'Transformers' Toys Live Up To Big-screen Robots

Mueller spent about $3,000 over the four-day event. "It's one of the few places where you can actually find the stuff and see it firsthand," he said. "That's the real draw for me."

His favorite character: "Optimus Prime. He's the man."

"These characters mean something to someone," said Archer, the Hasbro toy designer. "If they're going to go out and purchase a plastic avatar, they want it to look like what they see on the big screen, so we try to bring it to them in all its glory."