Roller (G1)

This article is about G1 Optimus Prime's drone unit. For the pre-war policeman Autobot, see Roller (IDW). For a list of other meanings, see Roller (disambiguation).

Roller is a component of Autobot leader Optimus Prime from the Generation 1 continuity family.

File:Roller .jpg

Roller should not look this cool.

In robot mode, Optimus Prime splits into three components:

• A sentient robot module, the Brain Center
• A wheeled drone module known as Roller.
• A Combat Deck.

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

Roller is a small, cart-shaped device that Optimus Prime uses to slip unobtrusively behind enemy lines. He can maintain radio control over Roller at distances up to 1200 miles. Having Roller present somewhere is like being there himself.

Roller is a droid, able to function autonomously without Optimus's active oversight. But without Optimus, by far the most important of the three modules, Roller would not survive. Optimus shows great attachment and concern for Roller, who is left particularly vulnerable by the behind-the-scenes situations in which it specializes.

At least in one alternate reality, Roller combines with Cyclonus to form Grand Galvatron.

Roller's nature varies: in some realities, he is a drone component of Optimus Prime, while in others he is a sentient individual. Sometimes he is previously known as Barrelroller and later becomes known as the Micro Carrier (マイクロキャリア Maikuro Kyaria) or Apex Bomber.

Fiction

Generation 1 cartoon continuity

The Transformers cartoon

Roller's one tough little Autobot.

When Bumblebee and Sparkplug Witwicky were caught by Decepticons, and with the clock ticking on the bomb they planted, Optimus Prime sent Roller into the mine. When the bomb exploded, Optimus was nearly destroyed, More than Meets the Eye, Part 2 but Roller emerged cheekily unscathed, prompting Jazz to observe "Roller's one tough little Autobot!" More than Meets the Eye, Part 3

Roller exploits a tactical opening.

Another of Megatron's schemes involved sabotaging the Autobots' recharging chamber with a personality destabilizer device, turning a good number of them, including Optimus Prime, "evil". When the unaffected Autobots attempted to restore Prime back to normal, he split into his three components. Both Roller and the Combat Deck attempted to take the Autobots out, but Hound was able to nail them both with attitude exchangers and stop their attacks. Attack of the Autobots

The Autobots were stuck in vehicle mode by the evil Transfixatron. With Ironhide in the claws of Megatron's car-crushing machine, only Roller could save the day! Roller led the Decepticons on a merry chase, allowing Optimus to rescue Ironhide from the jaws of undignified death! The Autobot Run

Japanese cartoon continuity

Toy bios

Several million years ago on Cybertron, when Optimus Prime was a mere transport and delivery worker known as Orion Pax, Roller was an industrial droid known as Barrelroller. He transformed into an electromagnetic lift handle that helped Orion in his warehouse work moving heavy cargo. When Orion was fatally wounded by Megatron and rebuilt by Alpha Trion as Optimus Prime, Barrelroller was rebuilt into Roller.

Unite Warriors

"Sometimes, when people hire me to slay, I slay the people they hired me to slay, and then I slay the people who hired me to slay the people I slayed for them!"

After Optimus Prime died in the Unicron War, Roller was trapped between dimensions Baldigus Chapter, Part Two and consigned to soul-crushing wandering. His anger and despair as he journeyed created an emotional and malicious energy that attracted the attention of Unicron. His scattershot memory didn't tell much, but what he knew was his burning hatred for Optimus Prime of the Autobots. Unite Warriors bio As part of his plan to avert Galvatron from using his body as "Grand Galvatron", Unicron summoned Roller to his universe, christening him as "Wandering Roller" and giving him the ability to become a limb for Grand Galvatron. The assembled team was ordered to invade Cybertron so that the planet could serve as Unicron's new body, but Galvatron summarily ignored his request and set out to conquer the planet for himself. Grand Galvatron Chapter

Cyclonus, the main component of Grand Galvatron, had the group undergo training by exposing them to the lava pools of Thrull. The training regiment wasn't much of a challenge to Roller, though, who finished his time in the lava quickly so he could relax and sip on an energon cube. Special Training in the Lava Baths of Planet Thrull!

When Grand Galvatron attacked Cybertron, Roller and the others were separated into their individual forms by Trailbreaker and continued the battle on foot. He made his way into Vector Sigma's chamber, where Ratchet was trying to resuscitate Optimus Prime, and saw his chance to get revenge on Prime by destroying his body. He was stopped in his attempt by Sky Lynx, then re-combined with the rest of the team to do battle with Sky Reign. Sky Reign Chapter This face-off would be interrupted by the arrival of Megaempress and her 4 Guards. In the chaos that followed, Grand Galvatron's limbs fled in terror and Roller and Breakdown were forced by Flowspade to become fists for her "Transplay" ninja technique. Megatronia Chapter Roller was eventually released from this state and rushed to Optimus's defense when Unicron arrived with his upgraded Combatrons, recognizing the evil god as the greater threat. Baldigus Chapter, Part One

With Galvatron II's spirit excised from his body, Cyclonus called upon his teammates to help defend Cybertron from Unicron and the five combined into Grand Galvatron to help the other combiners in their attack against the evil god. When Optimus Maximus was split up by one of Unicron's attacks, Roller rushed to his old commander's side, granting his power as an arm for one last punch that sent Unicron back to the Triple Z Point. In the aftermath, Roller regained his memories of his past life as Optimus's partner and was saddened by his leader's admission that he had only seven days left to live. When Optimus Prime died again, Roller stood guard over his body, promising to never part with him again and hoping for a new power that would be able to resurrect his beloved partner. Baldigus Chapter, Part Two

The Battlestars

When Optimus Prime was restored to life as Star Convoy, he was equipped with an upgraded version of Roller known as the Micro Carrier.

The Micro Carrier would be instrumental in the Autobots' victory over the Great Novaroids. The Battlestars story page #7

Wings Universe

Wings Universe is based on the Generation 1 cartoon, but deviates from it in cosmetic ways and continuity points.

Bad touch! Bad touch!

Nine million years ago, Barrelroller was carried around by Orion Pax, who worked at storage yard 67 along with his friends Ariel and Dion. Battle Lines, Part 1

Marvel Comics continuity

Marvel The Transformers comics

Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.

Optimus Prime used his Roller unit to command a battle in Washington, D.C. while actually sneaking away from the action to find Ravage. Kickback swooped in and destroyed Roller, causing Optimus Prime to double over in pain, and ironically saving him from the Insecticon Bombshell's cerebro-shell. Plague of the Insecticons!

Marvel Generation 2 comic

Roller's extreme phase in the '90s.

Roller provided covering fire for Optimus Prime and Megatron as they fled the Cybertronian army. Total War!

Ladybird Books continuity

They see me rollin', they hatin'.

Spike's sally to sneakily sabotage the Solar Station was stymied by a sealed storage-door. Roller to the Rescue! Sent scuttling through the sage, secreted from Soundwave's sight, to supply a Cybertronian sonic multi-tool. Roller had saved the day!

Spike's subsequent sabotage of the solar station and ensuing detonation of the energon cubes in it could be construed (in some small way) to save the day as well. Megatron's Fight for Power

Highway Clash

The following summarizes one or more multipath adventures. Details vary depending on the paths taken in-story. See the book's page for information on alternate paths.

Optimus and Prowl secretly guarded a shipment of microchips that could be used to imbue sentience onto robots. While on this mission, Optimus had brought along Roller for extra protection against possible Decepticon threats. Highway Clash

IDW 2005 continuity

In his policeman days, Optimus had a good friend called Roller; he named his drone component after him.

You feelin' lucky, punk?

At Brasnya, Megatron ordered Blitzwing to wait for Optimus Prime to come into range before firing on him. Optimus discreetly sent Roller ahead to intercept Blitzwing, and at the last moment, Roller blew him up good. Escalation #4 Unfortunately, the same trick didn't work on Megatron, who buried the poor guy under a pile of rocks. However, this bought Optimus Prime the time to transfer his consciousness to his trailer section. Escalation #5

Ask Vector Prime

The Heroic Apex Bomber What Bombs at the Apex.

Vector Prime clarified that in some universes, Roller would indeed be upgraded into Apex Bomber. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/27

Toys

Generation 1

Many colors: Roller has been released in dark blue (shown), light blue, purple, dark purple, silver, and black.

• Optimus Prime (1984)
  • Japanese ID number: C-01

Roller was included with the original Optimus Prime toy (as well as its many rereleases). Roller is a small, six-wheeled vehicle that is stored in the trailer portion. The seats are scaled to allow Roller to carry Diaclone figures, due to its use in the prior toyline. The trailer/Combat Deck features a spring-loaded device that is capable of launching Roller out of the combat deck. Roller has a hole on top to hold the included oil pump or Optimus's gun. As a result of the original Optimus Prime's production variants (prior to rerelease), Roller was molded in silver plastic (the trailer's exterior color) as well as various shades of blue, indigo and purple (mold colors of the corresponding Optimus's fists/legs/Combat Deck unit).

As an homage to the silver Roller pictured in the G1 cartoon, some 2000s re-issues of Optimus Prime/Convoy have included Roller molded in that Prime's blue color, only painted silver. (Only the New Year Special and 25th Anniversary Rollers have been left blue, and unpainted.)

• More information on Roller (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info

• Convoy Black Version (2000)
  • Japanese ID number: 01

Along with Prime, Roller received a black repaint as a exclusive for the Japanese convention JAFCON.

• More information on Black Roller (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info

Commerorative Series

• Powermaster Optimus Prime with Apex Armor (2003)

When Hasbro re-released Optimus Prime's Powermaster toy in the Generation One Commemorative Series, it was simply a repackaging of Takara's earlier God Ginrai re-release, including Godbomber, which had only been sold in the Japanese market. In adapting the toy's presentation for an English-speaking audience, Hasbro was adding a whole new element to Prime's fiction, as Ginrai and Godbomber had nothing to do with Convoy. Thus did Godbomber become "Apex Bomber," which merged with Prime as "Apex Armor."

• More info on Apex Bomber at TFU.info

Collector's Edition

File:Barrelroller g1.jpg

The joke "do a barrel roll" has been used so many times now it's lost meaning.

• Orion Pax (2006)
  • Japanese ID number: 67

This Japanese e-HOBBY exclusive was a redeco of Targetmaster Recoil. As Orion Pax is meant to represent an early version of Optimus Prime, his Targetmaster partner, Barrelroller, is meant to represent an early version of Roller. This is the first version of Roller to actually transform, from robot to an electromagnetic lift handle.

• More information on Barrelroller (with Orion Pax) at TFU.info

Return of Convoy

• Star Convoy (Powered Master, 1991, 2005)
  • Japanese ID number: C-372

This toy from the Return of Convoy line included an upgraded Roller named the Micro Carrier, patterned after a tracked ballistic missile carrier.

• More information on the Micro Carrier (with Star Convoy) at TFU.info

Generation 2

• Optimus Prime (1993, 1994)

A slightly altered version of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime, it included Roller.

• More information on Generation 2 Roller at TFU.info

Smallest Transforming Transformers

• G1 Convoy Trailer (2003)
  • Japanese ID Number: GTF-01B (trailer)

Prime's Combat Deck was available separately as a shortpacked figure. Included was a tiiiiny Roller. Awww!

In wave 2.5, it was again available in cartoon colors as a chase figure.

• More information on Smallest Roller (with Combat Deck) at TFU.info

Hybrid Style

• G1 Convoy (2006)
  • Japanese ID number: THS-02

THS-02 G1 Convoy is a finely detailed, partially die-cast metal transforming toy of G1 Optimus Prime. It comes with a fully transforming and highly detailed trailer that opens up into its Combat Deck/repair bay, as well as Roller, who features four-wheel steering.

• More information on Hybrid Style Roller (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info

Encore

• Convoy (2007)
  • Japanese ID number: 01

Roller is included in this reissue of the original Optimus Prime toy, painted in "anime" colors (light gray).

Universe (2008)

• Optimus Prime 25th Anniversary Pack

Roller is reissued with Optimus in blue, as Hasbro wanted the unit to match Prime's fists. It was originally intended to be grey.

• More information on 25 Anniversary Roller (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info

Masterpiece

• Convoy (2011)
  • Japanese ID number: MP-10

MP-10 Convoy is an entirely new, smaller tooling (Compared to the original MP-01 Optimus) of Generation 1 Optimus Prime, and comes with a new version of Roller. Roller is silver, is capable of towing Prime's trailer, can be ridden by the included Spike Witwicky figurine, and the included Ion blaster can mount on its back.

• Convoy Mode "Eva" (2014-11-28)
  • Japanese ID number: MP-10

Transformers × Evangelion Convoy Mode "Eva" is a redeco of MP-10 Convoy complete with Roller, who is decoed in a military olive color and emblazoned with the NERV insignia. This toy was limited to 1,000 pieces.

• Convoy (7-Eleven ver.) (2018-02-28)
  • Japanese ID number: MP-711

Available exclusively from Japanese 7-11 stores, MP-711 is a 7-Eleven-themed Optimus Prime, with an accordingly colored Roller.

All this for the low, low price of an arm, a leg, and your firstborn son!

• Convoy (2019-08-24)
  • Japanese ID number: MP-44

This version of Roller is an entirely new mold included with the third Masterpiece Convoy, MP-44. Gray in color, he can interact with many of the included components and accessories: storing in the trailer, as expected, seating the included Spike, Sparkplug and/or Carly figures, and towing the repair drone, which can now separate from the trailer, has its own wheels, and also doubles as a flight-stand for when Optimus Prime wears his backpack.

Transformers (2010)

• Masterpiece Optimus Prime (2012)

The Hasbro Transformers Toys"R"Us-exclusive release of MP-10 Convoy also redecoes Roller, this time in blue. It retains all of the functionality and gimmickry from the previous release.

Generations

Lookit me, I'm a person! Eat it, Roller.

• Optimus Prime with Autobot Roller (Legends Class, 2013)
  • Series / Number: 02 / #001
  • Accessories: Ion Blaster

Part of the third wave of 2012-onwards Generations Legends Class toys, Thrilling 30 Optimus Prime comes "Autobot Roller", who transforms into a six-wheeled SUV, a robot with 3mm-compatible hands, and a weapon with a 5 mm handle. He has a 5mm hole in vehicle mode and a 3mm hole in weapon mode for mounting the Ion Blaster.

Not depicted in the instructions or stock photos, Roller can also attach to Prime in vehicle mode via two tabs on the vehicle front which slot into two corresponding slots on Prime's feet. Another undocumented feature is that the butt of the ion blaster can be inserted between the barrels of Roller's weapon mode to form a longer weapon.

This mold was redecoed into Movie Advanced Series Silver Roller and Generations Suppressor.

• More information on Generations Roller at TFU.info

• Optimus Prime & Bumblebee (Multi-pack, 2013-09-28)
  • Japanese ID number: TG24
  • Accessories: Ion Blaster

The Japanese release of Generations Legends Class Roller redecoes him in metallic blue. He comes in a TakaraTomy four-pack with Optimus Prime, as well as Bumblebee and Blazemaster. His bio describes him as a partner of Orion Pax in the Cybertron police force.

Unite Warriors

"Today I have become something I have always wanted to be... an only child!"

• Grand Galvatron (Multi-pack, 2016-04-30)
  • ID number: UW-06

A redeco of Combiner Wars Rook (the first release of this mold in Japan), the robot mode of "Wandering Roller" features a color scheme based on IDW Roller. His vehicle mode, on the other hand, is colored like the original silver version of Roller.

As a Deluxe Class Unite Warriors figure, he can combine to form the leg or arm of any combiner from Hasbro's Combiner Wars subline or any Unite Warriors figure or into one of Legends Godbomber's legs, but would usually be associated with Grand Galvatron.

He was released as part of a Grand Galvatron giftset along with Tactician Cyclonus, Ghost Starscream, Curse Armada Thrust, and Zombie War Breakdown.

Combiner Wars mold: Rook
Version 1: Hasbro: Combiner Wars Protectobot Rook Fun Publications: Combiner Wars Impactor Predacon Tarantulas TakaraTomy: Unite Warriors UW-06 Wandering Roller Version 2: Hasbro: Combiner Wars Swindle Swindle (Generation 2) Autobot Hound TakaraTomy: Unite Warriors UW-07 Swindle UW-EX Hound UW-EX Greejeeber Version 3: TakaraTomy: Unite Warriors UW-08 Nosecone

Notes

• Prime's original character description, as seen in the Transformers Universe profile comic, named the robot module "Optimus" and the drone module "Prime", noting that the Prime module is also known as Roller. However, in practice, these names were never used. The robot module was always treated as if named "Optimus Prime", with "Prime" even being his most common nickname.
• A reference to this "Prime module" was retained in Universe's Powermaster Optimus Prime profile, so the little guy must still be around, despite not being included with the Powermaster toy.
• Early concept drawings for Powermaster Prime, as seen in Transformers Generations, made him a Headmaster/Powermaster, with a four-wheeled Roller forming the head.
• When the Powermaster Optimus Prime toy was released it did not include Roller. Despite this, the Marvel comic and other contemporary fiction still presented Roller as his familiar cart-shaped self in Prime's trailer. When the toy was re-released in 2003 as part of the Commemorative Series it now included Apex Bomber, repurposed from Godbomber, who was described on package as a "roller drone". Apex Bomber hasn't shown up in any fiction but Ask Vector Prime would later state that in some universes Apex Bomber was indeed an upgraded version of Roller.
• Roller was renamed "Scout Car" in a profile in issue #1 of the UK Generation 2 comic.
• Roller was supposed to have a minor role in Ginrai's Binaltech toy bio (written by Hirofumi Ichikawa), but the toy was ultimately used as Optimus Prime and so the bio went unused. In this storyline, a new Dodge Ram Binaltech body was built for Roller, but was instead possessed by Ginrai as he travelled through time to save his own future.
• The so-called "Complete Edition" of the first Masterpiece Convoy toy did not come with Roller (the indignity!), and it would be around half a decade before a newer, more complete version of the Convoy toy was released that included Roller.
• According to Joe Kyde, the Generations: Thrilling 30 toy of Roller has a robot mode based on 2010 Transformers Breacher, while his vehicle mode is based on an APC vehicle accessory that was originally going to come with Prime Optimus Maximus.
• And no, he is not R2-D2.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Buggy (バギー Bagī), Roller (ローラー Rōrā)
• Mandarin: Xiǎo Gǔn Zhū (China, 小滚珠, "Little Rolling Bead")

External links

• Orion Pax's e-HOBBY bio.