Sentinel Prime

Sentinel Prime is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series.

Transformers: Generation 1

Transformers character
Generations Sentinel Prime in robot mode
Name	Sentinel Major/Prime
Autobot
Series	Transformers: Generations
English voice actor	Jack Angel
Japanese voice actor	Takurō Kitagawa
Information
Alternate modes	Cybertronian Truck, Space shuttle/armored train
Partner	Infinitus
Sub-group	Primes, Autobot leaders and Elite Guard.

Sentinel Prime (sometimes formerly called Sentinel Major) is an Autobot leader from the Generation 1 continuity family. Sentinel Prime is an imposing figure, standing head and shoulders over the average Autobot. Bristling with some of the most heavy-duty weapons and armor available to the Autobot army has instilled in Sentinel Prime a supreme confidence in his own abilities as both a leader and a fighter. Unfortunately such pride usually precedes a fall, and there will always be someone out there keen to prove a point, or who merely sees Sentinel Prime as an obstacle on the path to a bigger destiny. Sentinel Prime is often portrayed as Optimus Prime's immediate predecessor as Autobot leader.

Animated series

Sentinel Major was originally one of the Quintessons' slave robots on Cybertron around twelve million years ago. Unusual among his consumer goods brethren, Sentinel Major was equipped for combat and was forced to participate in gladiatorial games for the Quintessons' amusement, wielding a spiked ball-and-chain weapon and a tire-shaped shield. He was once defeated in battle by Prima, who attacked their Quintesson masters when their match was over, only to be destroyed himself.

Subsequently, the consumer goods robots rose up against the Quintessons in a rebellion that ultimately forced the aliens off the planet. Sentinel Major survived this clash, but he and the rest of his race—now dubbed "Autobots"—were robbed of any chance of peace when the military hardware robots, now known as "Decepticons", set their sights on conquering Cybertron for themselves. Two Autobot leaders fell during the war that ensued, and Sentinel Major inherited the Matrix of Leadership and became Sentinel Prime, leader of the Autobots. Under his leadership, the Autobots realized that they would never be able to defeat the Decepticons with firepower, and they turned instead to stealth, reconfiguring their bodies to be able to transform into other forms. With the power of his new ability, Sentinel Prime defeated the Decepticons' leader, and the Autobots won the war.

The ensuing period of peace was known as the Golden Age of Cybertron, but, around nine million years BC, the Decepticon threat re-emerged when they too adopted transformation, and coupled it with robot-mode flight powers. One of the first of this new breed of Decepticons, the malevolent Megatron, killed Sentinel Prime in combat. As he died, the dying Sentinel Prime handed off the Matrix to Alpha Trion, who kept it safe until the emergence of the next Autobot leader, Optimus Prime. When Rodimus Prime journeyed into the Matrix in 2005, Sentinel Prime was the sixth guide he encountered. Sentinel Prime recounted the development of transformation, the Autobot victory in the war and the rise of Megatron.

Comics

Dreamwave Productions

Sentinel Prime died during the early stages of the civil war on Cybertron, supposedly killed by Megatron in single combat. In this continuity, at the time of his death, Sentinel Prime was not in possession of the Matrix. The only image of him is a yellow hand as seen in the first issue of Dreamwave Productions' The War Within. When Megatron later battled Optimus Prime for the first time, he states that Sentinel tried to talk him out of his evil ways.

Fun Publications

There is a character called Sentinel Major, who might be considered the incarnation of Sentinel Prime in his own continuity. However, his design and role are obvious homages to Animated Sentinel Prime, but appears in a Generation 1-based setting.

The Elite Guard Alpha Team and Strike Team did battle against a horde of ferrovorous bugs in one of Cybertron's city-states. Magnum then ordered the Strike Team to escort the Alpha Team to Space Port Bravo for their next mission. The Strike Team then reported to Magnum and Sentinel Major, who introduced them to the new Elite Guard Special-Ops Team, also called the Combaticons.

Metalhawk and his Strike Team were searching for Decepticons when they ran into a crazy "empty" who ranted about the coming of the "brute". They received a distress signal from Sentinel Major ordering all Elite Guard units to return base. When Metalhawk's team arrived at the base Ricochet told them of a Decepticon attack. Among the attackers are the Combaticions, but when Sentinel Major orders them to surrender, they combine into Bruticus and crush Sentinel Major.

IDW Publishing

Sentinel Prime receives a bit more history in the IDW Publishing's 4-issue miniseries, The Transformers: Megatron Origin. After Megatron's attack on an Autobot senator and subsequent escape, current Autobot leader, Sentinel Prime vowed to hunt them down, despite his lack of concern over the senator's fate. Sentinel took a direct interest in the underground bloodsports that Megatron was involved in, determined to shut them down and declared that Megatron "will hang". Megatron's followers were eventually captured by Sentinel's forces and Sentinel taunts Megatron before imprisoning him. However, the apprehension of the Decepticons turned out to be part of Megatron's ruse. Starscream and Soundwave killed the Autobot Senate, and a full-scale revolution erupted in Kaon. Desperate to stop them, Prime donned Apex armor and confronted Megatron, but was defeated and beaten to within an inch of life by the Decepticon leader. Note: Sentinel's name was initially spelled as Sentinal Prime, later revealed to be a mis-print introduced at the lettering phase.

A glimpse of Sentinel Prime was also seen in The Transformers: Spotlight issue featuring Optimus Prime. He is again the Matrix-holder preceding Optimus Prime, and succeeding Nova Prime. In bonus art following the story, Sentinel's alternate mode was revealed as a yellow and orange Cybertronian truck. In Spotlight: Blurr (November 2008), it is revealed in between Sentinel and Optimus, there was a Prime named Zeta.

Marvel Comics

Sentinel Prime originates from the original Marvel Comics Transformers series. Sentinel is the immediate predecessor of Optimus Prime, and was killed in battle on Cybertron. He is glimpsed in issue #150 of the UK comic, passing the Autobot Matrix of Leadership on to Optimus Prime. It was not made clear in this continuity who or what caused his death. His appearance resembles Rodimus Prime. His name is taken from issue U.S. #65 (UK #290) in which all the past Matrix holders are listed and he precedes Optimus Prime.

Games

Sentinel Prime appears in the Transformers: Legends: The War Within video game series. As Megatron's forces made their way to activate Cybertron's planetary engines in order to wipe out the Autobots, Sentinel Prime went to meet with the Decepticon leader in Tyrest, believing Megatron could be reasoned with. Instead Megatron ambushed Sentinel Prime's group and slew the Prime. Sadly for Megatron, Sentinel was not carrying the coveted Matrix of Leadership, having sensibly left it behind.

Toys

Sentinel Prime has yet to receive a toy for many years, he came close in 2007. As revealed in the Transformers Collectors' Club round table panel at BotCon 2007, the original concept for the convention-exclusive recolor of Cybertron Deluxe Cybertron Defense Hot Shot was Sentinel Prime. In the end it was decided that Springer was a better choice for the mold.

• Generations Titans Return Voyager Sentinel Prime with Autobot Infinitus (unreleased)

This toy was recolored and remolded into Generations Titans Return Voyager Astrotrain.

Kre-O

Fictional biography

Since OPTIMUS PRIME took over, I've had a lot more time to devote to rest and relaxation. Sure, I take time to knock a DECEPTICON block off now and again, but all these rivers on Earth aren't gonna fish themselves.

Hobbies: Deep-sea fishing with the block and tackle. Napping between battles.

Most Prized Possession: My indestructible battle hammer!

Favorite Hangout: The shore of the nearest lake.

Animated series

Kreon Sentinel Prime appeared in the animated short "Last Bot Standing."

Kreon Sentinel Prime appeared in the animated short "Bot Stars."

Kreon Sentinel Prime appeared in the animated short "The Big Race."

Toys

• Kre-O Sentinel Prime with Kreon Fire Chief, Sentinel Prime, Soundwave, Thundercracker (2011)

Kre-O Sentinel Prime omes with four Kreons - Sentinel Prime, Soundwave, Thundercracker and a human Fire Chief.

References

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