Concept Art Decepticon Rumble (Studio Series/Core Class)

I've been a pretty big fan of the Bumblebee movie since it's release, which isn't a secret on this site. Even for those who weren't a fan of that movie, almost everyone LOVED the opening sequence. It's literally what Transformers fans wanted ever since the live action movies were announced. The various designs from that sequence have found their way to toy form as individual Studio Series releases to much popularity. Following suit, toys based on the Concept Art for that scene have begun seeing the light of day in Studio Series starting with Rumble. We'll be taking a look at him today. 

Yes, he's blue.

This time.

Rumble is a very cool little toy. When I say little, I mean it. He's tiny. Which is what you'd expect for a a cassette bot, but it does throw one off initially. Rumble is about the same size as the Studio Series 86 version of Rumble/Frenzy and matches with the Studio Series Core Class Ravage from a few years ago (I don't think I ever covered him here). Like that Ravage, he also works as a data cartridge type thing that the matching Studio Series Soundwave toy (whom I also don't think was covered here) can carry in his chest ala G1. The alt mode can also be a sort of flight mode I assume, it does look like one of the entry mode from from the 2007 movie preview toys. As a robot, Rumble is pretty sharp looking. He's this small little robot with his famous pile driver piston arms. Unlike the Studio Series 86 version, those do not convert into regular arms. In true live action movie fashion, his arms are just weapons. Rumble's head is fairly traditional although sporting a mouth plate as opposed to his normally open face. It really fits his overall look here and kinda makes him look like a Combaticon. Considering the brutality of the live action movie series... it fits.

Rumble looks like he's out to cause as much destruction as possible for such a little shit. Like Ravage, he also comes with guns that he doesn't personally wield. They store on his back which gives him a slightly traditional appearance, however cannot be held by Rumble himself (aside from alt mode storage). Instead, and also like the gun that comes with Ravage, it's a weapon for Soundwave. The two pieces can be combined and form another gun. I like how both Ravage and Rumble are effectively upgrade kits for Soundwave and wonder if a gift set containing them all will be released. Maybe a Soundblaster version. Rumble is very articulated for such a little guy. It's likely due to his transformation, but not complaining. I was very happy to see Rumble in the Easter Basket given to me by the Mrs and am very pleased with him overall. He's a cool little toy that interacts with another cool toy. What's not to like about that?

Frenzy (Red) (Studio Series/Core Class)

I've never been  a stickler for which of the Decepticon tapes is which. RIRFIB, FIRRIB... whatever. I've always taken whichever is whomever depending on how they are being presented at the time. Not to mention, whichever the red one is supposed to be in any incarnation is black. There's about as much red  if I got my thighs and shoulders sunburned at the beach. Regardless, in the cartoons, Frenzy is normally the black and red one with the toys being opposite. This is a Studio Series 86 toy, which represents Frenzy as he appeared in the 1986 animated movie. So that's that. I unfortunately never got the Rumble that came out last year (dammit), so this is my first time with the mold. It's a fun little toy that I was overjoyed to find among the Christmas gifts from my wife.

Even for a Core Class, Frenzy is TINY. That's to be expected considering his cassette alt mode. Said alt mode is fully compatible with Siege Soundwave. Frenzy comes with snap on arm pile drivers and signature Thruster Guns. The guns can be held or worn on his back, almost identically the G1 toy. Frenzy is VERY similar to his G1 toy, but smaller. It's pretty neat. He has the expected amount of articulation aside from the elbows. Transformation is pretty easily and similar to other variations of this idea. For the most part Frenzy is fairly screen accurate with his sculpting and colors being almost perfect. I say almost as there's only so close a working Transformer is going to get to the cartoon model... especially for $10. I'd imagine Microman fans would like this toy too as it's very similar to the original Micro Cassette Robo Micross. Frenzy is a neat figure and a good representation of his G1 cartoon self. The tiny size is hard to resist and the pile drivers are neat. I've always had a soft spot for the cassettes, especially the initial batch. Not to mention being a Core Class, I was destined to like this toy as is. Though I'd have a hard time believing anyone could not like this little hellion.

Bios: Rumble

Chaos and destruction are all that Decepticon Rumble lives for. His powerful pile drivers send shuddering shockwaves through the earth, strong enough to knock Autobots from their feet, collapse buildings and open chasms in the ground.

Strength: 5  Intelligence: 3  Speed: 8  Endurance: 6  Rank:4  Courage: 7  Fireblast:6  Skill: 4