TFA AllSpark Almanac

[SilverDragon]

I only got this today, but I think it's a really great book.

Basically, it's like if the DK Ultimate Guide had a one-night-stand with the More Than Meets The Eye series. It's half characters, half actual series.

All the characters from the first two seasons are profiled, Autobot and Decepticon (each have their own section). In addition to having images of their robot and alternate modes, there are others, such as facial expressions and tools. In contrast to previous character bios in such books, they are all written from the perspective of one of the other characters. E.g. Blitzwing (all three of him) gets to talk about Lugnut, and vice versa. This is rather fun.

There's also a heap of other art from the series, such as background humans, concept art, and background art. There's even unused concepts, such as a Decepticon spark. Most interestingly, there's sketches from when the series was called Transformers: Hero. It looks vastly different from what it eventually became-more like a cross between the Unicron Trilogy and the movie-verse.

It also has a guide to the first two seasons, which are also told by the characters. One may think this in-universe approach would make it more shallow-after all, Megatron couldn't see most of Megatron Rising Pt 1. It isn't like that at all, really. There are also guides to the IDW comic issues interspersed where they fit into the overall timeline. The comic and episode guides generally take the form of data logs made by the characters, although there are some exceptions-one comic issue is made up like a Transformer gossip magazine, and the one for Garbage In, Garbage Out is the back of a pack of 'Garbage O's'. Interestingly, the section on the first issue is narrated by, of all robots, Vector Prime, watching from another time stream.

Also, the Almanac has utterly epic levels of fanwank, both for Transformers and for other series. The epitome of this is the ingredients list for 'Garbage O's', which mentions, amongst other things, jaAm, kryptonite, and dalekanium. This is awesome.

The only thing I dislike about it is that there's a lot of blank white space-not even a border around the edges of many pages. I think, though, that this may be done in order to highlight the art.

In the end, it's a pretty good book. It's pretty much recommended for fans of Animated.

[Stompy]

I totally agree. Love the in-character descrition for characters. Love how Starscream talks about himself.

What I found ost dissapointing is the presentation. Like you said, it's just on a white background. Makes it feel and look "rushed" and "simple" of an otherwise fun read.

I would have liked a section for the toys in there. Here's hoping for a second one covering Season 3 and toys!

[Doubledealer]

Glad to hear it lives up to expectations! I have mine on backorder at Minotaur so should receive it hopefully this or next week. I haven't seen the show for months now so it will be nice to return to the world of TFA and bask in all its glory. Any two page spreads of Arcee?

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I agree, great book. The heroes designs look very Transtech and it was good to see some design pics and stuff. would have liked to see some more evolutions of the character designs. Optimus and Prowl both went through heaps of changes before being finalised, but its a good read and pretty interesting.

[jaydisc]

The Hero pics of the precursor to Animated Cybertron Mode Prime on the 2nd to last page are amazing! I'd have LOVED that toy.

[GoktimusPrime]

Where are you guys finding this book?