazing how small panels will adjust or move out of the way as you rotate or bend joints. Nothing seems too delicate or easy to break, although the instructions do give you some warning as to areas where you need to be more careful so as not to chip any paint if parts collide or scrape against each other.


The fanciest joint for me would have to be the ab crunch that reveals so much more detail in the rear spine. It's amazing how they were able to hide so much detail in the rear and have it appear effortlessly as you bend the figure forward. There's very little risk in paint damage, and it all feels silky smooth in its movement. It's a beautifully designed feature.


The legs, both front and back, have plenty of detail too. I'm not sure if the wheels are actually rubber, but they do feel like a slightly different material to the other surrounding plastic parts. On the point of plastic, the figure feels pretty heavy and there are definitely diecast parts on the internal components of the figure. But most of the external parts are plastic, but the paint application and weathering is so good, much of it looks like metal anyway.

The ankle articulation is probably the only part of the figure that I wish was improved. The tilt upwards to sufficient, but there is not a lot of movement downwards. This mean jumping poses (like that iconic scene from the 1986 movie) don't look as natural because you can't point his feet down like they would be if he was in the air. But in the scheme of things, it's a minor nitpick amongst all the other great aspects of the figure.


There's plent of articulation points to get him into many of the iconic poses. I love the way in which the hips panels all move out of the way on their own balljoints to give plenty of freedom in movement. They way the shoulder joint moves out to reveal the larger butterfly mechnism, coupled with a nice tilting motion in the torso, really make for natural action poses.


This Optimus figure perfectly complements the previous Bumblebee figure. ThreeZero certainly don't look to have lost any of the build quality set by that first figure. I passed on the Blitzwing figure because I didn't really like that character, but I can't wait to get the upcoming Soundwave!


Some collectors have claimed that the figure is not a true Transformers figure because it cannot transform. For me, the amazing level of detail and articulation in the figure more than makes up for the its lack of transformation. ThreeZero has made it clear this series is about delivering as much movie accurate details as possible in bot mode, and they've nailed that goal in incredible fashion.

For me, the TF Masterpiece series is what I go to for transforming figures, and I use that to get my G1 nostalgic fix. I'll be sticking with these ThreeZero DLX figures for all my non-cartoon representations of the characters.


The designs from the Bumblebee movie strike the perfect balance between a new, more modern style coupled with enough homages and hints to the original designs to satisfy G1 fans. I much prefer these over the far too busy and complicated designs from the Michael Bay movies.

In the end, ThreeZero have done complete justice to these new designs with a figure series that excels on all possible fronts. I just hope that after Soundwave, they continue the series and announce more of the characters that featured in the opening scene. That would truly make this a legendary series of TF figures that will be sought after pieces in Transformers collections for many years to come!


21 Jun 2020

Lego Star Wars 75276 Stormtrooper Helmet and 75277 Boba Fett Helmet

I tried getting the new Lego Star Wars helmet sets before May 4th, but they sold out prior to that and were not even available during that promotion. I noticed that they were back in stock on the Lego web store in early June so added them to the cart.

But the damn TIE Pilot sold out before I could complete the transaction, so only managed to get the Stormtrooper and Boba Fett sets. I tried getting the TIE Pilot set during the Big W Toy Mania sale, but despite getting on the site within 10 minutes of the sale starting at midnight, it was still sold out. Bloody ridiculous!

Either way, I'm pretty happy with these sets apart from the stupid use of stickers (again!). Click through below to check out my full review for each over on the Kool Kollectibles YouTube channel!




Enterbay NBA Kobe Bryant 2-figure "Upgraded Re-Edition" set

I have the previous Enterbay Chicago Bulls players in Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman. After getting the locker room set too, there was space in the acrylic case for another 2 figures. I thought about getting the Shaquille O'Neal 2-figure set, but ended up preordering this reissue of the Kobe Bryant 2-figure set around the new year period. Enterbay had a website sale on at the time, so it was a pretty good deal.

Click through below to check out my full video of the set over on the Kool Kollectibles YouTube channel. It's a pretty awesome set for Kobe and NBA fans!


12 Jun 2020

Lego 75275 Ultimate Collector Series A-Wing

The UCS Millenium Falcon and Star Destroyer are definitely hard acts to follow. Lego has chosen a spacecraft that has not yet been done in the UCS line before in the A-Wing. Overall, it's a pretty nice set, but there are a few things that annoy me about it.

Hope you can click through below and watch my full review over on the Kool Kollectibles YouTube channel!



Some pics of the box and build as I progressed through the assembly. Definitely some interesting techniques through the process! The free gift was nice of the little Death Star 2 Battle set with the mini A-Wing and TIE Interceptor.



Bags 1 and 2 done. Pretty nice looking seat design!



Bags 3 and 4 done. Really interesting way that the front top and bottom sections angle and come together!



Bags 5 and 6 done. Frickin hate those damn stickers that you have to put on the rear curved parts. Pain in the arse!



Bags 7 and 8 done. Love the interesting way to attach the front side angled parts. Getting pretty close to finishing now.



Bags 9, 10, and 11 done and it's finished. Not bad overall, and luckily I got the cockpit stickers on OK.



Hate that I didnt manage to get the main sticker on straight. But oh well, good enough. The little mini-fig looks pretty nice too.



A couple of quick views of the completed A-Wing.




Now just need to find a spot to display it!


S.H.Figuarts Street Fighter M.Bison and Vega

Here's my look at the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Street Fighter M.Bison and Vega figures over on the Kool Kollectibles YouTube channel. Hope you can check out the videos 😃