Transformers Linkfest

Nope, still no trailer news for Transformers: Dark of the Moon. In the meantime enjoy these galleries, videos and news related to Transformers including a ROTF auction, scrap metal art, a not really tragic death, and more.

Scrap Metal Movie Transformers (7x)
Hit the link to view a gallery of Transformers apparently created from scrap metal. I am not sure on scale the structures include Prime, Bumblebee, Jetfire, The Fallen, Starscream and Ironhide. The level of detail and just the overall look is pretty darn cool. Thanks to Tom for the link.

GI Joe/Transformer Line Plans? (3x)
A WonderCon panel called "Treasures of Hasbro Archives" revealed a bit of interesting Transformers history. It turns out that back in the 80s Hasbro considered a crossover line between Transformers and G.I. Joe. Ideas considered included a repaint of Omega Supreme and releasing Joe characters paired with accessories based on the look of Transformer characters like Arctic Baronness with Ravage.

Botcon 2010 Galleries Linkfest

Botcon 2010, the official Transformers convention, was held this weekend at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Hasbro, Activision, IDW, Peter Cullen and more held panels that provided updates on the toys, new cartoon, and more. One of these years I will get to attend but thankfully the other Transformers websites did and reported back. This post is for the toy galleries, the other is for the panel news.

Dealer Room
What is a convention without a big room to buy stuff? If you have the money, you can probably find that Transformer you have been looking for and many you may not have known existed. If I ever won the lottery, this would probably be one of my first stops.

Power Core Combiners - One | Two
Images of the various 2-pack and 5-pack combiners that will start hitting shelves as early as July 1st but already seen reports that a few Toys R Us stores have started stocking them.

Hunt for Decepticons & Generations - Video | One | Two | Three | Four | Five
Lots of images that show off even more toys hitting toy shelves very soon to accompany Power Core. The Hunt for Decepticons sub-line has lots of repaints but also new molds while Generations is basically a big kiss to Generation 1 and War for Cybertron fans. Blurr also is shown off (repaint of Drift) but likely not scheduled to hit shelves until September.

Transformers Linkfest

Time for another "linkfest". More galleries of upcoming toys from Hasbro and Takara including Generations, Buzz Lightyear and Ghost Starscream. Also videos of the War for Cybertron credits and Hound fan art.

Official Transformers Generations Gallery
Click the link to view a gallery that shows off the 3rd wave of Transformers Generations toys. This wave, due on stores more or less now, is W4C Megatron, W4C Soundwave, Classic Red Alert and Darkmount (based on G1 Straxus).

Dreadwing and Smokescreen Gallery
A look at new additions to the Transformers (minus ROTF) line that is hitting stores soon. Dreadwing is voyager sized and based on the Generation 2 toy. Smokescreen is a shuttle that can attack to Dreadwing's ship mode. Mostly I just like the shade of blue but beyond that think will wait for a review before determine if worth buying.

Battle Blades Optimus Prime Video Review

Hasbro has officially launched its next advertising campaign for Transformers called Hunt for the Decepticons, complete with official website. A new campaign means new Transformers toys, not all of which are just repaints. For example, the review below from Peaugh of Voyager class Battle Blades Optimus Prime that is a more movie accurate Prime with a pretty complex transformation. He also posted a quick review of Legends Ravage here. Thanks to Sideswipe88 for the links.

Transformers Linkfest

Mojibakeru, Kanji Transfomers
Click the link to view 12 pictures of six kanji characters that transformer into various animals based on what it represents. For example the kanji for dragon turns into a dragon. The toys are from Bandai and the link is called Mojibakeru (moji means "character", bakeru means "to change"). The six animals are dog, tiger, fish, horse, bird and dragon that come in black, white, yellow and blue colors. The cost is 100 yen ($1 US), no idea if will be something an online importer will sell elsewhere. (via io9)

Hasbro Official Transformers Images - Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Click the links above to view the next wave of Transformers in and out of packaging that should be hitting stores shelves very soon. Part 1 focuses on the main Transformers line derived from the movies that includes Deluxe Ironhide, Leader Starscream, Sea Spray and others. Part 2 is about the Transformers: Generations and Power Core combiners including W4C Bumblebee, W4C Optimus Prime, Drift, Thrust and more. Part 3 the low budget, toddler set of toys such as Power Bots, Activators, and so forth. Speaking of Drift, if interested in how he stores the sword, click here.

Transformers Linkfest

Time for another installment of Transformers related stuff from the last week.

Transformers: Cyber Missions Trailer
TG Studios released a trailer that shows off their online version of the 13 episode CGI series for Hasbro. This isn't related to TF: Prime (to our knowledge) but more or less a continuation of the Transformers movie-verse to help promote the NEST Global Alliance toy line. The episodes look very much like Beast Wars Season One with overall lack of environment details but to be fair to TG Studios, the more details means the more work in design and rendering which means the higher the costs to Hasbro. You get a budget; you usually have to stick with it. If interested in watching the episodes, you can find them at Transformers.com under the "Play" section. Thanks to Kaly and Katie for the links.


Transformers: Prime Trademarked
Click the link for details but basically this seems to all but confirm that the next cartoon and toy line from Hasbro will be named TF: Prime. I suspect that Hasbro will officially announce the name and line at Botcon this summer.

Airachinid Joins Transformers: Prime
Speaking of the new cartoon, S250 (who leaks lots of toy images), tweeted "just heard some rumor about Giant character of coming transformers series...something like giant arachnida and dinosaur" The name "Airachinid" may just be a mistranslation. Almost sounds like Blackarachnia may once again return to TF lore.

Digitalscape Working TF: Prime
Yep, another piece of TF: Prime news. The company is a Japanese consulting company that is seeking 40 people to help create graphics for the cartoon. Since the company specializes in digital, not animated creations, this might be the first real proof that the next cartoon will not in the anime style from the last decade or so.

Optimus Prime, Balloon Animal
Someone with a lot of love or way too much time created the G1 Optimus Prime from balloons over the course of 28 hours. The final result stands seven feet tall with points of articulation and his weapon. Seems silly but it is pretty impressive once you get a look at the video. (via Gizmodo)


Megatron, Balloon Animal
Yep, same idea, same creator, but this time the G1 version out of balloon animals. Final result is six feet tall, made up of 300 balloons. Megs was entered into a balloon contest, sadly he lost to a rabbit.

Transformers Linkfest

12'' Optimus Prime Statue
Sideshow Collectibles has announced a new statue from PopBox Collectibles that is available to pre-order for $389.99. The Limited Edition statue of the Revenge of the Fallen version of Optimus Prime is expected to come out this June or July. The statue comes with "two sets of switch-out hands and a set of his energy sword with magnetic attachments." Click the link above to view the entire gallery.

War for Cybertron Release Date Officially 6/22/10
While it has appeared as such on Amazon for months now, Activision finally got around to making it official by confirming to Gamespot that all editions of the game will be released on June 22nd.

WST Sixshot and Ultra Magnus
A look at some pretty cool remakes of Generation One toys. WST stands for World's Smallest Transformers which was a brief line that Takara released a few years ago of classic G1 Transformers that I guess are a little big bigger than a quarter. The toys looked and transformed just like their regular size classics. Once that line ended various toy makers continued it with the most current release being Shockwave and Blaster. The newest additions of Sixshot ($107) and Ultra Magnus ($75) will be released as exclusives for the Wonder Festival in Japan on July 25th. Love to add these to my collection but sadly too expensive for my tastes (usually WST goes for around $15).


New Transformers Listing at Wal-Mart
Click the link for a bunch of new entries found in the Wal-Mart database for toys we already know about but also for some that are news to me like Voyager Lugnut, Grappel, Axor and more. I assume most of the toys are part of the wave that should start hitting store shelves this summer.

Leader Class Starscream Gallery and Video
From ACtoys.net is a look at a gallery and video of the upcoming Leader class Starscream. Of note is the toy is apparently manufactured in Vietnam, rather than China which has been the traditional source for Hasbro toys. The video at the link shows off some of the sounds and features of the toys.

Deluxe Ironhide and Knight Morpher Commander Video Reviews

Two toy video reviews for your entertainment pleasure.

The first is a review from Peaugh, this time for Deluxe class Ironhide with drone. The main review is below, click here for a quick update about storing the drone inside Ironhide's vehicle mode. I am digging this version and a solid alternative that find the Voyager size a bit too expensive. Thanks to sideswipe88 for the link.

The second review shows off The Knight Morpher Commander fan designed Tranformer which is really Optimus Prime from the comic book miniseries Hearts of Steel. The figure is out now and the average retail price is $85. I can't tell what the size is but guessing around Voyager size. Over all I like what I see and strongly leaning to adding this figure to my collection.

Battle Ops Bumblebee Video Preview

Frenzy Rumble, maker of sweet Transformer customs, has posted a video preview of Battle Ops Bumblebee. This slightly larger than leader class version is expected to hit stores around early summer for $60. The robot mode (1st video) looks pretty sweet with lots of gimmicks with the cannon arm, face helmet, lights and sound. The vehicle mode (2nd video) is pretty good looking too.

Power Core Arielbots and EZ G1 Devastator Video Review

Two new video reviews of upcoming Transformers toys. The first is another Power Core Combiner review from Peaugh, this time covering the Arielbots 5-pack. Like the Combaticon set, this one is a core scout sized figure with four non robot mode legend sized figures. So far I like the idea of the Power Core Combiners but the execution doesn't really do it for me.

The other review is for the EZ Collection Devastator in Generation One colors. This item is currently a Japan exclusive but the movie based version can be found at Wal-Mart for $32.99 if remember right.

Transformers Linkfest

$1,600 Bumblebee Costume
In the April 2010 issue of Popular Science, they wrote about three Transformer inspired costumes that are prettty awesome and detailed. Especially the Bumblebee one created by Greg Adler. The costume took around 400 hours to build. It is built around a wooden and backpack frame, with a mike helment, carpet tubes for arms, drywall stilts with hinges for the legs and more. The How 2.0 article also shows off a TF inspired toy from a cellphone and transforming Humvee. Thanks to Greg for the article page and scan. Click the image for a larger size to read the articles.

Power Core Combaticons and Bombshock
This gallery gives you a look at the upcoming new line of Transformers that is heavily based on fan favorite combiners both past and present. Too early to say if this new take on combiners is good, but the images indicate a lot of potential fun.

Power Core Smolder
Similar to above gallery but highlights the interchangeability of the combiners by swapping Onslaught (or whatever the middle figure is called) with Smolder (fire truck). I guess in theory any deluxe plus four mini-cons have the potential to create one five-figure combiner.

Masterpiece Grimlock (Hasbro version)
Gallery of images of MP Grimlock that is hitting Toys R Us (if remember right) sometime this summer. The Hasbro version has a few tweaks from the Takara version including a crown, clear sword, blunt teeth and sword and a few less accessories (but nothing major).

Deluxe Ironhide
A look at the new, smaller version of Ironhide that, until now, was Voyager and Legends class. The new figure comes with a mini dude that fits in the back in vehicle mode.

New Legends Class Toys
Gallery of new Legends class toys in packaging for the movie based Transformers line (that drops ROTF). Most are repaints of previous releases.

Transformers Linkfest

Time for another linkfest of Transformer toys and drawings with some amusement thrown in for giggles.

Transformers Leader Prime and Starscream in Packaging Gallery
Eight images that show off the two toys in their new "Revenge of the Fallen"-less gold packaging. Have to admit the hook alone almost makes me seriously consider buying Optimus.

Battle Ops Bumblebee in Packaging
Look at this new version of Bumblebee that is slightly larger than the general leadership class but smaller than his ultimate version. Overall appears to be a very solid toy that will cost around $60 when released later this year.

Don Figueroa's Transformers Artwork
The link above is a nice tight look at the gallery of images that great Transformers artist has posted or just check out his complete gallery of posted images at deviant art by clicking here. Figueroa has been a TF artist for nearly a decade going all the back to when the comics were being published by Dreamwave and along with Pat Lee is responsible for much of the look and designs we see for the G1 toys and comics today.


Starscream Ghost Version in Packaging and Video
Click the link for a look at the Masterpiece Ghost Starscream that is pretty slick looking, if pricy (around $140). Below are videos found by Siebertron.com that show off a 360 degree look of the toy which is scheduled to come out in July.



Animated "Lego" Transformers
Another gallery that shows off the lego-ish Animated Bumblebee and Optimus Prime, complete with a lego head.

Rifftrax of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Part 1 | Part 2
Purely for your amusement, a kind of Mystery Science 3000 breakdown of ROTF by the Rifftrax crew. Some lines of note: Demolishor getting on his wheels: "DAMN IT, I had gone straight! I was helping to build a friggin children's hospital! But NO, a Decepticon can't reform! Screw you guys, I'm just gonna run amuck!" or Demolishor getting on his wheels: "DAMN IT, I had gone straight! I was helping to build a friggin children's hospital! But NO, a Decepticon can't reform! Screw you guys, I'm just gonna run amuck!" Thanks to Christopher for the link and info.

TF Linkfest - Masterpieces, Donald Duck and More

Another linkfest, more images of up and coming Transformers and a look back at the toy line from 1986.

Masterpiece Ghost Starscream
Click the link to check out a yet another version of Masterpiece Starscream. Same toy from around five years ago, but now with clear plastic. I think this makes for the fifth or sixth version which can get tiresome. Still this is a pretty sweet looking version. Currently a Japan exclusive, available sometime in June.

Night Ops Ratchet Gallery
Gallery of the new repaint for Ratchet, now in a military type paint scheme.

Hasbro 1996 ToyFair Catalog
From The Allspark and TFWiki is the above gallery that shows off the Transformers from 1986 in all their glory. Apparently the images show some differences from the final versions that hit store shelves but I don't know for sure what those differences are.

Disney Label Donald Duck
Click the link to view a gallery of the Japan exclusive toy that has Donald Duck mixed with a little Bumblebee that has an alt mode of a Bug. Or check out the video below that shows off the toy. It’s a bit long; some of it tedious, so up to you’re to decide which way to check out this new toy that I believe is out now.

Hasbro's Toyfair 2010 Presentation

Thanks to ENI and TFormers.com, below is the full presentation that Hasbro gave at the 2010 Toyfair in New York this weekend.

Unite for Universe, TF iPhone Trailer, and TF Hats

A little mini-link fest with new images of Unite for Cybertron images, trailer for Transformers G1 Awakening for iPhone and new TF hats.

Unite for Cybertron Gallery
Click the link for five images that show off the currently Japan exclusive toys based on Revenge of the Fallen. Optimus Prime is essentially the Voyager version with Jetfire accessories to form Power-Up Prime while Megatron is a repaint of Voyager Megatron in his G1 colors.

Transformers G1 Awakening Trailer
Below is the trailer for the game that Glu Mobile is releasing for the iPhone at the end of February. No indication of price. The game features class G1 characters in a playing scheme that reminds me of Advance Wars.

Transformer Hats
Below are two images of new hats for Transformers that were seen at the 2010 Toy Fair in New York that are rather unique in design. No idea when they will be available or through who but something to keep an eye out on later in the year.

Transformers Linkfest

I was going to post these as individual posts but really the amount of information for each is rather small so figured a "linkfest" would be better.

War for Cybertron Shockwave First Look
Gamestop is offering a pre-order bonus of multiplayer character Shockwave for when Transformers: War for Cybertron is released on 6/22/10. As the image shows, he retains his classic Generation 1 look with a few tweaks for the game. I really hope this is one of the characters Hasbro plans to release for the toy line just for his robot mode alone.

Tyrese Confirms Return to Epps
In a twitter post, Tyrese Gibson writes "Yes I will for sure be in TRansformers 3.. Get Ready!! Epps is here to STAY!!" Just in case fans had any concerns. It is probably not a reach to assume the core human and voice cast from the first two films will return for the third with the likely additional of Ramon Rodriguez. The real question is who the new players and their characters will be.

Transformers Animated Diablock Gallery
Click the link to view a four picture gallery of the Lego-ized version of Animated Optimus Prime and Bumblebee toys that will be released in Japan this March. The States had something similar a few years ago with "Built-To-Rule" line that didn't do so well. Too bad Hasbro is unlikely to sign a deal with Lego as would love to see their take on the Transformers franchise.

Winderfestival Winter Image Gallery
From TFormers, a 22 image gallery of the various Transformer related items on display for the event in Japan last weekend. The emphasis was on Transformers: Animated since the toy line is being launched there starting this March.

Hasbro 2009 Earnings Report
The owner of the Transformers has released its 2009 and last quarter statement and the results are very good thanks to the success of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie and related merchandise. No specifics on TF sales but 4th quarter sales increased 12% (to $1.38B) from previous year with a year revenue increase of 1% (to $4.07B). Not bad considering how bad the economy was for the year when most companies are not reporting growth.

Recon Ravage Mail Away TV Commercial
Since I don't watch the cartoon channels like I use to, I sometimes forget that commercials are still made for toys. Such as the one below for Recon Ravage, a repaint of the ROTF figure as part of the return of Hasbro's mail away offer. The company use to do this all the time with Generation 1 only for truly unique TFs that you couldn’t get anywhere else.

Transformers Linkfest

Voyager Sea Spray Gallery and Video
From S250, a look at the new Voyager toy that will be released later this year with an alt mode of a hovercraft that has a deck that is large enough to transport scout class figures. Also above is a video of the figure in action. This is part of the first wave of Transformers toys that dropped the "Revenge of the Fallen" name while continuing the design atheistic from the movies. This one might just join my wishlist, wait and see what Peaugh comes up with.

Voyager Payload in Package - Another Transformers toy for later this year, only this time a yellow repaint of the Constructicon Long Haul.

NEST Global Alliance Ravage Promotion OfficialHasbro has issued a press release making official the NEST Global Alliance mail away offer for a Special Edition Ravage figure (a repaint of the ROTF deluxe toy). As part of the promotion there will be NEST stickers and 12 "Cyber Missions" webisodes that have already started airing at transformers.com. If your in Canada this figure will be easier to get, but may cost more as it will be a an exclusive for Toys R US Canada.

Ironhide Mini-series Planned
IDW's Andy Schmidt spoke with Comics Continuum about upcoming plan for Transformers and revealed that despite his death in the Transformers #1, the character will get his own mini-series. He also reviewed that Megatron returns in issue seven as "a changed robot, if you will." Apparently this is a two part interview (one two), but for whatever I reason I was unable to get either part load on my computer, hopefully you will have better luck.

New Knight Morpher Commander Gallery
From Mastermind Creations is this huge 88 image gallery of what appears to be the final version of the fan made creation the Knight Morpher Commander which is really Optimus Prime from the Heart of Steel comic book. The result is a pretty sweet looking toy that I am very tempted to purchase whenever it becomes available.

Simon Furman Teases Nefarious #2
Click the link to read long time Transformer writer Simon Furman's summary of the second issue of Transformers: Nefarious which is a sequel to Revenge of the Fallen. The story follows Soundwave's investigation into the return of Ravage and the Initiative.

Human Alliance Barricade Video Review

Peaugh is back with a review of Revenge of the Fallen Human Alliance Barricade with Frenzy. Overall, if you like the Deluxe version, this might be worth it as the transformation and look is nearly identical (just bigger). As I didn't, I think I will take a pass.

UK Toy Fair Reveals Power Core Details and More

The UK Toy Fair was held recently and Hasbro was in attendance with details about their future plans for Transformers including Power Core, War for Cybertron, Revenge of the Fallen, and more. Sadly no pictures but thanks to Transformers At The Moon and TFormers, here is a summary of some of the highlights.

- War for Cybertron Optimus Prime and Bumblebee: Prime looks almost Voyager class in size. BB has "awesome vehicle mode" with metallic gold paint scheme.
- Universe Seaspray: Voyager sized toy with blue, white and yellow color scheme with boat alt mode. Image indicates this is a new mold, but not sure. Seems large enough to hold a few scouts on the deck.
- Power Core Combiners is a sub-line for movie based "Transformers" that will come in 2 and 5 packs. The 5 pack combiners form Bruticus.
- New RPM molds including Drift, a Bumblebee track set, and Stealth Force which is deluxe size vehicles with fold out weaponary)
- Transformers: Animated may be "phased" back in for the UK in late 2010.

The Hasbro flyer image is from Private Universe and is the first offical confirmation of the Power Core line, Battle Ops Bumblebee and the new Seaspray. It also shows the official transition from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen to just "Transformers" for the toy line.

The Power Core Combiner's line is described as "New segment based on the combination theme introduced in Revenge of the Fallen. Combination play delivers an interchangable system of combiner robots, servering as a range of body parts and weapons."

The new lines will start hitting toy shevles in late 2010.

Legends Devastator, Other Exclusives in Feburary

Hasbro has posted its list of exclusives that will be hitting stores shelves starting in February including Legends class Devastator. Overall, 10 different sets total of exclusives are being released for Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, Target and K-Mart. Sadly no exact dates nor pricing is provided for any of the sets. Below is a quick summary, click here for details and images.

Wal-Mart
Legends class Constructicon Devastator - Seven Legends sized transforming constructicons form the evil robot
ROTF: Road Rival Showdown - Two scout class toys named Beachcomber and Deadlift, both repaints of previously released toys.
ROTF Windy City Chase - Two scout class toys named Slap Dash and Trenchmouth, both repaints of previously released toys.

Toys R US
ROTF Shanghai Showdown - Deluxe class Ice Cream Truck Twins and white repaint of Voyager Demolisher.
Transformers Animated Arcee - Deluxe class Arcee, not clear if this is a repaint or not.
Transformers Animated Ratchet - Deluxe class Ratchet, not clear if repaint with detachable shock paddles that seems more cartoon accurate.

Target
ROTF Bumblebee and Shadow Striker - Two legends class repaints.
ROTF Rally Mudflap and Offroad Skids - Two legends class repaints.
ROTF Smokescream and Starcream - Two legends class repaints.

K-Mart
Nebular Starscream - Voyager class repaint with dark grey and green-something color scheme.