The Transformers Panels have come and gone for the opening day of SDCC and we have nothing to really show for it.
There was very little discussion of toys. The War for Cybertron figures were shown briefly during discussion of the game. Some time was spent talking about the Powercore Combiners line, essentially reiterating that this line wasn’t replacing anything, only supplementing. They wanted to expand the world of combiners. When it came to talking about Generations, some of the new figures were shown including Hailstorm, Breacher, Seaspray, Terradive, Tomahawk and Highbrow. None of the showstopper reveals that happened at Botcon were shown here. No Jazz. No Thunderwing. No Scourge. No Windcharger. No Tracks. No Perceptor. No Grapple. No Lugnut. No Skullgrin. And what a lot of people were waiting for, No Kup.

Most of the discussion on both panels focused on Transformers: Prime. We got to see some new slides of what Ratchet, Arcee and Cliffjumper will look like (pictures after the jump). We also get our first look at the human characters. In addition, we were shown Decepticon troopers, which were described as being similar to Storm Troopers from Star Wars. No names. Just generic Decepticon bodies. Some avid fans may pick up on the fact that the Autobots had their own version of storm troopers in Transformers Animated in the form of AutoRoopers. Google that one, kids. Animated got that inspiration from another special place in Transformers history.

From what I can tell, it sounds like some very rough footage was shown as well, but there isn’t much on that. Frankly, it doesn’t feel like this show is as far along as they wanted it to be on the production side of things. They compensated for that at Botcon with lots of new toy reveals, but that was absent here.

[Update! – Crazy] IGN posted the teaser test footage from the panel! Added to top of post.

Images and more after the jump
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Hasbro had lots of new Super Hero Squad assortments on display. I couldn’t really tell you whats new and what isn’t, but some of the multi-packs fascinated me. The one above includes Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Loki, Enchantress, and a Frost Giant! Notables single figures (from the 2-pack assortments) include MODOK, Taskmaster, Spiral, Bucky Cap, Ronan the Accuser and Thanos.

 

A full gallery of Marvel’s display from Preview Night can be found here at TNI where I mirrored some of the images from.

More images and updates for SHS after the jump including the SHIELD Helicarrier!
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Nickelodeon has announced a new series to air in 2011 based on the mythology of their very popular Avatar: The Last Airbender series. Here is the description given in the announcement:

The Legend of Korra takes place 70 years after the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender and follows the adventures of the Avatar after Aang – a passionate, rebellious, and fearless teenaged girl from the Southern Water Tribe named Korra. With three of the four elements under her belt (Earth, Water, and Fire), Korra seeks to master the final element, Air. Her quest leads her to the epicenter of the modern “Avatar” world, Republic City – a metropolis that is fueled by steampunk technology. It is a virtual melting pot where benders and non-benders from all nations live and thrive. However, Korra discovers that Republic City is plagued by crime as well as a growing anti-bending revolution that threatens to rip it apart. Under the tutelage of Aang’s son, Tenzin, Korra begins her airbending training while dealing with the dangers at large.

I haven’t seen the live-action movie that is out right now, but I loved every minute of the animated series and I am delighted to hear that the narrative will continue.

Full press release after the jump.
[via SuperHeroHype]
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Hot on the heels of the Thundercats comeback announcements from last week, this week brings us news that Voltron, too, is on its way back to fascinate and entertain children. Variety is reporting that Mattel has been awarded the toy license for Voltron, while Nicktoons will be airing 26 episodes of ‘Voltron Force’, a brand new animated series based on the original series from the 80’s. It will follow the five pilots (I have to assume Keith, Pidge, Hunk, Lance, and Allura) of the robotic lions that combine to form a powerful robot. In addition, this series will also introduce new recruits that will aid the pilots in their struggles to defend the galaxy. The last attempt to revive the Voltron franchise was about 10 years ago with a series that was not nearly as faithful to the series origins as most fans wanted. No word on when the toys will be available.

Recently we heard that there would be a new staction figure line and a new animated series for Thundercats. Well now we know what came of the action figure line. I did not see this coming, but Bandai has been named the global toy licensee of the new Thundercats series.
I was truly expecting Mattel to get this license and for the line to be in scale with their DC and MOTU offerings. Bandai’s best effort is Power Rangers and Ben10, which is not saying much. Bandai is really going to have to step their game up to get collectors to sign on to this line, myself included.

Press release after the jump.
[Via PoeGhostal]
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Warner Bros has announced they plan to relaunch Thundercats with a new animated series set to debut on Cartoon Network. A date has not been announced, but it will be co-produced by Warner Bros Animated and Studio4°C in Japan.

A copy of the press release follows, but it really doesn’t say much outside of WB’s attempt to get Thundercats going again after decades of rumors and false starts. Oh, and we also have this massive teaser image of Lion-O. Thats pretty cool right?

So if you were to look into the Eye of Thundera and were given sight beyond sight, what would you want to see in a new Thundercats show?
For me personally, I hope WB calls up Mattel and gets the Four Horsemen to do the action figure line.
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It seems that Cartoon Network will be getting a Green Lantern animated series possibly as early as Fall 2011. According to information disseminated at an investors’ day for Time Warner, the CEOs of Turner Networks and Warner Bros. both made comments about collaboration between their businesses and used this animated series as a shining example. The animated series will follow the June 17, 2011 release of the Green Lantern feature film starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan.

[via Hollywood Reporter]

Yesterday, an announcement was made that Warner Bros. has awarded Icon Heroes the license for a 6 inch and under static action figure line. This is basically along the same lines as the Masters of the Universe 6 inch staction line of mini-statues. From what I understand, Icon Heroes was actually fishing for the action figure license, but this was the best they could get. The rights owners are apparently not looking for an action figure line at this time.

Key part of the press release:

Under the terms of the new agreement, Icon Heroes will manufacture 6-inch and under scale statues, vehicle replicas, environments and dioramas all inspired by Thundercats. The statues will be branded as “Staction Figures” (Static Action Figures) and will be non-articulated standing atop a highly detailed environment base.

Each Staction Figure is scaled such that they can be displayed individually or alongside other 6-inch action figures and statues. The first Staction Figures scheduled for release are Lion-O, Jackal Man, and Jaga. Other products to be released include the Thunderclaw, Cat’s Lair, and many more.

A curious starting line-up, but highly anticipated none-the-less. I’m sure many collectors will breathe a sigh of relief once a Berbil Bill staction is announced. I’ll be looking forward to Pumyra and the Thundertank, myself.

Full press release after the jump. Let us know what characters you are looking forward to!
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