Transformers: Hall of Fame Nominees

Hasbro has opened voting for the 2012 nominees for the annual Transformers Hall of Fame ceremony that will be held at Botcon on April 28th. On average about four Transformers are inducted each year, with one being a fans choice. The three Transformers will be G1 Jazz, G1 Grimlock, and G1 Shockwave. The fan choice vote is between Beast Wars Megatron, G1 Wheeljack, G1 Arcee, G1 Rodimus, and Beast Wars Sky-Byte. Click here to vote. Voting closes on March 21st.

Two People that strongly influenced the Transformers are also being inducted. This year it is Chris Latta (G1 voice of Starscream) and Simon Furman (long time writer of TF comics that influenced the movies). Previous human inductees include Peter Cullen, Michael Bay, and Bob Budiansky (created of G1 bios, history, and names).

Chris Latta
The first TRANSFORMERS animated television series began to air in 1984, and as part of the original cast, voice actor Chris Latta helped breathe life into these animated robotic characters. Chris Latta began his voice over career in the late 1970s. In 1983, Latta joined the cast of the G.I. JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO animated series as COBRA COMMANDER, the leader of the evil mega maniacal organization COBRA. Later, on the TRANSFORMERS series, Latta pioneered the role of STARSCREAM, a back handed and conniving character that constantly plotted to usurp his leader MEGATRON for control over the DECEPTICONS. Latta’s portrayal of both STARSCREAM and COBRA COMMANDER have made these characters two of the most iconic and widely recognized in their respective brands. Unfortunately, Chris Latta passed away in 1994; however his family will be on hand at the Hall of Fame event to accept the award on his behalf.

Simon Furman
Simon Furman is one of the most recognized and respected names in the world of TRANSFORMERS comic books. Furman began his run on TRANSFORMERS comics writing the first UK version of the TRANSFORMERS imprint. Later on, Furman took over the role of writer on the U.S. comic adaptation beginning with issue 56 and ending with issue 80, the final comic to be published in the series. In 1993 with the reintroduction of the TRANSFORMERS brand under the “Generation 2” banner, Furman was once again tapped to pen the 12 issue comic series. Nearly ten years later, Furman returned to the world of mainstream TRANSFORMERS comics as part of the “Dreamwave” writing staff. Simon Furman now writes for IDW comics, where in 2012 and by popular demand, he was asked to continue the story of the original TRANSFORMERS comics right where he had left off beginning with issue 81 of TRANSFORMERS ReGeneration One.