Generation Mechs

by James Roberts

In 1985, Transformers became the biggest-selling toy line in America, supported by a chart-topping animated series and a bestselling comic.

But success is often short-lived, and by 1991 the brand was on the brink of extinction. The cartoon was long gone, the toys had disappeared from American shelves, and the comic had been been abruptly cancelled.

The world moved on.

The fans didn't.

Throughout the 1990s, the children who had grown up with the Robots in Disguise fought to keep the franchise alive by forming fan clubs, writing stories, making zines and organizing conventions.

This is their story.

Featuring in-depth interviews with fans, creators and industry insiders, Generation Mechs maps the the tumultuous evolution of Transformers fandom, from its modest late '90s origins to its migration online at the end of the '90s. Part oral history, part cultural critique, it shines a spotlight on an important but often overlooked corner of the Transformers universe.

Genres: Nonfiction

490 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2025

About the author

James Roberts is a British comic book writer best known for his contributions to the Transformers franchise.

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