Transformers Animated: The Arrival
Transformers Animated: The Arrival is a 6-issue mini-series published by IDW Publishing, debuting in August 2008, and set in the Transformers Animated continuity. Each story seems to be mostly self-contained and (broadly) non-conflicting with the cartoon. In this regard it is of some significance as the first comic to be explicitly set in the same continuity as a concurrently ongoing animated series.<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-0" title="">[1]</a></sup>
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<th align="center" bgcolor="#6699CC"><font color="white">The Arrival issues:</font>
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<td> #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 (see note below)
Overview
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<tr bgcolor="#ececec"> <td><span style="font-size:10px;line-height:1;">This section covers fiction that is ongoing. It will be added to as the story progresses. If it isn't current, you can help by <span class="plainlinks">updating it</span>.</span> </td></tr></table> The Arrival occurs concurrently with the Animated cartoon, taking place in-between—and in some cases, during—various episodes of the series, often fleshing out off screen events and explaining how certain events that were merely alluded to onscreen went down in detail. After the opening issue, which retells the pilot movie from different perspectives, the bulk of the series (issues #2-5) is set during the early portion of the show's first season, taking place between "Total Meltdown" and "Thrill of the Hunt" (and in one instance, during the latter), with two stories taking the form of flashbacks detailing events in the characters' pasts.
Optimus Prime's Space Bridge repair crew encounters Megatron, and all are lost in the Space Bridge. Both the Autobots and Decepticons deliver eulogies for their lost comrades. On Earth, Isaac Sumdac discovers Megatron's head, and over time, progresses from simple attempts at reverse engineering to the establishment of Sumdac Systems. The Autobots awaken, and meet Sari, establishing themselves as Detroit's new heroes. The Arrival issue 1
Starscream refuses to team up with Blackarachnia, but during scuffle, crashes into the Earth's Moon. Later, he makes his way to Earth and attacks the Autobots, and during the battle, the AllSpark is briefly opened. The resulting energy burst is detected by both the Autobots and the Decepticons, and the two groups make tracks for Earth. The Arrival issue 1
As Angry Archer attempts to rob a used car lot, he is foiled by a Superhero named The Wraith. Bumblebee steals The Wraith's thunder however, and exposes him as a hack. The Wraith seeks revenge by staging a phony attack by Bumblebee at a football game, causing the Autobots to intervene. The Wraith is caught and sent to an insane asylum. Attention Surplus Disorder
After his battle with Optimus, Starscream is in temporary stasis lock, and has an embarrassing encounter with Professor Princess, who accidentally reactivates him. Whatever Happened To Whatshisname?
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Creative team
The Arrival is written by Marty Isenberg and drawn by Dario Brizuela. Isenberg is also the story editor for the Animated cartoon and has written several episodes. Marcelo Matere provided art for a backup strip on issue #2.
Items of note
- Issue #6 was originally solicited to introduce Jetfire and Jetstorm, but was canceled and later released as a pack-in with the Safeguard two-pack.
Collections
- Transformers Animated: The Arrival TPB <small>(April 29, 2009 Scheduled) <a href="/w2/index.php?title=Special:Booksources&isbn=1600104037" class="internal">ISBN 1600104037</a></small>
- Collects issues 1–6
- Bonus material unknown, except that the trade paper-back contains all six issues <a href="http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0901/19/idwapril.htm" class="external autonumber" title="http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0901/19/idwapril.htm" rel="nofollow">[1]</a>. Notably, this is the only way to get "Rise of Safeguard" besides buying the toy.
References
<ol class="references"><li id="cite_note-0"><a href="#cite_ref-0" title="">↑</a> Unlike, for example, the Marvel G1 Comic and concurrent G1 cartoon or later Energon anime and Dreamwave Energon comic, which were both examples of conflicting parallel continuities of the same respective franchises and continuity families.</ol>
