Based on the pictures, I passed on Invisible in favour of MMC Sphinx. The wait was perhaps the longest I can recall actively waiting for the release of a toy. Sphinx did not disappoint. In fact, I give it an 9 of 10 where "1" is a gobot and "10" is toy perfection.
So I held off Gundog to wait for Willis. Willis does not disappoint either (7.5 of 10). I've yet to handle Gundog and don't know if he disappoints or not.
Overall Willis scratches the itch. I stand him beside my G1 Hound and it works well, but I have complaints:
1. Not a dark enough green. I am not especially choosy about cartoon or toy-accuracy when it comes to colour. Either will look like the character to me. But sometimes a toy should be darker green and I think this is one of those times.
2. Too big. It's great that 3rd parties are making toys in similar scale at all, so I'll just quietly point out that Hound was the smallest of the carbots. Fans Toys has him a little taller than Sideswipe. The knees are double jointed and allow for a lower stance.
3. The ankle mechanism. Of the three complaints, this is the most poignant. Willis' foot is held to his leg by a small piece of plastic tabbed to lower leg. Have a look at the picture. There is nothing else holding the foot on and it is quite a foot.
Otherwise, he has all the expected articulation, the paint apps are sharp and plentiful. The toy feels good in hand with judicious use of diecast and rubber/silicon/soft plastic tires. Feels solid in both modes and floppy during transformation.
Anyone else have some thoughts on this guy?