Comic 4: Before the Storm

Before the Storm was the fourth issue of the relaunched BIONICLE: Glatorian comic series and the fourth issue of 2009. It was released with the September/October 2009 edition of the LEGO Club Magazine. The comic was later collected in BIONICLE 9: The Fall of Atero. This issue saw Mata Nui begin to explore the world of Bara Magna.

Plot
Crotesius rides his Cendox V1 against Scodonius and Kirbraz on their Kaxium V3; a training match in the Wastelands. After the Cendox beats the Kaxium, Crotesius boasts that he will beat them all in future matches. Scodonius shrugs and says that it does not matter since the Skrall will attack their villages soon. Crotesius disagrees; the Skrall don't have the guts to attack the villages. Little do they know a Skrall patrol overhears them from above. Meanwhile in Vulcanus, Ackar and Strakk are fighting a duel in the arena. Ackar beats Strakk and he concedes. However, as Ackar turns his back on his fallen opponent to retrieve his shield, Strakk hurls his Ice Axe at Ackar's back, knocking the fire Glatorian unconscious. Strakk stalks towards Ackar ready to give the killing blow when a golden-armored being named Mata Nui tackles him. Strakk furiously fights Mata Nui and is about to kill him when Mata Nui's crude stinger tail transforms into a blade after coming in contact with the Ignika. Mata Nui beats Strakk and this time makes him concede out loud. The crowd goes wild and Ackar thanks Mata Nui for saving him. Afterward Mata Nui travels to Ackar's shelter, where he explains that he is due for a match in Tesera. However, their conversation is interrupted when Kiina bursts into the room, excited that her theory that other worlds exist is true. After some talking, Kiina agrees to help Mata Nui find a way back home if she takes him with him. Mata Nui agrees and the next day he, Kiina and Ackar begin riding to Tajun. However, they are soon ambushed by Bone Hunters and a giant Skopio.

Characters

 * Ackar
 * Click
 * Crotesius - First appearance
 * Kiina
 * Kirbraz - First appearance
 * Mata Nui
 * Metus
 * Scodonius - First appearance
 * Strakk
 * Teridax - Indirectly mentioned only

Locations

 * Bara Magna
 * Atero - Mentioned only
 * Great Beings' Laboratory - Indirectly mentioned only
 * Tajun - Indirectly mentioned only
 * Tesara - Mentioned only
 * Vulcanus
 * Wastelands - Mentioned only
 * Matoran Universe - Indirectly mentioned only

Objects

 * Cendox - First appearance
 * Kaxium V3 - First appearance
 * Thornatus
 * Thornax
 * Thornax Launchers

Organizations

 * Agori
 * Bone Hunters
 * Fire Tribe
 * Ice Tribe
 * Glatorian
 * Rock Tribe
 * Sand Stalkers
 * Scarabax beetles
 * Skopio
 * Skrall
 * Warrior-class Skrall
 * Toa - Mentioned only
 * Water Tribe

Errors

 * On page 11, Ackar and Mata Nui's speech bubbles are switched around in one panel.

Trivia

 * This issue was advertised as a "Special Movie Edition" comic.