Transformers: Bumblebee

Transformers: Bumblebee

© The Weirding, 2018

Revolutionaries #1

Revolutionaries #1

© The Weirding, 2017

Transformers: Revolution #1

Transformers: Revolution #1

© The Weirding, 2016

Transformers: Revolution #2

Transformers: Revolution #2

© The Weirding, 2016

Transformers Till All Are One #2

Transformers: Till All Are One #2

© The Weirding, 2016

Transformers: Deviations #1

Transformers: Deviations #1

© The Weirding, 2016

Hasbro Suing Computer Maker Over Transformer Prime

Hasbro thinks Asus crossed the line naming its newest tablet Transformer Prime and filed a suit against them. Seeking damages and an injunction on shipping the product, Hasbro claims its Transformers line is expanding and it has to aggressively protect its properties. Asus' Transformer Prime has been available since December 19^th.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Transformers 3 Production Suspended, Extra Injured

A Transformers 3 extra suffered a serious injury when a cable snapped and struck her head. The extra was not on-set, nor was the injury caused by anything related to the film; her own car was being towed by another vehicle, though details are unknown. Yesterday was to be the last day of filming in Indiana, but production was suspended following the extra's injury. Her condition is unknown.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Megan Fox Cites 'Abusive' Michael Bay as Reason for Leaving Transformers 3

Reports say Megan Fox quit Transformers 3 because director, Michael Bay, was "verbally abusive toward her." According to some sources, this is not the first time Bay has been accused of such behavior, and he is actually known for "demeaning his leading ladies." Paramount maintains that Megan Fox' option had not been picked-up for the third installment, while Fox insists she "left the project on her own."

The source breaking this news, TheWrap, reported that Michael Bay is "not well-liked" by the female talent community, and that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen star, Isabel Lucas, bowed-out of a publicity tour for the Transformers sequel due to Bay's rude behavior. TheWrap also reports that the director "has a reputation for being... extremely controlling [and] difficult to work with."

Michael Bay and Megan Fox have a history of discord. In a 2009 interview, Fox likened Bay to Hitler, saying "he's a nightmare to work for," prompting Bay to respond by saying he not only 'invented' her, but Shia LeBeouf, Ben Affleck, Nicholas Cage, Will Smith, and Martin Lawrence. Anonymous posters on Michael Bay's website who claimed to be crewmembers on the Transformers movies posted long diatribes in which they referred to Fox as a "thankless, unfriendly bitch," among other things.

The rumor mill has model, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, replacing Megan Fox, and Heidi Montag has wormed her way into the discussion by publicly requesting a role in the third sequel and releasing an "audition tape" of her shooting targets at a gun range while [maybe] hubby, Spencer Pratt, films it on his iPhone.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Tyrese Gibson's Mayhem Breaking Records

13 July 2009 (Berkeley, CA) - TYRESE GIBSON's MAYHEM and Image Comics announce their presale efforts through a partnership with Los Angeles, CA's Meltdown Comics have exceeded single store records not seen since the early 90s with over 10,000 units sold.

"The success of MAYHEM is a golden opportunity for all retailers to tap into this new influx of readers and in-store foot traffic that Tyrese brings with him," Meltdown owner, Gaston Dominguez, said. “Tyrese is a 2.0 celebrity who is a marketing workhorse and whose brand spans across movies, music, and TV. Team MAYHEM are in it to win it! They are sincere and want to put out good products that cater to their fanbase and beyond. Believe me when I tell you that if Tyrese Twitters your store name, you will get calls and in-store orders.”

Image Comics President and SPAWN creator, Todd McFarlane, added, "With the current state of the comic book industry, any new infusion of excitement or customers would be a welcome relief. Tyrese brings both of those to the table along with his unbridled enthusiasm. Image is looking forward to having a long sustained run with him on MAYHEM and some of the other ideas he's talked about for the future."

TYRESE GIBSON'S MAYHEM has not only been pushed by Gibson's own efforts through Twitter and his personal outreach to comics retailers, but it's also been the center of a worldwide publicity campaign tied into his starring role in the recent blockbuster film, Transformers 2. Thus far, MAYHEM has been featured by CNN, MTV, The Today Show, Complex, USA Today, E!'s Chelsea Lately, Access Hollywood, Essence, and many others.

The tour continues as Gibson, along with MAYHEM's artist, Tone Rodriguez, and co-writers, Mike Le and Will Wilson, will be in attendance during this month's San Diego Comic Con International at Image Comics, booth #2729. He will also be discussing the future of MAYHEM, along with the long-awaited unveiling of the eventual collection's cover by Image Founder and the superstar artist of ALL-STAR BATMAN & ROBIN, Jim Lee, during The Image Comics Show on Friday, July 24^th at 11:30 in Room 5AB.

Lee added, "There's nothing more compelling about a bold, original character than an impassioned team of creators. MAYHEM's boundless energy starts from the top as whirlwind dynamo creator Tyrese Gibson singlehandedly makes you love the character as if he were your very own betrayed, tragic son, seeking redemption. MAYHEM is fresh, fun and most importantly, from the heart."

“I am humbled by the love and support MAYHEM has received from all the legendary comic veterans and trend-setters,” Gibson said. “To have the personal endorsements of Jim Lee, Avi Arad, Todd McFarlane, Robert Kirkman, Grant Morrison, and so many others... it just blows my mind. I am excited to bring MAYHEM to the die-hard comic book fans, but I am most excited at this opportunity to expose this world to the new generation of comic book fans, who, like me, until now have never read a comic book in their lives. They will find new heroes to embrace and enjoy escapism at it's best! This is only the beginning!"

TYRESE GIBSON'S MAYHEM #1 (JUN090321), a 32-page, full color comic book for $2.99, will be in-stores August 5^th, 2009

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Grosses $201 million

According to some reports, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will have taken in nearly $400 million by Monday. Transformers 2 grossed $201 at the North American box office, alone; China took in right at $30 million; and Britain took about $27 million. Other markets, including Australia ($13 million) and Japan (unknown), helped bring the global total to about $387 million its opening week.

The Dark Knight retains its titles for opening-day, three-day, four-day, and five-day grosses. But Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is the second-largest opening weekend (behind the aforementioned Dark Knight). It also set a few records of its own, including biggest five-day return for an IMAX movie (beating the recent Star Trek.

Sources say director, Michael Bay, spent $200 million on the sequel, and industry experts had predicted Transformers: RotF to make about $130-150 its opening weekend.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Bay Mad @ Transformers PR Campaign... or Not

According to an in-house communique Michael Bay sent Paramount Pictures last month, the director called the PR campaign for Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen an "abject failure." He specifically mentioned the fact that the first one received a full half-hour at the MTV Movie Awards; Revenge of the Fallen's only coverage there was an award presentation by the stars (Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf). He also specifically mentioned the (lack of a) print campaign, calling it "really weak."

Michael Bay said he was waiting for the promotional campaign to hit full-swing, but it never happened. "Right now, we are not an event, we are just a sequel, which is very different. There is no anticipation," he wrote in the e-mail leaked to TMZ.

However, a more recent message was also released to the celebrity gossip site, in which Michael Bay praises Paramount for "busting [their] butts and bringing [their] 'A Game.'" A spokesperson for the company assured TMZ the more recent message, "clearly speaks to a differing stance than the former." (Now there's a guy with a career in politics just waiting on him.) Seriously, that was Paramount's statement. They added, "Transformers are robots."

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen opens this week.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Transformers, G. I. Joe Coming to DVD

Hasbro signed a deal with Shout! Factory, the guys who bring us Mystery Science Theater 3000 (the ones without rights issues, anyway), to allow them to bring us the Transformers and G.I. Joe cartoon series on DVD. The agreement actually covers several animated series, including My Little Pony.

First up is the Transformers: The Complete First Season - 25^th Anniversary Edition, set for release 16 days (June 16^th) before Michael Bay's giant Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen hits screens nationwide. The set includes all 16 episodes with remastered audio and will run $29.99. The set will be followed by complete series from both cartoons later this summer..

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

No Transformers 3 in 2011

Director Michael Bay said Paramount "jumped the gun" when they announced a 2011 release date for Transformers 3 the other day. On his website, Bay said he did agree to July 4^th, but not 2011. Bay said his, "...brain needs a break from fighting robots."

If things work out, that would mean Transformers 3 should hit theaters July 4^th, 2012.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Transformers 2 Trailer - with Farking Goodness

Farkers comment

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

LaBeouf's Hand Crushed

Transformers and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull actor, Shia LaBeouf, crushed his hand severely in what appeared to be a DUI accident last week in LA.

As we told you then, LaBeouf and a passenger were both injured when his truck hit a lightpole. LaBeouf was arrested for suspicion of intoxication but not formally charged. Now police are saying the other car involved may have run a red light.

LaBeouf underwent a four-hour operation on his hand and will remain under doctors' care until further notice. Transformers sequel (Revenge of the Fallen) director, Michael Bay, said the injury may be worked into the script. However, LaBeouf has yet to be cleared for work. He is still susceptible to infection and further complications, due to the nature of his injuries.

While the sheriff's office said LaBeouf was not at fault for the accident, it is unclear whether or not he will be charged for DUI.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

I Want to Play BattleTech

Well, I finally got to see Transformers. Unfortunately it was on TV, but it's well worth viewing even then! Actually, I saw the Fantastic Four sequel and Transformers the past two weeks and both were really great on TV, even though they were obviously made for the theater and I'm sure they play better there. But I'm not here about any of that.

I just watched Transformers and now I want to play BattleTech. This is why nothing ever gets done in ManoDogsLand! I'm not going to be able to play BattleTech because there's no one to play with, but I went ahead and pulled out the books, just to flip through them. Honestly, I don't remember much at all about the mechanics or anything else and I have at least 234971290477 other projects that must come first, but I am definitely going to flip through the books just for the heck of it.

Honestly, all I can remember is that it's played with 2d6 and I usually used light mechs because I liked jumping. The first mech I played was a Lotus. I always wanted to play an extended campaign (MechWarrior) but never got the chance to. However, we did have a lot of near-starts and tons of battle scenarios to our credit.

BattleTech was an immensely popular game in its time and its time was far too short. Of course, like all RPGs, they flooded the market with miniatures, sourcebooks, and every other thing they could think of until it got to the point that no two groups were playing the same game and no one knew what the official "history" was, who was playing "the right way," and so on and so forth, and basically killed it. Of course, like many of these same popular RPGs, they then turned it into a computer game which I played once or twice and was not nearly so impressed with - but not because it was bad, mind you, just because video games are not my Thing.

Anyway, I want to play BattleTech and I can't, so I'm going to flip through the books, which means something which should be getting done... you know, isn't. Don't blame me, blame the movies!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

New IDW Transformers Picks-Up Where Movie Left-Off

This here's one of them-there official press releases from the good folk over to IDW:

San Diego, CA (April 1, 2008) - IDW Publishing is releasing the official continuation of last summer's blockbuster Transformers movie, from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, in association with Hasbro. The first storyline to spin out of the hugely successful movie, Transformers Movie Sequel: The Reign of Starscream continues the story from where the movie ended.

Co-writers Chris Ryall, who also wrote the Transformers Movie Prequel, and Chris Mowry present a tale of intrigue, betrayal, and dark ambition, featuring both old and new Transformers characters. "The movie left fans with some questions at the end, and we get a chance to answer them here," says Ryall. "We pick up on what happened at the end and reveal the fates of some of the surviving film characters. Take Starscream - we find out where he was headed and what he was doing. We also introduce new characters. In doing so, we bridge the gap between the last movie and the next movie, coming in '09."

In the first issue of the five-part comic series, when Megatron falls in battle Starscream assumes the role of Decepticon leader on Earth. Mustering his surviving allies, he sets out to put his own plan in motion. But before he can do that, he'll need to retrieve a fallen comrade, carry out a plan of revenge and leave Earth to meet up with a major player in the Decepticon army.

The Reign of Starscream #1 features art from fan-favorite Alex Milne, who also illustrated the Transformers Movie Adaptation, and cover art by Milne and Gabriel Rodriguez, artist for Joe Hill's Locke & Key. A special variant cover has also been created by longtime Transformers artist, James Raiz.

The first issue (item code FEB08 3801) will be in stores in April. Pre-order the second issue today!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Transformers: Animated GNs from IDW

It appears the Transformers are really back! They have a new animated series hitting the boob-tube in 2008, their latest movie was a smash-hit, and now IDW Publishing has received the rights to a line of graphic novels based on the new cartoon. This is an official IDW press release:

San Diego, CA (December 5, 2007) - When the new Transformers: Animated series hits the airwaves in 2008, the TV screen won't be the only place fans can check out the latest heroics of their favorite robots! IDW Publishing is adapting the stories to the printed page using state-of-the-art animation capture and scripts from the episodes themselves.

In the upcoming TV series, fans will meet entirely new versions of both the Autobots and Decepticons. Set in the future city of New Detroit, the Autobots become the celebrated heroes of the city, constantly on guard against the Decepticon threat.

"These stories are a brand-new telling of the Transformers saga," says Chris Ryall, IDW publisher and editor-in-chief. "The setting is on a future Earth, with a range of new characters, and some familiar faces as well, all updated for the 21^st century and appealing to all ages."

Transformers: Animated Vol. 1 will hit shelves in January to coincide with the debut of the series, and will tell the story of the show's entire 70-minute pilot. Each subsequent volume will include two complete stand-alone episodes of the series.

The Transformers: Devastation!

This here's one of them official press releases from our good friends over to IDW Publishing:

San Diego, CA (September 6, 2007)—The Transformers’ secret war on Earth continues in IDW Publishing’s latest blockbuster, The Transformers: Devastation, the first issue of which hits comics shops in September. In Devastation, factions on Earth launch into bold and decisive action. With both the Machination and Skywatch poised to strike, both with Cybertronian technology and inside knowledge of the Transformers, the Autobots have no choice but to retreat. But the arrival on Earth of the Decepticon living super-weapon Sixshot promises only one thing: Devastation.

“We’ve been telling an ongoing saga, first with Infiltration, then with Escalation,” says Chris Ryall, publisher and editor-in-chief of IDW Publishing. “This continues the epic that we started a year and a half ago. This is where plot points and characters converge, where everything expands and the story blows up more than ever before.”

Devastation pulls in a range of characters, including those who appeared only in previous Transformer spotlight issues. Characters like Hot Rod and Sixshot both play major roles in Devastation, and fans will discover the startling fate of Hunter, one of the epic’s central human characters.

Devastation, like Infiltration and Escalation, features story and script by veteran Transformers writer Simon Furman, with art by fan-favorite E.J. Su.

In Infiltration, the Autobots struggled to prevent an Armageddon on Earth instigated by Decepticon, with the planet’s secret mechanical defenders relying on the unlikely aid of three misfit human allies. In Escalation, Optimus Prime and the Autobots confronted the impending menaces Megatron and Ore-13, only to see the Machination strike—with shocking and tragic consequences. And now, in the third series, those consequences go from dire… to devastating.