Sunday, May 13, 2001
More Blue Megatron Confirmation
xAutobotx, an established AllSpark member, visited NeoTrion today and took more photos of the blue Megatron, that ginchy green Ramulus, and a blue Optimus Minor. Check out those photos - does that look like a Photoshop manipulation to you? Didn't think so.
Additional pictures: Neotrion and the toys in question, Blue Megatron, Megatrons side by side, Ramulus side by side, Optimus Minors side by side
-Jim and Zac

Sunday, May 13, 2001
Cheaper G1 Exclusive Re-Releases!
Image Anime currently has all of the exclusive G1 re-releases from Japan available for pre-order. They only have a price listing for Sideswipe & Red Alert, Ironhide & Ratchet, and Thundercracker & Skywarp currently. They are charging $150 for each set, which is $30 cheaper than the offers seen elsewhere. The assumption is the other re-releases at Image Anime will follow suit with the same price. If you are going to buy the re-releases, now is the time to do so. Image Anime's pre-order amount is bound to be small.
-Tim

Saturday, May 12, 2001
BigBadToyStore has Blast Punch Optimus Primal in Stock!
BBTS received their shipment of Blast Punch Optimus Primal this weekend. Anyone who has pre-ordered the figure will have their item shipped on Monday or Tuesday. There are still several left to order. Also, BBTS's Japanese sources has acquired several X-1 Volcano Playsets and Burning Convoys.
-Tim

UPDATE: Blast Punch Optimus Primal is now sold out at BBTS. They will receive their next shipment of BPOP around May 25th.

Saturday, May 12, 2001
Rhino answers questions, and hints toward a box
Rhino posted the information for the DVD recall we printed earlier this week.
Another letter concerns future releases, and Rhino had this to say:

Our latest TRANSFORMERS releases (May 8, 2001) are HEROES: THE REBIRTH and VILLAINS: THE ULTIMATE DOOM. We are working on a DVD boxed set for the fall of 2001, but no details will be given as to episodes, extras, or release dates (much of this information we're not even sure about ourselves)."

Saturday, May 12, 2001
Blue Megatron Mania & More
Neotrion was the winner of the mysterious Blue Transmetal 2 Megatron figure. He's scanned the figure still sealed to show one and all this is most certainly not a fake!
He also scanned a picture of his wing and his head. Speculation rages on that this is one of the Botcon exlusives!
In other news, take a gander at THIS. Neotrion claims he's had this Green Ramulus for nearly two years, and that he's a very rare variant purchased from the Hasbro Employee Toy Store. Notice the similarity between this and the Wrecker version? This may put Ramulus out of the running for being a botcon exclusive, but it certainly does raise more speculation.
-Zac

I apologize for the delay of this information. Its been a busy week!

Friday, May 11, 2001
Botcon Beyond updated- Apelinq's Journal
The 13th entry is now available
-Zac

Thursday, May 10, 2001
Transformers in ToyFare 47
Aerosurge lends a run down on the TF-related content in the new issue.
-Zac

Wednesday, May 9, 2001
"Heroes" DVD Recall Information
I just got off the phone with Rhino Customer Service. If you wish to receive a copy of "Heroes" DVD with the Rebirth episodes on it, send the disc only to:

Rhino Customer Service
10635 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025

New "Heroes" DVD are currently being produced and will be available for shipment in about two weeks. Rhino will ship the spare DVD in a protective pouch.
-Tim

Tuesday, May 8, 2001
Mislabeled Rhino DVDs
Watch out for Heroes! Tony Bacala has been collecting reports all over that some copies of the new disc actually have the content of Villians, while having the cover art and disc label for Heroes. Retailers should be aware of the problem, and Rhino has already working on recalling them, but be on the lookout all the same.
Depending on your perspective, you could either waste your money buying it, or collect a rare misprint!
-Zac

Tuesday, May 8, 2001
Heroes and Villains now available
Rhino has released their latest set of Generation One episodes. Heroes features the final trilogy of episodes of the original series, "Rebirth." Though it has its problems, it does introduce the Headmasters and Targetmasters, and caps off the series nicely.
Villians features the classic episode "The Ultimate Doom" and is a worthy addition to any collection. Its also worth noting that Rhino will be releasing on both DVD and VHS formats for these new sets! As with previous releases, online retailers are your best bet, followed by video specialty stores.
-Zac