IDW - More Than Meets The Eye #23

Title: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2: Black Metal

Written by: James Roberts and John Barber

Art by: Atilio Rojo, James Raiz and Livio Ramondelli

Colours by: Josh Perez and Livio Ramondelli

Letters by: Gilberto Lazcano

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

On Cybertron, Bumblebee and his team of Autobots are waiting to see what the inactive Necrotiitan is about to do. The Dinobots want to just destroy it, but Bumblebee wants to be cautious.

Meanwhile at the site of the imploding Gorlam Prime, the Lost Light is waiting in the area whilst they decide what to do about the Dead Universe threat. Brainstorm is working on a project using a Cyberwraith he took from a dead Sweep after the Chaos event whilst the others wait.

Back on Cybertron, in Iacon Starscream is arming himself with some weapons he took from Kimia after the Autobots left, when Rattrap doubts that he can stop the Titan with normal weapons, and suggests going to see an "old friend".

Back on the Lost Light, Magnus finds Orion and Rodimus in Swerve's bar waiting for Brainstorm to finish and they discuss how everyone can feel that something terrible is about to happen. Orion also talks about how he's not happy about how Starscream is now ruling Cybertron when Brainstorm contacts them.

In Brainstorm's lab, Optimus and Rodimus are fitted with devices that have some of the Cyberwraith's venom inside it, so they can enter the Dead Universe without being killed instantly by the Universe itself. They manage to recruit Hardhead and Cyclonus to join them as well, since both have spent time in the vicinity, though Cyclonus is VERY reluctant to go. Before long the ship approaches the portal left by Gorlam Prime's destruction, Magnus is left in charge of the ship to hunt down Jhiaxus as Orion is sure he's involved in some way, which Wheelie waits with the Skyroller for them to return. The four Autobots soon depart for the Dead Universe.

Back in Iacon Starscream has come to the jail cells to see Scoop, whom he had arrested under false charges recently, Jazz is reluctant to leave them alone, but does leave. Scoop reveals that he knows there's another Titan outside, and that he knows this because of a prophecy in the Covenant of Primes, that even seems to refer to Cybertron "and stars shall scream" and also includes an image that looks like Shockwave's head.

Elsewhere in the Crystal City, Shockwave is talking with Nova Prime and Galvatron via holo-communicator, but Nova Prime is angry because the portal between the Dead Universe and Cybertron created by the Necrotitan has gone, due to the reaction of the Ores, however Shockwave assures him that he has a plan, whilst looking at a hologram of Megatron.

Orion Pax, Rodimus, Hardhead and Cyclonus have arrived in the Dead Universe, the discover that the rubble from Gorlam Prime is heading further into the Universe, towards a certain point. Before long they realize that Cyclonus is missing, and worry that a group of giant Cyberwraiths may have gotten him when they start attacking them. After a short battle, the Cyberwraiths escape when Cyclonus returns, vomiting black Energon, and not wanting to discuss it. The group head off, following where the debris is heading, unaware that Nightbeat, long thought dead, is behind them, and starts examining the black Energon curiously.

Back on Cybertron, Bumblebee is still unsure what to do with the Titan when suddenly the Decepticons, led by Soundwave appear, and attack!

Characters

Autobot

Orion Pax - Truck Cab

Rodimus - Sports Car

Bumblebee - Muscle Car

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Brainstorm - Jet

Hardhead - Personnel Carrier

Nightbeat - Car

Arcee - Car

Prowl - Car

Ironhide - Van

Slag - Triceratops

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Swoop - Pteranodon

Whirl - Osprey Helicopter

Wheelie - Car

Rung

Chromedome - Car

Swerve - Van

Skids - Van

Mainframe

Atomizer

Other Autobots

Dead Universe Victim - Maybe Leadfoot (Flashback) Dead

Thunderclash (Mentioned on Sign)

Cloudburst (Mentioned)

Waverider (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Soundwave - Van

Blitzwing - Jet/Tank

Astrotrain - Train/Space Shuttle

Needlenose - Jet

Ravage - Cassette

Other Decepticons

Megatron (Hologram)

NAIL

Starscream - Jet

Rattrap - Mole Rat

Jazz - Car

Scoop - Front End Loader

Other Cybertronian

Cyclonus - Jet

Nova Prime - Truck

Galvatron - Laser Tank

Necrotitan - Ship Undead

Primus (Mentioned)

Jhiaxus - Jet (Mentioned)

Annual Metrotitan (Mentioned) Dead

Other

Garnak

Baby Cyberwraith Captured by Brainstorm

Adult Cyberwraiths

Notes

• Slag is the only Dinobot to not get named in this story, possibly to avoid contradictions from the cast list that names him his "safe name" Slug.
• Several guys wonder if the Metrotitan on Cybertron is the same one who declared Starscream the "Chosen One". It isn't, but it's still worth noting.
• The corpse shown in Brainstorm's flashback is most likely one of the victims of the Dead Universe's attack in Revelation. Since he was shown to be examined by someone at some point, this is probably Leadfoot.
• The sign in Swerve's bar has Thudnerclash crossed out of it, which means Swerve just reuses for Orion Pax arriving (he also started writing Optimus, before crossing that out too)
• It seems that the Dead Universe denizens ability to kill people with their touch is due to these Cyberwraiths rather than it just being part of their anatomies 
• Despite his betrayal, and him KNOWING he betrayed him, Scoop still believes Starscream is Cybertron's saviour.
• The Covenant of Primes is most likely just a slight rename of the Covenant of Primus from other continuities, just renamed due to Primus' lack of prevalence in this continuity.
• The hieroglyph showing Shockwave's face COULD actually be anyone who underwent Empurata.
• Nova Prime and Galvatron act quite pally for a while, but Nova reveals this to be a lie when he pushes him away violently just for touching him.
• Shockwave's plans are revealed to involve Megatron in some way, possibly meaning that the new body he built for him was something to do with his grand scheme.
• NIGHTBEAT'S ALIVE!!!!!!!
• The Decepticons at the end are most likely attacking the Necrotitan rather than the Autobots as it is implied here.