The true legendary scribe of Transformers, Simon Furman, have updated his blog with a small entry regarding the SDCC announcement by IDW that Transformers #81 will indeed be published with a special 20 part run (issue 80.5 through 100) with the original Generation One crew of Simon Furman and Andrew Wildman back on board.  Here is Simon's post

"Announced live yesterday at San Diego Comicon — the original Marvel Transformers comic series (cancelled back in 1991 at issue #80) is being continued by IDW Publishing, thanks in large part to an online fan petition (big shouts for Luke and Ron of the IDW forums) and the tireless efforts of IDW EiC Chris Ryall. Transformers (‘classic’) will (re-) launch in Spring 2012 with issue 80 and a half, and reunites the previous writer/artist team of myself and Andrew Wildman. The reinvigorated run will build to a monumental 100th issue conclusion, pulling together and tying up every dangling plotline you can think of and a whole lot you can’t! What else can I tell you about the series? Nada. Niente. Zilch. So don’t ask. For the time being anyway we’re keeping this tightly under wraps. But it is going to shatter your trousers! Guaranteed! "

Do not forget that Simon Furman and Andrew Wildman will both be in attendance at Auto Assembly next month in Birmingham where you can give them your reactions in person

Here is a round-up of some of links to some of the important panels and good image galleries from SDCC

TFW2005.com have posted some detailed images of the Transformers: Dark of the Moon Human Alliance Soundwave toy that you can find here.

TFW2005.com also have an image gallery of the red recolour of Dark of the Moon Ironhide.  You can find it here.

The Allspark have a great summary of the panel Shout!/Hasbro - "Evolution of Transformers Animation" Panel Report in which it was confirmed that the Brestforce will be renamed Chestforce on the US subtitle track for Victory as they could not get away with using Brestforce. You can read the summary here.

The Allspark have posted a good round-up of the IDW panel from this years SDCC.  You can find the article here. Which included the news that Simon Furman and Andrew Wildman will be back to write Transformers issues 81 to 100 in 2012 that will indeed continue on from the end of the Generation One series. So a 19 part mini-series, you can be sure that there will be more on this over the coming weeks especially since both parties will be at Auto Assembly next month

IGN have posted an exclusive reveal of four new official images of upcoming Transformers Prime toys. They toys shown off are Voyager Optimus Prime, Voyager Bulkhead, Deluxe Zombie Cliffjumper­ and Deluxe Vehicon

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Hasbro have issued the following press release regarding San Diego Comic-Con

HASBRO TO SHOWCASE ITS ICONIC POP-CULTURE BRANDS AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON

July 20, 2­011

With some of the most popular and sought after brands in the entertainment industry for movies, television, video games, comics, collectibles and more, Hasbro, Inc. returns to San Diego Comic-Con to deliver special opportunities for fans of its pop-culture juggernaut properties. Led by displays of upcoming action figures, new NERF VORTEX blasters and “larger than life” statues from its powerhouse G.I. JOE, KRE-O, MARVEL, MY LITTLE PONY, STAR WARS and TRANSFORMERS product lines in its booth (#3213), Hasbro will offer fans an inside look into the breadth of many of these brands throughout the weekend with a variety of panels, autograph sessions and access to brand stewards, designers and more.

 “San Diego Comic-Con is an amazing opportunity for us to engage with the most passionate fans of our brands and licensed properties,” said John Frascotti, global chief marketing officer, Hasbro, Inc. “Comic-Con allows us to provide our most enthusiastic fans with unique experiences based on the properties and characters they love as well as to introduce them to the newest brands and products from Hasbro. We look forward to this special celebration each year and are excited to deliver compelling panels, outstanding special edition collectibles and the opportunity for interactions with the amazing talent behind our brands that have become touchstones in the lives of many.”

• Making its first San Diego Comic-Con appearance in 2011 is Hasbro’s new KRE-O brand, bringing action and adventure to the construction toy category. At launch and on display in the Hasbro booth, the KRE-O brand offers twelve building sets featuring popular TRANSFORMERS characters. Comic-Con attendees will want to keep an eye out for roaming OPTIMUS PRIME and BUMBLEBEE KREON costume characters, KRE-O statues and special edition OPTIMUS PRIME KREON figures featuring “MATRIX OF LEADERSHIP” deco not available in stores (while supplies last).
  
  Giving fans a peek behind the curtain and an inside look into what’s coming in the future for many of its entertainment brands, Hasbro’s 2011 lineup of panels and autograph sessions follows:
  •  Hasbro TRANSFORMERS Brand Panel: Thursday, July 21 from 2:30 - 3:30 PM in Room 24ABC

•  Hasbro Studios “The Making of ‘Transformers Prime’” Panel: Thursday, July 21 from 3:30 - 4:30 PM in Room 24ABC
•  “Evolution of Transformers Animation” presented by Shout Factory and Hasbro Studios: Friday, July 22 from
5:30-6:30 PM in Room 8

Hasbro’s presence at the convention will be rounded out by the highly anticipated HasbroToyShop.com special edition San Diego Comic-Con collectibles available at the HasbroToyShop booth (#3329) and in limited quantities, after Comic Con, at www.HasbroToyShop.com. The complete list of 2011 special edition items follow:

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON SPECIAL EDITION ULTIMATE OPTIMUS PRIME FIGURE
(Ages: 5 & up; Approximate Retail Price: $79.99)

Fans will have their first chance to get their hands on the new TRANSFORMERS MECHTECH ULTIMATE OPTIMUS PRIME action figure at Comic-Con, with a special edition foil-wrapped, slide-out package and customizable sticker sheet. This special edition ULTIMATE OPTIMUS PRIME will be the only way to get the figure displayed in vehicle and trailer mode; the trailer doubles as a weapons arsenal and is an integral part of the figure's converting play pattern. The MECHTECH ULTIMATE OPTIMUS PRIME figure features lights, launching projectiles, electronic battle sounds and phrases and three modes of conversion – vehicle, robot, and robot with "mech suit." The trailer, which serves as a weapons depot and command center, also converts into a "mech suit" that OPTIMUS PRIME shows off when it's time to rumble.

TRANSFORMERS PRIME OPTIMUS PRIME FIRST EDITION FIGURE 
(Ages: 5 & up; Approximate Retail Price: $19.99)

With the mainline series not available until later in 2011, be among the first to get an action figure based on the style of The Hub's hit animated series, TRANSFORMERS PRIME with this special edition figure. This deluxe class OPTIMUS PRIME figure converts from robot to truck mode and features a premium deco only available in this special edition Comic-Con figure. And, in true TRANSFORMERS fashion, the “Matrix of Leadership” packaging in which the figure is housed ‘converts’ into a wearable piece!

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JoeDeclassified.com have posted some new images images of the upcoming SDCC exclusive G.I.Joe/Transformers Crossover Starscream Sky Striker.  Gryre-Viper, who posted the the images, included the comment "Well, here they are... some first images of a one-seater SDCC Starscream that are NOT mocked-up 2-seater stock photos. Have fun identifying all the little easter eggs. ­

I DID NOT APPLY THESE STICKERS. THESE STICKERS WERE APPLIED FACTORY-SIDE.

Yes, Starscream is "longer" than the normal Sky Striker... or rather... Starscream has a "longer" nose. (He's a compulsive liar).  But NOT literally longer. It's just paint.  And NO I cannot get you one. But if you can't make it to SDCC this year and CAN make it to Coil Con (coilcon.com)... Starscream will be making an appearance so you can hug him and get all his decals stuck between your teeth.  As usual JoeDeclassified has cut off a portion of my photos so check out GeneralsJoes.com for more complete pics."

You can view the images in full ­­here.­

Toy-World.com.hk has confirmed that TakaraTomy are working on a Transformers Masterpiece Rodimus Convoy figure by posting concept art for the toy.

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The first day of San Diego Comic-Con has come and gone, and you'll find a round up with links below.  Some of the information includes Transformers Prime.

>Outside of SDCC was a Giant S­tatueof Transformers Prime Optimus Prime.  The designed showed that the look is a similar to Transformers Movie designs but with the smooth roundness of Transformers Animated.

TFW2005 have various images from the Hasbro Booth here­.

TFormers coverage can be found here.­

Seibertron's coverage can be found her­e.

The SDCC exclusives and panels have been announced in the last week.  The toys will be Masterpiece Grimlock, Mighty Mugg Blaster and Mighty Muggs Prowl.  It was also announced that there would be two panels, a War For Cybertron panel and another one for Transformers Prime that will show the first footage from the series.

In an interview with BlastMagazine.com Transformers actor Tyrese Gibson confirmed that he will be returning in for the third instalment in the live action movie franchise as well as comment on Michael Bay's involvement

Michael Bay, he definitely needs to take a break from (Transformers), understandably so, but this is the movie — the biggest movie he’s ever directed in his life,” said Gibson. “And so, he can keep producing all of these other projects, but he is officially the king of geeks. ... I will absolutely be back,” and my part is going to be bumped up.­

Transformers legendary writer Simon Furman has updated his blog with an entry on IDWs next Transformers movie universe mini-series, Transformers: Nefarious.  You can read a copy of the entry below, but visit Simon's blog to view he cover and to leave him and comments and feedback

"the news is out, my next series for IDW will be Transformers: Nefarious, a six-issue movie continuity mini-series that picks up from the end of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and introduces an all-new adversary for the Transformers (Autobot and Decepticon) in the shape of a mysterious, far-reaching and very powerful group of humans with access to enhanced Transformer-tech and maybe even the odd actual Transformer! Seeds for the new series will be sown in the final Tales of the Fallen issue, Ravage, and he (along with Soundwave) play key roles in the unfolding drama. Expect lots more character depth and exploration for both. Actually, make that all characters. We’re going to be highlighting some Autobots and Decepticons that did and didn’t make it into the second movie and many, just maybe, throwing in the odd new character too! Plus, we’ll be exploring the post-movie NEST/Autobot human alliance in more detail too! For more info check out the IGN interview I did recently (see link in update below). Transformers: Nefarious kicks in shortly after Tales of the Fallen #6: Ravage. Don’t miss either!"

TFW2005 ,  TFormers and The Allspark have all now posted summary information and images from yesterday evenings Transformer panel at the SDCC.  You can find their coverage by clicking the links in this article.

Both TFormers and TFW2005 have already started their coverage of his weekends SDCC.  You can view their images thus far by visiting their sites. TFW2005, TFormers