Ever since the
announcement that a live-action
Tranformers film was in-the-works, we've known here at TVShowsOnDVD that we should expect an explosion of DVDs for all the various versions of the animated series.
Well, while most of us fans are still enjoying our August purchase of
Beast Wars: The Complete 1st Season, Rhino has moved forward and made several announcements!
Most importantly, they have announced the first DVD releases for the Third Season of the original Transformers series! October 14th is now the official release date for the 3-disc set called Season 3, Part 1 ($49.95 SRP), as well as single disc releases of Season 3, Volume 1, Season 3, Volume 2, and Season 3, Volume 3 ($14.95 SRP for each). We realize that the image at the right doesn't say "Part 1" on it, but it is a scan from a trade magazine that had to be submitted months in advance, so it is almost assuredly not the final artwork. There were 30 half-hour episodes during Season 3. With this being a 3-disc set, and having a stated running time of 370 minutes, we don't see how the entire 3rd season could be included on that release. The math just doesn't add up. So we expect there to be a "Part 2" later on.
On top of all of that, word has reached the comic book dealers via the "Previews" catalog of upcoming orderable items, that before the end of this year we will be able to buy DVD releases of
Transformers Armada Volume 1 and
Transformers Armada Volume 2. Each will be a 1-disc release with a list price of $14.95. No word yet either way about an
Armada box set.
Looking forward to the future, Rhino has posted a survey asking for fan input about other favorite cartoon shows to bring to DVD. Among the choices on the survey are
Transformers: Headmasters and
Transformers: Robots In Disguise. So check out our
article about it, and be sure to vote for all your favorites! (Fans of G1
Transformers will probably also want to cast a vote for a
Voltron release, since a) these are rather similar shows in many ways, and b) since Peter "Optimus Prime" Cullen voiced over the opening sequence on
Voltron.)
Finally, we want to remind you that there was a cameo appearance of Optimus Prime himself in the "lost episode" of
Family Guy. That episode - "When You Wish Upon A Weinstein" - becomes available on DVD this Tuesday, Sept. 9th on the
Family Guy - Volume 2 DVD set. Don't miss it!
