G1 Cartoons Getting Re-Release

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Shout! Factory has inked a deal with Hasbro to release some of its "classic" 80s cartoons to DVD including Transformers, G.I. Joe, and My Little Pony. This will be the first time for new fans thanks to the movie to get an idea of what some of us mean when we refer to "G1 Transformers." That phrase specifically refers to the first generation of Transformers that were created between 1984-1988ish and used in the three seasons of cartoons and movie in that time frame. Sadly, much like the sets that were released by Rhino about 10 or so years ago, these set are not going to be cheap.

Shout! Factory's first release under the agreement will be "The Transformers: The Complete First Season -- 25th Anniversary Edition." The set is slated for June 16 (prebook May 19), a week before the big-screen debut of the Michael Bay-directed feature film sequel "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," due in theaters June 24.

The $29.99 three-DVD set will include the original broadcast versions of all 16 episodes from the 1984 season in the intended story line order, with remastered picture and a new stereo soundtrack created from the original audio. The Rhino releases featured incomplete work prints of episodes and modified sound effects.

Tentative extras include the featurette "Triplechanger: From Toy to Comic to Screen: The Origins of the Transformers"; a printable script; rare PSAs; toy commercials; concept art; and a limited-edition Autobot magnet.

Foos said Shout! Factory would follow the release with special complete series sets of "The Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" later this summer.

An interesting review will be to see the comparison of the Rhino sets (which I have and ok for their time) with these new sets. I am also curious to know if they will continue the very annoying practice of breaking up seasons in to "parts" to maximize sells that has plagued the cartoon DVD market.