The Energon Pub

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IDW Brings TRANSFORMERS: REGENERATION ONE #81 in July

Featuring all new stories by original writers Simon Furman and Andrew Wildman

San Diego, CA (April 17, 2012) – Picking up the story twenty-one years later, IDW Publishing, in association with Hasbro, is pleased to announce TRANSFORMERS: REGENERATION ONE, an all-new monthly series continuing from the original Generation One TRANSFORMERS comics. IDW will kick off the event by offering fans a free TRANSFORMERS: REGENERATION ONE #80.5 for Free Comic Book Day, May 5, 2012, as a Gold Sponsorship comic—then continue with TRANSFORMERS: REGENERATION ONE #81 in July!

Writer Simon Furman and legendary TRANSFORMERS artist Andrew Wildman are back to their original roots with all-new stories, beginning with the free TRANSFORMERS: REGENERATION ONE #80.5. Starting after 1991’s TRANSFORMERS #80 comic epic conclusion, the free issue picks up as OPTIMUS PRIME watches over a CYBERTRON that hasn't faced MEGATRON for decades. But that peace shudders to an end and dives headlong into July's new series. “The original TRANSFORMERS saga is back—with a vengeance!” exclaimed Furman, “‘epic’ doesn’t cover it!”

TRANSFORMERS: REGENRATION ONE #81 comic will feature many fan-favorite Generation One TRANSFORMERS characters including OPTIMUS PRIME, GRIMLOCK, KUP, HOT ROD, ULTRA MAGNUS and more. “Its always nice to complete unfinished business, even after 20 years,” said Wildman. Artist Stephen Baskerville, the original inker on the classic issues, joins Wildman on interiors as inker, as Wildman also provides eye-catching covers.

“TRANSFORMERS: REGENRATION ONE comic is an important book to TRANSFORMERS fans,” IDW Senior Editor John Barber commented, “and expectations are high. Fortunately Simon, Andrew, and Stephen have only gotten better since the last issue!”

TRANSFORMERS: REGENERATION ONE #80.5 (Free, 32 pages; full color) will be available on May 5, 2012 as part of Free Comic Book Day.



TRANSFORMERS: REGENERATION ONE #81 ($3.99, 32 pages; full color) will be available in July 2012.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to sign up for updates and learn more about the company and its top-selling books.






About IDW Publishing

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coasts Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, and Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.

IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot, while Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.

About Hasbro

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company's world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Company’s Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for markets around the world. The Hub TV Network is part of a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), in the U.S. Through the company's deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies.” Learn more at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2012 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

###