We are pleased to bring you live coverage of the latest news from the Hasbro Transformers brand team panel at Botcon 2014 in Pasadena, California!
Please read on for the full text of our coverage, which includes a rundown of the new Generations toys for 2015 including a Legends class Bombshell and Windcharger (Tailgate remold), Deluxe G1 style Arcee and IDW Chromia, Leader class tankstyle G1 Megatron and its Armada Megatron remold, and the announcement of the 2015 theme which is Combiners, kicking off with a Superion shown in silhouette!
Some of these will be in the Hasbro display cases or released online later so keep it TFW for more updates! 11:52
That’s the end of the panel, the room’s emptied right out so this is Sol Fury signing off. Thank you for joining us today and be sure to be back later on for the TCC Roundtable – and watch our frontpage for pics of the new toys in the display case!
11:51
They’re saying 2015. Which might translate to late 2014 depending on when things ship through.
11:51
Comment From Stef
Also, is megatron coming in 2014 or 2015?
11:49
He wasn’t shown but there are a bunch we’ve yet to see so he might be one of the others
11:49
Comment From Young Prime
What about Gnaw? Wasn’t he suppose to be a legends class figure?
11:49
Two, a G1 and an Armada one
11:49
Comment From Guest
Wait, how many Leader class Megatrons are there going to be?
11:48
I’d personally buy Hasbro’s
11:48
Comment From Guest
How did voyager Optimus stack up against Toyworld’s Orion in your opinion?
11:48
Not sure. They didn’t advertise it would
11:47
Comment From Guest
Does Voyager Optimus’ Chest open to reveal a matrix?
11:47
Looks cool
11:47
Comment From Guest
is voyager optimus prime any good ?
11:47
Yes, different molds. Chromia is a lightcycle like G1 Afterburner. Arcee is based on the 1986 animated movie design
11:47
Comment From Guest
I can’t see anything. Are Arcee and Chromia different molds?
11:47
He doesn’t
11:47
Comment From Prime Jetscream
Some people aren’t clear on whether Brainstorm has his suitcase?
11:46
Not that I could see. Just a redeco of the Leader Megatron in Armada colors
11:46
Comment From Guest
Did Leader Class Armada Megatron come with his minicon Leader-1?
11:46
Kickback will probably happen, they said that they won’t break up the set. Same with the possibility of a Skywarp
11:46
Arcee and Chromia are Deluxes
11:45
Comment From Money
Shrapnel, Bombshell, no Kickback ๐
11:45
Comment From Guest
There’s some confusion elsewhere, are Arcee and Chromia deludes or Legends?
11:45
Hard to judge from back here, you could retool Skrapnel to make one but it looked a lot like Bombshell
11:45
Comment From Guest
Is legends Bombshell an all new mold?
11:45
Superion by a nose
11:45
Comment From Guest
Who got the bigger crowd reaction? Arcee or Superion?
11:45
legends Cliffjumper is the Bumblebee repaint with the Roll;er repaint, Nemesis Prime is the Prime repaint and he comes with Blazemaster as Spinister
11:44
IDW Megs is VERY G1
11:44
Comment From Guest
Is legends cliffjumper a repaint of bumblebee?
11:44
Comment From Guest
What about Megs, does he look IDW?
11:44
Current one I think
11:44
Comment From b
which op idw design is the voyager based on?
11:43
He looked like G1 so I think yes
11:43
Comment From Guest
classic Superion as in earth JETS?
11:43
Yes, that’s the 2015 theme
11:43
Comment From Guest
Can we expect to see more combiners in the future?
11:43
Not sure on the Torso. Unclear from the silhouette we saw
11:42
New Superion
11:42
Comment From Ironhidesghost
is the torso looking voyager?
11:42
Comment From Inciteful
As in a reuse of the original G1 molds or brand new Superion?
11:41
No other info but I think it’ll be Deluxes
11:41
Superion was only shown in silhouette
11:40
TAKE THAT THIRD PARTIES!
11:40
CLASSICS G1 SUPERION IS COMING!
11:40
OH MY GOD!
11:40
SUPERIONM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11:40
About to announce the 2015 theme of the Generations toys
11:39
More Leaders too
11:39
6 Voyagers
11:39
16 Deluxes
11:39
11 Legends in 2015
11:39
BLUESTREAKM iS COMING TOO!
11:39
And he’s not alone!
11:38
Masterpiece Sideswipe confirmed for the US!!!!
11:38
Looks great!
11:38
Redeco of the Leader Megatron with the Armada head
11:38
ARMADA MEGATRON!
11:37
Another Leader Megatron!
11:37
And next up
11:37
Will have a way to make him into an Autobot
11:37
Looks incredible and has working treads
11:37
He’s a tank
11:36
Looks awesome in robot mode
11:36
Megatron
11:36
VERY G1
11:36
Leader next…
11:36
Bombshell the Insecticon
11:35
Comment From salmonman78
Bombshell as in the insecticon or just a big piece of news?
11:35
Voyager IDW O[ptimus Prime
11:35
THEY GOT THE NAME BACK!!!!!!!
11:35
Windcharger redeco from Tailgate
11:35
AND A BOMBSHELL!
11:34
They said yes
11:34
Comment From RedAlert_Rescue
Does Generations deluxe class still come with a pack in comic?
11:34
Comment From Guest
Expected
11:34
Thundercracker repaint of the Legends Starscream
11:33
G1 style Powertglide
11:33
2015 Legends Wave 1
11:33
Character specific collector cards with art from the Legends games for all Generations toys going forward
11:33
Arcee and Chromia are the Deluxes
11:32
New packaghing being announced for Generations
11:32
Voyager Brainstorm yes
11:32
Headmaster fits in the spaceship mode
11:32
Comment From Guest
does he come with a breifcase?
11:32
No briefcase
11:31
wings are on the front and back of the shoulder
11:31
G1 jet altmode
11:31
He’s a Headmaster
11:31
Brainstorm
11:31
It’s a G1 Arcee, pink future car, classic robot mode
11:30
room is going mad
11:30
Arcee is being shown
11:30
Yes
11:30
Comment From Guest
Targetmaster names, right?#
11:30
Chromia now ion screen, she’s a blue motorbike in the style of G1 Afterburner
11:29
Cliffjumper and Supressor, Nemesis Prime and Spinoster Legends
11:29
Not yet…
11:29
Comment From Dane
Nothing about Stinger?
11:29
Showing the SDCC Metal grouip exclusive
11:28
Nothing beyond these
11:28
Comment From Guest
Any Wave 4-5 announced? Or they havent announced it yet?
11:28
Yes and Yes, DoTM Crankcase and Generations Skids
11:28
Comment From Guest
crankcase from the movie? Skids from CHUG?
11:27
They’re racing through really fast so I didn’t get a chance to see. Same with the heli-drift
11:27
Comment From Bill
What weapon will Crankcase have?
11:27
Tehy are aware of the desire for a G1 colored Slog
11:27
More of the G1 Dinobots set we saw earlier this week at the moment
11:26
not a screen guy
11:26
they’re saying no
11:26
Comment From Guest
Snarl is offscreen? I thought I saw him in a trailer…
11:26
Not given
11:26
Comment From Jack
What are the prices of the AOE box sets?
11:26
SDCC exclusives on screen now, G1 deco Dinos first
11:26
Includes a Skids redeco as Rollbar and a Crankcase redeco in blue
11:25
They nicknamed it “Farmageddon”
11:25
Breakout svcene set will als be released, includes a Rusty Truck Prime in accurate colors
11:25
Autobots United set of the five main Auotbots
11:24
Showing a Leader Two-Pack Grimlock and Optimus
11:24
Chevy Trax “Hot Show, Crosshairs repaint, red face
11:23
Showing the Snarl next, we’ve seen him, the tip of the tail is a axe weapon, he’s an offscreen character
11:23
Showing Generations, starting with Lockdown and his Gunface
11:23
White with purple stripes on the side, sorry not good with the makes
11:22
Comment From Sam
Which chevy? The sonic RS?
11:22
And then One Step ROTF Megatron
11:22
G1 style One Step Prowl
11:22
Rollbar, he’s the Chevy
11:21
One Step Strafe
11:21
One step High Octane Bumblebee
11:21
Steeljaw, a blue wolf creature
11:21
One Step Slug, transforms when you split the head open
11:21
Yes
11:21
Comment From Guest
Junkheap is the Waste Management Garbage Truck, correct?
11:21
Drift Helicopter
11:20
One Step Changers next
11:20
Wave 5
11:20
Movie, it’s the generic
11:20
Comment From Guest
Prime vehicon or some kind of prime/movie hybrid?
11:20
feature works in both modes
11:20
And Junkheap is also in Wave 4, robot mode is a bit chunky with a big claw right there in the middle of the chest
11:19
High Octane Bumblebee
11:19
Black car
11:19
Vehicon in Power Battler Wave 4
11:19
Power Attacker Lockdown, who is silver and has a big rocket launcher on the shoulders
11:18
and Snarl, who is very bright green
11:18
Galvatron
11:18
Slug, blue weapons
11:17
Power Battlers Grimlock, has his mace, very orange
11:17
No, nothing unseen
11:17
Comment From Sam
Any “new sets” for kreo we have not seen?
11:17
Age of Extinction Power Attackers Wave 3
11:16
Universal Studios fourpack with Evac, Bumblebee, Optimus and Megatron
11:16
The Mini Kreon Optimus and Grimlock
11:16
Showing the Grimlock Unleashed set with G1 Kreon Grimlock
11:15
Custom Kreons Wave 2 Galvatron, Crodsshairs, Slug
11:15
Kreo now
11:15
Optimus and Grimlock
11:15
Strafe and Bumblebee
11:15
Couple of new ones, Dino Slug and Soundwave
11:15
Quick rundown of the Hero Mashers, all astuff we’ve seen, Bumblebee, Springer,
11:14
Chase as a blue stego and Boulder asa green triceratops
11:14
Chase and Boulder Dinos
11:14
Rescue Bots first
11:14
Talking about Rescue Bots next, Kreos, Movie, Generations then 2015 in that order
11:13
Just talking about merchandising right now
11:13
Number of steps I believe
11:13
Not fully explained
11:13
Comment From Jon
How is that complexity calculated? Number of parts? Joints?
11:12
They’re “feeding the appetites of collectors” for Generations type toys
11:12
YES! Real sharp spike right there
11:12
Comment From Guest
i imagine there’s a GIANT spike around 2009
11:11
Saying they are now making different levels of product – one step, five step, lots of steps, all in line with the three different lines
11:11
Showing us a graph of how much more complex Transformers are getting over the years
11:10
Having slideshow issues!
11:09
Stressing Generations is not disappearing for the Movie
11:09
Talking about their different levels of appeal – pre-school = Rescue Bots, Kids = AoE and older fans = Generations
11:08
Hasbro says they love us Transformers fans ๐
11:07
Ben Montano, Lenny Panzica, Mark Maher, Bill Paucker, John Warden and Mark Weber are on stage
11:06
Showing us the rest of 2014 aand a 2015 sneak peak
11:06
We’re starting now
11:06
Images will be released after the panel
11:05
Yes that one is for my boys in the UK
11:05
I’d also love a new toy of a certain yellow crane with a silly name
11:05
Yes, I’m hoping to see the Megatron and Arcee as much as all of you
11:04
Comment From Anon
Anything that you personally wish to see?
11:04
Hasbro is just taking the stage now. People still getting seated
11:03
I’ve heard rumors she might be in the case after this
11:03
Comment From Guest
Can we see Arcee?!
11:03
Just been told to put video cameras away so not sure. Been told we’re getting a chance to see some of this stuff afterwards
11:02
Comment From rodimusdawg
Pic allowed? I assume for some stuff as they usually save good stuff for sdcc.
11:01
We’re full up in here!
11:01
This is Sol Fury blasting at you as everyone piles in
11:00
Comment From Guest
Who is our roving reporter this year?
11:00
It’s only one hour this year so not sure if we’ll get Q&A time or a solid hour of toy talk
10:59
Comment From Anon
How long is the panel going to be?
10:58
We’ve just caught the tail end of the Rescue Bots panel, a few key points is that yes, the Reformatted alt modes will be in the show. We saw an animatic for Season 3 too, as well as a clip for season 2 episode 25
10:57
We’re in the room for the Botcon 2014 Hasbro Brand Team Panel
Cast
Are you new to the internet?
TCJJ
I'd like to know, too. Vangelus mentioned that it was pretty obvious to most people in the room at the time. Of course, it's hard for us of those who weren't there to see it, since the pictures online are fairly small and not the best in quality.
I originally thought it looked like Evac, but then I started thinking about the shape (more angled than rounded) and the backpack (doesn't really look like a simple rotor), and I started to see Airachnid. If we get a new Deluxe Airachnid, that would be great.
But man, there is a ton of hate in this thread, as well as misinformed or just plain dumb people. You're allowed to have an opinion, but dammit, don't be a hater just because you're ignorant. Or just don't be a hater.
peaces
i prefer uranos. he looks awesome.
LegendAntihero
It sucked when they wouldn't let us take pictures during the panel
Bigbot3030
The original Superion was skinny/lanky. This seems to fit right in. Isn't G1 the gold standard for "everyone"?
Gilgamesh
wat
Hollywood Hoist
Both Fun Pub and Hasbro asks there to be no photos and when people break those rules, then it will keep Hasbro from wanting to show us sneak peeks.
It's a no brainer.
However if Hasbro is fine with these links being posted then that's news to me.
femmebotfangirl
Bruticus isn't bad for what it is, happy with my Grimlock vs Bruticus set. Hopefully that experience and better budgets will mean better combiners not worse.
orangeitis
My first thought was that he just had really long fingernails.
Onslaught24
Bruticus was just outside of the simplified figures announcement. Or at least at the very very beginning. But I didn't say Hasbro's current budget reflects the simplified lines. I honestly don't know what's prompting that directly. But what I was saying is that Bruticus's quality was a reflection of Hasbro's budget back in 2011-2012 and lack of experience with combiners.
EDIT: Also didn't see that MP Sideswipe was coming to the US. Can't wait to grab him! And I'm glad to see Superion at least has decent elbows. Hoping for wrist articulation. Though I'm not sure I like the looks of that claw looking hand just under his gun…
Lazerwave
I'm watching the Airealbots first appearance right now. I hope they look like those designs.
pegasusprime
my prediction for leader class , jetfire would sell preetty well , the double trouble bad , so hasbro would give up on the leader or made a impresive wanted character on that size to gain again the trust of collector but not a new megatron since then they would over saturate the market with one character
orangeitis
I'm hoping for Blades or an Earth-mode Vortex. Preferably not both if repaint/remold of each other.
General Magnus
Btw, who is the helicopter silhouette supposed to be? Blades, a new Evac?
Autovolt 127
That does not surprise me in the least. It would make sense if they only showed the positive reactions.
Backpack
It was very telling, the silence when they were showing off the AOE stuff during the panel. Arcee, Brainstorm, and Megatron all got great reactions. What I really wanted to see was how the crowd reacted to the new voyager Prime……. but that seemed to have been cut from the video.
Lazerwave
I can imagine the craziness of these at TRU.
Alejandro27
Just curious if any pictures or release time period were shown of mp sideswipe or blue streak?
Fallout
yeah bruticus was pretty bad, but the combined mode was the least of that set's problems for sure.
superion was always my favorite non-devastator combiner, mostly because a team of jets is an awesome idea. i've always wanted a scene where the aerialbots are on an aircraft carrier, about to go fight somethin and they combine into superion just as they run and jump off the ship.
peaces
foc bruticus was $100-200 for most people and a complete abomination