TRANSFORMERS ARMADA #8
Cover Date: Feburary 2003
Story: Simon Furman
Pencils: Guido Guidi
Inks: Elaine To
Lettering: Dreamer Design
Setting: Earth - Tranquility, Kansas. Lincoln, South Dakota. Autobase - Earth. Lincoln Middle School. Silver Ridge Abandoned Mining Town. Lincoln Main Street.

Plot Summary:
At Tranquility, Kansas, a mysterious object lands and begins to broadcast a signal somewhere. At the Autobase, Sparkplug tells Jolt and Longarm about the situation with the Air Defense Team from last issue is the latest incident of the Autobot’s general misuse of the Mini-Cons, and that no matter how much the Autobots dress the place up, they are still a long way from home. At Lincoln Middle School, Alexis, Carlos and Rad talk about the recent UFO sightings when they are assaulted by Billy and Fred. Before they can do anything, Grindor, High Wire and Sureshock arrive to rescue them. High Wire then asks why the kids are surprised about their rescuing them. At the Decepticon Base, Cyclonus goes to check on the Decepticon Mini-Cons, but find them gone. Even worse for defenses rigged to keep them in have been tampered with. He tries to shut them down, but fails to do so as the door closes. Stopping off at a burger joint, the kids enjoy a late meal and discuss going out to see the world. The Street Action Team suddenly and without warning heads off in an unknown direction, with the kids as unwilling passengers. At the respective Transformer bases, both Megatron and Optimus are surprised about their Mini-Cons disappearance. At Tranquility, the Mini-Cons arrive at the mysterious object, as both the Autobots and Decepticons fight amongst one another. As they do this, the Mini-Cons board the object. Over Alexis objects, Rad rushes onboard just as the door closes and it takes off!

Transformers/Humans Featured (in rough order of appearance):
Sparkplug, Jolt, Longarm, Carlos, Rad, Alexis, Fred, Billy, Grindor, High Wire, Sureshock, Cyclonus, Megatron, Starscream, Demolishor, Bonecrusher, Knock-Out, Wreckage, Jetstorm, Runway, Sonar, Leader-1, Blackout, Swindle, Crumplezone, Red Alert, Optimus Prime, Hot Shot

Other Notes:
A statue of Metroplex is seen on page 3 when Sparkplug barges into the cargo area of the Autobase. Sparkplug, BTW, has yet another character design (this one looking a hell of a lot like Bumblebee). Fred and Billy were supposedly Sid and Seth from Issue #3, making me wonder if #3 was planned out before all the character names were finalized. As the Street Action Team travel down the road, we get to see G1 Optimus Prime, Trailbreaker, Ratchet, and RID Ironhide. The Autobots apparently use a shuttle to transport themselves instead of the warp gate technology seen on the cartoon. Also, Smokescreen, Scavenger, Rollbar and Liftor are STILL missing.

Review: This issue is one of my favorite issues of the entire Dreamwave run. (including G1, War Within and Armada) The art in this issue is incredible, each of the characters looking very well detailed and proportioned. My favorite shots in this issue are of Megatron on the fourth panel of page 13, the five panel split page of the Mini-Cons approaching the object on page 14, and the group Decepticon shots on pages 16 and 17. The issue also leaves the reader wondering what is going to happen in the next issue. Highly recommended.

Review by Bombshell