And I will not be making this series a priority.   The team dynamics didn't really work for me.   And it's not because they couldn't, or didn't, work well as a team.   They did.   There just wasn't the chemistry between any of them that sparkled for me, and so I found myself slightly bored.  

Just gonna admit it: I'm getting around to reading some of the comics I got weeks ago during a buy one, get two free sale.   This was one that rounded out this, because Bumblebee.  Which, yes, I knew who Bumblebee was in DC and not to expect my Bee.   Still, I figured, free, and I'd give another Rebirth series a shot. 

I also kinda guessed what would happen at the end, so that wasn't a real shocker for me.  I liked how the team went about finding out what was really happening, though, and insisted on proof instead of just acting on their gut.   If I enjoyed the way these characters interacted more, I'd definitely pick up more of this series. 

I knew some of what would happen and that made what happened with Chris Latta - he died young - less shocking.   Not less sad, but it was less of a gut punch hearing about it this time around.   

That preparedness suited me: I didn't want surprises, I didn't want anything surprising.  I just wanted something fun. 

Gilvezan is charming, gracious, humble, and talented, and he notes that most of the people he knows in the industry - acting, and particularly voice overs - is kind and gracious and talented.   In his experience, the more talent, the more generous they are.   I wonder if he'd be surprised that people find him generous and warmhearted, at least based on this memoir, then.   He's super talented, and his warmth and generosity come through when he talks about, well, everyone.   Even Burr - Wally Burr - who is a taskmaster.   He wants perfection, demands it, and Gilvezan is critical of his techniques at points.   He also points out many of Burr's talents, and strengths, and even says this doesn't mean that he doesn't like Burr.  They talk, they're friends, but many actors weren't fond of some of Burr's techniques, to the point that there were bets on how many takes particular lines would take.   My point is, he's generous beyond belief even when being critical.   He knows that Burr is just doing his job, and he's very particular about it: he wants it done right no matter what. 

And while it was nice hearing the funny stories, and about the cast, and about what went on, I needed that warmth right now.   Fantastic, even as a reread. 

If it's not obvious, Gilvezan was the original voice actor for Bumblebee - and others - and he goes over the whole span of his run - the whole shebang.   He gets a little disappointed in the movie, but even then makes the most of a situation that isn't ideal for him.  I'd forgotten how much I respected him for this memoir itself. 

Here's my original review.

And yet I promised more awful porn.   Starting with Taken by the Gay Tank.   

But.... *paws at Ultron and Transformers*

I will reward myself soon. 

Sweet, short, and funny, this is a look at voicing Bumblebee for Generation One (G1), although it meanders a bit to talk bout working in Hollywood - as a voice actor, at least, as well as speaking about the people Dan Givezan was working with at the time. 

He mentioned quite a bit I wasn't aware of - like Chris Latta being more troubled than I'd realized - but there is never any nastiness.   Which I was worried about, because he basically says if anyone whom he worked with takes issue with what I say, write your own book - right in the beginning. 

I was worried because Bee is sweet, and kind, and I didn't want to find out that the man who originally voiced him was going to dish out on his co-workers; that was not the book i was interested in, or why I'd bought this book.  I've heard of it happening in other autobiographies, and, yes, a concern. 

I hadn't a reason to worry.   Dan Gilvezan comes off as sweet as Bee is, and even while he might skirt issues, he doesn't condemn anyone, and he speaks of them in a factual 'this is how I saw things, this is what I saw' manner that left me feeling as if he sympathized with everyone, despite flaws.   He even talks about Peter Cullen and Frank Welker being kind of shy, and liking them more for that, although the implication is some might see that as a flaw.  

Gilvezan also speaks very highly of everyone he works with, almost to the point where it seems like this might be brown nosing.   Regardless, these are stories that people, fans, wouldn't have a chance to hear if not for this book.  In the end, it's refreshing to hear someone who speaks so highly of those he works with, even when he talks about what practical jokers they are.  

This book is short - an hour and twenty minutes, as an audiobook - but is well worth the price, and the time if only to laugh at the antics of the cast.   (It's not all fun and games, and Dan does talk about disappointments, and hardships, but he does so without bitterness in my opinion, and sort of as a 'that's the way things go' attitude.   Especially when talking about the original, animated movie.)

I'll probably listen to this again, most likely all at once, at my studio.   Because everyone talked over this, and I had to listen to parts again and again - but I couldn't not listen to it this weekend.  It was informative, captivating, and entertaining.  I can't remember enjoying a book so much in a while. 

And this is Bee for my character challenge.   I... if why isn't obvious, I can't explain that without the use of heavy sarcasm.   And snark. 

Hearing some of this about Chris Latta - the voice of the original Starscream - is kind of hard.   I didn't know about his drug addictions, or anything, but then again I'm more interested in characters than actors - even voice actors - for the most part.  

It's as factual as possible, while still being a memoir, and sympathetic towards Latta.   Still, it saddens me, especially as I checked on IMDB, and as noted in this book, he is no longer with us.