Mini-reviews: Robots in Disguise

This page includes reviews for toys released as part of the Robots in Disguise (2001-2003) toyline.

-Scourge
Faction: Decepticon
Class: Basic
Release: Sometime in 2002

Acquired: Ingles
Accessories: X-Brawn
Strongest mode: Both (truck/robot)
- This is the Spychanger (tiny, simple transformation) version of Scourge, who's the RiD universe's evil clone of Optimus Prime. What's interesting is that, like his packaging buddy X-Brawn, Scourge here isn't one of the old G2 Spychanger molds (something that they probably could've gotten away with, seeing as how one of the G2 Spychangers was repainted into Prime). Instead, Scourge here may be the first instance of a character that began its existence as a repaint getting its own mold while retaining the same design (Legends Cybertron Thundercracker would later do this). Anyway, there's not much to it, and the transformation scheme is pretty loyal to the larger version (except that the head folds back into the lower cab instead of the abs). The only articulation is the elbows and some shoulder shrugging, but then, you expect that going into a Spychanger purchase. Nice colors, though; it's hard to resist that evil black, teal, and red combo that has been used for numerous Nemesis Primes since.

-X-Brawn (Super Mode)
Faction: Autobot
Class: Deluxe
Release: Sometime in 2001
Accessories: Brushguard blade, running board sword, running board gun
Acquired: Ingles
Strongest mode: Robot.
- One of the infamous RiD Car Bros., X-Brawn packs a lot into his small frame. This version, however, doesn't resemble G1 Brawn too much (not that the original did); rather, his deco is very reminiscent of G1 Wheeljack, even if the alt mode and bot mode really aren't. One of my first non-Armada molds (I managed to find it still hanging on an Ingles peg in summer 2003), X-Brawn manages to have an involved transformation without it being too difficult. There's some really unorthodox stuff going on here, too - where else have you seen an automobile TF have the entire front end become the arm (sideways)? The legs are more straightforward, but have some stylistic touches (wheels rotate onto shins, feet form from the spare tire cage) to keep things interesting. And then there's his cool weapons. He may not have a right hand, but his running board weapons can lock into his fist to serve as gun or sword and can also be launched. His left hand hols the crescent moon-shaped blade from his brushguard. Pretty awesome stuff, really, and it all stows in both modes (leaving his running board weapons on his back armor gives him a bit of a samurai look in bot mode). However, his paint has not held up well over the years. I don't know if it's something I've done, but anywhere where there's paint on his alt mode parts, it's scratched to hell. It sucks, and I'm definitely considering replacing it or just buying the original version. Great mold, though.

-Megatron Megabolt ("BM Megatron")
Faction: Decepticon/Predacon/Vehicon
Class: Deluxe
Release: Sometime in 2002
Accessories: Missile
Acquired: eBay.
Strongest mode: Robot.
- One of the cooler things about RiD is that it gave, at least in the form of exclusives, some rather unique molds from Beast Machines (that weren't released in that toyline) a chance to shine. One of these unique (and I mean really unique) molds is Megatron Megabolt, who was originally meant to be yet another toy for BM Megatron, this time representing him as wholly technological. No longer transforming into his organic dragon mode, this version of Megatron turns into an approximation of his Grand Mal fortress/ship, which in turn was designed to look like an approximation of his control helmet. Actually, the alt mode looks less like a spaceship and more like a creepy alien, thanks to its six insectoid legs. The bot mode (which the Grand Mal is never shown to have in the show) is utterly unlike any of BW Megatron's other appearances/bodies, and actually reminds me of some kind of vedic deity due to how the insect legs splay out from his back. The main gimmick in bot mode involves pressing the spark crystal to trigger a missile launcher to flip up from his backpack. However, the launcher (which rests on top of his head) also has the control helmet attached to it, and magnets in both the helmet and head keeps the whole assembly securely locked in place. It's one of the more fun gimmicks in any transformer, and it also radically alters his appearance, thanks to the very emotional looks of his actual face and the cold, sterile veneer of the helmet. One downfall of the mold is the legs; the feet, while interesting, don't quite seem to be in the best spot to compensate for the weight of the backpack. The knee joints, being a bit high and loose, don't help in this regard either. Usually, Megatron ends up being displayed leaning forward. Also, the helmet locks the head in a position of only looking forward. Otherwise, this is a truly unique transformer that's certainly worth owning, and of the 3 different versions, this one is the cheapest that also looks like it could be Megatron (the green Megabolt repaint doesn't cut it).

-Bruticus
Faction: Predacon
Class: Deluxe
Release: Sometime in 2001
Accessories: Tail/scourge weapon
Acquired: Botcon 2010
Strongest mode: Robot.
- RiD Bruticus is...special. A spectacularly weird mold, it, like Megatron Megabolt, was originally designed for the Beast Machines toyline and then shoehorned into RiD. I'm glad he got released, though, because as weird as he is, he's also very unique. First off, his alt mode is a technorganic Cerberus, the Greek, mythical three-headed hellhound. However, he has a lot of freaky additions, like bat wing ears on the central dog head, a buzz saw on the right one, and a 3-forked tail, with each end sporting a different piercing weapon. The magenta Predacon spark crystal is is visible behind the head, in between the bat wing ears. I will say that, for all the joints in this mold, the Cerberus mode isn't very posable, due to the way the front legs transform and how they block the rear legs a bit (which have, really, only a hip joint). At least the two side heads have a pretty good range of motion. The robot mode ups the weirdness even more; the two side dog heads become the arms of the robot, while the dog's rear legs become an additional set of arms, giving four total. The main robot face (which is just the main dog face, with muzzle panels unfolded to reveal the lower face) is flanked by two other face not really visible in dog mode; the spark crystal is now at the back of the head arrangement. The tail scourge can only be held by the right dog-head hand (in the dog's mouth!), but it's not too stable; I normally leave it stowed against the back of the robot. The chest plate lifts up to reveal more mechanical detailing. The right leg has a chain section dangling from the ankle, a neat detail. While Bruticus' official role is to be RiD Megatron's prison guard, I place him in his intended home in the Beast Machines story in they similar role of guarding that Megatron's spark prison. The only technorganic Predacon, he's a result of Megatron forcing the 3 sparks of the Tripredacus council to share the same space, basically driving them insane and reducing them to the beast we see here. Also, his colors recall Predaking and the original Predacons (well, there's nor orange, but it's close), so that's kind of neat. Think of him as The Last of the Predacons. Overall, a neat, unique mold, and he goes very well with Megatron Megabolt. If you can still find them for a decent price (I only paid $15 for Bruticus), pick them up.