A clip from Transformers Prime episode 13 Sick Mind has been posted on Photobucket, as the original source is now over it's bandwidth.

I received my copy of the latest issue of Toy News Magazine today which focuses on the upcoming British Toy Fair which will have a strong Transformers presences.  The issues contains some information on some of the tie-in merchandise including more plush Transformers, costumes, bikes, stress balls, posters and electronic gadgets aimed for children that will be available this summer along with a Transformers themed cover, all of which you can view below.  The magazine also lists, under the details of one of the licenses, the Autobot cast as being Bumblebee, Ratchet, Ironhide, Sideswipe and Optimus Prime.

The magazines editorial notes Transformers as the number one movie license for 2011 and they also cover the Hasbro - Turner deal that will lead Transformers Prime to air in the UK calling it the a "hotly tipped" show.  In terms of the items/license listed within the magazines, they are:

• Sambro have a license for Transformers Dark of the Moon.  Sambro produce stationary, arts and crafts, bags, candy, homeware (so mugs, clocks etc) and scooters.  They may be showing some of their items along with the Marvel properties for Spider-Man, Captain America and Thor at the British Toy Fair.
  
• Rubies International, the childrens fancy dress manufacturer, have also purchased a license to make DotM tie-in costumes.  They will also be at the BTHF.
• MV Sports, who specialise in wheeled toys (so bikes, trikes etc) have also signed up for a license for DotM and will be producing items for "older boys".
• IMC Toys are another company who have signed on and whilst no specific details have been given, IMC focus on electronic toys such as walkie-talkies, driving games, interactive story figures and projectors.
• Underground Toys have signed up for a Transformers license with their series of stress balls, plush figures, mugs, cufflinks and more being offered exclusively through Gear 4 Games
• GB Eye will be producing posters, 3D and badges for Dark of the Moon focusing on the Autobots, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Ironhide, Sideswipe and Optimus Prime
  
• Hasbro - Will be showing off the Stars Wars Transformers Class III figure at the event which Toy News describes as being able to "turn into four modes - Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker and two vehicles - the Republic Attack Cruiser and Star Destroyer"
  

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Weird Al Yankovic completed his first ever UK and European tour last night with a headline date at the HMV Forum in Kentish Town.  Al put on an awesome show, as always, for the sold out arena with possibly the biggest pop of the night coming when he played a clip of Transformers Animated showing Ratchet and then Wreck-Gar which was, of course, followed by Dare To Be Stupid.

Though a loose link to Transformers, I enjoyed the show so much I thought I'd mention it here.  If you could not see Al this time do not worry as he has stated his desire to return to the UK within the next three years to play more venues.

Optimus Prime
The Autobots' leader is the biggest, strongest, and smartest. Optimus Prime makes the plans and protects the humans in the war with the Decepticons. He's awesome in big-rig mode and even more amazing as his true red-and-blue-armored self. You wouldn't call Optimus Prime cuddly, but he does care. He's just seen a lot of battle ... and he knows there's more to come.

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Bumblebee
He's a hot muscle car, and also the Autobot who's been on Earth the longest. So he knows humans best, which helps explains why he's so serious about looking after Raf. Bumblebee's voicebox was damaged on Cybertron, so he "talks" in bleeps and blurts. He may make mistakes, but he's eager to please Optimus Prime.

Bulkhead
This giant ATV is the muscle of the Autobots. But Bulkhead's actually kind of sensitive -- as Miko learns when she bonds with him. At first he was a little afraid of hurting his tiny partner, but Miko helped him get over that. Now she even pushes him to do things that sometimes get him into trouble. But when Miko's in danger, Bulkhead's there to protect her. 

Arcee
This is one awesome motorcycle -- sleek, fast, and powerful. Arcee is also the Autobots' best soldier. She has a special bond with Optimus Prime and is his "go-to" girl. As the least "flawed" of the Autobots, she's the one they can always count on. She wasn't too thrilled to get the job of looking after Jack, but she slowly comes to respect him as a partner.

Ratchet
This hybrid emergency medical truck is the Autobots' medic. Ratchet fixes limbs and gears, and he works to make do with less and less Energon. He knows Optimus Prime best, but he doesn't want the Autobots risking their necks to protect humans, or bringing them into the secret base. Deep down, though, Ratchet admires what the humans bring to the fight.

Megatron
The head of the Decepticons is just as big as Optimus Prime -- and just as bad as the Autobots' leader is good. Whether in alien fighter jet form or robot mode, Megatron's the most evil and deadly of all the Transformers. He hates how much Optimus Prime cares about Earth, and won't stop until he defeats the Autobots and makes this planet his own.

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Starscream
This military fighter jet is Megatron's right-hand man. Starscream would rather sneak up on his victims than face them head-on, which makes him extra-dangerous. He's an expert planner, and that's one reason Megatron keeps him around. Starscream always shows respect to his general, but he's really just waiting for a chance to take command of the Decepticons himself.

Soundwave
A stealth drone and the Decepticons' spy master, Soundwave has no face and doesn't say much. He just quietly finds information to use against the Autobots. He can tap into any transmission anywhere, except at the Autobots' secret base. Soundwave's far-reaching tentacles can snap through concrete, but his main tools are the tiny Deployers in his chest.

Jackson Darby
At 16, he was just a hard-working kid slinging burgers to save up for his first motorcycle. Then Jackson "Jack" Darby met Arcee, his guardian Autobot, and scored a killer bike AND a big sister all in one. With pals Miko and Raf, he helps the Autobots fight the Decepticons. Jack's usually a smart guy and responsible leader ... except when he wants to impress a girl.
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Miko Nakadai
She's 15 and from Japan -- but you might not guess that, since she's so into American pop culture. Miko Nakadai loves speed metal and wild punk outfits, and her fearlessness makes her the perfect match for the massive Bulkhead. Her thing for thrills can cause trouble for fellow Teens Jack and Raf. But Miko means well, and she always looks out for her pals.

Rafael Esquivel
He's quiet, shy, and usually the Teen most freaked by danger. But when Rafael "Raf" Esquivel sees any kind of software-based tech, he goes right into "the zone." That's handy at Autobot Central Command, since Ratchet doesn't know much about human tech. Raf's know-how has saved both humans and Autobots.

Cliff Jumper

Eradicon

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TFW2005.com and TFormers.com have both received a press release containing details on the story and voice actors for Transformers Prime.  TFormers sister site ENewsInternational actually received the full list of credits which includes Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Cliffjumper.

MAIN CHARACTERS

AUTOBOTS

Optimus Prime - Peter Cullen
Arcee - Sumalee Montano
Bulkhead - Kevin Michael Richardson
Ratchet - Jeffrey Combs
Bumblebee - Rumored as Josh Keaton
Cliffjumper - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (More Info)

DECEPTICONS
Megatron - Frank Welker
Breakdown - Adam Baldwin
Knockout - Daran Norris
Starscream - Steve Blum

HUMANS
Jack - Josh Keaton
Miko - Tania Gunadi
Raf - Andy Pessoa
June - Markie Post
Agent Flower - Ernie Hudson 

THE SHOW

The Transformer saga continues as Optimus Prime and the Autobots battle the evil Decepticons, led by Megatron. With the future of the human race hanging in the balance, three young teenagers become critical in helping the Autobots prevent the Decepticon Army from conquering Earth. Prepare to experience the world of Transformers like never before.

The Transformer franchise sees the triumphant return of the Autobots characters to television in cutting edge computer-generated animation. The series both deepens the epic mythology of Autobots and Decepticons, while starting fresh for a new generation of viewers and future Transformers fans. With a bold and modern new look, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and others are back to roll out against Megatron’s latest plots to conquer Earth. The Autobots may be few against the Decepticons menace, but they find increased strength here on their home away from home via bonds they've forged with three human teenagers. Make no mistake, the Transformers series will deliver heavy metal action and nail-biting suspense

Produced by Hasbro Studios

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Developed for Television By:
Alex Kurtzman
Roberto Orci
Duane Capizzi
Jeff Kline

Executive Producers:
Alex Kurtzman
Roberto Orci
Jeff Kline

Supervising Producer: Duane Capizzi

Supervising Animation Producer: Therese Trujillo

Producers:
Steven Puri
Mandy Safavi

Staff Writers:
Nicole Dubuc
Marsha Griffin
Joseph Kuhr
Steven Melching
Supervising Director: Dave Hartman

Music By: Brian Tyler

Main Title Theme By: Brian Tyler

The Hub has been updated showing off a new image of Transformers Prime Ratchet (robot mode) and Transformers Prime Decepticon Drone (car mod­e).

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Thanks to Seibertron.com for the original report on the update.

Kapow toys are reporting that they have received their allocation of Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Brawn, Lockdown, Deluxe Ratchet, Strike Mission Sideswipe and NEST Bumblebee.  This means that that these items are likely to start appearing within Toys R Us, Argos and The Entertainer soon, though you can also order them direct from Kapow Toys for £12.95.

Credit Kapow Toys and TFW2005.com

Chinese Transformers site TFClub has pointed out two TaoBao auctions for upcoming Transformers Revenge of the Fallen ­Ratchet and ­Backfire.

Both toys are repaints of previous molds.

Actor Jeffery Combs has announced on his website that he will be voicing Ratchet in the next Transformers cartoon series Transformers: Prime.  According to Jeffery, the series will consist of 26 episodes and will air on the new Hasbro-Discovery channel The Hub in the Autumn.

TRANSFORMERS: PRIME

Debuting later this fall Hasbro in conjunction with Discovery Communications Inc will release a new Transformers cartoon on a new TV channel currently called Discovery Kids called Transformers: Prime.

Jeffrey Combs will be the voice of Ratchet, a very well known character in the Transformers world. There are 26 episodes scheduled for the first season. Exact details of the show are currently unavailable but will be posted here as soon as they are made available.

Jeffrey is quite thrilled with the opportunity to be cast in the role of Ratchet. He's not able to talk too much about the show this early in the production but did have this quote: "What I can say is that it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of such a prestigious project."

Thanks to Matt Messanger, aka King Grimlock, for supplying more images of Transformers Movie Legends Figures for us to add to our Transformers Toy Resource section.

• Transformers Movie Legends Bumblebee
• Transformers Movie Legends Battle Damage Bumblebee
• Transformers Movie Legends Jazz
• Transformers Movie Legends Ratchet
  
• Transformers Movie Legends Barricade
• Transformers Movie Legends Bonecrusher
• Transformers Movie Legends Scorponok