A visual showcase of hundreds of Transformers toys and action figures in and out of packaging, rarely seen variants, international releases, and licensed merchandise. For many years, the Transformers have been a staple of pop culture. As new and old collectors seek to enhance their knowledge of this toy line, this book provides a wide view of the Transformers action figures from their earliest incarnations, their journey through the 1980s, and culminating with the Beast Wars in the 1990s. Features hundreds of images of Transformers action figures and collectibles from their inception in 1984 through 1999. - Breaks down the Transformers franchise into the original G1 brand, the rebirth with Generation 2, and the Beast Wars and licensed collectibles. Also included are rare foreign variants from Japan, Europe, and South America. - Provides a detailed explanation on the history of the brand and the features of each subline and explains which items are the most difficult to find. Extremely well researched, this guide provides information on the development of the figures while explaining their key features, along with showcasing many figure variations. Featuring images of figures both in and out of package, yearly product listings for easy reference, and pricing examples for many key items, this book is a great tool for reintroducing yourself or getting familiar with these toys from the past. J. E. Alvarez has worked the last two decades across many facets of the toy industry, including as the creative manager of the Transformers and G.I. Joe toy brands at Hasbro. His adventures have ranged from being on the retail side, to collecting, to hosting conventions. These days he owns and operates HasBeen Collectible Toys & Comics in Massachusetts. These different experiences have given him a unique frame of reference regarding the toy industry and the knowledge to compile this work on vintage Transformers.