It's easily the most highly anticipated event in the history of the Transformers. Among fans 07-04-07 will go down in history as a day long anticipated and well remembered.   Listed below a photo gallery of images, leaked and official from the feature film.  Beneath that, a description of the cast of characters, as described by the films authors, Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci.

OPTIMUS PRIME: noble, wise,  Shakespearian style commander.

BUMBLEBEE:  He's the same underdog character, the scout, the one that comes ahead of the Autobots, the smallest of the gang.

JAZZ: is rock and roll, he’s the guy who believes if you can’t do something w/ style don’t do it all.  He’s the most contemporary, blends into other culture better.  He’ll be.

RATCHET: will have a new form (didn't say what it would be), the science officer, repair tf’s wounded in battle, the smartest cybertronian ER, he’s the one, will be tied to this character.

IRONHIDE:  Can make any transformer bust an o-ring just by looking his way.  A "classic cowboy”.  Optimus’ oldest friend.  >They talked about the dynamic of their relationship despite their great personality differences.

DECEPTICONS:
MEGATRON: not just pure evil, but we really wanted to flush out the particulars of his evil, His is social Darwinistic view.  It’s his god given right as the most evolved being to rule.

STARSCREAM: an ~~ type, secretly plotting to dethrone Megatron.  We’ll see a lot of that dynamic in the movie.  He’s the Starscream character we all grew up with.

BRAWL:  An extremely pissed off Decepticon. Always ready for a battle, even when he's over his head.  He’s the heavy lifter of the group.  The first into battle. With the Decepticons tried to go with not necessarily just the most recognizable characters.  Also gave us an inkling that they’re not just going to be original first season G1 favorites.

BONECRUSHER:  Closest thing to a Constructicon.  He hates all the other Decepticon.  He responds... (Shoot sorry I missed this part!)  Even if you try to make him your friend he'll hate you more.

BARRICADE, the hunter of the group.  The epotime of Decepticon hunter. His’ alt mode is the most concealed.  For this reason he camouflages himself as a symbol of safety.

SCORPONOK/ SCORPONOK?:  When you  see him int the movie you’ll see that the form will make sense for where he's at (presumably in the dessert...)

FRENZY: a character that had initially started him out as soundwave, the way this character developed Frenzy embodies different personality characteristics.  So rather than trying to make him Soundwave, and fitting a square peg in a round hole, we just made him Frenzy.  He has a smaller form, able to infiltrate, every and any place he wants.  A stealth spy, he's always the first tier attack.

BLACKOUT: Biggest,  he is the mover and shaker.  He can clear an area, get people off the battle field...

To check out a few of our news postings with a summary of what was learned at the live news conference with Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman, check out LINK 1 and  LINK2.

As you might imagine, there'll be more to come!

COMICS

With great anticipation for the movie, we are treated to an official prequel by IDW Comics. Also available in trade paperback, collecting all four issues. Written by Chris Ryall with Simon Furman and art by Don Figueroa.

Movie Prequel #1 covers
The origin of the Allspark is revealed, as well as the relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron. Bumblebee leads a crew of Autobots, including Arcee, against the Decepticons at Tyger Pax. Bumblebee is forever changed when he encounters Megatron.

Movie Prequel #2 covers
Megatron makes planetfall on Earth in search of the Allspark, but with an unforeseen predicament. The human involvement is shown, from Captain Witwicky in the Arctic to Sector 7.

Movie Prequel #3 covers
Sector 7 is in possession of the Allspark and in control of Megatron, dubbed "Mega Man" or "NBE-1". Bumblebee makes planetfall, only to be followed by S7. Also, Starscream and others arrive at Earth's moon.

Movie Prequel #4 covers
Everything leads up to the beginning of the movie. Everyone is after Bumblebee, but he has problems of his own. Sector 7 sets a trap for Bumblebee that lures the Decepticons.