BOOK REVIEW: Transformers Vault - The Complete Transformers Universe

[JeffSaylor]

No more disguises...

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As a boy growing up in the '80s, it meant one or two things: you were a Transformers fan or you weren’t a Transformers fan. Dring that time, there was no escaping it. From roller skates to Uderoos, Transformers were everywhere – it was the Star Wars of the decade. Now nearly thirty years later, Transformers have come a long way in toys, comics, cartoons, and live-action feature films and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Keeping track of it all would be a rather difficult task but with the help of the new book TRANSFORMERS VAULT by Pablo Hidalgo, you can chronicle the histories of the Transformers with ease.

Published by Abrams, the book is officially licensed by Hasbro and includes a forward by Optimus Prime himself, Peter Cullen. The "Vault" offers casual and hardcore fans alike a comprehensive look at the entire Transformers brand, one category at a time. While there have been several books in Japan offering a look at our favorite robots in disguise, there are a few things here that fans have not seen before. Also adding to the fun are seven interactive pieces of memorabilia (repro animation cel, Transformers: The Movie art, G1 toy tech specs, etc.) all contained in an attractive hardcover slipcase.

There are five chapters in this book, all a worthy read: The Toys That Started It All, World-Building in Comics, The Transformers on Television, Big Robots, Big Screen, Big Hit, and The Future. The fact-filled book goes behind the scenes and even includes animation sketches, interviews, packaging art and much, much more.

If you’re looking for a book on every G1 toy ever released, you won’t find that here (how about it, Abrams? Can we get that book?). What you will find is an entertaining read about the brand that has changed toy shelves for decades. Check out this youtube clip for more on this exciting book:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMPgpV30tbM"]Transformers Vault[/ame]

TRANSFORMERS VAULT is available where books are sold with a retail price of $35. If you’re a Transformers fan, this needs to be a part of your bookshelf.

Transformers Vault: The complete Transformers Universe / Showcasing Rare Collectibles and Memoriabilia
Abrams; Hardcover with slipcase; 159 pages, color illustrated
Pub Date: June 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8109-9868-1


Review and Photography by David Yeh

Transformers Vault Courtesy of Abrams Books

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