Transformers Animated: The Allspark Almanac, Vol. 2 [Paperback]

Jim Sorenson (Author), Bill Forster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 2010

Transformers Animated is the most whimsical Transformers series ever. The AllSpark Almanac II captures that magic with a wondrous examination of this amazing universe. This 220 page volume is packed with behind-the-scenes sketches, interesting facts, production artwork and musings from the characters themselves. Relive the thrill of the final season of Animated and learn what might have been had the show continued. Explore the metallic plains of Cybertron and meet its colorful denizens. Discover more about the action-figures that accompanied the cartoon. Hard-core fans and neophytes alike will find this an essential tome. You won't want to miss it!

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: IDW Publishing (July 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600106838
• ISBN-13: 978-1600106835
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #464,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jim is a super-secret spy, has a motorcycle, marooned in space, meets Hercules ... or not ...

He's been a long-time fan of science-fiction literature in general and Transformers in particular. His guidebooks are well regarded by the fan communities for their exhaustive attention to detail. Reports of his incarceration in another dimension should be dismissed as the unfounded rumors they are.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The wishes of Animated fans have been heard, once again. July 10, 2010

By Tiffany T. Wong

Format:Paperback

To sort-of quote Yuuto Sakurai/Kamen Rider Zeronus from Toei's "Kamen Rider Den-O", "Let me say this to start..."

...I LOVE THIS BOOK.

Once again, Jim Sorenson and Bill Forster - plus the folks that worked on "Transformers: Animated" - comes through with another almanac that's chock-a-block filled with references to Transformers and non-Transformers materials that many can spend DAYS researching over. Some are rather easy to spot if you know your trivia (that could probably rival "Cash Cab"), while others requires a good deal of working the gray matter to puzzle out.

The first volume, Transformers Animated: The Allspark Almanac, covers the first two seasons of "Animated" and fans were immediately left clamoring for more. This volume covers season 3 of "Animated", characters that appeared on-show briefly or were planned but never implemented, and expands on things that might've been only mentioned once in the show. In addition, a glimpse at what would've been the thirteen episodes that would've made up season 4 had the show never been canceled, answering some wild-mass guessing questions all the while creating more. In-jokes, obscure references, A BOARD GAME, even a CROSSWORD PUZZLE (that albeit had a few glitches), and more stuff than you can shake a stick at.

It's not just the numerous references that is given, there's also sections that are in a behind-the-scenes fashion, such as storyboards with deleted scenes that never aired and Animated touching shores in Japan, as well box art as done by artist Marcelo Matere.... There's segments on the voice actors that give the soul - or spark, in this case - to the characters that make them so memorable or those that were TF voice veterans (such as Corey Burton and David Kaye). One of the cherries on top of this titanic sundae are pictures of figures that never got past the prototype stage and will forever stay there, such as a considered Hot Shot and an early look of Rhinox, and the bigger cherry being how Megatron might have looked like in season 4.

If you haven't been converted into being a fan of "Transformers: Animated" by the first AllSpark Almanac (also written by the same wonderful and wacky duo), then the AllSpark Almanac II will immediately convert you over. If you're already a fan of Animated, consider this a must-have in your shelf next to that shrine of Hot Shot or Ratchet (you know who you are!). Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Fan'tastic. July 17, 2010

By Benjamin Michael Chan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Transformers Animated was one of the best iteration of the Transformers brand not just a great tv series but also the quality of the toys that were made and there hasn't been anything better since. I have a 3 year old boy and a 2 year old girl who jump into dance and song when they hear the opening credits. Our collection of Transformers Animated figurines has been collecting dust until I received the new Almanac which sparked renewed interest in Transformers Animated in my son who's now playing with his Bulkhead and asking 'Where's the Headmaster?'.

Now about the Almanac, the best parts for me were the bits about actually making the series, the concept toys that were never made and then what could have been for season 4.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bill and Jim hit another one out of the park! July 15, 2010

By Jenifer L. Hanson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Transformers animated Is amazing! With more profiles of the heroic Autobots and evil Deceptions. They a lot give background information on the new characters form session 3, and give names to the characters that where just in the background. Even the ones Derrick Wyatt did for fun! show summers form session 3 tolled in the form of instant reports, personal journals, and news paper articles. There's even a section on how the toy is are made. All in all a great read!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The ULTIMATE Transformers Animated Reference Book July 14, 2010

By Soundwave9

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I received my copy in the mail today. The book is incredible. It features art and bios of every character who appeared in the series (even the background characters seen on Cybertron who appeared on screen for a few seconds!). It's sad to see the concept art and plots for the 4th season that will never be produced.

IDW needs to produce a graphic novel to complete the series as intended.

Highly Recommended for any Transformers Fan!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Where's the 6th Star? March 4, 2013

By Zomus Prime

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Excellent! I purchased this and the first Volume simultaneously, but made to read through in order. The first definitely impressed me with its fun method of presentation and in-depth look at the series. This volume continues, but better! It explores many more characters, mostly those who were seen only briefly or for specific episodes (which was a great treat). It expands even fruther into TF:A topics, and acts as a fantastic volume for any fan of the series.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are a Transformers fan and you don't own this book, you are really missing out. January 28, 2013

By Barry J Mazzoni Jr

Format:Paperback

Whether you enjoyed the first volume or were just a fan of the show and the corresponding toy line, I highly recommend this book to you. Not only does this volume go into great detail on the final season of the show, which has yet to be release on DVD, there are some amazing insights and details from the creators as to what would have potentially happened in a fourth season of the show.

If you a Transformers fan who ever wonders what goes into the creative process and the multitude of decisions behind your favorite Robots in Disguise, this is the book for you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Allspark Almanac Ever! July 16, 2010

By Paula Hayden

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is by far the best issue of the Transformers: Animated Allspark Almanac series ever made. It has everything from pics of the Transformers that were not used in the series, prototypes of Toys that were never made (but should have been), and even info on what Season 4 of the TV series would have been like if the series was not canceled after season 3. If you are a very big fan of the Transformers: Animated TV series and Toy line, then you should buy this Great book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fitting festscrhift for T'Formers "Firefly" July 15, 2010

By J. Kuntz

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Like all things of great beauty and genius, Transformers: Animated was with us for too short a time. Unfortunately, most great things are not graced with as inspired and lovely a tribute as the AllSpark Almanacs (I and II). I am happy to be a Transformers fan, just so I can be so lucky as to enjoy this book. The latest volume is a paradise of information about the show, the setting, the characters and, of course, the hard working humans behind the scenes. Makers of those occasionally interesting "behind the scenes" documentaries that are packaged in with every DVD should sit up and take notice, because THIS is how it's done. There is something for every fan here. Even our friends from other fandoms get some love as the grander universe beyond Cybertron is opened up to us. If you are a TF fan, you should own this, and if you're not yet a fan, by the time you're done reading, I think you will be.