TFCC - Beast Wars Shattered Glass Chapter One: Shattered Time

Plot

The Shattered Glass Ultra Magnus destroys the Classicsverse with the Terminus Blade, however an Autobot and Decepticon ship escaped through a hole in space and both crashland on a planet, with their engines blown out.

After waking up from the crash, Girmlock goes out to investigate, but immediately seizes up due to the intense Energon in the area, elsewhere Megatron sends Nautilator and Tentakil out to investigate, and they too are seized up due to the Energon radiation, however they also get trampled and smashed apart by some local bisons.

Back at the Graviton (Autobot ship) the Autobots use Pretender and Powermaster technology to graft some organic modes based on some local lifeforms, and head out. Meanwhile at the Talon (Decepticon ship) Megatron has decided to use an experimental Energon-Absorbing armor instead so they can retain some mechanical dignity and has his remaining crew get ready for battle.

Characters

Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Mammoth (Former Truck Cab)

Grimlock - Raptor (Former Tyrannosaurus Rex)

Ironhide - Elephant (Former Van)

Prowl - Lion (Former Police Car)

Silverbolt - Eagle (Former Concorde Jet)

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank (Former Gun)

Dirge - Fighter Jet

Snaptrap - Snapping Turtle

Overbite - Shark

Seawing - Manta Ray

Skalor - Coelacanth

Nautilator - Lobster Killed by Bison Herd

Tentakil - Squid Killed by Bison Herd

SG Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Truck Cab

Notes

• This story follows the final scenes of Invasion, showing 2 of the surviving ships from that universe (it's not clear yet if they know they just narrowly escaped an exploding universe)
• The Decepticon ship, the Talon, looks like a creepy evil face...Now I won't sleep tonight!
• The Ultra Mammoth toy revealed for the 2013 Sub Service from the TFCC is confirmed here as being just a beast mode for G1 Ultra Magnus here
• The other Autobot alternate modes are based on some toys from the Beast Wars toyline who shared the same character names
• Dirge and the surviving Seacon's character model is based on their counterparts from Beast Wars II, and Megatron uses the body from his purple tank G2 toy, who sometimes came sold as Archforce. 
• The Lobster and Squid Seacons were "killed off" here because there was no Lobster counetrpart in BWII, and the Squid one was female.
• It's weird to me that Prowl, Ironhide and Silverbolt, who were from the Classicsverse, weren't in their Universe toy models...since some other characters were....
• Wonder where the rest of the Graviton crew are....
• Judging by the beast modes available this planet is likely an alternate Earth where that Matrix thingie was shipped off to.
• The floating computer that works on Megatron seems to be a NAVI of some sort

Other Features

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A U.S. Transformers Fan in Japan! Article

The TCC Overview of the Classicsverse 2007-2012 Brief summary of the Classicsverse

The Transformers Menagerie Part 1: Cassette Technology Info on the Cassettes

Optimus "Hero Prime" Prime (Primax 895.0 Gamma) Profile

Depth Charge (Primax 209.0 Gamma) Profile

Transformers I.Q. Quiz

Recordicons Mini-Comic

Transformers I.Q. Trivia Bonus - Lio Convoy data

IDW - Regeneration One #88

Title: Natural Selection Part Three

Writer: Simon Furman

Penciler: Andrew Wildman

Inker: Stephen Baskerville

Colorist: John-Paul Bove

Letterer: Chris Mowry

Editor: John Barber

Editor-In-Chief: Chris Ryall

Plot

Scorponok has arrived on Cybertron, and smashes his way into Fort Scyx and recruits Soundwave's Decepticons into his army (killing Misfire in the process for questioning him). Spinister contacts Soundwave, presumably to tell him what's happening.

On the Warworld, Bludgeon is thanking Soundwave for bringing Thunderwing's body on board and gives him a tour of the ship, and they head into a nebula to collect the needed cargo.

On Cybertron the gene-key's effect has spread through the Autobots and they are causing havoc, Overdrive stops when he sees Grimlock to see if he knows what's happening when Brainstorm appears and infects Overdrive too, causing him to join the mayhem as well. Brainstorm orders Grimlock to return to the Cybertronian Civil Defense base to see Scorponok.

At the Senate Forum, some of the unaffected, Grapple, Crosshairs, Hosehead and Blurr have joined forces and wonder where their temporary leader Hot Rod is.

Hot Rod is in the tunnels under Cybertron, running from the Demons who have killed most of Lightspeed's mining crew before he got there, he fights them off and escapes, until he eventually smashes into a wall, which he passes through and finds a strange sword and shield in a light, seemingly waiting for him.

At the CCD Grimlock is brought before Scorponok, who is annoyed because Grimlock isn't obeying his orders, and went off looking for the other Dinobots, so he can get them cured too. Instead Scorponok has Punch brought in, as he seems to be immune to the gene key and tells Grimlock to kill Punch to show his loyalty. Grimlock however shoots at Scorponok (who erects a forcefield for protection) and then takes out some Grimlock-Kryptonite and cripples him.

Soon, the converted Perceptor reports that the Pan-Global gene key is almost ready in the Sonic Canyon, so they can convert everyone all at once.

On Earth Galvatron has unlocked the secrets of how Megatron took over Earth, by using Shockwave's brain to control Auntie and all the world's computers, he then tells Starscream that they're able to go home soon....

Characters

Autobot

Hot Rod - Car

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex Disabled by Scorponok

Grapple - Crane

Crosshairs - Van-Buggy

Hosehead - Fire Engine

Blurr - Race Car

Punch - Car

Swoop (Mentioned)

Slag (Mentioned)

Sludge (Mentioned)

Snarl (Mentioned)

Lightspeed (Mentioned)

Hoist (Mentioned) Maybe Infected

Evil Autobots

Brainstorm - Jet

Highbrow - Helicopter

Hardhead - Tank

Perceptor - Microcope

Gunrunner - Jet

Guzzle - Tank

Landfill - Dump Truck

Rapido - Car

Override - Motorcycle

Skyhammer - Osprey Helicopter

Overdrive - Flying Car

Skram - Car

"Blue Pretender Guy"

Splashdown (Mentioned)

Landmine (Mentioned)

Over-Run (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Scorponok - Scorpion

Galvatron - Laser Cannon

Bludgeon - Tank

Soundwave - Cassette Player

Starscream - Fighter Jet

Spinister - Helicopter

Misfire - Jet Killed by Scorponok

Dreadwind - Jet

Darkwing - Jet

Wipgspan/Pounce

Needlenose - Jet

Windsweeper - Jet

Ruckus - Baja Buggy

Crankcase - Off Road Vehicle

Other Decepticons

Shockwave - Ray Gun Hooked up to Ark

Megatron (Mentioned) Dead

Thunderwing's Remains (Mentioned)

Other

Demons

Perceptor's Crew

Car Guys - Cars Knocked off road by Override and Rapido

Ultimate Warrior Drones Non-Active

Primus (Mentioned)

Auntie (Mentioned) Destroyed

Notes

• So Scorponok wants more troops..then kills one of them for no good reason....yeah
• On a similar note, why did the Headmasters kill Sureshot last issue if they're just going to convert the entire planet?
• AND! How many of these keys and devices to the Headmasters etc have?!? Does everyone infected get one too?
• Soundwave and the Thunderwing remains were somehow transported to Bludgeon's Warworld (probably a space bridge)
• Bludgeon's plans with the Warworld to create an army, but needs the Matrix's power (in Thunderwing's remains) to power it is basically copied from the G2 comics.
• Why does Overdrive have an odd flying car mode? Everyone else seems to have their toy-based modes!
• The Demons seem to think Hot Rod is their Creator (Primus), likely as a reference to his physical similarities to Primus' astral form (with his new sword and shield to boot)
• Hey look Punch! That's a rarity!
• Amongst the things in the building Landfill smashes out of are the helmet used by the Unicron worshippers and Straxus' head...so I can assume this was the Iaconian Museum of Evil or something.
• Wow...Scorponok found Kryptonite to use against Grimlock
• I wonder if Scorponok's even considered that maybe the now evil Autobots might decide to turn against him at some point? And why would he let Perceptor, who is now an EVIL GENIUS be allowed to in charge of construction of a device designed to corrupt all life?!?! Does he not watch old Sci-Fi movies?!?!?!?
• This storyline sort of annoys me, the concept that this magic gene key can just turn the Autobots evil is one thing, but since Punch is unaffected (likely due to his secret Decepticon half) this seems to imply that all Decepticons would be unaffected for some reason too, thus implying that all Cybertronians are "genetically" pre-determined to be either an Autobot or Decepticon rather than it being a choice for their faction...grumble grumble fanrage grumble....

IDW - More Than Meets The Eye #13

Title: Cybertronian Homesick Blues

Written by: James Roberts

Pencils by: Guido Guidi

Inks by: John Wycough, Juan Castro, Guido Guidi and Marc Deering

Colour by: Josh Burcham and Joana LaFuente

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: John Barber

Plot

The Lost Light crew attempt to make contact with Cybertron again, just so they can let them know they're alive (since the quantum jump may have looked a bit explosive), and so Swerve decides to send a message to Blurr, and tells him about what happened the day before.

Swerve is outside Tailgate and Cyclonus' room, when he hears someone screaming, he's caught up with Drift and Aquafend, as they're trying to investigate the situation, they break down the door, but find everyone fine, Tailgate explains that Cyclonus was just singing in Old Cybertronian. Later, Swerve accompanies Drift back to Rodimus' office, where he asks him if he wants to be his roommate, since Red is locked away right now, but he refuses. Inside the office Drift continues to try teaching Rodimus how to parry, whilst commenting on how odd the relationship between Tailgate and Cyclonus is (hypocrites), suddenly Magnus barges in and reports that he's sent a load of crew members to the brig (where the Decepticon prisoners are as well) for minor infractions. Rodimus tells Magnus to go relax, and gets Swerve to teach him how to do so on Hedonia, for some shore leave, in return for Rodimus helping him get a bar license.

The group go to the planet, but have to use holo-avatars in some areas in case of anti-mech sentiments, however they find a bar that serves mechs and all relax there (with Magnus trying his best) unfortunately Whirl gives Magnus a powerful drink, which knocks him out. Whilst waiting for Magnus to wake up again the group play the Nemesis game (tell each other who their nemesis is). Magnus starts to wake up and everyone pegs it (except for Swerve) who is panicked that Magnus is going to kill him for getting him drunk, however Magnus isn't that mad, he just pours out to Swerve that he's unhappy with his life since he accepted Tyrest's job offer, and he wants to go home, he goes on about how he loves music, but stops when he notices Swerve not wearing a badge, then passes out again after saying he's jealous that everyone likes Swerve and not him. However when he's alone, Swerve admits that no one likes him, they just laugh at his jokes.

Everyone returns to the bar later with some souvenirs including an Ark-1 model for Rung, Rewind laments that he wasn't around for that era, but starts to stream footage of the opening ceremony, however Cyclonus goes mad and starts a mini-riot, which forces Tailgate to take him away from the others. Suddenly everyone realizes that they only have 20 minutes to get back to the shuttle. They transport their bodies to ship via Whirl, but transmit their avatars back to the bar to try and get the still passed out Magnus back too (by dropping him, then jumping on him to convert him) and then drive him back to the shuttle (which btw, is clearly a major case of drink driving, good influence James!).

During this time, Tailgate and Cyclonus talk in another bar, where Cyclonus reveals he knows that Tailgate's been lying this whole time about his being on the Ark-1 crew, but he did it because he hated his old life, since he wasn't even noticed as being missing for 6 million years. Cyclonus comforts him by teaching him an Old Cybertronian song.

Swerve finishes his message to Blurr by telling him that he finally has his own bar. After it's finished Blaster tells Swerve that the personal number Blurr gave him in the past (when Swerve was just a pestering fan) was fake and the message wont go through.

Later, at Swerve's Bar, Magnus comes in to thank him for the company whilst he was drunk, and gives him a new Autobot badge as well.

Signal to Noise Interlude

Rung collects about his recent situation following his head blowing up and how he recovered, and suddenly remembers that he's forgotten about someone. 

Earlier on Hedonia Rung and the others have just left Swerve to deal with Magnus and have gone souvenir shopping whilst Whirl is slamming his head against a window, then suddenly disappears, shortly afterwards Rewind takes out a memory stick from his wrist from his recording, which reminds Rung of Red Alert and his own memory stick from before the accident.

Back in the present, Rung approaches Rodimus' office, and Magnus accompanies him, supposedly because Rodimus is a bit annoyed lately thanks to the failure of the communications to Cybertron and them not finding the Circle of Light and thus their main clue to the Knights of Cybertron. Inside, Rung tells Rodimus about what Red told him before his accident about the noise from under the ship, and Rodimus tells him he'll get onto it as soon as he can. Afterwards Rund runs into Magnus again, and asks if Magnus can listen to him whilst he chats for a while.

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus - Car

Ultra Magnus - Truck

Drift - Car

Swerve - Van

Whirl - Osprey Helicopter

Skids - Van

Rewind - Giant Memory Stick

Rung - Communications Maintenance Buggy

Blaster

Aquafend

Perceptor (Flashback)

Blurr - Race Car (Flashback)

Jazz - Car (Flashback)

Optimus Prime (Mentioned)

Hound - Jeep (Mentioned)

First Aid - Ambulance (Mentioned)

Fortress Maximus - Tank (Mentioned)

Brainstorm - Jet (Mentioned)

Pipes - Truck (Mentioned) Injured by Existential Gun

Red Alert - Car (Mentioned) Still in Cold Storage

Waverider (Mentioned)

Sureshot (Mentioned)

Dipstick (Mentioned)

Sprocket (Mentioned)

Arcee (Mentioned)

Chromedome - Car (Mentioned)

Bumblebee - Car (Mentioned)

Prowl - Car (Mentioned)

Ratchet - Ambulance (Mentioned)

Kimia Staff (Mentioned)Dead

Chief Justice Tyrest (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron (Mentioned)

Overlord (Mentioned)

Misfire - Jet (Mentioned)

Thunderwing (Mentioned)

Killmaster (Mentioned) Killed by Whirl

Prisoners in Brig (Mentined)

Cybertronian

Tailgate - Car

Cyclonus - Space Jet

Nova Prime - Truck (Footage) Dead

Jhiaxus (Mentioned)

Tailpipe (Mentioned) Probablt died on Ark-1

Primal Vanguard (Mentioned)

Knights of Cybertron (Mentioned)

Froid (Mentioned)

Circle of Light (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

Blurr's Fans and Guards (Flashback)

Other

Hedonians

Verity Carlo (Mentioned and used as Holo Avatar)

D-Void (Mentioned)

Maintenance Droids (Mentioned)

Scraplets (Mentioned)

Antigod (Mentioned)

Lovetopians (Mentioned)

Macerators (Mentioned)

Cuddlexians (Mentioned)

Giggleoplians (Mentioned)

Notes

• Most of this story is shown as a flashback, but since it was just to a day earlier, I wonder class it as a real flashback
• This story seems to act as a happy issue set between a harsh battle last issue, and the utter bloodbath we're all expecting with Overlord's return next month!
• The Lost Light crew attempt to make contact with Cybertron again, but it fails (as mentioned in Signal to Noise)
• Swerve's friendship with Blurr isn't what it appeared to be, Swerve was just a fan and Blurr only spoke to him once
• Swerve has been on at least 10 quests now, including this one he's on for the Knights
• Old Cybertronian singing sounds like screaming, and is terrifying
• Yeah...look at the picture above...you can tell the team are just playing "slash-bait" with the fangirls now
• Ultra Magnus' holo-avatar is made to resemble Verity, which Rung is a bit worried about
• HAH! Rung's avatar is called "Mary Sue"!
• Transformers get drunk by turning off their Fuel Intake Moderation Chips
• Whirl likes to poke the bear by using Ultra Magnus as a table when he's passed out
• Ultra Magnus likes music...I bet this has a connection to Skids' obsession with asking people about if they like music or not.
• Talking about Skids, his holo-avatar seems to be Matt Smith's Doctor Who incarnation, ie a time traveler with a mysterious identity, who takes on different faces at different points in time. Perhaps this is a hint at the future?
• Rung wonders whether Prowl or Bumblebee have to deal with things like them back on Cybertron...meanwhile on Cybertron Bumblebee's government is crumbling, and Prowl seems to be in league with the Decepticons!
• Tailgate has been lying all along, he was never a bomb disposal expert, instead being a waste disposal guy, and wasn't meant to be on the Ark either, he was just meant to clean the engines before they launched. Cyclonus has known this all along.
• As revealed in Signal to Noise the Hedonians are in fact a major arms dealer species.
• Rung informs Rodimus about Red Alert's conversation with him before his accident (whilst Magnus is outside the door) ...wonder if that'll come to anything?
• Skids bought Rodimus a captain's hat, this brings back thoughts on his reaction to the captain's hat he saw in the Annual.
• Why did the gift shop just happen to have an Ark-1 model?
• Apparently it's an offense to shorten a superior's name...Everyone calls Optimus "Prime", and Fortress Maximus either "Fort Max" or just "Max"...maybe it's a made-up rule?
• Where did Whirl disappear to during Signal to Noise?
• Rodimus claims that whenever Optimus wanted to get out of an awkward situation, he'd claim to have just had a Matrix-vision to contemplate
• Hound made Rung's wheelchair

IDW - Spotlight Megatron

Story and Art by: Nick Roche

Colours by: Len O'Grady

Letters by: Shawn Lee

Editorial Assistant: Thomas Boeing

Editor: John Barber

Plot

Megatron returns to life after almost dying in the final battle of All Hail Megatron, and greets his still loyal troops, however they seem to be in bad moods due to their inactivity, and severe injuries (due to cannibalism etc on their asteroid). Megatron goes to visit Starscream, who is sulking away in a room alone. Megatron talks calmly asking him what has happened in the past 3 years (which he knows already) and Starscream just wants him to kill him. Megatron taunts Starscream over how he had leadership, but failed to do anything with it, to which Starscream shoots him, and blasts his way out of the room, flying off into space.

However, Megatron now has an aerial mode as well, and chases after him, he easily beats Starscream in a fight, whilst the other Decepticons watch from below.

Megatron spares Starscream's life so that he can turn his treacherous nature into something theycan use to win the war with the Autobots once and for all. Megatron, victorious in his fight rallies the Decepticons and reinvigorates them to rejoin the war, all for his new plan.

Characters

Decepticon

Megatron - Stealth Bomber

Starscream - F15 Jet

Shockwave - Ray Gun

Soundwave - Cassette Player

Sunstorm - F15 Jet

Acid Storm - F15 Jet

Skywarp - F15 Jet

Wingspan or Pounce

Viewfinder

Blitzwing - Jet/Tank

Astrotrain - Space Shuttle/Train

Windsweeper - Jet

Needlenose - Jet

Razorclaw - Lion

Shrapnel - Scarab

Kickback - Locust

Autobot

Metroplex - City/Space Ship

Notes

• This is the first of the "new" Spotlights to be set in a near modern era, with the previous two being in the early war timeframe.
• This story is set just before the events of the Revenge of the Decepticons storyline from the Ongoing series (and also after Hot Rod stole the Matrix from Starscream it seems)
• It also explains the sudden reappearance and power of the Decepticons following 3 years of basic inactivity
• Megatron wasn't angry at Starscream for taking command of the Decepticons during his "nap" but was angry that he allowed them to basically fall apart in just 3 years.
• This is actually (I think) the first decent view we've had in an actual comic of Megatron's stealth bomber mode (the only other time I remember seeing it was heavily shadowed and from below)
• Megatron doesn't truly trust Starscream, Shockwave or Soundwave, but he keeps them around to maintain the status quo (and probably to keep an eye on them)
• It's explained here that the Decepticon's space bridge technology is also taken from their research into Metroplex, as seen in Spotlight Thundercracker.
• The plan Megatron mentions here is clearly the one involving the mind controlling guns they send to Earth, it may also include Megatron surrendering himself (maybe indicating that his return in RID was all planned out too somehow)

IDW - Rage of the Dinobots #3

Written by: Mike Johnson & Mairghread Scott

Art by: Agustin Padilla

Colours by: Thomas Deer

Letters by: Tom T. Long

Editorial Assistance by: Jean-Carlo Tirado

Editor: John Barber

Plot

Grimlock demands a one on one fight with Ser-Ket, if he wins then she lets the Autobots go, and frees Swoop from her mind control, but if she wins then the Dinobots all get put under her control as well. The battle begins and Ser-Ket takes an early lead until she goads Grimlock into changing into his beast mode and he takes her down, in the process freeing Swoop as well.

After the battle, the rest of the Forged honour Grimlock's battle rewards and let the Autobots leave, however as they are leaving to reunite with the others when Ser-Ket reappears in her beast mode and attacks Grimlock, Swoop helps out Grimlock and causes Ser-Ket to crash, followed soon by Grimlock skewering her beast mode's head with his sword.

In the aftermath Shockwave appears and laments his loyal soldier's death and says that if he felt emotions he'd be proud of Grimlock's progress so far...

To be continued

Characters

Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Truck

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Swoop - Pteranodon

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Slug- Triceratops

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Other Escapees 

Optimus Prime (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Shockwave

Ser-Ket - Dragon Maybe killed by Grimlock

The Forged

Notes

• It's possible that Ser-Ket survived that headshot, since it was her beast head that was skewered (much like how IDW G1 Sludge survived his beast head being severed off)
• Well...that was kind of an easy resolution to Swoop being kidnapped and brainwashed huh?
• Shockwave's character model looks a bit different to how it appears in FOC or the Prime series here.

Titan - Prime Volume 4 #13

Title: Protecting the Lady

Script: Robin Etherington

Art: Jeremy Tiongson

Colours: Sam Palmer

Lettering: Comicraft

Price: £3.99

Cover Date: WINTER 2013

Plot

The Autobots have been alerted to a Decepticon message to the world about them destroying the Statue of Liberty, which they have prevented from being sent out through jammers, and they need to stop them.

Optimus and Bumblebee are sent out as a stealth party to try and stop Megatron (who was hoping to cause panic and have the human media witness this attack). The Decepticons attack the two Autobots, whilst Megatron climbs the statue (why not fly up Megs?) to decapitate it, thuse dealing a symbolic blow to Earth's freedom.

Optimus and Megatron fight on the statue, but just as Megatron is about to decapitate the statue Bumblebee flings a dead Vehicon at him, knocking him off balance and allowing Optimus to send him flying into the waters nearby.

In the aftermath Fowler moans at the two Autobots for causing so much damage to the statue, and for letting themselves be seen (at least partially), but the Autobots promise to repair the statue to PRIME condition (oh ho ho, how whitty) 

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab

Bumblebee - Sports Car

Ratchet - Ambulance (Flashback Only)

Bulkhead - Off Road Vehicle (Flashback Only)

Decepticon

Megatron - Cybertronian Jet

Vehicons - Jets

Soundwave - UAV (Mentioned)

Human

Agent Fowler

Other

Statue of Liberty Damaged by Battle

A scared Seagull Scared off by Bumblebee

Notes

• Congrats to everyone's friend Sam Palmer for getting his first pro-Transformers gig here!
• This issue came with one of 6 Kre-O...Kre-O is fun!!!
• The jet Vehicons finally appear here, which makes sense since cars wouldn't be able to get to Liberty Island that easily!
• ...Did Optimus and Bumblebee just snap those two Vehicon's necks?!
• Megatron contacts Soundwave over a communicator to see where the human camera are...was he really expecting a reply?!
• HA! Megatron has a Vehicon thrown at him! (nice inversion of him throwing a Vehicon off the Nemesis in series 2)

Other Features

Competitions

Adverts

Primed for Action! - Season 2 sneak peaks

New Year Wordsearch - A wordsearch clearly meant for a month ago....

Soundwave's Stumpers! - A bunch of puzzles

Starscream's Star Signs! - YAY! Starscream insults us with horoscopes again!!

Kre-O Transformers themed puzzles

Taking Liberties! - Puzzles themed around today's comic

Are you an Autobot or Decepticon? - Guess what it tells ya!

Mega Mouth - Megatron and Arcee do their fan mail duties again

Cut Out Autobot or Decepticon Kre-O Battle Bunkers!! - It'll ruin the magazine though