Ladybird Books: Difference between revisions
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'''Ladybird Books''' is a British publishing company which released several Transformers storybooks and audio cassettes under their "Tell-A-Tale" line from 1985 to 1988, all written by [[John Grant]]. | '''Ladybird Books''' is a British publishing company which released several Transformers storybooks and audio cassettes under their "Tell-A-Tale" line from 1985 to 1988, all written by [[John Grant]]. | ||
Not based in any of the major existing Generation 1 [[continuity|continuities]], the books draw from various sources. Some thematic concepts in the early books are drawn specifically from the original cartoon pilot, | Not based in any of the major existing Generation 1 [[continuity|continuities]], the books draw from various sources. Some thematic concepts in the early books are drawn specifically from the original cartoon pilot, "[[More Than Meets The Eye, Part 1|More Than Meets The Eye]]", such as Spike keeping a journal and [[Rumble]] acting as a hench-thug for [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], presumably borne out of their discussion on treachery in the first episode. Conversely, the 1986 books spin their storylines out of the [[Marvel UK]] serial "[[Target 2006]]", describing the events of that story as the reason for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] replacing Prime and Megatron. | ||
The books were not, however, above doing their own thing. Of particular note is the characterisation of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and Starscream | The books were not, however, above doing their own thing. Of particular note is the characterisation of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and Starscream; the former is portrayed as a very aged, wily character, to contrast with the latter’s rendition as a user of clumsy, brute strength. The books also remain one of the few early Generation 1 continuities to employ the principle of “robots in disguise” consistently. One of the major points of the early books is the Autobots’ desire to carry out their war with a maximum of secrecy, preventing humans from even becoming aware of their existence. The Ladybird titles were further distinguished in 1988 when characters who received little attention in other fiction, such as [[Quickswitch]] and the [[Double Targetmasters]], were cast in starring roles. | ||
Artistically, the illustrations present on every page are strictly based on the toys of the characters, down to headless [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and trigger-crotch Megatron. | Artistically, the illustrations present on every page are strictly based on the toys of the characters, down to headless [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and trigger-crotch Megatron. | ||
Although the art style was at best inconsistent, at worst wildly off with regard to the robot designs, the stories were well | Although the art style was at best inconsistent, at worst wildly off with regard to the robot designs, the stories were well written with exciting plots that delved quite thoroughly into the secrecy of the Transformers' conflict on Earth. Brief character bios were also provided on the inside front and back covers in the 1985 run of books. The books were also notable for an opening blurb printed in each story and modified slightly for context. The blurb was also read out at the beginning of each audio adaption by a Victor Caroli-esque narrator, set to a synthesizer theme that contains elements of the classic "Transformers! More than meets the eye" leitmotif. | ||
'' | ''Once, long ago, a race of robot beings called Autobots were forced to wage war against another race of robots called Decepticons to bring peace back to their home planet of Cybertron. As the war went on, chance brought both sides to Earth. They crashed so violently on landing that all the robots lay in the Earth's crust, seemingly without life, for over four million years.'' | ||
''The Autobots have to defend themselves. They must protect this planet, with all | ''Then, the energy set in motion by a powerful volcanic eruption gives them life once more, and the war starts all over again here on Earth. Among the robots' many strange powers is the ability to transform into other shapes, and they use this to disguise themselves to fit in among the civilisation they find on Earth.'' | ||
''The Autobots have to defend themselves. They must protect this planet, with all its valuable resources and the people who live here, and they must also build a new spaceship if they are ever to get back to Cyberton - THE TRANSFORMERS!'' | |||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*In all of the books featuring Transformers with [[Nebulan]] companions, no mention is ever made of their binary | *In all of the books featuring Transformers with [[Nebulan]] companions, no mention is ever made of their binary bonding in the text. (In ''[[Autobots Strike Oil]]'', [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] is even said to transform into robot mode and look around while [[Duros]] is absent, so the illustrator tries to cope by just showing Hardhead without a head in this scene.) | ||
*Speaking of whom, the Nebulans are definitely robots in this continuity. | *Speaking of whom, the Nebulans are definitely robots in this continuity. | ||
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladybird_Books Ladybird Books at Wikipedia] | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladybird_Books Ladybird Books at Wikipedia] | ||
* [http://www.green-ranger.com/stuff/ladybird/ Scans online @ green-ranger.com] | * [http://www.green-ranger.com/stuff/ladybird/ Scans online @ green-ranger.com] | ||
[[Category: Companies]] | [[Category: Companies]] | ||
[[Category: Books]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div> | [[Category: Books]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div> | ||
Revision as of 05:23, 3 February 2008
Ladybird Books is a British publishing company which released several Transformers storybooks and audio cassettes under their "Tell-A-Tale" line from 1985 to 1988, all written by John Grant.
Not based in any of the major existing Generation 1 continuities, the books draw from various sources. Some thematic concepts in the early books are drawn specifically from the original cartoon pilot, "More Than Meets The Eye", such as Spike keeping a journal and Rumble acting as a hench-thug for Starscream, presumably borne out of their discussion on treachery in the first episode. Conversely, the 1986 books spin their storylines out of the Marvel UK serial "Target 2006", describing the events of that story as the reason for Ultra Magnus and Galvatron replacing Prime and Megatron.
The books were not, however, above doing their own thing. Of particular note is the characterisation of Megatron and Starscream; the former is portrayed as a very aged, wily character, to contrast with the latter’s rendition as a user of clumsy, brute strength. The books also remain one of the few early Generation 1 continuities to employ the principle of “robots in disguise” consistently. One of the major points of the early books is the Autobots’ desire to carry out their war with a maximum of secrecy, preventing humans from even becoming aware of their existence. The Ladybird titles were further distinguished in 1988 when characters who received little attention in other fiction, such as Quickswitch and the Double Targetmasters, were cast in starring roles.
Artistically, the illustrations present on every page are strictly based on the toys of the characters, down to headless Ratchet and Ironhide and trigger-crotch Megatron.
Although the art style was at best inconsistent, at worst wildly off with regard to the robot designs, the stories were well written with exciting plots that delved quite thoroughly into the secrecy of the Transformers' conflict on Earth. Brief character bios were also provided on the inside front and back covers in the 1985 run of books. The books were also notable for an opening blurb printed in each story and modified slightly for context. The blurb was also read out at the beginning of each audio adaption by a Victor Caroli-esque narrator, set to a synthesizer theme that contains elements of the classic "Transformers! More than meets the eye" leitmotif.
Once, long ago, a race of robot beings called Autobots were forced to wage war against another race of robots called Decepticons to bring peace back to their home planet of Cybertron. As the war went on, chance brought both sides to Earth. They crashed so violently on landing that all the robots lay in the Earth's crust, seemingly without life, for over four million years.
Then, the energy set in motion by a powerful volcanic eruption gives them life once more, and the war starts all over again here on Earth. Among the robots' many strange powers is the ability to transform into other shapes, and they use this to disguise themselves to fit in among the civilisation they find on Earth.
The Autobots have to defend themselves. They must protect this planet, with all its valuable resources and the people who live here, and they must also build a new spaceship if they are ever to get back to Cyberton - THE TRANSFORMERS!
Books
1985
1986
Ladybird also released an adaptation of The Transformers: The Movie this year, also by Grant, which is not part of its larger continuity.
1987
1988
Trivia
- In all of the books featuring Transformers with Nebulan companions, no mention is ever made of their binary bonding in the text. (In Autobots Strike Oil, Hardhead is even said to transform into robot mode and look around while Duros is absent, so the illustrator tries to cope by just showing Hardhead without a head in this scene.)
- Speaking of whom, the Nebulans are definitely robots in this continuity.
