If you're going to make a comeback, then do it in style.
Hasbro has taken this philosophy to heart and intends to restore the Transformers
franchise to its former glory via an all-new toy line and animated series.
Set in Transformers continuity shortly after the classic series, the line known as
Armada will feature both old and new Transformers, as both the Autobots and
Decepticons duke it out over a mysterious race of pint-sized Transformers
known as the Minicons.
The new toy line should hit stores this summer at the same time as the Armada comic
mini-series from Pat Lee and Dreamwave Productions. Taking a nod from the Headmasters
and Targetmasters Transformers lines of the late 1980s, the Minicons of Armada will be
miniature Transformers that will connect with their larger hosts. However, unlike
previous lines, these attachments will be more than aesthetic enhancements. The
connection will actually play an integral role in the toy's action features. On the
comics side of things, Dreamwave will be fairly involved with the project, providing
packaging art, insert cards, as well as exclusive mini-comics.
Coinciding with the release of the ongoing comic series, this fall will also see the
debut of the all-new "Armada" animated TV series. The art style for Armada represents
a bit of a departure from the heavy anime of the recent "Robots in Disguise" and
computer-generated imagery "Beast Wars" TV shows. Instead, the new series
look is more reminiscent of the Japanese/American hybrid style of the
original Transformers cartoon from the mid '80s.
From Wizard Anime Invasion magazine #2: MANGA BOY MEETS ROBOTS
HOT ARTIST PAT LEE SET TO CONQUER NEW TRANSFORMERS COMIC
When popular comic book creator Pat Lee was a kid, he spent his time making
up his own Transformers comics, based on the popular good and evil robots
disguised as cars, animals, insects, electronic equipment - and just about
anything else you can imagine. Little did he realize that years later, he'd
be getting paid for it.
Lee's production company, Dreamwave Productions, is creating a
new comic series based on the popular anime, manga and toy line
that's definitely more than meets the eyes. "This has been a dream of
mine since I was really young," admits Lee, who's pencilling the
Generation One [G1] series. "I've been a Transformers fan forever!"
It was the fans who pushed Lee to go after the Transformers license. "When we
did that Wizard centerfold [for Anime Invasion's sister pub Wizard], the
response was so positive that we decided to approach Hasbro with our ideas
for a comic series."
Hasbro was definitely interested. A proposal or two later, the robots in disguise
were ready to return. The new series promises to include familiar Autobots and
Decepticons, but will also contain surprises. Although elements from previous comics
and manga incarnations will be present, Lee's working to make Dreamwave's Transformers
unique. "Artistically, I'm mixing elements of the toy design and anime
along with my personal style. I hope to produce an intense, vibrant,
complex and interesting animation-style book."
Joining Lee on this project will be scribe Chris Sarracini [Darkminds: Macropolis].
The Generation One comic book series, based on the initial Transformers
characters, will roll out in April, and an ongoing series based on Hasbro's
new toys is tentatively scheduled for release in July. --Jen Contino
