Ladybird Books
Ladybird Books is a British publishing company which released several Transformers storybooks 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 consistently employ the principle of “robots in disguise” – 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.
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.
