Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)
"Shattered Glass" is the 2008 BotCon exclusive figure set, and is also the name designated to the universe in which the story is set, at least until contradictory information becomes available.
The official blurb reads:
On a world known as Cybertron, a ruthless and cruel tyrant prepares his army for an all-out attack. Their destination: a planet rich in resources, known as Earth! Only a small band of rebels stands between this evil warlord and his plans for universal conquest. If these brave soldiers are unable to stop the attack, then there will be nothing to prevent this shattered universe from falling victim to the maniacal Optimus Prime and his evil legion of...Autobots?
This is a truly malformed universe, where the Decepticons are heroic and the Autobots are evil!
Coming this spring, the battle lines will be drawn and a new champion will emerge. A young and noble Decepticon will stand up and fight for freedom, the freedom which is the right of all Transformers! Advising him will be his trusted lieutenant Starscream and his fellow virtuous Decepticons. They will fight to the very last to stop the spread of Optimus Prime's tyranny!Although there is as yet not enough information to know how the "Shattered Glass" universe will relate to others, be it an alternate timeline of an existing continuity family or purely a standalone universe/continuity with no direct ties to pre-existing continuities, it is clearly a riff on the old sci-fi warhorse of an evil alternate universe. Although the most famous example is Star Trek 's Mirror Universe, this new Transformers universe with morally-inverted characters (including "good" versions of normally evil characters) and factions is also highly reminiscent of DC comics' Earth-Three, in which the Justice League of America are villains known as the Crime Syndicate of America, opposed only by a heroic version of Lex Luthor.
Fiction
"Shattered Expectations" - April 2008
Fun Publications proved themselves collectively to be Satan incarnate in April 2008 when they "leaked" three pages of what was purported to be the set's accompanying comic, but which was, in fact, an April Fool's gag by Pete Sinclair, Greg Sepelak and Trent Troop. Taking the silly concept of an "evil parallel universe" and giving it the respectably campy treatment it deserved (including such gags as an ingenious Grimlock, a Jazz that talked like Mr. T and reverse-Furmanisms), the comic was rendered in the art style of Derek Yaniger and even featured flat, 1992-era coloring to complete the effect. Rather unexpectedly, the fandom responded in a virtually unheard-of manner—the comic was almost unanimously loved.
Then it turned out that the most popular thing Fun Publications had ever done wasn't real.
Mmn.
However, the "reveal" page on the Club website notes that more "campy evil parallel universe" material is highly likely for the future.
Toys
- Shattered Glass
- A six-figure boxed set which includes bad guys Optimus Prime, Grimlock, Goldbug and Autobot Jazz, good guy Starscream, and Mini-con Razorclaw.
