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.

IDW - Transformers: Shattered Glass II #4

Written by: Danny Lore

Art by: Daniel Khanna

Inks by: Gigi Dutreix

Colours by: John-Paul Bove

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: David Mariotte

Plot

Flamewar and Soundwave team up to try and protect the Titan Net from the Autobots, who are planning to use it to destroy the Titans, rather than letting them sleep, as the Decepticon's want.

Soundwave and Flamewar end up joining the Pirate captain Cannonball, Flamewar's commander, in fighting Rodimus and Flamwar, while Lightbright is hacking the network. The battle doesn't go well, even though the Network was protected, Cannonball is killed, while ordering Flamewar to escape...

Following Cannonball's death, the Pirates crew hold a memorial for their fallen captain, with Flamewar taking the lead. Megatron arrives, and commends Cannonball's resolve to protecting Cybertron, even if they disagreed on the methods used. Megatron offers Flamewar and her crew a place in the Decepticons, to continue their captain's work...

Years later, following the disastrous battle on Earth, Flamewar is furious with Starscream that he could abandon Megatron, but Starscream argues that Megatron let them escape, to let the Decepticon movement survive, even if he died... 

In the present day, Flamewar is annoyed that Megatron won't let her lead her team to take on the Autobots in the Static Zone, so she leads her crew out on an unapproved mission, soon finding Metroplex mostly awake, and the Wreckers dragging Jetfire inside the Titan, where she also notices Rodimus outside.

Wanting revenge for her captain's death, Flamewar charges at Rodimus, but the Autobot is a lot more skilled than the Pirate. Hailstorm tries to help her, but Rodimus shoots his weapons array, and kills him. Flamewar tries to kill Rodimus in revenge, but Slipstream tries to spirit her away, only for Flamewar to free herself to continue her revenge, leading her to blacking out after a shot from the Autobot.

Flamewar soon awakens, to find herself shackled up inside the Titan, where she finds a similarly shackled Optimus Prime, who is taken away for a "procedure". Flamewar tries to get Slicer to reveal what he's doing to Optimus, but the Wrecker doesn't tell her anything, other than how she is only being kept alive as a bargaining chip, since Megatron clearly respects her a lot to send her after the Wreckers, making the Pirate feel guilty for going behind his back.

Soon, Slipstream infiltrates the Titan, and attacks Slicer, freeing Flamewar in the process. Flamewar noticed how attached Slicer seemed to be to Blaster's decapitated head, and wonders if it has some connection to their partial control of the Titan, and grabs it. Slicer tries to attack Slipstream, so Flamewar shoots him, blasting him out the wall of the Titan's control room, to (Flamewar hopes) his death.

Flamewar is tempted to go after Rodimus to get her revenge, but she thinks back on how her leaders have sacrificed themselves in the past to keep the vision alive, and she reasons that she needs to sacrifice her vendetta to get the minimal information she has gathered about what the Wreckers are doing, with Blaster's head. Optimus' capture, a strange procedure and others, to Megatron, who, along with Soundwave has joined the battle against the Wreckers outside the Titan....

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck Captured by the Wreckers

Rodimus - Car

Slicer - Car Blasted out of Metroplex

Springer - Helicopter/Car

Drift - Car

Tailgate - Car

Jetfire - Jet (Allied with the Decepticons) Captured by the Wreckers

Metroplex - Titan Ship Partially Reactivated 

Blaster (Decapitated Head Only) Dead

Windblade - VTOL Jet (Flashback Only)

Lightbright (Flashback Only)

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport (Mentioned)

Ratchet - Ambulance (Mentioned)

Prowl - Police Car (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron - Jet

Soundwave - Cassette Player

Flamewar - Motorcycle

Slipstream - Jet

Shadow Striker - Car

Hailstorm - Tank Killed by Rodimus

Hotlink - Jet

Sunstorm - Jet (Flashback Only)

Tracer - Helicopter (Flashback Only)

Barricade - Police Car (Flashback Only)

Starscream - Jet (Flashback Only) Spark Extracted in Present

Thundercracker - Jet (Flashback Only)

Frenzy - Cassette (Flashback Only)

Blackjack (Mentioned)

Constructicons (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Cannonball - Van (Flashback Only) Killed by Rodimus 

Lowload (Mentioned) Killed by Autobots

Cityspeakers (Mentioned)

Titan Net Team (Mentioned)

Notes

• The Hasbro Pulse edition of this issue comes with a Deluxe sized Flamewar with a Battle Master Fireglide.
• Interestingly, unlike with most Shattered Glass designs, Flamewar uses her G1 colour scheme and design, except the insignia, rather than a  different one, meaning this figure can be used as both versions of the character.
• Fireglide appears on the Hasbro Pulse cover, but not in the comic itself, possibly implying the Battle Master was a late edition to the figure.
• Slipstream was briefly shown last issue, but this one reveals that she uses the Earthrise Seeker design, rather than the Siege version seen with the other Seeker body types this issue.
• Slipstream's colour scheme appears to be based on G1 Windblade, which would be very appropriate due to their occasional rivalries in different pieces of fiction.
• Cannonball appears to just use the Timelines version of the G1 character of the same name, which used the Prime Ratchet mould, without any colour changes.
• At the end of the previous issue, all of the Pirate crew arrived at the Titan's location, but only Flamewar, Slipstream, Hailstorm, Shadow Striker and Hotlink headed there during this issue.
• Rodimus is shown using the binocular-shades first seen on his G1 counterpart in the 1986 Movie.
• Lightbright and Windblade are mentioned as being "Citycrashers", very clearly a reference to the IDW comic storyline where the Risers hacked the Titan Net, and caused the Titans to crash into Cybertron.
• Goldbug doesn't appear this issue, suggesting that he probably did die from Jetfire's crushing last issue.
• Flamewar is shown using her front wheel in it's gun configuration, but the wheel is also attached to her backpack in the same panels...
• On a similar note, Flamewar wears her wheel in it's complete form throughout the issue, like how Prime Arcee wears it, but the cover shows it split in half and mounted at the back of her neck, like how Road Rocket wears hers. I'm not sure which one is the "official" version for her in this continuity.
• Slicer's Autobot insignia is blasted off when Flamewar shoots him, this is likely to help with toy design synergy, but could also hint at a future storyline (I still think the double-up characters and toys are multiversal travellers myself)
• Metroplex is shown to now have an Autobot insignia. I guess he generated it since last issue?
• It's confirmed this issue that Optimus was NOT killed by Ultra Magnus, but he has been captured by the Wreckers for an "operation". It should be noted that his chest has been fully repaired from the injuries he suffered in issue one of the series. (Maybe from the Matrix?)
• Wheeljack jokes that Magnus wants Optimus kept alive, so he can paint him to look like him, as a living mirror. Could this be a reference to Magnus' inner robot from the toyline, or something more?
• I think, based on what we've seen so far, that Magnus plans to replace Optimus, and potentially steal the Matrix from his body, which is the operation Ratchet needs to perform. Either that, or he wants the matrix removed for a potential third series storyline (perhaps something related to Vector Sigma, Primus etc)

IDW - Transformers: Shattered Glass II #3

Written by: Danny Lore

Art by: Guido Guidi

Inks by: Matt Froese

Colours by: John-Paul Bove

Colour Assists by: Ed Pirrie

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: David Mariotte

 

Plot

Slicer meets with Ratchet, who has set up shop in a new location, following the taking of Gold City, where Ratchet explains that he doesn't care who wins the war, since his job is just to put the pieces back together. He also mentions that Slicer is due a new arm soon, as he has a habit of destroying his ones regularly.

Slicer drives through the Static Zone towards Metroplex's partially reactivated body, where he tests out the effectiveness of his modifications to Blaster's decapitated head, which is able to keep a partial signal to Soundwave's radio frequencies, despite the extreme interference in the Static Zone.

Inside the Titan, Slicer plants bombs, in case he needs them later, and searches for Starscream's spark, which he locates in Metroplex's control room. He also finds Goldbug, who is trying to get the Titan working, but doesn't really understand how to do so. Slicer pretends to be loyal to Goldbug, and helps him to fix the Titan's systems, but notices that the Titan seems to be reactive to the nearby patrolling Jetfire's presence.

Slicer tries to get Goldbug to report how often the Titan tends to activate for, but the former Gold City despot is unwilling to be helpful. Soundwave's voice on the Blaster-radio mentions a front line patrol from the Decepticons, which gives Slicer an idea...

The Air Strike Patrol fly through the Static Zone on their duty, when they are attacked, and all taken out by Slicer and Goldbug, as a ploy to bring Jetfire in closer. Before Jetfire can arrive, Goldbug turns on Slicer, revealing that he knows Slicer has been using him, and that he's still loyal to the Wreckers, but he's been using him too. Before he can kill Slicer however, Jetfire arrives, and lands on top of Goldbug, crushing Starscream's murderer, most likely killing him.

Jetfire prepares to kill Slicer too, but the latter activates a bomb in his arm to injure the rogue scientist, allowing the rest of the hidden Wreckers to ensnare him, with Slicer ordering them to keep him alive, as he isn't sure how needed he is to control Metroplex yet.

Slicer wonders if Ratchet foresaw his stunt with the bomb, or if his words put the idea of blowing up his own arm with his earlier comments, but doesn't have the time to contemplate it too far, as a troop of Decepticons, led by Flamewar come roaring towards him....

Characters

Autobot

Slicer - Car

Jetfire - Jet Captured by the Wreckers

Goldbug - Car Crushed by Jetfire

Ratchet - Ambulance

Rodimus - Car

Drift - Car

Tailgate - Car

Helicopter - Helicopter/Car

Blaster (Decapitated Head Only) Dead

Blurr - Car (Melted Corpse) Dead

Optimus Prime - Truck (Mentioned)

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Visper - Jet Killed by Slicer

Storm Cloud - Jet Killed by Slicer

Nightflight - Jet Killed by Goldbug

Tailwind - Jet Killed by Slicer

Flamewar - Motorcycle

Slipstream - Jet

Shadow Striker - Car

Hailstorm - Tank

Hotlink - Jet

Sunstorm - Jet

Tracer - Helicopter

Barricade - Police Car

Starscream (Disembodied Spark Only) Dead

"Exo-Suit"  (Arm Only)

Soundwave - Cassette Player (Voice Only)

Megatron - Jet (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Metroplex - Titan Ship Partially Reactivated 

Ratchet's "Patients" Disassembled to Death

Notes

• This Hasbro Pulse release of this issue comes with a Shattered Glass Collection Slicer, with Exo-Suit figure. Unlike the other members of the collection, this figure features a positive polarity Decepticon insignia, rather than a Negative polarity Autobot one (both are evil, but still, it's different). The figure is also designed to be used as the G1 character of Slicer too, who was originally an Action Master. It's still unknown why the character and figure was named Slicer, instead of Wheeljack, especially since Wheeljack is still in trademark, and has been used in very recent years.
• The Exo-suit figure that comes with this issue gets a very brief reference at the start of this issue, as the arm that Ratchet sets aside to use as a replacement for Slicer's, assuming he will damage his current one soon.
• Though not mentioned, it's very likely that the eyes that Slicer gives to Ratchet were Blaster's, since his decapitated head is seen eyeless this issue.
• On his way to the Titan, Wheeljack drives past, and ignores, the melted corpse of Blurr, from the first issue of the first series of Shattered Glass.
• Goldbug mentions that he's going to "punt" Blaster's head into space. While it's probably just a funny coincidence, that's what Rodimus did to Wheelie, who was a decapitated head, in the Last Bot Standing mini-series.
• Slicer references Goldbug as a "failed Wrecker" this issue. We saw his previous persona, Bumblebee, as a member of the Wreckers in issue one of this series. This implies that he was fired or left in disgrace from the group,
• Tailgate is seen amongst the Wreckers this issue, using the same body he sported from the Timelines comics. Surprisingly it still appears to use the Thrilling Thirty mould as the basis, rather than the newer Titans Return design.
• The team of Decepticons that make their entrance into the battle at the end of this issue are mostly made of "Team Stream" from the now completed IDW continuity.
• It seems like Metroplex is being powered by Starscream, with his spark resonating with Jetfire's presence, due to their close past relationship, so I'm going to guess that the Titan will end up joining the Decepticons, if he survives this series at all.
• Hailstorm, who appears at the end of the issue was originally a figure from the HFTD line, which is mostly aligned with the movie continuities, but this character did make a couple of cameos in IDW comics as a G1 character. His colourscheme seems to be based on Strika, originally a Vehicon General from Beast Machines, but has made appearances as an Autobot, Decepticon and even Neutral in G1-set comics since then.

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.

IDW - Transformers: Last Bot Standing #3

Written by: Nick Roche

Art by: E.J. Su & Nick Roche

Colours by: Rebecca Nalty

Letters & Design by: Johanna Nattalie

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Editor: David Mariotte

Plot

The Last Cybertronians work on preparing Shib to be converted into biofuel, while Rodimus meets a badly damaged Wheelie, who is part of the group, but still refuses to join Steeljaw's crew, but the other Cybertronians are determined to convert him to using biofuel too. Steeljaw and most of the team leave to gather up the nearby townsfolk for farming and harvesting...

Moon is convinced by Shib, whom he has become fascinated by, and Wheelie to allow her to say goodbye to Rodimus before she is killed. She rusn over, and jabs the key her family has been protecting for centuries into Rodimus' chest, fully restoring him to his prime.

Rodimus quickly destroys the biofuel converter, and takes out most of the left behind Cybertronians, with Moon sacrificing himself when Shib is in danger of dying too. Wheelie sends two of the Cybertronians to warn the others, but Rodimus just kicks the smaller robot into orbit to die.

Rodimus chases the last two members, and kills them, with Shib wondering if Rodimus is actually the good guy...

Steeljaw and his crew reach Fembrance and start gathering up the townsfolk, but also start detecting Cybertronian technology in the area. Steeljaw makes his way to Shib's home, and destroys it, locating the box with the last two Energon keys and a data pad that Rodimus left for Shib's ancestors.

Rodimus and Shib soon return to Fembrance to find the town in ruins, and the townsfolk in caged trailers.

Rodimus is about to do something about it, when Steeljaw returns with Shib's family captive and reveals that he knows Rodimus' secret now....

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus - Car

Gripper - Buggy (Flashback) Died from Accidental Fall

Strongarm - Van (Flashback) Died in Ship Crash

Last Cybertronians

Steeljaw - Van

Sharpclaw - Car

Wheelie Launched into Orbit by Rodimus

Wildwheel - Car Killed by Rodimus

Moon - Rabbit Accidentally Killed by Wildwheel 

Vex - Car Killed by Rodimus

Treadshock - Tank Killed by Rodimus

Riotgear - Tank

Override - Car

Cyberwarp - Jet

Wedge - Front End Loader

Lunaclub - Helicopter

Scylla - Squid

Nitro Dead 

Donnokt Denizens

Shib Wallkis

Beets Wallkis Captured by Steeljaw 

Trayvon Wallkis Captured by Steeljaw 

Errold 

Fembrance Rangers

Fembrance Townsfolk Captured

Shib's Mother (Flashback)

Shib's Father (Flashback)

Wallkis Family Ancestors (Flashback)

Primitive Donnokt People (Flashback)

Fembrance Miners (Mentioned)

Notes

• As predicted before, the keys are filled with liquid Emerging that is designed to be used on the 3 Autobots who landed on Donnokt.
• The keys being able to open up a hidden hatch on a Transformer, and empower them, repairing injuries etc, resembles the Allspark Key from Animated.
• Wheelie being the "Veteran" here is treated like a big reveal, but the preview last issue revealed it to us...
• I mentioned last issue that it looked like Rodimus altered his robot mode when he became the wagon, but this issue reveals that it's the same design, but worn down from a lack of Emerging.
• Rodimus implies that there is something else hidden on Donnokt, and seemed very interested in if the Miners in town had found out about him. I'm guessing that Donnokt has a natural surplus of Energon, which Rodimus is trying to hide.
• The deaths of Gripper and Strongarm seem a bit suspicious to me. I think, based on the previous note, that they tried to leave the planet with the new source of Energon to save their species, but Rodimus stopped them by killing them.
• The secret discovered by Steeljaw is likely not about the Energon, since Steeljaw and the others already said they couldn't really convert back to using Energon now, so it most likely is something more than that.
• The art on Cover B shows Rodimus seeing past Cybertronians, most based on past designs, but Blaster appears to be a fully new design...and now I am desperate to know what he turns into...