Optimus Prime (Armada)

The name or term "Optimus Prime" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Optimus Prime (disambiguation).

Optimus Prime is the Autobot leader in the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.

Prime, Prime, and Prime.

Optimus Prime fights for truth, justice, and the Autobot way. He has led the search for the Mini-Cons, faced the resurrection of a dark god, and now aims to stop Megatron from obtaining the Cyber Planet Keys. He's also died a couple times, and tends to find a second-in-commandy-type to combine with to form a super robot.

He learns martial arts from whoever turns into a bulldozer, thinks Hot Shot has leadership potential and tends to recruit teenage children.

Also, he wants to make sure you don't sit too close to the TV screen.

Japanese Micron Legend name: Convoy

Japanese Superlink name: Grand Convoy

Japanese Galaxy Force name: Galaxy Convoy

Hungarian name: Első Optimusz ("Optimus, the First" or "Uproar of the Country's Little Fandom")

Polish Armada name: Optimus Pierwszy (Optimus First)

Fiction

Dreamwave comics continuity

Armada

One million years ago, Optimus Prime was in the satellite room of Autobot Headquarters in Cyber City when Hot Shot unexpectedly arrived, carrying unsettling news of an attack on the Mini-Con Village D-10 by Transformers calling themselves "Decepticons". Dreamwave Armada issue 1 While the Autobots investigated the remains of Mini-Con Village D-52, Optimus Prime demanded that they find clues on what had occured, as he did not know why the Mini-Cons had been taken and feared that these Decepticons had started a civil war. Soon afterwards, Megatron and his Decepticons invaded Cyber City and declared that the inhabitants now belonged to him. The Autobots arrived to defend the city, but were soundly beaten by the Mini-Con augmented Decepticons. Realizing that they were no match for the Decepticons, Optimus Prime ordered a retreat, for if they stayed and fought, they would die. Dreamwave Armada issue 2

Over the next million years, the Mini-Con empowered Decepticons steadily conquered the planet. Concerned that the conflict could escalate and put other worlds at risk, the Universal Peacekeeping Committee sent the famed mediator Fflaxl to the relatively unknown Cybertron in an attempt to settle the dispute between the Autobot and Decepticon "tribes" peacefully. However, just as he arrived, Megatron and Optimus Prime were in the midst of a battle, and Optimus Prime was sent flying, eventually landing on Bix, Fflaxl's bodyguard. The diplomat, seeing the scale of the war and its participants, decided that some conflicts were best left untouched and that everything would work out in the end. Armada Preview Meanwhile, the Mini-Con escape ship crash landed on a distant world known as Earth, dispersing the occupants all over the planet. A member of the indigenous human species, Rad White, stumbled upon the crash site and inadvertently activated the Mini-Con homing device, where it is detected by both Autobot and Decepticon forces. Optimus Prime resolved to go to this planet Earth, believing that this may be their second chance to being back justice to their home. Dreamwave Armada issue 3

The Autobots led by Optimus Prime used the space bridge to travel to Earth, unfortunately appearing right in front of a group of human children on a field trip to the Allspark Power Generation Station. Optimus Prime quickly decided that stealth was of the utmost importance and that they should minimize contact with the local inhabitants, a policy that was questioned by Smokescreen and Scavenger, who just wished to tear through the planet to find the Mini-Cons, as their own troubles were of greater concern. This brought on them an angry rebuke from Optimus who declared that they weren't about to endanger Earth or its inhabitants to serve Autobot interests, but he also understood their frustration, telling them to save their anger for the Decepticons. Meanwhile, the Decepticons had also arrived on Earth and were giving chase to Rad, Alexis, Carlos and their Mini-Con friends, Sparkplug and the Street Action Team. As Starscream and Cyclonus caught up to the fugitives, Optimus Prime and Scavenger appeared and knocking them out of the sky. Dreamwave Armada issue 4

When Megatron arrived on the scene, Optimus Prime bided his time while Smokescreen got into position and distracted his enemy by trash talking, mocking that for all of Megatron's Mini-Con-enhanced power, he had continually failed to defeat the Autobots. Alexis thought that he was a "big red blabbermouth" while Carlos opined that it was like watching a wrestling match due to all the talking they were doing before fighting. Suddenly, Smokescreen pulverised the cliff Megatron was perched upon, burying the Decepticon leader in rubble. At first, Prime was able to beat on Megatron, but the Decepticon's Mini-Con advantage proved too much, and Megatron Powerlinxed with all of his Mini-Cons, intending to obliterate all of Prime's circuits for his disrespect. Fortunately, Jolt's team of Mini-Cons arrived, saving Rad and the others, then Powerlinking with the Autobots to force the Decepticons into retreat. The Mini-Cons requested an alliance with the Autobots, on the condition that they were equals in partnership. Optimus Prime agreed, stating the Autobots desperately needed the Mini-Con's powers, but it was ultimately the choice for the diminutive robots to make. With the alliance formed, Optimus Prime ordered the Autobots to find suitable Earth vehicle modes and the construction of a local headquarters, for he had a feeling they were going to stay on this alien world for a long time. Dreamwave Armada issue 5

Later, Optimus Prime sought out the kids at the Black Hills to tell them goodbye, as he felt they had been drag into their war too deeply already. He wanted Sparkplug's support in the decision, but before the Mini-Con could fully voice his opinion, he received an emergency transmission from Sonar of the Air Defense Mini-Con Team, who were under attack by the Decepticons in Rapid City, South Dakota. Sparkplug proposed a covert rescue operation, but Optimus Prime flatly refused, fearing the Autobot Mini-Cons could be captured by the Decepticons. Fed up with Prime telling them what they could and can't do, the Mini-Cons and the kids went on their own. Dreamwave Armada issue 6 Meanwhile, Megatron had modified and forced the Air Defense Team to powerlink together to form the mighty Star Saber, and used it to attack the Autobase in Licoln. During the ensuing battle, Optimus Prime implored for the Air Defense Team to resist Megatron's manipulations and free themselves, as the power came from the three of them, not the one weapon, a concept that Megatron found unfathomable, as all he cared about was controlling the power. Sparkplug and the others returned to make amends, powerlinking with the Autobots to give them the edge they needed. Now on equal footing, Optimus fought back telling Megatron and the Air Defense Team that it was about respect: respect for the power and of the individual. The Air Defense Team broke free of their bonds and attacked the Decepticon leader. After the Decepticons retreated, so too did the Land Military Team and the Air Defense Team. Prime felt that because there was now a balance to the war, the non-aligned Mini-Cons were right to leave and not tip the balance for either side. Dreamwave Armada issue 7

Soon afterwards, a monolith crashed in Tranquility, Kansas and sent out a signal which summoned all Mini-Cons on Earth to converge at the monolith's location. Red Alert was not especially concerned considering the Autobot Mini-Cons could come and go as they pleased and that they may just needed some time to cool off, but Optimus Prime was worried: after the situation with the Air Defense Team, he was unsure of what they might do next. While the Mini-Cons were in their trace-like state, the Decepticons arrived, intent on claiming all of Earth's Mini-Cons for themselves. Rad used Sparkplug's communications systems to call Optimus Prime for help, which soon arrived. Unfortunately, while the Autobots and Decepticons fought amongst themselves, the Mini-Cons (and Rad) entered the monolith and blasted off into space. Dreamwave Armada issue 8 As the Autobots left for home, Optimus Prime explained to the kids the significance of the giant Mini-Con symbol that has been burned into the ground and that Rad had been taken to the Moon. He also told them the story about how the Mini-Cons had escaped Cybertron and eventually crashed their ship on the Moon, breaking it in half and sending the bow to Earth. Optimus' only plan was to wait for Megatron to make his move, and try to stop them, for they had no options for reaching the Moon that would not require specialised equipment or actions that would compromise their security on Cybertron. However, an opportunity provided itself when the majority of the Decepticon left for the Moon Dreamwave Armada issue 9, allowing Hot Shot and Red Alert to erase any Decepticon sensor logs while Optimus Prime used the space bridge to travel to the Autobase on Cybertron. Unfortunately, Jetfire had his hands full and resented Optimus Prime not leading the Autobots on Cybertron. However, Optimus did manage to get his hands on an Autobot Transport Gunship Dreamwave Armada issue 10, which he used to travel to the Moon. Unbeknownst to Optimus, however, the selfish and cruel Destruction Team leader Dualor had strapped Rad into one of the space mines protecting to Moon, and now Optimus was preparing to destroy the minefield, but he hesitated. While the Sparkplug's Mini-Con friends and the Space Team were working on rescuing Rad, Optimus Prime realised an itchy trigger finger would be disasterous. Optimus correctly deduced that Sky Blast meant no harm and allowed him to dock with the gunship whilst towing the dummy mine containing Rad. After blasting Cyclonus into pieces for attacking their ship, Optimus thanked Sky Blast for his help, and gave those back on the Mini-Con Fortress Base transportation to Earth promising them that he and his compatriots were in for a lot of changes in how the Autobots treated them. Dreamwave Armada issue 11

Energon

File:Optimusprime ut armada px.jpg

Optimus Prime (Powerlinx) during the years between the Unicron Battles and Energon. He thinks if he's not red and blue, nobody will recognize him.

Ten years after the defeat of Unicron, Over-Run showed Prime how to commune with Cybertron itself. Doing so reformatted the Autobot leader into a body capable of Powerlinking with a team of 'drone' vehicles, and granted him (and the other Autobots) the ability to combine with each other.

Upon returning to Earth, he decided that the Autobots would no longer hide from the inhabitants, but work with them openly. This decision led, among other things, to the Autobots' induction into the UN.

When last seen (before the bankruptcy of Dreamwave Productions), he was attempting to escape from within the remains of Unicron, after Megatron's trapped spark used him to regain his freedom.

Cartoon continuity

Armada

Voice actor: Garry Chalk (English), Tōru Ōkawa (Japanese), Guilherme Briggs (Portuguese), Pierre-Peters Arnold (German), Niclas Ekholm (Swedish)

"Maybe we shouldn't have fired lasers at the mirrors."

Millions of years ago, a young Optimus Prime fought with a great Decepticon warrior known as Scavenger. So often were their clashes, and so familiar were they to each other, the pair eventually became friends, and Scavenger signed up with the Autobots. Seeing great potential in the young Autobot leader, Scavenger taught Optimus Prime how to fight in hand-to-hand combat. Later, veteran Autobot Landmine trained Optimus in metallikato shortly before leaving Cybertron with Rodimus. Optimus later notes that their training made him the warrior and soldier he is today. Trust

Many years later, it is a more mature Optimus Prime that leads a small Autobot unit to Earth after the activation of the Mini-Con homing beacon. This beacon signaled to all the Transformers on Cybertron that the much-coveted Mini-Cons had survived their million years-long disappearance. After warping to Earth, Optimus saves three human children from the Decepticon leader, Megatron, who arrived on the alien world first.

File:ArmadaPrime firstappearance.jpg

He's part Optimus Prime, part Optimus Prime, part Optimus Prime and all Optimus Prime.

Clashing with his arch enemy, Optimus Prime bought the children and their Mini-Con High Wire time to escape while around them, and other Transformers warped into the battlefield. Later, after the Decepticons had reformatted themselves into suitable new vehicle modes, Optimus Prime saves the children again, joined by his two subordinates Red Alert and Hot Shot. First Encounter

Befriending these children, he introduces his crew of Autobots to them. The children aid Prime as he leads his crew around the world, searching for the long-lost Mini-Con Transformers, before the Decepticon forces can take them and use them for their own evil deeds.

File:Comrade PrimeMaximumBlast.jpg

You feel lucky, punk?

Soon afterward, both the Autobots and Decepticons detect a Mini-Con signal located in the Grand Canyon. With the help of the kids, Optimus Prime manages to pinpoint the location of the Mini-Con panel before he is confronted by Megatron, powerlinked to Leader-1. Outgunned, Optimus Prime is saved when Starscream arrogantly underestimates the Street Action Team's combined form of Perceptor. This distraction gives Optimus the opportunity to activate the Mini-Con panel, revealing that its occupant is Sparkplug, Optimus Prime's old Mini-Con partner and friend. Together they Powerlink, activating Optimus' powerful Maximum Blast which sends the Decepticons into retreat. Comrade

Through the treachery of Sideways and Thrust, the Decepticons manage to secure all three of the legendary Mini-Con weapons that form the Hydra Cannon, the most powerful weapon in the universe. Mounting their new doomsday device aboard a starship, Megatron decides to wipe out the Autobot base on Earth, regardless of the massive collateral damage to the planet itself. Optimus Prime and Jetfire launch a pre-emptive strike against the warship in the hopes of disabling the weapon and rescuing the Mini-Cons. However, they are outnumbered, forcing a desperate Optimus to throw himself into the path of the cannon and use the Matrix of Leadership to save Earth, but at the cost of his life. Crisis

Under the leadership of Hot Shot, the other Autobots give chase to the Decepticons aboard the Axalon. During a confrontation with their enemies, the Mini-Cons reach out to each other and resurrect Optimus from within the Matrix. There is little time to rejoice, as the Autobots pursue the Decepticons on their way back to Cybertron. Miracle

File:FinalbattlePrime cartoon.jpg

My God, it's full of stars...

After Unicron's apparent defeat, both Optimus Prime and Galvatron succumb to their base natures and have one last battle within the Chaos Bringer. Fighting each other to a standstill, both are surprised when Unicron suddenly comes back to life, feeding off their hate for each other. Galvatron is drawn toward Unicron's maw, with Prime holding onto his tank treads, telling him to hold on. His nemesis then makes the decision to sacrifice his life, giving Prime a final victory, so that Unicron may be destroyed and their race will survive.

In the aftermath, Optimus Prime reflects that he doesn't deserve the Matrix of Leadership and leaves both the Autobots and Cybertron for places unknown. Mortal Combat

Energon

Voice actor: Garry Chalk (English), Katsuyuki Konishi (Japanese), Niclas Ekholm (Swedish)

File:EnergonOptimusForms.jpg

Me, myself, and I... and me

8,000 eons ago, Optimus Prime stayed on Cybertron to continue its defense, even as Rodimus led a group of Transformers away from the planet, into space, in search of a new home. The Legend of Rodimus

A few years after the defeat of Unicron, Optimus Prime returned from exile to a newly-unified Cybertron where Autobots and Decepticons lived side-by-side in peace. Reassuming leadership of the Autobots, Optimus Prime established a dialogue with the Earth governments with the help of his human friends. Earth sent a delegation to Cybertron, consisting of the three kids and Dr. Brian Jones, the foremost expert in the newly discovered ore energon that both worlds covet.

Jones brought along his young son, Chad (also known as 'Kicker'), who was frightened by the tall, menacing robots. When the boy ran away to a ruined and abandoned part of Cybertron, Optimus Prime gave chase, warning Kicker that the area was strictly off limits. The boy accidentally fell and found his way into a massive darkened chamber where an energy being known as Primus saved him. Optimus Prime found his way into the chamber just as Primus evolved the human child. Sometime after this, Primus (now known as the creator-god of the Transformers), gave Optimus the Spark of Combination, allowing Optimus to grant combining powers to other Autobots. Prime could also now combine with a squad of four drone vehicles, which rode around with him in his trailer when not in use.

Almost a decade later, the energon mining facilities in Sol's asteroid belt, as well as their base on Mars, were attacked by a mysterious force of beast-like Transformers. Primus warned Optimus that the enemy was after the energon, causing Optimus to assemble a unit so he could personally assess the situation. Finding no life on Mars, his unit then moved to Earth, where he saved Kicker and Ocean City from an attack by the same creatures. Cybertron City

Prime agreed to the evacuation of Ocean City, then led a counterattack against the Terrorcons at Lunar City. He assigned the headstrong Kicker to be partners with the rookie Ironhide, suspecting that the experience would be difficult but beneficial for both of them. Energon Stars Prime prepared his troops to defend Earth's Cybertron Cities from further attack. Scorpinok Eventually the Terrorcons' attacks forced him to make a difficult call, abandoning the survivors at Mars City in favor of remaining to defend Ocean City. In the battle that followed, the sight of Megatron's sword caused Prime to wonder if his old nemesis might still be alive. At the same time, the Decepticon troops under his command began abandoning the cause one by one. Megatron's Sword

Optimus continued to lead his team against Terrorcon attacks, but soon found himself face-to-face with his oldest and greatest foe. Megatron Resurrected In a subsequent battle at Ocean City, the two threw down with all their power. Armed with a copy of Megatron's sword, Optimus was able to defeat him and force the Decepticons to retreat. Megatron Raid

Optimus soon found himself stalked by the ghostly Starscream, who secretly followed him around Ocean City, hoping for a chance to assassinate him. Prime lured Starscream to the Moon, where they could battle without interference or collateral damage. Starscream revealed his plans to revive Unicron, causing Prime no small measure of consternation. Though the teleporting Starscream maintained the advantage, Optimus was able to generate "Hot Shot's blaster" during a subsequent Decepticon attack, using it to drive off the attackers. Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary

Prime then led a team into the asteroid belt, where they destroyed an asteroid that looked nothing like Unicron, because it looked like Unicron. Battle of the Asteroid Belt

Prime continued to lead Earth's defense until Dr. Jones' energon tower could be completed, ensuring the planet's safety. Energon Tower This role forced him into a difficult decision, detonating the energon stores of Jungle City in the midst of an overwhelming attack. Although the explosion repulsed the attacking Decepticons, it also obliterated some of Earth's most ancient ruins and an entire Cybertron city. Crisis in Jungle City

Prime next clashed with Megatron at Lunar City, but once again a newly-arrived energon tower cut the battle short. Kicker Beware! He then led a space-based defense against several giant "comets" that Megatron had created to destroy Earth, which was ultimately saved by the final completion of the energon grid. Energon Grid

With Earth secure, Optimus decided to lead his team into space, to pursue and destroy Unicron before Megatron could revive the planet-eater. Rodimus: Friend or Foe? As the Autobots prepared to leave Earth's solar system aboard the Miranda II, the Decepticons attacked once more; struggling with Megatron, Optimus narrowly avoided getting caught by the ship's energon grid. Demolishor wasn't so lucky. Go for Unicron!

Optimus had his team follow Kicker's energon-finding instincts, leading them to a misadventure on a frozen planet. The Return of Demolishor Soon after, Optimus was confronted by Rodimus -- who shocked him with the proposal that Unicron must not be destroyed, but rather restored! Optimus wasn't convinced, and Rodimus went his own way. A Tale of Two Heros Optimus soon was forced to carry out his plan to lure Unicron into the space bridge and to Cybertron, where Rad assaulted Unicron with the planet's energon grid, massively damaging him. Battle Stations

With Unicron repulsed, Optimus led a team to Cybertron's surface, where the Decepticons were in rebellion. Alpha Q: Identity They soon learned that the Decepticon criminal Shockblast had escaped, and pursued him to the very chamber of Primus. Shockblast escaped, however, and Optimus soon had other concerns: Kicker was returning to Cybertron, with the head of Unicron! Shockblast: Rampage

At Kicker's insistence, Optimus met with the alien Alpha Q and heard his story. Moved, he agreed to help Alpha Q revive his planets, but the defense of Cybertron remained his top priority. When Unicron began lashing out at his captors, it was Optimus who recognized the actions as blind survival instinct. Survival Instincts

Prime returned to Cybertron's surface to lead the planet's defense as Megatron attacked again. He was present to witness Wing Dagger's death at the hands of Shockblast. Each One Fights... he subsequently led his team in a direct counter-attack against Unicron, seeking to infiltrate it and defeat Megatron inside. Unicron Unleashed Prime was fully prepared to face down his enemy in a one-on-one showdown, but instead was ambushed by a vengeful Shockblast and left damaged. Alone and facing two Decepticons, he was revived and saved by the arrival of an energon infusion from Earth. Open Fire!

Wing Dagger, now rebuilt as Wing Saber, arrived and revealed that he and Optimus could combine, greatly enhancing their power. Prime rallied his troops to complete their mission of destroying Megatron. Before it could happen, however, Megatron triggered a catastrophic energon reaction, ripping a hole in the fabric of space and fleeing into it. Optimus gamely led a team in pursuit of him. Ripped Up Space

Team Optimus Prime Protection Improsoned Inferno Jungle Planet Bulkhead Farewell Inferno Crash Course Omega Supreme A Heroic Battle The Power Optimus Supreme Unicron Perishes Ambition Wishes Galvatron! Breakthrough! Distribution The Omega Train Deception Army Ironhide Team Formidable Galvatron Terror Destructive Power Spark The Sun

Cybertron

Voice actor: Garry Chalk (English), Taiten Kusunoki (Japanese), Eberhardt Haar (German)

File:CybertronPrime finalbattlepose.jpg

"Weapons Primed..."

Primus' plan to trap Unicron inside an energon sun has failed, and this star has collapsed into a massive black hole. Optimus Prime faces the greatest test in his existence when his home planet is threatened with destruction, but realises there is no choice but to evacuate the population to Earth. As they make plans to leave, a mysterious time-travelling Transformer named Vector Prime appears, advising Optimus to search for the Cyber Planet Keys, the only means of restoring Primus' spark, and the only way they can save Cybertron and the rest of the universe from oblivion. Fallen

Arriving on Earth, Optimus Prime is forced to break his own strict orders to hide from the human population when he rescues the injured Landmine and three human children from Thundercracker. Befriending the children, named Coby, Bud and Lori, he relies on them to educate the Autobots about their new home and how to blend into the environment as Robots in Disguise. Inferno Hidden

Soon afterward, the children's hometown of Boulder, Colorado is threatened with devastation by a landslide. Understanding how the humans would feel at the loss of their home, the Autobots leap into action, rescuing people trapped and leading them to safety, all the while in disguise. Optimus Prime (somehow) prevents the landslide by pumping water out of an underground lake beneath the mountain, causing it to collapse in on itself and eliminate the threat. Collapse

Games

Transformers Playstation 2 game

Voice actor: Garry Chalk (English)

Optimus Prime was dueling with Megatron atop a very high building just before Megatron received the Mini-Con beacon. Following his nemesis to prevent him from using the Mini-Cons for evil, Prime arrived on a new planet: Earth.

Arriving in the Amazon, he familiarized himself with the territory before going and recovering the first Mini-Con Panel. (Which Mini-Con it is varies with the game difficulty, with Lock-On being released on the first two difficulty levels). He then traversed a disproportionate bridge, had a brawl inside a temple, and scaled a pathway up a cliff face before arriving at a run-down temple and encountering Cyclonus. Cyclonus (sporting a fanciful, comic British accent) ordered a Heavy Unit to attack him, declaring Earth as "Decepticon property". Prime took care of the Heavy Unit, and Hot Shot and Red Alert joined him. Soon they discovered their old Mini-Con partners. (Sparkplug remains with Optimus for the remainder of the game, activating a rather pointless "Powerlinx" Max Payne-esque bullet time mode which drains Prime's health.)

Trivia

Arise, Bigfootimus Prime.

• According to the Armada Playstation 2 game instruction booklet, Optimus Prime's Armada body has the following statistics:

Mass: 18,960 lbs

Robot height: 22' 11"

Robot top speed: 31 mph

Vehicle height: 8' 3"

Vehicle top speed: 125 mph

Vehicle power: 700 hp @ 2500 rpm

• One of the earliest Armada Optimus Prime concepts depicts him as being an ENORMOUSLY HUGE MONSTER TRUCK. Makes one wonder about the origins of the "Monster Convoy" inscription on Super Base Optimus Prime's tires.

• For at least part of the Energon animated series, the CGI model for Optimus Prime's handgun resembled an oversized six-shooter rather than the actual toy's chamber-less handgun for unknown reasons.

• Cybertron Optimus Prime has some design similarities to GaoGaiGar from The King of Braves GaoGaiGar, such as the chin protrusion and cheekguards.

External links

• Optimus Prime at TFU.info
• Energon Optimus Prime redeco with Smallest Transformers Optimus Prime gallery