TRANSFORMERS ARMADA #10
Cover Date: April 2003
Story: Simon Furman
Pencils: Guido Guidi
Inks: Rob Armstrong
Lettering: Dreamer Design
Setting: Earth - Silver Ridge, Autobase. Moon - Mini-Con Fortress Base, Dark Side, Mini-Con Prison. Cybertron - Autobase

Plot Summary:
Hot Shot and Red Alert are at the Decepticon base, preparing to delete the information about Optimus’ journey to Cybertron from the Decepticon computer. Having no other choice, Optimus heads to Cybertron to get backup. On the Moon, Rad attempts to talk to the Destruction Team, saying that this whole situation could have been avoided if they didn’t take the Earth Mini-Cons, but Dualor says that he is willing to sacrifice the human to protect what they have built on the moon. Dualor also explains that he did this in order to remove the Min-Con element from the war, and tells Rad that, for his sake, the Autobots don’t come. Elsewhere on the moon, Megatron prepares to dig underground to get at the Mini-Cons. In their cell, the Mini-Cons all are on the verge of accepting their position, but Sparkplug refuses to accept, seeing that the actions of Dualor are exactly what they are trying to get away from with both the Autobots and Decepticons. At the Decepticon base, Starscream and Thrust return to the base to collect some supplies to see Demolisher knocked out, the presence of Autobots at their base very apparent. On Cybertron, Optimus tries to recruit Jetfire to join him back on Earth, but he refuses, saying that the situation on Cybertron is too desperate to leave, but saying that Optimus can take any supplies that he needs. Back at the Decepticon base, Thrust and Starscream search the base, but are unable to find the Autobots. Unknown to them, they are right under their feet, as Red Alert and Hot Shot are hiding in the vent system. Suddenly, the Decepticons detect the Space Bridge signal of Optimus’ return to Earth. Back on the Moon, Mirage briefs Dualor that the Earth Mini-Cons are coming around, but before Mirage can explain further, the base comes under attack. Dualor tells Astroscope to launch the orbital defenses, and Mirage and the Adventure Team to check on their prisoners. Near the prison, Megatron breaks in and makes a grab for the Earth Mini-Cons, but is halted by the Adventure Team. Megatron orders Leader-1 to go to the command center and shut down the defenses. Sparkplug moves to protest, but is stopped by Mirage, who turns him invisible and says that Rad is in danger. Back at the Decepticon base, Hot Shot and Red Alert attack Starscream and Thrust, destroying the computer carrying the Space Bridge information, and at the Autobase, Prime shows Carlos and Alexis what he brought: A Autobot shuttle, which he intends to take to the moon. Back on the Moon, the Destruction Team set up the automated defenses, and move to join the attack, but are stopped by Leader-1, who tells them that he’ll show them “how to really turn up the heat.”

Transformers/Humans Featured (in rough order of appearance):
Red Alert, Hot Shot, Carlos, Alexis, Optimus Prime, Rad, Buzzsaw, Dualor, Drill Bit, Starscream (flashback), Cyclonus (flashback), Sparkplug (flashback), Megatron, Sureshock, High Wire, Wreckage, Knock-Out, Boncrusher, Sonar, Crumplezone, Jolt, Longarm, Leader-1, Jetstorm, Runway, Swindle, Mirage, Jetfire, Astroscope, Sky Blast, Dune Runner, Iceberg, Ransack.

Other Notes:
Optimus says the trandemark line of Arnold Schwarzenegger: “I’ll be back.” The Space Bridge transport looks a HELL of a lot like the Stargate device from the film of the same name. Megatron uses a drilling machine that looks exactly like Drillbit's alt mode to get into the Minicon base. Knock-Out’s missile launcher is missing, and Wreckage’s missile launcher arms have been replaced with regular arms. Mini-Con Mirage has his G1 namesake’s ability to turn invisible. This is Jetfire’s first appearance in the Armada comic, apparently the commander of Cybertron’s Autobot forces after Prime and co. left in Issue #3. Starscream uses his “Null Laser Cannon” attack, apparently without the aid of Swindle, as according to both the cartoon and toy, he needs the Mini-Con in order to use this attack. This is Iceberg’s first appearance in the Armada cartoon, (having apparently missed the Mass Mini-Con roundup last issue). The ship Optimus brings back from Cybertron looks like the front portion of the Autobot Shuttles seen in the Movie. Smokescreen and Scavenger (for those of you out there who might need to know) are still missing.

Review: I must say that I’m am liking this story arc of the Armada comic. Despite cramming in twice as many characters as there were before in the comic (and the still-not-explained disappearance of two others) it’s providing the fast paced action and rich character development that has always been associated with Transformers whenever Furman has written it. Guidi’s artwork continues to impress (and for once, Sparkplug manages to hold on a character design for more than a few issues), but there were some shots in this issues (particularly group shots of the Mini-Cons), that are not on par with the rest of it. The ending sets up what I can only hope to be an explosive conclusion to the storyline. I recommend this comic to everyone. Go get it now.

Review by Bombshell