Transformers; Power of the Primes Leader Class Nemesis Prime: Everyone gets a black repaint!

So following on with our two week theme of the black repaints (kinda), let's look at the original black repaint of the Autobot leader, Nemesis Prime, another surprise of Power of the Primes, but not to the same extent as last week's Rodimus Unicronus was, because there have been many black repaints of Optimus Prime. For a full history of them, you can find them under one of the following names. Black Convoy, Scourge (not the one G1 fans remember), and Nemesis Prime. For now, though, we look at the one that western markets got during the Prime Wars Trilogy. While Japan got Grand Scourge during their version of Combiner Wars, the evil repaint of Optimus Prime was a no show during Combiner Wars and Titans Return. He was going to be a club exclusive during Combiner Wars, but due to Takara's Grand Scourge, was changed to be Toxitron instead, and the toy that inspired his incarnation in Robots in Disguise 2001, Generation 2 Laser Rod Optimus Prime, was the excuse base template for the release of Optimus Prime in Titans Return, using what would eventually be the Octone mould, and even getting a Laser Rod Prime release in one of the box sets. As a result of this oversight, he comes to us now, with an air of overcompensation.

I know this isn't the PotP artwork, it was the best I could find

What do I mean by that? Let's start with the gear first, because being an Amazon Exclusive, Nemesis got to bring a few more toys to kill bots with. Like the Optimus release, he gets an Ion Blaster that can be split into two smaller guns, and a dark repaint of the Matrix of Leadership, this time cast with a black handle, a translucent dark red core with metallic purple paint. On top of that though, he comes with what I would call fans first taste at a Battlemaster (more on those when I get to reviewing the War for Cybertron: Siege line), Decepticon Giza, a well-sculpted sword that can transform into... something that can be loosely described as a bird? Maybe a bat? He also comes with a second, non-transforming sword that's meant to represent the Dark Star Saber, and two double barrel arm cannon, both of which draw inspiration from the first time Nemesis Prime was called Nemesis Prime, Transformers Armada. While this can all be stored on the trailer (except for the Matrix, like in the Optimus release, there is a Matrix compartment in the cab of the truck), it comes off as awkward and forced. The Ion blaster's spot is the same as usual, and while the swords I can live with, as that's a common practice when it comes to Transformers storing weapons, the double barrel guns irritate me. In order to store them, you have to open the panel that they will eventually connect to in robot mode, breaking up the cab section as you've now got a giant hole in it. Granted, there are other issues I have with the gun sculpts, but an easy solution for this one would be to do a minor retool to one of the panels on the trailer. The panel that gets covered up by the one used in robot mode doesn't do anything, it's the only purpose is to help keep the look of the trailer, it's just kibble in robot mode. The trailer itself is basically the same as the Prime release, only in Nemesis colours, something that will become a problem once again once we get to the combined robot mode.

Without all the extra weapons, though suffering from the same gap problems as the Optimus release, the change in colours help to hide a lot of the problems, akin to how Unicronus rocks the Rodimus mould. Unfortunately, colours aren't going to help it when the robots get the spotlight, especially Nemesis Pax (I genuinely can't believe that they went with that for a name cause of how stupid it sounds. Like with the original release, any engineering issues on Orion Pax is the same here, gaps in the thighs and shins, blocky backpack, and more. While I appreciate the unintended side effect of the swivels in the hands allowing for him to point the swords, something that not a lot of other sword wielders can use, including his upgraded form, the head sculpt is laughably bad, but in kinda a good way. "How do we convey that this is a younger, evil Optimus Prime?" "I've got it! We give him a mohawk!" Because the black and blood red windows weren't evil enough? Let alone the Decepticon badges? You actually had to give him a robotic mohawk? That's stupid... I love it! Shame though that the combined mode isn't as dumb.

It is, however, overcompensating. Can't be helped when you're packing three guns with five barrels between them and two swords. But while the dark colours and slightly modified head help push the evil look, the essence of Optimus Prime is still oozing out of this mould, it's hard for it not too. The sticker application is solid, and I love the teel paint to help break up the black and grey. It stands out so much, but it never feels overdone. The extra guns help separate Nemesis from Optimus, giving him more of an aggressive look to him, though I do wish the arm guns didn't move around as much in robot mode as they do. It's easy to knock them around at times and seeing as they are moulded with two posts, all that would be needed is for the panel to have two ports. But because the panel is the same one used for truck mode, where the flexibility works better, it was probably never going to happen. The head sculpt isn't something I'm fond of, it's mostly due to the bat like eyes he has. He doesn't look made, he looks like he's looking through a novelty mask.

The port the Ion Blaster plugs into is the hand of Nemesis Pax, meaning you can make the gun be shoulder mounted. I did, it looks good

The problem I have with this toy is the fact that it is an Amazon exclusive. While it's good, don't get me wrong, it's a great toy. Is it worth paying the extra price? Not really. I was able to get this for cheap second hand, but unless you can find it for a price close to general retail (ignore the Amazon Australia sales, seriously, Optimus is not worth around $170). That's the big difference between Nemesis Prime and Rodimus Unicronus, Unicronus was general retail, the same price as Rodimus Prime, and the deco choices on it help out a lot with the flaws of the mould. It's not as clear cut here though, so if you had to get one, it's probably better to get Optimus Prime, unless you were really looking for a good Nemesis that isn't in the Masterpiece line. I'll leave it at that for now though, I'll see you Wednesday for Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep, and next Sunday, we look at some Autobot and Decepticon Clones (though it's a stretch on the word "clone").