News Database
Recent Upgrades to this Fortress
12/16/09- Welcome back, and Happy
Hanukkah for those of you who celebrate! I probably won't quite be able
to update before Christmas either, so Merry Christmas as well! Hope you
and yours have a great holiday season!
- The Transformers
Animated Toy Review section has been updated with reviews for Jetfire
& Jetstorm, Blurr, Atomic Lugnut, the Activator Bandit Lockdown,
and the Target Exclusive Rescue Ratchet w/ Legends Prowl & Starscream!
12/1/09- I apologize for the late
update. I recently landed a new job, so needless to say the process of
acclimating to it has kept me distracted. I'm mostly "settled in" to my
new schedule now, though. Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! Here's
what's new this time:
- The Transformers:
Universe 2.0 Toy Review section gets updated with reviews for Inferno,
Brawn, Beachcomber, the deluxe version of Starscream, and the
Hasbrotoyshop.com exclusive "Special Edition" versions of Drag Strip
and Optimus Prime!
11/10/09- Welcome back! Here's what's
new:
- The Transformers:
Universe 2.0 Toy Review section has been updated with reviews for Cyclonus
w/ Nightstick, Cheetor, Vector Prime w/ Safeguard, the Legends version
of Animated Starscream, and the Hasbrotoyshop.com exclusive "Special
Edition" Overkill figure!
- The Transformers:
Energon Toy Review section gets a "Second Opinion" review by VBBN for
Snow
Cat!
- The Transformers:
Universe (1.0) Toy Review section also gets a "Second Opinion" VBBN
review-- and also for Snow Cat!
Upcoming Transformers Toy Releases
Transformers Animated toys are out
NOW! Beyond the mainline toys, there are "Activators"-- Scout-class spring-loaded
transforming figures-- and "Bumper Battlers", the Animated equivalent of
Cyber Slammers. Here are the ones that have been sighted recently:
Armor Up Optimus Prime ("Activator" futuristic truck, Autobot; Repaint
of original Activators Optimus Prime)
Battlefield Bumblebee ("Activator" futuristic sportscar, Autobot; Repaint
of original Activators Bumblebee)
Electrostatic Soundwave (Deluxe Scion xB-like vehicle, Decepticon; Repaint
of original Animated deluxe Soundwave; comes with Ratbat, a new keytar
Minion)
Freeway Jazz (Deluxe futuristic sportscar, Autobot; Repaint of original
Jazz)
And here are the ones due out in the future:
Arcee (Deluxe car, Autobot) [Spring 2010] {Toys "R" Us Exclusive}
Blackout (Voyager futuristic helicopter, Decepticon)
Cybertron Mode Ratchet (Deluxe futuristic vehicle, Autobot) [Spring 2010]
{Toys "R" Us Exclusive}
Fugitive Waspinator (Deluxe futuristic car, Decepticon; Repaint of deluxe
Animated Bumblebee)
Golfire Grimlock (Voyager robotic t-rex, Autobot; Repaint of original Voyager
Grimlock)
Hydrodive Bumblebee (Voyager futuristic sportscar w/ accessory pack, Autobot)
Ironhide (Deluxe futuristic vehicle, Autobot; Remold of Cybertron Mode
Ratchet)
Mudbuster Bulkhead (Voyager futuristic SWAT vehicle, Autobot; Repaint of
original Voyager Bulkhead)
Rodimus Minor (Deluxe futuristic sportscar, Autobot)
Thundercracker (Voyager futuristic jet, Decepticon; Repaint of Animated
Voyager Starscream)
Toxic Oil Slick (Deluxe futuristic motorcycle, Decepticon; Repaint of original
Animated Oil Slick)
Vortex Blurr (Deluxe futuristic racecar, Autobot; Repaint of original Animated
Blurr)
Wingblade Optimus Prime (Voyager futuristic truck, Autobot; Remold of "Battle
Begins" Deluxe Prime w/ armor attachments)
The new Transformers: Universe line
is OUT, featuring Legend, Deluxe, Voyager, and Ultra size classes, and
featuring brand-new homage molds along with some repainted figures from
old lines! Here are the toys that have been spotted recently:
Armada Series Minicon 10-pack (consists of Windrazor, Autobot pterodactyl,
repaint of Classics Swoop; Ransack, Autobot t-rex, repaint of Classics
Terrorsaur; Stockade, Autobot triceratops, repaint of Classics Knockdown;
Overcharge, Autobot taxi cab, repaint of Classics Strongarm; Sky Shadow,
Autobot A-10 warthog, repaint of Classics Steel Wind; Scavenger, Decepticon
wolf, repaint of Classics Overbite; Longview, Decepticon condor, repaint
of Classics Dreadwing; Snow Cat, Decepticon snow tiget, repaint of Classics
Snarl; Treadshot, Decepticon tank, repaint of Classics Broadside; and Crosshairs,
Decepticon helicopter, repaint of Classics Divebomb) [K-Mart/Secondary
Retailer Exclusive]
Hardhead (Ultra military vehicle, Autobot; Repaint of Universe Onslaught)
{Wal-Mart Exclusive}
Leo Prime (Voyager lion, Autobot; Repaint of Cybertron Leobreaker-- Lioconvoy-colored)
[Target Exclusive]
Masterpiece Skywarp (Jet, Decepticon; Repaint of Masterpiece Starscream)
{Wal-Mart Exclusive}
Powerglide (Ultra A-10 jet, Autobot; Repaint of original Universe Powerglide)
{Wal-Mart Exclusive}
Skyfall (Ultra jet, Decepticon; Repaint of Universe Silverbolt) {Wal-Mart
Exclusive}
Here are the known Transformers: Universe
toys due out in the future:
Masterpiece Grimlock (Robotic t-rex, Autobot) {Store Exclusive?} [2010]
The massive Transformers: Revenge of the
Fallen toyline is out NOW! New types of toys include "Battle Chargers"--
essentially new versions of the "Cyber Slammers" from the first movie line--
and "Gravity Bots", simpler toys which can transform just by picking them
up! Here are the (transformable) toys out now:
Autobot Gears (Deluxe SUV, Autobot; Repaint of original Movie Stockade)
Autobot Skids (Legends Concept Chevy Spark, Autobot)
Autobot Wheelie (Legends toy truck, Autobot)
Barricade (Saleen Mustang police car, Gravity Bot; Decepticon)
Blowpipe vs. Sideways ($27 U.S. deluxe 2-pack; truck, Autobot and Audi
R8, Decepticon; Blowpipe is a repaint of Movie Dropkick, Sideways is a
re-release of the ROTF deluxe mold) {Wal-Mart Exclusive}
Bluesteel Sideswipe (Legends Concept Centennial Corevette, Autobot; Repaint
of original Legends Sideswipe)
Cyber Armor Optimus Prime ("Battle Chargers" truck, Autobot; Redeco of
original Battle Chargers Optimus Prime)
Cyber Pursuit Arcee ("Fast Action Battler" motorcycle, Autobot)
Fury of Fearswoop (Deluxe jet, Decepticon; Repaint of Movie Dreadwing;
also comes with battle-damaged variants of ROTF Legends Sideswipe &
Mudflap; $25 U.S.) [Wal-Mart Exclusive]
"Gathering at the Nemesis" 3-pack (2 voyager futuristic spacecraft, Decepticons
& 1 deluxe futuristic satellite, Decepticon; Repaint of TF1 Voyager
Megatron, Re-release of ROTF Voyager The Fallen, and Repaint of ROTF deluxe
Soundwave; $50 U.S.) {Toys "R" Us Exclusive}
Grindor w/ Scorponok (Voyager helicopter, Decepticon; Repaint of original
Voyager Blackout w/ Scorponok)
Hoist vs. Mixmaster (Deluxe tow truck, Autobot, vs. Voyager cement mixer,
Decepticon; Repaints of TF Movie Longarm and ROTF Mixmaster, respectively;
$35 U.S.) [Toys "R" Us Exclusive]
"Human Alliance" Autobot Skids & Arcee w/ Mikaela (Concept Chevy Spark
& motorcycle, Autobots; both can be ridden by Mikaela figure) {$30
U.S.}
"Human Alliance" Sideswipe w/ Sergeant Epps (Concept Centennial Corvette,
Autobot; new mold; comes w/ miniature Epps figure to sit in passengers'
seat) {$30 U.S.}
Hyper Speed Sideswipe ("Battle Chargers" Concept Centennial Corvette, Autobot;
Redeco of original Battle Chargers Sideswipe)
Long Haul (Voyager dump truck, Decepticon)
Nightbeat (Scout sportscar, Autobot; Repaint of ROTF scout Dead End/Detour)
Night Blades Sideswipe ("Fast Action Battler" Concept Centennial Corvette,
Autobot; Repaint of original FAB Sideswipe)
Power Armor Optimus Prime (Legends truck, Autobot; Repaint of original
ROTF Legends Optimus Prime)
Power Armor Optimus Prime ("Fast Action Battler" truck, Autobot; Repaint
original ROTF FAB Optimus Prime)
Recon Bumblebee (Legends Concept Camaro, Autobot; Repaint of original ROTF
Legends Bumblebee)
Sideways (Legends Audi R8, Decepticon)
Soundwave (Legends futuristic satellite, Decepticon)
Stealth Bumblebee ("Battle Charger" Concept Camaro, Autobot; Repaint of
original Battle Charger Bumblebee)
Straightaway Shootout (Legends class 5-pack; consists of Ironhide, Autobot
GMC Topkick, Repaint of TF1 Legends Ironhide; Mudflap, Chevy Trax concept,
Re-release of ROTF Legends Mudflap; Runamuck, Decepticon Pontiac Solstice,
Repaint of TF1 Legends Jazz; Sparkcrusher, Decepticon tank, Repaint of
Universe 2.0 Warpath; and Swerve, Autobot Centennial Corvette, Autobot,
Repaint of ROTF Legends Sideswipe) [Target Exclusive]
Tankor (Legends tank, Decepticon; Repaint of original Movie Legends Decepticon
Brawl)
The Fallen, "Flame" variant (Voyager futuristic spacecraft, Decepticon;
Repaint of original The Fallen) [Target Exclusive]
Thrust (Deluxe jet, Decepticon; Remold of ROTF Breakaway)
War for the Skies (Legends 4-pack; contains Thundercracker, Decepticon
F-22 Raptor, Repaint of TF1 Legends Starscream; Jetfire, Autobot SR-71
Blackbird, Repaint of original ROTF Legends Jetfire; Autobot Blades, Osprey
helicopter, Repaint of ROTF Legends Springer; and Spinister, Pavelow Sikorsky
helicopter, Repaint of TF1 Legends Blackout) [K-Mart Exclusive]
And here are the ones due out soon:
Alliance Bumblebee (Deluxe Concept Camaro, Autobot; Repaint of ROTF Preview
Bumblebee) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Arcee (Legends motorcycle, Autobot) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Armorhide (Deluxe military dune buggy, Autobot; Repaint of TF1 Landmine)
[Late 2009/Early 2010]
Autobot Ratchet (Deluxe emergency hummer, Autobot) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Battle Steel Optimus Prime (Truck Gravity Bot, Autobot; Repaint of original
Gravity Bot Optimus Prime) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Beachcomber vs. Deadlift (Scout military buggy, Autobot, versus scout forklift,
Decepticon; Repaints of ROTF Dune Runner and Dirt Boss, respectively) {Target
Exclusive}
Brakedown (Scout sportscar, Decepticon) [Late 2009/Early 2010]
Brawn (Deluxe NEST vehicle, Autobot) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Bumblebee vs. Shadow Striker (Legends Concept Camaro, Autobot, vs. Legends
futuristic sportscar, Decepticon; Repaints of original ROTF Legends Bumblebee
and Universe 2.0 Wheelie, respectively) {Target Exclusive}
Constructicon Devastator (Combination giftset of 7 Legends vehicles-- Scavenger,
an excavator; Mixmaster, a cement truck; Scrapper, an earth mover; Hightower,
a crane; Long Haul, a dump truck; Rampage, a bulldozer; and Overload, an
articulated dump truck; all can form own robot modes in addition to combining)
{Store Exclusive?}
Decepticon Bludgeon (Voyager tank, Decepticon) [Late 2009/Early 2010]
Defender Optimus Prime (Voyager truck, Autobot; Repaint of original TF
Movie Voyager Optimus Prime) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Dirge (Deluxe jet, Decepticon) [Late 2009/Early 2010]
Divebomb (Scout biplane, Decepticon; Repaint of ROTF Ransack) [Feb/Mar
2010]
Evac (Deluxe helicopter, Autobot; Repaint of ROTF Blaze Master)
"Human Alliance" Barricade w/ Frenzy (Police car, Decepticon; can be ridden
by Frenzy, who can also store in front/chest compartment) {$30 U.S.} [Late
2009/Early 2010]
"Human Alliance" Mudflap & Chromia w/ Simmons (Concept Chevy Trax &
motorcycle, Autobots; both can be ridden by Simmons figure) {$30 U.S.}
[Feb/Mar 2010]
Infiltration Soundwave & Battlefield Bumblebee (Deluxe futuristic satellite,
Decepticon, vs. deluxe Concept Camaro, Autobot; Repaints of original deluxe
ROTF Soundwave & Cannon Bumblebee) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Jolt (Legends Chevy Volt, Autobot) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Lockdown (Deluxe muscle car, Decepticon) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Megatron ("Battle Charger" Cybertronian tank, Decepticon) [Early 2010]
Mindwipe (Voyager stealth bomber, Decepticon) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Nebular Starscream (Voyager F-22 Raptor, Decepticon; Repaint of original
Voyager ROTF Starscream) {K-Mart Exclusive}
Nitro Sideswipe (Concept Centennial Corvette Gravity Bot, Autobot; Repaint
of original Gravity Bot Sideswipe) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Offroad Skids ("Fast Action Battler" Chevy Spark concept, Autobot; Repaint
of original FAB Skids)
Offroad Skids & Rally Mudflap (Legends Chevy Spark & Chevy Trax,
Autobots; Repaints of original Legends Skids & Mudflap) {Target Exclusive}
Rally Mudflap ("Fast Action Battler" Chevy Trax concept, Autobot; Repaint
of original FAB Mudflap)
Rampage (Deluxe red bulldozer, Decepticon; Repaint of original deluxe ROTF
Rampage)
Recon Ironhide (Voyager GMC Topkick, Autobot; Remold of original Movie
Ironhide w/ new weapon attachments) [Late 2009/Early 2010]
Scattorshot (Scout minesweeper/tank, Autobot) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Shadow Command Megatron (Leader futuristic tank, Decepticon; Repaint of
original ROTF Leader Megatron) [Late 2009/Early 2010]
Skystalker (Scout drone plane, Decepticon) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Slap Dash vs. Trenchmouth (Scout sportscar, Autobot, versus scout motorcycle,
Decepticon; Repaints of ROTF Scout Dead End & Knock Out, respectively)
{Target Exclusive}
Smokescreen vs. Starscream (Legend sportscar, Autobot, vs. Legend F-22
Raptor, Decepticon; Repaints of Universe 2.0 Legends Rodimus and original
ROTF Legends Starscream, respectively) {Target Exclusive}
Sonar (Scout stealth boat, Decepticon; Repaint of RotF Depthcharge)
Spark Blast Jolt ("Fast Action Battler" Chevrolet Volt, Autobot; Repaint
of original FAB Jolt)
Starscream (Leader F-22 Raptor, Decepticon)
Stealth Bumblebee (Legends Concept Camaro, Autobot; Repaint of original
ROTF Legends Bumblebee) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Strike Mission Sideswipe (Deluxe Concept Centennial Corvette, Autobot;
Repaint of original ROTF deluxe Sideswipe) [Feb/Mar 2010]
Tuner Mudflap (Deluxe Concept Chevy Trax, Autobot; Repaint of original
ROTF deluxe Mudflap) [Late 2009/Early 2010]
Wideload (Scout delivery truck, Autobot; Repaint of RotF Rollbar)
Toys "R" Us has brought a few G1
Reissues as exclusives! These are out NOW, priced at $35
U.S. each:
Hardshell, Kickback, & Sharpshot (3 mechanical insects, Decepticons)
Perceptor (Microscope, Autobot)
Star Wars Transformers-- Star Wars
vehicles that transform into mechanized versions of fan-favorite Star Wars
characters-- are out! Unless noted otherwise, they will sell for about
$15 U.S. each. Here are the ones that have been spotted recently:
Battle Droid Commander (Tan AAT Redeco)
Clone Pilot (V-Wing Redeco)
And here are the Star Wars Transformers
due out in the known future:
Anakin Skywalker (Twilight) [Late 2009/Early 2010]
Y-Wing Pilot (Y-Wing) [Late 2009/Early 2010]
The Marvel Transformers: Crossovers have
hit stores, featuring mechanized Marvel characters that transform into
vehicles! Here are the ones out recently:
Spider-Man, Classic Costume (Repaint of original Spider-Man)
Wolverine, Brown Costume (Repaint of original Wolverine)
And here are the ones due out in the known
future:
Hulk (Bulldozer) [Late 2009/Early 2010]
Human Torch, Costumed version (Futuristic jet; blue redeco of original
Human Torch)
Punisher (Hummer; Remold of Captain America)
Spider-Man (Futuristic race car) [Late 2009/Early 2010]
Spider-Man, Symbiote Costume (Futuristic race car; Repaint of original
race car Spider-Man)
Thing (Bulldozer; Repaint/Remold of Bulldozer Hulk)
Wolverine, X-Force Costume (Repaint of original Wolverine) [Late 2009/Early
2010]
Upcoming Episodes
X-Men: Evolution is now airing in its entirety on Disney XD! Check your guide for times-- they tend to change (and air) quite often.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
is NOW out on DVD & Blu-Ray!
Upcoming Comics
The
latest issue of the Transformers Generation One Ongoing comic is
#2.
The
latest issue "Tales of the Fallen" is #4.
The
newest issue of "Best of the UK: Prey" is #5.
Look
for a Transformers: Bumblebee miniseries to begin in December!
Transformers:
Last Stand of the Wreckers, a new miniseries, begins in January!
My Next X-Men: Evolution Fanfic: "Between a Rockslide and a Hard Place"