IDW head honcho, Chris Ryall, has posted a very brief comments over on the IDW forums regarding the upcoming Transformers Animated series. There has not been much information released thus far regarding the comic series other but Chris' comments tell us that the comic will feature multiple stories per issue, much like the UK comics, with various artists per issue. Here's a direct quote. " Yep yep. Official word coming soon, but it's written by Marty, so it's all fully in continuity, and will feature multiple stories drawn by a few people (Marcelo being one of them). Should be a lot of fun."

Toy Hobby Market have announced that they will be producing an exclusive seeker as part of their 1st anniversary celebrations. More information will be announced in the issue of Toy Hobby Market released at the end of May.

ACToys.net member hebtkdko11 has posted some robot mode images of several of this years Botcon toys. You can view the images in the original thread or below where they have been mirrored.

Hasbro has announced an early test release of Transformers Animated, over at Botcon.com, in Cincinnati Ohio to coincide this years Botcon. Credit to The Allspark for the news.

In related newsm TFW2005 are reporting that Transformers Animated Bulkhead, Starscream and Megatron were found at the Madison, Wisconsin Toys R Us

Entertainment Earth have updated their website with a listing for the Transformers Animated Deluxe Figures Wave 2 which breaks down the case assortment. This case includes 8 individually packaged figures (subject to change):
2x Optimus Prime (Cybertron Mode)
1x Prowl
2x Bumblebee
1x Lockdown
1x Ratchet
1x Blackarachnia

TakaraTomy have updated their Transformers websitewith pictures and information on the soon-to-be-released TS-02 TransScanning Bumblebee Transformers Movie figure.

The toy, so far a Japanese exclusive, will be released next week.

eBay seler BLA has posted an auction for a yet-to-be-released Transformers Animated Blitzwing figure. The auction can be viewed here and the original imagehere. We have also mirrored the image below.

UK online store Play.com are now taking pre-orders for the Wave 1 Transformers Animated figures. All items have 10% off and free shipping within the UK. The toys are listed as being released on the 2nd June (the DVD double pack), 30th July (Dexlue and Voyager) and 30th August for the leader class figures.

TFW2005 member Peaugh has been sent some images of the gold chrome Lucky Draw Transformers Movie Optimus Prime figure. According to Japan based and Lucky Draw expert Hydraw, the figure was part of an end of year raffle through TV magazine along with a Gold Protoform Optimus Prime. Both of which were limited to 5 pieces. From the information received by Peaugh, it appears that the Leader Class figure was redrawn for at least another 10 pieces.

An image has been posted over at ACToys.net of Botcon 2008 Megatron. The previously unseen figure is the Energon Megatron but with a new head. This comes the day that Brian Savage has threaterned Asian based Transformers fans / sellers with legal action over various eBay auctions.

Out of respect for Fun Publications, we will not be hosting the image on this server nor linking to the page from this news article, though we do feel that the story is worthy of reporting, hence why you are reading the story at this moment.

It looks like Fun Publications are following Hasbro Incs lead and are now starting to take action against eBay auctions for samples of this years Botcon toys. The following was posted on this thread over at talk.transformers

" 寄件人: "Brian Savage" <brian@mastercollector.com>
收件人:
標題: Stolen BotCon items
日期: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:43:20 -0500
This is going out to each Ebay seller who has recently tried to auction
BotCon toys. All of they toys you are selling are stolen. You know
this
when you buy them out of the package.

As you see, I have the power to cancel your auctions and I have each of
your personal information provided by Ebay.

If you do not want us to continue prosecuting you through the police
and
Ebay (who will cancel your account), you need to return the stolen
property to me or to Hasbro in China.

If I don't here back from you that you have shipped our items back in
48
hours, I will press forward with both Ebay and the police. Consider
this your only warning.

You can send the items to me at:

Brian Savage
Fun Publications, Inc.
225 Cattle Baron Parc Dr
Fort Worth Texas 76108

or

Antony Bao
Hasbro
$)AIn[Z;*GH3G6+2?9$R5Gx6~:E3'7?NeB%/ Antony Bao/ 0755-26901222-693

Thanks for your attention in this matter. Even if YOU didn't steal it.

Selling stolen property is a punishable offense.

Do not ever purchase ANY Transformers from Chinese auctions or vendors
as Hasbro is also looking to prosecute.

Regards,

Brian Savage".

The responses have been quiet interesting with some comments talking about the difficult to take legal action against non-US residents, mentioning that the earlier auctions were not stopped and sold for more money, and that, outside of Botcon, there are many other pre-releases being sold on ebay.

Whether this has any affect on the auctions or not we shall see, though we expect the trend will continue

To be honest I'd forgotten that Botcon was only 9 days away, but with that in mind it comes as no suprise that in addition to the box art posted yesterday, Fun Publications have now posted the schedule for the convention .

Click here to see the schedule,