Transformers exhibit at Sydney OzComicCon SEPT 24-25 2022

[griffin]

Transformers Earthspark to be featured on display at Sydney Oz Comic Con - SEPT 24-25.

For those who don't know, the next new Transformers series is called Earthspark, and the cartoon is being released in November 2022, while the toys are scheduled to hit stores in Australia in February 2023 (American release of the toys is November, with the cartoon).

(premise) In the small town of Witwicky Pennsylvania, two kids, Robby and Morgan (Mo) Malto, find a strange object that gives life to Twitch and Thrash - two Transformers who are now bonded to the Malto family. With the help of Bumblebee and the Autobots, the two new Transformers and the Maltos have to work together to deal with threats from both Decepticons and humans, while learning what it means to be a family.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/091201.jpg

For those Transformers fans living in Sydney, or will be in Sydney that weekend, this year's Oz Comic Con at the Sydney Showgrounds (Homebush) will have a special Transformers exhibit set up by Hasbro and eOne to promote the new Transformers toyline and cartoon - Earthspark.

Some elements are still to be confirmed closer to the Convention weekend, but what we are expecting is:
- The First wave of Earthspark toys on display at the main exhibit (as seen at SDCC in July), for Australians to be some of the first Transformers fans in the world to be able to see in person, some Transformers toys that will not be in stores here for another 4 months. (and subject to Hasbro approval, we might even be allowed to have some Fans with significant social media following, to be able to personally review some of the new toys at the convention)
- A world first reveal of the packaging of several first wave Earthspark toys.
- A presentation panel at 10am on Saturday 24th on the Community Stage, to introduce Australia to the brand new toys and cartoon (we should have a lot more information and details than SDCC, as we are a lot closer to the release of the cartoon)
- Spin-the-wheel give-away of Transformers products at the main exhibit (most likely for kids only, so make sure you bring a child... preferably your own :p ... so that you might get a chance to play).
- The Bumblebee Sculpture from last year that is inspired by Cyberverse Bumblebee, made of recycled parts, will be back on display this year - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXbPQVKN0M2/
- A Robosen Optimus Prime on display at the main exhibit, showing how it works.
- A live unboxing of some of the first wave toys, to be filmed and posted up later by Hasbro (to be confirmed closer to the date).

Details of the convention can be found here - https://ozcomiccon.com/sydney/
The convention is two days, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th, from 9am to 5pm, with a range of ticket options listed here (kids 4 and under are free) - https://ozcomiccon.com/sydney/sydneytickets/
For more info on the location and guest access, check out the FAQ - https://ozcomiccon.com/faqs/

For those fans unable to make it that weekend, tune into Channel 10's "Studio 10" morning show on Friday 23rd (8.30am to midday), as they are booked in to cross over to the convention live, and are supposed to be featuring the Transformers exhibit. I don't know what time during the 3.5 hour morning show it will be on, so maybe record the whole thing and then find it later. (hopefully someone will be able to share the clip, or a link to it online somewhere)

More details to follow, as things are confirmed (or changed) closer to the Convention weekend.

We need a big turnout of Transformers fans to show Hasbro that Australia is where they should do more official reveals, so please try to come on down. At least come on Saturday if you can, to check out both the Exhibit and the Presentation Panel. And PLEASE, if you have kids (boys or girls), bring them along too, to check out the new toys and cartoon (trailer), as we really want to hear their feedback, as they are the primary target demographic.

[griffin]

Just a reminder that it is on in two days time, at the Dome at the Sydney Showgrounds, Olympic Park... with a Transformers Booth promoting Earthspark, and some other licensed items... so I hope to see a fair few Australian Transformers fans there over the two days.

The booth is at A121, which is right near the entrance... and at 10am in the morning in the "Halloween Ends Theatre" there will be a live reveal of the Earthspark toys IN PACKAGING for the first time in the world.

Since I will be one of two fans helping out Hasbro at the convention, I have already been shown the packaging and toys, and have been given permission to review and post up images after the convention - but Hasbro will be having a professional filming at the convention and the presentation, so you should see something on their official Socials at some point too.

The Oz Comic Con site notes the panel on their schedule page, but not the display booth yet on the map - ttps://ozcomiccon.com/sydney/

And for those in Australia who can't make it to the convention, check out the Studio 10 Morning Show (channel 10 in Australia) at about 10.50am FRIDAY, for a "live" cross to the Hasbro exhibit... and maybe some surprises too.

[griffin]

A delay with the TV cross... it's now at about 11.40am.
It can't be delayed any more, as the show ends at midday.

(the last-minute public holiday for the Queen yesterday meant that they had to set up the booth today, so it wasn't ready in time)

[doublespy]

I will be at Olympic park tomorrow for the Womens basketball World Cup. Should have some time in the morning to check the display out.

[GoktimusPrime]

Live cross with Studio 10
https://i.ibb.co/4K6T3DG/001.jpg

The exhibit (will look more impressive tomorrow with games and prizes etc.)
https://i.ibb.co/Yy5tVzP/002.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/gvnF1sg/004.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/QkpfpRJ/005.jpg

Re-enacting our poses from Sydney SupaNova, 2003! :p
https://i.ibb.co/fHh3hfy/goktimus-griffin-ozformersozcomiccon.jpg

[reillyd]

Hope you all have a fun day tomorrow.

The poster and standees look pretty awesome promoting the new Earthspark show. Can’t wait to see some of the new toys, and to hear how they perform with kids and adults alike.

[griffin]

Just a couple of photos first, before we are allowed to show the products up close...

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092301.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092302.jpg

[BigTransformerTrev]

Have fun! Great you got this opportunity :)

[reillyd]

Were you able to transform the toys at all, and I’d be curious to hear how Hasbro perceived the event. It would be good if it encouraged them to do more.

[GoktimusPrime]

Photo dumpage!

https://i.ibb.co/8sC3YRr/006.jpg

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https://tformers.com/transformers-earthspark-figure-and-packaging-reveals-from-oz-comic-con-2022/47383/news.html
https://news.tfw2005.com/2022/09/23/transformers-earthspark-toyline-packaging-revealed-466082

[Bemblebuu]

Thanks for the photos!

[GoktimusPrime]

Today's pics

griffin spinning the prize wheel
https://i.ibb.co/PcYWjBt/200.jpg

A cosplayer dressed as Uzui Tengen from Demon Slayers. Uzui Tengen is voiced by Konishi Katsuyuki, who also voiced Grand Convoy in Transformers Super Link (a.k.a. Optimus Prime). As I incidentally had Energon Snow Cat with me, I took a photo of him holding said toy.
https://i.ibb.co/g4xxnJg/201.jpg

Hasbro reps
https://i.ibb.co/B3thJGB/202.jpg

High angle shot of the Transformers stand
https://i.ibb.co/GHnsLsX/203.jpg

High angle shot of the convention
https://i.ibb.co/0Mkm2v7/204.jpg

Spin that wheel!
https://i.ibb.co/5Mt86vB/205.jpg

Selfie with Robosen Optimus Prime
https://i.ibb.co/R9rd46N/206.jpg

Being trodden on by Bumblebee
https://i.ibb.co/DW2LJHB/207.jpg

Another "5 decades of Transformers" display (each toy comes from a different decade)
https://i.ibb.co/gDyfGdp/208.jpg

High angle shenanigans (unfortunately griffin had already left by this stage to catch his flight)
https://i.ibb.co/4gsnkSB/209.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/s5CF1Qc/210.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/ySNM2kr/211.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/qBsCK0Z/212.jpg

[Bemblebuu]

Was the Robosen Optimus yours, Gok? You're cuddling him like he's your baby :)

[KELPIE]

Good job guys.

Didn't get there as I was out of town, but caught you on the Toob. The Host, didn't help much and sadly nor did Prime.

Hope you had a great time.

Also, sorry to dredge up the past, didn't you guys get in trouble at Supernova 2003 :P

[Autocon]

And what did you win on the wheel?

[griffin]

I took way too many photos... and I am still catching up on sleep outside of my work hours, so it is taking longer than I wanted to, to process and post up photos.


And what did you win on the wheel?

The wheel spin could have been handled a lot better. There was no signage to tell people that it was even there, nor did people know what they could win... or that it was free. And people just kept coming back to spin until they got a free toy, or had several posters, as we couldn't really stop anyone from spinning more than once.
Everyone won something, either one of six temporary tattoos, a small Earthspark cartoon poster, a large Gen1 comic poster, or a random Kingdom toy (ironically, most of them were Pipes, which never really showed up at physical retail stores here). There was also a one-off prize that went off during the first day, which was a family pass to Seaworld (at the Gold Coast), but the winner (most likely from Sydney) would have to make their own way there.
I had to leave early on Sunday to be at the airport early, but with about 3 hours left of the Convention they still had about 500 Gen1 posters and cartoon posters, and a couple hundred temporary tattoos. (they ran out of toys around midday Sunday)

The other thing that the Hasbro failed to do with their booth was to have the staff obvious to the regular attendees. Not only was there Hasbro staff taking turns during the weekend at their booth (mostly just standing around), but they had employed a professional promotions company to set up and run most of the booth's features (the wheel and the Robosen Optimus)... and since everyone was wearing the new licensed Transformers t-shirts, they didn't stand out from any of the regular attendees who wore themed or licensed clothing. They should have been wearing "Hasbro" t-shirts or name-tags that clearly let people know that they were part of the booth and to invite people to answer questions. Or at the very least, to be informed about the new Transformers products and cartoon without feeling like they were being confronted by random strangers.

The other bad thing was having the presentation panel on so early. It was the first of the weekend, just an hour after the doors opened to the public, so we hardly had any time to let people know that there was a presentation (what it was about and where it was). And for those who were interested in the "reveal" of the new packaging, they could already see it in the display case at the main booth an hour before the presentation panel.

[griffin]

I've been so busy since the convention (hardly had any time to process the photos and info), it still feels like it was just the other day.
Just dumping some of the photos here...

Starting with some things that Goktimus didn't already post up - the spin-the-wheel prizes.

Temporary Tattoos

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092644.jpg

Small cartoon poster

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092645.jpg

Large Gen1 comic poster

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092646.jpg

Kingdom toys

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092643.jpg

The packaging for the Spin-Changer Bumblebee.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092557.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092558.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092559.jpg

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http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092561.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092562.jpg

Something interesting was finding a painted pre-production Bumblebee toy that Hasbro America sent with the rest of the toys, but we didn't have it in the display case... but here it is compared to the production toy (the pre-production toy was missing a side-panel, but you can see some mould changes between prototype and final product).

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092573.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092574.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092575.jpg

[reillyd]

That Gen1 Comic poster looks awesome. Do you know if its available anywhere else, or was it just a one off promo thing?

[Deano85]

That Gen1 Comic poster looks awesome. Do you know if its available anywhere else, or was it just a one off promo thing?

I've got this poster with similar artwork.

Got mine from Kmart but you can order here from The Gamesmen https://www.gamesmen.com.au/transformers-g1-retro-comic-poster

Bought a cheap poster frame for it from Kmart as well.

https://dsm01pap009files.storage.live.com/y4mz3xHNv36Dis4mhhU8px5SpavD7fD84DAfSJHzEBeNYjXPEu 0QnJF1WnU-r0EgL2_bIjBjck1u8Mp6ZEaZ7buIaF9ijQ3ULYGML6fp0Z5bAj kG5QHGHCnoWqJ6PSmXyjozPrfvbiFqmTYQkWmCHswZAE6DKwtt pugnXoVzkCjCR--29vteFsVSPK9jrnCHQvq?width=768&height=1024&cropmode=none

[reillyd]

Oh that looks awesome framed Deano. Thanks for the heads up on where to get it.

[griffin]

I've got this poster with similar artwork.

https://dsm01pap009files.storage.live.com/y4mz3xHNv36Dis4mhhU8px5SpavD7fD84DAfSJHzEBeNYjXPEu 0QnJF1WnU-r0EgL2_bIjBjck1u8Mp6ZEaZ7buIaF9ijQ3ULYGML6fp0Z5bAj kG5QHGHCnoWqJ6PSmXyjozPrfvbiFqmTYQkWmCHswZAE6DKwtt pugnXoVzkCjCR--29vteFsVSPK9jrnCHQvq?width=768&height=1024&cropmode=none

That's interesting... and now we know who made the posters for the convention.
I didn't think that Hasbro Australia would have an entirely exclusive poster of just 1000 units, but comparing the two, the artist (whom I can't see noted anywhere, or a signature - maybe the regular version has it noted) has fixed up the colouring of Bumblebee and Megatron, made Optimus look more vibrant, and removed the colouring on Starscream's head. And the really obvious difference (which I can't understand why), is the removal of Shockwave at the back.
The Convention version also has bannering that makes it look more like a comic cover.

[griffin]

The transformation of Spin Changer Bumblebee...

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092565.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092566.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092567.jpg

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http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092571.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092572.jpg

And other random pics...

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092562.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092563.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092564.jpg

[High_Q]

... the artist (whom I can't see noted anywhere, or a signature - maybe the regular version has it noted) ...

The original artist for this is Guido Guidi (https://news.tfw2005.com/2016/11/06/new-transformers-prints-featuring-guido-guidi-art-328349).

[griffin]

This shows the four different Bumblebee toys that will be released in wave 1 of the Earthspark toyline, in both modes - Tacticon, 1-step, Deluxe, Spin-Changer.

That's a Bumblebee toy for almost every size class in just the first wave, leaving Warrior Class left, which will surely have a Bumblebee toy as well at some point.


(note that the largest toy is not transformed properly in robot mode as it doesn't have the shoulders in the right position - they are pointing down when they should be pointing forward, like on the second largest toy)


http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092577.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092578.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092579.jpg

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http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092585.jpg

[griffin]

Warrior Class Elita-1... a bit of an easy shell-former, but folding in the arms underneath the car mode was very tricky.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092547.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092548.jpg

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http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092556.jpg

[griffin]

Deluxe Twitch (I didn't realise that I missed getting close up photos of the toy's alt-mode... there was so much going on that weekend).

The Deluxe class Build-A-Figure toys to build the Mandroid...
1 - Bumblebee
2 - Megatron
3 - Terran Twitch
4 - Optimus Prime
5 - Shockwave
6 - Grimlock
7 - Nightshade
As noted on the packaging, the first five are "Early 2023" while the last two are "Late 2023".

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092586.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092587.jpg

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http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092652.jpg

[reillyd]

Shockwave and Grimlock are a nice inclusion, and I’ll look forward to seeing the toys revealed at some point. Nightshade sounds like a brand new character (like Twitch), but I haven’t heard of before. I’m really looking forward to Twitch, and hopefully he/she will be equally as cool. I think its good Hasbro are creating the odd new character, rather than just rehashing old ones. Kinda like to see Windblade though featured in Earthspark. You can never have enough Windblades.

[griffin]

Warrior Optimus Prime in packaging. (they didn't have the loose figure out until the second day, and by then I didn't have a chance to get a good look at it)

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092592.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092593.jpg

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http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092596.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092597.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092653.jpg

In comparison, 1-step Optimus Prime...

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092625.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092626.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092627.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092628.jpg

[griffin]

1-step Wheeljack - needs more paint on the front of the robot mode (which is on the character art).

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092601.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092602.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092603.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092604.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092605.jpg

[griffin]

Megatron - Deluxe vs Tacticon in jet mode only (unfortunately I didn't get much time with either one, and the Tacticon wasn't added until the second day)

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092611.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092612.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092613.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092614.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092652.jpg

[griffin]

These should be the last of the toys on display at the Sydney convention - Tacticons Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092616.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092617.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092618.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092619.jpg

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http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092621.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092622.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092623.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092624.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092606.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/092607.jpg

[KELPIE]

the artist (whom I can't see noted anywhere, or a signature - maybe the regular version has it noted) has fixed up the colouring of Bumblebee and Megatron, made Optimus look more vibrant, and removed the colouring on Starscream's head.


The original artist for this is Guido Guidi (https://news.tfw2005.com/2016/11/06/new-transformers-prints-featuring-guido-guidi-art-328349).
Yup, It's a Guido special. As for the colouring, it was to make it look like the early original marvel comics.


The Deluxe class Build-A-Figure toys to build the Mandroid...
1 - Bumblebee
2 - Megatron
3 - Terran Twitch
4 - Optimus Prime
5 - Shockwave
6 - Grimlock
7 - Nightshade
As noted on the packaging, the first five are "Early 2023" while the last two are "Late 2023".
That's a shame. With Skullcruncher in the promotional teasers/trailers, I was hoping we'd get an early release of him. Maybe the next wave?

[mikeyc7m]

One thing I can't stand about Transformers are figures with legs fused together. A bit disappointing to see them in this line.