Optimus Prime Super Modes: Difference between revisions
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Over the years, it has become a recurring theme for the various incarnations of the '''[[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]]''' [[character]] across the numerous ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' [[franchise]]s not only to [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|die]], but also to assume some form of '''super mode'''. Typically, this is achieved either by Optimus's "standard" robot mode (which usually, but not exclusively, [[transformation|transforms]] into a [[alternate mode|truck cab]]) combining with his trailer, or with another Autobot. | Over the years, it has become a recurring theme for the various incarnations of the '''[[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]]''' [[character]] across the numerous ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' [[franchise]]s not only to [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|die]], but also to assume some form of '''super mode'''. Typically, this is achieved either by Optimus's "standard" robot mode (which usually, but not exclusively, [[transformation|transforms]] into a [[alternate mode|truck cab]]) combining with his trailer, or with another Autobot. | ||
==By | ==By continuity== | ||
===Pre-Transformers and Generation 1=== | ===Pre-Transformers and Generation 1=== | ||
[[Image:G1 UltraMagnusPreviewVersion toy.jpg|right| | [[Image:G1 UltraMagnusPreviewVersion toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Not actually Optimus Prime. But almost. Maybe.]]Powered Convoy, the ''[[Diaclone]]'' toy that later ended up as 1986's ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys|Ultra Magnus]], originally represented a "powered up" version of Battle Convoy, the ''Diaclone'' predecessor of 1984's ''Generation 1'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], which combined the standard robot mode formed from the truck's cab with the new car carrier trailer into a "super robot" mode. Some fans speculate that Hasbro had originally intended for [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] to survive the events of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and be upgraded into an improved form, which would have been represented by the former "Powered Convoy" toy. Ultimately, however, Optimus [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|died]] in the movie, and the ''Transformers'' version of the "Powered Convoy" toy appeared as a different character, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. However, both the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] nor the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel UK comics]] presented the "combined" mode as Ultra Magnus's "standard" mode and ignored the toy's "cab" robot mode (which wouldn't be explicitly featured until [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave's]] ''[[War Within: The Dark Ages]]'' comic). | ||
[[Image:PowermasterOptimusPrime_toy.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The Western world would originally only get this.]] | |||
It is evident, however, that the basic concept of the Powered Convoy/Ultra Magnus toy inspired later Optimus Prime toys. The first one was the [[Powermaster]] Optimus Prime toy from 1988, a brand new [[mold]] that featured a transforming cab/Optimus Prime robot which could combine with the included trailer to form a larger Optimus Prime robot. An animatronic puppet version of Powermaster Optimus Prime's "super robot" mode appeared in the new opening and closing footage for [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|season 5]] of the ''Generation 1'' cartoon, together with [[Tommy Kennedy]]). Powermaster Prime also appeared in the Marvel comics, originally both in his "standard" robot mode and the "super robot" mode, which he eventually used permanantly (whily gradually [[scale|shrinking in size]]). | It is evident, however, that the basic concept of the Powered Convoy/Ultra Magnus toy inspired later Optimus Prime toys. The first one was the [[Powermaster]] Optimus Prime toy from 1988, a brand new [[mold]] that featured a transforming cab/Optimus Prime robot which could combine with the included trailer to form a larger Optimus Prime robot. An animatronic puppet version of Powermaster Optimus Prime's "super robot" mode appeared in the new opening and closing footage for [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|season 5]] of the ''Generation 1'' cartoon, together with [[Tommy Kennedy]]). Powermaster Prime also appeared in the Marvel comics, originally both in his "standard" robot mode and the "super robot" mode, which he eventually used permanantly (whily gradually [[scale|shrinking in size]]). | ||
[[Image:GodGinrai_toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|" | [[Image:GodGinrai_toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The "bling" version, meanwhile, was exclusive to Japan for 15 years.]] | ||
[[Takara]]'s Japanese version of the Powermaster Optimus Prime toy, meanwhile, though originally designed as a new version of Convoy (Optimus Prime's Japanese name), was released as a different character named [[Ginrai]]. Ginrai's "standard" cab-robot combined with the trailer into Super Ginrai, the counterpart of Powermaster Optimus Prime's "super robot" mode. Furthermore, an additional trailer named [[Godbomber]] could be combined with Super Ginrai into God Ginrai. Ginrai in his various modes appeared in the [[Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|''Masterforce'' cartoon]]. 15 years later, in 2003, when Hasbro decided to release a [[reissue]] of Powermaster Optimus Prime as part of their ''[[Commemorative Series]]'' line of reissues, they decided to base it on the Japanese version of the toy, including the additional "Godbomber" trailer, now named "[[Apex Bomber]]". The combined mode was simply named "Powermaster Optimus Prime with Apex Armor". | |||
===Robots in Disguise=== | ===Robots in Disguise=== | ||
[[Image:Omega Prime toy.jpg|110px|thumb| | [[Image:Omega Prime toy.jpg|110px|thumb|left|Why does [[Takara]] keep calling these combinations a "god"?]]In 2000, Takara released a new character based on ''Generation 1'' Optimus Prime as part of their ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Car Robots]]'' line. Named "[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Fire Convoy]]", his [[alternate mode]] was a fire engine. The engine's cab would transform into Fire Convoy's "standard" robot mode, which in turn could combine with the rear part of the fire engine into a "super" robot mode similar to Powermaster Optimus Prime. Furthermore, Fire Convoy in his "super mode" could combine with his brother [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|God Magnus]] into [[Omega Prime|God Fire Convoy]]. The characters in all their modes also appeared in the [[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|''Car Robots'' cartoon]]. One year later, Hasbro imported the ''Car Robots'' line to the rest of the world and renamed it ''Robots in Disguise''. The characters were also renamed, with Fire Convoy becoming Optimus Prime, God Magnus becoming Ultra Magnus, and God Fire Convoy becoming Omega Prime. | ||
{{-}} | {{-}} | ||
===Unicron | ===Unicron Trilogy=== | ||
[[Image:Armada JetOptimusMegaweapon toy.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Okay, not a "god" this time. Just "Jet Convoy" ad "Magna Convoy".]]''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] had multiple recurring combinations. In [[Armada (toyline)|toy]] form, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Super-Base Optimus Prime]] was very similar to Powermaster Optimus Prime, namely a semi truck with the cab transforming into a "standard" robot mode, which could then combine with the trailer into a "super" robot mode. Furthermore, instead of the trailer, the "standard" robot could also combine with [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] into "Jet Prime" (also named "Jet Optimus"). Lastly, Optimus, in both combinations with either his trailer or Jetfire, could ''further'' combine with [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] into "Optimus Prime Megaweapon". Naturally, all combinations also appeared in the [[Armada (cartoon)|''Armada'' cartoon]]. | [[Image:Armada JetOptimusMegaweapon toy.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Okay, not a "god" this time. Just "Jet Convoy" ad "Magna Convoy".]]''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] had multiple recurring combinations. In [[Armada (toyline)|toy]] form, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Super-Base Optimus Prime]] was very similar to Powermaster Optimus Prime, namely a semi truck with the cab transforming into a "standard" robot mode, which could then combine with the trailer into a "super" robot mode. Furthermore, instead of the trailer, the "standard" robot could also combine with [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] into "Jet Prime" (also named "Jet Optimus"). Lastly, Optimus, in both combinations with either his trailer or Jetfire, could ''further'' combine with [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] into "Optimus Prime Megaweapon". Naturally, all combinations also appeared in the [[Armada (cartoon)|''Armada'' cartoon]]. | ||
[[Category: Armada characters]] | [[Category: Armada characters]] | ||
Revision as of 17:48, 8 September 2009
Over the years, it has become a recurring theme for the various incarnations of the Optimus Prime character across the numerous Transformers franchises not only to die, but also to assume some form of super mode. Typically, this is achieved either by Optimus's "standard" robot mode (which usually, but not exclusively, transforms into a truck cab) combining with his trailer, or with another Autobot.
By continuity
Pre-Transformers and Generation 1
Powered Convoy, the Diaclone toy that later ended up as 1986's Generation 1 Ultra Magnus, originally represented a "powered up" version of Battle Convoy, the Diaclone predecessor of 1984's Generation 1 Optimus Prime, which combined the standard robot mode formed from the truck's cab with the new car carrier trailer into a "super robot" mode. Some fans speculate that Hasbro had originally intended for Optimus to survive the events of The Transformers: The Movie and be upgraded into an improved form, which would have been represented by the former "Powered Convoy" toy. Ultimately, however, Optimus died in the movie, and the Transformers version of the "Powered Convoy" toy appeared as a different character, Ultra Magnus. However, both the cartoon nor the Marvel UK comics presented the "combined" mode as Ultra Magnus's "standard" mode and ignored the toy's "cab" robot mode (which wouldn't be explicitly featured until Dreamwave's War Within: The Dark Ages comic).
It is evident, however, that the basic concept of the Powered Convoy/Ultra Magnus toy inspired later Optimus Prime toys. The first one was the Powermaster Optimus Prime toy from 1988, a brand new mold that featured a transforming cab/Optimus Prime robot which could combine with the included trailer to form a larger Optimus Prime robot. An animatronic puppet version of Powermaster Optimus Prime's "super robot" mode appeared in the new opening and closing footage for season 5 of the Generation 1 cartoon, together with Tommy Kennedy). Powermaster Prime also appeared in the Marvel comics, originally both in his "standard" robot mode and the "super robot" mode, which he eventually used permanantly (whily gradually shrinking in size).
Takara's Japanese version of the Powermaster Optimus Prime toy, meanwhile, though originally designed as a new version of Convoy (Optimus Prime's Japanese name), was released as a different character named Ginrai. Ginrai's "standard" cab-robot combined with the trailer into Super Ginrai, the counterpart of Powermaster Optimus Prime's "super robot" mode. Furthermore, an additional trailer named Godbomber could be combined with Super Ginrai into God Ginrai. Ginrai in his various modes appeared in the Masterforce cartoon. 15 years later, in 2003, when Hasbro decided to release a reissue of Powermaster Optimus Prime as part of their Commemorative Series line of reissues, they decided to base it on the Japanese version of the toy, including the additional "Godbomber" trailer, now named "Apex Bomber". The combined mode was simply named "Powermaster Optimus Prime with Apex Armor".
Robots in Disguise
In 2000, Takara released a new character based on Generation 1 Optimus Prime as part of their Car Robots line. Named "Fire Convoy", his alternate mode was a fire engine. The engine's cab would transform into Fire Convoy's "standard" robot mode, which in turn could combine with the rear part of the fire engine into a "super" robot mode similar to Powermaster Optimus Prime. Furthermore, Fire Convoy in his "super mode" could combine with his brother God Magnus into God Fire Convoy. The characters in all their modes also appeared in the Car Robots cartoon. One year later, Hasbro imported the Car Robots line to the rest of the world and renamed it Robots in Disguise. The characters were also renamed, with Fire Convoy becoming Optimus Prime, God Magnus becoming Ultra Magnus, and God Fire Convoy becoming Omega Prime.
Unicron Trilogy
Armada Optimus Prime had multiple recurring combinations. In toy form, Super-Base Optimus Prime was very similar to Powermaster Optimus Prime, namely a semi truck with the cab transforming into a "standard" robot mode, which could then combine with the trailer into a "super" robot mode. Furthermore, instead of the trailer, the "standard" robot could also combine with Jetfire into "Jet Prime" (also named "Jet Optimus"). Lastly, Optimus, in both combinations with either his trailer or Jetfire, could further combine with Overload into "Optimus Prime Megaweapon". Naturally, all combinations also appeared in the Armada cartoon.
