Transformers News

Transformers Matrix Edition Collection to be released October 20th

Date: Monday, October 5th 2009 4:23pm EDT
Categories: Media, Movie News, Store News
Posted by: tigertracks 24 | Credit(s): Click Communications

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
| Views: 62,710

This just in, we have an update on the release date of the TRANSFORMERS: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Edition Collector's Set to brick and mortar stores...

On October 20th, THE TRANSFORMERS: 25th Anniversary “Matrix of Leadership” Edition Collector’s Set will arrive in stores nationwide.

Below is the box art, press release and link that will bring you to some fun assets including clips and a trailer!

https://secure.clickcommunications.com/ ... 2266824e59



THE TRANSFORMERS:
25th Anniversary “Matrix of Leadership” Edition Collector’s Set
Arrives in Stores October 20, 2009 from Shout! Factory
Featuring 16 DVDs, 98 Restored Episodes, Payload of Bonus Content, Exclusive Voice Cast Reunion, A Collectible 60-Page Book, AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON Magnets and Much More!


The epic story of good vs. evil that sparked the imaginations of fans worldwide finally arrives in a collectible, out-of-this-world, box set. Witness the digitally-restored battles between the heroic AUTOBOTS and the evil DECEPTICONS as the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance. For the first time in 25 years, fans of all ages will be able to own the complete collection of one of the most popular animated series of all time THE TRANSFORMERS: 25th Anniversary “Matrix of Leadership” Edition from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc.

Brimming with over 38 hours of content, including the entire original TRANSFORMERS animation series from the early 1980s known among fans as “Generation 1”, a bounty of stellar extras, a special collectible 60-page book, and AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICON Magnets, this 16-DVD box set is another fan must have. THE TRANSFORMERS: 25th Anniversary “Matrix of Leadership” Edition Collector’s Set will be available at retail stores nationwide beginning on October 20, 2009.

DVD BONUS FEATURES

* Five retrospective featurettes including brand new, in-depth interviews with individuals involved with the early success of the TRANSFORMERS franchise. Two of these featurettes are exclusive to this set including a conversation with comic writer Bob Budiansky and a voice cast reunion. The reunion features Jack Angel (RAMJET), Michael Bell (PROWL), Gregg Berger (GRIMLOCKI), Aurthur Burghardt (DEVASTATOR), Corey Burton (Spike Witwicky), Richard Gautier (RODIMUS PRIME), Neil Ross (SLAG), Frank Welker (MEGATRON)
* Two concept art galleries
* Archival Hasbro toy commercials
* All 98 episodes of dialogue scripts. Three full scripts, with original handwritten notes, including “Transport To Oblivion”, “STARSCREAM’S Brigade” and “The Revenge of BRUTICUS”
* 5 rare PSAs
* From the Files of Teletraan-2
* Fan Art Gallery
* An animated fan film entitled TRANSFORMERS: Generation


SYNOPSIS:
Four million years after crash-landing on an unfamiliar planet, sentient robots with the ability to disguise themselves as common vehicles awaken on present-day Earth. Engaged in a crucial race to find a new energy source for their home planet of Cybertron, Optimus Prime and the heroic Autobots must defend the innocent people of Earth against their archnemeses, Megatron and the power-hungry Decepticons.

About HASBRO
Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as G.I. JOE, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. (C) 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit http://www.shoutfactory.com.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Savvy members will know that this is also the release date for Transformers Revenge of the Fallen on DVD and Blu-ray.

Seibertron.com for all of your Transformers news and resource needs.

Vector Sigma Database
Comprehensive Photo Galleries
Most Recent Transformers News

New Promo Video for Transforming Bumblebee ROTF DVD Case

Date: Saturday, September 19th 2009 2:16pm EDT
Category: Movie News
Posted by: Mkall | Credit(s): Cybertron Philippines

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
| Views: 9,151

As if you didn't have enough selection to choose from when it came to Transformers Revenge of the Fallen DVD cases/Editions, Cybertron Philippines has posted a promo video of the previously reported Transforming Bumblebee DVD Case. It is unsure yet how or if this will be available in North America, but we'll be sure to keep a look out for it!

See the promo video here

Tales of the Fallen Alex Milne Covers

Date: Monday, September 7th 2009 2:22pm EDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Movie News
Posted by: Blurrz | Credit(s): Archanubis, Alex Milne

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
| Views: 14,923

Alex Milne's Deviantart page has been updated with covers for IDW's latest Revenge of the Fallen comic series, Tales of the Fallen. These covers are without the words and titles of the Official covers, so we can appreciate Milne's use of Cybertronian symbols. The covers that you see belong to four transformers. The first you have already seen, as it is Sideswipe's cover, followed by Jetfire, who will be the spotlight of Tales of the Fallen #3. The focus will then be on the Decepticons, as Tales of the Fallen #4 will feature the Fallen, and it can only be assumed that a future issue of Tales of the Fallen (#5) will focus on Ravage.






Milne hints that Ravage's issue will be released in December. Stay tuned to Seibertron.com for more comic news and updates!

IDW Publishing Transformers Comics: November 2009

Date: Saturday, August 22nd 2009 10:39am EDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Company News
Posted by: First Gen | Credit(s): Comic Continuum

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
| Views: 23,435

The fine folks over at Comics Continuum have got the scoop on the IDW Publishing solicitations for Transformers comics set to hit your local comic shop's shelves this November. Here's a breakdown of all the TF goodness we can look forward to:

TRANSFORMERS #1

Written by Mike Costa, art and covers by Don Figueroa.

It's been three years since the devastating events of All Hail Megatron. The Earth has been rebuilt, the AUTOBOTS are in hiding, and the next great era in the Transformers saga is about to begin! This IDW's biggest book of the year‹the launch of the first ongoing Transformers title in five years!

32 pages, $3.99.


TRANSFORMERS CONTINUUM

Written by Andy Schmidt, art by Ken Christensen.

Brush up on current Transformers events with the Continuum, a special 32-page, ad-free book that runs through all the key players and important events in the Transformers universe so far! From their debut story in Infiltration all the way up through the end of All Hail Megatron -- the Continuum is an essential guide for every Transformers fan!

32 pages, $3.99.


TRANSFORMERS: TALES OF THE FALLEN #4

Written by Simon Furman, art by Carlos Magno, covers by Magno, Alex Milne.

Who is/was The Fallen? Why did he turn away from the fraternity of Primes to embrace all-conquering evil? The answers are revealed in this searing, mind-scouring trip to the very heart of darkness, as The Fallen rises, and, perhaps, entire universes fall!

32 pages, $3.99.


TRANSFORMERS BEST OF THE UK: PREY #4

Written by Simon Furman, art by Will Simpson, Jeff Anderson, cover by Andrew Griffith.

Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus team to take down Megatron, but what role does Straxus play in this massive confrontation? Continuing the fan-favorite collection of classic tales from across the pond, written by Transformers mainstay Simon Furman with an all-new cover by Andrew Griffith!

32 pages, $3.99.


TRANSFORMERS: BEST OF THE UK: CITY OF FEAR

Written by Simon Furman, art by Robin Smith, Jeff Anderson and Dan Reed, cover by Andrew Griffith.

Throwing the spotlight on their homeworld of Cybertron, the Autobots and Decepticons continue their bitter war. A rogue Autobot from the planet's dark past resurfaces with a terrifying agenda while Ultra Magnus finds his reception back home warmer than he ever imagined. Will Cybertron and its cities burn?

128 pages, $19.99.


TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED DIGEST VOL. 12 TPB

Written by Marty Isenberg, art by various.

Share the adventures of the Autobot heroes like Optimus Prime, Hot Rod and Prowl as they battle Megatron and the dangerous Decepticons. Using actual still frames from the animated series itself, and including episodes "Black Friday" and "Sari, No One's Home," the Transformers Animated series puts new TF action in your pocket!

112 pages, $7.99.




Check out all the IDW Publishing goodness by clicking here.

New Toy Galleries: RotF Soundwave, Ravage, and Universe Springer and Ratbat

Date: Monday, July 20th 2009 11:45pm EDT
Categories: Movie News, Site News, Toy News
Posted by: Blurrz | Credit(s): Blurrz

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
| Views: 26,539

The Toy Gallery Section has been updated with four new galleries. We have Soundwave and Ravage, both sly Decepticons from Revenge of the Fallen movie. We also have the two transformers from the 'Standoff Beneath the Streets' boxset, Springer and Ratbat. The box set was available as an exclusive at Target in the US and Zellers in Canada. To view each of the four new galleries, use the following links:

RotF Deluxe Soundwave:


RotF Deluxe Ravage:


Standoff Beneath the Streets
Springer and Ratbat

-Springer is a repaint of Cybertron Evac, and the mold was also used for Universe Blades.

-Ratbat is a repaint of Cybertron Sideways, who was also used to make Noisemaze Mass-Production Version, Botcon Scourge, and Botcon Sweeps Two, Six And Seven.

Stay tuned to Seibertron.com for your latest transformers news!

Transtopia Newsletter July 2009

Date: Friday, July 17th 2009 10:36am EDT
Categories: Site Articles, Site News, Transtopia
Posted by: Dead Metal | Credit(s): Transtopia

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
| Views: 39,406

And another month has passed and a new one has began and with it comes a new Transtopia Newsletter!

I would like to remind every body that we still need a replacement customs editor for the next two months. If you're interested please shoot Dead Metal a pm!

And remember, to check out the Transtopia forum for the latest action.

-Dead Metal



How to Showcase Your Work...
The newsletter is your opportunity to show off your work and talent. We rely on your articles, artwork, and customs to make it interesting. Entries will be reviewed on a monthly basis. You can submit your work here:
Repaints, Kitbashes, Scratchbuilds
Fan Art
Fan Fiction
Guides


Newsletter Credits:
Design - Flix
Formatting – Mattyc1007
Fan Art - Mykltron
Customs - Dead Metal
Fan Fiction – Name_Violation
Editing – Dead Metal
































Send us your artwork!
Art entries are reviewed on a monthly basis for the newsletter. Send your entries here by February 28th for the March newsletter.





Do you have modeling or art tips to share with other members? Why not write a guide? Feature tips from - repainting, kitbashing, drawing, sculpting, and even computer graphics: Send an email to Transtopia.Guide@gmx.de for details.




Hello Bots n' Con's, its your old pal Name_Violation here with this months Fan Fiction. I must admit I was rather disappointed in the lack of submissions in the Fan Fiction department, and i would love to see a "Spotlight Trypticon" type story (hint hint) if anyone is capable. Anyway this month I recommend the follow up to last months pick. Rather than bog everything down, This months choice is a little long so I think I'll just post an excerpt, and post the link if anyone is interested in more.

Now if a few more of you would just post some stuff... Glad this job doesn't pay by submission or my family would be goin' hungry. People have been complaining about the plot, or lack there of, in the new movie. Can you do better? Think so, then prove it! Put up or shut up people. Come on now, I know alot of you guys have talent, lets see it!

This G1 fanfic is set in the beginning, when Spike and Sparkplug are still new acquaintances of the Autobots, and learning how to help and get along. A definite read, especially if you liked last months. I give this 4 up-tight medics out of 5.

'Till next month...
N_V


Chapter Two: The Hypo-critic Oath Part I
By Neko


“But if the coolant lines are supposed to go to this limb, wouldn’t it have to feed through here?”

Spike looked up from homework toward where his Dad and Wheeljack were discussing Cybertronian anatomy. Despite his diligence in completing his assignments, it was difficult to keep his attention from wandering off. He was somewhat knowledgeable with cars and machinery and once in a while he would pick up familiar words and quite a few foreign ones.

What was a hydraulic flux dampener?

School had started a mere two weeks ago and already he was being virtually crushed beneath the amount of homework his teachers were giving him and his peers. So much work was drastically cutting into Spike’s regular ‘Hanging out with and/or watching giant robots’ time. Luckily he only had one more page of chemistry equations to work through and he would be free to spend the afternoon as he saw fit.

Mole conversions, you have met your match! As the teen tackled the last few problems, Wheeljack and his father continued on with their lesson.

“No, no, no,” said Wheeljack. “If we did that and he bent his arm, it would end up cutting right through the line, see? Which would be very bad.”

Pointing to something deep inside the armor plating of the injured Mech, the Autobot engineer dictated to the smaller humanoid life form perched upon the chest of the patient on the proper techniques and procedures of repairing such a deep wound. Their debatably lucky subject was a burly minibot named Brawn who laid motionless upon the examination table. While his body remained still, his face was contorted into a look of perpetual annoyance at his current occupation. One arm lay sprawled out away from the rest of his form, the top plating below the shoulder sporting a good sized hole where a Decepticon laser had caught him, severing a coolant and motor line, making said appendage all but useless. Ratchet’s Medbay was full of those worse off then Brawn, so he had been sent to Wheeljack’s lab for a quick repair. When Wheeljack saw the injury, he was struck with a brilliant idea that would potentially lead to shortening the quick repair to a simple quick fix! However, the quick fix was running much longer then intended as Brawn suddenly found himself an impromptu teaching aide. After all, Wheeljack had to make sure his new pupil knew what he was doing before he went spelunking into the body of a Mech.

Wheeljack bent over his patient and helper while explaining how to go about feeding the new coolant line properly into the arm for adequate temperature control. Sparkplug looked down into the open wound and nodded, seeming to be enthralled at the opportunity to help repair an injured Mech.

Spike father, ever the grease moneky...

“Alright, so then where does it go?” Sparkplug asked....

Want more? View the rest at viewtopic.php?f=9&t=52771&p=940657#p940657[/quote]


Send your entries here.





Hey Transtopia folks - Burn wants to interview you. How did you get into Transformers? Why are you addicted to kitbashing? What was your first repaint like? What do you do with your spare time?

Don’t keep Burn waiting any longer – he’s getting bored at work. Send him a PM here.

Josh Nizzi's story of how he got to work on Transformers ROTF

Date: Monday, June 29th 2009 9:06am EDT
Categories: Interviews, Movie News, People News
Posted by: Dead Metal | Credit(s): Andrea Nizzi

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
| Views: 21,088

We at seibertron.com received an e-mail from none else than Josh Nizzi's mother! Yes the woman that gave birth to the artist that is responsible for Transformers Revenge of The Fallen Long Haul design has sent us an e-mail. We feel very honoured.
Now she gave us a link to her son's homepage and the link to an interview with Josh.

Read it by clicking here or right here on seibertron.

ore than meets the eye? The motto of "Transformers," whose sequel, "Revenge of the Fallen," is opening at midnight tonight at both Champaign's Carmike Beverly Cinema and the Goodrich Savoy 16, could also describe Champaign native Josh Nizzi, a 32-year-old freelance artist whose designs of transforming alien robots such as Megatron will grace big screens around the world.

Nizzi, who now lives in Cary, N.C., tapped into a more typical machine to tell The News-Gazette how he broke into film, and how a Transformer goes from sketch to screen.
Advertisement Ten Thousand Villages

What is your connection to the Champaign area?

Josh Nizzi: My parents (Patrick and Andrea Nizzi) live there, I was born there, went to the (University of Illinois), my first job out of college was at Volition, I met my wife at Vineyard Church, and had two of our three kids at Carle.

How did you first get involved in "Transformers?"

JN: I have been a fan of Transformers since I was a kid. After seeing the first movie, I loved how the robots were brought to life and wanted to work on the sequel. But breaking into any industry is hard, especially films – there is like no information on the Web about how to do it. So I decided my best bet was to design a robot that would likely be in the sequel and put it on the Web. I figured that Devastator would probably be in the next film so I designed one of the robots that combines to create him – Long Haul. I put the image on the Web and got a lot of nice fan feedback.

Freelance artist Josh Nizzi, a Champaign native and University of Illinois graduate who now lives in Cary, N.C., is the designer behind several of the robots featured in 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.'

Then a few months later, I got an e-mail from the design director of boys' toys at Hasbro, Aaron Archer, asking if I wanted to do concepts for "Transformers 2." After dancing around the house a bit and talking with my wife, I signed on. Soon after that, (film director) Michael Bay's studio hired me on and I was making trips to L.A. to work on site as well as remotely.

N-G: What are the robots you designed and what was your design process like?

JN: The robots I'm primarily responsible for are Megatron, Jetfire, Power Up Optimus, and Long Haul.

The design process usually goes something like this:

– Brainstorming/rough sketches.

– Refine a few roughs that are most promising.

– Pick one and do a finished painting.

– Do a rear view.

– Do a close-up of the face.

Depending on how fleshed out a character is in the director or production designer's mind, this process can be quick or there can be a lot of iterations. For example, Long Haul, the design I did before I was hired was the first design approved for "Revenge of the Fallen"; there were no iterations at all. Megatron had many iterations because Michael was still figuring out what to do with the character as I was working on him.

N-G: What kinds of machines can the robots you designed morph into?

JN: Megatron transforms into a Cybertronian tank. Long Haul is a giant dump truck. Jetfire is an SR-71 ("Blackbird" reconnaissance aircraft). What happens with Optimus is one of the big plot points in the movie, so I don't want to give that away.

N-G: Have you worked on other movies, and if so, what have you done?

JN: I've worked on "G.I. Joe," "Robot Taekwon V," "Tarzan" and other movies that don't have titles yet. But I also do a lot of work in other entertainment such as video games, comics, toys and theme parks.

N-G: How did you get into this field?

JN: I've always loved drawing. My parents did a great job of nurturing my interests and talents. I went to the U of I and got a degree in graphic design. After college, I got a job at Volition and worked on a number of games there. I went to work at Day 1 Studios in Chicago before going freelance and expanding into films and other areas besides video games.

N-G: Have you seen the final cut of the new "Transformers" movie yet? How does it compare to the first film?

JN: I have not seen the final cut. I'm probably more excited than anybody to see it, though. From what I have seen, it looks like the movie is going to be a lot like the first one, but with more of everything – and I like more.

Stay tuned to seibertron.com for all your Transformers related news!

HMW: Smelting Pool League, round 2 signups...

Date: Friday, June 26th 2009 7:28pm EDT
Categories: Game News, Heavy Metal War
Posted by: Psychout | Credit(s): Psychout

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
| Views: 29,476

This is the Smelting Pool League
Taking the Heavy Metal War and adding extra metal.

The art of the gladiatorial arena retuns to Cybertron as the 4 factions face off against each other in a league that tests both the tactics and experience of the HMW commanders to the limit.

Firstly, congratulations again to Symbiote Spiderman 14 of the Decepticons for being the first ever ICL: Smelting Pool League Champion. His reward will be the alt of his choice for the next round.
Can he retain his crown in round 2, or will the spider get tangled in his own web?
Only time will tell...


...but that time is now - so, here are the budgets for Round 2!
XP limit: 25,000,000 XP
Level: Seven
Everything else - weapons, armour tactics etc. is all up to you and there are no restrictions but, as always, there is to be no resetting once the start date has been passed and the game has begun.


The rules are simple; nominate a single member of your HMW team, calculate a configuration of no more than 25 million XP that falls in the level 7 range, then PM it to 'The Huntmasters' using the form in the post below.
Then, once the game starts, build your warrior and join in the arena battles posting your victories in the special thread in HMW GD and the staff will do the rest.

The closing date for applications is 3rd July (thats a whole week away!) and the game is planned to start on the 6th July.

Also, as an advanced notice, scoring will be simplified - all you will need to do is list your Victories and shut-outs gloats (when your opponent scores 0xp) and this time and we will do the rest.


Anybody of any level can join the game, even if you weren't in round 1, but if you do have an existing SPL character you must re-submit that one, you are not allowed more than 1 league minion. Then, all you need to worry about is your energon, but your faction will be there to help you if you need it...

We have a special prize in store for the winner of round 2 - Make sure you get your characters backstory in order and listed as without it, you wont qualify for the prize...

Lastly, as a final note, please be sure to send configs only to The Huntmasters, If you have any questions please post them below or PM them to either Burn or myself directly.

BotCon 2009: Hasbro Review and Q&A panel

Date: Saturday, May 30th 2009 6:47pm EDT
Categories: Event News, Movie News, Toy News
Posted by: Seibertron | Credit(s): Hasbro via Seibertron and First Gen

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
| Views: 62,438

As usual, Hasbro was in attendance at the convention. They had a variety of new upcoming products to show us this year including some incredible figures that you probably didn't think we'd ever see. Here's a list of what they showed us which is followed up by First Gen's notes from the Q&A ...

------------------------------------------------------------
RETAILER EXCLUSIVES
------------------------------------------------------------

TARGET EXCLUSIVES
6" Titaniums - Optimus Prime, Thrust and Hot Zone
ROTF Voyager Fallen on fire

TRU EXCLUSIVES
Commemorative Insecticons
Commemorative Perceptor
ROTF Battle Pack - blue G1 deco Soundwave with Movie 1 Voyager Megatron

WALMART EXCLUSIVE
Masterpiece Skywarp, more faithful paint scheme to G1 toy


------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED
------------------------------------------------------------
(Hasbro stated these products WILL find a way to retail!
Electrostatic Soundwave w/ Ratbat
Arcee
Rodimus Minor
Cybertronian Ratchet
Cybertronian mode Ironhide (different mold)
Fugitive Waspinator (Bumblebee in Wasp's colors not a remold)
Goldfire Grimlock
Hydrodive Bumblebee - Bumblebee will be more in scale with other Autobots without Scuba gear)
Voyager Blackout (has Earth helicopter mode)
Wingblade Optimus Prime (Deluxe scale Optimus with trailer that becomes wings and such from last episode of TFA)
Thundercracker (Starscream repaint but no one will complain about that)


------------------------------------------------------------
2010 SNEAK PEAK (SPRING)
------------------------------------------------------------

ROTF LEGENDS
Wheelie
Soundwave

ROTF SCOUTS
Brakedown (homage to G1 Brakedown)
Skystalker (new futuristic drone jet mold)
Scattorshot (military truck w/ plow - offscreen character with pistols)

ROTF DELUXE
Lockdown (TFA character as a ROTF styled figure - looks awesome)
Ratchet (comes w/ MP Blaster)
Dirge (complete with conehead, actually looks really cool, huge missiles under wings)

ROTF VOYAGER CLASS
Jungle Attack Ironhide (redeco w/ new bumper that transforms into crossbow and huge guns, gattling gun, knives, sniper rifle)
Bludgeon (G1 style - holy shit is this awesome, tank, complete w/ samarai swords which come out of gun turrett, skull face, has samarai garb)

ROTF HUMAN ALLIANCE
Barricade w/ Frenzy (stores in front of vehicle or chest has some guns as well - very cool!)

UNIVERSE IN 2010
New version of series will continue in fall 2010



------------------------------------------------------------
HASBRO PANEL Q&A SESSION
------------------------------------------------------------

Will Universe 2.0 continue?
Through spring 2010 we’re focusing on ROTF figures which you’ll see are universe inspired and in the Fall you will see what you know as Classics Universe begin again?


Will we be getting the IDW Publishing character Drift?
Drift? You may want to come back to tomorrows panel for that answer.


What is your stance on the decision to end Transformers Animated?
As many of you know, Hasbro signed into a joint venture with Discovery Communications and give that its so new we really can’t get into the details, but with the new network we will be bringing some new things which will feature G1 references and content.


In the first break between the Transformers movie and TF Animated we saw a bunch of repaints that fell into the movie line, will we see that again where its just pure repaints?
We try to go back and look at figures that fans liked and we don’t do repaints just for the sake of doing repaints, you may see some figures released like that again but not just pure repaints.


Going back to the Transformers Animated panel, are there any other characters from the series that may see a release like Omega Supreme?
There were a lot of characters we wanted to see released like Omega Supreme and the Constructicons. We thought they were great characters we would have loved to have released but the timing just wasn’t right to release them.


For the ROTF Combiner Devastator Supreme Class, why weren’t they given individual robot modes?
We put them in individual Deluxe class vehicles and to get the best Devastator robot, and to avoid redundancy of repeating the Deluxe figures, we left them with no robot modes.


Is there any reason we have not seen a Deluxe class Cliffjumper in the TF Animated line?
We thought that he was such a minor character in the overall story that the Activators line fit best for him.


Are you guys looking into moving away from using so many twist ties?
We are looking to move away from them and moving towards smaller packaging which is more biodegradable. In the future you’ll see smaller packages with Tam, which is easier to cut and biodegradable.


Will we ever see the Japan Legends Devastator set in the US?
There are plans for it to get a US release as an exclusive, probably in the spring of 2010.


Will we ever see a Leader Class Blackout?
We have plans for a new leader figure for the fall of 2010 that we think you’ll be excited about, but we can’t tell you what.


Is there any chance we’ll see Alternity in the US?
That’s an exclusive that we don’t think will see a release here in the US.


How much influence has Hasbro had on the retail store chains with the way the economy is?
Unfortunately we were hit with cost increases with the jump in prices for oil and production and we try to keep the figures at a low price but when it comes to a price increase or reduction in quality of the product, we have to go with the price increase as not to put out a bad product.


With the Takara legends class Devastator there are 7 figures but the Supreme Class Devastator has only 6 constructions. Why?
With out giving away too much, there can be a lot of constructicons that form Devastator, lets just say 15 start out to create him but only 7 make it to the end of the film. It’s a different concept than what you’re used to for the gestalt team.


Is there any chance of seeing a Transformers Animated Cyclonus?
We really wanted to but since we released him in the Universe line, it didn’t make sense to release him since they would be so similar in design.


This was asked at the Collectors Club panel but they passed the buck to you, did you guys choose the name Nexus Maximus?
Uh, yes.


ADDITIONAL NOTES FROM Q&A:

Find out about Drift tomorrow as well as the Wingblade Optimus Prime
New TF series on new Hasbro/Discovery channel
TFA has set the new standard for new projects
No Paradron Medic planned
No plans for TFA Omega Supreme or Constructicons at this time
ROTF Constructicons - made decision not to combine deluxes/voyagers so that it would look the best and same with Ultimate Devastator)
Future TFA characters might show up in future version of Classics/Universe line
Expect smaller and more environmentally friendly packaging next year
Hasbro plans to release Legends Devastator set (possibly as an exclusive)
Plans for ROTF Leader Starscream

IDW Solicitations for August 2009

Date: Thursday, May 21st 2009 7:54pm EDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Company News
Posted by: i_amtrunks | Credit(s): Jim of the IDW Boards

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
| Views: 24,219

Jim of the IDW Boards has posted the August 2009 solicitations due from IDW Publishing.

Due for release in August is the first issue in a Revenge of the Fallen tie-in series, a continuation of All Hail Megatron, and trade paperbacks including of collected Marvel UK works and the release of Character Art books from G1 and Transformers Animated.

TRANSFORMERS: TALES OF THE FALLEN #1 (OF 5)
Chris Mowry (w) • Carlos Magno (a) • Magno, Alex Milne (c)
An all-new miniseries set in the Movie universe launches here! Nearly two years after saving the planet, Sam Witwicky has grown up. It's too bad his friend BUMBLEBEE hasn’t. With their friendship strained, Sam sets out for an evening devoid of alien interference. Little does he know that he's being watched. Without his robotic protector, can he beat the DECEPTICONS? 2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

TRANSFORMERS: ALL HAIL MEGATRON #14
Shane McCarthy, Andy Schmidt (w) • Emiliano Santalucia, Andrew Griffith (a) • Santalucia, Griffith (c)
The Betrayer has been revealed as SUNSTREAKER! But how did this happen to him? Find out in the first of two stories in this special issue. Meanwhile, GALVATRON returns! Join CYCLONUS as he is reunited with his old friend—but something is not right… not right at all… 2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

TRANSFORMERS BEST OF THE UK: PREY #1
Simon Furman (w) • Will Simpson, Jeff Anderson (a) • Andrew Griffith (c)
The Best of the UK series returns with the five-part Prey! MEGATRON unleashes the feared PREDACONS to seek and destroy OPTIMUS PRIME. Could this be the end for the AUTOBOT leader? Find out in this fan-favorite collection of classic tales from across the pond, written by TRANSFORMERS mainstay Simon Furman with an all-new cover by Andrew Griffith!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED: THE ALLSPARK ALMANAC
Jim Sorenson, Bill Forster (w) • Various (a) • Marcelo Matere (c)
If you liked Transformers: the Ark, you’re gonna love this! The AllSpark Almanac is a comprehensive, one-of-a-kind atlas to the amazing Animated universe. Discover behind-the-scenes secrets directly from the show's creators. This volume is packed with over 200 pages of full-color bios, character models, episode summaries, interviews, and more.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 212 Pages • 8.5” x 11”

THE COMPLETE TRANSFORMERS ARK
Jim Sorenson, William Forster (w) • Don Figueroa (c)
Both sold-out volumes of Transformers: The Ark are collected in the must-have compilation of animation models and character designs from the classic G1 era TRANSFORMERS! The perfect companion piece to this month’s Animated AllSpark Almanac!
TPB • B&W • $29.99 • 416 Pages • 8.5” x 11”

TRANSFORMERS BEST OF UK OMNIBUS
Simon Furman (w) • Barry Kitson, Will Simpson, Geoff Senior, Dan Reed, Doug Braithwaite, Lee Sullivan, Bryan Hitch (a) • Nick Roche (c)
This collection of classic TRANSFORMERS stories from the UK market delivers massive thrills stretching across both time and space as the heroic AUTOBOTS work to stop the machinations of MEGATRON, GALVATRON, and a heap of other DECEPTICONS that put the futures of Earth, CYBERTRON, and the entire TRANSFORMERS universe in jeopardy. Includes Best of UK: Dinobots, Best of UK: Space Pirates, and Best of UK: Time Wars.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 360 Pages • 6” x 9”

To check out the original post from Jim, please click here.