Transformers Linkfest

I was going to post these as individual posts but really the amount of information for each is rather small so figured a "linkfest" would be better.

War for Cybertron Shockwave First Look
Gamestop is offering a pre-order bonus of multiplayer character Shockwave for when Transformers: War for Cybertron is released on 6/22/10. As the image shows, he retains his classic Generation 1 look with a few tweaks for the game. I really hope this is one of the characters Hasbro plans to release for the toy line just for his robot mode alone.

Tyrese Confirms Return to Epps
In a twitter post, Tyrese Gibson writes "Yes I will for sure be in TRansformers 3.. Get Ready!! Epps is here to STAY!!" Just in case fans had any concerns. It is probably not a reach to assume the core human and voice cast from the first two films will return for the third with the likely additional of Ramon Rodriguez. The real question is who the new players and their characters will be.

Transformers Animated Diablock Gallery
Click the link to view a four picture gallery of the Lego-ized version of Animated Optimus Prime and Bumblebee toys that will be released in Japan this March. The States had something similar a few years ago with "Built-To-Rule" line that didn't do so well. Too bad Hasbro is unlikely to sign a deal with Lego as would love to see their take on the Transformers franchise.

Winderfestival Winter Image Gallery
From TFormers, a 22 image gallery of the various Transformer related items on display for the event in Japan last weekend. The emphasis was on Transformers: Animated since the toy line is being launched there starting this March.

Hasbro 2009 Earnings Report
The owner of the Transformers has released its 2009 and last quarter statement and the results are very good thanks to the success of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie and related merchandise. No specifics on TF sales but 4th quarter sales increased 12% (to $1.38B) from previous year with a year revenue increase of 1% (to $4.07B). Not bad considering how bad the economy was for the year when most companies are not reporting growth.

Recon Ravage Mail Away TV Commercial
Since I don't watch the cartoon channels like I use to, I sometimes forget that commercials are still made for toys. Such as the one below for Recon Ravage, a repaint of the ROTF figure as part of the return of Hasbro's mail away offer. The company use to do this all the time with Generation 1 only for truly unique TFs that you couldn’t get anywhere else.