I am looking for a solid reference guide for G1 transformers. I know of the Transmanual, but Volume 1 has been out of print for ages and isn't easily available, if at all, and volume 2 to me would be useless without volume 1. What good reference/field guides should I be looking at? I would like something to take with me when shopping at locations where access to the internet might not be so easy, with a solid layout of accessories and things to look for when dealing with G1 transformers. Or even just to look at and reference when I am at home and looking at things online. Having a single guide book that has nice photos and detailed descriptions would be amazing. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Any links or photos of covers so I know what to look for would be great!
I'm a big fan of Mark Bellomo''s G1 guide. It covers all the US releases through to the end of G1, and has pics of all the accessories, one of the cool things about that book is that all the figures pictured are actually from his collection. It's kinda pricey now that it's out of print, about $75 on Amazon, but it's still a good book; it's my definitive G1 guide. Transformers: Identification and Price Guide: Mark Bellomo: 9780896894457: Amazon.com: Books
Both of these are hard to find but IMHO you can't beat: Transformers Identification and Price guide by Mark Bellamo (Hah got ninja'd by Thor4z1n3) Or the Transformers Generations book (but it is in Japanese)
I own this book, and while I was looking on amazon it popped up, are you for real that this is 90 bucks?!?!??!
Yea I was surprised when I seen the price on the one I linked to too. I don't remember exactly what the differences are between the Field Guide and the Identification and Price Guide, but I don't think the Field Guide has pics of all the accessories. I may be wrong about that, but both were out at the same time, and I know there was a reason that I chose the larger book over the one that would fit in my pocket.
The Bellamo book is a good, cheap source for things. The photos aren't the best, but it's about the best overall for the money. My favorites are still the Cybertronian Guides, by Hiro Prme. Also, we can proudly say that Hiro Prime's work is also our TFW2005.com Resources. Honestly, more often than not, when I was busting through G1, our G1 Resources section is what I used for everything G1. I really can't recommend these enough. Yes, as a Staff member here I'm always thrilled to promote our in-house work, but this one resource itself I just can't recommend enough.
For me, I'm happy with the large Cybertronian Guide Book and the pocket TF Field. I used the smaller TF Field more than the larger book for quick reference. In term of the accessory, both the Cybertronian Guide Book and TF Field all show them. However, they don't show paperwork e.g. TF instruction sheet, stickers, catalog etc.
Ninety bucks? EL OH EL. $20 bucks max or pass. End of line. No it's being sold for that. It just takes one uneducated person to come along and buy. Try eBay or Junkion.
I think im gonna track down the Bellamo guide (big one) I have the small field guide but it doesnt show accessories well. Dies anyone actually have the transmanuals? Are they worth tracking down?
Transmanual #2 (if we are talking about the same book) have been available from TFSource for years for $5. I would only recommend picking them up as a temporary solution. The pictures in Mark's book are more vibrant.
As a huge fan of guidebooks, reference manuals, etc., I have several of the guides out there. Mark Bellomo's book is quite good, if you are looking for a one-stop reference, this is the one. You can tell it is written by a fan because he includes the tech specs, and some notes about the toy, in addition to photos of the accessories. The book is very well done and I read it often. The Cybertronian guides are also excellent. They are a bit of a different animal because they are broken up into installments. The larger comic-book size versions are broken up so that the first volume has G1 series 1 and 2, volume 3 and series 3, and so on. These books have excellent pictures, and the tech specs. Then there is the pocket Cybertronian guide, by the same guys. This is also an excellent reference, it contains the character stats, but not the tech spec biographies. At around $25 each, I felt that these guides were priced a little high, for if you purchased the first 4 volumes, you would be out $100. But they are worth it. If comparing the two, I would say that the Cybertronian guides have better pictures, and are more fun to read. The Bellomo guide may be a better guide to use when purchasing G1 toys, plus it is convenient to have all of G1 in one place. I think I read somewhere that Bellomo intends to do an update to his guide. Bellomo also has a very good GI Joe guidebook that he has already updated once, whereas his Transformers book has not yet received an update. Those two versions are the ones that I refer to the most, I believe they are the best ones on the market. I do have the Transmanual guidebook volume 2 from TFSource, but I haven't seen volume 1. Volume 2 is not bad. In sum if you are looking for a guidebook to purchase G1 toys, I would recommend Bellomo's book. Here is a link to purchase the Cybertronian guides. http://www.antarctic-press.com/html/version_01/store.php?id=Cybertronian
i use Mark Bellomo's Transformers Identification and Price Guide. It tells a lot about the characters and toys and shows all the modes and accessories. Very good guide. i use it often on the pooper.
As others have said, Bellomo's larger book is AMAZING. It's what I use (it's pretty worn out from all the use now, and had him sign it. He was happy to see how often I used it haha). Some of the prices are a bit our of date, but the pictures and listings of accessories are very helpful.
