Bodyblock (Universe)

This article is about the 2008 Universe series Mini-Con. For the canceled Reveal The Shield Autobot, see Bodyblock (TF 2010).

Bodyblock is an Autobot-allied Mini-Con from the Armada portion of the Unicron Trilogy continuity family (via the 2008 Universe toyline).

The name is fitting.

Bodyblock is a member of the Landslide Team. Bodyblock is well-named; he's a massive block of mechanical muscle that's slow in every sense of the word. He seems to be a quintessential dumb lug, making up in strength what he lacks in quickness and brain-power. None of his other attributes (combat skills, firepower, etc...) are too shabby really, but it's his great strength and slowness of mind and body that seem his defining features.

Toys

Universe (2008)

Hollywood Mini-Con Squares

• Mini-Con Class 12 Pack (Multi-pack, 2008)

• Series: Armada Series
• Known designers: Joe Kyde (deco artist)

Universe Bodyblock is a redeco of Classics Grindor, transforming into a 1951 Chevrolet Panel truck with oversized "monster" tires. He has a "Powerlinx" socket on the underside of his vehicle mode that allows him to attach to larger toys with compatible Powerlinx plugs.

He has his wheels swapped compared to Grindor, with the wheels with the "pegs: as the rear wheels and the wheels with the corresponding holes as the front wheels. This matches both his own and Grindor's official stock photos, but contradicts both his and Grindor's instructions. Since it does not affect his functionality or transformation in any way whatsoever, it's unclear whether his wheels are "misassembled" or not.

He was originally only available as part of a Kmart exclusive "Mini-Con 12-pack" with Backstop, Blight, Boltflash, Brimstone, Cloudraker, Flatfoot, Heavytread, Knockdown, Makeshift, Skyhammer, and Suppressor.

• More information on Bodyblock at TFU.info

Why you can't find Swashplate.

• Bodyblock (Mini-Con, 2009)

• Series: Armada Series

Bodyblock was later sold on an individual cardback in discount store chains like Big Lots! and Family Dollar in the U.S. (at a cost between $3 and the ridiculously overpriced $5), though some reports came in of Mini-Cons from this assortment also showing up (briefly) at Walmart stores.

This version is identical to the multi-pack release.

"That never would have happened to Soundwave." -Ashens, 2012

• Bodyblock (Candy toy, 2010)

In the UK, all twelve Mini-Cons from the original "Mini-Con Class 12 Pack" set were released in individual blind-packed bags with "energon fizzy jellies" candies, distributed by The Little Factory Ltd.

Though all of these Mini-Cons are actually new molds with numerous tiny differences from the originals, Bodyblock is one of the few toys with a major change: this version has orange leg-struts and shoulder joints instead of the original's reddish-brown.

This toy was repurposed as the TransTech Mini-Con Aston.

Notes

• The stock photography of Bodyblock's vehicle mode on the back of the 12-pack box is lacking the Mini-Con insignia on his roof. The single-carded version had new photography, this time with the symbol where it's supposed to be.