DVD Corner

Transformers Legacy: The Art of Transformers Packaging Book Review

“Transformers Legacy: The Art of Transformers Packaging” will appeal to longtime “Transformers” fans.

Written by Bill Forster and Jim Sorenson, the oversized hardcover book “Transformers Legacy: The Art of Transformers Packaging” is a tribute to the iconic “Transformers” toy packages. Throughout the book’s 296 pages, fans are able to pour over 4 parts worth of content.

In part 1 (The Early Years), the focus is on airbrushed paintings of Hasbro’s G1 packaging from 1984-1985 and the animated movie era toys from 1986-1988 of all of your favorite Autobot, Decepticon, Dinobot, Constructicon, Insecticons, etc. characters such as Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Jazz, Megatron, Grimlock, Starscream, Soundwave, Hotrod, Galvatron, and hundreds more. As an added bonus, toy package scans, illustrations, catalog artwork, and early draft art are also included here.

Part 2 (“More Than Meets The Eye”) covers the Action Masters Scramble City, Nebulan era, Pretenders, and Micromasters figures and playsets of characters such as Computron, Afterburner, Menasor, Bruticus, Onslaught, Chromedome, Scorponok, Mindwipe, Roadblock, Blackjack, Bombshock, and Rad.

Part 3 (“Made In Japan”) centers around the Japanese toylines from the Headmasters, Masterforce, Victory and Zone Japanese animated series.

Finally, in part 4 (“Generations”) the G2 era in 1993 is covered. Also included in this section are unused Takara concept art and images of unreleased toys. The book concludes with some odds and ends involving Diaclone material, Armored Insect Battalion Beetras, package art, UK exclusives, and an afterword by Adam Alexander in which he expresses what the box art meant to him.

Much like the recently released “Voltron: From Days Of Long Ago” book, “Transformers Legacy: The Art of Transformers Packaging” is a nice piece of nostalgia for those who grew up on TF in the 80’s. While I’m sure many fans will take issue with missing box art pieces, the absence of post G2 box art, and the lack of written content and or interviews with artists, there’s still much to admire here.

First and foremost, it’s just flat-out interesting to see how the TF property has evolved over the course of its various toylines in terms of character designs. As the book shows you, “Transformers” were constantly (and still are) being rebooted for younger generations and or hardcore fans in order to keep the brand fresh. Having everything laid out for you from the G1 to G2 era really drives this home.

The most appealing aspect of the book (especially for fans) will likely be seeing what didn’t get made. The images of Quickswitch as a Decepticon, a potential US release for Multiforce, an unreleased G2 Grimlock, and unreleased G2 Devastators will surely have fans salivating at what could have been.

Overall Thoughts: Whether you want to admire the detail of each and every piece of character art or learn more about the Japanese toylines, there’s bound to be something here that will excite TF fans. Check it out.

February 3, 2015 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | Autobots, Decepticons, Megatron, Optimus Prime, Transformers G1, Transformers G2, Transformers Legacy: The Art of Transformers Packaging Book Review