The Transformers Generations panel took place this evening at New York Comic Con. Among the topics covered were the Prime Wars trilogy in the comics, the animated series being produced by Machinima, and of course the toy reveals featuring a thing or two we hadn;t gotten to see at the media event Wednesday night. Thanks to Radio Free Cybertron's diecast, Anthony from TFU.ino and Ben Yee from BWTF we got a lot of info out of the panel, so click through to read the minute-by-minute!
Talking about wanting to make good entertaining media for everyone, acknowledging all the RID fans before moving to talking about Generations.
Starting off with Prime Wars trilogy.
Video presentation for Combiner Wars, clips from Devastation, toy commercial, and comic stills.
They want to make a robust, and immersive universe. Want to give the fan a deep and wide variety of experiences.
Responding to fans, reducing the theme changes, keeping an ongoing story over a longer period. That's Prime Wars.
Showing trailer for Devastation.
Starting on Machinima Combiner Wars.
Machinima producer introducing the concept by saying that he thinks the US audience is ready for a kind of animated story they're not getting right now.
"There's stakes, there's consequences, and nobody is safe."
"A story never done in children's animation."
George Krstic introducing his background, Clone Wars, Megas XLR (huge audience response to that).
Machinima producer: "We want to be faithful to ourselves as original G1 fans, but also recognize that there are new fans as well."
John Warden talking about a "corporate retreat" to get everyone on the same page with the Transformers and their various expressions and backgrounds.
Machinima producer: "We love the comics." "Our story is going to be original, but if you're a fan of the comics, you'll find a lot of inspiration and adaptation from there."
Pursuing a "Japanese production model", which apparently means the whole production staff is used to working on adult projects.
One rule George wants enforced: every frame will have one combiner punching another combiner!
Had some issues getting the Japanese team members to understand the phrase "badass".
On to comics.
The return of Sentinel Prime.
John Barber, James Roberts, and Mairghread Scott will all three be working together to write Titans Return.
Talking about how far back Combiners were being set up, and that Titans return has the same kind of early seeds planted already.
Livio Ramondelli will be working on at least the opening issue of Titans Return. John Barber loves working with him.
Laying down the blueprint for the trilogy now, to help make the universe feel cohesive across the various media and toy ends.
Coordinating toy waves as being part of the experience of their story telling.
They're still referring to The Transformers as "Former Robots in Disguise".
Talking about the main titles hitting issue 50 and how it's been a stable creative team and how excited they are about plans they have going forward from here.
Warden praising Barber for the great work he's done bringing strong continuity to the universe.
"Not a lot of love for Sentinel." "What kind of person is he?"
Not a nice person!
Going to toys.
"Toy Ecosystem"
Heads compatible across price points.
Silhouettes of Galvatron, Blaster, and Hardhead.
Talks about "even bigger Transformers" having compatibility.
Diagram of Fort Max's head used as generic Headmaster stand in.
Titan Masters class.
Nightbeat being used to explain the basic construction of the Titan Masters and what their vehicles do.
Terri-Bull, Crashbash, Loudmouth. John Warden is making "subtle" puns with the old names whenever he can.
Legends Class
Rewind, pointing out the "wallpaper" on the "screen" looking like a micro cassette.
Stripes, notes obscurity.
Deluxe
Skullsmasher. With Drax.
Hardhead, with "Furos". Noting second driver compartment.
Warden pointing out "Cybertronian feel" of the toy styling.
Recognizes from fan interaction how "underserved" some of the 86 and later toys are.
Vague teaser of two other silhouetted headshots, not showing.
Voyagers
Galvatron, talking about Nucleon looking like Megatron as a "hidden easter egg".
Revealing the triplechanger third mode.
Sentinel Prime reveal with Autobot Infinitus. All very orangey looking.
Third mode is "tank", which they;re being very unsubtle about being Astrotrain later.
Talking tech specs. Explaining the expanded graph to fit the Titan Master powerup.
Titan Masters in the story can bring unusual powers.
Leader Class.
Showing Blaster.
Explaining about bringing back base modes, and how they'll connect together to make a big world.
Presentation is wrapping up. Plugging Hasbro Pulse, talking about how everything will come together in the fiction like the comics and the animation "not for kids".
Q&A
Beast Wars Anniversary?
-Like to observe anniversaries, but no promises. Going to "honor the history" over the next 18 months.
Why change how Headmasters work?
-Neck joint to allow for poseability, ball joint similar but different scale to Brainstorm.
Will faction splits be more even?
-Yes, going for more equal balance.
Why were Quickslinger and Brake-Neck limited?
-Intended as special, one-time items.
More Sideswipe?
-They love Sideswipe too, and he'll have a big role in issues 46-49 of the comic.
Question about how accessible the new animation will be to non-comics fans.
-They want it to be accessible to everyone.
Combining Dinobots?
-No plans.
Masterpieces?
-Calling two per year typical. They're thinking about the line, but haven;t made or changed any plans yet.
