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 Memorabilia is surely the most comprehensive and accurate English-language licensed guidebook to explore the history of the entire Transformers brand. The book recounts the original development of the pre-Transformer toylines, 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 important characters, creators, and franchise milestones.

Interactive content

Vault contains 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:

• The 1984 United Kingdom Transformers toy catalogue.
• A sheet of Tech Specs for Sunstreaker, Trailbreaker, Inferno, Wheeljack and Smokescreen, along with Tech Spec reader.
• Lineart of Casey 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 by Josh Burcham.
• An animation cel of Optimus Prime, Ratchet and Mirage from The Transformers cartoon episode "More than Meets the Eye, Part 3". Courtesy of Toei Animation.
• The cover to the Japanese LaserDisc release of The Transformers: The Movie.
• A double-sided character model sheet for Rodimus 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 of Revenge 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-Transformer Trailbreaker; Diakron predecessor for Ironhide.
  • 1986 patent for Megatron's toy and accompanying photographs of said toy.
  • Pre-Transformers Bumblebee toy box and an early red version of Bumblebee.
  • Blaster toy prototypes.
  • Wax prototypes for Bruticus and the Combaticons.
  • Concept sculpt for Inferno's head.
  • Original Sunstreaker toy and the early wooden models of the original Sideswipe toy.
  • 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, the Decepto-Pack and 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 the Transformers Board Game boxfront.
  • Starscream 3-D jigsaw puzzle.
  • The Transformers Activity Center in its original packaging.
• Overview of Robot Points, S.T.A.R.S. media, and accompanying images.
• Stingray Headmaster Decepticon concept art.
• Overview of early Japanese exclusive toys.
• Various other Generation One era toys.
• Concept art for a MicroMaster deluxe vehicle transformation sequence.
• Action Master Omega Supreme concept board.
• MicroMaster Quick Switch concept 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 for Torca.
  • Japanese catalogue page promoting the Beast Wars line.
• Robots in Disguise overview.
• Unicron Trilogy overview.
  • Various Unicron trilogy toylines concept sketches.
  • Comparison between the original 1987 Unicron toy prototype and the Transformers twenty-fifth anniversary Unicron toy.
• Alternators and Masterpiece Editions overview.
• Transformers: Classics overview.
• Transformers Animated overview.
• Live Transformers overview.
• Transformers: Crossovers overview.
• Transformers comics:
  • Stills from the 1984 commercial for the Transformers comic books.
  • Scans from the Marvel The Transformers comics; both interiors and covers.
  • Crossovers in Transformers comics.
  • Scans from The Special Teams Have Arrived.
  • Dreamwave comics overview.
  • Transformers Manga overview.
  • Club Comics overview.
  • BotCon merchandise overview.
  • IDW comics overview, including Generation One comics, Beast Era comics and live action movie comics.
    • Hearts of Steel overview.
• Transformers on Television.
  • The original cartoon.
    • VHS packaging for Season 1 episodes.
  • Various origins for the Transformers race throughout media.
  • The Transformers: The Movie and its soundtrack.
  • Scan of the Optimus Prime Is Back flyer.
  • Japanese Transformers cartoons overview (1985-1990).
    • The Japanese Transformers soundtrack on vinyl.
  • Screenshots of Optimus Prime and Tommy Kennedy.
  • The Beast Era cartoons.
  • The Robots in Disguise cartoon.
  • The Unicron trilogy cartoons.
  • The Transformers Animated cartoon.
  • The Transformers: Prime cartoon.
    • 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 the Dark of the Moon style guide.
• The War for Cybertron video game and related fiction.
  • Previous Transformers video games, including packaging photography.
  • Map of Cybertron.

Covers

United States

• Slipcase: Hasbro stock images of Generation 1 Optimus Prime (on front) and Megatron (on back) by Don Figueroa.
• Front cover: Powermaster Optimus Prime package art, Optimus Primal by Don Figueroa from Beast Wars Sourcebook, and live-action Optimus Prime package art (composited from Battle Blades and Battle Hooks artwork).
• Back cover: Generation 1 Megatron package art, Beast Wars Megatron by Guido Guidi from Beast Wars Sourcebook, and live-action Megatron Revenge of the Fallen promotional 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: Energon Arcee is referred to as "a female Autobot car" rather than a motorcycle.
• p. 55: Transformers: Crossovers Hulk is referred to as transforming into a tank, but the photograph is of the bulldozer Hulk.
• pp.76–77: Spotlight: Doubledealer's cover art is credited to Dan Khanna instead of E.J. Su.
• pp.100–101: The Transformers: The Movie is said to have been released in Japan in 1986 rather than 1989.
• p.114: Longrack is referred to as "Longneck"
• p.117: Strika is referred to as "Strike"
• p.126: Digitalscape is described as being the animators of Prime, not Polygon Pictures
• p.130: The initial treatment of Transformers is credited to Don Murphy, not Tom DeSanto
• p.153: Silverbolt is absent from the character list for War for Cybertron.

External links

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