I don’t usually post about third party upgrade kits, unless they are very notable. So, when DNA Design unveiled their next upgrade kit, DK-54 for Legacy: United Animated Universe Optimus Prime, I’ll echo folks nowadays by saying… DNA Design really cooked!
To those unfamiliar, myself included, this kit realizes the Powermaster armor Optimus Prime was meant to have in Transformers: Animated but never saw the light of day. Its vestige was seen as the Takara Tomy-exclusive Wingblade Optimus Prime set, a redeco of the original Voyager class figure.
While Wingblade Optimus Prime only got the backpack and forearm armor, the Powermaster armor would’ve included additional parts for the legs as well. And based on what I’m seeing here, DNA Design did a great job in translating the illustrations from The Allspark Almanac, vol. 2 into a fully realized figure.
Besides the fully armored Optimus Prime form, the kit also allows you to have this intermediate configuration where you essentially attach everything except for the backpack unit. Then you take out the thruster units from the backpack and directly connect them to the shoulders. This is actually what sold me to the set as it’s kind of a mid-season upgrade for Optimus.
But of course, you’re getting this set for this combination, and it looks really good! Some may find the new ‘boots’ to be a little too large though it does serve another purpose besides being an armor. Likewise, none of the articulation is affected by these parts, which means you can get Optimus in really dynamic poses, both with the Magnus Hammer and the underslung cannon seen here.
The other promise that went away with the cancellation of the Powermaster armor concept, is the fully realized fire truck that would’ve completed his vehicle mode. Not only does this DNA Design kit nail the upgraded robot mode, but it also does the full fire truck vehicle mode as seen here.
It works seamlessly with the new feet forming the wheelbase while the wings themselves become the sides of the vehicle, which have paint that matches the cab section. A side panel even opens up to reveal details you often see in fire trucks. The shoulder mounted cannons also become the fire hose nozzle in vehicle mode, and get this.
The underslung cannon becomes the ladder that completes the fire truck look. Everything is integrated in the vehicle mode, including the Magnus Hammer and even the original Energon Axe that comes with Optimus.
The only other thing that will totally complete the look is a new headsculpt complete with a visor and mask. I am aware that doing this will probably require disassembling the head for removal but I believe many would appreciate the inclusion of such parts for options. Other than that, this is an excellent kit from DNA Design, so much so that I pre-ordered my copy while typing this post.
