Human Alliance Sideswipe Video Review

From Peaugh, here is the video review of Human Alliance Sideswipe with Sergeant Epps. Also links to both his updates, one to show off the "battle mask" feature and the other the spinning blades feature. Overall, the figure is essentially a larger version of the Deluxe class toy with many similar features and transformation but with a lot more kibble in back to deal with. If you liked the Deluxe version, you will probably like this one. If you had not yet bought Deluxe Sideswipe wait and get this one instead.


Review Update #1 Update #2

Custom Transformers : Rumble Frenzy And Knight Morpher

Not a whole lot on the Transformers front so here are some links and images of cool Transformer customizations. In some cases they are toys created from scratch and in others they take an existing toy and just tweak it, often adding spectacularly paint jobs to the toy creating a new and fantastic look.

Probably one of the more prolific customizers is FrenzyRumble whose paint jobs can almost look as good as their CGI counterpart as you can see with Megatron and Optimus Prime (click links for gallery). His work isn't limited to just those two. His website includes many more customizations such as Shockwave (base toy familiar but blanking on line), Galvatron, the Protectobots, and many more. I would post a few more pics and links but his flash only website doesn't make linkage impossible so instead click here to check out his work. A Peaugh video review of his work for Powerglide is below.



An example of from scratch work is MMC-01 Knight Morpher Commander that is based on IDW's Hearts of Steel miniseries from 2006 that re-imagined the Transformers as coming to Earth during the Industrial Revolution. Optimus Prime's alt mode was a locomotive and as you can the result is a pretty sweet looking design. Now that custom design is getting produced on a scale so that a Transfan can own for around $80 US. The picture to the left is a prototype picture but the final version is expected to be assembled and fully painted Transformable figure that is estimated to be released in October. To view the full gallery, click here.


Part 1 Part 2

G.I. Joe Concept Trailer

From the minds of Jester and Jolin who brought us some great fan made Transformers concept designs, below is a concept trailer they put together as if doing a GI Joe movie. I figure many will find it interesting considering that the G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra is coming out next Friday.

From the Don Murphy forums:

Hey guys, this is a concept trailer I put together for a project me and Jolin were working on a couple years ago. I won't get into the specifics for obvious reasons. It was a tight deadline and we pretty much had three days to put this together from scratch. Enough time has passed for us to be able to share this. So here's a brief glimpse at what direction the GIJOE film could have taken but sadly did not. I guess it's sort of a concept trailer / animated storyboard / character roll call.

Cheers!

- Jarek

SDCC Hasbro's 2010 Transformers Panel Video

Last Friday was Hasbro's Transformers Panel at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con. The details have been previousily posted but now below are links to video of the preview of their 2010 plans for the states for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Animated and various exclusives. In addition, click here for links to video to an additional 18 panels from the convention.

Hasbro's Transformers 2010 Sneak Peak

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

SDCC : Fantastic Bumblebee Costume

One of the fun aspects of the comic book conventions is the costumes and the San Diego Comic Con 2009 is no exception. As you can see below, Jalopnik found one of the best with a detailed movie version Bumblebee costume that is quite awesome. Below are a few pictures with the full gallery here.

The "Father" Of G1 Transformers Interview

The Rusting Carcass has posted a long interview with Bob Budiansky, an editor and writer for Marvel Comics back in the 80s. His name probably doesn't mean much too many but he is essentially the "father" of the Generation One Transformers that we know and love and helped create the foundation for all that has followed these 25 years. With a few exceptions, fan favorites such as Megatron, the Dinobots, Sideswipe, Shockwave and more all were named and defined under his pen as he created the initial Tech Specs on the boxes and devised their back-story and personalities that were used in the cartoon series and US Transformers comics from then on (but not always exactly followed of course).

Click here to read the full interview as he attempts to recount how he became involved with Transformers, how some of the names were created (Megaton + Tron = Megatron), and more. (via TFormers)

Transformers 2 Enter Top 10 Domestic Box Office (Updated)

Update: Actuals are in for Transformers 2. Nothing really budged much. Domestic weekend gross was $8.1M ($379.2M total), international $6.3M ($412.3M total) bringing worldwide gross to date total to $791.5. Chart below updated accordingly. HP6's worldwide total is $625.3M, at this rate it will surpass TF2's total by end of this weekend.

The weekend estimates are in and while Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen continues its inevitable drop down the box office top 10, it did manage to meet a new milestone by surpassing The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Kings and Spider-Man 2 to enter the top 10 in the All Time Domestic Box Office with a US estimated total of $379.1 million. Next on that list is Star Wars Episode III ($380.3M) which it will likely pass either when the actuals come in or Monday. After that is Spider-Man ($403.7M). Sadly I doubt the movie will track higher then 8th as 7th place belongs to Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest ($423.3M).

As for the weekend estimates, G-Force took first ($32.2M), Harry Potter 6 was second ($30.0M), The Ugly Truth was third ($27.0M), Orphan fourth ($12.8M), Ice Age 3 fifth ($8.2M) and Transformers 2 was sixth with $8 million. Harry Potter's huge 61.5% drop pretty much seals the deal that Transformers 2 will remain the top movie of the year in the United States but its international totals are simply outstanding at $405.3 million (which doesn't even include this weekend yet), which took only 12 days to reach versus TF2's 33 days. This brings HP6's worldwide total to $627.1 million so still on track for a billion dollar total. Revenge of the Fallen's worldwide total is $785.1 million and may cross the $800 million threshold by Tuesday.

Box Office Totals (in millions)

Date US Intl Worldwide

6/19-6/23 $0.0 $24.1 $24.1
6/24-6/28 $200.2 $166.2 $366.4
6/29-7/02 $50.9 $52.7 $103.6
7/03-7/05 $42.3 $55.0 $97.3
7/06-7/09 $21.6 $35.1 $56.7
7/10-7/12 $24.2 $31.4 $55.6
7/13-7/16 $10.9 $18.6 $29.5
7/17-7/19 $13.7 $13.5 $27.2
7/20-7/23 $7.3 $7.7 $15.0
7/24-7/26 $8.0* $1.8* $9.8
Totals $379.1 $406.0 $785.1
*estimate of sales

Sideshow Collectibles Optimus Prime Maquette Preview

At the San Diego Comic-Con Sideshow Collectibles showed of its upcoming projects and news that they acquired the license to create products from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. As part of that they are creating a highly detailed 20'' Optimus Prime maquette based off the CGI model created for the movie. A video showing some of their early work on the project can be found here. No release date or pricing released.

Sideshow popped up on my radar years ago with their fantastic Lord of the Rings products. They have since then expanded to a wide range of stuff that is amazing to look at but expensive to buy as they are geared to the high end collector. It wouldn't surprise me if this one lands in the $300 plus price range.

ROTF Legend Devastator Review

Below is a video review of EZ Collection aka Legends Devastator that is currently a Japan exclusive. Amazingly enough this isn't a Peaugh review. It shows off the seven Constructions individual vehicle and robot modes and the combined Devastator mode. Fantastic review that shows off what appears to be a fantastic addition to the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy line.

ROTF Blu-ray IMAX Mode, Best Buy Gift Set

Despite being months away, new hints are coming out about plans for the Blu-ray release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen according to Home Media Magazine. In addition, Best Buy has already posted a pre-order page for a ROTF Blu-ray Gift set that appears to include an Optimus Prime bust for $49.99.

“It will have a lot of additional things,” [ROTF producer Lorenzo] di Bonaventura said. “There are a lot of scenes we weren’t able to fully incorporate, and we’re going to make it as exciting as we can for the fans.” Some of that extra footage did find its way into theaters, in the IMAX cut.

Bay admits the process of putting together a big budget special effects movie leaves little time to consider the film’s home video afterlife. In fact, he says he didn’t even bother watching any of the major robot battle sequences as they were being created. “I didn’t want to see it during the process because I wanted to be surprised in the theater,” Bay says.

We’re going to do a special IMAX skew where it’ll open up for those scenes,” Bay says. “You can see top to bottom.”

This is something the Blu-ray Edition of the Dark Knight did. I am guessing that during IMAX scenes the screen will essentially switch (but smoothly) from a widescreen like aspect ratio to a full screen view like was done in the IMAX theatres.

ROTF Buster Optimus Prime Gallery

TakaraTomy has released official images of the alternate version of Revenge of the Fallen Leader class Optimus Prime that is currently being released in Japan only. The images, from TFW2005, show a modified paint job with outlines on the flames, metallic silver instead of gray, chromed bumper and new gun. Personally I would be really surprised if this isn't released as an exclusive to Target or Wal-Mart by the end of the year. Overall this is a pretty sweet looking figure.

More From San Diego Comic-Con

The second full day of the San Diego Comic-con has ended and bit more Transformers related information here and there.

IDW Publishing PanelDiscussion of upcoming plans for the GI Joe and Transformers comic books. I hope that includes ending the excessive story decompression writing style.

- GI Joe and Transformers available digitally and on iTunes (appears to be 99 cent iPhone app for each issue)
- Rise of Cobra: Snake Eyes written by actor Ray Park who plays him in the movie (also was Darth Maul and Toad in X-Men).
- Revenge of the Fallen stories will continue with Tales of the Fallen miniseries with issue 3 and 4 involving a fight between Jetfire and The Fallen (I am guessing both survive the confrontation).
- All Hail Megatron continues with issue 15 (focused on Perceptor and Kup) and issue 16 (Bumblebee and Spike). Why they just don't call them Spotlight issues or better yet just start a "Tales of the Autobots" and "Tales of the Decepticons" series to make it simple for readers (and trade collecting) is beyond me.
- The Transformers: first ongoing series (before was really a series of mini-series) in a while written by Mike Costa and art by Don Figueroa. Starts in November.
- Transformers: Bumblebee: four issue mini-series focused on the character "between a rock and a hard place with his own friends." Starts in December.
- Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers: Another mini-series that takes place in space and "foreshadows upcoming events in the ongoing series". Written by Nick Roche. Starts in January.
- No GI Joe/Transformers crossover planned.
- Transformers: The 13, announced last year, has been shelved but might return as a different version (probably result of the Primes shrinking down to about 7 total in the movie).

Transformers: Nefarious
Six issue miniseries written by Simon Furman, art by Carlos Magno. Takes place in movie universe and focuses on "a new organization with ‘nefarious’ designs on the robots in disguise. Their technology gives them a tactical advantage not yet seen in the films.” Will be released in early 2010.

Marvel Crossovers
Click link for images of new toys for the line, sadly most are repaints. Hulk (bulldozer), Punisher (Hummer, Cap America repaint), Human Torch (repaint of previous figure), X-Force Wolverine (repaint of original figure).

Star Wars Crossovers
Click the link for images of new toys for the line, mostly repaints. Includes Battle Droid Commander (Armored Assault Tank), Clone Pilot (V-Wing Starfighter), Anakin Skywalker (The Twilight), Wit Fisto (Jedi Starfighter), Plo Koon (Jedi Starfighter), and the Y-Wing Pilot (Y-Wing). This line has had so many repaints it’s hard to even remember what the originals were.

Last, just because I like it, the test footage shown at SDCC from Tron Legacy that keeps the Tron look but makes it more realistic looking.

Humorous Take On Twins "Controversy"

On Adam Carolla's podcast show for Tuesday, he discussed the recent controversy regarding the Twins and their "racist" behavior. Not really interested in re-hashing that regardless of what size you fall on but did find Adam and Kevin's Hench take amusing.

To hear that segment of the podcast, click here. Then click "Listen Now", in the list choose "Adam and Kevin Hench". Once the podcast starts, use the scrollbar below the football field to go to the 27:43 mark. It goes for about three minutes.

Making Of Transformers 2

From Tech Radar, another article that gets into the technical challenges of creating the visual effects in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen by Industrial Light & Magic and Digitial Domain. Few snippets below, the full article is here.

With animators often facing complicated 500-frame shots with three robots, Benza cast his staff according to their skill sets. "Some animators were interested in animating particular scenes, so I'd shift things around to give them a chance to do those shots," he says. "Specialists in animal behaviour would get the Ravage shots because he was a cat-based Decepticon. Others were specialists in dialogue and acting performances."

To create these performances, team members were aided by a rigging system developed by ILM for the previous movie, through which they could choose what parts of the model to connect. "An animator can animate any individual part or any groups of parts," Benza says. In addition, a new system provided the animators with a little procedural help on the more complex shots.

To make matters more complex, Devastator is so big and has so many parts that the animation crew couldn't treat him as a single asset. "When we tried to load the entire model in high res, it would grind the machines to a halt," Benza says. "We had two machines fail trying to work with him. One literally smoked. We don't know for sure if it was a direct result of working with this character, but it certainly did get overloaded – and fried."

"We designed the first version of the fight not knowing how it would be used in the movie, with Bumblebee and the cop car robot from the first movie, Barricade," says Benza. "Michael Bay liked how tight the edit was and the brutality when Bumblebee tears the limbs off, so he found a place for the fight in the movie and substituted a different robot [Rampage]."

San Diego Comic Con 2009 Transformers Info

The first full day of the San Diego Comic Con has ended and as expected it brought news of Hasbro's Transformer plans but sadly nothing about Transformers 3. Probably the "biggest" news for movie fans is the third Arcee vehicle officially has a name Flare-up which will be released eventually but the three do not combine. Below is a link to galleries and info from the day.

Encore #16 and #17 Gallery
This refers to Japan exclusive re-release of Generation One toys which for collectors is conveniently numbered (something Hasbro needs to do). Encore #16 is release of Bruticus, a combiner comprised of five Decepticons. Encore #17 is Cassettes Big Mission Volume 2 which is second volume of three that re-releases all of Soundwave's and Blaster's cassette figures. Notice another aspect of Japan Transformers releases that Hasbro should copy - fantastic packaging that can be re-used for easy displaying.

SDCC Preview Night and More
Two large galleries that shows off Hasbro's booth. Includes Bumblebee vehicle from the movie, Masterpiece Skywarp (future Wal-Mart exclusive), most of the Revenge of the Fallen toy line, and more.

Hasbro's Transformers Panel
During its panel on Thursday, Hasbro revealed some of its plans with Transformers through to 2010 involving Transformers Animated, new Revenge of the Fallen toys and exclusives. 142 picture gallery for below toys here.

Revenge of the Fallen
- Legends class: Arcee, Jolt, Soundwave, Wheelie
- Scout class: Skystalker (Drone Jet), Scattershot (Rocket Launcher?)
- Deluxe class: Ratchet (new toy for same character), Lockdown (based on Animated toy, redesigned for ROTF look), Dirge (Breakaway repaint with new head), Brawn (a NEST vehicle)
-Voyager class: Ironhide (more weapons, altered paintjob), Bludgeon (tank, look based on the G1 comic character), Mindwipe (jet, Skystalker may be able to attach to him)
- Human Alliance: Barricade with Frenzy, Mudflap with Chromia and Simmons

Exclusives
- Titanium: Thrust, Hot Zone. Target exclusives.
- Commemorative: Reissue of the G1 Insecticons Shrapnel, Bombshell and Kickback. Also reissue of G1 Perceptor whose alt mode is a microscope. Both Toys R Us exclusives.
- Masterpiece Skywarp: First released in Japan, now coming to the states, repaint of MP Starscream. Wal-Mart exclusive.
- Gathering of the Nemesis: Revealed before but noted that Megatron is based on the first movie mold, not ROTF and has silver highlights for his previous frozen condition.
- Fiery The Fallen: Target exclusive

Transformers Animated
Apparently the line isn't dead yet as they have several toys planned, some actually new and not just repaints.- Deluxe class: Soundwave with Ratbat (repaint with new guitar bud), Arcee with swords, Rodimus Minor, Cybertronian Ratchet (how looked on the planet minus beer belly), Cybertronian Ironhide, Fugitive Waspinator (BB repaint)- Voyager class: Grimlock (repaint), Bumblebee (believe new since usually a Deluxe toy), Blackout (based on movie version), Wingblade Prime (Deluxe prime with part for jet pack), Thundercracker (Starscream repaint)

Q&A Session
- Flare-up name of third Arcee vehicle, toy to come later
- No Animated Omega Supreme release
- Considering releasing Devastator with G1 colors but no firm plans
- No Masterpiece Grimlock (yet) to release the toy stateside.
- No Overload in Supreme Devastator because would increase price of toy, difficulty in adding to design (he is the "spine" of the character) and because wasn't visible when combined in the movie.
- Forth Leader class toy confirmed to be Starscream (crappy pic here)
- Classic and Universe line will continue at a later date
- No definite plans for EZ Devastator in the states
- Early stages for a new animated series, no specifics provided

New Masterpiece Grimlock, Mini MP Optimus

For those wondering, the "Masterpiece" line is a Japan exclusive from Takara that re-creates classic Generation One characters at a larger size and a great deal more detail with often very complex transformations. The two released stateside were Optimus Prime and Starscream as Wal-Mart exclusives.

Earlier this year MP-08 Grimlock was released (Peaugh's video review below) and came with apron, necktie, tray, glasses and transfer device (based on the cartoon moments). Now TakaraTomy has announced they are re-releasing the toy and replacing the accessories and calling it MP-08x King Grimlock as he will come with a crown and new packaging. Takara uses a numbering scheme for all their various Transformers lines, something Hasbro should copy as it encourages a collector's mentality which is only good for business and makes it easier for fans to track what they have or need. As the picture shows, the result is pretty cool looking. For those that already purchased the toy, an unofficial "Upgrade Kit" is in the works. King Grimlock is apparently a Toy Hobby exclusive so the cost will be $150(USD) or more.



Related to Masterpiece line is a "mini" Masterpiece Optimus Prime that isn't painted but looks identical to the large version only scaled to about Deluxe size (the other toy is Classic line Ultra Magnus), so nearly 2/3 as small as the original toy. What I am not clear on is if this is a prototype for a future toy or a fan project. Click here to view the entire gallery on ACToys.net. (via TFW2005)

Special Edition Camaro Official Annoucement

A few months ago it was revealed that Chevrolet was going to release a special edition Camaro style like Bumblebee from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Chevy has now made that official with a press release that describes some of the Transformer specific flourishes they have added to the car. Sadly the one most probably want, large Autobot symbol in middle of the steering column, does not seem to be one of them. For more pictures of the special edition Camaro click here.

Chevrolet announces the 2010 Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition

DETROIT - Fans of the new Camaro and the blockbuster TRANSFORMERS movies can now combine their love of the car and the films with the Chevrolet Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition announced today at Comic-Con in San Diego.

"When the first TRANSFORMERS movie was setting box office records, we had countless customers asking to purchase the 'BUMBLEBEE' Camaro," said Karen Rafferty, product marketing director, Chevrolet. "Now, they can buy one with the new Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition. Streets all over North America will be buzzing in no time."

Features such as an EPA-rated 29 highway mpg on the V6-powered Camaro, Bluetooth phone connectivity, USB connectivity, XM Satellite Radio and OnStar combined with TRANSFORMERS design cues add to the car's status as a 21st century sports car.

"Hasbro is thrilled to team up with Chevrolet and excited to see the Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition come to market for our fans to enjoy," said Samantha Lomow, Global Brand Leader for TRANSFORMERS at Hasbro. "The yellow Camaro with the black stripes has become so iconic and closely associated with the BUMBLEBEE character that this edition was a natural fit for both companies." While the aggressive styling of the Camaro is unmistakable, true TRANSFORMERS fans will notice some of the unique, but subtle features of the Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition.The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro TRANSFORMERS Special Edition
includes the following:

* AUTOBOT® shield on the driver and passenger side panels
* AUTOBOT® shield on each of the four wheel's center cap
* AUTOBOT® shield embroidered on interior center console
* "TRANSFORMERS" logo on driver and passenger doors' sill plates
* "TRANSFORMERS" logo embedded into the hood rally stripes
* High-gloss black center rally stripe package
* Manufacturer's suggested retail price of package: $995

Dealers are now taking orders for this car. Customers can order the TRANSFORMERS Special Edition as either a Rally Yellow LT or SS model. The optional RS appearance package can also be added.

The V6-powered Camaro uses a 3.6L engine with variable valve timing to optimize performance and fuel economy. It is SAE-certified at 304 horsepower (227 kW) and 273 lb.-ft. of torque (370 Nm). A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the 3.6L engine; a Hydra-Matic 6L50 electronically controlled six-speed automatic, with TAPshift control, is available.

The high-performance Camaro SS is equipped with a powerful 6.2L V-8, with a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Manual transmission-equipped models receive the LS3 engine, SAE-certified at 426 horsepower (318 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. of torque (569 Nm). It is paired with a TR6060 six-speed transmission.

A new, L99 V-8 engine is used on automatic transmission-equipped SS models. It is based on the LS3, but also includes GM's fuel-saving Active Fuel Management feature. It is SAE-certified at 400 horsepower (298 kW) and 410 lb.-ft. of torque (556 Nm). It is matched with a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed transmission that helps delivers an EPA-estimated 25 mpg on the highway.

di Bonaventura Talks Transformers 3

In an interview with Transformers producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura (who is promoting G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra) he discussed some of the possibilities for Transformers 3 with Rotten Tomatoes including Paramount possibly moving forward without Michael Bay, criticism for the movie and Unicron.

So based on the box office returns, are you guys already talking about Transformers 3?
Lorenzo di Bonaventura: We've started talking about it now. We're debating the right time for it.

Did the harsh critical reception for Transformers 2 surprise you?
LdB: The first one took a pretty big drubbing too -- that's what people forget. There's something about [director] Michael [Bay] that the critics just want to have at him. I think in a funny way it worked for the movie. I think people are fed up with critics. I think in a way it's making people contrarian. I think it was in this case, because a lot of people came up to us and said, "fuck the critics." I don't normally get that - you don't normally get people coming up to you and talking about the reviews - they normally just want to talk about the movie. But that was a point for a lot of those fans. It was fascinating - there's a major disconnect going on between the fans and the audience.

How do you feel about the criticism levelled against Skids and Mudflap being racist stereotypes?
LdB: Everybody has to put their own lens on these things. The intention was certainly not how some people perceived it... I'll put it that way. We didn't think of it that way, and we certainly didn't set out to offend anybody. I've been involved in a lot of movies that people have seen things in them that we didn't intend. I did a movie called Executive Decision a long time ago, and we were picketed by the Arab Americans and American Muslims saying we portrayed Islam incorrectly. And we were sort of like 'Well we don't see a lot of African-Americans or White people or Chinese people taking over airplanes in the sky', but we got into that conversation, and then you start to see their point. But they have a prism that they are looking at it through.

There's been talk of Michael Bay not returning for Transformers 3, so would you be prepared to make one of these movies without him?
LdB: As the producer I'd certainly love to see him back. I can't imagine Transformers without him. I guess the studio will see it sometime as such a big asset that they are forced to do it, but Michael has never intimated anything like that - the timing is the big question for him, not whether he is going to do it or not.

There was a poll on IGN asking the audience which Transformers they'd most like to see in part three, and the big winner was Unicron, so what are the chances of his making it into the next film?
LdB: Unicron worries me because it's so big that it dwarfs emotion. It's so hard, because when you're working to that scale, it sort of becomes outside any kind of human reality you have. It's obviously a great character, and one that we're definitely going to talk about, but for me personally - and I'm not the only vote here - that one scares me. Because of its size, it becomes sort of impersonal when it gets to that scale. I remember seeing the second Fantastic Four and Galactcus, and suddenly I was in another world and it took it away from the human characters. One of the tricky parts about Transformers is you've got these five-to-six foot things called humans, then you've got the 32-foot Transformers, then you come to Devastator and you've got 125-feet. You become increasingly small on a physical level, and I think that's true on a story level. I think if you go to Unicron, you're going to end up sacrificing your human characters. And for me that worries me because I like the human characters.

Is he not the kind of character IMAX was designed for?
LdB: Well Devastator covered it from foot to top so I don't know what the hell else you'd do to tell you the truth. Don't get me wrong - Unicron is an obvious and great character, I just worry about it from the experience of the movie.

Are there any Transformers you'd like to see that?
LdB: I love the Mini-Cons actually -- I think they're very cool. I love the lore -- every time we approach one of these movies, we go back and read everything we can about it -- that's how we came across the Fallen. I thought that was such an interesting idea -- that there's sort of a Judas within the mythology. For me, I like the surprise of that. Each time I sit down to give my vote, I like to re-read it and discover what I think. But I think the Mini-Cons are really cool.

Latest Haul, Devastator

After a few weeks some people spotted Supreme Class Devastator in US and UK retail, now he finally arrived in Malaysia. Most of the them in Malaysia have spotted him in TRU. As for the price, Devastator is selling around the price RM450 (appx 125 USD).
And of course,I waited him for some time and I finally get a chance to buy him from a sepciality toy shop along with The Fallen. He is very heavy and awesome-looking in the box. It is also wriiten down there "Combiner Class","Constructicon Devastator" and also a picture of the upcoming leader class jetfire combine with leader class Optimus Prime at the bottom of the box.

Josh Nizzi's ROTF Concept Art

Yesterday Ryan Church's Revenge of the Fallen concept art was found online and now Josh Nizzi's is up for our enjoyment on his website. Josh Nizzi has done covers for IDW's Transformers comics and first popped up on our radars with his concept art for Long Haul that got the attention of Michael Bay. He has posted many images he did as part of the prep work for Transformers 2 that includes designs for Megatron, Jetfire, Power Up Optimus Prime, head designs and much more. Below are a few of the images but it’s worth checking out the full gallery here.

Transformers 2 Concept Art

Concept artist for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Ryan Church has posted some of his art work for the movie on his website that is truly beautiful to look at. The images depict moments from the desert battle (Palm Dale Quarry), the aircraft carrier sinking, interior of the Harvester, images of the Nemesis and more. It shows how much the art can inform on the final work as some of the images match the movie almost exactly while others show what was planned versus what the final product became through the many months of production. Below are a few images with the full gallery here. (via io9.com)

"Burning" The Fallen Repaint Gallery

A "Burning" repaint of Voyager class The Fallen may be in the works for release later in the year. First introduced at Botcon last year, the toy is a homage to Generation One version of the character that was introduced in the Dreamwave comics five or so years ago and noted for always being on fire. It is assumed that the G1 is what planted the seeds for the movie version even though the two have little in common beyond their names. Exactly details on the release of the toy is unknown.