Linkfest - TFC Toys

More Transformers toys links, most of them focusing on TFC toys. This 3rd party not Transformers creator is quickly becoming the best around with a product line that any G1 fan would love. Other links include a look at Alternity figures, a review of the first TFC toy, and more.



Hercules Combined Mode Sneak PeekSpeaking of Hercules, TFC Toys has already revealed a sneak peek at the combined mode of the not Devastator figure. The final result looks very impressive. Enough so that I am seriously considering committing the estimated $600 to buy the six robots needed to create this combined figure.



Unicron Comparison Gallery

A more G1 accurate Unicron with Kranix is now exclusively from Amazon. The figure has "sold out" several times (or Amazon just doesn't know how much stock they have). At the link are images that compare the Takara, Amazon, and Hasbro original version. Once you seem them all together, I can see why people are getting the Amazon version.



Hercules Heavy Labor Images

The next figure in the Hercules (not Devastator) line from TFC Toys has been revealed. Heavy Labor (not Long Haul) forms the right torso of the combined robot. The current price of the figure is around $100.



Beast Wars II DVD Box Set

While the US just recently received a new box set for Beast Wars, Japan can look forward to the first time ever DVD release of Beast Wars II on October 20th. The cartoon series continued the Beast Wars story but in traditional cartoon, not CGI, format. No idea if there are plans to bring a subtitled version to the states.



G1 Transformers Slipcase

For those that bought the individual season sets of Generation One Transformers cartoons, Shout! Factory has released a slipcase for them that is priced $6.99.



TFC Toys Future Plans

TFC Toys provided a sneak peak at their upcoming DSLR team (not Reflector) and custom Headmasters based on Ultra Magnus, Megatron and Blaster. Also the third Hercules figure was shown off, Neck Breaker (not Bonecrusher).



Nominus Prime Sketches & Alex Milne's Deviant Art Page

If you have been keeping up with the comics, another Prime was introduced called Nominus Prime. He was the Prime in charge of Cybertron before Megatron ignited the Great War. A war essentially caused by his corrupt, near dictatorship government (something to be explored in the upcoming Autocracy mini-series). While the succession of Prime varies depending on which universe (cartoons, Marvel, etc) you adhere too, the IDW/Hasbro current continuity seems to be Nova Prime (lost in Darkness dimension, becomes Nemesis Prime), Nominus Prime (vacates office to avoid assassination), Sentinel Prime (leader during some of the war that ignites under him, killed by Megatron), Zeta Prime (killed by Megatron), Optimus Prime (killed by ?), and next is likely Rodimus Prime.



Alternity Goldbug and Dai Atlas Images

Robot Kingdom has revealed the latest repaints for the Alternity series from Takara. This Japan exclusive line started a few years ago based on the Binal-Tech/Alternator line but with a smaller deluxe size scale. The potential was pretty good except it devolved into a repaint fest of about three to four releases per mold. In this case I think Goldbug is the third repaint of the 'Bee mold and Dai Atlas is the fourth (or fifth) from the Prime mold. If you have the money for import prices, I do recommend the line but not necessarily for getting all the repaints.



Exgraver Video Review

A Peaugh review of the Exgraver (not Scavenger) that shows off the expensive but pretty sweet looking figure. He shows off the robot mode, vehicle mode and arm mode. Real tempted to start my set.

Transformers Linkfest

Time for another linkfest of Transformers news. It remains heavy on third party Transformers with a mix of G1 past and a new teaser for the Transformers Universe MMORPG coming next year.



Fansproject Heavylabor Teaser

The next vehicle in the Hercules (Devastator) set has been teased. The dump truck Heavylabor (aka Long Haul) will be the torso and hips once all the figures are out later in 2012. The estimated release date for the $100 figure is September 2011.

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Transformers Linkfest - More 3rd Party Stuff

Time for another Transformers link fest not related to Transformers: Dark of the Moon stuff. In many cases it also seems like a repeat of previous link fests with new galleries to previous toys with the main difference being that many of them are available to buy.

BTS-04 Sonicron (Soundwave) Gallery
Hit the link to view more pics of the 3rd party Sonicron (Soundwave) that uses his classic G1 look with a new alt mode of a more modern tape recorder. The toy works with classic G1 cassettes but apparently the company is working on making new ones to at some point.

Generation One Series Bible Auction
Heritage Auction has posted images and the chance to buy a copy of the Transformers Series Bible from Sunbow Productions back in 1984. The 75-page book is the specifics on the character designs, episode synopses and more that was used when creating the animation for the series that started it all. (via Seibertron) Read More »

Transformers Linkfest - Mostly 3rd Party Edition

It has been a while but here is another bunch of links to upcoming Transformers toys not related to Dark of the Moon. Most of them are 3rd party creations that look epic including a Devastator tease and plans for a Dinobots Combiner. Also have links to a few galleries of upcoming Hasbro releases.

MakeToy's Devastator Teaser
The company has released a full size image of the combined Devastator that will be a combo of six smaller robots (blurry images of those at the link). The combined figure looks to be a round 12 inches high. Read More »

Transformers Linkfest

Yep, another link fest already but this one is for the non-Dark of the Moon news. News bits include a return to Botcon with a G4 report and Transformers: Prime panels. Also cover two custom figures, the new Masterpiece toy, 3rd party toys, Vince DiCola interview, two Transformers customs and reviews of the new Seeker Masterpiece toys. Bonus: Added one technically DOTM related item with Peaugh's review of the $150 Oakley Transformers 3D glasses.

Dark of the Moon Ultra Magnus Custom
During production of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the character of Sentinel Prime was referred to by his placeholder name of Ultra Magnus. Customizer autobotx23 decided to make the toy version of that character by taking the leader class Sentinel Prime toy and performing his magic. At the link is a gallery of images and notes on the custom Transformer. Maybe one day this level of paint detail will be available at the retail level.

Botcon Transformers: Prime Panel and Video Interview
I glossed over it when I was reporting on Botcon but TFormers has posted a detailed summary of the Transformers: Prime panel (1st link). The discussion went from the development of the show, to how the G1 legacy informs what they do, toys, characters and more. They also posted a 35 minute interview with Transformers: Prime Executive Producer Jeff Kline (2nd link) in a separate panel as he discusses the characters and plans for the series as they gear up for season 2 (article here). Read More »

Transformers Linkfest

Another catch-up news, reviews, and galleries on Transformers that doesn't involve the soon to be released movie. The info includes more hints on Transformers: The Ride, a new novel series, a comics related interview, amusing videos and reviews of most of the Botcon exclusive toys.

Transformers: The Ride Concept Art
Beyond the plans, there has been very little revealed about the attraction that is being built at Universal Studios Hollywood and Singapore. Some new artwork, four images total, have been released that hints at a tiny bit of what the attraction may contain including a look at an Autobot cavern, the line area for customers, control room and All Spark containment area.

New Transformers: Classified Novel Series
A leak on Amazon Japan indicates that a new young adult novel series is in the works called Transformers: Classified. The first novel, called "Switching Gears", written by Ryder Windham is scheduled to be released on October 21, 2011. The description provides few details, "An original Transformers novel series! Secrets are uncovered in the Nevada desert when a boy witnesses two Transformers arrive on Earth." There is no indication which TF universe this takes place in by considering Hasbro is at least trying to create a single one, I assume it is the War for Cybertron one. Read More »

Botcon 2011 Day 3 Linkfest

Day 3 of Botcon 2011 has concluded in Pasadena, California and it seems to have been a good day with panels from Hasbro and Activision among others. The Hall of Fame ceremony was held with Beast War's Waspinator revealed to be the fan choice for inductee. Also lots more Transformers toy pictures from all eras and upcoming exclusives. As was with Day 1 & 2 post, if you see a link, probably worth clicking.

Hall of Fame Goodie Bag
A look at the freebies given to those that attended the Hall of Fame ceremony. Nothing major, just advertisements and the like but worth a moment to click through.

Hasbro Panel
Lots of info on the next six months or so of toy releases that Hasbro has in the pipeline. Hit the link for specifics but a few highlights include Ironhide getting a G1 inspired red repaint, a Cyberverse Battle Pack with Bumblebee and Barricade that was inspired by the D.C. police accident with Bumblebee, and Generations line will continue. As for as Kre-0, will be 28 "Kreons" at launch which is sometime this Summer. Transformers: Prime will be released on 12/1/11 with Deluxe Cliffjumper, Voyager Optimus Prime, Voyager Bulkhead, and others. Read More »

Transformers Linkfest

Transtopia Masterclass - Soundwave
From Seibertron, a look at another Transformer custom. This one is a combo piece of Reveal the Shield Perceptor with Generations Soundwave (like the guns) and a fantastic paintjob. The figure already sold on eBay for $281.87 but be sure to hit the link to view the gallery.

Transformers: Beast Wars Re-release
Shout! Factory has tweeted plans to re-release Transformers: Beast Wars on DVD with new extras material. They also have indicated that the Generation One set will also get re-issued and they are looking at giving the Japanese cartoons a possible stateside release. I still have the Rhino editions of both cartoons and probably need to upgrade but the cost of those sets at the time was not cheap. Takara continued the Generation One cartoons for another 3 or so season after it had ended stateside.Read More »

Transformers Linkfest

It has been a while since the last linkfest and the links have piled up. This edition brings a nice detailed look at the recently released Masterpiece Optimus Prime and more pics of upcoming Reveal the Shield/Classic toys, a G1 graphic, and some videos. The highlights of that is a Generation One Autobots dancing to Thriller and the entire Generation One cast, CGI style, fighting it while Stan Bush sings his latest single.

Masterpiece Rodimus Prime Gallery
Hit the link for a large gallery that shows off the latest Masterpiece toy. The figure was just released this week in Japan and will likely start arriving in people's hands in the next week or so if pre-ordered. This figure is starting to shape up to be one of the best yet.

NASA's Optimus Prime Contest
NASA has opened public voting on a video contest aimed at elementary students designed to get them interested in science by encouraging people to vote on the videos they created. NASA is using their recent relationship with the Transformers: Dark of the Moon production to promote the contest with the chosen winner will win an "NASA Optimus Prime" trophy. Voting ends on Feb. 6th. Thanks to Richard for the link.Read More »

Transformers Linkfest

Custimized Masterforce Overlord Transformer
One of the things I love about Transformers is how some fans can take a base figure (or two) and really just go to town creating wonderful new Transformers. At the link are a few images of such an effort. Using Armada Tidal Wave, ROTF Jetfire, and ROTF Bludgeon, procustimizer Sabrina created Masterforce Overlord (from Japan TF series) that is the combination of Giga and Mega.

Transformers: Prime Heads to Europe
Hasbro has reached an agreement with Turner Broadcasting to air Transformers: Prime in the UK, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Middle East. The show will start airing in summer 2011 on a combination of their "kid" network depending on what is available in each country.

Sumalee Montano (TF: Prime's Arcee) Interview
TFW2005's Black Oracle posted this interview with the lovely Sumalee Montano who voices Arcee in Transformers: Prime. It provides a little bit of background on the actress, becoming familiar with Transformers, Arcee, and meeting Susan Blu (original voice of Arcee).Read More »