U.S. Name: SHOCKWAVE   Jap. Name: LASERWAVE

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #1: More than meet the eye P1, Season 1, Sept. 1984

Classic Box Number: 49      

A quick comment:     Back to G-1: Review D-VII      Teletran-1

After many attempts in trying to find a good Shockwave and a decent price, I finally managed to get one.   Due to his popularity and rarity, in the end, I had to pay big buck for him anyway from Ebay.  This MIB Shockwave cost me CCCXXX and I got it on Jun. Xxx, Mmx.   I have always wanted him; now my Megatron's right hand bot Soundwave and left hand bot Shockwave is completed.

R-0 Original Shockwave' motto and tech specifications:  

Affiliate: decepticons | Subgroup: none | Function: military operation commander | Alt. Mode: laser gun |

| STR 9 | INTL 10 | SPD 7 | ENDN 7 | RNK 9 | CRG 9 | FRPW 9 | SKL 9 |

Original G1 Shockwave' Motto:

"Clarity of thought before rashness of action."

Original G1 Shockwave's Bio:

Cold, brutal, scientific approach to war. Seeks to overthrow Megatron as leader of Decepticons because he believes logic says he would be better. As laser gun, can emit lethal beams of energy from anywhere on the electromagnetic spectrum: gamma rays, x-rays, light, infrared rays, radio waves, etc. Flies in laser gun or robot mode. High fuel use, but can be powered by nuclear sources. Often confounded by initiative, emotional thinking.

NOTE-1: This review page is meant to give you some ideas about the figure and for nostalgic or sentimental purposes.  I hold no responsibility for your action.  These images were mostly photographed and scanned by me.  If there's a section or image that owned by you and I didn't give you credit, please Email Me and I'll make the correction.  Have fun.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

[Thumbnail Size = 100xHeight]

R-1 Shockwave in its Original condition:

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers: 

There are 2 Pre-Applied stickers that had been applied onto Shockwave.  The first one is the large Decepticon logo located at the front of his chest while the last pre-applied sticker is the Decepticon Rub Sign.  This rub sign is also in the chest but on the side.

Sticker Sheet:

Surprisingly, G1 Shockwave does not come with any sticker sheet. 

R-3 Shockwave in Laser Gun Mode:

Shockwave alternated mode is a Cybertronian flying laser gun whose measurement is approximately 12 1/4 X 3 1/2 X 9 1/4 (LxWxH in inch).  With a one foot long in length, Shockwave laser gun is big and heavy thanks to die cast metal on the thigh, pelvis joints, and feet.  Shockwave colors are primary purple and gray.  In term of details, the gray barrel and the side of the gun are very interesting to look at at due to lines, grooves, and designs.  The top portion of the gun is kind of plain and flat.  At the back of the gun is a clear purple foldable target view finder.  Shockwave features a workable electronic lighting and sound in both robot and gun mode, right image at bottom right corner.  When the gray trigger is pressed and depending on which sound you choose, you will either hear a slower or a rapid firing sound.  This feature requires one "9V" battery to operate.   The laser gun can stand on it own by slight move his feet at certain angle.  For a lesser hassling and more secure or footing, extend his metal feet all the way out.

R-4 Shockwave in Robot Mode:

Shockwave transformation is simple and easy.   First pull out the gray barrel.  Now split the two arms apart from one another and then rotate the lower arms to their correct position.  Also the rotate the right hand to its correct position as well.  Once you split the arm out, you'll notice the head automatically pop out, so just rotate the ear upright.  Pull the gun handle to reveal the thigh and then split the two leg apart from one another.  At the bottom of the leg, flip the silver die cast metal out to make the feet.  Last but not least, fold the clear view finder down and then swing the entire sound compartment to form Shockwave back.  Shockwave is indeed beautiful in this mode and looks exactly like his cartoon counterpart.  And as mentioned in R-3, press down the gray trigger and that will activate the lighting on Shockwave left hand laser in robot mode as well.  The right hand has no electronic feature so its not operable.  In both mode, Shockwave has no negative drawback.

NOTE-4:  Shockwave shoulder, elbow, leg, and knee joints all make a clicking sound just like Ultra Magnus whenever you bent them.

R-5 Shockwave Lower Arm - Which Orientation Is Corrected?

If you tried to look online for the G1 Shockwave action figure, you'll either encounter the picture on the left panel or the right panel.  Transfans with acute eye and memory will notice one minor contradiction between the instruction sheet and the cartoon on Shockwave transformation.  According to Shockwave instruction booklet, left panel, the black hose above the wrist of the left arm should be facing the front.  That would make the round panel of both the lower arm face outward and away from the body.  The advantage is that it makes the arm oriented correctly and doesn't look awkward.  On the contrary, it's not cartoon accurate.  Should you want it to be like the cartoon, you can transform him to be that way too, right panel.  Bare in mind if you choose this method, it like having your lower arm inner side facing outward as oppose toward your body.  Also, the pegs which join the two arms in gun mode are facing outward now.  But then again, unless you are real picky, you can't really tell the differences in the awkwardness. 

R-6 Articulation Show Off:

Shockwave is one of the very few G1Transformer figures to have a nice articulation at his era.  Head, ear, shoulder, elbow, hand,  leg, knee, and feet are all articulated.  Unfortunately, the shoulder cannot be rotated forward only in the side, see middle image.  For more on articulation, scroll down to R-9 on Articulation.

R-7 Shockwave in Scale Comparison:

In term of scale, Shockwave is huge!  As you can see, he is even taller than Bruticus or Menasor.  The mighty Megatron stands just below his chest.  Now the G1 Shockwave and Ultra Magnus have never confronted each other in the cartoon, but in the Dreamwave series, they were rival.  So here is their action figure scale comparison with Ultra Magnus only slightly taller and more massive. 

For collectors and those that want to purchase genuine G1 Shockwave, just know that there is a Knockoff version of G1 Shockwave that is currently sold at many websites and sometime on Ebay.  I'm not talking about the Official Reissue Transformers released by Takara, Takara/Tomy, or Hasbro since those are authentic.  Unlike ordinary knockoffs where you can easily tell just by looking due to the differences in coloring, box, or material from the original, these latest knockoffs are an exact replica of the original from the box, to colors, to the toy itself.  What's scary is that someone could get fool by paying big buck and thinking it's the real deal when it's not.  Before you purchase or bid, just remember, if any G1 Transformers  mint in sealed box cost less than $100 and it's too good to be true it's usually not authentic.  And always ask the sellers before bid on Ebay.  On the other side of the coin, for knockoff fans and those that don't want to pay big buck for the real deal, then this is your best treat. 

Here are the lists of the G1 Transformers Reissue Knockoff that looks exactly like the original/ authentic one from the box, accessories, paper works, designs, to toy:

Autobots: Optimus Prime (3 versions: regular, clear/ transparency, and black), Sunsteaker, Wheeljack, Mirage (3 versions: regular, red, clear), Grimlock, Slag, Slug, Swoop, Snarl, Prowl, Red Alert, Sideswipe, Springer, Cosmo, Brawn, Powerglide,  Seaspray, Hubcap, Warpath, Bumblebee, Beachcomber, Cliffjumper (red, yellow).

Decepticons: Shockwave, Kickback, Bombsheell, Shrapnel, Cyclonus, Scourge, Gnaw, Octane, Reflector, Ravage/ Rumble (red), Frenzy (blue)/Laserbeak, Ratbat/Frenzy (blue).

Combiners/ Citybots: Devastator (3versions: regular,  orange, yellow gift set), Constructicons (set on card), Menasor (gift set), Superion (gift set), Defensor  (gift set), Metroplex, Metrotitan.

R-9 Rémy's Shockwave action figure review:

Manufacturer - Hasbro.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Series 2.

Year Issue: [1985]  

Made: [Korea]  

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD]  - Approximately 16 1/4 X 7 9/16 (with flap 10 1/4) X 4 - Box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Seal Box.  Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Tied down on a Styrofoam container: "1" futuristic laser gun.

On the side of the card board, a taped down bag which contained: "1" instruction sheet, "1" red decoder sheet, "1"  Reinforcement From Cybertron catalog, and "1" 1985 toy catalog poster (Autobots side and Decepticons side).

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: Shockwave art.  Back Box Appearance: 1984 battle scene with Shockwave Tech & Spec beneath that.

Box Point or Robot Point: [4]  - This number can be found on the back of the box next to the Tech & Spec. 

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head:  8 9/16  Maximum Height: 8 13/16 (up to the ear)  Width from shoulder to shoulder: 5  Maximum Width: 5  Dept: 4 1/4.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print: - toyco; TRADEMARK, ©1983; MADE IN KOREA.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - The Made in Korea can be found at the front side of the battery cover while the rest of the fine print is located at the inner side of Shockwave right leg.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Easy]  

Material Durability: [A] - Average

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: The thigh and feet.  Chrome Part: None.  Rubber: None  Plastic: Main material.  Clear Plastic Material: The right hand, left laser hand, the chest, and the gun barrel.

Stability: [A] - Robot mode can stand on any flat surface...very stable.

Fun Toy: [A] - Definitely fun.

Negative Drawback - None. 

Articulations:  Head: Can be rotated at a 360 degree.   Both ears move 180 degree simultaneously. Shoulder:  Can only be swung 180 degree sideway up or down but no forward movement. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at 90 degree forward and backward for both arm.  The lower right arm can be rotated at 360 degree sideway while the left arm has some restriction due to the hose.  Wrist/ Hand: Only the right hand can be rotated at a 360 degree.  Hand cannot be hidden.   Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated.  Leg: Can only be bent 45 degree.  Knee: Can only be bent 45 degree.  Ankle/Feet: Can be bent at 180 downward.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The Decepticon's rub sign located at the left side of the chest.

Robot's Cartoon/ Comic looks alike: [A]  

Alternated's Cartoon/ Comic looks alike: [A]   

Special Notes: Here are "9" special notes that I think you should know:

1 - Due to the heavy weight on the upper body and the style of transformation, Shockwave will suffer the compression leg syndrome over the long run.  In other word, Shockwave leg will shrink down and bury into his feet which will make him look shorter.  If you want to avoid the problem, then leave him in gun mode. 

2 - Be gentle when removing the gun barrel during transformation to robot mode.  Reckless act can easily damage the hand or barrel tab.

3 - Don't over use the batter cover, reckless act can easily damage the 2 little tabs.

4 - Shockwave comes with a workable electronic light at the left hand and 2 type of sounds.  The sound includes a slower and a rapid firing.  This feature requires one "9V" battery.  Make sure yours is in working condition.  To change between the difference sound, slide  the black switch at the back of the gun.  

5 - To avoid corrosion and prevent the electronic from not working, always remove the battery when not in use.

6 - Shockwave does not come with a sticker sheet, so don't bother looking for one.  The only sticker he has is the large pre-applied Decepticon insignia at the front of the chest and the rub sign on the side.

7 - The original G1 Shockwave was made in "Korea by Toyco" and not Takara/Hasbro/Japan.  

8 - If you have the black twisted tie metal string, don't throw it away.  It could increase your Shockwave value should you decide to sell it in the future.  See R-1 for picture.

9 -  Shockwave shoulder, elbow, leg, and knee joints all make a clicking sound just like Ultra Magnus whenever you bent them.

Overall Grade: [A] - Shockwave is beautiful in both mode.  Decepticons army isn't the same without Shockwave to your collection. 

3.5x5 1/16sticker sheet size

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