MangaDCU: Toyman's Trans-Action Figures

left to right:
Man-O-Steel, Shadowbat, Amazonia, Skid Dash, Hydroplaner, and Limelight.

When I decided to use Hiro Okamura as the MDCU version of Toyman[link] , I felt that not only should he be an expert in building Gundam style(...oppah!) giant mechas (similar to his mainstream counterpart's Composite Superman/Batman Mech used in the Public Enemies storyline), but I also wanted him to have created smaller "toy-sized" bots as well. Enter the Trans-Action figures! Utilizing the definition for "trans-" that means "beyond" to signify these are more than just your average action figures. Since he is an avid fan of the JLA, they of course are inspired by them, each with their own capabilities and primary function.

Man-O-Steel
Design inspired by: Superman
Image based on: Tim Perkins' Superman [link]
Primary Function: Air Attack
Weapons and Capabilities: Solar fueled power cells, electromagnetic generator, high intensity laser emission, flight, bulletproof.

- Hiro named this Trans-Action Figure (TAF) after Superman's Martial Arts Championship title combined with the name of a type of older battleship referred to as, Man O War. The solar cells it is equipped with dramatically increase the electromagnetic field generator housed underneath its steel hide. The generator allows for it to mimic Superman's lifting capacity, projectile deflection, and defiance of gravity. When not in direct view of solar energy, it relies on its storage capacity, which will go into powersave mode once depleted. This limits its access to its more powerful functions until it can absorb more solar energy. It also can mimic Superman's vision powers with a high intensity laser in each eye, as well as thermal imaging and digital telescope. Man-O-Steel can also access Police scanner frequency and #110 and #119 emergency calls (the equivalent of American #911).



Shadowbat
Design inspired by: Batman
Image based on: Tim Perkins' Sentai Batman [link]
Primary Function: Stealth Attack
Weapons and Capabilities: lock pick set (traditional/electronic), blade ejection, night vision, grappling rope, smoke bombs, tetsubishi (iron floor spikes)

- Shadowbat is used by Hiro for stealth, infiltration, and acquisition operations. Equipped with the capabilities to pick the most basic lock or the most high tech, it only takes a matter of time before it is compromised. it is very quiet and has a tendency to sneak even when it's not required to. It can maneuver in the dark due to its night vision but it can also project light from its eyes to act as a flashlight when Hiro is missing his own high tech goggles. Hiro has frequently been confused by this TAF appearing in locations that he was not put, but usually came in handy that he was there. It has the capability to scale surfaces utilizing Electro Adhesion. This gives it the ability to use the static effect on its hands or feet then sticking it to a wall. It can also glide short distances.


Amazonia
Design inspired by: Wonder Woman
Image based on: designs by heryhotaru [link] and DinoBirdOfDoom [link]
Primary Function: Defense/Restraint/ Interrogation
Weapons and Capabilities: rocket powered fist attached to high tensile cable with high powered hydraulic wench, hypodermic projectiles filed with high potency sodium pentothal, bracelets convert to sword or shield,

- Hiro's Bodyguard, if it had the capability of self-proclamation, is equipped with programming that allows it to come to his defense when he is in danger. Amazonia's shield arm contains a localized force field generator allowing it to fully protect Hiro if his life were in danger. It can also restrain prisoners that it has taken down with its offensive capabilities as it is programmed with multiple combat programs. Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth is replicated through use of its high tensile cable with high powered hydraulic wench and hypodermic projectiles filed with high potency sodium pentothal. Potentially the most destructive, but its programming only allows for defense of Hiro, whoever he's commanded it to protect, or any innocent.


Skid Dash
Design inspired by: Flash
Image based on: Chamba's Gizmoduck [link]
Primary Function: Land Attack
Weapons and Capabilities: powered by miniaturized high yield Tesla coil, lightning generated powers engine motor and offensive weaponry, surface to air missiles, oil slick, smoke screens

- Hiro designed this one for speed with its aerodynamic dome and reinforced tire. Skid Dash is also equipped with a tow cable that it can use to pull objects out of ditches, or even to wrap around the legs of enemy combatants at high speeds to immobilize and trip. Although nowhere near as fast as a Speedforce Hypersuit Harness, it is highly maneuverable and can easily outrun the majority of its pursuers due in part to its ability to navigate different terrains and spaces. Sometimes Hiro has to give this TAF multiple commands because it gets "hyper" and looses focus to the need for speed.


Hydroplaner
Design inspired by: Aquaman
Image based on: a combination of mecha designs found on the internet
Primary Function: Sea Attack
Weapons and Capabilities: high powered ionized water cannons, advanced intake, propulsion, and high volume storage systems, sonar, depth charges

- Best suited for water based operations, Hiro gave this TAF a prehensile tail as opposed to legs to allow for greater mobility while underwater. It uses its water intake and propulsion system to propel it through the water at extreme velocities making it the fastest in this medium. it can use the same system on the water's surface, and even has flight capabilities by extending an intake cable into a body of water and using it as a propellant to operate above the water's surface. Once going beyond the length of the cable, the flight capabilities are limited to its quite considerable storage capacity. The arm cannons allow Hydroplaner to use this function offensively. It is also capable of producing recorded marine mammal distress calls which can draw the aquatic animals nearby to its location.


Limelight
Design inspired by: Green Lantern
Image based on: Rob Duenas' Sinestro sketch [link]
Primary Function: Heavy Artillery; Land/Sea/Air defense
Weapons and Capabilities: able to convert into various vehicle and weapons modes; jet, car, speedboat, tank, motorcycle, helicopter, laser cannon, grenade launcher, submersible...all equipped with its own weapons array.

- To mimic Green Lantern's construct abilities, Hiro decided to make his version capable of transforming into multiple modes rather than using energy to create different items. Like its inspiration, Limelight has to recharge regularly in order for its continued function. It can also convert into hand held weapons/devices for Hiro to use personally, like a laser pistol or cutting torch. Easily the flashiest of the set, it has a tendency to attempt high risk maneuvers on missions and sometimes just showing off. Its name is a nod to the color of its energy and its attention seeking "personality". Its weaponry utilizes a green hued laser, but it is not connected to the Intergalactic Ley Line Spectrum.

* The Trans Action Figures are not programmed to speak, nor are they programmed to operate autonomously. They do have a modicum of independence as their programming allows for a wide range of activity based on simple commands.
* Even though they do not speak, they each have a distinct personality, much in line with the hero they are inspired by.
* As Hiro has a very short attention span, when they set gets banged up after too many times and he gets embroiled in other projects, he kind of forgets about them. An incident will occur where Hiro is trapped alone in the facility with an army of invaders and winds up being rescued by his discarded "toys". After which, he will repair them and keep them in permanent rotation and will discover that they developed a form of sentience.
* Man-O-Steel and Shadowbat are unaltered designs from professional and Deviant Artist Tim Perkins.