The PlayWithThisToo team, most of whom are former Hasbro employees who worked on the Transformers brand, have finally launched their Kickstarter for their 6" interchangable action figure series which is based on the Pretender concept, along with the characters colour schemes.  The kickstarter aims to raise $80,000 and after the first 24 hours has already raised 41.3% of the target.

You can check out the kickstarter here.

Comic Book Resources have posted an interview with Mairghread Scott and John Barber the creators behind the upcoming Transformers: Combiner Wars crossover. The key points are:

• The Combiner Wars will be on two fronts - both an information war, a "war of influence", and a physical war. Starscream is at the heart of all of it, of course - with Optimus, Windblade and Prowl all being key players.
• Superion has a few new moves - he's described as a cross between "an NBA star and Godzilla"
• The seeds of Combiner Wars have been sown since Windblade first appeared in Dark Cybertron.
• On an unrelated note, we'll also be seeing more Transformers of more body types - not only female characters but more diversity in general, more religions, creeds and classes.

Credit to TFW2005.com for the summary

The Roll Out Roll Call Team have issues a new press release stating that dates and bookings for the 2015 show will be announced shortly but hidden amoungst the press release was the announcement that the show is going to be sponsored / supported by both the Official Transformers Collectors Club and the Official G.I.Joe Collectors Club!!

You can check out the announcement here

The Japanese Hobby Magazines are carrying the first images of the grey prototype of future Masterpiece Transformers figure Tracks. The toy will be released under the MP-25 number and is expected to come with a human figure.  Eventually we expect the toy to be recoloured into Roadrage as well as a black Tracks variant.

As well as the images of the upcoming Stunticons TFND havealso posted a series of images of the final Aerialbot member AirRaid. You can view all of the images of this figure after the jump.

TFND have posted various images of the upcoming Transformers Combiner Wars Stunticons both in and out of packaging. The figures shown thus far are Breakdown, Deadend and newcomer Offroad (who replaced Wildrider within the main team).

You can view all of the images after the jump.

With the US Toy Fair now over, Hasbro's PR agent has issued various press releases containing official images of the forthcoming 2015 Transformers figures from Robots In Disguise through Combiner Wars.

You can view a copy of the releases below and will find all of the images by clicking on the headline of this news story.

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE WARRIORS CLASS Assortment (Wave 3)
(Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2015)
Each TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE WARRIORS figure features a character from the all new animated series, TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE, coming to Cartoon Network in 2015. Warrior figures feature classic puzzle play for fans that want the traditional TRANSFORMERS experience. These detailed figures are great for collectors and kids as they convert from robot to vehicle in 10 steps or less and come with a unique weapon accessory. High articulation means more action play, as fans can pose their figures and play out their favorite battles from the new animated series with GRIMLOCK, BUMBLEBEE, STEELJAW, and STRONGARM. Each sold separately. Take the action to your mobile device. Download the TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE app to your digital device, then scan the shield to unlock a character or weapons or more!

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE 3-STEP CHANGERS Assortment
(Ages 5 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Spring 2015)
Each TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE THREE-STEP CHANGERS figure features a character from the all new animated series, TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE, coming to Cartoon Network in 2015 in a fun, larger size with an amazingly fluid conversion. Kids can convert each figure in three steps and get right into the action! Characters include: BUMBLEBEE and GRIMLOCK. Each sold separately. Take the action to your mobile device. Download the TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE app to your digital device, then scan the shield to unlock a character or weapons or more!

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE SUPER BUMBLEBEE
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/Available: Fall 2015)
Heroes don't come any bigger than BUMBLEBEE, and BUMBLEBEE figures don't come any bigger than this! At over 19 inches tall, SUPER BUMBLEBEE can stand up to any DECEPTICON threat. The light-up figure recognizes whether it's in vehicle or robot mode and plays unique sounds in each. The figure changes from robot to vehicle in less than 3 steps and it plays the classic TRANSFORMERS conversion sound effect when going from one mode to another. Take the action to your mobile device. Download the TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE app to your digital device, then scan the shield to unlock a character or weapons or more!

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE 1-STEP CHANGERS Assortment
(Ages 5 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2015)
Each TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ONE-STEP CHANGERS figure features a character from the all new animated series, TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE, coming to Cartoon Network in 2015, and converts from robot to vehicle and back in one awesome step! Characters include: BUMBLEBEE, UNDERBITE, SIDESWIPE, and STRONGARM. Each sold separately. Take the action to your mobile device. Download the TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE app to your digital device, then scan the shield to unlock a character or weapons or more!

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE MINI-CONS (SINGLE PACK)
(Ages 5 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $4.99/Available: Fall 2015)
These bots don't just go on the attack, they are the attack! Based on the MINI-CONS seen in the TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE animated series, MINI-CON figures convert from robot to weapon mode in one simple step. Choose from buzzsaw-shaped AUTOBOT MINI-CONS or torpedo-shaped DECEPTICON MINI-CONS, then customize each figure with the included battle accessories. Team them with DEPLOYERS figures (each sold separately) and deploy each MINI-CON figure into battle. Collect and deploy an entire MINI-CON army! Characters include: SLIPSTREAM, DRAGONUS, DIVEBOMB, and SAWBACK. Take the action to your mobile device. Download the TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE app to your digital device, then scan the shield to unlock a character or weapons or more!

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE MINI-CON DEPLOYERS
(Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Fall 2015)
DEPLOYERS figures team with exclusive deployable MINI-CON figures to demolish enemies! Pick a side and choose a warrior: AUTOBOT DRIFT or DECEPTICON FRACTURE. Each DEPLOYERS figure comes with one MINI-CON figure that it can deploy into battle! DEPLOYERS figures convert from robot to vehicle in less than 10 steps. Their MINI-CON teammates convert in just one. AUTOBOT DRIFT figure works with all buzzsaw-shaped MINI-CON figures. DECEPTICON FRACTURE figure works with all torpedo-shaped MINI-CON figures. Collect and deploy! Take the action to your mobile device. Download the TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE app to your digital device, then scan the shield to unlock a character or weapons or more!

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE LEGION CLASS Assortment
(Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $5.99/Available: Spring 2015)
Each TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE LEGION figure features a character from the all new animated series, TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE, coming to Cartoon Network in 2015 in a small-scale, collectable figure that converts from robot to vehicle in 10 steps or less! Characters include: BUMBLEBEE, OPTIMUS PRIME, STEELJAW, and STRONGARM. Each sold separately. Take the action to your mobile device. Download the TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE app to your digital device, then scan the shield to unlock a character or weapons or more!

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE MEGA OPTIMUS PRIME
(Ages 5 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: Fall 2015)
The heroic AUTOBOT Commander is ready for battle in a flash! This OPTIMUS PRIME figure stands over 11 inches tall and converts from truck to powerful robot in one smooth motion! Simply pull the trailer apart to convert from vehicle to robot, then push the figure's chest and swing the cab down to convert back. The built-in connector ports let kids attach MINI-CON figures (each sold separately) and use them as weapons and armor for battle. Take the action to your mobile device. Download the TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE app to your digital device, then scan the shield to unlock a character or weapons or more!

TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS COMBINER WARS VOYAGER Assortment
(Ages 8 & up/Approx. Retail Price: $24.99/Available: Spring 2015)
Courage is Stronger When Combined! Each TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS COMBINER WARS VOYAGER figure converts from robot to vehicle and also in its body mode can be combined with four DELUXE figures, the arms and legs, (each sold separately) to form a gigantic TRANSFORMERS COMBINER robot. Fans can create a large-scale COMBINER figure such as SUPERION or MENASOR and they can also mix and match the limbs to build their own COMBINER figure! Use LEGENDS scale figures to add weapons and accessories! Characters include PROTECTOBOT HOT SPOT, CYCLONUS and more. Figure converts in 10 or more steps. Each VOYAGER scale figure is based on a classic TRANSFORMERS character and includes a Collector Card. Each sold separately.

TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS COMBINER WARS LEGENDS Assortment
(Ages 8 & up/Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2015)
Courage is Stronger When Combined! TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS COMBINER WARS LEGENDS assortment includes fan favorite TRANSFORMERS characters, re-imagined for the present day. Featuring the simplest conversion in the TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS line, these figures are also the perfect introduction for kids ready to move up to the more sophisticated world of TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS. They're also detailed enough to appeal to the collector. Figure converts in 7 or more steps. Select figures within the assortment can convert into a weapon or accessory for a TRANSFORMERS COMBINER figure (sold separately) and each includes a Collector Card. Figures in 2015 include HUFFER and DECEPTICON BLACKJACK. Each sold separately.

TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS COMBINER WARS DELUXE Assortment
(Ages 8 & up/Approx. Retail Price: $16.99/Available: Spring 2015)
Courage is Stronger When Combined! Each TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS COMBINER WARS DELUXE figure can be combined with three other DELUXE figures to form the limbs and one VOYAGER figure as the body (each sold separately) to form a gigantic TRANSFORMERS COMBINER robot. Each Deluxe figure is based on a classic TRANSFORMERS character and converts from vehicle to robot form, and has a third mode as a limb of a larger COMBINER robot. Fans can create a large-scale COMBINER figure such as SUPERION or MENASOR and they can also mix and match the limbs to build their own COMBINER figure! Use LEGENDS scale figures to add weapons and accessories! Figure converts in 9 or more steps. Each figure features incredible detail and classic conversion for a premium look and feel. 16 figures will be available in 2015 including PROTECTOBOT STREETWISE, PROTECTOBOT BLADES, Protectobot First Aid, and Protectobot Rook. Each sold separately. Each Deluxe figure includes a full-size, full-length issue of IDW Publishing’s TRANSFORMERS: COMBINER WARS comic book series or a collector card.

TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS COMBINER WARS LEADER Assortment
(Ages 8 & up/Approx. Retail Price: $44.99/Available: Spring 2015)
Courage is Stronger When Combined! The TRANSFORMERS Generations Leader class figures include the most powerful and legendary characters rendered in incredible detail and with impressive conversions. Each large, feature-packed LEADER scale action figure is based on a classic TRANSFORMERS character, like ULTRA MAGNUS, and features a firing projectile, massive weaponry and working vehicle features. Figure converts in 15 or more steps. Each figure is sold separately and includes a Collector Card.

TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS COMBINER WARS CONSTRUCTICON DEVASTATOR
(Ages 8 & up/Approx. Retail Price: $149.99/Available: Fall 2015)
TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS COMBINER WARS figures form some of the largest TRANSFORMERS robots ever seen, and this one tops them all. This mega-pack unites all six of the CONSTRUCTICONS in one place. Each figure is rendered in incredible detail and features impressive conversion from robot to construction vehicle and back. But that's just the beginning — the six Voyager Scale figures combine to form the ultimate DECEPTICON weapon: the mighty CONSTRUCTICON DEVASTATOR, the largest TRANSFORMERS COMBINER robot figure!

Following on from the Kabor update to TheVisionaries.net we are pleased to bring you are 2nd gallery of Season 2 2-up hardcopy weapons, this time belonging to the Spectral Knight, Lazorlash

Once again we use Witterquick as an example of the size of the 2-up.

We do not have the 2-up of the axe for Lazorlash but the shield is an interesting one in itself. Not only is it held in an unusual manner, we believe that the "broken piece" is part of a gun which he can hold enabling him to attach the shield and hold it in a more traditional fashion. 

Sadly we do not have all of that piece (if you do, please let us know), but if you look at the Toy Fair image you will be able to work out how it would have worked.

You can view  the gallery at http://www.thevisionaries.net/toys/spectral-knights/lazorlash/32

Enjoy!

Hi everyone,

First, we'd like to thank all of you for booking tickets for Auto Assembly 2015 - we're all excited about this year's convention and we think that once again it's going to be our best ever.

Following the opening of bookings at our convention hotel, the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the weekend, the demand for accommodation at the Hilton this year has been absolutely phenomenal with some rooms selling out in a matter of minutes and the overall block of rooms for the convention being close to selling out already. Our room bookings team has been working extra hard behind the scenes to try to secure additional rooms for all of you who haven't been able to get accommodation yet in the Hilton and we're incredibly proud to announce that the Hilton has given us some more rooms for our block at the discount rate for the convention weekend!

These extra rooms ARE limited so we'd advise all of you to book as quickly as possible (using the link sent to all of you a few days ago) but we have managed to secure the following:

Thursday 20th and Sunday 23rd August

We now have NEW deluxe singles and deluxe twins on sale.  This is a new allocation which we have managed to secure on top of our initial block.

Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd August

We have also secured some additional deluxe singles and deluxe twins for the main convention days - again these are additional rooms we have managed to obtain over and above our initial block.

As these are additional rooms and not part of our original allowance, these have been supplied completely at the Hilton's discretion, for which we cannot thank them enough. It does however mean that these new rooms are very limited in numbers so we encourage you to act quickly to avoid disappointment.

Don't forget, if you have any queries about your booking or the convention itself, please do not hesitate to get in touch and please do not share the hotel booking link with anyone as this is for the exclusive use of Auto Assembly attendees.

Thank you and we're looking forward to seeing you all in August!

The Auto Assembly Team

Auto Assembly 2015 - 21st - 23rd August 2015

The Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, Birmingham, England

web - www.autoassembly.org.uk

forum - http://www.autoassembly.org.uk/forum

Youtube - www.youtube.com/autoassembly

Twitter - www.twitter.com/auto_assembly

Tumblr - http://autoassembly.tumblr.com/ 

Auto Assembly is sponsored by:

AutoTrash - www.youtube.com/channel/UCIbleP8ay2VRdx2X1ffSxaA

Big Bad Toy Store - www.bbts.com 

Brikabrax UK - www.brikabrax.co.uk

TF Source - www.tfsource.com

Transbridge Omegalock - www.omegalock.co.uk

VNC Toys - www.vnctoys.com

Robot Kinggdom - www.robotkingdom.com

HobbyLink Japan - www.hlj.com

Hi everyone, as you may or may not not, my brother and I have been slowly revamping our Visionaries website in preparation for a big relaunch. The project has been heavily delayed due to work commitments but it is starting to come together now as we start to put together the articles and reviews to go with the images and information we've been amazing over the last 14 years.

Yesterday we decided to pushed live the images which accompany a review that we published on the 1st Feb 2015 which covers the Season 2 character Kabor. This is the first gallery to contain images of some of our resin 2-up hardcopies of the Season 2 characters weapons.

We'll be adding the other characters over time along with more in-depth articles covering the brand from its inception through to the modern era. We've already published our article on "Visionaries: Reborn" along with the toy ads but there is a lot more to come which will include plenty of things you have not seen before. But that is for another day.

When looking at the images in the gallery you will notice that Kabor was originally going to be called "Cliffdweller" and that rather than coming with an axe, as he is shown in the Toy Fair photographs, it was originally planned for him to come with a gun. The change over to the axe was late in production as now only was the gun sculpted, the 2-up is included in the gallery, but the Neal Adams artwork was converted into the final box art. We have included a copy of that artwork as well though we hope to re-scan it again at some point in the future.

We are still investigating when and why the change was introduced. The axe does suit the character better in our opinion, and the gun does look a little odd, but we hope to be able to confirm the reasons.

I thought I would share it here as I know some members also like the Visionaries brand so I thought you may be interested in seeing more about the "lost" series.

You can find the review and image gallery at Darkling Lords Kabor Toy Review

Hasbro recently re-registered the name GoBots with the USPTO but over in Japan Bandai and Action Toys have gone one step further and released images of a new 2015 Machine Robo line.  Machine Robo was the original Japanese line on which the GoBots were taken from (think of it as the Microman / Diaclone line for GoBots).  In the series the characters the west knew as Renegades and Guardians were all on one side, fighting against Monstrous (the combiner)

Announced so far arew

• Cy-Kill
• Jet Robo / Fitor
• Drill Robo / Screwhead
• Tank Robo / Tank
• Leader-1
• Turbo
• Snoop
• Shuttle Robo / Spay-C
• Unconfirmed (I think either Buggy Boy or Scooter)

As you would have noticed, our regulary posting on the Moon hasn't been that regular in a long-time, and our focus on TheVisionaries.net has also slowed in recent months.  The basic reason is work and life　getting in the way.  We recently bought a second light tent and are hoping to get back to taking more (regular or semi-regular) pictures soon (once work  goes back to just 5 days a week).

Anyway the reason for that introduction is that we missed quiet a bit of 3rd Party news this week ... so here's a roundup.

3rd Party Masterpiece Hound

Like buses you wait for one, and two come along at once.  Both MakeToys and TFCToys have shown off grey prorotypes of their Not-Masterpiece Hound  figure, so you can substitute their Hound in place of the one Takara-Tomy haven't made ... yet

1. MakeToys
   Name; Gun Dog
   Height: 16.5 CM / 6 1/2 inches
   Notes: Has two robot modes (pretty much the shoulder postions) for "Classic G1 Look" and "Modern Classic Look"
   
   
2. TFC Toys
   Name: Detective
   Height: Unknown
   Notes: Less G1 toy accurate

3rd Party Masterpiece Chromdome

MakeToys' entrerance into the Masterpiece Class of Transformers figures doesn't stop with Gun Dog (Hound) as they have also announced a nive looking Masterpiece Chromedome.  The character, made popular by Nick Roche and James Roberts in the Transformers More Than Meets The Eye comic certainly looks nice.

1. Maketoys
2. Name: Cupola
   Height: 22 CM / 9 inches
   Notes: Comes with his Headmaster figure (Stylor in the West)

To see images make sure to click the stories link

The Japanese Transformers PR Twitter account has tweeted out an image of the Transformers Robots In Disguise (Adventure Team) Optimus Prime animation model. You can view the image below

【続報】新アニメ「トランスフォーマー アドベンチャー」伝説の司令官オプティマスプライムのキャストが楠大典さんに決定〜★ #TFADV #TT_TF pic.twitter.com/D8GlQ84l0a

— トランスフォーマー情報局 (@TF_pr) January 30, 2015

We have found some new Transformers related trademarks filed with the USPTO by Hasbro Inc. The trademarks are:

1. MINITRON

You can view all of the details of these and other trademarks within our exclusive Trademark Application area of the website which features trademark applications from 1984 through until the present day.

The trademark is within the toys category with the names most likely being a reference to the New England Patroits NFL player Julian "Minitron" Edelman.  Hasbro recently tweeted at the player with the following message:

Best of luck to Minitron/@Edelman11 & the @Patriots in today's playoff game! Roll out! #PatriotsNation #TRANSFORMERS pic.twitter.com/kyGOa20g6q

— Hasbro (@HasbroNews) January 10, 2015

We have found some new Transformers related trademarks filed with the USPTO by Hasbro Inc. The trademarks are:

1. GO-BOTS
2. GO-BOTS
3. GO-BOTS
4. GO-BOTS
5. GO-BOTS
6. GO-BOTS

You can view all of the details of these and other trademarks within our exclusive Trademark Application area of the website which features trademark applications from 1984 through until the present day.