Transformers: Shattered Glass II #1 introduces mutiny in the midst of a raging civil war as the tale takes a sudden turn from drama to action.
Darker, alternate-Earth versions of fan-favorite characters have always been a point of intrigue and contention in every franchise. From DC's Earth-3 and the Injustice world to Star Trek's Mirror Universe, the multiverse of realities opens up new avenues of storytelling, giving creators a chance to add more flavor to the broth. Shattered Glass is a 2008 Transformers storyline with the Autobots as the antagonistic force that got rebooted by IDW Publishing last year. Transformers: Shattered Glass II #1, written by Danny Lore with artwork from Marcelo Matere, Andrew Lee Griffith, and John-Paul Bove and lettering from Jake M. Wood, is the sequel to the 2021 reboot, bringing new characters and developments to the fore.
The opening moments of Transformers: Shattered Glass II #1 introduce readers to Ultra Magnus, a powerful shadow broker with ties to the tyrant Autobot leader Orion Pax, better known as Optimus Prime. Magnus and senator Shockwave are having a meeting when Bumblebee barges in with word that Orion demands to see Magnus. Before he and his lackeys can enter the Throne of Pax, Whirl and the other Autobots on security stop the entourage. Angry, Magnus intimidates Whirl and gains an audience with Prime, who gives him a new squad of roughnecks to lead. Shockwave is disappointed to see Magnus become Orion's pawn and confronts him on the issue. When a fight breaks out, Magnus' true face is revealed.
RELATED: REVIEW: BOOM! Studios' Firefly: 20th Anniversary Special #1
Once again, the world of Transformers spirals into a planet-breaking civil war between two warring factions. With Shattered Glass flipping the moral spectrum, the Autobots of this universe are not so different from the traditional Decepticon depictions that fans are all too familiar with. Transformers: Shattered Glass II #1 instead delves into the internal strife amongst the Autobots as they bicker and tussle for every ounce of power, leading to a mutinous rebellion. Ultra Magnus is the focal point of the story, whose personal narrative from a law-abiding fall guy to someone battling with his own duality breaks the repeated mold of storytelling and makes him something more than just an evil-doer. Once the mask is off, writer Danny Lore keeps pushing Magnus to make more crucial decisions, which is a ploy that may seem wild at a glance but has more thought behind it.
Longtime IDW collaborators artists Marcelo Matere and Andrew Lee Griffith give the metal hunks their mighty form; after all, what is a Transformers book without the clunky boxes standing around with intimidating looks? The illustrations add tons of expression and human characteristics, from grinding teeth to cracking knuckles, to let the characters exude their wickedness more organically. Coupled with John-Paul Bove's bright palette, the artwork gives the book an aggressive outlet to make dynamic changes through the simple show of might. Meanwhile, the alternate color scheme allows readers to tell each character apart and makes the action seem like a firework show.
RELATED: REVIEW: Marvel's X-Men #14
Transformers: Shattered Glass II #1 adeptly uses drama to shift the balance of power. Once that chapter is closed, the story takes a nosedive into metal-crunching combat to enact the subversion it was preparing throughout the narrative. The rise of Decepticons and their race to gain control of the Titan juggernaut is never addressed in this issue, but that is nevertheless an overhanging concern for Ultra Magnus, who uses it as an excuse to set his plan into motion. Transformers: Shattered Glass II #1 is truly a Transformers tale in all its forms, with a finale that hits the readers like a wrecking ball.
Sayantan is a comic book fan based in India who loves good storytelling more than anything else. His power to bore people to death with Kaiju lore is only rivaled by his love for books and movies. He has a master's degree in Energy Tech and loves to watch soccer. You can take a gander at his artworks here: @kenichikyuro
Subscribe to the CBR newsletter for exclusive comics, TV & movie news, reviews, interviews & much more!