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Post by backroadjunkie on May 30, 2018 0:12:07 GMT
All right, what exactly is in the Declassified books? (I just got some nag-spam from Amazon...)
I've checked Amazon, and they don't have any previews of the books available.
I really don't want any more coffee table books, but if they contain technical information, I may bite. If it's a glorified EPK, then probably not...
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Post by Jemma Simmons on May 30, 2018 0:21:51 GMT
If I recall, they basically just go over what happened for each character that season. I don’t recall any technical stuff or additional background info.
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Post by caseyrook AKA Mechelle on Jun 5, 2018 18:00:34 GMT
There is A LOT in the Declassified books. I have the first three (I want the fourth but it's low on my financial priorities list because adulting is annoying) and they include more than detailed character and episode lists. They have behind the scenes artwork, stories from the set, in depth looks at the wardrobes of each character, close looks at set details that we wouldn't normally get to see, stories and looks from the VFX department and more. One of my favorite things is that at the bottom of the pages when talking about the episodes, Troy Benjamin counts/points out certain 'threads' or 'easter eggs', like for instance anytime we get, "It's a magical place." I personally believe they are worth the money, because I feel like they are a good supplement for the AoS goodies that have been lacking on the DVD and Blu-rays. And if you don't feel like dealing with an oversized (larger than a normal bookshelf) and heavier hardback book, you can get them in E form and I believe they are cheaper that way too. Let me know if you're interested and I'll try to upload some pics of my books so you can really see what they are about. ^I will add, I follow the author on Twitter and I think he said he did NOT/IS NOT doing a book for season 5. Although, that was quite a while ago so he may have been asked to do it, but has to do it more akin to how he did it in season one when he was getting all his stuff second-hand after they were nearly done with the season or already done filming. For the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th season he was actually allowed on set quite a lot and that definitely shows. If you're really interested, here's a link to an episode with him from my favorite AoS podcast where he talks about the 4th season book. level7access.libsyn.com/troy-benjamin-returns-0 |
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Post by caseyrook AKA Mechelle on Jun 5, 2018 18:03:58 GMT
If I recall, they basically just go over what happened for each character that season. I don’t recall any technical stuff or additional background info. There may not have been a lot of technical stuff in the first season book, but there was some in the books for seasons 2 and 3. (I take the fifth when it comes to season 4 because I do not have that one). |
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Post by backroadjunkie on Jun 5, 2018 20:23:41 GMT
There is A LOT in the Declassified books. I have the first three (I want the fourth but it's low on my financial priorities list because adulting is annoying) and they include more than detailed character and episode lists. They have behind the scenes artwork, stories from the set, in depth looks at the wardrobes of each character, close looks at set details that we wouldn't normally get to see, stories and looks from the VFX department and more. One of my favorite things is that at the bottom of the pages when talking about the episodes, Troy Benjamin counts/points out certain 'threads' or 'easter eggs', like for instance anytime we get, "It's a magical place." I personally believe they are worth the money, because I feel like they are a good supplement for the AoS goodies that have been lacking on the DVD and Blu-rays. Lacking? How about non-existent.  The cast commentary on S1 was okay, but it mostly showed they were kept in the dark about the storyline like us. They just had a few weeks head start. I only wish they would have done some cast commentaries on the later seasons when they were more into their characters... E-books? No thanks. I'm a physical media kinda guy.  I like turning pages. I may not like coffee table books, but sometimes you don't have a choice. My three of the four of my highest recommended books about the Disney Parks are oversized, and there's no way you could get some of the illustrations and color plates on an e-book. Of course, it's easier to wipe up the drool on a tablet or laptop... Thanks for that. If you have time to take a couple of pics, I'd appreciate it. (You don't have to go overboard, a couple of a good example would be enough.) I may end up ordering S4, since I thought it was their finest work to date, just to look it over...
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Post by Jemma Simmons on Jun 5, 2018 21:06:55 GMT
If I recall, they basically just go over what happened for each character that season. I don’t recall any technical stuff or additional background info. There may not have been a lot of technical stuff in the first season book, but there was some in the books for seasons 2 and 3. (I take the fifth when it comes to season 4 because I do not have that one). Good to know! I have only seen the S1 and that was a while back. I'm glad to know there's a ton more in the rest. (Hmmm... perhaps something to add to my 'I'll buy these at some point' list...) |
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Post by caseyrook AKA Mechelle on Jun 5, 2018 22:50:55 GMT
There may not have been a lot of technical stuff in the first season book, but there was some in the books for seasons 2 and 3. (I take the fifth when it comes to season 4 because I do not have that one). Good to know! I have only seen the S1 and that was a while back. I'm glad to know there's a ton more in the rest. (Hmmm... perhaps something to add to my 'I'll buy these at some point' list...) Troy Benjamin, the author, was allowed on set from the beginning of filming for season 2-4 so those books have more in depth looks at certain stuff that we only able to look at superficially in the first season. |
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Post by caseyrook AKA Mechelle on Jun 5, 2018 22:55:08 GMT
There is A LOT in the Declassified books. I have the first three (I want the fourth but it's low on my financial priorities list because adulting is annoying) and they include more than detailed character and episode lists. They have behind the scenes artwork, stories from the set, in depth looks at the wardrobes of each character, close looks at set details that we wouldn't normally get to see, stories and looks from the VFX department and more. One of my favorite things is that at the bottom of the pages when talking about the episodes, Troy Benjamin counts/points out certain 'threads' or 'easter eggs', like for instance anytime we get, "It's a magical place." I personally believe they are worth the money, because I feel like they are a good supplement for the AoS goodies that have been lacking on the DVD and Blu-rays. Lacking? How about non-existent. The cast commentary on S1 was okay, but it mostly showed they were kept in the dark about the storyline like us. They just had a few weeks head start. I only wish they would have done some cast commentaries on the later seasons when they were more into their characters... E-books? No thanks. I'm a physical media kinda guy. I like turning pages. I may not like coffee table books, but sometimes you don't have a choice. My three of the four of my highest recommended books about the Disney Parks are oversized, and there's no way you could get some of the illustrations and color plates on an e-book. Of course, it's easier to wipe up the drool on a tablet or laptop... Thanks for that. If you have time to take a couple of pics, I'd appreciate it. (You don't have to go overboard, a couple of a good example would be enough.) I may end up ordering S4, since I thought it was their finest work to date, just to look it over...
It might take me a few days to get you those pics. Those books (and my comic books and my Coulson action figure and my Coulson, May, LOLA, and other Coulson FUNKO's....) are at my grandma's house. |
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Post by backroadjunkie on Jun 6, 2018 18:52:48 GMT
It might take me a few days to get you those pics. Those books (and my comic books and my Coulson action figure and my Coulson, May, LOLA, and other Coulson FUNKO's....) are at my grandma's house. Cancel that. There's some guys on YouTube that flipped through the book. I'm going to go ahead and order S4 and look it over before deciding on S1-3... Thanks anyway! |
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Post by backroadjunkie on Jun 20, 2018 22:06:39 GMT
So I got Season 4 a week ago, and finally got some time to look through the book.
It's pretty massive at 264 pages, with a thoroughly overdone slipcover increasing the height of the book by almost an inch. (It's 12" wide by 11" high. I have to admit that the Agents of SHIELD/Agents of HYDRA logos on the front and back are cool though. The slipcover will be difficult to maintain in pristine condition. The book weighs in around 3.75 pounds, and the massive flat-black surface area looks prone to staining. Any dents or dings will be very obvious. (Just an observation.)
The book itself has the Darkhold's cover, though I've looked through the book and haven't become any more evil than I was before. At least as far as I can tell, anyway.
The contents is fairly impressive. It starts with how the season was conceived and planned, to a summary of each regular cast member and character, then an examination of each of the 22 episodes. It concludes with Coulson in space. (Oh, spoiler alert.) There's even a section on Sling-Shot, the Yo-Yo web series.
Every episode is started with a narrative summary (with some quotes thrown in). Also included is who directed and wrote the ep, the production dates and the air date. I did a quick look at the production dates. Generally the end date of the production of an ep would be the start of the next. Each episode would take about 10 days to complete. I think that's pretty impressive.
Post-synopsis, each chapter then goes into some of the elements of the episode. New character/cast member information, concept art, storyboards, VFX progressions, locations, floor plans, blueprints, and photos/plates of things you knew existed (or just saw glances of). For instance, the carnival posters with the Johnny Blaze Ghostrider, the different colored badges from Mace's tenure as Director, a close up of Daisy's Hydra badge, all sorts of cool stuff.
I haven't thoroughly read it yet, but it does impart some information, like Ghostrider was offered as a possible AoS character by Marvel, but it was AoS's decision to use the Reyes Ghostrider.
I may read each chapter as a postmortem on a rewatch, once the blu-ray set from Amazon UK arrives. (Should arrive in about 3 weeks.)
Finally, not to disparage the book, but back in the day before the web, I could see every couple of chapters as part of a Marvel Fan Magazine. But since print is just about dead, and stuff that would go into such a magazine is now available on the web (with moving pictures, sound and everything!), you really improve the image quality, get insider access and make an impressive looking book out of it. It works, but probably only at the dedicated fan level.
That said, there's a pretty good chance I'll pick up the other three seasons. The prices vary wildly over time, so I'll monitor camelcamelcamel and pick them up as a deal occurs. I'm in no hurry... |
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Post by caseyrook AKA Mechelle on Jun 22, 2018 6:32:05 GMT
So I got Season 4 a week ago, and finally got some time to look through the book.
It's pretty massive at 264 pages, with a thoroughly overdone slipcover increasing the height of the book by almost an inch. (It's 12" wide by 11" high. I have to admit that the Agents of SHIELD/Agents of HYDRA logos on the front and back are cool though. The slipcover will be difficult to maintain in pristine condition. The book weighs in around 3.75 pounds, and the massive flat-black surface area looks prone to staining. Any dents or dings will be very obvious. (Just an observation.)
The book itself has the Darkhold's cover, though I've looked through the book and haven't become any more evil than I was before. At least as far as I can tell, anyway.
The contents is fairly impressive. It starts with how the season was conceived and planned, to a summary of each regular cast member and character, then an examination of each of the 22 episodes. It concludes with Coulson in space. (Oh, spoiler alert.) There's even a section on Sling-Shot, the Yo-Yo web series.
Every episode is started with a narrative summary (with some quotes thrown in). Also included is who directed and wrote the ep, the production dates and the air date. I did a quick look at the production dates. Generally the end date of the production of an ep would be the start of the next. Each episode would take about 10 days to complete. I think that's pretty impressive.
Post-synopsis, each chapter then goes into some of the elements of the episode. New character/cast member information, concept art, storyboards, VFX progressions, locations, floor plans, blueprints, and photos/plates of things you knew existed (or just saw glances of). For instance, the carnival posters with the Johnny Blaze Ghostrider, the different colored badges from Mace's tenure as Director, a close up of Daisy's Hydra badge, all sorts of cool stuff.
I haven't thoroughly read it yet, but it does impart some information, like Ghostrider was offered as a possible AoS character by Marvel, but it was AoS's decision to use the Reyes Ghostrider.
I may read each chapter as a postmortem on a rewatch, once the blu-ray set from Amazon UK arrives. (Should arrive in about 3 weeks.)
Finally, not to disparage the book, but back in the day before the web, I could see every couple of chapters as part of a Marvel Fan Magazine. But since print is just about dead, and stuff that would go into such a magazine is now available on the web (with moving pictures, sound and everything!), you really improve the image quality, get insider access and make an impressive looking book out of it. It works, but probably only at the dedicated fan level.
That said, there's a pretty good chance I'll pick up the other three seasons. The prices vary wildly over time, so I'll monitor camelcamelcamel and pick them up as a deal occurs. I'm in no hurry... Glad you liked it. I still don't have the fourth season book. BTW: I'm fairly confident there is not a fifth season book coming. |
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Post by ayanami on Jun 22, 2018 21:24:31 GMT
So I got Season 4 a week ago, and finally got some time to look through the book.
It's pretty massive at 264 pages, with a thoroughly overdone slipcover increasing the height of the book by almost an inch. (It's 12" wide by 11" high. I have to admit that the Agents of SHIELD/Agents of HYDRA logos on the front and back are cool though. The slipcover will be difficult to maintain in pristine condition. The book weighs in around 3.75 pounds, and the massive flat-black surface area looks prone to staining. Any dents or dings will be very obvious. (Just an observation.)
The book itself has the Darkhold's cover, though I've looked through the book and haven't become any more evil than I was before. At least as far as I can tell, anyway.
The contents is fairly impressive. It starts with how the season was conceived and planned, to a summary of each regular cast member and character, then an examination of each of the 22 episodes. It concludes with Coulson in space. (Oh, spoiler alert.) There's even a section on Sling-Shot, the Yo-Yo web series.
Every episode is started with a narrative summary (with some quotes thrown in). Also included is who directed and wrote the ep, the production dates and the air date. I did a quick look at the production dates. Generally the end date of the production of an ep would be the start of the next. Each episode would take about 10 days to complete. I think that's pretty impressive.
Post-synopsis, each chapter then goes into some of the elements of the episode. New character/cast member information, concept art, storyboards, VFX progressions, locations, floor plans, blueprints, and photos/plates of things you knew existed (or just saw glances of). For instance, the carnival posters with the Johnny Blaze Ghostrider, the different colored badges from Mace's tenure as Director, a close up of Daisy's Hydra badge, all sorts of cool stuff.
I haven't thoroughly read it yet, but it does impart some information, like Ghostrider was offered as a possible AoS character by Marvel, but it was AoS's decision to use the Reyes Ghostrider.
I may read each chapter as a postmortem on a rewatch, once the blu-ray set from Amazon UK arrives. (Should arrive in about 3 weeks.)
Finally, not to disparage the book, but back in the day before the web, I could see every couple of chapters as part of a Marvel Fan Magazine. But since print is just about dead, and stuff that would go into such a magazine is now available on the web (with moving pictures, sound and everything!), you really improve the image quality, get insider access and make an impressive looking book out of it. It works, but probably only at the dedicated fan level.
That said, there's a pretty good chance I'll pick up the other three seasons. The prices vary wildly over time, so I'll monitor camelcamelcamel and pick them up as a deal occurs. I'm in no hurry... Does it show the full name that's printed on it? And if so, what does it say? Or is she just Agent Skye? Because on the show, there was a strategically placed finger on that part. |
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Post by backroadjunkie on Jun 23, 2018 4:13:37 GMT
Does it show the full name that's printed on it? And if so, what does it say? Or is she just Agent Skye? Because on the show, there was a strategically placed finger on that part. Her Hydra badge?  Cleaned up image of the ID: I didn't try the qr code to see if it was legit... |
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Post by backroadjunkie on Jul 2, 2018 7:22:04 GMT
I've been tracking prices.
If anyone is interested, Season 1 is on Amazon right now for $28.60, the lowest it's been so far. (At least according to ccc.) The guys selling it have 10 copies left.
I've ordered one at that price.
In other AoS news, the Season 4 Blu-Ray from Amazon.UK has been "dispatched". It was $33.80 at today's exchange rate, though I bought the set at £22.49 (£25.57 total w/shipping), it is currently being offered by Amazon.UK at £26.99, or about a $7 increase over what I bought it for. It is supposed to arrive July 24, though I've noticed shipping across the pond is usually faster than that...
The Season 5 DVD set is still on a slow boat from China. No, really, it's on a slow boat from China...
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The cast commentary on S1 was okay, but it mostly showed they were kept in the dark about the storyline like us. They just had a few weeks head start. I only wish they would have done some cast commentaries on the later seasons when they were more into their characters...
I like turning pages.
