One of the most iconic characters from the KR line is undoubtedly CoBoN. Originally introduced as the Theriom transport equipped with a supercomputer intelligence, his futuristic four-wheeled design has appeared in several comic issues.
In the final episode, we meet a completely new version of CoBoN and this 12th multi-pack from PoliganToys includes all three (or, to be correct, four) forms that represent his AI unit as it appears in the comic.
Details
Name: CoBoN 2.0
Real name: CoBoN Mark II AI module
Subtitle: robotic fighting unit
Classification: artificial intelligence module
Home: Tahron
Affiliation: Theriom
Rank: transport component.
Background
CoBoN's only appearance in his new design takes place in the 13th and final KR comic issue The ultimate curse. Perhaps the most advanced machine on Tahron, CoBoN assisted the Therioms for many years until a dreadful fight during the siege of Ra-Hal. It was there that CoBoN's nemesis, LoGoN, stolen by the Destructomorphs and reconfigured for being loyal only to evil, destroyed the heroic vehicle. After CoBoN's cybernetic processor unit had been miraculously retrieved, the Therioms, with the crucial contribution of Sei-Lha and Xonedar, succeeded in rebuilding CoBoN into a new, even more advanced version. To preserve his AI module in case of another wrecking, the processor was encased into a separable metallic sphere, an apparently simple configuration that in reality conceals three machines in one. CoBoN can now use his greatest abilities to protect justice also when he's not connected to the transport - fighting as an android, feline or bird form.
Description
In the comics, the basic configuration of CoBoN 2.0 is a steel hovering sphere that can transform into three different robotic forms. Besides the silver orb, the multi-pack includes the three figures that represent each alternative mode and that I'm going to describe in separate sections.
Android mode
I've to say, CoBoN looks awesome in this humanoid form! What I find interesting is how many design elements are similar to those found on the 1.0 version and also on Combat Sei-Lha's armoured suit. It is really cool to see this kind of design continuity between the various technological items created by the Therioms.
I've to say, CoBoN looks awesome in this humanoid form! What I find interesting is how many design elements are similar to those found on the 1.0 version and also on Combat Sei-Lha's armoured suit. It is really cool to see this kind of design continuity between the various technological items created by the Therioms.
The figure's sculpt is solid, with lots of machinery details protected by armour plates on the outside. The most noticeable piece is his silver head, which resembles a cross between Robocop's and Iron Man's helmets. The upper part of the head displays the black scanner bar that characterises the nose of the original vehicle. However, its design (i.e., two linear patterns that sweep horizontally and a central pulsing "eye" that allows CoBoN to "see") is sculpted and painted in red and yellow, rather than recreated with a sticker. The lower part is composed of a hinged "mouth" shield; when this is closed, it partially covers the central eye and leaves a sort of black chin exposed, while when it's lowered, it reveals the voice display seen on the dashboard of the original vehicle, which fictionally shows coloured lights that diverge horizontally when CoBoN speaks.
Since this form, like the others, stems from the sphere configuration, all over the figure there are smooth and curved elements that derive from the sphere surface. These include six spherical lunes located on his back (running down the centre and flanked by two armour panels), shoulders, thighs and crotch.
Also, there's a lot more paint detail on this figure than on some of the more recent characters. The primary colours in this form are silver, black and metallic blue, with silver being the most heavily used. The metallic blue paint is used to wonderful effect for smaller details, such as few circuitry lines on the armour pieces and a stripe running centrally on the top of the head. The guys at PoliganToys did a great job in the paint application, with plenty of clean features and very few issues.
The articulation here is good too, similar to the standard scheme, but with some improvements that make me very satisfied, such as double hinges at the elbows and the knees, and a ball jointed chest.
Finally, except for two panels on the thighs (there will be more about this in the weapons section), no part of the armour is removable, which totally makes sense. However, the areas between the plates that form the armour show plenty of small tech-mech details, which makes me wish I could remove those components in order to see more.
Beast modes
The two beast forms are heavily mechanised representations of a feline and a bird of prey respectively, with lots of angles and robotic details that definitely capture the appearance and feel of the humanoid mode. Among my favourite features are the smooth, curved lunes that are mostly found near the shoulder and hip joints, looking sleek and elegant. Conversely, other details are more distinguishing, including the tail, neck and head designs, with the latter developing into a pointier shape in both forms.
Like the android mode, these configurations are still cast in silver, black and metallic blue. However, here we get a lot more black showing, thanks to the neck, feet and tail components. While black makes up most of their bodies, the silver colour is used for a number of eye-catching parts, such as the tail end, the lower hind legs, the hips, the front limbs and the middle of the back. Each of the four feline's paws and the two bird's feet is designed with fine embellishments, such as two large bladed, fierce looking claws in the front and two smaller claws in the back.
One of the joys of a well done beast mode is that we can get a lot of articulation. Each of these two forms has a great deal of POA, which include four points in each hind leg, two on the neck/head area and two on the tail alone.
In addition to a spherical lune running down the length of the back and another one on the abdomen, the feline form has a simple "mech-alive" feature that can be seen by swivelling the lower front legs; each one is attached to the upper leg by a silver piece with ridges on it, resembling a gear. As one turns it, it looks like the gear is turning. It's a simple, but nice touch.
The bird form's wings are spread wide across the body with blade-like structures that recall the spherical lunes. The wings are dramatic in sculpt and colour, with some metallic blue elements contrasting nicely against the silver and black colours. Each of the wings is articulated via a peg at half of its length and can move up and down as well as rotate on a ball-hinge at the base.
Weapons and accessories
CoBoN 2.0 comes with a clear hover stand for the sphere form and two black laser sub-machine guns. The weapons are very similar, but their barrels are not identical, since one resembles a small Gatling gun, while the other is more cannon-like. Both have a fair amount of detail to them, including several raised lines and armour sections. They can be handheld by the android form, as well as mounted on the hips in the rear of the feline form or on the upper side of the wings in the bird form.
Additionally, an amazing touch involves the android's mechanical holsters, which fictionally unfold and pop out of his legs, to dispense and receive the guns. The gimmick is recreated by means of two holster components that can replace the removable thigh armours.
Overall, I love this multi-pack very much. A lot of craft went into these figures, which are all solid and fairly accurate to the comics. In particular, the feline and bird forms are awesome beast-based high-tech figures... we don't get a lot of these in the KR line, so, when we do, it's cool to see what a great job the designers at PoliganToys can do with it. The feline is my favourite figure of the set, because it is in this form that CoBoN jumps through LoGoN's robotic body, destroying him, towards the end of the comic. Most of all, these items are fun toys and those are always welcome additions to my collection. If and when this pack is released, I will highly recommend it, even though I fear that folks might be a bit put off by its price.
Special thanks to Michael F. Nelson of Cobon Plastics Corp for allowing us to use the name CoBoN.
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