I don’t remember much about Seaspray from the cartoon, other than that he spoke like he had a mouthful of Listerine, but there’s always been something about the little guy that made me love him. If you asked me to name favorites, he’d easily be in the top ten.
Even though I lost my first Seaspray in the flood that claimed most of my childhood toys, I’ve never forgotten him. Like many of my favorite toys, he’s tied directly to the memories involved in receiving him. My parents bought Tracks for me after a multi-city trip looking for an Optimus Prime. They finally gave up and asked me to choose a substitute. I almost got Blaster, but opted for Tracks at the last minute. They were disappointed that we had to settle for Tracks, but I loved the little blue corvette as if he were Optimus Prime himself. I still have him today, a reminder of that great trip with my Mom & Dad. My Dad bought me Hot Rod the first time we saw him after he and I had gone together to watch the movie. It wasn’t the same day, but Dad still knew which Transformers I’d liked best from the movie. Seaspray was purchased by my Mom and waiting for me in the car after a flurry of shots that I’m still not convinced I needed. For many of my original toys, the memories have become the truly important part while the cool toy has just become a totem to remind me of the events surrounding it. Seaspray was no exception.
While I cherished the toy, I don’t remember much specific about Seaspray from the cartoon. I remember his PSA (wear life-jackets even if they’re lame) and that his “warbly” voice was provided by Alan Oppenheimer (who also performed Mer-Man for MOTU, among many others). While some of you may think my affinity for him is simply post-shot trauma, I’d say it had to be about the design of the original toy. But looking back, there wasn’t much to him. Like all the mini vehicles, he transformed rather simply and had virtually no articulation (just the arms could move), but there was something fun about him. His colors. His look. He had a certain charm.
This Seaspray is more or less an entirely new design with little homage involved. His colors are similar, but aren’t quite the same. His overall look is pretty much different and yet, this figure conveys a sort of charm just like his namesake. When I found him, I had to have him.
While the back of the box seems to indicate this new Seaspray is in movie continuity, Hasbro claims otherwise and insists this is an update of the original. Personally, I don’t care too much about the back of the box. He doesn’t look like a movie transformer, so even if he was, I would still consider him a Universe/Classics figure anyway.
Seaspray’s robot mode is the better of the two. I know a robot probably doesn’t need a lot of fancy diving gear, but it makes Seaspray stand out. His head features the equivalent of goggles and a breathing apparatus. He has flippers that can be folded out from the bottom of his feet. And part of his deck & hull ends up taking on the appearance of two air tanks on his back. While the artwork shows traditional eyes behind the goggles, the toy doesn’t have them. Instead, the light piping is the goggle’s visor itself.
Seaspray included two missile launchers that can be placed in multiple configurations. They are side mounted cannons in his alt mode and if you place them in that same spot in his robot mode, they’ll be on the back of his forearms. The pegs are also the right size for Seaspray to hold them in either hand.
While I’m not entirely familiar with standard articulation in a Transformers toy, Seaspray seems to have plenty of range. His head, shoulders, hips, and ankles all have a hinge joint and a swivel joint placed in close enough proximity to each other that they form a de facto ball joint. The transformation also leaves him with swivels at the biceps, thighs, and calves as well as hinges at the elbows and knees. His wrists feature a swivel joint as well. And I’m not sure if it counts as articulation but you have the hinged flippers and the hinge/swivels on the shoulder propellers. Continue to Page 2…
Decent review but he’s not old school enough for my tastes. I’m hoping that the stuff mentioned at Botcon is more in line with what I want to see from Hasbro. This new G1 stuff sounds promising.
Wes linked to it down below, but there’s a custom Seaspray done in G1 colors that looks pretty swanky. I’m excited for more Classics, though that means I may have to go back and pick up some older items…
First off, I’m sorry you lost Seaspray in that flood, which is really kinda ironic. Beautiful stuff in regards to your parents and their part in your collecting. That is really cool. And how awesome are water-based figures? That’s four of my favorites up there in that great last pic. I loved Seaspray’s gurgling voice as a kid, too. He’s a cute little ‘Bot.
His new form is pretty neat. The blue/white colors and goggles remind me of the ’85 Cobra Snow Serpent from G.I. Joe. Maybe the designers are paying homage to both lines somehow. Seaspray does look different in robot mode, but not enough to separate him from the vintage line upgrades. I liked seeing him team up with Beachcomber since their motifs have always complimented each other. I’m definitely going to pick Seaspray up next time I hit the store aisles.
The “great flood” that took most of my toys happened back in ’89 so I’ve had time to acclimate, but thank you. 😀
The water based stuff is a ton of fun. I had a hard time picking stuff ouf for the shot. 😀
I agree on Seaspray, he’s definitely a good universe/classics update to the old one despite the changes they made to him.
I really love this guy. Great way to kick off new TFs.
Yep. I’m really looking forward to the stuff we heard about at Botcon because of him.
An underwater Batman would make that last pic priceless.
Seaspray seems le a good buy. I can see why they’re packaging him in robot mode though. There’s not much to that alt mode.
I don’t think I have any underwater Batman. Silly I know. 😀
I like the bot mode packaging, makes you feel better about your $20 and you can check the paint on the important areas.
He seems like a cool bot and he’s finally on par with other autobots in terms of scale. I might have to look for one when these start showing up at other stores.
He’s all growed up! Sniff…
I like the diving gear. It gives him some personality.
Absolutely!
I am so excited about this figure, he looks like a wonderful update to the original. And if the colors aren’t your bag, check out this custom by FrogDNA on the TFW2005 boards (if it’s okay to post):
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/radicons-customs/310356-cartoon-style-g1-voyager-seaspray.html
I wouldn’t be surprised if Wal-Mart doesn’t end up with a G1 exclusive similar to this like they did with Powerglide. Either way, I think he’s a marvelous toy and I can’t wait to find him.
I saw that the other day – it’s awesome work and it’s almost tempting, but I like the udpated golds and dark blues.
And you’re right, I didn’t even think about them doing another Seaspray like they did Powerglide (I still have just the gray one).
Ah yes, with this, the feature in Toy Run section and ‘Vault’s Lockdown review, the Transformer presence on IAT is spreading like the Black Plague. HAHAHA…ahem.
Anyway, I particular enjoy the small anecdotes indicating your connections to old school characters. Would you guys consider a segment just for such stories? I’m sure everyone has at least a handful.
This guy’s on the way to me. I’m happy that he got a nice, bulked-up update, but more happy that one of the lovable Mini-Bot characters has returned in modern standards. To answer your speculation about modern TF articulation, expectations vary widely, just as they do in other action figure lines. Seaspray here’s a good example.
I know Cosmos already got a bang-up re-release as a scout, but I’d love to see this design come out as a voyager or deluxe:
http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Image:Classics_cosmos_concept.gif
Warpath, if anyone, deserves a bulky size-up. But I’d be happy with both Seaspray and Cosmos getting love, I was always a supporter of those happy-go-lucky, quirky Autobots.
The real question is, “does he float”? Time for IAT to “take it to the bathtub”.
I love Seaspray… he was one of my favorite mini-cons as a kid. I will def be getting this update, though, I may wait to see if they do a repaint. That G1 custom is awesome!!!!
Seaspray looks awesome. I’m more psyched to know I’m not alone in my love for the original seaspray figure!