The G1-themed "USA Edition" of Masterpiece Starscream, available stateside at Wal-Mart and online, has taken a trip overseas.  Allsparker Buster Darkwings informs us in this thread that he's found Screamer in Japan - Akihabara, to be exact.

The Japanese export of the USA Edition reportedly has a few differences from the... well, the USA edition of the USA Edition.  Mr. Darkwings tells us that the rounded points found on the Wal-Mart version are gone, and the scorch marks are also different.

If you've seen this Seeker, or any other new or hard-to-spot-at-retail toys, let us know in the Allspark's New Toy Sightings forum!

Allsparker Fyp points us to what may be new stock images of the upcoming Japanese Classics Astrotrain--in full color! In keeping with the rest of the toys in the line, Astrotrain's been given a new paint scheme to match the G1 cartoon even more closely, with the dark greys and purples that originally appeared on the show and in the prototype from the 1985 toy catalog. 

The image seems to have originated with online toy shop The Falcon's Hanger, who say they received it directly from Takaratomy. If that's the case, we should see confirmation soon from other retailers. 

Thanks to FYP for pointing out the image in this thread!

The Transformers Collectors' Club has posted a video reveal of one of their next Club Store exclusive figures, Nightbeat! So now you can see just how the Universe's most secretive robot detective looks in the Energon Hot Shot mold, and what the new headsculpt looks like!

Click here to see the video. Then discuss it in The Walky's thread here!

Also, it's stated that the previews for the Botcon Box Set will begin next Monday! 

IDW Publishing's Editor in Chief, Chris Ryall, has come along and posted some interesting sketches on his blog. He won't say who they're of, or who did the art, but he did say that IDW's next Transformers Spotlight is of what they'd be a part. It would appear that the character focused on is not one of particular favor, but for some fans it may be something to savor! It seems that Wheelie may yet get his glory, with nothing short of his very own story!

You can see the sketches here, and discuss them here. Thanks to Wildwade for the link! 

Transformers Animated fans may be excited to hear that the first issue of IDW Publishing's Animated comic book will be part of the offering for Free Comic Book Day this year! The issue will be a print version of the Transformers Animated premiere movie wrapped up in 30 pages.

You can see the Animated listing, as well as all the other listings here! 

A couple more auctions for Transformers: The Movie Premium Optimus Prime and Megatron has popped up, but these ones feature images of the back of the boxes as well! So now you can see their bios, gimmicks and what both modes look!

Click here for the Prime auction and here for the Megatron auction. You can see the images mirrored in Nevermore's thread here! 

There's a new Transformers: The Movie collectible from the makers of the Allspark Cube scaled replica! PopBox Collectibles will be making a bust of Bumblebee from the movie that will stand roughly 25cm in height, and feature over 40 separate parts to recreate the CGI model! The bust will also come with a detachable battle shield mask, and will have motion sensor LED eyes!

You can see the product description and photo gallery here! Thanks to TFW2005 for the link. 

eBay seller tfctoy has a prerelease auction for Transfomers Movie Leader Class Premium Optimus Prime figure up for bid.  The seller provides a nice shot of the new head sculpt for the Premium release as well as some shots of the new silver paint added to the figure.  This version doesn't seem to have the chrome seen on the TakaraTomy release of the same name.

Click here to see the auction.

IDW Publishing Edito-in-Chief, Chris Ryal, has updated his blog with a bit of promotional artwork for the upcoming "All Hail Megatron" comic book title! The art features a propaganda style rendering of Megatron and the Seekers, and was drawn by Nick Roche with effects done by Trevor Hutchinson. The comic will tell the story of an Earth with the Decepticons in control...and there are no Autobots in sight!

You can see the full image here, thanks to TFW2005 for the link!