KR|Horizon Review #31: Horizon Expansion Kit for Tahron

PoliganToys sent me their prototype of the fourth expansion kit for the epic Tahron playset/game. This kit is inspired by the KR|Horizon line, which was presented back in 2020. Dekropolis^TM Tower finally gets an upgrade and, at the same time, the Dekropolis Skyship makes its debut in toy form for a new great playing experience!

Description
The KR|Horizon Expansion Kit includes:
• 24 booster tokens for the game
• An additional Dekropolis Skyship vehicle with many features and accessories, including the possibility to transform some of its parts into additional sections for Dekropolis Tower
• A bag with 75 translucent blue chips that are shaped like Antikythron crystals (or rather SpawnCrystals shards, as they are now referred to).

Except for giving an exhaustive description of the Dekropolis vehicle/playset, I'm not going to detail these components and the game rules with the expansion pieces. You can find all this information in my post about the Origin Expansion Kit. I only need to remark that besides the usual properties, i.e., class, faction, strength, agility, and in some cases a special ability or limitation, each expansion piece is also characterised by a particular era (in this case Horizon) and a number of accumulable credits. The credit-chips included in this expansion kit are translucent blue, and spending 40 of them allows a player to capture any rival’s piece that has previously conquered the paying player’s wall, and move it onto the rival’s wall. In limited cases (i.e., primary era variants), expansion pieces present no credit, but are characterised by additional strength values and/or different agility patterns compared to their primary counterparts.

List of Horizon expansion pieces and their properties.

List of possible primary pieces variants in the Horizon Expansion Kit (only one piece is included in the kit).

Dekropolis Tower additional sections / Dekropolis Skyship

Although this set comes in the form of a fortress that flies through the sky, the original concept is for four new towers to complement the main building that came with the Tahron playset. To make things clear, let's check out the process through which the five-tower decommissioned shipyard transforms into a skyship in the comics. The central tower is interconnected with the four surrounding smaller towers through metal grated bridges, forming a cruciform structure that kind of reminds me of Voltron's Castle of Lions. When the transformation begins, the four outer towers compress vertically, their levels merging to form four roughly disc-shaped power-source structures. The elevator shaft of each tower, initially positioned beneath the power-source, moves to the external side through a double hinge mechanism to assume the form of an engine nacelle, which generates either vertical lift force for take-off and landing or, by eventually swivelling horizontally, thrust for forward flight. The entire construction lifts off and, subsequently, the central tower's middle section divides radially into four sectors, revealing two pairs of additional nacelles at the sides and allowing the remaining portion of the tower to pivot into a horizontal position. As the central tower turns and the middle section recompacts, the four power-sources plus bridges also rotate from their front-and-rear layout to an over-and-under, X-Wing-like configuration, while maintaining their individual horizontal orientation. This synchronised movement transforms the static structure into a powered skyship, ready to take flight. The primary propulsion system uses a confined magma chamber located at the rear of the skyship, whose activation is indicated by an array of glowing portholes on the tail section, followed by an explosive thrust that propels the vessel forward. I wonder whether the worm-like creature originally inhabiting the magma reservoir beneath Dekropolis could withstand the ignition process! Manoeuvrability is ensured by the eight engine nacelles strategically located at the wing bases and tips. During normal flight, these thrusters are positioned horizontally and the four movable wings are spread open in a distinctive X-shaped configuration, with stabilising energy arcs connecting the pairs of power-sources on either side, maximising stability and lift. However, when engaged in combat, the wings can be locked into a closed attack position, transforming the skyship into a formidable strike aircraft. With a 90° rotation, the eight thrusters acquire a vertical orientation, granting the skyship VTOL capabilities as well as the ability to hover in mid-air. When taking off, landing or remaining in one place in the air or on the ground, the four power-sources and wings/bridges once again align in a front-and-rear configuration. Now, let's take a closer look at the toy.

Skyship - exterior: stretching from stem to stern, the massive (did I mention that it's big?!) metallic light-blue and pearlescent white skyship features a vessel-like hull that bears a front-facing, emerald-hued viewport reminiscent of a watchful eye, surmounted by a fairly long prow similar to a bird's neck (this detail reminds me of the Serenity spacecraft from Firefly). Four pairs of small wing-like retractable structures, resembling oars, adorn the ship's sides, while a saucer-shaped midsection houses the crew's quarters and control centre. A commanding bridge rises from behind the midsection, providing an elevated vantage point for the crew to direct their operations. Completing the skyship's imposing form are a powerful propulsion system at its rear (covered with a number of glow-in-the-dark portholes), and four main wings plus power-sources, each mounted on an additional engine nacelle attached to the midsection. The whole exterior of the ship is covered in sculpted tech-mech details, giving it a sleek and futuristic look: the upper side is adorned with multiple light defence turrets and sensing systems, while the underside boasts an array of small propulsors and GITD thrusters. The skyship's overall design is a cool mix of elements that obviously draw inspiration from iconic sci-fi vessels, like the above-mentioned X-Wing Starfighter and Serenity, plus some other neat ones such as The Gunstar from The Last Starfighter and The Odyssey from Ulysses 31.

Skyship - interior: after removing the five exterior panels on the top of the skyship to reveal the aircraft’s awesome interior, one is immediately struck by the seamless integration of the building's original features into the now airborne vessel. The front section of the ship showcases a cockpit with a seat (which is actually sculpted like two adjacent seats but can only accommodate one figure, whose face aligns with the narrow windshield at the front of the prow) positioned in front of a raised platform, on which a figure can stand to direct operations from behind the pilot. An elliptical floor observation window provides an unobstructed view of the ground and is topped by a 360° rotating, translucent holographic map of Tahron. A roundish double sliding door, once possibly a passage between floors, now serves as a transition point between the main front room and the command centre nestled within the mid-section, which is adorned with intricate sculpted details, including a network of pipes and cables as well as up/down pivoting control panels on consoles along the sides (these enable the deployment of hidden cannons on the ship’s remaining top exterior on the sides). This area also gives access to two smaller armouries flanking the cockpit, which are equipped with folding doors and store an arsenal of included weapons and accessories such as three golden-yellow swords that double as guns (reused from the Enmity Expansion Kit for Tahron) and three red parachute backpacks. Two side doors that once seemingly provided access to the exterior have been converted into floor panels that can be lifted for "maintenance" of the mechanical systems below, fictionally offering convenient entry points to the lower levels of the ship. Moving further into the ship, we encounter a jail cell located towards the rear of the vessel. It has a sliding prison door with clear yellow-green horizontal bars (probably made of energy) and functional shackles (with clear yellow-green energy effects twisted around their length) on the wall to keep captives secure, while its floor, once the main overhead gate, can serve as a posterior ramp that lowers to deploy an army of Destructomorph Goblins. Finally, the swinging walls that once defined the main building's defence system have been repurposed as storage compartment hatches on either side of the rear ramp, for stowing both explosives (with a sliding mechanisms to drop a set of two-plus-two included bombs on unsuspecting Therioms below) and the two assault vehicles that came with Dekropolis Tower.

Additional towers: the gimmick for this vehicle/playset is that all the bits of the wings, power-sources and thrusters come apart and then can be reassembled in the form of four towers, which can be joined to Dekropolis Tower from the Tahron playset by means of the four metal wing/bridge pieces. It has to be said that this configuration doesn't look fantastic and there's not really a lot to it in terms of playing use.

Each tower consists of four levels: a cruciform base, a mezzanine floor, a first floor equipped with lifting side panels, and a top turret. In its raised position, one side panel serves as a support for one of the bridges, which is loosely connected to the main tower at its opposite end; a finger-operated mechanism can cause the panel to close abruptly, leading to the collapse of the bridge. Without the turret, the tower's top surface can serve as a landing pad for some vehicles (it is indeed a slot for a flight stand on which, for example, a Rotakord can perch). Furthermore, each tower features several plug-in accessories, including a two-bladed, wind mill-like rotor, which also functions as a sort of radar antenna, as well as ventilation apparatuses attached to the front and back of the two upper floors, and a pivoting three-gun cannon that attaches to the top of the first floor. A semi-functional elevator (or rather a small goods lift) slides within the central shaft and is driven by a string and held by a hook. The mezzanine and first floors are additionally connected by two vertical stabilizing panels that also serve as tech-looking ladders. According to the comics, in the past these four towers featured multiple facilities for the shipyard staff, including sleeping quarters, a holodeck interface for advanced simulations, a medical wing, a canteen with a fully stocked kitchen, and a recreation deck equipped with training and leisure amenities. So, on the inner borders of the four mezzanine floors, we find different stickers that remind us of the original facilities that once occupied these spaces.

Transformation of the towers into the skyship wings: when disassembled, the central shaft of each tower transforms into two side jet engines housed in nacelles that are equipped with front-facing turbines derived from the ventilation apparatuses. The three main levels (the base, the mezzanine, which is equipped with wheels on the bottom, and the first floor) combine to form the casing of the power-source, which features rear and side storage compartments. The cargo bay on the back is accessible through a rear hatch and can be used to store the elevator cabin. The lifting side panels provide access to additional storage areas for the stabilising panels/ladders. The top turret attaches to the front of the power-source, forming a tapered nose with an opening panel that reveals a hidden missile launcher (alongside an included separate missile). The front rotating radar antenna attaches to the top, becoming an overhead rotor. The three-gun cannon can be reconfigured into three separate components: a main gun that can be attached to a slot on the front top of the power-source's casing, and two smaller side guns that can be mounted under the nose's two winglets. Finally, one thruster attaches directly to the power-source externally, while the other fastens to the side of the main ship and then connects to the corresponding power-source via a metal bridge/wing piece; the thrusters can be attached either horizontally (with over-and-under wings) for flight mode or vertically (with front-and-rear wings) for VTOL/hovering mode. The flight mode setup is finalised with two translucent yellow-green energy arcs joining the pairs of power-sources on either side as well as with a wheeled (seemingly tracked) landing gear piece plugged into the undercarriage of the ship's main body, to enable it to move smoothly over a flat surface. The VTOL mode is completed with five explosive thruster stands, four plugged in the outer nacelles and one in the ship's underside, to display the skyship as it begins to take flight or land (they can also be used as jet effects in the outer thrusters and in the main propulsion system with the ship in flight mode).

The KR|Horizon Expansion Kit is fully compatible with the previous Tahron board game sets, including the KR|Origin, KR|Enmity and KR|Dimness Expansion Kits. Overall, this awesome set combines the coolness of a vehicle with the fun of a playset. The imposing skyship is the star attraction, and while it has a few minor imperfections, its impressive scale makes it a standout display piece. The transformation feature adds an extra layer of playability, but the towers could benefit from some improvements in their playing use. Still, this is a great set that's worth getting for the ship alone.

Fun fact: in the KR|Echoes of Future series, Silef's waterfront laboratory (which strongly resembles the Black Diamond library building in Copenhagen) is located at the very spot where Dekropolis will be built by the Therioms roughly 560 years later.

Happy holidays!!!

KR|"Echoes of Future" Review #10: Ah-Rak (EoF Edition)

Toy prototype details

Name: Ah-Rak^TM (EoF Edition), aka Ginger-Bodied Ah-Rak

Subtitle: hideous warrior

Line: KR|Echoes of Future

Item type: action figure - Nº 8 in the line.

Character details

Name: Ah-Rak

Classification: arthropod with eurypterid-like traits

Sex: male

Home: Cereutis

Era: 570 years before Foundation

Affiliation: Bogthropod

Rank: colonel general.

Background

First appearance: KR|Echoes of Future #1 - The secret origin of chaos

Related character(s): Ah-Rak

Character summary: a cunning warrior skilled in survival, who eluded capture after the Grand Resistance's decisive victory over the Bogthropods. Centuries later, magically re-emerging in an altered form, he became a vital ally for the Destructomorphs in their ongoing conflicts with their sworn enemies, the Therioms.

Articulation
Standard (new scheme), with the addition of a tail, which is a ball jointed separate piece (it features two articulation points, two swivels at about one-third and two-thirds of its length), and four ball hinged arms.

Description

Head: the head resembles the entirety of an arachnid's body and is composed of two parts: the upper part is a dark-blue (almost black) cracked shell/helmet, which carries four shiny dark-blue eyes in the front (two quite large lateral compound eyes and two smaller central eye spots; there are three more structures that look like eye spots, but they are completely black, so they might be different organs, such as chemoreceptors, or just bulges), an orange crest on the top and four pairs of orange spines (curved downward) on the sides; the lower part is orange with a bumpy texture and presents two chelicerae, which terminate in white venomous fangs, near the small mouth and two pretty large pedipalps, which terminate in scorpion pincers, more externally
Body: protected by a segmented orange chitinous exoskeleton with dark-blue (almost black) blotches. His limbs bear spinous ridges running down the sides and end with 2-clawed hands and feet. He also carries an extra chitinous neck piece that fits right on top of the body; this piece is glued on, but it might be possible to pry it off, if one had will to do so

Wearables: a dark-blue armour with metallic dark-blue details (including a Bogthropod emblem, which consists of what looks like a stylised trilobite crossed by three horizontal wavy lines, at the centre), two dark-blue bracelets, two dark-blue calf protectors (with metallised, armoured trimming on the bottom and top edges), a studded dark-blue belt, and a brand-new laminar metallic dark-blue loincloth with a fairly large piece that acts as a belt buckle (though it actually just rests in front of the belt).

Ah-Rak's stylised armour; the circle at the centre of the chest piece represents a Bogthropod symbol.

Action feature

Like with the original figure, most of Ah-Rak's action is strictly related to his body structure, especially his back, which is covered by a chitinous carapace with a cracked and bumpy texture. The colouration of this shell is predominantly dark-blue (almost black) with orange spots along the edges (where it blends nicely with the metallic dark-blue edges of the armour), transitioning into a central area that features an orange hue with dark-blue/blackish blotches. The lower part of the carapace ends with an articulated tail, which terminates in an expanded and flattened structure (reminiscent of a double-bitted axe) with a serrated median keel running down its centre, as well as an elongated spike. The middle part hosts two pairs of additional arthropod-like limbs: the upper pair of these seemingly jointed appendages terminates in a single claw, while the lower pair is partly covered in spines and is modified into a swimming paddle. The uppermost part of the carapace ends with a sort of cannon that fictionally shoots a parasite-like grappling hook, which Ah-Rak uses for climbing or capturing his enemies; this is rendered using a black string, which bears a plug-in element at one end (connecting to the "cannon") and the arachnid looking orange parasite (with four equally spaced, hinged double-leg hooks) at the other end. The carapace can be removed together with the armour and used with most other KR figures, which is a cool display option.

Weapons and accessories

Apart from the above-mentioned plug-in parasite/grapnel, Ah-Rak comes with four nicely designed large scimitars. Each weapon is a repaint of his Foundation sword and has a metallic dark-blue hilt (looking like a square-shaped spider whose back slightly resembles a human skull) and an ornately carved ivory (or maybe bone) blade; Ah-Rak's wrist and shin guards also exhibit a subtle hint of the same ornamentation, which I had never noticed on the original figure. I believe the original concept was for the swords to have off-white hilts and blue blades, but for some unknown reason the colours were eventually swapped. Unfortunately, there's only a small longitudinal slit in the centre of the carapace, accommodating just one stowed scimitar blade (alternatively, you can use the slit to wind the grapnel string around one side of the carapace). On the other hand, each handle was modified with a trefoil-shaped handguard (loosely resembling a three-lobed knuckle duster), enabling Ah-Rak to hold the weapon firmly with any of his six hands, regardless of whether they feature one or two claws or a broad, flat extremity.

Also, the figure includes two orange&dark-blue articulated scorpion pincers designed to fit over the regular main hands (without detaching them), adding a slightly different aesthetic to the character.

Comic

Together with the action figure we get the first comic issue The secret origin of chaos. Millions of years ago, the Multiversal Balancers from the extra dimension of Cereutis intervened on the land that was later named Tahron, sending miraculous crystals to prompt evolution after the extinction of the giant reptiles. This led to the rise of intelligent, anthropomorphic beings from various species, coexisting harmoniously without conflict. Gladorr, a reptilian inmate with psychic powers, is manipulated by a reptilian faction on Earth's future to alter history. His mission is to empower reptilian civilisations, framing mammalians for a crime and destabilising the interspecific balance. Gladorr's plan begins to unfold successfully when Silef, a reptilian alchemist, becomes embroiled. Silef, influenced by Gladorr, disrupts peace, leading to conflicts and a war between reptilian and mammalian civilisations. The events develop with intricate alliances, battles, and personal vendettas. As the conflict reaches its peak, a resistance led by the brave warrior Catos fights back. Ultimately, after significant destruction, the resistance prevails. Silef, gravely injured, aligns with Gladorr's dark plan by ascending to a demonic form, leaving a lingering impact on both Idakarr/Tahron and Cereutis.

Final thoughts

Overall: this new version of Ah-Rak caters to a specific segment of the KR fandom, giving a cool twist to the original character. The orange hue might be overwhelming for some, but those who are into a hairless look will likely find satisfaction. The figure retains its original quality, but a bit more colour separation in his armour could have elevated its appeal. Still, if you're after something unique for your collection, this Ah-Rak version brings a whole new vibe to a character that's, at least in my book, pretty darn beloved

Rating: ☺☺☺☺☺ / 5

KR|"Echoes of Future" Review #9: Multiversal Squires

Toy prototype details

Name: Multiversal Squires^TM

Subtitle: crystalline protectors of Cereutis

Line: KR|Echoes of Future

Item type: multi-pack (army builder 3-pack) - Nº 2 in the line.

Character details

Name: unknown

Classification: extradimensional elemental being

Sex: masculine or feminine

Home: Cereutis

Era: 570 years before Foundation

Affiliation: Multiversal Balancers

Rank: esquire.

Background

First appearance: KR|Echoes of Future #1 - The secret origin of chaos

Character summary: when the Multiversal Balancers saved the multiverse from a trans-universal, potentially annihilation-causing meteoroid, they fortuitously discovered the Faceted Caverns, where an ancient group of warriors, transformed into crystalline beings by nourishing themselves with precious metal from the cavern walls, had been trapped for eons. The Multiversal Knights enlisted these brave rock-like warriors as their squires, who became expertly trained in energy-manipulation combat and skilled in using various pyritizing power weapons. These elite guards defended Cereutis from the menacing Bogthropods and protected the Multiversal Balancers, remaining ever vigilant against dark forces that threatened peace on their world.

Articulation
Standard (new scheme).

Description

The set includes three figures: one female-looking and two male-looking characters.

Heads: mineral-like, differently coloured (orange and light-green for the male-like figures, light-blue for the female-like one) almost opalescent skin. The head of each figure is also characterised by the presence of a pair of white glowing eyes (except for one of the two male figures, who has a cybernetic implant for a left eye), a protruding chin that makes me think of a beard-like structure (yes, even in the female character), and a metallic purple helmet equipped with nape-, cheek- and nose-pieces as well as an interesting crown of pointed, translucent red gems, which gradually increase in length as they converge toward the centre

Bodies: most of each figure's body shows the same coloured skin seen on the head, which is supposedly made out of a mineral material (referred to as topaz at some point in the comics), so their whole body is given strong lines that make it more geometric than organic, and is speckled with a very fine glitter. Additionally, the left arm wears a purple armband equipped with a short spike

Wearables: each figure wears a metallic red armour with purple details, two narrow ribbed red bracelets, two red boots (each with three short spikes protruding from the shin guard), a red studded belt with a round buckle, and a scale armour purple loincloth. I really like the fact that their costume was given translucent coloured mineral encrustations with some glitter sprinkled inside the plastic (I'll get to that in a minute), and is angular and boxy in design. There's even a short, permanently attached blue cape, which is genuinely very, very cool - it is cast in a clear plastic (so you can kind of see through it), but it is finished in a deep blue pearlescent paint that really sells the gem/mineral effect. The armour is characterised by a high neck, a bright white glow-in-the-dark (GITD) triangle on the breastplate, and a pair of shoulder pads covered in translucent purple crystals. There are more crystals coming out of the back (in red, where the cape attaches to the armour) and boot tops (in purple, forming a pair of knee guards), and their forearms-plus-elbow guards are completely made up of the same red crystals as well.

Multiversal Squire's stylised armour.

Action feature

In the comics, the Multiversal Squires can use different kinds of energy manipulation to battle their enemies. They are able to absorb, convert, emit and deflect both mechanical and electromagnetic energy, either for defence (for example to create an invisible shield around their body or an optical effect that gives them a different appearance) or attack (for example to produce shock waves, heat flows, flashes of light and radio interference). To possess this power, they wear armour enhancements such as a chest plate that can project powerful energy blasts to stun or even disintegrate those who confront them. In each figure, the energy-blasting chest plate is recreated using the above-mentioned GITD triangle.

Additionally, when the Squires utilise their energy-controlling powers, their "skin" changes colouration. Similarly to other figures in the various KR lines, this colour change feature can be achieved using warm water or a hairdryer, which will result in the Squires' bodies (and heads) turning brass-yellow.

Weapons and accessories

The Multiversal Squires come equipped with three weapons, each fictionally capable of transmuting enemies into a substance resembling pyrite. First, there is a staff, whose metallic purple shaft is composed of two distinct sections connected by a handle: the lowermost section has an undulating design, while the uppermost one consists of two curved rods that diverge and then converge toward the head. The head features a GITD disc surrounded by a spinning ring of silver blades, while the opposite end of the pole is intersected by a red crystal shard that vaguely resembles the blade of a scythe. Next, there's a shield that complements the sceptre theme, meaning that it is bordered by the same silver blades and hosts two GITD discs on its triangle-shaped metallic purple plate. Lastly, there is a double-handle, metallic purple gun, whose barrel terminates with a large muzzle equipped, again, with a central GITD disc and encircled by a series of silver spinning blades. In each weapon, the silver blades (which rotate for real on the staff and gun) are reminiscent of the "stag beetle mandible"-shaped blades seen on Krenodos's staff.

Final thoughts

Overall: although some may view them as uninspiring characters and question their existence in the first place, I personally find the Multiversal Squires' colourful presence to be a unique and welcome addition to the KR|EoF lineup. Moreover, the three-pack format, in my opinion, adds to their charm. While not everyone may share my enthusiasm, I'm glad to have them and look forward to more interesting prototypes in the coming months

Rating: ☺☺☺ / 5

KR|"Echoes of Future" Review #8: Krenodos

Toy prototype details

Name: Krenodos^TM

Subtitle: malevolent Bogthropod overlord

Line: KR|Echoes of Future

Item type: action figure - Nº 7 in the line.

Character details

Name: Krenodos

Classification: arthropod with xiphosuran-like traits

Sex: male

Relationships: ancestor of Denortos

Home: Cereutis

Era: 570 years before Foundation

Affiliation: Bogthropod

Rank: army general.

Background

First appearance: KR|Echoes of Future #1 - The secret origin of chaos

Character summary: the malevolent leader of the Bogthropods, who initially allied with Silef but ultimately fell under his influence when Silef's spirit merged with him, turning him into an even more monstrous and sinister entity. With twisted power at his command, Krenodos led the Bogthropods in an unrelenting war against the Multiversal Balancers, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Articulation
Standard (new scheme), with the addition of a hinged lower jaw and a ball jointed tail.

Description
Head: elongated shape, greenish-grey skin, a strip of small rounded protuberances running centrally from the middle of the forehead to the back of the head, two pairs of curved greenish-grey spines pointing backwards where one would expect to find the ears, four orange eyes (two quite large lateral compound eyes topped by jagged brow ridges, and two smaller central eye spots; there is one more central bulge that looks like an eye spot, but it is silver-coloured and might be a different organ, such as a chemoreceptor), two large nostrils, and two rows of sharp, piranha-like whitish teeth lining the jaws
Body: his greenish-grey skin is stretched over a series of bony plates with spine-like tubercles, which are arranged in rings throughout his body, giving it a general segmented, armoured appearance. His limbs sport clawed extremities, while a long tail-spine emerges from under his loincloth and ends in a venomous sting

Wearables: an orange copper armour with light-green details, two orange copper wrist guards (each ornamented with studs and a light-green gemstone), two orange leather shin guards with turn-down tops, a double orange belt (composed of a larger copper belt bearing a four-pointed silver throwing star embossed in the middle, and a smaller loose fitting leather belt underneath) and a fringed light-green loincloth characterised by a porous texture. The armour shows some nice details such as tubes, battle dents and marks, as well as a Bogthropod emblem consisting of what looks like a stylised trilobite crossed by three horizontal wavy lines, whose vibrant blue colour contrasts beautifully against the light-green backdrop of the metal disc in the front.

Krenodos's stylised armour; the circle at the centre of the chest piece represents a Bogthropod symbol.

Action feature

In the comics, apart from having extremely accurate senses owing to his multiple eyes and chemoreceptors, Krenodos is shown to possess the ability to inflict ferocious bites on his enemies. This feature is wonderfully rendered thanks to the spring-loaded lower jaw, which can swing open and then suddenly snap shut like a bear trap.

In addition, this evil guy has the ability to exhale a gas that knocks his enemies unconscious. Since his appearance changes slightly when doing that, the figure comes with an alternative head. In this head, each pair of side spines is swung forward and spread out, forming a "bat wing"-shaped ear with a number of fissures, through which the gas is sprayed. Although this head lacks a hinged lower jaw, it stinks... literally! I don't know what the guys at PoliganToys added to the plastic to make it smell like wet soil, but if the intention was to replicate the knockout gas, well, they perfectly succeeded.

Weapons and accessories
Apart from his alternate head, Krenodos comes with a multi-bladed light-green staff. This is beautifully sculpted and has two "stag beetle mandible"-shaped orange copper blades at the sides of each end. In the comics, this pole can transform into a three-section staff, i.e., a weapon that is composed of a longer central stick and a shorter flail head on each end. The toy weapon can separate into three staffs, which are subsequently connected by two additional silver-coloured real metal chains.

Final thoughts

Overall: if you're not particularly fond of what looks like a faded version of Denortos, that's OK! This Cereutian creature remains an excellent prototype. If one happened to miss out on the Origin Denortos release, perhaps considering repainting this guy would help fill a slot in their collection. He's a solid figure with the extra bonuses of interchangeable heads and a transforming weapon, which add to his coolness. While he does have a few minor sculpt issues (for starters, I wish he had a bendy tail), I'm generally quite satisfied with him

Rating: ☺☺☺☺ / 5

KR|"Echoes of Future" Review #7: Taragas

Toy prototype details

Name: Taragas^TM

Subtitle: respected commission head

Line: KR|Echoes of Future

Item type: action figure - Nº 6 in the line.

Character details

Name: Taragas

Classification: rodent mammal

Sex: male

Home: Idakarr (Tahron's former name)

Era: 570 years before Foundation

Affiliation: Interspecific Commission

Rank: first secretary.

Background

First appearance: KR|Echoes of Future #1 - The secret origin of chaos

Character summary: the charismatic and wise leader of the Interspecific Commission, who decided to retire after a lifetime dedicated to fostering peace and unity among diverse beings. While Veen-Ak appeared as the natural successor, Gladorr's influence on Silef brought uncertainty to the commission's future. During a fight with Silef in the Quartz Tower, Veen-Ak desperately tried to contain the damage by courageously deflecting a large quartz crystal shard, but Taragas was tragically killed in the process. From then on, he carried out his purpose as a divine presence.

Articulation
Standard (new scheme), with the addition of a pair of pivoting ears.

Description

Head: broad (sort of square-shaped) with a short muzzle, covered in short and shaggy greyish-brown hair that is grizzled with black and white. He has large, rounded ears that are positioned laterally on the head (pointing downwards by default, but can be oriented in any directions) and are covered in fine, pinkish hair, while his eyes are small and black, and are topped by bushy eyebrows. He also has long whiskers that grow from his cheeks as well as a very long, fine beard that is tied with a brown string near the tip. The upper incisors, which are sharp and yellowish, faintly project over the lower lip. I was bit worried that he would look like a cross between TMNT Splinter and Mickey Mouse, but thankfully he doesn't

Body: covered from neck to ankle with a very elegant kamishimo. His clawed hands and feet (the latter being longer, thinner and more robust, although mostly concealed by the garment) exhibit a grey-pink and hairless (except for a fuzz of greyish-brown hairs on the backs and insteps) complexion. Additionally, a lengthy tail, which is covered in greyish scales arranged in overlapping rings, emerges from under his hakama-like skirt (the non-articulated tail is actually part of the skirt's sculpt)

Wearables: a regal purple kimono accented by mid-brown leather collar, lapels, armbands, cuffs and hem, a light-brown hakama with purple trimmings towards the hem (designed with a central slit to allow for leg movement), and an open, dark-brown kataginu, i.e., a long sleeveless jacket with exaggerated shoulders pads (made from overlapping bands of leather). The thigh-length kimono is wrapped across the chest with the left side overlaying the right, and is tied closed by a mid-brown frog fastener; however, although the garment is secured by a purple waist sash, the lower torso remains uncovered, revealing a light-brown shirt adorned with a dark-brown shoulder belt that runs across the abdomen. Beneath the long, wide sleeves it's possible to glimpse two square metallic purple wrist guards (reused from K'Ran). Adding a touch of intrigue to his outfit, a silver key dangles from the right side of the belt (is it the key to the Quartz Tower?)

Weapons and accessories

While Taragas lacks an action feature (his sole strength appears to be his great wisdom), he does come with a cool staff-like accessory. The shaft is composed of four distinct metallic purple sections, interconnected by three mid-brown leather fittings (the central fitting serves as a comfortable grip). The lowermost section bears a resemblance to a painted wooden stick; the second section displays an arrangement of small prism-shaped elements in rows; the third section shows a unique construction, with two rods elegantly entwined; finally, the uppermost section features a double-bitted bronze battle-axe (with an interesting mechanised look), crowned by a spearhead crafted from quartz. Actually, a part of the final section (comprising the upper halves of the axe blades and the spearhead) can rotate 90°, forming a five-pronged head. This configuration represents the staff of authority and only transforms into a weapon when necessary.

Finally, the figure includes a separate crown that, in the comics, Taragas dons after raising to a divine form. This crown is a relatively simple bronze piece adorned with four prongs encircling a purple field (basically a tall cap) topped by a bronze spike. Although it doesn't fit tightly on the figure's head but simply rests atop it, the crown stays securely in place.

Final thoughts

Overall: Taragas is definitely an impressive figure. His attire is excellent and his sculpt is top notch, making for a fantastic looking figure. I can't help but wish that he featured an articulated tail though, as its absence restricts his ability to strike some cool dynamic poses, which is a tad frustrating. Nonetheless, he remains a standout in the line thanks to his exceptional quality and distinctive design

Rating: ☺☺☺☺ / 5

KR|Horizon Review #30: Combining Cyborg (SDCC 2023 Exclusive)

The Combining Cyborg made its debut in the first issue of the KR|Horizon comic book series as a transitional character, introducing fans to the mecha-centred atmosphere of that line. When combined, the Cyborg itself takes on the appearance of a mecha and consists of three individual characters: Xonedar, Tang-Lha and Wrapthur.

Now, fast forward to the present time, when PoliganToys has decided to release a large-scale Combining Cyborg action figure at SDCC 2023! Up until this point, we only had the three separate figures I mentioned earlier (with only a few Horizon-accurate alternative parts for Xonedar). Having put my hands on this new figure, I can honestly say it is i-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-e!

Toy prototype details

Name: Combining Cyborg

Subtitle: hyper-technological giant warrior

Line: KR|Horizon

Item type: large scale figure - Nº 3 in the line.

Characters details

Names: Xonedar, Wrapthur and Tang-Lha

Classification: partially humans

Sex: males and female

Home: Tahron

Era: 15 years after Foundation

Affiliation: Theriom

Rank: colonel and lieutenant colonels.

Background

First appearance: KR|Horizon #1 - The Destructomorph legacy

Brief bio: two former Troopers who had displayed unwavering loyalty to Senior Minister Tir-Hing, Tang-Lha and Wrapthur were among the most valuable members of the Theriom Armed Forces thanks to their intelligence and incredible fighting skills. Always eager to carry out their mission without question, the two soldiers were seriously injured and almost killed during the first battle of Ra-Hal. They were eventually healed by their mentor and, in a way, adoptive father Colonel Xonedar, who transformed and grafted their bodies with cybernetic parts by encasing each of their cells into a microscopic robotic structure, a technology previously invented by and applied to Xonedar himself. By adjusting the properties of those techno-elements in their bodies, Tang-Lha and Wrapthur gained the ability to shape their physical forms into a plethora of highly advanced devices for use in battle. Equipped with multi-optic visors that could effortlessly see through any structures and a wealth of built-in capture weaponry that could subdue any adversaries, the two warriors were soon back in the forefront of the defences of the Republic of Tahron, now providing an outstanding service to Senior Minister Desion. When confronted by particularly tough opponents, Tang-Lha and Wrapthur could even merge with Xonedar to form a towering mecha endowed with tremendous robotic strength, which would allow the Therioms to win in any combat situations.

Articulation
Standard (new scheme).

Description

With an adequate height of 30 cm (approximately 12''), this figure displays an extraordinary construction that incorporates numerous die-cast metal parts. Its articulation is equally remarkable, allowing for seamless movement and posing to recreate a wide range of dynamic battle scenes, giving the figure a lifelike appearance.

Speaking of meticulous attention to detail, this figure takes it to a whole new level. Every inch of its body is adorned with intricate sculpting and impeccable paintwork. From the amazingly designed circuitry patterns on its limbs to the prominent bolts accentuating its shoulder and elbow articulation, this figure captivates the eye with its awe-inspiring look. It faithfully replicates the appearance of the three individual figures that serve as its components (a detailed description of how they combine is in my review of Tang-Lha & Wrapthur), featuring armoured forearms, thigh pads and lower legs complete with knee guards. The paint job is also exceptional, with metallic red coating on its legs, glossy black on its abdomen and arms, and metallic blue on its head and chest. The addition of silver accents throughout (mostly on the mid torso, hips and the above-mentioned armoured parts) further enhances its visual appeal, adding a touch of brilliance to this already impressive masterpiece.

The figure's ball-jointed head draws inspiration from the iconic mouth-shielded face of Xonedar, but with a more mecha-like twist. Borrowing elements from CoBoN's robotic head design, this portrait exudes a coolness factor, complete with a crown of silver horns that make a bold statement.

Action feature

In my previous review, I described how the three cyborg characters, Tang-Lha, Wrapthur and Xonedar, combine to create this ultimate mecha warrior (their fusion reminds me a lot of Saikyo Robo Daioja). When they merge, their respective chest reactors are placed in unique positions: Wrapthur 's reactor finds its place on the waist/groin area, Tang-Lha's one is split into two parts, positioned on the inner sides of the feet, and Xonedar's one dominates the chest region, its appearance enhanced by its larger size. The real showstopper, though, is the amazing light-and-sound feature embedded within this large chest reactor. Powered by a battery and activated by a button on the back, the Combining Cyborg comes alive with dazzling red-and-green lights and futuristic blasting/whirring sounds. For those who prefer a different experience, the cyborg comes with the option to replace the LED chest reactor with an inactive one, featuring a lenticular sticker instead. The process is simple - by detaching the chest plate, you'll unveil an internal arrangement of colourful non-moving parts such as gears, turbines and tubes, and will be able to disconnect the electronic assembly and attach the alternative piece.

Weapons and accessories

Similarly to its smaller counterparts, the Combining Cyborg also includes multiple silver-coloured (with a dark sheen) interchangeable weapon attachments that can replace its left hand. These consist of a rocket-shaped cannon, a grabber with four gripping jaws arranged in an X shape, and a cylindrical drill bit. It also comes with two handheld weapons such as a sort of trident-halberd, which is made up of a long dark-blue shaft and a double bitted silver battle-axe topped with a silver spear spike, and a round, fan-like laser shield with a mostly translucent yellow disc, which is seemingly produced by the unfolding silver blade of a machete-like sword. All these accessories are reminiscent of some of the weapons that came with Tang-Lha & Wrapthur, but they are of course much larger and more detailed.

Last but not least, there's an alternate faceplate that bears an exposed steel mouth, i.e., without the regular mouth shield. Replacing the faceplate is a piece of cake, but popping off the head from the ball joint takes a bit of effort. Even though all these pieces are included, most of them are never seen in the comics.

Final thoughts

Overall: this is an exceptional toy, a true marvel of engineering and design. Standing tall and boasting awesome articulation, sculpt and paint job, the Combining Cyborg is a must-have for any KR collector or fan. This figure seamlessly combines the best of three characters into a masterful creation. The light-and-sound feature elevates the play experience to another level, and the ability to switch to an alternate chest reactor is a thoughtful addition. Update: I heard rumours that there may even be a rare chase variant with switched colours of the chest and legs (inspired by the incorrect colour scheme appearing in a concept design), making this collectible even more desirable!

Rating: ☺☺☺☺☺ / 5

KR|"Echoes of Future" Review #6: Dreanogs

Toy prototype details

Name: Dreanogs^TM

Subtitle: lethal techno-invertebrate annihilators

Line: KR|Echoes of Future

Item type: multi-pack (army builder 3-pack) - Nº 1 in the line.

Character details

Name: unknown

Classification: arthropod with tardigrade-like traits

Sex: male or female

Home: Cereutis

Era: 570 years before Foundation

Affiliation: Bogthropod

Rank: frontline soldier.

Background

First appearance: KR|Echoes of Future #1 - The secret origin of chaos

Character summary: a swarm of techno-invertebrates deployed by Silef and Krenodos^TM, the masterminds behind the Multiversal Balancers' demise. These agile soldiers crawled as lookouts and guides for their masters, delivering punishment to the people of Cereutis and Idakarr. Equipped with built-in tech armour and a deadly arsenal of laser blasters, orientable cannons and heavy clubs, they fearlessly carried out any order, even resorting to self-destruction, making them relentless frontline combatants.

Articulation

The Dreanogs' articulation scheme differs from the standard one significantly and is the following:

• shoulder (ball hinged, x4)
• elbow (ball hinged, x2)
• wrist (swivel + hinged -for left wrist front-to-back movement and right wrist side-to-side movement-, x2)
• waste (swivel)
• hip (ball hinged, x2)
• knee (swivel, x2)
• ankle (double hinged -for both front-to-back and rocking movements-, x2)
• tail (swivel)

Description

Each Dreanog features a spheroidal body, which is small in size, yet infused with menacing elements.

The head/torso is enclosed in a striking tech armour, predominantly flat red with metallic accents, showcasing a futuristic design. Standing out prominently at the centre of the armour's front opening is a large, dark-green chitinous face (bearing numerous details such as cracks and bumps), which surrounds a single circular dark-red structure resembling a compound eye, giving it a frightening and otherworldly aura. At the heart of this eye-like structure lies a tubular mouth equipped with ten small, sharp whitish teeth, ready to deliver a fierce bite. At the centre of the action figure's "forehead", sits a headband that features a prominent Bogthropod emblem consisting of what looks like a stylised trilobite crossed by three horizontal wavy lines, and whose vibrant blue colour contrasts beautifully against the red backdrop of the figure's armour. The three longitudinal lobes of the symbol, whose lengths vary (with the central section being the longest), are embossed onto the surface of the headband and symbolise power, agility, and a relentless spirit.

Three pairs of stocky limbs and a stubby tail protrude from the armour, all covered in segmented, spiny dark-green chitinous plating. Apart from the two main arms and the two legs, the figure boasts two additional smaller arms that end with sharp, barbed whitish blades, perfect for close combat encounters.

Adorning the main arms are eye-catching red shoulder pads, while the hands and feet display pairs of red armoured, robotic gauntlets and boots, which feature spiked cuffs and tops, and are equipped with eight digits each (divided in two groups of five and three long sharp claws respectively, giving each extremity a grapple rake-like appearance). One distinct feature of the Dreanog's outfit is its red waist-belt, which includes a cool rectangular lenticular sticker (giving an illusion of coursing sound waves) on the buckle, providing the figure with an extra touch of technological sophistication and suggesting its ability to analyse and interact with its surroundings.

Action feature

The Dreanogs bring an array of exciting features to our playtime adventures. First, each figure's face is ingeniously designed to spin vertically - the dome-shaped armour effectively conceals the mechanics responsible for this face-switching action, but there are visible knobs on the sides, where the arm holes are located. By turning these knobs, you can seamlessly switch between different face options. Apart from the regular face with the compound eye, there is a large human-like bloodshot eyeball with a red iris and a black pupil, while the third portrait is a cool robotic face; the last features a sleek silver panel adorned with intricate copper highlights resembling circuitry patterns, at the very centre of which is a circular white structure reminiscent of a cluster of photo detectors; this eye-like structure opens into a triradiate, Y-shaped aperture that reveals a black background, at the core of which lies a round blue hollow similar to the lens of a camera.

Furthermore, the three Dreanogs are designed to connect with one another to create different combat formations. They can be joined front-to-back, utilising two ball jointed connection pieces seemingly derived from the extending robotic faces, to form a centipede-like configuration. Alternatively, they can be connected top-to-bottom, using the same pieces that in this case replace the fictionally retractable lower body and form some sort of counter-gravity field generators, to construct an impressive living tower.

Weapons and accessories

Apart from the two extra connection pieces, the Dreanogs come with four accessories that can be used across the three figures. First and foremost, a formidable mace can be wielded to deliver devastating blows to their adversaries. The mace features a reddish-brown wooden head reinforced by metallic red tech parts, such as spikes and a side axe blade. The combination of the organic material and technological enhancements creates a striking visual contrast, highlighting the Dreanogs' unique blend of monstrous and futuristic elements.

Additionally, an alternative snap-on emblem that fits perfectly on the "forehead" of any one of the three figures provides us with even more display options. After removing the standard-looking crest described above, the second one enables us to recreate the character's ability to unleash devastating energy beams. This accessory features an energy blast effect moulded in translucent blue plastic, accentuated with orangish-yellow paint applications at the end.

Finally, we get a pair of long silver bendy appendages that resemble mechanical tentacles, seemingly emerging from the figure's back (where in fact they plug into two well-suited quadrangular sockets). Each appendage ends in a gun with a rectangular barrel (which is taller than it is wide), designed to surprise enemies and keep them at bay.

Final thoughts

Overall: the Dreanogs 3pk is an absolute must-have for potential collectors and fans of the Echoes of Future line. These soldiers may be small in size, but they pack a punch with their unique design, intimidating presence and a fun action feature

Rating: ☺☺☺☺☺ / 5