NTF-C.o.n.s have updated their website with a video review of the C.O.N.S. exclusive figure "Cobra" which has been produced in association with NTF-Archive and HeadRobots.

Our thanks go to Phill for reporting that the Transformers Generation Deluxe figures are now out in the UK. The figures were spotted in Forbidden Planet in Edinburgh for £14.99 each and come carded on the standard 12-Language backing cards like all European items.  Expect them to hit other retail shops in the coming weeks.  Phill has photographed the toys (below) which are War For Cybertron Optimus Prime and Bumblebee along with Drift and Thrust

The instructions which come with Masterpiece Sleep Mode Convoy have confirmed that TakaraTomy will indeed be releasing a Masterpiece Rodimus (Hot Rod) figure.  If you take a look at the image below which Yizhi of TF08.net found on 2Chan then you'll see it reads "Next Masterpiece,name is Rodimus".

"As, once again, we’re reasonably close to publication date, this script (w)rap also serves as pre-release teaser for Transformers: Nefarious #5, the penultimate issue of the official comic book sequel to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Spoilers ahoy, though as always I will try not to give away too much here. So — the pieces are all in place. Soundwave has tried and failed to crack the remarkably resilient nut that is The Initiative (the human organization with some long-standing ties and kind-sized grudges to/against the earliest Transformers to reach Earth — Seekers). So now it’s a joint offensive, Soundwave and the Autobots — together. But first they have to find the Initiative, who — it soon becomes apparent — aren’t just going to sit still and wait for the next attack. And just what did (or who did) happen to Soundwave last issue? What isn’t he telling his newfound Autobot allies? And just who is the Seeker incarcerated within the Initiative’s base? Carter Newell, the embittered and vengeful mastermind behind the Initiative, takes a big step towards the glorious realization of a plan seventy years in the making. Trouble is, in achieving his ends, he may also wipe out the entire world! Story is by me, art by the ever-magnificent Carlos Magno. The issue should be in stores on 14th (US) or 15th (UK) of July."

Visit Simon's blog to leave him your comments and to view the cover art

AirWonderStories has put up a 5th listing for the Lucky Draw Robot Master Colouring Competion G1 Convoy figure on Yahoo Japan.

The figure has previously only been sold on Yahoo Japan and was originally a Colouring Competition prize, limtied to ten, via TV Magazine.­

You can find more pictures of this toy in our Custom Colour G1 Convoy Gallery­

Our thanks go out to Mr Neurie for reporting a sighting of Batle Ops Bumblebee in The Entertainer in Westfield.  He was priced at £69.99.  You can view an image of the toy on the shelves below.

Jim Sorenson and co have updated the Disciples of Boltax blog recently with more "Secrets of the Almanac" entries.  The posts are previews for the soon to be released Transformers Animated Allspark Alamanc Part II.  First up was a post on the 28th that included a image of a hardcopy of an unreleased Maurader Megatron triple-changer toy that would have been released had the line continued.  This was followed up this morning by another new entry entitled "Secrets of the Almanac Part 3".  Click the links to read the articles as well as viewing some of the preview images.

Here is a round up of what was said during the Hasbro designer panel at Botcon 2010.

The Hasbro team on the panel were Eric Seibenhaler, Bill Rawley, Joe Kline, Lenny Kanziga, Chris Oliverie and Lenny Panzica.  With the last two being new members of the team.  Joining them from Takara-Tomy was Mr Yake.

G1 Legends Optimus Prime, Starscream, Prowl and Megatron (gun), all with rubsigns.  Megatron can be held by Starscream

Scout Class Windcharger with flip out magnet weapons

Darkmount recoloured as Skullgrin with a new ram skull head.

Deluxe class Scourge (white stealth jet)

War For Cybertron Cliffjumper

Generations.  Tunderwing (deluxe), Tracks (deluxe with three modes), Mindset (Hailstorm remould with nerw head), Jazz (with speakers), Perceptor (transforms into a truck based on TF Animated).  Perceptor recolour with new head to be Reflector.  Grappel also shown as is Inferno with a new head.  Highbrow, Lugnut (new mold based on a WWII Bomder)

Voyager Class Fallen

Powercore combiners Heavytread with Groundspike.  Skyhammer with Airlift.  5-pack Constructicons.  Dinobot set with the body being a Styracosaurus but in Slag's colour scheme.

They talked about some new story ideas  / concepts they are working on, showing original 13 AlphaTrion.  Alpha Trion is shown holding a book and quil, and basically is a scribe recording events and knowledge.

Liege Maximo is the second with a Greek Mythology based design

Vector Prime is the third.  He is described as a time/space warrior with golden armour

Prima is the fourth, the first of the Primes.  A warrior of the light, he is all white with a broadsword

Megatronus if the fifth, a blakc and red robot with a fusion cannon.  He's head is based on the Decepticon symbol.  He sets himself on fire and becomes known as The Fallen.

Battle Ops Bumblebee comes with an easter egg.  If you keep operating the sounds he plays the G1 theme.

Transformers Prime.  Eric is designing Bulkhead for the show.  There will be a new Kup coming.  They want to dso more humans and cassettes.

After Dinobot being voted in to the Hall of Fame, Hasbro would now like to re-vist Beast Wars.

No plans at the moment for War For Cybertron Trypticon or Omega Supreme.

No chance of new toys for Japanese Animated release as the tools no longer exist.

On Airachnid Aaron said to wait and see, that they copyright a lot of names but people will find out in time.

We have added four new Japaense hobby magazine galleries to the website for your viewing pleasure.  Each of the galleries contain about four pages of Transformers related items including more images of Sleep Mode Convoy, 2010 Unicron and the latest Transformers Revenge figures. The galleries are:

Figure King Issue 149

Dengeki Hobby June 2010

Dengeki Hobby July 2010

Hyper Hobby July 2010