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.
"Shattered Glass" comic
The REAL story picks up where Crossing Over: Part 6 left off, as Cliffjumper arrives, to his shock, on Cybertron. Almost immediately, he is jumped by an oddly-colored Triggercon named Ruckus. Ruckus tries to make a getaway, when he's blasted by Rodimus. Rodimus takes Cliffjumper to see Optimus. Optimus escorts the, by now, nervous Cliffjumper to the Smelting pool to see Rumble's execution. Quite unwisely, Cliffjumper tries to talk some sense into Optimus and gets blasted for his pains. As a test of loyalty, Optimus dumped Cliffjumper into the Rad Zone. While unconcious, Cliffjumper's body is found by Ratchet-colored versions of Scrapper and Bonecrusher. Cliffjumper wakes up to see both Hook and Scrapper working on him. Needless to say, he freaked out and made a run for it, when he ran smack-dab into Megatron, accompanied by Sideswipe. Sideswipe asks to see Cliffjumper alone. Upon further inspection, Sideswipe concludes that the Cliffjumper standing before him is not the same Cliffjumper he knew: after all, his Cliffjumper was killed right before his eyes during an ambush. Cliffjumper asks what the slag is going on, and Sideswipe condenses his universe's history.
In this universe, Optronix was obssesive to the max about knowledge. Feeling unsatisfied in his original position, he backstabbed and betrayed countless others to become one of the more influential members of society. He began preaching intolerence for Cybertron's peaceful lifestyle, and the others that agreed with this philosophy, mainly those who were dissatisfied as well, joined him. In time, Optronix declared he and his followers autonomus from Cybertron, and thus, they took the name Autobots. Optronix then upgraded his followers, but, of course, he kept the most powerful mods for himself. When he finished upgrading, he renamed himself Optimus Prime. Then, one day, the Autobots began their reign of terror. Those that refused to join the Autobots were scrapped. Eventually, Optimus' sanity was shattered with a shocking revelation, but no one, not even his closest friends, knows what that was. But that's not to say that the Autobots went unchallenged, oh no, other Cybertronians that managed to escape the initial massacre formed a loose resistance, but without a strong leader to guide them, the cause was sure to sputter out. That's when Megatron emerged from Polyhex, uniting the resistance fighters into a tightly-knit army. Megatron had only one equal on the battlefield, namely Optimus, but had the additional advantage of being able to transform. Armed with the technology of hiding themselves in plain sight, the resistance became the Decepticons. Optimus, however, managed to reproduce the effects for his own troops to use. Because of that, morale is starting to sink.
Cliffjumper, quite out of his leauge, asks why an Autobot in his universe would be a Decepticon in this one. Sideswipe confesses that he was once an Autobot, but over time, he stopped believing in Optimus' cause, and was subsequently left for dead after a staged ambush. That was when he joined the Decepticons for the sole purpose of revenge. Cliffjumper isn't exactly convinced, but decides to stick around before he makes a final decision.
Back in Iacon, Blurr reports to Optimus (while Prime sparrs with holo-drones, no less) about the status of the Ark, but is concerned about the launching platform's stability. Optimus is unconcerned, and even welcomes a Decepticon attack. Back at Decepticon HQ, Starscream reports on the Ark's status as well, with a highly-concerned Megatron listening in. As Cliffjumper and Sideswipe enter, Megatron informs them that Optimus plans to head to other planets to plunder their resources. Cliffjumper exclaims "By Primus, he can't be allowed to do that!", leaving the others slightly confused. Cliffjumper then gives out a highly-condensed version of the Transformers' origins. Megatron is somewhat relived to learn that a god may have been behind their creation, but says that he needs to concentrate on a plan to get past the guards at the launching platform. Starscream then comes up with the brilliant idea of attacking the platform itself: with its destruction, the Ark will collapse under its own weight, stranding Optimus on Cybertron, albiet temporairly. To destroy the platform, Starscream plans to use Cliffjumper's "Glass Gas" to weaken the steel, making it vulnerable to regular weapons fire. Cliffjumper agrees to assist Starscream with replicating the formula as Megatron and the others plan the new attack.
At sundown, Razorclaw and Rampage dispatch the guards, allowing Screamer, Divebomb, and Whisper to deploy the "Glass Gas Bombs", but while the bombs hit their target, their weapons fire fails to destroy the platform. It soon becomes an all-out brawl between the two sides, as Megatron and Optimus trade barbs. When Optimus spots Cliffjumper, he attempts to destroy the "traitor", but Megs takes the hit. Finally spurred into action, Cliffjumper finishes the job, destroying the platform and crippling the Ark. Megatron orders the 'Cons to retreat, but Optimus, enraged, attempts to extract revenge. Megatron gives Optimus a parting gift before flying off into the sunset with Cliffjumper, who finally agrees to join the resistance.
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.
