Transformers Rumors News

Transtech to get new lease on life

Date: Tuesday, November 27th 2007 5:45pm EST
Categories: Collector's Club News, Comic Book News, Event News, Rumors
Posted by: i_amtrunks | Credit(s): waaaaghlord

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... with a little help from the Official Transformers Club.

Seibertron's own waaaaghlord reports the following:

Pete from the TCC has announced on the club boards which direction the club comic is going to take following the current (post Marvel) Classics arc. While I can't quote directly from the club boards Pete has been kind enough to let members report in broad terms what's coming up to the wider community. And Transtech is it.

This will apparently be a different take to the original post Beast Machines concept, since the Universe comics have already covered the post BM era. Since the club comics have been focusing on the club combiner figures and hopping between realities it's fair to assume that this will in fact be a totally new TF continuity within the broader scope of Timelines. The Transtech name is apparently not being used for the project, what name they are going with is not known as yet.

It's been seven years coming but it looks like the TT designs are finally going to get their day in the sun.

Looks like interesting times ahead for Transformers fans, with Botcon adding a twist to next years toys, and now the TCC reviving Transtech in Comic form.

Takara-Tomy to Put Orange Cap On at Factory for Special US "Safe" MP-05 Megatron?

Date: Monday, February 12th 2007 1:19pm EST
Category: Rumors
Posted by: Air Commander Starscream

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Ryan has met and spoken with a Distributor from Japan who had a booth at Toy Fair 2007 in New York. They got into a discussion about a whole bunch of different Transformers that have been released from Takara Tomy such as the Kiss Players line. One figure that came up in their discussion was MP-05 Megatron. According to the distributor, Takara-Tomy will be placing the orange caps on themselves at the factory for a special release of MP-05's that are intended to be sold to the U.S. market so they can pass customs (such as BigBadToyStore.com). Now this is just a rumor and as of right now should be taken with a grain of salt as this is the first and only source who has suggested this. Given the number of online retailers that have stated that the version of MP-05 that will be "capped", it makes sense that this would be a change from the factory.

Here are some relevant news to look back at:

Hobby Link Japan to add safety tip

BBTS to Carry Modified MP-05 Megatron

And below is the actual toy laws for the US:

?1150.2 Prohibitions. No person shall manufacture, enter into commerce, ship, transport, or receive any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm (~{!.!.~}device~{!/!/~}) covered by this part as set forth in ?1150.1 of this part unless such device contains, or has affixed to it, one of the markings set forth in ?1150.3 of this part.

?1150.3 Approved markings. The following markings are approved by the Secretary of Commerce: (a) A blaze orange (Federal Standard 595a, February, 1987, color number 12199, issued by the General Services Administration) or orange color brighter than that specified by the federal standard color number, solid plug permanently affixed to the muzzle end of the barrel as an integral part of the entire device and recessed no more than 6 millimeters from the muzzle end of the barrel.

(b) A blaze orange (Federal Standard 595a, February, 1987, color number 12199, issued by the General Services Administration) or orange color brighter than that specified by the Federal Standard color number, marking permanently affixed to the exterior surface of the barrel, covering the circumference of the barrel from the muzzle end for a depth of at least 6 millimeters.

Hasbro UK Answer Questions at Toyfair UK 2006: Including Alternators Jaguar?

Date: Wednesday, January 25th 2006 3:20pm EST
Category: Rumors
Posted by: Alex Kingdom | Credit(s): TF @ The Moon, Dark Perceptor

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Prowlus2 of Transformers @ The Moon managed to corner a Hasbro UK rep at this weeks Toyfair UK 2006, gaining some very interesting infomation, including the possible release of an Alternators Jaguar? He does stress that 'talking to this said rep is not like talking to Hasbro itself so take some bits of this interview with a pinch of salt' Here's what they had to say:

Q: Given the current figures being found in Argos, can you ask them if they plan to release the full Cybertron line in the UK?

A: We are trying the best to release the full cybertron line. With hope everything will be here within this year (sic)

Q:a) Who is responsible for semi-random releases of Transformers toys in Europe, i.e. not every toy coming out in every country around the same time (worst example: Alternators Meister and Cybertron Megatron only being released in Italy so far)? Is this a decision made by Hasbro US, or is it down to each single European Hasbro branch

A: Hasbro Europe are fully reposible for the distribution of tf toys around europe and the UK

Q: 1) Does Hasbro UK regard the Transformers line as anything important or does it view it's Star Wars licence as the only viable and profitable toy line in the way of action figures?

A: Transformers is a CORE brand with hasbro europe but it has to share its sales with action man and starwars . Right now hasbro uk have to "juggle" their product lines because of character options overtaking them last year in terms of sales

Q:3) Why does the UK have to wait so long after the US releases. Surely with the internet it would pay Hasbro to market items in the UK (and Europe) within a few months of the US releases and not a year later. This stance leads only to less sales in that country (as most people import them) and thus makes the line appear to be a worse seller that it is in reality.

A: It has always been like this unfortunately theres not much Hasbro europe/uk can do about it

Q: Cybertron aired on October 2005 , why has it taken to so long for for the accompanying toys to go through

A: Toonami was insisting airing Cybertron early as a continuation with Energon. Unfortunately Hasbro UK was still inundated with handling Energon toys . A few releases had to be posponed because of cybertron's impending debut

Q: Will there be any UK exclusive transformer toys?

A: Cannot say but Hasbro are working on their next Alternator which is Jaguar sportscar (he said that honest) after the ford GT

Q: Howabout figures such as 20th aniversery Prime ?

A: We are still undecided on releasing such a huge item

Additional : Hasbro UK didn't want to release Prowl or Skids is because, "There are not many Integras and Scions plying british roads" A bit stupid since they seem to be interested in Prime whoes a dodge RAM

Yeah the original thread here at TF @ the Moon.

MechRC: New Robotic Toy Designed by Don Figueroa?

Date: Wednesday, January 25th 2006 2:42pm EST
Category: Rumors
Posted by: Alex Kingdom | Credit(s): Stickshift

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Stickshift has sent us the following e-mail concering his latest toy and robotics project 'MechRC'. Although not directly related to Transformers he tells us Transformers Artist and designer Don Figueroa was involved in the concept/product design and the products box art. Read on and visit the MechRC Website the learn more:


Hi,

As you may have seen from my profile, I am a freelance toy and robotics engineer working out of the UK and China. We are all very excited here about a brand new product, MechRC, being launched at the Nuremberg Toy Fair this Feb. "What does this have to do with TFs?" I hear the masses ask, well I'm pleased to tell you that TF's very own Don Figueroa has been involved with some of the concept/product design and has also been producing our box art images for us.

As for what the product is, you'll have to wait until the launch date on 02/02/2006, but the clues are there at www.mechrc.com

Oh, and thanks for reading my shameless plug!!!

Stickshift

Next Alternator from Hasbro to be Toyota MPV?

Date: Tuesday, June 7th 2005 9:57am EDT
Category: Rumors
Posted by: Big Grim | Credit(s): SGCollect

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SGCollect have posted news that the next Alternator to be a Toyota MPV. As yet they have given no source. They have said that their source has said that the head bears a resembalance to Hot Rod.

See their thread here at SGCollect.

I'd personally believe (if true) that this could be Ironhide. His head is fairly close to Hot Rods. If true we can hope for a Ratchet repaint.

Time will tell, as ever.

Devil's Due, TF Cybertron voice actors and some TF OVA 2006 information

Date: Monday, February 28th 2005 9:35am EST
Category: Rumors
Posted by: Seibertron | Credit(s): Jason Danvers

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Here's some interesting news from Jason Danvers to start your Monday morning off right ...

A few bits of news:

According to Hasbro's reps at Toy Fair Devil's Due has the TF comic license.

They also mentioned that at the insistance of pretty much everyone involved, Voicebox will NOT be back for the regionization of Galaxy Force. It will be done in a studio in L.A. who already has begun casting. Susan Blu is already involved, but that was the only name the specified.

Some Armada/Energon actors will be back, though a couple have chosen not to sign back on. And we will hear a few familiar voices from previous TF shows as well. Mostly from RiD, with a couple of G1 vets. They're REALLY excited about who they got to play Scourge, but it's a surprise they don't want to get out till the episode actually airs.

The script for the TF OVA for 2006 is being handled by Marv Wolfman, who wrote the first several drafts of the 1986 TF movie, as well as being a story editor on the original show. Wolfman is most famous for being the co-creator of the Blade in the 70s for Marvel and the New Teen Titans comic book in the early 80s for DC.

---

Don't forget to check out this week's latest Caption Contest picture: Quintessons in transport vehicle as well as today's Transformers motto located at the bottom of each page.

Happy Monday!

UK Toyfair News: Energon, Alternators, and Cybertron

Date: Thursday, January 27th 2005 12:37pm EST
Category: Rumors
Posted by: Alex Kingdom | Credit(s): TriBlurr, TFans.com

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TriBlurr of TFans.com has very kindly posted a report from todays UK Toyfair containing some very interesting Information. Highlights include the future of the Transformers line in the UK, and news about Alternators, Energon and most interestingly Cybertron. In particular the possible size and colour of Cybertron Starscream, and an estimated Cybertron UK release date of 2006! This is what TriBlurr had to say:

Well I just got back from the toyfair . Heres what to report

Hasbro ARE continuing the energon line albeit at a trickle for now with the added bonus of the Universe combinners (sixturbo represented) having the energon logo slapped onto them . The display showed most of the late wave repaints (except Galvatron, Overcast and quickstrike), Wingsaber and some of the combiner limbs with only steam hammer representing the deluxe central combiner . Apparently the tf representative who i talked to didn't know any exact time they were shipping with the exception of the micromasters in which she stated were out already at about 2.99 - 3.99 pounds sterling .

The alternator stand showed most of the alternator range with the exception of tracks for some reason (the did have a pic of ravage and wheeljack though) An easter egg here is the picture of the NSX police car that was recently swapped around the web is a genuine alternator Unfortunately it still is in its car form (no sign of the robot mode for now ) . One hasbro rep stated they are going to expand on the alternator range this year thanks to the dancing citoren

And heres another easter egg . Hasbro UK have actually got protos of the CYBERTRON line with packaging ! The packaging itself is a cross between Hasbro US's Zoids Fuzors and Takara's own mega scf boxes with good use of metallic blues and greys . Badly mistransformed examples of Vector Prime , Dreadrock and Thundercracker linme the stand along with a big Galvatron sized box entitled.... Starscream! and what will really get your goat is Cybertron starscream's boxart seems colored more akin to Wingsaber than GF starscream . You'll get the idea if you ever visit from today to sunday
The Hasbro rep told me those will start hitting the stores January 2006

Also anyone looking for any universe or masterpiece primes : You'll be better off getting it import Hasbro UK are still mulling about launching the lines in the UK but haven't made a decision yet

Read TriBlurr's orignial thread here at TFans.com