TFNation have announced at their first guest for their 2018 convention is going to be DC Douglas!

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Transmission ID: 00003
TFNation_2018
Operation: First 2018 Guest Acquired!

The first reveal of this new season of TFNation comes from the voice acting world, for fans of all ages: introducing, D.C. Douglas!

Famous in the Transformers franchise for his role as Chase the Police Bot in Rescue Bots, Douglas has been a regular go-to resource for updates about the show itself and is also well known beyond the transforming robot world. 

If you're a videogame aficionado, you will recognise him as Legion in the Mass Effect series - a gestalt artificial intelligence unit. Both Chase and Legion were similarly influenced by Leonard Nimoy's approach to Spock, in their respective ways. 

He has also appeared in seven Resident Evil games as Albert Wesker, as Kamoshida in Persona 5, Pod 042 in Nier: Automata, Azrael in Blazeblue, Zero in Zero Time Dilemma 3, Raven in Tekken 6, and foxy grandpa Gunter in Fire Emblem: Fates. 

If cartoons and anime are more your thing, you will have heard him voicing X Drake in One Piece, The Professor in Cyborg 009, Jasley in Mobile Suit Gundam: IBO, Genji Kamogawa in Hajime no ippo, Shori Shibuya in God, Save Our King!, and Colonel Rawls on Regular Show, Superman on Family Guy.

His on camera roles include the seminal cinematographic masterpiece Sharknado 2 (Bud), plus Zepht in Star Trek: Enterprise, Pa Kettle in Z Nation, and Aiden Wexler in SyFy’s Isle of the Dead.

D.C. Douglas will be joining TFNation for the entire duration of the convention, offering autographs, photo opportunities where possible and joining panels over the weekend.

Launch tickets, bedrooms details, further guests and activities will be announced in the coming months. Keep monitoring this frequency. 

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
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Signature Publishing have announced that they shall be releasing a second monthly Transformers comic in the form of Transformers Rescue Bots with the first issue set for UK stores on the 19th May 2017 priced at £3.99 and coming with a Chase car stunt set and 4-roll sticker box.

The magazine is aimed at the pre-school audience and is based on the animated show which averages 17,000 viewers across 600 plays on Tiny Pop; 76% above the channel average. The show is on par with My Little Pony for the station where it contirbutes 1/5th of the total views with 1.5 million children having viewed it since it's launch.

Danny Morris, Signature Publishing's Managing Director stated that "The Transformers franchise just keeps growing, with the launch of the latest blockbuster movie in June, while younger fans are egaging with the hit animated cartoon Rescue Bots" adding that "We are therefore delighted and honoured to be the first publisher, worldwide, to launch a standalone magazine for this fantastic extension to Hasbro's Transformers brand where, as always, storytelling is at its heart. With the viewing figures and toy sales for Transformers Rescue Bots speaking for themselves, this new magazine is sure to be a huge success!"

Emmy Nominated ‘Transformers Rescue Bots’ Returns to Discovery Family Channel with Back-to-Back Premiere Episodes Beginning Saturday, April 23

– This Season, Celebrity Guest Stars Kristen Schaal and Alex Kingston Visit Griffin Rock and TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS Celebrates its 100th Episode Milestone –

(New York) – Power up, energize and roll to the rescue as the fourth season of TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS premieres on Discovery Family Channel with back-to-back episodes on Saturday, April 23 at 8 AM ET/7 AM CT and 8:30 AM ET/7:30 AM CT. Additionally, the animated series will introduce new characters – the first-ever female Rescue Bot “Quickshadow” voiced by Alex Kingston (“ER”) and “Chickadee” voiced by Kristen Schaal (“Bob’s Burgers”). TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS will also celebrate its 100th episode milestone this season.

In the season four back-to-back premiere episodes “New Normal” and “Bridge Building,” the invasion of an evil alien race forces the Rescue Bots to reveal their true extraterrestrial identities to the citizens of Griffin Rock. But before the townspeople vote on whether to let the robots in disguise stay in their town, the Auto Bots are transported to the Sahara Desert and must band together with their human counterparts to get home safely. Throughout the action-packed season, the Bots work tirelessly on a new project, construction of the Mainland Training Center and continue to test the powerful “Groundbridge” portal that allows them to transport between their firehouse headquarters and training center.

TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS follows the adventures of four young Transformers and their human counterparts – a family of emergency responders with 12-year-old Cody Burns at the center. The Rescue Bots – Heatwave, Chase, Blades and Boulder are tasked by Optimus Prime to study the ways of humanity and protect mankind on the island of Griffin Rock, a highly advanced hub of technology located off the coast of Maine. Throughout the series, Cody and his family teach the Bots how to live amidst humankind while learning about teamwork, cooperation and overcoming obstacles along the way. Created specifically for a younger generation of TRANSFORMERS fans, each 30-minute episode of TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS is full of family, heart, humor and adventure as the Rescue Bots support their mission to protect and learn from humans.

TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS is produced by Hasbro Studios for Discovery Family Channel. For Hasbro Studios, Stephen Davis is the executive producer. The series was developed for television by Jeff Kline, Nicole Dubuc and Brian Hohlfeld. To learn more, go to http://www.discoveryfamilychannel.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DiscFamily and on Twitter @DiscoveryFamily.

About Discovery Family Channel

The leading television destination for families in the United States, Discovery Family is available in nearly 70 million U.S. homes and is a joint venture of Discovery Communications and Hasbro. Discovery Family is programmed with a clever mix of original series, family-friendly movies, and programming from Discovery’s non-fiction library and Hasbro Studios’ popular animation franchises, including MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC, LITTLEST PET SHOP and TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS. The smart entertainment choice for families, Discovery Family attracts children and their parents with the highest-quality, real-world content that appeals to the entire family in the General Entertainment, Adventure and Animals genres at night and award-winning animation programming in Daytime.

About Hasbro Studios

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences, by leveraging its beloved brands, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF, PLAY-DOH and TRANSFORMERS, and premier partner brands. From toys and games, television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and consumer product licensing, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection with children and families around the world. The Company’s Hasbro Studios and its film label, ALLSPARK PICTURES, create entertainment brand-driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film, digital and more. Through the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).

Hasbro have updated their YouTube page two new Transformers trailers

First up is the Transformers: Rescue Bots Season 4 Trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AMtaV5bcCY) that features the first look at the new Female Autobot Noble and an older Cody Burns.

Next up is a trailer for Season 2 of Transformers Robots In Disguise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzyy9zY9yXU&feature=youtu.be) that recaps the Autobot team as well as showing some brief footage of some of the new Decepticons

The assortments for the upcoming 2016 Transformers figures has been revealed as well as the Hasbro ToyShop website being updated with two new listings so you'll find a summary of both below.

2016 Breakdown

Transformers Generations Alt Modes Blind Box Figures Case
Availability: January 2016
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $6.99
Transforming your Autobots and Decepticons has never been easier! The Transformers Generations Alt Modes Blind Box Figures Series 1 changes with a flick of the wrist, and each blind-boxed figure is a fun surprise. Will you get Bumblebee, Starscream, or someone else entirely? We don't know - it's a mystery!

Case includes 24 individually packaged robots.
Breakdown not available at this time.

UPC: 630509406548

Transformers Rescue Bots Rescue Rigs Wave 1 Case
Availability: January 2016
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $21.49
Transform for adventure with the Transformers Rescue Bots Rescue Rigs! Each transforming robot can change to a cab and connect to a trailer for even bigger adventures. Case includes 3 individually packaged figures with accessories:
Item No. Qty. Name UPC
B4952AS00 2 TRA RBT HOOK AND LADDER HEATWAVE 630509377633
B4953AS00 1 TRA RBT CAPTURE CLAW CHASE 630509374939
(subject to change)

Transformers Rescue Bots Mini-Cons Wave 1 Case
Availability: January 2016
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $5.49
New friends for a fun adventure! The Transformers Rescue Bots Mini-Cons feature awesome robotic sidekicks with amazing powers - they transform in to gear for your Rescue Bots team! Case includes 6 individually packaged partners:
Item No. Qty. Name UPC
B4955AS00 3 TRA RBT SERVO 630509374960
B4956AS00 3 TRA RBT DRAKE THE DRAGON BOT 630509374953
(subject to change)

Transformers Rescue Bots Adventure Playsets Wave 1
Availability: January 2016
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $16.49
Every adventure has to start somewhere - so why not in the Transformers Rescue Bots Adventure Playsets? Each individually packaged playscape includes figures, accessories, and cool gear to keep an eye out for trouble. Case sports 3 individually packaged playsets:
Item No. Qty. Name UPC
B4964AS00 2 TRA RBT GRIFFIN ROCK GARAGE 630509375080
B4965AS00 1 TRA RBT GRIFFIN ROCK POLICE STATION 630509377664
(subject to change)

Transformers Rescue Bots Megabots Wave 1 Case
Availability: January 2016
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $21.49
The next big thing is here! Transformers Rescue Bots Megabots bring you giant transforming robots that turn in to really cool vehicles. By land or by sea, these colorful characters are here to save the day! Case includes 3 individually packaged robots in disguise:
Item No. Qty. Name UPC
B4967AS00 2 TRA RBT DEEP WATER RESCUE HIGH TIDE 630509400638
B6580AS00 1 TRA RBT OPTIMUS PRIME 630509400621
(subject to change)

Transformers Robots in Disguise Battle Packs Wave 2 Case
Availability: January 2016
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $16.49
Gear up! The Transformers Robots in Disguise Mini-Con Battle Packs travel in groups! Armored robot humanoids and creatures team up to fight the good fight. For Earth, for Cybertron, for the entire Universe - add these Deployers to your army and save us all!

Case includes 4 individually packaged Mini-Con 4-packs:
Item No. Qty. Name UPC
B5602AS00 2 TRA RID MINICON BUMBLEBEE W MAJOR MAYHEM 630509386741
B5603AS00 2 TRA RID MINICON GRIMLOCK VS DECEPT BACK 630509386758
(subject to change)

Transformers Robots in Disguise Titan Hero Figures Wave 3
Availability: January 2016
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $10.99
From the TV show! Beast-based Decepticons and heroic Autobots are back in Transformers Robots in Disguise Titan Hero Figures Wave 3. Each 12-inch figure has moving limbs and is ready for big action. Ages 4 and up.

Case includes 8 individually packaged action figures:
Item No. Qty. Name UPC
B1295AS00 2 TRA TITAN HERO OPTIMUS PRIME 630509281442
B1296AS00 2 TRA TITAN HERO BUMBLEBEE 630509281459
B4677AS00 2 TRA TITAN HERO GRIMLOCK 630509363872
B4678AS00 2 TRA TITAN HERO AUTOBOT DRIFT 630509363889
(subject to change)

Transformers Robots in Disguise Legion Wave 5 Revision 1
Availability: January 2016
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $6.99
From the TV show! Transformers Robots in Disguise Legion Wave 5 Case sports 8 individually packaged 3-inch robots which convert to cool disguises like police cars and dinosaurs. Measure approximately 3-inches. Ages 6 and up. This case includes 8 individually packaged figures:
Item No. Qty. Name UPC
B0892AS00 1 TRA RID STRONGARM 630509266012
B0894AS00 1 TRA RID OPTIMUS PRIME 630509265961
B0895AS00 1 TRA RID GRIMLOCK 630509283668
B0896AS00 1 TRA RID SIDESWIPE 630509283651
B4681AS00 1 TRA RID LEGION WINDBLADE 630509363360
B4682AS00 1 TRA RID LEGION CLAMPDOWN 630509363377
B4683AS00 1 TRA RID LEGION THUNDERHOOF 630509363353
B4684AS00 1 TRA RID LEGION AUTOBOT DRIFT 630509363346
(subject to change)

Transformers Robots in Disguise Warriors Wave 5 Revision 1
Availability: January 2016
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $15.99
From the TV show! The Transformers Robots in Disguise Warriors Wave 5 Revision 1 are deluxe figures with big personalities. Autobots and Decepticons change from robot to vehicle and back again, and each figure has a unique code on it which can interact with an exciting app available for most major smartphones! Measure approximately 5-inches tall. Ages 6 and up.

Case of 8 individually packaged figures includes:
Item No. Qty. Name UPC
B0909AS00 2 TRA RID WARRIOR STEELJAW 630509266265
B0912AS00 1 TRA RID WARRIOR AUTOBOT DRIFT 630509283811
B1733AS00 1 TRA RID WARRIOR SIDESWIPE 630509314171
B4685AS00 1 TRA RID WARR BLZZRD STRIKE OPTIMUS PRIME 630509363513
B4686AS00 1 TRA RID WARRIOR DECEPTICON FRACTURE 630509363544
B4687AS00 1 TRA RID WARRIOR MEGATRONUS 630509363551
B4688AS00 1 TRA RID WARRIOR NIGHT STRIKE BUMBLEBEE 630509363568
(subject to change)


Transformers Robots in Disguise Warriors Wave 6
Availability: December 2015
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $15.99
From the TV show! The Transformers Robots in Disguise Warriors Wave 6 are deluxe figures with big personalities. Autobots and Decepticons change from robot to vehicle and back again, and each figure has a unique code on it which can interact with an exciting app available for most major smartphones! Ages 6 and up.

Case of 8 individually packaged figures includes:
Item No. Qty. Name UPC
B0910AS00 1 TRA RID WARRIOR STRONGARM 630509266241
B1733AS00 1 TRA RID WARRIOR SIDESWIPE 630509314171
B4685AS00 1 TRA RID WARR BLZZRD STRIKE OPTIMUS PRIME 630509363513
B4687AS00 1 TRA RID WARRIOR MEGATRONUS 630509363551
B4688AS00 1 TRA RID WARRIOR NIGHT STRIKE BUMBLEBEE 630509363568
B5596AS00 1 TRA RID WARRIOR THUNDERHOOF 630509386871
B5597AS00 1 TRA RID WARRIOR QUILLFIRE 630509386765
B5598AS00 1 TRA RID WARR BLIZZARD STRK AUTOBOT DRIFT 630509386703
(subject to change)

Transformers Robots in Disguise Tiny Titans Wave 5 Case
Availability: December 2015
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $2.49
(NO PICTURE AVAILABLE OF ASSORTMENT)
Get a whole case! Transformers Robots in Disguise Tiny Titans Wave 5 Case brings you 24 individually packaged Autobots and Decepticons in blind-bagged non-transforming minifigure form. All of your favorites are here - if you're lucky! Each bagged figure is a fun surprise. Will you get Autobots, Decepticons, or another exciting surprise? Ages 4 and up.

Case of 24 individually packaged figures includes 24x Tiny Titans Series 5 (subject to change)

Item No. Qty. Name UPC
B5840AS00 24 TRA TINY TITAN SERIES 5 630509385874


Transformers Robots in Disguise Mini-Cons 4-Pack
Availability: January 2016
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $18.99
Prepare for battle with the Transformers Robots in Disguise Mini-Cons 4-Pack! Many Mini-Cons can be yours in this exciting collection of cool miniature Cybertronians. Load them up in a launcher, and get ready to watch the sparks fly - figuratively, of course.
UPC: 630509386888

Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Wave 2 Case
Availability: February 2016
Suggested Retail Piece Price: $49.99
Transform from tank to robot and back again with Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader toys!
Each 9-inch transforming robot includes a firing rocket and a whole suit of blasters, plus a collectible card.
Vehicle mode features opening cockpit and retractable landing gear!
Transform a giant robot in disguise with the Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Wave 2 Case! Each 9-inch tall robot transforms into an awesome jet, ready to enter the struggle for intergalactic supremacy with cool accessories and firing rockets. Each Seeker toy features a firing rocket and multiple clip-on guns!

Ages 8 and up. This case includes 2 individually packaged figures:
Item No. Qty. Name UPC
B2444AS00 1 TRA GEN LEADER STARSCREAM 630509314300
B4669AS00 1 TRA GEN LEADER SKYWARP 630509368419
(subject to change)

Hasbro ToyShop has been updated with new listings for Combiner Wars Pipes and Robots In Disguise Megatronus

Autobot Pipes

This super-smart Autobot Pipes figure picks up junk gadgets like they were treasures! He’s a super robot fighter and he’ll be a match for any Decepticon who tries to take him on. When he’s in robot mode, he’ll fend off Decepticons with his powerful blaster – and he’ll run them over when he’s in semi truck mode! Keep converting him back and forth so he can handle whatever his foes dish out!

•Includes figure, accessory, collector card and instructions.

•2-in-1 Autobot Pipes figure
•Figure converts from robot mode to semi truck mode
•Includes blaster
•Changes in 8 steps
•Includes collector card

Megatronus

Autobots beware, because this Warrior Class Decepticon Megatronus figure converts in a heartbeat from robot mode to tank mode, and he’s got a mighty blade that will make his foes think twice about taking him on! He converts in 7 steps to either mode, and kids can keep converting him back and forth to keep the adventure going. When the battle is over for the day, scan the figure’s badge into the Transformers Robots in Disguise app (device not included) to unlock the characters for awesome virtual combat. Transformers adventures will be off the hook with this Megatronus figure!

•Includes figure and accessory.

•2-in-1 Warrior Class Megatronus figure
•Figure converts from robot mode to tank mode and back
•Includes blade
•Converts in 7 steps
•Scan the figure’s badge to unlock the character in the Transformers Robots in Disguise app (device not included)

Veteran voice actor Michael Bell is set to returned to the Transformers franchise by voicing a character within the Transformers Rescue Bots series. Michael previously voiced the Generation 1 characters Prowl, Sideswipe, Swoop, Scrapper. Mr Bell had this to say when maing the announcement on Facebook back on the 8th April

To all my buds..tune in to THE RESCUE BOTS episode "Turning The Tide" which airs this Saturday, April 11 at 10:30am Pacific time on Discovery Family. It's a super show and has lots of your favorite vo actors voicing some wonderful characters. Ya got kids, or know kids, cue them in to watch. I am.

P.S. Yours truly is on this episode. I had a blast doing.

Zap2it has once again updated their listings with summaries of the next four episodes of Tranformers Rescue Bots Resecue Bots Season 3. 

S3 E11 - Did You See What I Thaw?: The Bots discover a caveman preserved in ice and attempt to help him adjust to modern life.
S3 E12 - The Attack of Humungado: Monsters from Kade's favorite movie materialize; it's up to the Dino Bots to corral the Kaiju.
S3 E13 - Thieves Like Us: The Bots must contend with thieving miniature souvenir replicas of themselves.
S3 E14 - Time After Time: A renovated clock tower causes Cody to relive the same morning over and over. 

Zap2It have posted some episode summaries for the upcoming Transformers Rescue Bots episodes 3,4,5 and 6. You can view the details below.

Rescue Bots S3 E3 Too Many Kades
Cody and the Rescue Bots show Kade a valuable lesson in teamwork.
Airdate - Saturday, November 08 2014 1:30 pm EST on Discovery Family

Rescue Bots S3 E4 Phantom of the Sea
The Rescue Bots and the Burns family get on a ghost ship that emerges once every ten years.
Airdate - Saturday, November 15 2014 1:30 pm EST on Discovery Family

Rescue Bots S3 E5 Unfinished Business
Before coming to Earth, the Rescue Bots must return to space to complete one last mission.
22 November 2014 (1.30pm EST) S3E5 Unfinished Business

Rescue Bots S3 E6 No Place Like Dome
Doc gives the Vigilant Computer a second chance to protect the island.
29 November 2014 (1.30pm EST) S3E6 No Place Like Dome

Marcelo Matere has tweeted out that he will be sharing some Rescue Bot pencils over on his Facebook page and has already posted three, so if you are a fan of the little bots you may just want to head over to the book of faces for a peak.

Hasbro Inc have issued the following press release announcing a deal with Vision Animation and Moody Street Kids to produce 26 half-hour episodes for a 2nd season of Rescue Bots.

Hasbro Strikes Malaysian Production Deal for Rescue Bots

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Hasbro Studios, the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of Hasbro, Inc., announced an agreement with Malaysia’s leading studio, Vision Animation, and Australia’s Moody Street Kids to produce 26 half-hour episodes for the second season of Rescue Bots. The pact comes as the new animated Transformers franchise series has debuted to strong ratings both on The Hub, a joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications in the U.S., and on many of the top broadcast networks globally. 

Rescue Bots will be collaboratively produced by Hasbro in the U.S., Vision in Malaysia and Moody Street in Australia. This brings to eight the number of countries that will be involved in production or co-production deals with Hasbro Studios by the end of November, with the United States, China, Japan, Canada, South Korea and Spain also on the list. Pre-production on the Rescue Bot episodes will commence immediately and delivery is expected in mid-2014.

“We are always striving to find cutting edge talent around the world,” said Hasbro Studios President Stephen Davis. “With Vision and Moody Street, we now have another team of international production partners that share our vision and understanding of the power of brands. We are most impressed with their ability to take branded entertainment and create great emotional stories.”  

The Vision agreement is significant to Malaysia, with Hasbro Studios becoming the first U.S. company to strike a deal under the terms of Malaysia’s recently announced production Tax Incentive program.

Following an introductory meeting between Davis and Malaysia’s Minister of Information, Culture and Communications two years ago, Vision joined the discussions. The animation studio at the forefront of developing Malaysia’s production industry, especially through co-productions with world-class partners, brought in Moody Street Kids with which they had collaborated on three previous projects. To ensure their ability to deliver high-quality animation and strong storytelling in conjunction with Hasbro Studios, the partners conducted a successful test prior to the deal being signed.

“Gill Carr of Moody Street Kids and I are delighted to be given the opportunity to bring the collective strengths of our studios to bear on the production of this fantastic show,” said Huoi-Seong Low, CEO of Vision Animation. “We are confident that this will be the first of many projects we will be doing together with Hasbro Studios.”

"I am happy and pleased to take note that the Malaysian Government's support and investments in the entertainment & media industry over the past few years have paid off,” said Dato' Sri Kamaruddin Siaraf, Secretary General of the Malaysian Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture. “Malaysia is being globally recognized as a reliable content production centre, ready for co-production opportunities, especially in 2D & 3D animation. The production deal between Hasbro Studios and Vision Animation is a landmark and certainly a testament to Malaysia's capabilities in producing award-winning, world-class animation for international markets at a competitive cost."

Source: Hasbro Studios

The official Transformers Facebook page has posted up a Question and Answer session with the voice of Transformers Prime Starscream (and Rescue Bots Heatwave) Steve Blum.

Steve Blum gives an insigth into how he approached the role of Starscream in Transformers Prime, along with talkign about his voice actor idols and how doing Starscream measures up against some of his other roles.