IDW - Transformers Shattered Glass II #2

Written by: Danny Lore 

Art by: Daniel Khanna

Colours by: Thomas Deer

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: David Mariotte

Plot

Following the Decepticon occupation of Gold City, now New Kaon, Blaster is stalking Decepticons in and around the city, and trying to make a name of himself, but is encountered by Slicer and Rodimus, who aren't happy with him messing around, and seemingly avoiding them, after failing to kill Megatron and Starscream earlier. Slicer stops Rodimus from killing Blaster, reminding him that he is needed for a mission, so Rodimus allows him another chance.

Blaster and his cassettes infiltrate New Kaon, where they try finding Soundwave, and his underground radio station, but gets distracted when he finds Megatron and Jetfire, and attempts to get them to fight, but manipulating them with subsonics, but he gets interupted, breaking the manipulation, and also revealing the presence of a Decepticon in the city.

Blaster manages to find the radio station, and hacks into it, to allow him to monitor their actions, rather than destroying it, as he was ordered. Soundwave finds, and attacks the Autobot, but Blaster manages to escape when explosions are heard above them.

Blaster eventually meets with Rodimus and Slicer outside of the city, where Blaster learns that Rodimus has killed his cassettes, and now intends to kill Blaster himself too, for his numerous failures.

Blaster looks back on his life, and how everyone is against him, and that the world is just jealous of his talents and skills, leading him to join the Autobots and the war, to make a real difference in the world...

Rodimus finishes off the failed Autobot, and Slicer decapitates him, intending to use his new connection to Decepticon radio to spy on their enemies, and suggests to Rodimus to plant Blaster and his Cassettes bodies at Gold City, to make it look like the Decepticons killed him, instead of them...

Characters

Autobot

Blaster - Boombox Killed by Rodimus

Rodimus - Car

Slicer - Car

Jetfire - Jet (Alligned with Decepticons now)

Rewind - Cassette Killed by Rodimus

Ramhorn - Cassette Killed by Rodimus

Steeljaw - Cassette Killed by Rodimus

Eject - Cassette (Flashback Only) Dead

Chromedome - Car (Flashback Only)

Jazz - Car (Flashback Only)

Blurr - Car (Flashback Only) Dead

Optimus Prime - Truck (Mentioned) Beaten to Near Death

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron - Jet

Flamewar - Motorcycle

Soundwave - Cassette Player

Whisper - Jet

Clench - Truck Shot by Blaster

Gutcruncher Crushed by a Heavy Panel

Dead Decepticon Being Eaten by Autobot Cassettes

New Kaon Soldiers

Refraktor - Hovercraft (Flashback Only)

Starscream - Jet (Mentioned) Spark Removed by Goldbug

Decepticon Cassettes - Cassettes (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

The Old Senate (Mentioned)

"The Sponsors" (Mentioned)

Notes

• The Hasbro Pulse release of this issue comes with a Shattered Glass Blaster (with Rewind) figure.
• Gold City is revealed to have been renamed as "New Kaon" following the removal of Goldbug.
• Jetfire is revealed to be staying at New Kaon, despite the ending of series one implying he was going solo to decide what to do, to avenge Starscream's death. He is still also wearing his Autobot insignia, despite his toy featuring a faction flipping feature.
• Blaster is shown to be a former broadcast reporter, who was blacklisted for his attitude and conspiracy theories, leading to him running a pirate radio show, which also got cancelled, before he was recruited into the Autobots
• Blaster's brief time as a musician features him, and his cassette team, performing on stage, somewhat evoking the Retail Incentive cover for Spotlight: Blaster from IDW.
• Slicer is shown with his mysterious cape again, but he does take is off for a few panels in the middle of the issue (if it was for hiding their presence, then Rodimus should also be wearing it)
• There's a slight light in Blaster's eyes after he is decaptiated, but I think that's just from Slicer accessing his link to the Decepticon's radio network, rather than an indication of him surviving.
• This issue (and figure) was released before Ultra Magnus and issue one on Hasbro Pulse, which isn't that unusual. But it is interesting to note, that the first issue to be released from both series of Shattered Glass includes the death of it's featured character, with Blurr in series one, and Blaster here.
• Blaster mentions a few times how he misses Eject, and that he gets annoyed by Rewind. It's possible this is a reference to how his Kingdom/Legacy counterpart comes with Eject, which he is "stuck with" Rewind in both the comic and toy.
• Eject is revealed to have died from the battle in the bar from issue three of the first series.

IDW - Transformers Shattered Glass II #1

Written by: Danny Lore

Art by: Marcelo Matere & Andrew Lee Griffith 

Additional Inks by: Gigi Dutreix

Colours by: John-Paul Bove

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: David Mariotte

Plot

In the past, Ultra Magnus, a lawman, is summoned by Orion Pax to lead his new squad of enforcers, in preparation for his upcoming uprising against the Senate.

One day, Magnus' squad encounter Senator Shockwave, a friend of Magnus', who is being hounded by journalists, asking about a rumoured military schism. Shockwave, who disapproves of Magnus' new squad, insults them, angering Impactor, who gets into a fight with the Senator, leading Magnus to lose control, and throws Kup at the other Wrecker, seemingly killing Impactor, and causing Shockwave to look at Magnus in a worse way...

Later, Magnus informs Orion that he has reorganised the squad into his own, fully independent unit, the Wreckers, so they can do the dirty business, without Orion being implicated, as he really wanted, which Orion begrudgingly agrees to.

The Wreckers are sent to the Senate, where they slaughter many of the gathered Senators, enabling Orion to take over easily. Magnus is confronted directly by Shockwave, but the Senator is no match for the strong Autobot. Rather than killing him though, Shockwave is taken away for Empurata, to rewrite his mind...

In the present day, Magnus, along with his Wreckers, arrive at the Throne of Pax, where they demand an audience with Optimus, and the Autobot tyrant allows him to see him, with one of his Wreckers, leaving the rest outside.

Magnus meets with Optimus, and Magnus suggests that him and Prowl racing to claim the newly awakening Titan from Goldbug is splitting their forces too thin, and that the Decepticons will take advantage of it and take back Cybertron, like they already have at Gold City. Optimus refuses to listen, and Jazz tries to speak up for Magnus, pointing out his role in ensuring Optimus' power, but the Prime refuses to listen, and knocks the Wrecker away.

The two Wreckers leave, but decide that Optimus is going to get them all killed with his poor leadership, so Magnus gives the signal to the Wreckers, and they start killing the guards around Pax, with Magnus facing off against Optimus himself.

After a harsh battle, Magnus shows his superior raw strength to Optimus, and manages to beat him to near-death, all whilst pointing out that he, and his Wreckers, are what gave him all his power and respect.

Magnus stands over Optimus' damaged body, with the Wreckers behind him, ready to execute his own plans for Cybertron...

Characters

Autobot

Orion Pax/Optimus Prime - Truck Crushed by Ultra Magnus

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Jazz - Car

Slicer - Car

Rodimus - Car

Drift - Car

Kup - Pick Up Truck

Ricochet - Car

Sandstorm - Buggy/VTOL Helicopter

Whirl - Helicopter Killed by Slicer

Sunstreaker - Car Killed by Slicer

Pax Guards Killed by Wreckers

Bumblebee/Goldbug - Car (Flashback Only)

Springer - Helicopter/Car (Flashback Only)

Impactor - Tank (Flashback Only) Killed by Ultra Magnus

Prowl - Police Car (Mentioned)

Cordon - Car (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Laserbeak - Cassette (Flashback Only)

Flashbox (Flashback Only)

Senator Shockwave (Flashback Only) Put through Empurata

Senator Ratbat - Cassette (Flashback Only) Killed by Ultra Magnus

Senator Crosscut - Van (Flashback Only) Killed by the Wreckers

Senator Tomaandi (Flashback Only) Killed by the Wreckers

Senator Proteus (Flashback Only) Killed by the Wreckers 

Senator Decimus (Flashback Only) Killed by the Wreckers 

Other Senators (Flashback Only) Killed by the Wreckers 

Metroplex - Titan Ship (Mentioned) Reactivated

Scraplets (Mentioned)

Notes

• The Hasbro Pulse edition of this comic came with a Shattered Glass Ultra Magnus figure (that also doubles as Diaclone Universe Delta Magnus)
• The inner monologue narration that was present through series one returns for this series, but this issue parodies it, by having Ultra Magnus refusing to narrate for most of the story, as we aren't worthy enough to know his thoughts.
• Senator Shockwave's design is based on his appearance from the MTMTE flashbacks, as is his basic backstory too.
• Ultra Magnus calls Sunstreaker "Cordon" at one point, on purpose. This possibly explains the name alteration of Wheeljack to Slicer (beyond being a toy thing), but it could explain some other figures released in Generations, who can be doubled as Shattered Glass characters, as those could be just code names used by them (ie SG Tracks might be referred to as "Road Rage", SG Skids as "Burn-Out" etc).
• Wheeljack is shown wearing his full-body cloak, as he did at the end of series one, but we don't see what its for yet. My guess would be that it's to either hide his energy signature, or to at least hide something (maybe somehow the Exo-Suit that comes with his toy?)
• It's mentioned a few times that Magnus' face-hologram is emotionless, but we clearly see it making a whole range of emotions throughout the issue.
• We don't learn here why Magnus' face is skeletal yet, but in the original Shattered Glass it was caused by Optimus ripping off his face after a rebellion attempt, but he appears to have his injury before he is summoned to lead the Wreckers.
• We learned in series one that Shockwave's Empurata went wrong, and he ended up becoming extremely heroic, rather than apathetic, a complete reversal of what happened to the old IDW continuity.
• Despite how kill-happy he's been this issue, I think Optimus is still alive at the end of this issue, and will likely return to his throne by the end of the series.

IDW - Transformers: Last Bot Standing #4

Written by: Nick Roche

Art by: E.J. Su & Nick Roche

Colours by: Rebecca Nalty & Brittany Peer

Letters & Design by: Johanna Nattalie

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Editor: David Mariotte

Plot

Steeljaw plays the recording that Rodimus gave to Shib's ancestors, revealing that Donnokt is loaded with raw Energon, which Rodimus decided to hide, rather than use it to revive their species.

Rodimus reveals that he killed the team left at the camp, and that it was all because of the key he used on himself, and that the last two, which Steeljaw is holding, can make the user as strong as him. His plan works, and the other Cybertronians, starved for real Energon fight over the keys, destroying one by accident.

Taking advantage of the fight, Rodimus and Shib free the people of Fembrance and Shib gets the last Energon key. Rodimus and Shib race away, and Rodimus causes an explosion to try and slow down their pursuers, knocking out Rodimus in the process.

Shib makes.her way to the mines, where she intends to hide for a while, but Steeljaw and Sharpclaw follow, and locate the Energon mine in the mountain. They capture Shib, but an errant shot causes a small earthquake due to the Energon.

The siblings fight over who gets to use the Energon key, but Steeljaw ultimately wins out, and uses it.

Rodimus wakes up following the rumble, but is soon confronted by the other Cybertronians, who have combined into a crude gestalt robot, Unstoppimus.

Despite his great size, Unstoppimus is Energon depleted and Rodimus easily defeats him, but tearing off his head, knocking out all the components. Rodimus prepares to kill the fallen Cybertronians, but he senses that Shib needs help.

Rodimus arrives at the mine, but he is attacked by the injured Sharpclaw, and meets the restored Steeljaw. Rodimus reveals that they can't even use the Energon, due to them converting themselves to using Biofuel, and since he destroyed their base's equipment, they can't even use that now.

Steeljaw, in rage, stand Rodimus through his abdomen and chucks him into the raw Energon put.

Steeljaw, now seeing that they're doomed, decides to be petty and shoot the Energon, to cause Donnokt to blow up, Sharpclaw tries to convince him to spare the world, as they have a chance to still live, Steeljaw however still fires, but Sharpclaw jumps in the way, taking her out.

Steeljaw, now furious at having killed his own sister, intends to kill Shib, but Rodimus, who has been supercharged by the Energon, returns to life, and finishes off the former Decepticon.

With no enemies left, Rodimus tears off his arm blasters.

Rodimus spends some time afterwards helping the Donnokt People to work out how to use the Energon safely, and enables them to improve their technology in a short timeframe. 

Rodimus constructs a small spacecraft, and stores the remaining Cybertronians, who were rendered harmless and near dead, in it, before sitting in it too, and allows himself to power down forever on the shuttle, as it drifts aimlessly in space.

Later, Shib looks out at the stars, and is happy that she added a new one to the sky, with Rodimus' shuttle...

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus - Car Goes into stasis

Strongarm - Van (Flashback and Footage) Dead

Gripper - Buggy (Flashback and Footage) Dead

Kup (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Talon - Jet (Flashback) Killed by Rodimus

Fangry - Winged Wolf (Flashback) Killed by Rodimus

Talon's Crew (Mentioned) Killed by Rodimus and crew

The Last Cybertronians

Steeljaw - Van Killed by Rodimus

Sharpclaw - Car Shot by Steeljaw, in Stasis

Wedge - Bulldozer Badly Injured in Unstoppimus Destruction, in Stasis 

Lunaclub - Helicopter Badly Injured in Unstoppimus Destruction, in Stasis 

Scylla - Squid Badly Injured in Unstoppimus Destruction, in Stasis 

Cyberwarp - Jet Badly Injured in Unstoppimus Destruction, in Stasis 

Override - Car Likely Killed in Unstoppimus Destruction

Riotgear - Tank Likely Killed in Unstoppimus Destruction 

Unstoppimus - Last Cybertronian Gestalt Destroyed by Rodimus 

Wheelie Stuck in Orbit, Likely Dead

Nitro (Mentioned) Dead

Base Camp Team (Mentioned) Dead

Donnokt Denizens

Shib Wallkis

Beets Wallkis

Trayvon Wallkis

Alderman Errold

Firebolt, the Steed

Sparks, the Steed

Fembrance Townsfolk

Stambo (Mentioned)

Brennet (Mentioned)

Shib's Ancestors (Mentioned)

Other

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• The Energon keys are confirmed to having been created for use by the three Autobots, if they were needed by the Wallkis family, but Strongarm and Gripper died before they could be used on them (still not convinced that Rodimus didn't kill them though)
• The planet is also confirmed to be filled with raw Energon, which Rodimus teaches the Donnokt People to process safely for themselves.
• Sharpclaw exclaims "Primus' Ball Bearings!' I just wanted to mention that :) 
• Most of the surviving (at the start of the issue) members of the Last Cybertronians have been members of a combiner team in past fiction, explaining how they can combine (poorly) this issue.
• Rodimus' "god" form is based on the Super Saiyans from the Dragon Ball franchise (yeah, it looks a bit weird, why did they give him a gold wig, rather than the fiery design, like he has on the cover?)
• The ending is a bit bittersweet, Donnokt is safe, but the stars are still burning out, so they are on borrowed time right now, maybe they can develop interdimensional travel to escape to the next license holder?
• This marks the last G2 series for IDW, with only Shattered Glass to follow it (and, yes, the first two issues have been released already, but I've been procrastinating). There hasn't been any announcements on who the next license holder will be yet.