I've decided to study the Beast Wars, regardless of my incomplete knowledge of G1 (and all others).

To begin with I need to start either watching the original cartoon or reading the comics.

I've decided to start with the latter...basically for financial reasons...and if I find myself loving the comics then I'll get the TV series later.

Here is what I've found on the official IDW online shopping catelogue:

Four choice under BWs: The Gathering, The Ascending, The Beast Wars Sourcebook, and an omnibus containing all three of these. About 100 pages for each of the three individual volumes.

I'm wondering if that's all. Are they the complete stories of the entire BWs series, or they are just a collection of random episodes? How many seasons are there altogether, how many volumes in comics?

Thanks for the help again!