Botcon 2016 has begun! Fans have begun to reveal information from the convention including the identities of the exclusive souvenirs only available at the convention! These exclusives are:

• Megatron (from "Robots in Disguise" (2001) Megatron) - Limited to 850 pieces ($89)
• Airazor (from "Legends" Slipstream) - Limited to 750 pieces ($49)
• Tigatron (from "Combiner Wars" Ravage) - Limited to 1200 pieces ($49)
• Unit-3 (inspired by the McDonalds "Under 3" toy, a Combiner Wars figure) - Limited to 1200 pieces ($49)
  

Tomorrow I'll be heading out to Botcon 2016 in Louisville, KY and providing coverage! Over the course of the next few days keep an eye out on this page for updates. Photos will be posted on my Facebook page, so give it a "Like" if you haven't already!

A listing has appeared online announcing an updated version of the Alert (aka Red Alert) Masterpiece figure with a whole new deco! This time out his colors are based on how the character appeared in the original 1980's cartoon. Among the differences are more white, lighter grey, a red head and orange (instead of blue) "electric" attachments for his head.

The Official Botcon Twitter feed has posted images of the figure that will be the focus of tomorrow's custom class. This year fans have the option of taking the Offroad figure from "Combiner Wars" and making it into Ratchet or Medix! Medix is the ambulance from the "Rescue Bots" line and of course so far Ratchet has not appeared in "Combiner Wars". Attendees will receive two sticker sheets as part of the class. Check out the images in the embeds below.

Xiaomi is the 5th largest Smartphone maker in the world and now as a special promotion they have teamed up with Hasbro to create a transformable tablet action figure: Soundwave! Check out the promotional video below and the images (source: the Facebook page of Hugo Barra). According to Hugo's page:

One project fans have been eagerly awaiting is the "Combiner Wars" cartoon. This series will be comprised of several short, 7-8 minute episodes that will total about 40 minutes of programming. Writer George Krstic Tweeted out the image below featuring Windblade from the series. There is no release date yet but it was revealed the series will be on go90 this summer.

Everything about Dragstrip's personality is big. From his overwhelming desire for victory to his brash, obnoxious speech patterns this Decepticon would have been scrap long ago if his drive to win wasn't so successful against the Autobots! Today's re;view takes a look at ""Combiner Wars" G2 Dragstrip.

On the latest "Radio Free Cybertron" I was asked to join in with a crew of long time fans to chat about Botcon memories. Check it out!

Over the past week TF Yuki has been revealing the grey model prototypes of the "Unite Warriors" Technobots. It appears he saved the best for last: Strafe! This figure is an extensive retool of the "Unite Warriors" Blast Off figure featuring many new body parts, weapons and head sculpt. This is truly an amazing work of retooling and I applaud the designers for the effort.

What do you think? Chat about it on Facebook!