Mini-Con Matrix

Transformers: Armada
Optimus Prime in Transformers: Armada
Publication information
Publisher	Dreamwave Productions
Schedule	Monthly
Publication date	July 10, 2002+
No. of issues	17
Main character(s)	Autobots, Decepticons
Creative team
Created by	Hasbro
Written by	Chris Sarracini, Simon Furman
Penciller(s)	James Raiz
Inker(s)	Rob Armstrong, Erik Sander
Colorist(s)	Alan Wang, Gary Yeung, Ramil Sunga

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.

The second comic was a monthly publication produced by then-comics media giant Dreamwave. Unlike the animated series that shares its 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 Autobots' arrival on Earth and first battles with the Decepticons, 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 18, but under the title of Transformers: Energon.

The third comic was exclusive to the United Kingdom, and was published by Panini Comics (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.