TFWorld2005 have live coverage of the SDCC Hasbro panel on their website. Here's a basic overview of what's been said so far.

• Showed Activators Cliffjumper repaint. Deluxe Blurr. Voyager long arm/Shockwave.
  One toy, 2 different robot modes., tank mode alt for shocky.
• Black and purple animated repaint of Megatron.
• Moving on to Universe. Showing Ironhide.
• Now showing Sideswipe.
• And, now showing silverbolt.
• Stormcloud powerglide redeco is based off a micromaster of the same name
• Now showing robot heroes, various packs, nothing new
• Fall 2008 Exclusives. showing SDCC exclusives
• wall mart exclusives - cybertron and classics repaints in real world paint schemes.
  
• Saw Cybertron Hot shot, Classics mirage in there, will clarify rest in a bit. Pic flashed quick on screen.
• RE animated dinobots - they want to do as many as possible. no other confirmation.
• The Wal Mart exclusives would be the already-seen Breakaway, Fracture and Crankcase, methinks.
• 25 years discussion will focus on all generations showing prime - WILL HAVE SHORT STACKS. Peter cullen voice box in package
• Showing deluxe hound and ravage
• Showing targetmaster deluxe Cyclonus, Awesome Transformations.
• Deluxe Cheetor - new transformation, more cat like robot mode, 1st era BW cheetor, no TM,
  
• universe voyager inferno no ladder, has water cannon, very boxy, Universe Inferno = G1. Red fire truck
• universe legends brawn and beachcomber.
• Universe legends Bumblebee (classics style), with COSMOS. Legends Cosmos
• BM Cheetor VS Tankor Robot heros.
• RID Prime, super mode, vs RID Megatron those were Robot Heroes
• Mighty Mugs- Prime first, more are coming.
• Talking up movie. Cant answer movie questions.

From the Q&A

• No plans for More Masterpiece in america, but everything is on the table.
• New Universe stuff, will there be ones on original 13 - will talk more later as comic comes out
• Animated - season 3 is it greenlit? They are working on it, but not officially picked up
• Animated Wreck Gar is coming.
• People want classics seaspray. They said we'll see
• Robot heroes Sari? Have specs drawn up, have to wait and see if it can work in market. (Archer has desire to do human characters.)
• Will there be a Deaths Head Marvel Transformer. No Plans, but they like the idea.
• No plans to do more IDW characters, but is open to idea, cross promotion in comics is important for non core characters.
• Question - Alternators ? Crowd explodes, wants them too.
• Headmasters, Masterforce, Victory in 25th line? - "We are celebrating all the eras" - So thats a maybe? "Better than a Maybe"
• Animated Omega Supreme? No plans yet.
• On Animmated Waspinator figure - Possible. Not sure if that was meant for Ani or classics.
• Animated seeker repaints - "We love our repaints"
• Animated Soundwave - May have another "instrument" in his arsenal
• More Macdonalds toys to come with second Movie
• Isenberg - "Honestly I dont know" when saked about female starscream clone
• Leader animated Lugnut? - Have to gauge market and demand first.
• Universe Unicron - No plans for new mold

The Transformers Collectors Club have updated their members only area with a preview image of the second Transformers Classics / Universe Seacons, Overbite. Members of the TFCC can need to sign in to that website to view the image which will probably be made publicly available in a few weeks.

Simon Furman has updated his blog with information on the UK Transformers Animated comic with information that John McCrea will be the artist drawing the first issue.

Further to my last post about Titan’s upcoming new Transformers Animated comic (based on the hit TV show and featuring all new, exclusive to the UK, comic strip), I can now reveal that the artist on the first issue’s story (which happens to be written by me) is none other than John McCrea.

Those of you who’ve been following Titan’s (other) Transformers comic/magazine will have seen John’s amazing how to draw Transformers (character) features and he’s recently contributed to Titan’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles strip. Of course, John’s creative credits extend much further than Transformers and TMNT. He’s drawn Hitman, Demon, Judge Dredd, Dicks (which he co-created with Garth Ennis), The 99 and much more.

And thanks to John and the good people at Titan I have an exclusive preview of John’s art for Transformers Animated #1. Click on the partial images below for a look-see and check out John’s website here.

TFWorld2005 have coverage of the San Diego Comic-con running at the moment (on their board).

Hasbro are yet to show anything new at the event, and there is unlikely to be anything Earth shattering shown at the event from Hasbro.

Snakas has a a roundup of the information featured in the latest issue of Figure King.

First up are images of Transformers Henkei Prowl and Sunstreaker, showing the differences between the two toys. The first images of Henkei Lambor (Sideswipe) and Onslaught are also shown off.

The Chara-Hobby Exlcuslive black Hot Rodimus repaint is also shown, as WildRider. The information also adds that e-Hobby Shop will stock a few of the figures for sale, to Japanese residents only, after the show has ended much like the recent Crystal Henkei Convoy.

Transformers Alternity GT-Convoy, Masterpiece Thundercracker and B22 Convoy are also shown, along with Henkei Skywarp and Thundercracker and the Marvel Crossover Transformers.

A Transformers Art Exhibition is also due to take place in August, though there is no confimation of any figures for the August Wonderfestival, though there are rumours on International sites that the toy will be the SDCC Black Optimus Prime toy.

Kaiser of the HK-TF Forums has posted a scan of two upcoming figures from TakaraTomy. The first is a sketch of the robot mode for Transformers Alternity GT-R Convoy whilst the second show the Chara-Hobby Exclusive Transformers Henkei Wildrider toy.

The figure is a dark repainted of Transformers Classics HotRod and is once again fairly similar to a BotCon exclusive toy.

”I can confirm that I am working on Transformers 2 - Revenge Of The Fallen and have been given the same job on set, voicing the Autobots for the actors, and have already done some voiceover work in the studio as well. It’s a privilege to work with the cast and crew again, it's very exciting and we are having a great time. I cannot comment on details about the film or the script, but there are some new characters that fans will love.”

That's what Mark Ryan told Seibertron.com

The AA team have sent out another press release update regarding the event.

"Auto Assembly 2008 Update - 21st July 2008

We're just TWELVE DAYS away from Auto Assembly 2008, and we've got some great news for all of you planning on coming along to join us Birmingham and for those of you who have already booked up...

* Fast-Track Entry Confirmed! *

We've mentioned this once or twice, but we've now been able to confirm that we will be running a fast track admission system for pre-registrants who have arrived in Birmingham on Friday. If you are able to come along to the Clarendon Suites on FRIDAY evening between 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm and bring your confirmation slips with you, you will be able to collection your passes and registration packs instead of having to queue on Saturday!

What this means is that once the doors open to pre-registrants on Saturday morning is that instead of having to queue and check in, simply show your pass on the door and you can walk straight in at 10:30 am! Please note that when you collect your pass on Friday, you will not be able to spend time in the hall other than to get your passes unless you are a registered dealer, staff member or volunteer.

Naturally, this is for PRE-REGISTRANTS ONLY so if you haven't booked up yet and want to avoid the queues on the day, here's your chance!!

* Pre-Registration Prize Draw *

As you may be aware, we are running no less that FOUR prize draws for pre-registrants this year. There is our main prize draw with a selection of prizes for a winner and runner up (including tickets to Auto Assembly 2009!), and our latest draws to win Hulk DVDs, Transformers games and goodies from Activision and Transformers comics from Titan. All of these will be awarded randomly to winning attendees through vouchers that you'll find in your packs on the day BUT they are limited to PRE-REGISTRANTS only!

With 200 DVDs up for grabs, and 50 comics, over 30 games donated from Activison (with some appearing in our Charity Raffle) and lots more besides, there are an astonishing 276 chances to win!! Please note that ALL prizes MUST be claimed by the end of the day!

* On-The-Door Places Available *

With less than two weeks remaining to the convention, we are now in a position to confirm that there WILL be on-the-door places available for those of you who haven't booked and are still undecided. However, don't forget that pre-registrants DO get into the convention earlier and on-the-door attendees don't get entered into the prize draws so there's still time to pre-register this week!!

Well, we haven't finished there! We're still working on a few more surprises and announcements over the next few days so keep your eyes peeled! See you all on 2nd August!

As always, for all the latest information on Auto Assembly 2008, to book online or to download booking forms or for more information on anything in this weekly update, visit the website at www.autoassembly.org.uk

Simon and Sven
Auto Assembly 2008

email: enquiries@autoassembly.org.uk
web: www.autoassembly.org.uk
forum: http://autoassembly.proboards7.com

tel. +44 (0)7860 948296 / +44 (0)7804 951406 "