Tag Archives: botcon

Botcon 2015: Hasbro Reveals More Transformers Coming to Shelves

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At this weekend’s Botcon, Hasbro revealed its upcoming Transformers releases for 2015 and early 2016. The releases include numerous waves for their Generations Combiner Wars line of toys that ties into the IDW Publishing comic series, as well as more figures from their Robots in Disguise line of figures.

The figures allow numerous figures who haven’t traditionally combined to be able to, playing off the current storyline.

Check out below for each of the coming waves.

Transformers Generations Combiner Wars

Wave 4

Out later in 2015… Galvatronus!? What Gestalt combination is this? The line of figures includes lots of classics updated including Ironhide, Starscream, Skywarp, Rodimus, Prowl, Mirage, Sunstreaker, and a new Optimus Prime dubbed “Binary Armor.”

Wave 1

Out in 2016, this first wave of the year features Bruticus, including Brawl, Blastoff, Swindle, Onslaught,and Vortex. There’s another version of Skywarp it looks like, as well as Buzzsaw, Chopshop, and Pipes. But even better…. Shockwave!

Wave 2

The second wave for 2016 features a new combiner named Sky Reign. It’s made up of the various releases for this wave except one it looks like. Sky Reign features Hound, Smokescreen, Trailbreaker, Wheeljack, and Skylynx. Wreckgar is also being released!

Robot in Disguise

There’s a line of figures featuring Alpine, Night Ops, Sideswipe, Gold Armor Grimlock and Night Ops Bumblbee, and another Bumblebee with a slightly different color scheme than currently on the show.

Tiny Titans

No idea what these are, but it looks like a new line of figures with a rather cool look to them.

If you’re a fan of Transformers, it looks like Hasbro will continue to drain your wallet well into 2016. There’s quite a few figures I’d love to get.

IDW Rolls Out To BOTCON!

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Celebrating all things Cybertronian, Transformers fans will converge on Pasadena, California this weekend, from June 19th – June 22nd to attend the annual BOTCON convention! With special convention exclusives, illuminating panels, and talent-filled signings, IDW is geared up to be part of the acclaimed franchise’s special anniversary year.

Join More Than Meets The Eye writer James Roberts, on Friday, June 20th at 9 AM and Saturday, June 21st at Noon in Conference Center 104 for spotlight panels that will cover Roberts’ career and history with the Transformers. On Sunday, June 22nd at 11 AM in Conference Center 104 the Robots in Disguise creative team of John Barber and Andrew Griffith, and the Windblade team of Mairghread Scott and Sarah Stone will discuss the far reaches of the Transformers series’ at IDW, plus a few hints at what’s to come!

Fans of IDW’s Transformers books will have a chance to meet the talented creators at signings throughout the weekend at the IDW booth. BOTCON 2014 is the only convention where you can meet the teams behind all three acclaimed titles!

IDW will have three convention exclusive titles available, all celebrating the Transformers 30th anniversary. Robots In Disguise #30, More Than Meets The Eye #30, and Regeneration One #100 will feature exclusive covers at $10 each, or $25 for all three. The IDW booth will also be stocked full of Transformers comics to either help you fill the gaps in your collection or start you from scratch.

After the popularity of last year’s sold-out lithograph featuring My Little Pony and The Transformers, IDW Limited will have two brand new pieces available; DJ Pon-3 with Soundwave and Megatron with Nightmare Moon, art for both by Tony Fleecs. These prints are limited to 250 copies, and available for $25 each.

IDW’s newest sensation, the Micro-Comic Fun Pack will kick off an all-new TRANSFORMERS line at BOTCON with 4 packs featuring different characters; Drift, Grimlock, Optimus Prime, and Bumblebee. All packs contain a mini-comic, fold-out poster, stickers, and more for $2.99 each, or buy 3 and get 1 free only at BOTCON!

Around the Tubes

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It’s Friday, which just means the weekend is here…. it’s also my birthday….

Around the Blogs:

Bleeding Cool – Hasbro Bans Non-Official Transformers Sketches At BotCon – Naw, companies would never crack down on sketches…

The Mary Sue – Save the Date: The Captain America Sequel to Be Released in April 2014 – And tickets are already on sale…

Stumptown Trade Review – ForeWord Review Announces Book of the Year Graphic Novel Finalists – Congrats to the nominees.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews:

CBR – Danger Club #1

ICv2 – Jinx

CBR – Supreme #63

Paste Magazine – Comic Book & Graphic Novel Round-Up (4/4/12)

IGN – Comic Book Reviews for 4/4/12

Hasbro News: 17th Annual Transformers Convention

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Official Press Release

HASBRO CELEBRATES ITS TRANSFORMERS BRAND AS “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE” INVADE PASADENA FOR 17th ANNUAL TRANSFORMERS CONVENTION

TRANSFORMERS Fans From Around the World to Experience “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE” Brand Exhibition Of The Epic Global Entertainment Franchise

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (May 31, 2011) – Thousands of fans from around the world will celebrate the enduring popularity of the iconic TRANSFORMERS brand from Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), as the 2011 TRANSFORMERS fan convention known as “BOTCON” returns to Pasadena on June 4-5.  Less than a month before the highly anticipated debut of the new Paramount Pictures film TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, Hasbro, in partnership with The TRANSFORMERS Collectors’ Club, will be offering opportunities to engage in and learn about the TRANSFORMERS brand that can only be experienced at BOTCON.

Attendees will be able to preview upcoming and yet-to-be seen TRANSFORMERS toys from Hasbro’s 2011 product line, including movie toys and figures based on the TRANSFORMERS PRIME animated series as well as interact with TRANSFORMERS toy designers.  BOTCON will also be fans’ first time to see, in person, Hasbro’s new KRE-O line of construction sets based on classic TRANSFORMERS characters and attendees will have the opportunity for a chance to win a limited amount of KRE-O TRANSFORMERS toys before they go on sale.  Convention goers can also attend panel discussions and interactive workshops led by TRANSFORMERS experts, purchase exclusive TRANSFORMERS products sold only at this year’s convention and buy, sell or trade TRANSFORMERS toys from hundreds of dealers.

And, as previously announced on the official TRANSFORMERS Facebook page, Hasbro will be inducting film industry legends Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg—the director and executive producer of the blockbuster TRANSFORMERS film franchise—into its TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame. The second annual TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame ceremony will take place during BOTCON and TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON director, Michael Bay, will be present to accept his honor and share some special surprises with the audience.

To round out the TRANSFORMERS movie experience at BOTCON, Hasbro will be welcoming vehicles seen in the TRANSFORMERS film franchise from Paramount Pictures including OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE, SIDESWIPE, IRONHIDE and AUTOBOT RATCHET. The vehicles will be on display inside the Pasadena Convention Center throughout BOTCON.

As the TRANSFORMERS brand continues its meteoric rise as a premier entertainment brand, convention attendees will be able to experience the wide breadth of TRANSFORMERS entertainment including interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences by the brand’s video game, publishing and animation partners.

  • Activision will offer BOTCON attendees the opportunity to experience its TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON video game. The game thrusts players directly into an original, action-packed prologue storyline to experience the epic battles on Earth between the AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS that will shape the events of the summer’s most anticipated blockbuster film.
  • Electronic Arts (EA) will offer BOTCON attendees the opportunity to be among the first to experience TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON for the iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPadTM. The App, which will be available in the iTunes App Store in the coming weeks, is based on the upcoming TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON movie, features fast-paced action and explosive robot-based combat.  Featuring a dozen levels, gamers can choose to play as one of the franchise’s most popular AUTOBOT characters, OPTIMUS PRIME or BUMBLEBEE, as they fight to defeat the nefarious DECEPTICONS.
  • The Hub, home of the new animated series TRANSFORMERS PRIME from Hasbro Studios, will offer an inside look at the popular series that just received six Daytime Emmy nominations.  BOTCON will host two TRANSFORMERS PRIME panels including a live table read featuring the voice talent from the hit series as well as a Q&A with the producers.  The Hub booth at BOTCON will also feature TRANSFORMERS themed photo opportunities, a prize wheel and a “larger than life” OPTIMUS PRIME statue.  Members of the TRANSFORMERS PRIME creative team from Hasbro Studios will also be on hand during the convention to interact with attendees.
  • IDW Publishing will offer fans the opportunity to learn about the latest TRANSFORMERS comic books including exclusive TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON comics.  BOTCON attendees can interact with the comics’ artists and writers and get insider information about new and upcoming TRANSFORMERS series.
  • Jagex Games Studio will be giving convention attendees an exclusive first look at elements of its upcoming and highly anticipated browser based MMO video game for Western Markets based on the TRANSFORMERS brand.  Visitors will be invited into the interactive exhibit to be some of the first to see early design and game elements of this much buzzed about online videogame.

“Interest in TRANSFORMERS is the highest it’s ever been,” said Greg Lombardo, TRANSFORMERS Senior Global Brand Director, Hasbro, Inc.  “The live-action film TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON is getting a tremendous amount of advance buzz, and TRANSFORMERS PRIME is a huge hit with both longtime fans and a new generation of kids discovering the TRANSFORMERS brand for the first time. BOTCON is all about celebrating both of those groups—the lifelong fans and the new fans—and their love of the TRANSFORMERS brand.”

BOTCON is annually the largest annual official gathering of TRANSFORMERS fans in the world and is open to both TRANSFORMERS diehard and casual fans alike as well as families and children who enjoy the iconic “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE”. This year the convention will be held at the Pasadena Convention Center located at 300 East Green Street in Pasadena, Calif., and will be open to the public on June 4 – 5. Special activities are planned on June 3 for attendees who purchase multi-day packages.

BOTCON general admission sessions will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5. (On Saturday, doors are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; on Sunday, doors are open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Special multi-day packages and exclusive TRANSFORMERS products are available on a limited basis. General admission for adults (13 & up) is $20 and for children (12 & under) is $10. Children ages 4 and under will be admitted for free. Additional information can be found at www.BotCon.com or by calling 817-448-9863.

Fans can now find the TRANSFORMERS brand on Facebook at www.Transformers.com/Facebook and on Youtube at www.Youtube.com/Transformers.

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About the TRANSFORMERS brand

First introduced in 1984 by Hasbro and Takara Tomy, the TRANSFORMERS brand has provided kids with hours of MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE fun with their action figures that convert from robot to vehicles and back again. Legions of kids around the world grew up creating fantastic adventures and battles set on both the planet CYBERTRON and Earth that featured the “good-guy” AUTOBOTS and the “bad-guy” DECEPTICONS. Since then, more than 7500 robots have been introduced in animated TV series, comic books and two live-action feature films. A third film, TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, will be released on July 1, 2011, as the first 3D film in the franchise.

About Hasbro, Inc.

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.  Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Hasbro to Honor Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg With Introduction Into the Transformers Hall of Fame

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Official Press Release

HASBRO TO HONOR MICHAEL BAY AND STEVEN SPIELBERG WITH INDUCTION INTO

THE TRANSFORMERS HALL OF FAME

Bay to attend ceremony at TRANSFORMERS “BOTCON” Fan Convention in Pasadena, California, on June 4

Pawtucket, R.I. (MAY 18, 2011) — Earlier today on its official TRANSFORMERS Facebook page, Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) announced the induction of film industry legends Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg—the director and executive producer of the blockbuster TRANSFORMERS film franchise—into its TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame. The second annual TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame ceremony, which celebrates more than 25 years of “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE” action, will take place during the 2011 TRANSFORMERS “BOTCON” fan convention in Pasadena, California, and will feature TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON director Michael Bay in person to accept his honor and share some special surprises with the audience.

Founded in 2010 to honor those influential in creating and building the iconic TRANSFORMERS franchise, as well as actual “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE,” the 2011 TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame will induct the two legendary filmmakers who were instrumental in launching the live-action film franchise that brought the TRANSFORMERS brand to more fans than ever before. Bay and Spielberg will join previous honorees Bob Budiansky, Peter Cullen, Yoke Hideaki and Kojin Ohno in the TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame.

Michael Bay: For the last sixteen years, Michael Bay has been one of the world’s boldest filmmakers as both director and producer. His films have grossed over $4 billion worldwide. Since his 1995 breakout Bad Boys, Bay has directed a succession of international hits that have redefined the action genre, including The Rock, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, Bad Boys 2, The Island, and three Transformers films.  The third movie in the franchise, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, will hit theaters July 1; it is Bay’s first live-action film shot in 3D. A graduate of Wesleyan University and Art Center College of Design, Bay began his career as a distinguished commercial and music video director. He has won virtually every major award in the commercial industry, including Cannes’ Golden Lion, the Grand Prix Clio, and the Directors Guild of America’s Commercial Director of the Year award. His “Got Milk?” campaign resides in the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Bay is also co-owner of production company Platinum Dunes and owner of Digital Domain, one of the entertainment industry’s premier special effects companies.

Steven Spielberg: One of the industry’s most successful and influential filmmakers, Steven Spielberg has directed some of the top-grossing films of all time, including Jaws, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and four Indiana Jones films, including the most recent, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Among his myriad honors, he is a three-time Academy Award® winner, earning two Oscars® for Best Director and Best Picture for Schindler’s List, and a third Oscar® for Best Director for Saving Private Ryan. He has been awarded the Academy’s prestigious Thalberg Award. He earned his first Directors Guild Award for The Color Purple and has been nominated by the DGA a record ten times. He has received the Kennedy Center Honor for his body of work. Last year he served as an executive producer on the Academy Award nominated film True Grit, which was directed by the Coen brothers. A principal partner of DreamWorks Studios, he is also the producer of Super 8, directed by J.J. Abrams, an executive producer on TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, directed by Michael Bay and Cowboys & Aliens, directed by Jon Favreau, all of which will be released this summer.

Hasbro will also induct four more iconic robot characters into the TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame. Heroic AUTOBOTS RATCHET and IRONHIDE, as well as evil DECEPTICON SOUNDWAVE will join 2010’s class of five robots, as chosen by Hasbro’s TRANSFORMERSHall of Fame internal panel of judges. In addition, TRANSFORMERS fans around the world voted on Transformers.com for a fourth robot to receive the 2011 “Fans’ Choice” honor. The winner, from among the nominees GRIMLOCK, SHOCKWAVE, ERECTOR, WASPINATOR and JAZZ, will be revealed for the first time at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at “BOTCON” on June 4, 2011.

First introduced in 1984 by Hasbro and Takara as a toy line, the TRANSFORMERS brand

has provided kids with hours of MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE fun with their action figures that convert from robot to vehicles and back again. Legions of boys around the world grew up creating fantastic adventures and battles set on both the planet CYBERTRON and Earth that featured the “good-guy” AUTOBOTS and the “bad-guy” DECEPTICONS. Since then, more than 7500 robots have been introduced in countless animated TV series, comic books and two live-action feature films. A third film, TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, will be released on July 1, 2011, as the first 3D film in the franchise.

For further information visit the official TRANSFORMERS Facebook page at Transformers.com/facebook.

# # #

About Hasbro, Inc.

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.  Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.