REASON AND INSPIRATION
- The Transformers – alien robots who can change into vehicles, machinery and weapons – first appeared in toy shops and on TV screens in 1984. Nearly 40 years on, thanks to the addition of comic books, computer games and movies, the likes of Optimus Prime and Megatron have become pop-culture titans.
- The story of the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons has been told in many different ways, but the core premise is usually the same: a deadly civil war engulfs the distant metal planet of Cybertron and eventually spreads to Earth. Key to the warring mechanoids’ success in the UK and Ireland was Marvel UK’s The Transformers comic, which told an epic seven-year story across 332 issues.
- As well as launching the careers of British writers and artists, ‘TFUK’ inspired fans to follow in their footsteps, with James Roberts, Nick Roche and Jack Lawrence going on to help expand the mythos, establish the definitive origin of the Transformers and reinvent the Robots in Disguise for the 21st century with characters and concepts that endure to this day.
STAMPS
- A set of eight stamps depicting the Autobots and Decpticons in battle scenes over four se-tenant pairs
- The original illustrations have been created exclusively for Royal Mail by established comic artists Andrew Wildman (pencils), Stephen Baskerville (inks) and John-Paul Bove (colours)
- The stamps are printed with a hidden ink which reveals each of the character’s faction logos and names in the Cybertronian alphabet when shone under UV light
There’s more than meets the eye with this special set of stamps;
- Each stamp will trigger a unique Augmented Reality animation including a clip from the original animated TV series. Download the Royal Mail App and choose Scan a Stamp to watch.
Stamps – technical details
| Feature | Type/Detail |
| Number of stamps | Eight |
| Value of Stamps | 4 x 1st, 4 x £1.85 |
| Design | The Chase |
| Illustrations | Andrew Wildman (pencils), Stephen Baskerville (inks) and John-Paul Bove (colours) |
| Acknowledgements | TRANSFORMERS and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2022 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Hasbro. |
| Stamp Format | Landscape |
| Number per sheet | 30/60 |
| Stamp Size | 50mm x 30mm |
| Printer | Cartor Security Printers |
| Print Process | Lithography |
| Perforations | 14 x 14 |
| Phosphor | Bars as appropriate |
| Gum | PVA |
MINIATURE SHEET
- An additional set of 5 stamps are included on the Miniature Sheet, featuring the five Dinobots; Grimlock, Snarl, Slug, Sludge and Swoop
- The original illustrations have been created exclusively for Royal Mail by established comic artists Andrew Wildman (pencils), Stephen Baskerville (inks) and John-Paul Bove (colours) who worked on The Transformers UK comic books
Miniature Sheet – technical details
| Feature | Type/Detail |
| Number of stamps | Five |
| Value of Stamps | 3 x 1st Class, 1 x 2nd Class, 1 x £1.85 |
| Design | The Chase |
| Illustrations | Andrew Wildman (pencils), Stephen Baskerville (inks) and John-Paul Bove (colours) |
| Acknowledgements | TRANSFORMERS and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2022 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Hasbro. |
| Format, Size (Perforations) | Slug and Snarl: 35mm x 35mm, square (14.5 x 14.5); Swoop and Sludge: 27mm x 37mm, portrait (14 x 14); Grimlock: 35mm x 37mm, portrait (14.5 x 14) |
| Miniature Sheet Size | 190mm x 67mm |
| Printer | Cartor Security Printers |
| Print Process | Lithography |
| Phosphor | Bars as appropriate |
| Gum | Self-adhesive |
The stamps are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/transformers and by phone on 03457 641 641. The stamps go on general sale on 1 September, with the Presentation Pack, containing all 13 stamps, priced at £17.50.