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Ironhide (G1)

2012-08-17T08:18:07Z

14.136.216.91: /* Foreign names */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|maximal|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Ironhide}}{{suite}}
:''Ironhide is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:Ironhideg1guido.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Properly pronounced "Arn-hahhhd".]]
'''Ironhide''' is one of the oldest and toughest Autobots, and has been on [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s team for a long time. "They don't make them like they used to" is an apt description of Ironhide—he's yesterday's model, but he's built to last.

Gruff and ornery, he prefers actions to words, and dislikes talk for talk's sake. (He wouldn't enjoy being paired up with [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]].) But though he may be rough around the edges, he's still optimistic and upbeat. The upside to being through more than your share of trouble means trouble ain't so big a scare anymore.

Ironhide's most distinctive ability is the [[water gun]], a weapon which can generate and shoot a liquid of virtually any type. Liquid nitrogen is historically a favorite, but there have been acids, mortar, and more.

His vehicle mode sometimes splits into his robot and a [[Onebox component|separate component]].

{{quote|When are we gonna start bustin' Deceptichops?|Ironhide's version of diplomacy|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Ironhideg1firstappearance.jpg|left|150px|thumb|HAY GUYS CAN I HAVE A CHARACTER MODEL PLEASE KTHANX]]
Four million years ago, when the war was still young, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] fought an uphill battle against the Decepticons. Ironhide was beside him when Optimus Prime, despite being wounded, refused to raise the white flag, and due to their courage, the tide of the war was turned. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

Ironhide was chosen to join the [[Ark (G1)|Ark ]] mission to save Cybertron from an asteroid belt—a mission that saw him stranded on [[Earth]] for four million years. Upon reactivation in [[1984]], Ironhide immediately began bickering with [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[Image:Ironhidehufferlaststand.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Phew. There we go.]]
This rivalry continued when it was discovered that the [[human]] [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] had created useable fuel for the Decepticons during his kidnapping. Huffer demanded Sparkplug pay for his treason, while Ironhide suggested sympathy. However, this argument only provided a distraction for Sparkplug and his son, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] to escape; this attempt was aborted when Sparkplug suffered a heart attack. Soon, the Decepticons, fully refueled, came for the Ark, and Ironhide was one of just five Autobots selected to fight the invasion, using pooled fuel from his comrades. Their near-victory was robbed from them when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] arrived, surprising everyone, and blasted the surviving Autobots into spare parts. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

Ironhide was next seen being hung from the ceiling of the Ark, prepared by Shockwave to be used as spare parts for the next generation of Decepticons. {{storylink|The New Order}} [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], the only surviving Autobot, returned to the Ark in secret to see this for himself; indeed, Ironhide and the others still hung deactivated. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} Ratchet managed to re-secure the Ark, and Ironhide was subsequently rebuilt. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} Ironhide would be one of the first Autobots to battle the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] when his team attempted to destroy a transmission from [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to his Decepticon comrades back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Ironhide also suffered damage at the hands of a Decepticon-controlled Optimus Prime body shortly before their fallen leader was restored to them. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

[[Image:Ironhidetarget2006.jpg|left|150px|thumb|When Ironhide's in charge, he nominates Megatron to take over. Scary, huh?]]
''Once repaired, he worked alongside [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] in the Dinobot Hunt, initially distrusting and clashing with him because of his Decepticon origins. He learnt to trust him during the mission.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} ''He at one point broke protocol to single-handedly break a [[Greater glory terrorists|terrorist]] siege in [[Los Angeles]], only to become frustrated when the police almost ruined it.'' {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}} ''Later on, he would be dispatched as a bodyguard for [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] to prevent any reprisal attacks from the Decepticons—he had a more successful rematch against the Constructicons, and was also happily introduced to the wonders of demolition derbies.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}

''When the time-travelling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] arrived in 1986 and Optimus Prime, Ratchet, and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] were both lost in [[Limbo]], Ironhide was one of the Autobots who battled the Decepticon. It went so poorly that the beaten and humiliated Ironhide was desperate enough to salvage the similarly-defeated [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and Soundwave to temporarily take command of the Autobots.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

Ironhide would go on to fight against [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s forces on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] shortly before the crews of the Ark and the ''Steelhaven'' joined under one banner. {{storylink|Totaled!}} ''He was also briefly seen fighting alongside the Transformers of two eras against Galvatron during the Time Wars.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

Although not explicitly named as being among those who were taken offline by the [[Underbase]]-powered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], Ironhide probably fell victim to this fate since, when he was next heard from, he was offline in a stasis aboard the Ark. In [[1990]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] revived him and all the other invalid Autobots with [[Nucleon]] in time to participate in the climactic battle with [[Unicron]] on Cybertron. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} Shortly after the planet-eater's destruction, Ironhide was seen loading supplies onto one of the ships the Autobots were about to use to depart Cybertron. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}
{{-}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
''While in stasis aboard the Ark, Ironhide was hacked into by an alternate [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]], who was looking for potential soldiers with dark sides he could corrupt. As a result, Ironhide was reactivated and helped stop Galvatron.'' {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}} ''He went on to be a founding member of [[Earthforce]], fighting against Megatron and Shockwave's rival Decepticon armies.'' {{storylink|Break-Away!}}

''In his first mission, alongside [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], he used his knowledge of Decepticon [[automated defence ring]]s and riddles to get into a Decepticon facility and end their attempts at creating a new [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]].'' {{storylink|Desert Island Risks!}} ''Later, he was present at the Decepticon [[Enclave]], and came up with a devious plan to stop Megatron & Shockwave from uniting their two factions. Knocking out [[Headstrong]] and using him as a patsy, Ironhide and the other Autobots faked a sniper attack on Megatron, prompting the Decepticons to shoot back at the rock cropping where they were hiding. The Autobots then dropped Headstrong off the ledge as if he'd been hit, framing him and Shockwave's army for trying to assassinate Megatron. The Enclave quickly turned into a [[Ruckus (G1)|ruckus]]. A [[Brawl (G1)|brawl]]. A [[Mixmaster (G1)|mixmas]]—no, wait. That one doesn't work.'' {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}}

''Ironhide also joined Earthforce and the [[Survivors]] in taking down the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}} While fighting to protect Starscream from Decepticon assassins, in order to get a systems boost for [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'s fading health, Ironhide had to fight against Megatron. He took several hits from the [[fusion cannon]], going down and leaving the fight to the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]].'' {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}} ''Perhaps looking to sharpen his skills, Ironhide was next seen working out with Jazz in the Combat Room against a robot drone.'' {{storylink|Front Line! (issue)|Front Line!}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
Ironhide was part of a commando unit sent to [[Hydrus Four]] after the Dinobots. He and a small group of Autobots surprised [[Fangry]] and tore him limb from limb. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
When Optimus Prime and Grimlock discovered the threat of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]], they called in Autobots scattered across the galaxy, including Ironhide. And, when Grimlock chose to disobey Prime's directives and make a tactical first strike against [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s ships, Ironhide went with him. They were quickly found out and captured, though, leaving it to Optimus to bail them out of trouble. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Later, when Prime had the brilliant idea that Megatron would be willing to "just talk" after laying waste to much of the planet Earth, Ironhide joined the rescue party Grimlock threw together to bail him out. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} He was also involved in the defense of [[Ethos]] against the [[Ethos raiding party|Cybertronians]]. Ironhide took several shots to the chest while protecting that world, and was apparently killed. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

====''Classics''====
Ironhide came to Earth, along with [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], to bolster Optimus Prime's forces as Megatron began reassembling his army. Ironhide was seen defending a human settlement from the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] as Megatron and the captive Ratchet watched on. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese)|[[Francis Lax]] (French), [[Pierluigi Astore]] (Italian, second dub), [[André Luiz Chapéu]] (Brazil), [[Eduardo Benjumea]] (Latin American, Season 1), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin American, Season 2), [[Juan Cuadra]] (Latin American, Movie), [[Ulrich Bernsdorff]] (German, ''Transport to Oblivion'' & ''The Autobot Run''), [[Hans-Rainer Müller]] (German, ''The Girl Who Loved Powerglide''), [[Frank Muth]] (German, The Movie TV Dub & Generation 2 Season 1), [[Tonio von der Meden]] (German, Generation 2 Dub of ''Masquerade'' & ''Transport to Oblivion''), [[Arnim André]] (German, Generation 2 Dub of ''War of the Dinobots''), [[Torsten Münchow]] (German, Generation 2 Dub of ''Auto Berserk''), [[Claus Brockmeyer]] (German, Generation 2 Dub of ''Triple Takeover'')}}
[[Image:Mtmte1_ironhide_mans_laser.jpg|left|thumb|220px|"Pull!!"]]

Ironhide was part of the bridge crew of the [[Ark (G1)|Autobots' spacecraft]] when it embarked on its fateful voyage to seek out new sources of energy beyond [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] four million years ago. When the ship was caught in a meteor shower, Ironhide was flung into a console and began leaking lubricants from a wound in his shoulder, but he quickly recovered and leaped to man the craft's laser gun, blasting a path through the asteroids. No sooner had the Autobots made it to safety, however, than their ship was attacked and boarded by Decepticons in mid-flight. Ironhide struck a dirty blow against [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]], sneaking up behind the Decepticon communications officer while he was fighting a trio of other Autobots and downing him with a flying kick to his back. As the battle raged, the ship was caught in the gravity of the nearby prehistoric [[Earth]] and crashed, knocking all the Transformers aboard offline.

In 1984, a volcanic eruption awakened the dormant Transformers, and Ironhide was reformatted by [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] with the [[alternate mode]] of a terrestrial Nissan van. In addition to his role in maintaining the security of the Autobot headquarters on Earth, Ironhide would embark on numerous missions to stop the Decepticons on their energy-raiding strikes around the planet, starting with a battle on an offshore oil rig during which he and [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] duelled with metal pipes. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

[[Image:Mtmte2_ironhide_diverting_river.jpg|right|thumb|220px]]
Soon after, when the Decepticons churned the currents of the river blocked by [[Sherman Dam]] to raise its energy output, Ironhide quelled the resultant tidal wave with the help of [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]], using his built-in laser cannon in van mode to cut a new series of tributaries for the raging river to flow into. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

[[Image:Mtmte3_ironhide_flies.jpg|left|thumb|220px|Ironhide auditions for the part of elpheba.]]
Later, when the Decepticons escaped being buried in the [[Ruby crystal mines of Burma|Burma ruby mines]], a furious Ironhide took to the air in pursuit. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] fruitlessly tried to call him back, and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] took off after Ol' Red to talk him out of any rash action. Still, Ironhide did manage to score a rocket strike against [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], but that only earned him a similar strike in return, thanks to the Decepticon's teleporting ability. Ironhide crash-landed into a lake, where he suffered back-end damage to his linkages. The immobilized Ironhide was fished out of the lake by Bluestreak and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and he recovered under the ministrations of Doc [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]. He was hale and hearty enough to take part in the final strike on the [[Victory (G1)|Decepticon space cruiser]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

After the Decepticons resurfaced, Ironhide joined a team of Autobots to confront them at the solar power station. During the battle, he took a heavy hit shielding Optimus Prime from a blast from [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s gun mode, but pulled through the damage he took to his terminal just fine. He then took part in a rescue mission for [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], who was caught snooping around the new [[space bridge]]. When Soundwave started popping out cassettes left and right, Ironhide did the rare but logical thing and grabbed the Decepticon's arm to keep him from pushing his eject button. While those two were struggling, however, Megatron took aim to finish the job he started earlier at the power station. Prime returned the favor, though, knocking his bodyguard buddy out of the line of fire. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}} During the battle for the [[antimatter]] formula, Ironhide was caught in the blast of one of the explosive cubes but, as always, Ratchet managed to piece him back together. {{storylink|Roll for It}}

[[Image:Divandconq_liquid_nitrogen.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Get your mind out of the gutter reader!]]
While Optimus Prime was out scouting for the Decepticon space bridge, the Autobots received reports of a Decepticon attack at the power plant. Ironhide led a squad to rendezvous with Prime at the plant, but they arrived too late—Optimus had already suffered serious damage while trying to battle four Decepticons and keep the humans safe at the same time. After Ratchet and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] determined Prime needed a new [[cosmitron]] from Cybertron to survive, Ironhide led the team to recover the missing part. With [[Chip Chase]] in tow, he, Bluestreak, [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], and Bumblebee hijacked the Decepticon space bridge and made their way to Cybertron. Ironhide even got to put the quick freeze on Starscream with his liquid nitrogen spray. Once they got to Cybertron, Ironhide again used liquid nitrogen to blast their way out of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s lair, only this time he...grabbed a spray nozzle off the wall? Apparently he didn't have enough freezy stuff for two blasts. Braving [[acid rain]], Ironhide's team recovered the cosmitron and returned to Earth in time to save Prime's life. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

[[Image:Sosdinos sonadar sensors.jpg|left|thumb|350px|"We got flashlights in a dark space; let's make a movie!"]]
Next, Ironhide joined the Autobots on a trip to the Arctic Circle, to prevent the Decepticons from draining the heat energy out of Earth's core. Ironhide and some buddies got separated from the others, and met up with the Decepticons first. They were taken off-guard by [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and Skywarp, and would have been executed by Starscream without [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s holograms. The new Decepticon [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] was blasted while trying to stop their execution, and so Ironhide brought him back to Ratchet for repairs. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}} When [[Ark (G1)#Autobot Headquarters|Autobot Headquarters]] started tremoring again, Ironhide suspecting it to be the work of [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] until his [[sonodar]] sensors located a hidden cavern inside the volcano itself. The dinosaur bones discovered in the cave inspired the creation of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], who saved Ironhide and the other Autobots when they were beaten by the Decepticons in a battle at the [[Great Falls]]. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

During an assault on the Incan temple, Ironhide was shot by the [[Crystal of Power]] energy weapon during his first charge up the temple steps. After the second charge, he made it to the top, tackled Megatron, and pounded him in the face. Megatron overpowered Ironhide and threw him off the temple, right into the waiting arms of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain}}

As a dangerous meteorite hit Earth, Ironhide once again demonstrated his selflessness when he saved Chip and Spike from a rain of meteorite debris. Later, Ironhide helped in the construction of two new Dinobots, [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], and then tried to fight them during the first test of their abilities. His attempt to overpower Snarl by hanging on to his tail was not successful. Outsmarted by a dino-dodo...how embarrassing. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

[[Image:Tud3_ironhide_in_volcano.jpg|right|thumb|220px|These neighbors on top! It looks as if their W.C. leaks again!]]
When Rumble infiltrated Autobot Headquarters to cause some tremors, Ironhide showed off another of his many sensors by plugging a seismograph into the ground to pinpoint the junk-punk's location. Later, he joined the Autobots as they attempted to stop a massive space bridge from bringing Cybertron into Earth's orbit, but failed. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} Ironhide comforted Optimus Prime after the battle, telling him he had done all he could do. When [[Mount St. Hilary|the Autobots' volcano]] erupted due to Cybertron's proximity to Earth, they had to evacuate their base, but once they had done so, Ironhide turned right around and drove back inside looking for the volcano's off-switch. He plugged the eruption by causing an avalanche in the core with his laser rifle. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}} Ironhide later surfed into battle against the Decepticons, but the resulting tidal wave allowed Megatron to escape before the fight even started. A small contingent of Autobots eventually tracked the Decepticon energon shuttle to a tropical coast, and engaged them in battle. The fully charged Decepticons soon began to overpower the Autobots, however, driving them back to the safety of some convenient trenches. Ironhide and Prowl both advocated regrouping and reinforcements to Prime, but luckily Skyfire soon arrived with a team of Autobots from Cybertron to even the odds. Cybertron was pushed out of Earth's orbit, and the planet was saved. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} Hunting down the Decepticons after the destruction, Ironhide and the Autobots were led into the Valley of No Return, and were caught in quicksand. Ironhide used his liquid nitrogen spray to freeze the sand solid, stopping the sinking and letting the Autobots climb out to safety. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}}

[[Image:Plagueofinsecticons fire fighting.jpg|left|thumb|220px]]
After hearing about giant robot insects running amok in Bali, Ironhide and the Autobots drove down to investigate. This led to a battle with the Decepticons and [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s at an oil refinery. Once Thundercracker set fire to some of the oil, Ironhide used his fire retardant spray to keep the whole place from going up in flames. {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons}} Soon after, Ironhide's security signals alerted him to Megatron's imminent arrival at the Ark. Surprisingly, the Decepticon leader was there to talk, not to fight. He suggested a trial by combat between himself and Optimus Prime for control of the Earth, and Prime agreed. Unbeknownst to the Autobots, Megatron rigged the deck in his favor by hording the [[power chip rectifier]]s of his fellow Decepticons. Prime inevitably fell before the combined might of the entire Decepticon army. Ironhide was ready to strike back at the Decepticons anyway, regardless of their agreement, but Optimus decreed that personal honor and Cybertron law mandated that they respect the agreement. Smashin' Decepti-creeps is hardwired into his programming, though, and Ironhide again attempted to violate the law when he saw the Dinobots engaged in battle with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. No 'Bot was happier than Ironhide when Teletraan I uncovered Megatron's cheating ways, giving the Autobots a reason to ignore the agreement with him, and strike back. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

When [[Autobot X]] went berserk, Ironhide vowed to teach the pile of parts some manners. With the help of Prowl and Trailbreaker, Ironhide put the mismatched robot down by force using his "water gun". Later, during battle at the Air Force rocket base, Spike was targeted by Megatron and injured by a [[fusion cannon]] blast. Ironhide pulled Spike from Bumblebee’s damaged form and put him inside Ratchet for transport to the hospital. {{storylink|Autobot Spike}}

[[Image:Cityofsteel_ironhide_grapple.jpg|right|thumb|220px|"On belay, Prime."]]
As the Autobots rushed to answer a distress call, [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] was squawking about his squeaking. Ironhide stopped for a moment to remind Gears of his personal credo, "Action first, maintenance later." Later on, in Africa and out of options, Optimus volunteered himself to penetrate the force field around Megatron's solar needle. Ironhide volunteered to go in Primes s place, declaring himself to be more expendable than the Autobot leader. He later called Megatron a "monster" for changing Gears's personality from a cranky hypochondriac into a happy-go-lucky pushover. Apparently, Ironhide knows the value of a good grumbling. {{storylink|Changing Gears}}

When the Decepticons hit New York, Ironhide was part of the team that found Optimus Prime’s missing arm and weapon on top of the rebuilt [[Empire State Building]]. Ironhide used a grappling hook inside his arm so he, Prime, and Ratchet could scale the outside of the building. Devastator swatted Ironhide and Ratchet into the building interior, and the duo used the opportunity to shoot out the floor under Megatron and Soundwave. When Optimus and Devastator fell and were plummeting to the ground, Ironhide saved Prime from hitting the pavement. {{storylink|City of Steel}} Ironhide also aided the Autobots in the search for the missing [[electro-cell]]s. {{storylink|Traitor}}

[[Image:TheImmobilizer Ironhide firingwildly.jpg|left|220px|thumb|"Ah'm here fer laser fire an' bubble gum, and ah'm plum outta bubble gum!"]]
One day, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] planned a demonstration for his latest gadget, the [[Wheeljack Instant Immobilizer|Immobilizer]], with Hound's holographic copy of Laserbeak as the guinea pig. Unfortunately, Ironhide showed up late to the demo, saw Laserbeak, and immediately started blasting away at the "intruder". He very nearly buried Wheeljack alive in debris, and took a serious blow to his confidence as a result. Ironhide was assigned guard duty while the rest of the Autobots tested the Immobilizer a safe distance away from the Ark. Distracted by a visit from [[Carly]], Ironhide soon learned that the Decepticons had ambushed Optimus Prime and the Autobots while his guard was down. He tried to intervene but, despite his best efforts, the Decepticons stole the Immobilizer right out of Ironhide's grasp. Blaming himself, Ironhide resigned from active duty, a resignation Prime accepted with some trepidation. While still "retired" Ironhide swam down to [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]] to rescue the captured Carly, was immobilized, then re-mobilized, recovered the Immobilizer from Megatron, helped save the Autobots, then destroyed the device. His request to be put on active duty again was wholeheartedly received by his friends. Ironhide, together with [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]], proudly watched as Spike went on a date with Carly. {{storylink|The Immobilizer}}

[[Image:Autobotrun_ironhide_carcrusher.jpg|right|thumb|220px|The Sarlacc Pit, now available in purple.]]
Spike and Chip suggested the Autobots participate in a race for charity, and Ironhide voiced his approval of the idea. He and Trailbreaker got to compete to see which of them was bigger and slower. During the race, he and the other Autobots were subjected to Megatron's [[Transfixatron]] and were trapped in vehicle mode. Taken prisoner by Megatron, Ironhide was the first to be subjected to a crushing machine built by the Constructicons, but he was saved when Optimus Prime rammed it. After the Transfixatron effect was reversed, Ironhide and Trailbreaker pounded the device into pieces. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}} Ironhide was part of the Autobot strike unit dispatched to [[Washington, D.C.]] when it came under attack by the Decepticons and [[Sub-Atlantica]]ns. He kept clear of the main battle on the Great Lawn, but later helped repair the damage done to the city. He and Ratchet reattached the statue of Lincoln to the memorial, after Megatron had removed it to use the throne. {{storylink|Atlantis, Arise!}}

[[Image:Dotm_ironhide_pull_my_finger.jpg|thumb|left|220px|"Pull mah finger!"]]
Next, the Autobots responded to an SOS when the super-computer called [[TORQ III]] ran amok. Unfortunately, they discovered Torq was capable of controlling other simple machines in the area, and so Ironhide and the others found themselves facing a horde of angry droids. Ironhide apparently didn't think much of the threat—he calmly walked up to a droid firing a highly pressurized spray at his chest and stuck his finger in the hose. The pent up pressure blew out the back of the machine, destroying it completely. {{storylink|Day of the Machines}} Ironhide was on the scene for the unveiling of [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]], [[Doctor Fujiyama the Famous Scientist|Doctor Fujiyama]]'s new ninja robot, when the Decepticons attacked. He was trying to shoot down Laserbeak when a stray blast dropped some girders on his backside. His injuries left him inactive during the search for Nightbird. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}}

Ironhide's experience and wisdom often came in handy. After [[Optimus Prime clone|Optimus Prime]] mistakenly called him "Bumblebee", and a second Optimus Prime showed up on the Autobots' doorstep, it was Ironhide who thought twice about his orders to obliterate the new Prime on sight. When the Autobots' tests proved inconclusive, Ironhide also assumed full command of the team, overruling BOTH Primes until they could prove their veracity. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}}

[[Image:Insecticonsyndrome_ironhide_monogram.jpg|right|220px|thumb]]
Faced with the threat of a Decepticon deep-drilling scheme and its nigh-unbeatable sentry, [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], the Autobots orchestrated a plan to take control of the mighty gestalt by placing [[dominator disc]]s on each of his Constructicon components. Ironhide helped arrange a diversion at the Decepticons' temporary drilling base in order to draw the Constructicons out. He used a liquid nitrogen spray to freeze the waterfall the Constructicons were using as a natural coolant for their drill. {{storylink|The Core}} Ironhide accompanied Prime and the other Autobots to the [[Nova Power Plant]], where they attempted to stop the Insecticons from lunching on the nova power. They failed. A high-voltage blast from the hyper-charged [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] nearly overloaded Ironhide's circuits. [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] sprayed the still-sparking Ironhide with insulating foam and loaded him into the back of Prime's trailer. He was brought back to Ratchet at Autobot Headquarters for repairs. Ironhide recovered enough to join the Autobots in the final battle with the augmented Insecticons at [[Iron Mountain]]. {{storylink|The Insecticon Syndrome}}

Ironhide was normally good-natured, but even he couldn't stand [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s taste in music. It almost made him lose his temper with the Dinobots during their "training". Lucky for him, Prime kept Ironhide from leaping headfirst into a fray he couldn't get himself out of. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} When a chronal disturbance opened up near the library, Ironhide joined the Autobots in investigating. They found a horde of woolly [[mammoth]]s and barbarians parading down Main Street. Ironhide corralled some of the barbarians with an adhesive spray, then helped send all the mammoths back into the time warp before it closed. He also joined the Autobots in driving the Decepticons off of [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]], ending the source of the time warps. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

[[Image:AutoBerserk Ironhide Not RedAlert.jpg|left|thumb|220px]]
Ironhide battled Devastator once again after the Constructicons tricked [[Grapple]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] into helping them build a [[Solar Power Tower]]. {{storylink|The Master Builders}} Next, Ironhide worked with [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and Wheeljack on the [[Negavator]] project, designing a new super-weapon for use against the Decepticons. The project bunker soon came under attack by Soundwave and his entire Cassette army. Although they failed to grab the Negavator, Optimus decided the weapon needed to be moved. This gave the Decepticons another shot at the Negavator, though, and Ironhide was buried with Prime under an avalanche triggered by Rumble's pile drivers. They had to be dug out by Grapple and Hoist. When it became clear their security expert, Red Alert, was malfunctioning, the Autobots tried to confront him, but he ran away into the nearest city. Ironhide inadvertently assaulted a real fire chief's car while looking for his buddy. {{storylink|Auto Berserk}}

Being the old fogey that he is, Ironhide burned out one of his memory chips and suffered some mild amnesia. He relied on [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] to repair the broken chip and get the ol' noggin processing again. He soon joined the Autobots in [[South America]] to fight Megatron for the [[Heart of Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Microbots}}

Ironhide could be a hothead at times. Duped by Megatron’s hoax, [[Shawn Berger]] brought his private army to arrest the Autobots. Ironhide was ready to trash tanks, but Optimus Prime stopped him and surrendered to the humans—a move with which Ironhide did not agree. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Later, when humans banned the Autobots from Earth for crimes they didn't commit, the Autobots ended up on a spaceship heading to parts unknown. Ironhide blamed Optimus Prime for their predicament and almost led a mutiny. Prime changed his mind shortly thereafter, so the question of whether Ironhide would have actually tried to overthrow Optimus was rendered academic. They returned to Earth to disrupt the illusion of Megatron's little scheme and, as Ironhide put it, "show 'em a little reality." Several hundred laser-charged rounds of reality later, the Decepticons staggered away in defeat, and the Autobots' reputations were restored. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

[[Image:Dotd1_malfunctioning_ironhide.jpg|right|thumb|220px|]]
Evidently, Ironhide doesn't pay close attention to his passengers, since both Soundwave and Ravage once hid inside him. Maybe he was taking a nap. He only realized the subterfuge when Blaster and Ravage started fighting in his back end. Later, Ironhide gave Jazz a literal kick start when [[cybertonium]] depletion kept Jazz from transforming. The effects of the depletion affected Ironhide himself during the next fight as he tried to shoot liquid nitrogen at the Decepticons. When his hand wouldn't retract, Ironhide froze himself solid. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} The lack of cybertonium left the Autobots virtually lifeless, but Ironhide and his friends were eventually revived when Spike, Carly and the Dinobots brought back a full stock of cybertonium from Cybertron. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}}

Ironhide got another dose of Blaster's music being piped through by Teletraan 1. The serenade was worse than the first, and the Autobots nearly missed a distress call because of it. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}} He was among the Autobots temporarily rendered invulnerable by [[electrum]], and fought the Decepticons for control of the golden lagoon. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon}} He also helped stop Megatron from taking over New York City with an army of robot car drones. {{storylink|Make Tracks}} Ironhide went with Prime and a group of Autobots to the baseball stadium where the Decepticons were interrupting the game with their new space bridge. He got a grand slam with a stadium lighting pole against [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]. When Prime and several other Autobots were launched into space by the malfunctioning bridge, Ironhide took command of the Autobots until Optimus managed to find his way back. {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}}

[[Image:TheSearchforAlphaTrion Ironhide acidblasts.jpg|left|220px|thumb|"An internal liquid chemical factory, and I'm shootin' TANG?!"]]
When the [[Morphobot]]s took root on Earth, Ironhide and the team attempted to free their comrade [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] from behind the plants' indestructible vines. Ironhide tried a variety of liquid sprays on the Morphobots—the plants briefly crusted over, but cracked free from the chemical resin a moment later. After the Autobots discovered the plants were repelled by Blaster's music, he and Ironhide worked together to clear a path to Cosmos. Once the plants pushed back from Blaster, Ironhide used liquid nitrogen to hold them frozen in place long enough to free their friend. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

Ironhide led [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] in protecting [[San Francisco]] when it was being attacked by a [[Asteroid bird alien|giant alien creature]]. Although severely outmatched, they held out long enough for [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] to arrive and lead the alien back out into space. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} When the Decepticons began squabbling amongst themselves for leadership, Ironhide was ready to jump right into the thick of things. Optimus restrained him, however; instead Prime pitted Megatron against the also-rans, leading to a disastrous fight that left all the Decepticons spent. Even Ironhide had to admit it was fun watching the Decepticons beat themselves up for a change. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}} After [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]] began swiping Autobots off the street, Ironhide was present when the big game hunter declared his terms to Optimus Prime over Teletraan I. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

[[Image:Search4a3_ironhide_and_chromia.jpg|right|thumb|220px]]
Ironhide led [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] to Cybertron to follow and find Optimus Prime after he left, without telling anyone, to rescue [[Elita One]]. When his team arrived via the [[space bridge]], Starscream announced that he had killed Prime by melting him down in a vat of acid. Ironhide angrily ordered the Autobots to attack and avenge their fallen leader. During the battle, they met up with Elita One's [[Female Autobots|squad]], which gave Ironhide a chance to reunite with his old gal [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]. {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion}} He was briefly seen at Sparkplug's garage after Powerglide's adventure with [[Astoria Carlton-Ritz]]. {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}}

[[Image:Ktvs2_ironhide_vs_slingshot.jpg|left|thumb|220px|"No, Ah will not pull yer finger. Where d'ya kids get this stuff?]]
When Megatron took his new [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] group to Cybertron in the hopes of giving them life, Ironhide was among the Autobots who went after them in Omega Supreme. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} When they failed to stop Megatron, the Autobots instead decided to counter him, creating a team of Autobot Jets known as the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] through the power of [[Vector Sigma]]. Unfortunately, the Aerialbots were, well...''jerks''. [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] in particular rubbed Ironhide the wrong way, after the Aerialbots "saved" the Autobots by intervening during their first battle with the Stunticons. The Aerialbots eventually learned their lesson, and Ironhide made peace with Slingshot. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}} Then they were jerks again. Once again, Ironhide was at odds with the little twerps, as they sat in awe of the Decepticons for their ace flying abilities. The Aerialbots learned their lesson (again), and Ironhide made peace with the punks...again. It seemed to stick this time. {{storylink|War Dawn}}

Ironhide was grumbling about the Stunticons during an appointment with Ratchet when those psychos turned up for real on Teletraan I's sensors. After the Autobots captured the Stunticons in the field, Prime had an idea to disguise themselves as the Stunticons using [[camouflage paint]] in order to infiltrate the Decepticons. Ironhide and several others stayed behind to keep an eye on the prisoners, but [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] soon shattered the bars and freed his fellow Stunticons, who then sent the Autobots packing as [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. Ironhide and the Autobots chased after Menasor to warn Prime that the jig was up, and they ended up arriving at the battle just in time to drive off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Masquerade}} Ironhide was also seen applying [[Corrostop]] to the [[Statue of Liberty]], and later helped rescue Perceptor from Fox Creek Canyon. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

[[Image:TFTM Ironhide dies.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Megatron prepares to kitbash a toy-accurate Ironhide.]]
When Jazz and Cliffjumper were kidnapped by Starscream's [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], Ironhide traveled to the Amalgamated Water & Power Plant with the other Autobots to rescue them. Wisely, the Autobots completely avoided the war between the Decepticons and Combaticons taking place immediately to their left—they just grabbed their pals and split. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} After the Autobots received a curious SOS from [[Benjamin Franklin Pierce High School]], Ironhide, [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] and Bumblebee responded. They discovered a science project gone awry—a [[B.O.T. (robot)|homemade robot]] brought to life using the personality component of the Combaticon named [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]. The Autobots seriously underestimated their opponent, and Ironhide ended up sunk in the floor thanks to his own corrosive spray. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}}

In the year 2005, Ironhide was stationed on [[Moonbase One]] as part of the Autobots' ongoing mission to retake Cybertron. Unfortunately for the action-oriented Ironhide, Optimus Prime felt the Autobots needed more time to gather forces and supplies before attempting to retake their home planet. He sent Ironhide on a shuttle along with a group of other Autobots headed for Earth, bringing energon to [[Autobot City]]. When the shuttle was attacked by a Decepticon strike force en route, Ironhide bravely fought back against the hijackers, but was not powerful enough to drive off the numerous foes. He was shot several times before going down, but was still determined to defeat the enemy by whatever means possible. Lacking the power to stand on his own, Ironhide crawled to Megatron's feet in a vain attempt to continue fighting. He was mercilessly executed by Megatron's fusion cannon at point blank range, for indulging in "heroic nonsense". {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Ironhide's grave was later mentioned aboard the interstellar [[Autobot Mausoleum]] amongst those of the other Autobots who died during the [[Battle of Autobot City|attack]] on [[Autobot City]]. Along with the mausoleum itself, Ironhide's remains were later plunged into a red sun as a side-effect of a [[Quintesson]] plot. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}
{{-}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====
While the Autobots were busy defending [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]] from a Decepticon attack in [[Arizona]], they realized that [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] was not present and likely loose in Japan. Ironhide was dispatched to track down the villain, though the lone [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] found him first. Bumblebee defeated Soundwave with his mighty "Bumble Kick" just as Ironhide and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] arrived to back him up. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #2}}

=====Scramble City: Mobilization=====
In their efforts to defend Earth against the Decepticons, the Autobots began construction of a massive defense base named Metroplex, codenamed: [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]]. When Decepticon spies uncovered the existence of the Scramble City project, however, several Decepticon squads were sent by Megatron to eliminate the potential threat to his reign. Under Optimus Prime's command, Ironhide joined [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] in setting out to intercept these Decepticons, allowing [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] to complete work on Scramble City. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====Full Throttle Scramble Power!=====
Ironhide was one of dozens of Autobots who arrived with Scramble City to help [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] against Megatron's forces. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}

=====''The Battle of the Star Gate''=====
Ironhide and a squad of Autobots travelled into space aboard [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] when Megatron assumed control of the "[[Trigger]]" teleportation platform the Autobots helped humanity construct. {{storylink|First Contact}}

Ironhide and his comrades later returned to the Trigger when Starscream and his Ghost from Another Future Dimension (can't make this slag up...) commandeered it. The battle was epic in scope, as the Starscreams united with the Trigger to make it into a massive transforming exo-frame. He(they?) also assumed command of the [[C-X]] drones and turned them against the Autobots, and Ironhide was the first to feel the sting of their betrayal...and energy blasts. The Autobots' human ally, [[Makoto (FSRL)|Makoto]], used his knowledge of the Trigger to disrupt Starscream new form. The fiend then threw Makoto's lifepod into Earth's atmosphere, leaving him to burn up on re-entry. Ironhide and Bumblebee tried to reach the pod, but were too slow. Luckily, Optimus Prime arrived late to the battle and saved Makoto from burning up. {{storylink|The Battle of the Star Gate}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
[[Image:Hmep27_ironhide_undead.jpg|right|thumb]]
Some time before the Transformers' war left Cybertron, Ironhide briefly engaged the Decepticons with his comrades. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} In 2011, a robot resembling Ironhide was seen amongst the crowds of Autobots going about their daily business in [[Autobot City]]. Given that Ironhide was dead by that point, though, it ''prrrrooobably'' wasn't him. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}}

{{note|Ironhide's revival is probably one of those errors that happened in the Japanese series as a result of [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]] not reaching Japan until many years later.}}

{{-}}
=====e-HOBBY comics=====
Then again, Ironhide was looking pretty sprightly several decades later when he attended Optimus Prime's briefing on a series of attacks on human shipping vessels by biomechanical creatures believed to be connected to the Decepticons, so maybe he's okay after all! When Prime expressed concern over the use of an [[Eldedroid]] controlled by the mind of the human, [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Dan]], in the mission to investigate the creatures, Ironhide told him he didn't need to be so pessimistic. {{storylink|MP-1B Cybertron Commander / Convoy Black Ver.}}

{{note|Ironhide wouldn't be the [[Prowl (G1)|only]] [[Wheeljack (G1)|character]] to have died in the movie who later reappeared in Japanese fiction. The storyline of ''[[Story of Binaltech|Binaltech]]'' introduced the [[Genetronic Translink System]] to explain these "resurrections", and may be the reason for Ironhide's continued existence. His appearance in this comic came several years after the ''Binaltech'' story was written, though, so he was not referred to by name in ''Binaltech'' as there was nothing to explain away at the time.}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[Image:TFin3D2 Ironhide rips through wall.jpg|thumb|right|200px|There's a door just to your left, Ironhide.]]
When a distress call from [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] reached [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Ironhide set off to find out why the small Autobot was so far from his assigned area. This lead him to the planet [[Andellor]], to which Cosmos had traveled in search of the [[Prism of Power]]. Ironhide first managed to dispatch [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] without breaking a sweat, before he, Cosmos, and the five children who needed the Prism, encountered [[Grogg]], guardian of the ancient artifact. Though Ironhide pleaded with Grogg that they needed the Prism, Grogg insisted they answer his riddle or die. After one of the children answered the riddle, Ironhide returned with Cosmos and the children to the [[S.S. Exton 9]] space station and defeated [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] in battle. {{storylink|Transformers in 3-D issue 2|Transformers in 3-D #2}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation 1'' comics===
{{notekeepers}}
{{picsneeded}}
Before the war, Ironhide was a construction engineer, working on the bridges that connected cybertron's city states.
When war broke out, he joined [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s commando unit, along with [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], when they attempted to defend [[Altihex]] against the Decepticons. Though Altihex was lost, the unit survived to attend [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s inauguration. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}} He took part in the preparations for the evacuation of Cybertron at the [[Central Spaceport]], despite expressing his disagreement to [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] about the new Prime's decision. The pair subsequently observed Grimlock's even greater dissatisfaction and the Dinobot stormed off. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} During a Decepticon attack, he and the rest of the unit met Grimlock on the [[Tri-Torus Loop]], only to be surprised by Grimlock's decision to leave [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] to the foe. Instead they traveled to the crater of the [[Forum of Enlightenment]] to look for Optimus. {{storylink|The War Within issue 4|The War Within #4}}

Underground, Ironhide's sensors led the group to find the [[Planetary engine|planetary turbines]]. Grimlock ordered him, Kup and Wheeljack to shut it down. The trio listened in on [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s plans, but were discovered by the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} Ironhide and Kup worked to fight the Constructicons off, becoming pinned down until Grimlock arrived to lend a hand with Optimus. They kept the Decepticons distracted long enough for Wheeljack to take out the planetary engines. Though Ironhide expected Optimus to resume the evacuation, Prime announced they were staying. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

After Prime was lost through a space bridge, and the Cybertronians fell into even more factions, Ironhide became a part of Grimlock's [[Lightning Strike Coalition]]. During an attempt by Starscream's forces to seize a couple of transporters full of energon, Ironhide and Wheeljack were able to board and fly off in the transporters while the rest of the team kept Starscream busy. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

He was part of the ''Ark'''s original crew four million years ago, and awoke with the rest of them in 1984. After the crash of the ''[[Ark II]]'', however, Ironhide was among the Transformers secretly acquired by [[Lazarus]] as a potential weapon of mass destruction for sale. He was tortured and heavily damaged by the Decepticons when they broke Lazarus' control over them, and was unable to immediately aid Prime and the others against Megatron. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}}

''When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] returned from an alien world with the malevolent [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] in tow, Ironhide was one of the first Autobots who joined them in the fight against the invaders. The Keepers had taken residence in [[Las Vegas]], Nevada, and a united force of Autobots and Decepticons descended on the city in the hopes of stopping the aliens before the United States government unleashed a nuclear strike. When Optimus Prime used an energon pool to supercharge himself and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], Ironhide and the other Autobots joined their own energon with Prime to enhance his efforts. Through their combined energies, the nuclear missile was averted and the Keepers were displaced into the Void. {{storylink|Annihilation}}''

''After the battle, Optimus Prime was forced by a debt of honor to hand over the Matrix to Megatron, a decision which didn't sit well with many of the Autobots. Ironhide did his best to defend his leader's actions against the likes of [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], but even he had trouble justifying the decision. Ironhide also joined the Autobots in confronting the American military in the Nevada desert, where the President attempted to have them assassinated. The military used [[Deconstructionite|deconstructionites]], reverse-engineered Cybertronian technology in the form of tiny microchips that literally sapped away the Transformers' strength. Ironhide was the first of the Autobots to fall before this assault, and had to be hauled to safety inside Prime's trailer segment. {{storylink|Fusion (novel)|Fusion}}''

[[Image:PassiveAggression-KupIronhidereunite.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Old people ''never'' stop doing it. Now try to get that out of your brain!]]

Sometime after Ironhide was repaired, the Autobots again confronted the Decepticons, this time over a mysterious shuttle pod that landed in Northern Canada. [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] got the drop on Ironhide during the fight, riddling his backside with explosive shells. The feisty security agent had to be dragged off the battlefield so that Ratchet could perform the necessary repairs back at base. {{storylink|New World Order}} In the meantime, a force of United Cybertronians arrived on Earth and demanded that Prime and his crew surrender themselves into protective custody, in order to prevent them from rekindling the war which had been over on Cybertron now for centuries. Leaving behind a skeleton crew to watch over Earth, Optimus Prime, Ironhide and the other Autobots allowed [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and his operatives to bring them back to their home planet. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} On Cybertron, Optimus Prime was separated from the other Autobots, and Ironhide's team was covertly brought by [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] to the Autobot resistance. Many Autobots on Cybertron questioned the beneficence of their "commander", [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], and had organized into several insurgency cells. Ironhide and Prowl met with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]'s unit, who in turn brought them in touch with Optimus and second unit led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and Kup. Ironhide quickly exchanged greetings (and a few good-natured insults) with his war-buddy Kup. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} With the ''Ark'''s crew at hand, the insurgency took to the streets, fighting back against Shockwave and his "[[Guardian robot|Dark Guardians]]". Ironhide joined [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and Hot Rod on the front lines during the advance. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

In the days that followed, Ironhide, Prowl and Kup attempted to coordinate things on Cybertron, but gratefully stepped aside once Ultra Magnus had finished his repair cycle. Ironhide was greatly amused when the uncharismatic Prowl attempted to make a public address at [[Central Hall]], only to be bombarded with questions from concerned citizens. Later, he, Prowl and Kup knocked back [[Kremzeek|refreshments]] at the [[Alpha Preserve]] and reflected upon the changing political landscape of Cybertron, and wondered if it would be best for old warriors such as themselves to leave. {{storylink|Skyfire (issue)|Skyfire}} With the discovery of a [[Sunstorm (G1)|mysterious cloned Transformer]] possessing the accumulated knowledge of [[Vector Sigma]] heading towards [[Earth]], Prowl decided that the ''Ark'''s old crew had an obligation to return there and defend their second home. Though some such as [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] griped, Ironhide knew that for all of their complaints, they would join the mission anyway. {{storylink|Atonement}} They returned to Earth and began construction of a new Autobot base of operations: [[Autobot City]]. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:GIJoevsTF1_Ironhide_HISS.jpg|left|thumb|200px|]]
Many years after the ''Ark'' had crashed on Earth, the human terrorist organization [[Cobra]] discovered it and its dormant crew. The Transformers were reprogrammed to be under Cobra's control and given new alternate modes, with Ironhide, Ratchet and Optimus Prime now turning into [[HISS tank]]s. Along with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], the three Autobots were forced to attack a peace summit in [[Washington, D.C.]] {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #1}} The reprogrammed Transformers were eventually freed thanks to [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and despite Cobra's efforts to regain control of Ironhide, the Autobot got away when Ratchet ripped their control cables out of his head. Along with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], the two then joined Optimus Prime in fighting back against both the freed Decepticons and Cobra. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} During the battle, Ironhide didn't do much but liken the density of Decepticons on [[Cobra Island]] to that of [[astro tick]]s on [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s behind. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

After defeating the Decepticons on Earth, the Autobots returned to Cybertron, which [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] had conquered in their absence. With the Autobots reduced to a small resistance band, Ironhide helped Optimus Prime and Jazz steal a pile of [[energon cube]]s from the Decepticons. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} He was understandably surprised when his two friends suddenly disappeared in a flash of light. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

Much later, when Optimus Prime was captured by [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], Ironhide joined a team of Autobots who were waiting for a chance to free him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} When Serpent O.R.'s hostages were freed and [[G.I. Joe (team)|reinforcements]] arrived from Earth, the team attacked and ultimately defeated the Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

{{-}}
===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
Along with the other Autobots, Iron Hide {{sic}} lay deactivated among the [[Fera Islands]] for four million years, until one day in [[1939]] when [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] arrived on the archipelago to defeat [[Cobra]]. [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] accidentally activated the Autobots' [[Sky Spy|repair drone]], which awakened the Autobots and reformatted them, starting with Iron Hide, who was given the form of a human tank. The spooked humans opened fire on the metal giant, but their bullets merely bounced off, and Iron Hide politely asked them to cut it out before the ricochets hurt anyone. After things had settled down, Iron Hide supported the idea of the Autobots helping G.I. Joe, as he needed some workout after that little nap they took. {{storylink|Transformed}}

On behalf of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Iron Hide later asked [[Scarlett]] what she was brooding about. The human cryptically said that someone important was missing, but wouldn't explain [[Snake-Eyes|who]]. Shortly afterwards, Iron Hide was shipped out on a barge to attack the [[Terrordrome]] along with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]. {{storylink|Trenches}} During the ensuing battle, he punched out [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and offered to help [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] in his duel with [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], but it turned out Grimlock didn't need any help. Iron Hide presumably perished when the life-giving [[Matrix of Leadership]] was shattered in order to stop [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

{{note|But apparently he was intended to [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front|get better]] if Dreamwave hadn't folded.}}

===Redemption Center===
When a badly-damaged Starscream was brought to the Ark, Ironhide agreed with Jazz that it was probably a trap. When Starscream turned out to be amnesiac and amenable to the Autobot cause, Ironhide and Cliffjumper were assigned to him as escorts, just in case. Ironhide would later join Optimus in shielding Starscream from the Decepticons, when they turned up to retrieve their comrade, noting that as Starscream was weaponless, it would hardly seem fair to not protect him. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

===IDW Generation 1 comics===
{{ongoing}}

Back before the war, Ironhide was part of the Security Services. He performed both public and private security work, keeping the streets safe while also overseeing specific businesses and events. Ironhide was working the crowds at the Cybertronian raceway when [[Outback (G1)|a small 'bot]] burst through the line and attempted to shoot [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]], one of the star racers. Ironhide stopped the shooting and turned the little guy over to the authorities, paying little heed to his warnings about Megatron and the growing Decepticon movement. {{storylink|Iron in the Blood}}

[[Image:MegatronOrigin4 Ironhide fightin Thrust.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"Get over here you—you—what the frag are you?"]]
Ironhide attended the funeral of [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (G1)|Fastback]] with [[Chromia (G1)|a familiar fembot]], and listened to [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s eulogy/rally call. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} He was on the streets with Sentinel Prime and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] during the Battle of [[Kaon]], when the Autobots tried to halt the rebel Decepticons. Ironhide was dishing out justice the old fashioned way—with his fists. He was with the Autobots that contacted [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] when Sentinel's body was deposited in front of them, and Prowl ordered an evacuation. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

In the early days of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Ironhide was part of an Autobot unit led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. During a mission to prevent an assassination attempt on [[Zeta Prime]], he saved the confused racer [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] from wandering right into their crossfire. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}}

Some time after that, Ironhide became a member of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]]'s team and helped stop [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] from selling weapons to insurgents in [[Nyon]]. {{storylink|Law and Disorder}} He and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] were doing target practice when Orion ordered them to get ready to roll out. {{storylink|Parasites}} Minutes later, Zeta Prime sent the team to hunt down the Decepticon spy [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. However, Ironhide and Prowl's attempt to arrest him only resulted in [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] dropping a [[Neurospan Bridge|bridge]] on them. {{storylink|The Hunt for Soundwave}} The mission ended with Orion Pax and Bumblebee taken to [[Kaon]] for a talk with Megatron, but Ironhide and the rest of the team busted into the [[Jump Joint|meeting place]] and rescued them. {{storylink|Cause and Effect}}

Zeta Prime's next mission for Orion Pax's team was to capture the insurgent [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], whom they tracked to the [[Acropolex]] in Nyon. Ironhide didn't at all care for the spiritual theme of the building, doubting inscriptions claiming that [['Til all are one|all would be one]] and calling the [[Matrix of Leadership]] "superstitious mumbo-jumbo" and propaganda to make the [[Prime (rank)|Primes]] look big. In the end, the Autobots found that Hot Rod only wanted to enlighten them to Zeta Prime's horrible treatment of civilians. {{storylink|Ruins}} With this revelation, they turned on the Prime and tried to protect Nyon from his [[Omega Destructor]]s, but even Ironhide's [[cyclone launcher]] failed to scratch the giants. Orion's team was soon defeated by Zeta himself and his [[vamparc ribbon]]. {{storylink|Purge}} Surprisingly, the Autobots were saved from certain death by Megatron, who wanted them to join forces with him against Zeta Prime's tyranny. Ironhide didn't get along with [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. {{storylink|Choices}}

While Orion and Megatron confronted Zeta himself, Ironhide led the attack on his [[Citadel]] and joined up with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s unit when they also turned on the Prime. {{storylink|Overthrown}} As soon as Zeta Prime was dead, however, Megatron betrayed the Autobots and Ironhide was forced to go into hiding in [[Ultrix]] with Bumblebee and Ultra Magnus. He wanted to get out there and fight back against Megatron's rule, but before they could do much the Decepticons found the Autobots' safe-house and captured them. {{storylink|Transformation (issue)|Transformation}} They were taken to the Citadel and prepared for execution, but fortunately Hot Rod decided to become an Autobot around that time and bailed them out of prison. Ironhide and the others then followed Orion's ID signal to Nyon, where they learned of his transformation into Optimus Prime and the awakening of the city robot [[Metroplex (G1)| Metroplex]] who had been the Acropolex the entire time. {{storylink|Rise}} Led by the new Prime, the Autobots marched on Megatron's Citadel where they would fight for control of Cybertron. {{storylink|Broadcast}} Though they won, driving the Decepticons out of Iacon, Ironhide knew they'd be back soon enough. {{storylink|Endgame}}

Experienced from once serving in the [[Cybertronian Civil Militia]], Ironhide joined the more formal Autobot army soon after Optimus Prime's rise to leadership. He was initially skeptical of Optimus's ability to win the war, but Optimus proved willing to take advice from the more experienced soldier. Optimus believes Ironhide made him the leader he is today, and they saw many battles together, including one where Optimus would not leave him behind to save himself. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

Early during the war, Ironhide participated in a battle on [[Varas Centralus]] where he began a rivalry with [[Sky-Byte (G2)| Sky-Byte]]. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}}

[[Image:Infiltration2 Ironhide.jpg|left|150px|thumb|He's looking for the man who shot his pa.]]

As the war raged on, Ironhide led an rescue team to extract [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], whom Jazz was originally assigned to evacuate. They arrived just in the nick of time to ward off the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] and save their comrades. On the trip back to Iacon, Jazz told Ironhide what had happened and what to tell the blinded Tracks. After Jazz had left, Tracks asked Ironhide who had saved him. Ironhide said simply that he was just an Autobot like Tracks was, and that he should never forget what that meant. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

Four million years ago, Ironhide and Prime were defending a city from the Decepticon advance. They broke off from the other Autobots to intercept a Decepticon fuel convoy headed for Megatron's troops. Through grit and determination, the duo managed to capture the entire convoy without firing a single shot. The Autobots won the day and were eager to celebrate their victory that night by over-energizing a tad. Ironhide remained resolute, however, constantly scanning the crowd for trouble even amidst the festivities. Lucky that he did, because a Decepticon assassin named [[Axer (G1)|Axer]] had infiltrated the party, and pulled a concealed blaster to execute Optimus Prime from behind. True to his duty, Ironhide flung himself into the path of Axer's shot, taking the full blast for his friend and commander. Although he eventually recovered from his injuries, this incident would have long term consequences for Ironhide. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

Millions of years later, Ironhide was second-in-command (under Prowl) of a detachment of Autobots that had operated covertly on [[Earth]] for at least four years, attempting to foil a [[Infiltration protocol|Decepticon insurgency]]. Although more bound to the regulations than [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], he was still willing to bend the chain of command for the right reasons, and sent a pulsewave to Optimus Prime behind Prowl's back. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 3|Infiltration #3}} When Ratchet and Bumblebee's unauthorized recce uncovered evidence of the Decepticons' previous operations and reported Megatron's appearance, Prowl turned to the experienced Ironhide for tactical advice. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 5|Infiltration #5}}

[[Image:Escalation2 Ironhide ANGRY.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ironhide's holomatter avatar is a pissed-off old man. Fitting.]]

After Optimus Prime arrived on Earth, Ironhide was assigned the task of escorting a trio of humans back from the Autobots to their homes alongside [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] who was carrying [[Hunter O'Nion|Hunter]], while he transported [[Jimmy Pink|Jimmy]] and [[Verity Carlo|Verity]]. He became separated from Sunstreaker, who was immobilized and seemingly destroyed in an ambush by the [[Machination|a mysterious human organization]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 1|Escalation #1}} Once it was revealed that the debris recovered from the Machination was not that of Sunstreaker, Ironhide suggested himself for the search mission to find Sunstreaker's whereabouts, as he felt he owed it to him, but his wishes were dismissed by Optimus Prime. Prowl was mondo-pissed that Ironhide went around the chain of command and banished him to base duty while the other Autobots who had not (yet) pissed Prowl off left for [[Brasnya]] to confront the Decepticons. {{storylink|Escalation issue 3|Escalation #3}} Proving his willingness to break the rules if needed, Ironhide disobeyed his orders to remain and monitor Decepticon activity, joining Ratchet, Verity and Jimmy in their attempts to uncover the fate of Sunstreaker and Hunter. {{storylink|Escalation issue 4|Escalation #4}} However, while removing Verity and Jimmy from a building that was due to explode, Ironhide was caught in the explosion and went M.I.A. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}}

After Optimus Prime returned from his meeting with [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and Hot Rod learned that Ironhide was due to be crushed and compacted at a human dump and went to rescue him. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}} They ran into some [[Headmaster (technology)|problems]] on the way there, however. They prevailed, and after Optimus Prime received word of the incident on [[Garrus-9]], he ordered [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] to retrieve Hot Rod and the others. Hot Rod refused to go though, wanting to see the Headmaster mystery to the end. Hardhead reluctantly let him go and took Wheeljack and Ironhide back with him. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

[[Image:Ironhidepuncheseveryone.jpg|left|250px|thumb|[[:Image:Ironhide_punches_Hot_Rod.jpg|And he's not done yet!]]]]
Over the next year, the Decepticons went quiet and intell dried up. Prowl advised to do nothing, but Ironhide, able to speak more to the warrior inside of Optimus, advised action. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Everything in its Right Place}} Whoops, action led the Autobots into a Decepticon trap! {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} As a result, Ironhide was among the battered Autobots trapped on Cybertron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}}

As frustrations boiled over in the Autobot camp, Tracks attempted to lift their spirits by telling the story of the time he was saved by a mysterious Autobot. Though Ironhide knew it was Jazz who had saved Tracks that day, the old story gave them hope, and he thanked him for it. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

Holding a deep suspicion that Mirage had sold them out to the Decepticons and knowing that Prowl and Jazz were shutting him out {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}}, Ironhide came to blows (or really, blow) with Prowl over the issue before Jazz told him to walk it off. Later, Jazz talked to Ironhide about it, and the latter revealed his deep regret at Optimus Prime's current condition. [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] soon asked Ironhide to accompany him to check out an emergency message from Wheeljack and Bumblebee, who were out on a scouting patrol. The two ran across Hot Rod, (well really, Ironhide's fist ran across Hot Rod's face), who seemed delighted to find other Autobots on Cybertron, having thought the planet was deserted. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}}

Not long after Kup and his Autobot squad joined up with Prime's battered unit, Ironhide met with [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] and tried to attempt to tell him the truth about why they got here, but the appearance of the [[Insecticon swarm]] rendered it moot. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}} After getting Energon from the ''[[Trion]]'' and taking a rest, Ironhide noticed Sunstreaker storming out of a building. When Sunstreaker told him about his brother complaining about being a jerk toward Mirage along with, Ironhide couldn't take it anymore. Cornering Mirage, Ironhide proceeded to beat him senseless, leaving him in serious condition. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} After being chewed out by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and being reminded of his past troubles, the conversation ended when the Swarm caught up to them. When the Autobots drove to a bridge to lure the Swarm there, so that they could blow it up and prevent them from advancing, Ironhide noticed Sunstreaker standing on the bridge. When Ironhide asked him what he was doing, Sunstreaker revealed to him that he was the real traitor, having made a deal with Starscream that would supposedly have resulted in Megatron's demise. Before more could be said, both were taken down by the Swarm. [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] came and rescued Ironhide just as Sunstreaker blew up the bridge, killing himself and taking a large portion of the Swarm with him. Upset, Ironhide went to rest and recover. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}}

[[Image:All Hail Megatron 10 Optimus and Ironhide.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Seen shortly before being reminded of how he [[All Hail Megatron issue 13|used]] to hate Op's guts.]]
Feeling like a complete prat, Ironhide attempted to apologize to Mirage, but was angrily rebuffed. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} Once Optimus Prime was back on his feet, Ironhide asked him why the others hadn't told him that Megatron had stolen the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], but was told not to hold it against them. After thinking about this, Ironhide called Prime the "greatest bot I've ever known," which Prime found amusing, considering how they clashed when they first met. When the Swarm assaulted the Autobot base, Ironhide found himself side by side with Mirage at the front line defenses. Mirage told Ironhide to run for it while he distracted the enemy, but Ironhide threw himself into the fray, refusing to let his comrade sacrifice himself. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} When Omega Supreme saved them and took them to Earth, Ironhide participated in the battle against the Decepticons. However he worried that [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and the others would be on the Autobots in seconds. His worry, fortunately, was unfounded, as Omega subsequently stepped in and slagged Devastator. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} Later, after [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] sniped Megatron, Ironhide called [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] a coward because he and the Decepticons were leaving. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

In the aftermath of the Decepticons' retreat, Ironhide admitted to Optimus Prime that he was tired of the neverending war and was considering retiring from the Autobot army. He changed his mind following some reminiscing over the many bonds he and Prime had forged over the years. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}} When Bumblebee went missing in one of the human disaster areas in a ruined New York, Ironhide was part of an Autobot squad who managed to retrieve him. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 16|Hidden}}

[[Image:Ongoing Issue 1-Ironhide Bites The Dust.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Either Hot Rod's jinxed or he secretly wants the entire 1984 cast dead.]]
Two years later, the Autobots were still on Earth. Optimus Prime's guilt over the devastation their war brought to the world prevented the Autobot army from leaving the humans behind. Even worse, the humans weren't at all interested in Prime's guilt, but were actively hunting Autobot and Decepticon alike. Several Autobots were taken prisoner by [[Skywatch]], the American robot-hunting organization. Events reached an apex when Prowl was captured while trying to prevent the execution of a wandering Decepticon. Optimus Prime finally relented on his hands-off policy, and sent Hot Rod and a squad into the Skywatch holding facility to rescue Prowl. Ironhide went with him to keep an eye on the kid, and promised Optimus nothing would happen to Hot Rod. The situation escalated horribly, however, and the humans began responding with lethal force against the Autobots during the breakout. Ironhide spotted a particle cannon turret being leveled against Hot Rod and Prowl, and threw himself into the weapon's path, taking a fatal shot through the chest to protect his field leader and keep his promise to Prime. Prowl brought Ironhide's body back to the Autobots' hidden base after the battle.

Optimus blamed himself for his old friend's demise, which served as a catalyst for his resignation from the Autobots. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}}

But Ironhide wasn't dead at all. At least...not completely. One year later, he awoke on Cybertron fully repaired, yet unable to recall anything from after his ill-fated confrontation with Axer four million years before. {{storylink|The Iron Age}} Unaware of how Cybertron had fallen into ruin since [[Thunderhead Pass]], Ironhide wandered Iacon in shock, unable to comprehend why the whole planet seemed to be abandoned and in disrepair. He also wasn't familiar with the three thousand strong [[Insecticon swarm]] that now inhabited the planet, but that quickly changed. The bugs got in his face, so Ironhide smashed in theirs, enjoying the chance to vent his frustrations. On the verge of succumbing to grief and isolation, Ironhide was finally found by a [[Scamper|small drone]] who asked him to simply "Follow." With nothing better to do, Ironhide accompanied the little robot until he reached their destination — a brightly lit and functioning complex, the only signs of life and power on the whole planet. {{storylink|Iron in the Blood}}

Inside, Ironhide met the legendary sage [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]... whom he had never heard of before. While Trion's self-important attitude got on his nerves, he was able to learn that Cybertron had been abandoned for the four million years he had been "dead". An incredulous Ironhide accepted these facts, but soon turned his attention towards a nearby screen, which was detecting Sunstreaker's life signal on the planet. Having no memory of Sunstreaker's betrayal, Ironhide ignored Alpha Trion's warnings and headed out to save his friend. He found the heavily damaged Sunstreaker in a pile of swarm corpses and couldn't understand what he kept apologizing about, then fought his way through even more swarm members to bring him back to Alpha Trion. Upon arriving, Ironhide demanded to know what Sunstreaker just was talking about, and Trion explained to him how he had actually kept living after Axer's attack and only died just recently. Alpha Trion himself had managed to revive Ironhide, though with only a few of his memories intact, so that he could exterminate the Insecticon swarm and make Cybertron habitable again. {{storylink|Ironing Out the Details}}

Ironhide accepted the task given to him, strapping himself with as many weapons as he could carry and going head-to-head with hundreds of swarm members. He also stumbled upon the wreckage of the starship ''[[Trion]]'' and managed to use its guns to destroy a portion of the swarm, though he was forced to self-destruct it when the monsters got too close for comfort. In the end, he was fighting an estimated 200 of the creatures with his bare hands, and was forced to call Alpha Trion for help. His call was heeded, and Trion revealed that his base of operations was actually the gigantic Autobot [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], who smashed the remaining members of the swarm with one hand. This got Ironhide rather angry, as Metroplex could've done the work instead of him, and it didn't help that Alpha Trion just dismissed his worries and prepared to leave him on the planet to exterminate the last few swarm monsters. He finally snapped and socked the old guy in the face. Though surprised, Alpha Trion shrugged off his act of assault and explained that he was only a small piece in a large game, and he didn't need to know everything. Before Trion left into space, Ironhide faced him with one last question: how did he know Ironhide was going to die? The answer gave him something to think about: he was going to sacrifice himself sooner or later, it was just in his nature. Soon, Ironhide and Sunstreaker were left as the only Autobots on Cybertron, with a lot of stuff to catch up on and a lot of things to think about... {{storylink|Any Old Iron}}

As time passed, Ironhide and Sunstreaker exterminated what was left of the swarm, even managing to [[Bob (IDW)|domesticate one]], only for another threat to reach Cybertron: an army led by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. After a first wave of attacks, a ship landed nearby, and Ironhide smashed his way into it, assuming it to be a Decepticon vessel he could use. As a pleasant surprise, he instead found it crewed by Hot Rod (now going by "Rodimus") and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (plus [[Garnak|an alien]] who mistakenly attacked him). After some catching-up, they were attacked by [[Sweep]]s, but managed to escape on Rodimus's ship and head to Earth for reinforcements. {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet}}

Upon arriving on Earth for the "first time", Ironhide commented that it smelled bad. Needless to say, the Autobots there were confused to see him alive, but their new leader, Bumblebee, had them refrain from asking him questions. Ironhide himself was mostly confused as to how ''Bumblebee'' managed to become leader and why they had stayed on Earth for so long, but Bumblebee couldn't respond to that very well. Led by Optimus Prime, Ironhide and most of the other Autobots boarded Omega Supreme and left for Cybertron the next day. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix}} During the journey, Ironhide talked to Prime about Megatron's boggling decision to surrender himself, and suggested he sit down and talk to the captured Decepticon leader. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} After several interrogations of Megatron failed to shed any light on his decision, Ironhide warned Optimus Prime against letting it get to him. Appreciating the sentiment, Prime told him it was nice to see him so young again, but Ironhide only responded that he didn't ''feel'' young.

Ironhide was telling his fellow Autobots of his time with Alpha Trion when Omega Supreme arrived at Cybertron, at which point he and several other Autobots went down to the planet and met with Galvatron. When they refused to join his army, Galvatron decided to destroy them, but Ironhide stopped him from shooting Optimus Prime and beat on him until he retreated. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}} Alongside the rest of the Autobots, he then fought in a huge battle with Galvatron's army of Sweeps. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers}} Optimus Prime took Ironhide, Rodimus and Drift and broke away from battle to chase Galvatron himself as he moved towards the core of Cybertron, but halted when Drift stabbed himself in order to not be brainwashed by the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]]. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}} When ordered to bring the injured Autobot to safety, Ironhide protested that Optimus needed him as a bodyguard, but relented when Rodimus asked him to save one more life. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

Following Optimus Prime's defeat of Galvatron in [[Vector Sigma]]'s chamber, Cybertron was reborn, Megatron's Decepticons were captured, and neutral Cybertronians began returning home. Unfortunately they didn't like having the Autobots in charge and started a riot which Ironhide had to help beat down. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} The mysterious rebirth of Cybertron had also made the planet's terrain alive and very hostile, so Ironhide spent his time testing how far from civilization he could get before being forced to turn back. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson}} He was present during the memorial service for the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'', a ship captained by Rodimus which seemingly exploded on launch. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}}

Ironhide and Wheeljack later constructed a rocket to lead a mysterious explosion to detonate harmlessly off planet. {{storylink|Stick Together}} Ironhide greeted Sky-Byte back to on Cybertron and learned of his old rival's defection from Decepticons and departure from the Great War. During Ironhide's tour, the Autobot filled Sky-Byte in on recent events, resulting in Sky-Byte becoming suspicious of the Autobots' motives. Ironhide suggested he go see if the Decepticons were any better, but when that resulted in Sky-Byte being captured with [[Needlenose]] and in danger of being lynched by an angry mob, Ironhide calmed the crowd by telling them they needed to pursue a peaceful future of equality between Autobot and Decepticon. The next day, Prowl questioned Ironhide about what he had done and Ironhide told him that he had seen a vision of the future on Gorlam Prime where Ironhide and Alpha Trion were telling war stories to young Cybertronians and that every other Autobot and Decepticon were dead. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}}

Millions of years after the end of the Great War, an aged Ironhide found himself the last veteran on a prosperous [[Gorlam Prime]]. As the last remnant of a bygone era, he was revered by the young Transformers, but he struggled with finding his place in the new civilization. He was accompanied by Alpha Trion, who would comfort his friend with his importance to the history of the race. {{Storylink|Pax Cybertronia (issue)|Pax Cybertronia}}

===IDW ''Beast Wars'' comics===
[[Image:Maximalimperium.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Ironhide served on the [[Maximal Imperium]], alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]. Leadership seemed to have robbed him of a bit of his gusto, although according to [[Big Convoy]] he was 'right honorable'. Ironhide, Prowl and Silverbolt sent [[Ikard]] to request a report from Big Convoy, but he refused, citing his need to investigate the [[Angolmois]]-fueled murders. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 2|The Ascending #2}}

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===''Hearts of Steel''===
Ironhide was part of the Autobot forces who fought the Decepticons on Earth in the distant past until an incoming ice age threatened to deactivate them all. Both sides went into hiding underground, remaining in stasis until the 1860's, at which point they were accidentally awakened by [[human]]s. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} As they resumed their war with the Decepticons, Ironhide and the others took on train modes and allied themselves with [[John Henry]] in order to pursue the [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 3|Hearts of Steel #3}} Ironhide was the second car in the Autobot train, an artillery boxcar with his name on it. When [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] began to attack the Autobot train from above, he partially transformed to robot mode in order to shoot him down. After the Decepticons were defeated, the Autobots went back to sleep underground. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4|Hearts of Steel #4}}

By [[1888]], Ironhide had gotten involved with humanity again, hiding on the [[USS Miskatonic|USS ''Miskatonic'']] in the form of an gun turret. On the way to [[Ireland]] the ship was attacked by a tentacled monster from underneath the waves, forcing Ironhide to abandon it and report to the other Autobots. A week later at [[Port Cenotaph]], he ran into [[fish people|additional creatures]] and [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]], who revealed that he and the Decepticons were now following the [[Elder God]]s instead of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Ironhide tried to fight the empowered Decepticon, but was overcome by his eldritch tentacles. {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 1|Infestation 2: The Transformers #1}} As a servant of the Elder Gods, Ironhide stood guard at Port Cenotaph with the Decepticons, protecting it against an international fleet when they came to investigate the disappearance of multiple ships. Ironhide was freed from the Elder Gods' control when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] injured the attending Elder God enough to force it back into the depths of the ocean. {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 2|Infestation 2: The Transformers #2}}

===Descent into Evil===
[[Image:Ratchetironhidedescent.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Amazingly not dead.]]
Ironhide was severely injured during a battle on [[Moon Base Four]], but Optimus Prime used his [[Reconfiguration Matrix]] to create a new body for his old friend. {{storylink|Ironhide (G1)/toys|Ironhide's ''Timelines'' toy bio}}

Years after the Autobot-Decepticon Wars ended, Ironhide and five other Autobots were sent to [[Ceti Alpha Seven]] to destroy General [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]]'s [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] clone lab and stop his planned Decepticon uprising. After a team of four (consisting of [[Outback (G1)|Fallback]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]], and [[Ricochet (Timelines)|Ricochet]]) failed, Ironhide and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] followed to help. After battling swarms of [[Virulent Clone]]s and [[Buzzclaw (G1)|Buzzclaw]], they finally met up with Deathsaurus himself. Ironhide stayed to fight the general, and Ratchet separated to find their fallen friends. However, Ironhide was shot in the back by [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]] and he went into stasis lock. Ironhide woke up restrained inside Deathsaurus' lab with Ratchet, while Deathsaurus appeared to them on a monitor and told them he planned to destroy the lab by remote. Before the lab could detonate, Ricochet snuck in and freed them, allowing them to gather their fallen and escape. {{storylink|Descent into Evil}}
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===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 7|Henkei! Henkei! #7}}

Ironhide, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] tracked [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]] to a volcanic region of the planet where [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] was about to unveil the awe-inspiring [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] to [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Engaging the jets in battle, Ironhide and the Autobots successfully blocked the lava pool Galvatron was too emerge from. Their satisfaction turned to horror, however, when Galvatron blasted free from the rubble anyhow. Luckily, Galvatron was not a morning person, and was more interested in berating Cyclonus and Starscream for interrupting his nap than attacking the Autobots. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 9|Henkei! Henkei! #9}}

Ironhide was taking a pounding from the uncharacteristically-aggressive [[Octane]] when Mirage stepped in, meutralizing the 'Con before he was even aware of the invisible Autobot's presence. Both Ironhide and Mirage were shocked when Octane continued moving despite having his circuits disrupted, and were downright beside themselves when the ghost of Starscream emerged from within the [[Triple Changer]]. {{storylink|Mirage's Rebirth}}
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===''Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun'' manga===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{-}}
===''Wings Universe''===
Ironhide was one of the Autobots picked to be part of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s new Autobot military. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 1}} He thought that they should be going after [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s instead of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but Optimus said orders were orders. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 2}} A week later, he was part of the Autobot forces at [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s city walls as the Decepticons broke through with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}}
The Autobots managed to see off Megatron's forces, but not without the loss of several of their number. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}

==Games==
===''Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons''===
When Optimus embarked on his mission to rescue the Autobots' [[Mini Vehicle|Minicar]] troops from the Decepticons, Ironhide could come to Optimus Prime's aid, acting as a bodyguard against Decepticon attacks. {{storylink|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{Note|Ironhide is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Autobot duplicates in the Decepticon campaign.}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

===''Transformers G1: Awakening''===
{{storylink|Transformers G1: Awakening}}
{{charstubfiction}}

==Toys==
{{main|Ironhide (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Ironhide (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
*[[Bob Budiansky]] named Ironhide after the TV detective show, ''[[Wikipedia: Ironside (TV series)|Ironside]]'', whose titular protagonist was also a grizzled veteran of his profession.<ref>[http://moonbase2.madmooseforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9377 Moonbase 2 podcast interview with Bob Budiansky]</ref>
*It has been speculated by some fans that, in cartoon continuity, Ironhide may have been created from [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]]'s friend [[Dion]], the same way and at the same time Prime and [[Elita One]] were rebuilt by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]].

:''For further elaboration, see [[Dion|Who is Dion?]].''

===Foreign names===
*''Cantonese:'' '''Tei-Paid''' (鐵皮)
*''Japanese:'' '''Ironhide''' (アイアンハイド ''Aianhaido'')
*''French:'' '''Rhino''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Acélfej''' ("Steel-head"), '''Vasököl''' (Movie, "Ironfist")
*''Italian:'' '''Falco''' ("Hawk")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tzáng Tǐeh''' (Taiwan, 藏鐵, "Iron hiding")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Couraça''' (Brazil comics, "Armor"), '''Arma-de-Ferro''' (Portugal comics, "Iron Weapon")
*''Russian:'' '''Bronevik''' (Броневик, "Armored Car")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Zaliznyak''' (Залізняк, "Ironer")

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Ironhide Ironhide's Universe profile at NTFA.net]
* [http://www.e-hobby.co.jp/cgi-bin/omc?port=33301&tno=11964126283JGBV&req=PRODUCT&code=tfe27 e-Hobby's page for Black Protect Ironhide]

[[Category:Beast Wars Autobots]]
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Optimus Prime (G1)

2012-08-17T08:14:43Z

14.136.216.91: /* Foreign names */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Optimus Prime}}
{{suite}}
:''Optimus Prime is the leader of the [[Autobot]]s from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[Image:Optimusg1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|I'm that guy everyone remembers. No, not the [[Soundwave (G1)|tape guy]], the ''other'' guy.]]
'''Optimus Prime''' is the awe-inspiring [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot]] forces. Originally a mere civilian, he was chosen by the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] to command, the first in a number of heavy burdens he has been forced to bear. Another is his bringing of the [[Transformer]]s' conflict to Earth. The complete opposite of his mortal enemy [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], every casualty, [[human]] or [[Transformer|Cybertronian]], weighs heavily on his [[spark]]. He does not show this side to his soldiers, and he never succumbs to despair. The Autobots need a decisive, charismatic leader, and that is what he gives them. It was that leadership which turned the tide of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]].

On the battlefield, there are few who rival Optimus Prime's prowess. He is easily the strongest of any Autobot his [[Scale|size]], and his [[ion blaster]] and his [[energon-axe]] are deadly weapons. He would sacrifice his life to protect his fellow Autobots or those under their care, and [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|does so on a regular basis]]. His compassion for other sentient beings is his only real weakness, and one the Decepticons have taken advantage of time and again... though it's also the source of his strength!

Prime carries within him the [[Matrix of Leadership]].

Before being rebuilt into a [[Powermaster]], his robot mode split into three components:

*A sentient robot module, the [[Brain Center]].
*A wheeled drone module known as [[Roller (G1)|Roller]].
*A [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]].

Although Optimus Prime can function as three independent modules, injury to any one module is felt by the other two.

{{bigquote|Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.|Optimus Prime's most common [[bio]] quote}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{main|Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity}}
[[Image:CommandPerformances-Autobotsattack.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Don't worry, the multiple crises of conscience come soon enough.]]

Optimus Prime was a gladiator champion for [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] before quickly working his way up the Autobot ranks once [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] started the war. Four million years ago, when Decepticons attacked the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], he personally chose to crash it onto [[Earth]], a decision that caused him much remorse when the war restarted on Earth in the modern day.

Though Optimus allowed himself to be destroyed when he betrayed his own moral code while playing a video game, a copy of his mind survived on a [[floppy disk]]. Years later, he was restored as a [[Powermaster]], binary bonded to the [[Nebulan]], [[Hi-Q]]. Optimus Prime slowly earned the respect of Decepticon leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], mourned the loss of his friend [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and ultimately sacrificed everything to defeat [[Unicron]]. Though Optimus died again, his mind persisted in Hi-Q, and the [[Last Autobot]] was able to restore him as an [[Action Master]] in time to bring a temporary end to the war.

In [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|one universe]], Optimus Prime went on to battle [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], his [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian troops]], and the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. In [[Transformers: Classics|another]], fifteen years of peace passed before Megatron rose again.
{{-}}

===S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers===
[[Image:PackIn RodimusPrimeRemembers Inside2.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The fury of the "Road Warriors"... and Cosmos.]]
The Autobots were outnumbered and outgunned on Earth from the start, though Optimus was confident (and correct) that reinforcements from Cybertron would arrive. {{storylink|Reinforcements from Cybertron!}}

However, the situation was still so desperate that Optimus not only decided to recruit human allies {{storylink|The battle is far from over!}}, but aggressively tried to recruit and ''deputise'' human children, including giving them the power to co-ordinate Autobot teams in battles. He wouldn't even make a final move on the Decepticons until he had enough child soldiers on his side. {{storylink|Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now!}} {{storylink|Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all?}} In at least one case, this likely led to the ''death'' of a small boy at Decepticon hands. {{storylink|Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?}}

Optimus later led a convoy in search for a building site for [[Autobot City]], which ran into a Decepticon ambush. {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}} He sent off several Autobots to get help, knowing this was the only chance of victory. {{storylink|Transformers Combat Data}} Those several Autobots were seen again, but Prime... wasn't.
{{-}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{main|Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}

[[Image:Mtmte2_shermandam.jpg|left|250px|thumb|He had this ax once. It was very memorable.]]

Before the war, Optimus Prime was originally '''Orion Pax''', a young dock worker with a girlfriend named [[Elita One|Ariel]]. But as the war began, Megatron destroyed them both, and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] rebuilt them into more powerful warriors.

Four million years ago, Optimus Prime ended a Decepticon attack on the Ark by directing it towards prehistoric Earth. When both factions reawakened in [[1984]], Optimus Prime and the Autobots fought the Decepticons on numerous occasions until [[2005]]. During an attack on [[Autobot City]] on Earth, Prime fell in battle against Megatron and passed the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]].

Optimus Prime eventually returned, once as a [[zombie]], and again when he was rebuilt by the [[Quintesson]]s to stop the spread of the [[Hate Plague]].

The details between these events differ between universes. Sometimes Optimus Prime merged with [[Vector Sigma]] soon after defeating the Hate Plague, and returned much, much later as Star Convoy. Sometimes Optimus Prime partnered up with [[Marissa Faireborn]] to receive upgrades through mutual [[kiss]]ing. Sometimes... look, he did a lot of weird stuff, okay?

===Marvel coloring books===
[[Image:SummertimeColoring Optimus Prime combat deck.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
Alerted by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s latest plan, Optimus Prime led the mission on [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s ship to foil them. He sent Bumblebee on an underwater scouting mission, and took part in a pitched battle that ended in the Decepticon's being defeated. {{storylink|Search for Treasure Under the Sea}} When [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] dropped rocks on the Autobots, Optimus used [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] to eliminate most of them. Unfortunately he was forced to surrender when he saw the other Autobots had been captured by the Decepticons, and was placed in a [[special Autobot prison]]. Luckily Bumblebee remained free, and after he'd rescued the others, Optimus wrapped Megatron up with an iron bar. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue!}}

One peaceful day, Optimus decided it was ''too'' quiet, and sent Bumblebee and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] to find out what the Decepticons were up to. Sure enough, the Decepticons were looking for a factory, so Optimus had Mirage create a holographic factory as a trick, and ambushed the Decepticons. Optimus himself hurled Megatron into orbit. {{storylink|Decepticon Patrol}} Optimus and his Autobots rescued [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] and [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] when the pair were captured by Decepticons, and afterwards Prime was amazed when Sparkplug repaired [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. After Bumblebee and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] discovered that the Decepticons were attacking [[Hoover Dam]], Optimus and his team defeated them. {{storylink|The Deadly Fuel Shortage}}

[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] reported to Optimus that the Decepticons were stealing gas, and Optimus was able to use Roller to find out the Decepticons were using a [[molecular transfer device]]. The Autobots assaulted the Decepticon stronghold so they could take care of the device. {{storylink|Summertime Coloring Book}} After a rain storm, Optimus and most of the other Autobots went out on patrol. When the Decepticons used a fake message to lure Bumblebee out of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] so they could take it over, Optimus used the same gambit to retake the ship. {{storylink|A Message From Outer Space}}

[[Image:Forestrescuemission-bunny.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
When the Decepticons turned up in the same forest that the Autobots were taking a vacation in, Optimus took great pleasure in stopping them and returning the forest to pristine condition. {{storylink|Forest Rescue Mission}} Optimus was undertaking some repairs when Bumblebee offered to help, but Prime told him the repairs were too hard for him. When later the other Autobots were dismissive of Bumblebee's report of a Decepticon attack, Optimus alone listened to him, and they subsequently defeated the Decepticons. {{storylink|Bumblebee's Dangerous Mission}}

{{storylink|The Big Book of Coloring Fun}}

[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] warned Optimus about a fuel plant the Decepticons were building, so Optimus took the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] in his trailer and, under the guise of having a delivery for [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], invaded the construction site and defeated the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Autobot Spy in the Sky}}

{{storylink|Hot Rod's Escape}}
{{charstubfiction}}

===Kid Stuff Talking Story Books===
{{voiceactor|? (English)}}
Optimus and Prowl received message from [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] of a coal transport in [[Africa]], and discovered Megatron was using human slaves. Megatron detonated his coal mines with the world's largest explosion, killing the humans and forging the world's largest diamond — that he would use to as a lens for a [[Crystal satellite|satellite]] to focus the Sun's beams, melting the [[Rocky Mountains]]! Prime ordered Skyfire to attack the satellite, and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] to build a square mile panel of metal to deflect the beam, blowing the satellite up. {{storylink|Satellite of Doom}} The Decepticons attempted to drain the [[Prudhoe Bay oil reservoir]], causing volcanic eruptions and Russia to approach America, accelerating tensions between the countries. Optimus ordered [[razon gas]] to be pumped into the reservoir, returning the oil below and raising the Decepticons' aquatic drill. {{storylink|When Continents Collide}}

Accompanied by Prowl, Optimus went to [[Sumatra]] and discovered much of the jungle had been destroyed. The Decepticons tried to destroy the [[Brazil]]ian jungle and take its oil, but once again the Autobots stopped them. {{storylink|Storms of Destruction}} Following a battle between the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s and the Decepticons, Optimus ordered [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] be repaired by Ratchet at their [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] oil supply. Tracking Slag, Megatron attempted to destroy the base with the [[Crusher]], slicing icebergs off the continent. Optimus ordered [[Autobot superjet]]s to counterattack, but the battle was won when Megatron unwittingly reawakened hundreds of dormant Dinobots beneath the ice. {{storylink|Jaws of Terror}} Optimus and Prowl were baffled by Megatron's next strategy, a series of hit-and-run attacks in the Pacific rim. It emerged it was a distraction from the enslavement of the population of [[Buru]]. Optimus, Prowl and the Dinobots arrived and fought off the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], foiling the scheme to drain the island's oil. {{storylink|Slaves of the Insecticons}} When Megatron planned to drain the world's largest supertanker, Optimus had the oil tainted with a corrosive acid, sabotaging the Decepticon submersible. The Autobots flew the tanker to [[New York City]], and ordered the few witnesses' memory to be wiped. Wow. {{storylink|Attack of the Decepticons}}

===Big Looker Story Books===
[[Image:KidsPrime1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|And the fluffy kitten played with that yarn all gosh-darn night.]]
After a thousand years of war on Cybertron, the planet was shaken from its orbit and risked being smashed to pieces by an asteroid field. Optimus decided to take a group of Autobots in the Ark and destroy the asteroids, but they were attacked by the Decepticons, and Optimus crashed the ship on Earth. Four million years later, the Ark repaired them, and they encountered [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]. Sparkplug suggested to Prime that the Autobots tap the volcano they'd crashed into for power. The two humans also warned the Autobots of an impending Decepticon attack, and Optimus laid a trap. Unfortunately the Decepticon forces attacked from all directions, and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s [[null-ray]] put Optimus out of commission. Luckily Sparkplug easily fixed him, and his fast recovery inspired the Autobots to chase the Decepticons off. Optimus vowed to protect this new world. {{storylink|Battle for Cybertron}}

When a two-part race was being held with a massive supply of oil and gasoline as the prize, both the Decepticons and the Autobots badly wanted to win it. Megatron entered the race by hiding himself inside a hollowed-out car and harassed [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] all throughout the contest. When Prime discovered the car was being driven by his arch foe, he swiftly pulled a telephone pole out from the ground and used it to bash the mortal hell out of the cheating Decepticon. Thanks to Prime's violent intervention, Cliffjumper was able to win the race. Afterward, Optimus Prime celebrated the Minibot's victory with a gargantuan smile as all the Decepticons starved to death. {{storylink|The Great Car Rally}}

The morning after a particularly vicious battle, Optimus listened to birdsong and pondered life as a giant robot, before asking [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] for a damage report. The Autobots were puzzled when the Decepticon [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s (and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]) did a flyby on their camp, as the Decepticons were similarly damaged after the battle, but [[Shooting Star]] reported that the Decepticons were trying to distract them while an attempt was made to secure a broken-down oil truck a few miles away. Optimus took a small group to investigate, and successfully aided the [[Abe Walters|humans]] in getting their truck moving. [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] was instrumental in stopping the Decepticon attack, and Optimus commended the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] for his valor. {{storylink|Decepticon Hijack}}

On another beautiful day, Optimus sat under a tree with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], discussing the Decepticons. A while later, [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] reported that [[Grapple]] had shot at him. Optimus smelled a Decepticon plot and led an assault on their headquarters, only to find that Grapple had been injected with a [[cerebro-shell]], placing him in Decepticon control. Battle commenced, during which Grapple was freed and helped them defeat the Decepticon. Afterward Optimus said it all had been worth it to get Grapple back. {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}}

===Ladybird Books===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Marinker]] (English)}}

[[Image: Ladybird_prime_transforms.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The ghost of Optimus Prime possesses...himself?]]
Upon witnessing the incredible power of a lightning storm for the first time, Optimus Prime had Sparkplug Witwicky explain the phenomenon to him. Intrigued by the potential of lightning, Prime put [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] to work finding a way to harness its energy, so they could use it to aid in the rebuilding of their spaceship. Huffer constructed a giant lightning rod, and Optimus Prime and the Autobots gathered to watch its first test. They were shocked, however, when a fleet of battered, damaged Decepticons flew out of the mountain housing the antenna and off into the night. The evil robots had attempted to discover the device's secrets and been seriously electrocuted! Once the lightning rod had been checked, Prime vowed to make the lightning-harnessing technology the Autobots' gift to Earth once they had left the planet. {{storylink|Autobots' Lightning Strike}}

When the Decepticons tried to take control of a solar energy station, Prime sent Roller in to investigate. {{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}} Later, Prime sent [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] to spy on the Decepticons' latest misdeeds, and the Autobots discovered that they were having trouble with the ion drive of their starship. Prime led the Autobots in an attack on the mine the Decepticons were using to test their propulsion system and routed Megatron's force. {{storylink|Autobots Fight Back}}

Optimus Prime grew concerned when [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] picked up a communication from [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] that indicated the Decepticons had grown interested in a mysterious structure near a human village. Prime and a team of Autobots headed out to investigate, and they battled the Decepticons over the structure, which turned out to be a harmless windmill. {{storylink|Laserbeak's Fury}}

[[Image:Ladybird_powermaster_prime.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Invisible keyboard solo!]]

At some point, Optimus Prime disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] arrived from Cybertron to take his place as Autobot commander. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}} Prime eventually returned many centuries later, now sporting a [[Powermaster]] body, and rejoined the Transformers' war after it had moved from Earth to the alien planet of [[Nebulos]].

When [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] was captured by the Decepticon leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Optimus Prime agreed to surrender himself to ensure his fellow Autobot's safety. Naturally, though, Prime did not expect Scorponok to hold up his end of the bargain, and he had [[Hosehead]] and [[Fizzle]] rescue Highbrow while he allowed himself to be imprisoned. Their mission successful, Hosehead and Fizzle then sprang Prime from his cell, and the team beat a hasty retreat. {{storylink|Autobot Hostage}}

After weeks of Decepticon silence, Optimus Prime decided to get proactive and sent out patrols all over the planet to try and flush the villains out. None of the patrols reported back with any success, however, and Prime realized that there was one area of the planet that his troops had deliberately ignored: the mysterious "[[Nebulos Triangle]]". [[Quickswitch]], [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] and [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] were sent into the Triangle, and they did indeed discover and foil the Decepticon plot going on in the area. {{storylink|Decepticons Underground}}
{{-}}

===Colorforms audiobooks continuity===
{{voiceactor|? (English)}}
Optimus had [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and Huffer plant false information to mislead the Decepticons. As the Autobots were in need of a new power source, he sent [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] to find Doctor [[Heath Blaisedale]] and had to apologize to the doctor after Cliffjumper kidnapped her. Persuading her to help them, the Autobots traveled to the solar plant to make use of her solar reactor, only to find the Decepticons were already planning to attack it. While the other Autobots re-energized, Optimus protected them from an attack by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] abducted Blaisedale as a diversion, forcing Optimus to lead a team and rescue her. When the team returned, the plant was already under attack and Optimus helped the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] drive them off. Unfortunately the Dinobots totaled the plant in the process, and Optimus promised Blaisedale the Autobots would help her rebuild. In return, Blaisedale organized a meeting with the [[President of the United States]] so the Autobots could forge an alliance. {{storylink|Sun Raid}}

===The Battle for Planet Earth===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Marinker]] (English)}}
In search of new energy sources, Optimus led a team to central [[South America]]. When they spotted [[Mount Sheelah]], their two human friends [[John Gordon|John]] and [[Tim Gordon]] explained volcanoes, and, believing it to be of possible use, the Autobots went to examine it. During a battle with the Decepticons over the volcano, Optimus was convinced by the two humans to retreat, ultimately saving them when Mount Sheelah erupted. {{storylink|Terror of Mount Sheelah}} After discovering that the Decepticons were kidnapping humans, Optimus sent [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] to scout the Decepticon base. When Bumblebee returned with the Decepticons' [[global crystal]], Optimus was able to use it to blackmail the Decepticons into letting the humans go. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (G1)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}}

Using their network of human allies, the Autobots tracked the Decepticons to [[Stanley Lake]]. When Optimus learned that the Decepticons had taken over the hydro-plant, he lured them out into the valley in front of the dam so that [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and the humans could flood the valley, washing the Decepticons away. {{storylink|Menace at the Dam}} [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] attempted to defect as part of a ploy to get a spy into the Autobots' midst, but Optimus wasn't fooled at all. He and his men concocted a false plan which they shared with Starscream, and while the Decepticons were subsequently on [[Deuterium Orbital Laser Tracing System|a wild goose chase]], Optimus's team smashed the Decepticon base flat. As they let Starscream go, Optimus couldn't help mocking him. {{storylink|Espionage!!!!!}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
Not long after his resurrection, Optimus was alerted by [[Monitorus]] to an attack on [[Tau-Ursa]]. Optimus's impending speech was interrupted by a Decepticon attack led by [[Sixshot]]. Prime soon discovered that the attack was a diversion, while Galvatron tried out his [[Nullification Cannon]] on Cybertron's Energon supplies. Optimus rushed to the Energon plant, but, after clouting [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] so hard that the Decepticon was left dangling over a precipice, Prime's morals forced him to rescue the Decepticon instead of stopping Galvatron from getting away.

Although Cybertron's Energon stocks were destroyed, the Autobots discovered a recording pointing to the [[Logicon]] planet [[Metascan Alpha]], which had Energon in abundance. Optimus ordered Hot Rod and Ultra Magnus to take a team each to find the planet. The Autobots discovered they were being spied on by the Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clone]]s, and Optimus swore that Galvatron could pay. He led a team to the derelict space destroyer which the Decepticons were using for a base and fought their leader one-on-one. As he was about to destroy the Nullification Cannon, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] took a swing at him which connected instead with the Cannon, obliterating it. Optimus was helped away from the destruction by [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]]. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

===''Transformers PD Type''===
[[Image:PDtype-Matrixattack.jpg|left|thumb|250px|This is the highlight of this entire page.]]

When a horde of time-displaced Decepticons joined forces to hunt down the five [[Blackball]]s, a super energy source, Optimus Prime gathered a team of time-displaced Autobots to help stop them.

In one encounter with his arch-foe [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], they reenacted their epic struggle from the [[Battle of Autobot City]]. However, this time around, Prime avoided dying by launching his "Matrix Attack"...''literally'' launching the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] from his chest, bonking Megatron on the head. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##1 "You're Great! Optimus Prime!"|You're Great! Optimus Prime!}}

Later, Optimus Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] concocted a cunning strategy. They disguised a round, black cartoon explosive as a Blackball and gave it to [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Starscream promptly brought it to Megatron, where it blew both of them up. Optimus and Magnus were astounded their plan actually worked. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##3 "Don't Cry! Megatron!!"|Don't Cry! Megatron!!}}

In one of his less impressive moments, after running out of ammo during a battle with [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]], Optimus Prime ordered his fellow Autobots to improvise and hurl everything that wasn't nailed down at their enemy. This included the Blackball, unfortunately. Catching it, Deathsaurus began to fantasize about his inevitable galactic conquest, all the while being pelted with rocks and litter. Frustrated, Deathsaurus accidentally hurled the Blackball back to the Autobots in a fit of rage. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##4 "Good Job! Deathsaurus!!"|Good Job! Deathsaurus!!}}
{{-}}

===''Comic Bom Bom G-2'' comic===
[[Image:G2Hero.jpg|right|200px|thumb|GAH, HE'S LOOKING AT ME!]]
In the year 199X, the Decepticons had learned of a powerful new energy source known as [[forestonite]] which just happened to be located (surprise surprise) on [[Earth]]. Megatron sent his trio of [[Cyberjet]]s to Earth first to draw out the enemy Autobots. The Cyberjets made quick work of [[Electro]] but were soon halted by the appearance of Optimus Prime.

Megatron then entered the fray and fired his Black Hole Burn attack from his fusion cannon, narrowly missing Optimus Prime but vaporizing [[Hooligan (G2)|Hooligan]] in the process. Prime fought fiercely but Megatron began to take the upper-hand in battle.

However, Prime was encouraged to keep fighting by the cheers of a human boy named [[Junpei]]. Megatron, surprised at Prime's resilience, attempted to finish his foe off with his Tornado Axe attack. Prime countered with his Double Wheel-Torque Mega-Ton, which trumped Megatron's attack and injured the Decepticon badly. Megatron teleported back to his ship and left Earth's atmosphere, vowing to return.

Optimus Prime addressed Junpei, asking if the boy was injured. Junpei revealed he was alright but presented concern about the Decepticons returning to Earth. Optimus Prime swore that the Autobots would remain on Earth until the threat of the Decepticons was finished and asked for Junpei's help in making that future a reality. {{storylink|The New Battle!!}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[Image:G1Prime BWMegs.jpg|left|180px|thumb|You have to get up preeeeetty early in the timestream to beat Optimus Prime!]]

The [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] raged on prehistoric Earth, eventually leading to the discovery of the buried Ark sometime after its crash on prehistoric Earth. [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], following [[Megatron (G1)|his namesake's]] instructions in a desperate gambit, decided to attempt to change history by killing 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 eventually [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] control of Cybertron. Megatron unleashed a full-power weapon blast at Optimus Prime's face, near-fatally injuring him. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}} However, [[Optimus Primal/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] proceeded to take 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 mutated Primal into a large, [[Transmetal]] "Optimal Optimus" form. Then, with the repairs complete, Prime's spark was restored, and he briefly activated before sinking back into normal stasis. {{storylink|Optimal Situation}}

Sometime after the Autobots and Decepticons awoke in the 1980s, the original Megatron gained access to one of Earth's ''Voyager'' spacecraft and inscribed a message on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|disk]] on board. In the event that he lost the War, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use [[transwarp]] technology to travel to Prehistoric Earth, locate the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and change history by killing Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}}

====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
[[Image:Sparkwar2_Optimus_hologram_primal.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
{{voiceactor|[[Garry Chalk]] (English)|[[Tilo Schmitz]] (German)}}

Optimus appears to have fallen in "the final battle" against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search}}

An enormous [[Optimus Prime memorial|statue]] of Optimus Prime, bearing two [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|Golden Disks]], could be seen on Cybertron in front of the Hall of Archives. The statue was subsequently blown to pieces by the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon forces]]. {{storylink|Fires of the Past}} Later, Megatron beamed a hologram of Optimus Prime down to the ruins of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] to confront [[Optimus Primal]], claiming to contain the "essence" of the real Prime that had been stored here since the Final Battle. Primal was conned by this and was tricked by the hologram into accessing the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]. Megatron seized control of the Oracle code and quickly revealed his ruse. Primal explained to his Maximals that he knew the image was fake, but he needed the location of the missing [[spark]]s from Megatron's mind. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search}}

====3H comics====
[[Image:Sparkholderprimevaldawn.jpg|left|190px|thumb|"Oh, I also have this in me now, too."]]

After the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Optimus Prime disappeared with other legends into the mysterious location on Cybertron dubbed [[J'nwan]]. When the warlord [[Shokaract]], powered by [[Unicron]]'s [[Dark Essence]], traveled into the past to secure his own future, a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] named [[Sandstorm (BW)|Sandstorm]] traversed the confusing mists of J'nwan to seek out its occupants to help. Sandstorm prevailed and brought Optimus, Megatron, Soundwave, and Grimlock with him to prehistoric Earth during the time of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] where a battle with Shokaract had already begun. When Sandstorm (secretly Scorpius) and the rest of the [[Covenant]] arrived to vanquish the Dark Essence and defeat Shokaract, Optimus Prime and the others escaped through portals as that timeline was paradoxed from existence. {{storylink|Terminus (issue)|Terminus}}

After the Beast Wars had ended and the Maximals and Predacons that survived it had headed home, the Vok entered the Ark and removed the Matrix of Leadership from an unconscious Optimus Prime. They used it to create [[Primal Prime]], and then gave the Matrix to their new creation. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 1}}

{{note|''Primeval Dawn'' was never completed, but presumably the Matrix was returned to Optimus Prime's body before Primal Prime returned to Cybertron.}}

As the [[Universe war|Universe conflict]] began, [[Optimus Primal]] was shown a myriad of Transformers from across all timelines that he could choose to recruit into his [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] in the battle against the [[Minion of Unicron|Minions of Unicron]]. One such possibility was a Transformer who was either [[Thunder Clash]] or Optimus Prime, but, regardless, Primal chose [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox instead]]. {{storylink|Homecoming (issue)|Homecoming}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' comic===
[[Image:CheetasManga1.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Cheetor, that's Prime's Spark, not a toy.]]
Optimus Prime was blasted into pieces by Dragon Megatron. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 5|Beast Wars Metals #5}} Fortunately, his spark remained perfectly intact—in the remains of his Matrix-shaped spark chamber. Megatron was going to destroy Prime's spark, but [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (now in his Transmetal body) saved it. Prime's spark was eventually swallowed by Optimus Primal, who was upgraded into Optimal Optimus by doing so.

After Megatron was killed by Optimal Optimus, Primal and his crew said it would be troublesome to fix Optimus Prime's body. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 6|Beast Wars Metals #6}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
When Bumblebee, Hound and Spike brought a badly-damaged Starscream back to the Ark, Optimus struggled with the ethical implications of allowing Wheeljack and Ratchet to mess with the Decepticon's logic circuits, but gave them the go ahead. Starscream proved to be amnesic, and Optimus was able to take the opportunity to help him as much as possible, even physically preventing Megatron from retrieving his former lieutenant when Starscream opted to stay with the Autobots. Though Starscream left as soon as he regained his memory, Prime reflected that they'd learned that maybe it was possible to reason with a Decepticon. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

After passing the Matrix to Ultra Magnus and expiring in the aftermath of the [[battle of Autobot City]], Optimus Prime found himself in [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]]. There he encountered Optimus Primal and another [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] from a [[Unicron Trilogy|different universe]]. Together, the four of them overcame the other Optimus Prime's doubts about his leadership, before returning to their respective time lines. {{storylink|Prime Spark}}

{{note|The following takes place in a version of Dreamwave comic continuity}}
While the Autobots were boarding the Ark, Optimus voiced his lack of confidence in his leadership, before welcoming aboard [[Geosensus]], who was incapable of transforming to robot mode. Four million years later, Prime and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] found the Ark was under attack and defended it with deadly force. In examining the wreckage of the attackers, they realised that the robot Optimus had destroyed was not a Decepticon but Geosensus, who had forced himself to transform in an attempt to fight off the Decepticons. Though Prime was willing to take the rap, Prowl insisted on covering up the mistake to protect Optimus's image as a leader. {{storylink|Parts}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation 1'' comics===
{{notekeepers}}
[[Image:Optronix optimus.jpg|left|180px|thumb|What? OPTRONIX is evolving!]]
Optimus Prime started life as '''Optronix''' ''('''Orion''' to his friends)'', {{storylink|Hardwired}} a data archivist at the [[Vaults]]. After taking note of a battle in which the Autobot leader [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] had been defeated by Megatron, he was summoned to the [[Council of Ancients]] and informed that the Matrix had chosen him to be the next leader of the Autobots. He received the Matrix of Leadership shortly thereafter, gaining a powerful new body in the process. After dispatching a Decepticon assassination squad sent to, well, assassinate him, he ordered the Autobots to prepare to evacuate Cybertron, intending to leave the Decepticons to their own devices. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}}

As he and Prowl discussed the wisdom of evacuating, a huge explosion obliterated the [[Forum of Enlightenment]]. Optimus led a team there, realising that the destruction was a message from Megatron. Leaving his team, he ventured underground, encountering [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], who blasted him into a pit. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} Exploring the underground, Prime had a strange vision of a transparent version of himself, which warned that he must grasp Cybertron's significance. Then he was attacked by [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s, whom he was able to easily best. As Optimus encountered [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in person for the first time, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] blasted the bridge they were standing on, plunging them into yet another chasm. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} Recovering, Prime heard another disembodied voice telling him about Cybertron. Before he could look for a way out, Megatron found him, and informed him about the true nature of the Matrix. This spurred Optimus to fight back, but before long, Megatron took control of the battle, smashing his fist into Prime's chest to get at the Matrix. A blaze of light enveloped the pair, who found themselves abruptly on 20th century [[Earth]]. {{storylink|The War Within issue 4|The War Within #4}}

As Megatron explained that the Matrix was giving them a vision of the future, they witnessed themselves battling on [[Sherman Dam]]. The nature of their surroundings established, Megatron resumed the scheduled beating, but a series of setting shifts ended with Optimus reunited with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. Grimlock handed Prime a sword and suggested he finish Megatron for good. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} Optimus found Megatron again, engaging him in combat and announcing that he was playing the game by Megatron's rules now—without mercy. A short time later, he joined the other Autobots in attacking the Decepticons who were trying to use Cybertron's giant engines. Grimlock was finally impressed with Prime. They arrived back at [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] to find it destroyed, but Optimus announced they were no longer evacuating the planet and threw away the [[Golden Disk (council)|Golden Disk]] full of the knowledge of his predecessors which the council had given him, saying he would choose his own course. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

Some time into his role as leader, Optimus Prime disappeared in a [[space bridge]] explosion along with Megatron, {{storylink|Fragmentation}} but returned some time later, having spent a period of time on [[Quintessa]].

{{note|Due to the closure of Dreamwave, Optimus's return to Cybertron was never depicted.}}

[[Image:DWPrimeDirective1 Sparkplug newspaper.jpg|250px|thumb|]]

Following the awakening of the Transformers on Earth, the Autobots protected the planet from the Decepticons. Over the next fifteen years, the Autobots befriended the humans, particularly the [[Witwicky|Witwicky family]]. The Autobots finally allied with humankind and eventually defeated the Decepticons at the turn of the century. They planned to return to Cybertron aboard the newly constructed ''[[Ark II]]'', along with [[Magnificent Seven|seven humans]], including Witwicky patriarch [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]. Before the ship departed, Prime gave a piece of the Matrix to [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], Sparkplug's son and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s closest human friend. But the ship was destroyed as part of a military conspiracy to take control of the Transformers.

Optimus Prime's body was hauled out of the Arctic Ocean by the US military. While a terrorist organization run by the enigmatic [[Lazarus]] was able to seize control of several of the other Transformers that fell back to Earth, the military worked unsuccessfully to reactivate Prime. They eventually called in Spike Witwicky. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} Spike was forced by the project chief, General [[Robert Hallo]], to use the piece of the Matrix to reactivate Prime. Functional again, Prime used the Matrix to reactivate more of his fallen comrades. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}}

The Autobots helped repair a [[Smitco Oil Refinery]] site which the Lazarus-controlled Transformers had attacked. Optimus had no answer for Spikes accusation that the Transformers' presence on Earth was responsible for the destruction. When Megatron's activities at Lazarus's base were spotted by the military, Optimus insisted on the Autobots going in without backup. They discovered Megatron in the middle of a plan to reformat Earth into a new Cybertron using a [[cyber-virus]]. Optimus rejected Megatron's suggestion he should just let it happen, but while the two factions fought, the human military unleashed [[Operation Clean-Up]], dropping a bomb on them. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}}

The energy of the explosion absorbed by the virus, the Autobots dug themselves out and set about recovering their fellows whom Megatron had used to power the cyber-virus in its early stages. [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] passed on a message from Megatron — there was a surprise in store for the Autobot leader. Optimus and some Autobots including [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] sped to [[San Francisco]], where Megatron had unleashed [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. As Prime battled Megatron, he took time to save three humans who were threatened by falling debris, only for the humans to turn on him. The defeat of Superion turned the tide of the battle against the Autobots. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}}

[[Image:DWPrimeDirective6 Autobots wanttheirheads.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Optimus sets a [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|trend]].]]

Never one to give up, Optimus managed to down Devastator in return, only to find himself at Megatron's mercy. The Decepticon leader pointed out to him the humans' self-obsessed behavior in the face of the devastation, suggesting the fleshlings were worthless, and the Autobots should join the Decepticons in wiping them out. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}} The heroic actions of a team of firefighters and other humans proved to Optimus that the humans were worth saving, and the Autobots delivered a smackdown on the Decepticons. The fight was interrupted by the news that a nuclear missile was inbound, and despite Prime's protests, Superion sacrificed himself intercepting it. Prime recovered from the shock wave to find that the Decepticons had fled. He appealed to Grimlock to return to the Autobot ranks, an offer turned down by the Dinobot. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

Following this, Prime began to experience subconscious urgings, leading both the Autobots and the Decepticons to the Arctic Circle, where Shockwave arrived to greet them—and arrest them as war criminals. Shockwave had succeeded in ending the war on Cybertron, and brought a team of [[Triple Changer]]s to apprehend them. As Optimus stared down [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]'s cannon barrel, he was saved by Grimlock, though he subsequently had to order a retreat. Prowl convinced him to let a small team stay as recon while the others returned to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and discussed the change in situation. {{storylink|New World Order}} Though Optimus was puzzled by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] having fallen in with Shockwave, he had little other choice, and surrendered to Magnus. Despite being bound, he took the first opportunity he got to make his feelings clear. Prime and those of his Autobots who had also surrendered were put on a shuttle back to Cybertron, where Shockwave planned to have them deactivated. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}}

Stewing in a cell, Optimus blamed himself for their predicament, but he and the Autobots were soon rescued by [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]. Sandstorm and Optimus traveled through Cybertron's [[Old Slave Trails]], only to find themselves ambushed by [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]], who swiftly killed Sandstorm, and then the Decepticon was attacked by a [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]], which lunged at Prime. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Prime recovered to find himself in the care of a group of Autobot rebels including [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. They revealed to Optimus that Shockwave had been transmitting subliminal signals to increase Transformer aggression. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

Optimus was able to rally Autobot factions from across Cybertron to the cause and launch an all-out attack on Shockwave's fortress. Shown the image of Shockwave blasting Ultra Magnus, Optimus charged in to confront the Decepticon, only to be overpowered and the Matrix ripped from his chest in order to activate Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Stalling, Prime listened as Shockwave recounted the history of Cybertron, and eventually Ultra Magnus arrived, having recovered, to attack and defeat Shockwave. Prime and Grimlock helped him escape from the fortress as it crumbled to the ground. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}} The injuries Prime took in this conflict necessitated a prolonged restoration period in stasis. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}}

{{note|...which turned out to be the remainder of Dreamwave's existence. Bummer.}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:GIJoevsTFcobraprime.jpg|right|275px|thumb|G.1. Joe—the real universal hero!]]
In the early stages of the war, Optimus Prime was an archivist, watching the battles from afar and keeping records of them. This all changed when the [[Matrix of Leadership]] chose him to lead the Autobots in battle. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}} Shortly after he ascended to Primehood, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] tried to kill him, but failed. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2|Black Horizon, Part 1}}

Several Autobots and Decepticons, including Optimus Prime, were reformatted into will-less war machines under the control of [[Cobra]]. During an initial attack on a human peace conference, Cobra's remote control of Optimus (whom they had nicknamed "[[HISS tank|HISS-14]]") mysteriously failed. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue #1}} Later at Cobra's [[Cobra Island|island headquarters]] in the Caribbean, Cobra scientists pulled Optimus apart to find out what was impeding their commands. As this analysis took place, Optimus reverse hacked into Cobra computers until they shut him down in a panic. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}} Despite this, Prime sent a viral message out to hundreds of email addresses that included the coordinates of Cobra's base. The message was intercepted by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] who teamed up with Wheeljack and Bumblebee. After Wheeljack broke the remote control over the Transformers, Prime went after [[Cobra Commander]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}} More than a bit frightened of a giant robot gunning for him, the human released Megatron, who was trapped in gun model. Megatron transformed and fought Prime to a standstill until other Autobots came to back him up. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}}

Although he was weak and low on [[energon]], Prime made a last-ditch effort to save the day when he rammed through the wall of Megatron's energon-producing lab. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}} After a quick recharge, Optimus single-handedly smashed the Decepticons, pounded Megatron to the ground, and ripped his [[fusion cannon]] off his arm. Prime then teamed up with the Joes and used Megatron's cannon to shoot down the [[SPS Satellite]] that had gone rogue and was destroying the island.

With the battle over, Prime and the Autobots boarded a new ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' ship built by G.I. Joe and returned to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

[[Image:GIJoevstfIIprime1930s.jpg|left|275px|thumb|Retro Convoy: TRANSFORM!!!]]
On a Cybertron dominated by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and the Decepticons, Optimus Prime and the Autobots took on the roles of resistance fighters. Cobra experimentation transported a contingent of Cobras and G.I. Joes to Cybertron and destabilized [[Teletran 3]], which led to the computer sending several Transformers to [[Earth]] across different time periods. When Optimus Prime saw Jazz get zapped by Teletran 3, he leapt to rescue his soldier, only to be transported away as well. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} A team made up of Joes and Cobra agents were sent back and found Optimus Prime and the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] in 1930s-era Chicago, disguised as period cars and trucks. The Stunticons chased Prime and the Joes around the city until everything was wrapped up with bullets, a collapsed bridge and some dynamite. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

After the Transformers and humans were returned to present-day Cybertron and the Decepticons were vanquished by the recently-arrived [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], Prime made an agreement with the Joes to destroy the technology that started the whole mess in order to protect Earth. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

On Cybertron, Optimus Prime kicked back to do a little bit of paperwork and reminisce. With Shockwave defeated, Cybertron was enjoying a new era of peace. He was interrupted by Hot Rod, who reported that a group of "pesky humans with their peashooters" were giving an Autobot team on Earth a hard time. Prime suspected Cobra's involvement and counseled Hot Rod not to be so dismissive of the humans. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} When the team returned to Cybertron and mysteriously vanished in the [[Gladiator Zone]], Prime was prepared to go search for them, but was convinced by Hot Rod to stay behind and organize a peace ceremony. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

Later, at the peace celebration, Prime was watching a procession of Autobots when Decepticons attacked. Optimus ordered [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] into action but the huge Autobot was quickly overcome by [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] and [[Predaking]]. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} Prime hopped into the fray, saved a [[Optimus Prime's rescuees|civilian]] from getting smushed by the falling Omega, rode [[Sixshot]] into Piranacon's face, smashed [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] into the ground, and carried a [[Optimus Prime's rescuees|wounded civilian]] out of danger.

[[Image:Primevsserpentor.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Serpent O.R. soon realized that "This I command!" doesn't work on Optimus Prime.]]
Menasor cut off Prime's escape and handed him the [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] trio, who confronted Prime with a hologram of [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] The new Decepticon leader carried Megatron's memories and information downloaded from Soundwave, from which he learned of the Matrix of Leadership. Serpent O.R. offered Optimus a trade: hostages and peace if he handed over the Matrix. Optimus agreed.

In his stronghold, Serpent O.R. questioned Prime about his own worthiness to carry the Matrix, but Optimus broke free of his chains and aggressively ordered him to surrender. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} A group of Decepticons broke in and nearly took Prime apart, but not before Serpent O.R. took the Matrix for himself and changed into the massive Serpentor Prime. The Matrix showed Serpentor Prime the error of his ways but as he was about to commit suicide Cobra Commander tripped a device and took over Serpentor Prime's body. Moments before he crushed Arcee, a severely damaged Optimus Prime threw Hawk toward the Matrix but warned the human not to touch the artifact. Hawk did so anyway and through a quasi-mystical transfer of power Serpentor Prime was vanquished.

Later repaired by a [[Paradron Medic|female nursebot]], Optimus went back to finishing his paperwork. A leader's job is never done. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

Sensing a new, yet old, danger to planet Earth, Prime elected to send himself to earth on an investigation, and gave Hot Rod a glare when the young Autobot accused his leader of taking an unnecessary risk to atone for the death of a [[Bumblebee (G1)|close friend]].

Optimus Prime landed in the Himalayan Mountains with G.I. Joes [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] and [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]]. As they searched the area, the trio was attacked by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] in his [[Pretender]] shell. Prime whacked him with his [[energon-axe]] and in return Bludgeon bearhugged him and coated him in metal-eating slime. Hawk, still carrying power from the Matrix, helped Prime break free. Optimus then shot his way into the hidden kingdom of [[Cobra-La]].

While they wandered through the tunnels, the Joes and Prime found cave paintings that described the last visit to Earth by the planet-eating god [[Unicron]]. They were attacked again by Bludgeon and Cobra-La minions, but were led away by a ragged [[Joe Colton]], prisoner of Cobra-La for the last 25 years. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2|Black Horizon, Part 1}} Bludgeon managed to find them again and during a second battle Prime tore open the Pretender's shell, revealing Bludgeon's robot form inside. Bludgeon tripped and dangled dangerously over a chasm, but rather than let Optimus Prime save him, Bludgeon forced Prime to drop him to his death laughing all the way down.

The Joes discovered a cavern where the people of Cobra-La were growing [[metal-eating spore]]s as a last defense against Unicron. Flint and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] took a load of the spores into space just as Unicron appeared in Earth orbit. Prime, Hawk and Colton headed deeper into Cobra-La to rescue [[Firewall]] and kick butt. Prime was tackled and pinned by a giant bug creature, but made a dramatic recovery and tossed the bug aside. He then took the machine-hating Cobra-La leader [[Golobulus]] to task with a single punch. Flint and Cosmos released the spores, which devoured Unicron from the inside and defeated the giant Transformer before he could harm [[Earth]].

With the threat of Unicron gone, Prime relaxed with [[Eject]] and Firewall by watching some reality TV, and sighed at the banality. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2|Black Horizon, Part 2}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comics===
[[Image:Wc_prime.jpg|right|thumb|What is it with Primes and weak stomachs?]]

After their own [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] disappeared, [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] and [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] discovered an alternate version of Optimus Prime lying unconscious and barely alive in [[Autobase (Armada)|Autobase]] Earth. Though [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] did what he could, the mysterious Prime reactivated only long enough to utter a cryptic statement about the walls crumbling and the coming of chaos, then died. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}}

[[Unicron]] later explained that he sent the alternate Optimus Prime into their universe as a "calling card", a terrifying warning of his imminent arrival. This was probably to tell the uninitiated that Unicron is a jerk. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
Optimus Prime and his troops lay deactivated on the [[Fera Islands]] for three million years until [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] stumbled upon them one day in [[1939]]. {{storylink|The Line}} The Autobots were reactivated by a [[Sky Spy|repair drone]] and given new disguises, with Optimus Prime being reformatted into an unknown [[World War II]]-era human vehicle. He explained to [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] who they were, and learned that [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s Decepticons had been reactivated a year prior, and were currently wreaking havoc on [[Europe]] along with [[Cobra]]. While hesitant at first, Optimus Prime soon joined G.I. Joe in their mission to destroy Cobra and the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformed}} After commanding the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to get the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] out of the way, Prime advanced across the Fera Islands, but met resistance in the form of [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}}

As the Autobots were having trouble with Rumble, Optimus Prime told them try to use his earthquakes to their advantage, which led to the end of the Decepticon. Prime subsequently ordered the Aerialbots to [[Superion (G1)|combine]] and save Grimlock and [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] from falling off a cliff. {{storylink|Wolves}} As they got closer to the Cobra [[Terrordrome]], however, Prime started regretting getting the Autobots involved with the humans' war. He offered to carry G.I. Joe across the water separating them from the Terrordrome, but told them that Autobots only fight if they have no choice, and they had no reason to fight anymore. Moments later, he saw that Cobra were using innocent prisoners as human shields, and Duke added that anyone who Cobra ''didn't'' enslave, they murdered. Filled with righteous anger, Optimus Prime ordered his troops to roll out. {{storylink|Trenches}}

Shortly after reaching the other shore and taking out [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], Prime witnessed the gigantic [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] bust out of the Terrordrome and attack everything around him. With Superion gone, Prime knew that there was only one way to stop this rampaging monster, and ordered his Autobots to evacuate the humans while he went looking for the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He soon found that [[Snake-Eyes]] was in possession of the artifact, but was under attack from Megatron. Prime attacked Megatron, keeping him at bay while telling Snake-Eyes that destroying the Matrix would kill Bruticus. The ninja complied, only to learn that Optimus had left something out of the story: smashing the Matrix would kill ''all'' the Transformers, including Prime himself. Looking at the Autobot leader's body, the Joes knew that Prime had been aware of this, and had deemed it a necessary sacrifice to save the humans. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

Decades later, in 1986, Duke showed [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] and [[Spirit]] footage from the battle of the Fera Islands, including Optimus Prime's fight with Megatron. {{storylink|Targets of Opportunity}}

===IDW Generation 1 comics===
[[Image:YoumustbeMegaton.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Megaton—tron—whatever.]]

Before the war, Optimus, then known as Orion Pax, was a graduate from the [[Institute for Higher Programming]] and a rising star in Cybertron's police, an inspiration to officers like [[Springarm]]. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} Shortly before [[Nominus Prime]]'s assassination, Pax became captain of the [[Rodion]] Police and a somewhat liberal one at that. When the lowly miner Megatron was arrested for assault, Orion read his treatise on ''non-violent'' resistance, did some investigation, and found he wasn't guilty; he had him released, and told Megatron he'd read his treatise and told him to keep working for change. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} In addition, he locked up his officer [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] for abusing the prisoner.

That last part made some high-placed friends of Whirl's ''very'' unhappy, and thugs working for [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] were sent to threaten Pax to release him. Orion refused, but the encounter rattled him; Megatron's writings had claimed the Senate was corrupt but he couldn't bring himself to believe that. He believed it when the thugs came back to spring Whirl and murder him, killing Springarm and [[Wheelarch]] in the process. In a mix of righteous fury and tactical skills, Orion took them down, arrested the leader, and then forced his way into the [[Grand Imperium]]: he made a defiant speech against the Senate's corruption and brutality, saying his eyes had been opened by Megatron.

[[Image:MO3 EOOPAT funeral.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Helloooo cameo.]]
Brutal corrupt regimes aren't likely to be guilt tripped and will instead arrest you. However, not every Senator was corrupt: one had Orion freed and repaired in a way that gave him a Matrix cavity. This Senator revealed elements of the Senate were behind Nominus' demise, intending to get the Matrix from him... {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}} Some time later, two Autobots named [[Fastback (G1)|Fastback]] and [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] were killed by Megatron, who had changed was now trying to overthrow the Senate by force. Orion Pax (with a completely changed appearance) was one of several Transformers who gathered for their funeral, standing solemnly with his arm around his [[Elita One|girlfriend]], next to his [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|white clone]] and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|a guy with a beard]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}}

[[Image:SpotlightBlurr-Optimus.jpg|left|thumb|200px|There's something missing...]]
After the death of Sentinel Prime, [[Zeta Prime]] rose to lead the battle against the growing Decepticon insurgency. Orion Pax continued upholding the law by changing from police captain to soldier, and was assigned to a unit commanded by the veteran [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. ''Once again'', during this time, he adopted a completely new robot mode, and was for some reason calling himself "Optimus". During this tour of duty, his unit intercepted a message reporting a planned attempt on the Prime's life. He approached former racer [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] as a reliable means of getting the news to Zeta Prime in a hurry. The former celebrity balked, but ultimately the young soldier helped Blurr find what really drove him to race, and thus recruited him to the Autobot cause. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}}

Orion Pax would face Megatron in open combat for the first time at [[Sherma Bridge]], during the [[Rorsha Campaign]]; his side lost 5000 men but he tore off the tyrant's cannon arm before he losing and getting thrown off the bridge. Every Autobot and Decepticon stopped fighting to witness their duel. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

Eventually, Orion became the commander of his own counter-insurgency unit working directly under Zeta Prime, though he had grown angry and detached from his experiences. During a mission to arrest the arms dealer [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] in [[Nyon]], he lost his temper and almost beat the Decepticon to death in front of horrified onlookers. {{storylink|Law and Disorder}} He later admitted to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] that he was frustrated with his own failures and uncertain if they were really on the right side, since so many civilians seemed to hate them and the government. {{storylink|Parasites}} Dispatched by Zeta Prime to hunt down the spy [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], Orion succeeded in defeating the Decepticon in spite of [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]'s attempts to turn the fear and paranoia of bystanders against him. Before he could capture him, however, several other Decepticons arrived, taking his subordinate [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] hostage and telling him Megatron wanted an audience with him. {{storylink|The Hunt for Soundwave}} Brought to a [[Jump Joint|bar]] in [[Kaon]], Orion listened to Megatron compliment him on standing up against the Senate but refused his offer to help the Decepticons overthrow them. In turn, Megatron revealed that Zeta Prime was not only planning on draining energon from civilians for the war effort, but had also sent Orion's unit to Nyon because he had hoped they would die, thus giving him an official reason to attack the city. Orion stalled the conversation long enough that his allies could break in and rescue him and Bumblebee, then returned to Iacon and confronted Zeta with Megatron's claims. Zeta only told him not to question his motives before sending him on his next mission to capture the insurgent [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. {{storylink|Cause and Effect}}

Tracking Hot Rod to the [[Acropolex]] in Nyon, Orion Pax and his men were baited followed him into the depths of the building, where they discovered tanks of energon drained from the city's population by Zeta Prime. Having seen the truth with his own eyes, Orion decided to turn on the corrupt government just as Zeta began attacking Nyon with his [[Omega Destructor]]s. {{storylink|Ruins}} Leaving Hot Rod to evacuate the city, he and his unit tried and failed to defeat one of the Destructors. As they tried to escape, Nyon began to explode, and Orion realized that Zeta had set everything up to force Hot Rod's insurgents into self-destructing their own city. As Zeta arrived in person, Orion tried to fight him but was quickly dispatched by his [[vamparc ribbon]]. {{storylink|Purge}} Before Zeta could execute them, Orion and his team were saved by none other than Megatron and his Decepticons, who brought them back to Kaon for repairs. Though he still didn't trust Megatron, Orion Pax now knew he had told the truth about Zeta Prime and accepted his proposal that they join forces against him. After assuring a depressed Hot Rod that destroying Nyon had been the right thing to do, he shook hands with Megatron to cement their alliance. {{storylink|Choices}}

As their soldiers invaded Zeta Prime's [[Citadel]], Orion Pax and Megatron were air-dropped into his [[Primacy Auditorium|chamber]] and confronted him in person. Though Orion lost an arm in the battle, he managed to destroy Zeta's weapon, and the corrupt Prime was finally killed by Megatron. As soon as everything was over, however, Megatron betrayed the Autobots and shot Orion in the back. {{storylink|Overthrown}} Left for dead in the [[Undergrid]] beneath the Citadel, Orion was pulled towards a distant light which turned out to be the hiding place of the Matrix of Leadership. As a voice called out for him to take the artifact, he did so and was suddenly overcome with the pain, fear, and loneliness felt by all living Cybertronians. Imbued with new clarity and wisdom, he realized that Cybertronians don't need to be "united" since in the eyes of the Matrix, [['Til all are one|all were one]], and that Autobots are meant to fight for the freedom of all sapient beings rather than uphold the laws of a long broken system. As the Matrix repaired his body, Orion Pax declared that he was giving up his identity for his people: he was now Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformation (issue)|Transformation}} Guided by the Matrix, Optimus Prime returned to the ruins of Nyon, where he called out for a dormant life force beneath the city. He was soon joined by his old allies and Hot Rod, who had now joined the Autobots, and announced to them that he was now Prime and that it was time to fight for justice instead of laws. The life force then revealed itself to be the Acropolex itself, in truth an ancient Transformer, though Optimus renamed him [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Rise}}

In order to defeat Megatron, who had declared the Decepticons rulers of Cybertron following the death of Zeta Prime, Optimus Prime needed an army. He recruited the help of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] in order to hack into the [[Iaconian Newsfeed Service]] and broadcast a rallying call for additional help against the Decepticon tyranny across the entire planet. Joined by thousands of freedom-seeking Transformers in need of a strong leader, he marched on Iacon to fight the Decepticons for control of Cybertron. {{storylink|Broadcast}} When Megatron brought out his massive "vamparc annihilator" weapon, Optimus called on Metroplex to take it out, causing Megatron to fall near him and leading to [[The Transformers: The Movie|familiar duel]]. Though Optimus won, Megatron managed to flee back to Kaon and promised him that the war was only beginning. In the aftermath of the Decepticons' retreat, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] showed Optimus a stash of illegal weapons kept by Zeta and suggested they use it against the Decepticons. He refused this and ordered them destroyed, trying not to make the same mistakes as Zeta did. Later, he congratulated Hot Rod for saving his life in the battle, and though Hot Rod stated he didn't deserve gratitude due to his destruction of Nyon, Optimus just told him hold his head high like a true hero because someday he might be holding the Matrix. {{storylink|Endgame}}

In his early days of commanding the Autobot army, Optimus Prime was reviewing new recruits when he came upon a defiant old veteran called Ironhide, who thought of Prime as a wet-behind-the-audio-receptors upstart. Optimus was intrigued by this old coot and asked to teach him about the ways of war—and Ironhide did just that. Everything he threw at Optimus, Optimus took and learnt. One day, Optimus, having gained much wisdom since meeting Ironhide, decided to go against Ironhide's counsel, heading east instead of west. This turned out to be a good idea, as [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] had been waiting in the west to ambush the Autobot forces. Later still, Ironhide and Optimus got a bit unlucky and ended up dangling off a cliff with Ironhide missing a leg. They were eventually rescued. As time went on, Ironhide developed a respect and awe for his protege. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

Four million years ago, Optimus Prime led a strike team to prevent the Decepticons from overtaking the latest in a series of Cybertronian cities. Leaving Prowl to hold the line, Optimus and Ironhide went after a convoy of Decepticons bring fresh energon to the enemy troops. Fighting their way through [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and the Mini-Cassettes, the Autobot duo held [[Octane|Tankor]] and his soldiers at gunpoint, threatening to blow them and their energon cargo to kingdom come unless they surrendered. Tankor chose the better part of valor, and Optimus captured five Decepticons without firing a single shot.

At a party celebrating their win, Optimus Prime politely declined Prowl's request for him to address the troops, reasoning that the Autobots needed some R&R, not the usual "destiny and honor" speech. He conversed quietly with [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and Ironhide afterwards, privately confiding in them that he foresaw the war going on without end. The Decepticons were a philosophy, an idea...and you cannot beat an idea, only change it somehow. Despite his sad reservations, Optimus took the time to mingle among his soldiers, and listen to their tales of glory. He was saved from an assassination attempt by Ironhide, his ever vigilant bodyguard, whose devotion to his leader led him to throw himself in the path of [[Axer (G1)|the assassin]]'s blast. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

{{spoiler|Rules of Disengagement| August 25}}
Optimus Prime was later part of the [[113th Battalion]] where the [[Infiltration protocol|phase sixer]] [[Black Shadow (Victory)|Black Shadow]] fought against the 113th Battalion, singlehandedly defeating him and Ultra Magnus and killing 3,003 others. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement}}

[[Image:IDWOptimus.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Freedom is the right of all sentient and heavily-armed beings.]]

Over the course of the war, Optimus Prime commanded the Autobot armed forces spread across the galaxy from the [[Autobot Orbital Command Hub]] {{Storylink|The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer}}, using an [[Omniglobe]] to absorb the data and direct the battle {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement}}. He fought Megatron on multiple worlds, each time either taking and/or dishing out horrific damage. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} He was directly involved in the cataclysm ([[IDW timeline|just under 450 years ago]]) that reduced [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to a dead husk, fighting alongside [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in an attempt to stop [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s rampage. Their efforts were futile, and they only survived due to Cybertron itself swallowing Thunderwing at [[Thunderhead Pass]]. Megatron was unconvinced that Thunderwing was dead, and he advocated that Cybertron be destroyed to better insure that the mad Decepticon was forever destroyed. Optimus Prime refused and threatened to stop any effort that Megatron attempted. Megatron agreed to spare the planet, but warned Prime that anything which happened afterward was on his head.

In the present, Prime received a pulsewave from [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], who was stationed under [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s team on Earth, saying that the Decepticon infiltration cell under [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] had broken their infiltration methods and enacted [[Infiltration protocol|siege mode]] prematurely. Soon afterward, the Autobot science vessel ''[[Calabi-Yau]]'' sent a distress signal from above Thunderhead Pass, and he ordered the [[Wrecker]]s to withdraw from [[Varas Centralus]] and meet him on Cybertron. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} Thunderwing had been restored by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his followers, and though the Wreckers made short work of them, the real fight would be met with Thunderwing. After the Wreckers, [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] and [[Centurion droid]]s were unable to destroy the monster, Prime took to the field, firing massive amounts of energy at Thunderwing, forcing it to exhaust its last reserves of [[Ultra-Energon]] and, ultimately, its life. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 4|Stormbringer #4}}

[[Image:IDWPrime Earth.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Don't crush the cameraman!]]
[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] discovered information in Bludgeon's files about the mysterious new form of Energon found on [[Earth]]. Linking it to the pulsewave transmission from Ironhide, Prime diverted his spacecraft to Earth and called [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] in to assist him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Nightbeat}}. Shortly after arrival, and having undergone alteration so that he could disguise himself as an Earth truck, he slowly began to realize how unusual the situation Prowl's unit had found itself in was. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}} [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] alerted Optimus Prime to Decepticon activity in [[Latveria]], so Optimus Prime ordered everyone except Wheeljack to [[roll out]]. They arrived and the humans assembled There they discovered a heavily shielded "array" that the Decepticons were using as a base.{{storylink|Man and Machine, Part One}} They skirmished with the humans that were assembled outside who were under the influence of the Decepticons' mind-altering [[Psycho-Prism]]. Optimus Prime ordered his troops to use standard human containment techniques, and to not kill any of them.

After a while, Ratchet was able to attach an inhibitor device to [[Captain America]] which nullified the effects of the Psycho-Prism. He gave Captain America enough devices for everyone on his team. Now calmed down, Optimus Prime was able to explain about their struggle against the Decepticons, and they teamed up to shut down the Psycho-Prism. They began attacking the array's defenses which caused the Decepticons—whose powers were augmented by [[Spider-Man]]'s super powers—to attack. Optimus Prime got blasted and injured by Thundercracker. {{storylink|Man and Machine, Part Two}} As they fought, Optimus Prime told Ratchet to get inside the array. He then made a point to coordinate better with the leader of the humans. Then Bumblebee, Jazz, and Prime gave a power-boost to [[Iron Man]] in his Transformer-sized armor. This allowed them to beat the Decepticons back.

After the battle quieted down, Megatron communicated via hologram from inside the array with his new ally [[Doctor Doom]]. They showed their captives, Ratchet, Prowl, Luke Cage, and [[Spider-Man]]. Megatron ordered their surrender or the captives would die. Optimus Prime ordered the quick destruction of the array. After a brief discussion, they all attacked the array. Megatron turned on Doctor Doom for being incorrect about them surrendering. Megatron didn't go through with his threat to kill his captives, instead he went outside to face his opponents and carrying Luke Cage. {{storylink|Man and Machine, Part Three}}

While Megatron was attacking, Bumblebee, Jazz, and [[Wolverine (superhero)|Wolverine]] [[orbital jump|orbital bounced]] into the array. They found that Doctor Doom switched sides and freed Spider-Man. Prowl and Ratchet augmented their power with Wolverine's blood, and orbital bounced with Spider-Man outside to join the battle. With their help they defeated Megatron while Wolverine destroyed the Psycho-Prism. Megatron and the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Man and Machine, Part Four}}

Not only had the Decepticons broken their own infiltration protocols over what Starscream had dubbed [[Ultra-Energon|Ore-13]], but after attempting to recover what appeared to be [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]'s remains, it was also evident that some of the planet's native sentient lifeforms—[[human]]s—posed a threat possibly equal to that of their old enemies. {{storylink|Escalation issue 2|Escalation #2}}

[[Image:Escalation5 Primedies enlightning.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Rule of thumb, Megs—if he don't turn gray, he's A-OK.]]
Optimus Prime, now fully filled-in on Earth's happenings, decided that they needed reinforcements. He called Nightbeat, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] to come when they could. When Prowl pointed out that Megatron, in his new gun-based Earth mode, was in the breakaway Soviet state of [[Brasnya]] stirring up trouble, Prime ordered them into action. [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] almost got the drop on Prime, but [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] was right behind him and took out Blitzwing with a single shot. Megatron returned to his full-size robot mode and disagreed with the quality of Prime's tea and crumpets. At last, the two rivals were going to go at it. The fight went well at first, with Prime blowing Megatron's [[fusion cannon]] clean off. Megatron, however, tireless thanks to Ore-13, prevailed, almost beating Prime into [[stasis lock]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}}

However, Prime transferred his consciousness into his trailer, leading Megatron to believe him dead. Realizing that Ore-13 was the same as Ultra-Energon, Prime returned to his body in time to save his forces from the relentless Megatron, blasting him point blank in the face and dealing enough damage to the Decepticon leader to drain his power reserves, just as he did against Thunderwing. The victory was narrow, however, leaving Optimus with the daunting task of fending off an increasing enemy force without his last ace in the hole. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}}

This near-death experience had left Prime somewhat unsettled. While his consciousness was in [[infraspace]] downloading to his trailer, he sensed a presence of dread—the visage of his long-missing predecessor, [[Nova Prime]]. Looking for answers, Optimus Prime left Earth temporarily to seek an audience with [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] for answers. Once there, he found out about Nova's beliefs of how Transformers were a superior race and should remake the universe in their image, and he faced down the rampaging [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]], a legacy of Nova's tenure locked away by Omega Supreme. Then he gave his "you shouldn't have done that" speech to Omega, handed Monstructor's limbs over to Jetfire's team, and went on to have angst-ridden introspection about himself and the tarnished legacy of the [[Prime (rank)|Prime lineage]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}}

After returning to Earth, Nightbeat discovered that a human group was aware of the base's location and recommended to Prime that they move the ''[[Ark-19]]''. As preparations were underway, Prime received a message from [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] saying that Thunderwing had been stolen. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], eager to search for Sunstreaker, suggested that they be reassigned to Earth, and Prime agreed. However, the thrashing that Prime gave Megatron had so embarrassed the Decepticon leader that he ordered in the Decepticons' living weapon, [[Sixshot]]. While moving the ''Ark-19'', Prime and the others came under fire by Sixshot, who severely damaged their ship. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}}

[[Image:Devastation4 PrimeSixshot hyperbole.jpg|left|180px|thumb|"And THAT'S for killing my brother in another timeline!"]]
Ordering [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] to get [[Jimmy Pink]] and [[Verity Carlo]] to safety, Optimus then instructed Nightbeat to upload all of ''Ark-19''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s data to ''[[Ark-32]]'' and for Prowl to activate the self-destruct sequence. {{storylink|Devastation issue 2|Devastation #2}} When ''Ark-19'' exploded, it was assumed that Optimus was on board, but all was good at the end when he appeared with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and the others, ready to take on Sixshot. {{storylink|Devastation issue 3|Devastation #3}} Optimus and the Autobots held Sixshot at bay, but the U.S. military ordered an air strike to destroy the alien robots. The battle was a stalemate, as Sixshot had to return to the Decepticons while the Autobots [[orbital jump]]ed just in time to avoid destruction. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4|Devastation #4}} On ''Ark-32'', after a conversation with Jetfire, Prime informed Prowl that they needed to retrieve Wheeljack, Hot Rod and Ironhide, and leave Earth to see to another crisis. The secure facility on [[Garrus-9]] had been breached, and Prime and company needed to make sure that some of the "recent inmates" there didn't end up "in enemy hands". {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} Before leaving Earth, Optimus Prime redirected Hound's unit to rendezvous with ''Ark-32'' at Garrus-9, and he told Hound to impress upon Sideswipe the importance of their mission and how he didn't leave Earth or Sunstreaker behind lightly. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

[[Image:DarknessPrimes.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Think he can go one series without having a near-death experience?]]
Optimus Prime and Prowl met with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and Jetfire on Garrus-9 and discussed the prisoners' breakout and how a surviving Decepticon had been tortured. Maximus and Jetfire gave each other a guilty glance. Prime left Maximus in charge and returned with Prowl to the ''Ark-32''. Meanwhile, [[Dead Universe]] resident [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] attacked Hound's crew, but they received help from Ultra Magnus and drove Cyclonus to escape to [[Corata-Vaz]]. There, he activated the [[Nega-Core]] and fought with Magnus and Hound's crew, who had followed him. In desperation, Cyclonus activated the Nega-Core's guardian—Thunderwing. Using the distraction, Cyclonus escaped, but Magnus sent another tracker after him. All this was reported to Optimus Prime on the ''Ark-32'', who recognized that this had something to do with his infraspace encounter in Brasnya. Prime ordered Jetfire to summon the Wreckers to find out what Thunderwing was guarding. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

The prison soon came under attack from Nova Prime. Rather than watch his soldiers be slaughtered by the undead monster, Optimus Prime ordered a retreat and faced Nova alone. Announcing his new title of Nemesis Prime, Optimus's predecessor explained the nature of the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]] before unleashing a portion on the Autobot leader. Shattered, Prime collapsed onto his hands and knees as Nemesis loomed. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}}

[[Image:OptimusdeadNemesis.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Optimus! I've come to help y—oh. Sorted, then?"]]

Unexpectedly for Nemesis Prime, the Darkness seemed to be more interested in the younger Prime and sought to be passed onto Optimus. Nemesis wasn't about to let go of the power he commanded, and he savagely attacked Optimus Prime, whose attempts at reason fell on deaf ears. Just as Nemesis Prime seemed victorious, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] attacked the fallen Prime from behind, killing him. Nemesis's death allowed the Darkness finally to enter Optimus, who tried to fight against its evil to no avail. Galvatron offered the Autobot a choice: kill himself by plunging into the [[Solar pool]], or pass on the Darkness to Galvatron, who had coveted it for so long. Optimus seemed to do so willingly, but just as he passed on the Darkness, he threw the surprised Galvatron into the solar pool. As Optimus gazed upon the dead body of Nemesis, he told himself he could not mourn the elder Prime's death, as Nova had truly died long ago. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[Image:AHMPrimecritical.jpg|right|250px|thumb|So he's dying. [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|This shouldn't be a problem by now]].]]
A year later, Optimus Prime combined his Autobot squad with another squad. Having received word of a supposed Decepticon power struggle, Prime led the Autobots to a location where Starscream's "group" was, only to be ambushed by a unified Decepticon force. Though they managed to turn the tide briefly, Devastator's appearance made the difference, enabling Megatron to rip the Matrix of Leadership from Prime's chest. Prime was dealt another blow (mentally) when the Autobots were told that they'd been sold out by a traitor in their ranks (who was later revealed to be [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]). {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}} The Autobots were led to a space bridge, where Prime, who was the last to go, used his remaining energy to destroy the machine. Unfortunately, this heroic act left Prime in critical condition. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} With this defeat, the Autobots were forced to leave Earth to the Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}}

After Prime's unit met up with Kup's unit, and after dealing with the Swarm and Sunstreaker's sacrifice to save them, Ratchet and Wheeljack managed to use energon from the ''Trion'' to bring Prime back online in time to smooth over an Autobot argument. As the others excitedly welcomed him back, Prime made a speech about how he was proud of them and that he wanted to win the war. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}}. After the Autobots recovered and prepared for a final stand against the Swarm, Prime had a brief chat with Ironhide (during which Ironhide admitted to hating him secretly at first sight at the start of the Great War), then prepared for the Swarm's onslaught. When they came, the Autobots fought back, but they were quickly outnumbered by the thousands. Thankfully, Omega Supreme arrived and saved them from certain doom. After Omega briefly told them about his arrival, Prime ordered him to transform and transport the Autobots back to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}

Arriving at [[New York City]] while the Decepticons were fending off attacks by a European air squad, Optimus and the Autobots began to engage the Decepticons again. After a bit of fighting, and with the threat of Devastator, Optimus ordered Omega Supreme to take Devastator away from the city and fight him elsewhere. Optimus Prime encountered Megatron, and the two engaged in a bit of viewpoint bantering, mostly about the way their war was now changing and the fact that the humans Prime had "sworn to protect" were about to drop a nuclear bomb on the city. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}}

[[Image:AHM-13 Prime mouth.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Optimus will overenergize on this stuff, then wake up the next morning in a CR chamber full of ice with his robo-kidneys missing.]]

After that, they engaged in a fierce battle while trading more banter. At first, Megatron took the advantage, but just as he was about to leave with the Decepticons and take the Matrix with him, a shot from [[Shockwave (G1)|an experimental weapon made from a Transformer]] fired by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|a brave human]] hit him it the face. Seizing the opportunity, Optimus grabbed Megatron's fusion cannon and slammed it against Megatron's head, bringing him down in defeat. Before Optimus could truly finish him off, however, Starscream intervened and, after exchanging words, took off with Megatron and the Matrix. Prime's decision to go after them or save New York from nuclear devastation was rendered moot when Thundercracker, who had grown disenchanted with the way the Decepticons went after the humans, blew up the bomb at the cost of his own life (thanks to an angry Skywarp). The war over for the moment, Prime met with Spike Witwicky, thanked him for helping the Autobots out, and asked if there was some way to help the humans in return. However, Spike responded that they had brought their war to Earth, so any chance of human-Transformer relations was now long gone. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

Later, in an abandoned cave supposedly somewhere within NY's ruins, Optimus heard Ironhide's resignation from the Autobot forces. Respecting Ironhide too much, he did not argue, but after some energon and a little flashback, Optimus convinced Ironhide to stay. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

[[Image:Ongoing Issue 1-Optimus Surrenders.jpg|right|thumb|200px|His attempt to start the wave was not going down well.]]

Three years later, Prime was still insisting the Autobots remain on Earth despite minimal Decepticon activity and the development of human technology capable of fending off Cybertronian. Hot Rod, already frustrated by the capture of Prowl, snapped and accused Prime of allowing both his guilt at the events of three years ago and his need to protect something to trap the Autobots on a world that didn't want them anymore. Optimus was left nearly speechless, forcing him to allow Hot Rod to lead a risky mission to free Prowl. In order to put some of his fears to rest, Ironhide went along to keep the more emotional 'bots in check. This mission ended with the freeing of Prowl, at the cost of Ironhide's life.

The loss of Ironhide forced Optimus to re-examine his actions of the past years. Concluding he had been the wrong, leading the Autobots down a self-destructive path, Prime resigned his post as Autobot leader and handed himself over to the humans. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} Optimus was brought inside the Skywatch base and put into transformation stasis. However, he was shortly freed (but not released) as Spike Witwicky decided they needed to talk. {{storylink|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}} Spike attempted to have a conversation with Optimus and get him some help, but Optimus stonewalled him, saying that he was captured, at their mercy and therefore not allowed to be treated nicely. He refused to talk any further and was moved into a holding cell. Later, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] were brought into Skywatch captivity. Spike explained that although Prime didn't want any help, he'd want to help his troops, and so should talk with Spike. {{storylink|A Rude Awakening}}

Optimus told Spike that he believed that he was an ineffective leader since the Decepticons left. Prime hoped that without his overwhelming presence, his men would learn to evolve and move beyond his mistakes. {{Storylink|Enemies of the System}}Spike later convinced Optimus to help the Autobots and Skywatch prevent the loss of innocent lives threatened by the new combiner, Menasor. Optimus heroically battled Menasor, but after the combiner was defeated, Red Alert asked Prime what to do next and Optimus responded that he was not in charge anymore and would return in Skywatch custody. {{storylink|Earthworks}} Optimus later thanked Spike for the human contributions to defeating the Decepticons. {{storylink|All His Engines}}

Soon, the Combaticons appeared in North Korea, and Spike recruited Optimus and the Autobots to fight against them. {{storylink|International Incident Part 1: "The Land Ironclads"}} Optimus later saw Spike complaining of the lack of brains his unit was displaying and stated that such a flaw is reflected on its commander. The Autobots were forced to fight in vehicle mode after the President called them "weapons of mass destruction". {{storylink|International Incident Part 2: "Ranks of Bronze"}} During the battle, Prime smashed into Vortex and managed to bring the Combaticons' leader Onslaught to his knees. All was going well until the arrival of the Predacons, representing the People's Republic of China. {{storylink|International Incident Part 3: "Hawk Among the Sparrows"}} Optimus Prime tried to get the Predacons to stand down, and they agreed to move no moves against the other warriors so long as China's borders were not breached. At least, until Onslaught shot Rampage in the back. This caused a brawl between the Autobots, Combaticons, and Predacons. Optimus took control of the situation by having Thundercracker attack Dandong and Pyongyang to cut off China and North Korea's energon production capacity and their involvements with the Cybertronians for good. {{storylink|International Incident Part 4: "All My Sins Remembered"}}

After the assassination attempt on Bumblebee while Prime's forces were still overseas, Optimus Prime tried to figure out how a mere human weapon used by the protester could have damaged Bumblebee. Smokescreen jumped to the conclusion that it was Skywatch weaponry but Spike insisted Skywatch didn't want the weapons out in the public as much as the Autobots. Just then, Jazz ordered everyone to don their crash suits right before the jet exploded. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 1: The Demolished Man}} Optimus Prime and the others survived the plane crash, making their way underwater for several hours in vehicle mode (with Spike and the Skywatch agents inside) until reaching the Panama Canal. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies}}

Megatron revealed his involvement in recent events, and told Optimus Prime he knew Prime would survive the plane crash. Megatron said he did not want kill Optimus, but to destroy him, and the Autobots would soon know the difference. Optimus met up with Megatron and Soundwave as the Decepticon leader explained the guns made from his previous body were scattered around the world and nobody could stop him. Optimus insisted those humans using the guns are renegades and admitted he didn't trust all humans, but he trusted Spike. Megatron pushed the situation by dumping several wounded Autobots onto a school playground where some Megatron-gun holders prepared to destroy them. Optimus charged up his ion blaster and Megatron laughed because the weapon would not harm him in his current state. Optimus said he's right and blasted Soundwave through the head, ending the communication to the Megatron-guns. Furious, Megatron stated he has lost one soldier, but Prime would lose everything. He departed, leaving Prime to clean up the mess. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome}}

Back at Omega Supreme, Optimus learned that Ultra Magnus put a tracking chip on Soundwave earlier and Optimus Prime prepared to track him down. Before the assault, Prime told Jetfire and Cosmos to meet him in Earth's orbit. Optimus jumped from a plane, dropping onto an abandoned laboratory where Megatron had Shockwave working to save Soundwave. He told Megatron to bring the fight outside if he didn't want to lose more troops. With Jetfire's help, Optimus arranged for a Kinetic Harpoon to blast down on Megatron's position, but the massive devastation kicked up by the impact still didn't drop the repowered Decepticon leader. He started beating on Megatron asking why he never dies. Megatron beat Prime and brought him back to Skywatch where he surprised everyone by surrendering. After receiving repairs, Optimus told a heavily restrained Megatron that Omega Supreme will transform if he sensed Megatron trying to escape. Megatron responded by telling Prime he was exactly where he wanted to be. Megatron then claimed one of the Autobots' human allies killed Scrapper and Prime told Prowl to investigate this claim. Prime reviewed their current situation and contemplated the coming chaos. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine}} Optimus Prime later learned, from a sudden appearance of Hot Rod, Sunstreaker, and Ironhide, that Cybertron was habitable but had been taken over by Galvatron. Optimus and most of the Autobots left aboard Omega Supreme's rocket part to liberate their homeworld. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix}} On the way, Optimus questioned a captive Megatron why he surrendered but never got an answer. Optimus then resorted to using the VVH and, if Omega Supreme hadn't had cut the power, Megatron would have perished. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

Optimus Prime arrived on Cybertron and did battle with Galvatron's forces. Galvatron warned Optimus of a threat that could destroy them all but did not elaborate more afterwards. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}} Optimus later realized the Kimia facility preparing to fire on Cybertron. Rodimus and Trailbreaker headed for the facility's target and Silverbolt and all fliers headed to battle the facility. The Kimia facility opened fire on the planet and blew a crater on the surface. Optimus ordered the remaining Autobots to plow through the Sweeps. It turned out Lightspeed and Afterburner were aboard the Kimia facility. Lightspeed activated explosives and the facility exploded. Megatron was freed from Omega Supreme and declared Cybertron was his. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers}} Optimus Prime, Rodimus, Ironhide, and Drift pursued Galvatron and Jhiaxus to the crater on Cybertron. Galvatron hypnotized the newly arrived Decepticons and Sweeps into forming a huge monster, Deceptigod. Deceptigod smashed Omega Supreme, preventing the Autobots' escape. Megatron arrived and Optimus Prime pursued Galvatron while Megatron faces Deceptigod. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}} Galvatron infused Vector Sigma with his Heart of Darkness, expecting that D-Void would cease his assault. Instead, it brought the Darkness to Cybertron and began swallowing Vector Sigma. Rodimus explained to Optimus he somehow ''knew'' that the Matrix would defeat the Darkness. Optimus's doubt allowed Galvatron to shoot him in the back. Cyclonus just then came and fought against Galvatron, believing himself to be tricked into doing Galvatron's work. Optimus opened the Matrix and a huge light came out. After the light, Optimus was left kneeling in a new crater with two empty halves of the Matrix at his feet. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

Optimus woke up on a Cybertron convulsing with primordial energies and missing some recognizable features. He ran into Rodimus and Bumblebee and learned that Cybertron had new arrivals called [[NAIL]]s who had left the planet during the Great War and hated the Autobots because they were symbols of that war. Prime learned also that the Decepticons that formed Deceptigod were captured and controlled with I/D chips. Optimus then addressed to the entire population of Cybertron that he will hope for Cybertron to be rebuilt without him as he's leaving. As Optimus Prime left the planet, he suddenly felt free and no longer responsible for anyone's life or death. Optimus Prime was dead. Orion Pax was reborn. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime}}

After voyaging through space for some time, Orion was contacted by Hardhead with some strange news: a distress signal from the planet [[Arduria]] had awoken Hardhead's formerly-catatonic prisoner, Jhiaxus, who began screaming Orion's name. Investigating the Ardurian signal, Orion and Hardhead found that they had been lured into a Decepticon trap when they were attacked by Monstructor. His knowledge of the combiner from their past fight availed Orion little, as the monster's weak spot had been removed, and Monstructor was able to keep them busy long enough for his new master Bludgeon to free Jhiaxus. Realizing that Jhiaxus and Bludgeon were intending to hunt down all the planets that had been targeted by Shockwave's [[Regenesis]] program, Orion and Hardhead set course for the [[Lenocinium Velnero System]] and gave chase. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

Fifteen million years later, Ironhide looked back at the war and wondered if Optimus Prime was still out there, and Alpha Trion assured him that he was. {{storylink|Pax Cybertronia (issue)|Pax Cybertronia}} This may or may not just have been a vision Ironhide had. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}}

{{note|The events of ''Spotlight: Mirage'' possibly take place in an alternate/unknown continuity.}}
Optimus Prime commanded one of the last remaining pockets of Autobot resistance, hiding out in the [[Pegasus Star Cluster]]. While awaiting the arrival of Bumblebee's team, he and Hound tried to work out how to convert the [[Zodiac|Zodiac Energy]] for their consumption. "Bumblebee's" arrival proved to be their downfall, as it was really the self-serving mercenary [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], who destroyed the bunker security systems, allowing the Decepticons inside. Optimus Prime refused to surrender during the ensuing struggle, until Mirage used the critically injured Jetfire as a hostage, forcing Prime to back down. When Megatron betrayed Mirage's word and ordered the execution of the Autobots, Optimus Prime tried to reason with the mercenary, appealing to his former friendship with Hound...until Mirage killed Hound in defiance. Furious, Optimus Prime broke free of his captors and tackled Mirage into the Zodiac Energy chamber. {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[Image:HeartsofSteel_1_Prime_Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"I keep telling you Bumblebee, the Dinobots will never accept you into their clique!"]]

The Autobots and the Decepticons came to [[Earth|a distant world]] in the grip of an ice age. Assuming alternate modes based upon the [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dominant (though doomed) indigenous creatures]] of this planet, they continued their [[Ice Age Wars|ancient, unending war]]. However, the Autobots, with their energy levels dangerously low, withdrew from combat as the world grew colder. They sought refuge in a deep cavern and entered [[stasis lock]], awaiting the day when surface conditions changed to better suit their operation. Millions of years later, Bumblebee was awoken by the hammering of humans working on a rail line. He briefly considered awakening Optimus Prime, but thought better of it. After discovering the world had changed significantly, Ratchet thought there was no reason to awaken Prime. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} When Bumblebee discovered the Decepticons were once again active on this world, Ratchet and Prowl agreed that the Autobots must intervene, but again decided out of rousing Optimus from his slumber. {{Storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

Optimus Prime is finally needed to be awakened after the new threat, the [[Elder God]]s, comes to be.{{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 1|Infestation 2: The Transformers #1}}Ratchet, Trailblazer, and Hound give energy necessary to recharge Optimus Prime, who awakens and reawakens the trio with his energon reserves. Optimus and the others go to Port Cenotaph to stop the attending Elder God and manage to slice the Elder God off though Optimus doesn't believe the God is defeated. Optimus then promises the Autobots will help fight it if it ever returns.{{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 2|Infestation 2: The Transformers #2}}

===''Music Label''===
In the year 2007, the Autobots discovered that the Decepticon communications officer [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] was attempting to control the minds of humans through hypnotic music broadcast through a series of tiny clones of himself. Optimus Prime upgraded his trailer with a huge pair of speakers, and proceeded to drive around, broadcasting a counter-frequency that undid the villain's brainwashing. {{storylink|Transformers Music Label}}

{{note|The [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|2007 Takara timeline]] placed the events of the ''[[Transformers Music Label|Music Label]]'' storyline in the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], but Optimus Prime's role in the story is therefore made impossible, as he was dead in that universe in 2007. However, given the way the timeline is unhelpfully laid out, it's not impossible that this adventure may take place not in the mainstream timeline, but in the branched-off parallel dimension of the ''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Binaltech|Binaltech]]'' storyline, where Optimus did not die.}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comics===
Optimus foiled Megatron's attack on 21st century [[Tokyo]]. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 1}} He and Bumblebee had to stop [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'s attack on [[Shinjuku Station]], but it was actually a distraction from Megatron's gathering of energon cubes. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 2}} {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 3}} Megatron used one to transform into Galvatron, and would have killed Prime were it not for Ironhide's timely intervention, transforming him back into Megatron. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 7}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' Bun Bun manga===
When the legendary [[Energon Cube]] was lost to the reaches of space, Optimus Prime led a small team of Autobots in pursuit of it. The giant energy source crashed on Earth in the Japanese town of [[Hoshinochō]], where it shattered into fragments that were scattered far and wide. Prime and the other Autobots set up a subterranean base below the Cube's impact crater and began their search for the shards, taking the forms of local vehicles to hide their activities. Despite their attempts at remaining unseen, glimpses of the Autobots only magnified the reputation the crash of the Cube (believed by humans to be a meteor) had given Hoshinochō: that of a hotbed of rumored alien and UFO activity, Japan's answer to [[United States of America|America]]'s Roswell. {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}}

The Autobots gained a human ally in their quest when they befriended Doctor [[Osamu Kihara]] of the Governmental Special Diplomatic Agency, who provided more assistance than they could have imagined when his son, [[Akira Kihara|Akira]], was discovered to be a "[[Booster]]", one of many legendary beings born with the ability to control and detect the energies of the Energon Cube. Alas, the Decepticons had followed Prime's Autobots to Earth, and [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Megatron]] sought the boy's powers for his own. To protect Optimus Prime and himself, Akira unleashed the full extent of his powers, driving Megatron back, but causing his body to burn out and disintegrate. Prime was wracked with guilt over what had occurred, and it would haunt him afterward. {{storylink|Time of Resurrection}}

Eleven years after their arrival on Earth, Prime and the Autobots made a new human ally in [[Wataru Hoshinoumi]] when he stumbled into the midst of a battle between Prime's team and [[Starscream (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Starscream]] and [[Ramjet (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Ramjet]]. {{storylink|Enter! The Transformers}} When Megatron joined the fight soon after, he held [[Bumblebee (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Bumblebee]] and Wataru hostage, daring Prime to make a move against him. Prime opened fire, but Megatron merely used the defeated Starscream for a shield, then turned his cannon on the younger duo. Prime unleashed his [[ion blaster]] and apparently deflected the blast with a shot of his own, saving Bumblebee and Wataru and prompting the Decepticons to retreat. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Appears!}}

Prime invited Wataru to visit the Autobots' subterranean base, and he gave the boy a personal tour as he carried the injured Bumblebee to the infirmary. Telling him the story of the Energon Cube and the Autobots' coming to Earth, Prime showed Wataru the large chunk of the cube that they had managed to recover. He then turned his attention to repairing Bumblebee's wounds, and as such, did not notice Wataru reaching out to touch the cube sliver. A bizarre energy discharge resulted that not only showed the Autobots images of [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Another Time & Place]], but also healed both Autobots' wounds. Prime dived at Wataru and hauled him away from the shard, returning things to normal, but leaving Prime with grave concerns over what the strange occurrence might mean. {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}}

When Starscream attacked a power plant with the aid of his brainwashed ally, [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Skyfire]], Prime carried [[Grimlock (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Grimlock]] to the scene of the battle on the back of his truck mode. {{storylink|The Enemy from the Arctic}} During the conflict that followed, Prime's suspicions about Wataru were confirmed when the boy manifested a barrier to protect himself and Bumblebee and to help Skyfire overcome the influence of Starscream's mind-controlling helmet. Wataru was a Booster as well! {{storylink|Wataru's Power}} His past experiences naturally made Prime hesitant to put Wataru's power to use, but Osamu Kihara made the point that Wataru's power was invaluable for hunting down shards of the Energon Cube. Prime and Wataru headed out to investigate a local relic that Kihara suspected was a cube shard, and Wataru's powers soon confirmed the doctor's findings. Just as Prime was about to report back to Kihara, however, Megatron struck, demanding that Prime hand over both the shard and Wataru. Prime attempted to feign ignorance of Wataru's powers, but Megatron ignored his bluff and encouraged him to hand the boy over, lest he cost ''another'' Booster their life. Driven into a rage by the stinging barb, Prime violently attacked Megatron with his energon-axe, but as the duel raged, Megatron continued to question Prime's beliefs and his attitude. Unable to deny Megatron's accusation that he had hoped to use Wataru's power to defeat him, Prime lost his concentration and was taken down by the Decepticon leader. Despite what he had learned about a previous Booster dying, Wataru stayed true to Optimus and activated his powers, healing the Autobot's wounds and powering up his energon-axe into a huge sword. Summoning all his energy, Prime took down Megatron with one almighty slash, then collapsed into [[stasis lock]]. {{storylink|Optimus Prime's Secret}}

Prime was brought back to the Autobot base for treatment, but the Decepticons exploited the Autobots' lack of manpower and struck again before Prime recovered. With his men taking a pummeling, the unconscious Prime had a vision of Akira, who spurred him on to awaken and rejoin the battle. With another power boost from Wataru, Prime unleashed a super-charged shot from his ion blaster that took down the fleeing Decepticons. {{storylink|Time of Resurrection}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Creation! The New Emperor of Destruction!!}} {{storylink|The Threat of Galvatron}} {{storylink|Revenge (issue)|Revenge}} {{storylink|A Nightmare, Once Again}} {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}

===''Alternity''===
[[Image:Alternity_convoy_boxart.jpg|right|thumb|220px|This might take some getting used to. Hand me the instructions again!]]
In 2007, the Optimus Prime of [[universal stream]] Primax 109.0 Beta encountered a mysterious messenger from another world: [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Alternity|another incarnation of himself]] from a parallel dimension who left him with a warning. Two years hence, Megatron would bring the terrifying super-dimensional lifeform known as the "Beast of Time", [[Hytherion]], into their dimension to destroy Earth. The only thing that could battle Hytherion was the power of the super-evolved multi-dimensional race of Cybertronians known as the [[Alternity]]. Prime agreed that when the danger appeared, he would join the Alternity in the fight.

Sure enough, in 2009, when Hytherion's colossal claw-marks appeared on planets throughout the solar system, Prime's other-dimensional incarnation returned, bringing with him a "Vibrant Red" Vector 109 [[auto-avatar]] with which Prime fused. In that instant, he was reborn as part of the Alternity, a manifold being who encompassed all the different incarnations of Optimus Prime through the multiverse at once. Prime reached his hands heavenward and peeled back the layers of reality, exposing the gargantuan fanged maw of Hytherion looming above the Autobots. {{storylink|From Here to Alternity}}

Optimus battled alongside the Alternity to fend off the beast, when unexpectedly, [[Megatron (G1)#Alternity|Megatron]] overwrote the beast's higher functions with his own. At first, it seemed that Hytherion had been killed, but a newly empowered Megatron (in two bodies) appeared and declared that, now possessing a power that rivaled the Alternity's, he challenged his opponents to take him on or see the multiverse itself burn. {{storylink|To Mega Therion}}

As battles between numerous different Primes and Megatrons erupted quite literally all across time and space, another member of the Convoy Corps was later seen battling [[Starscream (G1)#Alternity|Starscream]], who had been empowered by Megatron to serve as leader of his [[Questor]]s. This Prime was so surprised by Starscream's uncharacteristic sports car alternate mode that he left himself open for a blast from Starscream's Retroactive Nullifer cannon, which erased him from the timestream. As he faded out of existence, Prime responded to Starscream's taunts about the death of the Alternity by telling him that they were already well aware of their prophesied end and were well prepared. {{storylink|Foreshadows}}
{{note|Alternity beings are both individuals and a collective of separate entities. More fiction about Optimus Prime's Alternity collective can be found [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Alternity|here]].}}

===''Robot Heroes'' comic===
[[Image:IDW I am Optimus Prime battle.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Adorobots VS. Decepticutes.]]
Optimus Prime was given the Matrix by [[Primus]] himself, and used to be friends with Megatron. Prowl is his closest friend and Ratchet is his oldest. Searching for Energon, the Autobots landed on Earth, but were followed by the Decepticons. With the help of their human allies, they bested off their foes, and knowing they would return, decided to stay and wait to defend the planet once more. Optimus Prime was proud to be an Autobot. {{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}
{{-}}

===''Universe'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Ron Hayden]] (English)}}
[[Image:Actionblast1matrix.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Anyone with a history of seizures should leave the room now.]]
Optimus Prime narrated the events of what happened before the Ark crashed on Earth. He became the new leader of a long line of Autobot leaders via the discovery of the Matrix. On their quest for more Energon, the Autobots were chased by Decepticons to the planet known as Earth and crashed on it. When they emerged from the Ark, Optimus Prime scanned his truck altmode, stating that the war would not end on Earth. {{Storylink|Action Blast 1}}

[[Image:FfE Optimus Prime Cyclonus.JPG|right|thumb|250px|Don't get distracted by your own fist Cyclonus! Do you WANT to lose your face?]]
Both Optimus Prime and Bumblebee raced down a street in an unknown desert while having an argument about Energon. He ordered Bumblebee to scan the surroundings to find the location where the Decepticons were hiding, and to be careful for possible scouts. When Bumblebee noted what the Decepticons were doing, Prime speculated that they might be planning to convert the energy into Energon, and ordered Bumblebee to create a diversion. While Bumblebee and Cyclonus fought, Prime made a surprise attack and took out Cyclonus with his Ion-axe, before turning his attention to Megatron. When both Decepticons fled, Prime told Bumblebee they'd done a good job (in front of a burning Gas station), and both Autobots got back on the move. {{storylink|Fight for Energon}}
{{--}}

===''Wings Universe''===
[[Image:BattleLines1-DionOrionAriel.jpg|left|thumb|200px|We demand more frolicking!]]
Nine million years ago, the dockworker Orion Pax and his coworkers and friends [[Elita One|Ariel]] and [[Dion]] were murdered by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and his new [[Decepticon]] army. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 1}}

Orion Pax was rebuilt into Optimus Prime as part of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]'s "[[Prime Initiative]]", a proposed alternative to the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]]. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 2}} However, after most of the Elite Guard were destroyed by the turncoat Guardsmen [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], the [[Autobot High Council]] was prepared to give Optimus Prime command of the new Autobot military. This transferal of power was carried out at the [[Autobot High Council Citadel|Citadel]], with Prime standing with his best warriors. Prime promised to match the Decepticons' ferocity in order to preserve their way of life. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 1}}

[[Image:BattleLinesPrimeandCo.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Magnum]] was always more of a Rodimus guy.]]

He told his team that their primary mission would be to find and stop Megatron, though Ironhide thought they should be going after [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] and the Combaticons. Optimus reminded him that orders were orders, but broke off his speech when he noticed that [[Side Burn (G1)|Side Burn]] was missing. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 2}}

A week or so later, after Side Burn had been located, Optimus gladly accepted an apology from [[Magnum]], who had previously felt that the two of them had a rivalry. As the pair agreed to a new, combined Autobot military, Dion ran up with the news that the Decepticons were massing at the walls of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Though Magnum tried to give the order to assemble the Elite Guard, Optimus received news from Ironhide that it was already too late. They watched as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] broke through the city wall. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}} After Dion aided in the dismantling of Devastator, Optimus Prime boasted to Megatron that the Autobots were aided by two capable leaders, and so the Decepticons were doomed to defeat. Megatron responded, perhaps unsurprisingly, by putting a big hole in [[Magnum]]. Megatron attempted to do the same to Optimus, but Dion dived between the blast and its target. This infuriated Optimus, and as he shouted "Not again, never again!" he overwhelmed the Decepticons with firepower. As they retreated, Optimus crouched over Dion's crumpled body.

[[Image:BattleLines6-UltraMagnus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|]]

As the Autobots' tended to their wounded, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] warned over Magnum and Dion's bodies that he could only save one of them. Indeed, one of the two was successfully rebuilt as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].

Five million years later, Optimus organized a group of Autobots to leave Cybertron to search for energy to replenish their planet's resources. However, a Decepticon attack forced some Autobots, such as [[Elita One]], to remain behind. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}

In [[1993]], Optimus Prime and the Autobots worked with their allies in [[Earth Defense Command]] to create a stronger link between their two peoples. A [[Cyberfactory]] was created on Earth to manufacture new Transformers with all the rights and status of citizens of Earth. Many years later, one of these Cybertronians named [[Rapido]] saved Optimus Prime from the [[Concurrence]] in 2006 by marshalling his Earthborn comrades into an effective fighting force. Out of respect for his abilities, Optimus gave Rapido emergency command powers on Earth, letting him assume leadership of any group of Autobots whenever the situation required it.

Following the rebirth of Cybertron's Golden Age that same year, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]] abandoned Earth and Cybertron to seek new sources of energon deeper in space. Optimus Prime assembled the majority of the Autobot army to pursue them, leaving behind only a small group of Autobots at [[Autobot City]] on Earth. Unfortunately, over the next few years several Earthborn Cybertronians from the Cyberfactories turned to crime, assembling as a new [[Decepticon Syndicate]]. Once he received word of the troubles on Earth, Prime sent [[Scorch (G1)|Scorch]] the [[Turbomaster]] to assess the situation. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}

===''TransTech''===
[[Image:InvasionPrologue-Primes.jpg|left|thumb|300px|This breaks caption protocol, we know, but "Not [[Sureshot (G2)|Sureshot]]."]]
An unspecified time later, Optimus Prime was gathered in [[Axiom Nexus]] by [[Optimus Prime (TransTech)|its Optimus Prime]], along with a roster of other Optimus Primes and [[Lio Convoy|their kin]]. A multiversal cataclysm in [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|a universe]] seeded with [[Rarified Energon]] and an invasion by [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|natives from the negative polarity universe]] had called them into action. Since Matrix bearers were usually never allowed into Axiom Nexus, this was a grave threat indeed! {{storylink|Invasion Prologue}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
Optimus Prime has appeared in more [[Commercial|television commercials]] than any other Transformer... just as with everything else. He has been voiced by [[Peter Cullen]] in every animation segment in which he's had a speaking role.

[[Image:Toycommercial-firstPrime.jpg|right|thumb|My wheels don't disappear!]]

* He was one of the featured characters in the first ever appearance of the Transformers anywhere, an advertisement for the first issue of [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the Generation 1 comic]]. He arrives in the midst of a desert battle as the Decepticons attacked a power plant on Earth, driving to back up his troops in defending it. He strikes a rather iconic pose as he transforms and fires, which would be replicated and copied numerous times in the early years of the franchise. This first commercial used nonfinal versions of the characters' [[character model]]s; Optimus Prime, for example, still had wheels on his legs. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9-7RjhFzpM]

* In a commercial for the [[Triple Changer]]s, Optimus confronts Astrotrain on a desert battlefield, but the Triple-Changer escapes under fire from other Autobots. Shortly afterward, Prime uses Perceptor's microscope mode to examine a fragment of Decepticon battle armor. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WssZjIsUIU]

* Prime and Jazz are shown fighting Megatron in the desert in an ad for the 1985 cars, whom he summons to help out with the battle. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WssZjIsUIU]

* Prime narrates two commercials around the time of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', describing the action as [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] battles [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] take on the [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]]. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-10pud7DY]

[[Image:Toycommercial-PowermasterOptimusPrime.jpg|right|thumb|An integral part of Powermaster Prime's transformation is Joyride shooting lightning bolts through his pointed finger.]]

* Prime was prominently featured in the ad for the first comic issue featuring the [[Powermaster]]s. On the rocky plains where practically every Transformer battle ever seems to happen, Prime arrives in his Powermaster body to back up three of his troops against Dreadwind and Darkwing. He's shown combining with [[Hi-Q]] and transforming, attacking with his trailer's battle station mode, then combining with the trailer to continue the attack. Who wins? Find out in [[People Power!|Marvel Comics]]! [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voX_KNNxNCI]

[[Image:OptimusQuickswitchCommercial.jpg|right|thumb|Optimus Prime is so giving, he even gives other Transformers time in his commercials.]]

* Prime also features briefly in [[Quickswitch]]'s ad; in a battle on the moon, Quickswitch transforms to gun mode and is wielded by Powermaster Optimus Prime.

* An abbreviated ad for Powermaster Prime uses footage from both the Marvel Comic and Quickswitch commercials.

* Prime's Powermaster body shows up yet again in the [[Classic Pretender|Pretender Classic]]s ad. He comes under attack in the darkened streets of the city, prompting the [[narrator]] to explain that he needs the greatest Transformers ever! Prime then welcomes back Bumblebee and Jazz in their Pretender forms. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mahbq-FnSPY]

* Powermaster Prime and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] are the representatives from each faction that [[Doubledealer]] doublecrosses! Everyone wonders who that guy is that Prime's talking to... He looks kinda suspicious!

* Optimus features prominently in the first [[Action Master]] commercial; he's shown surrounded by a circle of his troops, and challenges them to give up their transforming powers to become faster, stronger, more alive! [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeNf3jQ1zdw]

* A stock intro was used for several Micromaster commercials, with Optimus opening his fist to reveal a Micromaster city within.

[[Image:Hotrodpatrolcommercial.jpg|right|thumb|Prime wants to know if they can transform, because he sure can't!]]

* A similar sequence in another Micromaster ad has Prime opening his fist to find the [[Hot Rod Patrol]] inside. He and Jazz check them out, and Optimus wonders if they can transform.

* In an ad for the Micromaster micro bases, a battle rages outside an Autobot base, and Prime watches impassively as Bumblebee and Jazz pull two [[Interstellar shuttle|captured]] [[Attack Copter|vehicles]] into the base. Prime is the first to notice that the vehicles are transforming and shooting things.

* Prime and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] are the stars of the first ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' commercial, animated with [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]]. Prime is shown driving down a road in his ''Generation 2'' colored truck mode. He rocket-launches up into the air to transform, then has a brutal fight with Ramjet. Despite getting a hole blasted in his chest, he wins the fight and fires his gun into the air in triumph. Non-speaking.

* Prime also is shown briefly in a commercial for the new Megatron tank toy. He transforms and finds his head in a target crosshairs. In the subsequent toy segment, Prime's toy is shown getting completely trashed by that of Megatron. Non-speaking.

* And finally, Prime got his own rap segment. He's shown in his Combat toy body, waiting for Megatron as he attacks a human subdivision. Prime converts to robot form, blows up Megatron's weapon at point blank range, and slugs it out with him. Apparently emerging victorious, is next shown sitting next to an identical truck, which the live-action kid mistakes for the real thing. The real Prime then transforms and picks up the kid, inspecting the human with his cold, lifeless, flashing red optics. Prime is once again voiced by Peter Cullen in this commercial.

Prime also appeared in commercials for ''Transformers'' products other than the toys themselves...

* In the ad for [[Coleco]]'s [[Power Cycle]], Optimus Prime shoots ''at'' a child riding the title cycle, but misses. This footage is recycled from the advertisement for the comic.

* Prime delivers a load of shoes to schoolchildren in a South American ad for [[Bata]]'s licensed ''Transformers'' footwear.

* Prime was referred to as the Autobot Commander in his debut commercial.

==Games==
===Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons===
When Megatron and his Decepticons allies held captive the Autobot's [[Mini Vehicle|Minicar]] troops, Optimus Prime entered the Decepticon's maze-like base in order to rescue his friends.{{storylink|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game}}
===''The Transformers'' (1985)===
Optimus Prime was among the few remaining Autobots in the wake of the Decepticon creation of ROBO-CLONING technology. With his energy-starved comrades, he desperately sought pieces of the Autobot Energon Cube before the Decepticons could get their hands on them. {{storylink|The Transformers (Commodore 64)|The Transformers}}

===Transformers: Mystery of Convoy===

When a mysterious force killed Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus rose as Autobot Commander in his place, and went forth to find out what killed Optimus. {{storylink|Transformers: Mystery of Convoy}}

{{note|For an alternate interpretation of these events, see ''[[To Die Game!]]''}}

===''DreamMix TV World Fighters'' video game===
{{voiceactor|[[Tesshō Genda]] (Japanese)}}

As part of [[DreamMix TV]]'s attempt to pull in more ratings, Optimus Prime and his eternal rival Megatron were invited to battle bunches of other beings on the television show ''[[World Fighters]]''. {{storylink|DreamMix TV World Fighters}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Robert Belgrade]] (English)}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/PC)===
[[Image:ROTF_360PS3_PC_G1OptimusPrime_DLC.jpg|thumb|200px|]]
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)}}

{{Note|On [[August 27]], [[2009]], Optimus Prime was one of a handful of downloadable characters in a DLC pack for Xbox 360 and Sony Playstation 3.}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

===Transformers G1: Awakening===
{{storylink|Transformers G1: Awakening}}
{{charstubfiction}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Optimus Prime was among several warriors (and [[Optimus Prime|Prime]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

==Toys==
{{main|Optimus Prime (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
:''Main article: [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise]]''

==Notes==
* According to [[Bob Budiansky]], longtime comics writer [[Denny O'Neil]] named Optimus Prime prior to Budiansky being brought on to the ''Transformers'' project.
* Optimus Prime's Japanese name is "Convoy", which is named after his original name "Battle Convoy" in the ''[[Diaclone]]'' toyline, because the name "Optimus Prime" is difficult for Japanese kids to remember and pronounce.<ref>''[[Figure Ō]]'' No. 114</ref>
* According to an early ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]''-style profile published in ''[[The Transformers Comics Magazine]]'', Optimus Prime's "official" nicknames were at one point considered to be "Autobot Commander", "Chief", "Big Boss" and "Roller". As far as it is known, no piece of fiction has ever purposely addressed him using these nicknames, though it's a fair bet he's been called "chief" at least once or twice anyway. And technically ''part'' of him is called "[[Roller (G1)|Roller]]" with some frequency.
* Optimus Prime has fictionally shown a dislike of certain kinds of music and dance. For the Marvel continuity, the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]] for [[Still Life!|issue 324]] mentions he hates the music of [[Mötley Crüe]]. In the cartoon continuity, "[[Blaster Blues]]" and "[[Quest for Survival]]" have Optimus react noticeably more passive-aggressively to Blaster's choice of music than the other Autobots. And in the Dreamwave continuity, "[[Hardwired]]" features an uncalled for negative remark about Jazz's dance skills.
* According to the staff of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', Optimus Prime became a space explorer in the [[Beast Era]].<ref>Page 37, Guest Character and ''G1'' Icons, ''[[Beast Wars Universe]]'' ISBN 978-4766938005</ref>
* Writer [[Bob Skir]] claims that neither the statue from "[[Fires of the Past]]" nor the golden disks in its hands were mentioned in the script. However, he suggested that they were either the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|disks]] from the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes, or that Optimus won them in the 2,395,989th Annual Cybertronian spelling bee.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20080614012630/http://bigbot.com/beast-machines-transformers-bob-skir/Beast-Machines-FAQ/Tue_12_Oct_1999.html Q&A from Bigbot's "bobskir.com"] (archive copy)</ref> We're betting on the latter.
[[Image:Optimusprime-mom.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Prime's mom knows how to write in cursive.]]
* By the time Optimus Prime appeared in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', his 3D model from ''Beast Wars'' had apparently been lost, leading the animators to use a faceplated Optimus Primal head as a quick replacement to save time and budget.
* Aside from occasionally having Alpha Trion as a father figure, Optimus Prime may have a mother! In an advertisement for [[Pepsi Convoy]] that shows him in a refrigerator (along with [[Destron Pizza]]), a note attached to a nearby piece of Tupperware reads:

:''Dear Convoy''
:''Warm it before you eat''
:''Mom''

:Although the ad itself is for Pepsi Convoy, he is a separate character, and it can be assumed that the note was left for Convoy/Optimus Prime himself.

* The first wave of Dreamwave posters in 2001 identified Optimus Prime as [http://www.comicden.com/merch/posters.htm "Captimus Primus"], which is tantalizingly close to making some sort of sense.
* According to [[E. J. Su]], Optimus Prime's [[Holomatter|Holomatter avatar]] is modeled after [[wikipedia:Ulysses_S._Grant|Ulysses S. Grant]].<ref>[http://www.protodepot.com/archive/2007_11_01_archive.html Idea: Holomatter Projection]</ref>
* As of [[All Hail Megatron issue 13|All Hail Megatron #13]], Optimus has a mouth underneath that [[Mouthplate|faceplate]] of his.
* This Optimus Prime, along with the original [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] makes a cameo appearance as one of the four elders who began the [[Space bridge]] project in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' episode "[[Balance]]".
* As noted on [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=74382 this thread here], Optimus Prime made a surprising (and somewhat awkward) cameo in the [[Calendar|January]] [[2009]] issue of "P.S.: The Preventive Maintenance Monthly" (#674), a monthly magazine issued by the [[United States Army]] that discusses issues in regards to equipment maintenance (scan included in thread; look for post #5).
* It should be noted that "Orion Pax" would, when translated from Latin to English, mean "Peace Hunter".

===Foreign names===
*''Cantonese:'' '''O-Pak-Man''' (柯柏文)
* ''Japanese:'' '''Convoy''' (コンボイ ''Konboi''), '''Orion Pax''' (オライオン・パックス ''Oraion Pakkusu''), '''Battle Convoy''' (Laser Optimus Prime, バトルコンボイ ''Batoru Konboi''), '''Optimus Prime''' (オプティマスプライム ''Oputimasu Puraimu'')
* ''Czech:'' '''Optimus Prime''' or '''Optimuse Prima'''
* ''French:'' '''Optimus Prime''', '''Optimus Primus''' (Canada)
* ''Hebrew:'' '''Optimus Prime''' (אופטימוס פריים ''Awpjimws Priim'')
* ''Hungarian:'' '''Optimusz Fővezér''', '''Optimusz Prájm''' ("Optimus Chief")
* ''Italian:'' '''Commander'''
* ''Mandarin:'' '''Jr-tsūn''' (Taiwan, 至尊, "Prime"), '''Orion Pax''' (奧萊安派斯 ''Àu Lái Ān Pài Sū''), '''Qíng Tīan Zhù''' (China, 擎天柱, "Pillar that Supports the Sky")
* ''Portuguese:'' '''Optimus Supremo''' (Portugal comics, "Optimus Supreme"), '''Líder Optimus''' (Brazil cartoon, "Leader Optimus"), '''Supremus Absolutus''' (Brazil comic)
* ''Russian:'' '''Optimus Prime''' (Оптимус Прайм ''Optimus Prajm'')
* ''Serbian:'' '''Optimus Prime''' (Оптимус Прајм ''Optimus Prajm'')
* ''Taiwanese:'' '''Tīh-ghŭ''' (鐵牛, "Iron Ox")
* ''Ukrainian:'' '''Optimus Najkrashchiy''' (Оптимус Найкращий, "Optimus the Best"), '''Optimus Prime''' (''The Movie'', Оптимус Прайм)

==External links==
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Optimus_Prime Optimus Prime's Universe profile at NTFA.net]
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Optimus_Prime_PM Powermaster Optimus Prime's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

== Footnotes ==
<references />

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Alternity Autobots]]
[[Category:Armada Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Ghosts]]
[[Category:Gladiators]]
[[Category:Go-Bots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Autobots]]
[[Category:Machine Wars Autobots]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Music Label]]
[[Category:Powermasters]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Return of Convoy Autobots]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Autobots]]
[[Category:Robot Masters Autobots]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Prowl (G1)

2012-08-17T07:45:14Z

14.136.216.91: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|maximal}}
{{disambig3|Prowl}}{{suite}}
:''Prowl is an [[Autobot]] and [[Maximal]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Prowlg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Prick.]]
'''Prowl''' is the Autobot military strategist. As such, [[Prime (rank)|Autobot Commander]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] keeps Prowl near at hand for his indispensable expertise. Prowl is quiet, competent, loyal, and possessed of almost endless patience.

Prowl's dedication to logic and reason make him an excellent strategist, but not much of a socialite. He really doesn't tend to get along well with his fellow Autobots, many of whom find his strict adherence to military protocol stifling, and his uptight personality sure doesn't help matters. He does not react well to the unexpected, to the point that it can literally scramble his cerebral circuits. The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], who is disorder made manifest, ''especially'' honks Prowl off, and Grimlock feels pretty much the same way in return, only with more swear words. He's very fond of his [[Acid pellet|acid pellets]], though.

{{quote|Listening to you, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Blue Streak]], taxes even the endless patience of '''Prowl.''' I have little to say, but my logic center dictates the most advantageous course of action in any situation.|Prowl begins his long history of prickery|"[[The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
''Before Optimus became leader, Prowl was part of the self-styled [[Magnificent Six]], a team of Autobot warriors who would be tortured and humiliated by the sadistic [[Megadeath (G1)|Megadeath]].'' {{storylink|The Magnificent Six!}}

[[Image:Prowlg1marvelfirst.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Well somebody's character model was ready.]]
Prowl was one of the select Autobots chosen by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] to travel aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and ended up in stasis lock for four million years at the base of [[Mount St. Hilary]] with the rest of the crew. Once the volcano exploded, Optimus chose Prowl to lead the first away mission into civilization. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} Like most of the Autobots, though, he soon ran out of energy without any option of refueling on Earth, and suffered even greater injuries when the Ark and the deactivated Autobots aboard were taken over by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and the Decepticons. ''He was eventually revived when [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] reclaimed control of the Ark from Shockwave's drone, [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]]. ''{{storylink|The Wrath of Guardian!}}

With Optimus Prime's head still in Decepticon possession, Prowl took command of the Autobots until their true leader could be restored. At [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]'s suggestion, he forged an alliance with human fuel magnate [[G.B. Blackrock]], arranging an exchange of free gasoline for the Autobots for their help in protecting Blackrock's facilities from the Decepticons. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} The Autobots were eventually successful in recovering Prime's head, and restoring him to functionality, but Prowl suffered some injuries battling the Decepticons and a false Prime in the process. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

[[Image:Prowlg1crisisofcommand.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some even call me a prick! And why? Because I dared to dream of my own race of atomic monsters!]]

''Shortly thereafter, Prowl was the ringleader of a group of Autobots strongly requesting that Prime use his [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] to create [[Ultimate Autobot]] super-warriors to wipe out the Decepticons for them. The lethal efficiency of Prowl's stance was just as strongly opposed by another faction who saw such action as a perversion of their sacred lifeforce, and the potential for laying waste to Earth. Prime's long absence and relative weakness after his recent ordeals left Prowl and the others less deferential than normal to his will, but after he singlehandedly fought through the Decepticons to rescue [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Prowl and the other Ultimate Autobot proponents backed down and accepted Prime's final word on the subject.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}} ''When the Dinobots were driven feral by their primitive circuitry, Prowl nearly sacrificed himself crashing a shuttlecraft straight into the feuding [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]].'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}

''Prowl was displaced to [[Limbo]] along with Optimus Prime and Ratchet when [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] time-traveled from the future.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}} ''Joined later by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], they found themselves in the middle of a war between the peaceful, cat-like [[Cloran]] and evil, monkey-like invaders led by [[Zenag]].'' {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}} ''When Galvatron's group returned to their own time, Prowl was released from Limbo.''

''Prowl was next in action during the [[Battlecharger]]s' rampage, and attempted to bring them in despite the endangerment of human life.'' {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}} Deactivated by means unknown, Ratchet did manage to briefly revive him in order to exploit Prowl's police car mode against a human thief named the [[Mechanic (G1)|Mechanic]] who had infiltrated the Ark. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} Prowl was fully revived in time for Grimlock and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s grudge match on the moon, and fought alongside the combined crews of the Ark and ''[[Steelhaven]]'' against the Decepticon party-crashers. {{storylink|Totaled!}} Unfortunately, it wasn't too long afterwards that Prowl was once again knocked off-line, this time battling the [[Underbase]]-charged [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in New York. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[Image:Prowlg1exodus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|You'd be a prick too if Grimlock kept getting promoted over you.]]

He would remain in stasis for some time, until Grimlock acquired a large supply of super-energy known as [[Nucleon]], and pumped it into all of the Ark's stasis chambers. Prowl found himself revived just in time to engage the Chaos-Bringer known as [[Unicron]] for the sake of all Cybertron, and then bury his longterm friend and leader, Optimus Prime, who sacrificed himself to destroy Unicron. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} At Prime's last request, Prowl reluctantly supported Grimlock as new leader of the Autobots. While Grimlock pursued his own interests, though, Prowl found himself working almost alone trying to maintain the tenuous peace between the Autobots and Decepticons. He ended up overplaying his hand, and gave Decepticon leader [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] a chance to betray the Autobots, leaving them trapped on the dying world of Cybertron, without transport, while the Decepticons fled to conquer new civilizations. {{storylink|Exodus!}} Luckily for Prowl, Grimlock had anticipated the Decepticons' treachery (by Primus, how'd he manage that?!?) and had secured alternate starships. The Autobots chased their foes to the planet of [[Klo]] and, thanks to the resurrection of Optimus Prime and the arrival of the [[Last Autobot]], managed to drive off Bludgeon's forces, sending them into at least temporary exile. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

In an alternate 2009, Prowl was one of only seven Autobots left alive after [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] and his Decepticons took over America. With Cybertron destroyed by [[Unicron]] and the various Primes dead, things looked bleak. Prowl and Jazz led a last-ditch assault on the Decepticon fortress and, miraculously, managed to send a signal to the rest of the world that America was still alive and fighting. When some [[Hook, Line, and Sinker|mysterious travelers]] shang-haied Galvatron from the field of battle, Prowl joined Jazz and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (the last of their kind) in fighting alongside their human allies with renewed vigor. Perhaps the war could yet be won! {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:Prowllittlemen.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Prowl was GEEWUN before it was fashionable.]]
''Deactivated following his battle with the [[Underbase]]-enhanced Starscream, Prowl lay recuperating within a lifepod in the Ark for months, until the [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] of a parallel future intervened. Using a "[[mind bug]]" device, Galvatron manipulated the baser instincts of several Autobots, attempting to revive them as pawns he could use for his own purposes. Instead they revived intent on opposing him. Prowl joined [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] in overpowering and capturing the renegade Decepticon. Wheeljack cobbled together a device that turned Galvatron's own technology against him, and Prowl slapped it on the villain's head, leaving him trapped in his own nightmares.'' {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}}

''As the days passed, Prowl attempted to readjust to the war, despite how it had changed around him. Along with Wheeljack, he lamented about the proliferation of newer types of Transformers, claiming these newcomers gave him a headache just thinking about them. Luckily, their patrol turned up several familiar enemies, including the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] working under [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s command. Megatron had formulated a scheme to destroy Earth's atmosphere with a [[Global warming satellite|deadly rocket]], and reap the excess energy that would no longer be filtered out before reaching the planet's surface.'' {{storylink|Starting Over!}} ''While Wheeljack engaged the Decepticons, Prowl leaped aboard the flying rocket, knocking it off course so that its deadly poison never reached the proper altitude. ''{{storylink|Desert Island Risks!}} ''He crashed down in the backwoods of Louisiana, and befriended some locals who helped fix him up over the next few days. Prowl also neutralized the rocket's poison, and got a good chuckle out of watching the two Decepticon factions arrive days later and begin fighting over a useless cargo.'' {{storylink|Life in the Slow Lane}}

''A new team of Autobots called [[Earthforce]] had been formed, partly to help recover Prowl and the atmospheric rocket, and he quickly joined the organization once reunited with his fellow Autobots. Working under Grimlock's overall command, Prowl acted as second lieutenant, providing a voice of reason and strategy for the Dinobot Commander. On one occasion, Prowl sabotaged Megatron's attempt to alter the timeline using a [[Flashback Doorway]]. The two opponents traveled back in time to the battle with Starscream, where Megatron possessed the body of [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]], and attempted to lead the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] to safety in order to receive their services in the present. Prowl possessed his own past form and ensured the Seacons' destruction before returning to the present.'' {{storylink|Flashback!}} ''He also talked Grimlock into accepting the [[Survivors]] into Earthforce, and joined them in assaulting the island base of the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]].'' {{storylink|Where Wolf?}}

''When the Autobot Earthbase was finished, Prowl gathered with all the other Autobots outside to witness Wheeljack's handiwork. Ever cautious and critical, Prowl commented on the noticeable lack of defenses. Wheeljack then turned on the defense grid and tossed a rock towards the base, triggering a series of underground weapon systems that annihilated the projectile. Prowl still wasn't convinced, and began asking how the defenses might be knocked off-line once activated. Wheeljack assured him the defenses were so completely fool proof that NO ONE could shut them off once they had been activated unless they were sitting at the control console inside the base. Prowl then gave Wheeljack his "Everybody's dumb but me" look, and did a headcount of the ''entire'' Earthforce who had come outside for the demonstration... meaning no one was inside who could shut off the deadly defense grid. In order to get back inside their base, Prowl volunteered to brave the perils and reach the console himself. With [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] spotting him, Prowl navigated his way through lasers, [[Heat Seeker]]s, [[Acid Bat]]s, and electrified tentacles before finally shutting off the system.'' {{storylink|The House that Wheeljack Built!}}

''Later on, [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] began suffering from a case of [[Corrodia Gravis]], and the Autobots were forced to go to Starscream in order to get a compatible systems boost to save the Dinobot's life. Not destined to be an easy mission in the best of cases, Prowl, Ironhide and the remaining Dinobots walked in on an assassination in progress and the former Decepticon leaders attempted to remove the current ones from their former thrones. As was often the case, it fell on Prowl to re-explain to Grimlock why it wasn't a good thing that Starscream's life was in danger. {{storylink|External Forces!|External Forces!}} After Megatron, Shockwave and their assassins were chased off, Prowl and Grimlock made a deal with Starscream to gain his help, in exchange for agreeing to step in if Megatron ever tried to overthrow their current Decepticon regime again.'' {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

''When [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] injected [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] with a [[cerebro-shell]] and caused him to go wild, Earthforce was in dire straits trying to find a means of stopping the warrior juggernaut. Prowl found a human reporter on the scene named [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]], and made a deal with him for an exclusive interview in exchange for Irwin's help removing the shell from the inside.'' {{storylink|Inside Story!}} ''Irwin was successful and got his interview. Prowl hoped the good publicity would help the Autobots establish better relations with humanity, despite Grimlock's grumbling. It seemed the Decepticons had the same notion, and so Starscream and Soundwave sent the Stunticons to kidnap Irwin from Earthbase before he could publish his story, taking him right out from under Prowl's olfactory receptor.'' {{storylink|Front Line! (issue)|Front Line!}} ''Prowl tried to chase down [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] and recover the human, but was bashed off the side of the highway, and had to be recovered by Wheeljack.'' {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}

''Along with the surviving Magnificent Six and Silverbolt, Prowl once more faced Megadeath in 1990 and, encouraged by Silverbolt to overcome the past, helped beat Megadeath half to death.''

=====''Another Time & Place''=====
Several months after the incident on [[Klo]], Prowl caught wind of Grimlock running off on his own again, this time back to [[Hydrus Four]]. Prowl alerted Optimus Prime at [[Nova Point]] to the situation, but was surprised when his leader harshly rebuked him for bringing it to his attention. When Prime made it clear he didn't want anything to do with Prowl's report, the Autobot strategist stormed off to consider the problem himself. After some solitary computation, Prowl decided that the threat of Decepticons following Grimlock to Hydrus Four and acquiring [[Nucleon]] was too perilous to ignore. He was rushing out of his chambers, ready to throw together a squad of Autobots regardless of what Optimus Prime thought, when he ran smack into Optimus himself. Prime apologized to Prowl for "hiding his head in the sand"—he had wanted the war to be over so badly, for his fellow Autobots' sake and not his, that he was willing to ignore an obvious threat. The two old friends shook hands and proceeded to gather their strike team.

On Hydrus Four, Prowl joined a small group of commandos including [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] to scout the enemy position. They dispatched [[Fangry]] with little effort, and sent in [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] and some [[Micromaster|Micromasters]] to free Grimlock and the Dinobots quietly before the main offensive began. Nothing ever goes quietly with the Dinobots, though, and so once the shooting started inside, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] were sent in to bomb the facility and let the Decepticons know they were in for it. Prowl and his fellow Autobots assaulted the base and, in little time at all, Bludgeon and his crew were dismantled and the day was won yet again. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[Image:Prowlg2muzzle.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Prowl and Grimlock's sexual tension continues.]]
When Optimus Prime and Grimlock discovered the threat of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]], they called in Autobots scattered across the galaxy, including Prowl. As one of Prime's most loyal supporters, Prowl did not participate in Grimlock's ill-advised strike on the [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Liege Centuro]] and his fleet. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}} Still, Prowl would not completely ignore Grimlock's opinions: when Optimus Prime decreed that he be left alone to entreat Megatron for peace, Grimlock convinced Prowl that Prime made a bad call, and they arrived with a rescue battalion just in time to keep Megatron from destroying his old nemesis. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} Prowl continued serving the Autobot cause, and was present when they attempted to stop the genocide of the planet [[Ethos]] by the Cybertronians. {{storylink|Escalation!}}
{{-}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael Bell]] (English), [[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese), [[Juan Carralero]] (Spanish), [[Ulf Jürgen Söhmisch]] (German), [[Thomas Albus]] (German, ''Generation 2'' Season 1), [[Christoph Jablonka]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Triple Takeover", "The Revenge of Bruticus", and "Transport to Oblivion"), [[Willy Schäfer]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Roll For It")

[[Image:G1 Prowl Bluestreak Rollforit.jpg|left|180px|thumb|It's like looking into a mirror... well, not really.]]
Prowl was part of the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', the Autobot starship that left Cybertron looking for alternate sources of energy. While enroute he monitored the [[Viewtrex]] and detected the Decepticons pursuing them. The Decepticons boarded and the ensuing conflict caused the Ark to crashland on [[Earth]]. Four million years later, the Transformers were reawakened by the eruption of the volcano the Ark had crashed in and reformatted by [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]]. Despite being situated in the United States, Prowl was reformatted as a Japanese police car. No one seemed to notice. When the Autobots first fought the Decepticons on Earth, aboard an oceanic oil refinery, Prowl teamed with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] in shooting up the Decepticons' supply of [[energon cube]]s. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

The two Autobots worked together again when [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] invaded the Ark for information. The crafty Decepticon got away, but Prowl and Jazz managed to capture his pet, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], in a solid energy net. Prowl joined the Autobots for their subsequent battles at [[Sherman Dam]] and the [[ruby crystal mines of Burma]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} During the final fight at the Decepticon space cruiser, Prowl ran over [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]'s [[null-ray]] before he could "activate" it. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

Prowl and the Autobots next battled the Decepticons at a solar power station. Prowl and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] attempted to stop Starscream and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] from escaping with the energon cubes, but Starscream started launching concussive blasts, knocking aside their lasers and driving them back. Later that day, Prowl zapped [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] during a cave fight, but was then clubbed from behind by Skywarp. That's snow fair. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}}

During an attack against the Decepticons, Prowl's [[battle computer]] was knocked offline by a particularly fierce blow. Crippled, Prowl extended his antenna to seek out an online computer that he could patch into. He found [[Chip Chase]]'s desktop terminal, and the young human ally momentarily took control of Prowl, animating the Autobot warrior with his computer. Chip and Prowl handily defeated the Decepticons, and the Autobot remarked that Chip was a human after his own central processor. {{storylink|Roll for It}} After [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] suffered some brief but severe injuries, Prowl was present with the other Autobots in defending the Ark, as the Decepticons attempted to press their advantage. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

Prowl was also among the Autobots who took an unpleasant number of hits trying to calm down the rampaging [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} He held no grudges, though, and participated in the construction of two new Dinobots a few months later, using laser bursts to cut up raw materials for the design. Still, he showed a bit more caution than his fellow Autobots during the "play fighting" tests of [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]. While Ironhide, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] went in for close quarters combat with the Dinos (and subsequently got bashed around quite a bit), Prowl stuck to long-range laser fire, and managed to avoid getting his head handed to him. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

After [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] was kidnapped, Prowl was shown acting as a strategist for once, constructing battle-plans using [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s holographic maps for reference. He coordinated a two-pronged rescue mission on the Decepticon's sunken space cruiser, from above and below. While he and the main Autobot force dropped in on the Decepticons from above and drew their fire, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] used their special abilities to tunnel right underneath the base, breaking in and freeing Sparkplug before the Decepticons got wind of it. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} He remained active with the Autobot forces as they dealt with Cybertron's newfound proximity to Earth. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}} Prowl later surfed into battle against the Decepticons, but the resulting tidal wave allowed Megatron to escape before the fight even started. A small contingent of Autobots eventually tracked the Decepticon energon shuttle to a tropical coast, and engaged them in battle. The fully charged Decepticons soon began to overpower the Autobots, however, driving them back to the safety of some convenient trenches. Prowl attempted to suggest a strategic regrouping, but Prime wouldn't hear of it. Luckily, [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] arrived with reinforcements from Cybertron to even the odds. As Megatron retreated, the Autobots were left to deal with a tidal wave large enough to wipe out all life on Earth. Prowl calculated they would need an explosion equivalent to 10 billion astro-liters of energy to knock Cybertron out of Earth's orbit and reverse the tidal wave. At Spike's suggestion, the Autobots took aim at Megatron's fleeing starship, igniting the energon cubes inside to expel Cybertron from orbit and save the Earth. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} After the devastation, Prowl was seen helping repair human civilization, and hunting down the loose ends left by the Decepticons' schemes. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}} Prowl also bore witness to the gladiatorial combat between Megatron and Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

After Sparkplug Witwicky created a metallic Frankenstein called [[Autobot X]], to the abject surprise of no one it suddenly ran amok. Prowl, Ironhide and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] stood up to the crazed creation, and Prowl used his acid pellets to incapacitate Autobot X. Later that day, Spike Witwicky was injured during a battle with the Decepticons at a rocket base. Prowl provided a "police escort" for Ratchet to get Spike to a hospital as quickly as possible. {{storylink|Autobot Spike}} As the Decepticons staged a daring raid at the Ark's front door, Prowl drove out to meet them in combat. He had to dodge and transform in mid-air to avoid [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]'s missiles, and ended up being divebombed by Laserbeak anyhow. Prowl got back at the tinfoil turkey by strapping a wire-guided bola onto his rifle, and lassoing the Decepticon bird as he swooped by for another pass. Despite the laser blasts hurled his way, Prowl held tight to his catch until Laserbeak severed the rope and fled. {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots}}

Prowl overheard Cliffjumper's infamous accusations about [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]'s loyalty, but neglected to participate in the retrieval of the missing [[electro-cell]]s. {{storylink|Traitor}} He also played a minor role in recovering the [[Wheeljack Instant Immobilizer|Immobilizer]], {{storylink|The Immobilizer}} and joined his fellow Autobots in a race for charity, which Spike and Chip had arranged for them. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}} Prowl was part of the Autobot strike unit dispatched to [[Washington, D.C.]] when it came under attack by the Decepticons and [[Sub-Atlantica]]ns. He, Hound and Brawn engaged the Decepticons near the Washington Monument, until King [[Nergill]] zapped them with his paralyzing ray. Prowl remained inactive until the Dinobots joined the party, and [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] destroyed the ray, freeing the incapacitated Autobots. {{storylink|Atlantis, Arise!}}

Next, the Autobots responded to an SOS when the super-computer called [[TORQ III]] ran amok. Unfortunately, they discovered TORQ was capable of controlling other simple machines in the area, and so Prowl and the others found themselves facing a horde of angry droids. Prowl was nearly swallowed whole by a mechanical scoop, until he fired an acid pellet down its gullet and corroded its inner workings. {{storylink|Day of the Machines}} Prowl was among the Autobots who failed to prevent the Decepticons from stealing the female ninja robot called [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]]. While discussing the Decepticons' possible plans for Nightbird with Spike, Prowl was unaware the ninja herself was right above them on the Ark's elevator. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}}

Prowl charged the Decepticon flank when the Transformers were fighting over [[korlonium crystal]]s. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}} Prowl and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] were part of a group of Autobots patrolling a riverbed...until they discovered the riverbed wasn't there anymore. Tracing the diverted water, they came across the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and a Decepticon scheme to drill down to Earth's core. Megatron sicced Devastator on Prowl's team, forcing them to retreat for reinforcements. Back at the Ark, the Autobots cooked up a plot to use [[dominator disc]]s and gain control over the Constructicons whenever they formed Devastator. As part of a commando raiding party, Prowl and the others lured the Constructicons out into the open. Under the cover of night, Prowl slipped a disk on [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]], and soon all the Constructicons had disks planted on them. Although the Autobots temporarily gained control of Devastator, Megatron soon negated their control and retrieved his giant warrior. {{storylink|The Core}}

[[Image:DinobotIsland Pt2 Prowlacidpellets.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Prowl demonstrates his revolutionary "wee-wee gun".]]
Prowl was present in the Ark during yet another display of the Dinobots' talent for chaos. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} After the Dinobots moved to a mysterious prehistoric island, time portals began opening all over North America. Prowl led [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and Jazz to deal with a portal from the wild west. Prowl defeated the cattle rustlers by melting their guns with his acid pellets. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}} Like all the Autobots, Prowl was temporarily banished into space by the citizens of [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], thanks to Megatron's carefully orchestrated smear campaign. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} He eventually returned with the others for an all-out assault on the Decepticons and re-established the Autobots' good name. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} Prowl was also subject to [[cybertonium]] depletion, although he was ultimately revived when Spike and [[Carly]] brought a fresh supply back from Cybertron. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}}

When Megatron used the [[Voltronic Galaxer]] to scramble Earth's communications, the humans were left in a state of confusion. Prowl took a team of Autobots on the road to help motorists who missed the message about an incoming blizzard. Unfortunately, Thundercracker and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] got involved and nearly turned the rescue mission into a catastrophe. Prowl and the Autobots were buried in snow for a time until they could dig themselves and the humans out. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}} He was among the Autobots temporarily rendered invulnerable by [[electrum]], and fought the Decepticons for control of the golden lagoon. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon}} He also helped stop Megatron from taking over New York City with an army of robot car drones. {{storylink|Make Tracks}} Prowl was on hand as [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] analyzed the robotic plantlife Bumblebee and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] brought back to Earth. They determined the plants were [[Morphobot]]s, and extremely hazardous to all robot lifeforms. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

When the [[Triple Changer]]s overthrew Megatron and began vying for Decepticon command themselves, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] took over a football stadium and began launching "long bombs" into the city beyond. Optimus Prime sent Prowl to investigate, alongside Bluestreak, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], but they were stymied by Blitzwing's "zone defense". At his command, the Constructicons had created an elaborate and confusing maze of passages outside the stadium, leaving the Autobots racing around blindly inside its tight corridors. Using his flight and tank modes for maneuverability and power, Blitzwing easily overwhelmed the Autobot invaders. Prowl and Skids plowed into each other on a blind junction, and were then mowed over by the Decepticon's massive treads. The crazed [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] had them rebuilt into a throne for him inside the zone, until [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] rescued their comrades. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}} Although he did absolutely nothing to save the missing Autobots or stop [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]]'s antics, Prowl was allowed a heroic drive into the sunset along with Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

After the government concocted a new super-fuel, they decided to offer it to the Autobots for testing. Fearing a Decepticon attack, Prowl arranged a series of security measures to protect the cargo, and keep the Decepticons from learning about the fuel. Unfortunately, those measures failed, and Megatron attacked the tanker convoy with his Seekers. Despite the breach, the Autobots' superior driving abilities enabled them to outmaneuver the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

[[Image:TFTM Prowl dies.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Scavenger can always be proud of this.]]
Prowl stood gawking mutely when Prime explained his plan to infiltrate the Decepticons disguised as [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] and the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. It's possible he didn't think the plan was strategically sound. {{storylink|Masquerade}} Prowl was also seen applying [[Corrostop]] to the [[Statue of Liberty]], and later helped rescue Perceptor from Fox Creek Canyon. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

When Jazz and Cliffjumper were kidnapped by Starscream's [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], Prowl traveled to the Amalgamated Water & Power Plant with the other Autobots to rescue them. Wisely, the Autobots completely avoided the war between the Decepticons and Combaticons taking place immediately to their left — they just grabbed their pals and split. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Prowl, Tracks, and Sideswipe went with Optimus Prime to clear the Insecticons out of a human settlement. They were aided in evacuating the neighborhood by the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], leaving the Autobots clear to fire at will at the Insecticon clones. This relatively routine mission turned sour, however, when Spike and Perceptor reported that Earth's orbit had been altered, sending it towards the sun. Learning the effect originated from Cybertron, Prowl and the others attempted to hijack the space bridge, but [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] stole the bridge's control panel before they could board the transporter. The Autobots searched the area for signs of the control panel with sensor beams from their chests, but all Prowl managed to turn up was an old wrecked television. The panel was later recovered and repaired, and Prowl joined both Autobots and Decepticons alike in traveling to Cybertron to stop the Combaticons' plot. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}} Prowl also helped defend the Ark when it was later attacked by [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] and the Decepticons. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}}

Prowl met [[Primus|his manufacturer]] in the year 2005, alongside fellow Autobots [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]. The four Autobots were manning a shuttle run to Earth, to collect and bring fresh energon and supplies to [[Moonbase One]] from [[Autobot City]] on Earth, in preparation for a planned assault to retake Cybertron. They were hijacked in mid-flight by Megatron and the Decepticons, who sought to sneak past Autobot City's early warning systems. Prowl very nearly shot Starscream's head off during the raid, but was felled by a single blast from [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]. That blast penetrated his armor, burned his innards horribly, and left him belching fiery smoke as he fell to the floor, dead. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Prowl's body was evidently recovered for interment, as his grave was housed in the interstellar [[Autobot Mausoleum]]. Along with the mausoleum itself, Prowl's remains were later plunged into a red sun as a side-effect of a [[Quintesson]] plot. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}
{{-}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese continuity as described above. The Japanese timeline adds many new stories and events into the chronology; in Prowl's case, some of them centre around an unexplained apparent resurrection.}}
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====
[[Image:Fullthrottle prowl.jpg|right|thumb|150px]]
When the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] tried to besmirch the Autobots' good names by wearing their [[insignia]] while committing acts of evil, Prowl was among the Autobots who mobilized to stop them. Prowl carried [[Eject]] and [[Rewind]] into the battle in car mode, opening his doors to let the two cassette-bots loose on [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 7|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #7}}

=====''Full Throttle Scramble Power!'' comic=====
Prowl was among the Autobots seen reacting with panic to the news that [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and their human allies [[Toru]] and [[Jenny (G1)|Jenny]] had been captured by the Decepticons while investigating their deadly new [[Omega Whip]] cannon. He joined Optimus Prime and a team of Autobots in going to their rescue, and the battle was won when [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] arrived to join the fight with the rest of the Autobot army. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}

=====''Story of Binaltech''=====
In 2003, a plague of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] unleashed upon the Autobots by the Decepticons necessitated that the infected warriors upgrade to new "[[Binaltech]]" bodies created through co-operation with the [[Earth Defense Command]]. {{storylink|Story of Binaltech, Chapter 1}} Prowl was lucky enough to avoid infection, and so refrained from upgrade. Regardless, the combined might of the new Binaltech Autobots was enough to force the Decepticons off of Earth, and into hiding in the far reaches of the [[solar system]]. {{storylink|Arise! Evil Binaltechs}}

{{note|At this point, history is altered by Ravage, creating a parallel timeline in which the continued storyline of ''Binaltech'' takes place. To continue reading about the original timeline, skip to ''[[#The Headmasters|The Headmasters]]'', below. Exactly how many events from the ''Binaltech'' story occur in the original timeline, even from ''before'' the timeline divergence, is unclear.}}

[[Image:Binaltech prowl cardart.jpg|left|thumb|250px|This ruby-quartz baton allows me to safely contain and administer focused bursts of prickery!]]

Granted a vision of the future by the time-tossed Decepticon [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] saw Prowl's looming death in the year 2005, and resolved to save his life. Prowl was equipped with the [[Genetronic Translink System]], which would allow him to relocate his [[spark]] to [[subspace]], and from there, control multiple Binaltech bodies; therefore, the vision Wheeljack saw of his friend's dead body could still come to pass, while his spark would live on. Before the first of his secondary bodies were completed, however, Prowl was sent on a mission to investigate some potential Decepticon activity in the vicinity of [[Saturn]], and came under heavy attack from the villains. He contacted Wheeljack on Earth, who was in the process of transferring memory data into Prowl's secondary Binaltech body, and Wheeljack prepared the GT System for a risky manoeuvre—the transplantation of Prowl's spark from his body, through subspace, into the Binaltech unit in Wheeljack's workshop. The transfer was initiated, but unfortunately, the unstable link collapsed mid-way through the process, and Prowl's spark was lost to the depths of subspace. Believing that the world still required the skills of Prowl, Prowl's longtime friend Chip Chase transferred his life essence into the Binaltech body, merging with the memory data already installed in it to become "[[Prowl II]]". {{storylink|Prowl & Chase}}

A few years later, Prowl's spark found its way through the infinite vastness of subspace and materialized in a different universe: the original timeline from which the Binaltech world had branched off. Prowl's spark was found by the Autobots of that world, but unfortunately, it was soon discovered that even in another universe, he was not beyond the reach of his home dimension's Decepticons. [[Doctor Arkeville]] and [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] used a neuro-net frame combined with a subspace node to locate his spark across the multiverse, and drain energy from it to power a giant monster they had made from synthetic [[electrum]]. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 2}} Prowl's spark began to destabilize as a consequence, and so the Bluestreak from the original timeline voyaged across the dimensions to the Binaltech world to alert Prowl's fellow Autobots to his dire situation. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 1}} With Bluestreak's aid, the Autobots tracked down the Decepticon operation and destroyed the monster, severing its connection to Prowl's spark. Though stable now, Prowl's spark was still too weak to make an interdimensional journey unguarded, requiring a body for protection. Chip Chase separated his consciousness from the "Prowl II" body so that it could be taken back to Bluestreak's timeline to finally serve as the body of the Autobot for whom it was always intended. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 2}}

=====The Headmasters cartoon=====
[[Image:Prowlwubsmagnus headmasters.jpg|right|thumb|G-G-Ghost Prowl!]]

Prowl was stationed at [[Autobot City]] on Earth in 2011 when he and many other troops were summoned to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to help repel a [[Decepticon]] invasion. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

Later, Prowl attended a briefing at [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], where [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] assigned several Autobot units to run interference with the Decepticons for [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]], as the young Autobot searched for the missing [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Prowl accompanied Ultra Magnus's unit, but did not appear again. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

{{note|Prowl's revival is one of those "WTF?" errors that happened in the Japanese series as a result of the Japanese production staff not being aware of his death in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]], as it did not reach Japan for several more years. However, that's really not an excuse, because he was listed among the deceased in both the English and Japanese versions of "[[Dark Awakening]]". The ''Binaltech'' fiction tried patching this up by creating "Prowl II", so that the ''original'' Prowl could still die, and this new Prowl could therefore be the one who appears in ''The Headmasters'', but the branching off of the ''Binaltech'' story into a parallel timeline leaves it unclear if this explanation still "counts".}}

===Kid Stuff Talking Story Books===
:''Voice actor:'' Unknown

{{bigquote|OUR MISSILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!}}

Prowl is Optimus Prime's over-acting right-hand man. {{storylink|When Continents Collide}}

===The Battle for Planet Earth===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Marinker]] (English)}}
As [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] spied on the Decepticon base, he wished [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] or Prowl were with him. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (G1)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}} When some the Decepticons left the base to head for [[Stanley Lake]], Optimus consulted Prowl who suggested following them. After the Autobots reached the lake, Optimus asked Prowl for a rundown of the situation, and Prowl came up with the idea of drawing the Decepticons out of the control room to avoid possible human casualties. {{storylink|Menace at the Dam}} Prowl didn't trust Starscream when the Decepticon wanted to defect, and pointed out to the others that Starscream's hatred of the Autobots was well known. He suspected Starscream was there to spy on them, and he and Optimus indeed subsequently tricked Starscream into sending the rest of the Decepticons on a wild goose chase. {{storylink|Espionage!!!!!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Prowlthewarwithin.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Who are you, and what did you do with Prowl?]]
Prowl was an Autobot from [[Praxus]]. After the death of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] called him, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and others to the ruins of Praxus, where he declared that if the new [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] was insufficient, they would take control of the Autobot military. Prowl was present at the ceremony when Optronix became Optimus Prime, and was restrained by Grimlock when Prime was attacked. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}} Prowl became Optimus Prime's [[Second-in-command|immediate subordinate]] and adviser. When Optimus ordered a planetary evacuation, Prowl told Prime that there were many voices raised in opposition against it. When Prime asked if Prowl's own voice was raised in opposition, Prowl looked away but did not reply. The [[Planetary engine|planetary turbines]] were activated by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], and Prime left to investigate. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} As [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] led an assault on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Prowl and Jazz led the defense, and Prowl sent out an order to all Autobots outside Iacon to regroup and dig in elsewhere, {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} while those with him made a final stand. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} After Iacon was devastated by the mecha-forming process, Prime aborted the evacuation. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

[[Image:Prowldarkagesvehicle.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Cheese it! It's the cops!]]

After Prime and Megatron disappeared in a [[space bridge]] test, the Autobots fractured, leading to the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] and [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] leaving the main Autobot army. Prowl took over leadership of the Autobots. {{storylink|Fragmentation}} He worked with Shockwave, who had assumed command of the Decepticons, to prevent [[The Fallen]]'s plans from coming to fruition. He and Shockwave agreed to let the [[Well of All Sparks]] remain sealed "[['Til all are one]]," as Shockwave put it. Prowl thought the line was catchy. {{storylink|Conflagration}} Eventually, however, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] took command of the Autobots, and reunited the three factions. That is, until Megatron returned to Cybertron and enslaved the Autobot population, including Prowl. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath}}

While those left on Cybertron endured the [[Great Shutdown]], a group of Autobots under Optimus Prime's command left on board the Ark in search of new energy sources. Unfortunately, Megatron led an attack on the Autobot flagship from the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', and both ships crash-landed on a planet called Earth. Millions of years later in the Earth year of 1984, the Autobots and Decepticons awoke and resumed the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. The Decepticons were eventually defeated by the Autobots and their human allies, and the Transformers were set to return home on the ''[[Ark II]]'', but it was sabotaged by General [[Robert Hallo]] and rogue government engineer-turned-arms dealer [[Lazarus|Adam Rook]].

[[Image:DWPrimeDirective2 Prowl kills.jpg|left|200px|thumb|[[Dull surprise|DULL MIND CONTROL]]! Wait... that actually kinda makes sense...]]

In the year 2002, Prowl was one of many Transformers under the control of Rook. He, along with several Autobots and Decepticons, attacked the [[Smitco Oil Refinery]] Arctic facility during Rook's sales demonstration to several terrorist organizations. Unfortunately, the invasive program that controlled Prowl killed a helpless human refinery worker escaping from the destruction. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} After Megatron reactivated himself and freed the other Decepticons from Rook's slavery, he used Prowl and the Autobots as power sources for his metallic cyberforming virus. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}}

[[Image:Prowl UltraMagnus WarAndPeace1.jpg|right|275px|thumb|We meet again, Puffy McForearm!]]

Sometime after the destruction of the cyberforming virus and the defeat of the Decepticons in [[San Francisco]], the Autobots were lured to the [[Alaska]]n coast by a distress beacon from an Autobot escape pod, and walked right into a Decepticon ambush. The fighting stopped when [[Scourge (G1)|a mysterious Decepticon]] appeared from the pod and declared that hostilities must cease, as Cybertron had been unified under one ruler, but before he could finish this sentence, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] appeared and blasted him. Stating that he was the leader of Cybertron, he ordered all combatants to lay down their arms and surrender themselves to his forces. Megatron, refusing to believed this attacked, giving the Autobots the distraction they needed to recover their wounded and retreat. Once safely away, Optimus Prime ordered Prowl to escort Ratchet and the wounded back to base, but unexpectedly, his strategist refused, citing the need for to gather intelligence on the new situation and to keep Prime and his essential leadership out of potential harms way. Unfortunately for Prowl, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] found [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] first, convincing the homesick Autobot to help his Cybertronian forces round up Prowl's team so they can all go home. {{Storylink|New World Order}}

After Magnus convinced Optimus Prime and some of his Autobots in [[Oregon]] to turn themselves over, Prowl reported on the situation and Magnus' claims that they need the Autobots back home to repair the damage done to Cybertron, but stopped short of advocating blind trust in Magnus or Shockwave. Instead, he suggested they keep an open mind, believing Magnus was still an Autobot at his core. {{Storylink|Brothers' Burden}} Unbeknownst to them, Shockwave had ordered the deactivation of Optimus Prime and his Autobots, an order that outraged the "former" Autobots under his command. While [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] took Prime through the [[Old Slave Trails]] to see [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s rebel team, those under Prowl were taken by [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] to meet with the Autobots rebels [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] was aligned with. Unfortunately, just as they arrived, Shockwave unleashed the [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinels]] on the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] in Iacon, brushing aside rushing aside the trappings of peaceful coexistence and instituting marital law. {{Storylink|Passive Aggression}} However, with Optimus Prime returned, the various sub-factions of Autobot rebels were unified under his inspirational command and launched an all-out attack on Iacon. Prowl was in [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]'s team, and watched as the light from the [[Matrix of Leadership|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]] was unleashed from Shockwave's tower. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

[[Image:Prowl Ironhide DWOngoing3.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"My encouraging speech failed miserably. Now the only logical thing to do is get F****ing tanked."]]

Ultimately, the Autobots won the day and retook Cybertron from Shockwave and his Decepticons, and Prowl was placed in command of security of the planet. He and Ironhide watched as Autobot recruits were trounced ''again'' by training drones at the Autobase. Prowl knew these recruits were trying their best, but with the situation more volatile than ever, the Autobots needed more troops and had no choice but to accept whomever enlisted. However, he understood Ironhide's concerns that if these new Autobots didn't get themselves into gear, then they might as well not have an army at all. While checking in on Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus, Prowl was alerted by the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] that [[Sunstorm (G1)|something]] may have trashed one of Shockwave's labs before blasting off. {{Storylink|Black Sunshine}} Though the obviously more trustworthy Autobots were now in control, the population was still reluctant to support them. Prowl attempted to address their concerns in a public forum at [[Central Hall]], expecting a structured, supportive crowd, but was overwhelmed by the barrage of questions from concerned citizens, much to Ironhide's amusement. Fortunately, Ultra Magnus managed to salvage the embarrassing situation by stepping in to answer the questions posed to Prowl. Later, at New Iacon's [[Alpha Preserve]], Ironhide, Prowl and Kup knocked back [[Kremzeek]]-brand refreshment, reflecting on the changes in politics on Cybertron, and pondering if old relics like themselves were needed anymore. {{storylink|Skyfire (issue)|Skyfire}}

[[Image:Prowl DWOngoing04.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Why does Bluestreak keep 'poking' me on Facebook? What does that even mean?"]]

To take his mind off post-war politics, Prowl attempted to dig into the mystery of the energy signature detected at the Decepticon laboratory the Protectobots had investigated. He tried to understand why Shockwave was harvesting clones of both Autobots and Decepticons, why energy similar to [[Vector Sigma]] was detected there, and where Shockwave had uploaded the compressed contents of the supercomputer to. Just when the exhausted Prowl was on the cusp of realizing that this all led back to [[Sunstorm (G1)|the missing clone]], Ultra Magnus contacted him, reporting that he had notified the other Autobots for the meeting the next cycle, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, preparations for the Autobots to return to Earth would begin shortly. {{Storylink|The Omega Effect}} The next cycle, as Prowl made his way to the meeting, [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] reported that the upload from Vector Sigma was intended to be downloaded into Shockwave's secret lab, but the network there was overloaded, and so it was downloaded into one of the clones in his lab, which would be far too much for any mortal Transformer. Prowl theorised for the being to remain relatively sane, it must have simplified the information it received, and that Shockwave became interested in Earth only after he began to decode data from Vector Sigma. Still, neither Prowl nor Perceptor had any idea what this all meant. Entering the meeting, Prowl reported that they had a problem and it was heading for Earth. {{Storylink|Original Sin}}

[[Image:Prowl Jazz Brawn DWOngoing10.jpg|left|175px|thumb|]]

Prowl reported his and Perceptor's findings on the clone and announced a return to Earth, to the agreement of [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], but to the anger of [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]. Prowl understood the reluctance to leave Cybertron so soon after returning for the first time in millions of years, but said that Cybertron was not currently in danger, but they had an obligation to their second home, Earth, and to their human friends. He asked for volunteers over Huffer's protests, but Ironhide commented that for all their complaints, the detractors knew Prowl was right. {{storylink|Atonement}} True to his word, Mirage, Huffer and Gears joined the Autobots going to Earth, though with obvious difficulty. Prowl comforted Huffer, expressing his appreciation in his fellow Autobot for joining him and bringing his invaluable skills on this mission. But at the last, Prowl too agreed that he would miss Cybertron. {{Storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

Arriving on Earth, Prowl's team began building a new Autobot facility, far away from settlements so as to not endanger humanity should the Decepticons attack. Prowl welcomed [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]'s team to the future site of [[Autobot City]]. {{Storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

{{Note|With [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s bankruptcy, there were no further exciting adventures with Prowl in this continuity. For information on issues that would have been published after "The Route of All Evil", please see: [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues]]}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:GIJoevsTF5_Autobots.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Utter prick, now in Firebat Red!]]
Among many of his fellow Autobots (and several Decepticons), Prowl was found dormant on the crashed ''Ark'' by the human terrorist organization [[Cobra]] and reprogrammed to serve them. He and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] were rebuilt to transform into Cobra [[Firebat]] jets in the process. When the Transformers were eventually freed from the humans' control, Prowl joined a team of Autobots that hunted down [[Cobra Commander]], but failed to capture him as they were distracted by his [[S.N.A.K.E.]] guards. After taking out most of the mechs, the team witnessed [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] get decapitated by [[Storm Shadow]], and descended upon the ninja in a fit of rage. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}} Prowl and Bluestreak were later seen fighting two [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] in the sky when the [[SPS Satellite]] went out of control and sent energy beams raining down on [[Cobra Island]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

A few years later, having returned to Cybertron, Prowl was part of a team of Autobots waiting for a chance to charge in and free Optimus Prime from [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s clutches. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} With the Decepticon army defeated, Prowl was sent back to Earth as part of a team that worked to prevent Cybertronian technology from falling into the wrong hands. After a failed attempt to capture [[Destro]] while he was illegally selling S.N.A.K.E.s in [[Cuba]], Prowl returned to the team's headquarters at the ''[[Arc II]]'' and discussed Optimus Prime's recent mission to [[Tibet]] with [[Firewall]]. The base then came under attack by the [[Pretender Monster]]s, and Prowl fought them alongside [[Eject]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2|Black Horizon, Part 1}} He was heavily injured during the battle, but soon received medical attention at [[Pit (G.I. Joe)|the Pit]] and was set for a full recovery. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2|Black Horizon, Part 2}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[Image:DWTFJoe2 Jazz Prowl.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Back in World War II, Prowl has a conversation with himself in front of Jazz.]]
Prowl, along with several other Autobots, lay dormant on the [[Fera Islands]] for a long time until [[1939]], when [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] stumbled upon them whilst battling [[Cobra]]. Soon after awakening and being reformatted into a new form, Prowl told [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] not to trust the [[human]]s, as they had just opened fire on [[Ironhide (G1)|Iron Hide]] {{sic}} without provocation. In contrast, the other Autobots were happy to offer G.I. Joe help, though Prowl insisted that they needed more information before throwing themselves headlong into the humans' war. {{storylink|Transformed}} After the Autobots teamed up with the Joes anyway, Prowl mocked [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] for thinking a rope would be enough to pull [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] up from a crumbling cliff. {{storylink|Wolves}}

As the Autobots and Joes got closer to the Cobra [[Terrordrome]], Optimus Prime started to regret interfering with the humans and their war, and contemplated withdrawing. Prowl agreed, pointing out that G.I. Joe could very well be the bad guys in the scenario, but [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] told him to shut up. {{storylink|Trenches}} Optimus Prime soon changed his mind, and Prowl participated in the attack on the Terrordrome. Along with all the other Transformers, he was killed when the life-giving [[Matrix of Leadership]] was destroyed. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

{{-}}

===Parts===
When Optimus Prime accidentally killed a fellow Autobot, Prowl—who never liked [[Geosensus|the dead guy]] anyway—covered it up so the rest of the team wouldn't lose faith in their leader. He swore that if the accidental killing was ever discovered, he would take the blame. {{Storylink|Parts}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:MegatronOrigin2 boredAutobots.jpg|right|180px|thumb|And remember to fill out those TPS reports.]]

Prowl has served the Autobots for a long time, dating back to the days of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], if not earlier. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s rise as the most popular and violent pit fighter in videos of [[Kaon]]'s illegal [[gladiatorial combat]] attracted Prowl's attention, and he formed a Autobot Security Services team to crack down on them, though to the chagrin of his fellow officers, he tended to blather on about his theories about how somebody was making a fortune distributing on these inexpensive to produce videos. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}}

After the murder of [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (G1)|Fastback]], Sentinel and Prowl led a security forces deployment that arrested much of Megatron's pit fighters and those that they were attempting to recruit. Prowl personally attached the [[inhibitor claw]] to Megatron once he was overwhelmed by security forces. While processing the prisoners, he delivered the galling news that due to [[Ratbat (G1)#IDW comics continuity|senate orders]], the one known as [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] was to be freed without charge. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} Unfortunately, it was all part of Megatron's mad plans. He allowed himself and his men to be captured so Starscream could feign turning coat and murder the senate members who questioned him. During the ensuing jail break that devastated the [[Security Services Headquarters|Security Team HQ]] and following street battle, Prowl lost his usual cool composure in the face of such onslaught and looked to Sentinel Prime for directions. When Prime left to face Megatron personally and was brutally defeated, it was Prowl who took control and ordered the evacuation of security forces from Kaon. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

As the Decepticon movement began to spread across Cybertron and [[Zeta Prime]] took command, Prowl became a member of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]]'s Autobot unit. He participated in a mission to arrest [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] as he was selling weapons to terrorists in [[Nyon]]. {{storylink|Law and Disorder}} Not long afterwards he helped hunt down Decepticon spy [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], but was dealt with by [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] who collapsed the [[Neurospan Bridge]] on him. {{storylink|The Hunt for Soundwave}} When [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] was held hostage by Decepticons to convince Orion to come to Kaon and talk to Megatron, Prowl and the rest of the team came to their rescue. {{storylink|Cause and Effect}}

On a mission from Zeta Prime to arrest the insurgent [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], Orion Pax's team traveled to Nyon's [[Acropolex]], where Prowl noted that their target seemingly wasn't trying to kill them and also mentioned being a believer in the [[Matrix of Leadership]] unlike [[Ironhide (G1)|some people]]. At the heart of the Acropolex, the Autobots found that Hot Rod just wanted to show them multiple tanks full of energon drained from Nyon's populace to power Zeta Prime's war machines. He asked Orion Pax to join him against Prime's tyranny, though Prowl voiced his disapproval of officers joining the insurgents against their own government. {{storylink|Ruins}} He seemingly changed his mind as soon as Zeta Prime began directly assaulting Nyon. To distract Zeta's [[Omega Destructor]]s while Hot Rod evacuated the city, Orion Pax and Prowl acted as bait and drew one of the Destructors into a trap, but failed to harm it and were defeated by Zeta Prime himself. {{storylink|Purge}} The Autobots' lives were saved by Megatron, who took them to Kaon for repairs and negotiated an alliance with Orion. {{storylink|Choices}}

Together with their new allies, Prowl and the others attacked Zeta Prime's [[Citadel]] and put an end to his rule. Unsurprisingly, the Decepticons then betrayed them. {{storylink|Overthrown}} Prowl was among those captured under Megatron's new rule, but escaped alongside his cellmates [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. They followed Orion Pax's ID signal to the ruins of Nyon, where they were shocked to learn that he had acquired the Matrix and become Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Rise}}

[[Image:Prowl Autocracy12 Endgame.jpg|left|250px|thumb|This is my "up to something" face.]]
When Optimus had to make a rallying call for more allies for their cause, Prowl cut the news-feed for the message to get carried out. He then participated in the assault against the Citadel. {{storylink|Broadcast}}

After the battle, Prowl showed Optimus the armory that Zeta Prime had hidden in the [[Undergrid]], suggesting that they could use the weapons within against the Decepticons. Optimus refused this and ordered them destroyed. {{storylink|Endgame}}

Four million years ago, Prowl was working directly under Optimus Prime as the Autobots fought to prevent the Decepticons from bringing fresh energon supplies to the war effort. While Optimus went after the energon convoy himself, Prowl held the line with Hound and the others to prevent the Decepticons from getting hold of the latest city they had targeted. In the aftermath, Prowl congratulated Prime for capturing the convoy without having to fire a shot. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

At some point during the war, Prowl tried to desert and escape the war onboard the ''[[Peaceful Resolution]]''. It was shot down before reaching orbit, and he realized he had to help win the war instead of running from it. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}}

After the [[Garrus-9]] detention facility had been established, Prowl was among the law enforcement Autobots who endured the trials of ''Autobot'' [[Flame (Marvel)|criminals]] who inflicted unspeakable horrors on civilians and other non-combatants. Prowl and other luminaries such as [[Tyrest (Autobot)|Chief Justice Tyrest]], [[Xaaron]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] agreed that the trials would remain a secret until the final verdict was cast, then it would be full disclosure, regardless of the damage to morale and the Autobots' political standing. {{Storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}

[[Image:Infiltration3 Prowl saveit.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Talk to the hand, the prick ain't listening.]]

Millions of years later, Prowl was the leader of a detachment of Autobots that operated covertly on [[Earth]] for at least four years, attempting to foil a Decepticon insurgency led by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and blindly following the Autobot rules of counterinsurgency. He almost threw [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] in the brig for breaking cover to rescue three humans from the Decepticons, and subsequently refused to contact [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] until further evidence of enemy activities was uncovered. He did not willingly believe Ratchet when the medic told him that the Decepticons had stepped up their presence by constructing a [[Infiltration protocol|second base]]. However, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] ended up sending a pulsewave transmission to Optimus Prime behind Prowl's back. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 3|Infiltration #3}} Prowl was forced to face reality when Megatron arrived on Earth to confront Starscream, and he finally agreed to call in Optimus Prime. Thing was, Prime had already arrived. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}}

When Springer ordered several Autobots on a lethal mission to rescue the damaged and deranged Kup from an alien world, Prowl evidently helped conceal Springer's efforts from Optimus. However, he still felt it was a misguided effort, asking Springer if Kup would want other Autobots killed rescuing him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}}

Prowl went with the Autobots to investigate Decepticon activity in the country of [[Latveria]]. There they discovered a heavily shielded "array" that the Decepticons were using as a base. {{storylink|Man and Machine, Part One}} After a skirmish with the [[human]]s that were present there, they teamed up with them to shut down the [[Psycho-Prism]] human mind altering device the Decepticons had fortified inside the array. The Decepticons attacked. {{storylink|Man and Machine, Part Two}} During the fight, [[Luke Cage]] and Ratchet discovered a weak spot in the array's defenses and went in. Prowl followed to make sure Ratchet didn't put human interests ahead of Autobot interests, but the human [[Spider-Man]] was held captive inside, so Prowl gave in and let Ratchet and Luke Cage attempt a rescue.

Prowl found the Psycho-Prism guarded by [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Doctor Doom]]. Doctor Doom zapped him into unconsciousness. {{storylink|Man and Machine, Part Three}} He awoke next to Ratchet to find Spider-Man had been freed by Doctor Doom, who had switched sides. Prowl and Ratchet decided to use the Decepticons' [[mirror response mode]] equipment to boost their power with Spider-Man's superhuman abilities. [[Wolverine (superhero)|Wolverine]] arrived with Jazz and Bumblebee and suggested they use his abilities instead. They did, then [[orbital jump|orbital bounced]] with Spider-Man back to the battle outside, where their added strength helped defeat Megatron. Wolverine, Jazz, and Bumblebee stayed to destroy the Psycho-Prism. {{storylink|Man and Machine, Part Four}}

[[Image:Escalation6 Prowl MYTURF.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Yeah, let the irresponsible loner look after the MacGuffin. Good call.]]
After [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] was kidnapped by [[Machination|a mysterious group of humans]], {{storylink|Escalation issue 1|Escalation #1}} Prowl was still obsessed with the rules of the counterinsurgency war and thus did not understand why Optimus Prime requested reinforcements to Earth. Prowl was furious when Ironhide dared to go around him and volunteer himself to track down clues on Sunstreaker's disappearance, and subsequently forced him to stay behind while the Autobots not on his grievance list left for [[Brasnya]] to confront the Decepticons. {{storylink|Escalation issue 3|Escalation #3}} When everything kicked off in the former [[Russia|Soviet]] nation, Prowl led [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (and later [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]) into battle, attempting to capture [[Georgi Koska]], a Decepticon [[Facsimile construct|facsimile]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 4|Escalation #4}} He clashed with Hot Rod over the capture of Koska as both of them were of equal rank, but when Optimus Prime was temporarily offline and believed dead, Prowl assumed full command and came up with a strategy for fighting Megatron (shoot him, then run away). {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}}

Under orders from Optimus, Prowl oversaw the moving of ''[[Ark-19]]'' to a more secure location. He turned to Prime rather than order the launch on his own discretion. (Prime had to order him to use his own discretion.) {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}} When [[Sixshot]] blew them out of the sky, Optimus took command of the situation until the ''Ark-19'' was destroyed. {{storylink|Devastation issue 2|Devastation #2}}

Once on the ''[[Ark-32]]'', Prowl found that, due to injuries from the battle with Sixshot {{storylink|Devastation issue 4|Devastation #4}} and separate missions, he and Hardhead were the only active Autobots. He was mildly annoyed that Optimus Prime and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] were otherwise preoccupied during this crisis. He was then shocked when Optimus abruptly ordered their unit to withdraw from Earth to handle a situation at the [[Garrus-9]] secure facility. {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}}

Optimus Prime and Prowl met with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] on Garrus-9 to discuss the prisoners' breakout and how a surviving Decepticon had been tortured. Prime left Maximus in charge and said that he and Prowl had unfinished business aboard the ''Ark-32''. When [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] was reported guarding a cave on [[Corata-Vaz]], Optimus Prime recognized this had something to do with his [[infraspace]] encounter in [[Brasnya]]. He ordered Prowl to summon the [[Wrecker]]s to find out what Thunderwing was guarding. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}} He judged the subsequent battle between the Wreckers and Thunderwing as suicidal, and felt that they were wasting their time given everything seemed to be coming at them at once. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:AHM15 SpringerpunchesProwl.jpg|right|200px|thumb|According to my calcula- ''OHGODMYFACE!'']]

Prowl became increasingly frustrated with the tendency of the Autobots in general and Optimus specifically to lionise and listen to charismatic warriors and mavericks. Realising nobody would listen to the more logical tactical advice that he or Perceptor gave, he had Kup sent to the [[Kimia Facility]] to be rebuilt... with some personality sub-routines added in, which would ensure that the iconic elder could be controlled and made to act as a proxy for him. Prowl didn't want attention or glory, he only wanted to do his job, and he had absolutely no ethical qualms about ensuring that "when [Kup] speaks, you won't even see my lips move"...

He ''really'' didn't like Springer either, and was annoyed that the ''Decepticons'' seem to be a more unified body than the Autobots. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|All Hail Megatron #15}}

After the [[Expansion]] incident, Optimus Prime reassigned more Autobots to Earth. The Decepticons had been laying low for months, and everyone was starting to get restless. While Prowl recommended a "wait and see" approach to Optimus Prime, Ironhide's calls for action soon drowned out Prowl's reasoning. When Mirage handed them solid intelligence about a possible opportunity to wipe out Starscream and a small group of Decepticons, the Autobots acted on it. It turned out to be an ambush, and the Autobots were soundly defeated by the Decepticons with the aid of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Informed that the Decepticons were launching simultaneous attacks across the galaxy on Autobot installations and also that there was a traitor among them, the Autobots' morale was dealt a heavy blow. Through use of a space bridge portal, Megatron planned to send the Autobots to Cybertron to have them devoured by the [[Insecticon swarm|Swarm]]. Optimus Prime managed to sabotage the portal and strand the Autobots on Cybertron before the Decepticons could follow, albeit nearly at the cost of his life. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}

[[Image:Ironhidepuncheseveryone.jpg|left|250px|thumb|I'm sensing a pattern emerging.]]
In this unprecedented situation, Jazz's authority superseded Prowl's, and he took overall command of the battered and demoralized Autobots. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} Jazz also proved necessary to shore up Prowl's own authority, which was severely disregarded by his men. Jazz's reputation helped keep them in line, particularly the recalcitrant Ironhide, who had taken to striking superior officers, including Prowl himself. After the situation with Ironhide was defused, Prowl got Jazz to admit the energon searches he'd been sending troops out on were just to keep the men busy. Prowl worried that Prime would soon die, and about the details of their commander's condition that they had kept from the troops at large. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}}

In particular, what Jazz and Prowl were withholding was the fact that the [[Matrix of Leadership]] was not within Prime anymore, but had been absconded with by Megatron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

Kup arrived on Cybertron shortly thereafter with his own team, and things took a turn for the worse, with the Swarm encroaching on their position. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}} Sunstreaker was revealed to be the traitor, having made a bargain with Starscream to kill Megatron. He sacrificed his life to buy the other Autobots time to put some distance between them and the Swarm. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}}

[[Image:AHM10 ProwlandJazz.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Prick ''and'' nerd.]]
Thankfully, Ratchet finally managed to repair and revive Optimus Prime, and Autobot morale went on the upswing despite their situation. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} Under Prime's direction, they immediately began building a defense against the oncoming Swarm horde in a new temporary base. Once everything was nearly in place, Prowl calculated the odds of them succeeding and wound up with quite a dire forecast. Jazz urged him to keep it to himself, which Prowl quickly agreed to do. When the Swarm surged against them, the Autobots fought as hard as they could, but were eventually on the verge of being overwhelmed. Fortunately, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] arrived to tilt the odds squarely in the Autobots' favor. Prowl asked Omega how he had survived the galaxy-wide Decepticon attack, speculating that they had probably sent an army against him. Omega simply replied, "I am Omega Supreme". {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}

The Autobots eventually boarded Omega's rocket mode and headed for Earth. There, they engaged the Decepticon forces in a fierce battle which ended with Megatron's defeat and Starscream ordering a withdrawal from the planet. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

[[Image:Prowl Spotlight AdviseAgainstInvolvement.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"But Prowl, look...teddy bear."]]
Over the next three years, the Autobots remained on Earth at the insistence of Optimus Prime. Optimus believed they could not leave in good conscience while human society was still in disarray from their war and rogue Decepticons still wandered the planet. The humans were not interested in having protectors, however, and soon learned to take care of themselves. [[Skywatch]] reverse-engineered Cybertronian technology to hunt and capture Autobots AND Decepticons left on the planet.

As part of Optimus Prime's belief that the Autobots must help humanity rebuild in whatever way possible, Prowl was assigned to assist the local police whilst in disguise as one of their squad cars. Over the next eight months, Prowl saw humanity at its lowest ebb. Desperate, angry people who would never forgive the Transformers for bringing their war to humanity's homeworld. He watched as some of his driver's fellow police officers set fire to the building that the Decepticon [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] was trapped in, a cold execution of what Prowl considered an enemy combatant. He protested to Optimus Prime that humanity was dangerous, they were now killing Transformers, and that there was no strategic purpose for the Autobots to be on this planet or for he to continue this masquerade of being a police car. Prime asked his officer to trust him in his belief to the value of this activity, and that all the Autobots were on a personal journey.

[[Image:Prowl Spotlight DoneTheNumbers.jpg|right|130px|thumb|Prowl finally realizes that math is useless.]]
And so Prowl continued to patrol the streets, and while he did so, he calculated. The humans numbered in their swarming billions versus less than ten thousand Cybertronians. Humanity lived brief, petty, frantic lives of comparatively little consequence, their world and its infrastructure inefficient, ramshackle and incompetent. Prowl concluded that not a single human life was worth that of a Cybertronian. However, when he and his police officer drive was overseeing the removable of volatile Cybertronian wreckage from a building, some workers accidentally triggered an abandoned weapon to fire, destroying a damaged building. Without thinking, Prowl transformed and pushed a young girl out of the way, saving her life, but in the process, was trapped under the rubble that would have crushed her. His driver expressed disbelief that the Autobot had been in disguise as his car for the past eight months, and that he had broken cover to save one girl. Prowl confessed that for eight months he had been watching, planning, but unable to do anything. There were so many times he could have assisted if he were able to break cover. He had run the numbers, made calculations on Earth and on humanity, his math was flawless, but they weren't ''right''. And when push came to shove, he couldn't rely on what he thought might happen, he had to act on instinct and do the right thing. The policeman, impressed, remarked that Prowl spoke like a true beat cop, and stated that while he was obligated to call this incident in, it wasn't an emergency and suggested that Prowl had an hour to extricate himself before Skywatch arrived. {{storylink|Ride-Along|Spotlight: Prowl}}

[[Image:Ongoing issue 1-Prowl shot in the back.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Woman makes prick staticky. Hilarity ensues.]]

The Autobots moved west, where Prowl was joined in his undercover police work with new arrival [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]. They were present at a power installation in New Mexico, which was being ransacked by the ravenous [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]. Skywatch deployed its robot-hunting crash-suits and brought down the Decepticon before leveling lethal particle cannons at him. Despite himself, Prowl broke cover to prevent the execution of a helpless Transformer. This left his backside open to the second Skywatch team on site, who used mode lock inhibitors to capture him as well as the "bait", Breakdown.

Prowl's capture was reported back to Autobase by Streetwise, and Hot Rod assembled a strike team to infiltrate Skywatch and rescue him. These Autobots were outfitted with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s new counter-inhibitors to prevent the mode lock from working. Unfortunately, this sudden change in tactical efficiency only caused Skywatch to panic, drawing out their lethal ordnance to protect themselves. Prowl was rescued...but Ironhide died in the assault. Grieving for his friend, Optimus Prime then stepped down as Autobot leader and turned himself over to Skywatch. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}}

With Optimus gone, Hot Rod advocated abandoning his plan and this planet, and Prowl was one of the first to sign up for Hot Rod's splinter group. They failed to convince [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] to fly them off-world, but then encountered a group of Decepticons led by Swindle. After a brief scuffle, Hot Rod and Swindle entered into negotiations for a truce. Prowl was uncomfortable with the idea of collaboration, despite his earlier effort on Breakdown's behalf. Ultimately, however, he went along with it. {{storylink|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}}

[[Image:Prowl Seasons In Flight.jpg|right|thumb|230px|Prowl always narcs on the cool kids.]]
The united Autobots and Decepticons attempted to construct a space cruiser in order to leave the planet. Their efforts reached a hurdle with the arrival of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], duly appointed enforcer of the [[Tyrest Accord]]. Prowl had summoned Ultra Magnus to Earth as part of standard operating procedure after Ironhide's death, before Prime abdicated his leadership and the faction had split. Things became difficult as Magnus attempted to confiscate Hot Rod's "unlicensed interstellar vehicle". Prowl attempted to weigh in with legalese of his own, citing the line of procedural succession and emergency powers, but it became moot when Magnus discovered their collaboration. {{storylink|Seasons in Flight}}

Eventually, things changed, and the Autobots were able to work with Skywatch to defend Earth. Prowl himself changed. Now, instead of having to be ordered to do so by Optimus Prime, Prowl assists the police of his own free will. He now understood that math and calculations, no matter how accurate, were useless in the face of evolving threats and a brave new world. No longer believing that a single human life was not worth that of one Cybertronian, Prowl would risk his life for any human. {{storylink|Ride-Along|Spotlight: Prowl}}

[[Image:Prowl LSOTW5 Pressure.jpg|left|thumb|100px|To prick...or ''not'' to prick...]]
Sometime after things settled down on Earth, Prowl formed a plan to recapture the [[Garrus-9]] detention facility, which had fallen during Megatron's push three years earlier. Prowl's primary objective on this mission was for the Wreckers to retrieve the data stored on [[Aequitas]], as he feared that if the Decepticons managed to get their hands on politically-damaging information about Autobot war criminals, it would be disastrous to the Autobot cause. When selections for the new Wreckers squad were being made, Prowl learned that [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]] (a weapons researcher at [[Kimia Facility]] who had an obsessive fascination with the Wreckers) had recently suffered a lab accident involving cerebro-centric bullets and only had months to live. Applying pressure on psy-ops specialist [[Rung]] (who had judged the researcher unfit for Wreckers duty), Prowl arranged for Ironfist to be placed in Springer's squad on the condition that he would be the one to sacrifice his life to unlock Aequitas. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} After the surviving Wreckers defeated [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] and liberated G-9, Prowl was given a [[data slug]] containing the Aequitas' data, the legacy of Ironfist, who had finally succumbed to his lab accident injury. Prowl explained to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] how he regretted using Ironfist in this manner, and he would prefer if the information about trials were never made public, despite what he had agreed to millions of years ago, for fear of what it would do to Autobot morale. As Ultra Magnus left, Prowl started to apply pressure on the data slug... {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}

When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] crash-landed a spaceship full of [[zombie]]s in [[Las Vegas]], Autobot and Skywatch troops were ready to defend the city. After a brief battle, they learned that the zombies were not on Galvatron's side, but rather a threat to the entire planet, and Prowl had the area quarantined before interrogating Galvatron on what he knew about the creatures. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 1|The Transformers: Infestation #1}} The leader of the zombies, an interdimensional vampire in disguise named [[Britt]], soon revealed herself and attacked the Autobots and Decepticons, infecting Kup with the zombie plague and creating a space-time portal to Cybertron's distant past, intending to infect the planet while it was still teeming with life. Prowl, however, had a way to sabotage her plan: using his previously established mind link with Kup, he removed the virus's control over the old warrior and had him change the portal's coordinates, trapping Kup, Britt and the zombie army in the [[Dead Universe]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 2|The Transformers: Infestation #2}}

Prowl was one of the Autobots who participated in the covert mission to take out the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], who were working with [[North Korea]] in exchange for energon. {{storylink|International Incident Part 2: "Ranks of Bronze"}} In order to keep the battle a secret from the world at large, they hacked all spy satellites watch the area, after which Prowl helped defeat [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]. {{storylink|International Incident Part 3: "Hawk Among the Sparrows"}} Then the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] joined the fray. Since Bumblebee and [[Kyle Pennington|Pennington]] back at base were unable to see what was going on, Prowl had to keep them informed, all while calculating the best strategies to avoid casualties. The Autobots were eventually victorious, but at the cost of humanity learning about their alliance with Skywatch. {{storylink|International Incident Part 4: "All My Sins Remembered"}}

As the Autobots flew home from Korea, the Decepticons returned to Earth with a vengeance and had their plane shot down. Prowl and the others survived, however, and made it to shore. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies}} After their attacker was revealed to be none other than a returning Megatron, they confronted him and learned that he had defeated most of their troops in America and left them to the mercy of armed and angry humans. Prowl sent Jazz to save them, but against his direct orders to not resort to violence, Jazz ended up breaking cover and killing one of the men. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome}} The Autobots regrouped at Omega Supreme, and were soon joined by Megatron, having given himself up just to taunt them. Prowl was contemplating how short-sighted it had been to have both their mechanics on the Korea team when Optimus Prime approached him, asking him to investigate Megatron's claims that Spike Witwicky had executed a [[Scrapper (G1)|surrendered combatant]]. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine}}

In order to finish his investigation, Prowl remained on Earth with Bumblebee, Ultra Magnus and some other Autobots while the rest of them left to drive Galvatron off of Cybertron. After a last-minute questioning of Megatron revealed nothing new, he tried unsuccessfully to get Decepticon deserter [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] to stay with the Autobots, and lied to Bumblebee and Spike that he would keep them updated on what was going on. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix}} Appearing via hologram on board Omega Supreme, Prowl participated in the talks on what the Autobots would do with Megatron. He agreed with [[Xaaron]] that they needed a third party to judge the Decepticon leader's trial, but admitted that personally he'd rather just execute the scumbag. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

When Spike let slip that he'd be gone from base for 36 hours for secret reasons, Prowl decided to spy on his activities. This proved uninformative as Spike just met with higher-ups and assorted women, but things got heated when Breakdown suddenly showed up for revenge against the human. Prowl defeated him with help from Streetwise, but was forced to break off the mission and was chewed out by Ultra Magnus for the attention attracted by the battle. He mentioned wanting to look into anti-Transformer spokesman [[Ben Simpson]], whom he suspected was providing people with guns made from Megatron's parts, but was ordered to focus on Spike. Searching the site of Scrapper's death, Prowl was sampling some odd chemical residue when he suddenly came under attack. {{storylink|Police Action: Part 1}}

The assailant was Brawl, though Prowl noticed he had a spotter that got away. Together with Streetwise he defeated the Decepticon and took him in for questioning, but a failsafe in his body caused him to shut down during interrogation. Continuing with the investigation on Spike, Prowl had former Skywatch member [[Sandra (G1)|Sandra]] brought in while he looked into the sample he had found. Just as he figured out that Scrapper had been attacked by a human with a chemical weapon rather than another Decepticon as previously assumed, Spike approached him and shamelessly admitted that it was all true. {{storylink|Police Action Part 2: Only Forward}}

While Spike argued that it was a strategical operation to rid the world of Devastator, Prowl saw it as murder with vengeance for Spike's friend [[Tim Simmons]] as the motive. Spike didn't care for being lectured, calling Prowl out on making his own tough decisions and keeping secrets from his allies for their own sake. Before he could think of what to do next, Prowl got word from Bumblebee that Ultra Magnus had agreed to go after Ben Simpson, and rolled out alongside him and Streetwise. Simpson turned out to be a [[facsimile construct]] created by Swindle to boost anti-Transformer sentiment among humanity for profit. When captured, Swindle not only admitted to being responsible for the situation in North Korea, but also for helping Skywatch by selling Cybertronian technology to... Spike Witwicky. Before the Autobots could do much, Spike had fled while Jazz went off on his own and announced to the world that the Autobots were cutting all ties with Skywatch and humanity. {{storylink|Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden}}

[[Image:Prowl DeathofOptimusPrime.jpg|left|150px|thumb|]]
The few Autobots on Earth returned to Cybertron in the wake of Galvatron and [[D-Void]]'s defeat. Though the war was over, [[Autobot High Command]] found themselves stuck with the thankless job of governing the many neutral Cybertronians returning home. Prowl coined the term Non-Aligned Indigenous Life-forms, or [[NAIL]]s, for them, and they didn't like being ruled by the people who had ruined their world through war. When a riot took place, the Autobots were outnumbered 20-to-1 and Prowl had no choice but to release the captive Decepticons and have them lend a hand, though [[inhibitor/deterrence chip]]s kept from using lethal force. Things got worse when Rodimus and Ultra Magnus announced that they were leaving Cybertron in search of the [[Knights of Cybertron]] when he needed them to deal with the neutrals. This caused Prowl to blow up in anger towards the neutrals, calling them arrogant and ungrateful cowards who did nothing during the war but now acted like they owned the planet. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}}

Contrary to Prowl's belief that nobody would willingly come with Rodimus, he managed to gather over 200 Autobots for his quest, including [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]. Prowl tried to convince him to stay as he truly needed his special abilities, but Chromedome refused as he'd rather leave his past behind. After a brief fit of anger, Prowl resorted to plan B, contacting his [[Duobot|agents]] on board [[Lost Light|Rodimus's ship]]. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}} He ordered them to place a tracker on its engines, though unfortunate events would lead to them to fail and be killed. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}} Prowl and Bumblebee watched the launch of the ''Lost Light'' be cut short when the ship disappeared in a sudden explosion. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}}

Prowl was left handling the Decepticons, who were very harsh law enforcers and very unhappy about their imprisonment. After arresting [[Needlenose]] and [[Horri-Bull]] for assaulting [[Tappet|a NAIL]] (and then arresting the NAIL for disturbing the peace), he took them back to the Decepticon pen and was confronted by Decepticon spokesman [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], who demanded his faction be treated as equals. Believing him to have some sort of plan, Prowl reported his suspicions to Bumblebee and suggested they cancel the memorial service dedicated to Rodimus's crew, what with the large NAIL population being indifferent to the fate of their friends. He later discussed the matter of Ratbat with his secret weapon, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], telling her that he was going to preserve the peace even if he had to do things he didn't want to do. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson}} He learned the truth soon enough when Starscream came to the Autobots and sold out Ratbat, telling Prowl that he planned to assassinate Bumblebee during the memorial service then stage a coup. Acting on this info, Prowl managed to stop [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] from sniping Bumblebee and leaving a NAIL to take the blame, and in the meantime sent Arcee to deal with Ratbat. Even though she mercilessly murdered the Decepticon, the two agreed afterwards that she had acted in self defense and had no other choice. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} Prowl later addressed to the Decepticons in the wake of Ratbat's death, claiming that evidence suggested suicide. Starscream stepped in and backed the cover story, much to Prowl's discomfort. Very shortly thereafter, mysterious explosions began striking Cybertron, leading Prowl to believe the Decepticons were responsible. Metalhawk questioned this, adding in some cutting remarks about the war not being over for Prowl yet. Eventually Wheeljack figured out the origin of the explosions and that all parties were innocent in the matter. Much to Prowl's displeasure, Starscream came up with a plan to protect the civilians while Wheeljack ended the threat. When Starscream was granted a place in the new government thanks to his actions, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] became enraged and struck Prowl, who had tried to calm him down. {{storylink|Stick Together}}

[[Image:Prowl Bombshell Devisive.jpg|right|180px|thumb|]]
Starscream immediately began undermining Bumblebee's position in the new government, adding to Prowl's growing frustration. When the Decepticon [[Skydive (Predator)|Skydive]] was found murdered, Prowl saw to the investigation. While interrogating the only witness, [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], Prowl found a [[cerebro-shell]] implanted on the Decepticon, leading him to the conclusion that [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] was the murderer. Prowl and Arcee used the entranced Dirge to track Bombshell down, finding the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] ensnaring [[Sunstorm (G1)|another victim]]. After a scuffle where Prowl found out that Bombshell's I/D chip wasn't functioning, he ordered [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] to pursue the fleeing suspect. Prowl and Arcee soon caught up and found Blurr being accosted by the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. While Arcee was ordered to save Blurr, Prowl kept on with his pursuit of Bombshell, eventually cornering him. When Bombshell refused to give him any information or the identity of any possible collaborators, a fed-up Prowl coldly executed the deranged Insecticon. The cerebro-shell fell off Dirge, and he witnessed the aftermath of Prowl's actions. Dirge managed to escape and Prowl ordered Arcee to pursue him while he dealt with the Constructicons. Utilizing a hidden override code on the I/D chips to overcome whatever was blocking the signal, Prowl activated their chips and disabled all five Constructicons at once. Later, an injured Blurr gave Prowl a piece of his mind for being ordered after Bombshell without backup, calling him "crazy" and "paranoid". Prowl ignored Blurr's concerns, and pointed out that there was something larger at play with the Decepticons, telling Bumblebee that they had to "take control" of this new era. {{storylink|Devisive}}

When the NAIL [[Sky-Byte (G2)| Sky-Byte]] arrived, Prowl kept close tabs with him along with Sideswipe. Later on, he was informed that Sky-Byte was having a secret meeting with the Decepticons and broke into their hiding place with Streetwise and Sideswipe and after a brief fight, managed to capture Sky-Byte and Needlenose. They were about to lynch them in public when Ironhide stopped Prowl after saying that it was a way to have a better future of equality for Autobot and Decepticon. When questioned the next day at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] of his new attitude, Ironhide said he had a vision that he and Alpha Trion were telling war stories on Gorlam Prime and that every Autobot and Decepticon by that time, were dead along with their old grudges. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}}

{{spoiler|Interference Patterns| August 5}}
When the Decepticon captain [[Turmoil]] landed his ship on Cybertron, Prowl and his security forces were ordered in by Bumblebee to attack if necessary. When the order was given by Metalhawk, the Autobot forces stormed in to capture the Decepticons. {{storylink|Interference Patterns}}
{{-}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[Image:Prowl HeartsofSteel1.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Prehistoric prick.]]
Prowl and the other Autobots fought the Decepticons on prehistoric Earth until an incoming ice age threatened to destroy them all. Both sides went into hiding underground, powering down until the threat had passed. When they were eventually awoken thanks to humans in the mid-19th century, Prowl and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] decided it was best not to wake up [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and get involved with humanity just yet. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] disagreed and met with some humans, and from them he learned that the Decepticons had been awakened as well. Prowl and Ratchet, who seemingly led the Autobots in Prime's absence, then saw the need to ally with the humans and defeat their long-time enemies. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

The Autobots took on new Earth modes, forming a train to pursue the Decepticons' [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] as it headed towards [[New York City|New York]]. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 3|Hearts of Steel #3}} They were briefly held back when the Decepticons collapsed a tunnel entrance on them, forcing Prowl and the others to stop and dig the rest of the train and their human allies out of the rubble. Once the Astrotrain was stopped and the Decepticons were defeated, the Autobots went back underground to continue fighting another day. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4|Hearts of Steel #4}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Beast Wars'' comics===
[[Image:Maximalimperium.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Prowl was a member of the Maximal counterpart to the Tripredacus Council, the [[Maximal Imperium]], alongside former Autobot teammates Ironhide and Silverbolt. The trio sent [[Ikard]] to request a report from [[Big Convoy]], but he refused, citing his need to investigate the [[Angolmois]]-fueled murders. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 2|The Ascending #2}}

{{-}}
===''TransTech''===
Prowl is a member of the [[Axiom Nexus Security Administration]]. He, [[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]] and [[Prowl II|Prowl]] were part of the group investigating the discovery of [[Comet]]'s body. {{storylink|Withered Hope}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===
Prowl was waiting on a roadside when a yellow car zoomed past. Prowl instantly pursued it and ordered the car to a halt. The car proved itself to be none other than [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], who was protecting a boy from the Seekers that the child had spraypainted. Prowl then bolted into action and drove off the Decepticon planes. Prowl warned the child about the Decepticons but Sunstreaker congratulated him for his work. Prowl was not amused. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 5|Henkei! Henkei! #5}}

===''Wings Universe''===
Prowl was friends with [[Side Burn (G1)|Side Burn]] and even vouched for his membership in the new Autobot military. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 2}} He found Side Burn in a seedy bar, trying to pick up fembots with a sob story of how he was the last remaining [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guardsman]]. After a stern lecture, Prowl took Side Burn to the [[Autobot High Council Citadel]] for the ceremony in which [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] accepted leadership of the new military. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 1}} When Side Burn went missing after the ceremony, the other Autobots all looked at Prowl, who protested that he wasn't Side Burn's keeper, but he did have an idea where Side Burn might be... {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 2}} A week later, he was part of the Autobot forces at [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s city walls as the Decepticons broke through with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}} Though the battle wasn't without casualties, the Autobots eventually saw off Megatron's forces. As the war continued and Cybertron's energy levels dropped dangerously low, Prowl asked Optimus when they were going to start the search for more energy. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}

==Games==
===Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons===
When Optimus embarked on his mission to rescue the Autobots' [[Mini Vehicle|Minicar]] troops from the Decepticons, Prowl could come to Optimus Prime's aid, offering alternate paths through the Decepticons' maze-like base. {{storylink|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game}}

===The Transformers (PS2)===

{{Note|Prowl is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Autobot duplicates in the Decepticon campaign.}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

===Transformers G1: Awakening===
{{storylink|Transformers G1: Awakening}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
Prowl has appeared in several [[commercial|television commercials]]:

* He features in the very first Transformers animation, a commercial for [[The Transformers (issue)|issue #1]] of Marvel's ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]]'' comic book. He is seen hanging around with Jazz and Sideswipe on Cybertron, where all three transformed to robot mode and flew away into the air. Later on Earth, the same three bots drive out to (from?) a power plant to defend it from Decepticon attack.
* Much later, he appears in the Action Masters commercial; he's with a band of Autobots who agree to join Optimus Prime as he gives up transformation powers to become "more alive".
* In an ad for Starscream and Prowl, [[Action Master]]-form Prowl battles Starscream aboard his [[Turbo Cycle (G1)|Turbo Cycle]] on Cybertron.

==Toys==
{{main|Prowl (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
:''Main article: [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Merchandise|Merchandise]]''

==Notes==
[[Image:Tftm prowl blowsmoke.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Turns out he ''didn't'' know his vocalizer from his exhaust port.]]
[[Image:ProwlMaybe BM.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Be too prickish, and you end up like this.]]

* The Autobot [[Insignia|faction symbol]] seems to be loosely based on Prowl's head.

* The Bluestreak/Prowl head design was used as the basis for the head of [[Natron]], the Autobot [[Tyco]] [[Electric Racing Set]] car.

*Instead of having a normal gunshot death in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', Prowl is shown having orange smoke coming from his mouth as he dies. ''Hardcore.''

* A very Prowlish [[Character model|computer model]] was used for one of the [[generic]] Transformers in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. It is seen as a corpse in a [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] factory in the episode "[[Revelations Part I: Discovery]]". A similar thing happens with [[Soundwave (G1)#Notes|Soundwave]], [[:Image:Bm soundwave.jpg|too]].

*Prowl is generally a stuffed shirt, but [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] let [[Nick Roche]] start to turn him into a methodically, ruthlessly practical planner who'd be engaged in... [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|''questionable'']] things for the "greater good". This turned out to be a very popular take, and when IDW had Prowl become a more conventional Autobot later on, a large number of fans ''protested'' and wanted him to stay morally dodgy.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=7345 IDW forum thread practically begging for Prowl's new characterization to be undone.]</ref> In an [[Andy Schmidt|editorial boo-boo]], Prowl ''would'' [[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|still be scheming]] at the same time [[Ride-Along|he had explicitly]] [[...For All Mankind|turned nice]]. By the time of [[Infestation (IDW)|''Infestation'']], Prowl's personality had returned to the amoral schemer, not only in the miniseries, but in the ongoing itself.

===Foreign names===
*''Cantonese:'' '''Tsim-Hang-Shou''' (潛行獸)
*''Japanese:'' '''Prowl''' (プロール ''Purōru'')
*''French:'' '''Cervo''', '''Rôdeur ''' (Canada Action Master, "Prowler")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Portyázó''' ("Prowler")
*''Italian:'' '''Pantera''' ("Panther")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Pái-húai''' (Taiwan, 徘徊, "Prowl"), '''Jǐng Chē''' (China, 警車, "Police Car")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Batedor''' (Portugal comic), '''Espreitador''' (Brazil comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Syshhik''' (Сыщик, "Detective")

{{--}}

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Prowl Prowl's Universe profile on NTFA.net]

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