TRANSFORMERS ARMADA #4
Cover Date: October 2002
Story: Chris Sarracini
Pencils: James Raiz
Inks: Rob Armstrong and Erik Sander
Lettering: Dreamer Design
Setting: Earth - Allspark Power Generator Station, Science City, Military Base, Rad’s House, Sun Valley Canyon.

Plot Summary:
Optimus and the other Autobots arrive on Earth, and begin their search for the Mini-Cons. Nearby, Megatron attempts to capture the kids and Mini-Cons, but is unsucessful, while at an army base, the Decepticons scan for their alternate forms. Back at Rad’s house, Sparkplug and the Street Action Team tell the kids the entire story about their arrival on Earth. Alexis, not too impressed, doesn’t want to be part of this anymore. Carlos tells her that, like it or not, they are involved, and with Megatron on the loose, they wonder how long it would take for him to arrive here. Just then, someone runs by, proclaiming to have seen a monster. Seeing a quick getaway as out of the option, the Mini-Cons scan for their new Earth Forms. Arriving shortly after (with Megatron gaining his Earth form as well), the Decepticons see the kids, Sparkplug, and the Street Action Team, who turn and run away as fast as they can. Megatron sends Starscream and Cyclonus after them. They go on a merry chase for a few minutes until they run into Optimus and Scavenger, who proceed to knock Starscream and Cyclonus out. However, Megatron and Demolishor arrive soon after, with their weapons aimed at them…

Transformers/Humans Featured (in rough order of appearance):
Miss Ruby, Red Alert, Scavenger, Optimus Prime, Smokescreen, Hot Shot, Megatron, Grindor, High Wire, Sureshock, Sparkplug, Rad, Alexis, Carlos, Starscream, Demolishor, Cyclonus.

Other Notes:
The Allspark Power Generator Station is, of course, named after the Allspark Message Boards. Optimus says that the Autobots are to “minimize contact with the inhabitants of this planet at all costs!” Yeah, Optimus, that’s gonna work when appearing in front of twenty of them or so. Both the Decepticons and Earthbound Mini-Cons gain their alt forms in this issue. (which is weird in and of itself, considering that the Decepticons have had the Earth form bits and pieces for the past three issues or so…). How does Demolishor gain the form of a missle tank after scanning a regular tank, and how does Sureshock scan a scooter and gain the form of a Moped? Incidentally, the scanning of his Earth form appeared to give Sparkplug a new character model. Starscream’s upgrading of Megatron’s body raises an interesting question: Is Starscream really treacherous, or is Megatron paranoid.

Review: After the toilet bowl farce that was issue #3, the comic goes a long way on the road towards redeeming itself. The kids still play a major part in the comic (and probably will forever, no matter how badly we want to see them meet the business end of Megatron’s cannon…) but their presence is excused in the face of some very nice artwork of the Autobots and Decepticons in this issue (the group shot on Page 2/3 is a personal favorite of mine, incidentally). Also, the cover of this issue has been said by others as being one of the best covers ever done for an Transformers comic. Can’t say I blame them.

Review by Bombshell