Optimus Prime (G1)

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

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Optimus Prime is the leader of the Autobots from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime is the awe-inspiring leader of the Autobot forces. Originally a mere civilian, he was chosen by the Matrix to command, the first in a number of heavy burdens he has been forced to bear. Another is his bringing of the Transformers' conflict to Earth. The complete opposite of his mortal enemy Megatron, every casualty, human or Cybertronian, weighs heavily on his spark. He does not show this side to his soldiers, and he never succumbs to despair. The Autobots need a decisive, charismatic leader, and that is what he gives them. It was that leadership which turned the tide of the Great War.

On the battlefield, there are few who rival Optimus Prime's prowess. He is easily the strongest of any Autobot his size, and his ion blaster and his energon-axe are deadly weapons. He would sacrifice his life to protect his fellow Autobots or those under their care, and does so on a regular basis. His compassion for other sentient beings is his only real weakness, and one the Decepticons have taken advantage of time and again... though it's also the source of his strength!

Prime carries within him the Matrix of Leadership.

Before being rebuilt into a Powermaster his robot mode split 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.

“	Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.	”
—Optimus Prime's most common bio quote

Japanese name: Convoy (コンボイ)

Japanese name (Laser Rod): Battle Convoy

French-Canadian & Czech name: Optimus Primus

Hungarian name (The Movie): Optimusz Fővezér / Optimusz Prájm ("Optimus Chief")

Italian name: Commander

Portuguese name (Portugal comics): Optimus Supremo ("Optimus Supreme")

Portuguese name (Brazil cartoon): Líder Optimus ("Leader Optimus"), sometimes Optimus Prime

Portuguese name (Brazil comics): Supremus Absolutus

Taiwanese name: Tīh-ghŭ (鐵牛, literally "Iron Ox" or "Iron Bull", a kind of vehicle in early days and rural area)

Chinese name (Taiwan): Jr-tsūn (至尊, "Prime")

Cantonese name: O Baak Man (柯柏文)

Chinese name (China): Qing Tian Zhu (擎天柱, "Pillar that Supports the Sky")

Fiction

Marvel Comics continuity

Don't worry, the multiple crises of conscience come soon enough.

Optimus Prime was a gladiator champion for Iacon before quickly working his way up the Autobot ranks once Megatron started the war. Four million years ago, when Decepticons attacked the Ark, he personally chose to crash it onto Earth, a decision that caused him much remorse when the war restarted on Earth in the modern day.

Though Optimus allowed himself to be destroyed when he betrayed his own moral code while playing a video game, a copy of his mind survived on a floppy disk. Years later, he was restored as a Powermaster, binary bonded to the Nebulan, Hi-Q. Optimus Prime slowly earned the respect of Decepticon leader Scorponok, mourned the loss of his friend Ratchet, and ultimately sacrificed everything to defeat Unicron. Though Optimus died again, his mind persisted in Hi-Q, and the Last Autobot was able to restore him as an Action Master in time to bring a temporary end to the war.

In one universe, Optimus Prime went on to battle Jhiaxus, his Cybertronian Empire, and the Swarm. In another, fifteen years of peace passed before Megatron rose again.

S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers

The Autobots were outnumbered and outgunned on Earth from the start, though Optimus was confident (and correct) that reinforcements from Cybertron would arrive. Reinforcements from Cybertron!

However, the situation was still so desperate that Optimus not only decided to recruit human allies The battle is far from over!, but aggressively tried to recruit and deputise human children, including giving them the power to co-ordinate Autobot teams in battles. He wouldn't even make a final move on the Decepticons until he had enough child soldiers on his side. Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now! Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all? In at least one case, this likely led to the death of a small boy at Decepticon hands. Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?

Optimus later led a convoy in search for a building site for Autobot City, which ran into a Decepticon ambush. Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth. He sent off several Autobots to get help, knowing this was the only chance of victory. Transformers Combat Data Those several Autobots were seen again, but Prime... wasn't.

Generation 1 cartoon continuity

He had this ax once. It was very memorable.

Before the war, Optimus Prime was originally Orion Pax, a young dock worker with a girlfriend named Ariel. But as the war began, Megatron destroyed them both, and Alpha Trion rebuilt them into more powerful warriors.

Four million years ago, Optimus Prime ended a Decepticon attack on the Ark by directing it towards prehistoric Earth. When both factions reawakened in 1984, Optimus Prime and the Autobots fought the Decepticons on numerous occasions until 2005. During an attack on Autobot City on Earth, Prime fell in battle against Megatron and passed the Matrix of Leadership to Ultra Magnus.

Optimus Prime eventually returned, once as a zombie, and again when he was rebuilt by the Quintessons to stop the spread of the Hate Plague.

The details between these events differ between universes. Sometimes Optimus Prime merged with Vector Sigma soon after defeating the Hate Plague, and returned much, much later as Star Convoy. Sometimes Optimus Prime partnered up with Marissa Faireborn to receive upgrades through mutual kissing. Sometimes... look, he did a lot of weird stuff, okay?

Kid Stuff Talking Story Books

Voice actor: Unknown

Optimus Prime is a "metallic nemesis". Megatron said so.

Big Looker Story Books

And the fluffy kitten played with that yarn all gosh-darn night.

When a two-part race was being held with a massive supply of oil and gasoline as the prize, both the Decepticons and the Autobots badly wanted to win it. Megatron entered the race by hiding himself inside a hollowed-out car and harassed Cliffjumper all throughout the contest. When Prime discovered the car was being driven by his arch foe, he swiftly pulled a telephone pole out from the ground and used it to bash the mortal hell out of the cheating Decepticon. Thanks to Prime's violent intervention, Cliffjumper was able to win the race. Afterward, Optimus Prime celebrated the Minibot's victory with a gargantuan smile as all the Decepticons starved to death. The Great Car Rally

Ladybird Books continuity

Autobots' Lightning Strike Megatron's Fight for Power Autobots Fight Back Laserbeak's Fury Autobot Hostage Decepticons Underground

Transformer PD Type comic

This is the highlight of this entire page.

When a horde of time-displaced Decepticons joined forces to hunt down the five Blackballs, a super energy source, Optimus Prime gathered a team of time-displaced Autobots to help stop them.

In one encounter with his arch-foe Megatron, they reenacted their epic struggle from the Battle of Autobot City. However, this time around, Prime avoided dying by launching his "Matrix Attack"...literally launching the Matrix from his chest, bonking Megatron on the head. You're Great! Optimus Prime!

Later, Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus concocted a cunning strategy. They disguised a round, black cartoon explosive as a Blackball and gave it to Starscream. Starscream promptly brought it to Megatron, where it blew both of them up. Optimus and Magnus were astounded their plan actually worked. Don't Cry! Megatron!!

In one of his less impressive moments, after running out of ammo during a battle with Deathsaurus, Optimus Prime ordered his fellow Autobots to improvise and hurl everything that wasn't nailed down at their enemy. This included the Blackball, unfortunately. Catching it, Deathsaurus began to fantasize about his inevitable galactic conquest, all the while being pelted with rocks and litter. Frustrated, Deathsaurus accidentally hurled the Blackball back to the Autobots in a fit of rage. Good Job! Deathsaurus!!

Comic Bom Bom G-2 comic

GAH, HE'S LOOKING AT ME!

In the year 199X, the Decepticons had learned of a powerful new energy source known as forestonite which just happened to be located (surprise surprise) on Earth. Megatron sent his trio of Cyberjets to Earth first to draw out the enemy Autobots. The Cyberjets made quick work of Electro but were soon halted by the appearance of Optimus Prime.

Megatron then entered the fray and fired his Black Hole Burn attack from his fusion cannon, narrowly missing Optimus Prime but vaporizing Hooligan in the process. Prime fought fiercely but Megatron began to take the upper-hand in battle.

However, Prime was encouraged to keep fighting by the cheers of a human boy named Junpei. Megatron, surprised at Prime's resilience, attempted to finish his foe off with his Tornado Axe attack. Prime countered with his Double Wheel-Torque Mega-Ton, which trumped Megatron's attack and injured the Decepticon badly. Megatron teleported back to his ship and left Earth's atmosphere, vowing to return.

Optimus Prime addressed Junpei, asking if the boy was injured. Junpei revealed he was alright but presented concern about the Decepticons returning to Earth. Optimus Prime swore that the Autobots would remain on Earth until the threat of the Decepticons was finished and asked for Junpei's help in making that future a reality. The New Battle!!

Beast Wars cartoon continuity

Beast Wars cartoon

You have to get up preeeeetty early in the timestream to beat Optimus Prime!

The Beast Wars raged on prehistoric Earth, eventually leading to the discovery of the buried Ark sometime after its crash on prehistoric Earth. Megatron, following his namesake's instructions in a desperate gambit, decided to attempt to change history by killing Prime, who was still lying in the Ark in stasis lock. Megatron hoped that this would result in the Decepticons winning the Great War and eventually Predacon control of Cybertron. Megatron unleashed a full-power weapon blast at Optimus Prime's face, near-fatally injuring him. The Agenda (Part III) However, Optimus Primal proceeded to take Prime's spark into his body to protect it from surgical trauma while his injuries were repaired. The subsequent power increase caused by Prime's spark's connection to the Matrix mutated Primal into a large, Transmetal "Optimal Optimus" form. Then, with the repairs complete, Prime's spark was restored, and he briefly activated before sinking back into normal stasis. Optimal Situation

Sometime after the Autobots and Decepticons awoke in the 1980s, the original Megatron gained access to one of Earth's Voyager spacecraft and inscribed a message on the disk on board. In the event that he lost the War, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use transwarp technology to travel to Prehistoric Earth, locate the Ark, and change history by killing Optimus Prime. The Agenda (Part 2)

Beast Machines cartoon

Voice actor: Garry Chalk (English), Tilo Schmitz (German)

An enormous statue of Optimus Prime, bearing two Golden Disks, could be seen on Cybertron in front of the Hall of Archives. The statue was subsequently blown to pieces by the Vehicon forces. Fires of the Past Later, Megatron beamed a hologram of Optimus Prime down to the ruins of Iacon to confront Optimus Primal. Primal mistook the hologram for the real thing and shared with it the code for the Oracle. Megatron quickly revealed his ruse. Primal explained to his Maximals that he knew the image was fake, but he needed the location of the missing sparks from Megatron's mind. Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search

Writer Bob Skir claims that neither the statue nor the golden disks in its hands were mentioned in the script. However, he suggested that they were either the disks from the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes, or that Optimus won them in the 2,395,989th Annual Cybertronian spelling bee. We're betting on the latter.

Universe: Primeval Dawn

"Oh, I also have this in me now, too."

The Vok took the Matrix of Leadership from an unconscious Optimus Prime, used it to create Primal Prime, then gave the Matrix to their new creation. Primeval Dawn Part 1

In the Beast Wars cartoon, Prime's spark was shown to be contained in a Matrix-like vessel. In Primeval Dawn, that vessel was shown to be merely a container for his spark, and the actual Matrix was hidden underneath.

Beast Wars Metals comic

Cheetor, that's Prime's Spark, not a toy.

Optimus Prime was blasted into pieces by Dragon Megatron. Fortunately, his spark remained perfectly intact—in the remains of his Matrix-shaped spark chamber. Megatron was going to destroy Prime's spark, but Cheetor (now in his Transmetal body) saved it. Prime's spark was eventually swallowed by Optimus Primal, who was upgraded into Optimal Optimus by doing so.

After Megatron was killed by Optimal Optimus, Primal and his crew said it would be troublesome to fix Optimus Prime's body.

Dreamwave comics continuity

What? OPTRONIX is evolving!

Optimus Prime started life as Optronix (Orion to his friends), a data archivist. After taking note of a battle in which the Autobot leader Sentinel Prime had been defeated by Megatron, he was summoned to the council of elders and informed that the Matrix had chosen him to be the next leader of the Autobots. He received the Matrix of Leadership shortly thereafter, gaining a powerful new body in the process, and almost arranged for the Autobot evacuation of Cybertron, intending to leave the Decepticons to their own devices, until a battle with Megatron beneath the planet's surface, accompanied by visions from the Matrix, stirred him on to fight for the safety of his homeworld. Some time into his role as leader, Prime disappeared in a space bridge explosion along with Megatron, but returned some time later, having spent a period of time on Quintessa. The War Within

Following the awakening of the Transformers on Earth, the Autobots protected the planet from the Decepticons. Over the next fifteen years, the Autobots befriended the humans, particularly the Witwicky family. The Autobots finally allied with humankind and eventually defeated the Decepticons at the turn of the century. They planned to return to Cybertron aboard the newly constructed Ark II, along with seven humans, including Witwicky patriarch Sparkplug. Before the ship departed, Prime gave a piece of the Matrix to Spike Witwicky, Sparkplug's son and Bumblebee's closest human friend. But the ship was destroyed as part of a military conspiracy to take control of the Transformers. However, a terrorist organization run by the enigmatic Lazarus was able to seize control of several of the Transformers that fell back to Earth, while the U.S. military located Prime's body. Spike was forced by the product chief, General Robert Hallo, to use the piece of the Matrix to reactivate Prime. Functional again, Prime used the Matrix to reactivate more of his fallen comrades, and then faced off against Megatron in San Francisco. Prime Directive

Following this, Prime began to experience subconscious urgings, leading both the Autobots and the Decepticons to the Arctic Circle, where Shockwave arrived to greet them—and arrest them as war criminals. Shockwave had succeeded in ending the war on Cybertron, but Prime soon fell in with a rebel Autobot group that had discovered Shockwave had a greater agenda. Rallying Autobots across Cybertron to the cause, Prime faced Shockwave in battle but was defeated and had the Matrix ripped from him and used to activate Vector Sigma. Before Shockwave could make full use of the mega-computer's data, however, Ultra Magnus arrived and bested him. The injuries Prime took in this conflict necessitated a prolonged restoration period in stasis. War and Peace

...which turned out to be the remainder of Dreamwave's existence. Bummer.

G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers

G.1. Joe—the real universal hero!

Several Autobots and Decepticons, including Optimus Prime, were reformatted into will-less war machines under the control of Cobra. During an initial attack on a human peace conference, Cobra's remote control of Optimus mysteriously failed. Later at Cobra's island headquarters in the Caribbean, Cobra scientists pulled Optimus apart to find out what was impeding their commands. As this analysis took place, Optimus reverse hacked into Cobra computers until they shut him down in a panic. Despite this, Prime sent a viral message out to hundreds of email addresses that included the coordinates of Cobra's base. The message was intercepted by G.I. Joe who teamed up with Wheeljack and Bumblebee. After Wheeljack broke the remote control over the Transformers, Prime went after Cobra Commander. More than a bit frightened of a giant robot gunning for him, the human released Megatron, who was trapped in gun model. Megatron transformed and fought Prime to a standstill until other Autobots came to back him up.

Although he was weak and low on energon, Prime made a last-ditch effort to save the day when he rammed through the wall of Megatron's energon-producing lab. After a quick recharge, Optimus single-handedly smashed the Decepticons, pounded Megatron to the ground, and ripped his fusion cannon off his arm. Prime then teamed up with the Joes and used Megatron's cannon to shoot down the SPS satellite that had gone rogue and was destroying the island.

With the battle over, Prime and the Autobots boarded a new Ark ship built by G.I. Joe and returned to Cybertron. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers

Retro Convoy: TRANSFORM!!!

On a Cybertron dominated by Shockwave and the Decepticons, Optimus Prime and the Autobots took on the roles of resistance fighters. Cobra experimentation transported a contingent of Cobras and G.I. Joes to Cybertron and destabilized Teletran 3. The computer then sent several Transformers to Earth across different time periods. A team made up of Joes and Cobra agents were sent back and found Optimus Prime and the Stunticons in 1930s-era Chicago, disguised as period cars and trucks. The Stunticons chased Prime and the Joes around the city until everything was wrapped up with bullets, a collapsed bridge and some dynamite.

After the Transformers and humans were returned to present-day Cybertron and the Decepticons were vanquished by the recently-arrived Dinobots, Prime made an agreement with the Joes to destroy the technology that started the whole mess in order to protect Earth. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II

On Cybertron, Optimus Prime kicked back to do a little bit of paperwork and reminisce. With Shockwave defeated, Cybertron was enjoying a new era of peace. He was interrupted by Hot Rod, who reported that a group of "pesky humans with their peashooters" were giving an Autobot team on Earth a hard time. Prime suspected Cobra's involvement and counseled Hot Rod not to be so dismissive of the humans.

Later, at a peace celebration, Prime was watching a procession of Autobots when Decepticons attacked. Optimus ordered Omega Supreme into action but the huge Autobot was quickly overcome by Menasor, Piranacon and Predaking. Prime hopped into the fray, saved a female Autobot from getting smushed by the falling Omega, rode a flying Decepticon into Piranacon's face, smashed another Decepticon into the ground, and carried a wounded Autobot out of danger.

Serpent O.R. soon realized that "This I command!" doesn't work on Optimus Prime.

Menasor cut off Prime's escape and confronted him with a hologram of Serpent O.R. The new Decepticon leader carried Megatron's memories and information downloaded from Soundwave, from which he learned of the Matrix of Leadership. Serpent O.R. offered Optimus a trade: hostages and peace if he handed over the Matrix. Optimus agreed.

In his stronghold, Serpent O.R. questioned Prime about his own worthiness to carry the Matrix, but Optimus broke free of his chains and aggressively ordered him to surrender. A group of Decepticons broke in and nearly took Prime apart, but not before Serpent O.R. took the Matrix for himself and changed into the massive Serpentor Prime. The Matrix showed Serpentor Prime the error of his ways but as he was about to commit suicide Cobra Commander tripped a device and took over Serpentor Prime's body. Moments before he crushed Arcee, a severely damaged Optimus Prime threw Hawk toward the Matrix but warned the human not to touch the artifact. Hawk did so anyway and through a quasi-mystical transfer of power Serpentor Prime was vanquished.

Later repaired by a female nursebot, Optimus went back to finishing his paperwork. A leader's job is never done. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War

Sensing a new, yet old, danger to planet Earth, Prime elected to send himself to earth on an investigation, and gave Hot Rod a glare when the young Autobot accused his leader of taking an unnecessary risk to atone for the death of a close friend.

Optimus Prime landed in the Himalayan Mountains with G.I. Joes Flint and Hawk. As they searched the area, the trio was attacked by Bludgeon in his Pretender shell. Prime whacked him with his energon-axe and in return Bludgeon bearhugged him and coated him in metal-eating slime. Hawk, still carrying power from the Matrix, helped Prime break free. Optimus then shot his way into the hidden kingdom of Cobra-La.

While they wandered through the tunnels, the Joes and Prime found cave paintings that described the last visit to Earth by the planet-eating god Unicron. They were attacked again by Bludgeon and Cobra-La minions, but were led away by a ragged Joe Colton, prisoner of Cobra-La for the last 25 years. Bludgeon managed to find them again and during a second battle Prime tore open the Pretender's shell, revealing Bludgeon's robot form inside. Bludgeon tripped and dangled dangerously over a chasm, but rather than let Optimus Prime save him, Bludgeon forced Prime to drop him to his death laughing all the way down.

The Joes discovered a cavern where the people of Cobra-La were growing metal-eating spores as a last defense against Unicron. Flint and Cosmos took a load of the spores into space just as Unicron appeared in Earth orbit. Prime, Hawk and Colton headed deeper into Cobra-La to rescue Firewall and kick butt. Prime was tackled and pinned by a giant bug creature, but made a dramatic recovery and tossed the bug aside. He then took the machine-hating Cobra-La leader Golobulus to task with a single punch. Flint and Cosmos released the spores, which devoured Unicron from the inside and defeated the giant Transformer before he could harm Earth.

With the threat of Unicron gone, Prime relaxed with Eject and Firewall by watching some reality TV, and sighed at the banality. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: Black Horizon

IDW comics continuity

This section covers fiction that is ongoing. It will be added to as the story progresses. If it isn't current, you can help by updating it.

Megatron Origin depicted that before the war, a robot that's a hybrid of the "Orion Pax" and "Optronix" designs appears listening to Sentinel Prime's speech at the funeral of Bumper and Fastback. He is standing with Elita One, Alpha Trion, and a white version of himself (presumably Ultra Magnus, possibly even Dion). Whether this is truly the IDW continuity's version of pre-Prime Optimus or not remains unrevealed.

There's something missing...

Galvanized by the death of Sentinel Prime, Optimus joined the Autobot forces under Sentinel's successor, Zeta Prime, and was assigned to a unit commanded by the veteran Kup. During his tour of duty, his unit intercepted a message reporting a planned attempt on the Prime's life. He approached former racer Blurr as a reliable means of getting the news to Zeta Prime in a hurry. The former celebrity balked, but ultimately the young soldier helped Blurr find what really drove him to race, and thus recruited him to the Autobot cause. Spotlight: Blurr

An undisclosed amount of time later, Optimus became Optimus Prime. While reviewing his new troops, he came upon a defiant old veteran called Ironhide, who thought of Prime as a wet-behind-the-audio-receptors upstart. Optimus was intrigued by this old coot and asked Ironhide to teach him about the ways of war—and Ironhide did just that. Everything he threw at Optimus, Optimus took and learnt. All his hard comments were taken in. But one day, Optimus, having gained much wisdom since meeting Ironhide, decided to go against Ironhide's counsel, heading east instead of west. This turned out to be a good idea, as Trypticon had been waiting in the west to ambush the Autobot forces. Later still, Ironhide and Optimus got a bit unlucky and ended up dangling off a cliff with Ironhide missing a leg. They were eventually rescued. After this, Ironhide developed a respect and awe for his protege. All Hail Megatron issue 13

This story conflicts with previous fiction featuring Optimus and Irohide: In Spotlight: Blurr, pre-Prime Optimus and Ironhide are in the same unit, which contradicts neither of them recognizing the other when Optimus Prime reviews his troops.

File:IDWOptimus.jpg

Freedom is the right of all sentient and heavily-armed beings.

A further undisclosed amount of time later, Optimus Prime commanded the Autobot armed forces spread across the galaxy from the Autobot Orbital Command Hub. He was directly involved in the cataclysm (just under 450 years ago) that reduced Cybertron to a dead husk, fighting alongside Megatron in an attempt to stop Thunderwing's rampage. Their efforts were futile, and they only survived due to Cybertron itself swallowing Thunderwing at Thunderhead Pass. Megatron was unconvinced that Thunderwing was dead, and he advocated that Cybertron be destroyed to better insure that the mad Decepticon was forever destroyed. Optimus Prime refused and threatened to stop any effort that Megatron attempted. Megatron agreed to spare the planet, but warned Prime that anything which happened afterward was on his head.

In the present, Prime received a pulsewave from Ironhide, who was stationed under Prowl's team on Earth, saying that the Decepticon infiltration cell under Starscream had broken their infiltration methods and enacted siege mode prematurely. Soon afterward, the Autobot science vessel Calabi-Yau sent a distress signal from above Thunderhead Pass, and he ordered the Wreckers to withdraw from Varas Centralus and meet him on Cybertron. Stormbringer #2 Thunderwing had been restored by Bludgeon and his followers, and though the Wreckers made short work of them, the real fight would be met with Thunderwing. After the Wreckers, Predacons and Centurion droids were unable to destroy the monster, Prime took to the field, firing massive amounts of energy at Thunderwing, forcing it to exhaust its last reserves of Ultra-Energon and, ultimately, its life. Stormbringer #4

File:IDWPrime Earth.jpg

Don't crush the cameraman!

Jetfire discovered information in Bludgeon's files about the mysterious new form of Energon found on Earth. Linking it to the pulsewave transmission from Ironhide, Prime diverted his spacecraft to Earth and called Nightbeat in to assist him. Spotlight: Nightbeat. Shortly after arrival, and having undergone alteration so that he could disguise himself as an Earth truck, he slowly began to realize how unusual the situation Prowl's unit had found itself in was. Infiltration #6 Not only had the Decepticons broken their own infiltration protocols over what Starscream had dubbed Ore-13, but after attempting to recover what appeared to be Sunstreaker's remains, it was also evident that some of the planet's native sentient lifeforms—humans—posed a threat possibly equal to that of their old enemies. Escalation #2

Optimus Prime, now fully filled-in on Earth's happenings, decided that they needed reinforcements. He called Nightbeat, Hot Rod, and Hardhead to come when they could. When Prowl pointed out that Megatron, in his new gun-based Earth mode, was in the breakaway Soviet state of Brasnya stirring up trouble, Prime ordered them into action.

Blitzwing almost got the drop on Prime, but Roller was right behind him and took out Blitzwing with a single shot. Megatron returned to his full-size robot mode and disagreed with the quality of Prime's tea and crumpets. At last, the two rivals were going to go at it.

Rule of thumb, Megs—if he don't turn gray, he's A-OK.

The fight went well at first, with Prime blowing Megatron's fusion cannon clean off. Megatron, however, tireless thanks to Ore-13, prevailed, almost beating Prime into stasis lock. Escalation #5

However, Prime transferred his consciousness into his trailer, leading Megatron to believe him dead. Realizing that Ore-13 was the same as Ultra-Energon, Prime returned to his body in time to save his forces from the relentless Megatron, blasting him point blank in the face and dealing enough damage to the Decepticon leader to drain his power reserves, just as he did against Thunderwing. The victory was narrow, however, leaving Optimus with the daunting task of fending off an increasing enemy force without his last ace in the hole. Escalation #6

This near-death experience had left Prime somewhat unsettled. While his consciousness was in infraspace downloading to his trailer, he sensed a presence of dread—the visage of his long-missing predecessor, Nova Prime. Looking for answers, Optimus Prime left Earth temporarily to seek an audience with Omega Supreme for answers. Once there, he found out about Nova's beliefs of how Transformers were a superior race and should remake the universe in their image, and he faced down the rampaging Monstructor, a legacy of Nova's tenure locked away by Omega Supreme. Then he gave his "you shouldn't have done that" speech to Omega, handed Monstructor's limbs over to Jetfire's team, and went on to have angst-ridden introspection about himself and the tarnished legacy of the Prime lineage. Spotlight: Optimus Prime

After returning to Earth, Nightbeat discovered that a human group was aware of the base's location and recommended to Prime that they move the Ark-19. As preparations were underway, Prime received a message from Hound saying that Thunderwing had been stolen. Sideswipe, eager to search for Sunstreaker, suggested that they be reassigned to Earth, and Prime agreed. However, the thrashing that Prime gave Megatron had so embarrassed the Decepticon leader that he ordered in the Decepticons' living weapon, Sixshot. While moving the Ark-19, Prime and the others came under fire by Sixshot, who severely damaged their ship. Devastation #1

"And THAT'S for killing my brother in another timeline!"

Ordering Ratchet to get Jimmy Pink and Verity Carlo to safety, Optimus then instructed Nightbeat to upload all of Ark-19's data to Ark-32 and for Prowl to activate the self-destruct sequence. Devastation #2 When Ark-19 exploded, it was assumed that Optimus was on board, but all was good at the end when he appeared with Bumblebee and the others, ready to take on Sixshot. Devastation #3 Optimus and the Autobots held Sixshot at bay, but the U.S. military ordered an air strike to destroy the alien robots. The battle was a stalemate, as Sixshot had to return to the Decepticons while the Autobots orbital jumped just in time to avoid destruction. Devastation #4 On Ark-32, after a conversation with Jetfire, Prime informed Prowl that they needed to retrieve Wheeljack, Hot Rod and Ironhide, and leave Earth to see to another crisis. The secure facility on Garrus-9 had been breached, and Prime and company needed to make sure that some of the "recent inmates" there didn't end up "in enemy hands". Devastation #5 Before leaving Earth, Optimus Prime redirected Hound's unit to rendezvous with Ark-32 at Garrus-9, and he told Hound to impress upon Sideswipe the importance of their mission and how he didn't leave Earth or Sunstreaker behind lightly. Devastation #6

Think he can go one series without having a near-death experience?

Optimus Prime and Prowl met with Fortress Maximus and Jetfire on Garrus-9 and discussed the prisoners' breakout and how a surviving Decepticon had been tortured. Maximus and Jetfire gave each other a guilty glance. Prime left Maximus in charge and returned with Prowl to the Ark-32. Meanwhile, Dead Universe resident Cyclonus attacked Hound's crew, but they received help from Ultra Magnus and drove Cyclonus to escape to Corata-Vaz. There, he activated the Nega-Core and fought with Magnus and Hound's crew, who had followed him. In desperation, Cyclonus activated the Nega-Core's guardian—Thunderwing. Using the distraction, Cyclonus escaped, but Magnus sent another tracker after him. All this was reported to Optimus Prime on the Ark-32, who recognized that this had something to do with his infraspace encounter in Brasnya. Prime ordered Jetfire to summon the Wreckers to find out what Thunderwing was guarding. Spotlight: Cyclonus

The prison soon came under attack from Nova Prime. Rather then watch his soldiers be slaughtered by the undead monster, Optimus Prime ordered a retreat and faced Nova alone. Announcing his new title of Nemesis Prime, Optimus's predecessor explained the nature of the Darkness before unleashing a portion on the Autobot leader. Shattered, Prime collapsed onto his hands and knees as Nemesis loomed. Spotlight: Doubledealer

"Optimus! I've come to help y—oh. Sorted, then?"

Unexpectedly for Nemesis Prime, the Darkness seemed to be more interested in the younger Prime and sought to be passed onto Optimus. Nemesis wasn't about to let go of the power he commanded, and he savagely attacked Optimus Prime, whose attempts at reason fell on deaf ears. Just as Nemesis Prime seemed victorious, Galvatron attacked the fallen Prime from behind, killing him. Nemesis's death allowed the Darkness finally to enter Optimus, who tried to fight against its evil to no avail. Galvatron offered the Autobot a choice: kill himself by plunging into the Solar pool, or pass on the Darkness to Galvatron, who had coveted it for so long. Optimus seemed to do so willingly, but just as he passed on the Darkness, he threw the surprised Galvatron into the solar pool. As Optimus gazed upon the dead body of Nemesis, he told himself he could not mourn the elder Prime's death, as Nova had truly died long ago. Spotlight: Sideswipe

So he's dying. This shouldn't be a problem by now.

A year later, Optimus Prime combined his Autobot squad with another squad. Having received word of a supposed Decepticon power struggle, Prime led the Autobots to a location where Starscream's "group" was, only to be ambushed by a unified Decepticon force. Though they managed to turn the tide briefly, Devastator's appearance made the difference, enabling Megatron to rip the Matrix of Leadership from Prime's chest. Prime was dealt another blow (mentally) when the Autobots were told that they'd been sold out by a traitor in their ranks (who was later revealed to be Sunstreaker). All Hail Megatron #8 The Autobots were led to a space bridge, where Prime, who was the last to go, used his remaining energy to destroy the machine. Unfortunately, this heroic act left Prime in critical condition. All Hail Megatron #7 With this defeat, the Autobots were forced to leave Earth to the Decepticons. All Hail Megatron #1

After Prime's unit met up with Kup's unit, and after dealing with the Swarm and Sideswipe's sacrifice to save them, Ratchet and Wheeljack managed to use energon from the Trion to bring Prime back online in time to smooth over an Autobot argument. As the others excitedly welcomed him back, Prime made a speech about how he was proud of them and that he wanted to win the war. All Hail Megatron #9. After the Autobots recovered and prepared for a final stand against the Swarm, Prime had a brief chat with Ironhide (during which Ironhide admitted to hating him secretly at first sight at the start of the Great War), then prepared for the Swarm's onslaught. When they came, the Autobots fought back, but they were quickly outnumbered by the thousands. Thankfully, Omega Supreme arrived and saved them from certain doom. After Omega briefly told them about his arrival, Prime ordersed him to transform and transport the Autobots back to Earth. All Hail Megatron #10

Arriving at New York City while the Decepticons were fending off attacks by a European air squad, Optimus and the Autobots began to engage the Decepticons again. After a bit of fighting, and with the threat of Devasator, Optimus ordered Omega Supreme to take Devastator away from the city and fight him elsewhere. Optimus Prime encountered Megatron, and the two engaged in a bit of viewpoint bantering, mostly about the way their war was now changing and the fact that the humans Prime had "sworn to protect" were about to drop a nuclear bomb on the city. All Hail Megatron #11

Optimus will overenergize on this stuff, then wake up the next morning in a CR chamber full of ice with his robo-kidneys missing.

After that, they engaged in a fierce battle while trading more banter. At first, Megatron took the advantage, but just as he was about to leave with the Decepticons and take the Matrix with him, a shot from an experimental weapon made from a Transformer fired by a brave human hit him it the face. Seizing the opportunity, Optimus grabbed Megatron's fusion cannon and slammed it against Megatron's head, bringing him down in defeat. Before Optimus could truly finish him off, however, Starscream intervened and, after exchanging words, took off with Megatron and the Matrix. Prime's decision to go after them or save New York from nuclear devastation was rendered moot when Thundercracker, who had grown disenchanted with the way the Decepticons went after the humans, blew up the bomb at the cost of his own life (thanks to an angry Skywarp). The war over for the moment, Prime met with Spike Witwicky, thanked him for helping the Autobots out, and asked if there was some way to help the humans in return. However, Spike responded that they had brought their war to Earth, so any chance of human-Transformer relations was now long gone. All Hail Megatron #12

Later, in an abandoned cave supposedly somewhere within NY's ruins, Optimus heard Iromhide's resignation from the Autobot forces. Respecting Ironhide too much, he did not argue, but after some energon and a little flashback, Optimus convinced Ironhide to stay. All Hail Megatron issue 13

The events of Spotlight: Mirage possibly take place in an alternate/unknown continuity.

Optimus Prime commanded one of the last remaining pockets of Autobot resistance, hiding out in the Pegasus Star Cluster. While awaiting the arrival of Bumblebee's team, he and Hound tried to work out how to convert the Zodiac Energy for their consumption. "Bumblebee's" arrival proved to be their downfall, as it was really the self-serving mercenary Mirage, who destroyed the bunker security systems, allowing the Decepticons inside. Optimus Prime refused to surrender during the ensuing struggle, until Mirage used the critically injured Jetfire as a hostage, forcing Prime to back down. When Megatron betrayed Mirage's word and ordered the execution of the Autobots, Optimus Prime tried to reason with the mercenary, appealing to his former friendship with Hound...until Mirage killed Hound in defiance. Furious, Optimus Prime broke free of his captors and tackled Mirage into the Zodiac Energy chamber. Spotlight: Mirage

Hearts of Steel

The Autobots and the Decepticons came to a distant world in the grip of an ice age. Assuming alternate modes based upon the dominant (though doomed) indigenous creatures of this planet, they continued their ancient, unending war. However, the Autobots, with their energy levels dangerously low, withdrew from combat as the world grew colder. They sought refuge in a deep cavern and entered stasis lock, awaiting the day when surface conditions changed to better suit their operation. Millions of years later, Bumblebee was awoken by the hammering of humans working on a rail line. He briefly considered awakening Optimus Prime, but thought better of it. After discovering the world had changed significantly, Ratchet thought there was no reason to awaken Prime. Hearts of Steel issue 1 When Bumblebee discovered the Decepticons were once again active on this world, Ratchet and Prowl agreed that the Autobots must intervene, but again decided out of rousing Optimus from his slumber. Hearts of Steel #2

Optimus Prime appears very briefly in the first few pages, in his "Ice Age Wars" body (we only see him in robot mode, but his altmode is a brachiosaurus. He spends most of the story in stasis lock. Unused concept art depicts him as transforming into a locomotive engine.

Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics

Henkei! Henkei! volume 1 Henkei! Henkei! volume 2 Henkei! Henkei! volume 7

Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga

Enter! The Transformers Enter the Emperor of Destruction! Kingdom of Giants The Enemy from the Arctic Wataru's Power Optimus Prime's Secret Time of Resurrection Creation! The New Emperor of Destruction!! The Threat of Galvatron

Alternity

In 2007, the Optimus Prime of universal stream Primax 109.0 Beta encountered a mysterious messenger from another world: another incarnation of himself from the multiverse, who left him with a warning. Two years hence, Megatron would bring the terrifying super-dimensional lifeform known as the "Beast of Time", Hytherion, into their dimension to destroy Earth. The only thing that could battle Hytherion was the power of the super-evolved multi-dimensional race of Cybertronians known as the Alternity. Prime agreed that when the danger appeared, he would join the Alternity in the fight.

Sure enough, in 2009, when Hytherion's colossal claw-marks appeared on planets throughout the solar system, Prime's other-dimensional incarnation returned, bringing with him an Auto-avatar with which Prime fused. In that instant, he was reborn as part of the Alternity, a manifold being who encompassed all the different incarnations of Optimus Prime through the multiverse at once. Prime reached his hands heaveanward and peeled back the layers of reality, exposing the gargantuan fanged maw of Hytherion looming above the Autobots. From Here to Alternity

Robot Heroes comic

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I Am Optimus Prime

Commercial appearances

Optimus Prime has appeared in more television commercials than any other Transformer... just as with everything else. He has been voiced by Peter Cullen in every animation segment in which he's had a speaking role.

My wheels don't disappear!

• He was one of the featured characters in the first ever appearance of the Transformers anywhere, an advertisement for the first issue of the Generation 1 comic. He arrives in the midst of a desert battle as the Decepticons attacked a power plant on Earth, driving to back up his troops in defending it. He strikes a rather iconic pose as he transforms and fires, which would be replicated and copied numerous times in the early years of the franchise. This first commercial used nonfinal versions of the characters' character models; Optimus Prime, for example, still had wheels on his legs. [1]

• In a commercial for the Triple Changers, Optimus confronts Astrotrain on a desert battlefield, but the Triple-Changer escapes under fire from other Autobots. Shortly afterward, Prime uses Perceptor's microscope mode to examine a fragment of Decepticon battle armor. [2]

• Prime and Jazz are shown fighting Megatron in the desert in an ad for the 1985 cars, whom he summons to help out with the battle. [3]

• Prime narrates two commercials around the time of The Transformers: The Movie, describing the action as Springer battles Wreck-Gar, and Hot Rod and Kup take on the Sharkticons. [4]

An integral part of Powermaster Prime's transformation is Joyride shooting lightning bolts through his pointed finger.

• Prime was prominently featured in the ad for the first comic issue featuring the Powermasters. On the rocky plains where practically every Transformer battle ever seems to happen, Prime arrives in his Powermaster body to back up three of his troops against Dreadwind and Darkwing. He's shown combining with Hi-Q and transforming, attacking with his trailer's battle station mode, then combining with the trailer to continue the attack. Who wins? Find out in Marvel Comics! [5]

Optimus Prime is so giving, he even gives other Transformers time in his commercials.

• Prime also features briefly in Quickswitch's ad; in a battle on the moon, Quickswitch transforms to gun mode and is wielded by Powermaster Optimus Prime.

• An abbreviated ad for Powermaster Prime uses footage from both the Marvel Comic and Quickswitch commercials.

• Prime's Powermaster body shows up yet again in the Pretender Classics ad. He comes under attack in the darkened streets of the city, prompting the narrator to explain that he needs the greatest Transformers ever! Prime then welcomes back Bumblebee and Jazz in their Pretender forms. [6]

• Powermaster Prime and Piranacon are the representatives from each faction that Doubledealer doublecrosses! Everyone wonders who that guy is that Prime's talking to... He looks kinda suspicious!

• Optimus features prominently in the first Action Master commercial; he's shown surrounded by a circle of his troops, and challenges them to give up their transforming powers to become faster, stronger, more alive! [7]

• A stock intro was used for several Micromaster commercials, with Optimus opening his fist to reveal a Micromaster city within.

Prime wants to know if they can transform, because he sure can't!

• A similar sequence in another Micromaster has Prime opening his fist to find the Hot Rod Patrol inside. He and Jazz check them out, and Optimus wonders if they can transform.

• In an ad for the Micromaster micro bases, a battle rages outside an Autobot base, and Prime watches impassively as Bumblebee and Jazz pull two captured vehicles into the base. Prime is the first to notice that the vehicles are transforming and shooting things.

• Prime and Ramjet are the stars of the first Generation 2 commercial, animated with CGI. Prime is shown driving down a road in his Generation 2 colored truck mode. He rocket-launches up into the air to transform, then has a brutal fight with Ramjet. Despite getting a hole blasted in his chest, he wins the fight and fires his gun into the air in triumph. Non-speaking.

• Prime also is shown briefly in a commercial for the new Megatron tank toy. He transforms and finds his head in a target crosshairs. In the subsequent toy segment, Prime's toy is shown getting completely trashed by that of Megatron. Non-speaking.

• And finally, Prime got his own rap segment. He's shown in his Combat toy body, waiting for Megatron as he attacks a human subdivision. Prime converts to robot form, blows up Megatron's weapon at point blank range, and slugs it out with him. Apparently emerging victorious, is next shown sitting next to an identical truck, which the live-action kid mistakes for the real thing. The real Prime then transforms and picks up the kid, inspecting the human with his cold, lifeless, flashing red optics. Prime is once again voiced by Peter Cullen in this commercial.

Prime also appeared in commercials for Transformers products other than the toys themselves...

• In the ad for Coleco's Power Cycle, Optimus Prime shoots at a child riding the titular cycle, but misses. This footage is recycled from the advertisement for the comic.

• Prime delivers a load of shoes to schoolchildren in a South American ad for Bata's licensed Transformers footwear.

Games

Revenge of the Fallen: The Game

Voice actor:

Revenge of the Fallen

Merchandise

Main article: Merchandise

Notes

• According to Bob Budiansky, longtime comics writer Denny O'Neil named Optimus Prime prior to Budiansky being brought on to the Transformers project.

• Optimus Prime's Japanese name is "Convoy", which is named after his original name "Battle Convoy" in the Diaclone toyline, because the name "Optimus Prime" is difficult for Japanese kids to remember and pronounce.

• According to an early Universe-style profile published in The Transformers Comics Magazine, Optimus Prime's "official" nicknames were at one point considered to be "Autobot Commander", "Chief", "Big Boss" and "Roller". As far as it is known, no piece of fiction has ever purposely addressed him using these nicknames, though it's a fair bet he's been called "chief" at least once or twice anyway.

• He allegedly hates the music of Mötley Crüe.

• According to the staff of Beast Wars, Optimus Prime became a space explorer in the Beast Era.

Prime's mom knows how to write in cursive.

• By the time Optimus Prime appeared in Beast Machines, his 3D model from Beast Wars had apparently been lost, leading the animators to use a faceplated Optimus Primal head as a quick replacement to save time and budget.

• Aside from occasionally having Alpha Trion as a father figure, Optimus Prime may have a mother! In an advertisement for Pepsi Convoy that shows him in a refrigerator (along with Destron Pizza), a note attached to a nearby piece of Tupperware reads:

Dear Convoy

Warm it before you eat

Mom

Although the ad itself is for Pepsi Convoy, he is a separate character, and it can be assumed that the note was left for Convoy/Optimus Prime himself.

• The first wave of Dreamwave posters in 2001 identified Optimus Prime as "Captimus Primus", which is tantalizingly close to making some sort of sense.

• According to EJ Su, Optimus Prime's Holomatter avatar is modeled after Ulysses S. Grant.

• As of All Hail Megatron #13, Optimus has a mouth underneath that faceplate of his.

• This Optimus Prime, along with the original Ultra Magnus, Rodimus Prime, and Jazz makes a cameo appearance as one of the four elders who began the Space Bridge project in the Cybertron episode Balance.

External links

• Optimus Prime's Universe profile at NTFA.net

• Powermaster Optimus Prime's Universe profile at NTFA.net