Maketoys have annouced they will be producing a Computroin based combiner toy.  This annoucement comes shortly after the concept images from TF Club's Technobot and Terrorcon concepts.

Planet Iacon once again broke the 3rd party news on Facebook

Full Metal Hero have posted up colour images of Maketoy Giant, the latest 3rd party Devastator, this one based on the yellow Generation Two and European Exclusive figures.

Today's Beast Wars II episode continues with the Jointron focus, this time asking the question of who the leader of their group in the episode 17 - Who is is the Leader?

The Destron's plan to bring instability to the Cybertron Jointron's by creating in-fighting between the group over who the leader is.

Back after a few weeks break, due to Roll Out Roll Call and moving, is the Beast Wars II Season at Transformers At The Moon.  Todays episode sees us catach up with everybodies favour Mexican combiners the Jointrons in episode 16 titled A Fearsome Combination.

In this episode the muchus-muchus entertaining Jointrons are the focus of a cunning plan by the Destrons as they try to stop the three Mexican combiners from forming Tripledicus.  The epiosde also sees Starscream and BB combine ... in vehicle mode that is.

The epiosde also debut's Moon's robot mode.

Nick Roche To Attend Auto Assembly 2012

Auto Assembly is proud to announce that we are once again going to be joined by fan favourite, artist and writer Nick Roche. Nick will be joining us at the convention for the fourth successive year and will be taking part in panels, signing autographs and sketching for fans all weekend and will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about his work.

Nick will be joining his Wreckers co-conspirator James Roberts for a special IDW Panel that we will be holding on the Sunday but we are sure that there will be a few other events that he will be involved with during the weekend...

For more details on Auto Assembly 2012 which is taking place over the weekend of 3rd - 5th August 2012 in Birmingham, England or to book your tickets or find out information about booking dealers tables, visit the website at http://www.autoassembly.org.uk and for all the latest news on Auto Assembly Europe, visit http://www.autoassemblyeurope.eu

The Auto Assembly Team

Web: http://www.autoassembly.org.uk / http://www.transformersvideogames.co.uk / http://www.ct-alpha.com
Auto Assembly Europe: http://www.autoassemblyeurope.eu
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/autoassembly
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/auto_assembly
Forum: http://www.autoassembly.org.uk/forum
Email: contact@autoassembly.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0)7860 948296

Auto Assembly is sponsored by

Toyz And Gamez - http://www.toyzandgamez.co.uk
Transformers @ The Moon - http://www.transformertoys.co.uk
TransformersAnimated.com - http://www.transformersanimated.com
TheTransformers.net - http://www.thetransformers.net
Titan Books - http://www.titanbooks.com
3 Darths Comics - http://www.3darthscomics.co.uk
Science Fiction Collectables - http://www.sf-collectables.co.uk
Big Bad Toy Store - http://www.bbts.com
Xyber Toys - http://www.xybertoys.com

Auto Assembly have tweeted regarding a Convention Exclusive for 2012

First details of Auto Assembly 2012's exclusive coming this week...

Snakas was pointing to Million Publishing a few days ago, and Seibertron have worked out why.

A new Transformers Generations 2012 book is due for release, online page  can be viewed at Amazon Japan and Ami Ami.

The index reads

• Japan finally landed! Full CG animation feature large "Transformers Prime" latest
• Masterpiece, and Revoltech, · · ·! Thoroughly research the latest items in 2012
  overseas edition toys from all public!
• "Transformers / Dark Side Moon"
  development literature that appeared Transformers toys, mail order magazine interview designers valuable
  • ! ? [Appendix] 1. Special double-sided poster and highly material 2. "Gaiden Super God Masterforce Pretender - Transformers" comics to draw down the full

Hong Kong based toy store Ehobbybase hasposted in package images of the upcoming Transformers Prime Cyberverse Commander Ironhide and Dreadwing figures on their facebook page.  Dreadwing is due to make his debut this weekend in the show, as he faces off against Wheeljack.

another exclusive BAPE Convoy (Bathing Ape) is on the way, at least according to a magazien scan published by Planet Iacon facebook page.

Bathing Ape is a Japanese clothing company that specializes in men's, women's, and kid's lifestyle and street wear, and in 2011 they released an excluive Green Camo G1 Convoy figure which was an limited store giveaway item. Some online retailers were left unable to fill their pre-orders last time around, so a second has been annouced.  The 2012 version is in Urban Camoflague (Grey).

We own a BAPE Convoy figure, though i've only just realised that we've not featured it on the site yet.

Auto Assembly 2012 Third Party Product Official Statement

Transformers fandom has been buzzing the last few days with discussion about third party products and the fact that they will no longer be available for sale from some events. As with many of our friends at other conventions such as Savcon, Slagacon and Dairycon, we believe that Transformers fans should be able to make an informed choice for themselves over whether or not to purchase unofficial third party products.

We have spent the last seven months looking at our policy in relation to these and while we will still prohibit the sale of some items, we will be adopting a more open approach which we believe will be much fairer on dealers and attendees alike and provide a much more enjoyable convention and a better trading experience for everyone.

For more details, you can read our official statement here in full:-
http://www.autoassembly.org.uk/AA2012/AutoAssembly2012ThirdPartyProductsOfficialStatement.pdf

For more details on Auto Assembly 2012 which is taking place over the weekend of 3rd - 5th August 2012 in Birmingham, England or to book your tickets or find out information about booking dealers tables, visit the website at www.autoassembly.org.uk and for all the latest news on Auto Assembly Europe, visit www.autoassemblyeurope.eu

The Auto Assembly Team

Web: www.autoassembly.org.uk/ www.transformersvideogames.co.uk / www.ct-alpha.com
Auto Assembly Europe: www.autoassemblyeurope.eu
Youtube: www.youtube.com/autoassembly
Twitter: www.twitter.com/auto_assembly
Forum: http://www.autoassembly.org.uk/forum
Email: contact@autoassembly.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0)7860 948296

Auto Assembly is sponsored by

Toyz And Gamez - www.toyzandgamez.co.uk Transformers @ The Moon - www.transformertoys.co.uk TransformersAnimated.com - www.transformersanimated.com TheTransformers.net - www.thetransformers.net Titan Books - www.titanbooks.com 3 Darths Comics - www.3darthscomics.co.uk Science Fiction Collectables - www.sf-collectables.co.uk Big Bad Toy Store - www.bbts.com Xyber Toys - www.xybertoys.com

Amazon has published a listing for an IDW Trade Paperback, launching on 11th September 2012, called featuring the G.I Joe and Transformers crossover comics. Volume 1 is set to cover the original Transformers/GI Joe Cross Over.

The worlds of G.I. JOE and The Transformers combine in this first volume of crossovers. Contains the 4-issue G.I. JOE and The Transformers limited series, plus issues #139-142 of Marvel's G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero. Megatron and Cobra versus the JOEs and the Autobots - who will come out on top?

tv-aichi.co.jp has been updated with the voice actors cast for Super Robot Life Forms Transformers Prime (the Japanese version of Transformers Prime).   The series will debut on April the 7th.

• Optimus Prime - Toshiyuki Morikawa
• Megatron - Keiji Fujiwara
• Rachet - Tatsuo Tobita
• Bulkhead - Takashi Nagasako
• Arcee - Shizuka Itou
• Starscream - Satoshi Tsuruoka
• Cliffjumper - Noriaki Sugiyama
• Jack Darby - Jun Fukuyama
• Raf Esquivel - Motoko Kumai
• Miko Nakadai- Nozomi Furuki
• William Fowler - Kenji Nomura
• June Darby - Hitomi Nabatame

Also annouced are the opening and closing credit tunes for the show

• Opening Theme - "Feeling" by BigBang
• Ending Theme - "I Believe in All" by Clutcho

PlayworksOnline has posted an interview with Takara's legendary lead Transformers designer Hideaki Yoke from Cybertron Con 2012.  You can read the full interview here

PW: Did you ever imagine Transformers to become the success that it is today?

HY: Never ever! The franchise we see today is more than something that I could have imagined. All I can say is that all of this is  more than a dream come true to me.

PW: Which is harder? Trying to put character and personality into a machine, or trying to design the way the robots Transform? Because it is one thing to see the robots transform on screen, but to have toys that do the same thing? That’s looks like a lot of planning to us.

HY: I understand why this question came up as we keep aiming to amaze customers by designing rich personalities in both vehicle and robot mode with great transforming skills. The fact is however, that they are not that hard to design in either way. There will be some challenges in matching the products with the screen characters, but our designers enjoy accomplishing their job and at the same time, raise the bar a couple of notches

PW: We’re sure you go through a hundred and one different designs and prototypes before a Transformer is born. What factors do you consider when deciding on a new Transformer? Are the factors the same as they were back then in Gen 1 & 2?

HY: Our customers today are of a broader demographic and their expectations to the brand are also not the same for each each group. I need to proof the design concept brief more carefully before the gray models are made. Looking back to Gen 1 & 2, I think we were more optimistic and our aim was to design just nice Transformers.

PW: This 28-year franchise has seen comics, cartoons, video games and movies. We can safely say that, like Mario, The Transformers is yet another trancendent force that Dad’s of today can share with their children. Do you think the parents of today will be able to sit down with their grandchildren and tell them stories of the first generation of The Transformers? Will Transformers still be coherent?

HY: Yes, I can proudly say that the Transformers not just a content, but also a toyline that fathers and their children can sit down to spend time playing/ watching together.

As for the factors of its long lasting popularity, I think it is the “Transforming” concept itself which has intrigued people. Transforming is in fact a great pattern of play itself. Of course, we have been putting a lot of effort to innovate the product line every year to make it fresh exciting. Our designers’ expertise and passion make this heavy task possible.

I’m convinced that the Transformers can be an ever-green playground for future customers if the tradition is passed down – next generation of designers following the key factors to success. The Transformers can be a universal language for every generation all over the world.

PW: You have overseen dozens of designs and development of Transformers, what is your all-time favourite Transformer and why?

HY: Perceptor is my favorite. The 2nd is Reflector even though it is not a popular character and it has less of a transforming magic. I was totally absorbed in designing or engineering those smaller robots of pre-Transformers. These designs make me recall those days.

PW: Finally, what can fans of the franchise expect to see at the first-ever Cybertron Convention in Singapore?

HY: I am hoping that the Cybertron Convention in Singapore offers the greatest opportunity for all the fans to celebrate and enjoy the Transformers of today together. You will see the great collection of toys from every era of the Transformers history in Singapore, so don't miss it!

TFC Toys have posted designs for Technobot Scattershot and Terrorcon Hun-Gurrr.

Check out the pics at ACToys for the designs

Hasbro have released the following press release covering the induction of Chris Latta and Simon Furman into the Transformers Hall of Fame

LEGENDARY VOICE ACTOR TO RECEIVE FIRST POSTHUMOUS INDUCTION INTO HASBRO’S TRANSFORMERS HALL OF FAME
Chris Latta, the Voice of Starscream, to Be Honored, Along With Prolific TRANSFORMERS Comic Writer Simon Furman and a New Crop of Robots, at Ceremony in Dallas, Texas on April 28

Pawtucket, R.I. (MARCH 9, 2012) - Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is proud to announce the induction of two legendary figures in the evolution of the iconic TRANSFORMERS franchise-comic book writer Simon Furman, and legendary voice actor Chris Latta-into the TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame. Furman has written TRANSFORMERS comics on and off for almost 30 years, and has written more TRANHSFORMERS comic books than anyone else. Chris Latta voiced ten Transformers characters in the early animated series, including STARSCREAM and WHEELJACK. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1994, however his posthumous award will be accepted by his family at the TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame ceremony, April 28, 2012, during BOTCON, the Official TRANSFORMERS Convention, in Dallas, Texas.

Founded in 2010 to honor those influential in creating and building the iconic TRANSFORMERS franchise, as well as actual "ROBOTS IN DISGUISE," the TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame has previously honored writer Bob Budiansky, voice of Optimus Prime Peter Cullen, original TRANSFORMERS designers Yoke Hideaki and Kojin Ohno and the Director and Executive Producer of the live-action film trilogy, Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg.

Simon Furman: Simon Furman is one of the most recognized and respected names in the world of TRANSFORMERS comic books. Furman began his run on TRANSFORMERS comics writing the first UK version of the TRANSFORMERS imprint. Later on, Furman took over the role of writer on the U.S. comic adaptation beginning with issue 56 and ending with issue 80, the final comic to be published in the series. In 1993 with the reintroduction of the TRANSFORMERS brand under the "Generation 2" banner, Furman was once again tapped to pen the 12 issue comic series. Nearly ten years later, Furman returned to the world of mainstream TRANSFORMERS comics as part of the "Dreamwave" writing staff. Simon Furman now writes for IDW comics, where in 2012 and by popular demand, he was asked to continue the story of the original TRANSFORMERS comics right where he had left off beginning with issue 81 of TRANSFORMERS ReGeneration One.

Chris Latta: The first TRANSFORMERS animated television series began to air in 1984, and as part of the original cast, voice actor Chris Latta helped breathe life into these animated robotic characters.
Chris Latta began his voice over career in the late 1970s. In 1983, Latta joined the cast of the G.I. JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO animated series as COBRA COMMANDER, the leader of the evil mega maniacal organization COBRA. Later, on the TRANSFORMERS series, Latta pioneered the role of STARSCREAM, a back handed and conniving character that constantly plotted to usurp his leader MEGATRON for control over the DECEPTICONS. Latta’s portrayal of both STARSCREAM and COBRA COMMANDER have made these characters two of the most iconic and widely recognized in their respective brands. Unfortunately, Chris Latta passed away in 1994; however his family will be on hand at the Hall of Fame event to accept the award on his behalf.


Hasbro will also induct four more iconic robot characters into the TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame. Heroic AUTOBOT JAZZ, fan-favorite DINOBOT GRIMLOCK and evil DECEPTICON SHOCKWAVE will all be honored. In addition, TRANSFORMERS fans around the world are able to vote on TRANSFORMERS.com for a fourth robot to receive the 2012 "Fans’ Choice" honor. Fan-chosen nominees include ARCEE, MEGATRON (BEAST WARS), WHEELJACK, RODIMUS and SKY-BYTE. The winner will be revealed for the first time at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at "BOTCON" on April 28, 2012. Voting is open from now until March 21st on TRANSFORMERS.COM

First introduced in 1984 by Hasbro and Takara as a toy line, the TRANSFORMERS brand
has provided kids with hours of MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE fun with their action figures that convert from robot to vehicles and back again. Legions of boys around the world grew up creating fantastic adventures and battles set on both the planet CYBERTRON and Earth that featured the "good-guy" AUTOBOTS and the "bad-guy" DECEPTICONS. Since then, more than 7500 robots have been introduced in countless animated TV series, comic books and three live-action feature films. For further information visit the official TRANSFORMERS Facebook page at Facebook.com/Transformers.

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About Hasbro, Inc.
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2012 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.