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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The Allspark have posted a translation of the comic that came with Masterpiece Movie Starscream in Japan.  Here's what they had to say about it

"Thanks to Powered Convoy, lonegamer8, NightViper, and the one and only Simon Furman we now have a translated version of Transfomers:  Revenge of the Fallen - Unite for the UniverseYou can view it Untranslated and Translated. online!  This comic was included with Masterpiece Movie Starscream released last year.  The comic picks up shortly after the movie, with script by Simon Furman, illustrations by Guido Guidi, and colors by Tommaso Renieri.".

ACToys.net member Stryker has posted some comments that TFW2005 have roughly translated as

"Like Transformers: Prime series? Start saving (Images not shown)
[Transformers: Prime Toys] To come earlier than expected.
No images. Details only. Reliable source. In development. Five small new Autobots."

This follows on from some rumours of deluxe Transformers Prime figures being spotted.

A new auction has appeared on Yahoo Japan Auctions for what appears to be another Transformers Dark of the Moon prototpe figures.

The toy is a Green Impala Wrecker (#88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Slot Car) , you can see the actual version here.

The official website and trailer for the Japanese release of Transformers Dark of the Moon, the third live action Transformers film, has now been launched by Paramount Pictures and can be found here.

Credit to Snakas for the link

You may remember that on the 22nd December we reported that Jim Sorenson had posted extended G1 profiles for Swerve, Hupcap, Roadbuster and the Deluxe Insecticons­ over on his blog Disciples of Boltax.­  In that post Jim made mention to the fact that he had lost the profile for Roadbuster's partner Whirl, well I got in touch with Jim as I though I might well have it with some other behind-the-scenes papers I have around. Well since then I have sorted through my notes and I do indeed have the extended profile along with the smaller tech-spec version, both from documents dated 3rd December 1984.  So without further-a-do, I would like to present to you Whirl's full profile

5993 Deluxe Helicopter - 1985 - 12/03/84

Autobot Helicopter
Code Name: Whirl
Function: Aerial Assault

Profile:
Whirl is one Autobot who really loves his job.  As a helicopter, he doesn't just fly, he careens across the sky in what appears to be a wild, joyful dance.  But the crazy patterns he spins and weaves in flight only disguise the method to his madness.  He calculates that an enemy would be far more terrified by someone who appears to be insane than by a purely rational opponent.  Indeed, he is right.  One single, lunatic dive of Whirl's will often send Decepticons scurrying for cover even before he starts firing at them.  "An attack of insanity can be just as effective as an attack by a proton bomb," says Whirl.

Abilities:
As a helicopter, Whirl can fly at a speed of 400 mph.  He has a range of 16000 miles.  His manoeuvrability is amazing -- he can fly at virtually any angle except upside down, and even that he can achieve while doing loops.  He packs four incendiary-shell cannons and a high-energy photon beam rifle.  He has enormous strength in robot mode and carries a hand-mounted null-ray module that shields him from any energy beam directed at him, and a leg-mounted paralyzo-box that injects a powerful, disabling fluid when bought into contact with other robotic life.

Weaknesses:
Being reckless, Whirl is prone to disabling himself by damaging his rotor blades.

Here is the tech spec profile that I also have, which is the same as the one used on the box.

Tech Spec:
AUTOBOT WHIRL
AERIAL ASSAULT
Loves his job ... careens across sky spinning and weaving wild, crazy patterns.  Believes enemies are more terrified of him if he acts insane during an attack.  Flies at 400 mph, range 1600 miles.  Amazing manoeuvrability ... can fly at almost any angle.  Carries 4 incendiary-shell cannons, hi-energy photo beam rifle.  Great strength as robot... has null-ray module on hand, paralyzo-box on leg.  Reckless... prone to rotor blade damage,

If used logically, madness makes a great weapon.

Str: 8 Int: 8 Spd: 8 End: 8 Rnk: 6 Crg: 9 Frp: 8 Skl: 8

HK-TF.com board member Mike has posted some images of the upcoming Transformers Reveal The Shield W­reck-Gar figure.  You can view the original post here, and the mirrored images below.

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Zobovor has posted an update on alt.toys.transformers regarding some new Walmart listings that include Warpath and Arcee.  You can view the original post here and a summarise version below,

TRA GEN THUNDERWING 65356955827
TRA GEN SKULLGRIN 65356955828
TRA GEN CLIFFJUMPER 65356955831
TRA GENERATN SCOURG 65356956584
TRA GEN SERGEANT KU 65356956585
TRA GEN OPTIMS PRIM 6535695644
TRA GENRTN BUMBLEBE 65356956645
TRA GEN STARSCREAM
TRA GEN THUNDRCRACK 65356958291
TRA GENRTN WHEELJAC 65356958290
TRA GENERATN WARPAT 65356959009
TRA GENERATION ARCE 65356956651

Infamous Chinese based DotMToys has been posting more images of leaked testshots and prototypes over on his website www.dotmtoys.com, which is currently offline for exceeding its bandwidth.  The latest batch of images include Dreadbot and the toy for the green Wrecker car.  You can view mirrors below.

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