Hi guys and welcome to the last TAAU newsletter of the year!

2003 has been absolutely amazing for Transformers, with a barrage of excellent lines and releases coming at us from all directions: reissues, Armada, Heroes of Cybertron, MyClones, Smallest Transformers, Energon, Universe, new and old cartoon series, comics, computer games, and, most stunning of all, Alternators. It's been hard to keep up, but let's face it, we wouldn't have it any other way, so on behalf of everyone at TAAU, a big thank you and a very Merry Christmas to Hasbro, Takara, Dreamwave, Madman Entertainment and Atari for keeping our dreams and childhoods alive.

Thanks also go to all the amazing people at TAAU for making this such a great place to be a part of; you are reason I continue with this project and, after all, toys wouldn't be half as fun if you couldn't share them with like-minded people!

I hope you all have a very happy, enjoyable and safe holiday, and before I go I'd like to leave you with a quote which I think is quite fitting for all of us here, so have fun and see you in 2004!

"Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind." - Mary Ellen Chase

- Stephen

- Story by: Scott Lingard

- Story By: Stephen Jesson

Genesis: The Art Of Transformers – This is the first official art book for the Transformers. Contained within its pages are some stunning pieces of work from Dreamwave and many other talented freelancers. This is a wonderful item with each page offering a new delight, however at around AU$70 (including shipping) it isn’t one of the cheapest books around, so make sure the receiver enjoys Transformer art before you buy it. You can pick it up from most comic stores or order it online at Amazon here

Collection Series / Commemorative Series – The original Transformer toys are back. That’s right, straight from the eighties to the new millennium. These toys have been restored, repackaged and are just waiting to be re-experienced. There are two versions of the old classics available for you to choose from: the Takara collection Series and the Hasbro Commemorative series. Both are great reproductions in their own right and with a varying line-up you’re sure to find a favourite amongst them. The Hasbro reissues can be picked up at any Toys ‘R’ Us store with a price range of between AU$60 - AU$90. For the Takara reissues, however, you will have to venture onto the web, but many online stores carry these although they tend to be slightly more expensive than the Hasbro toys once you've factored in shipping.

Transformer Busts / Statues – Cartoon accurate Busts and statues ready for display on any book shelf or mantel. There is a whole swag already available for purchase and more on the way. These Busts or statues really add to the display of anyone’s Transformer collection, but unfortunately the shipping can get a little expensive, almost equaling the cost of the bust itself on occassion. You can order these online or depending on how good your local comic shop is, you could ask them to order one in for you. Expect to pay around AU$130 - AU$150 for the Busts and small statues while the larger Statues will set you back about AU$350.

Transformers Comics – For the past two years Dreamwave have been producing comics focusing on none other than the Transformers. The comics are exceptionally high quality and feature some great talent, providing Transformer and comic fans the world over with hours of reading pleasure which has granted them a praiseworthy respect amongst the community. These comics can be ordered from Dreamwave’s own online store where you will find all the current issues and past issues in the form of trade paper backs. You can also pick the issues up at your local comic store which will work out to be much kinder on your wallet.

Alternators / Binaltech – These are the stunningly brilliant Transformer toys for the new millennium and feature real-life alternate modes, colossal amounts of articulation and an extraordinary attention to detail. These toys are the Transformer line of the moment for most, if not all transformer fans. The Binaltech series is Takara’s version of Hasbro’s Alternators and are almost identical except for the fact that the Japanese toys contain die-cast metal and a metallic paint job. You will be able to purchase the Alternators in local toy stores shortly, however it is doubtful that they will be available before Christmas. The Binaltech series can be ordered at most online collector stores and will cost you up to AU$100 depending on shipping.

Masterpiece Prime – There is nothing that can be said about this marvelous accomplishment that won’t be said through the tears of the person you give it to. The shear brilliance and craftsmanship that went into this astounding portrayal of the great Autobot leader Optimus Prime is nothing short of astounding. You must purchase this ‘objet d'art’, this unearthly phenomenon even if it won’t make it for Christmas, in fact you should probably purchase it even the receiver already owns one; they won’t mind, trust me. Unfortunately, expect to pay quite a bit for this item because, as it stands, you will be set back somewhere in the vicinity of $200 including shipping. Another version of this figure will be released by Hasbro in the next six months, named 20th anniversary Prime. If you can wait that long the price will be much more affordable and will be available in most local toy stores.

Toys Toys Toys – Don’t be alarmed, Hasbro still make normal toys for everyone, and everyone is normally more than happy to accept them. In your local toy store you will be able to find Transformers Armada and Transformers Universe lining the aisles. There is a great range to choose from and with prices varying from as little as AU$10 up to AU$100, you’re sure to find one or many Transformer toys to fill the stockings with.

Transformer Cartoons – One of the key elements that served to make the Transformers line so popular was the original cartoon, which has now been restored on DVD for fans to treasure and new generations to experience. After successful sales in the US by Rhino Home video, Madman Entertainment is giving it a go in Australia. However when they do something, they don’t just fiddle as they've given us: covers by Dreamwave, extra features, fully restored and 5.1 surround sound, and with the assurance of a high quality production, it’s a sure bet that these DVD’s will be playing on the tube all Summer long. To date Madman has released Transformers the Movie for AU$29.95 and a Transformers Season 1 Box set for AU$59.95, with the following seasons still to come. These can be purchased online from their website or anywhere DVD’s are sold.

Obscure Transformer Item – What do you get that person who thinks they have every Transformers product ever made? Something so obscure they've never even heard of it of course, and there's only one place where you can pick up something like this: eBay. There is almost anything imaginable Transformer related there, from walkie talkies and dinner trays to bed sheets and curtains. Remember though, eBay isn’t a store, it’s an auction site, which means prices can and will fluctuate greatly. Still, it’s always fun to have a look around and see what great items you can pick up.

So there you are, and to avoid confusion I will let you in on a little secret: if they are a Transformers fan and they don’t own it yet, they will want it! So don’t fret.

Now the problem with purchasing Transformers items to use as gifts is that you normally have to plan in advance. As this list shows, many items need to be purchased online, which means shipping, so on one hand you have the ease of doing your Christmas shopping ten minutes before bed, but on the other you may have to wait up to three months for some the products to arrive. Since this newsletter was published on the 21st, it doesn't leave you much time, so if you don’t already have some of these items under the tree then they might not get there now.

Of course you can always rebel against this list and get something not Transformers related, I won’t hold it against you, though I can’t say the same for the person receiving the gifts, it is however up to you. In all seriousness I’m sure they won’t mind, although it is always a nice touch to receive a gift relating to Transformers.

Before I end I will give one last hint: if you know someone who is a fan of Transformers, chances are they are a fan of many other related products, such as He-man, G.I. Joe, Voltron, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the list goes on. So have fun with it.

As we all know it’s not just about the presents, hence I bid you all the best in this festive season, may it bring much happiness and fulfilment. Merry Christmas!

- Story by: Steven Franklin