6837 - Cosmic Creeper

Rating:
Pros: Lots of cool pieces; nice colors; groovy energy crystal
Cons: Legs are not hinged; the back legs cannot move at all yet the front legs can only swing back and forth
Contents: 55 pieces including 1 mini-fig
Price: $7.99
Reviewed: 9-Jul-1998
Reviewed by: G. M.

The U.F.O. squadron thought that they had picked a relatively easy planet to take over. The forces they met on spy missions were not hostile and the planet was loaded with energy crystals! The crystals were perfect to fuel U.F.O. cities and ships. As soon as possible, all mines were attacked.
An exceptional combat fighter known to the U.F.O. people as "Chuck the Ripper" had come across a medium-sized mine away from any major city. To top his find off, a harvester was going down the hillside; its cargo bay full of glowing objects -- crystals!
Chuck considered this a very easy target and moved in for a kill. When he arrived he found out too late that the glowing objects were not crystals, but laser blasters aimed right at his ship!

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As my story above implies, I like to think of the Insectoids as good guys. There are too many enemy subthemes for the space line and these two consecutive non-human themes were both evil. In my mind, the little buggy people are my good guys that kick U.F.O. butt!

This little buggy vehicle is in the shape of a giant ant with only four legs. Hmm....where are the other two legs?
The color scheme is black, dark grey, blue, and both shades of translucent green. The front of the vehicle is the head as you may imagine. It has a magnet on the front to gather energy crystals, but since I left the magnetic decal off of the crystal because I like it better plain, the magnet is just for show (or it could have a towing use).
The head flips up to allow easy access to the cargo bay where the very groovy 2x2x1 translucent flourescent green energy crystal is. These crystals are much better than the Aquazone ones but I still like both types. On top of the cargo bay "door" is a weird little head assembly with the new Insectoid pieces: two blue 4x4x1 discs with studs on both sides hold up two 4x4x2 green domes complete with hexagonal dimples for eyes. I kind of like the eyes because light reflects off of them at cool angles.
The cockpit is located in the back of the craft just behind the second set of 8x3x1 dark grey insect legs. The driver is situated between two blue wheels which I despise. Two smaller wheels with tires and blue hubs which I don't mind as much are located in the front. The driver has nothing to steer with even though two computers are on the vehicle. (I guess he uses telekinesis.)

The mini-fig has black legs, a grey torso, and a grey head. The torso has computer stuff on it. The head is sort of freakish, but I like it. The insect driver has one grey eye and one green eye. A wide grin is on his face along with radio equipment. He has silvery grey hair and a translucent green helmet without a visor.

I would recommend this set to any Space fan. It is a good set to start with for the Insectoid line. Buy this one first to get a taste of the sub-theme. If you like it, buy another and scrap it for parts to build up the first. The alternate models are a little weak but one is okay: a small space ship that uses the legs in a novel way as wings.