So in an amazing twist, somebody posted an in-package Rung for $15 on eBay and I jumped on that. Although he is small, I think he is a great addition to my tiny “Renovation is happening so I’ve relegated my stuff to my closet” Lost Light shelf.

 

Basic and simple as all hell, but looks like what he's supposed to look like, and turns into something that resembles the thing he turned into in the comic. The paint apps are decent for a tiny toy as well. You could want a deluxe-or-so fully-poseable toy, but I think Hasbro did what they could with it without throwing away money. But then again, Rung flies off the shelves when/if he shows up, so maybe I'm wrong. When Battlemaster Rung returns in Earthrise packaging in good quantity, I guess we'll see if he turns out a peg warmer or not.

 

Nice to have the figure, looks cool and the colour scheme makes it stand out which is nice. Interesting to see how he gets used in a certain blind box.

 

Rung's presence in the Siege toyline surprised many, no doubt. I was surprised too that Hasbro made an official Rung figure, albeit in such a small scale. He even got a reissue in Earthrise, presumably because of his popularity. And of course, I couldn't help but grab him when I had the chance for my Lost Lighters shelf.



Rung's robot mode isn't as super-skinny and kibble-free as he was in the IDW comics and he's positively tiny compared to his fellow shipmates, but the likeness is there. The signature goggles are picked out in blue, the shaping of the chest is perfect, and even the stubby arms have IDW-inspired molded detail. It's pretty cool for such a small toy. And although Rung can't hold his back kibble as a weapon like other Battle Masters, he can accommodate Fire Blasts on his feet, making it look like he's soaring Iron Man-style through the sky! The backpack instructs his backwards leg articulation somewhat, but it's made up for by his waist swivel.


We all know what Rung's alternate mode actually does in the comics now, so I won't explain at length here. The toy's 'cerebral circuit scanner' mode is a decent approximation of the on-panel alternate mode, and while it's apparently supposed to be wielded as a firearm the details on the 'barrels' (Rung's legs) are indistinct enough that it doesn't have to be one. The included Fire Blast effects play into this, as they resemble electric scanning beams instead of the usual laser blasts.



And here's a picture of Hot Rod... er, Rodimus puzzling over what this gadget is supposed to do.



Rung is small, simple, and fun, a perfect combination for a Battle Master. Scale issues notwithstanding, he's more than worth it just by being an official Hasbro-released toy of a relatively minor character with an unconventional alternate mode invented wholesale for the IDW comics.

 

I thought Rung’s alt mode was a Dr Who type sonic screwdriver. I don’t read the IDW comics regularly so I’ll need someone to fill me in on what the alt mode really is.

 

He makes Matrixes. Matrices?

 

Oh. Thanks. Not sure if I like that idea.

 

In all fairness, IDW1 makes a point of breaking down what has become a common conception of "Transformers Religion". While there is Primus and Unicron and the Matrix and other such holy artifacts, locations and entities, they all started from humble beginnings- much like in our real world- and were inflated over the eons to be the venerated pieces of history the characters believe them to be, and we recognize them to be as fans. The Matrix IS a lifegiving receptacle of wisdom, but it was created by a transformer as opposed to some kind of space monkey like in the G1 cartoon.

 

Comics Plus of Macon has him for $5.99 on sale. Just got him. And I live in San Francisco not Georgia--they ship and they sell online.

 

Bought Rung today at Ollie's discount outlet for $4.25. I'm not the biggest fan of MTMTE, but I do like Rung, and the figure looks great. Well worth the purchase.