A brief preview for next week's all-new Transformers Prime Beast Hunters episode aired at the end of yesterday's episode. Plus One airs next Friday at 7:30 pm ET on Hub Network and features Fowler and June Derby in a tight spot thanks to the Decepticons. Check out the preview below:

The Transformers: Legends game by Mobage just wrapped up yet another game event, "Cold Delivery". Gamers, we hope you caught your breath fighting off Cosmos, Jetfire, Sky Lynx, and Omega Supreme, because it's time for yet another event! "Countdown to Extinction" has just begun, and this time players will be battling the likes of Starscream and his Minions. For this event the special Spacebridge characters are Ironhide, Sideswipe and Red Alert! Mobage updated their events web page with this story summary:

"With his superior missing in action and presumed dead, Starscream has stolen the Exponential Generator from Doctor Arkeville, and plans to use it to destroy the Earth and harness the energy to restore Cybertron! With the help of Ironhide, Sideswipe and Red Alert, you must seek and attack Starscream and his minions, before time runs out and the Earth is destroyed!

Assemble the strongest Autobot deck you can! Scan all sectors to uncover Starscream's Minions. Battle them to weaken them. Ask your friends for help. Time is running out."

If you have an iPhone or an Android, this is a free downloadable app that you can download by clicking here (data transfer charges apply, of course). This game is a multi-player card-based battle game that features much of the Classics-Generations characters, featuring new character artwork on each of the battle cards. This game allows the player to go through stages as well as teaming up with allies to beat bosses during events like the one reported here!

TFW2005.COM features an ongoing discussion for the game itself going on here, as well as a the Transformers: Legends Mobage Social Group. If you're jumping in on the fun of this game, then jump into the discussions here as well!

2005 Boards member Masabon has kindly shared with us some in-hand pictures of the newly released Takara-Tomy Generations Fall of Cybertron Skywarp. Presently a Japan exclusive release, Skywarp is a redeco of Generations Fall of Cybertron Starscream and along with the upcoming Hasbro Thundercracker completes this set of pre-Earth mode Seekers. He shys away from the traditional purple and black Skywarp colors for a grey and purple deco, previously featured on Alternity and Transformers Cybertron Skywarp. Check out these images and see if the more strongly purple deco is a deal-breaker for you or not.

Hot on the trail of our last front page update on this figure, an eBay auction surfaced with in-hand photos of the upcoming Masterpiece MP-12T figure, Tigertrack! While this auction does not show any robot mode photos, it does allow us to get a closer look at the beautiful, yellow Lamborghini Countach alt mode. Tigertrack is a redeco of the Masterpiece MP-12 Lambor figure.

For those that may not know, this figure is a homage to not one, but two previous toys. The more obvious homage is to the mail-order Figure King exclusive Generation One Tigertrack that came out in early 2003. Also, this figure homages the Diaclone line, particularly the Diaclone New Yellow Countach LP500S figure (which is also obviously homaged by the 2003 G1 figure).

Several of our sponsors have pre-orders for this figure, and if the recent Masterpiece figures are any indication of availability, you may want to secure yours today!

2005 Boards member cobra zartan has shared with us some test shot images of the upcoming Generations Deluxe class Orion Pax. This toy represents a young Autobot law enforcer already on the path to becoming the greatest hero of Cybertron - Optimus Prime! He will be a part of Generations Deluxe Wave 5 which is due for a release sometime this summer. His wavemates will be Bumblebee, Megatron and Trailcutter - each of them based on their appearances in IDW's Transformers comics!

Botcon has announced more additions to their Artists Alley, the largest ever at a Botcon! Joining the talent in Botcon 2013's artist's alley with this announcement is the one and only Marcelo Matere! In addition to his work on Transformers comics for Dreamwave and IDW, he has done packaging artwork for many Transformers line since Transformers Armada and even contributed some toy designs including the whole Robot Heroes series.

Marcelo is joined in Artist's Alley by Rob Roberts, aka Cheetimus of Cheet's Tweaks and Clyde Grapa, production artist with WildStorm Productions/DC Comics.

Check out the full lineup of talent who will be in Artist's Alley at the Botcon homepage and stay tuned for more special guest announcements next week! If you have not yet pre-registered for Botcon yet there is still time - visit Botcon.com to find out more!

The Transformers 4 extras casting continues! Next up: Michigan! According to this report from CBS Detroit, extras being sought include "males and females at least 18-years-old who can play the part of a clean-cut business person, military or FBI agent. They’ll also be casting Asian families of all ages."

This stage of the filming is scheduled to take place in June through August, suggesting some major filming taking place in the area.

Our friends and sponsors Robot Kingdom has dropped us a line about new preorders and arrivals at their site. Check out a summary of the hot items below, and read on to check out the entire newsletter.


Takara Transformers Asia Premium Series APS-02 Brawl
Pre-order. Start Shipping on 31st May 2013. US$129.9/pcs

Hasbro Transformers PRIME Platinum Edition Ultra Magnus
Pre-order. Start Shipping on 27th May 2013. US$59.9/pcs

Transformazing Toys PB-01 Pandora's Box (Trailer for FOC UM)
Pre-order, available in September 2013. US$139.9/pcs

U.F.O. Unknown Factory Originals - LOP Transforming Trailer Silver Version
Pre-order, available in August 2013. US$79.9/pcs

U.F.O. Unknown Factory Originals - LOP Transforming Trailer Chromed Version.
Pre-order, available in August 2013. US$93.9/pcs

TFDreamFactory TF Prime Bulk Head Upgrade Kit JP version colour.
Pre-order, available in July 2013. US$29.9/pcs

Hasbro Transformers Generations 2013 Voyager Wave 4 Sealed case of 4
Pre-order, available in June/July 2013. US$119.9/sealed case of 4

Hasbro Transformers Generations 2013 Voyager Wave 4 Set of 3
Pre-order, available in June/July 2013. US$84.9/set of 3

Hasbro Transformers Generations 2013 Voyager Sandstorm
Pre-order, available in June/July 2013. US$32.9/pcs

Hasbro Transformers Generations Deluxe 2013 W3 set of 4
Pre-order, available in Jun/July 2013. US$59.9/set of 4

Hasbro Transformers Fall of Cybertron Metroplex
Pre-order, available in August 2013. US$129.9/pcs

Takara Transformers Fall of Cybertron TG-23 Metroplex
Pre-order, available on 28th September 2013. US$169.9/pcs

Excellent Toys CR-M01
Pre-order, available in July 2013. US$79.9/pcs

KFC CST-01E Energon Rhinohorn
Pre-order, available in May 2013. US$19.9/pcs

Takara Transformers Masterpiece Tokyo Toy Show Exclusive MP-12T Tigertrack
Pre-order. Available in June 2013. US$79.9/pcs

Alfes2000 of the Higekuma Toy Blog has posted some in-hand images of the recently released Takara-Tomy Generations Blaster. This incarnation of Blaster is a Japanese release of Fall of Cybertron Blaster with Steeljaw. Blaster sports silver on his legs which in vehicle mode links up with the silver on the arms and a deeper red. Steeljaw features a darker yellow and both have additional paint details over their US releases. Check out the gallery at the link above.

In 2010, Hasbro founded its TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame, honoring humans and robots that have left an everlasting mark on the world of toys, entertainment and CYBERTRON during the past nearly 30 years of “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE” action. Now in its fourth year, Hasbro is once again turning to fans to help select two Fans’ Choice robot inductees to make up the class of 2013!

The resultant point values will be used to generate the final ballot of five choices, which will be voted upon in early June on Transformers.com. The two characters receiving the most fan votes in the final polling will be announced at Hasbro’s panel on Saturday, June 29, at BotCon in San Diego.

Follow the linked discussion thread to place your nomination.

The New Jersey Collectors Convention is proud to announce that Boss Fight Studio will be attending the August 18th, 2013 NJCC toy show! Boss Fight is comprised of several former Hasbro designers and a sculptor who all worked on fan-favorite action figure lines like G.I. Joe, Star Wars and Marvel Universe.

Designers Andrew Franks, Erik Arana, Catrina Cerise-Arana, and sculptor Dave Proctor will be on hand to meet fans and do some sketches. Don’t miss this chance to meet these former Hasbro Artists in their first public appearance as Boss Fight Studios!!!

Be sure to stop by and like the Boss Fight Studio Facebook Page for more updates on their current projects!

Toys R Us Japan have updated with product pages for the next four Transformers Go! releases. Coming this June are the three Autobot Samurai Kenzan, Jinbu and Ganou - who combine into three different giant robots based on who forms the upper body, torso and legs - along with the Predacon Gaidora, a Lazerback retool with a new head and new deco.

Courtesy of Alfes 2010's blog, we now have a vast in-hand gallery of the recently released Super GT GT-R Prime and GT-R Saber (who are both retools of the first Alternity Convoy mold, as are the others in the line as well) with shots of their vehicle and robot modes, comparisons with the Alternity Convoy mold and galleries of their out-of-scale Microman-esque Race Queen companions that are bundled together with each Super GT release. Take the jump to view the galleries.

Courtesy of TFW2005 Site Sponsor Robot Kingdom's Facebook page, we now have in package photos of the soon to be released Platinum Edition Ultra Magnus. Featuring a newly-molded Forge of Solus Prime, the Platinum Edition Ultra Magnus is a vast remold of the Weaponizer Optimus Prime mold from the Transformers: Prime- Robots in Disguise line.

What is additionally intriguing about this release is the mysterious Autobot Logo with the words "3 of 30" printed on top of it. Could this be referring to the Platinum Edition toyline itself, or is this referring to the number of toys in the "Thrilling 30" line? Stay tuned to TFW2005 as time goes on, where we will bring you news regarding the Thrilling 30 celebration, as well as everything else Transformers as the news breaks.

Takara-Tomy have announced a pair of Arms Micron campaigns to celebrate the launch of the Transformers Go! Samurai team. There are three clear Arms Microns paired with each of the three Autobots - a clear A.R.C. paired with Kenzan, a translucent yellow S.2. paired with Jinbu and a translucent red S.W. paired with Ganou. These are included free with a purchase of the corresponding Autobot at certain stores including Toys R Us Japan, Amazon Japan, and Yodobashi Camera.

The second figure campaign is a translucent blue version of the Optimus Prime Blaster Arms Micron, which is available by obtaining a ticket from TV-Boy magazine.

Dom Delouise and a pink teddy bear are relevant to at least a few seconds of this week's episode of Transformers deliberation with Vangelus, Aaron, and Omegus Prime.

You can download and comment on it here: WTF @ TFW - Episode 252

If you use iTunes and regularly subscribe to podcasts, you can add us to your player and have the software download each episode automatically each time we update. To do that, and give us a reviews on iTunes, click here: Transformers Podcast on iTunes.

TFcon is pleased to announce that Transformers comic book artist Livio Ramondelli will be attending TFcon 2013. Livio is known to fans for his work on IDW’s Transformers comics with the Chaos storyline and illustrating the entirety of the Autocracy series. He will be selling prints and offering commissions to attendees all weekend long.

TFcon, the world's largest fan-run Transformers convention will take place July 26th to 28th, 2013 in Toronto, Ontario at the Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre. You can pre-register online for TFcon 2013 via this link for the exclusives VAN GUARDIAN and ROSWELL.

TFcon 2013 features Canada's largest dealer room for Transformers merchandise, question and answer panels and autograph sessions with many special guests including Transformers voice actors JACK ANGEL the voice of Astrotrain, Breakdown, Cyclonus, Omega Supreme, Ramjet, Smokescreen and Ultra Magnus in the Generation 1 cartoon plus DICK GAUTIER the voice of Rodimus Prime with more to be announced. The TFcon 2013 hotel block is now available.

Botcon has sent us a press release confirming the eleven members of the Rescue Bots cast and crew attending Botcon 2013! Attending the convention on the Saturday only are:

• Steve Blum, voice of Heatwave and Transformers Prime Starscream.
• Parvesh Cheena, voice of Blades.
• D.C. Douglas, voice of Chase.
• Imari Williams, voice of Boulder.
• Elan Garfias, voice of Cody Burns.
• Jason Marsden, voice of Kade Burns and Duke on G.I. Joe Renegades.
• Shannon McKain, voice of Graham Burns.
• Diamond White, voice of Frankie Green.
• Brian Hohlfeld, supervising producer and co-creator of Rescue Bots.
• Nicole Dubuc, story editor and co-creator of Rescue Bots, who has also written for Transformers Prime!
• Greg Johnson, story editor for Rescue Bots, who has also written for Beast Wars and G.I. Joe Renegades!

You can meet all eleven of these guests at Botcon 2013 on the Saturday of the convention weekend, 29 June. To find out what else is in store and pre-register to attend this year's convention head over to the Botcon homepage!

Crave Online has posted a preview clip from tomorrow's all-new episode of Transformers Prime. In Chain of Command the Wreckers under the command of the new Autobot second in command Ultra Magnus journey to the Scottish Hebrides to stop the Decepticons obtaining any more Predaclone fossils. Check out the preview clip from the episode below, and also check out the promotional still attached to this post - but be warned there is a spoiler or two in both.

An additional still has also been posted by the official Transformers Facebook page.

Devastator is one of the most knocked off, customized, remade characters there is for the Transformers mythos. But, the figure has had a bunch of fantastic official releases. From the original G1 Constructicons Giftset to the G2 Reissues, to the Micro Combiners, or Revenge of the Fallen and even Classics. Check out some of the assorted toys to come as Constructicons below.

• Transformers G1 Constructicons Devastator 100 Complete Vintage Hasbro 1985 | eBay
• Hard Hero 2003 Transformers G1 Constructicon "Devastator" Bust Statue New Hasbro | eBay
• Transformers Universe Constructicons Devastator Bonecrusher Scavenger Long Haul | eBay
• Japanese Transformers Original G1 37 Devastator Constructicon Giftset | eBay
• Transformers ROTF Legends Constructicon Devastator ToysRUs Tru Exclusive G1 | eBay
• Transformers 1992 G2 "Constructicons Devastator" Yellow Variant New SEALED | eBay
• 1990 Devastator Action Masters SEALED MOSC MISB G1 Transformers | eBay
• Steamhammer w Constructicons Power Core Combiners Transformers MISB | eBay
• Transformers Revenge of The Fallen Legend Class Devastator MISB | eBay
• Transformers Kre O Devastator Destruction Site 36951 6 in 1 Constructicons MISB | eBay
• Transformers Micromasters Constructicons Devastator Unopened Figures | eBay
• Transformers Universe Devastator MISB New Classics RID Devastator Combiner Set | eBay
• Transformers ROTF EZ Legends Devastator 1 7 Plus Rampage Scavenger Exclusives | eBay
• Takara Transformers Constructicon Devastator 20A Encore Ed Animecolor New SEALED | eBay

A trio of Transformers 4 extras casting calls have gone out via Beth Sepko Casting & Third Coast Extras on Facebook.

The initial call that went out was for "Submissions from Extras with very strong unique "character" faces that express a larger than lifeTEXAS type personality. Think people that look like Ranchers, oil men and women, realtor types that sell Dallas mansions, small town salt of the earth types, and strong southern-looking men & women- with faces that have a real local Texas flavor to their look and uniqueness!"

A second call followed today for some more specific casting, as follows: ""Mom"- Female Caucasian or Hispanic: Age 30s-50s (must have plus sized figure, expressive comedic face, small town Texas look ); "Dad"- Male Caucasian or Hispanic: Age 30s-50s (must have plus sized figure, expressive comedic face, small town Texas look)"


There was also a casting call for Hollywood staple attractive women: "FEMALE CAUCASIAN EXTRAS between the ages of 16-23 fit, tan, attractive with an "all-american" Texas type"

Apple's iBooks has uploaded a three page preview of IDW's Robots in Disguise #18. In issue #18 someone has a bad case of survivor guilt!

After the shattering events of the past two issues, we can't tell you who's alive and who's dead. But we will hint that one CYBERTRONIAN has to reconsider her worldview—while she comes face-to-face with some old enemies. We won't mention any names, but she's in for the fight of her life!

Check out the preview attached to this post.

IDW have announced a special event to coincide with Botcon 2013 in San Diego. On 27 June 2013 from 2pm to 5pm they will be holding a special VIP tour of their offices. The tour costs $500 but for your money you get:

• A chance to meet the creators behind the comics, including Livio Ramondelli, Josh Burcham, Matt Frank and John Barber!
• Meet with Transformers artists, including at least one unique sketch!
• Tour of the IDW Facilities with CEO/Publisher Ted Adams!
• Advanced peeks at upcoming projects!
• Q&A session with Chris Ryall and John Barber!
• Your choice of a Transformers Red Label IDW Limited book worth $125!
• Your name included in an upcoming Transformers comic!
• A gift bag of IDW comics including the Botcon exclusive Transformers / My Little Pony variant cover!
• Free shuttle service to and from the Botcon hotel!
• Surprises! Cake! More!

You can find out more or book your place on the tour on IDW's site here.

Previously we saw Bios of Predaking and Bumblebee through two special character trailers titled Transformers: Prime Beast Hunters “Inside The Hunt”. They were serious in tone and informative.
Today we have with us the Bios for Optimus Prime and Megatron; both clips narrated in a funny way.



Thanks to Toys "R" Us, Hong Kong for both clips.

New images have surfaced on a Japanese Image board with scans from a new Hobby magazine and it showcases a lot of new upcoming Takara product, including our first look at Masterpiece Tigertrack and their version of Metroplex (albeit in black and white). All together shown here are new images of the following:

• Masterpiece 12-T Tigertrack
• Transformers GO - G01 Kenzan
• Transformers GO - G02 Jinbu
• Transformers GO - G03 Ganoh
• Transformers GO - G04 Gaidora
• TG-19 Grimlock
• TG-20 Ratbat
• TG-23 Metroplex

2005 Boards member D-Drive has also sent us an image from the latest edition of Previews. While small the image confirms two new toys for Beast Hunters Deluxe Wave 5, Prowl, who is a redeco of Deluxe Smokescreen without the additional armor and Stealth Bumblebee, a redeco of the Beast Hunters version of Deluxe Class Bumblebee patterned after his design in the show. Check out the image attached to this story.

Word reaches us that Transformers Live Action Movie veteran Glenn Morshower will not be returning for Transformers 4. While attending the Texas Frightmare Weekend earlier this month, Morshower told fans that due to a scheduling conflict he would be unable to reprise his role for the fourth instalment of the live action movie franchise. Glenn Morshower played the role of Colonel Sharp in the first movie, commander of the ill-fated Soccent air base, before returning to play the role of General Morshower in Revenge of the Fallen and Dark of the Moon.

2005 Boards member D-Drive has forwarded us the Diamond Comics shipping list for next Wednesday. Due to hit comic stores next week is a plethora of Transformers comics and other goodies, including More than Meets the Eye #17, Beast Hunters #1, The IDW Collection Volume 8 (collecting the Heart of Darkness miniseries and issues #19-31 of the Mike Costa ongoing series) along with the latest assortments of the toys and the live action movie trading cards!

E-Hobby have updated their pre-order page for Classics Magnificus with some pages from the comic that will accompany the toy. The comic features a plethora of obscure Transformers characters, from the appearance of an unreleased ape Pretender to Generation 2 Eagle Eye, to the Japanese leader who never got a toy, Scrash. Could this comic play into the fiction that accompanied the Transformers United EX toys? Stay tuned for more news on this release.

TFW2005.COM Member Monzo dropped by tonight to take us back to the oldschool with a bit of Transformers Generation One history - a scan of rare artwork and an interview of Marvel Productions editors Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins. Monzo had this to say about the interview:

The January 1985 issue of Comics Feature ran a story on Marvel Productions, the company that produced the original Transformers cartoon. As part of this story, Comics Feature briefly interviewed Transformers story editors Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, and included a piece of rare pre-production Transformers artwork. After learning of this story, I bought a copy of the magazine and made a high-resolution scan of the art, which is included in this post. This is not the first appearance of this particular piece of artwork, as it came into the hands of collector Alex Bickmore some years ago; you can see it here, where the corner isn't covered up by part of a Pandamonium promotional painting.

You can check out both a mirrored scan of the artwork as well as the transcription of the interview after the jump. Thanks again to Monzo for sharing this with us here!

Greetings once again, fellow TFW members!

We're currently holding a giveaway to help raise funds for the JDRF to fight Juvenile Diabetes! We ask that you check out THIS LINK and help us out, and in return, you could win a copy of Fans Toys' amazing Quake Wave figure!

We're also pleased to announce that a new site, CP3P.com, has gone live! This site will be the primary location for news and information on the Third Party event, this year and in the future! We hope you'll join us and get a sneak peek at loads of upcoming items!



NEW ITEMS IN STOCK/RESTOCKS:
Micron Capsule Series 4 sets are in stock and ready to ship!!
Arms Micron Capsule Seres 4 Autobot Set - $16.00
Arms Micron Capsule Series 4 Decepticon Set - $16.00

Takara Generations TG-15 and TG-16 Data Disc sets are also in stock!
TG-15 Autobot Data Discs Set of 4 - $35.00
TG-16 Decepticon Data Discs Set of 4 - $35.00

ArtTek's first release, the Hero Rifle, has arrived and is moving quickly, as has Encline's first custom figure training DVD!
ArtTek AOW-01 Hero Rifle - $12.00
Encline Custom Training Vilume 1: Full Figure Repaint - $18.00

And the Dr. Wu piledrivers are finally in stock, along with the remainder of our Fans Project T-Bone shipment!
Dr. Wu Die-Cast Piledrivers - $14.00
Fans Project CA-10 T-Bone - $58.00


NEW PRE-ORDERS NOW OPEN:
Fans Project's next two figures in the Causality series are now available for pre-order!
Fans Project CA-11 Last Chance - $58.00
Fans Project CA-12 Down Force - $58.00

TF-Go pre-orders are going up! Starting with the Autobot combiner team!
Transformers: Go! G-01 Kenzan Samurai - $55.00
Transformers: Go! G-02 Kimpu Samurai - $35.00
Transformers: Go! G-03 Gamou Samurai - $35.00

New Takara Generations figures have also been announced and are up for pre-order!
Takara Generations TG-23 Metroplex - $225.00
Takara Generations TG-24 Optimus Prime and Bumblebee - $35.00

The complete set of Impossible Toys Tetra Squadron figures have been listed for pre-order and will be arriving soon!
TS-01 Banshee - $48.00
TS-02 Rebelor - $48.00
TS-03 Prankstor - $48.00
TS-04 Smashor - $48.00
TS-05 Boostor - $48.00
TS-06 Requiem - $48.00
TS-07 Solarblast - $48.00

New ArtTek releases are on the way!
ArtTek AOT-01 Retro Rex Head - $13.00
ArtTek AOT-01 Retro Rex Head (Metallic, LE 200 pcs.) - $13.00
ArtTek AOW-02 Rex Blaster Rifle - $11.00
ArtTek AOW-02 Rex Blaster Rifle (metallic, LE 200 pcs) - $11.00
ArtTek AOW-03 Sonic Blaster (Regular and Metallic) - $11.00

Encline's next training DVD is also now up for pre-order!
Encline CUstom Training Volume 2: Metal Mayhem - $18.00

A longer, 30 second preview for this Friday's all new Transformers Prime Beast Hunters episode, Chain of Command, has been aired. The longer preview shows the Wreckers in action against a revived Predaking - check out the preview below!

Botcon has announced some new voice actor guests attending Botcon 2013! On the Saturday afternoon (29 June 2013) fans will be able to meet the voice cast of Transformers Rescue Bots! Nearly a dozen members of the cast and crew will be attending the Saturday panel including all four of the Rescue Bots - Parvesh Cheena (Blades), Steve Blum (Heatwave), DC Douglas (Chase) and Imari Williams (Boulder).

Full details of all the Rescue Bots attendees will be released shortly!


That is not all! Five more notable Transformers artists have joined the Botcon 2013 Artist's Alley including Jeffrey Martinez, Sara Lopez, Matt Kuphaldt, Mai Namba and David "It's Walky" Willis! Check out the full Artists Alley guestlist here.

Botcon 2013 is taking place over the weekend of 27-30 June 2013 in San Diego California! It's not too late to pre-register if you want to attend this year's convention - click here to visit the Botcon homepage and find out more.

Joblo has posted an article in which they claim that a "reliable source"(who attended a recent marketing event) has provided them with information on characters to appear in Transformers 4. They did label the information as a "rumor" so take it with a grain of salt. However they also claimed that their source has been reliable in the past....so...onwards to the list!

• Grimlock
• Lockdown
• Hound
• Galvatron
• Swoop(implied since apparently Bumblebee will ride on a Pteranadon while Optimus Prime will ride Grimlock)
• Former "Samurai" Decepticon who wants to regain his honor and become an Autobot(Drift? Bludgeon?)

Since the end of Dark Of The Moon, fans have speculated that Megatron would return as Galvatron in Transformers 4, after all...he IS the almighty Megatron...reformatted. Lockdown might not be too surprising(if this rumor turns out to be true), due to Hasbro pulling cues from Transformers Animated(and Lockdown rose to popularity in that show).

Read on for plot details...be forewarned, if these rumors are the plot details reveal a substantial part of the movie..so read at your own risk!

An auction from lena81822 has provided us with some clear shots of the upcoming Generations Skywarp figure from TakaraTomy's lineup of Transformers Generations figures. It's worth looking at these images as the figure appears to be less dull compared to what we've seen of it before. Also this is likely a final production sample.

Read on to check out the images.

An auction by lena81822 has provided a generous look at the highly anticipated Transformers Generations Trailcutter figure. A Classics/Generations version of Trailbreaker has been in demand for a while, even moreso after Hasbro somewhat teased us with the release of Legends Trailcutter a few years back.

The end result is a modern Trailbreaker, inspired by his look in the IDW comics, and now known as Trailcutter for legal reasons. Read on to check out the new images!

Ken Christiansen has updated his Bad Flip Blog with a new entry, which showcases his Aligned Continuity Soundwave preliminary design! The opportunity came at a time when Christiansen was doing character designs; after a while he got brave and sought the chance to design Soundwave, his favorite character! This version of Soundwave transforms into a "secret government FBI/CIA type SUV"(coming from his previous incarnation in Transformers Animated) and incorporates some movie influences. More from Christiansen:

As always, I try to keep as many classic cues in as possible, but there were a few things being asked from Aaron and Eric at Hasbro to try to add, like a movie style head, and there was something with the legs, though in the notes I can't seem to find any reference, probably was in an email that was deleted long ago.

And because we were kind of whipping through these, I never got to do the back versions, but I had the idea the the tires would push back from the shoulders to have some kind of speaker look, with the doors creating an amphitheater type effect on his back. For maximum bass.

And so that's it for now. Pre-pre-production conversation starters - and I kind of want to make that point. This is all first look intended work, in no way meant to be the final vision of anything. Conversations in the fan forums; that sucks, that's awsome, why didn't we get that, we should have gotten this instead....you're all right. That's the point of the whole endeavor, it's the development process. Putting something up, that folks can discuss, take in that new information, and try again. It's concept art, not final design.

I wasn't too excited about the truck mode, but in the growth of development, Soundwave was envisioned as a Drone - and I LOVE that. I wish I thought of it! The Transformers Prime Soundwave is second only to my unconditional love of G1 Soundwave. But, honestly, if they told me to try a Soundwave with a paint can alt mode, I'll try to make it cool!

*And the micro-minions as well, but they weren't ready to deal with those guys at that point.

What do you think of the design? Read on to check out the robot mode!

Last week you saw the iBooks preview for Transformers Robots In Disguise #17, now we've got the full preview!

Transformers Robots In Disguise #17
SHOCKWAVES! The fate of Cybertron is sealed-but what is the DECEPTICON scientist called SHOCKWAVE planning? After the stunning revelations in MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE, learn the origin of the one-eyed, gun-handed master of machinations and the countdown begins for the biggest TRANSFORMERS event in comic book history.

Read on to preview this issue!

Next in their string of new product reveals, the official Transformers Facebook page has uploaded official images of the Bot Shots 2013 Three Packs Assortment, wave 2. This second wave is already out through Hasbro Toy Shop and was shown off at Toy Fair 2013, none the less, here are official images of the two sets, Sergeant Kup, Scourge and Blitzwing, and Optimus Prime, Cindersaur and Jazz. Those who collect Bot Shots may spot that Blitzwing is a reuse of the 2012 Decepticon Brawl in clear purple, Kup is a redeco of Spin Shot Ironhide, and Scourge is a redeco of his single packed release. In the other set, Optimus Prime is based on Transformers Cybertron Optimus Prime - a cool touch!

Our friends and sponsors over at TFSource have sent us their latest update. Check out the highlights below and read on for the full update:

Greetings SourceFans!
This week we've restocked Fansproject CA-09 Car Crash and CA-10 T-Bone, as well as new instock items like Encline Designs - Customizing Instructional DVD - Vol 01 and Encore #23 Fortress Maximus! We also have a new preorders from Fansproject and Dr. Wu Customs. Our Spring Cleaning Sale continues with over 150 items at up to 75% off along with a TF Prime RID Clearance Sale! Check out the Source Blog for our latest Source Article, Source Review and Source Interview! All this and more... in this week's SourceNews!

In this issue of SourceNews:
1. Fansproject Update! CA-10 T-Bone Back Instock!
2. Now instock - Encore #23 Fortress Maximus - regular release!
3. Now up for preorder - Make Toys Paladin/Chaos!
4. Masterpiece Update!
5. New Transformers Generations Preorders!
6. The TFsource Spring Cleaning Sale and TF Prime RID Clearance Sale!
7. Encline Designs - New Instock and Preorder Items!
8. 3rd Party Update! Dr. Wu Restock!
9. Mastermind Creations Update
10. TFC Toys Uranos Update!
11. Now Instock - Unique Toys - UT-W01 War Hawk!
12. Source Blog Updates!
13. Newest Instock items at TFsource
14. Newest Preorder items at TFsource

Botcon has tweeted a panel from the 2013 Timelines comic, Machine Wars Termination. In this panel the Cybertronian general Obsidian briefs a group of select Autobots on their new roles as City Commanders. The Autobots include Hardhead, Backstreet and Dogfight, Guzzle, Red Alert and Jazz. The art draws all of these in their Generation 1 looks, except Jazz who seems to be taking a few cues from his Reveal The Shield toy's Ultimate Gift Set release. We're told that these are just cameos, and not any indication of toys that are coming as at-show souvenir figures.

We have received an update from TFExpo, the unofficial Transformers convention being held in Wichita, Kansas on 3 August 2013. TFExpo are proud to announce that artist Matt Frank will be attending TFExpo 2013. Matt's work includes IDW's Godzilla titles, the Beast Wars Sourcebook, Mars Attacks The Transformers! and Spotlight Trailcutter.

Matt joins already announced guests, Gregg Berger (voice of G1 Grimlock) and Flint Dille (G1 Cartoon Writer and Story Editor, IDW Writer). All will be meeting and greeting Transformers fans at TFExpo 2013!

But that's not all - TFExpo have announced a special pre-registration only preview night on 2 August 2013 from 7 pm. This will be a sneak peek of what is in store - and it is completely free to pre-registered attendees!

Head over to the TFExpo homepage to find out more and pre-register today, and read on for the full release from TFExpo.

We’ve mentioned her before on a news post regarding Transformers 4. Back then, she was auditioning for a role on Transformers 4 at the Chinese Talent Search, but now Miss Li Bingbing has confirmed she is starring on the upcoming Michael Bay Transformers Live Action Movie.

"A report on m1905.com -- a Chinese film-related portal operated by the state-owned China Movie Channel, one of the film's three co-producers -- quoted a statement from Paramount Pictures, Sid Ganis’ Jiaflix Enterprises and China Movie Channel as saying that Resident Evil: Retribution star Li Bingbing will board the production. She will soon be joined by other well-known actors as well as newcomers recruited from a talent-scouting competition."

Fresh from the official Transformers Facebook page is the eagerly awaited Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters Legion class Air Vehicon coming to a store near you this summer.

Check out more images of the Beast Hunters Air Vehicon after the jump.

Frequent visitors to our 2005 Boards Transformers Toy Discussion forum will perhaps have stumbled upon the Masterpiece Speculation Thread - where rumors and speculation on upcoming Masterpiece Transformers releases are shared and notes are compared. 2005 Boards member iGrimlock has come up with a very interesting theory that we thought we might share with you - it might be a coincidence, or it might be the first hint that a Masterpiece Mirage is coming our way in the future.

Takara-Tomy have been uploading Generation 1 episodes on to their Youtube channel. They are not always in order, not always uploaded on a strict schedule or anything. Generally, the episodes are going up roughly in sequence and roughly monthly, but once in a while, a random episode gets thrown in. They started on September 30 2012, not with the first episode but with A Plague of Insecticons. This was the episode where Sideswipe used his piledrivers that the Masterpiece toy came with - and it was uploaded the month before the release of Masterpiese Sideswipe.

After this episodes were uploaded in order until December 2, 2012. The episodes uploaded at that time were Auto-Bop, an episode where Soundwave got a lot of focus fighting Blaster, and Auto Berserk, the Red Alert focus episode. December was the month when Masterpiece Soundwave was originally planned for a release and the month of Masterpiece Red Alert's release.

The next batch of episodes to be uploaded came earlier than might be expected from the previous trend and included Roll For It, which is an episode where both Prowl and Bluestreak were prominently featured. This time, the upload preceded the announcement of the Masterpieces by about a month.

Coincidence, or a deliberate move on Takara-Tomy's part, these episode uploads all corresponded to toys which were either about to be released or shortly afterwards announced for the Masterpiece line.

Which brings us to the point of this whole speculation - Takara-Tomy just uploaded another out-of-sequence episode, the episode Traitor. Traitor focuses on a few characters including Bombshell and Cliffjumper, but it is the episode that is most strongly identified as the characterization of the Autobot Mirage.

Given the established trend, is this a coincidence, or is this a subtle hint that a Masterpiece Mirage lies ahead, in our future? Bear in mind there are also whispers of Takara-Tomy having licensed the alternate mode for Generation 1 Mirage...

Join in the speculation and be sure to keep it TFW for more news and rumors as they surface!

By way of ACToys member 11-11 we can now share with you some out of package in-hand images of Generations Trailcutter, or as he was known in Generation 1, Trailbreaker. The Autobot force-field specialist is a part of the IDW comics themed Generations Deluxe Wave 5 - one of the most anticipated assortments of Deluxe class toys in recent memory! Check out the images at the link above or mirrored attached to this post.

With the US release of the Beast Hunters Ultimate Class - which will feature Beast Hunter Optimus Prime and Beast Fire Predaking - drawing ever nearer, Target have begun to put out the shelf tags for both of these releases. By way of 2005 Boards member JamesBenjamin who passes this information to us we can confirm that the price for both toys will be $59.99. The Target DCPIs are also as follows:

Beast Fire Predaking: 087-06-1976
Beast Hunter Optimus Prime: 087-06-1967

No word as yet on when these can be expected - but with them out in Australia and now the shelf tags appearing in Target, a first sighting at US retail is potentially days rather than weeks away.

Vangelus and Seth Buzzard hook up with one Icha-B-zero-D to chat about old-timey Transformers fandom and the power of a simple napkin.

You can download and comment on it here: WTF @ TFW - Episode 251

If you use iTunes and regularly subscribe to podcasts, you can add us to your player and have the software download each episode automatically each time we update. To do that, and give us a reviews on iTunes, click here: Transformers Podcast on iTunes.

The Official Transformers Facebook page has posted official images of the new Beast Hunters Cyberverse vehicle set, the Autobot Driller. It's a redeco of last year's Decepticon Driller and it comes with a redeco of Beast Hunters Cyberverse Bumblebee. Check out the images at the link above or attached to this post.

With the release of Beast Hunters Ultimate Class Optimus Prime and Predaking at Australian retail, lots of pictures have been coming our way from Australian fans who have been lucky enough to add these two to their collections. We have mirrored a selection of the best images here, but open the links below to check out lots more photos:

Beast Hunter Optimus Prime by griffin-of-oz and Kal El of Krypton
Beast Fire Predaking by griffin-of-oz, LMiura, and Ozformers' member Colin78


Also, check out Kal El of Krypton's video review of Beast Hunter Optimus Prime:

A brief promo for the next episode of Transformers Prime aired at the end of Project Predacon. Chain of Command sees Ultra Magnus, Wheeljack and Bulkhead journey to the Scottish Hebrides to stop the Decepticons' latest plot. Will the former Wreckers and Ultra Magnus be able to put aside their differences and fight together against the Decepticons, or will Wheeljack's recklessness and Ultra Magnus' by the book approach cause a scism in the Autobot ranks? Tune in to Hub Network next Friday at 7:30 ET to find out - and check out the preview below:

Examiner has posted an article mentioning that Transformers 4 filming is underway in Austin, Texas. That’s not the only thing the article reveals; it also highlights the character name of Mark Wahlberg.

"Di Bonaventura Pictures and DreamWorks SKG in association with Hasbro are set to begin production on the Paramount Pictures science fiction action film "Transformers 4". Casting directors are auditioning actors in Los Angeles, as well as Austin, TX where filming will take place beginning late May, 2013. The extras will be cast throughout filming. Additional shooting will take place in various locations including China. This project is currently being referred to as "Untitled Transformers Sequel," and will the first feature film to be shot using smaller digital IMAX 3D cameras.

Starring in "Transformers 4" is Jack Reynor in the starring role of a race car driver. The talented and beautiful Nicola Peltz has been cast in the female lead role of Reynor's girlfriend. Mark Wahlberg has signed on to play Nicola's father Flynn Vincent. Sophia Myles will play a major role as a scientist. Peter Cullen returns as the voice of Optimus Prime, and Glenn Morshower reprises his role as General Morshower. Kelsey Grammer was recently cast as the lead villain named "Harold Attinger". Directors Guild of America DGA Award winner Michael Bay will return to direct his fourth installment of the film series from a screenplay written by Ehren Kruger."

For more information and how to become an extra, visit Examiner.com.

2005 Boards member Cobra Zartan has shared with us more images of the test shot of Generations Trailcutter. These new images show both modes of Trailcutter, and of interest to many of you will be the size comparison images, showing how Trailcutter scales up against Prime mainline Bumblebee and Generations Fall of Cybertron Soundwave. Read on to check out the images.

Those of you watching Transformers Prime Beast Hunters last night might have been pleasantly surprised to see that the opening has been updated with some new footage! The new opening follows the same three-stage format of the original but with tweaks and changes throughout:

• The theme music now features a deeper rhythm behind the main theme.
• Bumblebee now appears in his new black "Stealth Bumblebee" deco
• Optimus Prime now appears in his new beefed up "Optimus Prime 2.0" form
• The Predacon makes a couple of appearances, breathing fire on the road at the beginning and then again on the battlefield at the end of the intro
• The Autobot's team pose at the beginning is now a battle-ready one, with weapons drawn.
• Shockwave now appears alongside Megatron and Starscream in the final battlefield sequence.
• The intro now ends with Optimus Prime delivering a "dragon punch" to the Predacon.
• In spite of all this, several ongoing characters are absent from the intro, including Knock Out, Smokescreen and Soundwave.

Check out the new intro below:

Site sponsors Captured Prey and our own Internet Personality Vangelus have joined forces to help further the fight against Juvenile Diabetes. They are having a charity raffle with the prize being the very pre-production model of the FansToys Quake Wave reviewed by Vangelus.

To enter, here is what you need to do:

1. Visit JDRF.ORG.
2. Click on the "Donate" button.
3. Select "General Donation", and donate at least $5.00.
4. Take a screenshot and send it, or forward your confirmation to:jdrfdonation@capturedprey.com by 11:59PM Eastern time on May 27th, 2013
   
   That's it! You'll receive a ticket number back in a few days, and we'll draw for the winner soon after the entry period closes.

Now, here's the technical stuff:

• You may enter as many times as you like, HOWEVER, to do so, your donations MUST be above the minimum amount. IE, you can't enter twenty times with twenty $5.00 donations. But you CAN enter twenty times with, say, twenty $10.00 donations. Multiple $5.00 donations are awesome, but they will be combined in pairs if submitted.
• Entries close at midnight on the morning of May 28th. Any entries received after this time will not be eligible.
• Captured Prey will provide shipping, at our discretion, to the winner. The shipping method and speed will vary depending on where you are located.
• Your prize is a production sample. It is identical to the retail figure, but does not include packaging. We will include the solid-color hand and gun arm parts, and the winner will receive the alternate forearm parts when those are released, too.

Just recently, the Transformers: Legends game by Mobage just wrapped up a game event, "Unleash the Beasts". Hopefully, gamers are ready for more, as an new event titled "Cold Delivery" is now live! The event features Cosmos, Jetfire, Sky Lynx, and Omega Supreme as the bosses. For this event the special Spacebridge characters are two of the most feared Decepticons to be spawned by Unicron, Scourge and Cyclonus! TFW2005.COM member puma was not only kind enough to let everyone know about the event, but also took a screen shot of the start page.

If you have an iPhone or an Android, this is a free downloadable app that you can download by clicking here (data transfer charges apply, of course). This game is a multi-player card-based battle game that features much of the Classics-Generations characters, featuring new character artwork on each of the battle cards. This game allows the player to go through stages as well as teaming up with allies to beat bosses during events like the one reported here!

TFW2005.COM features an ongoing discussion for the game itself going on here, as well as a the Transformers: Legends Mobage Social Group. If you're jumping in on the fun of this game, then jump into the discussions here as well!

Takara-Tomy has added a promo to their Youtube channel for their iteration of the Bot Shots line, BeCool. The video features some cute stop-motion of the toys and an irritatingly catchy song to go with it all. Check it out below:

The guys of Charticon announce another update on their upcoming, inaugural convention with yet another guest - Ken Christiansen, an illustrator who has been working on Transformers in a variety of capacities over the last few years. The Charticon organizers had this to share with us:

We are very happy to announce another guest! Ken Christiansen will be joining us for the show as well!

Ken Christiansen has been working as an illustrator and concept designer for over fifteen years. Starting as a video game concept artist, at Nintendo of America (Ridge Racer 64, Pokemon Puzzle League), then moving to Los Angeles to work in games for the Walt Disney Company (Kingdom Hearts, Finding Nemo). In 2004, Ken started his own company, Bad Flip Productions, working for video game clients like Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, and Activision. After working with Activision on Transformers the Game, and the Revenge of the Fallen game, he began working freelance in media development for Hasbro Inc. (Transformers), doing concept art for their film, tv, book, games, and toy initiatives. That expanded into media development beyond the Transformers brand, including Star Wars, Spider-Man, and more.

Ken’s current work includes the cover runs on the Transformers Prime series (IDW), Star Wars Fighter Pods, and Ultimate Spider-Man Spider Pods. Along with other random bits and pieces, hanging off pegs in the toy aisles, book shelves, and video game departments…

Bad Flip Productions' Facebook Page

Bad Flip Productions' Blog

You can find out more information about attending Charticon by going to their website as well as their Facebook page. Join in on the discussion about this convention here on our forum as well!

We have been getting reports that the next assortment of Beast hunters Cyberverse Commanders have been released in the US. Reports of sightings have come to us of Cyberverse Commander Shockwaves in both Washington State and also in California. Shockwave is not the only new toy in the assortment, as the remolded Commander Starscream is also in this assortment - so both should now be at retail if you are searching for these new releases.

The sightings were made at the South Center Target in Kent, Washington and also at the Fox Hills mall Target in Culver City, California - so if you're on the West Coast, check your Targets - they seem to be getting these in first. Happy hunting everyone!

Artist Ken Christiansen has posted up a new piece of preliminary design work that he did for Hasbro during the development of Transformers Prime and the Aligned Continuity. The latest post on The Bad Flip blog shows off an unused tank alternate mode for Megatron - a sleek combination of realistic and futuristic design sensibilities which pays homage to tank form Megatrons from across the Transformers series.

Do you prefer this to the alien spacecraft that Hasbro ran with in the final version, or do you feel that a sleek tank form would have lent some nice variation to the Decepticons of the Aligned Continuity? Hit the discuss button below to share your views.