Transformers Linkfest

Del Ray Official Announces Transformers: Exodus
The publisher has officially announced the release of Transformers: Exodus, subtitled "The Official History of the War for Cybertron" which is a tie in book to the video game. Both the hardcover book and game are being released on June 22, 2010. The novel, which like W4C, is being treated as canon by Hasbro, will tell the origin of the Transformers civil war and the rise of Megatron and Optimus in their leadership roles. Click the link above if interested in the full press release.

Alex Kurtzman Comments on Transformers: Prime
In an article from Broadcasting & Cable, Hasbro Studios president Stephen Davis spoke about their approach to building The Hub channel. As part of that Kurtzman commented on his and Roberto Orci's involvement with the Transformers: Prime cartoon, '"There is a stigma about things being done by committee creatively, but there is so much to be done, so much of a well to draw from.” Everyone feels protected to do their best work because the message from the top down is that you’re supported in your vision.” Kurtzman adds that he and Orci would “like to work with [Davis] forever.”' So the complete lack of any meaningful information is why stuck this here instead of a separate post. Click the link above if interested in the whole article.

Official War for Cybertron Covers
In case you missed it when the official website first posted them early this month, Activision has officially released the covers to each of the versions of War for Cybertron including officially confirming that the Wii version is being called Transformers: Cybertron Adventures.

Mark Ryan Appearing at TFcon 2010
Mark Ryan will be at the TFcon 2010 which will be held in Toronto, Canada from July 17th-18th. Ryan is the voice of Bumblebee and Jetfire in the movies. He is highly likely to reprise the role for Transformers 3. I wonder if he will be doing the on-set Transformers voices like he did in the first two films and will he drop a few spoilers.

Recon Ravage Shipping
For those that participated in the NEST Global Alliance mail away offer for Recon Ravage, you will be happy to know that the toy started shipping. Click the link to view the NEST specific packaging and letter (from Optimus Prime) that arrives with the toy.

Disney Label Monocolor Buzz Lightyear
Click the link for a gallery of images of the black and white version of Buzz Lightyear that transforms in to shuttle. This B&W scheme is a continuation of what was done for Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse Transformers. I think this and the color version of this Japan exclusive is coming out in June.

Transformers: Nafarious #1 Preview

Comic Book Resources has posted a first look at the first three pages of the next Transformers mini-series from IDW. Transformers: Nefarious starts were Transformers: Tales of the Fallen #5 (in comic books stores now) left off which tells the story of how Ravage was somehow revived by The Initiative.

The sequel to TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN starts here!

What is The Initiative? More to the point, why doesn’t the all-seeing SOUNDWAVE know anything about it? How did they come to reanimate/control RAVAGE? SOUNDWAVE must find the answers, and he’ll destroy anything in his path to get them!

The issue will hit comic stores in March. Story by Simon Furman who has written most American TF books over the years including almost all of the movie related material. The preview pages can be found here.

First Look at Long Haul, Ravage Review and Scalpel

TF08.net has posted the below two pictures of Constructicon Long Haul, who appears to be Voyager class. So far no robot mode pictures but I am sure they will be along soon. As per the other toys, these do not have a mode to combine into Devastator (separate Supreme class toy for that purpose).

Peaugh has posted a review of Deluxe Ravage that shows off his "reentry" and cat modes. The alt mode useless, the cat mode makes it worth it.

Last, a new auction shows of another set of pictures of Deluxe Scalpel (The Doctor) in his packaging. Unlike the previous packaging pictures where he was displayed in profile, this time he is situated face forward.

Thanks to DeceptiFreak for the Long Haul link and Scorpio for the rest.

Update: Oops. The video was for FAB Long Haul, not Voyager class. Thats what I get for doing a hit and run without checking first (at work so...).

New Transformer Wallpaper

Hasbro has posted new wallpaper images Transformer 2 characters including Sideswipe, Megatron, Prime and more. Below are the 800x600 size of each but additional sizes and more wallpaper from Transformers: Animated can be found here. Thanks to Crisp for the link.

Ravage In Packaging, Bio

Well the mystery of Ravage is finally solved thanks to packaging pics from TF08.net of the deluxe class toy. As it turns out Wal-Mart is correct, he has a "re-entry" alt mode. I get the impression that Hasbro threw up their hands at trying to come up with a decent alt mode considering the animal design they had to start with. Thanks to Phil and Dinoraw for the link. Side note, the "installation" from the bio is probably whatever place is housing the AllSpark fragment.

Deluxe Ravage Bio

Bulleting down through the atmosphere at better than 15 times the speed of sound, Ravage considers the data he has already amassed on the small, soft creatures that inhabit this planet. They seem weak and fragile, yet they are the ones that destroyed Megatron. That is a fact he will keep in mind as he penetrates their most sensitive installation, again such an unpredictable enemy, stealth will be his watchword.

New Ravage, Blackout Toy Pictures

The toy information (and thus potential movie info) continues to get doled out slowly from TF08.net regarding Ravage and Blackout with the single image of each below. The alt mode Deluxe Ravage remains a mystery and Voyager Blackout is apparently in the works only now his paint job is white (as seen in the trailer)...does that mean he gets renamed Whiteout?

Blurry Ravage, Stratosphere? and More Toy Galleries

A new image of Deluxe Ravage has popped up on TF08.net. It hard to see any details but its pretty clear it matches the box image. Still clueless on what his alt mode could be. Thanks to Adam for the link.

S250, who has revealed a good bit of toy related information over the last few months, is reporting that the Voyager class Autobot cargo jet that some fans were calling Silverbolt is going to be called Stratosphere and rumor is the small shuttle was removed from final design. No packaging images (yet) to collaborate this and it remains unknown if the character is in the film or not. Thanks to Scorpio for the link.

Hasbro has a Q&A panel at TFCon last weekend where they provided a little bit of information about their process developing Transformer toys. It is an interesting read that can be found here. Makes you wish that Hasbro would do a video as an extra for the Transformers 2 DVD/Blu-Ray that documents a Transformer toy from idea to the store shelves.

Here are a few galleries for your enjoyment.
Deluxe Chromia - Many images of the toy with comparisons to other Transformers cycles including Arcee toy released with the first movie.
Devastator etc - More images of Devastator and other toys from the upcoming Transformers 2 toy line. Thanks to Phil for the link.
Voyager Ironhide and Starscream - More pictures of the redesigned toys.
Cannon Bumblebee Review - Video review of the toy that looks pretty good. Thanks to Scorpio for the link.

Update: Added two additional galleries and link to TFCon report.

First Look at Ravage Toy

TF08.net has posted the image to the left of the Deluxe class toy for Ravage. Sadly that is all the information currently available so still unknown if it transforms and if so what is the alt mode. Thanks to Phil for the link.

Update: As pointed out by Duncan, the picture shows the image came from Deluxe class packaging and for years Hasbro only pictures same class figures on the packaging which means that Ravage is probably Deluxe class.

Transformers 2 CGI Art Work (Update 2)

It took a while but finally some new CGI artwork of the some of the characters for Transformers 2 has appeared online. Some of the CGI in the gallery is old but much is brand new. Thanks to Ken and David for the link.

Update: Added the image in the left created by D-M0de (thanks!) for those that like the idea of the Twins running for their lives. Good for wallpaper or imagining such a scene in the movie.

Update 2: D-M0de provided the below two pictures to replace the previous Twins chase image. Uses the below CGI images along with Photoshop magic to tell a better story.

By D-M0de


Devastator


Ironhide


Megatron


Ratchet


Ravage


Sideswipe


Starscream


The Fallen


The Twins