San Diego Comic-Con

The San Diego Comic-Con is an annual San Diego convention. Hasbro debuts new product at the event, and various exclusive Transformers merchandise is made for it, usually sold at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth (and later also made available online via the Hasbro Toy Shop website). Additionally, in 2015 and 2016, Masterpiece figures were offered at the Entertainment Earth /Toys"R"Us booth, and subsequently also made available online at the Toys"R"Us website and sold at Toys"R"Us brick and mortar stores.

2005

Preview Night July 13, July 14 to July 17

• Skywarp - A redeco of Legends of Cybertron Starscream.

• Megatron

2006

Preview Night July 19, July 20 to July 23

• Nemesis Prime - A black redeco of Alternators/Kiss Players Optimus Prime.

2007

Preview Night July 25, July 26 to July 29

• Rodimus Prime - A redeco of Kiss Players Hot Rodimus.

• Menasor - A redeco of Titanium Series Rodimus Prime.

2008

Preview Night July 23, July 24 to July 27

• Nemesis Prime - A redeco of Classics Optimus Prime.

• War Within Skywarp - A redeco of Titanium Series Thundercracker.

• G1 Animated Optimus Prime

2009

Preview Night July 22, July 23 to July 26

• Soundwave - A reissue of the original 1984 toy.

• Optimus Prime - A metallic redeco of Mighty Muggs Optimus Prime.

2010

Preview Night July 21, July 22 to July 25

• Autobot Blaster - A reissue of the original 1985 toy.

• Prowl

2011

Preview Night July 20, July 21 to July 24

This should tide us over for three six eight months!

Step 1: Put Optimus Prime toy inside a wearable Matrix.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit!

• Matrix of Leadership SDCC Optimus Prime

• Ultimate Optimus Prime - A redeco of Dark of the Moon Ultimate Optimus Prime.

• Starscream Skystriker with Cobra Commander - A Redeco of the 2011 new-mold G.I. Joe Sky Striker

2012

Preview Night July 11, July 12 to July 15

• Decepticon Bruticus

• Rust In Peace Cliffjumper - A redeco of Prime: First Edition Terrorcon Cliffjumper.

• Shockwave H.I.S.S. Tank with two figures & Energon - A redeco of the 2012 new-mold G.I. Joe: Retaliation HISS tank.

2013

Preview Night July 17, July 18 to July 21

• Metroplex - A redeco of Thrilling 30 Metroplex.

For every G1-themed Shockwave you buy, you get a bonus Predacon fetus.

• Shockwave's Lab - Redecoes of Prime: Beast Hunters Voyager Shockwave and Cyberverse Predaking.
• The Epic Conclusion! box set - A redeco of the 2011 mold of the G.I. Joe Skystriker.

Occasionally Illegal

• Titan Warrior 5-Pack

A five-pack of 6" PVC Titan Warriors figures made up of Optimus Prime, Grimlock, Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave. Most of these figures were later released at retail, the exception being Grimlock.

2014

Preview Night July 23, July 24 to July 27

• Knights of Unicron Reunion Tour Set - The glorious set features the members of the eponymous band and their instruments.
  • Megatron - A redeco of Deluxe Class War for Cybertron Megatron.
  • Laserbeak - A redeco of Animated Laserbeak.
  • Optimus Prime - A redeco of Deluxe Class Fall of Cybertron Optimus Prime.
  • Ratbat - A redeco of Animated Ratbat.
  • Smooth Jazz - A redeco of Deluxe Class Fall of Cybertron Autobot Jazz.
  • Soundwave - A redeco of Deluxe Class War for Cybertron Soundwave.

• G1-Colored Dinobots

This set features Voyager class Grimlock and deluxe class Strafe, Slug and Snarl done in G1-inspired decoes. This set comes with an Ark playset made up of platforms and inspired by the ship from Generation One.

(A toy of Slog in similarly-themed colors was released separately via Amazon.)

• 'Class of 1984' Kreon set

A massive Kreon set which includes practically everyone from the first year of Generation One, namely Bluestreak, Brawn, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Frenzy, Gears, Hound, Huffer, Ironhide, Jazz, Megatron, Mirage, Optimus Prime, Prowl, Ratchet, Rumble, Shockwave, Sideswipe, Skywarp, Soundwave, Starscream, Sunstreaker, Thundercracker, Trailcutter, Wheeljack and Windcharger. Both Frenzy and Rumble are done using the smaller human-sized Kreon molds. In addition, Arcee, Ultra Magnus, Perceptor, and Skrapnel are also included even though they aren't strictly 1984. Laserbeak, Ravage and Buzzsaw, which are impractical to turn into Kreons, are included among the plethora of random accessories, which includes stuff like a Rubik's Cube, a syringe and a mullet for Sunstreaker. Whew!

2015

July 9 to July 12

Preview Night July 8

Panels

• Transformers Generations: More Than Meets the Eye - July 9

"Come see what the Transformers characters are up to as you are entertained with sneak peeks of the all new Activision video game trailers, IDW comic prints, and other special surprises. Then get your collector action on as you get an exclusive glimpse at the latest and greatest Transformers Generations Combiner Wars toys that have yet to hit toy shelves. The Transformers team members will also host a Q&A session to answer your burning questions."

• Transformers: Robots in Disguise - July 9

Roll out with the cast and creatives behind Transformers: Robots in Disguise as they share details of the making of the popular animated series and give a sneak peek into the rest of Season 1, now airing on Cartoon Network. Followed by a Q&A.

• Women of Transformers - July 10

From Windblade and Arcee to Strongarm and the brand-new Combiner making her debut at SDCC, female Transformers characters have finally gotten their due; but behind the page and in fandom, even bigger changes have been happening. Panelists include Transformers comics writers Mairghread Scott and Georgia Ball, artists Corin Howell and Sara Pitre-Durocher, Hasbro's Sarah Carroll, and special guests.

• IDW and Hasbro: Transformers, Jem, Ponies, and More - July 11

IDW editors John Barber and Bobby Curnow, along with Michael Kelly (Hasbro's senior director, global publishing), present a comprehensive overview of all things IDW and Hasbro; Transformers, My Little Pony, Jem, G.I. JOE, Dungeons & Dragons. Get the inside scoop on the latest news and announcements. Featuring writer Mairghread Scott, artist Agnes Garbowska, and more special guests.

Exclusive toys

Now with 40% Chrome!

• Devastator - A redeco of Combiner Wars Devastator.

• "Kreon Class of '85" 30-Kreon set

2016

Dates: July 21–24

Preview: July 20

Panels

• Transformers Generations: More Than Meets The Eye with Machinima

The primary focus of the Transformers panel was the Combiner Wars cartoon in an attempt to appeal to the mostly adult fans attending the convention.

In hindsight, that probably wasn't the best idea.

• Transformers Animation: Then and Now

"Celebrate the legacy of the Transformers characters and stories that have led you to Robots in Disguise."

Exclusive toys

Can't make it to SDCC? Well, hope you weren't a fan of the Master Sword and my new smaller head!

• Fortress Maximus Convention Edition - A redeco of Titans Return Fortress Maximus

• Titan Force gift set
  • Brainstorm - A retool of Titans Return Blurr.
  • Sentinel Prime - A redeco of Titans Return Sentinel Prime.
  • Windblade - A redeco of Robots in Disguise Warrior Class Windblade.

• Transformers Evolution Soundwave - A redeco of Xiaomi / Transformers Soundwave

2017

Dates:

Exclusive toys

• Revolution box set - A giant box set celebrating the kickoff of the Hasbro Universe composed of:
  • Jetfire in the form of a slight redeco of his Thrilling 30 toy.
  • 3.75" G.I. Joe-derived figures of a litany of aspirant IDW comic stars including Roadblock of G.I. Joe, Rom the Space Knight, a Dire Wraith, Action Man, Matt Trakker of M.A.S.K.
  • Non-articulated micro-figures of the Micronauts characters Baron Karza, Acroyear, Quin-Tillus, Phenolo-Phi, Oberon, Biotron, Gammatron, Betatron, and Xant.
• Optimus Prime & Shreddicus Maximus - A redeco of Titans Return Powermaster Optimus Prime designed in collaboration with the "Primitive Skateboarding" brand of. Um. Skateboards.
• Optimus Prime - A redeco of The Last Knight Optimus Prime.

2018

The winners of that year's Transformers Hall of Fame balloting were announced at Hasbro's Transformers panel at the event.

Shogo Hasui and John Warden were on hand to sign War for Cybertron: Siege Posters.

Uglydolls crossed over with the franchise, creating limited run dolls of Ox and Ice-Bat dressed as Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, respectively.

Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast announced the Transformers Trading Card Game, allowing fans to purchase a booster pack containing a set of exclusive cards.

Exclusive toys

• Throne of the Primes
  • Optimus Primal
  • Amalgamous Prime - a retool of the Power of the Primes Micronus / Cloudburst inner robot.
  • Nexus Prime - a retool of Power of the Primes Alchemist Prime.
  • Prima Prime - a retool of Power of the Primes Solus Prime
  • The Thirteenth - a retool of the Power of the Primes Vector Prime/Metalhawk inner robot.

2019

Where he at?

• MP-10G Optimus Prime Ecto-35 Edition - A redeco of MP-10 Convoy.

2020

Following COVID-19's utter devastation of the convention scene, the Quintesson Pit of Judgement 5-pack originally intended as a Comic-Con 2020 exclusive was shifted to being available online via Hasbro Pulse.

2021

The "Covert Agent Ravage" / "Decepticons Forever Ravage" 2-pack was leaked and solicited to be released at Comic-Con 2021, until the event was canceled and turned into a "Comic-Con@Home" online event; the 2-pack was instead shifted to being available online via Hasbro Pulse and other online retailers. A smaller supplemental in-person event dubbed "Comic-Con Special Edition" took place November 26–28, 2021, though no exclusives were released for this event.

2022

Dates: July 21–24

Preview: July 20

Panels

• Hasbro Transformers Product Reveal Panel - July 21
• HasLab Victory Saber Unboxing - July 22
• Introducing Transformers: EarthSpark! - July 22

Hasbro Pulse panel streams

• "HASBRO PULSE SDCC 22 FANSTREAM | TRANSFORMERS Shattered Glass Reveal", (About four minutes of) the July 21 Transformers panel on YouTube, hosted by Ben MacCrae and Evan Brooks.
  • Isabella Weiss was also hosting but did not make it into the stream before it died. RIP.
• Hasbro Pulse SDCC 22 FANSTREAM | Transformers Victory Saber Haslab Unboxing at the first July 22 Transformers panel on YouTube, hosted by Ben MacCrae and Evan Brooks.

2023

Dates: July 20–23

Preview: July 19

Panels

• Hasbro Transformers Generations Toy Panel - July 20
• All A-Bot Transformers: EarthSpark - July 20
• Transformers & G.I. Joe Return in The Energon Universe - Jul 22

2024

Dates: July 24–28

Panels

• Paramount Animation and Hasbro Entertainment: Transformers One - July 25

Part of the press tour leading up to 2024's feature film. Featuring Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax / Optimus Prime), Brian Tyree Henry (D-16 / Megatron), Keegan-Michael Key (B-127), Josh Cooley (director) and Lorenzo di Bonaventura (producer).

• Transformers & G.I. Joe: The Energon Universe Is Here - July 26

Skybound Entertainment's presentation for the year on their "Energon Universe" family of Transformers and adjacent titles. Featuring Robert Kirkman (Void Rivals, writer, Energon Universe "showrunner"), Joshua Williamson (Duke, Cobra Commander, writer), Daniel Warren Johnson (Transformers, writer/artist), Tom Reilly (Duke, artist), and Sean Mackiewicz (Skybound Editor in Chief).

• Hasbro Transformers Panel - July 26

Hasbro's toy panel, focusing on Studio Series reveals. Featuring Associate Designer Evan Brooks, Marketer Nate Purswell, Packaging Designer Mario Carreiro and the first public appearance of Generations franchise architect John Warden since his return to the brand earlier that year.

Hasbro Pulse streams

This year saw Hasbro (and TakaraTomy, who maintained a light presence) try out a funky new format where pre-recorded, duplicate presentations were aired on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube channel simultaneous to the live panels as opposed to a true livestream. This format also allowed for some additional creator interviews from the con floor conducted by Toy Hunter host Jordan Hembrough:

• July 26's Sit Down with Hasbro Product Designers: Lenny & Evan @ Hasbro Pulse SDCC 2024 with Jordan Hembrough, Evan Brooks and Lenny Panzica
• July 26's Transformers SDCC 2024 Brand Panel Fanstream | Hasbro Pulse with Evan Brooks and Nate Purswell
• July 27's Exploring Skybound's Energon Universe Comic Books with Robert Kirkman, Joshua Williamson, and more! with Jordan Hembrough, Robert Kirkman, Tom Reilly, Joshua Williamson, Daniel Warren Johnson and Sean Mackiewicz
• July 27's Celebrating 40 Years of Transformers with Gregg Berger | Voice of Grimlock @ SDCC 2024 with Jordan Hembrough and Gregg Berger
• July 28's Transformers Studio Series Optimus Prime Conversion with Tomo Tatsumi @ SDCC 2024 with Evan Brooks and Tomoki Tatsumi

Exclusive toys

• Fractured Friendship 2-Pack
  (Gladiator Megatron VS Security Officer Orion Pax)

A two-pack themed after the pre-war period of IDW Publishing's 2005 Generation 1 continuity including a redeco of the Amazon-exclusive "Miner Megatron" tooling of War for Cybertron: Siege Megatron in gladiator regalia as well as a heavy retool of Studio Series "Gamer Edition" War for Cybertron Optimus Prime into IDW Orion Pax's "supercop" form.

Other happenings

• Daniel Warren Johnson won two Eisner Awards for his work on Skybound's Transformers ongoing in Best Writer/Artist and Best Ongoing Series respectively at the ceremony on the evening of July 26.
• As is something of a tradition for SDCC, a contingent from TakaraTomy's design team (namely Shogo Hasui and Tomoki Tatsumi) sat in for Hasbro's toy panel.

2025

Dates: July 24–27

Panels

• Hasbro Transformers Panel - July 25

Hasbro's toy panel, featuring reveals of the entire first wave for the 2026 slate of the Age of the Primes and Studio Series toylines as well as the announcement of the "Activate Your Alt Mode" 2025 fan poll. Featuring Marketer Nate Purswell, Studio Series Designer Evan Brooks, and newly minted Design Director Mark Maher.

• Transformers and G.I. Joe: All Out War in the Energon Universe - July 26

Skybound Entertainment's presentation for the year on their "Energon Universe" family of Transformers and adjacent titles. Featuring Robert Kirkman (Void Rivals, writer, Energon Universe "showrunner"), Daniel Warren Johnson (Transformers, writer/artist), Joshua Williamson (G. I. Joe, writer), Sean Mackiewicz (Skybound Editor in Chief), and Arune Singh (Skybound Vice President of Brand, panel moderator).

Hasbro Pulse streams

2025 saw Hasbro keep it dirt simple with a postmortem livestream of their own toy panel and nothing else:

• July 25's Transformers Brand Panel Recap | SDCC 2025 | Hasbro Pulse on YouTube, with Mark Maher, Evan Brooks and Nate Purswell.

Exclusive toys

• Autobot Jetfire, Zertonian Solila and Agorrian Darak

A boxed set reproducing the very first issue of the Energon Universe including old school G.I. Joe-style 3.75" "O-ring" figures of Void Rivals protagonists Darak and Solila along with a Generation 1 cartoon-themed redeco of Jetfire's toy from 2018's War for Cybertron: Siege as well as a reprinting of Void Rivals #1 with an exclusive new cover by brand mainstay Marcelo Matere.

• Timelines Bumblebee / Timelines Megatron

This Hearts of Steel-centric two-pack constituting the second half of the maiden voyage of the "historical alt mode" themed Timelines toyline saw a limited early release at Comic-Con before its wider "fan channel" release the next month.

Fiction

Live-action film ARG continuity

Leo Spitz and Sharsky attempted to attend Comic-Con 2008, but were hampered by the fact that Sharsky had booked the hotel room for the week after Comic-Con. Luckily they met Fassbinder, who got them a room by less-than-legal means, and the new trio of friends attended the convention. Unfortunately all their pictures of the event were accidentally destroyed. The Real Effing Deal

Notes

• The "S.D. 74" on the Hasbro version of the Armada Hoist mold is an in-joke, according to Aaron Archer. He has pointedly and repeatedly refused to explain the joke, so its meaning remains a mystery. However, an explanation of sorts was offered at BotCon 2008: The marking evidently originates from an incident at the San Diego Comic Con involving an unfortunate mix of Hasbro employees, alcohol, and a construction crane. Whatever happened, apparently the Petco Park stadium was nearly not built because of it. Yowza. (How the 74 relates to this, exactly, remains uncertain.)

External links

• Comic-Con International