Don't forget that this Saturday, May 3rd, is Free Comic Book Day! Most comic shops will have a selection of free comics from major and independent publishers, all yours for the taking. Some may also feature additional events or special sales.

This year, IDW will be providing a free copy of the first issue of the Transformers Animated comic, which is an adaptation of the first episode of the TV series. Actually, it's composed entirely of screenshots of the animated Animated, with dialogue converted to speech balloons. A 4-page PDF preview of the comic is available here.

Click here to learn more about Free Comic Book Day and find a participating comic shop near you.

The Optimus Prime versus Megatron Transformers Animated Deluxe 2 Pack has reached the shores of the United Kingdom!  kage from Auto Assembly found the 2 Pack at the local Poole Toys 'R Us.  So for you UK fans craving for anything Transformers Animated, are now in luck!  You can view photo evidence at here.

Thanks to TFW2005 for the news and Anonymous X for the TRU location.  Have you found any new Animated figures?  If so post your sightings in our Sightings Forum.

We've got two Transformers 2 filming location updates today, both courtesy of... well, completely unofficial second-hand sources. But they seem plausible, so let's dive in!

First, SlashFilm has a quote from one of their readers, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, who heard from "some friends in student government" that the Transformers: The Movie sequel would be filming in one of the "nicer fraternities" on campus. He also says that director Michael Bay was spotted at the school recently, perhaps scouting the location. SlashFilm guesses U-Penn might be a less expensive stand-in for Princeton, where Sam Witwicky is rumored to be attending college. Read more at SlashFilm.

Further, TFW2005 boards member FREEFALL works at a radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and overheard a morning interview with an unnamed guest who claimed to be the stunt coordinator for Transformers 2, and said the sequel would be filming scenes in the Albuquerque area. IMDB lists the stunt coordinator for TF2 as longtime Bay collaborator Kenny Bates.

As always, without official confirmation, don't start booking plane tickets to try and see some action. Just sit back, relax, and discuss the sequel in our Movie Forum.  

In one of the most what the hug things we've seen in a long time, director Uwe Boll has challenged Transformers (2007) director Michael Bay to a boxing match!  Responding to criticism from Michael Bay, Uwe Boll has challenged Bay to a boxing match scheduled to last 12 rounds to take place in September - if Bay accepts the challenge.

You can view the video challenge and discuss the news in the thread started by PiratedTVPro.

The latest BigBadToyStore Newsletter reveals a 15% off sale on all older items, and a slew of Transformers products! Click "Read More" for the full email, or check out the Transformers stuff below:

NEW PREORDERS

• E-Hobby Omega Supreme Recolor
  
• FansProject Classics Ultra Magnus Trailer
  

NEW ARRIVALS

• HenKei (Japanese Classics) Astrotrain
  
• BotCon 2008 Exclusives
  
• Hard Hero Busts Restock & Sale!
  
• Coronation Starscream Bust
  
• Thundercracker Bust
  

Allspark member longamer8 has gotten her signed copy of IDW's Animated Miniseries #1, and has graciously shared a brief review of it! As with all first issues, it does a bit of setting up, which makes it similar to "Roll Out" in that regards. However, it does also go into a little more into what's happening on Cybertron, so it won't be exactly the same as the show opener!

Click here to read the review. Most major spoilers were avoided, but if you want to steer clear of them entirely, entire at your own risk! 

For those fans who were unable to attend Botcon this year but were fortunate enough to preorder the non-attending Iacon Packages, we have good news for you.  Allspark member Waspinator reported that he received his 6 Figure Shattered Glass Iacon Package in the mail today!  So keep an eye out for the evil Optimus Prime, Goldbug, Grimlock, Jazz, and the heroic Starscream and Razorclaw - as they're heading your way!

You can discuss the news in this thread in our forums.

We've seen this cover progress from a sketch to inks...and now we get to see it colored! Colorer Josh Burcham has updated his DeviantART page with the colors for IDW's All Hail Megatron #2 which were first shown at Botcon this weekend. You can look for this comic book at comic book stores this August, and then we'll finally know just why Soundwave looks so menacing!

Click here to see the colors on Josh Burcham's DeviantART page!

EHobby has updated its Transformers Encore Guardian Robot pre-order page with images of the figure's packaging and bio card! The entire box will be blue; blue line art, blue toy images, blue logos...All of which matches the main color on the figure. You can expect this Japanese exclusive to start shipping in September!

Click here to see the pre-order page! 

Allsparker Monzo has posted some exciting news in the form of many new (or not so new) Transformers trademark applications by Hasbro.  The list includes some known characters from the TF: Animated show as well as some familiar names from G1!  Destined for Animated, or are these future TF Universe/Classics 2.0 toys?  Time will tell!  Check out the links below or click here for the original thread!