Hey, G1 Guide crew! We’re kicking off the Deluxe Class wave of the Studio Series 86 line with Transformers Studio Series 86-01 Jazz, the slickest Autobot to ever grace The Transformers: The Movie. If you’ve been craving a Jazz that captures his 1986 movie vibe—complete with that Porsche-inspired swagger—this figure might just be your jam. Let’s break it down.
Overview: Moonbase One’s Finest
Jazz has always been the Autobot with style, and this 4.5-inch Deluxe Class figure brings him straight from the screen to your shelf. Inspired by his doomed escape attempt during the “Moonbase One Destruction” scene, this Jazz is all about G1 cartoon accuracy with a modern twist. It’s a love letter to the character’s cool factor, packed with details that’ll make any G1 fan grin.
Design and Sculpt: Smooth as Ever
This Jazz nails the G1 look. The white, black, and red color scheme pops with a glossy finish, accented by blue windshield stripes and silver highlights that scream “retro cool.” The sculpt ditches the door wings of older Jazz toys for a cleaner, movie-accurate silhouette—broad chest, slim waist, and that iconic visor-and-horned helmet combo. He’s got a confident stance that says, “I’m too cool to panic, even with Unicron chomping down.”
The vehicle mode? A sleek, Porsche-esque racecar that’s unmistakably Jazz. It’s not a licensed Porsche (Hasbro’s still dodging those fees), but the curved hood, rear spoiler, and racing stripes are close enough to make you hear “Dare” playing in the background.
Transformation: 20 Steps of Groove
Converting Jazz from robot to racecar takes 20 steps, and it’s a breeze once you get the rhythm. The chest folds down into the hood, arms tuck into the sides, and legs collapse into the rear—smooth and satisfying, just like Jazz himself. No fiddly bits or frustration here; it’s a transformation that feels polished and fun, perfect for collectors who want to switch modes without a hassle.
Accessories: Armed and Stylish
Jazz comes light but effective:
- Blaster: A chunky rifle that fits in his hands or clips to his back, straight out of the movie.
- Backdrop: A removable “Moonbase One Destruction” scene, showing Jazz mid-escape as Unicron looms. It’s a cool display piece for shelf shots.
No extra frills, but for a Deluxe, it’s all you need to recreate his big-screen moment.
Articulation: Posing with Flair
Jazz moves like he grooves—head swivel, shoulder and elbow joints, wrist rotation, hips, knees, and ankle tilts. He’s got enough range to strike a cocky point or a battle-ready stance. The joints are tight but not stiff, making him a joy to pose without worrying about floppiness. You’ll wish for a waist swivel, but for a G1 design, he’s plenty dynamic.
Why Deluxe Class?
At around $22.99, Jazz fits the Deluxe tier perfectly—compact, detailed, and affordable. He’s not as loaded as a Commander Class figure, but he doesn’t need to be. This is Jazz distilled: simple, stylish, and spot-on for G1 fans who want their Autobots movie-fresh.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Nailed the G1 movie look—no door wings, all swagger.
- Clean, fun transformation.
- Vibrant colors and solid build.
- Backdrop adds a nice display touch.
Cons:
- No waist swivel (a minor nitpick).
- Light on accessories—could’ve used a shield or extra effect.
Final Verdict: A Jazzy Triumph
SS86-01 Jazz is a slam dunk for G1 collectors. It’s the best movie-accurate Jazz we’ve gotten from Hasbro, blending nostalgia with modern quality. Whether he’s parked in car mode or posed with his blaster, this figure oozes personality. If you’re building an 86 Autobot crew, Jazz is a must-have.
Score: 9/10
(Docked a point for the lack of extra gear, but otherwise, he’s smooth as silk.)
Numerous members have had the opportunity to flip their apes for a profit. And this is potentially life-changing money we’re talking about. So those who hold are in it for the long-haul – with good reason. Apes, similar to Punks, have become a status symbol. With the added utility of being able to identify your fellow apes on social media, being an ape owner shows that you’re part of a 5,000+ member club. And aside from those within the crypto and NFT community, we’ve witnessed quite a few celebrities, including superstar Shawn Yue, Steph Curry, LaMelo Ball and more enter into the non-fungible space through the purchase of an ape.
I think it made me think about it more and really consider why I was choosing to add this to my NFT portfolio
It poses an interesting question for me on the avatar category – will people be willing to buy in, or does eating something change your “sniff” test on the believe-ability of the claims?
With the floor continuing to rise and interest reaching beyond the non-fungible community, we may see apes follow along the same path as Punks – that is, as a legacy project that helps define the NFT space.
It’s important to make the distinction between the two though, as one mapped out the rules (Punks) and one changed the game entirely (BAYC).
There’s also a little pouch to store the rollerballs, and a card with different inspirations as to how to blend them on your skin – but it’s foolproof. You can’t make a mess if you mix them all up.
Badger Beard Balm is perfect for the bearded gents in your life (is this everyone? beards are so trending). As Punks continued to moon throughout the first half of the year, and Punk derivative projects started to peter out, BAYC filled a demand for originality and substance within the collectible and art sections of the NFT market.
If you’re looking to get into the club, there is not time to waste!
Further, Punks are surely the gold standard for NFT projects, but what they lack in community, they make up for through ETH value far too high for most collectors to obtain even at floor prices. BAYC undoubtedly set a precedent for community based projects – and we’ve seen countless use its success as a template to follow in its footsteps.
