Sentinel Prime
Sentinel Prime is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series.
Contents
Transformers: Generation 1
Sentinel Prime 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.[1] 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.
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 the Apex Armor and confronted Megatron, but was defeated and beaten to within an inch of life by the Decepticon leader. A glimpse of Sentinel Prime was also seen in The Transformers: Spotlight issue featuring Optimus Prime, where 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.
Sentinel would later be revived following Transformers: All Hail Optimus and seek out his successor on Earth.
Note: Sentinel's name was initially spelled as Sentinal Prime, later revealed to be a mis-print introduced at the lettering phase.
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.
Transformers Animated
Animated series
The Transformers Animated incarnation of Sentinel Prime is Optimus' peer, rather than his predecessor, both of them having been in the same Elite Guard Autobot Academy class as Elita One. When the trio were cadets, Sentinel convinced his friends to join them in an unauthorized trip to the crash site of a Decepticon spaceship. The adventure went awry quickly, with the three being attacked by monstrous spiders and eventually setting off an Energon explosion that seemingly claimed the life of Elita. Wracked with grief and forgetting his own role in the tragedy, Sentinel blamed Optimus for Elita's loss, only for Optimus to claim full responsibility when the pair went before Ultra Magnus. As a result Optimus was kicked out of the Elite Guard, though he was promoted to the rank of Prime and given command of a ship.
Sentinel would continue in the Elite Guard, eventually attaining the rank of Minor and being put in charge of the guard boot camp. In this capacity he would drill a group of cadets who he named according to his perception of their abilities: Ironhide, Longarm, Wasp, Bumblebee and Bulkhead. Bumblebee quickly got on Sentinel's nerves, though he later impressed Sentinel with the capture of "Decepticon agent" Wasp, who was blamed for an attack on Sentinel. However, Bumblebee and Bulkhead were soon drummed out of the Elite Guard, and would end up on Optimus' crew.
Sentinel was later on the line when Optimus contacted Cybertron to inform them of the discovery of the long-lost AllSpark, and behaved condescendingly towards his former comrade until Optimus showed him the AllSpark on screen. Years later, the Elite Guard discovered Optimus and his crew on Earth and dispatched the Steelhaven to recover them with Ultra Magnus, Sentinel Prime, and Jazz aboard. Sentinel delighted in exercising authority over Optimus and his crew, though unlike them he possessed a paralyzing fear of organics and a lack of subtlety in selecting Earth-based vehicle modes. He also disputed Optimus' claims about their engagement of Decepticons and the fragmentation of the AllSpark, and anticipated being able to take the small crew of Autobots into custody for their alleged crimes. However, Optimus was later vindicated on the matter of the AllSpark, much to Sentinel's disappointment, and would later come to Sentinel's aid after his body was stolen by the criminal Headmaster.
Optimus was soon proven right with regards to the Decepticon presence on Earth as well, and the Elite Guard departed the planet with a captive Starscream while leaving Optimus and his crew to recover the fragments of the AllSpark and capture any remaining Decepticons on the planet. Sentinel would soon be tasked with trying to bring in Wasp, who was released from prison by the Decepticon who framed him: Shockwave, alias Longarm. This mission was briefly interrupted as the Elite Guard were called upon to deal with Decepticon uprisings on the far reaches of the galaxy, part of a plan to invade Cybertron orchestrated by Megatron but mercifully thwarted by Optimus' Autobots with the aid of Omega Supreme. Sentinel would then track Wasp to Earth, where he formed an unlikely alliance with Optimus' crew in order to bring in the fugitive.
At the same time, Sentinel enlisted the bounty hunter Lockdown to assist in the capture of other Decepticons still on Earth, such as Lugnut, Blitzwing, and two of Starscream's clones, while also securing the stasis-locked Swindle. After Lockdown betrayed Sentinel, Prowl was credited with the capture of the Decepticons, though Sentinel would later claim credit to improve his standing with the Autobot High Council. The hunt for Wasp led to a shocking reunion between Sentinel and Elita One, who had become a techno-organic being and a Decepticon named Blackarachnia. Horrified by Elita's fate, Sentinel at last began to see that he had been wrong to blame Optimus for the past, and departed Earth once more after Blackarachnia and the rechristened "Waspinator" disappeared. With Ultra Magnus badly wounded at the hands of Shockwave, Sentinel set his sites on taking his leader's place as Magnus.
En route back to Cybertron, Sentinel and his crew-including Jazz and the twins Jetstorm and Jetfire-were forced to deal with the escape of their Decepticon prisoners, who attempted to take over the ship. Sentinel sent an emergency coded message to Optimus, who managed to use the Autobots' new Spacebridge tower to reach the ship and turn the tide. Lugnut and Swindle escaped, but Sentinel retained three prisoners to take back to Cybertron, which he used as evidence of his worthiness to be proclaimed Magnus. Sentinel quickly imposed martial law on Cybertron in the manhunt for Shockwave and the stolen Magnus Hammer, only to have the Megatron-controlled Omega Supreme appear in orbit and Ratchet appear with Captain Fanzone to provide unlikely assistance. After Shockwave escaped with a captive Arcee, Ratchet took the Magnus Hammer back to Earth over Sentinel's objections, with Jazz following him to aid Optimus' team in preparing for Megatron's return.
Sentinel was later present when Optimus' crew returned to Cybertron with the reconstituted AllSpark, Megatron and his remaining lieutenants, the Magnus Hammer, and several protoforms long ago stolen by the Decepticons in tow, watching with a disappointed look on his face. The creators' subsequently revealed that Sentinel would have continued his efforts to become Magnus had the series not been cancelled.
Comics
Sentinel Prime was featured as a guest host on "Ask Vector Prime" for a brief period, but was one of the less popular hosts compared to Cy-Kill and Spacewarp. Another version of Sentinel was also noted as having a counterpart from the Generation 1 reality cluster, and rose through the ranks of the Elite Guard to achieve the rank of Magnus, though without ever carrying the AllSpark or its Matrix. [2]
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
In Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Sentinel Prime is again featured as Optimus' predecessor and mentor, but one who is dedicated to Cybertron's restoration above all else, including all sense of honor or regard for other forms of life. As such, he formed a pact with Megatron to use Spacebridge technology to bring Cybertron into Earth's orbit so that humanity and the Earth's resources could be used to rebuild the ravaged planet. He later revealed his treachery by murdering Ironhide, and then engaged in a battle with Optimus Prime. However, Megatron's lust for power led him to turn on his partner-turned-rival, which enabled Optimus to defeat Megatron before executing his former mentor.
Comics
Fun Publications would later feature alternate history versions of this Sentinel Prime, with one being named in the tech spec for "Cybertron's Most Wanted" Megatron. In this reality, an inexplicable teleportation saved a version of Megatron from destruction at the hands of Optimus Prime, whom he killed before destroying Sentinel as well. Another version teamed up with Megatron following the demise of the Fallen at Megatron's hands, and together they imprisoned Optimus and conquered Earth, putting its inhabitants to work rebuilding Cybertron. Despite his villainy, Sentinel showed some regard for Optimus and tried to convert him to his cause, but wound up having his own sense of honor rekindled. Thus, instead of handing Optimus over to Lockdown in exchange for the protomatter Seed, Sentinel tricked the Decepticon and joined his fellow Prime in freeing the Dinobots to wage war against Megatron. [3]
Transformers: War for Cybertron
Sentinel Prime, also Sentinel Zeta Prime or Zeta Prime, is an Autobot leader.
Books
Transformers: The Covenant of Primus establishes Sentinel Prime as the leader of the rebellion against the Quintessons, though sadly he also had a hand in the rise of the oppressive caste system. In Transformers: Exodus Sentinel Prime is again featured as the leader of the Autobots, but one who has long been inactive in the government of Cybertron and who has distanced himself from his former comrade Alpha Trion. He is imprisoned by Starscream early in the novel, but later released by the Seeker commander in a bid to destroy Megatron so that Starscream can seize power. Sadly, he is easily overpowered by the Dark Energon powered Decepticon leader and robbed of one of the keys to the Plasma Energy Chamber. Before dying, he is found by Optimus, whom he recognizes as the true Prime while disclaiming the title based on his failings.
Games
In Transformers: War for Cybertron, the character of Sentinel Prime is known by the name Zeta Prime, which in other continuities is a separate character. The leader of the Autobots, he engaged Megatron in battle but met defeat and was held prisoner by the Decepticons. Eventually he perished, and the High Council named Optimus Prime as his successor.
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."[4]
Kreon Sentinel Prime appeared in the animated short "Bot Stars."[5]
Kreon Sentinel Prime appeared in the animated short "The Big Race."[6]
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
- ↑ Transformers: The War Within Vol. 1, Issue 1
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/AskVectorPrime/posts/667809596684347
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/AskVectorPrime/posts/685794904885816
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7sVJOl-eMw
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRMBgjktWPQ
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvzTuyfctN4
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