Finally a good look at the new Leader class Starscream from KOToys' GenZhao. The review is based on a prototype version so doesn't include a look at the electronic gimmicks of the toy (click here for a brief look). Overall, the robot mode remains ugly but has improved look and articulation compared to the Voyager class. This might be the first version of Starscream that I have considered buying. The photo gallery at the end of the video can be found here. (via TFormers)
Transformers Ongoing Preview
Comic Book Resources has posted three issues of the upcoming number one is of the new ongoing Generation One Transformers comic that reveals a major spoiler with the death of a fan favorite character. The issue hits comic book stores on November 18th. Click here if you are okay with reading the spoiler. The issue description:
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! Critically acclaimed writer Mike Costa is joined by superstar artist Don Figueroa for IDW’s biggest book of the year—the launch of the first ongoing TRANSFORMERS title in five years! This is what fans have been waiting for—you do not want to miss this!
T-1000 Easter Egg
Michael Bay has made it clear in comments made in the special features for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and in various media interviews that he held much disdain for Terminator Salvation's McG for his use of suspiciously Transformer like robots in his film. As a sign of that, here is an image captured by IloveMcG that illustrates a dig at the film by apparently labeling one of the cannon fodder Decepticons in the desert battle with "T1000", the classic name for the original Terminator model.Update: As pointed out in the comments I had my Terminator models confused. The T-1000 is the classic villain Terminator played by Robert Patrick in Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The T-800 is the Arnold Schwarzenegger's role as the villain in Terminator 1 and hero for T2. For Terminator 3, he was the "'850 series Model 101', a 'T-850', and a 'T-101'". Long story short, T-1000 is appropriate name for a Decepticon when taking a dig at the Terminator franchise since both are bad guys.
Transformers Linkfest
Time for more links to more galleries and news of the last few days relating to Transformers.ROTF Available on USB
Kingston and Paramount have joined together to start offering their new releases on 4GB USB thumb drives starting with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Similar programs have been done with other media (mostly on memory sticks) but doomed to failure due to the cost of the combined product. Considering a 4GB stick can be found for $10 or less and the movie for $15, its seems the MSRP price tag of $29.99 does little to address that issue.
Leader Starscream Gallery
New gallery that shows off the Leader class toy with comparison shots to other toys to give you an idea of Starscream's size. A worthwhile look for those on the fence about buying the toy.
Bumblebee vs Soundwave Set Packaging
A look at the package for the upcoming set that has another repaint of Soundwave with Cannon Bumblebee (both deluxes) including the bio. The set is part of the NEST Global Alliance sub-line that is coming out soon.
NEST Global Alliance Mail Away OfferBack in the G1 days Hasbro use to offer exclusive mail offers for toys. Send in enough points, pay the price and you could get cool toys like Reflector. It seems that Hasbro is relaunching a similar program with the NEST Global Alliance line but sadly the exclusive is not nearly as cool with the exclusive offer being revealed to be a repaint of Deluxe Ravage sporting red highlights. Click the link on details on how purchasing NEST toys will give you a chance to get this toy.
Surface to Air 2-Pack Now Available
The Costco exclusive is now showing up in stores. The pack contains Voyager Grindor and Voyager Ratchet for $32.99.
New Marvel Crossover Gallery
A new gallery that shows the upcoming slate of Transformers/Marvel crossover series with some new toys and mostly repaints. A new design for the Hulk as a bulldozer while Wolverine gets another repaint in his X-Force black and grey colors.
Takara Voyager Optimus Prime Repaint
A new repaint of Prime in Japan minus the Chinese characters and darker G1ish colors and Autobot logo on the side. Not sure if this is going to be released outside of Japan but wouldn't surprise me if it does.
ILM's Benza Talks ROTF FX
The AllSpark has a great write-up with ILM's animation supervisor Scott Benza from the Paramount's press junket from a few weeks ago for the home video release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. He talks about the challenges and landmarks of the film. A lot of the information has been covered in previous articles and the special edition of the movie but still makes for an interesting read. Below is a snippet, the full article can be found here.All robots were rigged in a way that they could animate almost any individual part that made up of the robot, ranging from springs to brake pads and all sorts of mechanical pieces one would find in various vehicles, using Mudflap as an example. That way it helped with the robots’ transformation sequences and the way how they moved. Benza added that each robot was defined by both external and internal pieces, sometimes certain parts filling out the interiors and certain animation models used in the first film were reused and revamped in the second. Since they had the same amount of time to animate everything like in Transformers but with a larger workload due to having over 40 robots, the animators had to make use of whatever they created and had. They tried to introduce more personalities into the transformation depending on the character and to work best from the camera’s point of view – Ironhide has a more forward attitude and is a veteran, hence his rather slow transformation, compared to Sideswipe’s energetic and flashy change, as well elegant and heroic for Optimus. Devastator’s combination sequence was intentionally made clumsy and dirty, as well difficult, showing off a pre-visual sequence. None of the transformations are done ahead of time and simply plugged into the shot, Benza noted.
Transformers Linkfest
Time for another list of links to various galleries of new Revenge of the Fallen toys (mostly repaints) and the like.Bumblebee vs. Soundwave
From Entertainment Earth, a box set of the two deluxe size toys in NEST packaging that is apparently part of an "Exclusive Figure Offer". The set will be released in February for $23.99. BB is the cannon version and Soundwave is another repaint with red highlights.
2010 Wave One Gallery
Official images of the next wave of Revenge of the Fallen toys that will be coming out next year, much of which is repaints. Thanks to RY for the link.
Masterpiece Skywarp Review
From Seibertron.com, a review of the Wal-Mart exclusive toy that is a repaint of Masterpiece Starscream released years ago in the states. This is essentially the same MP Skywarp released a little over a year ago in Japan but there have been a few touch-ups such as yellow eyes, painted nametag (rather than a sticker), chromed Decepticon logo and other tweaks. It’s a good read for anyone debating buying the rather expensive figure, especially if already has the Japan (Takara) version. Personally I think the Masterpiece line as a whole has produced some of the best Transformers ever so worth considering if you have never bought any versions of G1 Masterpiece Seeker made over the years.
Nebular StarscreamK-Mart is joining the Transformers exclusive bandwagon with a pretty good looking repaint of Voyager Starscream in a black and green color scheme. No idea when it will be released. Another look can be seen here and better look at the packaging here. Thanks to RY for the link.
RPM Jetfire
The RPM line, mostly limited to cars, is adding Jetfire to the line. The RPM line is the one where it’s essentially matchbox cars with the robot mode painted on the underside of the vehicle.
RPM Megatron
Another RPM figure, this time Battle Charger Megatron. This one has a little upper body figure of Megatron pop out of the turret section.
