The Energon Pub

So, I'm new to the Transformers world, but remember watching the shows as a kid. I've gotten into them again and want to learn everything possible about them. To start off I purchased some comic books from various series (The Transformers, Transformers Armada, Transformers More than Meets the Eye, and Transformers Energon) and I began to wonder what were the first series of Transformers that came out? And if anyone could give me a general timeline of all the comics? I know the ones I have aren't that old, the oldest being from 2002 I believe, but I'd still like to know. Thanks.

Courtesy of waaaaghlord: http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/new-to-transformers-comics-here-s-a-guide-to-the-various-titles-and-a-faq-t13585.php

Also, see this for more recent stuff: http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/questions-about-older-comics-and-newer-tf-series-t85735.php

Keep in mind though that the original 1-80 is starting up again in a different continuity (81 - whatever), so don't get that confused with anything else being currently released or their continuities.