Date: Thursday, February 8th 2024 1:31pm CST
Categories: Toy News,
Event News,
Press Releases,
Digital Media News,
Collectables
Posted by: william-james88 Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
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Below is a press release from Hasbro regarding all activities and products that tie into the 40th Anniversary of the Transformers brand. There is another confirmation that the Transformers 1 movie comes out September 13 and it is revealed that there will be a Transformers themed episode of the Masked Singer. In terms of collectibles, they confirm that we are getting more Transformers Funko Pops and they reveal a
non transforming Optimus Prime in Ecto 1 colours from Jada.
HASBRO CELEBRATES TRANSFORMERS 40th ANNIVERSARY WITH MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE PRODUCTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND MORE
For 40 years, the TRANSFORMERS franchise has continuously adapted and redefined itself, culminating in one legacy across generations through innovative products, captivating entertainment, inspiring licensed partnerships, and engaging publishing projects
PAWTUCKET, R.I. – FEB. 6, 2024 – Hasbro, a leading toy and game company, today announced its plans to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the beloved TRANSFORMERS franchise.
TRANSFORMERS made its worldwide debut in 1984 with its revolutionary robot-to-vehicle action figures, bolstered by a comic book series and an action-packed animated series, The Transformers. The launch was a massive hit, and it introduced characters like Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, Starscream, and others who became fan favorites and the ultimate heroes and villains of Cybertron. Today, hundreds of robots continue to join the franchise and illustrate the brand’s core ability to change and adapt to new environments while offering a variety of ways to play for a new generation of fans.
“Beloved since its inception in 1984, TRANSFORMERS has evolved from an innovative toy line into a powerhouse franchise embraced by millions of fans around the world,” said Alyse D’Antuono, Vice President, Global Franchise Strategy & Management, Action Brands, Hasbro. “The past four decades continuously delivered a … More Than Meets The Eye experience for fans by introducing new toys and games, as well as thrilling storytelling in animated shows, comics, blockbuster films and much more. As we build the next chapter in the TRANSFORMERS universe, we look forward to celebrating one legacy for another 40 years.”
“When you have a franchise that goes 40 years in this business, it’s pretty remarkable,” said TRANSFORMERS voice-over talent and original voice of Megatron, Frank Welker, “to watch the franchise just build and build and build it is amazing to watch.” Added fellow voice cast member and original voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen, “I’ve always had the feeling this was going to go a long time.”
Drawing inspiration from the brand’s origins in 1984, Hasbro will launch an exciting array of products, promotions, experiences and action-packed content throughout 2024, allowing new generations to discover where it all began.
Products:
Hasbro Pulse recently revealed the next HasLab of powerful proportions. Fans can back this TRANSFORMERS HasLab project, Transformers: Legacy Robots in Disguise 2001 Omega Prime, until March 14, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST. If fully funded, the project will begin shipping in Fall 2025. More information can be found on HasbroPulse.com.
Over 40 distinct Hasbro TRANSFORMERS anniversary figures will be available across the year-long celebration. Each product packaging will be branded with the TRANSFORMERS 40th anniversary logo, including the recently revealed TRANSFORMERS Generations Comic Edition Shockwave and Grimlock figures. In March, Hasbro Pulse will kick off the 40th anniversary with a Hasbro Pulse Fanstream and weekly fan-focused content.
With the first robot figures “capable of disguising themselves as vehicles, planes, weapons, and communication devices” landing on shelves in April 1984, Hasbro set out to strengthen the TRANSFORMERS brand with multiple partner licensees. Early licensed products included sticker books, TV trays, dinnerware, school folders, notebooks, records and tape sets, gumball banks, kites, and Halloween costumes. Decades later, the brand continues to expand with new licensing, publishing, promotions and entertainment that will be available throughout the year-long celebration.
Music
Fans can jam out with the TRANSFORMERS 40th anniversary vinyl album, ‘Hasbro presents Transformers: Music from the Original Animated Series,’ featuring music from 1984’s The TRANSFORMERS classic animated series (seasons 1-3). Originally released in 2019 with over 45 minutes of music, this reissue album includes bonus tracks and a mixture of remastered orchestral and ‘80s inspired synth tracks from the original tapes by composer Rob Walsh. The album will also be available digitally for the first time across all digital music platforms. Pre-orders open July 26.
JLab – The TRANSFORMERS 40th anniversary collection includes headphones from top audio maker JLab. The collection includes the newly released JLab JBuds Lux ANC Headphones, providing immersive sound and incredible comfort to TRANSFORMERS fans. It also includes a more compact listening experience with new 2024 active noise canceling true wireless earbuds, the JLab JBuds ANC 3 model. For more information visit
http://www.jlab.com.
Fashion
Mad Engine – A new line of t-shirts has been created for the TRANSFORMERS 40th anniversary, which features artwork based on the original TRANSFORMERS comics as well as new designs to commemorate the milestone. Fans can find the full assortment now on Amazon.com.
RSVLTS – A collection inspired by TRANSFORMERS 40th anniversary is coming soon from apparel brand RSVLTS.
Toys & Collectibles
Robosen – Robosen is thrilled to not only kick off a huge year in 2024 with Hasbro but, more importantly, utilize the excitement and anticipation of the 40th anniversary of TRANSFORMERS with the launch of its most anticipated robot sequel since the Flagship Optimus Prime.
Jada Toys – Two new 1:24 scale die-cast vehicle mash-ups inspired by TRANSFORMERS and Ghostbusters brands will arrive this Fall: HWR Ghostbusters Ecto-1 with Optimus Prime G1 graphics (Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99) and HWR G1 Optimus Prime with Ghostbusters Ecto-1 graphics (Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99). Vehicles feature premium sculpt and paint finishes, as well as highly detailed interiors, exteriors and more.
Super7 – New characters in Blind Box, ReAction, and Super Cyborg formats will be available for purchase starting this Fall on Super7.com, HasbroPulse.com, as well as other major retailers, including Amazon, Target, BigBadToy Store, Entertainment Earth, Macy’s and more. Follow Super7’s social media channels for product announcements and launch timing.
Funko – Fans can look forward to additional TRANSFORMERS x Pop! figures this Summer.
FiGPiN – FiGPiN is re-launching their XL collectible enamel pins featuring Optimus Prime and Megatron in a 6″ format. Each pin comes with an exclusive FiGPiN Logo as well as updated packaging to enhance your display. These will be available on FiGPiN.com late spring.
New Zealand Mint: In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the beloved TRANSFORMERS series, Hasbro and New Zealand Mint are excited to unveil a limited edition, pure silver collectible of the first Transformers comic cover. This exclusive piece is not only a nod to the enduring legacy of the TRANSFORMERS universe but also a testament to the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail that New Zealand Mint is renowned for. The release of this collectible marks the beginning of an exciting series of TRANSFORMERS-themed coins, designed to captivate both long-time enthusiasts and new fans alike.
threezero – The limited-edition Transformers MDLX Optimus Prime (Vintage Animation Edition), Transformers MDLX Bumblebee (Vintage Animation Edition), and Transformers MDLX Megatron (Vintage Animation Edition) are threezero’s redesigned versions of the classic TRANSFORMERS characters in celebration of TRANSFORMERS 40th anniversary. They feature incredible detailing and a new vintage animation-inspired color scheme with new decals. The Transformers MDLX Vintage Animation Edition line of figures is based on the original 1980s The TRANSFORMERS cartoon and toy line, as redesigned by threezero Art Director Kelvin Sau.
These figures will be available at selected distribution partners worldwide, threezero Store, and threezero Tmall. A limited first batch of 100 units will be available for on-site purchase at the threezero booth on the opening day of TF Con LA on March 8th.
Publishing
Skybound Entertainment – New comic books and graphic novel collections based on the TRANSFORMERS series will be released this year. As part of the new shared Energon Universe from visionary creator Robert Kirkman, TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and Void Rivals characters come together for a truly special comic book experience that has broken industry sales records. A new graphic novel compendium series collecting the landmark TRANSFORMERS series from Marvel Comics will also launch Fall 2024.
Dynamite Entertainment – Collect a new set of nearly 200 premium trading cards featuring fan-favorite characters from the TRANSFORMERS brand’s “Generation 1” era, showcasing classic art styles from an international array of top artists and Hasbro’s design archives. More information and product previews will be shared in the future.
Promotions
Monro – One of the United States’ leading automotive service and tire providers will offer TRANSFORMERS-themed auto service packages now through March 31. The program will include special offers, giveaways and more at participating Monro locations. For more information, visit
https://corporate.monro.com/overview/default.aspx.
Entertainment
The 40th anniversary celebration shifts into high gear with Paramount’s highly-anticipated animated projects released this year with the second season of the original kids series TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK and TRANSFORMERS ONE, the first-ever fully CG-animated theatrical movie, debuting in theaters on September 13.
Fans can tune in to a special TRANSFORMERS-themed episode during Season 11 of The Masked Singer, premiering this Spring on Fox.
Updates on these projects and other special entertainment content planned during TRANSFORMERS 40th anniversary year will be coming soon.
For the latest information on the TRANSFORMERS , including toys and entertainment, follow @TRANSFORMERSOfficial on Instagram, @TransformersOfficial on Threads, @TRANSFORMERS on Facebook and @TRANSFORMERSOfficial on TikTok.
Fans can now watch the 1984 The TRANSFORMERS animated series HERE on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel. Additionally, TRANSFORMERS photos and video content are available HERE.
About Hasbro
Hasbro is a leading toy and game company whose mission is to entertain and connect generations of fans through the wonder of storytelling and exhilaration of play. Hasbro delivers engaging brand experiences for global audiences through toys, consumer products, gaming and entertainment, with a portfolio of iconic brands including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, HasbroGaming, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands.
Hasbro is guided by our Purpose to create joy and community for all people around the world, one game, one toy, one story at a time. For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute and one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50. For more information, visit
https://corporate.hasbro.com.
About Hasbro Entertainment
Hasbro Entertainment leverages Hasbro’s leading collection of iconic brands to develop, produce, and finance premium film, television, animation, and digital content for audiences of all ages. Unifying Hasbro’s robust production expertise under one umbrella, Hasbro Entertainment is focused on creating multi-platform adaptations of the company’s brands, including such beloved worlds as DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE, NERF, PLAY-DOH, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, PEPPA PIG, and MY LITTLE PONY. Hasbro Entertainment has over 30 active projects, with upcoming titles including TRANSFORMERS ONE, a live-action Dungeons & Dragons series for Paramount+, and a broad slate of ongoing animated series, including Peppa Pig, Transformers: EarthSpark, Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes, and My Little Pony: Tell Your Tale. For more information on how Hasbro Entertainment is connecting and captivating generations of fans through the wonder of storytelling, visit:
http://www.Hasbro.com
About TRANSFORMERS
The TRANSFORMERS brand is a global powerhouse franchise with millions of fans around the world. Since 1984, the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons has come to life in movies, TV shows, comic books, innovative toys, and digital media, bringing incredible “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE” experiences to fans of all ages. The brand’s enduring connection is made possible by its rich storytelling and characters: the heroic Autobots who seek to protect all life, and the evil Decepticons who seek to conquer the universe. The TRANSFORMERS
Date: Wednesday, July 28th 2021 10:42am CDT
Categories: Cartoon News,
Reviews,
Digital Media News
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War for Fall of Cybertron
A Review of
Transformers: War for Cybertron, "Chapter Three: Kingdom"
Spoiler Free-ish
Almost a year after
Siege and another half of one departed from
Earthrise, the final chapter of that Transformers Netflix series we thought we always wanted has arrived. Multi-channel brand synergy dictates that this chapter must make the worlds of
War for Cybertron and
Beast Wars collide, and for more on that here's the official synopsis provided by Netflix:
Having crash-landed on Earth, the Autobots and Decepticons are confronted by two rival Cybertronian factions from a future that their conflict has inadvertently created, as the heroes and villains of the classic BEAST WARS: TRANSFORMERS series make their WAR FOR CYBERTRON debut. Now the Autobots must team up with the Maximals to confront the Decepticons, who have joined forces with the Predacons, in the race to find the missing AllSpark. However, the Predacons are in control of the Golden Disk, a mysterious artifact which has a personal connection to Megatron and gives him an untold advantage over his enemy, Optimus Prime. Which faction will triumph in the final battle that will decide the fate of Cybertron’s future?
Does this chapter redeem the trilogy after the lukewarm Earthrise? Read on to find out, or tune in anytime after July 29th at 3 AM Eastern Daylight Time to make up your own mind.
Siege III: With a Vengeance
Beast Wars fans are in for their first, or maybe second, foray into a world of ambivalence where you have to forget the characters you knew before and be ready to start fresh with new iterations while also keeping in mind the general archetype of the character you knew before because the new version will lean on that. If that sounds confusing, just ask a G1 fan about what this is like, as that's been happening for ages with constant new iterations of G1 characters that are close to their original portrayals but still just off enough that it's easier to compartmentalize them as a new thing entirely. When things pick up with the Maximals and Predacons on Earth, it's similar to what you remember from Beast Wars but indeed completely different under the surface, so be prepared for this. The provided setup works within the context of the story being told and through the course of the series' six episodes both the Maximals and Predacons feel like welcome, fitting additions - or at least they do through five episodes, but more on that later.
I spent a lot of time in the first episode reflecting on the voice portrayals of the beast characters, and much will rightfully be made about a very questionable casting choice with Marqus Bobesich performing the role of Beast Wars Megatron. New voice actors in established roles is not only fine, it's an inevitability, so while I personally would have loved to hear David Kaye again the reality of the series' apparently low budget for voice talent (or maybe it's some typical corporate anti-union thing, who knows) dictates that some new voices are going to get used instead. The issue is, as it has been since Siege, voice over director Philip Bache. Bobesich sounds downright uncomfortable in the role, there's a strain at times which makes Beast Megatron feel more like a moody teenager than a Predacon Commander. The performance isn't necessarily
bad, but it does make me feel sorry for the actor having to do something clearly outside of their practiced range. Bache's questionable handiwork is found many other times, with Beau Marie's Tigatron waxing and waning between "oh my god what is this?" and "this is just fine, actually", Justin Pierce's mostly well done performance of Optimus Primal having a notable spot or two of missed enunciation and a brief monologue with
his back to the camera that has the speaking beats of a high schooler reading lines from a script for the first time, and of course Frank Marnocha's Siege Megatron and Jake Foushee's Siege Optimus can't go the whole series without a weird start-and-stop exchange that will put you to sleep, though they do find time to creep these iterations closer to their much,
much better performances of these characters in
Cyberverse.
A full-blown review of just the voice acting could occur, but since no one wants to read that much, know that it isn't all bad and is in fact mostly in that previously mentioned category of "this is just fine, actually." Jeanne Carr's Blackarachnia nails the character's tone, Krizz Kaliko sounds like he genuinely
gets Dinobot, Erin Ebers provides great emotional range for Airazor and Andy Barnett might just make you love Rhinox all over again. Rattrap is picked up by Frank Todaro, who also voices Starscream, and it's this recurring role that steals the show as far as the voice-talent goes. As the story progresses, Starscream is given what I found to be one hell of a character arc, and Todaro is superb every step of the way in his portrayal of the legendary Decepticon Air Commander. A+ voicework can be achieved with D- direction after all.
What'd you say about my shoulders?
The wider story carried through
Kingdom is best left unrevealed here. It's nothing complicated, but if I get into detail implicit spoilers will immediately follow. Instead, let's talk about the writing on this chapter, because there are times when it feels like two different shows got pieced together. Mae Catt (whose name is not a Scottish pun about a cat writing television), who fans may recognize from
Transformers: Cyberverse, handles the odd numbered episodes 1, 3 and 5 while Tim Sheridan, who wrote episodes on
Siege and
Earthrise, handles the even numbered ones. The odd numbered episodes, though mostly episodes 3 and 5 since they don't have so much expository work, do something very pleasantly surprising which was absent for most characters in Siege and Earthrise. These episodes build characters through dialogue and interactions where entertaining things are said that are still relevant to the plot and its supporting actions. Soundwave gets snappy and snobby with Megatron, Rattrap calls Optimus Prime "the truck", Wheeljack doesn't want to give something a
literal Whirl - they're all moments that are small but end up being large in your memory. The even-numbered episodes aren't totally devoid of such moments, for instance, Hound's confusion over Optimus Primal's first utterance of "Maximize!" is great stuff. The issue in these comes down to a couple notable things, for one, how they suddenly insist upon the Autobots and Maximals being argumentative well after it's established that they're going to get along fine now. There are also some banal exchanges that threaten to stop any momentum dead, while in others, characters say things that either make no sense or are unconvincing, only for other characters to somehow totally follow them or be totally convinced into something. Either the characters in episodes 2, 4 and 6 are the stupid ones or I am; no offense taken if you choose to believe the latter.
Apart from some of the dialogue the greatest single improvement in Kingdom as compared to Siege and Earthrise, at least writing-wise, is the pacing. There wasn't a stretch of chore-like episodes in this one, which was a very welcome change that made this brief binge-watch much more fun.
The production itself is going to be very unsurprising to those who have already watched Kingdom's predecessors. Fantastic texture work and some downright amazing key frames continue, and perhaps the greater achievement here by Polygon is how they've managed to make the Maximals and Predacons look right at home beside the Autobots and Decepticons, even in beast mode. There are moments where the color work will amaze as well, but maybe I'm only noticing this now that I can watch Netflix in 4K HDR - thanks, Playstation 5. The only visual frustration this time around came in the overuse of
bokeh on the edges of the screen. This show is almost literally too dark at times to watch during the day on an LCD or LED television, which is what most fans are probably going to have. The Maximals weren't the only ones despairing when the sun set in episode 2.
The score by Alexander Bornstein must be mentioned, because suffice it to say that I was extremely critical of it in my previous
War for Cybertron reviews. Outside of some recycling/call-backs to previous scoring,
Kingdom opts for a more traditional sound in its score, and the improvement is downright exponential. Having a score that finally feels, mostly, like it's trying to be its own thing is extremely welcome and appreciated.
Verdict
Mederi vibes in this one, at least sort of
There's a segment of Transformers fans that is quick to apply hyperbolic praise to this series for being serious and edgy and dark, but the world sucks enough and while I personally want Transformers fiction to treat me like an adult some of the time I also want it to actually be fun to watch. With
Siege and
Earthrise I have a hard time saying they were fun experiences in retrospect.
Kingdom was, mostly, a fun experience while retaining a slightly
chunibyo quality, for better or worse. The final episode is a bit by the numbers and quick to wrap up a great deal of plot, but two episodes would likely have been too dragged out, so I'm not sure what the best answer here was. Things did feel like they got in a hurry to wrap up the trilogy and it left the impact of the beast characters in the dust for the most part, but at least they weren't totally forgotten like the Mercenaries from
Earthrise who never appear or are even
mentioned once in
Kingdom.
Transformers television usually finds its stride somewhere in the middle of or late into a second season, and for the
War for Cybertron trilogy this definitely applies. The last couple episodes of
Earthrise spill into
Kingdom and finally get on with telling a story that you want to watch. While there are enough things that still aren't as great as they could be holding it back,
Kingdom is the most fun chapter of the trilogy by a wide margin.
The ending is satisfying but does manage to tease at least a possibility that more stories in the
War for Cybertron universe could occur. I don't think we need that and to be more specific, the creative reins should be handed to either the
Cyberverse team or totally new talent, but this trilogy was a good step in the right direction and a remarkable improvement over the
Prime Wars trilogy which I still can't bring myself to even finish watching. It's no all-time great, but take another step up or two from here and Transformers' original streaming series pedigree might start to really attract more long-term attention.
Seibertron.com was provided with complimentary advance screening access to Transformers Chapter Three: Kingdom by Netflix for the purpose of this review. "Thank you" to Netflix and Hasbro for this access!