Thousands of TRANSFORMERS fans from around the world will celebrate the iconic brand from Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS - News) in Dallas as the TRANSFORMERS fan convention known as “BOTCON” serves up a Texas-sized helping of AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS from April 27-29. Hasbro and the TRANSFORMERS Collectors’ Club, will be offering opportunities to engage in and learn about the TRANSFORMERS brand that can only be experienced at BOTCON.

In 2012, the TRANSFORMERS brand continues to deliver innovative and world class entertainment experiences based on its characters and compelling storyline. In addition to the second season of the award winning animated series Transformers Prime, the brand welcomes Transformers Rescue Bots, an animated series for a younger audience. Both series are produced by Hasbro Studios and currently air on The Hub television network in the U.S. For an entirely new immersive TRANSFORMERS experience the brand sees its colossal characters “brought to life” with the introduction of Universal Studios Hollywood's^SM epic new thrill ride, “Transformers™: The Ride—3D” opening this May. Working in collaboration with Michael Bay, who served as the ride’s Creative Consultant, the visionary special effects team at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and the innovative minds at Universal Creative, Universal Studios Hollywood’s new breakthrough mega-attraction will propel guests into the action-packed robotic world of TRANSFORMERS. As the theme park’s most ambitious ride ever built, this immersive experience is a technologically advanced motion-based, flight simulator thrill ride designed to catapult guests into an entirely new awe-inspiring 3D-HD TRANSFORMERS reality where they will be propelled along 2,000 feet of ride track and enveloped in 14 gigantic screens, many of which tower to heights of 60 feet tall.

Hasbro will also be celebrating two new major upcoming video games including the much buzzed about Transformers: Fall of Cybertron title launching August 28^th from Activision and High Moon Studios with live game demos on the show floor, as well as the Transformers: Universe MMO from Jagex Studios. The brand also celebrates the continued popularity and new stories featured in TRANSFORMERS comics from the publishing team at IDW. Attendees at this year’s BOTCON will be able to experience the wide breadth of TRANSFORMERS offerings from these licensees and Hasbro including interactive exhibits, informative panels and hands-on interaction with toy designers as well experts and creators behind video games, publishing and animation based on the brand.

Attendees will be able to preview new and yet-to-be seen TRANSFORMERS toys from Hasbro’s 2012 product line including new TRANSFORMERS BOT SHOTS toys, figures based on the popular Transformers Prime animated series as well as figures based on the Transformers: Fall of Cybertron videogame. Hasbro’s KRE-O building set brand will also be featured at BOTCON for attendees to see and play with. KRE-O TRANSFORMERS products launching this fall will focus on a new theme called the QUEST FOR ENERGON, pitting the AUTOBOTS against the DECEPTICONS on a mission to keep the ultimate ENERGON weapon from falling into the wrong hands. Each new 2012 KRE-O TRANSFORMERS set is a 2-in-1 build featuring favorite TRANSFORMERS characters in vehicle and robot modes and includes several KREON figures and exclusive ENERGON bricks. BOTCON will also feature panel discussions and interactive workshops led by TRANSFORMERS experts and fan-favorite voice actors, as well as many dealer booths where fans can purchase official TRANSFORMERS toys and merchandise.

Additionally, Hasbro will host its third annual TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame induction ceremony, celebrating both the humans and the characters that have helped to garner world renown for the brand. The ceremony will take place during BOTCON and will honor fan-favorite TRANSFORMERS comic book author Simon Furman and the legendary voice actor Chris Latta, the original voice of STARSCREAM, who will become the first person posthumously inducted into the TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame. Both Furman and members of the Latta family will be on hand at the ceremony to accept the honor.

“TRANSFORMERS is one of the most iconic entertainment brands in the world,” said Jerry Jivoin, global TRANSFORMERS brand director, Hasbro, Inc. “We look forward to bringing a world-class celebration of the TRANSFORMERS brand to Dallas and sharing the excitement of the brand with its biggest fans. With Transformers Prime burning up the airwaves, a remarkable new thrill ride, new comics from IDW and several new videogames based on the brand, it’s a great time for TRANSFORMERS fans, both new and old.”

BOTCON is North America’s largest annual official gathering of TRANSFORMERS fans and is open to both diehard and casual fans alike, as well as families and children who enjoy the iconic “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE”. The convention travels to different cities in the U.S. each year and this year will be held at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, located at 300 Reunion Boulevard in Dallas, Texas. BOTCON will be open to the public on April 28 – 29. Special activities are planned on April 27 for attendees who purchase multi-day packages.

BOTCON general admission sessions will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29. (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 find the TRANSFORMERS brand on Facebook at www.Transformers.com/Facebook and on YouTube at www.Youtube.com/Transformers.

HAS-B

About Hasbro’s 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 three live-action feature films.

About Hasbro

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS - News) 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, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with 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 Company’s Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for markets around the world. The Hub TV Network is part of a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), in the U.S. Through the company's deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies.” Learn more at www.hasbro.com. © 2012 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Fun Publications, Inc.

For over 15 years, Fun Publications, Inc. has been a Hasbro licensee offering fans and collectors of pop culture memorabilia news, exclusive product and family events through different print offerings, websites, collector clubs and brand specific conventions such as G.I.JoeCon and BotCon. Located in Fort Worth Texas, Fun Publications reaches a large audience, serving the United States and many other countries such as Japan, Great Britain, Brazil, Australia and Canada. For more information visit TransformersClub.com, GIJoeClub.com, GIJoeCon.com, and BotCon.com. BotCon is a registered trademark of Fun Publications, Inc. (C) 2012 Fun Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

In a few months it's that time again. The 4th C.O.N.S. opens the doors. On the 22nd of July 2012 we will transform Germany with even more power. This year we have space for more dealers and even more fans like ever bevor. We will care for the entertainment with a really great program. This years special guests are:

 Simon Furman - Comic Author
 Andrew Wildman - Comic Artist
 Neil Kaplan - The voice of Transformers R.I.D. Optimus Prime and more

 The rockband Rampage will once more do the musical entertainment. The pre-sale for the tickets has already started and everyone can get a ticket now for 8 Euro. Those of you who want to attend as a dealer has still the possibility to do so. But here is the space already limited.

 Tickets available: here
 Dealers can book their stand: here

 The exact address is:

 Haus Seerose
 Steeger Straße 38
 41334 Nettetal
 GERMANY

 Here are the official flyer and the first teaser:

Source: NTF-CONS.DE

Here are much more new pictures from the Transformers Prime Entertainment Pack 2.

Source: NTF-Archive.de

Michael Bay's blog have been updated with the VFX reel for Transformers 3 that will be shown at the Oscars on the 26th Feb.  You can view the video below.

Dave Tree from All The Cool Stuff has sent out an email stating that tickets for the G.I-Joe, Action Force and Transformers conventions called Roll Out Roll Call 3, will hopefully go on sale later this week over at AllTheCoolStuff.co.uk.  Don't forget to follow the convention on Twitter @RollOutRollCall

German Transformers website New Transformers Archive has posted some new Transformers Prime figures and playsets.  The toys, which can be seen below the jump, include:-

1. Voyager Optimus Prime - The figure comes with light up effects as highlighted in the image
2. Megatron
3. Deluxe Bumblebee (just art work)
4. Legends Eradicon (Vehicon)
5. Legends Ratchet
6. Legends Cliffjumper
7. Legends Arcee
8. Legends Bumblebee
9. Cyberverse Wheeljack set (the set includes Wheeljacks ship along with mini-figure in a continuation of the Transformers Dark of the Moon Cyberverse figures.

The Transformers Prime Legends class figures come with clear clip-on weapons.  They also report that an Optimus Prime mask will also be released.  The German release date for these figures is February 2012.

Source: www.ntf-archive.de

Our thanks go out to Dave Tree for letting us know that if you take a trip over and listen to Episode 28 of What's On Joe Mind, you will find out who is the 5th guest for Roll Out Roll Call: A fancast about the world of GI Joe » What's on JOE Mind?.

Along with Larry Hama & Robert Atkins, this new guest is another first for a UK show and is someone that is related to both Transformers and G.I-Joe.

We can also confirm that this will not be the last guests announced for the show, so stay with us as the excitement grows

Thinking of attending Roll Out Roll Call 2012, the UK's premier Action Force and Transformers combined fan event, then you will be interested in reading a post by AnnieM over at BloodForTheBaron

"The Travelodge sale is now on:

Southampton Travelodge has rooms for the weekend at reduced rates
Friday - £15.00 per room
Saturday - £25.50 per room
Sunday - £15.00 per room

Parking is available at £3 per 24 hours

The Travelodge is only half a mile's walk from the Jury's Inn

Bookings are NON-REFUNDABLE.

If you visit the Travelodge website, don't use the "quick book" function for these prices, but rather use the "sale" button on the left hand side. Using the "quick book" gives substantially higher rates for the Friday and Sunday nights

Because Travelodge make it difficult to book more than one night at a time on their sale promo pages, you might want to click here http://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/info?hotelId=66 and any dates you enter will be listed at the correct sale prices"

If you are not sure about attending Roll Out Roll Call, which takes place over the 10th and 11th of March 2012 at The Jury's Inn in Southampton, England, with the show promising bringing together fans and collectors of both Transformers and Action Force / G.I-Joe together under one roof. The first two "guests of honour" were announced as being two legendary writers, GI-Joe A Real American Hero writer Larry Hama (who will be signing for the first time in the UK) and Transformers & Action Force writer Simon Furman.

The show will also feature a cosplay contents, have exclusive figures produced just for the event as well as holding behind the scenes panels giving you a greater insight into the shows and toylines with information you may have never seen before.  More guests and panels will be announced over the coming weeks including some big news for Transformers fans so stay with us as well as Blood For The Baron and The NerdSphere for all the latest on this show. 

­Below you will find various links to articles relating to both the New York Comic-Con and the Victoria Toy Fair.

Seibertron.com

Hasbro Panel (video available below) http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/nycc-hasbro-transformers-panel-video/22993/

Victoria Toy Show - G1Uppers pre-show - http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/victoria-toy-fair-2011-coverage-g1uppers-preshow/22994/

Victoria Toy Show - Headrobots pre-show - http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/victoria-toy-fair-2011-coverage-headrobots-preshow/22995/

Victoria Toy Show - eNcliNe desigNs - http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/victoria-toy-fair-2011-coverage-encline-designs-preshow/22996/

Victoria Toy Show - Miscellaneous - http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/victoria-toy-fair-2011-coverage-miscellaneous-photos-and-teasers/22997/

The Allspark

NYCC panel, photos and summary - http://www.allspark.com/content/view/9558/20/

TFW2005.com

NYCC Panel - http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/key-images-from-the-transformers-panel-at-nycc-173563/

Videos

Hasbro Panel

Exclusive Toys

The Hollywood Reporter have posted a clip from tomorrows episode of Transformers Prime which is titled "Rock Bottom" as well a few images.  The clip and images accompany an article discussing the series with co-creators Roberto Orci and Jeff Kline.

The Hub have also now published a synopsis for the episode which you can find below.

"All original episodes of TRANSFORMERS PRIME now air on Saturdays at 7:00PM EST. The end of Starscream!! WHAT: “Rock Bottom” - On a routine patrol the Autobots, with Jack and Miko, find themselves trapped inside a cave – with Starscream and Megatron! WHERE: The Hub cable TV network. To find the channel in your area, please visit www.hubworld.com and check the Channel Locator at the top of the page. WHEN: July 16, 2011 - 7:00PM EST."

Our thanks go to Lucy from NTF-Archive.de for sending in the following story:

"On the last visit at Burger King in germany we saw the new DotM figures and bought them all to make much new images.

We find also a small quiz letter, here are the images:

Source: NTF-Archive.de & Burger King Germany"

At the 4th of july 2011 the hub shows a transformers marathon, here is the preview video from the hub after transformers prime episode 17:

Transformers The Hub Commercial from Lucy Cons on Vimeo.

Source: NTF-Archive.de

Our friend Raymond T. of the TF-Confederation has made to us a new teaser trailer to the C.O.N.S. 2011:

C.O.N.S. 2011 - Teaser Trailer from Lucy Cons on Vimeo.

Simon Furman Interview @ C.O.N.S.:

This year we managed to invite a special guest to the C.O.N.S. 2011. Simon Furman, the comicartist of IDW, will do us the honour, to visit the C.O.N.S. 2011, in order to get to know his fans in Germany. We are looking forward to meet him and will do our best, to make his stay in Germany as enjoyable as possible. This way, we hope to give you a chance to get to know the awesome writer of IDW. We think that each of you has some question you'd like to ask him. Because of that we will make a live-interview with him on the 24th of July on the C.O.N.S. where we will try to get as much information as possible. Since we are aware of the fact that not everyone of you has the opportunity to attend the convention, we want to give you the chance to ask your questions. So, ask whatever you want to know about Simon Furman and his work. All questions will be collected and than asked to Simon live on the C.O.N.S.. Naturally the answers will be posted in the forum right after the C.O.N.S.

New Partner of C.O.N.S.:

Today we can introduce you to our new partner. It is an Anime, Manga, SciFi Convention, the TsunaCon from the Netherlands. This year the TsunaCon will be present for the first time on the C.O.N.S. and fancy itself to the German fans. We hope for a good partnership and we are glad about the cooperation. The team of the C.O.N.S. 2011 is glad to be able to welcome the TsunaCon in July.

C.O.N.S. 2011 The Program:

11.00 Opening/Disbursement of the quiz sheets
11.15 Rampage live - Letz go transform
11.30 Welcoming and introduction by the team
12.00 Beginning of the barbecue
12.15 Connect Four tournament
12.30 TF Dark Energy presentation
13.00 First tombola
13.30 Rampage live
14.00 Simon Furman interview
14.30 Signature session
15.30 Second tombola
16.00 End of voting for the contests/Revelation of the quiz
16.30 Announcement of the winners
17.00 Acknowledgements
17.30 Rampage live concert
19.00 The "farewells"

Inside-Outside at the C.O.N.S.:

Sometimes it takes a third try. In this year Kerstin and Michael of Inside-Outside Tattoo and jewellery design have once again registered themselves for the C.O.N.S..They will come with a booth of 5 x 4 metres, and delight fans of Transformers tattoos and exclusive Transformers custom jewellery. It is possible to get a tattoo live at the C.O.N.S. and of course you can also buy the handmade jewellery made out of stainless steel and silver. We are looking forward to the team and hope that this time everything will work out.

Cosplay Contest at the C.O.N.S.:

We have learned of several users, who will attend the C.O.N.S. in a cosplay. We think that this is great and that we have to reward it. If you like, you can now enter our new cosplay contest. There are no rules apart from that your cosplay should be made up of more than just a T-shirt and pants. So, if you would like to win a small but nice price, you can register for the contest here. The more the better.

Custom Contest @ C.O.N.S. The Prize:

Many of our customers have asked us what could be this years’ first prize of the custom contest. Today we are going to answer this question. It’s a small case from Revell, which contains 12 enamel colors. Paint thinner, brush cleaner and of course brushes. In addition to that there will be a C.O.N.S. exclusive figure of 2010. We hope that the winner will enjoy the prize. Depending on the number of participants, the second and third placed will also get a small prize. It is still possible to register, here!

Paramount supports the C.O.N.S.:

Today it happened!!! Paramount Pictures Germany has sent big boxes to the C.O.N.S. control center, and the content has thrilled us all. Paramount Pictures Germany supports the C.O.N.S. 2011 with two big display stands, which depict Optimus Prime. Apart from that we got two Transformers Dark of the Moon banners. One of which depicts Bumblebee and the other one shows Optimus Prime.

We want to thank Paramount for the support and we are looking forward to present everything at the C.O.N.S. 2011.

Here is a photo of the completed Optimus Prime display stand.

C.O.N.S. 2011 - Newsflash 1

The first news video for the C.O.N.S. 2011. It is only in german but maybe some understand a bit:

C.O.N.S. 2011 - Newsflash 1 from Lucy Cons on Vimeo.

Source: NTF-CONS.DE