ROTF poster, iPhone IDW app, EJ Su, Round 2 questions, Shia's hand

1. As I mentioned earlier, IDW is concentrating on making their comics available online, and they've just now sealed a deal with Apple--an IDW app available for iPhones. All you iPhone users can now download all four issues of both Alliance and Defiance for only $0.99 an issue, and my guess is IDW will not stop there when it comes to digitally-available comics.

2. The final movie poster for ROTF is now online, thanks to Empire Online (click it for a bigger version):

3. E.J Su, a longtime Transformers artist (Infiltration and Devastation are some of his most well-known) who worked more recently on the series Transformers Animated, has posted several pictures from working on the set. Here's a link to the update on his DeviantArt page:

http://ej-su.deviantart.com/art/Animated-at-CN-Studios-124657692

4. Here is "Round 2" of questions from Hasbro at Botcon:
* How long is the ROTF line scheduled to run? While there may not yet be a concrete end date yet, is there product slated through Christmas '09 or even Spring of '10? When it ends, will we see a return to Animated and Universe, or something new?
The movie line is planned through Spring of 2010 and will include both new versions of core characters pulled directly from the movie and several new molds of characters inspired by the the real world styling seen in the film.

*Is there a difference between obscure characters and brand new characters to the Hasbro design team? Do Hasbro's toy designers prefer to have complete freedom in designing a toy (or repainting an existing one) to make a brand new character or the challenge of modernizing the appearance of an old character (either through a new mold or repaints) while still keeping it recognizable as being the same character?
This varies from designer to designer. The challenge of creating a new character or one from the past is the same because it is putting out the best toy possible. Either way, it is a rewarding part of our job to be able to do this stuff day in and day out. Whether it is designing a new toy or re-imagining a classic, each has its own unique challenges.

*Transformers fans have noticed that a number of the recent secondary and tertiary retail store exclusives have been prior figures in new packaging. For an example, there are the Cybertron Scouts in Universe packaging. Why is this done? Is it excess/leftover stock simply put into new packaging, or new stock manufactured solely for the re-release?
While we do not want to get into too many specifics, we felt that for the items in question, they were still relevant and delivered the core aspects of Transformers: conversion and the story of good vs evil. Needless to say, these items were produced and put into the current Universe packaging in order to meet a specific need at the time.

5. For those of you who have read The Veiled Threat or have other knowledge of what became of Lennox and Epps after the first movie, you are aware of the organization N.E.S.T. LG phones have teamed up with ROTF to put out a website about our favorite non-biological extraterrestrial organization.
http://www.lgnest.com/

6. Shia Labeouf's hand injury was worked into ROTF. In an article published in Wizard's Transformers special issue, Shia states that a small injury to Sam's hand was in the script before his injury. He then added that Sam's hand is injured en route to the Space Bridge.

.... The Space Bridge.

Shia's other injury (the one to his eye) is reputed to have happened at the Space Bridge set.

That's all for now! Thanks for the comments, guys, they're much appreciated! I usually answer comments with a comment of my own, so if you left me a note, be sure to check back!