MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Nightstick (disambiguation)/grid

2012-04-14T21:23:09Z

Trek:

{| border="5"
|+Nightstick Madness
|-
!
!
!1987 "Nightstick" (US) mold
!1987 "Fracas" mold
!2008 "Nightstick" mold
|-
! valign="middle" rowspan="2" | U.S.
! style="background-color:plum;" | 1987 Cyclonus
| style="background-color:pink;" |Nebulan named "Nightstick"<br/><small>(Fracas' character model)</small>
|
|
|-
! style="background-color:Aquamarine;" | 1987 Scourge
|
| style="background-color:yellow;" |Nebulan named "Fracas"<br/><small>(Nightstick's character model)</small>
|-
! valign="middle" rowspan="2" | Japan
! style="background-color:DarkKhaki;" | 1987 Stepper
| style="background-color:orange;" |Autobot named "Nebulan"
|
|
|-
! style="background-color:tomato;" | 1987 Artfire
|
| style="background-color:tan;" |Autobot named "Nightstick"
|
|-
! valign="middle" rowspan="2" | U.S.
! style="background-color:DarkKhaki;" | 2004 Ricochet
| style="background-color:orange;" |Autobot named "Nightstick"
|
|
|-
! style="background-color:plum;" | 2008 Cyclonus
|
|
| style="background-color:pink;" |Nebulan named "Nightstick"
|-
! valign="middle" rowspan="3" | Japan
! style="background-color:plum;" | 2008 Cyclonus
|
|
| style="background-color:pink;" |Nebulan named "Nightstick"
|-
! style="background-color:DarkKhaki;" | 2011 Stepper
|
|
| style="background-color:orange;" |Autobot named "Nebulan"
|-
! style="background-color:tomato;" | 2012 Artfire
|
|
| style="background-color:tan;" |Autobot named "Nightstick"
|}
So, just to make ''completely'' clear... if American names take precedence;

It's '''actually possible''' to get [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]], [[Nightstick (Artfire)|Nightstick]], [[Nightstick (Ricochet)|Nightstick]], [[Fracas]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Krunix (G1)|Cyclonus]] in a room together '''at the same time'''.

Matrix of Leadership

2009-03-26T13:11:01Z

Trek: /* IDW Comics */

{{disambig3|Matrix}}
[[Image:Matrix.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You put the life in the coconut.]]
The '''Autobot Matrix of Leadership''' (sometimes the '''Creation Matrix''' or, [[The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:|rarely]], the '''Autobot Matrix of Power''') is an artifact of great power, traditionally carried by the [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot|Autobots]]. By most accounts, it holds a part of the essence of [[Primus|Primus]], the creator-god of the [[Transformer|Transformers]], although much about it, including its exact composition, remains a mystery. It generally appears as a hollow, spherical metal shell with two handles on either side and with a core sphere of blueish crystal at its center. The Matrix is the one thing, the only thing which [[Unicron|Unicron]] fears.

<table align="center" style="border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote">
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<td width="20" valign="top" style="color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:left;padding:9px 10px 0 10px;"> “
</td><td valign="top" style="padding:4px 10px 5px 10px;font-family: 'lucida console', arial, sans-serif;"> But one day... an Autobot shall rise from our ranks... and use the power of the Matrix... to light... our [[Darkest hour|darkest hour]].
</td><td width="20" valign="bottom" style="color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:right;padding:10px 10px 0px 10px;"> ”
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0"> <p style="font-size:smaller;line-height:1em;text-align: right"><cite style="font-style:normal;">—A dying [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], ''[[The Transformers: The Movie|The Transformers: The Movie]]''</cite>

</td></tr></table>

''Polish name:'' '''Matryca Przywództwa'''

==Conceptual history==
The Matrix and the concepts associated with it have continuously evolved over twenty-plus years, due to different ''Transformers'' fiction creating new ideas centred on it, which have in turn influenced its representation in ''other'' fiction, and so on, and so forth, and back-and-forth. The current nature of the Matrix as it is understood is beholden to quite a few different sources, and its development is described here to minimize confusion. For the specifics on the different interpretations of the Matrix in various continuities, see the "Fiction" section below.

It is not clear precisely where the "Matrix" idea originated—if, for example, it was a part of the franchise's original treatment or not—but the concept first appeared in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel Comics]] [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|Generation 1]] continuity, where it was introduced as the Creation Matrix, a computer program housed within [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] that could bring new Transformers to life. According to legend retold by Shockwave, this Creation Matrix program is encoded into a new Autobot leader once every ten millennia.

The [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|animated series]] made an attempt at introducing the Matrix concept into its continuity in the episode "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]", but the line, which dated the creation of the Matrix to 4.5 million years ago (which would ultimately conflict greatly with what would be learned of the Matrix in the future), was deleted during production. Subsequently, the animated incarnation of the Matrix, known as the "Matrix of Leadership," made its debut in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie|The Transformers: The Movie]]'', where it was presented as a physical object housed in the chest of Optimus Prime, and passed to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and ultimately [[Hot Rod|Rodimus Prime]].

Nothing of the Matrix's nature was actually divulged in the film, where it was treated as simply a magic talisman of prophecy that was the antithesis of [[Unicron|Unicron]]. It was the mini-series "[[Five Faces of Darkness|Five Faces of Darkness]]" which revealed the key feature of the animated Matrix—it contained the [[Ancient Autobots|Ancient Autobots]], the lifeforces of all previous Autobot leaders who had held it, collectively known as the "Wisdom of the Ages," which could be consulted for aid in moments of need.

Having already cannibalized many of the movie's best elements for use in his comic book stories, writer [[Simon Furman|Simon Furman]] contradicted Bob Budiansky's US comic book stories by presenting the Matrix as it had appeared in the film, as a physical object, in his own UK storylines. Eventually, when Furman began writing the US series as well, the two concepts were reconciled and it was explained that Prime's head had merely contained residual Matrix energy, while the true Matrix had resided in his chest. The "lifeforces of previous holders" concept was also adapted into the comics, with the Matrix possessing a genetic memory of those that had held it. Most notably, in both UK and US books, Furman crafted a story to explain the origins of the Matrix, why Unicron was vulnerable to it, and how it could create new life, ultimately revealing it to be the essence of the Transformers' creator-god, [[Primus|Primus]].

It was the ''[[Beast Machines|Beast Machines]]'' animated series which made the next big addition to the growing mythology of the Matrix when it introduced the [[Allspark|Allspark]], the extradimensional source of all Transformers sparks living or dead, which was also known as "the Matrix." Although it did not explicitly make any callbacks to the Matrix as seen in the Generation 1 cartoons or comics, the implication was obvious—rather than ''contain'' anything, the physical Matrix object from those continuities was a ''gateway'' to the Allspark. Where the animated "Matrix of the Leadership" and the comic book "Creation Matrix" had previously seemed incompatible, this revelation united them conceptually—the lifeforces of the dead from the cartoon and the ability to bring new life from the comics could now both be tied to the features of the Allspark dimension.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
<div style="width: 90%; margin: 0 auto .2em auto; background-color:#efefef; border: 2px solid #eeeeee; padding: 2px; text-align: left;">'''Note:''' ''Events from the UK-only comics are in italics.''</div>

[[Image:Creation Matrix 65.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The Creation Matrix was the Leader-1's-head of the Marvel comic. Can't be drawn the same way twice.]]
When Primus created the Transformer race, before entering voluntary systems shutdown, he bestowed upon them a genetic Matrix containing his essence and the majority of his power, which could be used to give life to more Transformers so that the race might grow without his direct involvement. {{storylink|Primal Scream|Primal Scream}} Known holders of the Matrix throughout history included the first Transformer, [[Prima|Prima]], and subsequently, [[Prime Nova|Prime Nova]], [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], and in the modern era, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation|Dark Creation}} One account mentions a "[[Primon|Primon]]" as the second holder, but no other sources include him. {{storylink|Reaching the Omega Point|Reaching the Omega Point}}

By the time of the war on [[Earth|Earth]], the fact that the Matrix was a physical object was generally unknown to all but Optimus Prime himself, who kept it within his chest. Operating under the misconception that the Matrix was a program within Prime's mind, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] captured the [[Autobots|Autobots]] and decapitated Prime, using the residual Matrix energy contained within it to bring life to the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Prime was able to transfer the remaining energy into the mind of the Autobots' human ally, [[Buster Witwicky|Buster Witwicky]], {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!|The Worse of Two Evils!}} thereby preventing Shockwave from animating his newest construct, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. {{storylink|Brainstorm!|Brainstorm!}} Deducing that Buster possessed the Matrix, Shockwave programmed the unliving Jetfire to capture the boy, but Buster used the Matrix to bring Jetfire under his control, thwarting Shockwave's plan and saving Optimus Prime. Buster returned the energy of the Matrix within his body to Prime. {{storylink|Prime Time!|Prime Time!}}

''The Matrix was also known to have an analog on Cybertron, the [[Matrix Flame|Matrix Flame]], which burned constantly as long as the Matrix still existed, no matter where in the universe it was. It could also be used to channel the energy of the Matrix, which the Autobots on Cybertron did to bring life to their new warrior, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Not long after, however, the Matrix Flame flickered out when Optimus Prime was shunted into [[Limbo|limbo]] by time-travelling [[Galvatron (G1)|Decepticons]], leading the Autobots on Cybertron to send Magnus to Earth to investigate. Prime was returned in due time, and the Matrix Flame re-ignited.'' {{storylink|Target 2006|Target 2006}}

Having deduced a new means of tapping the Matrix's power, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had [[Bombshell|Bombshell]] plant a [[Cerebro-shell|cerebro-shell]] within Optimus Prime. Megatron was able to use the shell to channel the energy of the Matrix when Prime used it to give life to the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], employing it to animate his own new creations, the [[Stunticons|Stunticons]]. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!|Aerialbots over America!}}

Prime's persistence in keeping the physical shell of the Matrix a secret proved to have been a mistake when the Autobot leader died. In accordance with Cybertron funerary practises, Prime's body was loaded into a funeral bier and launched it into space, unwittingly sending the Matrix with it. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!|Funeral for a Friend!}} The craft eventually crashed on the distant moon of [[VsQs|VsQs]], where it lay undisturbed for a time. Left in solitude, the rudimentary consciousness of the Matrix formed from the genetic memory of its past holders began to desire new sensations, and began to hunger for new experiences. {{storylink|Dark Creation|Dark Creation}}

It got a chance at new experience when a dying mechanoid crashed on VsQs and touched the Matrix. The mechanoid was a Deathbringer, which had been dedicated to ending unnecessary suffering, and was warped by the Matrix into a new and very powerful being who sought to destroy ''all'' life. Though he left the Matrix in Prime's body, he still carried some of its energy, and the Matrix reveled in the vicarious experience of evil. The Deathbringer found its way to Earth, where it rained destruction down upon a human city. ''Sensing the Matrix's power within the creature, Optimus Prime (since resurrected) was hesitant to destroy the only link they had discovered to the lost Matrix, but [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] solved the problem by convincing the Deathbringer that since the Matrix's power was eating away at it, it should destroy itself.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (comic issue)|Deathbringer}}

[[Image:Geneticmatrix.jpg|right|150px|thumb|No one can be told what the Matrix is. Because Optimus is an idiot.]]
Back on VsQs, the Matrix's curiosity found new expression when an insectoid creature crawled into Prime's corpse's chest cavity and became the next recipient of the Matrix's power. Dissecting and studying the beast, the Matrix was fascinated that the creature seemed to be meant to do nothing but destroy, so it re-created the thing into a larger, more powerful predator. {{storylink|Dark Creation|Dark Creation}} The monster attacked a team of astronauts that had set up a research station on VsQs, killing nearly all of them, but at least one escaped and crashed in the seas of [[Pequod|Pequod]], another planet in the same solar system. His body infused with Matrix energy from the beast that had attacked him, the astronaut was swallowed by a [[Klud|klud]], which ingested the energy. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession|Deadly Obsession}}

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime became aware of the threat of Unicron, and realized that the Matrix would be necessary to defeat the Chaos-Bringer. Search parties were dispatched to track down the funeral barge, which piqued the curiosity of new Decepticon leader [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], who possessed an affinity with the Matrix and a desire to possess its power for his own. As the opposing teams dodged each other, they eventually set their sights on Pequod, where the klud had been attracting attention because its species was supposed to have been extinct. Thunderwing used his Matrix affinity to psychically link with the Matrix-infused beast and see the memory of swallowing the dying scientist. Recognizing the "VsQs" stamp on his equipment, Thunderwing set out for that moon. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession|Deadly Obsession}}

Once there, both sides battled the creature the Matrix had created, which had grown to enormous size, with Thunderwing ultimately killing the beast and taking the Matrix. {{storylink|Dark Creation|Dark Creation}} The Decepticon immediately attacked the spaceborne [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], manifesting the Matrix power in the form of a giant, vaguely humanoid energy field around himself. Soon, however, Matrix began to speak through him, delighting in the firsthand experience of evil, and Thunderwing realized he was being possessed. Thunderwing tried to mentally battle the Matrix, to no avail, but the Autobots exploited his erratic behaviour to impale him with a harpoon and blow him out the Ark's airlock into space. {{storylink|All Fall Down|All Fall Down}}

The Matrix took time to heal Thunderwing's body, then set out for Cybertron. Coincidentally, it arrived just as Unicron was trying to destroy the planet. The Matrix-creature fought Unicron, but Unicron soon realized that the Matrix had been tainted with evil, and that it was no longer a threat to him, given the infinitely greater magnitude of his own evil nature. Thunderwing was destroyed by Unicron's attack and Optimus Prime was able to recover the Matrix, cleansing it of the taint of evil and restoring its purity. Rocketing into Unicron's gaping maw, Prime released the Matrix's energy within the planet-eater's body, destroying him. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!|On the Edge of Extinction!}} The explosion should have killed Prime as well, but his devastated body was saturated with Matrix energy, keeping it alive long enough for the suffering Prime to pass on leadership of the Autobots to [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|Still Life!|Still Life!}} Prime's consciousness, however, was transferred to his [[Nebulan|Nebulan]] partner, [[Hi-Q|Hi-Q]], who was later recreated into a new Optimus Prime by the [[Last Autobot|Last Autobot]], complete with a reconstructed Matrix. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

[[Image:MatrixCoconut1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Will I become a great Autobot leader?" "All signs point to no."]]
''In the alternate future timeline of [[Earth-120185|Earth-120185]], a dying Optimus Prime passed the Matrix to Ultra Magnus in 2006, and it was then used by [[Hot Rod|Hot Rod]] to destroy Unicron, in the process transfiguring Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie}} Subsequently, in 2008, Unicron attempted to engineer his resurrection, but Rodimus Prime trapped his mind within the Matrix.'' {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

''Later in 2008, the [[Quintesson|Quintesson]] [[General Ghyrik|General Ghyrik]] was able to steal the talisman from its owner at that time, [[Hot Rod|Rodimus Prime]]. Ghyrik used the power of the Matrix to enhance his strength as he battled Hot Rod, but was duped by some impromptu ventriloquism from his opponent and soon lost the talisman. {{storylink|Space Pirates!|Space Pirates!}} Later, in 2009, Rodimus and several other Autobots travelled back in time to 1989. Optimus Prime was again shunted to limbo, but Rodimus used the power of the Matrix to allow Optimus to communicate with the other Autobots. When Rodimus was then defeated in battle, Optimus risked the security of the space-time continuum to use the Matrix as a stepping stone to return to reality, battling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].'' {{storylink|Time Wars|Time Wars}}

''Returning to Cybertron after their time-travel adventure, Rodimus and the Autobots found that the disruption of space and time had altered their future, and that Galvatron was waiting for them. Galvatron attempted to force Rodimus Prime into a savage battle, hoping to corrupt the Matrix, but Rodimus realized his plan and stopped. However the corruption had begun...'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!|Aspects of Evil!}}

''Later, Rodimus and the Autobots were on a hyperspace trip to Earth when they discovered that their craft's guidance systems had been damaged. During the flight, Rodimus Prime vanished {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}}, and Kup discovered that he was the saboteur, {{storylink|Edge of Impact|Edge of Impact}} deducing that he had been corrupted by an evil force from within the Matrix. {{storylink|Shadow of Evil|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 him from the chaos-bringer's influence. But now, Rodimus knew that the evil of Unicron would be waiting for him within it... {{storylink|White Fire|White Fire}} and in 2010, 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!|Aspects of Evil!}}

''When last seen, in the far future of 2356, Unicron's essence remained sealed within the Matrix, causing Rodimus's body to steadily wither and weaken.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!|Aspects of Evil!}}

====Generation 2====
Requiring the Matrix to bring the new warriors created by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] to life, Megatron defeated Optimus Prime in battle and tore the Matrix from his body with an energy siphon. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness|The Gathering Darkness}} The Matrix's energy was then used it to give life to the [[Laser Rod|Laser Rods]] and [[Rotor Force|Rotor Force]] {{storylink|New Dawn|New Dawn}}, and subsequently, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] used the power of the Matrix on himself, merging himself with the [[Warworld|Warworld]] and reshaping the interior of the ship. However, unlike with Thunderwing, Starscream found his own evil being subverted by the Matrix's goodness, and he returned the Matrix to Prime, for fear of being changed beyond recognition.

When Prime was consumed by the [[Swarm|Swarm]], he channelled the Matrix's purity and goodness into it, completely reversing the nature of the Swarm. Suddenly transformed from a destructive force into a force for life, it re-created Prime and departed into space. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!|A Rage in Heaven!}}

===American cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
[[Image:Matrix 5faces4 7.jpg|right|200px|thumb|My preciousssss!]]
The origins of the Matrix of Leadership are almost entirely unknown. Some rather unusual evidence suggests that it may be linked in some way to the [[Oracle (G1)|assistant]] of the ancient genius [[Primacron|Primacron]], who created Unicron ''(see the character's own article for details)'', but even if that is true, it is wholly unknown how it came to be held by the Autobots and how it was elevated to the position of power it is known for.

Traditionally carried by the current Autobot leader, it serves as a receptacle for the lifeforces of past holders, known collectively as the "Wisdom of the Ages." Virtually all of its holders have been unnamed, but are known as the "[[Ancient Robot|Ancient Robot]]," the "[[Powerful Robot|Powerful Robot]]," "[[Brooding Robot|Brooding Robot]]," the "[[Pre-Transformer (character)|Pre-Transformer]]," the "[[New Narrator|New Narrator]]" and the "[[U-Haul Robot|U-Haul Robot]]." Many other Autobots have been seen within the Matrix, but their identities are unknown.

Following the death of the U-Haul Robot at the hands of Megatron, the ancient Autobot [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] kept the Matrix safe and hidden away, until a damaged [[Orion Pax|young robot]] was brought to his workshop. Trion recreated him as Optimus Prime, new leader of the Autobots, and gave him the Matrix. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

[[Image:MovieMagnus matrix.jpg|left|150px|thumb|"Will I at least get to use the Matrix?""No! Quit asking."]]
The Matrix of Leadership's first documented appearance in modern times occurred in 2005, when a dying [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] passed it and leadership of the Autobots to his chosen successor, Ultra Magnus. Before passing away, Prime spoke of a prophecy—that one day, "The Chosen One" would rise from the ranks of the Autobots, and use the power of the Matrix to light the Transformers' darkest hour. That darkest hour soon came upon Cybertron in the form of the world-eater, [[Unicron|Unicron]], who knew that the Matrix's power was the one thing that could destroy him. Recreating Megatron as Galvatron, he dispatched him to steal the Matrix, but when Galvatron obtained the talisman, he tried and failed to use its power against Unicron. Ultimately, the Chosen One who could open the Matrix proved to be the youthful Hot Rod, who reclaimed the Matrix and was transformed by its power into Rodimus Prime, before opening it within Unicron and releasing its power, which tore Unicron apart from within. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie|The Transformers: The Movie}}

[[Image:FFOD4 Rodimus journey.JPG|right|150px|thumb|KOWABUNGA!!!]]
Later, when injured in battle, Rodimus's consciousness briefly entered the Matrix itself and witnessed a vision that led him to believe that the answer to the mystery of the alien Quintessons currently plaguing the Autobots was held within it. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} To find his answer, Rodimus deliberately short-circuited himself and entered the Matrix a second time. Guided by the ancient Autobots within, Rodimus was shown the history of Cybertron and discovered the Quintessons' role in the creation of the Transformers. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

[[Image:Dark awakening matrix.jpg|left|150px|thumb|"Swap Matrix for braaainnns?"]]
The Matrix weighed heavily upon Rodimus, and he was all too eager to return it to Optimus Prime when it seemed that the Autobot leader had returned from the dead in 2006. It transpired, however, than Optimus had only been reanimated as a robotic zombie by the Quintessons, but the Matrix overrode the evil intentions the aliens had programmed him with, and he returned it to Rodimus before apparently sacrificing himself again. {{storylink|Dark Awakening|Dark Awakening}}

[[Image:Matrix burden 2.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Decepticons using the Matrix either become disgusting freaks...]]
At one point, Rodimus was ambushed by the Stunticons, who stole the Matrix from him and brought it to Galvatron, who attempted to use its energy to power his cannon, only to be tormented by the spirits of the Autobots within it. Galvatron instructed [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] to dispose of the Matrix, but Scourge understood the true nature of its power and placed it within his own chest. Warped by its power, Scourge took control of the Decepticons and led them in an attack on Earth, only to be bested by Hot Rod, who reclaimed the Matrix once more. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

[[Image:Matrix burden 1.jpg|left|150px|thumb|...or get harassed by the ghosts of Optimus Prime, Robocop, and Boba Fett.]]
When Optimus Prime was at last truly resurrected, he was forced to battle the [[Hate Plague|Hate Plague]]-infected Rodimus in order to reclaim the Matrix from him, in hopes of consulting the Wisdom of the Ages to find a cure for the disease. Communicating with the mysterious [[It|It]], he learned that the only way combat the madness of the plague was with wisdom, and opened the Matrix, expelling all of the wisdom within it to extinguish the disease (in the process claiming that this was also the Autobots' "darkest hour"). Although the Matrix was emptied, leaving only a shell, Optimus claimed they would have to start filling it with wisdom again, from that moment on. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

In 2007, Optimus Prime used the shell of the Matrix as a substitute key to access [[Vector Sigma|Vector Sigma]], where he consulted Alpha Trion on the mystery of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber|Plasma Energy Chamber]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2|The Rebirth, Part 2}}

{{-}}

====Madman Transformers comic====
[[Image:Madman comic PrimeHotrod.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Optimus' proposal to Hot Rod.]]
The significance of the Matrix to the Autobots was such that when Optimus Prime prepared to lead the Autobots in an evacuation of Cybertron in the year 2001, he hid the Matrix in a bunker at the construction site of the future Autobot City. Unfortunately, [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] had monitored the Autobot leader's meeting with Ultra Magnus, and moved to steal the Matrix for the Decepticons. Fate intervened in the form of Hot Rod, who defeated the Decepticons and took back the ancient Autobot relic, and at the same time received a vision of his future as the Autobot who would light Cybertron's darkest hour. {{storylink|Madman Transformers Comic|Madman Transformers Comic}}
{{-}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
<div style="width: 90%; margin: 0 auto .2em auto; background-color:#efefef; border: 2px solid #eeeeee; padding: 2px; text-align: left;">'''Note:''' ''The Matrix was the subject of a massive [[Retcon|retcon]] propogated by [[TakaraTomy|TakaraTomy]] in 2007, explicitly tying it to Primacron's assistant, and various other animated concepts like [[Vector Sigma|Vector Sigma]] and the ''[[Beast Machines|Beast Machines]]'' [[Vector Sigma|Oracle]]. Although the retcon takes as its starting point various small things that originate in the American animated continuity, it applies only to the Japanese continuity (so far, anyway).''</div>

====Generation 1 cartoon====
When Primacron and his assistant (also known as the "Oracle") were attacked by the rebelling Unicron, the assistant's body was destroyed, but his lifeforce persisted. Sealed within a protective shell, the Oracle's lifeforce fled to a dead world at the centre of the galaxy, which the Oracle used his powers to transform into a lush, green world. In time, however, the alien Quintessons came to the Oracle's world and were able to bring him under their power, transforming him into the mega-computer, Vector Sigma. Using the [[Key to Vector Sigma|Key to Vector Sigma]], the Quintessons cyber-formed the Oracle's world into [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and the Oracle's life-giving powers were harnessed to produce a race of robotic slaves. The shell which had contained the Oracle's essence became the Matrix, but precisely how it came to be held by the Quintessons' consumer goods robots (later known as the Autobots), or even why the Quintessons would ''allow'' their creations to possess such a powerful item, is unknown. {{storylink|Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|Kiss Players Transformers timeline}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
A key distinction between the Matrix in this continuity and its sister timeline is that in addition to containing the Wisdom of the Ages, it is a source of exceptionally pure energy. It was this energy which was released by Optimus Prime to cure the Hate Plague. In order to recharge the emptied Matrix, it was hidden in an Autobot energy-gathering facility, steadily absorbing the pure, natural energy of Earth. Unfortunately, Prime had not foreseen the one great side-effect of releasing the Matrix's energy—it caused Vector Sigma to become unbalanced, putting all of Cybertron in great danger. The Decepticons took this opportunity to invade the planet, hoping to take control of the unstable computer and by extension, the planet itself, and Optimus Prime headed for Vector Sigma's chamber to try and rectify the situation. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come Out Of The Sky|Four Warriors Come Out Of The Sky}} The Matrix, however, remained hidden on Earth, with no-one but Prime aware of its precise location. Hot Rod led the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] in a search for the Matrix, but although they successfully recovered it, it was still not fully recharged. Nevertheless, they brought the Matrix to Cybertron, where the ghost of Alpha Trion re-energized it fully, transforming Hot Rod back into Rodimus Prime. Before Rodimus could use the Matrix to stabilize Vector Sigma, however, Optimus Prime sacrificed himself by merging with the computer to bring it back under control. {{storylink|A Dream is Born, Double Prime|A Dream is Born, Double Prime}}

When Cybertron was subsequently destroyed thanks to the machinations of Decepticon Headmaster leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Rodimus Prime voyaged into space to search for a new homeworld for the Transformers, taking the Matrix with him. {{storylink|Cybertron is in Grave Danger, Part 2|Cybertron is in Grave Danger, Part 2}} On his many travels, the power of the Matrix and the energy of Earth now dwelling within it in gave him strength, and opened his eyes to the beauty of Earth and humanity, convincing him that humans and Transformers must live and work together to move forward and evolve. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 8|The Headmasters issue 8}}

No known subsequent [[Supreme Commander|Supreme Commanders]] held the Matrix, and its precise fate in this universe is unknown. By the time of the "Beast Era," Supreme Commanders were known to carry with them similar but entirely different objects known as [[Energon Matrix|Energon Matrices]].

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Ancients.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Matrix-shaped platform above the Oracle Tank]]
Seeking to use the Matrix to power the planetary turbine engines he had discovered beneath Cybertron's surface, Megatron attacked and killed the current holder of the talisman, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. Tearing his victim open, however, Megatron discovered that the Matrix was gone, having already been given by Sentinel Prime to the [[Council of Ancients|Council of Ancients]] for unknown reasons (perhaps having foreseen his own death). The Council subsequently chose a data archivist named Optronix to be the new bearer of the Matrix, and brought him to the [[Oracle Tank|Oracle Tank]], in which both he and the Matrix were immersed. Optronix was enlarged and strengthened by the Matrix, and transformed into Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within issue 1}}

Soon after, Prime was attacked by Megatron, who cracked open his form and exposed the Matrix. A blinding flash burst from the Matrix, showing Prime and Megatron visions of future conflicts on Earth and [[Nebulos|Nebulos]], but it was implied that Optimus somehow used the Matrix to force Megatron to forget these visions, though how much knowledge he himself retained is unknown. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within issue 5}}

After their war on Earth, the Transformers were set to return to Cybertron aboard the [[Ark II|Ark II]] in 1999, at which point Optimus Prime gave [[Spike Witwicky|Spike Witwicky]] a piece of the Matrix with the promise that he would be back. The Ark II proved to have been sabotaged, however, and exploded in mid-flight, leaving the world to believe that the Transformers were dead until 2002, when the terrorist [[Lazarus|Lazarus]] recovered several of their bodies and reprogrammed them for use as weapons that he would sell on the black market. The American military recovered the body of Optimus Prime and [[General Hallo|General Hallo]] drafted Spike to help in restoring him to life by replacing the portion of the Matrix he had removed. Thus restored, Prime proceeded to use the Matrix to bring his fellow Autobots back on-line. {{storylink|Prime Directive|Prime Directive}}

[[Image:Matrix back.jpg|left|180px|thumb|A Dreamwave newsletter provides us a seldom-seen image of the back of the Matrix.]]
When the Autobots and Decepticons were finally able to return to Cybertron, a chain of events ultimately led Optimus Prime into a confrontation with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in the chamber containing Vector Sigma. Blasting Prime's chest cavity open, Shockwave claimed the Matrix for himself and used it to access Vector Sigma's databanks as part of a complex plan, the implications of which were never fully revealed. Shockwave was defeated by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and the Matrix returned to Optimus Prime, but not before its activation caused an energy beam to be broadcast out into space, drawing the attention of Unicron. {{storylink|Revelation (comic issue)|Revelation}} The forceful removal of the Matrix from his body combined with the long period of time spent without it caused a great deal of trauma to Optimus Prime's systems, necessitating an extended session in a CR chamber to recover. {{storylink|Generation One (Dreamwave comic)|DW G1 ongoing}}

It appears that this Matrix does not hold the wisdom of past Autobot leaders, as [[Golden Disk (council)|another datatrak]] contained its wisdom.

===IDW Comics===
The Primes carry the sacred Matrix, or at least they did up until [[Nova Prime|Nova Prime]] had it. It has a tie to [[The Darkness|the Darkness]], {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron|Spotlight: Galvatron}} which is itself an evil equivalent of the Matrix. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

Later on, Megatron managed to beat Optimus Prime into a sorry state and stole the Matrix from him. It has yet to be revealed what Megatron plans to do with it. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron issue 5}} According to Kup, the [[Great War|Great War]] started over the Matrix and what it represented, [[Megatron: Origin|even though it didn't]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron issue 6}}

'''Note:''' ''When hinting about original plans for [[Revelation (IDW)|Revelation]]/[[Expansion|Expansion]], Simon Furman said the Matrix had been "gone a long time", that it had transformed into something nasty, and that it would be coming back; we would also learn what it is, where it came from, and what it can do. <ref>href="http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/another-quick-qa/</ref> Or ''not'', as it turns out...''

===Beast Era===
====''Beast Wars''====
Several enigmatic references were made to the Matrix at various points, though it is never precisely clear if they refer to the Matrix of Leadership, the Allspark dimension, [[Matrix (facility)|the protoform production facility on Cybertron]] that also goes by that name, or some theoretical conglomeration of any of the above that the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Warriors]] only speak of out of misconception.

When [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] voyaged into the Allspark to recover [[Optimus Primal|Optimus Primal]]'s lost [[Spark|spark]], the image of the Matrix of Leadership could be seen floating in the void. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)}} Later, when the body of Optimus Prime was fatally wounded by [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], Optimus Primal opened his chest compartment to take his spark into his own body for safety. Prime's spark was shown to be contained within a holder shaped just like the Matrix of Leadership, and Rhinox remarked that Prime's spark had "the Matrix with it." {{storylink|Optimal Situation|Optimal Situation}}

====''Universe''====
[[Image:Sparkholderprimevaldawn.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The Matrix, beneath Prime's "spark holder".]]
The confusion surrounding the Matrix-like holder in Prime's chest and its relation to the actual Matrix of Leadership was clarified when it was revealed that the Matrix was actually concealed in a compartment beneath Prime's own spark. This was established when, after the end of the Beast Wars, the deceased [[Tarantulas|Tarantulas]] was resurrected, intending to use his new [[Vok|Vok]] powers to steal the Matrix and warp reality to his liking. To protect the timestream, the Vok took the Matrix of Leadership from the unconscious Optimus Prime residing within the Ark, used it to create [[Primal Prime|Primal Prime]], then gave the Matrix to their new creation. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 1|Primeval Dawn Part 1}} In the following battle, however, Tarantulas was able to overpower Primal Prime and rip the Matrix from his body. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 2|Primeval Dawn Part 2}}

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<span style="font-size:125%;font-weight:900;">You left a piece out!</span><hr />
''This article is a [[:Category:Stub|stub]] and is missing information. You can help '''Transformers Wiki''' by <span class="plainlinks">[http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Matrix_of_Leadership&action=edit expanding it]</span>.''

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===Robots in Disguise===
[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] was chosen by Vector Sigma to carry the Matrix, leaving his brother, [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], with a serious microchip on his shoulder. About halfway through Prime's campaign against [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] on Earth, Magnus arrived on Earth, intent on taking the Matrix from Prime for himself. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} When he attempted to steal the Matrix, however, a bizarre fusion occurred instead, merging the two brothers into [[Omega Prime|Omega Prime]], revealing that the intention had always been for them to ''share'' the energy of the Matrix between them. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}} Magnus later inadvertently used this link to channel the energy of the Matrix into the [[Autobot Brothers|Autobot Brothers]], supercharging them. {{storylink|Power to Burn!|Power to Burn!}}

In the final battle against Galvatron, Omega Prime would wield the [[Matrix Blade|Matrix Blade]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID episode)|The Final Battle}}

===Unicron Trilogy===
====Cartoon continuity====
[[Image:ArmadaMatrix.jpg|right|180px|thumb|A Unicorn designed this. (see the pretty rainbows?)]]
When [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] threatened to destroy the Earth with the [[Hydra Cannon|Hydra Cannon]], [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], not expecting to survive the battle ahead, tried to pass the Matrix on to [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] before entering the conflict. Hot Shot refused, not feeling himself worthy, and Prime subsequently died throwing himself into the path of the Hydra Cannon blast meant for Earth. Prime's body was reduced to ashes, and the Matrix was all that remained, clung onto by his [[Mini-Con|Mini-Con]] partner [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], floating helplessly until rescued. {{storylink|Crisis|Crisis}}

Not long thereafter, as the Autobots and Decepticons battled in space on their way back to Cybertron, Sparkplug and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] presented the Matrix to the large armada of Mini-Cons who had joined the Autobots on their journey. Many Mini-Cons plunged themselves into the Matrix, using their powers to recreate Prime's body and restore him to life. {{storylink|Miracle|Miracle}}

Some time later, in the midst of the Transformers' battle with Unicron, Optimus Prime was confronted by the evil demi-god with the suggestion that, on some level, he enjoyed the thrill of combat as much as Megatron did, and that the only difference between the two leaders was the Matrix in Prime's chest. {{storylink|Origin|Origin}} Following Unicron's defeat, when Megatron (now Galvatron) challenged Optimus to one final battle, these words led Prime to discard the Matrix, that he might battle Galvatron not as the leader of the Autobots, but as himself, and as his foe's equal. Prime flung the Matrix through Unicron's hide, out into space, where it later drifted by the two combatants as their fight moved to Unicron's surface. Soon, however, it became apparent that Prime and Galvatron's fight was sustaining and re-energizing Unicron, and Galvatron allowed himself to die into order to destroy the chaos-bringer. As the battered Prime hung in space afterwards, the Matrix floated past him. Prime turned to look at it, but, having revelled in his battle with Galvatron and in a way proven Unicron correct, shifted his glance away, pronouncing himself unworthy to carry it. {{storylink|Mortal Combat|Mortal Combat}}

Prime did not return to his fellow Autobots immediately, as Cybertron was now at peace. Apparently, he embarked on some sort of soul-searching space voyage, and at some point over the next ten years, he ''did'' eventually come to consider himself worthy of the Matrix, and returned to reclaim it. Despite this, however, its power was employed but once during the war for [[Energon (Energon)|energon]] of 2020, when Prime was badly injured by [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] during a battle on Earth's moon and fell unconscious. When Prime was infused with a massive jolt of energon in an attempt by the [[Omnicon|Omnicon]] [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] to revive him, his chest compartment sprung open and the Matrix generated a beam of light out of which the [[Energon Blaster|Energon Blaster]] materialized. {{storylink|Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary|Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary}}

<div style="width: 90%; margin: 0 auto .2em auto; background-color:#efefef; border: 2px solid #eeeeee; padding: 2px; text-align: left;">'''Note:''' ''This plot point didn't make it through to the ''Energon'' dub of the episode, where the Energon Blaster was inexplicably identified as "Hot Shot's blaster," and its appearance out of Prime's chest was not explained. This was the only mention of the Matrix in either ''Super Link'' or ''Energon''—note that the Matrix-like structure built into Prime's chest is not actually the Matrix, but the [[Spark of Combination|Spark of Combination]].''</div>
A further ten years later, during the quest to stop the [[Unicron Singularity|Unicron Singularity]], Optimus Prime used the Matrix of Leadership in concert with [[Vector Prime|Vector Prime]]'s sword to open dimension gates to the various colony worlds that held the [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]]. Additionally, the Matrix would often glow with energy when Prime poised himself to unleash powerful combat moves; during his final battle with Galvatron, the golden glow of the Matrix surrounded Prime's entire body. {{storylink|Unfinished|Unfinished}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Convoy (New Year Special)''' (2002)

: He comes with the Matrix of Leadership!

*'''[[Galvatron (G1)|Reissue Galvatron]]''' (2005)

: He comes with the Matrix of Leadership on a chain!

*'''[[Galvatron II|Galvatron II]] (2005)'''

: He comes with the Creation Matrix on a chain! It's green.

===Robots in Disguise===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2001)

: ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] has a little door on his chest that hides a sculpted Matrix. It cannot be removed.

===20th Anniversary/Masterpiece===
* '''Optimus Prime''' (2003/2004)

: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-01'''
: 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime includes a removable vacuum-metalized Matrix of Leadership that can also be pulled open.

* '''Ultra Magnus'''

: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-02'''
: He had it too.

* '''Convoy Perfect Edition''' (2006)

: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-04'''
: He still had it here.

===Armada===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Super Base, 2002/2003)

: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MC-01'''

:The large version of ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] has a non-removable Matrix of Leadership behind the grill on his chest. This feature was kept for the various [[Redeco|redecos]] of this mold.

===KT Figure Collection - The Transformers===
*'''Convoy''' (KT Figure Collection, 2004)

:This small plastic bust had opening chest "doors" activated by a button/leaver thing on its back, the mechanism of which also pushed the Matrix inside forward. This Matrix was also removable.

*'''Convoy "Revival version"''' (''Figure-Oh'' exclusive, 2004)

===Cybertron===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2005)

: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''GC-01'''

:''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' Optimus Prime has a removable Matrix of Leadership in his chest. This feature was kept for the "Galaxy Force Optimus Prime" redeco.

===Hybrid Style===
*'''Galaxy Convoy''' (2005)

: ''Series number:'' '''THS-01'''
: This tiny figure had a ''weeeeny'' little version of the full-size ''Cybertron'' Optimus' Matrix.

*'''Convoy''' (2006)

: ''Series number:'' '''THS-02'''
: This tinsy G1 Matrix is not much bigger than a large drug capsule and is sculpted to more closely resemble the squarer, oblong-handled Marvel comic depiction than the more ovoid animation model.

*'''Hybrid Style Convoy Black Version''' (2006)
*''Japanese ID number:'' '''THS-02B'''

: The same.

===Classics===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (20th Anniversary DVD Edition, 2006)

:Yep, this version of the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime mold still has the Matrix. It's not vacuum-metalized any more, though.

===Mega SCF===
*'''Hot Rodimus''' (2002)

: ''Series number:'' '''04'''
: He comes with a Matrix accessory (in grey plastic with orange applied to the central casing and metallic silver to the core). It can be held (sort of) in his optional open-palm hand set, most easily in a "catching" pose.

*'''Rodimus Convoy''' (2002)

: ''Series number:'' '''06'''
: He comes with a Matrix accessory (the same one from Mega SCF ''<a href="http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Super_Collection_Figure#Mega_SCF" class="external autonumber" title="http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Super_Collection_Figure#Mega_SCF" rel="nofollow">[2]</a>'' Hot Rodimus). Like Hot Rodimus, he can support it in his open palms, such as in a "here, take this, I don't want it" pose.

{{-}}

===Revoltech===
*'''Convoy''' (2007)

: ''Series number:'' '''019'''
: He comes with a Matrix accessory which does not open or store inside his chest.

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
[[Image:DiamondMatrixStatue.JPG|left|250px|thumb|Deus sold separately]]
*'''Autobot Matrix of Leadership''' (2006)

Diamond Select Toys produced a human-scaled replica of the Matrix. Weighing six pounds, it was sculpted by Robert Lee and is a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. The Matrix can be picked up off its Autobot-symbol base, and held by the finger holes in the handgrips--and while it does not open, it can "light your darkest hour," with internal electronics that make the central crystal orb pulse in blue, green, red, yellow, and pink. The base also has a removable [[Key to Vector Sigma|Key to Vector Sigma]] accessory.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
*When asked about the visual design of the Matrix in an interview, [[Floro Dery|Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "The inspiration for the Matrix of Leadership is a thermonuclear bomb."<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-0" title="">[1]</a></sup> "Light our darkest hour," indeed.
*Over the course of its history, the Matrix has been stolen from its bearers many times. Rodimus had it stolen from him by Optimus Prime and [[Wildrider|Wildrider]] in the cartoon and [[General Ghyrik|General Ghyrik]] in the UK comics, Optimus has had it stolen from by Shockwave in the G1 comics, Megatron in the G2 comics, Shockwave again in Dreamwave, and [[Serpent O.R.|Serpent O.R.]] in Devil's Due. All of the thieves also had it stolen from them, either by the Autobots or one of their "allies". Thus far, the only people to successfully hold the Matrix without it being stolen are [[Buster Witwicky|Buster Witwicky]] (Marvel) and [[Spike Witwicky|Spike Witwicky]] (Dreamwave). Score two for the fleshlings.
*An event that would've been known as the "[[Ceremony of the Unending Circuit|Ceremony of the Unending Circuit]]" would have been held by the Autobots every ten millennia to remember the passing of the Creation Matrix from one Autobot leader to the next, according to Autobot Law. However, the idea for this event never came to pass.

{{-}}

==Footnotes==
<ol class="references"><li id="cite_note-0">[#cite_ref-0" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ol>

[[Category:Stub]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:MacGuffins]]
[[Category:Objects]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Primus]]

Transformers: Classics

2008-02-04T16:13:56Z

Trek: Renamed Classics 2.0 to Universe Classics (as per Hasbro's site)

{{disambig3|Classics}}

[[Image:Classicslogo.jpg|center|300px]]

When the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action Transformers film]] was pushed back from November 2006 to July 2007, [[Hasbro]] needed to create a filler line to bridge the newly created gap in their product offerings. That bridge was a revisitation of the original ''[[Generation 1]]'' characters, dubbed '''''Classics'''''.

Later, [[Mini-Con]]s which were originally meant for the end of the ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' line and ''Generation 1''-inspired ''Legends'' [[redeco]]es were also added to expand the line further.

Although no original animation or full-length comic fiction is planned for the line, the [[Fun Publications]] [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (comic)|Official Transformers Fan Club Magazine comic]] will be utilizing the Classics in their 2007 story-arc and setting them in a continuation of the old Generation 1 [[Marvel Comics]] universe (A version of this universe that includes everything up until the end of the original Marvel run, but excludes the events of the [[Generation 2]] book that followed, taking things in a new direction instead.)

==Toyline==
===Legends===
*[[Bumblebee (G1) toys|Bumblebee]]
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]]
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]
*[[Lio Convoy|Leo Prime]]
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
*[[Trypticon]]
*[[Whirl (G1)|Autobot Whirl]]

===Mini-Cons===
*[[Clear Skies Team]]
*[[Demolition Team]]
*[[Dinobots (Mini-Cons)|Dinobots]]
*[[Dirt Digger Team]]
*[[Night Rescue Team]]
*[[Predator Attack Team]]

===Deluxes===
'''Wave 1'''
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Hot Rod|Rodimus]]
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]

'''Wave 2'''
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]

'''Wave 3'''
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]

===Voyagers===
'''Wave 1'''
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]

'''Wave 2'''
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]

===Box sets===
*Optimus Prime vs Megatron: The Ultimate Battle (versus 2-pack w/DVD)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] vs [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]: Battle for Autobot City (versus 2-pack, Target exclusive)
*[[Constructicon Devastator]] (Wal-Mart exclusive giftset)

===Miscellaneous===
*Optimus Prime (20th Anniversary redeco with talking base)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] with [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Ravage|Battle Ravage]] (Generation 1 reissue; uses the [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]] version of the mold, which had a remolded door that can hold two cassettes.)
*Masterpiece Starscream (G1-colored redeco)

==What counts as ''Classics''?==
The ''Classics'' toyline is a little tricky to define because some of the items which one would think belong to it -- the Magnus/Skywarp two-pack for instance, which redecoes two ''Classics'' figures -- do not actually say "Classic" anywhere on their packaging. Even the toys that are definitely "real" ''Classics'' toys only have the word on one panel of their packaging as a prefix to their [[size class]] ("Classic Deluxe" or "Classic Voyager").

For simplicity, '''{{SITENAME}}''' is considering all toys that come in the ''Classics''-style packaging to be ''Classics'' toys, even if they do not self-identify as such. Those toys include:

*Prime vs. Megatron Ultimate Battle set
*Magnus vs. Skywarp Battle for Autobot City set
*20th Anniversary Prime redeco
*Mini-Cons (the Mini-Con sets have been referred to as ''Classics'' toys on Hasbro's website, but not on the packaging)
*Toys "R" Us exclusive reissue Soundwave
*Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus (2008)
*Jetfire and Grimlock (2008)

==Uncertain Future?==

Though response to the figures was very positive, the ''Classics'' [[franchise]] was created as a limited line to fill the shelves between ''Cybertron'' and the movie. With the [[Movie (franchise)|Movie]] toyline and the ''[[Transformers Animated]]'' series scheduled to follow it, the fate of the ''Classics'' line was uncertain.

The [[BotCon 2007]] exclusives capitalized on the popularity as the ''Classics'' universe but even that was not to be the end of things. Hasbro revealed at Botcon 2007 that a new incarnation of [[Universe (franchise)|''Transformers Universe'']] was in the works for Fall 2008 and would operate as a blanket line for their non-Animated product including a new line glossed as Classics 2.0.

==Universe Classics==

Originally referred to as Classics 2.0 during the Hasbro preview panel, Hasbro announced bringing back ''Classics'' as part of a new [[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe line]], because of high fan support and to pick up the torch of realistic Earth vehicle designs from the ending Movie line. Hasbro said they were focusing primarily on characters who had realistic Earth alt-modes, were not represented in other current lines, and had high repaint potential. Concept art of [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] was shown (same base mold with different heads and alternate chest transformations and weapons). Art of an updated Decepticon triple-changer [[Octane]] was also shown.

Earlier in 2008 January Hasbro revailed the new character molds:

===Deluxe class:===
:[[Sunstreaker]]
:[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
:[[Octane]] (Renamed to '''Tankor''')

===Ultra class:===
:[[Powerglide]]
:[[Onslaught]]

[[Category: Classics| ]]
[[Category: Generation 1]]<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: Universe (2008 franchise)

2008-02-04T16:11:04Z

Trek:

{{disambig3|Universe}}
The 2008 '''''Universe''''' is the second ''Transformers'' [[franchise]] to use the name. Like [[Universe (franchise)|the previous franchise]], this line is intended to be something of a catch-all for toys that don't fit in the ''[[Transformers Animated]]'' line, currently the brand's flagship franchise.

Hasbro first announced the line at [[BotCon 2007]], stating that it would not have an overall story arc. The line's primary (but not ''only'') focus will be on "realistic" vehicles, filling a gap left by the ending of the [[Movie (franchise)|live-action movie]] line. The line's first offerings in 2008 will be a set of [[Generation 1]]- and ''[[Beast Wars]]''-inspired [[Robot Heroes]], and a continuation of the [[Classics (2006)#Universe Classics|Classics]] toyline in Deluxe and Ultra price points, with [[Legends of Cybertron|Legends]] and Voyager classes to follow.

In January 2008, Hasbro launched a web page for the new ''Universe'' line, featuring a preview of the first wave of new Classics and a CGI reimagining of the battle between [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from the [[The Transformers: The Movie|original animated Transformers movie]].

== External links ==

[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/universe/ Hasbro's Transformers Universe front page]

[[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>