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Day two of this year's SDCC and we get the full reveal of Earthspark - cartoon and toyline.
But before we look at that, a follow up from yesterday, with a leaked image of the back of Legacy Skullgrin's packaging, showing the alt-mode.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072350.jpg
And the Pop Vinyl Unicron figure was released at SDCC as well, which we can see has a different exclusive sticker on it to the ones released outside of SDCC (like here in Australia).
Some other follow-ups to yesterday...
The display cases were updated at the Hasbro exhibit, to include the new Legacy and GEN Selects toys that were revealed this weekend.
The main Legacy display case, with the new "A Hero is Born" 2-pack, and Dragon Megatron packaging... plus the Shattered Glass Flamewar toy.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072346.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072347.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072348.jpg
And also on display is the last of the GEN Selects toys for this year - DK-3 Breaker, which is the blue redeco of Trailbreaker.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072349.jpg
The DK-3 Breaker toy is now up on Amazon Australia for au$45, for release November 15th.
Earthspark cartoon...
First we had the cast and characters revealed by Nickelodeon...
(note in the press release that the cartoon is exclusive to the Paramount+ streaming service, but does note that it could be on Nickelodeon channels in other countries like ours... which is still not free-to-air for those of us who don't pay for tv)
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072301.jpg
And then a preview trailer was released on the Transformers facebook page... and screenshots can be seen here.Quote:
NICKELODEON, PARAMOUNT+ AND ENTERTAINMENT ONE ANNOUNCE TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK VOICE CAST AT COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL: SAN DIEGO 2022
Paramount+ Original Animated Series Coming Exclusively to the Service This November Will Star Sydney Mikayla, Zion Broadnax, Benny Latham, Jon Jon Briones, Kathreen Khavari, Zeno Robinson, Danny Pudi, Alan Tudyk, Rory McCann, Cissy Jones and Diedrich Bader
First Look of Transformers: EarthSpark Revealed During Exclusive Panel Featuring Voice Cast and Creative Team Members
Nickelodeon, Paramount+ and Entertainment One (eOne) today announced the voice actors breathing new life into original and franchise favorite characters in the upcoming Paramount+ original animated series Transformers: EarthSpark. The all-new animated series (26 episodes) introduces a new generation of Transformers robots–the first Transformers robots to be born on Earth–and together with the human family who welcomes them in and cares for them, they’ll redefine what it means to be a family. Transformers: EarthSpark is set to debut exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. in November, and on Paramount+ and select Nickelodeon channels internationally. The new series joins the globally recognized Transformers powerhouse franchise.
The news was revealed during an exclusive panel at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2022 featuring voice cast members Danny Pudi (Bumblebee), Kathreen Khavari (Twitch), Zeno Robinson (Thrash), and co-executive producer Dale Malinowski and executive producer Ant Ward. Mike Cecchini (Editor-in-Chief, Den of Geek) moderated the panel, which also revealed a first look at the series.
The new voice cast and their Transformers: EarthSpark characters are:
- Sydney Mikayla (Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts) as “Robby Malto,” a smart 13-year-old boy with an abundance of moxie and charisma. Robby is frustrated by his family’s recent move to a small town until he discovers Transformers bots and is now living the ultimate dream.
- Zion Broadnax (Day Shift) as “Morgan ‘Mo’ Malto,” Robby’s 9-year-old younger sister. Though she’s emotionally mature for her age, she’s able to look at everything with a wide-eyed sense of optimism and hope. For her, family comes first no matter who you are or where you’re from.
- Benny Latham as “Dot Malto,” the mother to Robby and Mo, surrogate mother to the Malto-bots, and wife to Alex. She’s a loving mother and ex-soldier, so she can flip that switch when she’s pushed.
- Jon Jon Briones (Ratched) as “Alex Malto,” the father to Robby and Mo, surrogate father to the Malto-bots, and husband to Dot. He’s a college professor with a Ph.D. in Transformers History who loves sharing his Filipino heritage and wealth of Transformers knowledge with his human and bot kids. He can also rattle off dad jokes like a pro.
- Kathreen Khavari (Dead End: Paranormal Park) as “Twitch Malto,” an Earth-born Terran born out of primordial sludge in the cave waters of Witwicky, Pennsylvania, like her brother Thrash. She’s a keen observer of everything around her.
- Zeno Robinson (Big City Greens) as “Thrash Malto,” an Earth-born male Terran and a cheeky wild child. Like his sister, Twitch, he was born out of primordial sludge in the caves of Witwicky, Pennsylvania. He’s a bringer of fun and good times with a happy-go-lucky attitude.
- Danny Pudi (Community) as “Bumblebee,” a fun-loving veteran Autobot who serves as a mentor to the Terrans as they learn what it takes to be Transformers robots. Bumblebee has a lot to learn about being a big brother and role model. He’s suddenly in a position of authority, which makes him nervous and afraid to show any cracks.
- Alan Tudyk (Resident Alien) as “Optimus Prime,” a courageous Autobot leader who has forged a new alliance with humans. The birth of the Terrans has given him renewed hope for the future.
- Rory McCann (Game of Thrones) as “Megatron,” the father of the Decepticon faticon who believes in making any sacrifice necessary for the survival of Cybertronian civilization. He’s a headstrong idealist but isn’t unwilling to adjust his strategy when victory hangs in the balance.
- Cissy Jones (The Owl House) as “Elita-1,” the physically gifted and confident second-in command of the Autobots. Elita-1 is fair and never overbearing to the team. She listens to everyone and is a bot the Terrans look up to.
- Diedrich Bader (Better Things) as “Mandroid,” the villain. He was a scientist-soldier in the war, jaded and ultimately, very anti-Cybertronian. With this new anti-Transformer ideology, he believes Earth and its humans need his protection and surmises that the annihilation of all Cybertronians is the best for the planet.
Hasbro, maker of the Transformers: EarthSpark toyline, and a production partner on the animated series, also participated in the panel presentation.
Transformers: EarthSpark is created and co-executive produced by Dale Malinowski (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and executive produced by Ant Ward (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). The series is developed for television by Claudia Spinelli, Senior Vice President, Big Kids Animation, Nickelodeon. Production is overseen for Nickelodeon by Mikiel Houser, Executive in Charge of Production and for eOne by Kari Rosenberg.
The red bot is called Twitch, the silver bot is called Thrash.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072319.jpg
This is the main villain - Mandroid.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072320.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072321.jpg
The main family.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072322.jpg
An Arachnamech.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072323.jpg
Looks like Bombshell...
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072353.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072354.jpg
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Earthspark toyline....
Official images and details...
Posted on the official Transformers facebook page was a description of the size classes for Earthspark, and the robot modes of some of them -
No release details yet, but since the cartoon is coming out in November, these toys would need to be released before that, or soon after, as toylines don't do as well if there isn't any "advertising" on TV or the Movie Screen.Quote:
Revealed today at San Diego Comic Con! Transformers: EarthSpark introduces a new generation of Transformers robots - the first Transformers bots to be born on Earth. With 5 scales in the line, there’s something for everyone.
Convert and pose out new characters and fan-favorite bots with Transformers: EarthSpark Warrior Class and Deluxe Class!
Forge a connection with Transformers robots like never before with Transformers: EarthSpark Tacticon figures that convert around a finger!
Fun in every flip! Convert 1-Step Flip Changer figures from robot mode to alt. mode in 1 exciting step by flipping the bot in the air!
Bring the human and bot connection from the animated TV series to life with Spin Changer Bumblebee with Mo Malto!
Three of the size-classes are the same as we had in Cyberverse, and these toys are very similar in appearance to Cyberverse toys. (some are even just redecos of Cyberverse toys, or are remoulds)
Tacticon (also known as Finger Warriors) are small simple converting toys that can be used as finger puppets. Unknown price, but likely to be about us$5.
Toys revealed - Bumblebee, Megatron, Optimus Prime.
1-Step Changer - same concept from Cyberverse. Price will be us$10.
Toys revealed - Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Wheeljack.
Warrior - same concept from Cyberverse. Price will be us$15.
Toys revealed - Elita-1, Optimus Prime, Skywarp (black redeco of Cyberverse Starscream toy).
Deluxe - same concept from Cyberverse, and first wave has another "Build A Figure" - Mandroid. Price will be us$20.
Toys revealed - Bumblebee, Megatron, Twitch, and BAF Mandroid.
Spin Changer - probably similar to the large toy gimmick of Cyberverse. Price will be us$30.
Toys revealed - Bumblebee with Morgan "Mo" Malto (figurine), Optimus Prime with Robby Malto (figurine).
Then Hasbro released a lot more official images, which now gave us a look at both modes of these figures.
(Mandroid and Spin Changer Optimus were not in the official images - they were in the display case, which is in the next post)
These first two images show the size differences of the five size classes.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072317.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072318.jpg
Tacticon (finger puppets)
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072308.jpg
1-steps
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072309.jpg
Warrior Elita-1
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072306.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072315.jpg
Warrior Optimus Prime
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072305.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072316.jpg
Warrior Skywarp
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072307.jpg
Deluxe Bumblebe
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072302.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072311.jpg
Deluxe Megatron
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072303.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072312.jpg
Deluxe Twitch
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072304.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072313.jpg
Spin Changer Bumblebee with Mo Malto
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072310.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072314.jpg
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Earthspark display cabinet - with the new toys, plus two that were not included in the official images...
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072324.jpg
Deluxe Twitch
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072325.jpg
Build-A-Figure Mandroid
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072326.jpg
Deluxe Bumblebee
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072327.jpg
Warrior Optimus
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072328.jpg
1-step Wheeljack
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072329.jpg
Warrior Skywarp
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072330.jpg
Tacticon Optimus
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072331.jpg
Tacticon Megatron
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072332.jpg
Tacticon Bumblebee
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072333.jpg
Warrior Elita-1
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072334.jpg
1-step Optimus
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072335.jpg
1-step Bumblebee
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072336.jpg
Deluxe Megatron
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072337.jpg
Spin-Changer Bumblebee with Mo Malto
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072338.jpg
Spin-Changer Optimus Prime with Robby Malto
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072339.jpg
And one final reveal at SDCC yesterday - the live unboxing of the Haslab Victory Saber toy, with screenshots from here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWons1-BPWo
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072340.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072341.jpg
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http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072345.jpg
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There isn't likely to be anything new revealed in the remaining two days of SDCC, but if there is, I'll add them to this topic. (unless it is HUGE news)
As expected, there hasn't been anything new revealed for Transformers by Hasbro, so the fans at SDCC have been posting up photos of display cases and exhibits, including various license-holders.
At the Hasbro exhibit, they have the Haslab Victory Saber box in the display case...
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072401.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072402.jpg
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/072403.jpg
And tfw have posted up some more photos from the Earthspark display case (nothing new, but there are more angles on the new toys).
Some of the other license-holders (we saw the licensed statues and action figures on the first day)...
Funko Pop Vinyl - they had a special (expensive) party at SDCC, and everyone got some limited edition figures, some of which included a "Freddy Funko" dressed in Optimus cosplay, with three versions - regular (1500 units), metallic (500 units), glow in the dark (500 units).
It sound like a lot of units to be just for the party, so either they gave away a lot of figures, or they were also being sold through their site or some outlet later.
Symbiote Studios - mostly known for their plush toys, but also do t-shirts and pins.
Icon Heroes - had on display some Transformers book-ends (books? what are books? :p ), a 30cm Optimus statue, and a Unicron pen-holder which you could even stick pens through the "broken" eyes.
Checking out IMDB to see who the new Transformers cast is, and what they are best known for in the past...
- Sydney Mikayla (best known for General Hospital) as “Robby Malto,” a smart 13-year-old boy.
- Zion Broadnax (nothing major yet) as “Morgan ‘Mo’ Malto,” Robby’s 9-year-old younger sister.
- Benny Latham (new to acting) as “Dot Malto,” the mother to Robby and Mo.
- Jon Jon Briones (was in two episodes of Picard) as “Alex Malto,” the father to Robby and Mo.
- Kathreen Khavari (Ms Marvel in animated Mavel shows since 2018) as “Twitch Malto,” an Earth-born female Terran.
- Zeno Robinson (mostly voice roles since 2008, including the 2022 MOTU cartoon and Young Justice) as “Thrash Malto,” an Earth-born male Terran.
- Danny Pudi (best known for Community) as “Bumblebee”.
- Alan Tudyk (as Dutch in Transformers Dark of the Moon, and many other roles) as “Optimus Prime”.
- Rory McCann (best known for Game of Thrones) as “Megatron”.
- Cissy Jones (mostly voice roles since 2004) as “Elita-1”.
- Diedrich Bader (best known for Drew Carey Show, and was in the 2021 MOTU cartoon) as “Mandroid,” the villain.
I don't know if its me getting older or how the show/toys are looking, but I have no interest at all in Earthspark.
I actually forgot that this set included Holi & Fire.
Im even more excited for its release now.
Brain of Courage. Turns into a head?
I'm sure others will correct me, however it's more of a face.Quote:
Originally Posted by Autocon
If it's going to be like G1, then yes. The G1 Brainmasters have the same gimmick as the Motorvators that we got here (although Star Sabre was the only Brainmaster that Hasbro never redecoed/released as a Motorvator during G1). "Facemasters" would be a more apt description. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by KELPIE
Hasbro Pulse's official 'first look' video shows that the Haslab Brainmaster is half the size of a Titans Return Titanmaster, and while this new Brainmaster becomes Saber's face, it requires a manual transformation of the Brainmaster, unlike the (very cool!) auto-conversion gimmick of the G1 toy.
It was a super-duper cool gimmick when I first encountered it back in the 90s... but alas, my G1 Motorvators' gimmick sometimes gets stuck, and the Energon figures do look kinda daft with a giant face sticking out of their bodies (with a tiny head on top!). :p Also, the auto-conversion gimmick sacrificed any neck articulation; not that this was a priority for G1 toys. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by High_Q
Hmm, that's interesting. I think the Haslab Saber figure's head is able to rotate, so not sure how they've implemented the Brainmaster figure to work with that. Maybe the whole Brain of Courage rotates in the Saber's chest when Saber's helmet rotates...Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
That's exactly what it does. The Brainmaster is inserted into a drum in the chest/neck of Star Sabre, and that drum spins around the Y axis of the bot.Quote:
Originally Posted by High_Q
Personally I would have preferred they scrap the whole silly Brainmaster gimmick (or at least keep it from interfering in bodily movement) and give the head full articulation, but then you would have legions of hardcore fans up in arms.
Yeah, there's a trade-off between being faithful to the original concept on the one hand, and on the other, having a toy being more susceptible to breakage due to this gimmick and also limiting poseability.Quote:
Originally Posted by JJJ
MP-24 had a compromise transformation scheme for Saber in terms of the Brainmaster gimmick, but i'm not sure what the Japanese fans thought of it. I didn't read many negative comments from non-Japanese fans.
Some other interesting bits from the last days of SDCC....
One of the people from TFW at SDCC asked the Hasbro people at their booth, a number of Transformers questions.
There are quite a few questions, but a lot of them are just asking things that give the usual "yes, it's possible" answers, without anything specific. (if there was anything specifically revealing, it would have been big news on the fansites by now)
The link also has them asking questions of one of the license holders - Kotobukiya.Quote:
Q: Could we see High Moon video game figures in Studio Series?
A: Anything’s possible.
Q: Likewise, could we see Studio Series expand to include things like off-screen movie toyline characters, TV show characters or comic characters?
A: Same – anything’s possible.
Q: Are any generations off limits for Legacy?
A: No, no limits.
Q: So, will we see Animated?
A: Yes! Evan said he saw the rumors about Animated not being available for use, but those rumors are incorrect. They have all rights to all Transformers characters.
Q: Anything on a new Transformers PC/console game (or Activision re-releases)?
A: Can’t comment on new game releases, don’t know anything.
Q: How has Cybertron Metroplex sold so far?
A: Metroplex did well, just don’t have exact numbers at the moment.
Q: Do they intend to continue Titans?
A: Yes, plan is to keep them going.
Q: Any chance of a new Tidal Wave?
A: They hear the fans, they KNOW.
Q: What led to the more open fan interaction via Instagram accounts?
A: Mark pushed for the Instagram initiative.
Q: And are they happy with the experience so far?
A: Yes, really happy with it.
Q: Are they open to redos of Studio Series characters that have already been done?
A: He personally would like redos, but not certain as of right now if it’ll actually happen.
Q: Is Cyberverse a possibility for Legacy?
A: Yes.
Q: Do they have any plans for Cyber Planet keys?
A: May release the keys as a weapons pack.
Q: How about Minicons?
A: Once they move more fully into Armada, Minicons are indeed something they’ll have to think about.
Q: Additional allotments of Velocitron Cosmos?
A: Walmart can run more if they want more. For Pulse, what they had is what they had.
Q: Could we see G1-ified versions of the new Dinobots like Scorn?
A: For a G1 Scorn, would prefer that in Studio Series somehow.
Q: Next Haslab?
A: The next TF Haslab is being worked on, but can’t give any dates/details.
Q: How about Shattered Glass Haslabs, like Unicron or Victory Saber?
A: IF they wanted to move in that direction, they would probably have to test the waters with something like Shattered Glass Titans first (Omega Supreme was
mentioned).
Q: A new Cybertron Optimus Prime and Wing Saber?
A: Thinks it’s totally doable to have Wing Saber attach as a backpack to Siege Cybertron Optimus Prime.
Q: More Cybertron Titans?
A: Anything’s possible, but daunting since that’s a lot of Titans. Jokes about Cybertron Titans being the Titans for the next 5 years or so (Starscream, Primus, Quickmix, Menasor, etc).
Q: As you move further into Unicron Trilogy characters, could we see Powerlinx from Armada/Energon incorporated into their new Legacy figures?
A: Evan wants it to happen.
Q: What TF figure would you personally most like to make?
A: Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime.
Q: Possibility of the 13 Primes happening as figures?
A: Mark and Evan talk about doing them all the time, actually. If it happened, The Fallen would be a tank “as expected”.
Q: Could the Takara Armada OP happen as a Haslab?
A: Because it’s an Optimus, it hypothetically would never be a Haslab.
Q: Did the delay of ROTB cause any figures originally planned for 2023 to be shifted to later?
A: None that he can think of.
Q: Are they looking into other ways the Takara Armada OP could be released?
A: He would be mainline for sure if they did him.
Q: Would it be the same one we saw or an all-new one?
A: It’s possible it’d be based on the previous one, or it could be a new one, depends on how things work out.
Q: What weapons pack accessory would you want to happen?
A: Gut gun for Cheetor.
Q: How long will Legacy run for?
A: 3 years. As far as he knows, the current plan is for it to be a trilogy.
Q: Can we expect to keep seeing non-G1 stuff after that?
A: Yes.
Q: You said we’ll see Animated in Legacy, so what is the Animated character you’d most like to do?
A: Ratchet, Optimus, or Lockdown. Says Ratchet “needed to be done better”.
Q: Most wanted Beast Machines character?
A: Vehicons.
Q: If G1 Megatron was to be done in SS86, how would he be handled? Obviously he probably wouldn’t turn into the gun, so a tank?
A: More than likely a tank, yes.
Q: For Earthspark, could we see Voyagers/Leaders in addition to the Deluxes, or could we see Earthspark characters in Generations?
A: It’s possible, but sticking with Deluxe scale for now. Maybe later down the line.
Q: For Legacy Animated stuff, would they be in the original style or more G1-ified like the TFP toys?
A: The latter, however they have heard the stylization feedback about the TFP figures, so they are working on trying to find a better balance regarding G1-ification.
Q: Could we also see more accurate versions of them and the TFP characters in Studio Series though?
A: Entirely possible, they’re talking about expanding Studio Series beyond movies.
Q: What led to them expanding to more non-G1 stuff after the heavy G1 focus in Prime Wars and the first two chapters of WFC?
A: Designers wanted to bring in the characters, and characters that needed updates, and people were getting tired of the same ones.
Q: Will Legacy have any kind of story like WFC did? Shows, comics, etc?
A: Not to his knowledge.
Q: How about depicting a story through box art or back of the box? Like a connecting story across packaging.
A: Possible.
Q: Will Generations Selects be continuing?
A: Not going anywhere. Any rumors about it stopping are false.
Q: Most obscure character you’d like to bring in?
A: Velocity, Javelin, Camiens, Mistress of Flame.
Q: Is there a possibility of a “Haslab Lite” to introduce specific recolors/retools of the more obscure Transformers characters fans are hoping for at the standard mainline scales (Core/Deluxe/Voyager/Leader)? As in, smaller scale stuff, as opposed to the big “grand” items like Unicron/Victory Saber.
A: It’d probably just be Generations Selects or Pulse exclusives, but they would like to bring back Fan Votes.
Also at the Hasbro booth, Peter Cullen featured in a panel, which was posted up on youtube...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI4N6RGKHAE
And while on the topic of Peter Cullen... a few weeks ago Paramount Studios in Hollywood had a media-invited event to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the 2007 Movie, with Peter Cullen talking about his first time with Michael Bay auditioning for the role of Optimus Prime, for the Movies.
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