World's First Fan-Built Optimus Prime

Below is a look at the "World's First Fan-Built Optimus Prime" that is based on the Transformers: Age of Extinction's Western Star truck alt mode. The replica was built with Hasbro's permission. Thanks to Feris O. for the link. Video description:

A DEDICATED father with no mechanical training has manufactured the world’s first fan-built Optimus Prime truck. Back in the summer of 2016, 36-year-old Joe Fiduccia worked day and night recreating the giant full-size replica that weighs around 21,000lbs. Optimus Prime is one of the most renowned characters to hit our screens from the hugely successful Transformers franchise that has taken more than 4 billion dollars at the box office worldwide. And being the determined father that he is, Joe from Monroe County, Pennsylvania, managed to produce this impeccable replica in order to inspire his 10-year-old son that anything is possible.

Linkfest - Christmas Time Is Here

Hopefully just in time for Christmas wish lists and gift giving (to fellow TF fans or yourself), here is a ton of reveals on Hasbro's Combiner Wars figures, Takara Masterpiece figures and a bunch of 3rd party figures with the year long emphasis on combiners. The 3rd party output remains painfully high for wallets with the combiners contining unabated (and most looking amazing) but now there is a more heathly mix of other, often Masterpiece scaled, figures. In addition to the reviews there are galleries to upcoming 3rd party toys, licensed statues, and action figures. To start though is some fan-art including a custom paint job, transforming Lego, and more. On a side note for Transformers: Robots in Disguise fans it has been confirmed the second season is also the final season with only 16 episodes and will end with a "movie" that is equal to 3 episodes. Exactly when it will start airing has not been revealed. On to the info dump.

Fan Art
Custom IDW Optimus Prime and Shockwave - Sadly this version of Optimus Prime and Shockwave isn't available. This custom paint job from LEK Custom Toys was inspired by the artwook from Transformers: Devastation IDW comic book from a few years ago that added a shiny sheen to all the TFs as a kind of hybrid of metal and cartoon look. The result is pretty fantastic looking. Even more images can be found at their Facebook page.

Linkfest - Combiner Wars Continue

The Combiner Wars continue for Hasbro with an upcoming release of the Protectobots and for most of the 3rd party companies who have released either completed around four or five combiners this year with another 5 or so set to finish by year end. It is an embarassment of riches for fans but also quite wallet draining if trying to keep up, especially if trying to get all the combiners. That is before you include the 6 or so Dinobot lines that also in works from these companies.

Much like how combiners wars are a nod to the past so too are some of the links below with a look at potential Action Master designs using combiners as action figures, some behind the scenes info from Transformers: The Movie and 35+ year old commercials from Japan that feature many of your favorite G1 Transformers before they became Transformers. There are also links to galleries to the first 3rd party Grimlock, Prime 1 Studios Age of Extinction statue line, and a stop motion video.

As for reviews, the links include Hasbro's Combiner releases of Cyclonus, the Protectobots, Stunticons, along with Robots in Disguise Jazz & Drift, Playstation Optimus Prime and Masterpiece Star Saber. For third party releases there are a ton of reviews to go with their now overkill output. Iron Factory and 3DX has three releases of their legend scale lines. ToyWorld completes their not Throttlebot combiner after over a year of nothing on that front while also releasing a solid take on not Astrotrain. The number of not Dinobots in the works has reached at least six lines that I can think of including two of them being combiners. Probably need to develop a cheat sheet to keep up at this point. Warbotron has completed their not Bruticus combiner that looks spectacular while Unique Toys reaches the halfway point on their not Terrocons. Those are just some of the many reviews linked below.

Transformers: Generation Stop Motion Video

Below is an excellent Transformers fan made creation that took six months to make in a great stop motion battle complete with special effects, G1 cartoon music, and more. It makes extensive use of Takara Masterpiece figures along with the 3rd party Masterpiece scaled figures that have been coming out for the last few years. The result is a cool battle that frankly tops all of Michael Bay's efforts.

Linkfest - Dinobots and Combiners Oh My

It has been a months since did my last linkfest and its shows with an epic ton of video reviews for upcoming figures from Hasbro's Combiner Wars line and all the third party figures. Below are a bunch of reviews for the first wave for the Combiner Wars with an occasional look at an incomplete combiner as Hasbro chose to swap a Stunticon with an Arialbot for each wave to emphasize their ability to swap to create "new" combined robots. Also a look at the first wave of Robots in Disguise toys along with Masterpiece Ultra Magnus and Bumblebee.

For third party reviews the theme is the Dinobots with four lines coming this year. Two of them are Masterpiece scaled figures from Fanstoys while Planet X's are based on War for Cyberton, and one is regular scaled release (from Fansproject) while last is a combiner (from Toyworld). Hopefully the reviews below will help in deciding which of the four to commit to. The 3rd party pattern remains combiners. Other than the Dinobots there are currently takes on the Terrorcons, Combaticons, Technobots and Protectobots. Before the reviews here are links to some upcoming releases, two 80s Transformers videos, and an update on Transformers: Robots in Disguise cartoon series.

Update: Added this reveal of Combiner Wars Devastator. No real deal details except that he may follow the G1 version with six characters merging and come complete as a collection rather than sold individually. Hopefully more will be revealed at the New York Toy Fair that starts Feb 2.

Linkfest - Combiner Wars

The news on the Transformers 5 front remains dead and probably will for a while but that doesn't mean the toys stop coming. In a few cons Hasbro and 3rd party vendors teased about the next six months or so of releases. For Hasbro that means Angry Birds, Combiner Wars and Robots in Disguise toys.

For third party companies, the theme remains combiners with upcoming releases of combiners but it seems the theme for 2015 is Dinbots with at least three separate sets coming one of which will be an actual combiner. Other galleries include a look at Optimus Prime turning into a Playstation 1 console, a look at Ultimetel Prime, and more. On the video review front we have looks at the next wave of Generations Deluxe and Voyager toys, look at two versions of Swoop, reviews of the not Technobots, more Masterpiece figures including Wheeljack, and bunch more.

Linkfest - Dinobots and More

If last few years seemed like 3rd parties focused heavily on combiners, it seems this year has become about the Dinobots as at least three or so companies are prepping their own Dinobot homages. In that realm we have galleries for not Computron, not Swindle, not Sky-Byte, and early look at the not Throttlebots combiner. On the official products front, Takara is working on their take of the Sega Genesis Transformer and a new paint job for Evasion Mode Prime. Hasbro has released images of some of their Angry Birds Transformers line and a look at some TF4 exclusives. In the licensed products realm, Hot Toys is releasing their take on Optimus Prime while Prime 1 Studio has movie inspired busts in the works along with a large and expensive Starscream statue, and Kubrick is releasing their own Bearbrick Transformers. In addition have a look at apartments that kind of transform through creative use of space. On the review front, a look at 28+ toys that have been released or about too. A few favorites include a look at Generations Jetfire, iGears new design of the Seekers, not Skullcruncher, Guardian, not Sludge and a Dinobot combiner.

Happy 4th: Two Stop Motion Transformers Related Fan Videos

Going into the States Fourth of July weekend, here are two well done stop motion videos as a fun way to kick things off. The first is Devastator vs Optimus Prime using 3rd party MakeToys Giant and Reveal the Shield Optimus Prime with MakeToys' Battle Tanker Upgrade kit. The result is very well done and must have been a pain in the rear to create. The second video is a drag race between Transformers Prime Optimus, Back to the Future DeLorean and Batman Begins Batmobile with a "guest" appearance. Things don't go well for Optimus but still an entertaining vid.

Linkfest - Masterpiece Kre-O

Botcon is this weekend so figured better push this out as has been a while. As usual 3rd party releases dominate as they are constantly announcing something including two different versions of not Computron, a take on G1 Jetfire, Metroplex, repaints, and more. Takara has revealed their repaint of Evasion Mode Prime, a look at Masterpiece Bumblebee, Wheeljack, MP Ultra Magnus and yet another repaint of MP-10 Optimus Prime. Hasbro also is planning to release their own official take of Jetfire for the Generations line. On the cartoon front, no news on the new series but Shout Factory is planning something for Botcon along with the release of Transformers Animated and Beast Machines box sets. As usual, lots of video reviews including generations toys, not Cy-Kill, not Blaster, a $2000 statue and more. To start though is this cool Kre-O take on the classic Generations One line.

Acid Free Gallery 30th Anniversary Special Variants (Updated)

Starting today at 12:30pm EST Acid Free Gallery is releasing special editions of their Transformers 30th Anniversary print by Tom Whalen that is licensed by Hasbro. They are releasing a Foil Variant limited to 150 copies for $80 and a Metal Variant limited to just 12 copies for $250. Both will be signed and numbered by Whalen and will come with a free random print from their collection that isn't just Transformers related. I have to admit I am really interested but hard to get by the price tag. The full details are on their blog. (via TFW2005)

Update: Both items are already sold out.

Linkfest - not Everything

Just realized allowed the toy side of news to stack up. Guess was distracted by the Age of Extinction reviews. Still while AoE has been a bit underwhelming, that doesn't mean upcoming 3rd Party plans have slacked in their awesomeness with versions of not Metroplex, not Cy-Kill (yep the GoBot) and not Ultra Magnus. This isn't to say that Takara and Hasbro are not up to some none Extinction plans. Takara has revealed their 30th Anniversary plans that includes a new truck alt mode for Optimus, a look at Masterpiece Wheeljack, and agreements for a slew of products including statues, play sets and ties. In the not quite toy news department we have a look at G1 cartoon concept art and news that the entire "Unicron trilogy" is getting a DVD release. Of course no link fest is complete without a ton of reviews. The highlights include the wave 1 Generation deluxes, Masterpiece Ratbat, not Sharkticons, not Ultra Magnus, not Masterpiece Slag, first figure of a not Bruticus combiner, not Blaster and more. Basically a series of budget busting awesome. As always hit the links for more details and pictures.

Transformers 4 Screenshot Reveals Fate of Dark of the Moon Characters? Nope (Updated)

A new image posted on the Planet Iacon Facebook page by Seibertron seems to reveal the fate of some of the characters from Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The source of the image is unknown so usual validity caveats but it does match the propaganda posters seen on sets during filming and might clarify certain story beats that have been hinted at by alternate vehicles modes. The image is after the break.

Update: As pointed out in the comments and elsewhere, the image was created by TFW2005's TunaKaan's photo-shop ninja skills that was responsible for other TF4 related art. May be fake, but still cool looking.

Linkfest - Introducing the Transformers

Time to play catch-up on Transformers non-movie news. A few treats this month with the main one being a great video that from the 1983 Tokyo Toy Fair that introduces to the world what would become the Transformers. On the upcoming third party front, the theme this year is once again combiners with various companies doing their own take on the Protectobots, Combaticons, and another Predaking. Hasbro and Takara have their own non-TF4 news with MP Wheeljack tease, MP Prowl coming stateside, and new Rescue Bots inspired Transformers cartoon coming. In G1 news there is an interview with the guy that killed Optimus Prime, toy design art, official release of Transformers: The Movie score and a new TF book. Finally on the review front lots of great new toys with Warden (IDW Fortrest Maximus), Year of the Horse Prime, Mania King (Galvatron), Bii and Intimidator being on my to buy list. Hit the links and vids to learn more.

1983 Tokyo Toy Fair Video - A substantial piece of Transformers history is now available on YouTube with an old video that shows off the Generation One Transformers for the very first time. Taken at the 1983 Tokyo Toy Show, this was when Hasbro saw the concept and introduced it in 1984 to US audiences. So basically this show and a simple booth launched multi-billion dollar franchise.

ILM Singapore Begins Work on Transformers 4, New Super Bowl Image (Updated)

Today George Lucas was on hand to officially open the "Sandcrawler" in Singapore. The new 22,500 square meter campus is the location for ILM's CGI work outside of the United States. One of the first projects for the new building will be working on is Transformers: Age of Extinction. Later projects are expected to include Avengers 2, an animated project and more. The site features a Yoda fountain, theater and other techno bells and whistles. The name of the building is a result of its similar shape to the Sandcrawler from Star Wars A New Hope. ILM has had an arm in Singapore for a few years now having worked on Rango and Star Wars: The Clone Wars but the dedicated building will allow them to expand their capabilities there.

On a not really related note, here is a new image found on a Transformers 4 Facebook page by Colin H for the upcoming teaser trailer attached to Super Bowl 48. I have no idea if its offical (probably not) but it looks good enough for me to not really care. Update: The sweet image is a fan creation from TFW2005's TunaKaan.

Linkfest - Happy New Year Edition

The end of 2013 is here with final toy linkfest of the year. Its been a good year in toys with Generations line, Takara's new additions to the Masterpiece line and most of the 3rd party makers knocking out some outstanding Transformers that often put Hasbro's and Takara's offerings to shame. As the the galleries show, 2014 is going to be the same, especially as Hasbro shifts to the Transformers 4 toyline. In 3rd party news we have a look at not Galvatron, not Menasor, not Ratch, and not IDW Fortress Maximus. Hasbro abd Takara are doing another repaint of MP Prime, more Generations coming, and few other official products. Other topics include Botcon 2014 has a location and time, Gingerbread Prime, new The Touch video, and movie statues. Per usual also have a bunch of new video reviews including look at latest Masterpiece Prowl, not Motormaster, not Brainstorm, new not Throttlebot, not Swoop and more.

3rd Party Galleries
Unique Toys Mania King - This 3rd party figure recreates the original G1 Galvatron but with a whole lot more detail and color scheme while keeping his Cybertronian alt mode. No estimated release date or price.
FansProject not Menasor - After a bit of a delay, the final piece of Fansproject's Intimidator combiner is coming next month. Diesel (aka not Motormaster) is set for release by the end of January for $150. Hit the link for the look at their final combiner and head below for a preview review of Diesel and Intimidator. Another gallery is here.
iGear not Ratchet - Hit the link for a re-release of iGear's not Ratchet release from early last year. This version is about $30 cheaper as they eliminated most of the unnecessary accessories that came with the figure. I got the first version and do recommend getting as it is a faithful re-creation of the G1 Ratchet robot and vehicle modes that fits with the Masterpiece line. Out now for $100.

Linkfest - Not Transformers The Movie

Transformers 4 movie news remains light but the toys keeps coming be it official or otherwise. In this edition we have a look at Transformers: The Movie concept art and inspired 3rd party toys, look at upcoming 3rd party Masterpiece no Dinobot Slag, more headmasters, new waves of official Hasbro toys and lots of reviews. Also of interest is a fan made transforming papercraft cigarette box, an $1000 Optimus Prime, new DVD set, and official Nikes.

Transformers: The Movie Concept Art - Hit the link for a look at some of the concept art created by animation supervisor Floro Dery for the G1 cartoon and the 1986 movie. It has lots of details that did and did not eventually get used such as am early Junkion spacecraft, Cybertron's robot mode and more. It is really beautiful and detailed art that shows that a lot of thought and care went into designing the world of Transformers. Maybe Botcon should consider him for entry into the TF Hall of Fame.

Transforming Lego Generation One Optimus Prime

This great creation from Alex Jones shows what Hasbro never quite figured out even with their Kre-O line which is how to create a Lego creation that actually transforms. As the video and gallery links show, this is a direct Lego-ized version of G1 Optimus Prime complete with Lego trailer and Lego accessories. All it needs is a G1 style box to complete the look. The complete gallery can be found on Jones' Orion Pax Designs that includes his other Lego creations. (via Gizmodo and Brothers Brick)

Happy Halloween With Life-Size Transformers Display

A huge Transformers fan in Cleveland, Ohio celebrates Halloween in an interesting way - with a life-size display of Transformers. The display, on its sixth year, is based on the first Transformers movie's Transformers characters with Optimus Prime (18' tall), Megatron (sitting on porch roof), Bumblebee (12' tall) and Barricade standing in his yard in robot mode. The four robots took around three months each to build and now takes about an hour and a half to assemble. Video below but if have problems can also find the news report, along with more pictures at NewsNet5. Thanks to Jeffrey M. for the link. Happy Halloween!

Transformers: Age of Extinction Autobot Edition Fan Poster

Jeffrey Marshall of Pixel Rally is at it again with his Autobot version of the new Transformers: Age of Extinction poster that was just revealed yesterday. This poster is not from Hasbro or Paramount but I could see why some might think it was. If you are interested in getting a copy, you can find it here.

Linkfest - Review Catch-Up

With all the Transformers 4 news, got a bit behind on the toy links. Now that we seem to be in a bit of a mini-TF4 news drought (at least until TF4 hits Chicago on Friday), it seems like a good time to play catch-up. Most of the upcoming toys were revealed at cons over the summer but there a lot of cool stuff being planned like a 3rd party version of Nova Prime, not Bruticus and more. Also have a ton of reviews for already released or about to be released toys from Hasbro, Takara and others. Also news from comics, Hasbro and more.

Lego
Nintendo 64 Transformers - Very cool Lego creations that uses Nintendo 64 and is peripherals as alt modes that transform into robots and other objects.
Lego Ratchet and Ironhide - Hit link for fan made Lego creations that actually transform and look remarkably like their Generation One inspired source.