A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe

Friday, April 15th, 2011 10:50AM CDT

Category: Collectibles
Posted by: El Duque Views: 42,443

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Amazon has updated their listing for Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe with new a image that reveals some of the goodies included with the book.

Product Description

For the first time ever, Transformers Vault reveals the complete story of the Transformers, everyone's favorite robots in disguise. Loaded with never-before-seen images, this book is a guide to the epic battle between the Autobots and Decepticons, as it began with toys and television, and continued to comics, film, games, and other media. There's something here for all generations, from classic toys that have become sought-after collectibles to the amazing, high-tech visuals of the three live-action films.

Hasbro has opened its official archives, gathering more than 250 images and several featured pieces of memorabilia. Look inside for a sheet of Generation One tech specs with a secret revealer, a rare pencil sketch from comics artist Casey Coller, an unseen character profile for Hot Rod from the 1986 film, an animation cel, and much more. Exclusive photos of Japanese Transformer prototypes, archival development art, and brand-new information about the future of the Transformers make this the ultimate package for every fan.

The product description from Amazon Japan is a little more revealing.

"The epic battle between the Autobots and Deceptions has captivated fans of all ages for more than two decades, and the robots in disguise were recently rediscovered by a new generation via the hugely successful live-action film series directed by Michael Bay. Officially licensed by Hasbro, The TRANSFORMERS Vault: The Complete TRANSFORMERS Universe covers, for the first time ever, the complete history of TRANSFORMERS, including toys, the original animated series, comics, collectibles, and merchandise, as well as animated and live-action feature films. This heavily illustrated book features never-before-seen images from the Hasbro archives, seven interactive pieces of memorabilia, and an acetate slipcase with a unique "transforming effect." Five visually driven chapters feature early animation sketches, interviews with creators, wooden sculptures for the original toys, patents, prototypes, action-figure designs that never made it to production, vintage packaging art, and set-design sketches from the Michael Bay films."

Credit(s): Amazon, Amazon Japan

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Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1209434)
Posted by Sabrblade on April 15th, 2011 @ 10:56am CDT

Must. Get. This. BOOK!!1!

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1209442)
Posted by zodconvoy on April 15th, 2011 @ 11:17am CDT

I'm getting this in at work so it will be MINE. Every now and then it pays to work at a book store...

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1209451)
Posted by Prime Evil on April 15th, 2011 @ 11:50am CDT

Aaaaaand it's pre-ordered!!

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1209457)
Posted by kirbenvost on April 15th, 2011 @ 12:22pm CDT

This is so going to be mine. If I didn't need my credit card for other things, I'd be preordering it right now.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1209459)
Posted by dirk2243 on April 15th, 2011 @ 12:29pm CDT

I want this!!!! however it will constantly be something that is in progress and not completed. especially with DOTM and Transformers Prime Looming

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1209518)
Posted by SlyTF1 on April 15th, 2011 @ 3:34pm CDT

(Spazzes out.) (Spazzes out hard) When does this come out!!!??? I must...I must know!!! :BOOM:

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1209580)
Posted by El Duque on April 15th, 2011 @ 6:47pm CDT

SlyTF1 wrote:(Spazzes out.) (Spazzes out hard) When does this come out!!!??? I must...I must know!!!

May 23rd.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1209627)
Posted by Fortress Rodimus on April 15th, 2011 @ 8:29pm CDT

That is a must buy for any true fan. I don't know how but i am going to get that.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1222474)
Posted by El Duque on May 15th, 2011 @ 10:40am CDT

The publisher of the upcoming Transformers Vault, Abrams Books, has updated their website with a new an awesome new bit of information. The book will feature a foreword written by Peter Cullen. This book is scheduled for release on June 1st.

Authors: By Pablo Hidalgo; foreword by Peter Cullen
Imprint: Abrams Books
ISBN: 0-8109-9868-8
EAN: 9780810998681
Availability: Prepublication
Publishing Date: 6/1/2011
Trim Size: 10 3/4 x 9 1/4
Page Count: 160
Cover: Hardcover with slipcase
Illustrations: 250 color illustrations

About the book
For the first time ever, Transformers Vault reveals the complete story of the Transformers, everyone's favorite robots in disguise. Loaded with never-before-seen images, this book is a guide to the epic battle between the Autobots and Decepticons, as it began with toys and television, and continued to comics, film, games, and other media. There's something here for all generations, from classic toys that have become sought-after collectibles to the amazing, high-tech visuals of the three live-action films.

Hasbro has opened its official archives, gathering more than 250 images and several featured pieces of memorabilia. Look inside for a sheet of Generation One tech specs with a secret revealer, a rare pencil sketch from comics artist Casey Coller, an unseen character profile for Hot Rod from the 1986 film, an animation cel, and much more. Exclusive photos of Japanese Transformer prototypes, archival development art, and brand-new information about the future of the Transformers make this the ultimate package for every fan.

About the author
Pablo Hidalgo is the managing editor at StarWars.com and the author of G.I. Joe vs. Cobra: The Essential Guide. Peter Cullen provided the voice of Optimus Prime in the original Transformers TV series, the 1986 animated film, the new TV series Transformers: Prime, and all three live-action films to date.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1222477)
Posted by OlivusPrime on May 15th, 2011 @ 10:53am CDT

Definitely getting this. The fact that Peter Cullen has written a foreword shows how fond he is of the franchise and its fanbase. Or Hasbro paid him big bucks :lol:

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1222498)
Posted by UltraPrimal on May 15th, 2011 @ 11:20am CDT

If it's at BotCon, I'll flip through it. But I don't know if it's worth buying. I doubt it will have very much "new" material in it. And anything it does have worth reading will probably be on the wiki soon after it's release.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1222552)
Posted by Fortress Rodimus on May 15th, 2011 @ 1:17pm CDT

Ordered this two weeks ago and cannot wait until i get this in the mail. :grin:

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1226996)
Posted by El Duque on May 22nd, 2011 @ 10:50pm CDT

While it's become commonplace to get video reviews of upcoming figures it's not everyday we get a video review of a book! Abrams Books the publisher of the soon to be released Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe has uploaded a video to their YouTube account that shows off some of the goodies that we can look forward to when the book releases on June 1st! Check out the video below.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1227001)
Posted by Autobot032 on May 22nd, 2011 @ 10:57pm CDT

Holy crap. I want that.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1227009)
Posted by Dclone Soundwave on May 22nd, 2011 @ 11:19pm CDT

SO MUCH WIN. Definitely gonna pick this up when I have a chance.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1227022)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on May 23rd, 2011 @ 12:46am CDT

That was a short review, but I'm still planning on getting that.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1227024)
Posted by Seibertron on May 23rd, 2011 @ 12:56am CDT

Got my shipping notification from Amazon today for this. Hopefully it'll be here in the next few days.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1227026)
Posted by JRFitzpatrick7 on May 23rd, 2011 @ 1:06am CDT

Looking forward to this a lot, I love love love behind the scenes material and I'm really thrilled to read more about the franchise.

On a different note, now that the third movie is almost out, are the odds any better that we might see a movieverse concept art collection? I for one love the intricate designs of the movie transformers but I would live to see some of the scrapped designs as well as location designs (ala cybertron, the nemesis, the ark). Books like this are available for the star wars movies and I think they would be great for these movies as well.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1227098)
Posted by Cyberstrike on May 23rd, 2011 @ 8:36am CDT

I ordered mine through my local comic book store. I hope the store ordered it.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1227106)
Posted by NatsumeRyu on May 23rd, 2011 @ 9:00am CDT

JRFitzpatrick7 wrote:Looking forward to this a lot, I love love love behind the scenes material and I'm really thrilled to read more about the franchise.

On a different note, now that the third movie is almost out, are the odds any better that we might see a movieverse concept art collection? I for one love the intricate designs of the movie transformers but I would live to see some of the scrapped designs as well as location designs (ala cybertron, the nemesis, the ark). Books like this are available for the star wars movies and I think they would be great for these movies as well.

Seconded.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1227282)
Posted by griftimus prime on May 23rd, 2011 @ 4:09pm CDT

what a waste of money.

my ultimute guide to the transformers, generations deluxe and genesis books will be fine thanks.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1227344)
Posted by Fistful of Energon on May 23rd, 2011 @ 5:54pm CDT

Seibertron wrote:Got my shipping notification from Amazon today for this. Hopefully it'll be here in the next few days.

Mine as well! Had this bad boy preordered since it was announced :grin:

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1227643)
Posted by SJ21 on May 24th, 2011 @ 10:42am CDT

I didn't order this one, but I am curious about how it is. Anyone get theirs yet?

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1227646)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 24th, 2011 @ 10:49am CDT

SJ21 wrote:I didn't order this one, but I am curious about how it is. Anyone get theirs yet?

It's not out yet.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1229122)
Posted by Fistful of Energon on May 26th, 2011 @ 7:36pm CDT

Just got my copy today, Its a pretty impressive book! the little pull out extras provide a unique touch that I really enjoy.

I have only read the first quarter of the book so far, but have enjoyed what I have read so far. I know alot of what it contains has been printed in other books in the past but nothing is wrong with an updated collection.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1229384)
Posted by Counterpunch on May 27th, 2011 @ 8:09am CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
SJ21 wrote:I didn't order this one, but I am curious about how it is. Anyone get theirs yet?
It's not out yet.

I got mine yesterday.

It's really cool.

Where it beats previous attempts at this is by including interesting things like, animation cells, original (repro) product catalogs, movie tickets, etc.

For $25 ... there are few reasons to pass on it.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1229441)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2011 @ 9:45am CDT

Counterpunch wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
SJ21 wrote:I didn't order this one, but I am curious about how it is. Anyone get theirs yet?
It's not out yet.

I got mine yesterday.

It's really cool.

Where it beats previous attempts at this is by including interesting things like, animation cells, original (repro) product catalogs, movie tickets, etc.

For $25 ... there are few reasons to pass on it.

And now it is out.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1614973)
Posted by SeanoptimusPrime on October 18th, 2014 @ 6:15pm CDT

I've been browsing this book for a few weeks now, and I have to say, I'm both impressed and disappointed.

Generally speaking, I loved the G1 series and animated movie (favorite toys and cartoon from childhood)... didn't like the headmasters, thought the beastmasters animated series was so poorly animated that I couldn't even watch it, and absolutely loathe Michael Bay's movies. But then I found the Transformers Prime animated series and got back into it.

What I like about this book, is the detailed research that was done about the history of the toys, comics and videos. What I don't like about the book, is how painfully obvious it becomes that the author isn't a fan. He's just stating facts and showing pictures. I mean, 1/2 page on Transformers Prime, are you JOKING?! He goes on and on about Beastmasters and Michael Bay's awful movies, though.

I'm curious to hear what you all think.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1615014)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 19th, 2014 @ 6:03am CDT

SeanoptimusPrime wrote:I mean, 1/2 page on Transformers Prime, are you JOKING?!

You do realize that this book came out BEFORE Transformers: Prime did, right?

And what is "Beastmasters"? There's not Transformers series called that.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1615038)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on October 19th, 2014 @ 8:22am CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
SeanoptimusPrime wrote:I mean, 1/2 page on Transformers Prime, are you JOKING?!
You do realize that this book came out BEFORE Transformers: Prime did, right?

If he did, he probably wouldn't have been so disappointed.

And what is "Beastmasters"? There's not Transformers series called that.

It's safe to say he was talking about Beast Wars, or possibly Beast Machines. He spoke of Headmasters beforehand, so it most likely was a typo. It's not hard to put 2 and 2 together.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1615476)
Posted by SeanoptimusPrime on October 20th, 2014 @ 11:28pm CDT

The Transformers Grammar Police are out! What's your vehicle mode? A dictionary with wheels? Ha. "Beast Wars." Sorry. The first episode was so bad that I blocked the name out of mind. And for clarification, the edition I have was printed 1 year after the Prime series was released. What I was hoping for... is some conversation about what others (hard core G1 fans) thought about the book. Anyone?

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1615492)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on October 21st, 2014 @ 12:58am CDT

I came across it in a book store for $14.99 and I passed on it.
It wasn't impressive to me at all, and the little pull out gimmicks were annoying.
I already have Simon Furman's The Ultimate Guide to Transformers (even though it doesn't include Prime or the Bayverse sequels because it came out in 2007) and it's adequate for me.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1615547)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 21st, 2014 @ 8:14am CDT

SeanoptimusPrime wrote:And for clarification, the edition I have was printed 1 year after the Prime series was released.

Only one edition of the book was ever printed. Any later run releases would be of the same edition as the earliest ones.

The book is meant to commemorate the brand as it was in the pre-2010 years, with the last chapter serving as a prelude for things to come in the then-newly-released Aligned continuity (i.e. - War for Cybertron, Exodus, TF: Prime, etc.).

Rodimus Prime wrote:I already have Simon Furman's The Ultimate Guide to Transformers (even though it doesn't include Prime or the Bayverse sequels because it came out in 2007) and it's adequate for me.

Even though that book contains plenty of errors and is written with a bias towards the Dreamwave comic material?

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1615549)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on October 21st, 2014 @ 8:26am CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:I already have Simon Furman's The Ultimate Guide to Transformers (even though it doesn't include Prime or the Bayverse sequels because it came out in 2007) and it's adequate for me.
Even though that book contains plenty of errors and is written with a bias towards the Dreamwave comic material?

Even so. Care to tell me the errors you know of? You probably know of more than I do.

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1615555)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 21st, 2014 @ 8:45am CDT

Rodimus Prime wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:I already have Simon Furman's The Ultimate Guide to Transformers (even though it doesn't include Prime or the Bayverse sequels because it came out in 2007) and it's adequate for me.
Even though that book contains plenty of errors and is written with a bias towards the Dreamwave comic material?
Even so. Care to tell me the errors you know of? You probably know of more than I do.

The book shows its preference of the Marvel Comics origin of the Dinobots by flat out dismissing the cartoon's origin as being a mere rumor.
The book describes the Quintessons' history of being the creators of the TFs in the cartoon as being entirely conjectural, when it was made pretty clear in the cartoon that they were.
Several names are misspelled, such as "Teletran-1", "Carlee", "Eleta-1", and "Sean Burger".
Several summaries of cartoon episodes are faulty, mixing up facts with innaccuracies.
Same with several comic book issue summaries.
Many of the toy images are mistransformed or have missing/wrong accessories.
Optimus's Japanese G1 toy is identified as "01 Convoy" as though the "01" were part of its name rather than an ID number.
None of the toys in the Generation 2 toy section are from Generation 2 (save for Megatron), as they're all European late-G1 toys that (aside from two of them) were not rereleased under the G2 banner.
None of the episode guides are as complete as they claim to be, being more of a selection of "best of" episodes.
Robots in Disguise is missing any and all traces of its cartoon.
The Robots in Disguise section contains info that mixes up info from Car Robots with the English version (such as labeling Koji as "Yuki").
The Armada Super Base Optimus seen in the book sports the wrong deco, bearing paint apps never seen anywhere else.
Armada Laserbeak sports its prototype colors.
All the pages in the Generation 1, Armada, and Energon sections that pertain to historical topics are written with the Dreamwave comics in mind and ignore any factual info from the cartoons that wasn't in the Dreamwave materials.

In a way, I guess you could nickname that book "The Gospel According to Furman (At The Time)"

Re: A Look Inside Transformers Vault: The Complete Transformers Universe (1615572)
Posted by Ginrai Minor on October 21st, 2014 @ 9:43am CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:I already have Simon Furman's The Ultimate Guide to Transformers (even though it doesn't include Prime or the Bayverse sequels because it came out in 2007) and it's adequate for me.
Even though that book contains plenty of errors and is written with a bias towards the Dreamwave comic material?
Even so. Care to tell me the errors you know of? You probably know of more than I do.
The book shows its preference of the Marvel Comics origin of the Dinobots by flat out dismissing the cartoon's origin as being a mere rumor.
The book describes the Quintessons' history of being the creators of the TFs in the cartoon as being entirely conjectural, when it was made pretty clear in the cartoon that they were.
Several names are misspelled, such as "Teletran-1", "Carlee", "Eleta-1", and "Sean Burger".
Several summaries of cartoon episodes are faulty, mixing up facts with innaccuracies.
Same with several comic book issue summaries.
Many of the toy images are mistransformed or have missing/wrong accessories.
Optimus's Japanese G1 toy is identified as "01 Convoy" as though the "01" were part of its name rather than an ID number.
None of the toys in the Generation 2 toy section are from Generation 2 (save for Megatron), as they're all European late-G1 toys that (aside from two of them) were not rereleased under the G2 banner.
None of the episode guides are as complete as they claim to be, being more of a selection of "best of" episodes.
Robots in Disguise is missing any and all traces of its cartoon.
The Robots in Disguise section contains info that mixes up info from Car Robots with the English version (such as labeling Koji as "Yuki").
The Armada Super Base Optimus seen in the book sports the wrong deco, bearing paint apps never seen anywhere else.
Armada Laserbeak sports its prototype colors.
All the pages in the Generation 1, Armada, and Energon sections that pertain to historical topics are written with the Dreamwave comics in mind and ignore any factual info from the cartoons that wasn't in the Dreamwave materials.
In a way, I guess you could nickname that book "The Gospel According to Furman (At The Time)"