MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Optimus Primal (BW)

2008-02-29T04:06:51Z

69.14.25.61:

{{Template:Disambig3|Optimus}}
:''Optimus Primal is a [[Maximal]] and an [[Autobot]] in the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] continuity family. He is also sometimes known as '''Optimal Optimus''' (not to mention Boss Monkey, Bigbot, Fearless Leader, etc.).''

[[Image:Optimusprimalbw.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Next one of you says "[[trukk not munky]]" gets it in the FACE.]]

Young and untested, '''Optimus Primal''' was a mere captain of an exploration ship when he and his crew were diverted off-course to pursue a stolen Predacon ship under the leadership of some crook named [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. The rest, they say, is (literally) history.

Though he does have a penchant for stuffy speeches, Optimus Primal is much more down-to-earth than his legendary [[Optimus Prime (G1)|namesake]]. He is committed to the Maximal codes of honor and moral judgment, but he does view them with some irreverence, and is not above finding loopholes or administering unorthodox solutions if necessary. ("Sometimes, crazy works," he says.) He is eternally loyal to his friends and respectful to his enemies. He is brave and selfless in battle. However, he is so committed to helping others that he can withdraw into a deep depression when he feels he has let them down. This is the only time he is self-absorbed.

Optimus Primal is extraordinary for not only being able to distinguish himself despite living in the shadow of Optimus Prime, but for perhaps even surpassing him, seeing as he [[Optimal Situation|saved the life of his namesake]] and ushered in a new [[technorganic]] [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

{{quote|Come on, let's hear it, the usual destiny and honor speech.|Megatron|"[[Nemesis Part 2]]"}}
{{quote|Speech this!|Optimus as he punches Megatron in the face|"[[Nemesis Part 2]]"}}

:''European-market name:'' '''Blackjack''' <br>
:''Japanese name:'' '''[[Convoy]]/Beast Convoy''', '''Convobat/Conbobat''' (bat version), '''Metals Convoy''' (Transmetal version), '''Powered Convoy''' (Optimal Optimus)<br>
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Jin-gang Wang''' (meaning King King Kong)
:''Chinese name (Hong Kong):'' '''Xingxing Jiangjun''' (meaning General Gorilla)

==Fiction==

===Optimus Primal vs Megatron!===

Under the eerie shadows of a full moon Optimus Primal, a gigantic bat, [[Cheetor]], a swift-stalking cheetah, and [[Razorbeast]], a fearsome wild boar, hunt purposely through the depths of a jungle. Soon Optimus detects the thermal emissions and fusion activity from a building, which mean they've found their target. His motion sensors register what appears to be a harmless [[Earth]] creature below.

Before Optimus realizes his mistake the alligator lashes out with as smashing swipe of its tail, knocking Optimus into the swampy waters. The beast transforms and [[Megatron]] towers above him. The building ahead is the Predacons' genetics lab and he'll never let Optimus reach the secrets inside. He orders his troops to attack and everyone transforms to robot mode. The gigantic arthropods Tarantulas and Waspinator engage Razorbeast and Cheetor respectively while Optimus and Megatron face off.

Optimus brags that the Maximal "[[bio-genetic morphing process]] has allowed us to create the perfect fusion of organic musculature and Transformers technology!" Megatron responds that his side did all that too, so nan-neh, but used the DNA of Earth's most vicious predators. When Optimus notes that the Maximals seem to be getting the upper hand, Megatron immediately detonates the lab and escapes, vowing to return with new forms and new plans when the Maximals least expect it. The Beast Wars have just begun! {{storylink|Optimus Primal vs Megatron!}}

{{note|This comic, along with the on-package [[Bio|bios]] of the first wave of Beast Wars toys, predate the development of the Beast Wars cartoon and its backstory. Instead they seem to present the characters as a direct continuation of the previous Autobot/Decepticon conflict, with Optimus Primal actually being a new form of Optimus Prime and Megatron being his Generation 1 counterpart, and their battles taking place on present day, [[human]]-inhabited Earth, rather than in the distant past. Once the cartoon launched, the toyline adjusted itself to match that continuity instead, relegating this one to an aborted [[micro-continuity]].}}

===American animated continuity===
====''Timelines: Dawn of Future's Past''====
[[Image:Optimusprimalbwtimelines.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Pre-fur Optimus Primal, Maximal nobody.]]
Optimus solemnly watched over the crew's stasis pods as they were loaded into the ''Axalon''.
{{-}}

====''Beast Wars''====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Gary Chalk]] (English), [[Takehito Koyasu]] (Japanese), [[Guilherme Lope]] (Brazil)

[[Image:OptimusPrimal_BW1.jpg|left|thumb|250px|I don't need no stinkin' shadows!]]

Optimus Primal was the captain of the exploration ship [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']] when his crew got word that the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] criminal [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had stolen the [[Golden Disk]] and a [[Darkside|ship]] with [[transwarp]] capabilities. Primal's was the closest vessel that also possessed a transwarp drive, so the ''Axalon'' was sent to engage them. Primal followed the Predacons through a transwarp portal and appeared above a mysterious planet, but both ships were damaged in the ensuing space battle, and before both ships crashed into the planet's surface below, Primal ordered that the [[stasis pod]]s carrying the rest of his crew to be ejected into orbit.

The planet was rich with [[energon]] — so much so that prolonged exposure would short out their bodies, so the Maximals and Predacons were forced to take organic forms from the local creatures. Primal took the form of a silverback gorilla. Primal remarked that his new form was "interesting" upon exit from the [[CR chamber]]. Estranged from his comrades, the Predacon [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] challenged Primal to a duel soon after their arrival, seeking command of the Maximals so he could, in turn, defeat Megatron. However, the Predacons saw the duel and tried to kill them both. Dinobot joined the Maximals after Optimus risked his life to stop him from dropping to his death. Dinobot later repaid him by saving him from a missile fired at him by Megatron. (That did cause the energon-laced mountain where they were to explode, but nobody got killed). Optimus earned Dinobot's respect, but the ex-Predacon would never admit to respecting him out loud. {{Storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} {{Storylink|Beast Wars (Part 2)}}

Both sides entrenched themselves on their new world, and the "Beast Wars" began. Strange unnatural sites and artifacts were discovered, leading Primal and the others to believe that aliens had seeded the primitive planet with experiments and traps. One such trap, the [[Standing Stones]], ensnared Primal's body for a short time, during which the Maximals scrambled to ascertain their chain of command. In his absence, the Maximals squabbled and fought over leadership, until finally his core consciousness was able to speak to them and name [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] as his replacement. Primal's body was subsequently retrieved from the Standing Stones, and he resumed command.

[[Image:OptimusPrimal_Transmetal.jpg|righ|thumb|250px|Transmetal Rippedimus Primal]]

When [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] discovered evidence of the [[Vok]]'s imminent arrival, Megatron called a truce, to which Primal reluctantly agreed. While investigating a newly-created Vok installation, Primal was tortured and captured by the aliens, who spoke to him (in the form of [[Unicron]]) and told him of their plans to "sterilize" the planet. Barely escaping the Vok base, Primal returned to the ''Axalon'' to find it overrun by [[Tarantulas]] and [[Blackarachnia]], who had turned a space stasis pod into an escape ship in order to flee the doomed planet. As the planet's second moon was converted into a [[Planet Buster]], Primal took the ship to do battle with the superweapon, against the objections of his crew. Primal planned to detonate the ship's [[transwarp cell]] when in range of the weapon, after ejecting to safety. The plan worked—with the exception of the "ejecting" part. Megatron remotely seized control of the vessel, overriding Primal's ejection commands. The Predacon commander taunted Primal as he futilely beat his fists against the pod, until the detonation obliterated the pod, the Planet Buster, and Primal, reducing them all to so much space junk. {{Storylink|Other Voices, Part 2}}

[[Image:OptimalOptimus_Opsituation_feralscream1.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Trukk ''and'' munky...and playne.]]

Primal's [[Spark]] journeyed to the [[Allspark (dimension)|Matrix]], where it was soon recovered by [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and placed in a [[blank]] [[protoform]], which became his new [[Transmetal]] body. Primal now transformed into a mechanical gorilla with a gorilla-on-a-hoverboard third mode, which he used to kick the crap out of the Predacons. {{Storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)}}

[[Image:OptimusPrimal_OpSit_Matrixspark.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Continuity error!]]

Later on, Primal was captured and imprisoned in [[Metal Hunter|yet another Vok base]], this one controlled by his archnemesis Megatron. During a daring rescue attempt by the Maximals and Tarantulas, Optimus engaged in a furious battle with Megatron, destroying both the Metal Hunter and the alien disc. The Maximals then suffered a number of setbacks, including the death of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], the destruction of [[Transmutate]], and Megatron's acquisition of the deadly [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]]. However, the Maximals were soon greeted with good news: the realization that the [[transwarp wavefront]] created by the destruction of the Planet Buster would lead Cybertron to them, making a rescue operation possible. Help arrived soon enough, but in the unexpected form of the rebuilt [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], who had come to arrest Megatron for his crimes against the [[Pax Cybertronia]]. In the midst of this, Primal was forced to chastise new recruit [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] for his dangerous relationship with Blackarachnia. Primal assisted Ravage in arresting Megatron, but was soon betrayed by the ex-[[Decepticon]], allowing Megatron to escape and reach the ''[[Ark]]'' in an attempt to assassinate [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{Storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

Primal was forced to take the great Autobot's spark inside himself to keep it protected. This caused his body to grow larger and stronger, gaining ground and air vehicle modes along with his previous gorilla form. Megatron sardonically dubbed him "Optimal Optimus" (ironically, no one else ever used that name). In his new form, he successfully protected Prime's spark until it could be returned to his repaired body, thus saving history and the future from destruction. {{Storylink|Optimal Situation}}

With the location of the ''Ark'' revealed and Megatron now desperate to end the war at any cost, Primal was forced to move his Maximals into the volcano where the ''Ark'''s hull lay. This new, defensive war was much more difficult to fight, and disadvantaged the Maximals severely, even with his new four-mode body and enhanced firepower. With the loss of their defense system, [[Sentinel]], the arrival of the rebellious and embittered [[Depth Charge]], the awkward and violent maturation of Cheetor, proto-humans to guard, the theft of the original Megatron's spark and the ensuing mutation of Megatron II, the introduction of the previously treacherous and morally ambiguous Blackarachnia into their ranks and her imminent Transmetallization, Optimus Primal had more than his share of problems to deal with.

The tide was finally turned when the Vok resurrected and combined [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] and [[Tigatron]] into the mighty [[Tigerhawk]], who obliterated the Predacon base. In the end, Primal's forces defeated Megatron's, and with the captured Predacon leader strapped to the roof of a borrowed Autobot shuttle, the Maximals at last headed home. Leaving the planet and memorializing his fallen comrades, Optimus Primal declared that the Beast Wars were over. {{Storylink|Other Victories}} {{Storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}

However, Primal had just traded a war for a nightmare worse than he could imagine.

{{-}}

====Beast Machines====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Gary Chalk]] (English), [[Takehito Koyasu]] (Japanese), [[Guilherme Briggs]] (Brazil)

[[Image:Optimusprimalbm.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Release the warrior! Also, um, the jetpack.]]

Seemingly minutes after the shuttle departed for transwarp space, Optimus Primal suddenly found himself back in his original, organic gorilla body and thrust into a dangerous situation on an eerily deserted [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], unfamiliar with how he arrived there and pursued by an army of [[tank drone]]s. Cornered by the mechanical terrors, Primal attempted to Maximize, but his parts only shifted painfully and his body was tortured by electric shocks. Using his ape-mode body's agility, he swung out of reach, and suddenly received a vision of a monorail-vehicle nearby. Swinging into the train car, he found [[Rattrap]], afflicted by the same [[transformation lock virus]] as Primal. Rattrap suggested "taking off these fur suits", but there was not time, for another squadron of tank drones caught them. It would have been the end for Primal and Rattrap, had the timely arrival of [[Cheetor]] not saved them. Once again, Primal received a vision, showing a pit. Heading (well, falling) into the hole, he and his companions were caught on a familiar spiderweb, courtesy of [[Blackarachnia]], who was back in her Season 1 spider form and severely weakened. Heading underground, Primal led the weakened Maximals to the depths of ancient Cybertron on Blackarachnia's webs. Falling into darkness, Primal threw a piece of scrap metal and discovered what appeared to be a wall of fire. He had, in reality, awakened the powerful and legendary [[Vector Sigma|Oracle]]. As the other three Maximals watched, Primal entered into the bowels of the computer, within which he was granted visions he could not yet comprehend, including the prophetic statement that "the seeds of the future lie buried in the past." The Oracle then began to "[[reformat]]" Primal. Primal emerged in a new, [[technorganic]] beast mode and urged the other dying Maximals to complete their "reformatting" as well. Shortly after this was achieved, the group was attacked by an underground army of Cycle Drones. During the ensuing fight, Primal was the first to master the "art" of transformation as he plunged into a deep pit. Flying out, Primal grabbed the nearest drone and demanded answers, but lost his concentration, causing him to revert to beast mode. {{Storylink|The Reformatting}}

Primal began to teach the three other Maximals the lost art of transformation, which was mastered by achieving an inner calmness and finding their spiritual centers. Though Cheetor and Blackarachnia were successful off the bat, [[Rattrap]] badgered him just to "give us the command codes." Primal and the others were attacked by a [[mole drone]], which broke their concentration and caused them to revert to their beast modes, so they fled. Primal also had to save Cheetor and Blackarachnia from a squadron of Aero-drones shortly after. {{Storylink|Master of the House}} Eventually, Primal and his allies learned that Megatron had broken free during their transwarp flight home and so arrived on Cybertron before them. Megatron had then conquered the planet and laid a trap for Primal's crew and any other Transformers returning to Cybertron.

A short time later, Primal's crew came across the bat-mode Cybertronian [[Nightscream]], who seemed to suffer from the same transformation lock virus that Primal had upon arrival. Nightscream led them to an underground tree, where Primal, Rattrap, and Blackarachnia ate the fruit and began to revert to their animal instincts. When Nightscream was injured in a Vehicon attack, Primal showed a new talent granted by the Oracle, reformatting the youth into a new, techno-organic body. However, Optimus was critically weakened by this and requested the over-eager Cheetor to take command in his absence. {{Storylink|Forbidden Fruit}}. No longer the inexperienced scientist of his youth, Primal was constantly haunted by the losses of [[Rhinox]] and [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]], and many of Rattrap's quips would send him into despair. During the events that followed, Optimus Primal came to be much more in touch with his spiritual side than he ever was before, due to an almost mystical connection to the Oracle. This granted him visions and intuitions, guiding him to complete its designs, though he had some trouble at first comprehending just what the Oracle wanted and how to go about it. However, Rhinox/Tankor would exploit this weakness and separate Optimus from the Oracle, which weakened him and left him lost.

Optimus Primal and the Maximals began to probe deeper into Cybertron and discovered a chamber of fossils and a strange, organic liquid. As the liquid flowed through the chamber, palm-like plants sprang up, revealing Cybertron's organic roots. When Tankor gained control of the Key to Vector Sigma, he infected the verdant orchard, transforming it and Nightscream into "technomatter". While Blackarachnia kept Nightscream under control, the others searched for a mole drone to drill deeper into the core and produce enough liquid to reverse the transformation. {{storylink|The Key}}

Primal later found the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], a device lethal to technological beings. While Megatron readied the planetwide pulse of Vector energy, Primal began to harness the energies of the Chamber to destroy all technological life on Cybertron. As the two forces clashed, Primal's spirit was transported into the Matrix, the Transformers' afterlife. {{storylink|End of the Line}} As he and Megatron fought in the void, he pondered if this was his destiny, to fight his nemesis for eternity. Before him, he saw the faces of his comrades, the Maximals, berate him for his poor leadership and near-genocidal behavior. He then found himself back on prehistoric Earth, where a red-eyed copy of Primal attacked him, scolding him for his fanatical behavior. Finding himself back in space, he saw the collective sparks of Cybertron.

[[Image:Optimalmegatronoptimusprimal.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Yesss, I've skinned you and I'm wearing your head as a hat."]]Meanwhile, the other Maximals journeyed downwards once more, speaking to Primal via the Oracle. Although Primal originally refused to lead the Maximals, he relented and returned. Around him, a forest of techorganic trees sprang up as he realized that his mission was not to destroy technology, but to create a balance, in the same way the Oracle had done for him.

As the [[Battle for the Spark]]s continued, the Maximals cultivated an orchard around the Oracle, but the plants fared poorly and began to wither. Worried, Primal wondered if the orchard was to be in vain. When an extraterrestrial shuttle crashed into Cybertron, it was Primal who led the Maximals toward the site. Discovering organic matter inside, the team was attacked by a strange plant-creature. Pursuing the beast towards the Oracle, Optimus reformatted the creature into a techno-organic plant. The plant introduced itself as [[Botanica]], a fellow Maximal scientist, and tended to the dying orchard, restoring it to vigorous life.

In the ultimate conflict between Primal and Megatron, Optimus sacrificed his life, plunging with Megatron into the heart of Cybertron and ushering in the reformatting that returned the deactivated population to life and gave birth to the new, technorganic Cybertron. As the surviving Maximals looked out over their new home, Primal and the Oracle spoke to [[Cheetor]], and Primal departed with the words "Transform, and Transcend", as his Spark joined the Matrix.
{{-}}

====''Robots in Disguise''====
When a spirit guide was needed to counsel the [[Optimus Prime (RiD)|Optimus Prime]] of a past, alternate reality, Optimus Primal rose to the task.

====''Universe CD-ROM''====
Optimus Primal leads an assault squad of Autobots against [[Reptilion]]'s forces. After Primal defeats him, a strange ship abducts the fallen Decepticons, leaving Primal pondering what would happen next. {{storylink|Universe CD-ROM}}

''('''Note:''' It's fairly obvious that this story doesn't take place in any established continuities.) ''

====''3H Universe Comics''====
[[Image:Csoptimusprimalu2.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Look, up in the sky! It's... an ''ape?'']]
:''Voice actor:'' [[Garry Chalk]] (English, script reading)
His sacrifice to end Megatron's evil and restore Cybertron was not the final battle for Optimus Primal. When the machinations of [[Unicron]] led to a new conflict, with Transformers abducted from across the multiverse forced to fight for Unicron's benefit, [[Vector Sigma]] and [[Alpha Trion]] chose Optimus Primal to lead the [[Children of Primus]] against this threat. Primal was returned to life, and chose his old comrades [[Depth Charge]] and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] to return as well and aid him. (Returning Primal to life, however, also resulted in the resurrection of his old foe Megatron.)

====''Cybertron'' comic====
[[Image:Optimusprimaluniverseend.jpg|left|thumb|It's 11pm -- do you know where your Beast Wars cast is?]]

[[Optimus Prime (RiD)|Optimus Prime]] recalled the end of the ''[[Universe]]'' conflict, where Optimus Primal led an assault on the [[Minions of Unicron]]. But due to [[Unicron]]'s sudden instability, Primal was victorious, and was able to escape back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] with his troops and rescue a number of Unicron-corrupted innocents. Unknown to Primal, Unicron's dispersion was caused by the [[Unicron Singularity|Grand Black Hole]] in an alternate universe.

===Japanese animated continuity===

====''Beast Wars II''====
[[Image:Burningconvoy.jpg|thumb|right|All these compliments are making me blush.]]
=====Movie=====
Optimus Primal was summoned across time by [[Lio Junior]] to help [[Lio Convoy]] destroy [[Majin Zarak]]. Optimus Primal became '''Burning Convoy''' by joining the power of his matrix with Lio Convoy's.

After Majin Zarak's destruction, Optimus Primal returned to ancient [[Earth]].

''('''Note''': The events of the ''Beast Wars II'' movie, especially Optimus Primal having an [[Energon Matrix]], did not occur in American continuity. It's not clear when during the Beast Wars Optimus Primal was taken.)''

=====Manga=====

When Lio Convoy goes nuts and grows to giant proportions, wreaking havok across the landscape, Optimus Primal is summoned across time by the power of the Matrix to heal him.

====''Robot Masters''====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Yuto Kazama]] (Japan)

Optimus Primal chased Megatron in yet another time warp into the Generation 1 era. There, he met and joined forces with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. Together, their special attack was a massive energon tornado called Double Convoy Tornado. The Double Convoy Tornado would come to be countered by [[Megatron (BW)|Beast Megatron]]'s and [[Megatron (G1)|Rebirth Megatron]]'s Double Megatron Tornado, but emerge victorious with the addition of Lio Convoy's Lio Typhoon Arrow, creating Triple Convoy Tornado Link attack.

He also had a temporary virus-induced Black Body form.

''('''Note''': Since both were known as simply "Convoy" in their respective Japanese series, Optimus Prime was designated "G1 Convoy" while Optimus Primal was designated "Beast Convoy".)''

====''Beast Wars Reborn'' text story====

''('''Note''': This story takes place after the events of Beast Machines.)''

[[Image:BeastWarsRebornMegatronArtwork1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Rebirth control.]]

Both Megatron and Optimus Primal awoke inside a bizare temple-like spaceship which was hurtling through space. Neither had any memory of who they were or how they got there, only their own names and a feeling of discomfort between one another. The pair went about investigating the ship in search of answers. While Megatron's memory was lost, his personality remained mostly intact: he was more concerned with seizing control of the ship before Primal did in order to gain the upper hand.

They eventually found a data log and discovered that their sparks had been taken and they were reborn into new bodies (unbeknownst to them, bodies identical to their original forms). However, their memories were intentionally not uploaded into their new bodies. While searching the log they discovered that the ship's main power source was a [[Golden Disk]] lodged within a giant pillar. Megatron immediately raced to obtain the Disk and Primal followed him. The closer they got to the disk the more the ship attempted to thwart their advance by manipulating its atmosphere conditions.

Once they reached the chamber, the ship's environment suddenly morphed to that of a decaying planet littered with the corpses of robots. The corpses came to life and began shambling toward them, intent on eating their sparks. They made short work of the zombies, leaving Megatron to obtain the Golden Disk and Primal with a feeling that he shouldn't entirely trust Megatron.

From another dimension beyond time and space, [[Primus]] recognized that something was amiss and sent one of his messengers to meet Primal and Megatron within the spaceship.

===''Beast Wars Metals'' manga continuity===

Optimus Primal, who was killed while destroying the Vok Planet Buster, is resurrected as a sparkless monster using a voodoo ceremony. Rhinox rescues Primal's spark from Transwarp Space and restores him to his body.

Later, he eats Optimus Prime's spark.

''The Metals manga takes Primal's manic action hero side to the next level. He once put a bomb in his mouth and tricked the cannibalistic [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] into eating his head. "I have a spare," he says casually, transforming to beast mode.''

===3D Battle-Card Game===
====Energon Wars expansion====
Optimus Primal leads a motley crew of Autobots from (potentially) disparate timelines against the forces of Megatron. He is probably getting tired of having to do this.

==Toys==
===Beast Wars===
* '''Optimus Primal vs Megatron''' (Basic versus two-pack, 1996)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-6'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
:The first Optimus Primal was a Basic size class blue bat which could autotransform into a robot by pulling the tail. Two swords were removable from under its wings for use as weaponry in robot mode. It was packaged along with an alligator version of Megatron and a ''Beast Wars'' mini-comic.

:Whether this toy can be considered the Optimus Primal character is a matter of debate. Released before the animated series began, which established Optimus Primal as a separate entity from Optimus Prime, the accompanying profiles and mini-comic seem to assume that the Beast Wars are a progression of the same characters from the Autobot/Decepticon war. Whether the animated series's [[retcon]] affected this set of toys is probably a matter of personal preference. It can be interpreted as representing one of the more interesting [[Micro-Continuities|micro-continuities]].

:The ''[[Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' has asserted that, in [[Beast Wars timeline (IDW)|IDW's version of the ''Beast Wars'' continuity]], Primal's bat form was suggested by the ''Axalon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s computer as a potential alt-mode, but he rejected it in favour of the more powerful gorilla without ever actually reformatting into it. Thus, this [[micro-continuity]] posits bat-mode Primal as an essentially theoretical alt-form that never actually came to be.

:This mold was also used to make the Optimus Prime-recolored Convobat (who may or may not be a separate character to either Prime or Primal), and [[Onyx Primal]].

* '''Optimus Primal''' (Ultra, 1996/1997/1998)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
[[Image:Optimusprimaltoyultraape.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Yes, missiles come out of his butt.]]

: The second Optimus Primal toy was an ape in the Ultra size class. Though the transformation from primate to humanoid was a relatively simplistic one, the toy compensated with more than a fair share of weaponry and action features. A compartment on his right forearm opened to reveal a skull-shaped mace he could hold in his fist. His left forearm could open into a double-barreled missile launcher. On his back were two spring-loaded missile launchers which auto-flipped over each shoulder. By pulling a lever in the center of his back, both arms would either spin at the bicep or bend in and out at the elbow, depending on the placement of notch-buttons located on either bicep. And finally, like many first-year ''Beast Wars'' toys, a battle mask/"[[mutant head]]" could be deployed over his robot head.

[[Image:prizeprimals.jpg|100px|thumb|right|Brass monkeys.]]

: Takara released the toy as part of their ''Beast Wars'' line in July of 1997, nearly identical to the Hasbro version. In January of 1998, they re-did many of the toys with a few alterations; for Optimus, they changed the black to dark gray and the blue to metallic blue. The missiles for the Takara version are also thinner and simpler than the original Hasbro version, and would be used in all subsequent releases of the mold.

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Universe]]'' Optimus Primal, and [[retool]]ed into ''Beast Wars Reborn''/''Beast Wars Tenth Anniversary'' versus pack Optimus Primal. Takara also created multiple special variants, including all-gold (from ''Tele-V Magazine'', only ten awarded), red and gray (''Tele-V'' again, but only ''one'' awarded), blue-fur (a ''Comics Bom Bom'' design-contest prize, only five awarded), and colorless-clear with silver paint details (Toys 'R' Us retail [[exclusive]]).

*'''Convobat vs Megaligator'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''S-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
:This figure is a red [[redeco]] of Primal's first bat form, and was sold with a purple redeco of Gator Megatron.

*'''Orcanoch''' ([[Microverse]], 1997)
: Part of the Microverse toyline, this orca transforms into a Maximal base. It came with tiny, non-transforming versions of Optimus Primal and Tarantulas.

* '''Optimus Primal''' (Mega Transmetal, 1998)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-40'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, two clubs/missiles
: [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal is a mechanical gorilla that transforms into a partially organic robot. Like all Transmetals, it featured chromed plastic and a third vehicle-inspired mode. In Primal's case, his gorilla mode could transform into a gorilla on a hoverboard. Two maces were stored on his back and could double as missiles for his hip-holstered blaster.

: [[Takara]]'s version of the toy exchanged the brown plastic for translucent maroon, and was also available in a set with Transmetal Megatron.

: This mold was used to make [[Apelinq]].

* '''Optimal Optimus''' (Super Transmetal, 1998)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-47'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, four missiles
: Transmetal Optimal Optimus was the first toy in the Super size class, featuring electronics and four transformations: robot, ape, jet, and armored transport. When a back section of the cannon module was pulled, the eyes and shoulder-mounted missile launchers lit up and the launchers fired. It came with four missiles, two of which stored on its legs. Its forearms featured blast-away armor plates that could also be pegged to its upper arms.

:Optimal Optimus's on-package [[bio]] states that he has Cybertronian "air guardian" technology and twin scramjet modules. [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s function was Air Guardian, and his Tech Specs said he had these same scramjet modules.

: This mold was used to make [[Primal Prime]].

===Beast Wars II===
* '''Burning Convoy'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
:Clear-red redeco of Primal, with gold "flame" markings also included. Was released as a limited edition figure to promote the ''Beast Wars Special'' movie alongside the ''Flash LioConvoy'' toy.

===Beast Machines===
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Deluxe, 2000)
**''Accessories:'' Energy star
: The first Beast Machines Optimus Primal was a dark bronze and translucent blue technorganic gorilla that transformed into a technorganic robot. Its arm was spring-loaded to throw the shuriken that stored in its shoulder. Like all ''Beast Machines'' toys, it had a hidden "spark crystal" that displayed his faction allegiance. Had a transformation reminiscent of [[Optimus Minor]].
*'''Blast Punch Optimus Primal''' (Mega, 2001)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BR-01'''
:His second toy incarnation, which unlike the previous toy (which had been designed prior to the series) actually looked mostly like the character.

===Robots in Disguise===
* '''Air Attack Optimus Primal''' (Supreme, 2002)
:Intended for release in the ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' toyline, this delayed figure is by far the most show-accurate version of BM Optimus. Unfortunately, being a supreme-class toy he is grossly, indeed ''uselessly'', out of [[scale]] with his fellow Maximal figures. Or pretty much anyone for that matter. Still, he looks swank, and he talks! With [[Gary Chalk]]'s voice!!!

===Universe===
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Ultra, 2003)
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail

===Robot Masters===
*'''Beast Convoy'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-11'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords

*'''Beast Convoy Limited Black Version'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
: Available only via mail order through ''Hobby Japan'' magazine.

* '''Burning Beast Convoy'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-21'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
:This toy refers to the ''Beast Wars II'' movie form where he partnered with Lio Convoy, turning them into Burning Convoy and Flash Lio Convoy respectively.

===Beast Wars 10th Anniversary===
[[Image:Optimusprimalbwx.jpg|left|thumb|125px|''Surf monkey/ that funky monkey'']]
* '''Optimus Primal''' (2006)
**''Accessories:'' Surfboard, assault blade, missile, Jungle Planet Key
: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary (BWX) Optimus Primal is a new toy design based loosely on his original ultra ape action figure and pulling some elements from other figures, including a transformation very similar to the Playskool Go-Bot [[Gorillabot]], which itself was a nod to Optimus Primal's Beast Machines form. Similar to his Transmetal form, BWX Optimus Primal also comes with a hoverboard that fires a missile when a [[Cyber Planet Key]] is inserted. The board also features a spring-loaded extending "assault blade" (or "ass lt blade" as the directions call it). Though it is not intended to be removed, the blade can be popped off and held in Primal's hand thanks to his posable thumbs.

[[Image:PrimalXsword.jpg|100px|thumb|Opposable thumbs!]]

: He is also packaged with a mini-comic-sized reprinting of [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Gathering]]'' #1, a small [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']] ship figurine, and a [[Jungle Planet]] style Cyber Planet Key without a [[Cyber Key Code]] stamped on it.

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed and released as [[Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'']] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]. It's worth noting that the sculpt for both BWX leader toys were intentionally designed to blend in with the Jungle Planet aesthetic, "in case" they didn't get a Beast Wars Anniversary release (according to [[Aaron Archer]]'s statements at [[BotCon 2005]]).

* '''Optimus Primal vs Megatron''' (Toys "R" Us, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
:Identical to the ''Beast Wars Reborn'' set as detailed below, but in new packaging with a DVD of the ''Beast Wars'' episode "[[Possession]]".

===Beast Wars Reborn===
[[Image:Optimusprimaltoybwrebornheads.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Staring contest -- go!]]
* '''Convoy vs Megatron''' (2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BWR-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
[[Image:Optimusprimaltoybwreborn.jpg|left|thumb|100px|The eighth Optimus of the world... PRIMAL!]]

: This release is a [[retool]] of the original 1996 Ultra toy, with new heads and robot chest sculpted to match the television series's portrayal. The color scheme was also altered to be show-accurate, changing the black to dark gray, much of the light gray to medium gray with hints of bronze, primary red to crimson, and blue to a more dull steel blue. This figure came packaged with a similarly-remolded [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] and a [[Golden Disk]] CD-ROM that contains control art for a number of ''Beast Wars'' toys.

===Titanium Series===
* '''Optimus Primal''' (3" Robot Master figurine)
:Features Primal in his Beast Wars Season 1 appearance, with swords drawn in an action pose.

* '''Optimal Optimus''' (6" Transformable figure)

:For undetermined reasons, this incarnation of Optimal Optimus does not include the beast mode. This does have precedent in the fiction: When [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] built a copy of that body for himself at the end of ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', his version didn't have a beast mode either.

===Timelines===
* '''Dawn of Future's Past''' (Boxset, BotCon 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Two missiles
:A [[redeco]] and [[retool]] of ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]]. Available only in a multi pack with the [[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]] versions of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]], and [[Rattrap]], as well as the [[Darksyde]] version of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]].

===Beast Wars Telemocha Series===
*'''Convoy''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TM-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
:An extensive redeco of the Robot Masters Beast Convoy figure in a similar style to the ''Beast Wars Reborn'' retool of the Ultra-class figure.

*'''DX Convoy''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TM-SP'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
:An extensive show-accurate redeco of the original Ultra-class Optimus Primal mold ''without'' the recently remolded head and chestplate. Oh TakaraTomy, you so crazy.

==Merchandise==
===Metal Monument===
* '''Metal Monument Convoy''' (TAKARA, 1999)
: As the name suggests, the product is a [[die-cast]] statue of Optimus Primal. The head is convertible/removable in order to change the normal one with the battle mask/mutant head. The [[box art]] and the design of the product are both done by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]].

===3D Battle-Card Game===
*'''Optimus Primal''' (2007)

: A 52-point "rare" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]]'s "Energon Wars" expansion, Optimus Primal "transforms" into a black ape. He uses the same parts layout as [[Cheetor]], [[Ravage]] and [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]], although the figure's beast mode is assembled differently. Optimus Primal is nominally the leader of the Autobots in the set.

===Robot Heroes===
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Trivia==

* Primal's gorilla mode, paired against [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s t-rex mode, was inspired by the showdown in [[wikipedia:King Kong|King Kong]]. 

* Indeed, gorilla Primal's original tech specs (which belong to the [[micro-continuity]] that takes place on modern-day Earth) seems to strongly imply that Primal is a building-scaling ape of Kong-like stature. As speculated in the ''Beast Wars'' volume of the ''[[Cybertronian: The Unofficial Transformers Recognition Guide|Cybertronian]]'' action figure guide, this may have been intended to explain why he is [[Scale|in the same scale]] as Megatron, a Tyrannosaurus Rex. This would also make somewhat greater sense in the context of the toyline itself, wherein the leader characters were of a much larger "Ultra" size-class than their minions, unlike their eventually much smaller depictions in [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|the CG cartoon]].

* According to a guide book published in conjunction with the ''[[Beast Wars II]]'' theatrical film, Optimus Primal's original body had the following technical specifications. The veracity of these numbers in relation to anything actually featuring Primal, of course, is questionable.

:Height: 2.8m (9.19 feet).
:Weight: 2 tons.
:Running Speed: 60km (37.28 mph, beast mode), 50km (31.07 mph, robot mode).
:Airspeed: Mach 7.
:Maximum Power Output: 1,000,000 horsepower.

* In his Transmetal form, Optimus Primal's spark chamber is on a hinge in his chest to swing down to the opening in his abdomen. In his Optimal Optimus form, he stored Prime's spark in his vehicle mode cockpit.

* According to the control art of Optimus Primal's toy, his chest originally seemed to be a kind of launcher instead of being an homage to the [[Autobot Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]].<ref>Toy database section in ''[[Beast Wars Universe]]''</ref>

* According to the diagram of Optimus Primal on the catalog packed with "TM-SP DX Convoy", his spark chamber is Matrix-shaped. <small>''[[Optimal Situation#Continuity errors|Oh lord]].''</small>

==Reference==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Maximal/OptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm Optimus Primal at TFU.info]

[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Autobot leaders]]
[[Category: Beast Machines characters]]
[[Category: Beast Wars characters]]
[[Category: Beast Wars II characters]]
[[Category: Children of Primus]]
[[Category: Contest prizes]]
[[Category: Convention exclusives]]
[[Category: Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category: Fast food exclusives]]
[[Category: Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category: Maximal leaders]]
[[Category: Maximals]]
[[Category: Robot Heroes]]
[[Category: Robot Masters characters]]
[[Category: Robots in Disguise characters]]
[[Category: Timelines characters]]
[[Category: Titanium Series]]
[[Category: Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category: Transmetals]]
[[Category: Universe characters]]
[[Category: Universe (2008)]]<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>

Prowl (G1)

2008-01-29T04:13:23Z

69.14.25.61: /* Animated continuity */

{{disambig3|Prowl}}

:''Prowl is an [[Autobot]] and [[Maximal]] from the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Prowlg1.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Prick.]]

'''Prowl''' is the Autobot military strategist. As such, [[Prime (rank)|Autobot Commander]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] will keep Prowl near at hand for his indispensable expertise. He believes his dedication to logic and rational thought puts him next in line for Optimus Prime's job and dreams of making grand speeches {{m-}} even though in reality he's stoic and uncharismatic.

He really doesn't tend to get along well with his fellow Autobots, many of whom find his strict adherence to military protocol stifling, and his uptight personality sure doesn't help matters. He does not react well to the unexpected and despises disorder. The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], who is disorder made manifest, ''especially'' honks Prowl off, and Grimlock feels pretty much the same way in return, only with more swear words. He's very fond of his [[acid pellet]]s, though.

A possible alternate-universe version of Prowl is active during the ''[[Universe]]'' conflict.

:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Cervo''', '''Rôdeur ''' (as Action Master)<br>
:''Hungarian name'': '''Portyázó''' (meaning Prowler)<br>
:''Italian name:'' '''Pantera'''

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

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

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

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

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

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

Following the discovery of the Cybertronian Empire, Prowl once again took up arms and served under Optimus.

'''Earthforce'''

''(Note: These stories do not fit into the normal Marvel UK continuity. See [[Earthforce]] for details.)''

''Prowl was reactivated by Galvatron's interference; he easily shook off an attempt at brainwashing him via his baser instints and shot Galvatron in the face. Along with Wheeljack, he lamented about the proliferation of newer types of Transformers, claiming these newcomers gave him a headache just thinking about them. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} He went on to risk his life to stop a Decepticon weapon, leading to both being lost; it turned out he'd survived and deactivated the weapon weeks ago, and was just taking it easy in Louisiana. Now part of Earthforce, he became second-in-command under Grimlock - and had much more success with it than in US #76-80! He also pursued Megatron back into the past when he used Flashback technology to try and alter the events of [[Dark Star!]]; possessing his own past body, Prowl thwarted Megatron and then had to let his past self be killed by Starscream. {{storylink|Flashback}}''

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

===Animated continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael Bell]] (US), [[Toshirō Ishii]] (Japan)<br>

[[Image:G1_Prowl_Bluestreak_Rollforit.jpg|thumb|left|200px|It's like looking into a mirror...well, not really.]]

Prowl was part of the crew of the ''[[Ark]]'', the Autobot starship that left Cyberton looking for alternate sources of energy only to crashland on [[Earth]]. Four million years later, the Transformers were reawakened by the eruption of the volcano the Ark had crashed in and reformatted by Teletraan-1. Despite being situated in the United States, Prowl was reformatted as a Japanese police car. No one seemed to notice. {{Storylink|More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

On Earth, Prowl continued to serve as [[Optimus Prime]]'s right hand man, filling the role of military advisor and strategist. His precision thinking and by-the-books planning served as a valuable counterpoint to Jazz's more improvisational style, and it was up to Optimus Prime to weigh their views and come to a decision.

During an attack against Decepticons, Prowl's battle computer was knocked offline by a particularly fierce blow. Crippled, Prowl extended his antenna to seek out an online computer that he could patch into. He found [[Chip Chase]]'s desktop terminal, and the young human ally momentarily took control of Prowl, animating the massive Autobot warrior with his computer. {{Storylink|Roll For It}}

[[Image:Wheresmyface.jpg|thumb|right|200px|I'm glad [[Skyfire]]'s here Prime, but where's my face?]]

[[Skids]] and Prowl attempted to stop the mayhem caused by [[Blitzwing]]'s Decepticons, but instead the two Autobots crashed into each other and were temporarily rebuilt into a throne by [[Scrapper]]. {{Storylink|Triple Takeover}}

Prowl met [[Primus|his manufacturer]] in the year 2005, alongside fellow Autobots [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Brawn]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]. During a [[Decepticon]] assault of a shuttle run to earth from Moonbase One for energon. He very nearly shot [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s head off, but was felled by a single blast from [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]], which penetrated his armour, burned his innards horribly, and extinguished his spark. {{Storylink|The Transformers: The Movie (1986)|The Transformers: The Movie}}

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

===Headmasters cartoon===
Prowl appears as an extra on Earth, even though he died in the movie five years or so previously.

''('''Note''': Prowl's revival can be chalked up to error, especially since [[The Transformers: The Movie (1986)|the Movie]] did not actually reach Japan until many years later. However, he was listed as deceased in [[Dark Awakening]], which did air in Japan, so who knows? Maybe he got better like [[Wheeljack#Victory|Wheeljack]] did?)''.
Another possibility is that the robot identified as Prowl was in reality [[Bluestreak]], mistakenly portrayed with Prowl's colour scheme.

===Binaltech===

When Prowl's [[laser core]] was lost to [[subspace]] in a [[GT System|GT]] Transfer accident, his longtime friend Chip Chase volunteered to sacrifice his very own soul in order to breathe life into the now-lifeless Prowl 2. With the help of [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] Chip's consciousness was transported into Prowl's frame. The new entity created in this fusion is virtually indistinguishable from Prowl's old persona, thanks to copies of the original Prowl's [[memory core]] and [[datatrax]], while a separate neurocomputer handles Chip's thought processes.

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

:''"OUR MISSILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!"''

Prowl appears in this storyline as Optimus Prime's over-acting right-hand man.

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Prowl was an Autobot from [[Praxus]]. After the death of Sentinel Prime, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] called him, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and others to the ruins of Praxus, where he declared that if the new [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] was insufficient, they would take control of the Autobot military. Prowl was present at the ceremony when Optronix became Optimus Prime, and was restrained by Grimlock when Prime was attacked. Prowl became Optimus Prime's [[Sub-Commander|immediate subordinate]] and advisor. When Optimus ordered a planetary evacuation, Prowl told Prime that there were many voices raised in opposition against it. Prime asked if Prowl's own voice was raised in opposition, but he did not reply. The planetary turbines were activated by Megatron, and Prime left to investigate. As [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] lead an assault on Iacon, Prowl and Jazz lead the defense, and Prowl sent out an order to all Autobots outside Iacon to regroup and dig in elsewhere. After Iacon was devastated by the mecha-forming process, Prime aborted the evacuation. {{storylink|The War Within}}

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

Prowl was one of many Transformers under the control of rogue government engineer-turned-arms dealer [[Adam Rook]]. He, along with several Autobots and Decepticons, attacked the Smitco Oil Refinery Artic facilty during Rook's sales demonstration to several terrorist organizations. Unfortunately, the invasive program that controlled Prowl killed a helpless human refinery worker escaping from the destruction. {{Storylink|Prime Directive, Part 2}}

===Transformers Legends anthology===
When Optimus Prime accidentally kills a fellow Autobot, Prowl--who never liked [[Geosensus|the dead guy]] anyway--covers it up so the rest of the team won't lose faith in their leader.

===IDW Beast Wars comics===

Prowl is a member of the Maximal counter part to the Tripredacus Council, the [[Maximal Imperium]], alongside former Autobot teammates Ironhide and Silverbolt. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 2|The Ascending #2}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
Prowl has been serving the Autobots for a long time, dating back to the days of [[Sentinel Prime#IDW comics continuity|Sentinel Prime]] if not earlier. He was part of the team that attempted - and failed - to crack down on the illegal bloodsports in [[Kaon]]. When Megatron defeated Sentinel and devastated the Security Team HQ, it was Prowl who took control and ordered the evacuation of security forces from Kaon. {{storylink|Megatron Origin}}
[[Image:Prowl_avatar.PNG|right|thumb|100px|When he takes those sunglasses off, "Won't Get Fooled Again" starts playing out of NOWHERE.]]
Currently, he is the leader of a detachment of Autobots that has operated covertly on Earth for at least four years, attempting to foil a Decepticon insurgency lead by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and blindly following the Autobot rules of counterinsurgency. He almost throws [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] in the brig for breaking cover to rescue three humans from the Decepticons, and subsequently refuses to contact Optimus Prime until further evidence of enemy activities is uncovered. He does not willingly believe Ratchet when the medic tells him that the Decepticons have stepped up their presence by constructing a second base. However, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] ends up sending a pulsewave transmission to Prime behind Prowl's back. {{storylink|Infiltration}} Once Optimus arrives, Prowl shows himself to be a trusted and loyal officer.

In the [[Kup]] Spotlight, Prowl is shown hiding Springer's rescue mission from Optimus but he still feels it's a wasted effort, asking Springer if Kup would want other Autobots killed rescuing him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}}

Prowl uses a [[holomatter]] avatar along with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Sunstreaker]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] while driving on the highway.{{storylink|Infiltration (issue 6)}}

When everything kicked off in Brasnya, Prowl led Jazz and Wheeljack (and later Hot Rod and Hardhead) into battle, attempting to capture a Decepticon facsimilie - he risked his life in the attempt (though Hot Rod mucked up his first attempt). When Optimus was temporarily offlined and believed dead, Prowl assumed full command and came up with a strategy for fighting Megatron (shoot him, then run away). {{storylink|Escalation}}

===IDW ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' continuity===
With Optimus Prime in stasis lock, Prowl and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] appeared to be the co-leaders of the Autobots in the 19th century. {{Storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1}} Despite [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s pleading, he was reluctant to interfere with the humans, but nevertheless participated in the pursuit of [[Astrotrain (G1)|the Astrotrain]] as it headed to New York. {{Storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4}}

His "Ice Age Wars" altmode is uncertain, but it is spiky, and possibly aquatic. His 19th century altmode is a small black-and-white locomotive with a glowing red smokestack.

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* '''Prowl''' (Autobot Car, 1984/1985/1990/2002/2003)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''09''', '''TFC-02'''

[[Image:G1Prowl_toy.jpg|left|thumb|I ain't fallin' for no banana in the tailpipe...]]

: Prowl was part of the first series of Autobots released in 1984, reusing a mold originally developed for a ''[[Diaclone]]'' Datsun Fairlady Z (280 ZX) police car, with his decals altered to remove the "Diaclone" marks. (The European "[[Classics (Euro)|Classic Heroes]]" re-release retained the ''Diaclone'' stickers, for unknown reasons).

: In 1985, Mexico imported ''Transformers'', but there were some notable changes on numerous toys. Prowl's helmet, arms, and boots turned black, plus his "POLICE" decals became "POLICIA". There was also a wide running change (or just factory error) that left out the black paint on his car hood.

[[Image:Prowl-Mexico.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Also known as 'El Pricko'.]]

: In 2002, Prowl was re-released as part of the [[Transformers Collection]] series in Japan. This version has slightly-altered decals, and fully-functional spring-loaded missile launchers.

: In 2003, Prowl was released as part of the Toys "R" Us [[exclusive]] "[[Commemorative Series]]" line in the US. This version of Prowl uses a softer , unchromed black plastic for his rifle and missiles owing to [[for safety reasons|breakage issues]], plus his launchers are completely non-firing. He uses the same decals as the Japanese "bookbox" release.

: The same mold was used for [[Bluestreak]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]].

* '''Prowl''' (Action Master Blaster, 1990)

: A non-transforming action figure, [[Action Master]] Prowl is modeled after his cartoon model with a few toy-based liberties taken. He came with his [[Turbo Cycle]] vehicle, though the main figure was compatible with all other Action Master vehicles and weapons.

===Beast Wars===
*'''Magnaboss''' (Ultra, 1997)

: Prowl transforms from a lion into a robot, with his cat-butt turning into a "cyber tail claw" weapon. He is able to combine with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], its package buddies, into Magnaboss.

: This mold was used to make [[Lio Junior]].

:''('''Note''': The toy packaging gives absolutely no indication as to who the Magnaboss components are as characters. Their being Generation 1 characters is a [[retcon]] from the [[IDW]] comic series.)''

===Machine Wars===
* '''Prowl''' (Basic, 1997)
[[Image:Mwprowl.jpg|right|thumb|Do you have any idea how fast you were going?]]

: Sharing a mold with ''[[Machine Wars]]'' [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], Prowl transforms into a Formula-1 race car, and converts to robot mode with a spring-loaded, one-step transformation. His rifle-halves store in his legs in car mode. He --and the entire ''Machine Wars'' line-- was available only at Kay-Bee stores.

: Prowl's usual function is strategist, but, in an ironic twist, in this first non-police car form he's described as chief of security.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]].

===Smallest Transformers===
* '''Prowl''' (2003)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''GTF-09'''
[[Image:STF_Prowl.jpg|left|thumb|Wee-woo-wee-woo-wee-woo.]]

: Released in Wave 2 of Smallest Transformers, STF Prowl is the smallest possible transforming toy based upon the original Prowl toy. He faithfully repoduces the transformation sequence for the most part, but due to parts-cost limitations, he has little articulation, his legs cannot separate and his wheels do not roll.

{{-}}

===Alternators===
* '''Prowl''' (Alternator, 2005/2006)
:''Alternator ID number:'' '''16'''
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-15'''
[[Image:AlternatorsProwl.jpg|right|thumb|200px|You better get a lawyer, son...]]

: ''[[Alternators]]'' Prowl transforms into a 1:24-scale Acura RSX car with police lights, opening doors, hood and trunk. His engine becomes a (non-firing) gun, while a clear-plastic nightstick is hidden under his car-mode rear section. He was among the last of the "red box" Alternators, but was included in new "white box" assortments in 2006. The "white box" version of Prowl had additional Acura logos on the rear of the car that the "red box" version did not.

[[Image:BinaltechProwl.jpg|left|thumb|200px|...you better get a real good one.]]

: For his standard Japanese ''Binaltech'' release, Prowl got a different vehicle mode deco based on a real Japanese police car (the [[Hasbro]] version's deco being based more on the original [[Generation 1]] toy), a different spoiler mold, different rims, right-side steering, a Japanese police cherry blossom emblem instead of an Acura logo, and gray plastic instead of stony-blue. He was also labeled as a "Honda Integra Type-R", the model's make in Japan.

{{-}}
* '''Prowl Vivid Blue Pearl Edition''' (Binaltech, 2005)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-15'''

[[Image:Binaltech_Blue_Prowl_toy.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Prowl on his day off...]]

: Like [[Jazz]], Prowl got two different ''Binaltech'' decos released in equal numbers. The second version, known as Vivid Blue Pearl Prowl, is a civilian version with no police lights, a mostly blue interior, a Honda logo (instead of the cherry blossom emblem) on the grill, and a solid blue car-shell. His robot-mode parts remained mostly the same color, however.

: This mold (the Japanese blue Prowl variant, combined with parts from American police Prowl) was used to make ''Alternators'' [[Camshaft]].

* '''Prowl Satellite Patrol Edition''' (Binaltech, 2005?)

: The [[Hasbro]] version of Prowl, using the Hasbro red box packaging, was supposed to have been released in Japan as an exclusive to a satellite TV provider. The only notable difference from the Hasbro version was the "Satellite Patrol" markings on his doors. It is unknown if this toy was ever actually released, however.
{{-}}

===Universe===
*'''Prowl''' (Autobot, 2005)

: A redeco of the ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl 2]] mold, ''[[Universe]]'' Prowl transforms into a Chevrolet Caprice police car with through-axle construction for super-speedy rolling on smooth surfaces. His gun hides as his car mode's tailpipe. Originally only available at Kay-Bee stores in packaging with no sub-line markings, his entire assortment was later repackaged under the ''Universe'' banner and sold through "dollar store" chains like Family Dollar.

===Attacktix===
*'''Prowl''' (Booster, 2007)
[[Image:Tf2-16-400.jpg|left|thumb|150px|I got a big... gun.]]

: Introduced in Series 2 of [[Attacktix]], Prowl is a Captain class unit with the special ability to stun an opposing player unit. His sculpt is based upon his G1 cartoon model with some additional details. His weapon is a '''hugely''' oversized version of his rifle, capable of firing a large silver projectile.

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===3D Battle-Card Game===
*'''Prowl''' (2007)

: A 25-point "uncommon" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]]'s "Energon Wars" expansion, Prowl "transforms" into a black and white police car that vaguely resembles a Nissan Z. He uses the same parts layout as [[Transformers (2007)|Movie]] [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]].

==Trivia==
* Prowl's ''[[Diaclone]]'' predecessor also came with additional, optional stickers that would identify him as being part of the police forces from existing Japanese cities, namely "Tokyo City", "Sapporo City", "Sendai City", "Osaka City" and "Fukuoka City".

* The original ''Transformers'' instructions booklet shows a visible Japanese label sheet, complete with the cherry blossom emblem found on Japanese police cars, which did not make it to final product.

* ''Machine Wars'' Prowl's card-art is actually an altered version of the art for the ''[[Generation 2]]'' [[Laser Rod]] [[Jolt (G2)|Jolt]].

* [[Transmetal 2]] [[Prowl (BW)|Prowl]] may ''possibly'' be the same spark as the Generation 1 character reincarnated... though the IDW series makes this REALLY complicated.

* At [[OTFCC 2004]], Hasbro stated that there was no Prowl ''Alternators'' toy in the works, but some other emergency vehicle (which got a chorus of boos). In fact, the Acura RSX [[Alternators]] mold was original supposed to be [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], as backed up by a placeholder listing found at Hasbro's website and a Takara color guide for the toy that used a control drawing which sports a head sculpt based on G1 Red Alert (but colored as Prowl).<ref>[http://www.fantofan.jp/earlybirdsp/bt-15.jpg Color guide for Binaltech Prowl, sporting a G1 Red Alert head sculpt, at Fan to Fan]</ref> Eventually, however, it was decided to release the toy as Prowl instead.

*Instead of having a normal gunshot death, Prowl is shown having orange smoke coming from his mouth as he dies. ''Ewww!''

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Prowl/prowl.htm Prowl on TFU.info]

[[Category: Action Masters]]
[[Category: Alternators]]
[[Category: Attacktix]]
[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Autobot leaders]]
[[Category: Beast Wars characters]]
[[Category: Combiners]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Headmasters characters]]
[[Category: KB Toys exclusives]]
[[Category: Machine Wars characters]]
[[Category: Maximals]]
[[category: Maximal leaders]]
[[Category: Security officers]]
[[Category: Strategists]]
[[Category: Universe characters]]<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>