I know what you’re thinking. Botcon was weeks ago. We know everything already. Well, do you? I always found it hard to keep track of what news flowed out of Botcon because every site had a different post for each comment, picture and mention of something new. I have put together one big brain dump of every note I took during the convention with some pictures and links to more pictures and some design notes on Transformers.com. If you have any further comments, questions, or praise for the upcoming products, feel free to leave a message as a comment to this post.

Also, you can see more photos from the convention in my personal galleries here.

More after the jump!

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There’s a lot of stuff happening in the world of Transformers. Too much for us to report on, so we have to pick the best and coolest news a let our friends at TFW2005 tackle the rest. News on a Masterpiece figure counts as the best news.
A posting at ACToys includes and image of original Dinobot Grimlock’s figure with the implication that he will be the basis for the next in the Masterpiece line. Previous figures include Optimus Prime (recolored to Ultra Magnus), Starscream (recolored to Skywarp), and Megatron. Real images of the figure can’t be far off from this teaser, and we’ll deliver them to you as soon as we see them.

Grimlock has long been one of the most popular Transformers chracters, appearing in the 1986 movie and taking a lead role in several comic series. He’s also a favorite for inclusion in the sequel to the 2007 Transformers movie. Learn more on Teletraan 1.

TFW2005 reported a couple days ago on a few pictures that popped up on a Japanese toy board. The pictures appear to be of two packaging samples with the figures inside. One package is a two-pack featuring Classics Jetfire and Classics Grimlock. The other package is another two-pack featuring Classics Optimus Prime and Classics Ultra Magnus. Both feature Classics packaging with a pop-up display of each character in robot mode. I have attached the pictures because I’m sure my description is severely lacking, but they speak for themselves.

This will be a great chance for people who missed out on figures, particularly the Target exclusive Ultra Magnus, that was available only with Classics Skywarp.

 

The Transformers Club was kind enough to update their site again without sending a complimentary heads up email to members of the club. I’m not bitter though. I enjoy reading about club updates on other news sites even though I’m a paying club member.

Anywho, the club has posted some teaser art for the summer comic. Art is by Alex Milne and story by Forest Lee. Below the art is the following text:

It has been 15 years since Optimus Prime and his Autobot warriors finally defeated the Decepticons, or so they had hoped. Megatron, thought to have been destroyed after crashing back into Earth aboard the Autobots ship the Ark, has once again found his way back from the brink of destruction. This time he will stop at nothing to conquer both Earth and Cybertron. It seems though that the Autobots are not the only ones standing in his way…

A story set in the Transformers comic timeline that started it all. An exciting adventure for both the new and long time fan, this Summer readers will experience the most popular characters in Transformers history, The Transformers Classics!

Featuring interior and cover art by Alex Milne and written by Forest Lee.
FC 22 page story, two all new character profiles and more.
July 2007, $4.95

I have mirrored the art below. Its interesting, in that, it shows some new characters/molds. In the forefront appears to be a repainted Cybertron Armorhide in blue and yellow (Punch/Counterpunch??), Cybertron Thunderblast as Elita-1. Behind them is Classics Ultra Magnus. I believe a repaint of Cybertron Defense Hot Shot (in green? Springer?) is to Magnus’ left. Grimlock is on his right. Two others are in the further background that I cannot make out. Let the speculation begin!

Earlier today, I posted that the first figure in the Botcon box set had been revealed last week. That figure was Dirge. I’m pleased to say that the second figure in the set has been announced today. Thundercracker. “The ringing in your ears is the sound of your own destruction.”

For those who keep track, it appears Thundercracker will feature the running change on the seeker mold that I mentioned in this video on Classics Skywarp.

Outside of that small factoid, there’s not much else to say. The figure is pretty much exactly what we were expecting (and hoping!) to see. A straight up repaint of Starscream/Skywarp with the appropriate colors. As always, images mirrored below.

Source: Botcon.com

 

It’s the third and final day of Wizard World LA, and… well, not much to talk about.

• CBR has an interesting interview with comics veteran Peter David on the “3 act structure” of writing. It’s actually a really good read, even if you’re already familiar with the methods he describes.
• CBR also has a great interview with Simon Furman regarding the upcoming Spotlight: Galvatron (with Guido Guidi on art), like how Galvatron ISN’T a rebuilt Megatron, or how his nemesis is mostly Ultra-Magnus (?), and how you shouldn’t expect Unicron to show up… outside of the upcoming Beast Wars: The Ascending book.
• Diamond Select Toys has announced an upcoming Dr. Strange Minimate, from what Minimate Headquarters suspects could be a Defenders line.
• Toy News International has images of DC Direct & Art Asylum’s 6th wave of Minimates, featuring “Battle Damaged” Wonder Woman & Cheetah, Bizarro & Supergirl, S.T.R.I.P.E. & Stargirl, and Sgt. Rock & Blackhawk. Images mirrored below:
  

Just got off the phone with Zac. He says the IDW panel just finished up. He didn’t mention much to me, but here’s some summaries at Allspark and TFormers.

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There was a lot of Transformers news in the past few days that we passed over, so I wanted to do a quick round up of some of the things we missed in case you missed it too.

First off, the lenticular cover art was revealed for the 20th Anniversary release of The Transformers: The Movie. That can be seen here. Its a large animated gif, so it may take a minute to load. Magnus seems to have gotten the shaft on this one.

The Hartmans’ shared some images of a ‘few’ items they will be bringing with them to Botcon to be sold. The Hartmans’ have what is generally believed to be the most complete collection of Transformers and have stated that it will be on sale at Botcon. The images can be seen here on the 2005 boards. The wall of American carded figures alone leaves me speechless.

Registration letters and events schedules should be arriving in the mail for those who have pre-registered for Botcon.

An image of an upcoming 2-pack in the Classics line surfaced. It features a repaint of Prime as Ultra Magnus and Starscream as Skywarp. The package indicates it will be a Target Exclusive.