Time for another link fest. This one is fairly focused on official Transformers toys including a look at the new Masterpiece version of Optimus Prime, a new DOTM toy, more 3rd party stuff and three reviews.

Masterpiece Optimus Prime 2.0 Released - MP-10 | Coin | Packaging | Comparison
The new version, with new mold, of Optimus Prime has now been released from Takara. MP-10 is the most cartoon accurate version of Prime released so far that comes with a mini-Spike action figure along with his trailer modeled on the G1 version. This is a very expensive toy costing around $250 from the usual importer websites (TFSource, Bigbadtoystore, etc) but he does look pretty sweet. Hopefully video reviews will pop up soon so I can make a decision on spending that kind of money. Depending on the company's supplier (Japan or China), your figure might also come with a coin. Hit the links above to view galleries of this must have figure of any Optimus Prime fan. On a related note, it seems Takara is testing the idea of releasing a Masterpiece Ultra Magnus based on this figure. Back in the 80s, Magnus was a while repaint of Optimus Prime with a trailer that the cab fit into. This version seems to make use of the recent development from 3rd party makers (see Fansproject's City Commander) to create a trailer that breaks down into the needed component parts to form the Magnus look. It’s just a test so this may never happen (but don't be surprised if someone fills the void anyway).
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Hasbro's The Hub network along with Blockbuster video (they still around?) have announced a fall tour to promote the network, the season finale of Transformers: Prime, the home video release of Dark of the Moon and the upcoming Transformers: The Ride in 3D that is opening in Universal Studios Hollywood next year. The tour is currently schedule to run from 9/30 to 10/22 hitting 8 Blockbuster stores in six states. The tour is supported with a Facebook contest for chance "to be among first to experience" Transformers: The Ride and will have the Bumblebee Camaro or Sideswipe Corvette on hand. Based on the dates, the tour has two traveling caravans with a TF car attached to each. Below are the locations, click here for the full press release along with mockups of what the tour will look like.
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The HD Room was able to score an early copy of the upcoming release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon and learned just a touch more about the "deluxe" edition that is planned for release later this year. They confirmed the DVD and Blu-ray release is just the movie without any bonus features. It also comes with a $10 off coupon for the "Ultimate Edition with Blu-ray 3D" for DOTM that will come with Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD, and Digital copy. Again no information on extra features or when the ultimate edition will come out. This re-enforces that there is absolutely no reason to buy the movie when it is released on September 30th until Paramount releases the details on these later editions.
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In an interview with MovieWeb to promote the release of Fast Five, Tyrese Gibson provided the prediction that Michael Bay and Shia LaBeouf will return for Transformers 4.

"My humble prediction would be that... we're at $1.1 billion. This is the biggest year of my life. I'm on the other side of $1.7 billion in box office receipts, between both films. I think, with the success of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, both Michael Bay and Shia probably want a break from the franchise, but there's no way, I believe, that, at some point, they're not going come back to do Transformers 4. Maybe they need a few years to get a few other creative things out of their system, which is understandable, but for people to love this franchise around the world like they do, its damn-near crazy to not give the fans what they love and enjoy again. So maybe two years, maybe three years will go by, you never know, but I believe, and hope, that we are able to do another Transformers. I'm a real Transformers fan, outside of the fact that I'm in the movie, but I just hope we're able to do it again one day. It's the first film in Paramount's 99-year history that has ever grossed $1 billion. I hope we're able to figure this out."

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The Transformers' Chaos storyline continues at comic book stores tomorrow with Transformers #26. Since it is an even numbered issue, event return to Cybertron and The Autobots prepare for Galvatron and decide what to do with the Megatron. The covers and first 8 pages of the issue can be found here.

Mike Costa, James Roberts (w) • Livio Ramondelli (a) • Livio Ramondelli x 2 (c)
“CHAOS” rages on! A hole is punched through to the core of Cybertron itself—but what for? Where’s Galvatron?! And why is Megatron, deep in the Autobot base and stuck in his cell, laughing? It all spells one thing—TROUBLE with a capital “Crush the Heroes!” CHAOS part 2, in which things go from bad, to holy-hell-how-are-we-gonna-get-out-of-this-alive!!!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • 2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.

Time for another linkfest. With the Dark of the Moon news down to just the upcoming home video releases and repaints, figured time to merge this stuff into one. Have not decided if will start seperating this stuff out yet into a bunch of seperate posts or not. What do you think? This method easier or prefer five or six individual posts? Any case, the latest is a TF pinball machine, a look at more 3rd party figures, TF Prime concept art, repaints and a review.

iGear Masterpiece Cartoon Seekers
Third party Transformers maker iGear announced the next two toys in their not Masterpiece line. They are release cartoon version of not Starscream (December 31st) and not Skywarp (April 30th, 2012) that is based on their modified mold from Takara's Masterpiece Starscream that was released three or so years ago. The newish mold started with their recently released conehead seekers where the back leg wings have been modifed to eliminate the ball joint connection at the hip resulting in a better looking figure. Based on the coneheads, the retail cost will probably be around $130 each.

iGear's not Sharticon
Speaking of iGear, they also revealed the near final look at their next not Generation One Transformeer knockoff with a look at their not Sharkicons based on the Quintessons' evil minions from Transformers: The Movie. Not sure on size, release date, or cost. Keep hoping they will be so cheap that you could practically create an army of them but not holding my breath on that.
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A pieces of news in regards to Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Transformers: Prime for home video.

For DOTM release you can add a new case type on top of a steelcase and alt cover with a Transforming Megatron case, at least in Germany. No idea how widespread these alt cases will be in the other countries but if previous history is a guide usually they become store exclusives somewhere in other regions. Speaking of other regions, it seems Germany is getting the movie on November 10th and the UK on November 28th. Also below is the HD version of the US release commercial thanks to JosephNCali.

Shout Factory has announced the December 6th release of Transformers: Prime - Darkness Rising on DVD. The mini-series was the initial five episodes that launched the series last October. Their press release can be found here. The retail price is $14.97 but Amazon currently has it for pre-order at $10.49. Personally I am just going to wait until a season box set comes out.