Transformers: The Ark Volume 2 (v. 2) [Paperback]

Jim Sorenson (Author), Bill Forster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 22, 2008 | Series: Transformers

The Ark, Volume 2 picks up where the first volume left off, making available for the first time hundreds of rare images chronicling the evolution of TRANSFORMERS in Japan. This volume covers all of the classic Japanese series material: HEADMASTERS, MASTERFORCE, VICTORY, ZONE, BATTLESTARS, and OPERATION COMBINATION. TRANSFORMERS, humans, aliens, ships and weapon models decorate this 208-page volume. If you love animation designs or ever wanted to know more about the TRANSFORMERS Anime, this book is for you.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: IDW Publishing (July 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600101801
• ISBN-13: 978-1600101809
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #668,752 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential companion piece to Volume One & G1 fans..., July 19, 2008

By 

B. McVickar - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Transformers: The Ark Volume 2 (v. 2) (Paperback)

I am loving this book, maybe even more than Volume One! Jim and Bill were correct when they noted that fans were all fairly familiar with US GI details, meaning that this volume required much more notation, which I wonderful. I would still like to read someday a behind the scenes account of the creative people and the how's/why's of the crafting all aspects of the US series (story, characters, ship designs, etc). I think it's amazing how consistent much of the design stayed over the course of both US and Japanese G1 series, such as ships, planets, non-toy weapons & devices, and yet each series has its own unique identity.

I finally discovered the Japanese G1 series by way of the sub-titled UK DVD releases from Metrodome and boy, was I happy. Happy to not be stuck watching the awful dubbed versions and happier still to watch more unfolding stories and action in the G1 universe. There is so much information is packed into this volume, affording fans the opportunity to get clues into the thought process behind the scenes.

The unused HM robot & alt designs were really intriguing and showed how the creators wanted to venture into unusual territory for Transformers - I almost wish some of them had been included and would trade the Bee Planet for such an appearance!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Japanese Transformers character models!, August 6, 2008

By 

N. Kok "Kirby Kok" (USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Transformers: The Ark Volume 2 (v. 2) (Paperback)

I really like this book! Transformers ark volume 2 is the second volume to Transformers ark volume 1 focusing on the American Transformers characters. This volume focuses on the Japanese Transformers characters from the Transformers anime in Japan. the Transformers book starts with Anime series Transformers:HeadMasters, Masterforce, Victory, Zone, Battlestars, and Operation Cobination. I really like this book! A+

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Now I wish I had Volume 1, December 2, 2008

By 

Dat Hong (Collegeville, PA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Transformers: The Ark Volume 2 (v. 2) (Paperback)

This is a very interesting companion to any Transformers collection. Volume 2 contains the Japanese characters that were not shown on the US cartoon, or toys never released in US. The book is black and white with full page of drawings and limited text. There is not a lot of text in this book, and it is mostly a book full of drawings. It shows the different profiles of the characters, like front, back and side views. The Ark 2 is a compendium of Japanese Character Designs.

Great book if you love Transformers, or want to learn how to draw and need some inspiration. Nice thick book with quality paper stock.