Transformers Vault

Transformers Vault
The Complete Transformers Universe Showcasing Rare Collectibles and Memorabilia
Publisher	Harry N. Abrams(United States),Ice Water Press(Australia)
First published	June 8,2011
Written by	Pablo Hidalgo, Peter Cullen(foreword)
ISBN	ISBN 0810998688 ISBN 978-0810998681
Page count	160

Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe Showcasing Rare Collectibles and Memorabiliais one of the more comprehensive and accurate English-language licensed guidebooks to explore the history of the entireTransformers brand.The book recounts the original development of thepre-Transformertoylines, the conception of the foundational storyline and marketing elements in the 1980s, and then each successive incarnation of the international toylines, media, and merchandising, with spotlights on importantcharacters,creators,andfranchisemilestones.

Contents 1Interactive content 2Other notable content 3Covers 4Errors 5External links

Interactive content

Vaultcontains seven pieces of interactive memorabilia, reproductions of artifacts, and artwork from throughout Transformer history, some removable that are stored in pockets built into the pages, while others are bound into the book or attached to the pages. These include:

• The1984United KingdomTransformerstoycatalog.
• A sheet ofTech SpecsforSunstreaker,Trailbreaker,Inferno,Wheeljack,andSmokescreen,along with Tech Spec reader.
• Lineart ofCasey Coller's winning entry from IDW's Cover Contest, which won him his first job with the company, contained in a page pocket of the same artwork, colored byJosh Burcham.
• An animation cel ofOptimus Prime,RatchetandMiragefromThe Transformerscartoon episode "More than Meets the Eye, Part 3".Courtesy ofToei Animation.
• The cover to the JapaneseLaserDiscrelease ofThe Transformers: The Movie.
• A double-sidedcharacter modelsheet forRodimus Prime,featuring a casting sheet on the reverse that includes a description of the character and sample dialogue from a scene not in the film.
• A ticket for the June 22, 2009 premiere ofRevenge of the Fallen.

Other notable content

• Various Generation One era box art.
• Foreword by Peter Cullen
• Overview of the Transformers toys' predecessors (Micro Change, Diaclone, etc.) and their evolution into the original Transformers toys.
  • Toy photographs: Battle Convoy (Optimus predecessor); pre-TransformerTrailbreaker;Diakron predecessor forIronhide.
  • 1986patent forMegatron's toy and accompanying photographs of said toy.
  • Pre-Transformers Bumblebee toy box and an early red version of Bumblebee.
  • Blastertoy prototypes.
  • Wax prototypes forBruticusand theCombaticons.
  • Concept sculpt forInferno's head.
  • OriginalSunstreakertoy and the early wooden models of the originalSideswipetoy.
  • Scans of early U.K. catalogues.
  • Early version of the Jazz toy.
• Overview of miscellaneous Transformers merchandise that accompanied the toyline.
  • Photographs of an Autobot-themed lunchbox, Transformers roller-skates, a Hide-n-Sleep tent, Autobot-themed slippers, theDecepto-Packand its packaging, and a pedal car loosely based on Jazz.
  • Diagram for the "proof of identity" stickers found on 1985-1987 Transformers toys.
  • Scan of theTransformers Board Gameboxfront.
  • Starscream3-D jigsaw puzzle.
  • TheTransformers Activity Centerin its original packaging.
• Overview ofRobot Points,S.T.A.R.S.media, and accompanying images.
• Stingray Headmaster Decepticonconcept art.
• Overview of early Japanese exclusive toys.
• Various other Generation One era toys.
• Concept art for a MicroMaster deluxe vehicle transformation sequence.
• Action MasterOmega Supremeconcept board.
• MicroMasterQuick Switchconcept art.
• Generation 2 overview.
  • Cover for the Generation 2 European catalog.
  • Various unreleased G2 packaging artwork.
  • G2 Gobots overview.
• Beast Era overview.
  • Wax concept sculpt forTorca.
  • Japanese catalogue page promoting the Beast Wars line.
• Robots in Disguiseoverview.
• Unicron Trilogyoverview.
  • Various Unicron trilogy toylines concept sketches.
  • Comparison between the original1987Unicrontoy prototype and the Transformers twenty-fifth anniversary Unicron toy.
• AlternatorsandMasterpiece Editionsoverview.
• Transformers: Classicsoverview.
• Transformers Animatedoverview.
• Live Transformersoverview.
• Transformers: Crossoversoverview.
• Transformers comics:
  • Stills from the 1984 commercial for the Transformers comic books.
  • Scans from theMarvelThe Transformerscomics; both interiors and covers.
  • Crossovers in Transformers comics.
  • Scans fromThe Special Teams Have Arrived.
  • Dreamwavecomics overview.
  • Transformers Manga overview.
  • ClubComics overview.
  • BotConmerchandise overview.
  • IDWcomics overview, including Generation One comics, Beast Era comics and live action movie comics.
    • Hearts of Steeloverview.
• Transformers on Television.
  • The original cartoon.
    • VHS packaging for Season 1 episodes.
  • Various origins for the Transformers race throughout media.
  • The Transformers: The Movieand its soundtrack.
  • Scan of theOptimus Prime Is Backflyer.
  • Japanese Transformers cartoons overview (1985-1990).
    • The Japanese Transformers soundtrack on vinyl.
  • Screenshots of Optimus Prime andTommy Kennedy.
  • The Beast Era cartoons.
  • The Robots in Disguise cartoon.
  • The Unicron trilogy cartoons.
  • The Transformers Animated cartoon.
  • TheTransformers: Primecartoon.
    • Photograph of the giant statue of Optimus Prime at Comic-Con 2010 in San Diego.
• The Transformers films.
  • The new wave of non-toy Transformers merchandise.
  • Sketches from theDark of the Moonstyle guide.
• TheWar for Cybertronvideo game and related fiction.
  • Previous Transformers video games, including packaging photography.
  • Map of Cybertron.

Covers

United States

• Slipcase:Hasbro stock images of Generation 1Optimus Prime(on front) andMegatron(on back) byDon Figueroa.
• Front cover:PowermasterOptimus Primepackage art,Optimus PrimalbyDon FigueroafromBeast Wars Sourcebook,andlive-action Optimus Primepackage art (composited from Battle Blades and Battle Hooks artwork).
• Back cover:Generation 1 Megatron package art,Beast WarsMegatronbyGuido GuidifromBeast Wars Sourcebook,andlive-action MegatronRevenge of the Fallenpromotional render.

Australia

• Slipcase:Autobot symbol (on front) and Generation 1 Optimus Prime (on back) by Figueroa.
• Front cover:Decepticon symbol
• Back cover:Generation 1 Megatron by Figueroa.

Errors

• p. 14: The fold-out catalog is referred to as being issued in America, but was only issued in the UK
• p. 42:EnergonArceeis referred to as "a female Autobot car" rather than a motorcycle
• p. 45:Tidal Wavehas his name spelled as "Tidalwave" twice
• p. 55:Transformers: CrossoversHulkis referred to as transforming into a tank, but the photograph is of the bulldozer Hulk
• p. 76–77:Spotlight: Doubledealer'scover art is credited to Dan Khanna instead of E.J. Su
• p. 100–101:The Transformers: The Movieis said to have been released in Japan in 1986 rather than 1989
• p. 114:Longrackis referred to as "Longneck"
• p. 117:Strikais referred to as "Strike"
• p. 120: While the subject of the page isTransformers: Energon,one of the images ofOptimus Primeis pulled from the closing shots of theTransformers: Armadaepisode "Mortal Combat"
• p. 126:Digitalscapeis described as being the animators ofPrime,notPolygon Pictures
• p. 130: The initial treatment ofTransformersis credited toDon Murphy,notTom DeSanto
• p. 153:Silverboltis absent from the character list forWar for Cybertron

External links

• Transformers Vault on Abrams Books's site
• Abrams Book video preview