Transformers News on Seibertron.com

New Beasts begin shipping in November!

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According to Kenner, the Beast Wars line will expand to approximately 40 figures by the end of this year and the beginning of the next. Of all these new toys, four will be female characters. Proposed new forms for Beast Wars toys include a falcon, a crab, a praying mantis, and possibly more dinosaur forms. It was also mentioned that the Besat Wars Transformers are one of the three best selling Boys toys alongside Power Rangers and Star Wars!

Special thanks to Anthony Gaud of Kenner and Andrius Schmid for this information: there are plans for at least 2 Beast Wars combiner giant toys. The designs for these giants has been so successful that there are ideas being tossed around Kenner for a Super Combiner.

There are no plans at this time for any Beast Wars cities but the idea has crossed the minds of the Beast Wars toy team.

Multi-formers (such as Triplechangers and Sixchangers) are being considered but none have been created yet. Any such characters would be introduced in season two of Beast Wars (which has not been given a go ahead yet as of August 24th, 1996. One proposed form is a triple changing ant.

Basic Beasts: New additions enter the ferocious Beast Wars, fought between the Maximals and the Predacons, robot warriors disguised as wild animals! Each figure feature quick-attack conversion and hidden robot weapons as well as an "Energon Chip" decal that reveals a robot's allegiance when rubbed. (Editor's note: YES! We have symbols finally!!!) Scheduled for this release are up to four new figures - Falcon, Crab, Squid, and Elephant Bug - as well as the previously released Insecticon, Armordillo, Razorbeast, Iguanus, Rattrap, Snapper, and Terrorsaur.

Deluxe Beasts: These genetically-engineered Transformers begin a new breed of battles! Designed with eciting detail and secret working weapons, these figures feature hidden missile launchers that really shoot and an "Energon Chip" decal that reveals a robot's allegiance when rubbed! Scheduled for this release are up to five new figures - Shark, Dragonfly, Bison, Praying Mantis, and Velociraptor - as well as the previously released Wolfang, Tigatron, Cheetor, Dinobot, Tarantulas, Rhinox, Waspinator, Blackarachnia, and Buzzsaw!

Mega Beasts: These mega Beasts are truly horric, as you can tell by checking out the evil Inferno fire ant, which converts to a battle ready robot! Inferno features air attack and humanoid modes, with a hidden launcher that fires detachable leg missiles and a tail that splits into four sections with mechanized spinning action! With all the figures, rubbing the "Energon Chip" reveals the robot's allegiance - Maximal or evil Predacon. Scheduled for this release are three new figures - Fire Ant, Baboon, and Mosquito - as well as the previously released Polar Claw and Scorponok.

Microverse Beast Wars Playsets: The evil Predacons and the heroic Maximals do battle - in miniature! Scheduled for this release are: Predacon Arachnid, in which a spider converts to the evil Predacon Command Base; and Maximal Oranoch, in which a killer whale converts to a heroic Maximal Command Base!

The future of the Transformers will revolve around Beast Wars and an additional line called "Machine Wars". Both lines are planned to coincide with each other in 1997.

This article was originally published in TRANS-FORUM by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

Dave's World

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Until recently, I felt there was no where in Michigan that held any interest in the Transformers or their universe.

Last year, at Michigan's largest comic book convention (the Motor City Comicon), I found a dealer who sold Japanese Transformers cartoons. After purchasing a few of the tapes (which I recommend to anyone who can get their hands on some) my pursuit of a Michigan Transformers following began. Eventually, it brought me to a comic shop I had been visiting for the last eight years (Time Traveler's in Berkely, MI off 12 Mile). This store carries everything under the sun as far as action figures and comic books are concerned. Most importantly, this store had Transformers.

One of the employees I met, Dave Mamer, was very helpful with my Transformers purchases.

Laster, I discovered that he had a business out of his home. It is called "The Empire". He sells a variety of toys from his home. Some of the collectible toys he sells range from the X-Men toys to the Super Power to Mego to G.I.Joe. His second largest focus after Transformers are the Star Wars toys. I soon discovered that the majority of his sales and collections are (of course) the Transformers.

His basement is covered with Transformers. He has everything I could have imagined. From boxed Transformers to loose Transformers, the cards, to collector's cases - Dave's "Empire" has it all.

Dave originally started out by selling the Star Wars toys, with a little of everything on the side. As he began buying more and more collections, he became less picky, and soon started taking whatever was with the collections he looked over.

As for Star Wars, Dave has basically gone as far as he wants to currently. He has most of the figures, and feels there is little room for growth with his Star Wars collection.

"I found the Transformers more interesting that anything else," Dave stated candidly in an interview with Trans-Forum. "The Transformers are cooler!"

Dave can be found travelling around the country as both a dealer and a collector; visiting a variety of shows from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Illinois, all the way to Colorado. The next upcoming show Dave will be dealing at will be Botcon July 12th - 14th, 1996, in Chicago.

As for what Dave sells, he has a large variety of both loose and boxed. The majority of what he sells is loose, however he does have some highly desired boxed characters such as Fortress Maximus and Megatron. He occassionally sells Transformers accessories he may have, but only if they are extras.

Only Time Will Tell

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I guess now is as good a time as any to spill my Beast Wars Transformers theories. I myself have two. One I heard through the grapevines. The other is my own that I prefer.

The theory I heard goes something like this: This is a different timeline, one where the Ark's computer system awoke long before the 4 million years it took in both the comics and cartoons. Instead of the Ark/Teletran1 discovering "mechanical" life, all it discovered was animals. Teletran then proceeded with a new Transformers technology, combining carbon-based life (animals) with that of Transformer life.

The second theory is as follows: remember in the comic how the Nebulans poisoned their atmosphere with a chemical that slowly killed Transformers in an effort to rid their planet of the Transformers? Well, the humans on Earth recently devised and released a similar poison forcing the Transformers back to their home planet of Cybertron. Megatron and his Decepticons needed Earth's vast resources so he created a way to combine carbon-based life with that of the Transformers. He then creates the Predacons led by another Megatron, which is really the cloned mind of the original Megatron.

Once the Autobots hear of the Predacons on Earth, Optimus Prime follows suit and sends his version of the Predacons to Earth - the heroic Maximals. The Maximals are lead by Optimus Primal, who has the cloned mind of Prime.

Megatron and Prime both run into a problem with their clones. The wild animal side of their clones beings altering the typical behaviors of an Optimus Prime or Megatron. Eventually, the Maximals and Predacons take on their own separate lives from the original Transformers.

Well, that's my [theory]! Anyone else like to take a shot at the Beast Wars / Generation One connection?

This article was originally published in TRANS-FORUM by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

Botcon '96 Takes Over The Windy City

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The 3rd annual Transformers Convention has been set. Men In Black Collectibles have brought Botcon to Chicago, Illinois this year. So get ready to transform and roll out on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday July 12th - 14th, 1996.

Planned for the convention: Kenner will be present to talk about the current line. Kenner will bring along a few unique "one-of-a-kind" items for fans to be in awe over.

As usual, there will be a dealer room to buy all your Transformers merchandise. A free showing of Transformers: The Movie on Friday for pre-registrants only. A video room for screening of your favorite Transformers episodes. A panel room for discussions and panels on Transformers. A display room will hold a collection of Transformers items to be admired.

This year's convention will be held at the Clarion Resort in Rosemont, Illinois. Conveniently located near O'Hare Airport, the Clarion has shuttles from the airport every 15 minutes. Negotiated with the hotel, the rate per room will be the same as last year; $67.00 a night. So this year you get a great rate and the big city of Chicago to go out and have fun in.

The Clarion Hotel is lcoated off I-90 on the Mannheim Road North exit. Reservations can be made by calling (800)221-2222 or their local number is (847)297-8464. The 800 number does not have the $67.00 rate so you will have to call the local number to get the special BOTCON rate. Clarion may be reached by writing to Clarion Resort, 6810 N Mannheim Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018. Make sure to mention you are registering for BOTCON.

Dealers can set up Friday afternoon from 6:00pm to 9:00pm and some attendees will be able to attend the Friday set-up to get the first chance on good toys. This "dealer day" first chance pass is available only through preregistration. The "Dealer Day" first chance pass will allows guests in the dealer room Friday between 7:00pm and 9:00pm and at 8:00am-9:00am on Saturday.

Non-registrants costs will be $7.00 for a one-day pass, and $10 for the weekend pass. No walk-ins are available for Friday's showing of Transformers: The Movie.

This article was originally published in TRANS-FORUM by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

And From Headquarters (July 1996) ...

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About a month ago, the first issue of Trans-Forum was sent across the world to many people. Perhaps you were wondering how I created Trans-Forum's mailing list? Simple. I pulled out all of the complete addresses from Transformers: Generation 2 Transmissions.

Is everyone pumped about Botcon? I sure am. July 12th cannot come fast enough! I am very anxious.

Please help me recruit new Trans-Forum members. Tell your friends about it. Send their names and addresses on an additional sheet of paper if you feel they may be interested.

I will be handing out copies of this special edition at BOTCON in hopes of recruiting many new members.

Well, once again, I am out of space and time. The next issue will begin Trans-Forum's regular quarterly schedule starting in October. Until then, enjoy Botcon '96 and I hope to see you there! Roll out!

This article was originally published in TRANS-FORUM by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

The Beast Within!

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The Transformers have returned with an animalistic vengeance in 1996!!! The Besaet Wars Transformers have brought upon a new era of Transformers greatness. The Beast Wars Transformers have out sold almost every other action figure in my area. These new Transformers are hot, fresh, and very exciting.

It appears that 1996 will be the extra push Transformers has needed for many years. Already this year, fourteen new Transformers have been released; a McDonald's Happy Meal promotion with five additional Transformers was released throughout March and April; some of the biggest Beast Wars Transformers toys this year have yet to be released; and a hot, new computer animated cartoon series will be in syndication on television this fall!

My only disappointment with these new Beast Wars Transformers has to do with the fact that there are no Autobots or Decepticons! Optimus Primal leads the heoric Maximals defending the Earth from Megatron and his evil Predacons! While I have thoroughly enjoyed the newest additions to the Transformers Universe, I do miss the cataclysmic battles between the Autobots and Decepticons. I will share with you my theory on the Autobot/Maximal and Decepticon/Predacon connection at a later date.

This article was originally published in TRANS-FORUM by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

Hop in your Deceptive Automobile to BotCon '96!

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Botcon 1996 will be held in Rosemont, Illinois, not far from Chicago! The 1996 International Transformers convention, BOTCON, will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Transformers: The Movie. Can you believe it? 10 years ago this August, Transformers: The Movie was released throughout the world on the big screen!

Men In Black, the group of people who have orchestrated the Trasnformers convention, live in Ypsilanti, Michigan. From their house they buy, sell and trade Transformers with people from all over the country and in Michigan.

Botcon '96 will be held in the Rosemont Clarion Resort from July 12th - 14th. Hotel accommodattions can be made by contacting the Clarion Resort at (847)297-8464. Hotel rooms are $67.00 per night, per room, and they are going fast! Just let them know that you are staying for the Men In Black convention block.

Men In Black have made a deal with Hasbro/Kenner to make an exclusive toy for BOTCON '96. This year's Botcon Transformer will be a repainted black/gold/gray Beast Wars Optimus Primal bat. It looks much cooler than the original Optimus Primal.

Dennis Barger, one of Men In Black's head honchos, can be contacted at (313)483-TOYS for any additional information regarding BOTCON '96. If you have access to the World Wide Web, you can contact Men In Black's web site at http://www.htonline.com/Men_in_Black.

This article was originally published in TRANS-FORUM by the owner of SEIBERTRON.com

Beast Wars Series Premieres With Winning Ratings In U.S.

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New 3-D Computer Animated series Produced By Alliance Multimedia and Mainframe Entertainment Beats all kid competition in majority of markets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27 - Toronto - BEAST WARS^TM, the all-new high-tech animated i children's television series which previewed in 85% of the U.S. with an exciting two-part mini-series, earned impressive ratings for its world premiere in April, 1996, it was announced by Steven DeNure, President, , I Alliance Multimedia.

In New York, the largest U.S. television market, BEAST WARS^TM earned a 4.6 rating, 15 share, which marks a 21% increase in ratings and a 33% increase in share over the previous week's programming, and a 35% increase in ratings and 36% increase in share over the lead-in.

Nationally, BEAST WARS^TM earned equally impressive ratings in the 30 overnight markets, averaging an increase over its lead-in in 77% of the markets and beating all competition in over 70% of the metered ':1 markets. BEAST WARS^TM is the action-packed battle for control of a uniquely powerful energy source called "energon". From a distant peaceful planet populated by highly evolved robotic beings, the ruling Maximals^TM chase a renegade band of evil Predacons^TM through time and space, only to crash land on a mysterious earth-like planet. The planet is so rich in energon that it causes the robot's chips to overload, forcing both groups to adapt by splicing their cybergenetic code with the DNA of indigenous animal forms. When the two sides meet they revert to their metalloid forms to do battle. Outnumbered, the Maximals must use their skill and cunning to prevent the Predacons from acquiring enough energon to fuel their relentless drive to dominate the universe.

"BEAST WARS is the next step in the evolution of3-D computer animation for television, and confirms Mainframe Entertainment's position as the leader in the field," said DeNure.

BEAST WARS^TM executive producers are Christopher Brough, Steven DeNure, Stephane Reichel and Ian Pearson. Jonathan Goodwill is Producer.

Alliance Communications Corporation is a worldwide filmed entertainment company headquartered in Toronto with offices in Montreal, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Paris and Shannon. Its shares trade in Toronto and Montreal under AAC and it is listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol ALLIF.

Mainframe Entertainment is the world's first producer of full length computer generated family programming located in Vancouver, Canada.

Poor Sales May Deal Toy Robots Fatal Blow

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Hasbro Can't Toy with Optimus Prime

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Written by Lane Crockett

Kids not only say the darndest things, but when they speak as one, they get things done. Ask Alfred C. Carosi.

Carosi is a corporate vice president of marketing services with Hasbro, a toy company. Hasbro happens to be the creator of Transformers, a popular children's program featuring a range of robots as heroes and villians. They're called autobots.

Locally, the series can be seen at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday on KMSS, Channel 33.

Hasbro, in an effort to revamp its toy line pertaining to Transformers, used its feature-length film of the same name to kill off Optimus Prime, leader of the good guys on the TV series.

The philosphy of Hasbro in terms of toy product is to turn its entire line every two years and introduce new toys. The company thought the feature film a good place to kill off Optimus Prime and give a reason for his disapearance from the toy line.

"There was immediate reaction," says Carosi. "We got a lot of phone calls and letters from kids. We were frankly surprised at the number of letters. When we killed off Optimus Prime, I thought they might be a little bit upset, but we had new heroes for them in the movie. That didn't seem to matter."

So for the first time, Hasbro brought back a series figure. Optimus is back on the TV show, but he's still out of the toy line.

"We did it because the kids seemed to really like him. He's in all the new episodes, but he wasn't a part of the series after the movie. That could be confusing because we killed off a bunch in the movie... easily half a dozen.

"We didn't get any letters about any of the other characters. Based on that, we took a look at bringing Optimus back. If Bobby Ewing can come back, why not Optimus Prime?"

In the storyline returning Optimus, Carosi says, the reaction was fantastic from the kids. Generally speaking, he says, Transformers ratings were up in major markets like New York and Chicago, where Hasbro is headquartered.

Although Optimus doesn't find himself in the toy line right now, Carosi says Hasbro is seriously looking at bringing the toy back next year.

Oddly, Optimus was not the leading toy in the Transformers line. He sold for $20. Carosi says some of the lower-priced ones sold better. Of the larger toys, Optimus was No. 1 at his price range.

"Optimus was leader of the good autobots, I guess that's why he was so popular. He was replaced in the movie by Rodimus Prime, who is the hero in the new episodes. Optimus came back and took over in a two-parter. He was Rodimus' father figure.

"Well, we've done it and we learned. The key is to be responsive to the kids, not upset them. We did that inadvertently. By definition, what we do should be fun."

Carosi says the feature-length film did well and engineered good responses from kids. It is now being readied for videocassette release.

"Hasbro probably won't do another film," Carosi says. "They are very expensive to produce. We lost money on Transformers and My Little Pony, which we also created."

Hasbro's most popular creation is the G.I. Joe animated show. Transformers is No. 2. G.I. Joe was created in 1964. Carosis says, in 1982, G.I. Joe was made into action figures.

"There's no one G.I. Joe now. He has become a G.I. Joe team. By the way, the good figures outsell the villains."

The lead seller for the bad guys is a figure called Cobra Commander, who appears on G.I. Joe.

As for Optimus Prime, he seems to be secure now. Hasbro has learned not to tamper with him. After all, he has an army of youngsters backing him.

Editor's Note: This newspaper article was obtained through Linden High School's micro-fiche film library during my senior year in 1995. Linden High School is located in Linden, Mi. See ... it pays to save all that stuff!!!