Have you got your ticket pre-registered for Auto Assembly 2010 yet?  No? Shame on you, you better get cracking as the latest two guests have just been announced.  Yes that's right in an interview with TFW2005.com Auto Assembly's own Simon Plumbe announced to the world that both Jim Sorenson and Bill Forster, authors of not only both Allspark Almanacs but also the wonderful Ark Compendiums which showcase the design art for much of the original series will be attending Auto Assembly 2010 right here within the UK.

There appearance at the event is sponsored by this very site.  Yes you read that right, Transformers At The Moon and TransformersAnimated.com not only are we bringing over Derrick J Wyatt but also both Jim Sorenson and Bill Forster!!

So if you are a fan of Transformers Animated this is the event to get to.  If you don't like Transformers Animated but you liked the Ark books, this is the event to go to.  If you don't like that either but you like Beast Wars, this is still the event to go to (Garry Chalk, Scott McNeil).  If you liked, and you know you did, the IDW Wreckers mini-series, once again Auto Assembly 2010 is the event to go to as Nick Roche will be there.  So what are you waiting for, head over to www.autoassembly.org.uk  right now and book a ticket before they sell out.

Derrick J Wyatt has posted a very cool response to one of the latest questions posed to him on Formspring.  When asked "Who's in charge of financial matters on Animated Cybertron? According to the old STARS Tech Spec Manual, the Autobots were traders at one point, and I'd think a planet not at war would have commerce." Derrick replied with a post that introduces the Transformer Universe to a new character ..... Decimus Quadrillon.

"There is commerce on Cybertron. For a great deal of time before Megatron reappeared, the post Great War has been a time where the Autobots have created many ways to entertain themselves. There are refuelery restaurants, energon bars, shopping arcades with every upgrade you could ever think of, as well as various forms of theater, music, and other entertainment.

There is a commerce guild that is in charge of the credit and energon banks.The head of this guild is Decimus Quadrillon, who is the richest mech on Cybertron. Rumor has it that Decimus' cube shaped headquarters is actually a giant bin containing over 30,000 square standard Cybertronian units of raw energon. There are even some wild and unlikely rumors that he dives into and swims through the energon. An act which would be very damaging on a Cybertronian's inner workings.

The Autobots have a distrust of other alien races (organics and non-organics), and do not engage in much, if any, off world trade in modern times. Cybertron has been invaded, conquered, and nearly conquered at different points throughout its vast history, leaving the Autobots with little care to act with outside civilizations." replies Derrick.

Now I'm not sure about you, but I would love to to see how Derrick pictures Decimus now.

Don't forget that if you are in the UK you can meet Derrick first hand by attending Auto Assembly 2010 which takes place next month.

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.

­In a follow-up to the news we reported on Thursday regarding the contents of this months Figure King magazine (often incorrectly translated as Figure Oh), we can now bring you four images from the issue thanks to Hong Kong T­oy World.

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­e-Hobby have updated their website with a listing and new images of the exclusive Transformers Animated Elite Guard Prowl figure.  The toy are will be released at the Tokyo To­y Show in limited numbers with some more being sold via the e-Hobby store.

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The official website for Takara's 2010 Campaign has been updated with a new page for the recently announced Toy Hobby Market exclusive Primus figure, an image of the Transformers Henkei 'Sons of Cy­bertron' Optimus Prime and Rodimus set as well as an image of the Transformers Animated 'Sons of Cybertron­' set (again Optimus Prime and Rodimus but using the Transformers Animated molds), finally they have also added a new piece of merchandise the  Masterpiece Sound Stage which appears to be a large plastic stand which will most likely containing sound bites from various characters. You can find images of the sound stage as well as the Transformers Animated Sons of Cybertron crystal Optimus Prime and Rodimus below.

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Jim Sorenson has update his blog, the Disciples of Boltax with another behind the scenes look at the soon to be released AllSpark Almanac II.

How time sneaks up on us! The AllSpark Almanac II is a mere twelve days away, and betwix now and then there is the juggernaut that is BotCon! So, without further ado, let's start with some previews for the upcoming Almanac.

I figured I'd start in an unusual direction; last year, the first preview images were tiny little snippets and sketches, designed to tease without giving too much away. This year, that'd be less effective; you all know approximately what the book will look like. Instead, how about some images that WON'T be in the book? Ideas and characters that we considered using but rejected for whatever reason: time, space, a better idea, etc.

Click the link to view the blog entry and the image.

Remember that if you if you can get to Birmingham England in August, that Transformers Animated lead designer Derrick Wyatt will be attending Auto Assembly 2010, so you can bring along your copy of The Allspark Almanac II and get it signed.

Jim Sorenson has updated his blog Disciples of Boltax with a entry announcing an AllSpark Almanac II signing in Burbank, California within the US.

"So, it's that time of year again! The AllSpark Almanac II is due out in stores in just under two weeks. To celebrate, we're doing another signing in Burbank, at the Emerald Knights comic & game shop.  In addition to Bill and myself, Marty Isenberg and Derrick Wyatt have kindly agreed to be on hand to sign the AAII, the AAI, The Arrival, toys, DVDs or whatever other Animated swag you care to bring.  Last year, Derrick, Bill and I had a blast.  There were sketches to be had, photos to be taken and much rejoicing. I'm hoping that this year is even better.

Join us Saturday, July 3rd at 1:00 PM at 4116 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA, 91505.  Call (818) 588-3631 if you'd like to RSVP and make sure they'll have a copy of the AAII for you. 

Hope to see you there! "

TFcon 2010 have announced that Transformers Animated lead art director / lead designer Derrick J Wyatt will be attending the convention in Canada which takes place between the July 17th and 18th July in Toronto.  Derrick will be joining David Kaye and Mark Ryan at the event.

For those Transformers fans not in Canada or who are unable to make the convention and wish to meet Derrick do not forget that Mr Wyatt will be in the UK for Auto Assembly 2010 between August 13th and August 15th which gives everyone not only in the UK and Europe, but around the world another chance to meet and greet the great man himself along with Garry Chalk, Scott McNeil, Simon Furman, Nich Roche and many many others.

We have created two new Japanese Hobby Magazine images galleries for your viewing pleasure.  Both are July 2010 issues of the respective magazines with the magazines being TV Magazine and TV Boy.  Both magazines include several pages dedicated to Transformers Animated of which you can find shortcuts to the images below.

­TV Boy (Terebi Kun) contained a scheduled for the episodes that will air in Japan as well as images of Ironhide, Lugnut, Blitzwing, Bumblebee, Soundblaster, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Jetfire and Jetstorm.  The two card arcade games are also shown with a recoloured Starscream.

TV Magazine contains a brief look at the Headmaster robot, an introduction to Blitzwing as well as an introduction to Lugnut's character.  All of the toys shown in TV Boy are shown in this publication as well but they also include pictures of Blackout, Grimlock, Swoop and Snarl

­SlashFilm have posted an article regarding the third live action Transformers film, still as yet unnamed, which covers some plot details, confirmation that the film will also see a 3D release (as was expected) and just who the main villain will be this time around.

* Final confirmation that movie will be released in 3D. No word on if it will be shot in 3D or converted in post. Knowing Bay's obsession with film, I'm assuming he agreed on a post process.
* The villain in Transformers 3 is "Shockwave, the robot cyclops-turned-laser-cannon, who became dictator of their home world of Cybertron after the other Autobots and Decepticons journeyed to Earth." Makes sense.
* Bay claims "One thing we're getting rid of is what I call the dorky comedy" adding the The Twins are "basically gone" but comic relief John Turturro returns. Bay's "basically gone" comment seems to confirm that they have a short appearance in the film.
* In the new film Sam Witwicky is "taking his first tenuous steps into adulthood while remaining a reluctant human ally of Optimus Prime. "Shia has this great line: 'You know, I've saved the world twice, but I can't get a job.'" Okay, so Transformers is never gonna get a screenplay nomination at the Academy Awards.
* The plot also "delves into the space race between the U.S.S.R. and the USA, suggesting there was a hidden Transformers role in it all that remains one of the planet's most dangerous secrets. "The movie is more of a mystery," Bay says. "It ties in what we know as history growing up as kids with what really happened."
* Transformers 3 is the end of a trilogy. Bay says "As a trilogy, it really ends. It could be rebooted again, but I think it has a really killer ending." It basically sounds like Bay is done with the series, and the ending of the movie is a finale of sorts.
* The film also features a set "built to resemble a dilapidated nuclear reactor."