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3 Aug 2003 |
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Dear transfans, welcome to TAAU's new-look, bi-weekly newsletter!
Because TAAU has just as many busy fans, curious visitors, shy lurkers, casual participants and industry researchers as we have regular and active members, then we thought it was about time we created a newsletter for everyone involved, so you can all keep up-to-date on the latest news direct from our Hasbro AU insider, Laserbeak, receive news scoops from our friends over at Madman Entertainment regarding their latest Transformers releases, get the all-important details on our latest monthly competition, read TAAU member articles and lots, lots more!
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NEWS, IMAGES AND COVERAGE FROM OFTCC 2003
Unless you were kidnapped at some point this week and have been locked away in a mountain side cabin, then chances are you'll have spent most of your time reading up and drooling over all the latest images and news emerging from this year's inugural OTFCC (Official Transformers Collectors' Convention), formerly known as Botcon.
The lovely Skycat from the TAAU Boards will be writing up a full report of her time there in the next few weeks, but for now I've compliled a list of some of the best coverage provided to us by the various US-based news sites out there:
[ Exclusive Toys ]
Those wise enough and lucky enough to pre-register for OTFCC 2003 were treated to some absolute gems this year, including the first ever remoulded figures in the form of Universe sisters Roulette and Shadow Striker!
Universe Sunstreaker: the rarest of all figures in the year's exclusives line-up came in the form of Sunstreaker, a yellow redeco of RID Prowl who only had a production run of 600, and who was offered to the first to book a room at this year's official hotel.
Images: Box 1 > Box 2 > Box 3 > Car Mode 1 > Car Mode 2 > Robot Mode 1
Universe Sideswipe: following on from the lovely Sunstreaker was counterpart, Sideswipe; another redeco of RID Prowl, but this time painted in red.
Images: Box 1 > Box 2 > Car Mode 1 > Car Mode 2 > Robot Mode 1
Universe Roulette and Shadow Striker:
Next up was the pre-reg twin-pack, Roulette and Shadow Striker; not only are they sexy female characters, but they're sisters as well. Most exciting of all, however, is that they come with remoulded heads! Both figures are based on RID Sideswipe.
Remy has come through with yet another stunning photoshoot of these guys, which can be seen here
Heroes of Cybertron blister pack:
There were also a few additional items available for attendees, including a Heroes of Cybertron blister pack, containing Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp, as well as three Decepticon 'drones'.
Images > Blister Pack 1 > Blister Pack 2
Heroes of Cybertron Sunstorm:
Lastly, for those early birds wishing to book for next year's OTFCC, an exclusive PVC was offered, HOC Sunstorm.
Images > Sunstorm 1 > Sunstorm 2 > Sunstorm 3
[ Convention Coverage ]
Many sites have provided excellent coverage of this year's OTFCC, so I won't list all of them here, however TFormers.com have written some excellent articles this year I believe, so please take a look through some of their reports on the semi-formal dinner, the Hasbro Panel and the Dreamwave Panel.
TFormers.com > OTFCC Dinner > Hasbro Panel > Dreamwave Panel
[ Photo Galleries ]
Lastly, to view pictures of the dealer tables, fan art galleries, and convention attendees/celebrities, check out the picture galleries at:
ADC > Gallery | Seibertron.com > Gallery | Transfandom.com > Gallery
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DISCOVER ALL THE NEW OPTIMUS PRIME FIGURES
With three Optimus Prime figures being announced in the last few weeks, you may now be a little torn between them all. Which one do you get? Which one do you think you'll like best? Which can you afford?
To make the decision a little easier for you, I've compiled a list of images, estimated prices and availability for all three, so you can now take a look at each of them in turn and compare and contrast them for yourselves:
[ 20th Anniversary Masterpiece Optimus Prime ]
Judging from fan feedback so far, this hyper detailed Takara/Hasbro figure is probably at the top of most fans' wish lists, and is my personal favourite as well. He doesn't come with his trailer, but hey, with an accompanying Energy Axe accessory, you'll have him in robot mode for most of the time anyway. Best news of all though; he'll be available to buy locally within Australia!
Manufacturer: Takara/Hasbro
US Price: Approx $95 (USD)
Features: Die cast parts, rubber wheels, built-in Matrix (in chest), gun, energy axe and hand-held megatron pistol
Masterpiece Prime > Image 1 > Image 2 > Image 3
[ Palisades Toys Optimus Prime ]
Another serious contender comes in the form of Palisades Toys' rugged, battle-worn figure, which I think looks fantastic and makes a nice change from the normal, bright plastic we see on toys these days.
Manufacturer: Palisades Toys
US Price: Approx $140 (USD)
Features: Approximately 12 inches tall, pre-painted with amazing detail and based on Dreamwave artwork. Each statue will be numbered individually
Palisades Prime > Image > Palisades site section > 360° VR View
[ Hard Hero Enterprises Optimus Prime ]
The most recent Prime to emerge is from the respected and established Hard Hero Enterprises, who have released some 15+ statues already, as can be seen here. Even though this figure would be last on my list, I think he'll still sell well, as fans buying earlier figures in the series will probably pick this one up to ensure their collection is complete.
Manufacturer: Hard Hero Enterprises
US Price: Approx $140 (USD)
Features: Cartoon accurate, nearly 13" tall and ready for display
Hard Hero Prime > Image 1
So there you have it! If you're still struggling to decide after all that, then the choice is simple: buy all three!
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READ ISSUE #1 OF THE 3D COMIC, TRANSFORMERS: OMEGA
Trevor Morgan, a.k.a Annoyance has long had a section in TAAU's Members > Fan Art section, which he has filled with some amazing 3D renders of Optimus Prime, Megatron, Shockwave and Unicron, to name just a few, however his page has been quiet lately as he has been hard at work again, this time creating his first Transformers comic, Transformers: Omega
The comic will tell the story of the battle which rages on between the Autobots and Decepticons. From the ashes, the Decepticons' greatest leader waits, while within the Autobot ranks, a new leader is chosen. What was peace for 800 solar cycles is about to be shattered, as a new war begins; a war that will threaten the entire universe, unless one Autobot can stop it: Obsidian Prime.
"Issue 1 shows the start of the war as the leaders emerge and ready for combat. It is a story that, when finished, will be as epic as any of the comics or cartoons. I hope you enjoy it." - Annoyance
Transformers: Omega > Issue 1
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JAPANESE TRANSFORMERS: TATAKAI PS2 GAME PRE-ORDER
If you were saddened by the recent news that the Japanese PS2 G1 game, Transformers: Tatakai, will not be release over here, then don't despair, as the first Internet pre-order has surfaced at Kicks-Hobby.com.
It is priced at $60 USD and is scheduled for Oct 31, 2003. You can find the pre-order page, here
NOTE: You must have your PS2 console chipped to play Japanese games.
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CUSTOM STAND NOW AVAILABLE FOR ARMADA UNICRON
Hasbro AU insider, Laserbeak, has reported on the TAAU Boards that Armada Unicron will be hitting our shores late August at Target stores, so if you're planning on grabbing a Chaos Bringer or two, then check out this superb custom stand for him, made by the guys at Unicron.com, and distributed on their behalf by TFW2005 Store.
"This item is a fan created product designed to suspend your figures in mid air! This piece has a solid plastic base, and comes with two extension poles; one for smaller figures, and one for larger, heavier figures. There is also a horizontal top piece to attach to the poles so you can rest mid size figures on them comfortably."
The stands cost around $20 USD each and are limited to 1000 pieces in total
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BUY TRANSFORMERS RINGTONES
Let's face it, TAAUers are pretty cool, I mean, that's why you hang out at TAAU, right? Most of us have mobile phones, and some of us even have funky new Nokia's and Nec's, with MMS, full-colour screens, polyphonic ringtones and lots more.
Well, being the transfan and complete techno-freak that I am, I wanted to get myself a funky ringtone for my new phone, and after trawling a number of sites for a polyphonc version of the Transformers theme, I finally managed to track some down!
So, for those of you who have just discovered the joys of polyphinicness, please follow the link below for your ringtone pleasure:
Transformers ringtone > polyphonic > mono
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Disclaimer:
This e-newsletter is published to provide relevant information regarding our activities. We take no responsibility for inaccuracies or errors and will not be held responsible for any actions that may arise from the use of the information provided.
Spam policy:
We are against the sending of unsolicited email (SPAM) and have made every effort within our power to discourage and prohibit the sending of spam. If you believe that you have been spammed click here to report your complaint.
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IN THIS ISSUE: |
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in this week's TAAU newsletter we have: |
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AUGUST COMPETITION
In an effort to bring you even bigger and better prizes every month, TAAU has again teamed up with the big guys themselves, Hasbro AU, to bring you yet another fantastic prize: this time a very sexy and very new Powerlinx Optimus Prime! Worth approximately $100!
BLIMEY! SLAP MY THIGH AND CALL ME BETTY! WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GRAB A PIECE OF THAT BABY?!
As TAAU has grown over the last few years, attracting more and more visitors each month, the groovy TAAU logo has become pretty well known within Transformers, youth culture and even design circles, and has become synonymous with the initial concept behind it; that the toys and fans are among us, somewhere, and so TAAU was created to unite both; to provide toys to the collectors and human contact to the fans.
However, in all this time, the cute little fella known amongst TAAU'ers as 'The Little Robot Guy' has never been christened, and so, instead of naming him myself, I have decided to pass the towel and holy water over to you, to anoint him with a cool and funky name yourselves!
So this month I am asking you to submit your name suggestions, with the best and most appropriate entry to be given to him, so check out those Baby Names books from the library, hop online and search your family trees, flick through census surveys and basically do whatever it takes to find the perfect name for... ?
HOW TO ENTER:
All you have to do for a chance to win this gorgeous Powerlinx Optimus Prime, and have the absolute privilege of naming TAAU's friendly mascot, is to chose a name which you think best sums up the little fella, then simply send it in to us!
A maximum of five names per contestant has been decided, to prevent people sending in thousands of names, from A - Z, and also to encourage people to really think about their entries before submitting them!
DEADLINE:
All entries must be received no later than 29/08/03 and winner will be announced on 31/08/03.
RULES:
By entering this competition, you understand and agree to let Theyareamongus.com ('TAAU') use all submitted entries, and without limitation. TAAU also reserves the right to refuse any name, and thus entry, on grounds of; 'bad taste', inappropriate language or for any other undisclosed and unlisted reason. Competition is open to Australian and New Zealand residents only.
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