Optimus Prime (Generation 1)

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Optimus Prime
Transformers character
E31b4f281b9b0548649d667bb861e843.jpg
Combiner Wars Optimus Prime box art
First appearance

Transformers #1 by Marvel Comics
Created by

Hasbro
Voiced by

Peter Cullen (most appearances)
Roger C. Carmel (when disguised as Motormaster in the episode "Masquerade")
Laurie Faso (as Orion Pax)
Ron Hayden (20th Anniversary toy sound base, Universe Flash cartoon)
Tesshō Genda (Japanese)
Jon Bailey (Combiner Wars)
Japanese name

Convoy
Information
Aliases Orion Pax, Optronix
Species Transformer
Relatives Ultra Magnus (brother)
Abilities

Affiliation

Autobot, Maximal
Alternate mode

Freightliner Cab-over-engine Class 8 truck, Cybertronian truck, COBRA Sentry & Missile System tank, 1920s style truck, Peterbilt Truck, Mid-90s Peterbilt 4964EX Tanker Truck, Lamborghini Diablo, Dump truck, Dodge Ram SRT-10, Nissan GT-R, Bat
Function

Commander
Motto

"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings." (Generation 1)
"No sacrifice is too great in the service of freedom." (Classic)
Partner

Roller, Hi-Q, Marissa Faireborn, Barrelroller, Apex Bomber, Ginrai
Series

Sub-group

Action Masters, Combat Heroes, Deluxe Vehicles, Go-Bots, Primes, Powermasters, Voyagers

Optimus Prime is a fictional character in the Transformers series. He is leader of the Autobots in the Generation 1 and related stories.

Transformers: Generation 1

Optimus Prime transforms into a cab over truck. Within his chest is the Autobot matrix of leadership or the "creation matrix", carried by Autobot leaders.[1][2]

In the animated series, Optimus is able to fire short-range optic blasts, project holographic maps, and deploy hydro-foils, designed by Wheeljack, to traverse bodies of water with ease. In the animated series, Optimus was also given the ability to retract his right hand unit and replace it with a glowing axe.[citation needed]

Across the assorted continuities of the original Transformers universe, there have been various interpretations of Optimus Prime. One of Prime's most notable characteristics over all continuities his unswaying commitment to leadership by example. The animated series' version of Optimus Prime is depicted as a straightforward, wise, and upbeat battlefield general. Additionally, the animated series' version of Optimus dislikes rap music, putting him at odds with music-loving characters like Blaster and Jazz.

In the Marvel Comics series, in addition to these characteristics, Prime is secretly plagued by self-doubt and a conflicted sense of pacifism that often makes him an extremely reluctant warrior. It is occasionally implied that the conflict with the Decepticons lasts so long primarily because of his unwillingness to take a more aggressive stance.[citation needed]

Prime also enjoys televised sports, most notably basketball which he even plays ("The Master Builder"), as well as setting up a basketball court outside the Ark. Though Prime's personality is like that of a human man age 40-50, he is not above watching afternoon soap operas (in the episode "Prime Target", he is heard groaning out loud when the soap opera he is watching with the other Autobots gets interrupted for a news report).

Fictional biography

Profile: If he had been on Earth, he would be a doctor, a mechanic, a scientist and a warrior. But on Cybertron there is no difference between these professions. So Optimus uses his skills to heal and repair - which are the same things to Autobots - to improve the world around him and, if necessary, to fight. Both in power and intelligence, he has no equal. He has the personality of an Abraham Lincoln. He can be immensely kind and his compassion extends to all that lives, including the creatures of Earth. Yet he will battle unceasingly to protect the weak and defend what he believes in. To accomplish this, Optimus knows that the Decepticons must be defeated for all time.

Abilities: In robot mode, Optimus Prime actually splits into three components. The Optimus module is the robotic sentient being that is the storehouse of his vast knowledge and strength. He can lift 4000,000 lbs. and a blow from his fist exerts a force of 12,000 lbs. per sq. inch. He carries a laser rifle and can burn a hole in the nosecone of a Decepticon jet fighter at a distance of 30 miles, aided by his outstanding visual acuity. His Prime module, also known as Roller, is a small cart-shaped device that he uses to unobtrusively slip behind enemy lines. He can maintain radio control over it at distances up to 1200 miles. Having Roller present somewhere is like being there himself. He can operate by remote-control his Combat Deck module up to a distance of 1500 feet. The Auto-Launcher mounted on the Deck can use a variety of artillery and radiation beam weapons, including most of those used by his fellow Autobots. The Launcher also includes a highly dexterous grapple-arm which allows it to load itself and change its weaponry. The communications disk antenna mounted on the launcher provides a link between Optimus and all his fellow Autobots within a radius of 50 miles. It can be adapted to a satellite hook-up that increases its effective range 10-fold.

Weaknesses: Although Optimus Prime can function as three independent modules, injury to any one of the modules is felt by the other two. Roller is particularly vulnerable, especially in the behind-the-lines situations in which he specializes. However, the Optimus module is by far the most important component of the trio. Although he could survive without the other two, they could not survive without him. Otherwise, the only weakness he could be accused of having is being too compassionate and concerned about the safety of others. He would be a more effective military commander if he were more ruthless, but then he wouldn't be Optimus Prime.

Reception

At BotCon 2010, Hasbro named Optimus Prime as one of the first five robot inductees in the Transformers Hall of Fame.[3]

Animated series

The Transformers

Optimus Prime was voiced by Peter Cullen in most of his original appearances.[4]

As seen in the episode "War Dawn", Optimus Prime began his life as a robot named Orion Pax, a mostly defenseless dock worker during the Golden Age of Cybertron nine million years ago, with a girlfriend named Ariel and a best friend named Dion. During this time, a new breed of robot with new flight capabilities appeared on the planet that Orion idolized. When Megatron, the leader of the new group of robots, approached him with inquiries about using one of the dock warehouses, Orion was swayed by Megatron. Both Orion and Ariel were severely wounded when Megatron and his forces attacked in order to claim the energy stored there. Searching for someone to help them, the time-displaced Aerialbots took Orion and Ariel to the ancient Autobot, Alpha Trion, who used them as the first subjects for the new reconstruction process he had developed involving rebuilding the frail Autobot frames into more battle-hardy configurations. With this reconstruction, Orion Pax became Optimus Prime, the first of the Autobot warriors.

Optimus took the mantle of leadership as the civil war against the Decepticons erupted, and would remain in that position for the next nine million years. Ariel was rebuilt into Elita One, the commander of the Autobot resistance on Cybertron. The fate of Dion is left unrevealed. It has been speculated by fans that Dion might have become Ironhide or Ultra Magnus just as Orion and Ariel became Optimus and Elita, but this remains fan speculation only, and, his close friendship with Optimus notwithstanding, there is no evidence to support the idea.

As leader of the Autobots, Prime headed up their mission to search for new sources of energy to revitalize the depleted Cybertron. Optimus vowed to Elita that he would return from his mission for her, but just before the launch of the Ark, Optimus was mistakenly led to believe that Elita was killed. Shortly after its launch, the Autobots' craft was attacked by the Decepticons' space cruiser, the Nemesis, and boarded by Megatron and the Decepticons. In the ensuing struggle, the G-forces of a nearby planet pulled both craft down, and the Autobots' ship crashed into a volcano, thrusting all the occupants into emergency stasis. Four million years later, in the Earth year 1984 A.D., a volcanic eruption jarred the ship's computer, Teletraan I, back to life. The computer reactivated the Decepticons, programming them with new Earth-based disguise modes. As a parting gesture, Starscream fired upon the Autobot ship, creating a landslide. The vibrations from that landslide knocked Prime into the path of the computer's restoration beam, restoring him to life, thus beginning the war anew on Earth.

Prime was perpetually at the forefront of the action throughout the early years of the war on Earth, usually confronting Megatron, though in some rare instances, such as against the Insecticon-controlled Decepticons or the Combaticons, teaming up with him for the greater good. He has suffered his fair share of battlefield scrapes, almost meeting his end when his vital cosmotron component was critically damaged by the Decepticon jets and when Laserbeak had his body disassembled and turned into Decepticon trophies, such as a pet "alligaticon" and a defense laser.

Prime suffered a severe, though unfair, defeat when Megatron challenged him to one-on-one combat while imbued with the different abilities of all the Decepticons. Teletraan I, the Ark's computer, discovered the deception in time, and the Autobots were able to drive off the Decepticons. In "Prime Problem", Megatron created a clone of Optimus, which caused confusion with the other Autobots. Windcharger and Spike, however, were able to identify the clone before it led the Autobots into their demise.

In "Prime Target", Lord Cholmondeley, a big game hunter, set his sights on the ultimate trophy, the head of Optimus Prime. In order to lure Optimus in, Cholmondeley captured Tracks, Bumblebee, Jazz, Beachcomber, Grapple, Blaster and Inferno. Windcharger and Huffer were able to avoid being trapped. When Cosmos learned where Cholmondeley was keeping the captured Transformers, Optimus Prime accepted Cholmondeley's challenge to meet him alone. Although interrupted by Astrotrain and Blitzwing's attempt to ally the Decepticons with Cholmondeley, Optimus defeated the big game hunter and freed the Autobots. Cholmondeley and the stolen jet were handed over to the Soviets by the Autobots as punishment for his actions.

Throughout the first two seasons, Optimus Prime has led the Autobots to many victories, such as stopping Megatron from controlling the crystal of power, stopping the Dinobots' rebellion by saving Grimlock, defeating Devastator with his detach arm, helping capture Nightbird, rescuing Blaster and Cosmos from the Decepticons on the Moon with the help of Omega Supreme, and helping save Perceptor and the other Transformers from the cosmic rust disease.

Over the course of the next twenty years, the Decepticons succeeded in seizing control of all of Cybertron, forcing the Autobots to operate from their new city on Earth and two bases on Cybertron's moons. In the Earth year 2005 A.D., Prime, stationed on Moonbase One, dispatched troops to Earth to acquire energy for an upcoming strike on Cybertron. The Decepticons, however, got wind of the plan and used the shuttle run to attack Autobot City. A distress call summoned Prime and support troops to Earth. In the fearsome ensuing fight with Megatron, Optimus Prime sustained fatal injuries, but not before turning the tide of battle and forcing the Decepticons to flee. Despite the efforts of Perceptor, Optimus Prime went offline. The Matrix and role of leader of the Autobots fell into the hands of Ultra Magnus, Galvatron, and, subsequently, to Rodimus Prime. His last words were "Until that day... 'till all are one."

Prime's body was entombed in a massive deep-space mausoleum with the many other fallen Autobots. In 2006, his grave was desecrated and his body reanimated by Quintessons in an attempt to destroy the Autobots by using Prime to lure their space fleet into a trap. The Matrix was able to purify Prime of the Quintesson influence, and he ordered the other Autobots to clear out while he piloted his flagship into the Quintessons' detonator, triggering the explosion of a nearby sun. Prime was supposedly destroyed in the explosion. According to "The Return of Optimus Prime", Prime's body was recovered from the craft by two human scientists, Jessica Morgan and Gregory Swofford, just minutes before the explosion. As their ship departed, it was coated with solar spores, which induce rage and madness in any sentient being they came into contact with, released by the explosion of the sun. Jessica's father, Mark Morgan, loathed all Transformers, and his hatred only grew when an attempt by the Decepticons to steal a heat-resistant alloy he had developed resulted in Jessica being paralyzed. Swofford and Morgan reconstructed Optimus Prime's body, planning to use it as a delivery system for the spores in order to destroy the Transformers.

When they could not reanimate him, they used his body as a lure instead, bringing the Autobots to their lab, where they are infected. As this "Hate Plague" began to spread across the galaxy, Sky Lynx retrieved a Quintesson, who fully restored Optimus Prime to life. Coating himself in Morgan's heat-resistant alloy, Prime reclaimed the Matrix from Rodimus and unleashed its concentrated wisdom to destroy the Hate Plague.

In 2007, following the release of the Matrix's energy, Prime began to suffer from visions which foretold a great transformation for Cybertron. Events began with the Decepticons' theft of the key to the Plasma Energy Chamber, which forced Prime to consult Alpha Trion within Vector Sigma. Prime learned that the mega-computer had orchestrated events in order to restore Cybertron's Golden Age. When the Plasma Energy Chamber was opened and threatened to drive Earth's Sun supernova, Spike Witwicky and the Nebulans, who had become involved in the conflict as a result of these events, were able to drain off the excess solar energy and revitalize Cybertron. With the Decepticons driven off Cybertron and Nebulon free from tyranny, Cybertron enters into a Golden Age of peace and prosperity under the leadership of Optimus Prime and the Autobots.

The seldom seen 5th season re-airing of the show featured the G1 episodes retold by a stop-motion Powermaster Optimus Prime to the live-action youngster Tommy Kennedy. Although no back story was ever provided for how Prime became a Powermaster, the new sequences are said to take place after the four previous seasons. This indicates that Prime became a Powermaster in the original Sunbow continuity.

Although the animated series ended in the US after The Rebirth, Optimus Prime continued to appear in animated sequences of Transformers toy commercials, progressing from Powermaster to Action Master. He even made an appearance as a computer-generated Combat Hero. Many episodes of the series were re-aired to promote Transformers: Generation 2. During these sequences, computer-generated scenes featuring key G1 characters are borrowed from Generation 2 commercials to serve as opening, closing, and commercial bumpers. Optimus Prime is shown in the opening and closing fighting Generation 2's Ramjet.

Transformers: The Headmasters

While the Transformers animated series came to an end in America in 1987 after The Rebirth, production was continued in Japan with three new, exclusive animated series spin-offs to continue the story. The first of these series, Transformers: The Headmasters, supplanted the events of The Rebirth, picking up one year after the events that saw Optimus Prime's return to life.

In the interim year, with the Decepticons defeated, the Autobots entered into an even closer relationship with Earth. The Autobots also began the colonization of other worlds, the first of which was the planet Athenia, where Optimus Prime was stationed. It soon became apparent, however, that the consequences of releasing the energy of the Matrix to cure the Hate Plague were more far-reaching than Optimus had anticipated. Without the energy of the Matrix to act as a balancing factor, Vector Sigma had become destabilized. The Decepticons suddenly returned to exploit this, assaulting Cybertron in order to seize control of the mega-computer. Prime took a squad of troops to aid in the battle on the planet. When the arrival of the Autobot Headmasters tipped the battle in their favor, Prime broke off from the main attack and headed down into the depths of the planet, planning on stabilizing Vector Sigma at any cost.

While the other Autobots searched for the Matrix on Earth, Optimus Prime searched for Vector Sigma, guided through the dangers of the planet's catacombs by the spirit of Alpha Trion. Prime eventually arrived at the computer, only to find his way barred by Cyclonus and Scourge. At that moment, Hot Rod arrived with the Matrix, the same with which Alpha Trion merged, re-energizing it. The Matrix transformed Hot Rod back into Rodimus Prime and, for the first time, the two Primes fought side-by-side and defeated Galvatron.

Before Rodimus could implement the Matrix to stabilize Vector Sigma, however, Optimus Prime merged himself with the computer, restoring its balance to save the planet. Optimus Prime sacrificed himself, dying again only a few short episodes after his rebirth.

Beast Wars

The Beast Wars storyline featured a new character named Optimus Primal. Though the storyline depicts them as different characters, the commercials and comic which shipped with the original Beast Wars toy versions depicted them as a new incarnation of Optimus Prime in the form of a bat.

Optimus Primal, leader of the Maximal faction in the Beast Wars animated series and toy line, is not Optimus Prime. Primal is one of the Maximal descendants of the Autobots, who took the name to honor Optimus Prime. The same applies to the Megatron of this era. Before the animated series began, Hasbro envisioned Prime and Megatron as their beast counterparts, but once the animated series began, this had already been changed. Design elements, such as Prime's mouth-plate slitted to add an actual mouth for the animated series and the first mini-comic that came packaged with the toys, suggest this. Nonetheless, Optimus Prime and Megatron were a major reason the Beast Wars began.

The Beast Wars were waged on prehistoric Earth, eventually leading to the discovery of the buried Ark. The beast Megatron, following the original Megatron's instructions in a desperate gambit, attempted to change history by killing Optimus Prime, who was still lying in The Ark in stasis lock. Megatron hoped that this would result in the Decepticons winning The Great War and the eventual rule of Cybertron by the Predacons, the descendants of the Decepticons. Megatron unleashed a full-power weapon blast at Optimus Prime's face, delivering a near fatal blow. Optimus Primal, however, took Prime's spark into his body to protect it from surgical trauma while his injuries were repaired. The subsequent power increase caused by Prime's spark's connection to the Matrix augmented Primal into the large, transmetal "Optimal Optimus" form with three alternate modes (jet, land vehicle, and transmetal gorilla). Then, with the repairs complete, Prime's spark was restored, and he briefly activated before sinking back into normal stasis.

When animating the scene in which Primal removes Prime's spark, Mainframe's animators consulted The Transformers: The Movie for reference on the interior of Prime's chest. Not realizing the importance of the Matrix of Leadership, they rendered it as a container for Prime's spark. Beast Wars writers Larry DiTillio and Bob Forward have since claimed that in their view, Prime had not received the Matrix from Alpha Trion at this point, but a later comic produced for Botcon indicated that the Matrix was in fact stored in a secondary compartment, hidden behind Prime's spark. In this particular comic, the alien Vok used the Matrix, the Transmetal Driver, and a control suit once piloted by the Predacon Quickstrike to create Primal Prime.

Beast Machines

A giant statue of Optimus Prime in front of the Cybertron Archives holding two Golden Disks appeared on Cybertron in the Beast Machines series, but was destroyed by the Vehicons in the episode Fires of the Past. When show writer Bob Skir was asked what these two disks were he said that neither the statue nor disks were in the script, but he suggested that they were either the disks from Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes or that Optimus won them in the 2,395,989th Annual Cybertronian spelling bee.[5]

Later in the series, Optimus Primal discovered the ancient city of Iacon deep within Cybertron, where he was approached by a hologram statue of Optimus Prime. As it turned out, however, the statue was Megatron in disguise. Obsidian also comments on how Optimus Primal is not as great a leader as Prime was.

Transformers: Combiner Wars

Transformers: Combiner Wars features Optimus as the leader of the now disbanded Autobots, who engaged Megatron in an epic duel to settle their conflict. This was followed by their exile, though Optimus later returned and prevented Windblade from destroying the Enigma of Combination. Having been alerted to her travel to Cybertron by a dying Computron, Optimus assumed that she was attempting to kill Council of Worlds member Starscream and stopped her, destroying the rifle that had belonged to her fallen friend Maxima. The furious Windblade attacked Optimus, but despite her speed could not land a blow on the former Autobot leader. When she accused him of killing many during the Great War, he replied that the Autobots had never taken lives in retribution or without provocation, but his words fell on deaf ears. He then employed his Energon axe as Windblade attacked again, but handily parried her sword and disarmed her, again without taking a hit.

Having beaten Windblade, Optimus encouraged her to return to Caminus and help rebuild the planet, only to learn her true objective: destruction of the Enigma of Combination, which was in the possession of the Council. Fearing the artifact apparently as much as Windblade, Optimus expressed doubts that it could be destroyed, and noted that the firepower necessary meant that only one being might be able to help them. That being turned out to be Megatron, who Megatron and Windblade found fighting three of the Constructicons in an arena; Optimus claimed to have no interest in fighting, but Megatron insinuated otherwise. The two briefly clashed until Windblade and Optimus were able to persuade Megatron that the Council possessed the Enigma, and the Decepticon leader agreed to join them in their quest; all three were unaware that the Constructicons had overheard their conversation. Megatron also accused Optimus of wanting to reignite war so he could have purpose, which the former Autobot leader vehemently denied.

The trio soon arrived back on Cybertron, where Optimus' teammates expressed willingness to kill the Council members that he refused to condone; they were then forced to engage the palace defenses after a brief confrontation with the Council. Devastator then appeared and attacked, seeking to claim the Enigma for himself, and Optimus and his teammates engaged him briefly before Victorion arrived. Fearing that the pair would destroy the city if left unchecked, Optimus became even more determined to destroy the Enigma, only for Starscream to enslave it and enslave the two battling Combiners and the lifeless forms of Computron and Menasor in order to create a new form for himself, which had been his goal all along. The power soon overwhelmed Starscream and caused him to begin destroying the Council's city, the start of what Optimus had always feared would happen. He was forced to rescue Megatron after the former Decepticon leader ignored him and attempted to flee the conflict, and then watched in horror as Windblade attempted to take down Starscream herself only to fall.

Books

Optimus Prime on the cover of Autobot Hostage

Optimus Prime appeared in the following books:

Listen 'n Fun

Optimus Prime appeared in the 1985 Listen 'n Fun story Sun Raid.[8]

Marvel Books

Optimus Prime is featured in the 1984 Marvel Books story Battle for Cybertron.[9]

Modern Publishing

Optimus Prime was featured in the 1993 Transformers: Generation 2 coloring book "Decepticon Madness" by Bud Simpson.[10]

Comics

3H Enterprises

Simon Furman's "Alignment", a text story available through Transforce, a British Transformers convention, mentions Prime falling during what was intended to be the final conflict with the Decepticons at Pinea Omicron, long after the events of the Generation 2 comic book. He managed to defeat Galvatron II, but in doing so, was damaged such that Grimlock had to engage a stasis field around him to save his flickering Spark, making Prime a living war monument.

Though Prime's ultimate fate is unknown, in a story entitled "The Last Days of Optimus Prime", also from Transforce, Prime laments the new Transformers age without war and passes on to a Transformers afterlife, referred to as "J'nwan". The story is vague, however, and may be a metaphor for Prime rejoining the Matrix, as his time had come. In this realm, he was approached by the Predacon Sandstorm, who tried to plead for the help of Prime and the other legendary Transformers in dealing with a Unicron/Predacon hybrid named Shokaract. Prime refused, but later led a group of Transformers, including Megatron, Grimlock, and Soundwave), to distract the creature while Primus dealt the final blow.

Binaltech

Due to the interference of Ravage, the same as the one who appears in the Beast Wars, most of the events of the original animated feature do not transpire. The most influential of these events is the Battle of Autobot City. Because this battle did not occur, Optimus Prime and Megatron do not have their final showdown. This means that, for this continuity, Optimus Prime does not die and Megatron is never reformatted into Galvatron. As a result, Optimus Prime is able to lead the Autobots during the Binaltech saga.

Equipped with knowledge of the future and the danger that would soon be threatening the transformers, Ravage's machinations included trapping Megatron and a large army of Decepticons in a spacial rift with the intention of protecting the Decepticons from the approaching Unicron and forcing the Autobots to face the planet-eater unaided. The Decepticons would then be in a position to conquer the victor of that battle.

Aware of the changes to the timestream and the potential for the entire Autobot race to be annihilated by Unicron, Optimus put into motion Operation Distant Thunder, a plan to undo the damage to the timeline caused by Ravage, restoring the events that were seen in the movie. This would mean that saving all the Autobots from Unicron would result in Prime and others such as Prowl, Wheeljack, Ironhide, and Ratchet would die per the original events. They hoped they would be able to at least partially avoid such an outcome by sending a message to their past selves about all they had learned.

Upon discovering that the Matrix was the key to destroying Unicron, Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus went alone to face Unicron while the rest of the Autobots executed the plan to restore the original timeline. They hoped that at least one of these plans would be successful. Prime was injured in the confrontation with Unicron and, although his injuries were not mortal, he passed the Matrix to Magnus, who shed his outer armor and managed to complete the mission, destroying Unicron.

Distant Thunder was ultimately unsuccessful, but as the universe started to rip apart, a black Optimus Prime clone appeared. The Binaltech universe was split into its own separate continuity, while the original timeline was also restored, stabilizing the multiverse. The clone, friendly to the transformers, proclaimed that the Binaltech universe must be allowed to continue, as it was important to the future. Optimus Prime questioned the black doppelganger, who explained only that he carried "the Protector's" spark, but refused to reveal any more detailed information. Soon after, the clone, who was originally developed by Dr. Archeville as a weapon of evil, ejected the spark that had invaded and taken over the black figure, reverting to its original evil programming. The malevolent Nemesis Prime, no longer just a black version of Optimus, escaped.

Per Ravage's original plan, with Unicron defeated, the Decepticons returned to conquer the transformers. Optimus Prime had also planned for this event, and sent Mirage to press a switch, buried deep within Cybertron, that would render all transformers inert. This was seen at the conclusion of the "Five Faces of Darkness" story arc from the original animated series. Optimus hoped that by rendering all the transformers inoperative, the war would be stopped, hoping that the humans would be able to reactivate the transformers in the future. Instead of deactivating all transformers, however, only those with original Cybertronian bodies were deactivated. Transformers with Earth-made Binaltech bodies continued to function. The Autobots effectively won the war, the large army of Binaltech Autobots easily outnumbering the few Decepticons who had managed to procure Binaltech upgrades. The few Decepticons remaining, effectively just Nemesis Prime and Shockwave, escaped with Megatron and their other inert comrades.

With the major threats taken care of, Optimus Prime turned his and the Autobots' attention to identifying and shutting down the rogue projects taking place across Earth using stolen Binaltech technology and secrets. It was during one of these missions that Optimus Prime faced off against Nemesis Prime, both in Binaltech Dodge Ram forms. Initially, things looked bad for Optimus Prime, as he was no match for his opponent's spectral armor. However, the Protector merged with Prime, and the enormous power that resulted allowed Prime to reflect Nemesis Prime's final attack, obliterating the evil Decepticon. Optimus Prime recalls the union of the two sparks being familiar, from an event in the distant past. Optimus Prime is reassured by the Protector about "the seeds of the future" and the Protector is revealed to be Optimus Primal.

Devil's Due Publishing

Optimus Prime, Ironhide and Ratchet in Devil's Due comics

Optimus Prime would also be a major character in Devil's Due Publishing's various G.I. Joe meets the Transformers series. Devil's Due Publishing does not address Prime's early years, save that he survived an assassination attempt by Bludgeon soon after receiving the Matrix. The traditional Ark storyline left the transformers crashed on Earth. In this series, instead of being reactivated by the Ark, the transformers and the ark were discovered by the terrorist organization called Cobra. The transformers inside were reformatted into Cobra vehicles, remotely controlled by the Televipers. Prime was turned into a Cobra Sentry Missile System tank, which was a 1985 Sears store exclusive red repaint of the HISS tank.[11] After an attack on a UN summit in Washington DC, Optimus was able to get a message to Wheeljack, alerting G.I. Joe to where the Cobra base was hidden. Subsequently, he and the other captive Autobots and Decepticons broke free. After the ensuing battle, Optimus fought and defeated his enemy Megatron. After Megatron's defeat, the transformers returned to Cybertron in a second Ark Class vessel, but not before giving their human allies the ability to build and use mecha based on Transformers technology.

Prime's homecoming was not all he had hoped for, for Shockwave had taken control of the planet. Prime and the other transformers were forced to go underground, waging a guerrilla war against the Decepticons. Around this time, Cobra would attempt to steal Teletran-3, but their attempt to teleport directly into the chamber would set off a catastrophic malfunction, one that threatened to crack open time itself. Optimus Prime and the Stunticons were amongst those who found themselves sent back in time. Optimus was reformatted into a 1920s semi-truck and was eventually rescued by Roadblock, Beach Head and the Baroness, who helped him capture the Stunticons.

In the wake of this incident, the transformers managed to reclaim much of Cybertron. Mindful of the dangers of allowing humans like Cobra access Cybertronian technology, Prime sent Perceptor, Grimlock, Arcee, and Bumblebee on a mission to Earth. As it turned out, Prime's fears were well founded. The US government had used parts from Megatron to create Serpent O.R., a cyborg designed to be a perfect weapon. A raid by Cobra allowed it to escape and gather an army of Decepticons on Cybertron, killing Bumblebee in the process. Despite the grief of losing Bumblebee, Prime continued on and rallied his comrades to do the same. Attacking the Autobot capital city, Serpentor's forces proved overwhelming, and Prime surrendered to ensure the Decepticons would cease fire and not kill another comrade. Realizing that Serpentor wanted the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, Prime broke free as Serpentor was distracted, but was unable to kill him. He was promptly attacked and nearly beaten to death by Razorclaw and Motormaster. He was subsequently forced to watch as Serpentor opened the Matrix. In doing so, Serpentor was not only reformatted into a transformer-like mechanoid, but was also shown the futility of the fighting by the Matrix. At this point, Cobra Commander was able to take control of Serpentor's body. In an attempt to stop him, Hawk opened the Matrix and was transformed into a great leader, rendering Cobra Commander comatose. As the Joes prepared to head home, Prime promised to record the Hawk-led humans' future.

Prime appeared again in the fourth crossover called "Black Horizon". When Hawk, who had been afflicted by the Matrix, began getting dire visions of a new threat, Prime journeyed to Earth. He took Hawk and Flint to Tibet to discover the source of the problem, only to encounter Bludgeon once again. Prime battled Bludgeon and only won due to intervention by Hawk. Fighting their way into a secret city beneath the Himalayas, the trio realized the extent of the threat. At stake was the impending destruction of humanity by Unicron and the world being taken over by Cobra-La. Optimus and Hawk were discovered by Bludgeon and a group of Cobra-La troops. Prime defeated Bludgeon, then, with Hawk and Joe Colton, gatecrashed the Cobra-La ceremony to sacrifice Firewall to Unicron. Prime was mobbed by Cobra-La warriors and pinned down by a monstrous insectoid creature. Prime demolished them in time to save Hawk from Golobulus. With Cobra-La arrested by G.I. Joe, Prime made sure his comrades were okay before sitting down to watch TV with Eject and Firewall.

In the third series, both Prime and Serpentor indicate that the Matrix had transformed Prime from "a simple archivist" into a great warrior.

Dreamwave Productions

In the 21st century reimagining of the original continuity by Dreamwave Productions, Optimus Prime started life as a data archivist known as Optronix, or Orion to his friends. After taking note of a battle where the Autobot leader Sentinel Prime had been killed by Megatron, he was summoned to the Council of Elders and informed that the Matrix had chosen him to be the next leader of the Autobots. He received the Matrix of Leadership shortly thereafter, and arranged for the Autobot evacuation of Cybertron. He intended to leave the Decepticons to their own devices, but a battle with Megatron beneath the planet's surface, accompanied by visions from the Matrix, stirred him on to fight for the safety of his homeworld.

Some time into his role as leader, Prime disappeared with Megatron in a spacebridge experiment, spending a period of time on Quintessa, but returned some time later. Events during this period have gone unrecorded as a result of Dreamwave's closure.

The actual events of the Autobots and Decepticon coming to Earth were never printed by Dreamwave comics, but flashbacks of the events are printed later. These flashbacks suggest that the Autobots allied with humankind and defeated the Decepticons at the turn of the century. They planned to return to Cybertron aboard the newly constructed Ark II, but the ship was destroyed as part of a military conspiracy to take control of the transformers. A terrorist organization, run by the enigmatic Lazarus, was able to seize control of several of the Transformers that fell back to Earth while the US military was occupied with locating Prime's body. Before his departure, Prime had entrusted a small portion of the Matrix to Spike Witwicky, who was forced by the product chief, General Hallo, to use it to reactivate Prime. Functional again, Prime used the Matrix to reactivate more of his fallen comrades, and then faced off against Megatron in San Francisco.

Following the battle, Prime began to experience subconscious urgings, leading both the Autobots and the Decepticons to the Arctic Circle. When they arrived, Shockwave was there to arrest them as war criminals. Shockwave had succeeded in ending the war on Cybertron, but Prime soon fell in with a rebel Autobot group that had discovered Shockwave had greater agenda. Rallying transformers across Cybertron to the cause, Prime faced Shockwave, but was defeated and had the Matrix ripped from him and used to activate Vector Sigma. Before Shockwave could make full use of the mega-computer's data, however, Ultra Magnus, Prime's brother, arrived and bested him. The injuries Prime took during this conflict necessitated a prolonged restoration period in stasis, but Dreamwave's closure meant that Prime never appeared in their pages again.

Art from unreleased issues later showed Optimus Prime awakening from the cryo regeneration chamber and freeing Alpha Trion from Shockwave's lab.

Prime would make one further surprise appearance in Dreamwave's Transformers: Armada comic series, although it would not be the Prime of Dreamwave's first series. When the Optimus Prime of the Armada universe disappeared, pulled into another dimension by the power of Unicron, the Chaos-Bringer sent something back in his stead: a nearly dead Optimus Prime from that universe, who warned the transformers of Unicron's coming into their universe before dying.

Fun Publications

Optimus Prime has been depicted in numerous stories by Fun Publications in different continuties. He has appeared in their Classicverse, TransTech and Wings of Honor settings.

Classicverse
The Autobots confront Megatron in Fun Publications comics

In Crossing Over, when the Cybertronians Skyfall and Landquake arrive on Earth unexpectedly, Megatron attempts to destroy them, but Optimus Prime and his Autobots are able to drive Megatron away.

At the command of Megatron a human city was attacked by Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust. The city was defended by Ironhide, Jetfire, Optimus Prime and Sunstreaker.[12]

Most of the Classicverse universe was destroyed in the BotCon 2012 story Invasion. Optimus Prime has not been depicted as one of the survivors and is presumed destroyed in that continuity.

TransTech
Left to right: Sentinel Maximus, Generation 2 Optimus Prime, Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime, Transtech Optimus Prime, Leo Prime and Cybertron Optimus Prime in Invasion Prologue

Optimus Prime appears in "A Flash Forward Epilogue" by Fun Publications. TransTech Optimus Prime sends Generation 1 Optimus Prime and Unicron Trilogy to find Depth Charge.[13]

Wings of Honor

Optimus Prime is among the Autobots present when Megatron attacks Iacon with his new weapon, Devastator.[14]

Optimus Prime appears in Invasion Prologue by Fun Publications. In this story he is in his Generation 2 Combat Hero form.[15]

Invasion

Another alternate Optimus Prime is introduced in Transformers: Invasion, in which he is known as General Optimus Prime and partnered with Sgt. Hound. The pair come from a reality where their final battle with the Decepticons resulted in an explosion that launched both of them to Axiom Nexus, where General Optimus became a member of the Convoy.

Of Master and Mayhem

In another reality, Optimus became a Double Pretender with Hi-Q in order to counter Megatron, who had undergone a similar transformation.

IDW Publishing

Generation 1
Optimus Prime in truck mode from IDW Publishing

When IDW Publishing received the rights to the series, author Simon Furman was hired to oversee the line. Furman decided that the Generation 1 continuity "was in need of ... a contemporary restart"[16] so that the comic could retain a modern audience. Furman's revised continuity establishes Optimus Prime as the present-day leader of an Autobot army spread across the galaxy in small units, waging a covert war against teams of Decepticon infiltrators over resource-rich worlds. The Stormbringer miniseries explains that the Transformer homeworld of Cybertron is a dead planet, ravaged by an ancient cataclysm caused by the Autobot-Decepticon War. Prime had been forced to ally with his arch-rival Megatron to end the destruction. In the series, the interference of Jetfire and the Technobots, in a plot organized by the Decepticon Bludgeon, alerts Prime to the possibility that the Cybertronian cataclysm might be re-ignited and spread to other planets. Prime calls in the Wreckers, meeting them on the surface of Cybertron in time to witness the return of the being called Thunderwing, the focal point of the apocalypse. The combined efforts of Prime, the Wreckers, Jetfire, the Predacon-led Decepticons, and a unit of aging Centurion drones are barely enough to render Thunderwing inert.

Bludgeon's recovered files bring Optimus Prime to Earth, where an Autobot detachment led by Prowl has discovered that a Decepticon infiltration unit led by Starscream has broken standard protocol after discovering a new form of Energon. This Ore-13 appears to be the same "Ultra-Energon" that Bludgeon used to revive Thunderwing, who had been dormant for millennia after the apocalypse. Starscream had already used it to fuel a failed attempt to usurp Megatron's leadership, as detailed in the Infiltration miniseries.

In the Escalation miniseries, Megatron engages Prime and, boosted by Ore-13, overcomes him. Believing their leader dead, the rest of the Autobots attempt to buy the newly arrived Hot Rod time to collect the clone. Prime, who had transferred his consciousness to a backup memory in his trailer command post, advised them to exploit Ore-13's weakness and assault Megatron all-out, catalyzing the Decepticon leader's Energon supply and crippling him.

New Avengers/Transformers #1 by IDW Publishing

Bumblebee, Jazz, Optimus Prime, Prowl, and Ratchet appeared in a New Avengers/Transformers crossover by Marvel Comics and IDW Publishing in 2007.[17]

Sixshot and Optimus Prime in Transformers: Devastation

Optimus Prime leads Bumblebee, Drift, Kup, Prowl, Ratchet, and Wheeljack in Las Vegas when a Cybertronian ship crashes, containing Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge, and an infestation of zombies from another universe. Galvatron attempts to take command of the Autobots and, after fighting them, explains his mission to stop an undead infestation. Wheeljack sets up an energy shield around the city to keep the infestation contained, but it only last for 24 hours. Despite the containment effort, Kup realizes that Bayonet, a Decepticon in Galvatron's command, is not all she seems. She turns out to be the extradimensional vampire Britt.[18]

Hearts of Steel

Optimus Prime was among the Autobots who opposed the Decepticons serving the the elder gods in the IDW Publishing Infestation 2: Transformers comic.[19]

Kiss Players

This Japanese series, told through radio plays using the Transformers: Alternators Optimus Prime toy mold, branches off from the original animated series. It is set in a different universe than both the original G1 and Binaltech continuities. Set in the year 2006, one year after Prime's death in The Transformers: The Movie and four years before the third season, it sees Prime's corpse covertly transported to Japan by the Earth Defense Command, a government organization. The convoy transporting his body was attacked by a group of female commandos, led by Marissa Faireborn, who had known Prime years ago as a child. Believing they had secured Prime's body, the commandos were taken by surprise by EDC "Kiss Player" operative Ringo and her Autrooper mechanoid partner, who killed them all except Marissa. Marissa went to Prime's body just as an Autrooper began to fuse with it and, reflecting on her childhood memories of Prime, she gave his faceplate a final kiss. This initiated a transformation where Marissa and Prime were fused together and Prime was reborn with a new body, capable of transforming into a Dodge Ram SRT-10.

Marissa and Prime are now on the run from the EDC and are also frequently attacked by the mysterious "Legion" Transformers. When faced with such foes, Marissa unleashes her "Kiss Player" ability by kissing Prime, fusing with him once again, increasing his power so that he can best their opponents. Prime is armed with the Surf Blade, a weapon formed out of Marissa's surfboard, wielded expertly thanks to the knife skills Marissa passes on to him when they merge.[20]

Marvel Comics

Note: Stories from the UK Marvel Transformers series are in italics.

In the series released by Marvel Comics, before the Great War broke out on Cybertron, the robot who would be Optimus Prime, before he received the Matrix of Leadership from Sentinel Prime, was a Transformer of note, displaying his skills in the Infraformers Sharpshooting Competition. When the war began, Prime quickly made a name for himself as a combat leader of the Autobots.

On a mission with the Triggerbots to stop Megatron from claiming the Underbase, Prime was forced to jettison the massive databank into space to prevent anyone from acquiring its power. With this action, he proved his wisdom and skill to the Autobot Council of Elders. He continued to move up in rank, eventually becoming the field command over the Autobot armies.

The Transformers #1 by Marvel Comics

Four million years ago, Cybertron, shaken from its orbit and drifting through space, became threatened when it floated into the path of an asteroid field. Prime led a group of elite Autobot warriors on the Ark, the Autobot starship, on a mission to destroy the asteroids. Although the mission was successful, during the aftermath of this mission, the Ark was attacked by Decepticons hoping to overpower their weakened foes. Intent on keeping the secrets of the Ark from the Decepticons, Prime set the craft on a suicide course, crashing it into the then prehistoric planet Earth.

In 1984, a volcanic eruption re-activated the Ark, which, in turn, brought the Transformers back on-line. Prime led the Autobots in their opening battles to prevent the Decepticons from plundering Earth's resources, but, following their initial victory, the Transformers were all deactivated by Shockwave. Shockwave killed Prime and leeched the energy of the Creation Matrix leeched from his mind. He used this energy to give life to his creations, the Constructicons. Shockwave was unaware that the Matrix was not just a program in Prime's mind, but a physical object in his chest. Before Shockwave could give life to Jetfire, his next Decepticon, Prime transferred the Matrix energy into the mind of Buster Witwicky. Buster used the energy to turn Jetfire on Shockwave, allowing Prime to reclaim his body and retake leadership of the Autobots. As a reward, he gave Jetfire true life.

Meanwhile, the UK offices of Marvel Comics were producing their own storylines. Writer Simon Furman offered a different take on Prime, that he was weary of the war he had been forced to fight. In the "Prey" storyline, Prime arranged for Wheeljack to build a copy of himself and destroy it to see how the Autobots could cope without him. Unfortunately, the plan was derailed by Megatron and the Predacons. During the battle, Prime, Megatron, and Ultra Magnus were transported to Earth. There, Prime accidentally interrupted his own funeral service. The theme of war-weariness would again come to the fore in the UK strips detailing Prime's US death.

After a period of effective leadership, which saw the activation of several new Transformers including the Aerialbots, who Prime infused with life using the Matrix, Prime engaged Megatron in a video game duel for possession of a super fuel. Prime was victorious, but Megatron implemented a cheat code that killed Prime later. Autobot surgeon Ratchet's subsequent efforts to restore him were unsuccessful, and his body was launched into space. The Autobots were unaware of the presence of the physical Matrix within the corpse. The funeral barge eventually crashed on a giant moon and, as it lay there for an untold time, the Matrix reached out to nearby living organisms, studying and recreating them.

Prime's personality had been copied onto a floppy disk by Ethan Zachary, the technician running the game. He employed Prime in various video game scenarios he developed. Prime's damaged mind led him to believe that he himself was a video game character and, in an attempt to bring him back to life, Goldbug, Joyride, Slapdash, and Getaway took the disk to the planet Nebulos. They built a new body for Optimus Prime and upgraded it with the ability to combine with the trailer to form a larger robot. In an effort to keep Transformers off their planet, the Nebulans had poisoned their fuel. The sensation of dying, however, convinced Prime that he was truly alive and not a game character. To save his life, the Nebulan scientist Hi-Q bonded with him, creating Powermaster Optimus Prime. A UK story set around the same time in UK #198, Prime returned to Earth and tried to rekindle his feeling for the planet. After a battle between his forces and an advance force from Cybertron ruined a small town's Christmas festivities, he realized that bringing the Transformers to Earth was far worse than anything his troops could have done and vowed to protect its inhabitants from Decepticon aggression.[21]

Optimus Prime's first action as leader was to ally the Autobots with Scorponok's Decepticons to defeat Starscream, who had acquired the power of the Underbase.

In the UK Transformers stories, Prime and his Autobots later battled a murderous mechanoid named Deathbringer, a creation of the Matrix.[citation needed]

Later, the Transformers were all transported to Cybertron by Primus to battle Unicron. Although Unicron had tainted the Matrix after killing Thunderwing, Prime managed to reacquire and purify the Matrix. Prime then sacrificed his life one more time to destroy Unicron by plunging the Matrix into his maw. The Powermaster process, however, had been working to fully bond Prime and Hi-Q. Prime's death completed the process, and the two minds and souls became one. Hi-Q's biomechanical body was stripped down and reconstructed by the Last Autobot, resurrecting Optimus Prime once more with the two minds now one. Prime rejoined the other Transformers on the planet Klo and routed Bludgeon's Decepticons.

Prime would appear in the UK Marvel comic issue #234, "Prime's Rib!" This story is set in the near future, 1995, where Optimus Prime, Jazz and Hot Rod introduce the latest Autobot, Arcee, to the human feminists. She was met with displeasure by the humans, being called a token female and disliked for her pink color. They were then attacked by Shockwave, Fangry, Horri-Bull and Squeezeplay, who thought the Autobot would be unveiling a new weapon. The Autobots fought off the Decepticons, who escaped, but nothing seemed to please the human feminists.

The sequel series, Transformers: Generation 2, began an undisclosed period of time later. At the beginning of the series, Prime was restored to a form resembling his original body. He and the Transformers found themselves caught in the schemes of a new generation of Cybertronians, led by the icy Jhiaxus, who were colonizing and cyber-forming other worlds. Plagued by nightmarish visions of a life-destroying entity called "the Swarm", Prime looked into Cybertron's past and discovered that Jhiaxus and his kind were the result of an unintentional Transformer reproduction. Their nature and intent, he found, was distilled to the purest, most unemotional form of conquest and that the Swarm was the by-product of this process. To fight this new enemy, Prime and the Autobots entered into an alliance with the recreated Megatron's Decepticons. Though Prime was eventually consumed by the abomination and destroyed, he was able to unleash the energies of the Matrix into the Swarm, purifying it. In parting, the Swarm recreated Prime in a new form, and he and Megatron set out to lead the united Autobots and Decepticons into a new age.

Manga

TV Magazine

Prime would make a final and permanent return in the Japanese Transformers continuity, Battlestars: Return of Convoy, in which Optimus Prime was inexplicably revived in the new form of Star Convoy in order to answer the threat of Dark Nova, who had revived Optimus' old nemesis as Super Megatron.. This entry was only available in print, appearing in the TV Magazine, a Japanese publication.

Games

Optimus Prime has appeared in numerous video games since the introduction of the Transformers series. He makes a cameo in the 1999 Beast Wars Transmetals video game for Nintendo 64, where he is killed by Megatron at the end of the campaign, showing what would have happened in the Beast Wars series with a Predacon victory. Prime is also one of the playable characters in the 2003 Japan-only Transformers game for the PlayStation 2 and the 2010 Transformers: War for Cybertron. Optimus Prime is also playable in the Hasbro Net Jet Transformers fighting game Transformers Battle Universe. Three versions of Optimus Prime are playable characters, including the first generation incarnation, his incarnations from the 2007 live-action film, and the incarnation from Transformers Animated. In this game, Optimus Primal is also a playable character. He is a regular character in the Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2 2003 fighting game DreamMix TV World Fighters. He appeared as a boss in a simple Flash-based video game on the Hasbro web site.[22]

The first generation version of Prime is also offered as downloadable content for some versions of the 2009 third-person shooter Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Both Generation 1 and Shattered Glass Optimus Prime had cards in the Magic: The Gathering Brothers' War card game in 2022.

In popular culture


Toys

Through the years, there have been many action figures representing the original incarnation of Optimus Prime, some of which have featured in fiction, others of which have not. Additionally some toy makers have made unlicensed toys in his image, or accessories for the existing toys.

  • Hasbro Transformers Optimus Prime (1984)
The original Optimus Prime toy, with Combat Deck and Roller. Originally part of Takara's 1983 Diaclone line under the name "Battle Convoy", the figure was designed by Hiroyuki Obara and Shoji Kawamori (famous for his work in Macross).[34] The figure's definitive mouth-plate has become a design element in most incarnations and variants of Optimus Prime down the years, let alone for a few exceptions, noted individually following. Integrated into the first year of the Transformers toy line, the toy was given its new name, Optimus Prime, by comic book writer/editor Dennis O'Neil. His removable fists are one of the most easily-lost parts of the figure, and have proven to be a step in transformation that future toys based on this body have striven to eliminate. Roller was included in many colors, including silver (matching his trailer), indigo (matching his fists and legs), and blue (matching the trailer legs on a unique variant).
Optimus Prime has 5mm holes in his fists.
As a Diaclone mold, the toy features an opening "cockpit" in his chest where two Diaclone drivers can sit. Diaclone drivers can also sit in the cockpit of the missile launcher, as well as in Roller's 4 seats. The Matrix accessory which shipped with Galaxy Force/Cybertron Optimus Prime fits perfectly inside this compartment.
A special promotional version of the figure was released in 1985, with a Pepsi sticker on the trailer.[35] In Japan, the toy was released again twice within the original line, in multi-figure packs, both times with blue windows to more closely represent the cartoon.
The toy was reissued in Japan in 2000 in its original incarnation, but with Roller molded in indigo, covered in silver paint. At the same time, it was recolored almost entirely in black as an exclusive for the JAFCON convention. The toy was reissued again in Japan for New Year's Day in 2002 with blue windows, sky blue eyes (inspired by the cartoon), a die-cast Matrix accessory. It was reissued again in 2003 with a new energy axe accessory. Reissued in the West by Hasbro in 2002, the toy had to be modified for safety reasons, and features shorter smokestacks and longer missiles, as well as having Roller's spring-loaded launcher deactivated.
The cab of the toy was later recolored into the cab of Ultra Magnus and Pepsi Convoy.
Powermaster Optimus Prime toy box
  • Hasbro Transfomrmers Powermaster Optimus Prime (1988)
Two years after his original toy left store shelves after his "death" in The Transformers: The Movie in 1986, Optimus Prime was restored to life as part of the new Powermaster sub-group. As before, he transforms into a red truck cab with a gray trailer, and when his Powermaster engine partner Hi-Q is plugged into place, the cab becomes a robot, while the trailer transforms into a battle station. The major new feature of the toy, however, is the ability of the cab and trailer to combine together to form a giant "super robot" version of Optimus Prime.
The head for the super robot is a separate piece which must be attached, and the original design for the toy was to have this be an upgraded Roller, who would transform from buggy, to robot, to head. This did not come to pass, however, and the head is left to sit separately with no function in any other mode (although it can be stored in the trailer in truck mode).
  • Hasbro Transformers Action Master Optimus Prime (1990)
Part of the new sub-line of Transformers figures which did not actually transform, Action Master Optimus Prime was a poseable action figure resembling a composite of the original toy and his animated appearance. The Action Masters' articulation was based in part on that of 3¾" G.I. Joe figures. Instead of transforming himself, he came packaged with the "Armored Convoy", a large truck which could transform into a battle station and an aircraft. This body was the basis for the new form the Last Autobot reconfigured Hi-Q/Prime into at the conclusion of the original US Marvel Comics series.
In 2000, Takara released L-20 Micro Trailer with Secret Breaster Pilot Edison in Japan, which was a recolor of Optimus Prime's Armored Convoy truck in green and white, with a Microman pilot named Edison.
  • Takara Transformers Star Convoy (1992)
A Japanese-exclusive from the final year of the toy line, Star Convoy was the reborn form of Optimus Prime, and came with a Micromaster version of Hot Rodimus. He transformed from a truck into a robot (without the usual cab/trailer separation), and also became a battle station for Micromasters. His electronic "Tread Unit", apparently a new form for Roller, allowed him to roll forward or backward in vehicle or robot mode, and became a conveyor to roll out Micromasters in base mode. These electronics could also be linked with Star Convoy's fellow Autobot Grandus to operate that toy's base-mode elevator. A third Autobot, Sky Garry, could also connect in base mode, and the three could link up in vehicle mode, with Grandus hitched to the rear of Star Convoy, and Sky Garry atop him, in a combination called the "Battlestars".
Star Convoy was reissued in Japan in 2005; his white parts replaced with metallic silver and his yellow chest cross in chromed gold.
  • Hasbro Transformers Generation 2 Optimus Prime (1993)
A recolored and slightly remolded version of the original Optimus Prime toy, this was the form to which Prime returned at the beginning of Marvel's Generation 2 comic. With his trailer now black instead of gray, Prime was also equipped with an electronic sound box which emitted various laser noises and the phrase "I am Optimus Prime!" Two firing missile launchers could plug into the side of this box, which could be wielded in Prime's robot fists, while the box itself mounted either on the front of the trailer, or on Prime's back.
  • Hasbro Transformers Generation 2 Combat Hero Optimus Prime (1994)
This new figure's primary feature was a bellows-operated cannon; by slamming down on the small plastic bellows attached to the toy by a hose, a jet of air blasted a rubber-tipped missile through the air. This figure was the form into which the Swarm reconfigured Prime at the conclusion of Marvel's Generation 2 comics, although it was rendered with his traditional color scheme instead of the toy's more novel one. Prototypes of Combat Hero Optimus Prime in dark blue were made, but the toy was never sold in that color.
Hero Prime was released in Europe as a different character named "Sureshot," changing the chest stickers which displayed Optimus's name. The toy was later recolored in black, gray and teal and released as Destructicon Scourge for the Transformers: Robots in Disguise line in 2002.
  • Hasbro Transformers Generation 2 Laser Optimus Prime (1995)
Part of the "Laser Rod" sub-group of 1995 (hence leading him to often be incorrectly referred to as "Laser Rod Optimus Prime"), this incarnation of Prime had a light-up electronic fist which illuminated his clear plastic sword, and light-up heads for his tanker truck vehicle mode. In traditional fashion, the cab became Prime himself while the trailer transformed with spring-loaded action into a very heavily armed battle station with missile launcher, disk launcher and bellows-operated cannon. Highly poseable for the time, this toy was for a long period viewed as one of the best Transformers toys created.
Laser Prime was later recolored in black, gray and teal as Black Convoy for Takara's 2000 Car Robots line, who was then in turn imported and turned into Scourge for Transformers: Robots in Disguise in 2001. In 2006, the figure was recolored again into the Japanese eHobby exclusive Laser Ultra Magnus.
  • Hasbro Transformers Generation 2 Go-Bot Optimus Prime (1995)
As part of the large sub-line of free-wheeling, simplistic "Go-Bots", this was an unusual Optimus Prime figure: a recolorration of an earlier figure named Firecracker, which transformed into a red Lamborghini Diablo. Go-Bot Prime was the first Optimus Prime figure to lack the character's distinctive mouth plate, but was the first Optimus Prime to score a perfect set of 10s in his tech spec numbers. Additionally, the toy's tech spec gave an explanation for the large number of bodies Prime had been going through during the Generation 2 toy line, crediting an "Internal Reconfiguration Matrix" with the transformations. The US version of the toy came with no Autobot symbol and a plain chest, whereas the Japanese version has a blue Transformers logo on it.
  • Hasbro Transformers Generation 2 General Optimus Prime (unreleased)
An intended reuse of the Dirtbag mold; it was later paid homage to with a Timelines figure.
  • Kenner Beast Wars Basic Optimus Primal (1996)
Although the later storyline of Beast Wars would go on to depict Optimus Primal as a different character than Optimus Prime, the comic which shipped with the original Beast Wars toy versions of Optimus Primal and Megatron depicted them as new incarnations of Optimus Prime and Megatron. Presumably these forms — Primal as a bat, Megatron as a crocodile — were their new bodies after Generation 2.
This toy was recolored into the BotCon 1996 exclusive toy, the black and gray Onyx Primal, and the Japanese-exclusive Convobat, in traditional red and blue Prime colors.
A nontransforming figure, with one version coming with his blaster rifle, another with his Energon axe, and another with a communicator accessory; was later recolored as a Lucky Draw exclusive in Japan with a color scheme chosen by fans.
  • Heroes of Cybertron Powermaster Optimus Prime (2002)
Another nontrasforming figure with an appearance inspired by Powermaster Optimus Prime/God Ginrai; it was later rereleased in translucent orange plastic as a "Spark Attack" version with Apex Armor.
  • Generation 1 Reissue Powermaster Optimus Prime with Apex Armor (2003)
A rerelease of the original Powermaster Optimus figure.
  • Generation 1 Orion Pax and Barrelroller (2005)
A red/blue recolor of the 2005 reissue of Kup as Orion Pax, available exclusively through the Japanese online retailer eHobby. Kup's Targetmaster partner Recoil was included as Barrelroller, a droid who transformed into a loading tool, intended as an earlier form of Roller.
  • Alternators Optimus Prime (2006)
Originally, Hasbro intended for the Dodge Ram SRT-10 toy they had created for the licensed vehicle line, Transformers: Alternators to be a different character, but Takara insisted on the toy's identity as Optimus Prime, as pick-up trucks are an uncommon sight on Japanese roads, and Prime's character would help to sell the toy. This toy features a vanity license plate featuring the Autobot logo and the word "PRIME". Although it stylistically resembles the California license plate, Optimus Prime's plate identifies him as being registered in "Cybertron".
This toy was featured on page 7 of the book Transformers: The Fantasy, The Fun, The Future by Erin Brereton published by Triumph Books.
Oddly, however, when originally solicited, the Japanese version of the toy (the line known there as "Binaltech") was named Ginrai, after the Prime lookalike from Masterforce, but this solicitation was cancelled. When it appeared again, as part of the "Binaltech Aterisk" line — which featured small PVC figures of girls that could ride in the vehicles — it was as "Black Convoy." This too vanished, and Prime was finally released as himself, with different paint applications, in the "Kiss Players" line, with Marissa Faireborn, though on the box her name is listed as Melissa.
Alternators Prime was recolored into Nemesis Prime for the 2006 San Diego Comic Con. Only 3000 of these were produced, and are highly sought after by collectors. It was also recolored into Binaltech Black Convoy for Wonder Festival 2007 and released in even fewer numbers, regularly selling for more than US$200. Black Convoy was the only version of the Optimus Prime Dodge Ram mold featuring diecast components, until BT-22 Convoy was released in October 2008.
Double Shattered Glass Konvoy, Classic Voyager Optimus Prime and Blue Konvoy with Prime Swords
  • Hasbro Transformers Classic Voyager Optimus Prime (2006)
Intended to update classic characters into modern forms, Transformers: Classic included in its first wave a new version of Optimus Prime, who once again transforms into a red COE truck cab, though modernized and more aerodynamic than the original. This Optimus Prime does not have a trailer, and the attachment point for one is awkwardly rectangular. The exhaust stacks convert into a laser cannon with the appearance of two Submachine guns grouped side-by-side, though they are not intended to be separated. The air deflector atop the cab converts into an Ion Blaster. Connecting the exhaust stacks to the air deflector makes it into dual shoulder cannons.
This toy was featured on page 16 of the book Transformers: The Fantasy, The Fun, The Future by Erin Brereton published by Triumph Books.
This figure was recolored in white and blue as Ultra Magnus, sold in a two-pack with Skywarp. A later released 2-pack included both Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus variants.
This figure was released a third time, in black and teal colors, for the 2007 Comic Con as Nemesis Prime, under the Transformers Universe line. It was later recolored again into the first form of Shattered Glass Optimus Prime, as well as inspiring the third party figure Blue Konvoy.
  • Hasbro Transformers Classic Ultimate Battle Optimus Prime vs. Megatron (2006)
Part of the Classic line. This toy is Deluxe sized and is made in the style of his original toy, but with "Power punch action!". Also includes an Ultimate Battle Megatron and a DVD narrated by Optimus Prime. The disk features a photo gallery slide show with photos of the wave 1-2 Classic figures. It also features 22 minutes of clips starting with the Cybertron theme song over a montage of various Cybertron scenes and a story of who the Transformers are, what they can do, what Mini-Cons and Planet Keys are, etc.
Later releases of this pack included two random bonus Mini-Cons chosen from Cybertron Longarm, Overcast and Deepdive.
In late 2007, this set was repackaged in Transformers: Universe packing without the DVD available at Dollar General stores.
This Optimus Prime figure was also sold alongside the Fast Action Battlers Optimus Prime figure at Walmart in the gift set Leader for the Ages, as part of the 2007 Transformers live-action movie toy line.
  • 20th Anniversary DVD Edition Optimus Prime with Megatron (2006)
To commemorate the 20th anniversary DVD release of The Transformers: The Movie, the US version of Masterpiece Optimus Prime was re-released with a new electronic display base which speaks re-recorded phrases from the film. This figure was repainted in the cartoon-correct colors, without the "battle damage" scorch marks from the 2004 version. The Ion Cannon, however, was molded in blue instead of black.
This toy was voted the top toy released in the last 10 years by Toyfare Magazine.[36]
  • Hasbro Transformers Classic Pepsi Optimus Prime (2007)
A prize in the Mountain Dew-sponsored "Transform Your Summer" contest, Pepsi Optimus Prime is, for all practical purposes, nearly identical to Pepsi Convoy, but packaged in an English-language box that identifies him as the original Prime and having shorted mufflers on the arms (for US toy safety laws). He was later sold at BotCon 2007 and then on the Hasbro Toy Shop web site. His package style places him with the Classic line, although it does not specifically mention the Classic in the text.
  • Alternity Convoy (2009)
A Deluxe-sized figure that transforms into a Nissan GT-R. Available in red or silver, and recolored in black as Convoy Super Black. As the line is the successor to the Binaltech/Alternators line, the figure features a complex transformation and extreme levels of detail and poseability.
  • Binaltech BT-22 Convoy feat. Dodge Ram SRT-10 (2008)
The third use of the Dodge Ram mold to represent Optimus Prime, the first being Alternators Optimus Prime and the second being Kiss Players Convoy, this is also the only version of him which features diecast components, and the only diecast incarnation of this mold which was sold as a general release (the first diecast Dodge Ram, representing Black Convoy, was an exclusive). The figure includes the same amount of diecast in the same places as Black Convoy, and while based on the deco for Kiss Players Convoy, also includes elements from Alternators Optimus Prime, such as red arms and blue eyes. The figure came in traditional Binaltech packaging, however the box is scaled up somewhat to accommodate the figure's larger size. Like the other late-run Binaltech figures (Bluestreak, Argent Meister and Arcee), Convoy does not include the trading card or glossy booklet found in most earlier Binaltech figures.
  • Generations Legends Optimus Prime with Roller
A new mold. Optimus Prime turns from robot to truck. Roller turns from robot to car or gun.[37]
  • Generations Deluxe Orion Pax
A new mold. Turns from robot to truck. Comes with a free IDW comic book.[38] This figure was later remolded into the Transformers Collector's Club figures Lio Convoy and Nova Prime, as well as the BotCon Customization class figure Galva Convoy.
Henkei Convoy with BTS Mobile Command Base in trailer mode
  • Henkei! Henkei! C-01 Voyager Convoy (2008)
The Japanese version of Classic Voyager Optimus Prime by Takara Tomy adds chrome to the front grille and bumper, and omits most of the paint applications of the Hasbro version to make him more Generation 1-accurate.
  • Henkei! Henkei! C-01 Voyager Convoy Clear Version (2008)
A Tokyo Toy Show exclusive clear plastic remold of the Henkei Convoy figure.
  • Henkei! Henkei! C-01 Lucky Draw Voyager Convoy (2008)
A gold chrome remold of the Henkei Convoy figure as part of TV Magazine's Lucky Draw campaign. Limited to only 5 units.
  • Machine Wars Optimus Prime (1997)
Originally sold exclusively at Kay-Bee Toys stores, the short-lived Machine Wars toy line from Hasbro featured an Optimus Prime figure that was a recolored version of Thunderclash, a 1992 Turbomaster — part of a line of Transformers exclusive to Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Thunderclash was not well-suited to the job, given that he was a truck with a cab that became a robot and a trailer that became a battle station. As a repaint of an existing character, this incarnation of Prime also lacked the characteristic mouth-plate, although the toy's box art depicted him with one, being as it was retooled art from Laser Optimus Prime's packaging. He continued the trend of perfect 10s in his tech specs, but was for a long period regarded as one of the worst Prime toys, not because the toy itself was bad by some fans, but because it was visibly un-Prime-like.
iGear Faith Leader and Masterpiece Convoy
  • Masterpiece MP-01 Convoy (2003)
Released in December 2003 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Transformers franchise, this 12" tall, 3 pound version of Optimus Prime strove to reproduce his cartoon appearance in the most intricate detail, going so far as to feature a particularly complex torso transformation in the name of featuring a different design of grill for truck and robot modes. The figure featured diecast metal parts, chrome-plated plastic parts, a working rear suspension and rubber tires. In robot mode, the chest opened to reveal a light-up box containing a removable Matrix of Leadership. The head had a button on the back that moved the mouth-plate, giving the impression of Optimus Prime talking. The flip-up wrist communicators had pictures of Bumblebee and Starscream. Weapons consisted of his traditional Ion Blaster, his clear orange Energon axe and even a gun-mode Megatron complete with stock, scope and silencer. The box packaging could be folded up to create a cardboard trailer to hitch up to the back of the cab.
In 2005, this figure was repainted in white as Masterpiece MP-02 Ultra Magnus.
  • Masterpiece Lucky Draw MP-01 Convoy (2004)
Part of a mail-in contest by Takara, this gold chrome repaint of Masterpiece Convoy was limited to only five units.[39]
  • Masterpiece MP-04 Convoy Perfect Edition (2006)
The figure is essentially the same as the original MP-01 Masterpiece Convoy, but comes with the addition of a proper detailed plastic trailer. The trailer unfolds into a repair bay/mobile base and can hold a single Alternators figure while closed. Most Alternators figures can be accommodated, with the exception of the Ford Mustang and Dodge Ram molds. The wrist communicator monitors now show Megatron and Grimlock on the left and right wrists, respectively. However, a Roller figure is not included.
  • Masterpiece MP-01B Convoy Black Version (2009)
An eHobby exclusive black repaint of the Masterpiece Convoy figure.
  • Masterpiece MP-04S Convoy Sleep Mode (2010)
Limited to 2010 units, this figure is a paint of MP-04 Masterpiece Convoy Perfect Edition in black, white and gray, which depicts him before dying in The Transformers: The Movie. His left wrist communicator monitor has a picture of Hot Rod. The trailer is molded in clear plastic.
  • Music Label Convoy (2007)
A reissue of the Generation 1 figure with a working iPod speaker dock as a trailer. This version is painted white to match the iPod's main color.
  • Music Label Optimus Prime (2007)
Similar to the Music Label Convoy figure, but in his original Generation 1 colors with the speaker dock in gray.
  • Music Label Exile Perfect Year 2008 Convoy (2008)
A red/yellow recolor of the Music Label Convoy figure sold exclusively at LDH stores in Japan to promote the band Exile.
  • Smallest Transformers Convoy (2003)
A miniature, two-inch-high version of the original Optimus Prime figure sold in the first wave of the blind-packaged Smallest Transformers series. Despite its small size (roughly 2 inches in robot height), the toy is virtually faithful to the original Generation 1 toy's design and transformation. His trailer, sold separately as a "chase item" (only one out of a case of 24 toys), opened into a mobile command center and included a Roller unit like the original.
Also sold through Dengeki Hobby in a VSX two-pack with the Smallest Transformers Megatron toy.
This toy was remolded in white as Ultra Magnus and sold as a chase item (one in a case of 48) in wave 2 of the toy line.
In 2006, this toy was to be released along with a recolor of Energon Optimus Prime as a Target exclusive in the US, but plans to release the toy were canceled.
  • Smallest Transformers Convoy (Animation Colors) (2003)
A recolor of the Smallest Transformers Convoy toy, wherein the chest windows are painted blue and the waist bumper has added yellow highlights for a show-accurate look.
The trailer for this toy was a chase item (one in a case of 48) in the toy line's final wave. In keeping with the show-accurate appearance, it only had a white stripe, lacking the blue stripes of the original release.
  • Robot Masters G1 Convoy DVD (2004)
A metallic recolor of the Robot Masters figure with two missile launchers and a DVD featuring the toy line's commercials and video clips of Generation 1 and Beast Wars.
  • 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime with Megatron (2004)
The US release version of Masterpiece Optimus Prime by Hasbro featured shorter smokestacks (to conform to child safety regulations) and battle damage effects, depicting his battered form in The Transformers: The Movie. The Ion Cannon was initially molded in gray; later releases had the more-accurate black cannon.
This toy was featured on page 18 of the book Transformers: The Fantasy, The Fun, The Future by Erin Brereton published by Triumph Books.
  • Hasbro Transformers Universe Spy Changer Optimus Prime (2004)
A repaint of the Spy Changer Scourge from the Robots in Disguise line, painted to resemble the original Optimus Prime. Two packaging versions of this toy existed — a Kaybee version which did not attribute the toy to Universe and was packaged in vehicle form, and a version for discount stores which did and was packaged in robot mode. His function is Leader and his motto is "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings." Dedicated to protecting all life, Optimus Prime leads the Transformers in unceasing battle against the evil Decepticons. His courage and wisdom know no bounds, and he is respected throughout the universe as a powerful champion of peace. Carries a blaster rifle as well as the ancient Autobot Matrix of Leadership.
  • Robot Masters G1 Convoy (2004)
The Japanese Transformers: Robot Masters toy line naturally featured a new toy of Prime, here referred to as G1 Convoy in order to distinguish him from the also-appearing Optimus Primal, also called Convoy in Japan, and here equipped with the qualifier of "Beast Convoy". Designed to look like a small version of the 20th Anniversary figure, the Robot Masters incarnation of Prime featured an overly simplistic transformation that resulted in an unimpressive truck mode, but came with his gun and axe. The figure was recolored in black as a Dengeki Hobby exclusive in 2005.
  • Robot Masters Lucky Draw G1 Convoy Custom Color Version (2005)
A remold of the Robot Masters figure in translucent orange, blue and green, which was the winning entry of a coloring contest hosted by TV Magazine and limited to 10 units.
  • Hasbro Transformers Titanium 6 inch War Within Optimus Prime (2006)
Based on Optimus Prime's Cybertronian mode from Dreamwave's Transformers: The War Within comic book series, this transforming die-cast figure is part of the 6" "Cybertron Heroes" size class of Transformers Titanium Series figures. This figure was initially released by itself, and later in a Toys-R-us exclusive 2-pack with War Within Megatron. A repaint of this figure in white as Ultra Magnus was announced by BotCon 2006.
  • Sports Label Convoy feat. Nike Free 7.0 (2007)
A special collaboration with Nike and Takara Tomy called "Transformers: Sports Label" features both Optimus Prime and Megatron with the ability to transform into 1:2 scale replicas of the Nike Free 7.0 shoe. Optimus' shoe form is colored white, red, and black but manages to retains his classic red, blue, white colors in robot form. Keeping with the shoe theme, he is come packaged in a Nike shoebox and his feet are patterned after the very shoe he transforms into.
This figure would be recolored into Ultra Magnus, with the shoe colored white, black, and yellow and the robot with the standard white and royal blue.
  • Universe Generation 1 Series 25th Anniversary Optimus Prime (2008)
A remold of the original Optimus Prime toy with slightly altered colors. The toy comes with larger missiles and smaller smokestacks for safety purposes. The toy comes with a reprint of issue #1 of the original Marvel Transformers comic book. A sound box included in the package plays the transformation sound and a portion of the TV series theme, along with sound clips of Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime ("I am Optimus Prime.", "Autobots, transform and roll out!" and "Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost.").
The North America release includes a DVD featuring the 3-part "More Than Meets the Eye" TV pilot.
  • Universe Deluxe Special Edition Optimus Prime (2008)
A recolor of Classic Deluxe Optimus Prime in more accurate Generation 1 colors. A Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive.[40]
  • Timelines Sergeant Hound with Dia and Cline and General Optimus Prime (2015)
Hound with Dia and Cline is a recolor and remold of Generations Scoop. General Optimus Prime is a recolor of Generations Roadbuster.
This is an exclusive to BotCon 2015.
Combiner Wars Optimus Prime toy box
  • Hasbro Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Voyager Optimus Prime (2015)
A new mold. Turns from robot to semi-truck cab. Also forms the torso of a Combiner Wars style combiner.
This toy was repurposed as Shattered Glass Optimus Prime for the Forged to Fight game.
  • Generations Combiner Wars Voyager Battle Core Optimus Prime (2015)
A recolor and remold of Generations Combiner Wars Voyager Optimus Prime.
This toy was repurposed as White Gallant Convoy.
  • Generation 2 General Optimus Prime (unreleased)
There were plans and prototypes to release a toy called General Optimus Prime, a re-coloration of the Decepticon Autoroller in white and gray camouflage deco, but the toy was never released. The figure could be seen, along with Sgt. Hound, and Road Block and Dirtbag, in a picture from the 1995 Hasbro Toy Fair Boy's Toys Catalog. It appears that the repaints are incorrectly listed, because of the colors of the two figures.
  • Henkei! Henkei! C-01 Voyager Convoy Black Version (unreleased)
A slightly different version of the Nemesis Prime recolor of the Henkei Convoy figure that was originally planned for release at the 2008 Wonderfest in Japan.
  • Timelines Optimus Prime with Hi-Q (unreleased)
A set that includes a repainted version of Oilmaster's Double Pretender Shell with the Generations Swerve figure retooled as Optimus Prime.

Gallery

Other merchandise

Optimus Prime is among the three Autobot figures available to play in the Monopoly Transformers Collectors Edition game.[41]

As the figurehead of the entire Transformers franchise, Optimus Prime has been on more pieces of merchandise than can be stated here. Several statues and busts of Optimus Prime as well as Optimus Prime themed objects have been released by various companies since the return of transformers to prominence, such as the "Optimus Prime Oral Care Station". Other figures released include various PVCs as part of Takara's "Super Collection Figure" line, which were later imported as part of Hasbro's "Heroes of Cybertron" series. Larger "Mega Collection Figure" PVCs were articulated and came with energy axe and gun figures.

As part of the merchandising wave for the first Transformers film in 2007, Hasbro's Playskool line released a Transformers-themed version of Mr. Potato Head based on Optimus Prime. To keep with the potato theme, the toy was labeled "Optimash Prime" and the packaging included the slogan "More than meets the fry", a potato-oriented version of the Transformers slogan "More than meets the eye".

References

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External links