The next Beast Wars Masterpiece figure has dropped, MP-34S Shadow Panther. This is a black repaint of MP Cheetor, and the first of the Predacon ranks to join the battle. He’s the same top to bottom as far as construction and accessories go with the addition of a chromed beast mask, a call back to the alt heads on the original toys. His black deco in Panther mode has slight grey highlights similar to Optimus Primal’s painted texture, a nice touch to break things up. A sharp overall toy, but not necessarily one BW fans were calling out for this early into the line. We’ve taken some shots to show what he can do, you can check out over 55 HD images in the gallery below:
ICYMI – Check our previous MP Beast Wars galleries here: Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Optimus Primal (Legendary Ver), Dinobot.
Shadow Panther is in stock and shipping now at TFSource!
Recent Masterpiece Releases: Masterpiece Pre-Orders, Shadow Panther, Dinobot, Optimus Primal, BW Megatron, G1 Megatron.
omegafix
Looking for both of his comunicator armbands, PM me if you want to part with them
captainfantasy
Awesome! Now a little practice in self control
Digger
I’d say it’s a pretty great figure. I actually like it much more than Cheetor.
Dinotrap
I picked him up for the full price when he was first released and have no problems with him. He's fun and a very nice update for the character, might snag myself a second copy for that price
captainfantasy
Shadow Panther on sale for $74.99 at TF Source for Memorial Day Weekend. Not a huge BW fan but I like the look and don't have Cheetor. Is he worth it?
Paco Grande
Just chiming in to make sure you know that the Cheetor reissue that just came out has the mould upgrades from Shadow Panther like the shoulders and tighter joints all around. I got mine from Amazon Japan for a great price but I have no idea if it’s still available for that price. I would assume no, but you should check.
1BLD
I got Shadow Panther this week, because with Megatron imminent, I really wanted a Cheetor who didn't feel like trash.
And Shadow Panther feels so, so much better. In a first for me, I transformed him into a robot and that's how he's been since Wednesday. In some ways, I know that SP is actually built better (like the shoulders, the swivel there is smooth and not at all scary, unlike Cheetor), but I'm leaving Cheetor as a cat, and SP as a robot action figure so things like the waist tab and the shoulder drop don't wear out.
So far as new bits go, the communicators are nice to have (and can be used by Cheetor, no issue), while I don't think the mask works- it feels a little flat, like it should have more of a beak/snout. I think the chrome does it a slight disservice as well, since sculpt wise I could see it as a kind of skull mask. Speaking of faces, the standard set work surprisingly well despite the lack of remolding. I didn't like the neutral face especially on Cheetor, but it and the smirk work nicely for this Predacon.
I'm not happy that I felt the need to buy Shadow Panther to get a Cheetor who didn't feel like trash, but I at least got a solid version of the figure, and one which definitely feels better than my Cheetor ever did. Now I just have to never transform him, and hope that just being an action master isn't too much to ask of the mold, long term.
InsaneJester17
Why on Cybertron did no one make a Ravage head for this? That's the only way I would pick this guy up.
stad
Because a lot of people – for whatever reason – will read the reports, and start passing it along as if it's a common occurrence, and often word it as if it happened to them as well.
Sam
Well I don't know how you can 'exaggerate' breaking – in the cases of the people it happened to it obviously happened. But yeah, a lot of people whose 34S didn't break obviously don't feel the need to come online to report that.
In any case, I'm ordering the MP-34 reissue from Amazon Japan, since they have the best return policy in case of a QC issue like this still happening with Cheetor.
Gamerlingual
Unless it’s MPM6 Ironhide. No way those flops are exaggerated
Afterburner
The issues are almost always exaggerated. Glad to confirm that's the case as I too would like to give this figure a shot when I have some extra funds.
Gamerlingual
May have to give this one a shot, then. Got all other Beast Wars MP and variants. Thanks, guys.
PoweredConvoy
No issues here.
Dinotrap
I haven’t had a single issue with mine, I’ve transformed him enough times to forget how many times I actually transformed him, and he’s still in mint condition
Definitely going to pick up another one for beast mode display
Gamerlingual
Ok. So the frequency of breaking, is it exaggerated?
Verno
He sure does look good. I'm still torn about whether to pick him up or not. Maybe when we get a look at Grimlock and Lazorbeak.
mcart
Yup
Gamerlingual
Anyone else own this guy and he is still in one piece?