TF31Feb_Mar10

3/9/10

4:37 PM

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Where its at.
Michael bell Interview Activision PREVIEW MTMTE Profile MTMTE Profile 2010: Part 1 BOTCON CUSTOM CLASS THE COMING STORM: part 1 The BACK COVER.
Happy Valentines Day! Winter is in full swing all across the country and I hope that the cold weather will make you want to join us for some warm weather fun at the Walt Disney Dolphin Hotel for BotCon 2010, June 24-27! You can make your hotel arrangements online from the link at BotCon.com. Dont delay, as we will fill up! Registration forms and details should be available sometime in February. It will be a terrific time in sunny Florida! Keep watching BotCon.com for the most up-to-date information including previews of the convention set. We are currently working on an online registration system, but we dont think it will be finished before the BotCon information is ready to be released. We will keep you posted on this one. In case you missed the announcement in the last club magazine, you probably noticed that there was no Master Collector with this issue. After 17 years of publishing, we decided to migrate our ads to an online auction and ad site MCAX.com (Master Collector Auctions eXtreme). This will take the place of your monthly ads as you now have unlimited free auctions and online ads as long as you are a member of the Transformers Collectors Club! This will be a great new venue to trade with other club members. You will continue to receive your club magazine every other month, and now each issue will come in an envelope. Hopefully, that will help with the Post Offices delivery. In case you have not seen it online, our next Club exclusive figure is Cyclonus! He should ship sometime in the late spring/early summer. Check out TransformersClub.com for images and details.! Thanks for your support. til all are one! Brian

On the Cover.

The War For Cybertron will begin in 2010! On the cover, a look at the new Bumblebee toy featured in the all-new video game from Activision. Check out page 4 for more information!

From the Editors Desk.

To kick off our 6th year, we have pulled out all the stops for you! We have new features, a new comic story line and a look at the new video game (with toys to support it)! So, check it out and post your comments in the Club Magazine forum at TransformersClub.com. A quick editorial correction despite what was listed on the instructions and the title on last issues profile, our 5-year combiners official name is Nexus Prime. This name only recently became available and since he is one of the Original 13, we were thrilled to re-name him Nexus Prime. I hope that clears everything up. Thats all for now! Take care, Pete

Making it Happen.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF..Brian Savage EDITOR..Pete Sinclair CREATIVE DIRECTOR / LAYOUT.Lanny Lathem ASSOCIATE EDITOR..Benson Yee ASSOCIATE EDITOR..Jesse Wittenrich RESEARCH EDITOR..Karl Hartman COLUMNIST...Rob Meyer HEAD PROOFREADER..Heather Choplin PROOFREADER..Mark Baker-Wright RESIDENT COLORIST..Drew Eiden RESIDENT ARTIST.Evan Gauntt STAFF..Greg Sepelak and Trent Troop FEATURED ARTISTS..Casey Coller Published by Fun Publications, Inc. 225 Cattle Baron Parc Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76108 817.448.9863 FAX 817.448.9843

Transformers is a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc. Transformers is used with permission under license with Hasbro, Inc. The Hasbro Transformers Collectors Club is a trademark of Fun Publications, Inc. and Hasbro, Inc. 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved. BotCon is a registered trademark of Fun Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Are you moving?

Please call us with your new mailing address as soon as possible in order to help us keep your magazine coming without interruption. The Post Office does not forward 3rd Class mail. The phone number for the Transformers Collectors Club is 817-448-9863 MonFri 9AM - 4:30PM Central time.

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Sound the Bell!
f you head on over to IMDB.com and do a search for Michael Bell, you will find a treasure trove of TV and voice credits from across the spectrum, drama to comedy, with roles including everything from a Fireman to a Captain of the Guard. When it comes to voice acting, Mr. Bell has run the gamut once again, playing some of the most iconic comic book heroes and villains in animated form. He has been the voice of The Riddler on Challenge of the Superfriends, Lex Luthor on Superman, Dr. Bruce Banner on The Incredible Hulk, and Duke from G.I. Joe, just to name a few! And while the kids from the 90s recognize his voice as Tommys uncle Drew Pickles from Rugrats, the kids from the 80s will most certainly remember him as the staunch and reliable Prowl from the original Transformers cartoon. Mr. Bell recently took some time to sit down with us to talk about his days working on the original Transformers cartoon. Transformers Collectors Club: Going back to where it all started, when you first heard about a cartoon where everyday vehicles turned into giant alien robots, what was your initial reaction? Micheal Bell: After creating voices for toast, butter, fish, ants, little girls and dandruff, doing the voice of a giant robot, especially the calm and dependable Prowl, was a vacation. However, Swoop was a challenge. How does one get the gravelly voice without spending time in the hospital after 8 hours of throaty threats and yelling? TCC: What is your fondest memory from that recording booth? Did any shenanigans go on behind the mic? MB: Shenanigans is a word that cannot describe the intricacies of 10 egos happily crammed into a booth about the size of a NY apartmernt for 8 hours. If it happened today, I am sure there would be some romantic liaisons and a few murders. I wish I had recordings of all the stuff that didnt make it to tape. There was nothing other than some grumbling about the hours and the occasional slap in the face, bloody nose and stomping. and that was just the girls. TCC: Was there any particular inspiration behind the voices you chose to use for the original Transformers cartoon? Anyone you tried imitating? MB: Actors are either taught or instinctively use whatever is available to them to create characters, whether on or off screen. You watch and listen carefully to those around you family, friends, politicians, screen and TV personalities and imitate them. You then work to get inside the skin of that character so you are not just doing a voice but one that is actually couched in reality. As to inspiration, if the character is large, then you go for a deeper, more powerful sound (as much as your pipes will allow). For a small or skinny character, I go high pitched or whiny. Those are the most immediate responses to size. You flesh out the character from there. As I recall, I tried to fashion Prowl after all the movie heroes that enthralled me as a kid. They were heroes that didnt have to raise their voices to let you know they could handle the problem and would always come back after being thumped and/or jumped. I am not a big fan of Clint Eastwood but his movie persona was

- A TCC Interview

like what I thought Prowl should be. I also was thinking of Robert Mitchum, or Bogie, both of whom I am sure most of you sadly dont remember. TCC: Transformers fans know your voice well as Sideswipe and Prowl. Were there any other characters on the show that you thought, Oh, now HE would be fun to voice!? MB: None that I can think of. Of course I would love to have had Peter or Franks bellowing pipes so I could have played a really large imposing baddie, but I was given physical beauty and great abs instead. TCC: Many voice actors mention that they miss working in a group setting, having the opportunity to play off each other. Is that something you miss and what else do you miss from the 80s style of voice performing? MB: That was an era I am thrilled to have been a part of. Working together like actors did on early radio with an ensemble cast offered a high like no other in the world for actors. It aint like that today. Theres no time, no time. everyones busy. gotta do it and get out so the actor waiting in the lobby can get on mic. TCC: Given the chance, which of the original Transformers voice actors would you like to work with again? MB: I think Frank. He is so funny and original. I am a fan of all the actors on the show, but Frank made me laugh. Sure, now Greg will call me at 4 in the morning and breathe heavy because I didnt pick him. TCC: Whats going on for Michael Bell nowadays? What can we expect to hear from you next? MB: I am currently directing (which is more than I could have hope for at this stage of my career) Irredeemable, a graphic motion comic from the famous Boom Comics comic book about a hero gone rogue. Chris Folino, the creator of Sparks (another motion comic I directed for him and William Katt), is producing. Chris is the creator and director of the film Gamers, about men in their 30s caught up in playing the longest fantasy board game ever. If you havent seen it, I can send you a copy or you can purchase it from BUYGAMERS.COM. It is truly hysterical. I have been casting really good actors for the roles in both Sparks and Irredeemable, many of them from Transformers and G.I. Joe. if they are available. I should let Michael Bay know I need them for MY stuff and to stop using them for HIS movies. (laughs) As the episodes develop and the concept of downloading motion comics to iTunes, iPhone and iTouch catches on (hear that my ever vigilant fans?), then I will be able to hire more and more of the actors from those classic animated shows. Then they will be able to afford their suites at the Motion Picture (Rest) Home. A huge thank you to Michael Bell for taking the time to talk with us!

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he truck tears down the road; the street lights illuminating the curves of the unearthly fenders. Suddenly, seemingly without provocation, the truck shifts violently. Parts tear themselves loose, twisting and turning as the truck becomes airborne. Now, with nothing beneath the trucks tires but air, a new warrior is realized. Optimus Prime. The robot of red and blue grabs for two streaks of flame; missiles fired by an unseen enemy are knocked from their lethal course. As he lands, the armored machine removes something from his back its long, almost staff like. However, with a flick of a switch, energy roars to the head of the staff and the reality of the weapons viciousness is revealed. It is an ax, tremendous and terrible. Optimus Prime lunges forward and, with one graceful swing bisects the coming foe, who falls to the ground in a spray of now useless electricity
nection to, the challenge is how to re-spin some core ideas without violating the guardrails of the Transformers universe. I cant wait until the fans get to play, because I believe we have crafted a story which is brand new and yet familiar at the same time. Was it difficult? Are you kidding me? It was a dream come true. TCC: In the past, Transformers have seen many different backgrounds for the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons. Can you discuss what makes this new story unique? MT: I have read, watched and played some great stories, but I always wanted to do my version of Optimus and Megatron. Their conflict is ageless, real and I wanted a piece of that! For Megatron, we really explored WHY he does the things that he does. He is the hero of the story - or at least that is what he would tell you and his motivations are grounded in what he thinks is right. Optimus and his story could not be more different. Every Autobot mission is about hope and finding that hope in some very dark days. Optimus is that hope personified, even though he doesnt want the responsibility. The Autobot story is really Optimus story of how he grows and becomes the leader he was meant to be. TCC: The fictional Transformers Wars have apparently been going on for as long as 4 to 65 million years. During what part of this time frame is this game set? Will we be thrown right into the middle of the fight, or can we expect to see the rise of the Decepticons, or maybe even something even earlier than Autobot and Decepticon? MT: There was such a long and brutal history on Cybertron that we didnt think we could do millions of years of history justice, so we boiled it down to what I believed was the most interesting part. We focued on the final events of the Civil War where Megatron is poised to gain everything he ever wanted and an untested robot named Optimus rises to lead the Autobots. TCC: What characters will fans recognize in the video game? Will there be any familiar or perhaps unfamiliar names and faces?
Most of you reading this article have probably already seen the trailer for Transformers: War for Cybertron, but just what else does the game have to offer? The Transformers Collectors Club Magazine has had a chance to talk with Matt Tieger, Game Director at High Moon Studios about this upcoming video game, and just why Transformers fans should be excited about it! Transformers Collectors Club: We have heard that Transformers: War for Cybertron will set up the background for a certain G1 Transformers Universe. How difficult was it to design a video game around 25 years of Transformers history? Matt Tieger: When working on a property with such a rich history, and one that I have a strong nostalgic con-

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MT: When we first started this project, we sat down with Hasbro and looked over the list of the most popular Transformers characters that became the core of our cast. However, this is a game and we needed some lesser known characters to fill in some gameplay roles. Although he isnt a super popular Transformers character, I have always liked Warpath. He blasted his way into our game, as much because he was a fun character as he was a tank and I wanted an Autobot tank. TCC: Previous video games have struggled to combine the ability to transform with engaging levels. You seem to have found a happy medium, however. What has Activision/High Moon learned about gameplay and Transformers after the first two movie games? MT: I can definitively say that there are no real parallel gameplay patterns to Transformers. Players can become their vehicle form whenever they want and cross huge distances easily. That in itself is challenging, but when you multiply that by the vehicle types, the design challenge is staggering. Instead of looking at that as a weakness, we embrace it as a core strength. The only answer I can give as to how we do it is playtesting, playtesting, playtesting. Our entire team is composed of rabid gamers and they play the game everyday, mercilessly. TCC: Since game play no doubt involves destroying enemies, but it also cannot affect future story lines in the upcoming cartoon, does this mean that we will see more cannon fodder drones? Or will there be new characters just for the video game? MT: The Civil War was on a grand scale, with an entire planet at war. As such, both sides had many different types of troops. No matter who you play you will fight against a variety of enemy types, some of which are named characters. If those characters die or escape to fight another day. well, you will just have to play the game to find out. TCC: It seems that providing exclusive play and/or characters to the various platforms has become an industry standard. What kind of exclusive content can we expect for Transformers: War for Cybertron? MT: We do have a lot of characters in our game, but we have not yet decided if there will be exclusive content on particular platforms. Stay tuned for more announcements in the near future! TCC: How closely has Hasbro worked with Activision/High Moon to establish the look, feel and history of the new story line? Have they helped with any of the character models outside of those present in the cartoon?
MT: We have worked side-by-side with Hasbro on this one, I am pleased to say. The fusion of our creative intellect, love of Transformers and gamer attitude are what makes this project so very special. TCC: Since the new cartoon and toy line are the inspiration for the video game, will we see any galleries/concept art of either as Easter eggs or unlockables? Transformers fans love their Easter eggs! MT: We redesigned everything from the ground up (story, character designs, environments, etc) and then worked closely with Hasbro to shape those initial designs into the characters and world that you see in the game. I am very proud to say that many of our designs were accepted outright by Hasbro. TCC: Will we be seeing any video game exclusive characters on the toy shelves like we did with characters from the game based on the 2007 Transformers movie? MT: We talk with Hasbro constantly and there are a lot of cool things were doing with them that were just not ready to talk about yet, but I can say that there is a Bumblebee figure which the Collector's Club is getting a first look at in this issue. so stay tuned! TCC: Lastly, there have been rumors that Activision is aiming towards making Transformers an annual release. Is this something that you are looking at making a reality? MT: The fans are going to love this game. I will be the first one up at Activision HQ screaming to make another one!

War of Cybertron Bumblebee toy in vehicle mode

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DECEPTICON

RUNABOUT

SHOCK TROOPER
Beauty is fleeting. especially when Im around.
Runabout tries to pass himself off as a suave connoisseur of fine things. Its not a facade he can really maintain for long, less because of his generally low intelligence, and more because his interest in beautiful objects starts and ends with blow them up. A good-looking sports car will instantly turn his head, and quickly draw his fire. His drive to seem sophisticated is in direct conflict with his urge to always be active and his love of explosions, and the former is losing. Hes not interested in the Decepticons plans for conquest; hes just with them because of the greater opportunities for his kind of fun. Hes always on the move, looking to create a bigger fireball, a larger bomb crater, and generally cram every microsecond with action. Now partnered with the hyperactive Runamuck, Runabout has never had more fun in his life. Hes only marginally smarter than his partner, but he has better self control, giving the pairing just enough focus to present a real danger to most robots they gang up on. For his part, Runamuck doesnt really understand why Runabout is so fascinated with blowing up pretty things, but doesnt mind because explosions are cool, and there are always some of those around when the Battlechargers are in town.

WEAPONS / ABILITIES

The experimental Battlecharger frame gives Runabout an almost instantaneous vehicle-to-robot transformation, capable of making the shift in 0.4 seconds. He can convert back to vehicle mode in 0.7 seconds, enabling him to change between forms rapidly. The wheels on his feet allow him to maintain an incredibly high movement speed in robot mode, zipping along at 110 mph, boosting to 185 mph in ALTERNATE MODE / / vehicle mode. He uses a high energy particle beam rifle that can easily punch holes through Autobot armor, though he hits more targets through blind luck than actual skill.

WEAKNESSES

Runabouts aversion to boredom borders on the psychotic, leading him to be easily distracted. Hell often take stupid risks just because it seems more interesting than whatever hes currently doing. His transformation mechanisms are very delicate, and even light damage can result in misalignments that can lock him into a single mode.

SHADOWY SEDAN

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JETSTORM

TACTICAL COORDINATOR
Revenge is a dish best served often.
A tyrannical bully, Jetstorm demands nothing less than absolute control over every situation. He is loathed by his fellow soldiers, mistrusted by the Decepticon leadership, and feared by all who fall under his command. He seeks disproportionately harsh revenge against anyone who dares question his orders. These traits would have sealed his fate ages ago if not for his raw talent as a strategic coordinator. Jetstorms successful military strategy helped liberate the Decepticon leadership from exile on the planet Char, and secured a number of strategic outposts beyond the reach of the Autobots and their allies. This, combined with his unwillingness to strike at Decepticon high commanders, kept him functional. In recent years, Jetstorm has been deployed less frequently on the ground. Rumor has it that the Decepticon spy network has him stationed on the outskirts of New Iacon, planning heists instead of battles, though what they intend to steal is anyones guess.
Jetstorms primary weapon is his aquarifle. This weapon draws moisture from the atmosphere and contaminates the liquid with radioactive isotopes, producing a scalding blast that is toxic to organic or machine life. His ultimate weapon, however, is his position. As a troop coordinator, Jetstorm can send Decepticons that cross him on the most dangerous or unpleasant missions available. As such, despite the contempt his fellows carry for him, he is well protected and obeyed by the Decepticon rank-and-file.
As long as Jetstorm is functional, no Decepticon outside the leadership ranks dares cross him. He cannot, however, count on any Decepticon to save his life if his deactivation appears certain. Nearly every known Decepticon hates him, and if his power were to wane he would not be long for this universe. Jetstorms sociopathic nature prevents him from understanding the emotions of other beings. Any emotion beyond fear, hate or humiliation is foreign to him and he reacts to all acts of charity or compassion with paranoia and psychotic mistrust.

ALTERNATE MODE / /

RADICAL RACER

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BOTCON CUSTOM CLASS RETROSPECTIVE!

2006INFERNO

2006RUMBLE
ith all the BotCon 2010 announcements on the horizon, we will be taking a look back at some of the events that have been a part of BotCon over the last 5 years. This issue: the Customization Class hosted by Shawn Tessman. This event has become a staple of BotCon. On the Wednesday and Thursday before the the convention begins, class pre-registrants get a shot at creating there own unique Transformers figure, actually building it from unpainted, unassembled factory parts. Participants go through all the steps of painting and assembling the toy. Shawn Tessman gives each class member direction and ideas on how to create a great customized Transformer! With help from Transfans Stogie, Stay Puft and Rayvn, this class is always a blast for fans of all ages! Here is a complete look at the finished BotCon Custom Class toys from past years.

2007OVERKILL

2008SHATTERED GLASS NIGHTBEAT
2009SHATTERED GLASS THUNDERCLASH

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to be continued.
Produced by Fun Pub Comics exclusively for the Hasbro Transformers Collectors Club.

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The Back Cover.

THE RETURN OF FAN ART!

Each month, we will be highlighting fan art as part of our back page feature. So, if you want YOUR art to be seen by all of your fellow club members, please submit your entries as 300 dpi JPEGs to: pete@botcon.com. If you need to mail your entry, please email Pete for mailing instructions.
Dinobot II versus Depth Charge by Jeffrey Witty

.see you in 60!

TF23Oct08Nov08

11/12/08

11:43 AM

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Oct/Nov 08

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Where its at.
INTERVIEW w/ susan blu 25th anniversaRy preview artist spotlight W O R L D OF T R A N S T E C H TRANSTech PART 5 BACK COVER.
School is back in session, fall is here and it is time to start getting excited about the holiday season! There are several great fan gifts this year you can pick up: Transformers Animated, Season 1 and the Transformers Movie on BluRay. What a great way to invite those giant robots directly into your living room.or at least seem like they are there. We started taking pre-orders for the SeaCons and Nightbeat back in August and they are still scheduled to ship around the first of October. We sold over 20% of the run the first night! Thanks for your patience while we upgraded our CC system in the store. I know that this has solved the international orders problem. Next, we will be working on taking checks online. We will send out an announcement when this option is available. Also, we now can take all pre-orders online so, save time, effort, and gas money by pre-ordering your items through the club. Soon we will have information for you about upcoming club exclusives and BotCon 2009. We are currently working to find the perfect location, so watch BotCon.com for announcements. Just to tease you some, we already have the convention set picked and in production! Congratulations to our next two Transformers ad winners! Eddie Perez, FL (August) and Trenton Davis, OH (Sept), have each won a free Transformers figure by placing their classified ads in Master Collector. By submitting an ad for a specific item you are trying to sell or buy, you can also win a free Transformers figure in a random drawing each month. Thanks for your support of the Transformers Collectors Club! til all are one,

On the Cover.

This issues cover offers
just a sneak peek at the 25th Anniversary goodness inside! 2009 is going to be a great year for TRANSFORMERS with another great BotCon, great new toys, and another awesome movie! Hang on tight! It all starts HERE!

From the Editors Desk.

If you haven't checked them out yet, be sure to go to www.transformers club.com/members and choose one of the great club computer wallpapers we whipped up for you. I, Grimlock is currently overseas right now, so if you live in the UK be sure to drop me a line at pete@mastercollector.com if you would like Grimlock to visit you! Take care, Pete

-Brian

Making it happen.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF...Brian Savage EDITOR...Pete Sinclair ASSOCIATE EDITOR..Benson Yee RESEARCH EDITOR..Karl Hartman LEAD WRITER...Rik Alvarez CREATIVE DIRECTOR / LAYOUT..Lanny Lathem COLUMNIST...Rob Meyer COLUMNIST..Scott Marble COLUMNIST...R.M. Eljay HEAD PROOFREADER..Heather Choplin PROOFREADER...Mark Baker-Wright RESIDENT CARTOONIST..Jesse Wittenrich RESIDENT COLORIST...Drew Eiden RESIDENT ARTIST..Evan Gauntt STAFF.Greg Sepelak and Trent Troop FEATURED ARTISTS.Will Mangin, Jake Isenberg and Winston Bolen Published by Fun Publications, Inc. 225 Cattle Baron Parc Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76108 817.448.9863 FAX 817.448.9843
Transformers is a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc. Transformers is used with permission under license with Hasbro, Inc. The Hasbro Transformers Collectors Club is a trademark of Fun Publications, Inc. and Hasbro, Inc. 2008 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved. BotCon is a registered trademark of Fun Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Are you moving?

Please call us with your new mailing address as soon as possible in order to help us keep your magazine coming without interruption. The Post Office does not forward 3rd Class mail. The phone number for the Transformers Collectors Club is 817-448-9863 Mon-Fri 9AM - 4:30PM Central time.

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If there is anyone who represents 25 years of Transformers, it is Susan Blu. From her work as Arcee in the original Transformers cartoon in the 1980s, to her role as Voice Director for Beast Wars in the mid-90s to her current role as Voice Director (as well as voice of Arcee once again) for Transformers Animated, Susan Blu has been a staple of everything great about the Transformers mythos. We had a chance to talk with Susan about what it has meant to her being a part of the Transformers franchise. Transformers Collectors Club: Susan, for most Transformers fans you became known within the community when you took the role of Arcee in the 1986 Transformers movie. While other female Transformers had been seen briefly in the Transformers cartoon prior, Arcee was the first to not only be a featured character, but also to go on to have a recurring role in the series. It could be argued that your work with Arcee carved out a spot for female Transformers in a franchise that was not entirely gender integrated. Now, years later, we have seen many female characters featured in the franchise. What part do you see yourself having played in that transition? Susan Blu: Women characters were few and far between on a lot of shows, so it was wonderful when Arcee was added to the roster of Transformers. She also was very character driven and nicely written as a strong female who had vulnerability. She was a total woman; not just a mother figure, but a complete character with the ability to fight and care for others. She was very accepted with the fans and that was great for encouraging more women characters to be written into other shows. TCC: Beast Wars, your next encounter with the Transformers franchise, featured many female Transformers and voices. This time you primarily worked as the Voice Director for the show. Any fond memories you'd like to share? SB: It was wonderful to have gone full circle with the franchise. I love directing and I understand the characters on

The Voice of Susan Blu

many different levels. The cast in Vancouver was terrific and fun to work with. They were very talented and loved to wrap their heads around their characters. They all came up with great ideas. I knew them from directing HeMan a few years earlier. We laughed a lot together and never stopped having fun during the Beast Wars series. I loved watching the transition of the show from Transformers to Beast Machines, and yet the characters like Optimus and Megatron retained the same personalities through the series. TCC: The fans are familiar with how crazy Scott McNeil can be with all his voices. How was he to work with and direct? SB: Scott is a true performer. He is extremely talented and very funny. He also is a good friend who I just loved working with. He gave me such great performances and also would take and listen to my direction. We carved out his wonderful characters together. He is a true hoot and a holler. He was very respectful of everyone on the show but made us laugh all the time. I love Scottie. TCC: You've been in the unique position of directing David Kaye as both the evil villain Megatron in the Beast Wars series and now as the young Optimus Prime in the new Transformers Animated series airing on Cartoon Network. Did you play a part in his casting for Animated? SB: I brought David in to audition for the show. The producers and everyone loved his acting and voice for Optimus. I was only the messenger. He won the part. They didnt shoot the messenger that time! He is a wonderful Optimus Prime.

(Continued on page 7.)

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AN INTERVIEW With Hasbros BILL RAWLEY
he Transformers 25th Anniversary is almost here! Bill Rawley, lead designer for the 25th anniversary line, stopped by to shed some light on the line, tell us how it came about and what we can look forward to. And hey, what would a behindthe-scenes look at the line be without plenty of pretty pictures? The 25th anniversary madness is about to start!
Universe: Dinobot Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 2)
Transformers Club Magazine: With everything going on with Transformers right now, how did the idea of doing a line specifically geared towards the 25th anniversary come about? Bill Rawley: Well, 2009 does mark the 25th Anniversary of Transformers. With the new movie, a lot of people have recently returned to the brand, but it's important to realize that Transformers has always been here. It's been around for 25 years in one form or another. We're using our 25th Anniversary to celebrate and show off our various eras, styles and characters that have made this fantastic brand what it is today. TCC: Which character do you feel is the biggest surprise for the fans? BR: I'd have to say the Legends Cosmos. Honestly, I never thought we would ever get a Cosmos in the line. But fans kept asking for it and so, now we're going to have one. I like to think that Hasbro does a pretty good job of listening to their fan base and trying to offer them what they want. Cosmos is a great example of that. TCC: Which character do you feel received a "super star" treatment in this line? BR: In my opinion, Hound would be the "super star". He's a fan favorite and one of my personal favorites. From the beginning, I wanted Hound to have something extra special. I wanted to celebrate the tapes somewhere in our 25th Anniversary line and since there were no plans for a Soundwave, where better to put Ravage than with Hound. In the original three episodes of G1, Hound captures Ravage. I wanted to play that up a bit in the Deluxe version of our toy. A bonus is the fact that our new Ravage will be able to fit inside the re-release TRU Soundwave. He's the thickness of one tape. TCC: Any updates on the possibility of a Headmaster, Masterforce, or Victory character making an appearance? BR: As of right now, we do not have anything planned for Headmasters or Masterforce but there is a "little" tribute to Victory that will be out in the later half of 2009. There will, however, be a Targetmaster Nightstick that will come with our Deluxe Cyclonus. TCC: Everybody loves repaints. With certain iconic characters like Cyclonus, will your approach be geared towards making it a different character or just a themed repaint? BR: Wherever possible, I try to design a new head with Takara early on with the repaint already in mind. This way fans are not just getting new paint. For certain iconic characters like Cyclonus, where it is more difficult to reuse the molds for a different character, I would have to say we would probably look to theme his repaint. He is one where we did not design an alternate head in advance.

Universe: Hot Shot Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 3)
Copyright 2008 HASBRO - Do not reproduce.

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TCC: Is there any character that was put on the table as a potential toy that you really wanted to see but did not make the cut? BR: There were a few actually. One that comes to mind right away is Bludgeon. We even started early design sketches for him but the fact that he would transform into a tank, in a line that had a lot of tank- like vehicles in it, meant that he would have to be put on hold.for now. TCC: Will there be any kind of story via print or on-line that might tie these figures together or is this line solely meant as a celebration? BR: This line is really just meant as a celebration. There will be certain call outs such as a timeline on the package that will help people remember and follow the various eras that we're choosing to celebrate. But as for one storyline that would include everything we have planned for the 25th Anniversary, I'd have to say no, nothing planned as of right now. TCC: With the popularity of the G.I. Joe Anniversary line and fans demand to see that line continue, could the Transformers 25th Anniversary line carry over into the future? BR: We are getting a very positive response from the fans on all of the 25th Anniversary items that we've shown. Although our main focus for 2009 will be movie product, the characters from the history of the brand will always resurface in one form or another. A huge special thanks to Bill for taking the time to talk with us! Universe: Warpath Size Class: Legends (Wave 2)
Universe: Cosmos Size Class: Legends (Wave 2)
Universe: Wheelie Size Class: Legends (Wave 2)
Universe: Rodimus Size Class: Legends (Wave 2)
(More photos on next page.)

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Transformers Cybertron: The Ultimate Collection

DVD Review by R.M. Eljay

ith the latest DVD boxed set of Transformer animation to be released, fans can now have the entire series run of Transformers Cybertron. The 52episode run of this series is spread across 7 discs, presented in 4 slim line cases inside a nicely designed slipcase. The series logo is printed over a foil stamp and the series main opponents (Optimus Prime and Megatron) are embossed, giving the set a nice presentation on the outside. The interior slipcases are a bit lackluster, but the art is nice and is mirrored on the interior disc. All in all, from a packaging standpoint, the set is more than adequate. The onscreen menus for the set are pretty straightforward but while featuring some great art, they lack in animation or sound. Now, for some this might be considered a bad thing, but personally, I have grown weary of menus that either make me dizzy with spinning and whirling graphics and / or deafen me with some repetitive refrain from the materials soundtrack. I think menus in general are overdone and fall into the realm of "you had the technology, but should you have used it?" Actually being able to navigate a simple, elegant, and low key menu was a pleasure. The video itself is presented in full screen format, as I'm sure the series was done that way from the outset. The image is crisp and vibrant with smooth motion. Visually, it's quite stunning.

The use of computer motion frames for the robots and vehicles gives the series a verywellmechanical look. The transformations of the robots to vehicles and back again subsequently look very true and mimic the play action of the toy characters represented with the highest level of accuracy. This set really doesn't offer much as far as bells and whistles. There are no commentaries or extra video content on this set, but due to the sheer volume of the episodes, it is not missed. Transformers Cybertron is another in a long series of Transformers television animation going all the way back to the original show from 1984. In Transformers Cybertron, the Transformers home planet of Cybertron is threatened by a looming black hole. The Transformers must spread out across the universe in order to find the lost Cyber Planet Keys - their only hope for the salvation of Cybertron. Out to thwart the good deeds of the heroic Autobots are the evil Decepticons. This is a show designed for kids, so the plots are not multifaceted, but there is plenty of robot battling action and the robots themselves are beautiful to look at thanks to the toy design work of Takara and Hasbro who co-produced the show. Certainly for the Transformers completist, this set is a must have, but even the casual fan will enjoy the slickly produced visuals. Kids, most of all, will connect with this series and the volume of episodes at a great price makes it a good entertainment value. List Price: $59.98
(.continued from previous page)

Mighty Muggs: Bumblebee

Mighty Muggs: Soundwave
Robot Heroes: Perceptor versus Hardshell
Robot Heroes: Prowl versus Laserbeak
Robot Heroes: Snarl versus Sharkticon

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TRUE BLU.
(.continued from page 3) TCC: Have you been approached by anyone or have you tried contacting anyone about possibly being a part of the sequel? SB: No, I havent yet. Thanks for the heads up. TCC: The Animated series has just recently completed its second season on Cartoon Network. Can you tell us any new information regarding the possibility for a third season? SB: If I said anything, they would have to shoot me. Its a great season though and I cant wait for you to see it. TCC: Are you aware of the acceptance and enthusiasm that many within the fan community have for the Animated series? SB: You guys make it possible for us to keep making more. I was thrilled to make another season and am so grateful to the fans for the enthusiasm. Keep it coming. I hope it goes on forever. TCC: You are one of the few people who have made their career in voice acting and yet had the chance to also make appearances in TV shows and movies. Which do you find more difficult and why? SB: I find it all exciting and challenging. I love the voice over community because we can act in our jeans and not have to wait around the set all day. I loved on camera acting and I think it gave me a nice mixture of knowledge. I love actors and have nothing but respect for them. TCC: With so many great projects that you have already been a part of during your career, what would you say, at this point, is a dream project of yours? SB: Actually, there is something I have written and want to produce shortly. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in your interview. Special thanks to Susan for taking the time to chat with us and for bringing so much to Transformers throughout these last 25 years!

TCC: Having directed for both Beast Wars and Animated, you are probably aware of the similarities between the two shows: the depth of storylines, the progression of a small cast of characters through those storylines, etc. These similarities have led many in the fan community to make other comparisons between the two. What similarities and differences have you experienced in directing the two shows? SB: They have kept the integrity in the writing of the scripts. Marty Eisenberg, our story editor, wrote for both Beast Wars and Animated. The story lines are really good at bringing in new characters and keeping the honesty of the old. TCC: Arcee was brought back in the Animated series for a brief cameo. These cameos by characters from past series are very popular with the fans. How did you feel about returning to the character? SB: I loved bringing Arcee back. The older I get, Arcee just stays the same in personality and voice. I wonder what will happen next year??? TCC: Was the voice something you remembered or did you need to review your work from 20 years ago to find the voice again? SB: Arcee is a big part of me. She has always been with me and wasnt hard at all to bring back. I was pretty much used my own voice. TCC: What were your thoughts on the Transformers live action movie. Have you had a chance to see it? SB: I feel the voices were too much alike and treated too much in the same way. I think they could have done more with that. I liked the movie and all the special effects. TCC: Were you aware that Arcee is rumored to be in the sequel? SB: I havent heard that, but hope the fans write in to keep the same actor, if thats true!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT!

"Go Fish"

by Teresa Levy

Page 8

THE WORLD OF.

Allegiance: Intelligence Directorate
"Check this data, then check it again. Im not taking this to Prime until were one hundred percent sure." BIO Prowl sometimes wonders why Optimus appointed him to work so closely alongside Starscream. After all, hes been the Primes trusted friend for cycles since long before he became Prime, in fact. So why plug him in next to a careerist slagheap like Starscream? Before Optimus assumed the role of Prime, Prowl served as a high-level agent in the Intelligence Directorship, as well as an advisor to thenSenator Optimus. He kept his grill clean even in the dirty contest leading up to the Matrix being passed to Optimus. Prowl left his post as an agent to avoid a conflict of interest, and he refused to engage in the muckraking politics of Senator Ratbat. Now, as an Intelligence Director, hes just as careful. He personally liaises with each of his agents to be sure they arent compromised, and his top analysts report directly to him. Hes instituted redundancies and communications protocols in the Directorate that have lead to unprecedented speed and accuracy in reporting, despite Starscreams ossified bureaucracy. WEAPONS/ABILITIES Prowl has always been an extremely careful agent, believing that quick thinking supplants the need for weaponry. He has a few low-level lasers and disruptors, but most of his upgrades are devoted to computing power. He is able to conduct analyses for which most TransTech require an independent computer, as well as build highly accurate predictive models in his head. Optimus Prime relies heavily on him for guidance. WEAKNESSES Though his agency is very fast, his own obsession with certainty can often delay action, which has caused him to deliver dire warnings too late. His dislike of Starscream leads him to engage in some otherwise uncharacteristic workplace politics; he has made some recent hiring decisions based on countering Starscreams ambition, rather than the needs of the Directorate.

12:02 PM

Page 9

TRANSTECH

Starscream
"It would be best to simply tell the truth. I assure you, my agents are quite skilled at detecting falsehoods." BIO To describe Starscream as ambitious is to make an understatement of phenomenal proportions. He has spent his entire life angling for more authority. Under his directorship, bureaucracy is a fine art of conflicting interests and obfuscating guidelines. He is an expert at appointing toadies and others just as ambitious and amoral as he is to positions from which they can do his career the greatest good, or the least harm. It is only his focus on the advancement of his career that keeps him from true greatness as an intelligence agent. He is highly intelligent, keenly insightful, and when he needs to be deeply subtle. Many of the most important intelligence coups in recent history, from the Liege Maximo incident to the exposure of endemic corruption under the regime of Sentinel Prime (from which scandal Starscream and his agency escaped curiously unscathed), have been due to his directorship, or to hard intelligence gathered by him, personally. Unfortunately, his ambition has caused him to overreach on occasion, resulting in some embarrassing, and highly public, intelligence blunders. WEAPONS/ABILITIES Starscream has packed his body with experimental weaponry and sensors. He focuses mostly on defensive weapons designed to disable his opponents, including a null-field that can temporarily deactivate nearby attackers that have not been specially combat-hardened. He also has highly sensitive voicestress and spark-pattern analyzers that can detect lies and predict behavior with a high degree of accuracy. WEAKNESSES Arrogant ambition served him well as a low-level analyst and agent, but as he has advanced, his attitude has alienated him from his peers. He devotes too little of his time to direct interaction with his agents, which can lead to tragic mistakes. His jealous rivalry with Prowl is dangerously close to open hatred.

ESD - Battle Masks

Most TransTech are equipped with what are known as ESDs, often referred to by the Outworlders as battle masks. These battle masks can enhance sensory perception and also provide defensive protocols that can be used if/when conflict arises in Axiom Nexus or on any other part of Cybertron. Some TransTech actually operate with the ESDs engaged even when it would appear they are not needed. There are those Outworlders who believe the TransTech do this to make clear their technical superiority, a way of intimidating the Outworlder population, while the TransTech would tell you it is merely the desire to always be operating at maximum sensory efficiency.

Page 10

Did you hear what Soundwave said the other day? HeNo.
FOREST LeE - WRITER EVAN GAUNtT - PENCILS JAKE ISENBERG - INKS JOSH PEREZ - COLORS JEsSE WItTENRICH - LEtTERS PETE SINCLAIR - EDITOR

TRANSCENDENT: PART 5

Do you want to go get a can of oil after our shift is over?
That's coOl. Maybe some other time.

Probably not.

11:44 AM

Page 11

OOM SHRAKAD
ImMorticon, SkyfalL, Landquake, with me.
The rest of you, secure the transit roOm. We wilL join you shortly.

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Destroy anyone who gets in your way.
Intruder alert! They're heading for the labs! I'lL hold them as long as I can!

You wilL keEp me captive

NO LONGER!

Shrakt!

HkgakzZzt!

Page 13

rRrRaA!

ng Kkrrra

Do you seE, SkyfalL?
Holy scrap! Landquake, I'm no longer comfortable with this team-up.
You knew there would be batTle. KilLing is inevitable.
Do you seE the terRible burden I bear? What the sword makes me do?

We must keEp moving.

Page 14

Are you ready?

No. I require more time.
Breakaway should be right in heaaAGH!
You have none. They are here.
Prepare yourself for batTle, Science Minister.
No talking. If you've come to fight, then fight.

Page 15

As you wish.

NO QUARTER!

SkyfalL! Landquake! Get Breakaway out of here!
You won't live long enough to regret atTacking me, outworlder!
Breakaway does not have the power available to heal himself. He wilL survive, but we must get him away from the fight.
You face the most powerful warRior on Cybertron! You face mighty MegaaAaA!
By Primus! Breakaway, what have they done to you?
AlL right. You carRy him. I'lL cover you guys.
Sk-SkyfalL? Let's get the heck ofF this crazy planet.

to be continued.

Produced by Fun Pub Comics exclusively for the Hasbro Transformers Collectors Club.

Page 16

The Back Cover. ROBs HOT PICK!

Onslaught!

Transformers Universe keeps the hits coming with this amazing tribute to the Gen 1 Combaticon Leader; Onslaught! Ever since I first laid eyes on this beautiful baddie, I knew I had to have him in my collection. And finally, after many hours searching, I found what just might be one of my favorite new toys. Even though Onslaught prefers military strategy to actual battle, his alt mode is a menacing Special Weapons And Tactics vehicle complete with Autobot annihilating plow and twin gun turret. In addition, the lights and three different sounds really add to the action! In robot mode, this guy stands almost 10" tall, and has a button activated laser cannon and large battle shield. The multiple points of articulation make for some awesome poses and his sound button can be reached on the back for easy machine gun firing fun. The store where I found my Onslaught had only one left and I couldnt wait to tear the box open when I got home. This is one toy that should never stay sealed in its package! Open him up and make some military mayhem of your own!