Ninjago Explains the Origin of Shatterspin, Including the Terrible Thing That Happens to the Unworthy

Lego’s Ninjago continuity reveals a shocking secret, as Garmadon investigates the origins of the spinjitzu technique of Shatterspin. In the new comic Ninjago: Shatterspin, Garmadon travels to the Wyldness and discovers the history of Shatterspin, and what happens to those who are not worthy of its power.

In Ninjago: Shatterspin (2024) #2 by Tri Vuong, Riccardo Robaldo, K.J. Diaz and Pat Brosseau, Garmadon has arrived in the Wyldness, has communicated with the spirits of the Wolf Clan, and is now trapped in a cave with their descendants after the monstrous Lycan King attacks. To free the group from the cave, Garmadon receives teachings from the spirits of the Wolf Clan, learning Shatterspin.

Escaping the Lycan King, the Children of the Wolf take Garmadon to their Mama Mawa, who explains the history of Shatterspin – including the terrible price paid by those who aren’t worthy of ultimate power.

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Gramadon Learns About the Forbidden Origin of Shatterspin

The Lycan King’s Story Reveals the Dark Legacy of the Forbidden Five

Ninjago: Dragons Rising gave new fans a new jumping-on point to the world of Ninjago while still calling back to elements of the old show. All 16 realms have combined to create one merged realm. With this merged realm came a bunch of brand-new concepts that, even with the conclusion of Dragons Rising season two, could still benefit from further development. Ninjago: Shatterspin is a new comic series that features concepts from Dragons Rising and integrates them with classic characters and events before the merge, which makes these concepts feel more lived in, especially the spinjitzu technique of Shatterspin.

Shatterspin is a forbidden form of spinjitzu created by the Forbidden Five, as well as a way to unlock ultimate power. This final form of spinjitzu power is locked behind a ‘puzzle’ with some very specific requirements. After mastering the Five’s techniques and acquiring a wolf mask, a warrior could then strike the Gong of Shattering with its mallet, allowing them to be tested. Those who have a spark of elemental mastery are found worthy, granted “the ultimate power in all the realms.” However, those who are unworthy suffer a far darker fate, as was the case for Lord Argus, leader of the Wolf Clan.

The Lycan King Was Created Because He Was Unworthy of Shatterspin

Without Elemental Mastery, the Power of Shatterspin Is a Curse

The Forbidden Five once led the wolf clan, becoming the greatest power in the Wyldness. Their strength was sourced from Shatterspin, which requires the user to harden their mind, body, and spirit into iron. Then, “every defense becomes an attack, and every attack, a finishing blow.” The wolf warriors who followed them were gifted masks that increased their strength, however the ultimate power was only granted once an elemental master struck the gong and was deemed worthy. Sadly, their leader Lord Argus was not.

Lord Argus mastered the form of Shatterspin and led the Wolf Clan after the Forbidden Five were gone. He was approached by a sorcerer who manipulated him into hitting the Gong of Shattering. Since he was not an elemental master, when he attempted to use shatterspin, he instead transformed into the Lycan King, and the sorcerer controlled him with a spell. It took the full power of the Wolf Clan to chase away the sorcerer, but at the cost of petrifying the clan, turning them into stone.

The issue ends with Garmadon being recruited to train the last remaining descendants of the Wolf Clan, who are on a mission to defeat the Lycan King. However, the issue makes it clear that while the full power unlocked by Ninjago‘s Shatterspin is unbelievable – and “could even heal this broken land” – those who are found unworthy pay a monstrous price.

Ninjago: Shatterspin #2 is available now from Image Comics.