Kapow Toys have provided details of the new main line RID Prime figures to be released this coming April - June 2012.

1) Autobots

Voyager Optimus Prime ( Powerizer Version )
Voyager Bulkhead ( Unknown Version )
RID Bumblebee
RID Arcee
RID Ratchet

2) Decepticons

Voyager Megatron ( Powerizer Version )
RID Starscream
RID Vehicon
RID Soundwave
RID Arachnid - alt mode confirmed as an helicopter.

3) Micron Weapons

Moonbug has posted a new review and image gallery of the just released Transformers Prime Soundwave figure which he purchased this morning from Argos.  He picked up the figure along with Cliffjumper and Bumblebee but we thought since the UK is the first country to have Soundwave be released, we would start our Transformers Prime image gallery with him.

The image gallery also contains a full review of the figure, Moonbugs thoughts as well details of all the markings / copyright stamps etc.

If you like the toy rememeber that you can get him from Argos right now.  You may need to reserve him though, as there are only a few at the moment.  We got ours from an Argos Extra

With the Transformers Prime figures hitting the UK today we are interested to find out which figures have been sighted in which areas of the country. We picked up Deluxe Cliffjumper, Bumblebee and Soundwave! You have you found? Let us known on our Forum, via Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

For those wondering where the CE marking is on Soundwave, as the sticket / paint app can often spoil the figures, will be pleased to hear that the marking is actually molded onto the toy underneath the right arm and is un-painted, like the rest of the figure, but it does mean it is not as obtrusive as normal.

A quick reminder that if you want to buy the figures from Argos then its probably best to reserve or order them online as there is a very limited stock.  Here are those very important links, remember that the Voyager Class figures are due in on Tuesday to most stores so order them now to avoid disappointment

Transformers Optimus Prime Revealers (Deluxe). 904/7291
Transformers Cyberverse Vehicle. 904/7363
Transformers Optimus Prime Powerizer (Voyager). 904/7301
Transformers Cyberverse Commander. 904/7284
Transformers Cyberverse Legion Figures. 904/7277

Although the official launch of the Transformers Prime toys within the UK is not until March 2012, Argos are currently stocking some of the figures as of today.  Most stores are already sold out of the few stock they received with fresh orders due to be delivered on Tuesday.  So far we have received reports of Deluxe Wheeljack, Deluxe CliffJumper, Soundwave, Bumblebee as well as Voyager Optimus Prime being available though you need to be quick and should look to reserve your items online.  You can find some handy links below:

Transformers Optimus Prime Revealers (Deluxe). 904/7291
Transformers Cyberverse Vehicle. 904/7363
Transformers Optimus Prime Powerizer (Voyager). 904/7301
Transformers Cyberverse Commander. 904/7284
Transformers Cyberverse Legion Figures. 904/7277

One of the interesting reveals from the Argos website is a better looked at the blue and red recolour of Transformers Prime - Bumblebee whos is shown as having a new head sculpt.  Click the image below to view a larger version of the reveal.

We have also received reports that other stores are expecting to start to receive cases of the Wave 1 figures around mid-Feb so we will all be able to pick up some of the other toys then.

In related news two images of a previously unseen Transformers Prime Megatron figure have been posted on a Chinese newsgroup. The images, mirrored below, appear to be of a different Megatron figure to the one shown in the Argos Catalogue.

YouTuber BM8709 has posted a video review of the Transformers Prime Cliffjumper figure that he picked up in Argos yesterday.  You can view the video below.

Finally, FullMetalHero.com board member GamOfStreak, has posted some nice images of the just released Transformers Prime Wheeljack figure in both robot and vehicle modes which you can find here.

The Transformers facebook page has posted their Tuesday Transformers Prime cast and crew Q&A session. This week we hear from Character Designer Augusto Barranco.

Anja Pejakovic asks: How on earth did you come up with these many designs and were you assisted in this task in any way? Where did you get some of the ideas for the designs: Starscream with high heels, Soundwave having those thin but wide arms?

AUGUSTO BARRANCO:On this show we are lucky to have a team of five very talented character and prop designers. In the process of creating the character package we all pieced in portions of the design, which range from character rough design, clean 3/4 angle design, orthographic plan views, mouth charts, weapon designs, weapon effect design, transformation breakdowns, color flats, color renders and texture reference. Then comes the vehicle with the same process. When it comes to specifics on character designs, the initial concepts are inspired by the personas and specifics created by the writers along with the history of Transformers lore. It's very important to visualize a diverse line-up of characters, so that the characters have a very unique silhouette and feel very different from every other character. The biggest part of character design is to capture the character’s personality in the design. The viewer should have a quick understanding of what kind of character you're looking at on first glance.


Emilie Beaulieu asks: When it come to character design, do you work from the robot form or the alternate mode first?

AUGUSTO BARRANCO:First idea comes from the script. The script will state the kind of vehicle we'll be dealing with along with the kind of character that needs to be designed. From there we'll jump into rough sketches trying to capture the character's personality in bot mode. Since the characters are in bot mode most of the time, this is the most important in terms of aesthetics. It's like choosing the best actors for your TV show. While that's being done, a vehicle will be designed simultaneously. In the overall process there's a lot of back and forth between bot and vehicle to make sure both have a balanced, agreeable design. When it comes down to it, the bot is started first and is also the last one to be completed.


Brent William Taylor asks: Were you given any specific guidelines as to which previous character versions/styles you were to incorporate?

AUGUSTO BARRANCO:When dealing with the Transformers franchise, everyone has a wish list. When new characters come down the pipeline, it comes with a specific kind of personality (i.e. sneaky, bully, arrogant), which influences design. From the script, the character comes with a certain kind of vehicle and weapon, and from Hasbro we receive a page of designs highlighting iconic items the character is known for having.


Cassidy Klassen asks: Every character in TFP has a very unique eye design: no two are alike. Can you speak to that at all?

AUGUSTO BARRANCO:Cassidy,A lot of the acting happens in the face and within the eyes. We enjoyed making each character very unique. As an artist, we hate getting bored with doing the same thing over and over.


Belinda Nieminen asks: Who is your favorite character and why? What has been the most exciting experience when you've designed Transformers characters? How did you end up to design Transformers Prime's characters and how long you've been fan of Transformers? Are you doing more Transformers designs in future?- Love from Finland

AUGUSTO BARRANCO:My favorite character would have to be Breakdown. He's one character that I handled 100% solo, which also makes him my least favorite. As an artist you always want to improve your work and when it's all done by you, there's a LOT of things you'd like to change and perfect. The most exciting part for me was the day when animation came back after lighting was done. That's when you know for sure you've made the right decisions with color, texture and design. I got started on "Transformers Prime" two years after my involvement with the movie franchise, and with that experience the art director felt like I might have some insight into the process of Transformers, along with some of my other film and animation experience. Being friends with the art director doesn't hurt either. In terms of my future with the Transformers world I'm not sure—only the head Primes know that one.

Augusto Barranco is a Conceptual illustrator and designer in the Los Angeles area. He has been working in the entertainment industry for 6 years since graduating from Art Center College of Design, where he worked closely with many directors to produce short films and commercials as a production designer. After graduating college with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, he jumped into the film industry as a conceptual artist for many studios including Sony, Dreamworks, ILM, Paramount, NBC, Warner Bros, Imagi, Rhythm and Hues, Titmouse Animation, Obsidian Entertainment and now finally Hasbro Studios.

The World Hobby Fair 2012 recently took place in Japan which showed of some upcoming Transformers Prime figures as well as some new campaign Microns. The Optimus Prime figure that was shown appears to be a slightly recoloured version of the First Edition toy and is showned "powered-up" with the new Microns. which can be held by the figure or attached to points on his body.  The first Micron to be named is Firebolt "Clear Version", who is a re-release of Pinpointer from the Power Core Combiners line, and was given away at the event.  You can view the images from the show below.

TFW2005 member bigspenders76 has shared some in-hand images of upcoming Transformers Prime toys in package. These toys include Deluxe Wheeljack, Cyberverse Commander Bulkhead, and Cyberverse Legion Bumblebee and Vehicon. These packages show that the European multilingual packaging will include bios on the packaging.

FullMetalHero.com have posted an image gallery and short review of the TakaraTomy release of Transformers Prime Vehicon.  The figure, which is painted as oppose to being plain plastic like the Hasbro release, is out now in Japan.

The latest issue of Toy News Magazine confirms that the Transformers Prime toyline will be released within the UK in March 2012.  The line, to be released in the Spring / Summer of 2012 will also include apparel / dress-up, furniture, lighting and outdoor toys (including bikes).

The launched will be supported by TV advertising a sticker collection from Panini and the Transformers Prime magazine so expect the figures to be included in the latest Argos catelogue which is out soon.  The toys will also be shown off at the Toy Fair later this month with Optimus Prime featuring on the cover of the magazine.

Click on to view some images from the latest issue of the magazine.

The Hub have tweeted that Transformers Prime background designer, Jason Park, is going to hold a talk on Facebook today regarding his teams work creating the backgrounds for the show.

"On #TransformersPrime Tuesday (http://www.facebook.com/transformers) background designer Jason Park talks about creating the TF Prime designs!" tweet the US TV station.

If you are on Twitter you can follow us @transformertoys and if you are on Facebook then you can like our page at facebook.com/transformertoys.

The Hub have issued the following press release.

"Saturday, February 18, 2012 will be a Transformational Day as Hasbro Studios premieres season two of their hit series Transformers Prime, and its counterpart and new show "Transformers Rescue Bots." Tune-in as Optimus Prime and Team Prime continue the fight against the evil Decepticons. Then stay tuned as all new Bots take on all new missions in an all new series!
The battle to protect Earth continues . . .

LeVar Burton (Doc Greene), Jason Marsden(Kade Burns), Lacey Chabert(Dani Burns) and Steve Blum (Heatwave) star as the voices in new “Transformers Rescue Bots.”

The well-known and familiar voices of Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Frank Welker (Megatron), Steve Blum (Starscream) and Ernie Hudson (Agent Fowler) return in season two of Emmy® Award-winning “Transformers Prime.”

Jeff Kline executive produces both series and co-creator of Transformers Rescue Bots. For animation series aficionados, Kline’s producing/writing/development credits include: Extreme Ghostbusters, Men in Black: The Series, Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot, Godzilla: The Series, Jackie Chan Adventures, Harold and the Purple Crayon and Dragon Tales.

All those above are dedicated to continue the level of excellence expected by Transformers loyal fan-base worldwide.

Links you should check out are:

Transformers Prime animated series: http://www.hubworld.com/transformers/shows/prime

Transformers Rescue Bots new animated series: http://www.hubworld.com/transformers/shows/rescue-bots

Hasbro Studios: http://www.hasbro.com/corporate/hasbro-studios/
"

German Transformers website New Transformers Archive has posted some new Transformers Prime figures and playsets.  The toys, which can be seen below the jump, include:-

1. Voyager Optimus Prime - The figure comes with light up effects as highlighted in the image
2. Megatron
3. Deluxe Bumblebee (just art work)
4. Legends Eradicon (Vehicon)
5. Legends Ratchet
6. Legends Cliffjumper
7. Legends Arcee
8. Legends Bumblebee
9. Cyberverse Wheeljack set (the set includes Wheeljacks ship along with mini-figure in a continuation of the Transformers Dark of the Moon Cyberverse figures.

The Transformers Prime Legends class figures come with clear clip-on weapons.  They also report that an Optimus Prime mask will also be released.  The German release date for these figures is February 2012.

Source: www.ntf-archive.de

DailtyTech reported yesterday that Hasbro are in a legal battel with ASUS over the name of their latest tablet.. Transformers Prime

Hasbro claims that the name of ASUS' latest tablet, Transformer Prime, is much too similar to its line of Transformers toys

The battle is on: ASUS' Transformer Prime v.s. Transformers' Optimus Prime.

Toy maker Hasbro filed a lawsuit against computer manufacturer ASUS last week, claiming that the name of ASUS' latest tablet, Transformer Prime, is much too similar to its line of Transformers toys.

• AM-01 Optimus Prime ¥4,000 (Voyager)
• AM-02 Bumblebee ¥2,800 (Deluxe)
• AM-03 Cliff Jumper ¥2,800 (Deluxe)
• AM-04 Ratchet ¥2,800 (Deluxe)
• AM-05 Megatron redco ver ¥2,800 (Deluxe)
• AM-06 Skywarp ¥2,800 (Deluxe)
• EZ-01 Optimus Prime ¥1,000 (Cyberverse Commander)
• EZ-02 Megatron ¥1,000 (Cyberverse Commander)
• EZ-03 StarScream ¥1,000 (Cyberverse Commander)
• EZ-04 BumbleBee ¥500 (Cyberverse)
• EZ-05 Cliff Jumper ¥500 (Cyberverse)
• EZ-06 Legion Ratchet ¥500 (Cyberverse)
• EZ-07 Vehicon ¥500 (Cyberverse)

The Transformers facebook page has posted this week's Transformers Prime cast and crew fan Q&A session with Production Coordinator Meredith Rodgers.

Yessie Nieves asks: What are the main tasks you are in charge with as Production Coordinator and how did you get to be part of this awesome project?

MEREDITH RODGERS: My main tasks are overseeing the work of the Production Assistants, implementing the scheduled deadlines per department as provided by my producer and being my Production Manager’s right hand. Some tasks involve design reviews and animation reviews. It's up to me to make sure that information is properly dispersed and executed. Animation is so much fun, but get the wrong color on an Autobot and that’s a big problem! Since Transformers is such a huge franchise we really have to be delicate in designing from the vast lore of the brand. I was very lucky to land this job and for a Transformers G1 fan, it’s awesome!


Michelle Stosez asks: What is the target time frame for each stage of production? Storyboard, VO recording, Editing, PR..etc...? What is the total time frame from pre-production to completion for an entire season?

MEREDITH RODGERS: I can tell you that not all productions have the same time frame. It depends on many different factors to determine the schedule. For Transformers Prime, storyboarding for one episode takes about six weeks. Designs from conception to final art take approximately eight weeks. Records can take up to five hours depending on how many people are recording. Each department also has to do some area of prep which is also figured in and usually several different episodes are overlapping in various stages. Our management team has been in the business for some time now, so I would say that we have a pretty smooth production process.


Cassidy Klassen asks: What were some cool ideas that, for whatever reason, just couldn't be used in the show?

MEREDITH RODGERS: Transformers Prime has a nice story arc that does not usually happen in an animated series. But we all love the action too! There has to be a balance of story and action. In some episodes we have to cut some of the action to help the story and some times we find it necessary to cut a line or two to keep the action moving. Both are hard decisions. For example in "One Shall Rise:Part 2," we had to cut quite a few action shots with Optimus Prime fighting Unicron. The action was so cool, but we needed to get to the following scenes with Ratchet and the team joining him in the fight. Maybe the edits will be included as extras on the upcoming DVD!


Cambria Castle asks: What sorts of skills/interests does it take to perform the job of a "Production Coordinator"? Is there something special added to the usual list when you work on a show like Transformers with a high quality standard and a serious fan base behind it?

MEREDITH RODGERS: A production coordinator should be someone who has good organizational skills, is able to juggle several different tasks and be a positive motivator. I have a Computer Animation degree which has served pretty useful since Transformers Prime is a CG show. There is definitely some serious thought that goes into each aspect of the production. Transformers Prime goes through many different approval processes. Since the show raises the bar on children's animated series, we have to constantly up the ante and push the show towards great storytelling, action packed storyboards, and animation that is out of this world! We need to make sure that Optimus Prime is pleased with our work!


Jocelyn Simmons asks: Are you a [Transformers] fan, and if so, for how long and what brought it on?

MEREDITH RODGERS: I have been a fan of Transformers since the eighties; I grew up watching Transformers G1! I have to admit that what brought it on was the converting sound. I remember sitting in the kitchen in my parents' old house and I peeked around the corner to see my brother watching it. I was hooked! I hope all of you enjoy the show as much as our crew. We truly enjoy hearing the feedback from the fans.



--Meredith Rodgers is the Production Coordinator on Transformers Prime. In animation, the Production Coordinator assists with the flow and details of the production process from pre-production (writing and design) through post production (editing and sound). As the Production Coordinator, Meredith helps manage the day-to-day running of departments (schedules, assignment lists, project review, etc). Meredith is the soccer mom of Transformers Prime, making sure every episode has what it needs before heading out the door. She loves working with so many different kinds of art (sketches, transformations, color scripts, CG models) to ensure that what Prime artists see in their heads is what fans see on the screen.

Before this, Meredith lived in New York, working as a Production Manager/Coordinator on several animated series for Animation Collective. She also worked as a Design Coordinator at Curious Pictures and painted backgrounds for Clifford's Puppy Day's at Scholastic Entertainment. Meredith has a degree in Computer Animation from Full Sail University.