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Transformers: SDCC07 Comics, Figures, and Transformers Animated
On Saturday at Comic-com was a Transformers mega panel. Instead of having three separate panels, Hasbro, IDW Publishing and Cartoon Network Studios had one hour-and-a-half long panel dedicated to everything that is upcoming with Transformers. You could consider it a combiner panel, or a triple-changer panel if you prefer. IDW were the first to talk of their Transformers comic plans. They began by talking a little of the Transformers: Devastation series that continues what the Infiltration and Escalation started. The fans at the panel were promised that the series would live up to the title. IDW mentioned that the Galvatron and Optimus Prime Spotlight issues tie into the Escalation/Devastation storyline. The Ramjet Spotlight issue also ties into a bigger story, but it's the New Avengers/Transformers series which ends with issue number four. Fans were told that they can consider the Ramjet issue to be issue five of the series, but without the Marvel heroes. IDW promised that the delayed Beast Wars Ascending series will be in comic shops in September... or October. IDW also mentioned that they will be continuing the Transformers movie storyline. Specifically, it was noted that Target will have an exclusive comic with the DVD release that will explain how the Decepticons came to Earth. Hasbro was second in the panel and announced their figure plans. Hasbro is continuing the movie figures with a line called Allspark Power. The line will consist of many repaints of the movie figures, plus a few originals. They showed slides of various toys in the line. Landmine changes into the military dune buggy, Stockade is the Sector 7 SUV, and Incinerator is the VTOL plane seen in the movie. Cliffjumper is a repaint of Bumblebee's 2008 Camaro form. Probably the best Allspark news for the Generation 1 fans was First Strike Optimus. He is the movie style toy semi, but is colored in the G1 style paint scheme. Any fans that complained about flames will certainly be happy now. Other movie repaints were Evac, a repainted Blackout that is painted like a Coast Guard helicopter, and a Desert Attack Brawl. Another Prime variant was revealed with Night Strike Optimus, which was an off-blue color with silver flames, although is wasn't nearly as cool as First Strike Optimus.
The Robot Heroes line will keep pump out some impossibly cute versions of Beast Wars characters and freakishly cute movie Transformers.The Classics line wil continue but will now be under the Transformers Universe moniker. There was concept art slides for Sunstreaker and Sideswipe as well as triple-changer Octane. Hasbro noted while the Autobot twins are the same design, they found a way so that they will have different chest transformations. That is good news for anyone concerned about Transformers' chests. Cartoon Network then brought up Transformers Animated. It was stressed multiple times throughout the presentation that Transformers Animated is for kids 6-11. They announced they were bringing back the classics and characters they say everyone has forgotten. In this series, Optimus and his crew are far down the ladder in the Autobot hierarchy, meaning that Optimus is new to leading and that he has superiors to report to. After teasing fans by mentioning the video a few times they finally showed it. The video consisted of clips from the new cartoon with some shots of the figures thrown in here and there. The animation was very much like Teen Titans. The music that played was the new theme from the show and it seriously rocks. The song is reminiscent of Lion's animated movie version and is the best Transformers theme since then. The video revealed many Transformers favorites that are returning in Transformers Animated. Most notable were the Dinobots. Grimlock, Swoop, and Slag will have familiar yet "Animated" style forms. Starscream has a backwards swoop wing design and Megatron transforms into a space jet thing. The video also showed the return of Arcee (voiced by Susan Blu - the original Arcee), Black Arachnia, Lugnut, and Blitzwing. Another character named Lockdown, which was said to be the "Boba Fett" of the series, is being voiced by Lance Henriksen. Corey Burton, who voiced Spike in the original series, will be voicing Megatron. Fans were told not to worry because his voice has changed a lot.
Soundwave also returns, but had the most disappointing re-design. Soundwave transforms into a Scion box vehicle and comes with a guitar that transforms into Laserbeak. We all know how ugly the Scion short-bus is. I wonder if Laserbeak will still be a scout spying on the Autobots. When he returns to report his findings does Soundwave do a guitar solo? If you're wondering, both Optimus and Bumblebee have lips and slide-up battle-masks. The video also showed a small anime style six-year-old girl, further pointing out that the cartoon is targeted at the younger set. Down on the show floor Hasbro had a load of Transformers figures on display. Many of them were toys that are already available in stores or are to be very soon, but there were a few that are a ways off yet. Some of the Transformers Animated figures were on display with Starscream, Prowl, Optimus, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead. Also on display were the two Transformers Collector's Club exclusives, Airazor and Astrotrain (who doesn't transform into a train). To really make their booth capture the hordes of passers-by, Hasbro also had a huge Optimus Prime movie statue that people would endlessly pose in front of. How I was able to get a picture that was people-free is beyond me. Optimus looks is in an incredibly awkward action pose and he is obviously having trouble seeing where he's aiming that thing. - Shawn - 07/30/07 |
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