The Energon Pub

[Aesmodan]

Hey all,

I just recently got back into TF comics and was having difficulty determining what recent reprints I should be buying with attention to the older comics I already had.

I therefore compiled this listing to outline what's contained in the various reprint volumes, and am posting it here in the event it is useful as a buying/reading guide for anyone else. Example situations/advice appears at the bottom.

Correction/clarifications welcome.


IDW Classic Transformers Reprints

Classic Transformers Volume 1
Contains Marvel G1 #1-16

Classic Transformers Volume 2
Contains Marvel G1 #17-32

Classic Transformers Volume 3
Contains Marvel G1 #33-46

Classic Transformers Volume 4
Contains Marvel G1 #47-61

Classic Transformers Volume 5
Contains Marvel G1 #62-74

Classic Transformers Volume 6
Contains:
-Marvel G1 #75-80;
-Marvel Headmasters #1-4
-The original three-part Transformers Movie adaptation written by Ralph Macchio.



Omnibi and Compilations

UK Omnibus
Contains:
-Best of UK: Dinobots
-Best of UK: Space Pirates
-Best of UK: Time Wars

*No Omnibus yet exists containing UK: Target 2006, City of Fear and Prey (strange, since these frame the volumes above, and given the popularity of Target 2006).

G.I. Joe Vs. The Transformers Omnibus
Contains volumes 1-4 of Image/Devil's Due's G.I. Joe Vs. The Transformers -- not Marvel's. (Important to know for Marvel G1 fans!)

War Within Omnibus (OOP)
Contains Dreamwave War Within volumes 1-2, and volume 3 Age of Wrath.

Armada Omnibus
Contains Dreamwave Armada #1-18.

Transformers Energon volume 1
Contains Dreamwave Energon continuation from Armada above, #19-30.

Transformers: More than Meets the Eye (MTMTE) Volume 1
Contains Dreamwave's MTMTE #1-4 (TFs character biographies, one to a page).

Transformers: More than Meets the Eye (MTMTE) Volume 2
Contains Dreamwave's MTMTE #5-8 (TFs character biographies, one to a page).

Beast Wars Omnibus
Contains IDW:
-Beast Wars: The Gathering [#1-4]
-Beast Wars: The Ascending [#1-4]
-Beast Wars: Sourcebook [#1-4]


IDW Collection Hardcovers

IDW Collection Volume 1
Contains:
-Megatron Origins #1-4 (OOP)
-Infiltration #0-6.
-Spotlights:
--Blurr
--Cliffjumper
--Shockwave
--Nightbeat
--Hotrod

IDW Collection Volume 2
Contains:
-Stormbringer #1-4
-Escalation #1-6
-Spotlights:
--Sixshot
--Ultra Magnus
--Kup
--Soundwave.

IDW Collection Volume 3
Contains:
-Devastation #1-6
-Spotlights:
--Galvatron
--Ramjet
--Wheelie
--Blaster
--Arcee
--Grimlock
--Mirage.

Transformers Premiere Edition Volume 1 (OOP)
Contains:
-Infiltration #0-6
-Stormbringer #1-4
-Escalation #1-6
-Spotlights:
--Shockwave
--Nightbeat
--Hot Rod
--Sixshot
--Ultra Magnus

Transformers Premiere Edition Volume 2 (Not yet OOP)
Contains:
-Devastation #1-6
-Spotlights:
--Soundwave
--Kup
--Galvatron
--Optimus Prime
--Ramjet
--Blaster
--Arcee
--Mirage
--Grimlock
--Wheelie
--Cyclonus
--Hardhead
--Doubledealer
--Sideswipe

Transformers Movie Collection volume 1
-TFs Movie Prequel
-Movie Adaptation
-Reign of Starscream

Transformers Movie Collection volume 2
Contains:
-Alliance/Defiance
-Revenge of the Fallen


Examples:

1. If you're trying to get up to date on the IDW timeline, you're better off getting the IDW Collection Hardcovers, since they compile most of the IDW books to date (I've already made the mistake of buying some of them individually. If money is not a concern, you could get hold of the Premiere Editions, which are more extensive).
2. If you're after old skool Marvel G1, you want the "Classic Transformers" reprints.
3. If you just want the comics related to the recent TFs movies, all six installations are available in two compiled hardcovers.
4. E.g., Dreamwave's Armada or IDW's BeastWars are available in convenient Omnibus editions.
5. Some series considered out of print and hard to get (G1 Headmasters, War Within, Megatron Origins) are available as recent reprints.

(Etc etc.)

Hope this helps,
-Aes