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 »

San Diego Comic-Con Day 0

The San Diego Comic-Con 2011 officially begins today but that didn't prevent visitors getting a chance from looking at the various displays that where built by the many companies that are using the convention as a means to promote their products including Hasbro. Below are links to the many galleries that have been posted of the upcoming wave of Transformers including Unicron, Toys R Us exclusive Rodimus Prime, Kre-O displays, Transformers: Prime toys, pallet of Kre-O Primes and more. Except for a couple of repaints, there isn't really anything new. Thanks to Sahara for some of the links.

Preview Night Galleries - TFormers (x217) | TFW2005 (9x)
Various galleries that are a combo of Transformers products and displays. The number in () is pics at the link.
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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 »

Botcon 2011 Day 1 & 2 Linkfest

The official Transformers Convention, called Botcon, is going on this weekend at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California from June 2nd to June 5th. The convention is similar to a comic book one only it is about all things Transformers with dealer rooms, panels and more. Expected panels include most of the voice cast from Transformers: Prime, Hasbro introducing their TF: Prime toys and upcoming plans and Michael Bay accepting his entry into the Transformers Hall of Fame. I wouldn't even be surprised if he shows up with exclusive clips that sadly the rest of may not get to see.

Sadly I could not afford to go but luckily other Transformers sites could and they have posted lots of pictures and videos from the first two days. Below are those that grabbed my attention especially Kre-O which is bigger and better than expected. In addition get a first look at the Transformers: Prime toys, info on the upcoming TF MMORPG, lots of galleries, look at the Hall of Fame displays, and lot more. If you see a link, probably worth clicking it.

Kre-O Transformers Gallery
Hasbro's new answer to Lego. If the large gallery at the link is any indication, the result could be pretty awesome. My favorite aspect is the TF version of the Lego mini-figs, especially the Botcon exclusive Optimus Prime. Taking a page from Lego, human size creations have also been built for display purposes. Based on the images the release date for the line is July-August 2011 and will not just be based on DOTM but also Generation One.Read More »

Transformers Linkfest

Decepticon Base Diarama (10x)
From Transformers customizer frenzy_rumble is a gallery of images of his latest custom which is a diarama of G1 Decepticons. The base is a modified version of iGear Ark playset and I believe the figures are custom paint jobs of various G1, Masterpiece toys and others.

Starscream and the Seekers Cover "Bad"
A few months ago there was a music video to Michael Jackson's Thriller mostly featuring Autobots and now here is one covering Bad with all the Decepticon jets.
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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.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 »

DOTM Ironhide, Masterpiece Rodimus Video Reviews

Two new reviews from Peaugh. The first is a look at voyager Ironhide from the Transformers: Dark of the Moon toy line. The toy has been tweaked in design as he is a touch smaller then previous movie Ironhide releases and has a different transformation sequence.

The second video is for Masterpiece Rodimus Prime that I have been posting about on and off (and costs $210). The Masterpiece line remains an engineering marvel while creating some of the most challenging (and sometimes nerve-racking) transformations in the history of the franchise with this one continuing the tradition. Based on the very tight tolerances of the figure and potential breakage points, it would be wise to watch this video before trying to transform your figure (assuming you dropped the $210 for one). I can see why Hasbro decided that importing the trailer may not be worth the cost it would add to the figure whenever it gets released 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

Transformers: Prime Art
From Jose Lopez, a look at the character art created for Transformers: Prime during the character design phase. I can't remember enough to know if these represent the final character designs or is concept art that led to the final designs. If a fan of the cartoon, worth a look. (via TFW2005)

MP Rodimus Designer Interview
TFW2005 has posted a translation of an interview from Figure OH Magazine with Hironori Kobayashi who designed Masterpiece Rodimus Prime that should be coming out any time now. The interview covers his thoughts that went into designing the Transformer such as trying to incorporate his transformation process from the movie.Read More »

Masterpiece Rodimus Prime Preview

Normally I would save something like this for a linkfest but it’s too cool to wait and might kill some time until the teaser trailer debut. Thanks to Amazon Japan we finally have a really good look at the next new entry in Takara-Tomy's Masterpiece line. MP-9 Rodimus Convoy is Rodimus Prime/Hot Rod from Transformers: The Movie that can support both robot and vehicles modes of this character. In the movie, Hot Rod is the "younger", impulsive character (that indirectly caused Optimus Prime's death) who was transformed by the Matrix of Leadership into a wiser but still inexperienced leader of the Autobots. This figure is a bit of a wallet buster with an average import price of around $200 US. (via AllSpark)Read More »

Transformers Linkfest

Optimus Prime on Ice
Click the link for a gallery of images of the movie version Optimus Prime ice sculpture. Created by Antti Pedrozo and Michel de Kok, the structure stands around 26 feet tall.

Masterpiece Rodimus Prime Transformation
As the image shows, a look at how the transformation from robot to Hot Rod vehicle to Rodimus Prime truck works. The MP toy is currently scheduled to come out in January 2011 and currently the import cost is around $200.

Custom Transformers Guzzle Gallery
Hit the link for a gallery of images of master Transformer customizer frenzy_rumble. Guzzle is based on the G1 toy from 1988. Not entirely sure what the base Transformer toy is for his custom job, keep thinking it is Titanium series Grimlock but not 100% sure about that.Read More »

Transformers Linkfest

Sorry for the long delay, between linkfests so this one is extra long with more toy reviews and galleries. The highlight is probably a new auction of G1 Transformers scripts and cels. Also have video reviews for new Prime, 'Bee, Jazz, and more.

G1 Transformers and G.I. Joe Cartoons Document Auction
A new auction that seems to have started might be of huge interest to those that have a deep love for the original 80's cartoons as it will contain original shooting scripts, art work, bios, and more from Transformers, Transformers: The Movie, and G.I. Joe. The auction comes from Ron Friedman who developed and wrote for the various properties. Hit link above for the press release details, and click here for the Heritage Auction Transformers results. I wasn't able to find a way to see all that Friedman was selling in one search but doing a simple search on terms like "Transformers" and "GI Joe" brought up interesting results like scripts, audition dialogue, the movie script, paints cells and more cool stuff.
Update:: All Spark is organizing a donation drive to try and buy up these historical Transformers items so that it be be available for the public online instead of lost in some private collection. Any money left over will be donated to charity. If interested, click here for details. Thanks to General Tekno for the heads-up.

Toy Galleries - Highbrow & Fallen | Grapple | Jazz | Wheeljack, Rumble, Frenzy, Scourge, Laser Prime
More galleries to upcoming releases for the Hunt of the Decepticons, Reveal the Shield, and Takara's Transformers United (aka Generations) lines, most of which are repaints. Reveal the Shield still has this odd tendency to re-release Classic 1.0 and 2.0 molds as repaints but not putting under the "Generations" moniker. Not really sure why they are choosing to go with this type of brand confusion as it seems up to this point they had spent years making a clear distinction between movie inspired toys and the rest. No idea if the Takara United molds will make a stateside visit but would be really surprised if they didn't. More Classic toys the merrier so bring on more Reveal the Shield, United, and GenerationsRead More »

Transformers Linkfest

More links to reviews and upcoming toys.

New Masterpiece Rodimus Prime Gallery
New images of the upcoming Masterpiece toy. Rodimus has the ability to transform between Rodimus, Hot Rod and their alt modes. Rumors still live that Hasbro will also release the toy but without the trailer. Too early to say but this one has the potential to be the best Masterpiece toy yet. Sadly the cost remains a wallet draining $200 for the import. Hit the link for scan of the Figure King issue that shows other upcoming Takara Transformers.

War for Cybertron Cliffjumper
Once you have a Bumblebee design, it is almost inevitable that Cliffjumper will follow. The upcoming addition to the Transformers: Generations line uses the same mold as 'Bee but in his trademark red along with a new head mold. Full gallery at the link.Read More »

Transformers Linkfest

Time for another linkfest. More galleries with emphasis on upcoming Transformers: Generations toys along with a few reviews.

Transformers United Kup and Perceptor
Hit link for few images of the G1 character re-imagined with new alt modes. "United" is Takara's name for the Generations line from Hasbro. A leak from Hasbro Malaysia indicates the figures will get a stateside release in February along with Wheeljack, Rumble, Frenzy, Wreck-Gar and few others (links to their galleries below).

Transformers On Sale
Not sure for how long but Wal-Mart has dropped the price on Deluxe and Power Core Combiner 5-packs. The Deluxe sizes, including Generations are selling for $9 instead of retail of $12. The Power Core figures are $15 instead of $20, a pretty good price point if on the fence about trying these toys out (or buying ahead for Christmas). In addition, Target is selling the Power Core 2-packs for $7. Personally I used the sale to snag Generations Soundwave, Bumblebee, and Drift. All are pretty solid figures that match the Generations line well and warm my fuzzy nostalgic heart.Read More »