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SDCC '09: Transformers
Transformers: 25th Anniversary Matrix of Leadership Edition: I initially had my doubts about Shout Factory's re-release of the Transformers series on DVD, as I already owned all the original Rhino releases. However, once I read that the errors in the show were being fixed and new extras would be added, I became more interested. Shout Factory was selling their brand new Complete Series box set at Comic-con. The incentive for buying it at the 'con rather than online was an exclusive limited Megatron print signed by Frank Welker. I believe the print was limited to 350 pieces. The print looks fantastic and was a great incentive for fans who were already planning on buying the set to pick it up at Comic-con. The set includes all 16 DVDs, which includes the entire Transformers G1 saga re-mastered with most of the errors (wrong colors, characters, etc.) from the original Rhino releases fixed. I say most because there are some mistakes that still remain. I got a chance to talk with the man who made the set, producer Brian Ward. He said that twelve mistakes are still in the series because he never knew about them. He found and compiled a master list of all the mistakes fans had talked about online, but when fans saw the finished DVDs they brought up things that were still wrong. However, no one had ever actually mentioned these errors before then, so Ward didn't know about them until after the restoration was complete. It's okay, though. I've been watching the series since I got back from Comic-con and having viewed the Rhino release numerous times, I can tell you that these final twelve errors are fairly inconsequential and I've only actually noticed a few of them. The picture quality is superb for a DVD and the remixed stereo soundtrack is even better than the 5.1 surround mix of the Rhino version. I still love my Rhino release packaging and film cells, but the Shout Factory DVDs are far superior. I also asked Ward when we'll get to see Transformers on Blu-ray. He said that he thought about it, but it wouldn't add anything. He continued that the picture quality of the new set has been optimized for DVD, so it already looks as good as it will get. So, don't expect Transformers on Blu-ray for a very long time, if ever. Shout Factory was also selling the G.I. Joe: The Complete Series locker at the 'con which also included an exclusive print. While the print looked nice, it was quite small compared to the Megatron print. If you are thinking about buying the new Transformers DVDs, I highly recommend the complete series set. This is Transformers at its best, folks. Soundwave 25th Anniversary SDCC '09 Exclusive: The one exclusive that interested me at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth this year was the 25th Anniversary Soundwave. I wasn't sure if I was going to buy this because I already had the Generation 1 Soundwave Toys 'R' Us re-issue from a couple years back, so I didn't think I would get this repackaged one. Granted, the 25th Anniversary Soundwave came with two extra cassettes, Ratbat and Buzzsaw, but was it enough to justify purchasing the figure again? Then I saw that this Soundwave was not the same as the Toys 'R' Us re-issue. You see, the TRU re-issue was actually a repainted Sound Blaster, a Transformer that had a "double-wide" cassette holder in his chest. When I had originally bought the TRU version I was happy I had a mint condition Soundwave, but disappointed that he wasn't his normal single-cassette-chested self. When I finally saw the 25th Anniversary Soundwave for myself, I saw that it was the normal, nearly original, single-cassette version. Sold. Double-wide Soundwave may be able to hold two cassettes instead of one, but you can't beat original (or close to it) Soundwave. Hasbro was also selling an exclusive metallic Optimus Prime Mighty Muggs figure. While I enjoy seeing custom Mighty Muggs made by fans, I'm not into the regular versions. Transformers Panel: I was a little worried that the panel would talk a lot about the awful plot-hole filled Revenge of the Fallen, but fortunately, the panel was all toys. The Transformers panel got straight to business. The panel included the Hasbro team of Mike Ballog, Jared Wade, Erik Siebenaler, Aaron Archer, and Matt Proulx. After some quick introductions the Hasbro team jumped right into slides of new Transformers figures coming out in 2010. The first part of the panel was mostly brand new movie style versions of characters. They began with a few new Legends class (the really small figures), then they showed off the Scout, Deluxe, and Voyager class figure of the line. These included: Brakedown, Skystalker (Siebenaler said he was holding two axes "...because he's a super warrior." Lot of laughs from the audience), Scattershot, Deluxe scale Ratchet, Lockdown (movie-style version of the popular TF Animated character - lots of cheers from the audience), Dirge (featuring a brand new way to transform a jet character), Brawn (more cheers), and Jungle Attack Ironhide (some laughs). They are also bringing back two characters I didn't think I would ever see again: Bludgeon and Mindwipe, who both received big cheers from the audience. Siebenaler said Mindwipe has his daggers turned down because he's the "...hack/slash type guy. The serial killer." To which Ballog added, "In a friendly playable sort of way." Skystalker can actually be placed on top of Mindwipe because "they're buddies." Next were the Human Alliance figures of Barricade with Frenzy (who can "drive" Barricade), and Mudflap and Chromia with Simmons. The Hasbro team then revealed the 25th Anniversary Generation 1 re-issues of Perceptor and the Insecticons. Both of these will be Toys 'R' Us exclusives, while Masterpiece Edition Skywarp will be a Wal-Mart exclusive. Also shown was The Gathering at the Nemesis set which includes the movie Megatron, Fallen, and G1-colored movie Soundwave. This will be the only place to get the new Soundwave in his G1 colors. Next up was 2010's Transformers Animated line-up, but first an announcement that the third season is the final season of TFA, which many in the audience replied with boos. With the series over, the Hasbro team promised that all the figures we saw would be released in someway, via in regular assortments or as exclusives. The new figures included: black-colored Electrostatic Soundwave with Ratbat as a keytar, Arcee (Huge cheers. In the cartoon she doesn't have swords, but Siebenaler said "...giving her swords made her more fearsome. Kinda like female Jedi."), Rodimus Minor, Cybertronian Ratchet (he's not fat), Cybertronian Ironhide, Waspinator (A Bumblebee repaint? Yes, it's odd.), Goldfire Grimlock, Hydrodive Bumblebee (he has a blue scuba thing), and a very cool animated-style Blackout (lots of cheers). Also shown were Wingblade Optimus (Optimus with a bunch of extra stuff) and Thundercracker. There were a lot of questions during the Q&A, but here are some of the more interesting ones. Why wasn't Rumble included in the Soundwave exclusive? Due to the re-tooling and the time they needed for it (and whatever other decisions) he got left out. What is the name of the third Arcee sister? Flare-up and Hasbro will probably provide instructions on how to combine the three Arcee sisters, possibly online. One fan wanted to know, since My Little Pony has the all white "blank" ponies you can customize yourself, will they have Transformers like that? They have considered it, but haven't acted on anything yet. And with that note, My Little Pony Transformers? No plans just yet. Will Masterpiece Grimlock be released in the U.S.? They get a lot of requests for Grimlock and there are no plans yet, but they realize that their is a strong demand for him. Will Blaster be re-issued? Blaster is not on Hasbro's radar, but you never know. The final question was some guy bringing down the fun spirit of the panel. He asked since Optimus is as recognizable as Superman and Spiderman, in Revenge of the Fallen he is shown being more brutal and violent and how that may affect the brand or something, it was difficult to hear him. Archer said that they can get away with more stuff in movies and that the situation warranted having your face ripped off. - Shawn - 8/8/09
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