Energon Signal Flare

Series: Energon
Year: 2004
Allegiance: Autobot
Class: Basic Omnicon

Prelude: It’s been over two decades since the Energon line came out, but I still haven’t reviewed all the figures. But I’m working on it, promise. Today we have Energon Signal Flare, one of the Omnicons, and we still haven’t seen a figure with a bigger radar dish than this one, I think. So get ready to forge some raw Energon into weapons of war and let’s say go!

Robot Mode: I actually did review this figure once before, in the form of Superlink Signal Flare, the Takara version of this one. That was eighteen years ago, though, and having reread that review, I find it a bit short and not quite on point. So time for a new take on this figure. Just a quick comparison: the two figures are nearly identical, though all the colors are a slightly different shade.

Signal Flare is a Basic Class figure, roughly the same size as the later Scout-Class, and looks almost perfectly generic. The only clue to his alternate mode are the tank tracks on his legs, otherwise he might as well be a background figure in any given Transformers cartoon. Detailing is pretty good for such a small figure, though, including painted accents on the torso and legs and weathering on the tracks. There is a kind of red smear on the cannon arm, not entirely sure what it’s intended to be, but looking pretty good. Articulation is standard for the time. Signal Flare cannot turn his head or swivel his hip, but is agile enough for a few dynamic poses.

As an Omnicon, it’s Signal Flare’s job to forge raw Energon into weapons. Thus he includes not only an Energon star, but also three separate Energon weapon pieces. The largest is a rotating radar dish he can attach to his cannon arm, as well as two short blades that can become solar panels on his arm or a double blade / shield to be held in his left hand. Signal Flare also has an in-built gimmick, namely that his cannon arms rotates when it’s moved at the shoulder joint.

Bottom line for the robot mode: a nice little Basic figure, not the best of the Energon line, but with a fun gimmick and no real flaws.

Alternate Mode: A relatively complex transformation for a figure this size changes Signal Flare from robot to half-track vehicle. It’s officially a Cybertronian MASER tank (think Laser but with microwaves instead of light), but you can also see it as a mobile radar station or, when leaving off the radar dish, as a simple tank. The vehicle is very nicely detailed and the gimmick with the rotating cannon remains functional, of course. All the Energon weapon parts can be attached or left aside as you wish.

Bottom line for the vehicle mode: pretty basic (as in: Basic class), but fully functional and the only real flaw is the robot fist sticking out the back.

Remarks: Signal Flare was among the many Omnicons that appeared in the Energon cartoon, mining raw Energon and then turning it into Energon Stars, from which the Autobots could manifest Energon weapons. In the Dreamwave Energon comics he was a bit more than a mass-produced worker drone and ended up in a fight with Unicron’s horsemen, personally facing down Famine aka Armada Terrorsaur.

The toy itself is average for the Energon line. Nicely articulated for the time, a decent gimmick, cool Energon weapons, but nothing particularly special. Recommended to fans of unknown characters and fun little Transformers figures you’re likely to find for a few bucks on eBay.

Rating: C+