Transformers Linkfest

While it has been a pretty busy week in Transformers: Dark of the Moon news (yeah bit of an understatement), the non-movie related links have been stacking up. The latest round news of a fan wish to continue Marvel's Transformers comics, Transformers: Prime score, Starscreams, TF lego creations, a custom Pretender, G1 related DVD news, and bunch of Peaugh reviews.

Fans Petition for Transformers Comic
Hit the link for the full details but the summary is Simon Furman, writer of many things Transformers, expressed interested continuing the stories of Transformers from the Marvel comics continuity, fans listened. The idea is the same as what IDW is already doing with G.I. Joe A Real American Hero title so in theory a new issue would start with Transformers #81. According to Simon, "There was a lot we never got to do, that I’d like to revisit or just to take the next big steps with all that we’d set up in the previous 20 or so issues." Currently the petition has 1705 names but could always have more.

Transformers: Prime Score for Free
TF: Prime composer Brian Tyler has posted 10 tracks of music from the first season of the series. Not available for download just yet but still a great listen. Really except for Batman: The Animated Series I don't recall last time a cartoon series has such a solid score.

Lego Optimus Prime (27x)
While Hasbro has its response with the Kre-Q line, the gallery of images at the link shows that there still isn't nothing like a well-built Lego model. The Lego Prime figure is built from 10k pieces and stands 55cm tall. (via TFormers)

Starscreams Talk Botcon 2011
An amusing CGI promotional video for Botcon 2011 that is just a month away that pits Starscream against Starscream. Sadly I am not going but hope those that do have fun.

Lego Blurr (50x)
Speaking of, hit the link for another Lego model, this time for the G1 version of Blurr that appears to be able to transform. The large gallery also includes a look at Hot Rod and Springer (I think but not sure). (via Collecticon)

Challenge of the Gobots to DVD
Back in the mid-80s there was actually another transforming robot line with cartoon series called the Gobots. The mythology and transformations were not as good but the toys were not that bad over all. While the rights to the line were later bought by Hasbro (and then left to rot), it is nice to know that not everything is forgotten as the series is hitting DVD along with other Hanna-Barbara Saturday morning cartoons. It is a shame the days of weekday afternoon and Saturday cartoons are a now dead tradition.

Custom Pretender Groundbreaker (17x)
Click the link to view the gallery of images for a custom Transformers figure Pretender Groundbreaker. The Pretender line was a very odd line from late 80s that put basic (and ugly) TFs inside equally ugly plastic shells. This custom re-creates Groundbreaker but with a much better paint job and more. Not entirely sure if this uses a Transformers as a base starting point or if a complete original construction based on that toy.

No English Dubs for Transformers Headmasters DVD Set
Shout Factory announced that they are bringing Japan's Headmasters series to the US on July 5th, 2011 (Amazon). This and other Japan TF series more or less continued the G1 cartoons for an additional 3 years or so with toys and everything but in often wild new directions. A question that came up is how the dubbing would be handled for the Headmasters set. The answer is it will not be any dubbing. While there are fan made versions out there (wonder where), Hasbro nixed the idea as they objected to the content of some of the dubbing along with the use of Japan names for the characters (confusion concerns). I also willing to bet legal concerns in clearing the rights of the dubbing from the fan voice actors as guild rules and the like would probably kick in even if they are non-members. As for creating new "official" dubs, money is the problem. Many of the original series voice actors (those that are still alive) no longer come cheap and even hiring a new "cast" still is expensive, especially for a DVD set being released for fans and unlikely to exactly break any sales records. As a result, it will be in the original Japanese audio with English subtitles. Assuming this set sells well enough, Shout Factory indicated they may also bring Super-God Masterforce and Victory stateside.

Transformers Prime Storybook App
Hit the link for a press release describing an "Immersive Children's App" for Android and iOS devices. The app will make use of various Hasbro properties including Transformers: Prime. The release says, "The innovative apps will be built organically for mobile devices, weaving original storylines into overarching series themes and incorporating the latest in touch-screen technology to keep content fresh for young, savvy users who are rapidly becoming more adept at consuming digital media."

Perfect Effect Reflector Review
Peaugh's review of this very awesome looking and well designed version of G1 Reflector. For those that down Reflector is the name the name of the trio of robots that formed a camera in the toy line. They actually got a surprising amount of cartoon time considering they were a mail away offer using the points that came with then Transformer purchases. Like an idiot I had saved those points but never turned them in (no idea why not) so never able to get my own until now. Mine is coming in this Friday and if this review is any indication, this very expensive toy (around $95) was worth the cost.


Peaugh Reviews E-Hobby, etc
A collection of recent reviews from Peaugh of Transformers released in Japan. Most are Japan exclusives for E-Hobby based on Classic line molds and none come cheap. Debatable if any are worth getting except for the most diehard collector. Except maybe for Frenzy and Rumble which I wish Hasbro would release.
Battle-Damaged Kup | Kup Head (with cigar) | E-Hobby Cyclonus | E-Hobby Hot Rod | E-Hobby Galvatron | E-Hobby Scourge | E-Hobby Scrapheap | Frenzy & Rumble | Targetmaster Megatron

Side note: Please don't use the comments to discuss any specific story spoilers as I will just have to delete them. This is mostly to protect those that don't want to be spoiled and would not be expecting spoiler information in a post that has nothing to do with the movie.