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{{Nav-SG}}
{{Nav-SG}}
[[Image:Timelines v2n3ce.jpg|right|thumb|230px|]]
[[Image:Timelines v2n3ce.jpg|right|thumb|230px|]]
'''Shattered Glass''' is a line of comics and prose stories published by [[Fun Publications]], set in a universe that is a strange and bizarre reversal of the "normal" universes. The storyline details part of the war between the evil [[Autobot]]s and the heroic [[Decepticon]]s, as [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] makes plans to conquer [[Earth]].
'''Shattered Glass''' is a line of comics and prose stories published by [[Fun Publications]], with most of them currently set in a universe that is a strange and bizarre reversal of the ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' universe.<ref name="PeteSinclairAllspark">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=65580&view=findpost&p=1423553 Pete Sinclair talks about "Shattered Glass" on the Allspark]</ref> The main storyline details the war between the evil [[Autobot]]s and the heroic [[Decepticon]]s, as [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] makes plans to conquer [[Earth]].
 
The first "Shattered Glass" fiction was "released" on [[April 1]]st [[2008]], when Fun Publications "leaked" three pages of what was supposedly the upcoming [[BotCon 2008]] set's accompanying comic. "[[Shattered Expectations]]" gave the "evil parallel universe" concept a highly campy treatment—including such gags as an ingenious [[Grimlock (SG)|Grimlock]], a [[Jazz (SG)|Jazz that talked like Mr. T]] and reverse-[[Furmanism]]s)—rendered in [[Derek Yaniger]]'s style, even featuring flat, 1990s-era coloring. The fandom response was virtually unheard-of, in that it was almost unanimously positive.
 
It turned out the comic was actually an [[April Fools' Day]] gag. Mmn.
 
The real comic picked up after the "[[Crossing Over]]" storyline, following [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] as he found himself stranded in the strange "Shattered Glass" universe. It was a far more serious story, with Cliffjumper initially joining the [[Autobot]]s, but soon finding out that things were not all that they seemed.
 
The storyline was eventually continued in a series of online prose stories. The popularity of ''Shattered Expectations'' led to several of its aspects being incorporated into them, including a more campy approach to portraying the characters, and a more light-hearted and adventurous tone overall.
 
The "Shattered Glass" world also features in the [[2009]] [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Transformers Collectors' Club magazine]] comic ''Reunification''. Following on from ''[[Transcendent]]'', [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]], and [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]] travel with [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]]'s body to the "Shattered Glass" universe and find themselves mixed up in the universe's strange politics. Unlike the prose stories, this tends to have the more serious tone of the original BotCon comic (though with [[Dirge (SG)|a few]] [[Aquarius (SG)|exceptions]]).


{{TOCclear}}
{{TOCclear}}
==''Shattered Expectations''==
==''Shattered Expectations''==
[[Image:Mayhem suppression squad.jpg|right|250px|thumb|]]
[[Image:Mayhem suppression squad.jpg|right|250px|thumb|]]
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}}
}}
===Overview===
===Overview===
[[Goldbug (SG)|Goldbug]], [[Grimlock (SG)|Grimlock]], and [[Jazz (SG)|Jazz]] sneak into a laboratory and discover some [[Pretender|secret technology]]. [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] tries to stop them, but ends up getting beaten by Grimlock. Starscream warns the [[Autobot]]s to surrender, but both he and [[Razorclaw (SG)|Razorclaw]] are mocked by Grimlock. Razorclaw then uses a device to open the roof and signals the [[Mayhem Suppression Squad]], who show up to kick Autobot backside.
The first "Shattered Glass" story, retroactively dubbed "[[Shattered Expectations]]", was "released" on [[April 1]]st, [[2008]], when Fun Publications "leaked" three pages of what was supposedly the upcoming [[BotCon 2008]] set's accompanying comic. The storyline was a vignette revolving around [[Goldbug (SG)|Goldbug]], [[Grimlock (SG)|Grimlock]], and [[Jazz (SG)|Jazz]] discovering [[Pretender]] technology in a Decepticon laboratory, only to be stopped by [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]], [[Razorclaw (SG)|Razorclaw]], and the [[Mayhem Suppression Squad]].
 
It gave the "evil parallel universe" concept a highly campy treatment—including such gags as Grimlock being a genius, Jazz talking like Mr. T, and reverse-[[Furmanism]]s)—rendered in [[Derek Yaniger]]'s style and even featuring flat, 1990s-era coloring.
 
The fandom response was virtually unheard-of, in that it was almost unanimously positive. Then, when it was revealed that the comic was actually an [[April Fools' Day]] gag, the fandom was in turn almost unanimously disappointed. Fun Publications took note of this...


===Creative Team===
===Creative Team===
The pages were written by [[Trent Troop]] and [[Greg Sepelak]], with Sepelak also providing art and Troop also providing colors.
The story was written by [[Trent Troop]] and [[Greg Sepelak]], with Sepelak also providing art and Troop also providing colors.
{{--}}
{{--}}
==''Shattered Glass''==
==''Shattered Glass''==
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*[[Blitzwing Bop]]
*[[Blitzwing Bop]]
*[[Transhuman]]
*[[Transhuman]]
*[[Ultimate Salvation]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''[[Reunification]]'':</div>
<br/><div class="list-header">''[[Reunification]]'':</div>
*[[Reunification: Part 1|Part 1]]
*[[Reunification: Part 1|Part 1]]
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*[[Reunification: Part 6|Part 6]]
*[[Reunification: Part 6|Part 6]]
<br/><div class="list-header">Related Stories:</div>
<br/><div class="list-header">Related Stories:</div>
*''[[Around Cybertron]]'' (strips #3-7)
*''[[Around Cybertron]]'' (strips #3-8)
*Ultimate Salvation (currently on hold)<ref name="PeteSinclairTFCC">[http://www.transformersclub.com/members/transforum/msgs.cfm?msg=126072&forum=32 Pete Sinclair talks about the last two "Shattered Glass" stories on the TFCC forums]</ref>
*As-yet unnamed story highlighting [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]] & [[Krunix (SG)|Krunix]]<ref name="PeteSinclairAllspark"/>
}}
}}
[[Image:DungeonsandDinobots cover.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''World of Dinobotcraft'' was already taken.]]
[[Image:DungeonsandDinobots cover.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''World of Dinobotcraft'' was already taken.]]
===Overview===
===Overview===
When [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] emerges from the portal he was thrown into, he finds himself on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] again. He soon discovers that it's a world much different than he's used to, a world of evil [[Autobot]]s, heroic [[Decepticon]]s, and everything being topsy-turvy.
The actual storyline started with the real BotCon comic, which took a more serious and by-the-numbers approach to the universe. Picking up right after the events of "[[Crossing Over]]", the inaugural issue followed [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] as he arrived in the "Shattered Glass" universe. When his confusion with the mirror Autobots' seemingly bizarre behavior caused him to have a violent falling-out with Optimus Prime, Cliffjumper found himself in the company of the more hospitable Decepticons instead. From there, he participated in a battle to stop Optimus Prime's ''[[Ark (SG)|Ark]]'' from leaving for Earth. When [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]] endangered himself to block a blast from Prime meant for Cliffjumper, it led to the latter destroying the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s launch platform, deciding he would definitely fight for the Decepticons' side.


[[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] is preparing to launch his ''[[Ark (SG)|Ark]]'' to [[Earth]]—but to conquer it, not explore it. The Decepticons lead a strike on the platform in the hopes of protecting Earth's inhabitants. Cliffjumper is uncertain which side to fight for, but when [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]] takes a shot from Prime meant for Cliffjumper, that spurs him into destroying the platform and joining the Decepticons.
Afterwards the storyline broke into two parallel branches. One branch was told in a series of online prose stories (and a single vignette comic), which followed the events of the war that Cliffjumper had some part in. The popularity of ''Shattered Expectations'' led to the prose stories taking a somewhat more campy approach to portraying the characters, and a more light-hearted and adventurous tone overall.


Some time later, the Decepticons are defending the [[Arch-Ayr]] fuel dump from the Autobots. [[Wheeljack (SG)|Wheeljack]] shows up with his new squad of [[Dinobot (SG)|Dinobot]]s, but they end up escaping rather than following Wheeljack's plans of revenge.
"Dungeons & Dinobots" revolved around the arrival of [[Wheeljack (SG)|Wheeljack]]'s [[Dinobot (SG)|Dinobot]]s. As both sides worked on capturing a squad of the beasts, Cliffjumper, [[Sideswipe (SG)|Sideswipe]], [[Blurr (SG)|Blurr]], and [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]] had a strange encounter with the trap-filled chamber of the mysterious [[Omega Terminus]], which had granted Grimlock and the other beasts [[spark|embers]] and a raised level intelligence. The story was intended as a fantasy-adventure<ref name="TroopAllspark">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=64373&st=0&p=1390930#entry1390930 Trent Troop answers "Shattered Glass"-related questions]</ref> (with many borrowings from [[wikipedia:Dungeons & Dragons|Dungeons & Dragons]]). It also was meant as a way to turn Grimlock from the brute beast of the BotCon issue to his popular "Shattered Expectations" genius self.


Both the Autobots and Decepticons decide to hunt down the Dinobots in hopes of reprogramming them as troops. After each side successfully captures a few Dinobots, [[Blurr (SG)|Blurr]] and [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]], and Cliffjumper and [[Sideswipe (SG)|Sideswipe]], independently track [[Grimlock (SG)|Grimlock]], to the chamber of the [[Omega Terminus]], a computer that has given Grimlock an [[spark|ember]] and high intelligence.
"Do Over" covered the transition from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to Earth, with Prime attempting to relaunch his ''Ark'' before all space travel was stopped by the [[Plait Expanse]]. [[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]] kidnapped Megatron as a ploy to try and delay the launch of the Decepticons' own newly-built ship, the ''[[Nemesis (SG)|Nemesis]]''. When Prime left the ''Ark'' to ensure Megatron would not be killed by any hand but his own, Rodimus took advantage by holding a mutiny and throwing everyone loyal to Prime off the ''Ark''. [[Whisper (SG)|Whisper]] and the [[Predacon (SG)|Predacon]]s in turn launched a rescue attempt that was ultimately successful, but not before the ''Nemesis'' was forced to launch to chase the ''Ark''. Prime and his loyalists and Megatron and his rescuers thus found themselves stranded on Cybertron.


A fight ensues between the four explorers, Grimlock, and the corpses of several dead [[Transformer]]s reanimated into [[zombie]]s by the Terminus. The four explorers eventually prevail, and the Terminus forces them to leave, causing them to forget the entire incident.
Meanwhile, the remaining Cybertronians successfully reached Earth in their ships, but a combination of a pitched battle and a surprise attack by the [[human]]s caused both ships to crash-land on the planet below.


Rodimus is punished for his failure to bring back Grimlock, but Grimlock soon returns under his own power and joins the Autobots. Meanwhile, the new Dinocons enjoy their new home, until Grimlock takes them on a trip...
"The Desert Heat!" was a two-page comic made available for free online, intended as both a preview for "Eye in the Sky" and as a promotion of the upcoming Club Exclusive figure [[Heatwave]]. It followed Heatwave as he awoke from his emergency escape [[stasis pod]] and started a search for the other Decepticon pods, in a way that highlighted his technopathic abilities. His first discovery was [[Soundwave (SG)|Soundwave]], whom he rescued from being a display in a [[Wyatt's Roadsideaganza|human tourist attraction]], after first engaging in pitched battle with some local "wildlife".


Starscream notices one day that the two [[Slugfest (SG)|smallest]] [[Overkill (SG)|Dinocons]] seem to be missing. He soon discovers much to his confusion that they had actually been hidden in cassette mode, as they and all of the other Dinocons now have embers and transforming ability.
"Eye in the Sky" dealt with the Cybertronians' initial experiences on Earth. The Autobots encountered the [[Witwicky#Shattered Glass continuity family|Witwicky brothers]], and used their new allies' knowledge to hijack [[Burpleson Air Force Base|a military base]]. From there they gained control of a [[Global Orbital Defense Satellite|potentially destructive satellite]] created by the fascist and power-hungry government of a post-World War III [[United States of America|United States]]. The Decepticons, meanwhile, fell in with the friendly and rebellious [[Professor Arkeville]] and [[Sephie Beller|his]] [[Will Hayes|three]] [[Rick Ottman|interns]]. The humans helped the Decepticons find their remaining stasis pods and the crash site of the ''Nemesis'', then destroy the hijacked base and satellite.


Meanwhile, Optimus Prime has been repairing the ''Ark'' for another launch. The Decepticons have been working on their own ship so they can pursue. Both are in a hurry, as Cybertron will be entering the [[Plait Expanse]] soon, which will render all interstellar travel impossible for over an Earth year.
"Blitzwing Bop" continued the Cybertronians' adventures on Earth. An accident and fight involving the Autobots' attempt at building a [[Stellar Spanner]] led to both Heatwave being sent back to Cybertron, and [[Blitzwing (SG)|Blitzwing]] granted the ability to broadcast disruptive Earth music over the Autobots' emergency frequency. While at first this proved to be a useful deterrent against the Autobots, the ability started growing uncontrollably in power. Both sides eventually were affected to the point of possible physical damage, forcing almost everyone into emergency [[stasis lock]]. Blaster and Soundwave, immune thanks to their communications abilities, fought over the increasingly put-upon Blitzwing, while Beachcomber, immune due to being completely insane, attacked the Decepticon base. However, the interference of Officer [[Thunderwing (SG)|Thunderwing]] on one front and Arkeville and his interns on the other, led to the Decepticons eventually being able to fend off Blaster and Beachcomber's attacks and cure Blitzwing. This story was intended to be in the style of a "'Shattered Glass' [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Sunbow episode]]". <ref name="TroopAllspark"/>


Megatron answers what he believes to be a summons from the keeper of the [[Temple of Knowledge]]. It's actually a trap set by [[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]], who thinks capturing Megatron will keep the ''Nemesis'' from launching. Prime disapproves of the plan after hearing about it, wanting himself be the one that kills Megatron, and goes to deal with Ricochet. Meanwhile, [[Whisper (SG)|Whisper]] and the [[Predacon (SG)|Predacon]]s stage their own rescue attempt. The various parties involved all eventually meet up in a battle, and the Decepticons are able to outsmart the Autobots and escape.
The second branch of the "Shattered Glass" storyline was told in the [[2009]] [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Transformers Collectors' Club magazine]] comic ''Reunification'', which tended to have the more serious tone of the original BotCon comic (though with [[Dirge (SG)|a few]] [[Aquarius (SG)|exceptions]]). Following on from the events of ''[[Transcendent]]'', [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]], and [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]] traveled with [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]]'s body to the "Shattered Glass" universe, and found themselves mixed up in the universe's strange politics, running in roughly the same time period as between "Do Over" and "Blitzwing Bop".


It's too late, however. Rodimus took over the launch of the ''Ark'' in a mutiny, leaving without Prime and throwing off everyone too loyal to Prime to be cowed under. Meanwhile, the ''Nemesis'' launched without Megatron and his rescue party so they could pursue Rodimus. The two abandoned groups find themselves now trapped on Cybertron.
Trion embarked on his plans to assassinate both Prime and Megatron and take control of Cybertron, while leaving Rodimus in control of Earth. He also revealed his true plans to use his four interdimensional "guests" as tools to aid his conquest, then kill them, which led to Landquake, Breakaway, and Topspin having to escape with Skyfall's body. They eventually met up with a strange ally in the form of [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]], who urged them to seek both refuge and their last group member by going to Megatron. Prime, meanwhile, had his own plans to use new superweapon [[Omega Doom]] to destroy the Decepticons and embark on galactic conquest, after first successfully using Omega to deal with an assassination attempt by Trion.


As the two ships reach Earth, the ''Nemesis'' disables the ''Ark'' and send it crashing into the Pacific Ocean near the [[United States of America]]. However, the ''Nemesis'' is then hit by nuclear missiles launched by the [[human]]s, which causes them to crash as well. Most of the Decepticons escape in [[stasis pod]]s, while Starscream and Cliffjumper stay behind to crash the ship in an unpopulated area.
The plot threads eventually came to a single point as Omega Doom and the fleeing interdimensional travelers converged on Megatron's doorstep. Megatron's assassination by [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]] eventually led to Landquake, Breakaway, Topspin, Skyfall, and Heatwave being finally reunited as [[Nexus Prime]], who then resurrected Megatron as Galvatron, and defeated Omega Doom.


On Earth, [[Heatwave]] locates [[Soundwave (SG)|Soundwave]]'s stasis pod and gets him reactivated. They gather up Soundwave's cassettes and go off in search of the ''Nemesis''.
The final prose story of the main arc, "Transhuman", is expected to wrap up loose ends and tie the two parallel storylines together.<ref name="PeteSinclairTFCC"/>


They eventually discover a [[Professor Arkeville|team]] [[Sephie Beller|of]] [[William Hayes|local]] [[Frederick Ottman|scientists]] snooping around the ''Nemesis'' crash site. After a slight misunderstanding, the Decepticons realize the humans are friendly, and introduce them to Starscream and Cliffjumper, who survived the crash.
''Around Cybertron'', meanwhile, was a series of comic strips which involved [[Rook (SG)|Rook]] and his Autobot journalist crew reporting either on the events of "Reunification", or on side stories featuring minor characters in the "Shattered Glass" universe.


Rodimus meets up with his own set of human allies, the [[Witwicky#Shattered Glass continuity family|Witwicky brothers]]. He takes them back to the ''Ark'' and convinces the others to accept the humans' help, though not before dealing with a failed attempt by [[Goldbug (SG)|Goldbug]] to usurp leadership. Rodimus then hatches a plan: Hijack a United States' [[Burpleson Air Force Base|military bases]], seize the country's [[Global Orbital Defense Satellite|defense satellite]], and hold the planet hostage until it accepts the Autobots as their new Mafia-like leaders.
===Creative Team===
The ''Shattered Glass'' comic featured a return of the then-retired Transformers artist [[Don Figueroa]], with [[Espen Grundetjern]] on colors, and was written by [[Pete Sinclair]] and [[Ben Yee|Benson Yee]].


The Decepticons learn of the Autobots' plan and launch an assault to stop them. During the resulting battle, Heatwave gains access to the satellite's controller and uses it to evacuate and destroy the base, causing the satellite to self-destruct.
The prose stories were all written by [[Trent Troop]] and [[Greg Sepelak]], but with a different set of artists on each story:
 
*"Dungeons & Dinobots" & "The Desert Heat!": [[Evan Gauntt]]
When [[President Colton]] hears of the situation, he decides that, while the Decepticons are worth keeping an eye on, he's especially interested in the Autobots...
*"Do Over": [[Yūki Ōshima]] (art) & [[Drew Eiden]] (colors)
{{comingsoon|fanclub}}
*"Eye in the Sky": [[Tom Whalen]]
{{storylink|Blitzwing Bop}}
*"Blitzwing Bop": [[Chad Porter]]
 
*"Transhuman": ???
Months later on Cybertron, [[Remote Patrol Six]] is scanning the Plait Expanse for some way to break through it and leave the planet. Though they are unsuccessful, [[Sandstorm (SG)|Sandstorm]] does detect a signal, which [[Downshift (SG)|Downshift]] is sent to check out.
 
The signal turns out to be [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]] and his group, who have recently arrived on Cybertron. Alpha Trion kills the nosy Downshift him to keep him quiet. That, and [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]] discovering that Alpha Trion lied about how Skyfall died, makes Breakaway and [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]] suspicious. That prompts Alpha Trion to have them and [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]] taken captive. But the three manage to escape, and Alpha Trion decides to let them go for now.
 
After weeks of trying unsuccessfully to revive [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] in their hideaway, the three are sought out by both Trion's acolyte [[Computron (SG)|Computron]], and the strange [[Quintesson]] [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]]. Aquarius reaches them first, and explains about how he summoned them to Cybertron to stop Prime and [[Omega Doom]], though Computron crashing through the ceiling forces him to continue his story while they're on the run.
 
They make their way to the Decepticons, who have [[Abominus (SG)|Abominus]] deal with Computron while the group explains their situation to Megatron and are united with the last member of their gestalt. But before they can speak with Heatwave in earnest, [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]] assassinates Megatron as part of Alpha Trion's plan to retake Cybertron.
 
Prime ends up dealing with a group of traitors from his own faction, but easily takes them down before Alpha Trion shows up to finish the job himself. Prime has Omega Doom take him out as well, then sends Omega to track down the Decepticons.
 
The four gestalt members attempt to revive Megatron with their powers, but are instead transported to a strange otherworldly place where they are greeted by [[Primus]]. He gives them a choice of remaining as they are or being reborn as [[Nexus Prime]], and they choose to claim their destiny.
 
While all this is going on, [[Rook (SG)|Rook]] and his team of ABN journalists make sure to keep the citizens of Cybertron appraised on the relevant news happening around them, through their popular show ''[[Around Cybertron]]''.
 
===Creative Team===
The ''Shattered Glass'' comic featured a brief return of the retired Transformers artist [[Don Figueroa]], with [[Espen Grundetjern]] on colors, and was written by [[Pete Sinclair]] and [[Ben Yee|Benson Yee]].


The remainder of the main stories are written by [[Trent Troop]] and [[Greg Sepelak]]. Illustrations for ''Dungeons & Dinobots'' and ''The Desert Heat!'' were provided by [[Evan Gauntt]]. Illustrations for ''Do Over'' were drawn by [[Yūki Ōshima]] and colored by [[Drew Eiden]]. Illustrations for ''Eye in the Sky'' were provided by [[Tom Whalen]]. Illustrations for ''Blitzwing Bop'' will be done by [[Chad Porter]].
''Reunification'' was written by [[Forest Lee]], with art by [[Robby Musso]] and colors by [[Josh Perez]].


''Reunification'' is written by [[Forest Lee]] with art by [[Robby Musso]] and colors by [[Josh Perez]].
''Around Cybertron'' was written and illustrated by [[Jesse Wittenrich]].


''Around Cybertron'' is written and illustrated by [[Jesse Wittenrich]].
==References==
<references/>


[[Category:Comics]]
[[Category:Comics]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass| ]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass| ]]
[[Category:Text stories]]
[[Category:Text stories]]

Revision as of 02:20, 23 February 2010
Shattered Glass

Shattered Glass is a line of comics and prose stories published by Fun Publications, with most of them currently set in a universe that is a strange and bizarre reversal of the Classics universe.[1] The main storyline details the war between the evil Autobots and the heroic Decepticons, as Optimus Prime makes plans to conquer Earth.

Shattered Expectations

Shattered Expectations

Overview

The first "Shattered Glass" story, retroactively dubbed "Shattered Expectations", was "released" on April 1st, 2008, when Fun Publications "leaked" three pages of what was supposedly the upcoming BotCon 2008 set's accompanying comic. The storyline was a vignette revolving around Goldbug, Grimlock, and Jazz discovering Pretender technology in a Decepticon laboratory, only to be stopped by Starscream, Razorclaw, and the Mayhem Suppression Squad.

It gave the "evil parallel universe" concept a highly campy treatment—including such gags as Grimlock being a genius, Jazz talking like Mr. T, and reverse-Furmanisms)—rendered in Derek Yaniger's style and even featuring flat, 1990s-era coloring.

The fandom response was virtually unheard-of, in that it was almost unanimously positive. Then, when it was revealed that the comic was actually an April Fools' Day gag, the fandom was in turn almost unanimously disappointed. Fun Publications took note of this...

Creative Team

The story was written by Trent Troop and Greg Sepelak, with Sepelak also providing art and Troop also providing colors.

Shattered Glass

Shattered Glass
Main Stories:

Reunification:

Related Stories:
World of Dinobotcraft was already taken.

Overview

The actual storyline started with the real BotCon comic, which took a more serious and by-the-numbers approach to the universe. Picking up right after the events of "Crossing Over", the inaugural issue followed Cliffjumper as he arrived in the "Shattered Glass" universe. When his confusion with the mirror Autobots' seemingly bizarre behavior caused him to have a violent falling-out with Optimus Prime, Cliffjumper found himself in the company of the more hospitable Decepticons instead. From there, he participated in a battle to stop Optimus Prime's Ark from leaving for Earth. When Megatron endangered himself to block a blast from Prime meant for Cliffjumper, it led to the latter destroying the Ark's launch platform, deciding he would definitely fight for the Decepticons' side.

Afterwards the storyline broke into two parallel branches. One branch was told in a series of online prose stories (and a single vignette comic), which followed the events of the war that Cliffjumper had some part in. The popularity of Shattered Expectations led to the prose stories taking a somewhat more campy approach to portraying the characters, and a more light-hearted and adventurous tone overall.

"Dungeons & Dinobots" revolved around the arrival of Wheeljack's Dinobots. As both sides worked on capturing a squad of the beasts, Cliffjumper, Sideswipe, Blurr, and Rodimus had a strange encounter with the trap-filled chamber of the mysterious Omega Terminus, which had granted Grimlock and the other beasts embers and a raised level intelligence. The story was intended as a fantasy-adventure[3] (with many borrowings from Dungeons & Dragons). It also was meant as a way to turn Grimlock from the brute beast of the BotCon issue to his popular "Shattered Expectations" genius self.

"Do Over" covered the transition from Cybertron to Earth, with Prime attempting to relaunch his Ark before all space travel was stopped by the Plait Expanse. Ricochet kidnapped Megatron as a ploy to try and delay the launch of the Decepticons' own newly-built ship, the Nemesis. When Prime left the Ark to ensure Megatron would not be killed by any hand but his own, Rodimus took advantage by holding a mutiny and throwing everyone loyal to Prime off the Ark. Whisper and the Predacons in turn launched a rescue attempt that was ultimately successful, but not before the Nemesis was forced to launch to chase the Ark. Prime and his loyalists and Megatron and his rescuers thus found themselves stranded on Cybertron.

Meanwhile, the remaining Cybertronians successfully reached Earth in their ships, but a combination of a pitched battle and a surprise attack by the humans caused both ships to crash-land on the planet below.

"The Desert Heat!" was a two-page comic made available for free online, intended as both a preview for "Eye in the Sky" and as a promotion of the upcoming Club Exclusive figure Heatwave. It followed Heatwave as he awoke from his emergency escape stasis pod and started a search for the other Decepticon pods, in a way that highlighted his technopathic abilities. His first discovery was Soundwave, whom he rescued from being a display in a human tourist attraction, after first engaging in pitched battle with some local "wildlife".

"Eye in the Sky" dealt with the Cybertronians' initial experiences on Earth. The Autobots encountered the Witwicky brothers, and used their new allies' knowledge to hijack a military base. From there they gained control of a potentially destructive satellite created by the fascist and power-hungry government of a post-World War III United States. The Decepticons, meanwhile, fell in with the friendly and rebellious Professor Arkeville and his three interns. The humans helped the Decepticons find their remaining stasis pods and the crash site of the Nemesis, then destroy the hijacked base and satellite.

"Blitzwing Bop" continued the Cybertronians' adventures on Earth. An accident and fight involving the Autobots' attempt at building a Stellar Spanner led to both Heatwave being sent back to Cybertron, and Blitzwing granted the ability to broadcast disruptive Earth music over the Autobots' emergency frequency. While at first this proved to be a useful deterrent against the Autobots, the ability started growing uncontrollably in power. Both sides eventually were affected to the point of possible physical damage, forcing almost everyone into emergency stasis lock. Blaster and Soundwave, immune thanks to their communications abilities, fought over the increasingly put-upon Blitzwing, while Beachcomber, immune due to being completely insane, attacked the Decepticon base. However, the interference of Officer Thunderwing on one front and Arkeville and his interns on the other, led to the Decepticons eventually being able to fend off Blaster and Beachcomber's attacks and cure Blitzwing. This story was intended to be in the style of a "'Shattered Glass' Sunbow episode". [3]

The second branch of the "Shattered Glass" storyline was told in the 2009 Transformers Collectors' Club magazine comic Reunification, which tended to have the more serious tone of the original BotCon comic (though with a few exceptions). Following on from the events of Transcendent, Landquake, Breakaway, Topspin, and Alpha Trion traveled with Skyfall's body to the "Shattered Glass" universe, and found themselves mixed up in the universe's strange politics, running in roughly the same time period as between "Do Over" and "Blitzwing Bop".

Trion embarked on his plans to assassinate both Prime and Megatron and take control of Cybertron, while leaving Rodimus in control of Earth. He also revealed his true plans to use his four interdimensional "guests" as tools to aid his conquest, then kill them, which led to Landquake, Breakaway, and Topspin having to escape with Skyfall's body. They eventually met up with a strange ally in the form of Aquarius, who urged them to seek both refuge and their last group member by going to Megatron. Prime, meanwhile, had his own plans to use new superweapon Omega Doom to destroy the Decepticons and embark on galactic conquest, after first successfully using Omega to deal with an assassination attempt by Trion.

The plot threads eventually came to a single point as Omega Doom and the fleeing interdimensional travelers converged on Megatron's doorstep. Megatron's assassination by Cyclonus eventually led to Landquake, Breakaway, Topspin, Skyfall, and Heatwave being finally reunited as Nexus Prime, who then resurrected Megatron as Galvatron, and defeated Omega Doom.

The final prose story of the main arc, "Transhuman", is expected to wrap up loose ends and tie the two parallel storylines together.[2]

Around Cybertron, meanwhile, was a series of comic strips which involved Rook and his Autobot journalist crew reporting either on the events of "Reunification", or on side stories featuring minor characters in the "Shattered Glass" universe.

Creative Team

The Shattered Glass comic featured a return of the then-retired Transformers artist Don Figueroa, with Espen Grundetjern on colors, and was written by Pete Sinclair and Benson Yee.

The prose stories were all written by Trent Troop and Greg Sepelak, but with a different set of artists on each story:

Reunification was written by Forest Lee, with art by Robby Musso and colors by Josh Perez.

Around Cybertron was written and illustrated by Jesse Wittenrich.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Pete Sinclair talks about "Shattered Glass" on the Allspark
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Pete Sinclair talks about the last two "Shattered Glass" stories on the TFCC forums
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Trent Troop answers "Shattered Glass"-related questions
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