IDW - Transformers: Shattered Glass II #5

Written by: Danny Lore

Art by: Guido Guidi

Inks by: Matt Froese

Colours by: John-Paul Bove

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: David Mariotte

Plot

The battle under Metroplex's shadow is in full force, Megatron relays the information of Magnus' plans to use the Titan, powered by Starscream's spark, to conquer the world, and about how Optimus has been held captive for a mystery operation too...

Soundwave finds the injured Slicer on his way to enter the Titan, where the two decide to team up to take down the Autobots, since he has grown a distaste for Magnus and his methods, and he wants to rescue his friend, Ratchet.

Soon after entering the Titan, the duo encounter Magnus' body, screaming in silence, but Soundwave's mind reading abilities tell him that it is Optimus' mind inside that body.

The real Magnus, now in Optimus' body, so he can lead the Autobots easier, and flanked by his Wreckers, and a captive Jetfire, arrive, with them still believing Slicer to be on his side, and that Soundwave is his captive too.

Slicer soon reveals his true nature, and attacks the Wreckers, intent to save his friend Ratchet and help his new ally Soundwave.

Before long, Jetfire is freed and Soundwave leads him to the spark chamber, where he frees Starscream's spark, and escapes from Metroplex with it, causing the Titan to collapse.

Magnus storms into the chamber and fights with Soundwave, for him ruining his plans, but the new Tyrant is shot from the Titans, to his apparent death, by Slicer. Soundwave is rescued from the Titan before his crashes, and is reunited with the other Deceptions.

In the aftermath, Jetfire has gone into hiding with Starscream's spark, while Slicer and Rachet are also hiding out, presumably to avoid further attacks from the remaining Wreckers. Meanwhile Prowl is the last Autobot Warlord still in power...

Characters

Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Truck Cab Killed by Slicer

Optimus Prime - Vehicle Transport Likely Killed in Metroplex Collapse

Jetfire - Jet

Slicer - Car

Ratchet - Ambulance

Rodimus - Car Killed by Soundwave

Drift - Car Shot in Gut by Soundwave

Springer - Helicopter/Car Killed by Slicer

Tailgate - Car

Jazz - Car

Ricochet - Car

Cosmos - Orbiter 

Prowl - Police Car

Blaster - Boombox (Mentioned) Dead

Decepticon

Megatron - Jet

Soundwave - Cassette Player

Laserbeak - Cassette

Ravage - Cassette

Rumble - Cassette

Frenzy - Cassette 

Flamewar - Motorcycle

Slipstream - Jet

Hotlink - Jet

Starscream - Jet Spark and Ghost Only

Other

Metroplex - Titan Ship Disconnected from Starscream's Spark, Collapsed 

Notes

• Sorry I'm very late getting this review up, I guess it being the final issue of IDW's run got me to delaying it. Plus I've been busy.
• Like the rest of the series, the Hasbro Pulse release of this comic came with a figure of Soundwave with Ravage and Laserbeak. So that was nice :) 
• The issue starts with Megatron injured from the fight, but also knowing what Flamewar discovered last issue, showing at least a brief time skip between the issues.
• Metroplex has returned to not having his Autobot insignia again...
• Slicer is shown to have survived his fall from Metroplex.
• The inner robot gimmick from Ultra Magnus' toy is referenced this issue, with him replacing Optimus by swapping bodies with him. However, the physical toy of Magnus uses the Siege version of the mould, meaning the inner robot is very different. It also doesn't explain the new blue colour scheme either...
• Despite him still technically being alive when we last saw him, I can't see Optimus surviving Metroplex's crash, which everyone else was desperate to escape from.
• Once again, like the other ongoing series from IDW, this series ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger, with Prowl as a potential big villain, after manipulating the other Warlords in the first two storylines.