MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Transformers: Alternators

2007-06-02T12:56:38Z

59.167.68.81: /* Binaltech */ Added Rijie, aka Mirage

'''''Alternators''''' is a line of Transformers that started in late 2003. The toys in this series transform into fully-licensed, 1:24-scale accurate representations of real cars from automobile manufacturers around the globe, complete with opening doors, hoods, trunks, plus "realistic" open driver/passenger compartments.

==Alternators==

The future of ''Alternators'' is highly questionable right now. After [[Rumble]] and [[Ravage]] are released in early 2007, the line is going on "haitus" while the product for [[Transformers (2007)|the 2007 movie]] (which also happens to include licensed representations of real-world vehicles) takes the spotlight. It is unknown if [[Hasbro]] will revisit the line afterwards, though it doesn't look all that promising. As a result, a planned Alternators Megatron figure, based on the Cadillac XLR, may never see the light of day.

==Binaltech==
In Japan, the line is known as '''''Binaltech''''', with the primary difference being that ''Binaltech'' figures are more "collector"-oriented, featuring fully-painted car bodies and die-cast metal parts, in comparison to ''Alternators''' color-molded plastic construction. Additionally, various ''Binaltech'' figures have variants that Hasbro did not release (though there are numerous [[redeco]]es and [[remold]]s in ''Alternators'' that never saw release in ''Binaltech''). Also, a ''Binaltech'' toy costs twice or thrice as much as a standard ''Alternators'' figure.

The ''Binaltech'' line proper was effectively cancelled (or, to put it politely, put on "indefinite haitus") in early 2006 after the release of [[Skids]], apparently due to slow sales. Reportedly two more releases were cancelled; "[[Blackarachnia|Blackwidow]]" (a silver and purple [[redeco]] of [[Decepticharge]] as the ''[[Beast Wars]]'' femme fatale) and [[Ginrai]] ([[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]) had been solictited, but only the first was shown in any capacity.

In late 2005 (not too long before it went on "indefinite haitus"), ''Binaltech'' gained a sub-series called ''Binaltech Asterisk'', using old molds in new decos as previously-unreleased Autobots, but also including small PVC figurines of human girls, each one based on a female human character from a previous ''Transformers'' series. These figurines had alternate arms and lower bodies so they could "drive" the Autobots in car mode. These toys were also packaged in robot mode as opposed to the normal car mode (presumably to encourage transformation to car mode so the girls could drive). Reportedly, the addition of the PVCs was to try and reach a broader market to help the line's flagging sales... though the higher price tag probably didn't help. This series only had three releases before it was cancelled; a "Black Convoy w/ [[Marissa Faireborn|Marissa]] set was solicited as the fourth set but never released as originally planned... it got changed for the latest incarnation of the 1:24 line, [[Kiss Players]].

==Fiction==
There is no actual fiction for the ''Alternators'' line, and it is highly unlikely there ever will be, the line's questionable future regardless. According to [[Hasbro]] representatives, they never persued the licensing rights for "2D" representations of the car models. Though the reasons were never stated, it is not hard to extrapolate numerous reasons not to; additional costs for securing rights for an indefinite period, debatable ability to utlize those rights ina timely manner, plus clearing whatever fictional protrayal is made with every car company involved, which would massively bog down any publication.

Unlike ''Alternators'', ''Binaltech'' has its own storyline written by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]], though it is only told in small text chunks within each toy's instruction booklet. Taking place during the 'lost years' between the [[Generation 1]] cartoon's second season and [[The Transformers: The Movie]]. The story heralds the return of the [[Cosmic Rust]] virus, which infects both [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s alike, and forces them to team up with various name-brand car companies to create new bodies for the infected, which would be immune to the plague. A sub-plot of the story involves [[Ravage]]'s ''Beast Wars'' incarnation returning in another attempt to change history, and the Autobots' attempts to stop him and reverse the damage.

''Binaltech Asterisk'' has its own fiction that appears to be utterly unconnected to any other Transformers timeline.

==Toys==
===Alternators===
''('''Note''': Since ''Alternators'' do not come out in waves so much as in groups of one-to-three roughly every season, they'll simply be listed in order of release without differentiation as to when that release happened.)

*01. [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003)
*02. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (Dodge Viper SRT-10)
*03. [[Hound|Autobot Hound]] (Jeep Wrangler Sport)
*04. [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*05. [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*06. [[Tracks|Autobot Tracks]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06)
*07. [[Jazz|Meister]] (Mazda RX-8)
*08. [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*09. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (Ford Mustang GT)
*10. [[Ravage|Battle Ravage]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible)
*11. [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (Honda S2000)
*12. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockblast]] (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*13. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2005 Ford Mustang Street Tuning)
*14. [[Decepticharge]] (Mugen Honda S2000)
*15. [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06)
*16. [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (Acura RSX)
*17. [[Skids (G1)|Autobot Skids]] (Scion xB)
*18. [[Sunstreaker]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*19. [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*20. [[Ricochet (G1) (Autobot)|Ricochet]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*21. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10)
*22. [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (Ford GT)
*23. [[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]] (Acura RSX)
*24. [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10)
*25. [[Rumble]] (Honda Civic Si)
*26. [[Ravage]] (Jaguar XK)
*27. [[Hot Rod|Rodimus]] (Ford GT)

===Binaltech===
*BT-01. Smokescreen (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003)
*BT-02. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Lambor]] (Dodge Viper SRT-10)
*BT-03. [[Bluestreak|Streak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BT-04. Hound (Jeep Wrangler Sport)
*BT-05. Dead End (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*BT-06. Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 yellow version)
*BT-06. Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 blue version)
*BT-07. Smokescreen GT (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003)
*BT-08. [[Jazz|Meister]] (Mazda RX-8 white version)
*BT-08. Meister (Mazda RX-8 red version, aka [[Zoom-Zoom]])
*BT-09. Swindle (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*BT-10. Grimlock (Ford Mustang GT)
*BT-11. Ravage (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible)
*BT-12. [[Overdrive]] (Honda S2000)
*BT-13. [[Shockwave (G1)|Laserwave]] (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*BT-14. Wheeljack (2005 Ford Mustang Street Tuning)
*BT-15. Prowl (Honda Integra Type-R police version)
*BT-15. Prowl (Honda Integra Type-R blue version)
*BT-16. Skids (Toyota bB)
*BT-17. [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Black Convoy]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10)
*BT-18. [[Mirage (G1)|Rijie]] (Ford GT e-Hobby exclusive clear version)

===Binaltech Asterisk===
*BTA01. [[Red Alert (G1)|Alert]] meets [[Ai Kuruma|Ai]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BTA02. [[Sunstreaker]] meets [[Junko Shiragami|Junko]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*BTA03. [[Blaster|Broadblast]] meets [[Lumina Hoshi|Lumina]] (Toyota bB)
==Pre-release development==
It's not certain what exactly originally led Hasbro and Takara to the concept of a line of Transformers based on licensed vehicles. An [http://tfarchive.com/fandom/interviews/alternators_binaltech/takara_binaltech_interview_translation.php interview with Takara's development team] confirmed that both companies initially had different ideas (for example, a different intended scale for the toys) that ultimately resulted in a compromise. It's possible that Hasbro's motivation stemmed from the Robots in Disguise line, where they were required to alter X-Brawn's headlights in order to avoid legal trouble with Mercedes, and had to acquire a license from Dodge for all iterations of the Side Burn beginning with the RiD "Super Side Burn" redeco.
What is certain is that in addition to what was eventually released, a lot of toys were planned that never came out, or were significantly changed in various ways prior to their release.
* The first toy planned for the line was Jazz (probably to be named "Autobot Jazz" for trademark reasons) as a Porsche 986. A prototype was made, but Porsche refused to grant Hasbro and Takara the license, stating that "[http://www.tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24622|Transformers are not worthy carrying the Porsche trademark. They are war machines and the toyline in no way represents the lifestyle and ideas which Porsche represents.]"Transformers are war toys and do, therefore the toy never went into production. Photos of the prototype were depicted in the Japanese book "The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide".
* The second prototype produced was Tracks as a Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Although the toy eventually came out, Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license as well, presumably fearing that "[http://toyboxst.inwards.com/phorum/read.php?3,97799,97800|having these car panels that separate apart conveys an image of being broken]". This led Hasbro and Takara to conceive an alternate concept for Tracks as another "well-known American sports car", namely a Dodge Viper.
* The third design was for Bumblebee as a Volkswagen New Beetle, with Cliffjumper as the redeco. Unfortunately, VW had similar concerns as Porsche, what with not wanting to be associated with "war toys", therefore the design never made it past the control drawing stage. Control drawings for both Bumblebee and Cliffjuper have been published in the aforementioned Japanese BT guide book.
* Possibly the fourth design, and the last to be a "direct update" of the respective characters' G1 alt mode, was Hound, originally planned as a Jeep Rubicon, sporting a slightly different transformation that would have somewhat reduced the back kibble. The change from the Rubicon to the Wrangler model ultimately came out as was presumably due to Jeep wanting their more common model featured.
* The redeco of Hound (as a customized Jeep Wrangler TJ) was originally intended to be Trailbreaker, with the head sculpt being a hybrid design between the original toy's helmet and the cartoon model's face. Ultimately, however, the remold ended up as the Decepticon Swindle, in different colors. A proposed color guide for Trailbreaker was depicted in the Japanese BT guide book, next to a color guide for Swindle (unfortunately only in black & white, however).
* After Chevrolet had initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette Z06, they came up with an auxiliary plan for Tracks as another "well-known American sports car", this time as a Dodge Viper SRT-10. It's quite possible that Hasbro's previous experience with Dodge's licensing department played a part in this decision. Additionally, Chevrolet's concerns that had led them to reject the design for Tracks as a Corvette were addressed by not having the hood of the Viper mold splitting in two halves. The redeco of the Viper was intended to be Sunstreaker, as a Dodge Viper GTR (which later became the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe). Eventually, though, Chevrolet had a change of mind and granted Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette design after all. As a result, the Viper mold was slightly redesigned, was given a new head sculpt and ultimately ended up as Sideswipe instead (called "Side Swipe" for trademark reasons). Sunstreaker, meanwhile, would ultimately and up as the Decepticon Dead End, in different colors, with a proper Sunstreaker repaint only being released more than a year later, due to huge fan request.
* The Subaru Impreza mold was apparently the first design that went without any major difficulty at any stage in its production process. It should be noted, though, that the Streak (the WRX street model) was originally designed first, with Smokescreen (the WRC rally model) being intended as the redeco, but Takara's licensing department decided to reverse the release order of the two versions, thinking that the rally model would have "more visual impact" as the first relase of the line.
* The Mazda RX-8 (which ultimately ended up as Meister) was originally intended to be named "Camshaft", according to various early store listings and a premature reply from Hasbro's customer service. This would also fit with the early idea of making the Alternators toys "direct updates" of their characters' G1 predecessors. A prototype was leaked to the public in early 2004 sporting the same basic colors as the later Alternators "Autobot Camshaft" toy (the Acura RSX), although it's uncertain whether the prototype colors for the RX-8 were supposed to be indicative of the proposed colors for Camshaft (since the Acura redeco was originally intended as a G1 Bluestreak homage before being renamed into "Autobot Camshaft"). The reason why the RX-8 Alternator was ultimately not named "Camshaft" was apparently because the real-life Mazda RX-8 car doesn't ''have'' a camshaft. Furthermore, there have been at least two different reasons stated why Hasbro toy was named "Meister" rather than "Autobot Jazz": For once, Hasbro were still hoping that Porsche would have a change of mind and grant them the license after all, like Chevrolet had done; also, Aaron Archer has been quoted stating that he thought a third toy named "Autobot someone" following "Autobot Hound" and "Autobot Tracks" would have been somewhat "redundant".
* A working name for the Ford Mustang mold (which ultimately ended up as Grimlock) was "Freeway", according to various early store listings. The redeco was originally planned to be Windcharger (presumably in red), but ultimately ended up as Wheeljack instead, with a new head sculpt, while the head sculpt originally intended for Windcharger ended up being used for the redeco of the Honda S2000 mold instead, named "Decepticharge".
* Originally, the Dodge Ram was intended by Hasbro to be a completely different character altogether than Optimus Prime (which character is unknown), but Takara reportedly demanded the Ram be made into Optimus out of fear that the toy (whose vehicle mode is scarce in Japan as a real vehicle) wouldn't sell as well in their market if it wasn't a popular and easily recognized figure; as the figure reportedly cost twice as much to build as the others, Hasbro had to agree in order for Takara to continue fronting part of the production cost. In an ironic turn of events, the Dodge was listed on Takara's website not as Optimus, but as his Masterforce look-alike [[Ginrai]], before being delayed and ultimately canceled. The Dodge would eventually be released to the Kiss Players line as Optimus, with his evil counterpart Nemesis Prime released as a Winter Festival exclusive.

==External links==
[http://www.oafe.net/articulation/0602.php English transliteration of the Binaltech story, with images and footnotes]

[[Category: Alternators| ]]
[[Category: Generation 1]]
[[Category: Toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Transformers: Alternators

2007-06-02T12:50:22Z

59.167.68.81: /* Alternators */ Added SDCC 2007 Alt Rodimus (confirmed at SDCC site), and linked to Ravage.

'''''Alternators''''' is a line of Transformers that started in late 2003. The toys in this series transform into fully-licensed, 1:24-scale accurate representations of real cars from automobile manufacturers around the globe, complete with opening doors, hoods, trunks, plus "realistic" open driver/passenger compartments.

==Alternators==

The future of ''Alternators'' is highly questionable right now. After [[Rumble]] and [[Ravage]] are released in early 2007, the line is going on "haitus" while the product for [[Transformers (2007)|the 2007 movie]] (which also happens to include licensed representations of real-world vehicles) takes the spotlight. It is unknown if [[Hasbro]] will revisit the line afterwards, though it doesn't look all that promising. As a result, a planned Alternators Megatron figure, based on the Cadillac XLR, may never see the light of day.

==Binaltech==
In Japan, the line is known as '''''Binaltech''''', with the primary difference being that ''Binaltech'' figures are more "collector"-oriented, featuring fully-painted car bodies and die-cast metal parts, in comparison to ''Alternators''' color-molded plastic construction. Additionally, various ''Binaltech'' figures have variants that Hasbro did not release (though there are numerous [[redeco]]es and [[remold]]s in ''Alternators'' that never saw release in ''Binaltech''). Also, a ''Binaltech'' toy costs twice or thrice as much as a standard ''Alternators'' figure.

The ''Binaltech'' line proper was effectively cancelled (or, to put it politely, put on "indefinite haitus") in early 2006 after the release of [[Skids]], apparently due to slow sales. Reportedly two more releases were cancelled; "[[Blackarachnia|Blackwidow]]" (a silver and purple [[redeco]] of [[Decepticharge]] as the ''[[Beast Wars]]'' femme fatale) and [[Ginrai]] ([[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]) had been solictited, but only the first was shown in any capacity.

In late 2005 (not too long before it went on "indefinite haitus"), ''Binaltech'' gained a sub-series called ''Binaltech Asterisk'', using old molds in new decos as previously-unreleased Autobots, but also including small PVC figurines of human girls, each one based on a female human character from a previous ''Transformers'' series. These figurines had alternate arms and lower bodies so they could "drive" the Autobots in car mode. These toys were also packaged in robot mode as opposed to the normal car mode (presumably to encourage transformation to car mode so the girls could drive). Reportedly, the addition of the PVCs was to try and reach a broader market to help the line's flagging sales... though the higher price tag probably didn't help. This series only had three releases before it was cancelled; a "Black Convoy w/ [[Marissa Faireborn|Marissa]] set was solicited as the fourth set but never released as originally planned... it got changed for the latest incarnation of the 1:24 line, [[Kiss Players]].

==Fiction==
There is no actual fiction for the ''Alternators'' line, and it is highly unlikely there ever will be, the line's questionable future regardless. According to [[Hasbro]] representatives, they never persued the licensing rights for "2D" representations of the car models. Though the reasons were never stated, it is not hard to extrapolate numerous reasons not to; additional costs for securing rights for an indefinite period, debatable ability to utlize those rights ina timely manner, plus clearing whatever fictional protrayal is made with every car company involved, which would massively bog down any publication.

Unlike ''Alternators'', ''Binaltech'' has its own storyline written by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]], though it is only told in small text chunks within each toy's instruction booklet. Taking place during the 'lost years' between the [[Generation 1]] cartoon's second season and [[The Transformers: The Movie]]. The story heralds the return of the [[Cosmic Rust]] virus, which infects both [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s alike, and forces them to team up with various name-brand car companies to create new bodies for the infected, which would be immune to the plague. A sub-plot of the story involves [[Ravage]]'s ''Beast Wars'' incarnation returning in another attempt to change history, and the Autobots' attempts to stop him and reverse the damage.

''Binaltech Asterisk'' has its own fiction that appears to be utterly unconnected to any other Transformers timeline.

==Toys==
===Alternators===
''('''Note''': Since ''Alternators'' do not come out in waves so much as in groups of one-to-three roughly every season, they'll simply be listed in order of release without differentiation as to when that release happened.)

*01. [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003)
*02. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (Dodge Viper SRT-10)
*03. [[Hound|Autobot Hound]] (Jeep Wrangler Sport)
*04. [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*05. [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*06. [[Tracks|Autobot Tracks]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06)
*07. [[Jazz|Meister]] (Mazda RX-8)
*08. [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*09. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (Ford Mustang GT)
*10. [[Ravage|Battle Ravage]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible)
*11. [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (Honda S2000)
*12. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockblast]] (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*13. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2005 Ford Mustang Street Tuning)
*14. [[Decepticharge]] (Mugen Honda S2000)
*15. [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06)
*16. [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (Acura RSX)
*17. [[Skids (G1)|Autobot Skids]] (Scion xB)
*18. [[Sunstreaker]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*19. [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*20. [[Ricochet (G1) (Autobot)|Ricochet]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*21. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10)
*22. [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (Ford GT)
*23. [[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]] (Acura RSX)
*24. [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10)
*25. [[Rumble]] (Honda Civic Si)
*26. [[Ravage]] (Jaguar XK)
*27. [[Hot Rod|Rodimus]] (Ford GT)

===Binaltech===
*BT-01. Smokescreen (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003)
*BT-02. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Lambor]] (Dodge Viper SRT-10)
*BT-03. [[Bluestreak|Streak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BT-04. Hound (Jeep Wrangler Sport)
*BT-05. Dead End (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*BT-06. Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 yellow version)
*BT-06. Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 blue version)
*BT-07. Smokescreen GT (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003)
*BT-08. [[Jazz|Meister]] (Mazda RX-8 white version)
*BT-08. Meister (Mazda RX-8 red version, aka [[Zoom-Zoom]])
*BT-09. Swindle (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*BT-10. Grimlock (Ford Mustang GT)
*BT-11. Ravage (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible)
*BT-12. [[Overdrive]] (Honda S2000)
*BT-13. [[Shockwave (G1)|Laserwave]] (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*BT-14. Wheeljack (2005 Ford Mustang Street Tuning)
*BT-15. Prowl (Honda Integra Type-R police version)
*BT-15. Prowl (Honda Integra Type-R blue version)
*BT-16. Skids (Toyota bB)
*BT-17. Black Convoy (Dodge Ram SRT-10)

===Binaltech Asterisk===
*BTA01. [[Red Alert (G1)|Alert]] meets [[Ai Kuruma|Ai]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BTA02. [[Sunstreaker]] meets [[Junko Shiragami|Junko]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*BTA03. [[Blaster|Broadblast]] meets [[Lumina Hoshi|Lumina]] (Toyota bB)
==Pre-release development==
It's not certain what exactly originally led Hasbro and Takara to the concept of a line of Transformers based on licensed vehicles. An [http://tfarchive.com/fandom/interviews/alternators_binaltech/takara_binaltech_interview_translation.php interview with Takara's development team] confirmed that both companies initially had different ideas (for example, a different intended scale for the toys) that ultimately resulted in a compromise. It's possible that Hasbro's motivation stemmed from the Robots in Disguise line, where they were required to alter X-Brawn's headlights in order to avoid legal trouble with Mercedes, and had to acquire a license from Dodge for all iterations of the Side Burn beginning with the RiD "Super Side Burn" redeco.
What is certain is that in addition to what was eventually released, a lot of toys were planned that never came out, or were significantly changed in various ways prior to their release.
* The first toy planned for the line was Jazz (probably to be named "Autobot Jazz" for trademark reasons) as a Porsche 986. A prototype was made, but Porsche refused to grant Hasbro and Takara the license, stating that "[http://www.tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24622|Transformers are not worthy carrying the Porsche trademark. They are war machines and the toyline in no way represents the lifestyle and ideas which Porsche represents.]"Transformers are war toys and do, therefore the toy never went into production. Photos of the prototype were depicted in the Japanese book "The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide".
* The second prototype produced was Tracks as a Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Although the toy eventually came out, Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license as well, presumably fearing that "[http://toyboxst.inwards.com/phorum/read.php?3,97799,97800|having these car panels that separate apart conveys an image of being broken]". This led Hasbro and Takara to conceive an alternate concept for Tracks as another "well-known American sports car", namely a Dodge Viper.
* The third design was for Bumblebee as a Volkswagen New Beetle, with Cliffjumper as the redeco. Unfortunately, VW had similar concerns as Porsche, what with not wanting to be associated with "war toys", therefore the design never made it past the control drawing stage. Control drawings for both Bumblebee and Cliffjuper have been published in the aforementioned Japanese BT guide book.
* Possibly the fourth design, and the last to be a "direct update" of the respective characters' G1 alt mode, was Hound, originally planned as a Jeep Rubicon, sporting a slightly different transformation that would have somewhat reduced the back kibble. The change from the Rubicon to the Wrangler model ultimately came out as was presumably due to Jeep wanting their more common model featured.
* The redeco of Hound (as a customized Jeep Wrangler TJ) was originally intended to be Trailbreaker, with the head sculpt being a hybrid design between the original toy's helmet and the cartoon model's face. Ultimately, however, the remold ended up as the Decepticon Swindle, in different colors. A proposed color guide for Trailbreaker was depicted in the Japanese BT guide book, next to a color guide for Swindle (unfortunately only in black & white, however).
* After Chevrolet had initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette Z06, they came up with an auxiliary plan for Tracks as another "well-known American sports car", this time as a Dodge Viper SRT-10. It's quite possible that Hasbro's previous experience with Dodge's licensing department played a part in this decision. Additionally, Chevrolet's concerns that had led them to reject the design for Tracks as a Corvette were addressed by not having the hood of the Viper mold splitting in two halves. The redeco of the Viper was intended to be Sunstreaker, as a Dodge Viper GTR (which later became the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe). Eventually, though, Chevrolet had a change of mind and granted Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette design after all. As a result, the Viper mold was slightly redesigned, was given a new head sculpt and ultimately ended up as Sideswipe instead (called "Side Swipe" for trademark reasons). Sunstreaker, meanwhile, would ultimately and up as the Decepticon Dead End, in different colors, with a proper Sunstreaker repaint only being released more than a year later, due to huge fan request.
* The Subaru Impreza mold was apparently the first design that went without any major difficulty at any stage in its production process. It should be noted, though, that the Streak (the WRX street model) was originally designed first, with Smokescreen (the WRC rally model) being intended as the redeco, but Takara's licensing department decided to reverse the release order of the two versions, thinking that the rally model would have "more visual impact" as the first relase of the line.
* The Mazda RX-8 (which ultimately ended up as Meister) was originally intended to be named "Camshaft", according to various early store listings and a premature reply from Hasbro's customer service. This would also fit with the early idea of making the Alternators toys "direct updates" of their characters' G1 predecessors. A prototype was leaked to the public in early 2004 sporting the same basic colors as the later Alternators "Autobot Camshaft" toy (the Acura RSX), although it's uncertain whether the prototype colors for the RX-8 were supposed to be indicative of the proposed colors for Camshaft (since the Acura redeco was originally intended as a G1 Bluestreak homage before being renamed into "Autobot Camshaft"). The reason why the RX-8 Alternator was ultimately not named "Camshaft" was apparently because the real-life Mazda RX-8 car doesn't ''have'' a camshaft. Furthermore, there have been at least two different reasons stated why Hasbro toy was named "Meister" rather than "Autobot Jazz": For once, Hasbro were still hoping that Porsche would have a change of mind and grant them the license after all, like Chevrolet had done; also, Aaron Archer has been quoted stating that he thought a third toy named "Autobot someone" following "Autobot Hound" and "Autobot Tracks" would have been somewhat "redundant".
* A working name for the Ford Mustang mold (which ultimately ended up as Grimlock) was "Freeway", according to various early store listings. The redeco was originally planned to be Windcharger (presumably in red), but ultimately ended up as Wheeljack instead, with a new head sculpt, while the head sculpt originally intended for Windcharger ended up being used for the redeco of the Honda S2000 mold instead, named "Decepticharge".
* Originally, the Dodge Ram was intended by Hasbro to be a completely different character altogether than Optimus Prime (which character is unknown), but Takara reportedly demanded the Ram be made into Optimus out of fear that the toy (whose vehicle mode is scarce in Japan as a real vehicle) wouldn't sell as well in their market if it wasn't a popular and easily recognized figure; as the figure reportedly cost twice as much to build as the others, Hasbro had to agree in order for Takara to continue fronting part of the production cost. In an ironic turn of events, the Dodge was listed on Takara's website not as Optimus, but as his Masterforce look-alike [[Ginrai]], before being delayed and ultimately canceled. The Dodge would eventually be released to the Kiss Players line as Optimus, with his evil counterpart Nemesis Prime released as a Winter Festival exclusive.

==External links==
[http://www.oafe.net/articulation/0602.php English transliteration of the Binaltech story, with images and footnotes]

[[Category: Alternators| ]]
[[Category: Generation 1]]
[[Category: Toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Hot Rod (G1)

2007-06-02T12:47:00Z

59.167.68.81: /* Toys */ Added SDCC Alt Rodimus

{{disambig2|the Generation 1 Autobot|the Energon Autobot|Rodimus (Energon)}}
{{disambig3|Prime}}

:''Hot Rod is an Autobot in the [[Generation 1]] continuity family. He has also been known as '''Rodimus Prime''', '''Rodimus''', and '''Rodimus Major'''.''

[[Image:DVDbox3d1.jpg|right|301px|thumb|Opening the Matrix gives you wrinkles.]]

'''Hot Rod''' is brash and headstrong, with an overwhelming self-confidence that borders on arrogance. [[Kup]] has assumed the role of mentor and advisor to the impetuous young Hot Rod, offering him wisdom and advice when he needs it (though Hot Rod rarely feels that he does, much to Kup's annoyance). [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], a female Autobot, also serves as a calming influence on Hot Rod, and tends to either worry about him when he is not around, or deride and tease him when he is. Their relationship is antagonistic, but friendly. Exactly how deep Hot Rod's feelings for Arcee might run is unknown, whether they be friendly, romantic, or otherwise.

In contrast, his '''Rodimus Prime''' persona - while still headstrong and stubborn - seems to suffer from a severe lack of confidence, often doubting his own decisions and expressing distress over his position as an Autobot leader. Of course, much of this comes from having immediately succeeded leadership from [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and shoes-to-be-filled don't ''get'' much bigger than that.

One thing that both sides of this Autobot's identity have in common is their impatience - neither Hot Rod nor Rodimus Prime can stand to wait around when they could be doing something instead. He is also very self-reliant, rarely sending others to do anything when he could be doing it himself.

His [[Targetmaster]] partner is [[Firebolt (G1)|'''Firebolt''']].

''Japanese names:'' '''Hot Rodimus''', '''Rodimus Convoy'''<br>
''French-Canadian name:'' '''Météorite'''<br>
''Italian name:'' '''Folgore'''

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon===
:''Voice actors:'' [[Judd Nelson]] → [[Dick Gautier]] (US); [[Hiroya Ishimaru]] (Japan)

[[Image:HotRodFishing1.jpg |right|200px|thumb|"I'm tellin' you, Daniel, you HAD to [[Kiss Players|kiss]] me to activate my fishing rod. STOP crying!"]]

Hot Rod was one of the many Autobots based in [[Autobot City]], on [[Earth]]. He was close friends with the young human [[Daniel Witwicky]], and seemed to have a reputation for being something of a trouble-maker, judging from a few of Kup's comments to him at the time. Realizing that the Decepticons were invading, Hot Rod opened fire on their stolen shuttle and exposed their ruse before Megatron could enter the city. Although this did give the rest of the Autobots time to begin transforming Autobot City and raising their defenses, it also left Hot Rod trapped outside with Kup and Daniel. After defeating the Decepticons [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] with some help from Kup, Hot Rod managed to find a way inside the fortress city and took part in its defense. During [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], Hot Rod intervened in an attempt to help, but succeeded only in giving Megatron the chance he needed to mortally wound the Autobot leader.

After Prime's death, Autobot City was attacked again - by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. While escaping, Hot Rod and Kup (and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]) were separated from the rest of the Autobots and crashed on the planet [[Quintessa|Quintessa]]. There, Hot Rod met the Quintessons, an enemy who would haunt him for some time later. After escaping their sadistic trial and attempted execution (as well as meeting [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]), Hot Rod went on to the planet [[Junk]], where he was just in time to stop [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] from destroying the rest of the Autobot City refugees with a timely use of the [[Universal greeting]]. Together, they all traveled to [[Cybertron]] to stop [[Unicron]] before he could eat more than just its moons.

[[Image:RodimusPrimeMovie1.jpg |left|200px|thumb|"Pull my finger."]]

Inside of Unicron, Hot Rod was separated from the rest of his team when their ship crashed (something which happens to Hot Rod a lot). Alone, he found himself facing [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in a battle to the death over the [[Matrix|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]]. Claiming the Matrix, Hot Rod evolved into "Rodimus Prime", an older, larger, and more powerful version of himself, and used the power of the Matrix to destroy both Galvatron ''and'' Unicron once and for all (supposedly).

Peace reigned on Cybertron for at least long enough to put up some of the more important buildings, and Rodimus Prime began to ease into his role as the new Autobot leader. When Ultra Magnus and Spike Witwicky were kidnapped during a peace celebration, it was Rodimus who spied on the Decepticons with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] to determine if they were the ones who had done it. The way Rodimus had it figured, the Decepticons were usually behind everything anyway, so they seemed like a good enough place to start. After getting caught and severely beaten by the Decepticons (who were innocent of the kidnapping, but not really fans of his anyway), Rodimus was able to interface with the Matrix and learned about the origins of the Transformer race. He also learned that his old enemies, the Quintessons, were back and looking to destroy every Transformer in existence. Making things worse, Galvatron soon returned as well, and the war that everyone had assumed was safely over quickly started up again.

During this period, Rodimus Prime's greatest achievements both revolved around his predecessor, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. While fleeing from a Decepticon attack, Rodimus and several other Autobots took refuge in a massive Autobot crypt and discovered that their former leader seemed to have returned to life. Perhaps a little too trusting of Optimus (and possibly eager to relieve himself of the burden of leadership), Rodimus quickly passed the Matrix back to Optimus and, much to his glee, reverted back into Hot Rod. His happiness was short-lived, however, as Optimus was quickly revealed to be nothing more than a puppet of the Quintessons, sent to trick the Autobots into an ambush from which none of them would escape. With no other choice, Hot Rod was forced to do battle with Optimus Prime for the fate of the Autobots. Although their duel was clearly in the favour of the more powerful Optimus, Hot Rod was able to re-awaken the true spirit of his leader. Returning the Matrix to Rodimus, Optimus then piloted his ship into the heart of the ambush and sacrificed himself to save them all.

[[Image:HotRodReturnOfOptimusPrime1.jpg |right|200px|thumb|"Does my thumb look infected to you?"]]

Or so it had seemed at the time. As was so often the case for Rodimus, things did not quite wrap up as tidily as he might have hoped. Far from being destroyed, Optimus had been retrieved by a team of human scientists who were hoping to use him (again) as a weapon against the Autobots - this time as the bearer of a malignant "Hate Plague" that would cause them to destroy each other. When he learned of this, Rodimus swiftly formed a rescue party and led them to retrieve Optimus' body so that their former leader could rest in peace. When all of the rest of the Autobots with him were exposed to the Hate Plague, only Rodimus was able to escape unharmed - and with the still uninfected body of Optimus. Returning to Autbot City, Rodimus ordered [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky-Lynx]] to find a Quintesson to repair Optimus, then risked his life to shut down [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] before the Plague could spread to it. Attacked by Ultra Magnus and Wreck-Gar in the process, he succumbed to the plague and became infected with hate. In order to stop the Plague, the resurrected Optimus had to defeat the crazed Rodimus and forcibly extract the Matrix from him, changing him back into Hot Rod once more. This time, as Optimus had decided to stick around, the change was somewhat more permanent. ''Somewhat''.

===="Rebirth" miniseries (America-only)====

Even after losing his position as Autobot leader, Hot Rod was not the sort to rest on his laurels. Among other things, he was instrumental in championing the idea of human/Transformer binary bonding, a technique that later resulted in the [[Headmaster|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster|Targetmasters]]. Hot Rod himself became one of the latter, bonding himself to a [[Nebulos|Nebulan]] named [[Firebolt (G1)|Firebolt]].

====''The Transformer'' manga====

Rodimus Prime faced numerous bizarre challenges within the pages of the Transformer manga. In one instance, Rodimus and his troops were taken under siege by a horde of Megatron clones calling themselves the [[Megatron Military]]. The Megatron Military made short work of Rodimus, leaving him to wonder how he could defeat a whole horde of the baddy, when Optimus Prime could barely deal with ''one''. Rodimus eventually realized that Galvatron was secretly controlling the clones and singled him out. With Galvatron defeated, the Megatron Military ceased to function.

During another battle, he was forced to team with his arch-nemesis, Galvatron, to defeat the all-powerful [[Guiltar]]. Guiltar was a creation built by the [[Quintesson]]s utilizing the powers of both Optimus Prime and Megatron. Together, Rodimus and Galvatron defeated their foe (who it turned was being controlled by the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]) and called off the truce.

====''Headmasters'' cartoon (Japan-only)====

''(The Headmasters anime skips the events which occurred in the 3-part "The Rebirth" story arc)''

[[Image:DoubleConvoy1.jpg |left|200px|thumb|"Race ya to the Matrix!" "Yer on!"]]

After the events of "The Return of Optimus Prime", Hot Rod maintained a high-level position among the Autobots as well as a new sense of duty and responsibility. After [[Vector Sigma]] was under threat of explosion, Hot Rod raced all over Earth trying to find the Matrix, which was still being repaired after its confrontation with the Hate Plague. Hot Rod eventually found the Matrix in a hiding place on Earth and rushed it back to Cybertron. Racing down to Vector Sigma, he met up with Optimus Prime and the ghost of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. Alpha Trion repaired the Matrix fully and Hot Rod transformed back into Rodimus Prime. Together, Optimus and Rodimus fought side-by-side to defeat Galvatron and his goons. However, to save Vector Sigma, Optimus Prime sacrificed his life by merging with the super computer.

Rodimus became Autobot Supreme Commander once more and continued to lead the Autobots against the Decepticons. However, once again, Vector Sigma came under threat of destruction. However, he was unable to save it this time but managed to evacuate all of Cybertron before it was destroyed. In search of a new homeworld, Rodimus, [[Kup (G1)| Kup]] and [[Blurr (G1)| Blurr]] left the planet. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] asked if she could go, too, but Rodimus made her stay behind because she's a girl, and girls can't do anything but stand around and worry and make coffee for the men.

====''Headmasters'' manga====

[[Image:Ep14.jpg|right|150px|thumb|He's so dreeeaaaaamyyyy.]]

In the concluding chapter of the Headmasters manga, issue number 8, Rodimus Prime returned from his journey in space. During his quest, he faced many dangers and hardships and learned a new admiration for the human race and the planet Earth. His trials also increased the power of the Matrix, which he had taken with him on his journey.

====''Battlestars: Return of Convoy'' (Japan-only)====

Rodimus would not appear again until [[Battlestars]], where he was shown to have reverted back to Hot Rod and now been converted into a [[Micromaster]]. As a Micromaster, Hot Rod took up residence in [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Battlestars: Return of Convoy (Japan-only)|Star Convoy's]] chest, boosting his Supreme Commander's power.

''('''Note''': Hot Rod's Micromaster body leaves fans to believe that the new homeworld he went searching for ended up being [[Planet Micro]], which was featured prominantly in [[Victory (cartoon)|Transformers Victory]].)''

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====

''('''Note:''' Events from the UK-only comics are in italics, and are flippin' convoluted.)''

''When [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] made the decision to leave Cybertron and its civil war behind and travel to a new, peaceful planet, he dispatched Hot Rod and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] to search for suitable worlds. The pair discovered the planet of [[Nebulos]], but on their return trip to inform him, they ran afoul of some unpleasant aliens who captured Blurr and pursued Hot Rod through space. While fleeing, Hot Rod crossed paths with the Autobot war veteran, Kup, living a nomadic existence wandering through space at the time, and the youth's bravado re-ignited Kup's fighting spirit. After saving Hot Rod and helping him to rescue Blurr, Kup joined the pair in returning to Cybertron.'' {{storylink|Kup's Story!}}

Having delivered his report to Fortress Maximus, Hot Rod was among the contingent of Transformers who accompanied him to Nebulos. The Autobots' arrival on the planet immediately stirred civil unrest, however, which lead to the Decepticons being brought to the planet, and the war continuing on a smaller scale. Technological advancements developed during the conflict saw Nebulans being bio-engineered into [[binary bonding|partnerships]] with the Transformers - Hot Rod became a Targetmaster, and was bonded the Nebulan sharpshooter, Firebolt, who transformed into his gun. Eventually, the Autobots determined to move their war away from Nebulos, and followed a signal sent by [[Goldbug]], recieved by Hot Rod, to the planet [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

Hot Rod's role in the war on Earth was, in contrast to his nature, a small, quiet one, as he served under Fortress Maximus, and then the resurrected Optimus Prime, with little to no notable actions performed for a prolonged period of time. Eventually, however, he began playing larger roles again when he turned the tide of battle with [[Pretender]] [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] after he succeeded in injuring the villain, {{storylink|Skin Deep}} and made a particularly stupid move when he tried to snap Optimus Prime out of a funk by creating a mock threat with a [[Guardian|Guardian Mark V battle droid]]. The robot proceeded to malfunction and truly endanger the Autobots, but Hot Rod's plan worked when Prime saved the day and defeated it. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}} He later participated in the battles against [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], {{storylink|All Fall Down}} Unicron (speeding into the conflict on a jet-sled), {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} and the Decepticon forces on the planet [[Klo]]. {{storylink|End of the Road!}}

''Hot Rod rose to greater prominence in the alternate future timeline of [[Earth-120185]]. In 1990, he, Kup and Blurr were captured by Megatron; although rescued by a double-agent named [[Warmonger]], Hot Rod was recaptured and bore witness first hand to Megatron's mercilessness when he executed Warmonger. Then, in 1991, he was part of a unit that escorted the captive [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], only to lose the Decepticon leader when forced to defend a human settlement against an attack by the [[Air Strike Patrol]].'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} ''In 2003, he and Blurr were given "Ark duty," assigned to stand guard over the [[Ark|Autobots' spaceship]] while construction on [[Autobot City]] began. Kup was apparently instructed to deliver the plans of the city to the American government, and when Hot Rod saw him being jumped by the [[Stunticon]]s, he disobeyed orders and sped out to the rescue, only to find that the tape had been a dummy.'' {{storylink|Ark Duty}} ''When the city was completed in 2004, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attacked it on its opening day, and Hot Rod repelled him by attacking in a wildly illogical manner, tackling him down a mountain repeatedly.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

''In the year 2006, when the new Decepticon leader [[Galvatron]] travelled back in time to 1986 as part of a plan to free himself from the control of Unicron, the chaos-bringer used his mental powers to plan knowledge of Galvatron's plan into Hot Rod, Kup and Blurr's minds and transported them to Cybertron, where they used Galvatron's equipment to follow him into the past. There, with help from the present-day incarnation of Ultra Magnus, they were able to convince Galvatron that he had, in fact, traveled back in time to a parallel universe, where his actions would have no effect on the future. Believing this, Galvatron returned to his own time, and after setting any remaining wrongs to right, the trio of Autobots also returned to 2006.'' {{storylink|Target 2006}} ''Back in his native timeline, Hot Rod was subsequently involved in a battle with Galvatron inside Unicron's body, during which he opened the sacred Autobot talisman, the [[Creation Matrix]], and was transformed into Rodimus Prime. With this new strength, he hurled Galvatron through Unicron's hide and opened the Matrix, destroying the planet-eater.'' {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

[[Image:Rodimusprimerequestdenied.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Rodimus learned the wrong lesson from Optimus' death.]]

''As the new Autobot leader, Rodimus re-established Autobot control of Cybertron, and proved to be a fairly ruthless leader when it came to dispensing mercy. When Galvatron did not reappear, however, he grew concerned, and rashly placed a bounty on the Decepticons' head. What Rodimus did not realize, however, was that Galvatron had time-jumped again, traveling back to 1987.'' {{storylink|Wanted - Galvatron Dead or Alive}} ''In 2007, when the freelance peace-keeping agent [[Death's Head]] pursued Galvatron back to the 80s, Rodimus was informed of this fact by an Autobot double-agent named [[Nautilus]], and, dismayed at the danger he had unleashed on the past, promptly headed back in time himself to stop the dual threats.'' {{storylink|Burning Sky!}} ''Once again teaming up with the present-day Ultra Magnus, Rodimus and his team tracked Galvatron down to [[Mount Verona]], where he was attempting to harness the volcano's molten energy. While arguing with Death's Head, Rodimus and the bounty hunter were both attacked, but when Ultra Magnus opened fire on his power siphon, Galvatron was distracted long enough for Rodimus to escape.'' {{storylink|Hunters!}} ''Rodimus then arranged a plan that saw the Autobots capture Galvatron's time-jump mechanism, in order to have [[Wreck-Gar]] re-engineer it to return all the time-travelers to their point of origin. Rodimus engaged Galvatron in a protracted battle to buy Wreck-Gar time, but when the device was activated, Rodimus, Death's Head and the other Autobots were returned to 2007 - but Galvatron was left behind.'' {{storylink|Fire on High!}}

''Some time later, a disgruntled Death's Head accepted a contract from the Decepticons on Rodimus Prime's head, and ambushed him while he was inspecting Autobot lines. Their battle subsequently went underground, where [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] intervened, downing Death's Head in hopes of being the ones to defeat Rodimus, in order to reclaim their lost standing in the Decepticons ranks. Rodimus was able to lead Death's Head through the underground tunnels, right into the heart of the Autobot camp, where he offered him advance payment for a different contract - on Cyclonus and Scourge.'' {{storylink|Headhunt}} ''Death's Head proceeded to track the two Decepticons for the remainder of the year, until the three of them fell under the mental control of Unicron when they discovered his disembodied head on the planet of [[Junk]] in the early days of 2008. Under his control, they assassinated Decepticon leader Shockwave and reignited the stalemated Cybertronian civil war in order to keep the Autobots busy while Unicron worked on rebuilding his body. Rodimus, however, learned of the situation thanks to [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], and lead a small Autobot force to Junk, where Death's Head fought against Unicron's control long enough to project Rodimus's mind into a battle with the demi-god on the astral plane. During the battle, explosives planted by Wreck-Gar destroy Unicron's head, and his mind is sealed within the Matrix.'' {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

[[Image:Targetmaster-nomore.jpg|thumb|right|"''I'm'' not being melodramatic, ''you're'' being insensetive!"]]

''Later in 2008, the alien Quintessons targeted Cybertron for colonization, and attacked the Autobots with a two-pronged assault on both Cybertron and Earth. When [[Arcee]] shirked her guard duty at Autobot City, the Quintessons were given an opening that allowed them to take over the city, and when she returned, they gunned her down as bait for a trap for Rodimus Prime. Arriving at the city, Rodimus discovered the injured Arcee and opened his chest compartment to heal her with the Matrix, only to have it yanked from his grasp by the Quintesson general, [[Ghyrik]], causing him to revert to Hot Rod. Liberating [[Blaster]]'s cassettes for back-up, Hot Rod and Arcee proceeded to fight their way through the Quintessons to Autobot City's control room, where Hot Rod activated [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to smash the alien threat. In battle with Ghyrik, Hot Rod duped the Quintessons with a bit of amateur ventrioloquism and reclaimed the Matrix; transformed back into Rodimus Prime again, he routed the Quintessons.'' {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

''Unbeknowst to Rodimus, the Quintessons had sought to colonise Cybertron because their own homeworld was being destroyed by a rift in space and time caused by the Transformers' repeated time-travel. The rift continued to grow in size until it threatened both Earth and Cybertron at the beginning of both 2009 and 1989. To put an end to the threat, Rodimus and a squad of Autobots travelled back to 1989, only to wind up mass-displacing Optimus Prime (since the Matrix could not exist in two time periods at once) and a group of other Autobots to [[limbo]], leading to a brief violent misunderstanding with the present-day Autobots. Optimus Prime was able to stabilise the situation by communicating with all involved through the power of the Matrix. Subsequently, Autobots and Decepticons from both the present and future teamed up to battle Galvatron and [[Straxus|Megatron]], but one by one they fell, until Optimus Prime used the Matrix to return himself to reality for a final showdown. After absorbing Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge, however, the rift was sealed by Shockwave, and Rodimus and the other future Autobots returned to 2009, vowing to destroy their time machines to prevent this ever happening again.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

''As it transpired, however, things would not be that easy. In the wake of the massive chronal damage caused by the rift, time had attempted to heal its wounds, but reality was no longer as it had been. The future that Rodimus and the other Autobots came from no longer existed - in its place was a world where Galvatron had never travelled back in time, and had conquered Cybertron after Unicron's destruction. Rodimus quickly established a rebellion, but when Galvatron tracked down their headquarters, he goaded Rodimus into a ferocious battle in hopes of corrupting the Matrix within him. Rodimus realised what he was doing, however, and ended the fight before more damage could be done.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

''At the beginning of 2010, Rodimus and the Autobots escaped to Earth via hyperspace, only to find that their craft's guidance systems had been damaged. During the flight, Rodimus Prime vanished'' {{storylink|The Void!}}, ''and Kup discovered that he was the saboteur,'' {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} ''deducing that he had been corrupted by an evil force from within the Matrix.'' {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} ''Inside the Matrix, Rodimus battled with the essence of Unicron, trapped there since the events of 2008, until Kup wrenched the Matrix from his chest, freeing from the chaos-bringer's influence. But now, Rodimus knew that the evil of Unicron will be waiting for him within it...'' {{storylink|White Fire}} ''and later that year, Unicron's essence succeeded in taking over Rodimus's body, transforming it into a duplicate of his own and attacking Cybertron once more, until Rodimus was able to defeat him from within and re-seal him within the Matrix.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

''Centuries later, in the year 2356, Rodimus, his body withered and weakened from the continuous harmful influence of Unicron from within the Matrix, lectured a young Autobot student on the nature of evil, unwittingly setting the youth on the path towards villainy himself.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

''In an unidentified timeline in the year 2510, a healthy Rodimus Prime was overjoyed to announce that the Cybertronian war was finally over, and planned to step down as leader to allow [[Springer]] to take over. The sole remaining Decepticon, a double-agent named [[Triton]], spoke out against the decision to cause dissention, and succeeded - as Rodimus could only watch in dismay, arguments escalated into conflict, and the war was born again as Autobot fought Autobot.'' {{storylink|Peace}}

Additonally, in one futher alternate future timeline - a world in which Unicron succeeded in consuming Cybertron - Rodimus led the Autobot/human defense of Earth when [[Galvatron II|that timeline's Galvatron]] attacked and eventually conquered it. Rodimus perished during the conflict, and his body was strung up between the ruined towers of the World Trade Center. In the year 2009, Galvatron returned to Manhatten to survey its devastated landscape, and fired upon Rodimus's corpse, demanding to know how many times he would have to kill him to erase his legacy. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

====Generation 2====

===Dreamwave comics continuity===

Hot Rod joined an underground Autobot cell led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] after [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave's]] takeover of [[Cybertron]]. Among the members of the cell was [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], who Hot Rod became attached to.

From the [[Wastelands]], Hot Rod, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] observed an incoming Decepticon shuttle carrying the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. Shortly afterwards, the cell rescued [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]], and took him to their base. After awakening, Prime attacked [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]], Blurr, and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], forcing Hot Rod (who didn't recognize him) to hold him at gunpoint. After being admonished by Kup, Hot Rod apologized.

After Shockwave unleashed the [[Guardian Robots]] on [[Iacon]], Prime organized the resistance cell and other Autobot forces on the planet in an assault on Shockwave's citadel. Fighting alongside the Autobot leader, Hot Rod was amazed that the stories Kup had told him about Prime's courage and heroism had all been true. As an injured Prime breached the citadel, Hot Rod, Ironhide and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] provided cover fire, taking down a number of Guardians in the process. Along with the rest of Iacon, they witnessed the divine light of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]] when Shockwave activated it.

As Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] battled Shockwave within the citadel, Hot Rod and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took down [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. Immediately afterwards, they were confronted with the looming threat of a remaining Guardian Robot - a threat that was soon neutralized by the arrival of the [[Wreckers]], the [[Autobot High Council]], and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. The unified Autobot group soon breached the citadel.

Some time later, Hot Rod ran a simulation combat scenario against Kup, and won using tactics that, in Kup's opinion, would have killed them both had it been real. Only after his victory did Hot Rod remember that he'd promised to take Arcee to see an [[Earth]]-bound shuttle launch - a duty Springer was happy to relieve him of. Soon afterwards, he was assigned to perimeter guard duty at [[Autobase]] with Gnaw and Wheelie, separating him from Arcee.

===''Universe: The Wreckers''===
[[Image:Hotrodg1.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Undergoing the [[Maximal Upgrade]] mostly involves applying your stickers.]]

A few months after the destruction of [[Unicron]] in 2005, Rodimus Prime spearheaded an effort to establish multiple recon posts to watch for advancing threats... even though some of his scientists said he shouldn't. When only two of the five launched ships were ever heard from again, Rodimus felt like a schmuck. Guy can't catch a break. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

After the Great Wars ended and the [[Pax Cybertronia]] was signed, he changed his name to simply "Rodimus" and decided to check out the new "[[Maximal]] upgrade". His relationship with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] effectively ended shortly after, as the latter went through dark gripping emo depression over the death of [[Daniel Witwicky]] and vanished.

Rodimus joined the [[Wreckers]] at some undetermined point afterwards. After [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] took over Cybertron with his [[Vehicon]] drones, Wrecker leader [[Apelinq]] got stranded on prehistoric [[Earth]], leaving Rodimus in charge. True to form, he ditched leadership duties to [[Primal Prime]] as soon as possible.

After Primal Prime got his marching orders from the [[Oracle]], he met Rodimus deep inside Cybertron's caverns, where an even more gothy-emo Arcee --in a new Maximal body-- lurked and stewed in her depression. Realizing he couldn't convince her to give a damn about anything, he left, rejoining the main Wrecker force in battle. Making it onto an ancient Autobot shuttle, the Wreckers blasted off.... with late-arrival Arcee. {{storylink|Departure}}

Rodimus recognized the homing beacon emitting from [[Archa Nine]] as one of those missing exploration parties mentioned before. When the shuttle landed, Rodimus stayed behind to help repair the damage the ship had suffered. The entire Wrecker team later gathered in an [[Akalouthan]] village, where Rodimus was reuinted with [[Glyph]], who took them to see the artifact known as the [[Divine Light]]. The Wreckers' analysis of the item was cut short, as it was stolen by the traitor [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Rodimus saw the back-in-his-old-body [[Devcon]] off, who was sent to chase after Cyclonus, while the Wreckers made for their next destination... even though several of them were now leery of the visions Primal Prime had been getting. Because they've really done ''so well'' by the Wreckers so far. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

Upon landing on the frozen planet, Rodimus was part of the search party immediately dispatched to look for... something. Primal Prime wasn't too sepcific. They came across [[Al-Badur]], an exiled [[Quintesson]], who gave them a little history lesson. They were then promptly attacked by a school of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], but the Wreckers made short work of them. they made their way back to the ship, with Al-Badur in tow, and made for their next destination... {{storylink|Disclosure}}

''('''Note''': As the comic series ended prematurely here, it is unknown how things went. The Wreckers ''series'' was intended to end shortly afterwards and tie directly into the ''[[Universe]]'' comic, but it never happened.)''

===''Teletraan Go! Go!'' mini-comics===
[[Image:Hotrod-micro.jpg|left|150px|thumb|This isn't the last time he'll work with a creepy-looking girl.]]

Hot Rod (in his [[Micromaster]] form) rescued [[Teletraan 15]] from a strange mechanical monster, a [[Great Novaroid|Novaroid]]. Teletraan 15 noted that Hot Rod was considerably smaller than she remembered him.

Irked, Hot Rod laid the blame for the [[transwarp]] holes in space-time on 15. It was through these holes that this future/alternate version of Hot Rod and the Novaroid had arrived in Teletraan 15's time.

Things probably turned out allright from that point.
{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:Spotlight03HotRod.jpg|right|thumb|WHEEEEEEE! AWESOME! TUBULAR! KAWABUNGA!]]
Years ago, Hot Rod was put in charge of a mission to the planet [[Ki-Aleta]] to obtain a powerful artifact named the [[Magnificence]] so as to keep it out of the hands of the Decepticons. Though the mission started off smoothly enough, with [[Gizmo]] using a [[holomatter]] generator to distract the defense systems while the rest of the team went after the Magnificence. Unfortunately, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. First the generator malfunctioned, then [[Download]] tripped the security lasers around the Magnificence itself. Gizmo, Download, and [[Backbeat]] were destroyed by the security systems while Hot Rod and [[Doubledealer|Dealer]] fled. Hot Rod, nearing the exit tunnels they had previously drilled, got a call from Dealer - he had been ambushed by a Decepticon attack squad and needed help. Unfortunately, Hot Rod had been given his own, top secret orders: the Magnificence was to be the top priority of the mission, and placed before all else. With a heavy heart, Hot Rod abandoned Dealer to his fate as he left Ki-Aleta with the Magnificence.

Years later, Hot Rod learned that Dealer had not died that day; he was being held prisoner at the Decepticon penal colony known as [[Styx]]. Hot Rod stealthily infiltrated the prison complex, using a holomatter generator to disguise himself as a guard and then short-circuiting the power grid to cause all the cell doors to unlock. During the chaos he snuck in, extracted Dealer, and took off while the Decepticons were busy getting the prisoners under control. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hot Rod}}

Recently, Hot Rod was called to Earth to aid the crew of the [[Ark-19]] in procuring a Decepticon [[facsimile]] from a former Soviet state in eastern Europe.

===''Kiss Players''===
'''Voice actors:''' [[Ryōtarō Okiayu]] (Japan)

Following the death of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the defeat of [[Unicron]], Hot Rod became [[Rodimus Prime]], the new leader of the [[Autobot]]s. However, when his defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] led to a [[Tokyo|calamitous disaster]] on [[Earth]], he gave up the [[Matrix]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], reverted to Hot Rod once more and returned to the [[human]] homeworld.

Damaged by the E.D.C.'s [[anti-electron]] field, Hot Rod [[ParaSitech|fused]] with a [[Legion]] and was reformatted into a Ford GT body by a kiss from the former [[Earth Defense Command]] [[Kiss Players|Kiss player]] [[Shao-Shao Li|Lǐ Shāo-Shāo]]. Now, partnered with the kung-fu mistress, he travels around [[Japan]] battling the E.D.C., Legion, and the resurrected Optimus Prime.

Hot Rod is cocky and confident in his speed and sharpshooting skills, and weathers his human partner's complaints that he's slacking off on his hand-to-hand combat training. He would much prefer to practice kissing, and the resulting fusion grants him Shāo's considerable martial arts skills as well as the ability to wield his firearms as [[wikipedia:tonfa|tonfas]]. In return, he steals underwear for her.

He enjoys fishing and carries a customized rod that can be converted into a forearm-mounted weapon called the "Exhaust Eliminator". Shāo-Shāo doesn't like working with him after a fishing trip due to the smell, but she secretly wishes that he would take her with him anyway. Hot Rod is also suspicious of Optimus Prime, and claims that he is not the ''real'' Optimus, presumably because he still believes his former commander to be dead following the battle of Autobot City.

Hot Rod has the distinction of being the only known robot with a Kiss Player partner to have lips. This may contribute to Shāo's feelings of excitement when she kisses him, though the rest of the time she's a bit outraged that a robot would have the audacity to talk to her like a person.

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Rodimusmajor.jpg|125px|right|thumb|This is totally what automobiles will look like in the far-flung future of 2005.]]

* '''Hot Rod''' (Autobot Car, 1986/2000/2002)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-78'''

: Hot Rod was one of the first toys designed specifically for the ''Transformers'' toyline, versus being an imported pre-existing toy. Designer [[Floro Dery]] created Hot Rod for the animated film and then the toy was created from his model sheet. (The model sheet would be altered further after the toy was completed.) Hot Rod transforms from a robot into a "futuristic" hot rod sportscar based on the Nissan Dome Zero racecar designed in 1978. His robot mode bears some resemblance to Bandai's [http://www.robot-japan.com/Gallery/Bandai/SOC/GX23/Zambot-soc.asp Super Robot Zanbo Ace] and may have been partially inspired by it. The toy comes with two rifles. There are two versions of this toy; initial releases have die-cast (unpainted) metal feet, while later shipments use black plastic.

: In 2000, [[Takara]] re-released the Hot Rod toy, having had to retro-[[retool]] it from the [[Targetmaster]] release. In 2002, [[Hasbro]] released it as part of the Toys 'R' Us [[exclusive]] [[Commemorative Series]] line as '''Rodimus Major'''. Both versions use die-cast metal for his feet.

: The same mold is used by [[Black Rodimus (G1)|Black Rodimus]].

* '''Rodimus Prime''' (Autobot Hero, 1986/2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-77'''

: Rodimus Prime was designed in much the same way as Hot Rod. Rodimus transforms from a robot and battle platform into a futuristicky Winnebago camper. The toy comes with a "Photon eliminator" rifle and two blast shields to attach to either side of his battle platform's cannon. (The yellow spoiler was also to be removed and replaced during transformation.) Like Hot Rod, there are materials variations; initial releases have metal toes with rubber tires, while latter shipments replaced both with black plastic.

: The metal-toes/rubber-ties version of the toy saw re-release in both Japan and the US in 2004.

: This mold is also used by [[Primus]].

* '''Hot Rod w/ Firebolt''' (Targetmaster, 1987/2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-110''', '''TFC-13'''

: Hot Rod was re-released with his new [[Nebulan]] [[Targetmaster]] partner [[Firebolt (G1)|Firebolt]] a year after the original release. The toy was [[retool]]ed to have larger pegholes in his fists and his engine block so the Targetmaster gun would fit. Latter versions of this toy retooled his lower legs to minimize the scraping of his thigh decals.

: Takara reissued Targetmaster Hot Rod in 2004 as sort of an "ultimate" version, with metal toes (the original versions all used plastic) and the twin rifles from the non-Targetmaster version.

*'''Crystal Rodimus''' (Autobot Car, 2001)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-78C'''

: One of the earliest [[e-Hobby]] exclusives, "Crystal" Rodimus uses the reissue Hot Rod mold, but cast almost entirely in transparent plastics. He was availbale only in a set with the evil clone [[Black Rodimus (G1)|Black Rodimus]].

===Battlestars===
[[Image:Hotrodmicromaster.jpg|100px|right|thumb|Shrinkage!]]
* '''Star Convoy w/ Hot Rodimus''' (Autobot, 1991/2005)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-372'''

: Available only with [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Battlestars: Return of Convoy (Japan-only)|Star Convoy]], Hot Rod's [[Micromaster]] form is a simplified version of his original toy, transforming into the same futuristic race car. In 2005, Star Convoy was re-released with several deco changes; among them, the decals used on Hot Rod were changed to [[paint applications]].

===Classics===
*'''Rodimus''' (Deluxe, 2006)
[[Image:Rodimusclassics.jpg|100px|left|thumb|This is maybe what cars will look like in 2026? Who knows.]]

: ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' Rodimus is a sleeker, more streamlined version of the original, now transforming into a heavily-altered Dome Zero, a [http://www.supercarnet.jp/File/File-Japan/File-Dome.htm futuristic race car from 1978]. His rear-mounted thruster engine becomes a hand-held weapon in robot mode, launching a spring-loaded missile. His left arm also hides a flip-out "comm unit" that is clearly supposed to be the buzzsaw he used for a brief period in [[The Transformers: The Movie (1986)|the Movie]].

: In a twist of delicious buttery fandom irony, Classics Rodimus has elements that were introduced in his [[Rodimus (Energon)|''Energon'' namesake]], making him a somewhat backwards-[[homage]]. His face also appears to take visual cues from how he was drawn by [[Derek Yaniger]] in the [[Generation 2 (Marvel comic)|''Generation 2'' comic book]].

{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
*'''Rodimus''' (3-inch Robot Masters, 2006)
[[Image:TitaniumRM_Rodimus.jpg|right|thumb|120px|"Three-inch Rod" is its own joke.]]

: ''Titanium'' Rodimus is a 3 inch tall, non-transforming, die-cast metal figuerine. He has limited articulation, localized in his head, shoulders and waist. His gun (which looks an ''awful'' lot like Firebolt) is also removable. Excitement!

*'''Rodimus Prime''' (6-inch Cybertron Heroes, 2007)
[[Image:TitaniumHeroRodimus_toy.jpg|left|thumb|Winnebago... ''of the '''future'''!!!'']]

: ''Titanium Cybertron Heroes'' Rodimus Prime is a mostly die-cast metal transforming toy based loosely upon the original ''Generation 1'' Rodimus Prime toy. He features much greater articulation and bulkier body proportions.

: Unlike the original toy which separated into a robot and a battle station, the entire vehicle mode of the 6-inch ''Titanium'' version transforms into the robot mode. As with ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' Rodimus, ''Titanium'' Rodimus Prime takes some visual cues from the ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' version of the character in addition to the original toy and the animation model... ''and'' the actual ''Classics'' Rodimus toy, such as the engine-block dickie.

===Kiss Players===
*'''Hot Rodimus X SyaoSyao''' (Kiss Players, 2006)
[[Image:KPHotRodimus.jpg|right|thumb|The fishing rod turns into arm blasters. The girl eats dumplings.]]

: ''[[Kiss Players]]'' Hot Rodimus is a retool and redeco of the ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Mirage]] toy, transforming into a red Ford GT. His engine becomes a pair of pistols that double as tonfa weapons, and his fishing rod can be taken apart and reassembled to create a triple-barreled arm-mounted blaster reminiscent of the original Hot Rod's exhaust pipe weapons. His new head sculpt includes a retractable visor patterned after the one used in the movie.

:The toy also included a PVC figurine of the character's "Kiss Player" partner Shaoshao Li and a bamboo dumpling steamer.

{{-}}

===Alternators===
*'''Rodimus''' (Alternators, 2007)

: ''[[Alternators]]'' Rodimus is an exclusive figure, confirmed for SDCC in July 2007. It is a repaint of Kiss Players Hot Rodimus, which itself is a remold of Alternators [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]. The figure uses the head mold introduced in the Kiss Players figure, and appears to retain the visor. The deco has been altered by changing the side striping from white to yellow, while the stripes over the hood, roof and trunk have been eliminated altogether, with a Hot Rod-style flame graphic now adorning the hood and front guards. Most of the Kiss Player deco remain in robot mode, including the yellow hands and flame graphics on the forearms, however promotional images show the license plates (located at the knees in robot mode) have been changed to read "TOO HOT". Rodimus' weapons are the dual pistols/tonfa seen with both Mirage and Hot Rodimus, however it is currently not known whether Rodimus will include his Kiss Player counterpart's fishing rod/eliminator.

{{-}}

===Merchandise===
*'''Rodimus Convoy''' (Super Collection Figure, 2002)

*'''Rodimus Convoy''' (Mega Super Collection Figure, 2002)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''Mega SCF-06'''
[[Image:MegaSCFRodimus.jpg|left|thumb|90px|''YOU!'' Yeah, you! Say that again ''to my face'', you son of a--!]]

''Mega SCF'' Rodimus Convoy is a 5 inch tall non-transforming, articulated PVC action figure based upon the cartoon model. He comes with four sets of hands and a 'Photon Eliminator' rifle.

*'''Hot Rodimus''' (Mega Super Collection Figure, 2002)

*'''Rodimus Prime''' (Heroes of Cybertron, 2003)

{{-}}

==Trivia==

[[Image: Pinkrod.jpg|right|thumb|What do you want to do tonight, Brain?]]

* The original Hot Rod toy was initially cast in a pinker plastic similar to the color of his animation model. For unknown reasons, this was later changed to a decidedly less [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] red before release, but the earlier version of the toy is visible in the original 1986 Hasbro toy catalogue, and the televised [[Sharkticon]] toy advert.

[[Image:TFGRodimus.jpg|left|100px|thumb|"I fight fire with fire, baby!"]]

* A new Rodimus Prime was devised for the 1991-1992 lineup, however this one did not leave the drawing board. He was to be a fire truck, apparently with a design in the spirit of [[Optimus Prime (G1) #Battlestars 2|Star Convoy]] and with transformation scheme similar to [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]. Some people see a resemblance between this concept art and the mecha Duke Fire from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave_Police_J-Decker Brave Police J-Decker], one of Takara's post-Transformers Yusha lines.

* Hot Rod might be the ''Transformers'' character with the most names in the US. From "Hot Rod" to "Rodimus Prime", to "Rodimus Major" to just plain "Rodimus". Varieties of "Rodimus" appear to be how he will be for a while, as Hasbro appears to be unable to secure the [[trademark]] on "Hot Rod".

{{-}}

* Aside from the ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Rodimus (Energon)|namesake character]], Hot Rod has also been [[homage]]'d twice (or possibly thrice depending on how you look at it) in the [[Unicron Trilogy]]. For ''[[Armada]]'', the "[[Powerlinx]]" upgrade of [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] was given a very Hot-Rod-inspired deco. In ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', [[Takara]] made a redeco of Hot Shot (well, "Exillion") with Hot Rod deco as a DVD-pack-in [[exclusive]]. [[Hasbro]] then took this deco, altered it, and released it in the US line at mass retail as the new character [[Excellion]].

* One of the first concepts for Classics Rodimus was based around the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagani_Zonda Pagani Zonda] super car, before the [http://www.supercarnet.jp/File/File-Japan/File-Dome.htm Dome Zero] design was decided upon.

* At [[Botcon 2002]], Dick Gautier "confirmed", jokingly, that Rodimus Prime is gay.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/HotRod/hotrod.htm Hot Rod at TFU.info]

* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Hot_Rod Hot Rod's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Rodimus_Prime Rodimus Prime's profile at NTFA.net]

{{stub}}
[[Category: Autobot leaders]]
[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Battlestars characters]]
[[Category: Classics characters]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category: Kiss Players]]
[[Category: Matrix bearers]]
[[Category: Targetmasters]]
[[Category: Titanium Series]]
[[Category: Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category: Universe characters]]
[[Category: Wreckers]]
[[Category: Primus]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Optimus Prime (G1)/toys

2007-06-02T12:19:05Z

59.167.68.81: /* Alternators */ redirected Nemesis Prime link from disambiguation page to the actual correct page.

[[Image:Convoy-final1024.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Decepticons, leave this place or die!]]

Over the past 23 years, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Generation 1 '''Optimus Prime''']] has received the largest number of toys for any single [[Transformers]] character, a testament to the character's enduring popularity and status as a hero to many fans.

==Toys==

===Generation 1===
* '''Optimus Prime''' (1984, 1985, 1991, 2000, until the end of time)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-01'''

: The original Optimus Prime toy, as well as Diaclone Battle Convoy that it based based upon, transformed into a late 1970s red Freightliner FL86 Cabover Engine triple-axle semi trailer truck. His cab is partially constructed of die cast metal with rubber tires. The windscreen section can open to reveal ultimately-unused chairs that were originally designed for Diaclone's driver figures.

:His trailer opens up into his [[Combat Deck]], which features a missile-armed repair drone pod (with seating for one) mounted upon a boom lift arm. Situated in the base of this boom is a spring-loaded launcher that can be used to launch [[Roller]] out of the Combat Deck. Roller himself has seating for 4 passengers, and can be equipped to carry Optimus Prime's rifle or a fuel pump. The interior space of the trailer allows storage room for one Autobot car.

:In robot mode, Optimus Prime's design would go on to influence every Optimus Prime toy that will follow this iconic version. He is armed with a black photon rifle, that, due to design, cannot be held straight. His fists are actually inserted into his headlights and must be stored elsewhere while in vehicle mode (there are pegs to store them in the trailer).

: Optimus was made available as a mail-away toy in the [[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]] offer in the US in 1986. He cost $21.50 and 5 [[robot points]].

:Over 23 years, there have been many, many releases and variants of this mold. [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys #Trivia|See the list here]]. The cab robot was also used, with a different trailer, as the cab for G1 [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].

* '''Convoy Jnr.''' (1985)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''TF Jnr-01'''
[[Image:Convoy_Junior_toy.jpg|right|thumb|130px|Prime's kid brother.]]

: Convoy Jnr. was a smaller, simplified version of G1 Convoy. He featured a very similar transformation sequence, but had no clear windows nor rubber tires. He was intended as a low-cost alternative for younger children.

:He did not have a plastic trailer included, but did have a cardboard trailer that the owner was supposed to construct themselves.

* '''Convoy''' (Versus set, 1985)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''VS-X'''

: This Japanese-[[exclusive]] release of Optimus Prime came with the Japanese release of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. There are no differences between this release of Convoy and the individually released toy.

* '''Good-Bye Convoy''' (Multipack, 1986)

: This set contains a special version of Convoy with blue windows and was packed with [[Mirage (G1)|Ligier]] and [[Red Alert (G1)|Alert]].
* '''Optimus Prime''' (Powermaster, 1988, 2003)

[[Image:PowermasterOptimusPrime_toy.jpg|left|thumb|My Japanese release has a lot more bling.]]

:Powermaster Optimus Prime is the first new toy of the Autobot leader since the original toy's release in 1984. He is an all-new design, utilizing the [[Powermaster]] gimmick of requiring the partner figure, who transforms into an engine module, to be inserted into a special area on the main toy before it is able to transform.

:Optimus Prime is comprised of two parts, his truck cab and his trailer. His new truck cab is reminiscent of the original Optimus Prime truck cab, but is constructed entirely of plastic, lacks vacuum-metalized plastic and has no clear windows. It also transforms differently in that the front of the truck is no longer the robot mode's chest. His chest is now formed out of the truck's cabin rear, styled after his cartoon appearance. He is armed with two long black rifles, based in part upon his cartoon rifle.

:Prime's new trailer is essentially a heavily armed version of the original, with two double-barreled heavy laser cannons mounted on two arms with visible fists. The rear has a fold-down ramp to allow the storage of a smaller transformer, or perhaps spare accessories. The trailer can be transformed into a Powermaster battlestation that can allow other Powermaster engine figures to man the heavy laser cannons.

[[Image:GodGinrai_toy.jpg|right|thumb| And bigger boots, too.]]

:The main selling point of the toy is the ability of the truck cab to combine with the trailer to form Powermaster Optimus Prime. The cab portion folded in half and sat in the chest cavity of the trailer's torso, giving him the classic Optimus Prime truck-chest appearance. The two double-barreled cannons were attached to his shoulders and a large, separate head piece was mounted onto the hole on top of the truck cab.

:The Japanese release actually represented a new character named [[Ginrai]] and had a cab that was partly constructed out of die-cast metal, vacuum-metalized plastic and had clear blue windows. The trailer was retooled so the super robot's fists could slide in and out of the arms. This Japanese version was eventually used for Hasbro's own reissue in 2003 as part of the Commemorative Reissue collection. This set also included the originally Japanese-exclusive God Bomber drone trailer that attached onto the back of Ginrai's trailer in vehicle mode, and could become extra armour in super robot mode.

:This toy was later redecoed into the Japanese-exclusive Nucleon Quest Super Convoy.

:There were several different prototypes made for this toy. [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys #Trivia|See a list here]].

* '''Optimus Prime''' (Action Master, 1990)

[[Image:ActionMasterPrime_toy.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Eastbound and Down.]]

: The largest ''[[Action Master]]'' set, Optimus Prime came with long nose truck pulling a large, heavily armed trailer, referred to as an "Armored Convoy". Optimus Prime could sit in the cab of the truck, while other Action Master figures could stand on the guard rails or sit in the turret in the trailer.

:As with all ''Action Master'' toys, Optimus Prime himself could not transform. His sculpt is based heavily upon the Generation 1 cartoon model, though the colour scheme appears to be based upon his Powermaster body. However, his truck cab vehicle and the trailer do transform, though neither have robot modes. The truck cab can transform into a small plane, while the trailer transforms into a battle station with turrets that several Action Masters can man.

:Action Master Optimus Prime's figure and rifle was included with the Japanese-exclusive "New Year" reissue of G1 Convoy in 2002.

{{-}}

* '''Star Convoy''' (Powered Master, 1991, 2005)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-372'''
[[Image:StarConvoy_toy.jpg|right|thumb|"... and that's why you're my Micromaster now, [[Hot Rod (G1)|bitch]]"]]

: A Japanese-exclusive, the final new-design G1 Convoy toy was a departure from previous versions. He now transformed into a small long nose cab truck of made-up model pulling an implausibly large trailer equipped with motorized caterpillar treads. The trailer could additionally pull along the auxiliary trailer transformer [[Grandus]], on which the shuttle [[Sky Garry]] could land, forming the spaceship '''"Battlestars"'''. Even without combining, Star Convoy's truck mode was a behemoth, including a [[Micro Trailer]] semi as a small accessory and an upgraded [[Roller]] that was now patterned after a tracked ballistic missile carrier.

:Unlike previous Convoy toys, the cab section did not seperate from the trailer, instead forming the arms of his imposing 12-inch tall robot mode. He lacks any sort of leg articulation in this mode, but his battery powered treads can provide him with locomotion. Star Convoy's chest can open to reveal a control center for [[Micromaster]] figures such as his partner figure [[Hot Rod|Hot Rodimus]] to ride in.

:He can also form a Micromaster base, that is more like his legs opened up, with his upper torso more or less staying exactly the same. Like [[Dai Atlas]], his base mode can connect with other Micromaster base sets.

:Star Convoy was reissued by Takara in 2005, with notable paint deco and sticker improvements, such as his white parts being painted metallic silver and the star crest on his chest painted with plated gold chrome paint..

* '''Nucleon Quest Super Convoy''' (2001)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-307X'''

:This release of the God Ginrai tooling was a Toys ''R'' Us Japan [[exclusive]] black repaint, made to represent the original Convoy/Optimus Prime equipped for a special mission. All of his red and blue plastics were changed to black, his clear blue windows were now tinted red, making his overall colour scheme very reminiscent of the now-familiar 'Black Convoy' colour schemes.

* '''Orion Pax''' (2006)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''67'''

[[Image:OrionPaxDion_toys.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"Welcome to The Past!"]]

: This Japanese e-Hobby exclusive was a redeco of [[Targetmaster]] [[Kup]], made to represent the character [[Orion Pax]] from the G1 television series episode [[War Dawn]]. He came with a redeco of [[Wheelie]] as [[Dion]].

===Generation 2===
* '''Optimus Prime''' (1993, 1994)
[[Image:G2Prime_toy.jpg|left|thumb|I AM OPTIMUS PRIME.]]

:The first ''Generation 2'' Optimus Prime toy was largely identical in sculpt to the original release. However, his trailer was cast in black plastic, with the original blue and silver striped sticker replaced with a red and silver one that had "Optimus" in large block letters on it. The trailer also featured a soundbox attachment with a sculpted Autobot symbol on the front. The soundbox could activate a truck engine noise, a laser gun sound effect and a (badly) garbled voice that said "I am Optimus Prime!". This soundbox could also be attached onto Optimus Prime's back and be used as a sort of backpack.

:The other new additions were two black spring-loaded missile launchers that fire red projectiles. In vehicle mode, these attached to the soundbox (an echo of Powermaster Optimus Prime's cannons, perhaps), and could be held in Optimus Prime's fists in robot mode.

* '''Optimus Prime''' (Hero, 1994)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''TRF-1'''
[[Image:CombatheroPrime_toy.jpg|right|thumb|BE A HEEEERO]]

: Hero Optimus Prime was the first new-mold Optimus Prime toy in the ''Generation 2'' line. He transformed into a Kenworth truck of unknown model. The truck and trailer forms his robot mode, but cannot disconnect.

:In robot mode, the front halves of his truck cab become his feet, with the bottom of the trailer section becoming his chest and arms. His primary gimmick is an air-powered missile launcher, that can fire one of three foam missiles using an air bellows.

: This mold was also used to create [[Sureshot (G2)|Sureshot]] and the Kay-Bee Toys-exclusive [[Destructicon]] [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]].

* '''Laser Optimus Prime''' (1995, 2006)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''TRF-13'''

[[Image:LaserOptimusPrime_toy.jpg|left|thumb|Not cast in the 2007 movie.]]

: Perhaps the most popular ''Generation 2'' toy of Optimus Prime, Laser Optimus Prime was another new-mold toy that transformed into mid-1990s Western Star 4964EX, pulling a grey and black fuel tank trailer. On the sides of the trailer is a humourous sticker depicting Laser Optimus Prime using a flamethrower to burn down a forest, with the words "Optimus Prime Octane" over the image.

:In robot mode, like Combat Hero Prime, the bottom of the truck became his familiar windowed chest based upon the original Optimus Prime toy. His main gimmick was light up LED headlights, and a [[lightpipe]] in the bottom of his right fist, illuminated by an LED in his right forearm, that would illuminate his clear sword or his double-barreled rifle if they were used in that hand. All three LEDs were activated simultaneously by pressing the sunroof-like depression on the roof of the truck.

:The trailer unfolds to form a battle station bristling with many firing weapons. Primarily, it can fire an air-powered missile launcher, a ripple rocket launcher with 5 missiles that can be launched individually (this turret can also be mounted in Laser Prime's hand) and a 'disc launcher', that fired several blue plastic discs adorned with the ''Generation 2'' Autobot sigil. This disc launcher is the only weapon that can be used in vehicle mode.

:This mold was redecoed in 2000 as [[Car Robots]] [[Scourge (RID)|Black Convoy]], and slightly retooled as Scourge. After Scourge, the next use of this mold was planned to be [[Toxitron]], which ended up being cancelled. The slightly retooled version of this mold was released in 2006 in Japan as reissue Battle Convoy, which was the name of this toy during the Japanese ''Generation 2''. The reissue used the [[Robots in Disguise]] modified tooling, with a slightly modified deco using silver vaccum-metalized plastic on his chest and trailer sides along with additional paint applications and G2 symbols. The mold was also redecoed to create a new G2 version of Ultra Magnus as an [[E-Hobby]] exclusive (unusual in that the character was killed in the course of Japan's G1 fiction).

* '''Optimus Prime''' (Go-Bot, 1995)
[[Image:G2GobotsPrime.jpg|right|thumb| Sweet ride, Prime]]

: Gobots Optimus Prime transforms into a red Hot Wheels-sized Lambourghini Diablo. In robot mode his transformation and headsculpt greatly resemble [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]. Like most Go-Bots, he features high speed axles and can roll very well across smooth surfaces, but lacks the weight to propel him quickly. He is armed with a small red laser rifle.

:The Japanese release of this toy swapped out the orange plastic for neon yellow, and had a large tampograph on the car's hood that was shaped like a stylised letter 'T', with the Transformers logo in it. Going against the grain, this toy was released in Japan with the name "Optimus Prime" instead of "Convoy".

:This toy was redecoed from the ''Generation 2'' Gobot [[Firecracker]]. The plastic colors are a "solid" version of Firecracker's color layout, substituting opaque red for transparent red plastic.

===Machine Wars===
* '''Optimus Prime''' (Ultra, 1997)
[[Image:MachineWarsPrime.jpg|left|thumb|Minus mouthplate]]

: Available only at Kay-Bee toys (well, at first), ''[[Machine Wars]]'' Optimus Prime is a redeco and slight modification of the European Generation 1 exclusive [[Turbomaster (subgroup)|Turbomaster]] leader [[Thunder Clash]], transforming into a Cybertronic truck cab. The Trailer unit unfolds to become a missile-launching assault tower. The tower's gravity-feed missile launchers were retooled to accommodate the new, longer spring-loaded missiles in lieu of the much smaller original projectiles due to projectile choke-gate [[For safety reasons|safety testing]].

{{-}}

===Smallest Transforming Transformers===
* '''G1 Convoy''' (2003)
: ''Japanese ID Number:'' '''GTF-01A (truck) and GTF-01B (trailer)'''
[[Image:WSTF_Convoy.jpg|right|thumb|You didn't find my trailer, did you? Haw haw.]]

: ''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' Convoy is the smallest fully transforming Optimus Prime toy yet. He features an accurate transformation sequence based on the original full-sized toy, but understandably has no detachable hands, and has little articulation. His sculpt is based upon his cartoon appearances. He comes with a tiny version of his photon rifle.

:His [[Combat Deck|trailer]] was available separately as a shortpacked figure.

:This mold was repainted in wave 2 of ''Smallest Transforming Transformers'', this time in cartoon colours and as a limited 'chase' variant based upon Ultra Magnus' colours. In wave 2.5 he was again available in cartoon colours, with the chase figure being the trailer painted in cartoon colours.

===20th Anniversary/Masterpiece===
* '''Optimus Prime''' (2003/2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-1'''
[[Image:20thAnniversary_OptimusPrimesm.jpg|left|thumb|And the fandom rejoiced (and complained).]]

: ''20th Anniversary'' Optimus Prime is the most successful attempt to have a somewhat authentic 1980s Freightliner cab-over truck transform into a cartoon-proportioned robot mode of Optimus Prime.

:Sculpted with detail, Optimus Prime is loaded with non-obtrusive gimmicks such as working spring-loaded suspension, a 'talking' movable [[mouthplate]], flip-up communications panels and a light-up Matrix chamber with a removable vacuum-metalized Matrix of Leadership that can also be pulled open.

:In robot mode, he is able to assume many poses, yet limited to the top-heavy design of the robot mode. In vehicle mode, he has a hitch for a trailer, but none was included due to cost. He is partially constructed of die cast metal and features rubber tires.

:Optimus Prime features many accessories including the aforementioned Matrix, his photon rifle and Megatron in gun mode, with stock, silencer and scope accessories. This small Megatron can be held in his hand, but cannot transform.

:The initial Hasbro release of 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime featured his photon rifle cast in grey plastic, with later assortments cast in black plastic. Further releases included a small poster featuring artwork by [[Pat Lee]].

:The main difference between the US and Japanese releases is the fact the US release has much smaller smokestacks, while the Japanese release has full-size stacks. Hasbro reported that this change was due to safety concerns.

:The Japanese Takara release of this toy, dubbed ''"Masterpiece'' Convoy", has a cardboard trailer that the owner must construct himself.

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''Masterpiece'' [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].

{{-}}

* '''Convoy Perfect Edition''' (2006)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-4'''
[[Image:MP04Convoy2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|You just paid $170 for a big box on wheels.]]

: For the re-release of ''Masterpiece'' Convoy, Takara packed him with a proper full-size, fully transforming plastic and die-cast metal trailer. The trailer can open up to reveal his Combat Deck, with storage for his accessories and a functional repair drone. The interior has enough room to accommodate one [[Alternators]] toy in vehicle mode.

:[[Roller]] is conspicuously absent from this 'Perfect' edition. Additionally, there have been reports that this release of ''Masterpiece'' Convoy has much poorer quality control, as the paint on his chest chips more easily.

===Robot Masters===
* '''G1 Convoy''' (2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-01'''
[[Image:RMConvoy_toy.jpg|left|thumb|120px|My vehicle mode is dangerous and unroadworthy!]]

: Robot Masters G1 Convoy is essentially a heavily simplified version of 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, featuring a similar sculpt and a similar (though significantly easier) transformation sequence. However, due to its size and pricepoint, it does not feature a Matrix chamber or the number of gimmicks in his larger toysake.

:Included is a photon rifle and a small missile launcher.

* '''G1 Convoy with DVD''' (2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-10'''
[[Image:RM_DVDConvoy_toy.jpg|right|thumb|120px|I'm shiny!]]

: This special edition release of G1 Convoy is decked out in metallic paint and the photon rifle is painted black. In addition to the sculpted Autobot sigil on its left shoulder, another Autobot sigil is tampographed onto the right shoulder. Otherwise it is the same toy.

:It comes packed with a DVD containing a short cartoon detailing the Robot Masters storyline up to that point.

* '''G1 Convoy Limited Black Version''' (2005)

: This release is simply a black repaint of Robot Masters G1 Convoy.

: Available only via mail-order through ''Dengeki Hobby'' magazine

===Universe===
* '''Optimus Prime''' (Spychanger, 2004)
[[Image:SpychangerG1Prime.jpg|right|thumb|Why won't they repaint my full-size toy in these colours?!?]]

: Universe G1 Optimus Prime is a [[redeco]] of the ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]'s [[Spychanger]] toy. He replaces most of the black plastic with predominantly red and blue, with silver for detailing, with an overall deco making him resemble the original Optimus Prime. Like most Spychangers, he features high speed axles and can roll very well across smooth surfaces, but lacks the weight to propel him quickly.

===Hybrid Style===
*'''G1 Convoy''' (2006)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''THS-02'''
[[Image:THS02Convoy.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Expensive and tiny.]]

: THS-02 G1 Convoy is a finely detailed, partially die-cast metal transforming toy of G1 Optimus Prime. As with most modern G1 Optimus Prime toys, he is based somewhat upon 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, but is a totally new designed created under the supervision of famed Macross mecha designer [[Shoji Kawamori]].

:Standing at 3' 3/4 inches tall in robot mode, THS-02 Convoy features possibly the most complex transformation sequence ever seen on a Transformers figure this small. However, the small size also works against the design, as concessions from the vehicle mode truck cab had to be made to accommodate the proportions of the robot mode.

:He comes with a fully-transforming and highly detailed trailer that opens up into his Combat Deck/repair bay, with a functioning repair drone and Roller, who features six-wheel steering. His other accessories include his Photon rifle (with adjustable grip), his energy axe, Sideswipe's jet pack, and several different hands, all of which can be stored in individual compartments within the trailer.

===Alternators===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2006)
:''Alternator ID number:'' '''21'''
[[Image:Alternators_OptimusPrime.jpg|right|thumb|I don't come with a creepy girl...]]

: [[Alternators]] Optimus Prime transforms into an accurate 1:24th scale Dodge Ram SRT-10. The vehicle mode features rubber tires, functional steering, opening hood, tail gate and doors with a detailed cabin interior. His robot mode body sculpt details are based upon the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime toy. However, his headsculpt is based upon Powermaster Optimus Prime. He is armed with a small pistol that is formed from his engine.

: This mold was later redecoed into [[Kiss Players]] Convoy and Alternators [[Nemesis Prime (Alternators)|Nemesis Prime]].

===Kiss Players===
* '''Convoy w/ Marissa Fairborne''' (2006)
[[Image:Kiss_Convoy_toy.jpg|left|thumb|150px|...And yet, I do!]]

: Kiss Players Convoy is a redeco of ''Alternators'' Optimus Prime. Unlike the Alternator's bare red plastic, he is covered in a deeper red paint. Some of his body parts are cast in different colours, such as his shins, and has a much more intricate paint deco based upon Masterpiece Convoy. He is armed with his small engine pistol and a pink surfboard that can be reconfigured into either two small blades or a large double-bladed sword.

:He comes with a small figurine of [[Marissa Faireborne]] and a Kiss Players CD featuring recordings of the radio play.

{{-}}

===Titanium===
* '''War Within Optimus Prime''' (3" Robot Masters, 2006)
[[Image:TitaniumRMWWPrime.jpg|right|thumb|90px|Squattie]]

: War Within Optimus Prime is the first toy representation of Optimus Prime as he appears in the popular [[War Within]] comic book series. Constructed partially of die-cast metal, this three inch version cannot transform and has some articulation, limited to his shoulders, head and waist.

* '''Optimus Prime''' (3" Robot Master, 2006)
[[Image:TitaniumRMG1Prime.jpg|left|thumb|90px|Drop and give me twenty, soldier!]]

: The first Titanium representation of G1 Optimus Prime has a well-proportioned sculpt based on his 20th Anniversary toy. Constructed partially of die-cast metal, this three inch version cannot transform and has some articulation, limited to his shoulders, head and waist.

* '''War Within Optimus Prime''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)
[[Image:TitaniumHeroes_WWPrime.jpg|right|thumb|150px|And then some squirrels quietly disappeared.]]

: The second War Within Optimus Prime toy in the Titanium series, but also the first official transforming toy from the War Within series. Personally designed by comic artist [[Don Figueroa]] (who created much of the War Within comic designs), Optimus Prime transforms into a cybertronic truck. He is armed with a silver painted photon rifle, on which the words 'DON' can be clearly seen sculpted into the body.

:He is partially constructed out of die-cast metal and plastic, but some design flaws lead to relatively weak plastic joints holding up heavy die-cast parts.

* '''Optimus Prime (Battle Damaged)''' (3" Robot Master, 2006)

: This is a repaint of the 3" G1 Optimus Prime titanium figurine, with a 'battle-damaged' deco.

* '''War Within Optimus Prime Vs. War Within Megatron Battlepack''' (Multipack, 2007)

: A Toys R Us-exclusive item, this ''Titanium'' two-pack features the previously released ''War Within'' Optimus Prime and the upcoming ''War Within'' [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] figures. Also included is an exclusive variant cover ''War Within'' comic book.

===Classics===
* '''Optimus Prime''' (Voyager-class, 2006)
[[Image:ClassicsPrime_Voyager.jpg|right|thumb|210px|Rub my symbol, Marissa. Oops, wrong toyline.]]

: Classics Optimus Prime is an all-new modern Optimus Prime design based upon the original Optimus Prime, as is the intention for the ''Classics'' toyline. He transforms into a modern cab-over style truck of made up model, dominated by a large aerofairing on his roof. He was not designed to pull a trailer, and subsequently does not come with one.

:In robot mode, he transforms similarly to Powermaster Optimus Prime and the recent [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Cybertron Optimus Prime]] in that the back of the truck forms the front of the robot mode's torso. His proportions are based heavily upon the cartoon and comic models of Optimus Prime. In this mode, his aerofairing transforms into a large photon rifle, and his smokestacks transform into a smaller blaster. Additionally, both can combine together to form a back-mounted shoulder weapon.

:As with most Classics toys, he features a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]].

:This mold was repainted into Classics [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].

* '''Optimus Prime''' (Multi-pack, 2006)
[[Image:ClassicsPrime_Vs.jpg|left|thumb|They did me right, [[#20th_Anniversary.2FMasterpiece|once]].]] [[Image:ClassicOptimusVsVehivule.jpg|right|thumb|Not even a [[Guiltar]] wannabe.]]

: This Classics Optimus Prime is a smaller, deluxe-class toy bearing a greater resemblance to the original G1 toy. He is only available in a special Versus pack with a similarly unique Classics [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] toy. His vehicle mode and robot mode is based upon the original toy, but due to limitations in design, budget and gimmick, does not succeed very well. His thighs cannot collapse into his lower legs, meaning they are exposed in vehicle mode, as is his head. Although to be fair, you wouldn't really notice the leg thing if he had a trailer.

:He comes armed with a small machine gun that can be mounted on the back of his truck like a turret. Oh, and he can throw a wild punch with a push of the button on his back.

{{-}}

* '''Optimus Prime''' (20th Anniversary DVD Edition, 2006)
[[Image:DVD_20thPrime.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Discounted at a Walmart near you.]]

: This is a redeco of the 2004 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, released to coincide with the 20th Anniversary of the original Transformers animated movie and DVD release. He is painted in flatter, non-metallic colours to more closely resemble the original cartoon model, as well as the Voyager-class Classics Optimus Prime figure. The color of the light of his feet has changed too. As a cost-cutting measure, all vacuum-metalized plastic has been replaced with with silver and gold paint. Confusingly, his photon rifle is now cast in blue plastic.

:He comes with all the accessories he was packed with in his previous release, but includes a display base that can say phrases and sound effects from the movie. However, original actor [[Peter Cullen]] was unavailable, forcing Hasbro to use an in-house voice that sounds nothing like Optimus Prime and a lot like Christopher Walken.

{{-}}

===Revoltech===
* Series No. 019 '''Convoy''' (2007)
:A non-transforming but ''highly'' articulate Optimus Prime action figure(ine), Revoltech Convoy uses the Revoltech "revolver joints" for maximum poseability. Prime comes with a Matrix and photon rifle accessories, as well as a few alternate hands. His sculpting is explicitly in the style of [[Pat Lee|Pat "serfdom" Lee]]'s interpretation of Prime, but due to physical constraints has no lack of perspective.

:This figure was (surprise, surprise) also redecoed into an [[Ultra Magnus]] variant.

{{-}}

===Transformers Music Label===
* '''Convoy iPod Docking Bay''' (2007)

==Merchandise==
===Metalforce===
* '''Convoy''' (2000)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MFC-01'''
[[Image:MetalforceConvoy.jpg|left|thumb|180px|I'm expensive!]]

: ''Metalforce'' Convoy is a large vinyl figurine sculpted to very closely resemble Optimus Prime as he appeared in the original television series, and at the time was the most accurate product depiction of Optimus Prime's cartoon appearance.

:Articulated at the shoulders, head and waist, he is fully painted and pre-assembled, but true to his garage figure origins his photon rifle must be cut free using a hobby knife, then assembled. His clear blue chest window piece is removable to allow the installation of his [[Matrix of Leadership]], as is a [[The Transformers: The Movie (1986)|Movie]]-style Matrix cover (not pictured). He also comes with an alternate hand that allow him to hold his accessories, as well as unpainted and uncut duplicates of his Matrix, hands and helmet, for some reason...

:Metalforce Prime was available in both a matte-paint "anime" version that more precisely echoed the colours of the actual series, and a metallic-paint version (pictured), which is less [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] but more shiny. The plain-colours version was the first release, apparently. It also has an Autobot symbol tampograph on his shoulder as per [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|the cartoon]], while the metallic-finish version does not.
{{-}}

===Heroes of Cybertron===
The ''Heroes of Cybertron'' PVC figurine line is an adaptation by Hasbro of Takara's own ''Super Figure Collection'' line. The main differences between the two lines is that Hasbro cast Autobot and Decepticon figures in clear blue or clear red PVC respectively, then completely painted the figurines. This allowed the eyes to 'glow' when placed in front of the light source.

* '''Optimus Prime''' (2002)
[[Image:HOCPrime.jpg|right|thumb|80px|Hey Spike, pull my finger.]]

: This figurine of Optimus Prime is sculpted based upon his television appearances. He is armed with his black photon rifle and his articulation is limited to his shoulders and neck.

* '''Powermaster Optimus Prime Apex Armor''' (2002)
[[Image:Aaoptimus.jpg|left|thumb|80px|Don't tell anyone, but this crap is HEAVY!]]

: Actually a repaint of SFC God Ginrai, this figurine's sculpt is based upon Ginrai's television appearances in the series [[Masterforce]]. The figure is depicted as fully combined with both his trailer and Apex Bomber.

* '''Optimus Prime with Plasma Weapon''' (2002)
[[Image:HOCPrime_axe.jpg|right|thumb|90px|Energon Axe: Only used in one episode. Ever.]]

: The second third HOC Optimus Prime figure is a modification of the first - replacing his right hand/rifle with his energon axe, and replacing his left pointing hand with a closed fist.

* '''Powermaster Optimus Prime Spark Attack''' (2002)
[[Image:Pmoptimus.jpg|left|thumb|80px|IT BURNS, PRECIOUS!]]

: This figure was based upon the God Ginrai "Fire Guts" repaint.

{{-}}

===''Transformers'' (2007)===
*'''Optimash Prime''' (2007)

*'''Softimus Prime''' (2007)

: Softimus Prime is, as his name suggests, a plush G1 Optimus Prime toy. Obviously he has no problems with articulation and passes the drop test with flying colours. His main drawcard is the ability to 'Transform' into his Freightliner FL86 vehicle mode by turning the plush toy inside out. He is love.

{{-}}

===''Robot Heroes''===
*'''Optimus Prime Vs Ravage''' (2007)

: Packed with [[Ravage]], Optimus Prime is one of the first figures in the Transformers segment of the ''Heroes'' franchise. As with all ''Heroes'' figures, Optimus Prime is a simple, yet well-detailed two-inch tall figurine with exaggerated, cartoony proportions. He is sculpted holding his Ion Blaster rifle in his right fist and his left arm in a pointing pose. He is also love.

{{-}}

===''Gold Convoy Trophy''===

: A gold chrome [[Gold Convoy Trophy|trophy]] in the likeness of Optimus Prime was given as an award to an unknown number of distinguished [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] employees way back in the 1980s. If you're an Optimus Prime merchandise completist, good bloody luck finding this one.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
[[image:PrototypeTHB.jpg|100px|left|thumb|Not so Optimus Prime.]]

*The first prototype for Battle Convoy, the ''[[Diaclone]]'' originator of Optimus Prime, was vastly different from the final version, complete with an entirely different transformation and a car carrying trailer. The head lacked the faceplate.

*At [[BotCon 2005]], [[Hideaki Yoke]] revealed that Optimus Prime (or more accurately, ''Diaclone'' Battle Convoy) was not designed by a single person, but rather a team of [[Takara]] designers as the one who was originally assigned the job had fallen behind. It is said that a young [[Shoji Kawamori]] was also a member of this team at some point, who would design '''THS-02 Convoy''' over 20 years later. The patent for the toy, however, lists Hiroyuki Obara as the designer.

{{-}}

*The toy that would ultimately end up as the original Optimus Prime toy was originally released in August 1983 as No.17 Battle Convoy from Takara's Diaclone Car Robo toyline in Japan. In 1984, Joustra released their own version (still with ''Diaclone'' sticker on the trailer) as part of their Diaclone line in Europe, either simply called ''Truck'' (according to the pack-in catalog) or ''Diaclone'' (in the pack-in comic). It's possible that GiG also released a version called ''Camion Convoy'' as part of their Trasformer line in Italy, but to this day no packaged sample has surfaced.

===The many releases of Optimus Prime===
Over the years, the toy has been repackaged and reissued multiple times:
*In the USA and Canada, limited edition promotional versions were available sporting Pepsi stickers;
*In addition to the standard Japanese 01 Convoy release, Takara also released the toy as part of the VSX Convoy vs. Megatron two-pack in 1985;
*Takara released a variant sporting clear blue windows and as part of the ''Good Bye Convoy'' set (packaged with Alert/Red Alert and Ligier/Mirage) in 1986;
*French company Ceji Revell released a version with red feet in the UK in 1984;
*Milton Bradley (MB) released the toy in Europe in late 1985, following trademark issues;
*Hasbro re-released the toy in Europe in 1986, including another red feeted variant;
*GiG released the toy as ''Commander'' as part of their Transformers line in Italy in 1985, including an all-plastic variant in 1986;
*Hasbro reissued the original toy as part of their European ''Classic'' line of reissues in 1991;
*Hasbro released a redecoed version with additional accessories as part of their ''Generation 2'' line in 1993;
*Takara reissued the original toy in its original 1985 Japanese packaging in 2000, with an all-black recolor being available from assorted Japanese conventions and another variant with gold chromed parts as a lucky draw prize;
*Takara reissued the toy again as ''New Year Special'' version in January 2002, sporting clear blue windows (similar to Good Bye Convoy) and featuring additional such as a Matrix necklage and a cartoon accurate recolor of the Action Master Optimus Prime figure;
*Hasbro reissued the toy in the USA and the UK as part of their ''Commemorative Series'' line of reissues in 2002, sporting shortened down smokestacks for safety reasons;
*Takara reissued the toy once again in 2003, as part of their ''Transformers Collection'' line of reissues, numbered 00 and featuring additional accessories such as an energon axe;
*Takara released a recolored version featuring a new trailer in December 2005, called ''[[Pepsi Convoy]]''.
*Takara is scheduled to release [http://seibertron.com/advertisement.php?id=8 "Convoy iPod Docking Bay with Speakers"] in July 2007. It is an iPod speaker/dock in the shape of a truck, featuring an all-white version of Convoy with a remolded head reminiscent of Masterpiece Convoy as the cab, and a trailer housing a pair of speakers and a docking point for an iPod.

===Powermaster Optimus Prime===
[[Powermaster]] Optimus Prime, being the grand toy rebirth of Optimus Prime post-movie, apparently received a lot of thought during the design process. Prime went through an inordinate number of design changes from concept to final with at least three very major revisions:

[[image:EarlyPMPrime1.jpg|100px|right|thumb|Overcompensating.]]
*The earliest version, as shown in the first patent application for the toy, was to have the Prime cab be a triplechanger, turning from truck cab to jet or robot<ref>Patent #JP63-132686</ref>. The nosecone of the jet and robot legs were released by the Powermaster lock in the same fashion as the legs in the final version. Optimus would have had winged arms in non-super robot mode. The super robot mode's head was also integrated into the trailer's hitch... and lacked a faceplate.

[[image:EarlyPMPrime2.jpg|100px|left|thumb|Blockhead.]]
*The second known version <ref>[[Transformers Generations Deluxe]], p22, p106</ref> ditched the triplechanging gimmick on the cab and simplified things a good bit. Interestingly, this design was used for the animation model for the commercials. The animation model was apparently also used by Marvel, as Powermaster Prime has several distinct characteristics only seen in the second design, such as the wider "block head" and two faux smokestacks on top of either shoulder as opposed to one. Also, in a rather odd twist, this design features a black head and fists for both super and regular modes rather than the traditional blue. It also had yellow eyes in either mode a la the original Optimus Prime.

{{-}}

*The third version <ref>[[Transformers Generations Deluxe]], p106</ref> would quite possibly have been the most gimmick loaded Transformer in the history of the line, simultaneously being a Powermaster, [[Headmaster]], and triple changer. The Headmaster also would have been a triplechanger, turning into a sort of armored four-wheeled rover (Roller II?) and robot as well as a rather silly looking Optimus Prime head with four vertically aligned wheels jutting off the sides. It seems that when the extra Headmaster gimmick was scrapped, the super mode head remained separate rather than being reintegrated into the trailer hitch such as on the earliest design. Notably, the body of this design is extremely close to the final design.

*A fourth version is shown in the 1987-88 Transformers product catalog that has several minor differences from both Powermaster Prime and [[Ginrai|God Ginrai]], such as having God Ginrai's sliding fists but in red, a completely different trailer hitch assembly partially based on the third design, an offset Autobot symbol in base mode, extended feet also based on third design, far more detailed super mode outer leg panels, completely different front bumper, and the first instance of single faux shoulder smokestacks rather than two. It is still unknown as to why Powermaster Prime has completely different arms from God Ginrai or all earlier concept versions.

'''Minor note:''' Powermaster Prime's animation model as used in the commercials and as a character guide for the Marvel comics is a composite of the second and third designs. The body of the model is actually a straight tracing of the concept lineart for the third version (including its different rifles and twin faux shoulder stacks), with a slightly simplified drawing of the second version's head drawn on top.

==External links==
* [http://www.toybin.org/search.php?q=1984+Autobot+Optimus+Prime ToyBin Optimus Prime Toy gallery]
* [http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm Optimus Prime on TFU.info]

== Footnotes ==
<references />

[[Category: Action Masters]]
[[Category: Alternators]]
[[Category: Attacktix]]
[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Autobot leaders]]
[[Category: Battlestars characters]]
[[Category: Beast Wars characters]]
[[Category: Classics characters]]
[[Category: Combiners]]
[[Category: Convention exclusives]]
[[Category: E-Hobby]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category: Go-Bots]]
[[Category: Kiss Players]]
[[Category: Machine Wars characters]]
[[Category: Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category: Powermasters]]
[[Category: Robot Masters characters]]
[[Category: Titanium Series]]
[[Category: Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category: Unreleased toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)

2007-06-02T12:10:43Z

59.167.68.81: /* Fiction */ corrected the badness

[[Image:Kissplayers.gif|right|250px|thumb|I'm Chris Hansen, from "Dateline NBC"...]]

'''Kiss Players''' (キスぷれ, ''Kisu Pure'') takes place in the year 2006, which in the Japanese continuity is one year after the movie and four years before the third season of the cartoon.

Its name comes from the controversial gimmick of the show, which involves Transformers getting "power-ups" when they are kissed by [[human]] girls, who fuse with the robots and share their adventures. Although this plotline may seem like a shift in demographics to little girls, it is said that this line was aimed at at a much older, (creepy) adult male audience. Indeed, the toys bear an "ages 15 and up" warning, and the subject matter of the accompanying manga is far from child-friendly.

A short ''Kiss Players'' story drama segment began airing on the Japanese radio show "Lyrian Moe-tchao" on April 3, 2006 in Japan and ended the final week of September. Each week would feature a 1 to 3-minute story narrated by one of the three voice actresses. In a surprise announcement during the final installment, it was stated that the entire 30-minute radio show would become "Transformers Kiss Play: Transformers News Center" the following week, broadcasting at an earlier time and starring the same trio of voice actresses.

The new radio series started the first week of October, 2006. Highlights included a brief introduction explaining Transformers to new listeners, a "Tell Me Please! Transformers News Center" section during which [[Takaratomy]] employees or related professionals discussed Transformers news with the voice actresses, and a section in which the actresses ad-libbed dialogue based on reader-submitted scenarios. The story drama ended with a cliffhanger (and the first episode ever to feature all three voice actresses) in the third week of December, 2006 and was concluded in the drama CD included with the Autorooper X Atari toy set released to stores the following week.

A serialized ''Kiss Players'' manga by [[Yuki Ohshima]] began publication on August, 2006 in the monthly ''Dengeki Daioh''[http://www.mediaworks.co.jp/special/daioh/] magazine and ran in three 16-page installments. It is very creepy.

A new ''Kiss Players'' radio story began on December 26, 2006. Starring the same three voice actresses as [[Rosanna]], [[Sundor]] and [[Glit]] as well as their previous characters, it follows on the events of the first year with the six main characters forming a singing group to entertain humanity. (in what currently appears to be at most a PG rated way)

The second weekly installment of the new radio serial brought back the lead human characters from the first year and introduced three additional Transformers: the [[Sparkbot]]s [[Angela]], [[Stardust]] and [[Zangetsu]].

==Fiction==
"Kiss Player" is the title given to any one of a number of young female [[human|humans]] who abruptly gained the power to fuse with [[Transformers]] (and [[Autrooper|Transformer-like robots]]) in the [[Earth]] year 2005.

This fusion occurs when the human [[kiss|kisses]] the robot, physically combining (minus most clothing) and bestowing special abilities and enhanced regeneration upon the target mechanoid. The human gains some degree of control or influence over the robot's actions for the duration of the fusion. If the human remains fused for too long, she is involuntarily ejected from her robot partner. This can be a disorienting experience and often leaves the Kiss Player unconscious. And naked. And covered in goo.

Later, "Kiss Players" becomes the name of the singing group that includes Marissa, Atari, Shao-Shao, Rosanna, Sundor and Glit.

==Major characters==
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] ''(voiced by [[Lyrian]])'' with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] ''(v. [[Tesshō Genda]])'' (Dodge Ram SRT 10)

*[[Shaoshao Li]] ''(v. [[Yui Kano]])'' with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] ''(v. [[Ryōtarō Okiayu]])'' (Ford GT)

*[[Atari Hitotonari]] ''(v. [[Satomi Akesaka]])'' with [[Autrooper]] Ne-04 ''(v. [[Keiji Hirai]])'' (Mazda RX-8 patrol car)

*[[Legion]] ''(v. [[Hirofumi Tanaka]])''

*[[Rosanna]] ''(v. [[Lyrian]])''

*[[Sundor]] ''(v. [[Satomi Akesaka]])''

*[[Glit]] ''(v. [[Yui Kano]])''

*[[Angela]] ''(v. [[Lyrian]])''

*[[Stardust]] ''(v. [[Satomi Akesaka]])''

*[[Zangetsu]] ''(v. [[Yui Kano]])''

==Trivia==

The official logo for the series says "Kiss Play" in Japanese text and "Kiss Players" beneath it in English. To avoid confusion, the English title is used here.

==External links==
* [http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/kiss/index.html Official Kiss Players site]
* [http://www.toyvey.com/kisskiss/ Kiss Players story summaries on Toy Vey]

{{stub}}
[[Category: Franchises]]
[[Category: Kiss Players | Kiss Players ]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Rodimus Major

2007-06-02T11:25:00Z

59.167.68.81: Redirecting to Hot Rod

#REDIRECT [[Hot Rod]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>