Comic 2: The Fall of Atero

"The harsh desert world of Bara Magna. In scattered villages, Agori deal with the daily struggle to survive. When villages have a dispute, they settle it with battles between Glatorian fighters in their arenas. Once a year, Glatorian from all over Bara Magna gather together to battle for the right to be called champion. They come here--Arena Magna in the city of Atero--to compete, to talk, to share news and new battle tactics. But this year, some who come won't ever leave again."

- Opening narration

The Fall of Atero was the second issue of the relaunched BIONICLE: Glatorian comic series and the second comic of 2009. It was released with the March/April 2009 edition of the LEGO Club Magazine. The comic was later collected in BIONICLE 9: The Fall of Atero. This issue saw the Skrall army begin their conquest of Bara Magna in earnest.

Plot
In the city of Atero, Glatorian assemble for their annual tournament to determine the champion fighter. Strakk and Tarix are practicing for the upcoming tournament, when Tarix disarms Strakk. They note the absence of Gresh, and moreover the absence of any Skrall. Meanwhile, Gresh is practicing his moves in private with Tarduk. He is interrupted by Malum and a pack of Vorox. Malum warns Gresh about an upcoming "storm," which are the Skrall. Malum leaves.

The next day, Raanu, Metus, and Berix try to figure out what Malum was talking about, and think that perhaps the "storm" is why the Skrall are not there. An army of Skrall suddenly advances upon the city, and the Glatorian, including Tarix, Strakk, and Gresh, try to defend Atero while the Agori evacuate into the desert. The Glatorian put up a noble defense, but are driven out of the city and the Arena Magna is destroyed. In the desert, Tarix tries to think of a plan to resist and says that they need help, and that help is one that carries a sword.

Credits

 * Greg Farshtey - Writer
 * Pop Mhan - Artist
 * Ulises Arreola - Colorist
 * Sal Cipriano - Letterer
 * Toby Dutkiewicz - Art director/designer
 * Jessica Numsuwankijkul - Editor

Characters

 * Berix
 * Gresh
 * Malum
 * Metus
 * Raanu
 * Strakk
 * Tarduk - First appearance
 * Tarix

Locations

 * Bara Magna
 * Atero - First appearance
 * Arena Magna - First appearance
 * Tajun - Mentioned only

Objects

 * Fire Shield - First appearance
 * Flame Claws
 * Ice Axe
 * Ice Shield - First appearance
 * Jungle Shield
 * Saw Blade Shield
 * Skrall Sword
 * Thornax
 * Thornax Launcher
 * Twin Water Blades
 * Water Sword - First appearance

Organizations

 * Agori
 * Bone Hunters - Mentioned only
 * Fire Tribe
 * Ice Tribe
 * Jungle Tribe
 * Glatorian
 * Rock Tribe
 * Sand Tribe
 * Skrall
 * Warrior-class Skrall
 * Vorox
 * Water Tribe

Quotes
"There is a storm coming, Glatorian--not a wind storm or a sandstorm, something you can hide from until it has passed. The storm will swallow you whole...you and all your friends, your villages, your people."

- Malum warning Gresh

"Sorry to disappoint you, Malum. I'm a Glatorian. And Glatorian don't run."

- Gresh's defiant response

"Face with a horde of Skrall on the march, most Agori would freeze in panic. But Raanu is a leader, and knows what he must do. Tarix is a leader, too. He dooesn't waste time worry why the Skrall have suddenly decided to attack--he acts. The time for talk has passed... and the time for battle has arrived. Have you ever tried to stand your ground against a hurricane? Then you know how the Glatorian in Atero feel today."

- Narration

Extra Features

 * Comic middle: Villagers of Bara Magna! section discusses the Agori sets 8972 Atakus, 8973 Raanu, 8974 Tarduk, 8975 Berix, 8976 Metus, and 8977 Zesk.
 * Rear cover: Advertisement for BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn, releasing on DVD in Fall 2009.

Continuity

 * One page 3, Tarix mentions how Bone Hunters raided a caravan headed to Tajun. This is a result of the plan Skall leader Tuma set in motion in the previous issue.
 * Former Fire Tribe Glatorian Malum reappears, again in the company of Vorox. His exile from larger society is mentioned once more. Despite this, the warrior is willing to give his former friends and allies a heads-up regarding the imminent attack of the Skrall.