TFNation have revealed their 13th guest for their 3rd show as Lew Stringer! Lew created such Marvel UK delights as Robo-Capers and Combat Colin

TFNation 2018 takes place August 17th-19th at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole just outside of the NEC here within the UK. You can read the full press release below.

Transmission_Initiated
TransmissionID: 00015
TFNation_2018
Operation: The Funny Papers

Joining the line-up of comics guests for 2018, TFNation is pleased to announce the presence of another UK based artist – well known to fans of the original Marvel UK Transformers comics series – Lew Stringer!

Famous predominantly for his humour work, he was a stable component of the Marvel UK Transformers issues, providing a light-hearted relief to the stories in the form of two featured strips: Robo-Capers and Combat Colin (initially in the pages of Action Force, the UK incarnation of G.I. Joe, then replacing Robo-Capers in Transformers).

His very first venture onto the comics stage was Brickman, which ran from the 1970s up until 2009 in various forms. Stringer is well known in the UK for his work as an independent comics creator, but also for his work appearing in the pages of The Beano and The Dandy weekly kids’ comic magazines, alongside other licensed magazines such as Spider-Man, Epic, Lego Adventures and more. Internationally, his work has appeared in the likes of Elephantmen and Grindhouse in the US market, Herman Hedning in Sweden, and Nemi in Norway.

Thanks to his comics work as a creator, Stringer is well-versed in the history of the British comics industry and scene, and regularly offers insights, analyses, and discussions of current and past trends on his blog, Blimey! It’s Another Blog about Comics!

Lew Stringer will be attending TFNation 2018 all weekend, talking capers,silly jokes, and sketching for fans of his work, as well as discussing comics history in general!

If you want to ensure all communications are intercepted, join our mailing list at https://tfnation.com

Further transmissions to follow.

TFNation

Where All Are One
Transmission_Terminated

Longtime Hasbro Transformers team member Aaron Archer has been announced as the 12th guest for TFNation 2018 which takes place August 17th-19th at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole in Birmingham England.

You can view the full press release below and purchase your tickets over at tfnation.com

Hasbro announced yesterday via press release that they have reached an agreement with Saban to purchase Saban’s Power Rangers and several other entertainment brands, including My Pet Monster, Popples, Julius Jr., Luna Petunia, Treehouse Detectives and others, in a combination of cash and stock valued at $522 million. The first set of products from Hasbro will be available in spring 2019.

We have found some new trademarks filed with the USPTO by Hasbro Inc. The trademarks are:

1. BLACKARACHNIA
2. RAZORCLAW
3. MEGA MIGHTIES

You can view all of the details of these and other trademarks within our exclusive Trademark Application area of the website which features trademark applications from 1984 through until the present day.

TFNation have announced their 11th guest as Mairghread Scott for their 3rd show which takes place 17th-19th August 2018 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole in Birmingham England.

Transmission_Initiated
Transmission ID: 00013
TFNation_2018
Operation: A Tale Of Two Tankors

Adding another international name to the line up for TFNation 2018, this guest hails from the IDW Publishing comics section of the Transformers franchise, and is an author of several other media iterations of the transforming robots too – please welcome writer Mairghread Scott!

Her writing credits, on the comics side, include the entirety of Windblade's story so far and one of the most charismatic Starscreams in robot history, as told in the pages of Transformers: Windblade volumes 1 & 2, and the fan-favourite sequel series Till All Are One. Scott was also co-writing the second IDW/Hasbro crossover event First Strike, and has been behind the Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots and Beast Hunters mini-series.

Working as an assistant writer of animated series Transformers: Prime, Robots in Disguise and Rescue Bots, she has also directly contributed to bringing the character of Windblade into the animated universe too (in Robots in Disguise).You will find her work on several other animated series, such as GI Joe: Renegades, and most notably Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man, Avengers Assemble, Guardians of the Galaxy and the upcoming Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors.

Back in comics, Scott has published for some of the major publishers in the business, with the likes of Green Arrow (DC), Guardians of the Galaxy (Marvel), Wonder Woman (DC), and Power Rangers (Boom! Studios) on her resumé, and creator-owned projects such as Toil &Trouble (Boom! Studios), The City on the Other Side (First Second), and more. Her upcoming work will be seen in the pages of DC comics' Batgirl, starting with issue #25 in July 2018!

Mairghread Scott will be present at TFNation 2018 all weekend, signing books, talking Starscream, raising dark stories, and talking to fans of her writing – including those still saddened by the end of Till All Are One.

If you want to ensure all communications are intercepted, join our mailing list at https://tfnation.com

Further transmissions to follow.

TFNation

Where All Are One
Transmission_Terminated

It's time for another one of our deleted and extended scene releases with today's episode covering MP700-13 Heavy Metal Wars.  The audio was taken from an original unslugged Marvel Productions cassette tape that we own and is reproduced here for fellow fans to enjoy hearing the audio for the first time.

The tape was used by fellow fan Chris McFeely alongside the storyboards, which are available online, to produce his panel that was held at TFNation 2017. This collaboration was planned to allow some of the missing audio to be heard for the first time during Europe's largest Transformers fan convention. This video contains audio that was not covered by that panel.

Gregg Burger was not present during for the recording session captured on this tape.

You can download a full copy of the script from the Google Drive share created by Chris McFeely and Jim Sorenson by visiting https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B79xUmpyNnZMV2o3TjVFdDlvcDg/view

You'll find a transcript of the audio below the video.

Transcript:

WALLY BLURR: We're rolling this is 700-13 from the top

** EXTENDED SCENE **

SCRAPPER: We return to our master Megatron!

FOREMAN: They're... they're with the Decepticons!

*NEW* Scavenger: I have reading Scrapper, it must be the secret entrance

*NEW* Scrapper: It's about time you did your job, Scavenger.  Hook -- activate the entranceway

*NEW* HOOK: With my usual finesse, Scrapper?

*NEW* MEGATRON: You see Starscream, 

MEGATRON: My Constructicons have returned to our temporary base right on schedule. They were worth the time we spent building them in these caverns. 

*NEW* STARSCREAM: That remains to be seen oh mighty Megatron

MEGATRON: Scrapper, report!

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EXTENDED SCENE **

MEGATRON: Unload and attach them to your new invention at once.

SCRAPPER: I am honoured to serve, Megatron.

*NEW* SCRAPPER: Interlock the components and synchronize the pulse linkage

MEGATRON: Soon, Starscream, soon, Scrapper's invention will give me the power to defeat the Autobots...

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EXTENDED SCENE **

*NEW* OPTIMUS PRIME: You've got us curious, Wheeljack, what's your big surprise? And what does it have to do with -- the Dinobots?

*NEW* WHEELJACK: Well, Optimus Prime, fellow Autobots, human friends Spike, Sparkplug and Chip --

*NEW* IRONHIDE: Oh, get on with it! You take longer to say something than a slow-motion mechano-mouth with the glitch!

*NEW* WHEELJACK: Uh, yes. As you know the Dinobots have always been unpredictable ... and kind of clumsy sometimes ... But I've been reprogramming them ... so just watch!

*NEW* IRONHIDE: Big deal. SO now we got us a Dinobot baseball team that eats the ball!

*NEW* CHIP: Well I'm impressed

*NEW* SPIKE: Me too, Wheeljack

*NEW* SPARKPLUG: Right! You did a good job with the big guys

*NEW* OPTIMUS PRIME: I'm also pleased, Wheeljack. Well done!

*NEW* WHEELJACK: Thank you, Optimus Prime. I try to do my best. Okay Dinobots ... Transform!

*NEW* GRIMLOCK: Next time. Me, Grimlock, do even better

*NEW* IRONHIDE: Hmmphtf! Now that the Dinobot beauty pageant's over maybe we can .. 

IRONHIDE: Huh?! Those signals spell trouble and I'm talking Decepticons!

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EXTENDED SCENE **

SPIKE WITWICKY: Looks like just one, Dad. One's one too many when it's Megatron!

*NEW* CLIFFJUMPER: I got the speed so follow my lead!

*NEW* IRONHIDE: Okay, So you're faster, Cliffjumper -- But Iim tough!

*NEW* OPTIMUS PRIME: Bumblee -- Take out friends out of danger!

*NEW* BUMBLEBEE: You heard Optimus. Let's go!

WHEELJACK: Let's see how he likes my new shock-blast cannon! Uhh! Hhh... that's a shock, all right.

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EXTENDED SCENE **

MEGATRON: I have come to talk, not fight, Optimus Prime.

OPTIMUS PRIME: Autobots, hold your fire!

*NEW* OPTIMUS PRIME: Megatron wish to confer... he says

*NEW* MEGATRON: Perhaps you will do me the courtesy of hearing me out before you doubt me?

OPTIMUS PRIME: Very well. Speak, Megatron.

MEGATRON: I come about a matter of Cybertron law, Optimus Prime. Our war has gone on for millions of years -- Decepticons fighting Autobots

*NEW* MEGATRON: with no end or victory in sight

*NEW* OPTIMUS PRIME: A sad but unavoidable truth so long as you seek to dominate the universe.

*NEW* MEGATRON: Nuy Cybertron Law may provide a solution to our seeming dilemma. I refer to the age-old code of combat 

MEGATRON: in which opposing leaders -- you and I, Optimus Prime -- may do battle. The loser must exile himself and his army to deep space for eternity. The winner may stay where he chooses. Do you have the courage for that?

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EXTENDED SCENE **

MEGATRON: I now have the strength of all my Decepticons.

*NEW* MEGATRON: The unsuspecting Optimus Prime is as good as beaten! (laughs)

*NEW* STARSCREAM: With all due respect, Megatron -- I suggest you not celebrate your victory prematurely ... as there might be one flaw in your otherwise flawless plan.

*NEW* MEGATRON: And what might that be, "loyal" Starscream?

STARSCREAM: The Autobots' computer, Teletraan 1... if it detects your deception, it will alert Optimus Prime.

MEGATRON: It won't! 

*NEW* MEGATRON: Teletraan 1 has already been accounted for in my master plan.

MEGATRON: Scrapper, you and the others have your orders. Constructicons, transform!

*NEW* MEGATRON: I chose these caverns as a temporary base because of their nearness to Autobot Headquaters.

MEGATRON: While all the Autobots are assembled to watch my combat with Optimus Prime, my Constructicons will tunnel their way beneath those headquarters, then enter the control room and destroy Teletraan 1! (Laughs) Optimus Prime won't know what hit him! (Laughs)

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EXTENDED SCENE **

OPTIMUS PRIME: The code specifies a fair battle, Spike. Under those rules I'm confident I can beat Megatron. 

*NEW* IRONHIDE: And if Megatron tries anything cute, we'll rotate his circuits!

*NEW* OPTIMUS PRIME: No, Ironhide. The law of Cybertron must be obeyed and Autobot honour must be preserved. I will fight Megatron alone. I have given my word.

OPTIMUS PRIME: Besides, if he does not abide by the rules, Teletraan 1 will tell us.

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EXTENDED SCENE **

*NEW* CHIP: According to my calculations, you shouldn't have much trouble Optimus. Your strength is far greater than Megatron's.

*NEW* SPIKE: Stomp him good, Optimus! He's had it coming for a long, long time.

*NEW* OPTIMUS PRIME: I will do my best not to fail you -- the other Autobots -- or the Earth.

*NEW* SPIKE: I know you won't! You're not a quitter!

*NEW* SPARKPLUG: Hey, guys, I think we're here!

OPTIMUS PRIME: Autobots, transform!

IRONHIDE: Okay, we're here! Where's the opposition?

CHIP CHASE: That answer your question, Ironhide?

*NEW* STARSCREAM: Without our power chip rectifiers we're lucky we can still fly, Megatron!

*NEW* MEGATRON: I wouldn't want you walking to the show, that might tip our hand!

*NEW* STARSCREAM: You will remember to return our chips ounce you've used them against Optimus Prime, won't you?

*NEW* IRONHIDE: Strange -- some of those crumbs usually like to show off by changing to their jetplane modes.

*NEW* RATCHET: No biggie, Ironhide. They probably don't want to take the spotlight away from Megatron.

MEGATRON: Hail Optimus Prime, and welcome to defeat!

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EXTENDED SCENE **

*NEW* CHIP: Give it to him!

SPARKPLUG WITWICKY: Go, Optimus!

STARSCREAM: And the use of my null ray, too.

*NEW* OPTIMUS PRIME: He never .. did that before!

*NEW* RATCHET: This doesn't print out right! How'd Megatron get so versatile?

*NEW* SPARKPLUG: C'mon, Optimus! You can do it!

SKYWARP: You should see me do that when I've got my power chip.

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EXTENDED SCENE **

IRONHIDE: Way to go, Prime! You're not down yet!

*NEW* MEGATRON: Foolish move. I knew you were going to do that!

*NEW* WHEELJACK: Megatron read Prime's thoughts just like Soundwave!

MEGATRON: (Laughs) You cannot blast what you cannot see!

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EXTENDED SCENE **

SPIKE WITWICKY: I can't believe it.

CHIP CHASE: Optimus Prime... beaten by Megatron.

*NEW* RATCHET: Prime's gonna need repairs, Wheeljack

OPTIMUS PRIME: Ohhhh...

SPIKE WITWICKY: He's functional

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EXTENDED SCENE **

SCRAPPER: There's Teletraan 1! For Megatron, destroy it!

*NEW* LONGHAUL: *Dialogue missing*

*NEW* SCRAPPER: Then fight! But remember -- the computer is our main objective!

SLUDGE: Sludge not see these Decepticons before.

SNARL: Not see again, either, because we dynamite them to pieces!

*NEW* SWOOP: Let's finish 'em fast!

*NEW* BONECRUSHER: Blast him! Reduce him to metallic dust!

HOOK: It's bad news, Scrapper. They've brought out the heavy artillery.

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EXTENDED SCENE **

SPIKE WITWICKY: Hey... check that out! What is it?

*NEW* SLAG: Dinobots no fool around!

IRONHIDE: Our Dino-buddies! We gotta help!

*NEW* OPTIMUS PRIME: No, Ironhide! Remember the law!

*NEW* MEGATRON: That's right -- you must keep your honor ... and obey the law!

*NEW* STARSCREAM: We could join the battle -- if we still had out powers.

*NEW* MEGATRON: My Devastator needs to help in vanquishing these Dinoboy oafs

IRONHIDE: Uhh... sorry about that.

** EXTENDED SCENE **

** EFFECTS AND ADDITIONAL LINE **

WALLY: Okay, let's have all the Autobots say "let's go to it", here we go 1, 2,3

AUTOBOT SFX

WALLY: Humans .. mix in with that, the same thing, humans at 155 and ...

AUTOBOT SFX

*NEW* OPTIMUS PRIME: I have a plan to defeat that giant robot.

DEVASTATOR: Nothing defeats the Devastator! Nothing!

** EXTENDED SCENE **

It has just been announced that the administrators have failed to find a buyer for the 100 UK stores of Toys R Us and so all of the remaining stores will close within the next six weeks with 1/4 of the stores having already been closed or being due to close by the end of this week.

Buyers are still being sort for the US stores and the Canadian side remains open at this stage.

Hasbro, Enjoy the Ride Records and Sony Music/Legacy Recordings Present the First Official Release of the Transformers Original Television Series Score on Collector’s Edition Vinyl on March 9 

With 40 Tracks, Soundtrack is Available for the First Time in Any Format and

Presented In Three Colored Vinyl SKUs

BURBANK, Calif. – March 6, 2018 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), Enjoy The Ride Records and Sony Music/Legacy Recordings announced today the release of Hasbro Studios Presents ’80s TV Classics: Music from The Transformers on vinyl in three different color variants, available at select retailers Friday, March 9.  This is the first official release of the score in any format and includes the iconic opening theme song and more than 45 minutes of unreleased music by composers Robert J. Walsh, Johnny Douglas, Anne Bryant and Ford Kinder.  The album features music from seasons 1-3 of “The Transformers” animated series which debuted in 1984.

“We’re very excited to share with fans of all ages the classic original score from the animated show that helped launch the Transformers universe,” said Stephen Davis, Chief Content Officer for Hasbro. “Legacy has created an incredible, unique product that fans will love and that is truly More than Meets the Eye!”

Hasbro Studios Presents ’80s TV Classics: Music from The Transformers features a mix of orchestral and ‘80s inspired synth tracks which have been remastered from the original tapes by Walsh himself.  The unique collector’s edition albums feature original artwork including Japanese Catalog artwork from 1985 and will be available in three different retail exclusive vinyl colorways (each sold separately) corresponding with fan favorite characters Optimus Prime (Blue and Red Stripe With Gray Splatter), Bumblebee (Black and Yellow Stripe) and Megatron (Gray with Purple Splatter).

The Hasbro Studios Presents ’80s TV Classics: Music from The Transformers will be available for $18.99, with the Optimus Prime and Megatron variants available through EnjoyTheRideRecords.com and the Bumblebee variant available exclusively through ThinkGeek.com. 

Track Listing:

Side A

1.     Opening Theme Song

2.     Life

3.     Cybertron Sorrow

4.     The Bridge to Iacon

5.     Unwelcoming Committee

6.     Prepare

7.     Attack! Attack!

8.     Decepticon Drama

9.     Explore! Repair!

10.   Facing Disaster

11.   Ominous Discovery

12.   Elements of Danger

13.   Something’s Wrong

14.   Overcoming the Unstoppable

15.   No More Worries

16.   Unyielding

17.   Heavy Mettle

18.   Man and Machine

19.   Matters and Antimatters

20.   Battle Fearlessly

21.   Ancient Legends

22.   The March of War

Side B

1.     Roll For Home

2.     The Glimmer of Hope

3.     Earth to Cybertron

4.     Into the Jaws of Death

5.     Doomed Together

6.     The Wrong Readings Mean the Right Doom

7.     Transformers Medley

8.     Mad Planet

9.     Conflict on Cassette

10.   Pastoral Tranquility

11.   From the Secret Files of Teletraan II

12.   Separation Anxiety

13.   Synthesized Magic

14.   Sinister

15.   Uneasy Advances

16.   Epic Struggles

17.   Mysterious Airs

18.   Waking Nightmare

Since their launch in 1984, Transformers has grown to be one of the world’s most recognizable and successful toy and entertainment brands. Driven by compelling characters and a rich storyline, Transformers revolutionized children’s entertainment as one of the first properties to produce a successful toy line, comic book, TV series and animated film.  With more than 30 years of history, thousands of unique Transformers robots have been introduced through toy lines, animated TV series, comic books and animated and live-action feature films.

About Hasbro

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, BABY ALIVE and MAGIC: THE GATHERING, as well as premier partner brands. Through its entertainment labels, Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, the Company is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for children and their families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked No. 1 on the 2017 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by CR Magazine, and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past seven years. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).

About Enjoy The Ride Records

Enjoy The Ride Records is a Long Island based record label, specializing in cult following reissues throughout a variety of genres. Enjoy The Ride Records works with a group of diverse licensing partners throughout the entertainment industry to help create and reissue albums in a unique, limited release format since 2008. 

About Legacy Recordings

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is home to the world’s foremost library of historically significant commercial recordings, a peerless collection of works by the most significant musical artists of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Across a variety of platforms, the label has revolutionized the catalog market, offering contemporary music fans access to thousands of meticulously restored and remastered archival titles representing virtually every musical genre including popular, rock, jazz, blues, R&B, folk, country, gospel, Broadway musicals, movie soundtracks, rap/hip-hop, world music, classical, comedy and more.

Founded in 1990 by CBS Records (rebranded Sony Music in 1991), Legacy has expanded on its original mission (preserving and reissuing back catalogs of Columbia Records, Epic Records and associated CBS labels) to provide new and innovative avenues for artist and repertoire exposure including Grammy winning curated retrospectives, social media campaigns, Oscar winning soundtracks, new talent signings and groundbreaking campaigns for established artists and catalog projects.

About Sony Music Entertainment

Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a current roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including Arista Nashville, Beach Street Records, Black Butter Records, BPG Music, Bystorm Entertainment, Century Media, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Day 1, Descendant Records, Disruptor Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Essential Worship, Fo Yo Soul Recordings, House of Iona Records, Insanity Records, Kemosabe Records, Legacy Recordings, Masterworks, Masterworks Broadway, Ministry of Sound Recordings, Monument Records, OKeh, Polo Grounds Music, Portrait, RCA Inspiration, RCA Nashville, RCA Records, Relentless Records, Reunion Records, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Syco Music and Verity Records. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

Toys R Us UK has gone into administration with immediate effect due to their inability to pay a £15 million tax bill. As of now their online and click and collect services are no more and a sale is expected to start on all remaining items in stores. All stores will remain open whilst the administrators try to find a buyer but if they fail then all 105 stores are expected to close in the summer. you can read more here

Arron Kendall and Simon Thomas of Moorfields Advisory Limited, 88 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7QF were appointed Joint Administrators on 28 February 2018. The Administrators now manage the affairs, business and property of the Company. The Administrators act as agents only and without personal liability.

Their website has been updated with the following notice:

Refunds and Exchanges

No exchanges for non-faulty items may be accepted and no refunds will be given.

If the item is faulty then the normal Company policy will be followed in accordance with your statutory rights.

Gift Cards

We are continuing to accept and redeem Gift Cards for purchases made, but please note that we will not be issuing Gift Cards.

No refunds can be given for the balance of the gift cards

Take Time To Pay Agreements

If you have recently settled your Time to Pay agreement and collected your goods, then you are no longer a creditor of the company and nofurther action is needed.

If you have recently settled your Time to Pay agreement and but not collected your goods, then you should collect your goods from store as soon as possible.

If you have not settled your Time to Pay agreement and not collected your goods then you will need to attend your local store by Sunday 11 March 2018 and either:

• Pay the balance for the merchandise they have included in their Take Time to Pay Agreement. The price of the merchandise will be the price in store on the day the customer settles the Take Time to Pay Agreement less the deposit that they have already paid; or
• Purchase alternative goods that exceed the value of their deposit.
• No cash refunds will be issued in respect of deposits paid prior to the company entering Administration

Gold Card and R Baby Club

Loyalty cards and loyalty points will no longer be issued

We have found some new trademarks filed with the USPTO by Hasbro Inc. The trademarks are:

1. ALLSPARK DISTRIBUTION

You can view all of the details of these and other trademarks within our exclusive Trademark Application area of the website which features trademark applications from 1984 through until the present day.

We have found some new trademarks filed with the USPTO by Hasbro Inc. The trademarks are:

1. M.A.S.K. - MOBILE ARMORED STRIKE KOMMAND

You can view all of the details of these and other trademarks within our exclusive Trademark Application area of the website which features trademark applications from 1984 through until the present day.

Tickets for TFNation 2018 are now on sale.  You can register online via Mobile, Tablet, Laptop or Desktop.  There are two payment options available, credit card (via the secure payment gateway Stripe) or Paypal.

If you have a login to the website from previous shows then you can make use of the handy Quick Book buttons which will remember your preferences from previous years.

This year there are additional options when checking out, so you can choose if you want to attend the exclusive Stan Bush concept which takes place on Saturday Night after ClubCon.

We look forward to seeing you all there.

We have found some new trademarks filed with the USPTO by Hasbro Inc. The trademarks are:

1. TRANSFORMERS BOTBOTS

You can view all of the details of these and other trademarks within our exclusive Trademark Application area of the website which features trademark applications from 1984 through until the present day.

Diagnostik80 has provided us with a fun Top 10 looking at his most wanted Transformers Masterpiece redecos that haven't happened yet (or never will)!! Check it out on his YouTube channel here:

Make sure to like, comment and subscribe!!

The NPD Group report that toy sales within the UK dropped by 2.8% in 2017 pointing at Brexit, under-performing licenses and issues around counterfeit toys as the primary causes. Total revenues for the year are reported as being £3.4 billion meaning that despite the decline the UK is still positioned as the largest market in Europe with three years of growth between 2014 and 2016.

Natasha Crookes, director of public affairs and communications for the BTHA stated that "the increasing breadth and depth of counterfeit toys is a real concern, with over £400 million worth of sales being lost to the industry, as well as the cost to companies from the theft of innovative design".

When asked to comment on the growing UK Collectable market Ms Crookes commented that they were "an unstoppable force within the industry". Figures show that the sector grew by 17%, dominated by Fingerlings, with the category now making up 9% of the overall value and 19% of all units sold. Frederique Tutt, global toy analyst for the NPD Group added that they "have seen significant year on year growth" in Collectables.

Doll play-sets, pre-school figures and action figures also all saw strong 2017 sales so it was not all doom and gloom outside of the collectable sector.