San Diego Comic-Con

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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.



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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

2005

Preview Night July 13, July 14 to July 17

  • Skywarp (Legends, 2005)
    • Accessories: Autobot Cybertron-type Cyber Key
Available as an exclusive giveaway at Hasbro's booth for the San Diego Comic-Con 2005, Skywarp is a redeco of Legends of Cybertron Starscream in a traditional black/purple/silver Skywarp color scheme. He has a flip-out energon blade in his right arm, but as the original toy was a small-scale representation of Supreme Starscream, he features a flip-out null ray cannon in his left arm instead of another blade. It also included a Cyber Key, which activated no features on the toy itself, but included the code "sc5t". The key is black with a red Autobot symbol. This is the only Legends toy to have one. It was explained by Hasbro employees that the key and figure were separate promotional items simply bagged together, and the Skywarp was indeed a Decepticon. This toy was listed as a Universe toy on the Hasbro web site.
This mold was also used the make Cybertron Ramjet and Sunstorm, Universe Ramjet and Thrust, War for Cybertron Starscream, and Dark of the Moon Cybertronian Starscream.
As the toy includes no bio, it may just as easily represent Generation 1 Skywarp's War Within form, or any other character named Skywarp.


  • Megatron (Palisades Toys mini-statue, 2005)
A downscaled version of Palisades Toys' polystone Megatron statue, essentially identical to the larger one but for the fact that it's only six inches tall, was produced as an exclusive for San Diego Comic-Con 2005. With only 500 units produced, the statue sold out in two days, setting a new record for Palisades at the show.


2006

Preview Night July 19, July 20 to July 23

  • Nemesis Prime (2006)
    • Alternators ID number: 24
    • Accessories: Engine/blaster
Nemesis Prime is a black redeco of Alternators/Kiss Players Optimus Prime with red translucent windows and blue paint detail. Like Optimus, he transforms into a Dodge Ram SRT-10 at 1:24 scale, with opening doors, hood, and tailgate, plus an open passenger compartment. His engine transforms into a handgun.
He was initially sold exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con 2006 and for a limited time at Hasbro Toy Shop, selling out roughly an hour after its 2pm sales debut. Prior to that, he was released in large quantities at regular retail in various Asian countries, becoming a shelfwarmer there, ironically.
Later, he was offered in Australia through online stores. A few weeks later he showed up in massive numbers in the Australian retail store Toy World for half the price.


2007

Preview Night July 25, July 26 to July 29

Alternators Rodimus Prime is an exclusive figure, released at the San Diego Comic-Con and Hasbro Toy Shop in July 2007. It is a repaint of Kiss Players Hot Rodimus, which itself is a retool of Alternators Mirage. The figure uses the same head mold introduced in the Kiss Players figure, retaining the original's visor gimmick. The deco has been altered by changing the side striping from white to yellow, while the stripes over the hood, roof and trunk have been eliminated altogether, replaced by a Hot Rod-style flame graphic on the hood and front guards. Most of the Kiss Player deco remains in robot mode, including the yellow hands and flame graphics on the forearms; however, the license plates (located at the knees in robot mode) have been changed to read "TOO HOT".
Rodimus Prime's weapons are the dual pistols/tonfa seen with both Mirage and Hot Rodimus, however his Kiss Player counterpart's fishing rod/eliminator and dumpling steamer weapons were not included in the Alternators release. They left the girl out too.


  • Menasor (Cybertron Heroes, 2007)
    • Accessories: Rifle, display stand
A Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive first sold at San Diego Comic-Con 2007, Menasor is a redeco of the Titanium Series Rodimus Prime, transforming into a Cybertronic Winnebago-ish thing.
According to this Menasor's bio, he is a single entity built from the bodies of the individual Stunticons and controlled by their psychotic, permanently unified minds. Whether this same backstory applies to the Classics or Universe toys is unknown.


2008

Preview Night July 23, July 24 to July 27

  • Nemesis Prime (Voyager, 2008)
    • Accessories: 2 smokestacks/"Stellar Converter Cannon", wind vane/"Disruptor Cannon"
Nemesis Prime is a redeco of Classics Optimus Prime, transforming into a modern cab-over style truck of made up model, dominated by a large aero fairing on his roof. Premiering as San Diego Comic-Con 2008 exclusive, it later saw wider release via Hasbro Toy Shop as part of the Classics Series of the 2008 Universe toyline. He was not designed to pull a trailer, and subsequently does not come with one. The figure largely follows the same paint application map as the original figure, with some minor omissions as well as new paint applications. As well, it features metallic purple and silver tampographs of the Decepticon symbol on its forearm and shoulder, as well as red paint blocking the light-piping feature in the figure's head.
In robot mode, his aero fairing transforms into a large "Disruptor Cannon", and his smokestacks transform into a smaller "Stellar Converter Cannon". Additionally, both can combine together to form a back-mounted shoulder weapon.
This mold was also used to make Classics Ultra Magnus and the evil "Shattered Glass" Optimus Prime. In fact, counting the Henkei! Henkei! redecos, this is the sixth version of this mold released within two years. You milk those completists, Hasbro/TakaraTomy, you milk 'em good.


Titanium Series War Within Skywarp is a redeco of Thundercracker, transforming into a Cybertronian "tetrajet" as reimagined by Don Figueroa. As with all 6-inch Titanium Cybertron Heroes, he is constructed mostly of fully painted die-cast metal. He was available only at Hasbro Toy Shop after the Titanium line had already been cancelled, and also Hasbro Toy Shop's booth at San Diego Comic-Con 2008.
This mold was also used to make War Within Starscream, Sunstorm, and Thrust.


G1 Animated Optimus Prime was exclusive to the 2008 San Diego Comic Con. He was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and features a more matte color scheme to better match the cartoon's palette.


2009

Preview Night July 22, July 23 to July 26

  • Soundwave (Exclusive, 2009)
    • Accessories: Laserbeak, Ravage, Buzzsaw, Ratbat, rocket launcher, 3 rockets, "concussion blaster"
In 2009, Hasbro released yet another reissue of Soundwave as part of the Universe line, this time as a Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive that was prominently offered at San Diego Comic-Con 2009. After Hasbro's last reissue of the figure had used the double-sized Soundblaster chest door, this version of Soundwave reinstated his original door, and came packaged with no fewer than four tapes: Ravage, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw and Ratbat.


An exclusive to the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con, this Optimus Prime Mugg has a shiny metallic finish.



2010

Preview Night July 21, July 22 to July 25

  • Autobot Blaster (2010)
    • Series: G1 Series
    • Accessories: Electro-Scrambler Gun
This San Diego Comic-Con exclusive reissue of Blaster comes with Steeljaw, Ramhorn and Eject. Released as part of the Universe (2008) toyline, the packaging also has a special foil-detailed outer slip case. Blaster is technically a slight redeco, having metal-flake beige legs instead of metallic-swirl silver.
This set was also made available at the Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong Fair 2010, and was later released on the Hasbro Toy Shop and then also sold at FanExpo Canada 2010.


Accessories: Gun
This super-deformed, non-transformable Prowl figure mostly uses the standard Mighty Muggs body template, and features same door-wings molds as Jazz. He has swivel joints in his neck and arms and comes with his trademark acid pellet gun. Prowl was originally meant to be released in the fourth wave of Mighty Muggs Transformers, but the Transformers section of the toyline was canceled before the wave was released. The toy was eventually made available as an exclusive at San Diego Comic-Con 2010.


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 Optimus Prime is an exclusive to San Diego Comic-Con 2011. The toy comes in a packaging shaped like the Matrix of Leadership, which the owner can wear around his neck, preferably at the convention itself, so passers-by can exclaim "WHERE THE HELL DID YOU GET THAT?" and then try to get one themselves. The Matrix itself comes packaged in a box that is designed to look like Optimus Prime's chest, and opens accordingly. The chest window doors are sealed with a round magnet.
The toy itself is an early release of the Deluxe Class Optimus Prime toy from the later "Entertainment Pack" set. There are some deco differences between this release and the later retail release; this version has gray windows instead of blue and is missing some of the silver deco on the helmet and roof/feet, as well as the yellow paint on his lights. His midriff is also darker.


  • Ultimate Optimus Prime (MechTech Ultimate, 2011)
    • Accessories: Trailer/Omega Combat Armor, MechTech Ultimax Super Cannon
Available exclusively at Hasbro Toy Shop and their booth at San Diego Comic-Con 2011, this version of Ultimate Optimus Prime is presented in vehicle mode, packaged into a large, foil-embossed bubble packaging (similar to late Alternators packaging) styled after Optimus Prime's trailer, with an additional foil-embossed sleeve styled after the hood of Optimus Prime's truck. Exclusive to this release is a set of stickers one can apply to the trailer. The toy itself is otherwise identical to the regular retail release.


An exclusive release for San Diego Comic-Con 2011, this is a redeco of the 2011 new-mold G.I. Joe Skystriker meant to represent Starscream. It includes Cobra Commander in a flight suit, wielding a "human-scaled" Megatron pistol. After more than a quarter of a century, it represents just the second official mingling of the G.I. Joe and Transformers franchises in toy form.
The last one of us alive will have the privilege of being buried with it.


2012

Preview Night July 11, July 12 to July 15

This San Diego Comic-Con 2012 exclusive pack contains all five Combaticons (Onslaught, Brawl, Vortex, Swindle, Blast Off) in game-accurate colors.
Each of the four smaller limbs can also turn into another limb (e.g., Brawl can turn into either arm).
This toy was "redecoed" into its own mass-release deco, as well as into a Generation 2-styled Bruticus. It was later retooled into Ruination.


A San Diego Comic Con 2012 exclusive, "Rust In Peace" Cliffjumper is a much more extensively-decoed and premium-packaged version of the "Terrorcon Cliffjumper" retool of the "First Edition" Cliffjumper mold, which was originally canceled worldwide, but was eventually released as an Asian market and ToysЯUs exclusive. Whew! His paint operations have been expanded from the original retail plans to give him more battle damage deco. He comes with two Dark Energon accessories; a long shard of the stuff, and a shorter, more rubbery one ending in an "energy splash" that can grasp around the edges of his chest to represent, well, him being stabbed with Dark Energon to bring him back to "life."
He comes in a special case shaped like Cliffjumper's zombified head, which itself comes inside a box with Cliffjumper's chest printed on the front. Gruesome!


An exclusive release for San Diego Comic-Con 2012, this is a redeco of the 2012 new-mold G.I. Joe: Retaliation HISS tank meant to represent Shockwave, with an additional cannon piece meant to emulate Generation 1 Shockwave's gun barrel. It includes the Cobras James McCullen Destro XXIV and a Battle Android Trooper with a trolley for carrying Energon cubes. Destro's accessories include Soundwave in the form of a non-transforming tape deck, various guns, a suitcase of money, and three micro-casettes capable of being placed within the Soundwave toy; red, orange, and gold cassettes that represent Ravage, Laserbeak, and Ratbat.


2013

Preview Night July 17, July 18 to July 21

Fall of Cybertron-esque package art by line artist Phil Jimenez and colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr.. Includes a second gun and PVC figures.
For every G1-themed Shockwave you buy, you get a bonus Predacon fetus.
A redeco of the Beast Hunters Voyager Shockwave in G1-inspired colors (most notably the replacement of Shockwave's red optic into yellow), this set depicts Shockwave's creation of Predaking, complete with a lab playset and a redeco of Cyberverse Commander Class Predaking in translucent and opaque blue. Despite what the stock images suggest, the fuschia highlights were largely replaced with black on the actual figure.
Occasionally Illegal
An exclusive release for San Diego Comic-Con 2013, this is a redeco and retool of the 2011 mold of the G.I. Joe Skystriker meant to represent Jetfire. The retool adds Jetfire's distinctive boosters and features an opening cockpit which can seat a figure. The boosters also mount the Skystriker's original vertical tail fins as a second set of horizontal fins. The set also comes with a redecoed VAMP representing Hound, a new Snake-Eyes figure bearing an Autobot symbol, a Baroness figure with Ravage on a leash, a Blaster boombox with cassette pieces representing Steeljaw, Ramhorn, and Eject, and a "samurai robot warrior" based on Bludgeon.
The box set was announced via a USA Today article on June 5, 2013, along with Hasbro's other Comic-Con exclusives.
On July 22, 2013, Harmony Gold, owner of the rights to the Robotech franchise and U.S. claimant to the Macross rights, filed a copyright infringement suit against Hasbro. In the filing, Harmony Gold argued that the release somehow infringed upon the intellectual property of the Veritech, but noted that "damages are difficult to ascertain". They demanded that Hasbro recall all Jetfires that had been sold, that all Jetfires (including the recalled ones) be either destroyed or handed over to Harmony Gold, and that Hasbro turn over all profits relating to the sales; this was to happen in addition to payment for all actual damages to Harmony Gold (despite Harmony Gold itself not knowing how much the actual damages were) and all punitive assessments assigned against Hasbro.
Subsequently, an order was filed on September 23rd, 2013, to dismiss the case with prejudice, implying that Harmony Gold and Hasbro have reached a settlement. Although confirmation of a settlement, much less details, have not been revealed, the fact that the case was dismissed with prejudice means that Harmony Gold cannot sue over the Jetfire issue again. By early October, the set was made available on Hasbro Toy Shop, though the set sold out quickly.



2014

Preview Night July 23, July 24 to July 27

  • Knights of Unicron
The glorious Knights of Unicron set features redecoes of the Fall of Cybertron and War for Cybertron Optimus Prime, Jazz, Megatron and Soundwave toys with hair and clothing accessories to resemble a metal band. They also come with redecoes of Animated Laserbeak and Ratbat to use as instruments, because there isn't quite enough insanity in this world.


  • G1-Coloured 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.
(Poor Slog apparently just gets no love)


  • '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 moulds. 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!


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.)
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