“First Contact” (110 pp) was originally published by Dreamwave Productions in Transformers Armada #1-5 (July-December 2002)

“First Contact”, the first five-issue storyline of Dreamwave’s Transformers Armada comic, introduces the reader not only to a host of new characters but an entirely new fictional universe. Many of the original Transformers concepts remain, but one major new facet of the Autobot/Decepticon war is added—a third faction known as Mini-Cons.

As the writer of Armada’s initial arc, Chris Sarracini re-writes history at the same time as introducing the Mini-Cons. Of course, the Mini-Cons are the line-wide gimmick of Hasbro’s 2002 toy range, and thus are required to be featured prominently in any related media. The premise, then, of Armada is that the Autobots and Decepticons are separately looking for Mini-Cons to augment their own powers. Despite this, the plot is surprisingly natural and the script contains flair.

Seemingly aimed at a younger audience, Chris’s script is accessible and undemanding. And at times it’s genuinely funny. Other times it’s quite juvenile, but on balance an entertaining read. Sometimes it makes for a refreshing change when Transformers doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Artist James Raiz generously portrays the Transformers as powerful and over-sized machines. There is a real sense of scale and wonder. The Decepticons, particularly, are rendered as gigantic and menacing brutes compared with the Mini-Cons. In keeping with the lighter-toned mood of the comic, the colouring is rich and vibrant.

“First Contact” is friendly in its approach and is more than successful in its mission to introduce the story to a new generation of readers. Transformers has never been this easygoing.

Category: Dreamwave
Tags: Chris Sarracini | Erik Sander | Ferd Poblete | James Raiz | Rob Armstrong

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