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Showing posts with label Armada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Armada. Show all posts

Tuesday, 26 April 2016

Panini - Armada #6

Cover Date: 8 Oct 2003
Price: £1.75
Main Story
Title: Between Two Worlds!
Script: Simon Furman
Pencils: Andrew Wildman
Inks: Lee Townsend
Colour: Junior Tomlin
Letters: Neil Porter
Plot
The Decepticons land on the Earth's Moon and start searching for any Mini-Cons from when the ship crashed there in the past.
The Autobots earn about this from Laserbeak, but the Autobots on Earth cannot reach there by Space Bridge (for some reason) so they have some of their Cybertron-based troops head there using THEIR space bridge instead. Scavenger and Smokescreen are sent through, but are immediately attacked by the Decepticons.
Optimus launches a probe to the Moon, controlled by some Mini-Cons, and uses it to locate the Mini-Con's crashed shuttle, and then use an activation signal on it.

Elsewhere on the Moon, the Autobot reinforcements are badly beaten by the Decepticons, but are saved by the newly activated Liftor and Rollbar, who help them to turn the tide of the battle.
Optimus tells Megatron, via a communication that they have all the Moon's Mini-Cons now, so the Decepticons retreat, leaving the Autobots behind.
Characters
Autobot
Optimus Prime - Truck
Scavenger - Bulldozer
Smokescreen - Tow-Crane Truck
Jetfire - Space Shuttle
Laserbeak - Camcorder/Gun

Decepticon
Megatron - Tank
Demolishor - Battle Tank
Cyclonus - Helicopter

Mini-Con
Sparkplug - Sports Car
Longarm - Crane
Jolt - Helicopter
Liftor - Forklift-Bulldozer Truck
Rollbar - Jeep
Tales of the Mini-Cons...
Title: Blast from the Past!
Script: Simon Furman
Pencils: Keiron Ward
Inks: Lee Townsend
Colour: Junior Tomlin
Letters: Neil Porter
Plot
At Area 54 in 1959, the ERTD are showing off their new military hard ware, the Land Military Team, to some Military generals, but during the test runs, the Mini-Cons "malfunction" and start attacking with live-rounds instead of blanks. They are locked away for tests, but later in the day they manage to escape.
The Mini-Cons make their way to a small village where Wreckage manages to give a human a message to pass on later, but is quickly captured with the others by the ERTD and taken away.

In 2003, the same human, now older, is watching the news when he sees footage of the Air Defence Team saving the day in Chicago and realizes that it is now time to pass on the message to them.
Characters
Mini-Con
Wreckage - Twin Rocket Mounted Personnel Carrier
Bonecrusher - SCUD Missile Truck
Knock Out - Rocket Mounted Personnel Carrier
Jetstorm - Concorde Jet (Video Footage)
Runway - Stealth Jet (Video Footage)

Human
Reverend Amos Hume
Hathaway
Professor Tyber
Doctor Quint
Doctor Grant
General Guy
ERTD Personnel
Notes
  • Story time again! This was the only other issue of this series that I collected back in 2003. So the storyline from the end of this (to my knowledge anyway) went unfinished for about 13 years....YAY!
  • The Decepticons establish their base on the Moon in this issue. In the cartoon they do this from the start of the series
  • Why didn't they do this earlier? They figured out in ISSUE TWO that more Mini-Cons could be on the Moon!
  • Starscream is absent in this issue, most likely due to his involvement in the Air Defence Team plot from last issue, and the next one.
  • Despite the cover, Jetfire doesn't join the others in heading to the Moon, he stays on Cybertron
  • So...the Autobots have been shown to have space bridge technology, that can reach Earth and the Moon etc with great ease, even in this issue, and they are also shown to have communications with Cybertron established....why did the Autobots on Earth use a rocket-probe to reach the Moon? Wouldn't it be easier to just bridge to Cybertron, and then to the Moon??
  • LIFTOR EVEN DOES A SHORT DISTANCE SPACE BRIDGE TO GET TO SMOKESCREEN! WHAT THE FUCK ARMADA?!?!
  • Rollbar doesn't get a real introduction in this issue, he just appears in Scavenger's cab in one panel, and then stands with the others in the last one.
  • What?! I could have won a Superbase Optimus Prime from this comic? Why did I buy one from Tesco like a fool then??
  • How have the ERTD kept the Transformers a secret since at least 1959? They're terrible!!
  • Next issue we learn that the human in 1959 is a reverend named Amos Hume. The only clue to this in this issue is the church in the background in this issue.
Other Features
Various Contests and Adverts
Data File #11: Smokescreen
Rescue Mission! - Puzzles!!
Moon Battle! Pull-out poster of the Autobot reinforcements on the Moon
Mini-Con Code Wheels! - Destroy the comic to make some decoder wheels
Data File #12: Liftor
Starscream's Hate Mail! - Starscream takes over the letters page and insults us! YAY!!!

Monday, 25 April 2016

Panini - Armada #5

Cover Date: 10 Sept 2003
Price: £1.75
Main Story
Title: Devices and Desires!
Script: Simon Furman
Pencils: Andrew Wildman
Inks: Bambos Georgiou
Colour: Junior Tomlin
Letters: Neil Porter
Plot
The Air Defence Team chase after a crashing satellite, but manage to curb it away from a populated area, and dump it into the ocean, however the team notice that the damage looks a bit unusual, and almost deliberate.
Before they can finish their thoughts, Starscream appears and begins attacking the team, and manages to plant a small device on Jetstorm, all whilst monologuing about how he plans to use them to bolster his own troops for a planned coup against Megatron.
The Autobots arrive. and Starscream is scared off. Despite their help however, the Mini-Cons still refuse to join the Autobots, as they don't want to be aligned to anyone. Optimus understands and promises to help them in the future if they ever need it.

None of them are aware that the device planted by Starscream is a tracking device, allowing him to follow the Mini-Cons wherever they go...
Characters
Autobot
Optimus Prime - Truck
Hot Shot - Sports Car
Red Alert - Emergency SUV

Decepticon
Starscream - Fighter Jet
Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

Mini-Con
Jetstorm - Concorde Jet
Runway - Stealth Jet
Sonar - Space Jet
Tales of the Mini-Cons...
Title: We are not alone!
Script: Simon Furman
Pencils: Keiron Ward
Inks: Lee Townsend
Colour: Junior Tomlin
Letters: Neil Porter

Plot
The Air Defence Team arrive at a NASA base, intending to steal/borrow some deep space technology to help them get off the planet and escape the war yet again. Before they can explore however, the team are attacked by some well-armed humans who knock them out.
A short while later, the Mini-Cons are taken to Area 54 where they are being examined by scientists. Once the scientists leave the Mini-Cons wake up and plot their escape. Jetstorm looks through the computers and finds out about some more Mini-Cons that were captured in the past.
The team leave, just as the humans return, but now have a new mission to complete before they can leave...find and rescue the Land Military Team.
Characters
Mini-Con
Jetstorm - Concorde Jet
Runway - Stealth Jet
Sonar - Space Jet
Wreckage - Twin Rocket Mounted Personnel Carrier (Schematics Only)
Bonecrusher - SCUD Missile Truck (Schematics Only)
Knock Out - Rocket Mounted Personnel Carrier (Schematics Only)

Human
ERTD Personnel
Scientists
Notes
  • Fun little anecdote time! This was the FIRST Transformers comic that I ever bought (the others before this were recent buys from another collector). So you can blame this one for this blog :)
  • The front cover of this comic lies! There are no scenes set in space! This is a trend that is continued throughout the series now....damn publishers trying to trick me into buying their silly magazines <.<
  • This is the first time in this series that Starscream starts plotting against Megatron. It continues until the end of the series (but is never resolved)
  • Jetstorm claims that the Air Defence TEAM aren't team players.....does anyone else notice the irony?
  • The human soldiers in the side story are unnamed here, but future issues will name them as the ERTD (Extra-Terrestrial Response Division). The name's strange abbreviation is akin to RAAT from the Marvel days.
  • Just because the ERTD have the Land Military Team in their custody, that shouldn't mean they know how the Air Defence Team work...they have totally different alternate modes, and are even outfitted to combine, unlike the others.
Other Features
Various Contests and Adverts
Secret I.D. Badges! - Destroy the comic to make some crappy paper badges (so that's where Titan got the idea!)
Data File #9: Starscream
Brain Drain! - Puzzles!
Terror in the Skies! - Pull-out poster of Starscream vs the Air Defence Team
Meet: The Air Defence Team! - Profile info for the team
Data File #10: Swindle
Hot Shot's Hot Mail! - Hot Shot reads the mail again

Panini - Armada #4

Cover Date: 13 Aug 2003
Price: £1.75
Main Story
Title: No Way Back!
Script: Simon Furman
Pencils: Andrew Wildman
Inks: Bambos Georgiou
Colour: Junior Tomlin
Letters: Neil Porter
Plot
The Autobots have decided that the safest place for the Mini-Cons is back on Cybertron, so they have opened up a space bridge for them to return there, and wait for more of their missing friends to join them later. The Human kids don't like this plan, since it means they're out-powered by the Decepticons.
Before they can leave however, the Decepticons attack, intent on taking the Mini-Cons for themselves. The two factions fight, but when the Autobots are about to lose, the kids tell them that they sent the Mini-Cons through already.
In actuality though, the Mini-Cons were just hiding, and with the Decepticons distracted, they attach to the Autobots and help them defeat their enemies. The Decepticons retreat, but destroy the space bridge on their way out, stopping the Mini-Cons from leaving in the future.
Characters
Autobot
Optimus Prime - Truck
Hot Shot - Sports Car
Red Alert - Emergency SUV

Decepticon
Megatron - Tank
Starscream - Fighter Jet
Cyclonus - Helicopter
Demolishor - Battle Tank

Mini-Con
Sparkplug - Sports Car
Longarm - Crane
Jolt - Helicopter
High Wire - BMX
Sureshock - Scooter
Grindor - Skateboard
Leader-1 - Cannon Truck

Human
Rad White
Carlos Lopez
Alexis
Tales of the Mini-Cons...
Title: Into the Lion's Den!
Script: Simon Furman
Pencils and Inks: Lee Sullivan
Colour: Junior Tomlin
Letters: Neil Porter

Plot
The Autobot allied Mini-Cons infiltrate the Decepticon's current base, under a deserted town and find the Decepticon allied Mini-Cons. Sparkplug tries to free their captive "friends" but they simply attack them, revealing that they are willingly serving the Decepticons.
The Autobot allied Mini-Cons escape and are picked up by Rad in an Autobot shuttle. Sparkplug gives up on the Decepticon allied Mini-Cons.
Characters
Autobot
Optimus Prime - Truck (Mentioned)

Decepticon
Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

Mini-Con
Sparkplug - Sports Car
Longarm - Crane
Jolt - Helicopter
Leader-1 - Cannon Truck
Swindle - F1 Race Car
Crumplezone - Tank
Blackout - Anti-Aircraft Vehicle

Human
Rad White
Notes
  • The Autobots sending the Mini-Cons back to Cybertron in this issue somewhat mimics the Transformers returning to Cybertron at the end of the Armada Dreamwave comics to face off with Unicron.
  • Why did the Autobots build their Space Bridge in the middle of a field, where they would be easy targets for the Decepticons, and not hidden somewhere?
  • The Decepticon hide-out in the side story features a red Decepticon insignia...this was before the creation of the Shattered Glass continuity, but it's still funny.
  • Unlike the Decepticon controlled Mini-Cons in Dreamwave, their counterparts here are shown as just as evil as the bulks.
  • Jolt has some electrical powers here, just like his name-sake from Revenge of the Fallen....was Michael Bay inspired by an old UK comic?!?!
Other Features
Various Contests and Adverts
Awaken the Mini-Con! - Locate and "awaken the mystery Mini-Con
Data File #7: Hot Shot
Protect the Space Bridge - Colour in a picture of the Autobots defending the Space Bridge
Megatron! - Pull-out poster...guess who it is of?
Demolishor's Combat Training! - Learn how to be evil with Demolishor!
Data File #8: Jolt
Mini-Con Robo-Race! - Play spot the difference to win the Air Defence Mini-Cons!
Hot Shot's Hot Mail! - hurr hurr, the picture of Sparkplug here has a willy!

Sunday, 24 April 2016

Panini - Armada #3

Cover Date: 16th July 2003
Price: £1.75
Main Story
Title: Deep Trouble!
Script: Simon Furman
Pencils: Andrew Wildman
Inks: Bambos Georgiou
Colours: Junior Tomlin
Letters: Neil Porter
Plot
The Humans and Mini-Cons travel back into the cave where the Mini-Con ship sits, as the Autobots need a locator inside it to help them find the other Mini-Cons before the Decepticons can, unfortunately though, the Autobots are too big to enter the cave themselves.
Inside the cave, they soon find the locator, but Demolishor breaks through the cave walls and begins the attack the group. The Mini-Cons try to hold him off, but are too weak. Rad distracts Demolishor before he can finish off the Mini-Cons by stealing the locator and leading him into the tunnels.
The humans run away in the tunnels, but drop the locator near a weak area that Rad knows about. The vibrations from Demolishor's treads set off a reaction that destroys the locator (not sure how, but comic science!)
The humans and Mini-Cons leave the tunnel, and Optimus is okay with the locator being destroyed, since the Mini-Cons will make themselves known in their own times now.
Characters
Autobot
Optimus Prime - Truck
Hot Shot - Sports Car
Red Alert - Emergency SUV

Decepticon
Demolishor - Battle Tank
Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

Mini-Con
High Wire - BMX
Sureshock - Scooter
Grindor - Skateboard
Longarm - Crane (Flashback)
Runway - Stealth Jet (Flashback)
Jetstorm - Concorde Jet (Flashback)

Human
Rad White
Carlos Lopez
Alexis
Tales of the Mini-Cons...
Title: Just a Memory!
Script: Simon Furman
Pencils: Kieron Ward
Inks: Bambos Georgiou
Colours: Junior Tomlin
Letters: Neil Porter

Plot
School finishes for the kids, but as they go their separate ways afterwards, their partner Mini-Cons follow them in secret.
Rad is in detention for not paying attention in his chemistry class along with Fred and Billy, whilst there, the bullies tamper with Rad's chemicals, which makes High Wire remember when a compound for clean fuel he created on Cybertron was tampered with by Decepticons, to cause extra pollution on the planet. High Wire gets angry and grabs the bullies out of the window and knocks them around a bit. Rad takes the opportunity to escape from detention.
Elsewhere, at the mall, Carlos is planning to show off some new skateboard tricks to his friends, when Grindor remembers himself showing off his skills on Cybertron, so he decides to help Carlos to show off by replacing his skateboards and helping him perform impossible tricks. Carlos gets angry and has Grindor take him out of the mall.
Outside they run into Rad and High Wire, and soon Alexis, who says that Sureshock overloaded the observatory computers by trying to fill it with Cybertronian data.

The Mini-Cons explain that they're only trying to help the humans and learn from them about Earth customs. Rad promises that he'll help them to learn, which worries the other kids....
Characters
Mini-Con
High Wire - BMX
Sureshock - Scooter
Grindor - Skateboard
Sparkplug - Sports Car (Flashback)
Longarm - Crane (Flashback)

Human
Rad White
Carlos Lopez
Alexis
Billy
Fred
Chemistry Teacher
Skaters
Pedestrians
Notes
  • Starting with this issue, we get 2 comic strips, a main story and a side-story starring the Mini-Cons
  • Despite the cover, the only Decepticon who appears in either comic is Demolishor.
  • Why does Demolishor has a buzzsaw? It's not the Mini-Con Buzzsaw, so where did it come from?
  • Also that buzzsaw looks more like a wood cutter, it's far too thin to break rocks like that!
  • The tracker is designed like the Mini-Con panels from the cartoon. In this series, like the Dreamwave one, the Mini-Cons are kept in stasis pods or similar devices, and not the panels
  • Awwww the Mini-Cons have tiny blasters!
  • How did Billy, Fred or the teacher not notice High Wire either lingering in the area, grabbing the two bullies, or transforming and allowing Rad to escape?
  • The data file for Demolishor actually shows off his "artillery mode". This is quite cool :)
Other Features
Various Contests and Adverts
Make your escape! - Solve the puzzles to leave the page...er....cave....
Data File #5: Demolishor
Aerial Assault! - Colour in a picture of the Autobots being chased by Decepticons
Super Optimus Prime! - Pull-out Poster
Escape from Planet Cybertron! - It's a board game to play! The back cover has ut out counters, but really, wouldn't it be more fun to play with Armada series Mini-Cons?
Data File #6: Blackout
Hot Shot's Hot Mail! - More mail, let's hope Starscream steals it from him soon!

Panini - Armada #2

Cover Date: 18th June 2003
Price: £1.75

Title: Friends and Foes!
Story: Simon Furman
Pencils: Andrew Wildman
Inks: Bambos Georgiou
Colours: Junior Tomlin
Lettering: Neil Porter
Plot
Optimus continues his assault on Optimus on Earth, but is easily able to defeat him, the other Decepticons arrive soon afterwards, and are immediately ordered to search for the Mini-Cons.
Nearby, the Humans and Mini-Cons are hiding, but Rad gets restless, and points out that the Mini-Cons can't just live their lives in fear of the war, and some times you need to fight for your lives, and not just hide away.
Elsewhere, Megatron asks the injured Optimus where the rest of his troops are, but soon deduces that they are on the Moon, since the signal bounced off of it, due to another transmitter there, meaning there's more Mini-Cons or their ship at least up there.
Rad appears on a hill above them, and tries to bargain for Optimus' life for the location of the Mini-Con ship, Megatron grabs Rad and orders him to locate it for him. Whilst this is happening, Carlos sneaks into the cave, to investigate the ship for more Mini-Cons himself.

Rad is rescued from Megatron by the Mini-Cons, who have decided that Rad was right, and they need to help the Autobots if they want to survive.
Despite the help though, the Mini-Cons aren't strong enough to take down a full sized Decepticon, but luckily Optimus activates a device that summons Hot Shot and Red Alert to the battlefield to join the fight. The Mini-Cons pair up with the Autobots, and lend them their power, allowing them to tip the scales against the Decepticons and win the fight. The Decepticons retreat.

In the aftermath, Optimus thanks the humans for their help, and Carlos leaves the cave and says he's found a load of Mini-Cons and other things inside.
Characters
Autobot
Optimus Prime - Truck
Hot Shot - Sports Car
Red Alert - Emergency SUV

Decepticon
Megatron - Tank
Starscream - Fighter Jet
Cyclonus - Helicopter
Demolishor - Battle Tank

Mini-Con
Sparkplug - Sports Car
Longarm - Crane
Jolt - Helicopter
High Wire - BMX
Sureshock - Scooter
Grindor - Skateboard
Leader-1 - Cannon Truck

Human
Rad White
Carlos Lopez
Alexis
Notes
  • Hey look! Demolishor's found himself into the comic! Where have you been? Tell me your stories friend!
  • Megatron's plan was to SHOOT at Rad, and THEN ask him to take him to the Mini-Con ship.....this is his first encounter with Humans, how did he know shooting near him wouldn't pop his bubble skin or something?!
  • Optimus has a hand held space bridge activation controller.....WHY DON'T WE SEE THIS AGAIN!?!?
  • Despite them powerlinking, and this being the whole gimmick for the Armada line, we never see the effects of Mini-Cons being connected to the Transformers, such as the pop-out weapons etc.
  • Carlos mentions that he's found more Mini-Cons in the crashed ship, but as we see next issue all he found was an empty ship, and a Mini-con tracker, which he would have no way to identify!
  • In this issue and the previous one, Alexis has a bare minimal role...I think someone forgot she existed!
Other Features
Various Contests and Adverts
Screen Scramble! - Unscramble an image of Optimus
Data File #3: Megatron
Incoming Fire! - Colour in a picture of the Autobots being shot
Hot Pursuit! - Pull out poster of the Decepticons chasing Hot Shot
Grid-Locked! - Solve a message from the Decepticons
Cruel Intentions? - Follow the arrows to see what faction you belong on (Mine was Decepticon)
Data File #4: Leader-1
Motorway Mayhem! - Guide Red Alert to the Autobot Base
Hot Shot's Hot Mail! - Hot Shot reads the mail!

Panini - Armada #1

Release Date: 21 May 2003
Price: £1.75 (FUCK YOU 2003!!!)

Comic Title: First Encounter
Script: Simon Furman
Pencils: Jon Mitchell
Inks: Bambos Georgiou and Martin Griffiths
Colours: Uncredited
Lettering: Neil Porter
Plot
On Cybertron, the Autobots are fighting against the Decepticons, but are losing the war, due to the Decepticons having Mini-Cons to augment their power. The Decepticons have the only Mini-Cons still on the planet as all the rest left on a ship to escape the war. The Autobots are staying alive due to hiding most of the time, but still wonder where the Mini-Con ended up, but also hope to never see them again, so they can be kept safe from the battles.

On Earth, some human kids are exploring a cave, when they find some metal structures inside it, whilst inside, they are trapped by some bullies, and accidentally trigger a computer that sends out a beam of energy into space. The two kids are escorted out of the cave by the newly awoken Mini-Con, High Wire, and they meet up with a third kid outside. High Wire tries to communicate with the kids in English, but is having issues learning it.
Before he can learn though, Megatron appears through a space bridge and threatens the kids and the Mini-Con. High Wire scans Rad's bike and takes on a form based on it, and tries to escape from the Decepticon with them. Megatron is faster than him though, so he easily catches up with the kids, but is stopped by a newly arrived Optimus, who was also alerted by the signal. The two Transformers begin their fight,. but Megatron has the upper hand due to his Mini-Con, Leader-1.

Rad and the other kids are taken to see some more awoken Mini-Cons by High Wire, and they are told about how the Mini-Cons were captured by Decepticons and modified to be used as power sources by them, and now they're just trying to escape the war, and they crashed on the Moon, leading to part of the ship falling to Earth a long time ago.
The Mini-Cons, though they know Optimus needs their help, decline to assist them, as they CANNOT re-join a war that they already escaped once, and leave Optimus to his beating....
Characters
Autobot
Optimus Prime - Truck
Hot Shot - Sports Car
Red Alert - Emergency SUV

Decepticon
Megatron - Tank
Starscream - Fighter Jet
Cyclonus - Helicopter

Mini-Con
High Wire - BMX
Sureshock - Scooter
Grindor - Skateboard
Sparkplug - Sports Car
Longarm - Crane
Jolt - Helicopter
Swindle - F1 Race Car
Leader-1 - Cannon Truck
Dirt Boss - Stock Car (Flashback)

Human
Rad White
Carlos Lopez
Alexis
Fred
Billy
Notes
  • When this series came out I was 17 years old...do I have the right to judge a series that was around when I was still in school? Then again this series was aimed towards kids younger than I was, and I am currently 30...so yeah!
  • Demolishor never appears in this comic (though he does appear in the other articles)
  • The Transformers had their Earth modes before they arrive on Earth, this is notable because they all HAD Cybertronian character models from the Armada cartoon.
  • Despite him having the Powerlinx ports visible, Megatron is shown fulling Swindle out of Starscream's body, rather than from the port.
  • Alexis is shown using a skateboard here, she SHOULD be using a scooter for Sureshock to scan later.
  • AHH!! Talking Mini-Cons!! Oh wait...the Dreamwave Mini-Cons could talk as well...I'm just so much more used to he cartoon, especially from when this was released.
  • The experimentation scene in Sureshock's flashback is based on a similar scene from the Dreamwave comics, except that the Mini-Con (Dirt Boss) is coloured differently here.
Other Features
Various Contests and Adverts
The Transformers have landed! - Colour by symbol. Make a picture of Hot Shot!
Data File #1: Optimus Prime
The Wild Bunch! - Colour in a picture of the Decepticons
Ultimate Conflict! - Destroy the comic for a poster!
Ultra Competition! - Answer an easy question to potentially win a CRAP TON of toys!
Megatron Masterclass! - Learn to draw Armada Megatron
Data File #2: Sparkplug
Decepticon Decoder! Decode Highwire's message
Friends Reunited! - Guide the Human children to the Street Action Team
Hot Shot's Hot Mail! - Send mail to Hot Shot! (How does he have mail already? This boggles my mind!)

Saturday, 17 August 2013

Dreamwave - Armada FCBD

Written by: Brandon Easton
Penciled by: Don Figueroa
Inks by: Elaine To
Colours by: Alan Wang, Rob Ruffolo, David Cheung, Stuart Ng, Susan Luo, Felipe Smith
Flats by: Sigmund Torre
Letters by: Paul Villafuerte
Graphic Design: Matt Moylan
Pre-Press: Kell-O-Graphics
Plot
Millions of years ago, the Autobots and Decepticons began fighting over the Mini-Cons, leading to the smaller robots self-exiling themselves off Cybertron, and they crashed into Earth's Moon, and Earth itself.

In the present day Rad and Carlos are riding their bikes on a nature hike (yeah) when they come across the Mini-Con Swindle, who claims to have escaped the Decepticons, they quickly become friends, and the kids offer to take Swindle to see the Autobots, and he offers to ride them to school. Suddenly the kids and Swindle are spotted by Starscream, who is after the escaped Mini-Con, so the small group start to hide, however Cyclonus and Demolishor also appear from no-where, and they capture the kids, however they're soon rescued when Hot Shot, Red Alert and Smokescreen appear (they were tracking Swindle as well) and fight off the Decepticons, all is going well until Megatron appears and blasts the three Autobots.
Megatron then orders Swindle out of hiding, and he's forced to bring the kids with him, revealing that he "escaped" on a mission for Megatron. The kids try to reach Swindle with the power of friendship, and he does let them go, however Megatron catches them himself soon afterwards. Swindle asks, that since he's completed his mission, and the Autobots are defeated and the kids captured, if he can be free now, which invites laughter from the meanie Decepticons. Megatron reveals that he plans to try and fuse humans with Cybertronian tech to create a new power source, but before he can really elaborate, Optimus Prime arrives and interrupts him, and rescues the kids from his grasp.
Optimus and Megatron have a quick battle, but it ends when Starscream shoots Optimus in the back, Starscream suggests that he should be leader due to him defeating Optimus, leading Megatron to aim his cannon at him, asking him to repeat that.
The Autobots are all tied up with Energon bonds, that Red Alert deduces will short out if exposed to a strong energy blast. The kids hide in some bushes, and are approached by Swindle, who's sick of the Decepticons now, and wants to help out, he turns into his alternate mode and speeds past the Decepticons, reaches the Autobot's discarded weapons, and blasts's Optimus' bonds, freeing him. Optimus in turn frees his teammates and the Autobots chase off the Decepticons with surprising ease.

As the Decepticons retreat, Swindle cheers along with the humans and Autobots, until Starscream hits him with a tractor beam of sorts and drags him away. The kids are sad to see him taken away, but still can't forgive him for lying to them before, and wonder if they can trust another Mini-Con again. Optimus assures them that everyone deserves a second chance, even the Decepticons. With that they all drive off, ready for the next adventure.
Characters
Autobot
Optimus Prime - Truck
Hot Shot - Sports Car
Red Alert - Emergency SUV
Smokescreen - Crane-Mounted Tow Truck
Other Combatants (Flashback)
Decepticon
Megatron - Tank
Starscream - Fighter Jet
Cyclonus - Helicopter
Demolishor - Tank
Other Combatants (Flashback)
Mini-Con
Swindle - F1 Race Car
Leader-1 - Gun-Mounted Buggy (Flashback)
Runway (Flashback)
Wreckage (Flashback)
Spiral (Flashback)
Jolt (Flashback)
Blackout (Flashback)
Sparkplug (Flashback)
Human
Rad
Carlos
Carlos' Parents (Mentioned)
Notes
  • WHY DOES A FREE COMIC BOOK NEED SO MANY COLOURISTS?!?!?
  • The present day parts of this comic are set between issues 5 and 6 of the main comic
  • Gee, have you noticed how every single character in this comic gets a name-drop? Almost like this comic is used as an advert for the series or something!
  • The only Mini-Con to appear in the present day scenes is Swindle, seems a bit odd since you'd expect at least the Decepticons to come armed with Mini-cons to kill the Autobots with, wouldn't you?
  • Where is Scavenger and Alexis during this issue?
  • Why did Megatron have the Decepticons ambush the kids and Swindle? Why not let them take him to the Autobot's base, and let them know where they're hiding?!
  • Megatron's plan to fuse humans with Cybertronian tech is never mentioned again...would have been cool though! Imagine Mini-Con Powermasters!!
  • Rad considering not trusting another Mini-Con seems a bit odd, since he's pretty close to the Street Action Team and Sparkplug.
  • Speaking of them, why weren't Rad and Carlos riding with High Wire and Grindor?

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

DW - Armada Volume 3

Plot
One of the escape pods from the Mini-Con city crashes into Northern Alaska and is trapped under the ice, meanwhile in Death Valley Smokescreen and Scavenger are spying on some Decepticons working on a rocket. At Autobase the Autobots are in contact with the Death Valley team when they learn from the Mini-Cons about the missing Mini-Cons in the crashed pod and also learn that some of the newcomer Mini-Cons are a bit uneasy around the Autobots still.
At Silver Ridge Megatron is experimenting with the Destruction Team and find their combined power boost to be invigorating, but the team don't give the power for free as they cause pain in the user, but agree to help out if they get a say in what happens around here.
The Adventure Team are in Alaska looking for the missing Mini-Cons and find the impact site, whilst working on how to free them theyare attacked by Thrust. At Autobase Rook is trying to start a revolution against the Autobots when Optimus walks in and says that he'll help to look for the missing Mini-Cons.
In Alaska the Adventure Team are taken down by Thrust and a newly arrived Cyclonus, who has been given the Destruction Team as a power boost (as a test driver). Thrust starts insulting the Mini-Cons, who manage to take over Cyclonus' body and he pummels Thrust.
In Death Valley the 2 Autobots are worried when Laserbeak arrives and tells them that Optimus is busy and they can deal with the Decepticons as they see fit, but the two of them say it's too late, as the rocket's already been launched.
In orbit the rocket deploys a satellite which begins to target the crashed Mini-Con pod's impact site....ready to fire

Cyclonus continues his attack on Thrust and starts to overheat, which starts causing the ice to melt around him. The Autobots and some Mini-Cons arrive on their ship and start the search for the missing Mini-Cons when suddenly the Decepticons use their satellite weapon on the Autobot ship and destroy it, narrowly missing the team. The Autobots attack Cyclonus whilst Thrust flies off to safety, during the battle the Autobots learn that the Mini-Cons have more power than they've revealed before, Optimus asks Sparkplug to powerlink with him and to give him it all, which he then uses on Cyclonus and defeats him.
Skyblast goes into orbit and destroys the satellite. A short while later the Autobots rescue the Mini-Con pod and Sparkplug apologizes for not being fully open with Optimus before, but before he can get a response Optimus has vanished
Optimus reappears on Cybertron, but not his one, this one is being slowly destroyed around him.
A strange pod appears in Big Sur National Park in California and Over-Run escapes in a panic, carrying the Mini-Con Matrix talking about warning Optimus Prime that Chaos is coming.

Hot Shot and the rest of the team in Alaska return to Autobase through the Space Bridge, and wonder why the others pulled them out, especially since it's only for emergencies. Smokescreen and Scavengers reveal that Optimus Prime is there, and everyone's glad that he's okay, until the two Autobots show them that it's not THEIR Optimus who they've found, and this one is very near death.
Over-Run arrives in Downtown San Francisco and tries to uplink to a communications array to contact Optimus before it's too late. At the same time however five evil guys appear though a strange Space Bridge over Cybertron and start their mission.
At Autobase Astroscope explains that this Optimus is an alternate version of their one from another universe, Red Alert starts to check on him when he wakes up and warns them that chaos is coming and then dies.
At Silver Ridge the Decepticons can't get the Space Bridge to work, the Decepticons think it's because the Autobots are planning to attack by cutting them off from their troops, especially with Cyclonus out of commission thanks to the recent mission, and they start to prepare for battle.
Elsewhere Hot Shot contacts Jetfire to tell him what's happening, and he reports that the Decepticon base on Cybertron has some strange readings around it, so his team are going to investigate it. Astroscope and Sparkplug report to Hot Shot that they detected some strange readings at Big Sur and they head out to investigate it. Over-Run starts his message and hopes the Autobots receive it before anyone else, unknown to him though one of the new-comers starts to come through another Space Bridge.
Hot Shot and the Mini-Cons find Over-Run's pod and examine it, they know now that it means there's a "visitor" from another Universe and head out to investigate.
Starscream has been watching this and sends Demolishor to retrieve the pod whilst he follows the Autobot, who is then also followed by Thrust himself. Hot Shot soon finds Over-Run and starts to approach when suddenly Starscream attacks and goes to deal with the Mini-Con, but is himself attacked by the new visitor, Galvatron. Hot Shot starts to attack the Galvatron as well, but is easily defeated as well, next Thrust joins in the battle and distracts Galvatron enough for Over-Run to disappear. Galvatron warps away to his next target as Mirage rematerializes holding Over-Run, who warns that this fight isn't over.
On the other Cybertron Opitmus starts exploring and finds it devoid of life, except for one Decepticon, Spinister, who is freaking out about something eating his world.

On Cybertron, the Decepticon Command HQ has been attacked and all the Decepticons inside slaughtered, and the Heralds of Unicron (Dirge, Bludgeon, Thunderwing and Scourge) have taken control of the Space Bridge network and have turned it into a giant hub for their master to use later.
Over-Run has been taken to Autobase where he explains about what happened to his world, but he doesn't know where Optimus is. They decide to use Over-Run's Null-Reality Pod to locate Over-Run's home universe and thus Optimus, however Red Alert reports that it's gone already.
Megatron is annoyed with Starscream for taking the pod as he has no idea what it is, when Leader-1 comes in and says that the Autobots are using their Space Bridge to hunt down Optimus Prime.
On the other Cybertron Optimus is trying to calm down Spinister and to find out what's happening when Unicron starts to descend on the planet again. The Autobots on Cybertron head out to Decepticon HQ, at the HQ the Heralds head to Earth to kill this universe's Megatron whilst Bludgeon stays behind to defend the hub nexus against any interlopers.
Some Mini-Cons head off to Silver Ridge to get the pod, once they're gone however the Decepticons attack the Autobase on mass and start blasting through the Autobots in their weakened state. The Mini-Cons arrive at the Decepticon base and find it deserted until the Heralds arrive in a Space Bridge.
At Autobase the Decepticons have won the battle, however Megatron starts getting messages form his troops asking for help, Megatron goes to investigate and comes face-to-face with Galvatron.

Megatron and Galvatron fight it out in the Autobase with Galvatron seeming to be the stronger robot, all whilst the Space Team  continue their search for Optimus. On Cybertron Jetfire's team arrives at the Decepticon base and finds them all dead and are all worried by the strange electrical storm above them, and are unaware that Bludgeon is stalking them.
At Silver Ridge the Mini-Cons are hiding from the Heralds when they detect Thrust in the vicinity, so they go out to interrogate him for Megatron's location. The Mini-Cons, now alone, access the pod. On the other Cybertron Sprinister explains that this is the end of everything and all will die by Unicron's hand.
On Earth Megatron is augmented by the Air Defense Team, who combine into the Star Saber to help him in this battle. On Cybertron Jetfire's team are investigating the Decepticon HQ and Bludgeon attacks, badly injuring Dropshot in the process. The Autobots however work together and use their vehicle mode headlights to blind the Herald and then Jetfire blasts him, causing him to explode...unfortunately when examining the wreckage they find just his outer shell.
Back on Earth Megatron uses the Star Saber to even the playing field, the Land Military Team arrive on the scene and report to Payload and his team that the battle is over, and that Megatron won the fight by skewering the Galvatron with the Star Saber.

The Mini-Cons at Silver Ridge contact Payload and his team at Lincoln, but the latter have still not located Optimus in the Multiverse yet. On the other Cybertron the planet is falling apart, and Spinister gives up and allows himself to be devoured, however Unicron detects Optimus on the planet and is confused as he'd already almost killed this universe's Optimus and sent him to his next target as a calling card of sorts, this Optimus being transported here was an accident.
At the Decepticon HQ on Cybertron Jetfire's team break into the Space Bridge control and see the bridges are connected to alternate realities and they cant shut them down. Jetfire briefly thinks he sees Optimus in one window, but is replaced by Big Convoy.
On Earth the Heralds have beaten up Thrust, but he has no information, they seem confident that Galvatron would have killed the local Megatron, so they decide to return to the hub, unaware that the local Megatron in fact killed Galvatron instead. Megatron intends to keep the Star Saber now, but the Land Military Team attack the sword and forces it to split again freeing them as they escape.
The Space Team locate Optimus' signal and tells Over-Run, who uses his pod to transport there with Sparkplug, Comettor and his Mini-Con Matrix as well. The Heralds return to Cybertron from Earth and Bludgeon reappears as well in the hub, so Jetfire gets an idea, he tells his team to leave as he sets off the self-destruct on the base, causing it to explode as he jumps through one of the bridges, killing the Heralds.
Jetfire arrives on the doomed Cybertron at the same time as Over-Run and the others arrive. The Mini-Cons power up the Autobots and Over-Run uses the Mini-Con Matrix to power them up further (and giving them their repaint colours) and the two Autobots combine. They use their sudden power boost to shoot Unicron and injure him, then with Over-Run's help they transport back to their home universe.
Back home, Optimus and Jetfire warn the others about Unicron and notice that the rift created by the space bridges is widening still. The team on Cybertron receive word from Earth about their battle, and how most of them are badly hurt, especially Smokescreen who is dying. Optimus asks Red Alert to get Longarm to contact all the Mini-Cons for an emergency meeting now.

Optimus meets with all the Mini-Cons and asks them to help with the upcoming battle, they agree, but when the Decepticons arrive too they prepare to fight them, however Optimus reveals that he invited the Decepticons to this meeting, and trip to Cybertron as they need to be united against Unicron. Megatron releases all the Mini-Cons he has in his custody to Optimus as a token of good will, except for the Destruction Team, as they are too much trouble. All the Transformers leave Earth through a Space Bridge and bid farewell to their human friends.
Now back on Cybertron the Transformers prepare for battle, when Unicron comes through the rift and beckons at the Transformers, but is unprepared when the planet is immediately ready for battle, as usually his Heralds have caused enough chaos by now to make this easier. Concerned by this he abducts Rhinox, Airazor, Cheetor and Terrorsaur to learn why this has happened during the massive battle.
At Cyber City the Mini-Cons combine their powers, as well as those of the Mini-Con Matrix to release a blast of energy at Unicron, skewering him. The monster starts to explode and Optimus has everyone leave the vicinity. Megatron decides to quickly infiltrate the monster and find some powerful weapons inside when Hot Shot, Red Alert and Scavenger appear behind him and shoot him at point blank range and leave him to perish with Unicron, as revenge for what he did to Smokescreen.
Unicron collapses in on himself and disappears and all of Cybertron celebrates, even Optimus, who hopes Cybertron can stay united, should evil ever return again.
Characters
Autobot
Optimus Prime - Truck
Jetfire - Space Shuttle
Hot Shot - Sports Car
Red Alert - Emergency SUV
Scavenger - Bulldozer
Smokescreen - Tow-Truck Crane Badly Injured by Megatron
Laserbeak - Camcorder
Blurr - Race Car
Sideswipe - Sports Car
Overload - Truck
Dropshot - Jet Injured by Bludgeon
Rhinox - Rhino Abducted by Unicron
Cheetor - Cheetah Abducted by Unicron
Airazor - Falcon Abducted by Unicron
Other Autobots
Decepticon
Megatron - Tank Left to die inside Unicron by Hot Shot, Red Alert and Scavenger
Starscream - Fighter Jet
Thrust - Fighter Jet
Cyclonus - Helicopter
Demolishor - Battle Tank
Tidal Wave - Battle Ship
Skywarp - Fighter Jet
Sideways - Motorcycle
Wheeljack - Sports Car
Terrorsaur - Pteranodon Abducted by Unicron
Cy-Kill - Motorcycle Killed by Heralds
Cop-Tur - Helicopter Killed by Heralds
Other Decepticons
Unicron
Unicron - Ringed Planet Destroyed by the Mini-Con Matrix
Galvatron - Laser Cannon Killed by Megatron
Bludgeon - Tank Killed in Space Bridge Nexus Explosion
Scourge Killed in Space Bridge Nexus Explosion
Thunderwing Killed in Space Bridge Nexus Explosion
Dirge Killed in Space Bridge Nexus Explosion
Mini-Con
Sparkplug - Sports Car
Over-Run - Jet
Comettor - Moon Buggy
Leader-1 - Gun Mounted Buggy
Astroscope - Satellite
Skyblast - Rocket
Payload - Rocket Carrier
Mirage - F1 Race Car
Downshift - Race Car
Dirt Boss - Stock Car
High Wire - BMX
Sureshock - Scooter
Grindor - Skateboard
Drill Bit - Drill Tank Probably Killed by Megatron
Dualor - Dual Barrel Tank Probably Killed by Megatron
Buzzsaw - Buzzsaw Tank Probably Killed by Megatron
Ransack - Pick Up Truck
Dune Runner - Assault Buggy
Iceberg - Snow Tracker
Sonar - Shuttle
Runway - Sonic Jet
Jetstorm - Concorde
Wreckage - Dual Barrel Tank
Bonecrusher - Missile-Crane Truck
Knock Out - Rocket Mounted Personnel Carrier
Oval - Sports Car
Spiral - Sports Car
Backtrack - Sports Car
Longarm - Crane
Jolt - Helicopter
Inferno - Rocket Mounted Truck
Incinerator - Dragster
Rook
Crosswise
Makeshift - Osprey Helicopter
Firebot - Fire Engine
Prowl - Police Car
Nightbeat - Motorcycle
Rollbar - Jeep
Windsheer - Stealth Jet
Liftor - Fork Lift Truck
Refute - Clamping Truck
Crumplezone -Tank
Swindle - F1 Race Car
Blackout - Radar Truck
Ramjet - Fighter Jet
Human
Rad
Alexis
Carlos
Alternates
G1 Optimus Prime Killed by Unicron
G1 Spinister Killed by Unicron
BW Rattrap
BW Tigatron
BW Big Convoy
BM Tankor
RiD Prowl
RiD Optimus Prime
Notes
  • This Volume concludes the Armada portion of this continuity, and lead onto the ill-fated Energon series
  • Several Decepticons are seen as being on Earth doing things at the start of this story, implying that they've been on the planet for a while (as this begins about the same time as the end of the previous volume)...why didn't they help out in some way?
  • Though this also explains why Smokescreen and Scavenger were missing in the previous story!
  • Mini-Cons are revealed to have an untapped unlimited power reservoir within them
  • It's not clear if the Mini-Cons are connected to Unicron here like they are in the cartoon
  • It's implied that Over-Run's universe was the one where Optimus was warped to as well...meaning that the G1 Universe he was shipped to includes Mini-Cons as well
  • It can't be a coincidence that Unicron's heralds feature characters who don't share names with any characters in the Armada storyline so far (guess it's lucky that Megatron didn't turn into Galvatron huh?)
  • This story features one of those rare moments where Megatron fights with Galvatron. I think the only other time that's happened in Transformers other than here is in the G1 Marvel comics
  • Here's something confusing to mess with your head. Optimus' partner is Sparkplug, which is consistent with the toyline, but here he is also partnered with Over-Run, which also happens in the toyline too, however when with Over-Run he is in his Powerlinx repaint colours, but Over-Run's Optimus was in the normal colours....AHHHH!!!!
  • So....they had fireworks ready to go on Cybertron for some reason?
  • The Autobot past of Wheeljack or whether Sideways, Rook and Crosswise have any connection to Unicron isn't shown here...or anywhere else!
  • The Destruction Team's fate isn't clear, they were last mentioned as being in a Punishment Cube and seemed to be still there at the end, and then Megatron goes missing....YIKES! (Though due to the end of Dreamwave and Megatron's malicious smile when talking about them makes me think he probably killed them)
  • This is the only true non-exclusive (ie Botcon, Club Comics etc) multi-generation crossover for Transformers
  • Dropshot is based on an unused Triple Changer design from G1 (and oddly he becomes a sort of recurring character in this continuity as he also appears in Energon...weird)
  • The Mini-Con Matrix contains the power of all the Mini-Cons from his reality combined, which as established earlier means they also include the unlimited untapped power they possess as well.
  • Oddly despite him being quite close with Optimus through this series (more than other Mini-Cons seem to be with their partners) Sparkplug is nowhere to be seen after this story (or most other Mini-Cons for that matter, but Sparkplug is of particular note I think)
  • The Space Bridge from Earth to Cybertron was set to Self Destruct after the Transformers leave, because they want Earth to stay separate from the Cybertronian wars, and in case they fail they don't want Unicron to attack the planet straight away
  • Unicron never transforms into robot mode (even in Energon either)

Monday, 12 November 2012

DW - Armada Volume 1

Plot
On the Cybertron of a million years ago Hot Shot races to Cyber City to show Optimus a distress message from a Mini-Con village which has been attacked by Decepticons and they decide they need to investigate.
Elsewhere at another Mini-Con village, the Mini-Cons are worried after losing contact with several other villages and start work on deploying defensive shields, and discuss the rumors of the Decepticons performing experiments to use them as energy sources when suddenly the village is attacked by the Decepticons, the village is ransacked and all the Mini-Cons, bar Sparkplug who is badly injured instead are captured, and the Decepticons prepare to declare war.

Optimus and his team inspect the now deserted Mini-Con village, whilst the Decepticons enter Cyber City with some of their captured Mini-Cons. Elsewhere Sparkplug wakes up, and finds himself in a different place where 3 Mini-Cons, Sonar, Jetstorm and Runway have taken him, and repaired him. The trio explain to him that they plan on taking every Mini-Con with them and leaving Cybertron, and to remain safe from the Decepticons.
At Cyber City Megatron has declared that he's there to rule when the Autobots suddenly appear. The Decepticons and Autobots fight, but due to their Mini-Con "partners" the Decepticons have the advantage. Elsewhere, the Mini-Cons infiltrate the Decepticons base and start freeing the Mini-Cons. The Decepticons manage to defeat the Autobots, forcing them to retreat, and the Decepticons take Cyber City for themselves, Starscream however reports that the Mini-Cons at the base are gone, as Megatron looks behind him and sees a ship rocket off into space.

The Mini-Cons fly away, but their ship's engines start to malfunction shortly afterwards. The Autobots and Decepticons continue their battle on Cybertron, with the Decepticons still holding the Mini-Cons they had with them during the Exodus' lift off.
The Exodus flies off, but due to the engine malfunction crashes on the Moon of the planet Earth, and a part snaps off, and crashes on the planet itself where it remains for eons, and nature surrounds it, forming a cave and mountain area.
Much later, 3 kids, Rad, Alexis and Carlos are playing and putting together a "flying machine" but during their test flight it crashes and Rad goes down to retrieve a helmet that was used on the dummy pilot and falls into the cave, his presence reactivates the Exodus computer and sends out a beacon into space and being received by Cybertron. Four Mini-Cons, Sparkplug, High Wire, Sureshock and Grindor wake up and take Rad out of the ship to safety. 
On Cybertron the two factions have received the signal and begin their plans. On Earth the kids have taken the Mini-Con's to Rad's family garage where they find a tool box and the kid's plans for their flying machine. The next morning the Mini-Cons greet the kids properly (as their used the tools to repair themselves and show them that they have built the flying machine properly for them. The Mini-Cons and Humans go off for a flight and have a fun adventure, but don't realize that Megatron has just appeared behind them.

The Autobots arrive on Earth at the Allspark Power Generator Station and accidentally scare off a visiting school class and they start looking for the Mini-Cons and the Decepticons (who they have assumed have come to Earth as well.
Megatron attacks the kids and Mini-Cons, but the little guys manage to escape him by going through a tunnel and escaping the other end. The other Decepticons in the meanwhile attack a military base and take on alternate modes based on some of their vehicles. The kids and Mini-Cons hide out in the garage, but have to leave when they hear of a "giant monster" coming this way. The Mini-Cons take on alternate modes as well to give them speed. Megatron reunites with his troops, and Starscream gives Megatron data on an alternate for him to use, they detect the Mini-Cons nearby and chase after them where they run into the Autobots, who begin their attack on the Decepticons again.

At a dump some human workers are scared off when they discover some more Mini-Cons hiding there, who were woken up by the signal set off by Rad. The newly awoken guys see news footage of the attack by Megatron and see Sparkplug on the screen and decide to help him.
The battle between the Transformers isn't going too well for the Autobots, especially when the Decepticons use their Mini-Cons for power-boosts, however the other Mini-Cons arrive and decide to join forces with the Autobots (as the lesser of two evils) and power them up.
The Autobots win the fight and decide they should stay on Earth for now, until they can find the remaining Mini-Cons, and when the Decepticons leave too.
Characters
Autobot
Optimus Prime
Hot Shot - Cybertronian Car
Red Alert
Scavenger
Smokescreen
Decepticon
Megatron - Tank
Starscream - Fighter Jet
Demolishor - Battle Tank
Cyclonus - Helicopter
Mini-Con
Leader-1 - Gun Mounted Buggy
Swindle - F1 Race Car
Blackout - Radar Truck
Crumplezone - Tank
Drillbit - Drill Tank
Sparkplug - Sports Car
High Wire - BMX
Grindor - Skateboard
Sureshock - Scooter
Jolt - Cybertronian Aircraft
Longarm - Cybertronian Truck
Liftor - Cybertronian Truck
Rollbar - Cybertronian Jeep
Runway
Jetstorm
Sonar
Dirt Boss - Stock Car
Downshift 
Mirage
Buzzsaw
Dualor
Incinerator
Skyblast
Astroscope
Payload
Human
Rad
Alexis
Carlos
Seth
Sid
Miss Ruby
Louie the Dump Worker
School Kids
Dump Workers
Other
Fflaxl
Bix
Cybertronian Civilians
Notes
  • This volume collects issue 1-5 of the Armada ongoing series
  • Weirdly Hot Shot appears to have his Earth mode in the past, however other characters are clearly shown having Cybertronian alternate bodies (The Decepticons in fact have to spend time scanning for their new alternate modes etc!)
  • The Mini-Con's ability to powerlink with Bulks (larger Transformers) isn't natural, it was developed when the Decepticons started capturing them, at least that.s how it looks, I don't think Sparkplug was ever captured yet he can PL with Optimus....
  • Alexis, Carlos and Rad are shown to be much younger in their introduction than they were in either the cartoon series, or even a few issues later on
  • The Decepticons and Mini-Cons scan realistic vehicle modes, but end up turning into vehicles that look different, this means they might just use them as a basis, but alter their forms to more or less look like them, rather than turning into an exact copy.
  • Seth and Sid seem to be based on Billy and Fred from the cartoon (and who later appear in the comic as well)
  • I've only given the alternate modes for characters who have them shown here (and since the Auotbot's don't scan modes til after this comic they don't have any (except Hot Shot)
  • Interestingly, Jolt, Longarm, Liftor and Rollbar all seem to have Cybertronian versions of their Earth modes when they powerlink to the Autobots.
  • Small continuity issue for me: Drill Bit was shown as one of the Decepticon's Mini-Cons during the battle at Cyber City, but is later replaced with Blackout. This is most annoying because Drill Bit is definitely one of the guys who left since his team were the leaders of the Moon-based Mini-Cons!