Other News

Hasbro has updated Transformers.com with the second round of voting for their Thrilling 30 Fan Built Bot Poll. In round one, fans could vote on the appearance of the fan's choice character - their colorscheme, weapons, alternate mode and so on. Now with round two there are four more choices, focusing mainly on backstory - gender, Cybertronian city of origin, special abilities and most importantly, the name! Yes, by casting your vote in this poll, you can have a part in naming a new Transformer!

Click here to visit Transformers.com and cast your vote! You may vote daily, so visit often to vote for your pick of what you would like to see Hasbro make!

An article on Nick and More pulls together a few points from recent Hasbro press releases, wherein they have taken to referring to "The Hub" as "Hub Network". While not official yet, the article points out that the web address HubNetwork.com is registered to The Hub's SVP of Business and Legal Affairs. They have also posted an updated logo, retaining the distinctive shape and coloration of the network's logo, but bearing the new title.

As yet though there is no word on when the change from "The Hub" to "Hub Network" will officially take place, but speculation is that June 1, with that month's new premieres, is a possible point the changeover may happen.

Most won't get it, but to those that do...


Thanks!

Gizmodo have updated their site with another behind the scenes video, this time tackling a subject with which many fans will be familiar - the complexity of the designs of our beloved Robots in Disguise. They talk through the evolution of Transformers designs and the impact that the Movie series has had on designs, both with the push toward more complex designs and then the subsequent push in the other direction toward less complicated and more intuitive designs. Check out the article on Gizmodo here.

Gizmodo has updated with their second "Inside Hasbro" article, looking now at the process of creating a Transformer, from the prototyping stage all the way through painted samples and the final fine tuning before sending it off for mass production. It's a great and insightful article complete with video which shows off at around the 1:22 mark Metroplex, the new supergiant Titan Class release coming to the Generations line.

Check out the video and the article on Gizmodo for a look at how the magic happens!

Hasbro have made a major new addition to their website. Kicking off the 30th anniversary of Transformers - the "Thrilling 30" - Hasbro has for the first time added a "fan's choice" poll. The Fan Built Bot Poll, as it is called, polls fans on five different topics - faction, alternate mode, signature weapon, color scheme and personality - with a view to bringing the character to life with a toy and inclusion in the IDW Transformers comics. Moreover, in another first for Hasbro, we will be able to follow the design progress of the Fan Built Bot as throughout the process sketches, images and more will be posted on Transformers.com.

Click here to check out the poll and cast your vote - you may vote daily, so be sure to vote often!

AcidFree Gallery has posted up their next Transformers print on Facebook. Coming next week is the "Decepticon Air Show" prominently featuring Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp by Tom Whalen. More details will be posted soon - for now, check out the image of the print at left.

Site sponsor Bigbadtoystore.com has added new Transformers related Polo shirts and T-shirts from clothing designers Mad Engine and The Loyal Subjects for preorder. There are some fantastic looking designs up for grabs that anyone looking to proudly represent their love for the Transformers brand should surely pick up. In fact, as I write this, I'm wearing a Loyal Subjects Grimlock shirt. Highly recommended my friends!

Up for preorder now are:

• Transformers Autobot Polo Shirt
• Transformers Decepticon Polo Shirt
• Optifine T-Shirt
• Cyberwall T-Shirt
• Autobot Paint T-Shirt
• Bumblebee ZRAK T-Shirt
• Decepticon Paint T-Shirt
• Grimlock ROAR T-Shirt
• Grimlock Sword Shirt
• Megatron Paint T-Shirt
• Optimus BOOM! T-Shirt
• Optimus Paint T-Shirt
• Slag Paint T-Shirt
• Soundwave Paint T-Shirt

Please note, the above links are to one size only. If you'd like to view the pages that show preorders for all of the sizes, check out Loyal Subjects and Mad Engine on BBTS.

If you missed JoeCon 2013, no worries. Our sister site Hisstank.com was there and they covered the event front to back. Below you will find links to all of their coverage. Be sure to check it out.

• Early JoeCon 2013 Photos, Lady Jaye Vendor Exclusive - GI Joe News
• JoeCon 2013 Con Set Cobra Demolitions Team And More - GI Joe News
• JoeCon 2013 Con Set G.I. Joe Night Force Team And Lady Jaye - GI Joe News
• More JoeCon 2013 Set Images - GI Joe News
• JoeCon 2013 Souvenir Figures Sets - GI Joe News
• JoeCon 2013 Night Boomer Glow In The Dark Box - GI Joe News
• JoeCon 2013 Kre-O Night Force 6 Pack - GI Joe News
• JoeCon 2013 KRE-O Night Force Hit & Run Paradrop Figure - GI Joe News
• JoeCon 2013 Parachute Drop Kre-O Hit & Run Detailed Images - GI Joe News
• More Shots of the JoeCon 2013 Souvenir Figures - GI Joe News
• JoeCon 2013 Customs and Dealer Room Images. - GI Joe News
• Retaliation Eaglehawk vs Tomahawk - Side By Side Shots - GI Joe News
• Joecon 2013 Hasbro Booth - GI Joe News
• JoeCon 2013 Kre-O Hasbro Display - GI Joe News
• JoeCon 2013 Hasbro Panel Update - GI Joe News
• G.I. Joe Collectors Club Roundtable - GI Joe News
• G.I. Joe Collectors Club Roundtable FSS 2.0 Images - GI Joe News
• G.I. Joe Concept Vault 2.0 JoeCon 2013 Hasbro Case - GI Joe News
• G.I. Joe Concept Vault 2.0 Up-Close Images - GI Joe News
• Kirk Bozigian Battleplan G.I. Joe: Special Weapons And Tactics Panel - GI Joe News

Collector's roundtable network Collector's Hangout has done a special episode focusing on Transformers. The episode features as special guests Transformers @ The Moon, the Mapes Twins, and one of the main focuses of the episode is all about Lucky Draw Transformers. It is worth checking out for the rare insight into the world of these super-rare Transformers items - check out the re-run of the video embedded below:

Art Print webshop AcidFree Gallery has updated their Facebook page with a new upcoming series of prints based on the Transformers franchise. Titled "Autobot Invitational", this new Acid-Free print features Jazz, Wheeljack and Mirage in a print not unlike a classic movie poster. This print will be available in two different color schemes, one with a more greenish tint, and a variant with a blue tint. There is no word on pricing at this time.

Now for a UK sighting of a different variety. Rolling into Pubs across the UK in time for Saint Patrick's day is Transformers themed beer - yes, we've hit that point in tie-in products! Named "Hoptimus Prime" it is "brewed using only British hops and barley malts this beer exhibits a rich array of malt and traditional fruity hop flavours, complemented by a crisp dry finish. The unique flavour of Hoptimus Prime transforms as each individual ingredient combines to satisfy all of your hoppy needs."

It's a seasonal ale from the Robinson's Brewery on sale only through March and April. Check out more information on their website here, if you are a fan who enjoys a little drink down the local now and then. And remember, if you're drinking, let someone else roll out!

In a move showing how much of a worldwide brand our little Robots in Disguise have become, Hasbro has granted a license to Vandor to make new Transformers related licensed products, including large shopper totes, collapsible water bottles, ceramic mugs, acrylic cups with straws and tin totes. The Transformers aren't the only brand to get this treatment - Hasbro's My Little Pony is also getting a similar deal.

Check out the full text of the press release by clicking here.

Site sponsor Bigbadtoystore.com has added a new preorder for the previously announced 3" vinyl figures from the loyal subjects. The image attached for the preorder shows the eight G1 Transformers characters in full color. The figures are estimated to arrive in May and will run you $89.99 for the set of eight or $159.99 for a case of sixteen. You can preorder the individual figures as well for $14.99 each.

The case includes; Megatron, Optimus, Jazz, Grimlock, Bumblebee, Soundwave, Skywarp and Starscream. Click the title bar or the links above for the color image.

Hey Transformers fans!

Did you know that our 2005 Network sister site, TokuNation.com, is turning a year old in a week? To celebrate, TokuNation.com is giving away HUNDREDS of dollars in Tokusatsu related merchandise to fans of the site! For free!

All you need to do is head over to our sister site TokuNation.com, then register on the forum, and then post your favorite Tokusatsu moment or memory of all time in this thread here! But hurry, you have until the end of tomorrow, December 31st, to win!

It's so easy to win! So what are the prizes at stake? Three lucky people are each going to win one of the following prize sets:

Super Sentai Grand Prize Set

• S.H. Figuarts Black Condor
• SDCC Super Samurai Set
• Minipla Go-Buster Oh Full Set
• Candy Toy Ranger Keys Denjiblue, Timefire, Magishine
• DX Ranger Key Set 01

Kamen Rider Grand Prize Set

• S.H. Figuart Ichigo
• Decade Final Form Rider Kuuga
• Legend Rider Switch Set 04
• Banpresto Die-Cast mini rider figures (5)
• W Fuuto-Kun Cofee Mug

Other Toku Grand Prize Set

• Ultra-Act Gridman
• IDW Godzilla TPB Vol. 1
• IDW Kingdom Of Monster TPB Vol. 1
• Fusion Series Bandai Vinyl Godzilla
• Fusion Series Bandai Vinyl Mothra
• Funko Vinyl Invaders Batman Robot

Hundreds of dollars in prizes, all absolutely free, to celebrate the holidays and TokuNation.com's first birthday! Again, here's how to enter to win:

1) Go to TokuNation.com
2) Simply register on the forums
3) Post your favorite Tokusatsu memory or moment in this thread
4) Wait to see if you win!

What are you waiting for? Go to TokuNation.com today and enter to win!

An early Happy Birthday to TokuNation.com, and from everyone at TokuNation.com, Happy Holidays!