Planet X PX-04 Summanus
Bottom Line (**** stars- <out of 5>)
By Stygian360
Introduction:
Dinobots of any kind have my attention right from the start. I’m a huge fan and when any news of a company planning to produce one or more members of this group hits the internet my eyes are affixed to the screen- patrolling pictures and trying to discern if what I see matches the beatific vision that I have of them in my mind’s eye. However, being a fan doesn’t mean that I buy all of them simply because they transform into cool dinosaurs. I do have standards after all and obviously money doesn’t grow on trees. A buyer must be discerning and carefully consider his or her choices before making a purchase. For my money Planet X has been consistently handling the Fall of Cybertron video game versions of the Dinobots with aplomb. They seem to get exactly what’s right (and wrong) about the game aesthetic, how to translate this to plastic, and fortunately each subsequent release seems to incorporate new elements that make it better than what came before it. So we come to Summanus, the third but fortunately not last FOC Dinobot that Planet X will be producing as part of this line. So, does Summanus deliver? Let’s find out.
Articulation:
As I’ve stated in past reviews, plentiful articulation on third party action figures is fairly standard these days, so any release that doesn’t include; ball-jointed head, shoulder, hips and swivel biceps, thighs, ankles and etc, is an exception . Regarding all of these points Summanus does not disappoint. Okay, so he doesn’t include wrist swivels, but honestly when you have a bicep swivel (which Summanus does) it hardly matters. Fans seem to place a premium on wrist swivels these days - with entire message board threads hijacked to discuss how horrible it is when a figure doesn’t include this feature- but this is all so much noise in my personal assessment. As long as the figure can accommodate swinging a sword or wielding a gun I could care less. So for those who continue to labor over the loss of a wrist swivel, perhaps it’s time to let that particular argument go, hmm? Anyway, as regards the rest of Summanus’ articulation, he’s got more than enough to satisfy any collector.
The one area that feels like a glaring issue is the lack of a heel spur. You can’t have a fairly back heavy action figure- as this one is- without it. It severely limits stances and because you have to get the position just right I can’t help but ding him for it. To his credit the foot is fairly long and acts as a decent stabilizer, but it could have been better and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it in passing. Fortunately it’s not as if he’ll be toppling at the slightest breath or table bump, but this aspect could have been better and Planet X deserves to be called out for it.
Paint:
Planet X goes for utter minimalism when it comes to paint on their FOC Dinobots but it still works. Slight hints of the trademark glowing red that seemed ubiquitous throughout the video game are properly placed, but the bulk of the figure is a mix of translucent plastic (which works excellent and evokes the game quite well) and plastic molded in color. As someone who isn’t partial either way- colored plastic or straight up paint- I think what’s here looks fantastic. Minimalism works when there’s a method to the madness and here it appears there definitely is a meaning to it all.
Transformation:
Where Caelus was simple and Neptune was perhaps even simpler than that, Summanus is actually a bit involved. Fortunately he’s also a truly satisfying mix of activities that will keep your mind whirling as you transform this figure and grow to learn his various aspects. Do be careful with the spiky bits of transparent plastic as they could break if you aren’t careful, but that should be fairly evident right out of the box. Fortunately Planet X designs their figures with an understanding eye towards intuitive engineering and Summanus uses the best aspects of common sense coupled with more than a few bells and whistles. In other words you’re going to get your mileage when it comes to ‘fun’ with this figure!
Bottom Line:
Dinobots, Dinobots everywhere you look these days! But when it comes to which Dinobot styling’s to spend your money on you can always count on Planet X. Summanus is gorgeous, substantial and a more than worthy addition to any collection. If you’ve bought Caelus and Neptune then you’ve already drank the Planet X Kool-aid and I’m preaching to the choir, but if this is your first time reading a review for one of these Dinobot-like figures then know that what you’re buying is truly an excellent figure worthy of any collector display.
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