Transformers: Armada (comics)
Encyclopedia
Transformers: Armada
spawned at least three different comic book titles, the first being a mini-comic supplied with the toys, coming in various languages, that told small side stories relating to the premise, and eventually began leading into the Unicron Battles.
After five issues by Chris Sarracini setting up the Autobot
s' arrival on Earth and first battles with the Decepticon
s, the title began being written by Simon Furman
, the most prolific writer on the Transformers franchise. Furman's stories handled Armada with a maturity and direction that the animated series had yet to display and the comics were praised more so for the effort.
For the final few storylines, Furman introduced the world devouring Unicron as a dimension-crossing indestructible force who enlists familiar Decepticon characters from Generation One (versions of Thunderwing
, Galvatron
, Scourge
, Dirge
and Bludgeon
), as "sentinels" to pave his way on Armada Earth. Fan reaction was divided over this story, some believing it to be mere fanwank and an excuse for Furman to write for some of his favorite TF characters (Bludgeon and Galvatron), but many also appreciated the opportunity to see epic collisions the animated series would not provide. The conclusion of this arc wrapped up the Armada plotlines as the Autobots and Decepticons returned to Cybertron with the Mini-Cons assembled to destroy Unicron. The Armada comic series would continue beyond issue 17, but under the title of Transformers: Energon.
(a company which had long since absorbed Marvel UK
, which had launched Furman's career and success in the franchise). This title was also written by Furman, but was tailored towards much younger readers, with bright, block art and simplified stories - although traces of Furman's usual bold storytelling could still be found in it. Furman also included a side story strip called "Tales of the Mini-Cons" which followed the 'Cons on their own personal adventures, sometimes dipping into their past on Earth and spinning off plots that would even be resolved in the main strip. The Mini-Con Destruction Team that Furman had made the chief antagonists of his Moon base DW arc also showed signs of their ambitious hunger for power in one of the last issues, forging an alliance with Starscream.
Unfortunately, and much like the UK Generation 2 comic in the early 1990s', the title did not provide or generate the same success enjoyed by the G1 strips of the 1980s, and folded after nine issues. When Energon arrived in the UK, a comic was not distributed to tie in with the series or the toyline.
Transformers: Armada
Transformers: Armada, known in Japan as , is a Transformers animated series, comic series and toy line which ran from 2002–2003. It was originally scheduled for 2001, however was delayed until early-2002...
spawned at least three different comic book titles, the first being a mini-comic supplied with the toys, coming in various languages, that told small side stories relating to the premise, and eventually began leading into the Unicron Battles.
Dreamwave Productions
The second comic was a monthly publication produced by then-comics media giant Dreamwave. Unlike the animated series that shares it's name, this story is an original US creation, not a dub of a Japanese story, with more mature tones.After five issues by Chris Sarracini setting up the Autobot
Autobot
Autobot, a faction of sentient robots from the planet Cybertron, are usually the main protagonists in the fictional universe of the Transformers, a collection of various toys, graphic novels, paperback books, cartoons and movies first introduced in 1984. In all but one Transformer story, the...
s' arrival on Earth and first battles with the Decepticon
Decepticon
The Decepticons are usually depicted as the antagonists in the fictional universes of the Transformers stoyline and related comics and cartoons, and the enemies of the Autobots and the University of California Davis Aggies...
s, the title began being written by Simon Furman
Simon Furman
Simon Christopher Francis Furman is a comic book writer, particularly associated with of a number of notable Transformers comics for Marvel UK, Marvel US, Dreamwave, and most recently, IDW...
, the most prolific writer on the Transformers franchise. Furman's stories handled Armada with a maturity and direction that the animated series had yet to display and the comics were praised more so for the effort.
For the final few storylines, Furman introduced the world devouring Unicron as a dimension-crossing indestructible force who enlists familiar Decepticon characters from Generation One (versions of Thunderwing
Thunderwing
Thunderwing is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. Introduced in 1989, he was a major villain in the Marvel Comics Transformers series. Although Thunderwing was created after the US Transformers television series ended, the character of Black Shadow did appear in...
, Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...
, Scourge
Scourge (Transformers)
Scourge is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. He first appeared as one of the central villains in the 1986 film The Transformers, voiced by Stan Jones. He also regularly appeared in the animated Transformers series and Transformers comic books. Since then other...
, Dirge
Dirge (Transformers)
Dirge is the name of several different fictional characters from the Transformers series. He was first introduced in 1985 as a villain in the Transformers series, appearing in the comic book by Marvel Comics and voiced by Bud Davis in the animated television series. Since then the name Dirge was...
and Bludgeon
Bludgeon (Transformers)
Bludgeon is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. For trademark reasons, he is now marketed by Hasbro as Decepticon Bludgeon. They are all Decepticon warriors who turn into tanks.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
), as "sentinels" to pave his way on Armada Earth. Fan reaction was divided over this story, some believing it to be mere fanwank and an excuse for Furman to write for some of his favorite TF characters (Bludgeon and Galvatron), but many also appreciated the opportunity to see epic collisions the animated series would not provide. The conclusion of this arc wrapped up the Armada plotlines as the Autobots and Decepticons returned to Cybertron with the Mini-Cons assembled to destroy Unicron. The Armada comic series would continue beyond issue 17, but under the title of Transformers: Energon.
List of characters
- Autobots
- Hot Shot - A young, emotional racer and soldier. Turns into a car.
- Optimus Prime - Leader of the Autobots. Turns into a semi-truck and trailer. Combines with Jetfire and Overload.
- Scavenger - Turns into a bulldozer.
- Smokescreen - Turns into a crane.
- Decepticons
- Cyclonus - Turns into a helicopter.
- DemolishorDemolishorDemolishor is the name of several different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Armada:Demolishor is one of the earliest created Decepticons of the toyline; and in the storyline, also one of the first to come to Earth from his homeworld - the fictional planet...
- Turns into a tank. - Megatron - Leader of the Decepticons. Turns into a tank.
- Mini-Cons
- Dirt Boss - Turns into a car. Member of the Mini-Con Race Team who combine into the Skyboom ShieldSkyboom Shield-Transformers: Armada:right|thumb|The Road Assault color Skyboom Shield toyFormed from the combination of the Mini-Con Race Team , it is one of three most powerful weapons in the Universe...
. - IncineratorIncinerator (Transformers)Incinerator is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Armada:Incinerator is the name of the Mini-Con Partner to Armada Blurr.-Animated series:...
Partner to Blurr. Turns into a race car. - Over-Run - A dimensional travler who arrives from an alternate world already destroyed by UnicronUnicronUnicron is a fictional character from the Transformers universe and toyline. Created by Floro Dery, he was introduced in the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie as the film's main antagonist. Unicron is a prodigiously large robot whose scale reaches planetary proportions, and he is also...
. Turns into a jet or a handgun. - Jolt - Partner to Hot Shot. Turns into a helicopter.
- Leader-1 - Partner to Megatron. Turns into a mobile gun.
- LongarmLongarm (Transformers)Longarm is the name to four different fictional characters from the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Cybertron:The name Longarm was reused for a member of the Giant Planet Mini-Con Team allies with the Decepticons. This Longarm also turned into a crane...
- Partner to Inferno. Turns into a crane. - Rollbar - Partner to Scavenger. Turns into a truck.
- Sparkplug - Partner to Optimus Prime. Turns into a car.
Panini Comics
The third comic was exclusive to the United Kingdom, and was published by Panini ComicsPanini Comics
Panini Comics is an Italian comic book publisher. A division of Panini Group, best known for their collectible stickers, it is headquartered in Modena, Italy...
(a company which had long since absorbed Marvel UK
Marvel UK
Marvel UK was an imprint of Marvel Comics formed in 1972 to reprint US produced stories for the British weekly comic market, though it later did produce original material by British creators such as Alan Moore, John Wagner, Dave Gibbons, Steve Dillon and Grant Morrison.Panini Comics obtained the...
, which had launched Furman's career and success in the franchise). This title was also written by Furman, but was tailored towards much younger readers, with bright, block art and simplified stories - although traces of Furman's usual bold storytelling could still be found in it. Furman also included a side story strip called "Tales of the Mini-Cons" which followed the 'Cons on their own personal adventures, sometimes dipping into their past on Earth and spinning off plots that would even be resolved in the main strip. The Mini-Con Destruction Team that Furman had made the chief antagonists of his Moon base DW arc also showed signs of their ambitious hunger for power in one of the last issues, forging an alliance with Starscream.
Unfortunately, and much like the UK Generation 2 comic in the early 1990s', the title did not provide or generate the same success enjoyed by the G1 strips of the 1980s, and folded after nine issues. When Energon arrived in the UK, a comic was not distributed to tie in with the series or the toyline.