Editing Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2

{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=23
|prev=Little Victories
|next=Dark Cybertron Chapter 4
|seriesissue2=[[Dark Cybertron]]
|prev2=Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1
|next2=Dark Cybertron Chapter 3
|image=MTMTE23 cvr.jpg
|title="Black Metal"<br>Dark Cybertron Chapter 2
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[November 20]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=November 2013
|story by=[[James Roberts]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Atilio Rojo]], [[James Raiz]] and [[Livio Ramondelli]]
|colors by=[[Josh Perez]] and Livio Ramondelli
|letters by=[[Gilberto Lacanzo]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2013)]]
}}

'''Starscream's search for more information on the Titan unearths a haunting prophecy, while Orion Pax and the crew of the ''Lost Light'' join forces to penetrate the Dead Universe.'''

==Synopsis==

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] gets his [[Autobot]]s organized in response to the sudden emergence of the undead "[[Necrotitan]]"; [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] is raring to go, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] is quietly sardonic, and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] are characteristically less than responsive to Bumblebee's commands. A verbal smackdown from Bumblebee leaves even [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] at a loss for words, and he begrudgingly falls into line. Unsure of exactly what to do, the team wonders if the Titan is the same one which proclaimed [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] ruler of the planet...

On the ''[[Lost Light]]'', [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] brings [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] to [[Brainstorm]]'s workshop, where they call upon him to put the data he has gathered studying the [[Dead Universe]] to use devising a means for them to enter it without it sensing their presence. 

In [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Starscream is in the process of loading up with advanced weapons in preparation for the attack he presumes the Titan will soon initiate. [[Rattrap]], on the other hand, considers the notion of using conventional weapons on the Titan a mistake, and suggests Starscream try to get some information from the incarcerated [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]].

Orion and Rodimus meet [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] for a drink in [[Swerve's]], where he immediately questions the public nature of their meeting. Orion defers to Rodimus, and Magnus acquiesces, instead choosing to focus his ire on [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] for taking pictures of the trio. Orion and Rodimus agree they can both feel a sense of foreboding and discussing the events that have led them to this point, including Starscream's election and [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]'s brief return. Presently, Brainstorm pages them down to his lab to present his latest invention: generators that project forcefields laced with the venom of the [[cyberwraith]], a parasite from the Dead Universe, which will prevent the universe from recognizing them as outsiders. The pair recruit [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and a momentarily-hesitant [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] to join them on their mission, and after [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] tries and fails to start a fight over the matter, everyone says their goodbyes. Rodimus charges Magnus and the ''Lost Light'' with finding [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], and after revealing to him that he is bringing a little something extra with him on the mission,  he and his three companions proceed to depart the ship and travel through the portal created by the collapse of [[Gorlam Prime]].

After managing to convince the reluctant [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] to give him a few minutes alone with Scoop, Starscram is bewildered to discover that the construction 'bot still believes in him as his leader despite his orchestration of his unwarranted arrest. His patience wearying due to Scoop's religious dogma, Starscream is about to leave until the ex-Autobot begins reciting an ancient prophecy he discovered in the [[Covenant of Primes]]: a prophecy of an "uncreator" who will arrive with a Titan, and who will unmake the world. Holding up his datapad, Scoop shows Starscream the symbol of this "false prophet"... a heiroglyph of [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]'s face.

In [[Crystal City]], Shockwave calmly voices his surprise at seeing [[Nova Prime]] and [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] together, given their past disputes. Via communication from within the Dead Universe, the pair proclaim that those experiences have only strengthened their bond, though Nova is quick to lose patience with both his comrades when Shockwave informs him that the Titan's [[space bridge]] vanished upon its transformation, leaving him unable to open a portal to bring Nova through. But naturally, Shockwave has a plan...

Arriving in the Dead Universe, Orion's team observe that the whole universe is breaking up and contracting toward a specific point. Noticing Cyclonus has disappeared, they assume he has been accosted by a swarm of fully-grown cyberwraiths, which now descend on the group, believing them to be young cyberwraiths because of the venom in their forcefields and intending to eat them. Upon the appearance of Cyclonus, however, the beasts immediately flee—and when Cyclonus vomits up a stream of black [[energon]], it becomes apparent that something is very wrong. Cyclonus refuses to acknowledge the issue, though, so the team can only stick to the plan and head for the universe's collection point... unaware that they are being observed from afar by [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]!

Back on Cybertron, Bumblebee insists that he cannot make any moves without knowing what's happening, but [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] contests that that slow-to-action attitude was the downfall of his leadership. Punctuating his words, the Decepticons suddenly crest a nearby ridge and charge forward, weapons blaring, with [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] at the fore, announcing the beginning of "Operation: Salvation"!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (1)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (2)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (6)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (8)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (9)
*[[Brainstorm]] (10)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (11)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] (12)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (15)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (16)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (17)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (18)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (19)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (20)
*[[Atomizer]] (21)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (22)
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (23)
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] (25)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (33)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] (29)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (32, hologram)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (34)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (35)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (36)
*[[Needlenose]] (37)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (38)
|c4=
*[[Necrotitan]] (7)
*[[Rattrap]] (13)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (14)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (24)
*[[Garnak]] (26)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (27)
*[[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] (28)
*[[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] (30)
*[[Nova Prime]] (31)
}}

==Quotes==

"Nobody orders '''Dinobots''' but '''Dinobots''', Goldenrod. Anyway... not gonna make much difference '''what''' we do."<br>
"'''No.''' What you do is the only thing that makes a difference. Take '''point''' and get your troops in a perimeter around that giant—if you want to be an '''Autobot'''. And if you '''don't''' want that—then get the hell off by '''battlefield'''."
:—'''Slag''' finally causes '''Bumblebee''' to grow some bearings


"The Dead Universe is a '''parallel reality'''—a rival reality—one that operates on '''competing theoretical principles.''' Bit more than that, it's '''sentient'''. Not just sentient—omnicognizant. And hypermalevolent. And other words I haven't even made up yet."
:—'''Brainstorm'''


"That apprehension... that sense of—of '''death deferred?''' That's Megatron. Back of the neck, tops of the fingers, edge of my spark. That's him. That's '''always''' him. Is he behind this? Only inasmuch as he's behind '''everything.'''"
:—'''Orion Pax'''


'''Hardhead:''' "Hands up if you're a '''coward''', right, Cyclonus?"<br>
'''Whirl:''' "Ooooh! '''Fight! Fight! Fight!'''"<br>
'''Cyclonus:''' "No one's—"<br>
'''Whirl:''' "Fight!"<br>
'''Cyclonus:''' "—no one's fighting anyone, Whirl."<br>
'''Whirl:''' "<small>Fight?</small>"


"Not going with them, Brainstorm?"<br>
"Can't. I'm allergic to hostile environments."
:—'''Chromedome''' and '''Brainstorm'''


"At least '''you''' believed in me."<br>
"'''Believed''' in you? '''Seriously?''' You don't understand me at '''all.''' I '''still''' believe in you."<br>
"Well, you're '''right''' about that. I absolutely do '''not''' understand you."<br>
"That's only because you don't believe in '''anything.'''"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Scoop'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Various characters wonder if the Nectrotitan is the same Metrotitan that appears in the 2012 ''[[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|More than Meets the Eye]]'' and ''[[Primus: All Good Things|Robots in Disguise]]'' annuals. ''We'' know it's not, though it ''is'' colored like that Titan as a result of confusion on the part of the artists.
*Brainstorm recalls [[Cloudburst]] and [[Waverider]]'s trip into the Dead Universe from ''[[Spotlight: Sideswipe]]'', and name-checks the [[Pretender|polydermal armor]] they used to make the journey.
*The cyberwraith could previously be spotted in Brainstorm's lab aaaaall the way back in [[Rules of Disengagement|issue #7]]. A small round object that ''might'' be the forcefield generator is also visible in this issue; something similar can also be glimpsed in [[Remembrance Day|issue #14]], but of course, those are a lot harder to identify definitively.
*The banner in Swerve's reads: "Welcome Aboard, Thunderclash", having obviously been meant to celebrate the visit of that 'bot [[Little Victories|last issue]]. "Thunderclash" has been crossed out and replaced with "Orion Pax", but not before Swerve started writing "Optimu" and had to cross that out too!
*Starscream had Scoop locked up in [[Three Monologues|''Robots in Disguise'' #20]].
*Nightbeat was last seen five years ago in ''[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]'', in which he was killed by Hardhead himself and collapsed at the edge of a portal to the Dead Universe.

===Transformers references===
*The "Covenant of Primes" evokes memories of the [[Covenant of Primus]]; the one-letter switch is probably due to the fact that belief in [[Primus]] is not particularly widespread in IDW continuity.

===Real-life references===
*"[[Wikipedia:Black metal|Black metal]]" is a sub-genre of heavy metal music.

===Trivia===
*Artist breakdown: Rojo illustrates the scenes set on Cybertron; Raiz covers the ''Lost Light''; and Ramondelli handles the Dead Universe pages.
*Note how all of the Dinobots get their names rattled off in a big roll-call... except for Slag. Is this the story's way of getting around Hasbro's need to have the character labelled "Slug" in the cast page, without contradicting IDW continuity up until now?

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Orion Pax and Rodimus leap from the ''Lost Light'', by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Sub cover:''' Soundwave fires on Bumblebee, by [[E. J. Su]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Scoop, by [[Phil Jimenez]] and [[Romulo Fajardo Jr.]]
<gallery>
File:MTMTE23 cvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE23 subcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE23 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===

*"[[Dark Cybertron]]" checklist, highlighting [[Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|''Robots in Disguise'' #23]]
*Thanks to VIP Attendees to IDW Studios during [[BotCon 2013]]
*''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Color Classics'' Vol. 2
*IDW ''Ben 10'' comic (back cover)

==External links==
* [http://tformers.com/transformers-more-than-meets-the/21781/news.html Preview]