Optimus Prime (G1)

<div id="title-factionicons" style="float: right; display: none;"><div style="position: relative;"><a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autobot" title="Autobot"><img alt="" src="Optimus%20Prime%20%28G1%29_files/30px-Symbol_autobot_reg.png" border="0" width="30" height="30"></a></div><div style="position: relative;"><a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autobot" title="Autobot"><img alt="" src="Optimus%20Prime%20%28G1%29_files/30px-Auto-g2.png" border="0" width="30" height="26"></a></div></div> <div style="border: thin solid rgb(170, 170, 170); margin: 0pt 1em 0pt 2em; padding: 0.5em; background: rgb(247, 248, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">The name or term Optimus Prime refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimus_Prime_%28disambiguation%29" title="Optimus Prime (disambiguation)">Optimus Prime (disambiguation)</a>.</div>

Optimus Prime is the leader of the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autobot" title="Autobot">Autobots</a> from the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Generation_1_%28franchise%29" title="Generation 1 (franchise)">Generation 1</a> <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Continuity_family" title="Continuity family">continuity family</a>. Before he became Optimus Prime, he was named alternatively Orion Pax or Optronix in certain continuities.

[[Image:|right|300px|thumb|I'm that guy everyone remembers. No, not the tape guy, the other guy.]] Optimus Prime is the awe-inspiring <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Prime_%28rank%29" title="Prime (rank)">leader</a> of the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autobot" title="Autobot">Autobot</a> forces. Originally a mere civilian, he was chosen by the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Matrix_of_Leadership" title="Matrix of Leadership">Matrix</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28G1%29" title="Megatron (G1)">Megatron</a>, every casualty, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Human" title="Human">human</a> or <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformer" title="Transformer">Cybertronian</a>, weighs heavily on his <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spark" title="Spark">spark</a>. 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Great_War" title="Great War">Great War</a>.

On the battlefield, there are few who rival Optimus Prime's prowess. His <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ion_blaster" title="Ion blaster">ion blaster</a> and his <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Energon-axe" title="Energon-axe">energon-axe</a> are deadly weapons, though lacking when compared to others. He is easily the strongest of any Autobot his <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Scale" title="Scale">size</a>, and what he lacks in raw firepower he easily compensates with guts. He would sacrifice his life to protect his fellow Autobots or those under their care, and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_many_deaths_of_Optimus_Prime" title="The many deaths of Optimus Prime">has on a few occasions</a>. 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 (usually) carries within him the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Matrix_of_Leadership" title="Matrix of Leadership">Matrix of Leadership</a>.

Before being rebuilt into a <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Powermaster" title="Powermaster">Powermaster</a> his robot mode split into three components:

A sentient robot module, the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Brain_Center" title="Brain Center">Brain Center</a>.
A wheeled drone module known as <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Roller_%28G1%29" class="mw-redirect" title="Roller (G1)">Roller</a>.
A <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Combat_Deck" title="Combat Deck">Combat Deck</a>.

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

<table style="border-style: none; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: transparent;" class="cquote" align="center"> <tbody><tr> <td style="padding: 9px 10px 0pt; color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;" valign="top" width="20"> “ </td><td style="padding: 4px 10px 5px; font-family: 'lucida console',arial,sans-serif;" valign="top"> Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. </td><td style="padding: 10px 10px 0px; color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right;" valign="bottom" width="20"> ” </td></tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0pt;"> <cite style="font-style: normal;">—Optimus Prime's most common <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bio" title="Bio">bio</a> quote</cite>

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

Nicknames: Autobot commander / Chief / Big Boss / Roller<a href="#cite_note-0" title="">[1]</a>

Pre-Prime name (cartoon): Orion Pax

Pre-Prime name (Dreamwave): Optronix

Japanese name: Convoy

Japanese name (Return of Convoy): Star Convoy

Japanese name (Combat Hero): Convoy Missie Trailer

Japanese name (Laser Rod): Battle Convoy

French-Canadian & Chzech name: Optimus Primus

Hungarian name (The Movie): Optimusz Fővezér / Optimusz Prájm (pronounced: prīm)

Italian name: Commander

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

Portuguese name (Brazil cartoon): Líder Optimus ("Leader Optimus")

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 Towering into Sky")

<a name="Fiction"></a><h2>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Fiction">edit</a>] Fiction</h2> <a name="Marvel_Comics_continuity"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Marvel Comics continuity">edit</a>] Marvel Comics continuity</h3> <a name="Generation_1"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Generation 1">edit</a>] Generation 1</h4> <div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: Events from the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Transformers_%28Marvel_Comics%29#Marvel_UK" title="The Transformers (Marvel Comics)">UK-only</a> comic stories are in italics.</div> <div class="thumb tleft"><div class="thumbinner" style="width: 252px;"><a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Image:Optimusprimeg1preearthmarvel2.jpg" class="image" title="Optimus Prime's Cybertronic truck mode, along with a Cybertronic Grumman X-29 , a Cybertronic Earth motorcycle, and a Cybertronic Porsche 962."><img alt="Optimus Prime's Cybertronic truck mode, along with a Cybertronic Grumman X-29 , a Cybertronic Earth motorcycle, and a Cybertronic Porsche 962." src="Optimus%20Prime%20%28G1%29_files/250px-Optimusprimeg1preearthmarvel2.jpg" class="thumbimage" border="0" width="250" height="140"></a> <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Image:Optimusprimeg1preearthmarvel2.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="Optimus%20Prime%20%28G1%29_files/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11"></a></div>Optimus Prime's Cybertronic truck mode, along with a Cybertronic Grumman X-29 , a Cybertronic Earth motorcycle, and a Cybertronic Porsche 962.</div></div></div> Before the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Great_War" title="Great War">Great War</a> broke out on Cybertron, Optimus Prime was a Transformer of note, displaying his skills in the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Intra-Formers_Sharpshooting_Competition&action=edit" class="new" title="Intra-Formers Sharpshooting Competition">Intra-Formers Sharpshooting Competition</a>. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sureshot_%28G1%29#External_links" title="Sureshot (G1)">Sureshot's Transformers Universe entry</a> As a serious-minded individual, he also spoke out against <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Needlenose" title="Needlenose">Needlenose</a>'s faddish "<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Chic_Chips&action=edit" class="new" title="Chic Chips">Chic Chips</a>" line of hardware accessories. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Needlenose#External_links" title="Needlenose">Needlenose's Transformers Universe entry</a>

<span style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-width: 0pt 1px; padding: 0pt 5px; font-size: 10px; background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" class="tt1_nowrap"><a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/State_Games" title="State Games">State Games</a></span>

Following the destruction of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Tarn" title="Tarn">Tarn</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Vos" title="Vos">Vos</a>, Prime had planned to become a medical officer, but enrolled in the Autobot army as soon as the Decepticons declared war. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformers_Annual_1987" title="Transformers Annual 1987">Optimus Prime datafile</a>

When the war began, Prime quickly made a name for himself as a combat leader. On a mission with the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Triggerbots" class="mw-redirect" title="Triggerbots">Triggerbots</a> to stop <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28G1%29" title="Megatron (G1)">Megatron</a> from claiming the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Underbase" title="Underbase">Underbase</a>, Prime was forced to jettison the massive databank into space to prevent anyone acquiring its power, but with this action, proved his wisdom and skill to the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autobot_Council_of_Elders" class="mw-redirect" title="Autobot Council of Elders">Autobot Council of Elders</a>. The outbreak of the Great War saw Autobot territories falling under Decepticon dominion, one City-State at a time. The last City-State to be taken was the Autobot capital of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Iacon" title="Iacon">Iacon</a>. As Decepticons besieged Iacon, the Council of Elders prepared to surrender. Councillor <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Xaaron" class="mw-redirect" title="Xaaron">Xaaron</a> suggested that High Councillor <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Traachon" title="Traachon">Traachon</a> step down and allow a military officer to assume Autobot leadership. Traachon then used his powers of veto and effectively elected himself out of office, allowing Optimus Prime to assume supreme command of the Autobots, becoming the first soldier to ever hold the mantle of Autobot leadership. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/And_There_Shall_Come...A_Leader%21" class="mw-redirect" title="And There Shall Come...A Leader!">And There Shall Come...A Leader!</a>

[[Image:|right|300px|thumb|Prime had to go through an experimental "box with a gun on top" phase before he could commit to the truck thing.]] Four million years ago, Cybertron - shaken from its orbit and drifting through space - came under threat when it floated into the path of a massive asteroid swarm that could potentially devastate the planet. Prime led a group of his most powerful Autobot warriors on the Autobot starship, the Ark, on a mission to destroy the asteroids, and although successful, in the aftermath of this mission the Ark was attacked by Decepticons, hoping to overcome their weakened foes. Intent on keeping the secrets of the Ark's computer, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Auntie" title="Auntie">Auntie</a>, from the Decepticons, Prime set the craft on a suicide course, crashing it into the prehistoric planet Earth. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Transformers_%28comic_issue%29" title="The Transformers (comic issue)">The Transformers</a>

In 1984 C.E., a volcanic eruption reactivated Auntie, which in turn brought the Transformers back on-line. Prime led the Autobots in their opening battles to prevent the Decepticons from plundering Earth's resources, but following their initial victory, the Autobots were all deactivated by <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Shockwave_%28G1%29" title="Shockwave (G1)">Shockwave</a>. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Last_Stand" title="The Last Stand">The Last Stand</a> Prime was decapitated by Shockwave, who planned on using the energy of the Creation Matrix to give life to his evil creations. Before Shockwave could give life to his first Decepticon, Prime managed to transfer the Matrix energy into the mind of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Buster_Witwicky" title="Buster Witwicky">Buster Witwicky</a>. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Worse_of_Two_Evils%21" title="The Worse of Two Evils!">The Worse of Two Evils!</a> Enough residual energy existed to allow Shockwave to bring his <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Constructicon_%28G1%29" title="Constructicon (G1)">Constructicons</a> to life <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Next_Best_Thing_to_Being_There%21" title="The Next Best Thing to Being There!">The Next Best Thing to Being There!</a>, but he realized something was wrong when Prime failed to give life to his next creation, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Jetfire_%28G1%29" title="Jetfire (G1)">Jetfire</a>. Deducing what had happened, Shockwave sent Jetfire (who was still little more than a drone) out to capture Buster. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Brainstorm%21" title="Brainstorm!">Brainstorm!</a> The human turned the tables on Shockwave, however, and used the Matrix energy to turn Jetfire on Shockwave, allowing Prime to reclaim his body and retake leadership of the Autobots, giving Jetfire true life as a reward. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Prime_Time%21" title="Prime Time!">Prime Time!</a>

During the arrival of the Decepticons from the future, Prime, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ratchet_%28G1%29" title="Ratchet (G1)">Ratchet</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Prowl_%28G1%29" title="Prowl (G1)">Prowl</a> were mass-displaced into Limbo. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Target_2006" class="mw-redirect" title="Target 2006">Target 2006</a> Upon his return, Optimus observed the records of how poorly the Autobots performed in his absence, going so far as to seek leadership from Megatron out of sheer desperation. Optimus Prime began to consider whether he was too important to the Autobots, and if they could carry on should he fall. To alleviate his doubts, he and a reluctant <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Wheeljack_%28G1%29" title="Wheeljack (G1)">Wheeljack</a> plotted to fake Prime's death to teach the Autobots how to fend for themselves. While Prime was setting up an imposter version of himself to leave behind destroyed for the Autobots to find, Megatron sent the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Predacon_%28G1%29" title="Predacon (G1)">Predacons</a> to attack Prime. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Prey%21" title="Prey!">Prey!</a>

After a period of effective leadership, Prime engaged Megatron in a <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Video_game&action=edit" class="new" title="Video game">video game</a> duel for possession of a super fuel. Prime was victorious, but Megatron implemented a cheat code, allowing him to re-enter the game. Prime was able to defeat him yet again, but in doing so, he also destroyed several of the game sprites, and refused to accept his victory, as he had performed an action that compromised his beliefs about the preservation of life, which he would never have done, had the duel been real. In accordance with the rules of the game, Prime's body exploded and he died. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Afterdeath%21" title="Afterdeath!">Afterdeath!</a> Autobot surgeon Ratchet's subsequent efforts to restore him were unsuccessful, and his body was launched into space. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Funeral_for_a_Friend%21" title="Funeral for a Friend!">Funeral for a Friend!</a> The funeral barge eventually crashed on a giant moon where it lay for untold time. At one stage, an alien ship crashed near the barge. The dying alien reached out toward the Matrix, with the Matrix choosing to revive the being as Death Bringer. Much later, the Matrix would revive a small predatory animal which would prove instrumental to the conclusion of the Matrix Quest.

Prime's personality had been copied onto a <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Floppy_disk" title="Floppy disk">floppy disk</a> by the technician running the game, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ethan_Zachary" title="Ethan Zachary">Ethan Zachary</a>, who employed him in various video game scenarios he developed. Prime's damaged mind led him to believe that he himself was a video game character, even after he was reunited with his fellow Autobots. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Pretender_to_the_Throne%21" title="Pretender to the Throne!">Pretender to the Throne!</a> In an attempt to bring him back to life, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bumblebee_%28G1%29" title="Bumblebee (G1)">Goldbug</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Joyride" class="mw-redirect" title="Joyride">Joyride</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Slapdash" title="Slapdash">Slapdash</a>, and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Getaway" title="Getaway">Getaway</a> took the disk to the planet <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Nebulos" title="Nebulos">Nebulos</a>, where a new body was constructed for Prime. They built a new body for Optimus Prime, and even upgraded it with the ability to combine with the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Trailer" title="Trailer">trailer</a> to form a larger robot. In an effort to keep Transformers off their planet, however, the Nebulans had poisoned their fuel, and the sensation of dying convinced Prime that he was truly alive, and not a game character. To save his life, the Nebulan scientist <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hi-Q" title="Hi-Q">Hi-Q</a> <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Binary-bonding" class="mw-redirect" title="Binary-bonding">bonded</a> with him, creating <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Powermaster" title="Powermaster">Powermaster</a> Optimus Prime. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/People_Power%21" title="People Power!">People Power!</a>

Prime quickly proved himself to be a fool, for he dared to ignore <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Rorza%2C_the_Rocket-cycle_Racer_from_Rigel_III" title="Rorza, the Rocket-cycle Racer from Rigel III">Rorza, the Rocket-cycle Racer from Rigel III</a>. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Cosmic_Carnival%21" title="The Cosmic Carnival!">The Cosmic Carnival!</a>

[[Image:|left|150px|thumb|"I'll have a #5, medium, no cheese.""Rarf ur rarff rarf.""...What?"]] Powermaster Prime and his Autobots later battled <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Deathbringer" title="Deathbringer">Deathbringer</a>. Optimus Prime immediately sensed Matrix energies emanating from Death Bringer, and realised that the undead reaper was a creation of the Matrix. Although Death Bringer proved to be invulnerable, Optimus Prime was finally able to defeat it by convincing it to self-destruct in concordance with its primary function. The battle with Death Bringer alerted Optimus Prime to the fact that his old body was still out there somewhere in space, and more importantly, that the Matrix that it carried was also with it. With a war to win, the location of the Matrix was not a high priority. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Deathbringer_%28comic_issue%29" title="Deathbringer (comic issue)">Deathbringer</a>

But with the subsequent threat of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Unicron" title="Unicron">Unicron</a> looming, priorities quickly changed and Prime began a quest to locate his old body and the physical Matrix object within it. When the Matrix was successfully reacquired, Prime sacrificed his life one more time to destroy Unicron by plunging the Matrix into his maw. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/On_the_Edge_of_Extinction%21" title="On the Edge of Extinction!">On the Edge of Extinction!</a> However, the Powermaster process had been working to fully bond Prime and Hi-Q, and with Prime now destroyed, the process completed itself in Hi-Q's body, and the two minds and souls became one. Hi-Q's biomechanical body was stripped down and reconstructed by the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Last_Autobot" title="Last Autobot">Last Autobot</a>, creating a <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Action_Master" title="Action Master">brand new</a> Optimus Prime. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/End_of_the_Road%21_%28US%29" title="End of the Road! (US)">End of the Road!</a>

<a name="Marvel_UK_future_timelines"></a><h5>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Marvel UK future timelines">edit</a>] Marvel UK future timelines</h5> In an alternate timeline, Optimus Prime still maintained his Powermaster body in 1995. When a feminist group on Earth raised complaints that all the Autobots seemed to fit male archetypes, Optimus tried to appease them in the name of public relations. Unfortunately, his "appeasement" came in the form of a powder pink token Autobot female named <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Arcee_%28G1%29" title="Arcee (G1)">Arcee</a>. That...didn't go over well. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Prime%27s_Rib%21" title="Prime's Rib!">Prime's Rib!</a>

Years later, in 2004, Prime was back in his original Earthen appearance. While attending the grand opening of Autobot City on Earth, the Autobots came under fire from Shockwave and his Decepticons. Optimus Prime and the Autobots bravely used their bodies as shields to protect their human guests until the Decepticons were driven off. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Aspects_of_Evil%21" title="Aspects of Evil!">Aspects of Evil!</a>

<a name="Earthforce"></a><h5>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Earthforce">edit</a>] Earthforce</h5> <div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: These stories do not fit into the normal Marvel continuity. See <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Earthforce" title="Earthforce">Earthforce</a> for details.</div> [[Image:|left|200px|thumb|That's got to be theraputic.]] While dealing with the oncoming threat of Unicron, Optimus Prime came under a great deal of stress and began actively berating <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Grimlock_%28G1%29" title="Grimlock (G1)">Grimlock</a> and his newly reactivated Dinobots for their more brutal methods of combating the enemy. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Two_Steps_Back%21" title="Two Steps Back!">Two Steps Back!</a> This reprimand prompted Grimlock to offer his resignation from the Autobot army. Tempers got heated, and the two Autobots actually started brawling with one another in the conference room. After a few minutes of furious fighting, however, Prime and Grimlock effectively beat some sense into each other. Optimus Prime decided to take the Ark and its crew out into space, leaving Grimlock behind to command an "Earthforce" of Autobots, dedicated to protecting the planet in his absence. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Break-Away%21" title="Break-Away!">Break-Away!</a>

Optimus Prime returned briefly for an inspection after the Autobot Earthbase was completed, and the Dinobots barely managed to keep him from learning about the berserker rages which plague <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Slag_%28G1%29" title="Slag (G1)">Slag</a> every few million years. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_4%2C000%2C000_Year_Itch%21" title="The 4,000,000 Year Itch!">The 4,000,000 Year Itch!</a> He also oversaw the reconstruction of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Tracks" title="Tracks">Tracks</a> in Wheeljack's repair bay, leaving the vain Autobot under Grimlock's command before returning to space. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Makin%27_Tracks%21" title="Makin' Tracks!">Makin' Tracks!</a>

<a name="Another_Time_and_Place"></a><h5>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Another Time and Place">edit</a>] Another Time and Place</h5> <div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: This text story was later <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Retcon" title="Retcon">retconned</a> away by the events of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Generation_2" class="mw-redirect" title="Generation 2">Generation 2</a>.</div> After Klo, the Autobots returned to Cybertron in an effort to rebuild the planetary government and resources. Optimus Prime naturally took the lead in these endeavours, but matters weighed heavily on his spark. The <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Nucleon" title="Nucleon">Nucleon</a>-soaked Hi-Q at the core of his new body was one thing, reducing Prime to a non-transforming "<a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Actionmaster" class="mw-redirect" title="Actionmaster">Actionmaster</a>" like many of his fellow Autobots. But more importantly, Optimus Prime feared that the newfound peace on Cybertron would not last. He desperately wanted his soldiers to stop being soldiers, yet was petrified that something might come along and disturb their inactivity. This trepidation kept Optimus from stopping Grimlock from jetting off on an ill-advised mission to <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hydrus_Four" title="Hydrus Four">Hydrus Four</a> in search of a way to reverse the Nucleon process, and he even refused to listen to Prowl when he reported that Grimlock took off to Hydrus Four anyway. Prowl struck a chord, however, when he pointed out that if he could track Grimlock's destination, so could the Decepticons. Shamed by Prowl's rebuke, Optimus Prime soon pushed aside his recalcitrance and assembled a strike team to go after the Dinobots.

On Hydrus Four, the Autobots discovered the Decepticons had taken over the medical facility with the Nucleon supply, and taken the Dinobots hostage. It seemed Bludgeon had a plan for the Nucleon, using it to recreate Megatron himself. With a surgical strike, however, they managed to free the Dinobots and take the fight to the enemy. Optimus confronted Bludgeon himself in battle, but was saved when Grimlock suddenly charged through and struck the Decepticon leader in dino-mode. It turned out the Nucleon process could be reversed after all! After that, all Prime and Grimlock had to do was tear apart the zombie-like, half-revived Megatron. Piece o' cake. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Another_Time_and_Place" title="Another Time and Place">Another Time and Place</a>

<a name="Generation_2"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Generation 2">edit</a>] Generation 2</h4> As time passed, with the Decepticons supposed in exile and Cybertron at peace, the Autobots functionally disbanded. They scattered across the galaxies, with many retiring in peace while others continued to fight for peace among other civilizations they came across. The time came when Optimus Prime was called back into the skirmish, alongside his honor guard of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Kup" class="mw-redirect" title="Kup">Kup</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hot_Rod" title="Hot Rod">Hot Rod</a>, when Grimlock and his combat unit discovered a greater <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cybertronian_Empire" class="mw-redirect" title="Cybertronian Empire">Cybertronian Empire</a> that had sprouted up without their noticing it. These next generation Decepticons, led by the Liege Centuro <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Jhiaxus" title="Jhiaxus">Jhiaxus</a>, would conquer world after world using terraforming and exo-structuring processes to remake raw materials into a new Cybertron for their use. Optimus Prime, Grimlock and their "Dirty Dozen" of Autobots began a small resistance movement against Jhiaxus and his people, but realized they were out of their depth. As the call went out to reassemble the Autobot army en masse, Prime worried that they were still missing some greater threat -- he had begun experiencing visions of an unknown peril that was heading their way, and wasn't sure if even the united Autobots would be enough to deal with it. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/War_Without_End%21" title="War Without End!">War Without End!</a>

Until he could identify this secondary threat, Prime ordered the Autobots to remain inactive at an Autobase built into a small asteroid belt. But certainly Grimlock was having none of that. He grabbed a sizeable percentage of their displaced warriors who had already arrived and headed out after Jhiaxus and his flagship, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Twilight" title="Twilight">Twilight</a>. Naturally, they got in over their heads. Prime grabbed some of his personal soldiers (Hot Rod, Kup, Prowl, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hound_%28G1%29" title="Hound (G1)">Hound</a>) and hijacked a strike ship to get close enough to Twilight for a rescue mission. Once Grimlock and his men were sent out on a prison vessel, Optimus blasted the ship just enough to cause chaos, and give Grimlock enough time to overtake the crew. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Devices_and_Desires%21" class="mw-redirect" title="Devices and Desires!">Devices and Desires!</a>

[[Image:|right|150px|thumb|More apocalyptic visions than you can shake a covenant at.]] Surprisingly enough, he gave Grimlock no rebuke once they met up again -- in fact, Prime put the Dinobot commander in charge of the entire army! In order to fully understand the visions of impending doom he was receiving, Optimus Prime decided he needed to return to Cybertron itself, to help "cut through the static" that was garbling whatever message the Matrix was trying to send him. Engaging in a quasi-mystical ritual to expand his psychic boundaries, Optimus cast himself mentally back through time to witness the birth of the first Transformers, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Prima" title="Prima">Prima</a>, as he rose from the living structure of Cybertron itself. What he saw next, however, was astonishing -- Cybertronians birthing new Cybertronians themselves, causing living metal to burst forth from them in a bio-morphic reproduction process called "<a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Budding" class="mw-redirect" title="Budding">budding</a>". Primus had apparently allowed this only up till a point, allowing the race to evolve in stages before discontinuing the ability and the memory of it from his progeny. Jhiaxus and his new Cybertronians, however, were the end result of some Decepticons somehow relearning the budding process. They were stronger, yes, and perhaps more evolved physically, but their souls, their sparks, were distilled too many times over. Optimus Prime awoke from his trance, believing he had come to understand the threat he sensed: the fractioning of his species. Little did he know that the threat was far less philosophical, and far more tangible, than he realized. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Power_and_the_Glory" title="The Power and the Glory">The Power and the Glory</a>

When word reached Prime that Megatron had resurfaced on Earth, he jumped at the idea of joining forces with the original Decepticons to face off against the Cybertronian Empire. Travelling to Earth alone, Optimus approached Megatron with the intent to talk. Instead, Megatron blasted him from behind, beat him to a pulp, ionized his every circuit, and then ripped out his chest and siphoned away the power of the Matrix. So no, the talking didn't go too well. Prime only survived due to Grimlock's talent for insubordination, as the Dinobot leader brought a massive strike team down to save their fallen leader before Megatron finished him off. Still, as the Autobots dragged Prime away to receive repair treatment, he knew Megatron would be back -- Optimus had stuttered out enough information about "new Decepticons" to pique his old foe's interest, and once Megatron went after them and bit off more than he could chew, they'd meet again. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Gathering_Darkness" title="The Gathering Darkness">The Gathering Darkness</a>

In this, at least, Optimus Prime knew Megatron all too well. Only days later a heavily battered and bruised Megatron wandered into Autobase: Earth, looking for that alliance Prime had offered. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Escalation%21" title="Escalation!">Escalation!</a> With new allies, things were looking up for Prime until the unthinkable happened. His visions of death and apocalypse finally came true as the Autobots came across a devastated world looking almost identical to the images he had been experiencing. Optimus now realized his visions were not metaphorical in nature, and almost drew the conclusion himself before <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Perceptor_%28G1%29" title="Perceptor (G1)">Perceptor</a>'s science team completed their analysis of the genocide -- it was their fault. More specifically, some by-product of the Cybertronian race had been formed by the budding process which created Jhiaxus and the Cybertronian Empire, an animate entity that scoured the cosmos of its own design. Before more data and analysis could be had, however, Jhiaxus and his troops arrived on Earth seeking to end their ancestors once and for all. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Swarm_%28comic_issue%29" title="Swarm (comic issue)">Swarm</a>

Once again seeking compromise, Optimus Prime took Megatron in an attempt to reacquire the Decepticon <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Warworld" title="Warworld">Warworld</a> and use it to force Jhiaxus to see reason, that they faced a common and perhaps unbeatable foe in this "<a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Swarm" class="mw-redirect" title="Swarm">Swarm</a>". His efforts were more than a little delayed, however, by the ever-treacherous <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Starscream_%28G1%29" title="Starscream (G1)">Starscream</a>. That Decepticon schemer had sold them out to Jhiaxus in the first place, but then came aboard Warworld and merged with it and the power of the Creation Matrix Megatron had been housing there. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Total_War%21" title="Total War!">Total War!</a> Still, Optimus Prime managed to reach a communications console, and begged Jhiaxus for an audience to discuss the impending threat which was bearing down on them all. As badly as Prime's last attempt to "just talk" with an enemy went, this time it went much worse, as Jhiaxus responded by ordering the orbital bombardment and destruction of the human city of San Francisco. Millions of lives wiped out in an instant. And before Prime could even attempt to respond or try again, the Swarm itself arrived in orbit. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dark_Shadows%21" title="Dark Shadows!">Dark Shadows!</a>

As bad as things were, a silver lining did develop -- Starscream proved too much of a "pedestrian villain" to actually corrupt the Matrix as had happened in the past. Instead, it was actually turning him more heroic, giving him selfless and self-sacrificing urges! Not wanting to be a hero, much less a dead hero, Starscream willingly relinquished the Matrix to Optimus Prime. In yet another effort at unity and compromise, Prime took a skysled over to Jhiaxus's flagship, Twilight, in order to talk the Liege Centuro into working with the Autobots and Decepticons to commune with the Swarm.

Instead, Jhiaxus tore off his face.

The formerly icy Cybertronian had been driven completely off his rocker by the extended conflict with his ancestors, and was now little more than a mad dog pounding away at Optimus Prime. The brutality only ended when the Swarm entered Twilight and consumed Jhiaxus utterly. At this point, Optimus had reasoned that the Swarm was merely a void, searching for something to complete the emptiness inside it. With desperate reasoning, Prime allowed the Swarm to assail him, hoping that he (and the Matrix inside him) would prove to BE what it was searching for. His body ravaged to the point of total discorporation, Optimus Prime still managed to make mental contact with the Swarm as it consumed him, and expose it to the will of Primus. In the end, Optimus Prime successfully purified the Swarm, and was reborn in a new, more powerful body. In the aftermath, Prime suggested they all move on to a new era of peace and enlightment. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/A_Rage_in_Heaven%21" title="A Rage in Heaven!">A Rage in Heaven!</a>

<a name="Fun_Publications_Classics_comics"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: Fun Publications Classics comics">edit</a>] Fun Publications Classics comics</h4> <div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: The Classics comic takes place after the end of the original Marvel Comic, but in a new timeline that does not include the events of the Marvel UK-exclusive stories or Generation 2.</div>

[[Image:|left|200px|thumb|"All right, do-over. This time I'll skip the visions of doom, and you won't get yourself tangled up with Cobra. Deal?"]] Optimus Prime had returned to Earth commanding <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bumblebee_%28G1%29" title="Bumblebee (G1)">Bumblebee</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cliffjumper_%28G1%29" title="Cliffjumper (G1)">Cliffjumper</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Grimlock_%28G1%29" title="Grimlock (G1)">Grimlock</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Jetfire_%28G1%29" title="Jetfire (G1)">Jetfire</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Mirage_%28G1%29" title="Mirage (G1)">Mirage</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hot_Rod" title="Hot Rod">Rodimus</a> (formerly Hot Rod) to counter the return of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28G1%29" title="Megatron (G1)">Megatron</a>. When Transformers from another reality, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Skyfall_%28Cybertron%29" title="Skyfall (Cybertron)">Skyfall</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Landquake_%28Timelines%29" title="Landquake (Timelines)">Landquake</a>, arrived on Earth unexpectedly, Megatron stumbled upon them, only to find himself under attack by Prime and his Autobots. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Crossing_Over%2C_Part_1" title="Crossing Over, Part 1">Crossing Over, Part 1</a> Overwhelmed, Megatron managed to escape with Landquake, while the Autobots returned to Autobot headquarters with Skyfall. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Crossing_Over%2C_Part_2" title="Crossing Over, Part 2">Crossing Over, Part 2</a>

Optimus Prime took his Autobots and Skyfall to <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=South_America&action=edit" class="new" title="South America">South America</a>, where the Decepticons were investigating a mysterious energy source that was similar to the radiation readings of their new dimension-traveling companions. After Prime left Jetfire in mid-transit to help <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/RUNT" class="mw-redirect" title="RUNT">RUNT</a> fight the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Seeker" title="Seeker">Seekers</a>, he and the remaining Autobots arrived at their destination and battled the rest of Megatron's forces on the ground. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Crossing_Over%2C_Part_3" class="mw-redirect" title="Crossing Over, Part 3">Crossing Over, Part 3</a>

Shortly after the events of this battle, Prime regrouped, seemingly having lost Skyfall and Cliffjumper (along with Landquake). He was pleased to be visited (seemingly very quickly, if really at all) by <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ultra_Magnus_%28G1%29" title="Ultra Magnus (G1)">Ultra Magnus</a> when their paths crossed while the latter was hunting <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bug_Bite_%28G1%29" title="Bug Bite (G1)">Bug Bite</a>. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Games_of_Deception" title="Games of Deception">Games of Deception</a>

<a name="S.T.A.R.S._pack-in_fliers"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: S.T.A.R.S. pack-in fliers">edit</a>] S.T.A.R.S. pack-in fliers</h3> The Autobots were outnumbered and outgunned on Earth from the start, though Optimus was confident (and correct) that reinforcements from Cybertron would arrive. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Reinforcements_from_Cybertron%21" title="Reinforcements from Cybertron!">Reinforcements from Cybertron!</a>

However, the situation was still so desperate that Optimus not only decided to recruit human allies <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_battle_is_far_from_over%21" title="The battle is far from over!">The battle is far from over!</a>, 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. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Earthlings:_THE_S.T.A.R.S._need_your_help_now%21" title="Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now!">Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now!</a> <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Have_the_Decepticons_defeated_us_once_and_for_all%3F" title="Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all?">Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all?</a> In at least one case, this likely led to the death of a small boy at Decepticon hands. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Can_one_boy%2C_alone%2C_hold_back_the_evil_Decepticons%3F" title="Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?">Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?</a>

Optimus later led a convoy in search for a building site for <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autobot_City" title="Autobot City">Autobot City</a>, which ran into a Decepticon ambush. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Rodimus_Prime_remembers_the_Transformers_greatest_battle_on_Earth." title="Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.">Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.</a> He sent off several Autobots to get help, knowing this was the only chance of victory. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformers_Combat_Data" title="Transformers Combat Data">Transformers Combat Data</a> Those several Autobots were seen again, but Prime... wasn't.

<a name="American_cartoon_continuity"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: American cartoon continuity">edit</a>] American cartoon continuity</h3>

Voice actors: <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Peter_Cullen" title="Peter Cullen">Peter Cullen</a> (Optimus Prime, English), <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Laurie_Faso" title="Laurie Faso">Laurie Faso</a> (Orion Pax, English), <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Tessh%C5%8D_Genda" title="Tesshō Genda">Tesshō Genda</a> (Japanese), <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Francis_Lax" title="Francis Lax">Francis Lax</a> (French), <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Hubert_Gagnon&action=edit" class="new" title="Hubert Gagnon">Hubert Gagnon</a> (French Canadian), <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Willi_R%C3%B6bke" title="Willi Röbke">Willi Röbke</a> (German), <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Thomas_Rau&action=edit" class="new" title="Thomas Rau">Thomas Rau</a> (German G2 Redub)

[[Image:|right|180px|thumb|Ariel spends a lot of time hanging around the docks.]] Optimus Prime began his life as a robot named Orion Pax, a simple dock worker during the Golden Age of Cybertron nine million years ago, with a girlfriend named <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Elita_One" title="Elita One">Ariel</a>, and a best friend named <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dion" title="Dion">Dion</a>. At the time, a new breed of robot had recently appeared on the planet - ones with new robot-mode flight powers that made Orion idolize them. Unfortunately for Orion, when <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28G1%29" title="Megatron (G1)">Megatron</a>, the leader of these robots, approached him with inquiries about using one of the dock warehouses, Orion fell for the deception and he and Ariel were critically wounded when Megatron and his forces then attacked in order to claim the energy stored there. Searching for someone to help them, the time-displaced <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Aerialbot_%28G1%29" title="Aerialbot (G1)">Aerialbots</a> took Orion and Ariel to the ancient Autobot <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Alpha_Trion_%28G1%29" title="Alpha Trion (G1)">Alpha Trion</a>, who used them as the first subjects for the new reconstruction process he had developed - rebuilding the frail Autobot frames into battle-hardy configurations. With this reconstruction, Orion Pax <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Renaming" title="Renaming">became</a> Optimus Prime, the first of the Autobot warriors, who took the mantle of leadership as the civil war against Megatron and Decepticons erupted, while Ariel was rebuilt into <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Elita_One" title="Elita One">Elita One</a>, the commander of the Autobot resistance on Cybertron. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/War_Dawn" title="War Dawn">War Dawn</a>

<table style="border-style: none; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: transparent;" class="cquote" align="center"> <tbody><tr> <td style="padding: 9px 10px 0pt; color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;" valign="top" width="20"> “ </td><td style="padding: 4px 10px 5px; font-family: 'lucida console',arial,sans-serif;" valign="top"> You - who are you? </td><td style="padding: 10px 10px 0px; color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right;" valign="bottom" width="20"> ” </td></tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0pt;"> <cite style="font-style: normal;">—Megatron</cite>

</td></tr></tbody></table> <table style="border-style: none; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: transparent;" class="cquote" align="center"> <tbody><tr> <td style="padding: 9px 10px 0pt; color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;" valign="top" width="20"> “ </td><td style="padding: 4px 10px 5px; font-family: 'lucida console',arial,sans-serif;" valign="top"> Your worst nightmare! </td><td style="padding: 10px 10px 0px; color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right;" valign="bottom" width="20"> ” </td></tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0pt;"> <cite style="font-style: normal;">—Optimus Prime</cite>

</td></tr></tbody></table> [[Image:|left|150px|thumb|Ion blasts are the right of all sentient beings.]] As leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime headed up the Autobots' mission to search out new worlds with new sources of energy to revitalise the depleted Cybertron. However, shortly after its launch, the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ark_%28G1%29" title="Ark (G1)">Autobots' craft</a> was attacked by the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Nemesis_%28G1%29" title="Nemesis (G1)">Decepticon space cruiser</a> and boarded by Megatron and the Decepticons. In the ensuing struggle, the g-forces of a nearby planet pulled both crafts down, and the Autobots' ship crashed into a volcano, thrusting all the occupants of the ship into emergency stasis. Four million years later, in the Earth year 1984 C.E., a volcanic eruption jarred the ship's computer, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Teletraan_I_%28G1%29" title="Teletraan I (G1)">Teletraan I</a> back to life, and it reactivated the Decepticons, programming them with new Earth-based disguise modes. As a petty parting gesture, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Starscream_%28G1%29" title="Starscream (G1)">Starscream</a> fired upon the Autobot ship, creating a landslide that knocked Prime into the path of the computer's restoration beam, restoring him to life, and beginning the war anew on Earth. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/More_than_Meets_the_Eye%2C_Part_1" title="More than Meets the Eye, Part 1">More Than Meets The Eye, Part 1</a>

[[Image:|right|180px|thumb|Wow, these collectibles are so lifelike.]] Prime was perpetually at the forefront of the action throughout the early years of the war on Earth, usually confronting Megatron, and, in some rare instances, being forced to team up with him for the greater good (or the lesser evil). He has suffered his fair share of battlefield scrapes, almost meeting his end when his vital <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cosmotron" title="Cosmotron">cosmotron</a> component was critically damaged by the Decepticon jets and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Laserbeak_%28G1%29" title="Laserbeak (G1)">Laserbeak</a> <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Divide_and_Conquer" title="Divide and Conquer">Divide and Conquer</a>, and suffering a severe - though unfair - defeat when Megatron challenged him to one-on-one combat while imbued with the different powers of all the Decepticons. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Heavy_Metal_War" title="Heavy Metal War">Heavy Metal War</a>

In 1985, Megatron created a perfect duplicate of him, leaving the Autobots unable to differentiate between the two until the clone disregarded the safety of their human companion, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spike_Witwicky" title="Spike Witwicky">Spike Witwicky</a>, exposing the deception. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/A_Prime_Problem" title="A Prime Problem">A Prime Problem</a> Later in the same year, Prime's fame and prowess led him to become the target of the demented big-game hunter, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Lord_Chumley" title="Lord Chumley">Lord Chumley</a>, who sought his head to go along with his other rare trophies. Entering the hunter's estate alone, Prime defeated all the traps and beasts lying in wait and brought Chumley to justice. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Prime_Target" title="Prime Target">Prime Target</a>

[[Image:|left|180px|thumb|Being a hero is all about dramatic lighting. And two-fisted violence.]] The same year also saw Elita One captured by the Decepticons on Cybertron and used to lure Prime there alone; although knowing it was a trap, he ventured in solo and was defeated by the Decepticons and nearly destroyed, until Elita's stasis-field powers froze time long enough for them to escape. Prime was forced to seek out Alpha Trion to save the wounded Elita's life, and in the process, rediscovered his forgotten connection to his creator. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Search_for_Alpha_Trion" title="The Search for Alpha Trion">The Search for Alpha Trion</a> When Megatron created the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Stunticon" title="Stunticon">Stunticons</a>, Prime decided to have the Aerialbots created as a countermeasure, though Alpha Trion gave his life by merging with <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Vector_Sigma" title="Vector Sigma">Vector Sigma</a> to ensure their creation. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Key_to_Vector_Sigma" class="mw-redirect" title="The Key to Vector Sigma">The Key to Vector Sigma</a> For some reason, his <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimus_Prime_Memorial" title="Optimus Prime Memorial">memorial</a> was also built 20 years before his death. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Starscream%27s_Brigade" title="Starscream's Brigade">Starscream's Brigade</a>

[[Image:|right|180px|thumb|"Oh, hey, I have this in me now, by the way."]] Over the course of the next twenty years, the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Decepticon" title="Decepticon">Decepticons</a> succeeded in seizing control of all of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cybertron_%28planet%29" title="Cybertron (planet)">Cybertron</a>, forcing the Autobots to operate from their new <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autobot_City" title="Autobot City">city</a> on Earth, and from two bases on Cybertron's moons. In the Earth year 2005, Prime was stationed on <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Moonbase_One" title="Moonbase One">Moonbase One</a>, and dispatched troops to Earth to acquire energy for an upcoming strike on Cybertron. The Decepticons, however, got wind of the plan and attacked the shuttle, killing its occupants. Their scheme was to use the shuttle to stage a <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Battle_of_Autobot_City" title="Battle of Autobot City">surprise attack on Autobot City</a>; an attack which would have succeeded, if not for a distress call which summoned Prime and support troops to Earth.

<table style="border-style: none; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: transparent;" class="cquote" align="center"> <tbody><tr> <td style="padding: 9px 10px 0pt; color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;" valign="top" width="20"> “ </td><td style="padding: 4px 10px 5px; font-family: 'lucida console',arial,sans-serif;" valign="top"> One shall stand, one shall fall. </td><td style="padding: 10px 10px 0px; color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right;" valign="bottom" width="20"> ” </td></tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0pt;"> <cite style="font-style: normal;">—Optimus Prime's challenge to Megatron before their final battle.</cite>

</td></tr></tbody></table>
Optimus Prime foresaw that his final battle with his arch-nemesis was looming, deciding that the Decepticons must be stopped, no matter the cost. Bravely, he plowed through the remaining Decepticon ranks, punishing them for every Autobot they killed overnight, before confronting Megatron. In the ensuing battle with Megatron, Optimus Prime sustained fatal injuries, but not before turning the tide of battle and forcing the Decepticon to flee. Despite the efforts of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Perceptor_%28G1%29" title="Perceptor (G1)">Perceptor</a>, Optimus Prime could not be saved. Knowing his time had come, he passed the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Matrix_of_Leadership" title="Matrix of Leadership">Matrix of Leadership</a>, and with it leadership of the Autobots, into the hands of his old friend, the city's commander, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ultra_Magnus_%28G1%29" title="Ultra Magnus (G1)">Ultra Magnus</a>. With his last ounce of energy, he muttered "<a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/%27Til_all_are_one" title="'Til all are one">'Til all are one</a>," then died, his lifeforce becoming one with the ancient wisdom contained within the Matrix. When the young Autobot, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hot_Rod" title="Hot Rod">Hot Rod</a>, opened the Matrix within the body of the planet-eater, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Unicron" title="Unicron">Unicron</a>, Prime's voice was heard once more, dubbing the transformed Hot Rod "Rodimus Prime," new leader of the Autobots. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Transformers:_The_Movie" title="The Transformers: The Movie">The Transformers: The Movie</a>

[[Image:|left|180px|thumb|"WHERE IS SARAH CONNOR?"]] Optimus Prime's body was entombed in a massive deep-space mausoleum with the many other fallen Autobots, but his corpse was desecrated by the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Quintessons" class="mw-redirect" title="Quintessons">Quintessons</a> in 2006 when they reanimated it as part of an attempt to destroy the Autobots by using Prime to lure their space fleet into a trap. However, the Matrix was able to purify Prime of the Quintesson influence, and he got the other Autobots clear while he piloted his flagship into the Quintessons' detonator, triggering the explosion of a nearby sun. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dark_Awakening" title="Dark Awakening">Dark Awakening</a>

Prime was believed to have been destroyed in the explosion, but in reality, before the flagship impacted with the detonator, his body was recovered from the craft by two human scientists, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Jessica_Morgan" title="Jessica Morgan">Jessica Morgan</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Gregory_Swofford" title="Gregory Swofford">Gregory Swofford</a>. As their ship departed, it was coated in solar spores released by the explosion of the sun. Jessica's father, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Mark_Morgan" title="Mark Morgan">Mark Morgan</a>, loathed the Autobots, and his hatred only grew when an attempt by the Decepticons to steal a heat-resistant alloy he had developed resulted in Jessica being paralyzed. Swofford and Morgan reconstructed Optimus Prime's body in an attempt to use it as a delivery system for the spores, which induced hatred and madness, in order to destroy the Transformers. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Return_of_Optimus_Prime%2C_Part_1" title="The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1">The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1</a> However, when they could not reanimate him, they used his body as a lure instead, bringing the Autobots to their lab, where they were infected. As this "<a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hate_Plague" title="Hate Plague">Hate Plague</a>" proceeded to spread across the galaxy, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sky_Lynx_%28G1%29" title="Sky Lynx (G1)">Sky Lynx</a> retrieved a Quintesson, who fully restored Optimus Prime to life. Coating himself in Morgan's heat-resistant alloy, Prime reclaimed the Matrix from Rodimus and unleashed its concentrated wisdom to destroy the Hate Plague. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Return_of_Optimus_Prime%2C_Part_2" title="The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2">The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2</a>

<div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: There is a considerable continuity error concerning zombie Optimus. At the end of "<a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dark_Awakening" title="Dark Awakening">Dark Awakening</a>", Optimus is in pretty rough shape (as the screen shot shows), missing an arm, part of his face, a sizable portion of his shoulder, covered with cosmetic damage, etc. However, when he is discovered in "<a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Return_of_Optimus_Prime%2C_Part_1" title="The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1">The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1</a>", he's shining new. The intent was for him to retain his damage and be repaired during Morgan and Swofford's attempt at reanimating him, but even this does not explain how he went from being conscious to dead again, why there is no barrage of Quintesson laser-fire piercing Prime's now-pristine ship, or why the ship is now flying into an exploding star instead of the Quints' booby-trapped detonator asteroid.</div> <div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width: 152px;"><a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Image:Puppetpmprime.jpg" class="image" title="Prime's legal troubles began after he gave Tommy "the Touch." Strangely, the prosecution never even noticed the double entendre."><img alt="Prime's legal troubles began after he gave Tommy "the Touch." Strangely, the prosecution never even noticed the double entendre." src="Optimus%20Prime%20%28G1%29_files/150px-Puppetpmprime.jpg" class="thumbimage" border="0" width="150" height="113"></a> <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Image:Puppetpmprime.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge"><img src="Optimus%20Prime%20%28G1%29_files/magnify-clip.png" alt="" width="15" height="11"></a></div>Prime's legal troubles began after he gave Tommy "the Touch." Strangely, the prosecution never even noticed the double entendre.</div></div></div> In 2007, Optimus Prime began to suffer visions following the release of the Matrix's energy, which foretold a great transformation for Cybertron. Events began with the Decepticons' theft of the key to the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Plasma_Energy_Chamber" class="mw-redirect" title="Plasma Energy Chamber">Plasma Energy Chamber</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Rebirth%2C_Part_1" title="The Rebirth, Part 1">The Rebirth, Part 1</a> which forced Prime to consult Alpha Trion within <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Vector_Sigma" title="Vector Sigma">Vector Sigma</a>, learning that the mega-computer had orchestrated events in order to restore Cybertron's Golden Age. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Rebirth%2C_Part_2" title="The Rebirth, Part 2">The Rebirth, Part 2</a> When the Plasma Energy Chamber was opened and threatened to drive Earth's Sun supernova, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spike_Witwicky" title="Spike Witwicky">Spike Witwicky</a> and the other organic <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Nebulan" class="mw-redirect" title="Nebulan">Nebulans</a> who had become involved in the conflict as a result of these events were able to drain off the excess solar energy and revitalize Cybertron. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Rebirth%2C_Part_3" title="The Rebirth, Part 3">The Rebirth, Part 3</a>

At an undetermined point in time, through unknown circumstances, Optimus Prime was upgraded into a <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Powermaster" title="Powermaster">Powermaster</a> body, and began associating with a human boy named <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Tommy_Kennedy" title="Tommy Kennedy">Tommy Kennedy</a>. Tommy, apparently a resident of Autobot City, interviewed Prime on a variety of topics related to Cybertronian history and lore, sometimes for school assignments, sometimes for historical reference, and sometimes simply for the heck of it. Prime regaled young Tommy with tales of the Autobots' greatest battles; <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/More_Than_Meets_the_Eye" class="mw-redirect" title="More Than Meets the Eye">their arrival on Earth</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Transformers:_The_Movie" title="The Transformers: The Movie">Prime's own death and the struggle against Unicron</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Five_Faces_of_Darkness" title="Five Faces of Darkness">the return of Galvatron and the Quintessons' role in Transformer history</a>, Prime's <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dark_Awakening" title="Dark Awakening">brief revival at the hands of the Quintessons</a> as well as his <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Return_of_Optimus_Prime" class="mw-redirect" title="The Return of Optimus Prime">return during the Hate Plague crisis</a>. He also recounted the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Rebirth" title="The Rebirth">the origins of the Headmasters and Targetmasters</a> and, inexplicably, a tale of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Surprise_Party" title="Surprise Party">Ultra Magnus's birthday</a>. At this point in his career, Prime's role seemed to be more of a goodwill ambassador, as he spent much of his time aiding fellow Autobots with minor tasks, like helping <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Joyride" class="mw-redirect" title="Joyride">Joyride</a> repair a space bridge, refueling <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sky_High_%28Pretender%29" title="Sky High (Pretender)">Sky High</a>, and helping <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cloudburst" title="Cloudburst">Cloudburst</a> redesign his retro-rockets. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Generation_1_%28cartoon%29#Season_5" class="mw-redirect" title="Generation 1 (cartoon)">Season 5</a> At one point, a problem with Prime's <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Memory_chip&action=edit" class="new" title="Memory chip">memory chip</a> left him incapable of recalling specific details of various historical events. This issue was short-lived, as Tommy Kennedy managed to fix it with a small amount of effort and encouragement. Once, before leaving to attend an intergalactic peace conferences, Prime showed Tommy an informational <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Touch" class="mw-redirect" title="The Touch">music video</a> depicting the events surrounding the battle with Unicron. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Generation_1_%28cartoon%29#Season_5" class="mw-redirect" title="Generation 1 (cartoon)">Season 5</a>/ <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Transformers:_The_Movie" title="The Transformers: The Movie">The Transformers: The Movie</a>

<a name="Madman_Transformers_comic"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Madman Transformers comic">edit</a>] Madman Transformers comic</h3> [[Image:|left|200px|thumb|-Or maybe you're just hepped-up on goofballs, kid.]] In 2001, Optimus Prime led the Autobot evacuation from the Decepticons' successful conquest of Cybertron, standing as the unflinching rearguard for his fleeing Autobots. Before he left, he secretly met with Ultra Magnus at the site of the future Autobot City to discuss hiding the Matrix of Leadership, against the possibility of Prime's capture or death. Unfortunately, Soundwave had secretly recorded this clandestine meeting and moved to capture the powerful Autobot relic. To the surprise of all, the young Hot Rod managed to defeat Soundwave and secure the Matrix. When the Autobots arrived back on Earth, Optimus Prime learned of Hot Rod's deeds, and as he was handed the Matrix, a mysterious energy from the artifact passed through both Autobots. However, Prime only cryptically stated that perhaps Hot Rod's destiny was greater than the young 'bot himself knew. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Madman_Transformers_Comic" title="Madman Transformers Comic">Madman Transformers Comic</a>

<a name="Japanese_cartoon_continuity"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: Japanese cartoon continuity">edit</a>] Japanese cartoon continuity</h3> <div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: The events of the American animated series occur in Japanese continuity as noted above, except that the events of Season 3, which took place in 2006 in America, were moved back to 2010, and "The Rebirth" and subsequent events do not occur. Japanese animated continuity inserts a large number of additional storylines, told through various different media, into the timeline (in particular, between Season 2 and the movie, and between the movie and Season 3), as detailed below.</div>

<a name="Fight.21__Super_Robot_Lifeform_Transformer_manga"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformer manga">edit</a>] Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformer manga</h4> When the Decepticons turned their attention to pillaging the energies of Japan in the late 1980s, Optimus Prime and the Autobots met up with a young Japanese boy named <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Kenji" title="Kenji">Kenji</a>, whose inventive mind helped them to defeat <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Menasor_%28G1%29" title="Menasor (G1)">Menasor</a> during an energy raid on <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Tokyo" title="Tokyo">Tokyo</a>. As a token of thanks, Optimus Prime granted Kenji a special communications helmet and made him an official Autobot ally. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Fight%21_Super_Robot_Lifeform_Transformers_issue_1" title="Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 1">F!SRLF #1</a>

While showing Kenji around the Autobots' new Tokyo base, Optimus Prime lamented that he wished his "kid brother" <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ultra_Magnus_%28G1%29" title="Ultra Magnus (G1)">Ultra Magnus</a> would hurry up and arrive with his trailer upgrade. As he pondered the whereabouts of his sibling, the Decepticons attacked Yokohama. The Autobots hurried to the scene only to encounter an over-powered Megatron in his newest form: the Super Megatron Gun. The Autobots' defeat seemed assured until Magnus arrived with Prime's trailer upgrade, the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Scramble_Power_Buster&action=edit" class="new" title="Scramble Power Buster">Scramble Power Buster</a>. The Scramble Power Buster trumped the might of the Super Megatron Gun, leaving Prime and Magnus to vanquish the Decepticon forces with their combined attack: the Double Cross Kick (basically, them jump-kicking the Decepticons in the spine at the same time). <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Fight%21_Super_Robot_Lifeform_Transformers_issue_4" title="Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 4">F!SRLF #4</a>

Prime and Magnus teamed up again to battle the Stunticons and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Combaticon" title="Combaticon">Combaticons</a> when the two Decepticons teams posed as Autobots and besmirched the two commanders' good names. Although Menasor and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Onslaught" title="Onslaught">Onslaught</a>'s <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Decepticon_Trailer_Brigade" title="Decepticon Trailer Brigade">Decepticon Great Wheel</a> attack proved a challenge, Prime and Magnus's "Finish Double" attack (suspiciously similar to their Double Cross Kick) soon won the day. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Fight%21_Super_Robot_Lifeform_Transformers_issue_7" title="Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 7">F!SRLF #7</a>

<a name="Full_Throttle_Scramble_Power.21"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: Full Throttle Scramble Power!">edit</a>] Full Throttle Scramble Power!</h4> [[Image:|right|200px|thumb|This is why you have that axe, Prime, remember?]] After Megatron and the Decepticons threaten humanity with their latest death ray, the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Omega_Whip&action=edit" class="new" title="Omega Whip">Omega Whip</a>, Optimus Prime dispatched <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hound_%28G1%29" title="Hound (G1)">Hound</a> and his human partners, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Toru" title="Toru">Toru</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Jenny" class="mw-redirect" title="Jenny">Jenny</a> to follow the electromagnetic trail and find the Decepticons' hidden base. Hound, Toru and Jenny were then swiftly captured.

Contemplating what to do next, Prime reluctantly dispatched the still-wet-behind-the-ears <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Aerialbot_%28G1%29" title="Aerialbot (G1)">Aerialbots</a> to deal with the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Stunticon" title="Stunticon">Stunticons</a>, who were trashing a power plant. The burning justice of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Superion_%28G1%29" title="Superion (G1)">Superion</a> ensured his victory.

Prime and a small unit of Autobots then stormed the Decepticon base to rescue their friends. As Hound, Toru and Jenny destroyed the Omega Whip and escaped, Prime and Megatron squared off yet again (with Megatron unleashing his seldomly seen <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Energon_mace" title="Energon mace">energon mace</a>). Megatron quickly gained the upper hand in battle...until <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Metroplex_%28G1%29" title="Metroplex (G1)">Metroplex</a> and every single Autobot soldier arrived as back-up. Megatron and the Decepticons immediately fled.

Toru and Jenny celebrated their success with a public display of affection. Curious, Optimus began to ask them embarrassing questions, swatting Toru in the bottom with his mighty robot finger. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Full_Throttle_Scramble_Power%21" title="Full Throttle Scramble Power!">Full Throttle Scramble Power!</a>

<a name="Scramble_City"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: Scramble City">edit</a>] Scramble City</h4> As the 1980s rolled on, the Autobots began an initiative to construct a new battle fortress known as <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Metroplex_%28G1%29" title="Metroplex (G1)">Scramble City</a>. The facility to construct the fortress was concealed within a cavern and overseen by Ultra Magnus, but when it was discovered by Decepticon spy <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ratbat_%28G1%29" title="Ratbat (G1)">Ratbat</a>, Megatron unleashed a horde of Decepticon <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Combiner" title="Combiner">combiners</a> to destroy the project before it could be completed. Optimus Prime led a counter-offensive of Autobot combiners to the front lines. Things looked grim, as the Decepticon combiners thrashed the Autobots. As a last resort, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ultra_Magnus_%28G1%29" title="Ultra Magnus (G1)">Ultra Magnus</a> activated Scramble City, which transformed into its robot mode of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Metroplex_%28G1%29" title="Metroplex (G1)">Metroplex</a> and arrived in time to fight off the Decepticons. However, Megatron unleashed his trump card, the Decepticon City: <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Trypticon_%28G1%29" title="Trypticon (G1)">Trypticon</a>. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Scramble_City" title="Scramble City">Scramble City</a>

<div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: This storyline was never concluded, as a second installment of Scramble City was never produced.</div>

<a name="Star_Gate_War"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=16" title="Edit section: Star Gate War">edit</a>] Star Gate War</h4> Continued Autobot and human interaction led to a joint project to create an <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Warp_gate" class="mw-redirect" title="Warp gate">interstellar transport system</a> in the late 1990s. When Starscream fused with the mechansm and attempted a coup, Prime and Megatron were forced to team up to stop him, and went missing following the battle that ensued. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Stargate_Battles" title="The Stargate Battles">Star Gate War</a>

<div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: This manga's cliffhanger was never resolved, but was retroactively exploited to insert the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Robots_in_Disguise_%28cartoon%29" title="Robots in Disguise (cartoon)">Robots in Disguise</a> animated series into the Japanese Generation 1 continuity, by claiming that its events took place when Prime and Megatron were absent and most of the Autobots and Decepticons were injured and off-planet.</div> <a name="Binaltech"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=17" title="Edit section: Binaltech">edit</a>] Binaltech</h4> In 2003, the Decepticons attacked the Autobots on Earth with a plague of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cosmic_Rust_%28disease%29" title="Cosmic Rust (disease)">Cosmic Rust</a>, leaving many of them injured, and the planet's defense force significantly depleted when Megatron made his big push to fully take over Cybertron in 2004. With Prime leading the Autobots in battling the Decepticons on their homeworld, no troops could be spared to bolster the defense of Earth, leading to the creation of new "Binaltech" bodies for various damaged Autobot warriors on the planet.

In the midst of the Binaltech conflict, the time-travelling <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Predacon_%28BW%29" title="Predacon (BW)">Predacon</a> <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ravage_%28G1%29" title="Ravage (G1)">Ravage</a> attempted to alter history by using the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Kronosphere" title="Kronosphere">Kronosphere</a> to teleport Megatron and the Decepticon armada outside of time during a turning-point battle with Prime and the Autobots. This left the Autobots to face the looming threat of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Unicron" title="Unicron">Unicron</a> alone, but as Prime and Ultra Magnus co-ordinated a last-chance attack against the chaos bringer, Prime dispatched <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Skids_%28G1%29" title="Skids (G1)">Skids</a> into the past to undo the change made to the timeline.

Although the restoration of the original timeline was accomplished, the intervention of a mysterious entity known as "<a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimus_Primal" title="Optimus Primal">the Protector</a>" preserved the "Binal-Time" timeline as an alternate universe. Prime was injured in the final battle with Unicron and gave the Matrix to Ultra Magnus, who used it to destroy the planet-eater, but ultimately, Prime survived and continued to lead the Autobots.

<a name="Robot_Masters"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=18" title="Edit section: Robot Masters">edit</a>] Robot Masters </h4> Also in 2004, the Scramble City project was expanded through the use of the newly-discovered element <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Solitarium" title="Solitarium">Solitarium</a> to involve the construction of the fully-fledged Autobot City on Earth. This coincided with the opening of a dimensional fissure known as the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Blasty_Zone" title="Blasty Zone">Blasty Zone</a>, which transported the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Predacon_%28BW%29" title="Predacon (BW)">Predacon</a> <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28BW%29" title="Megatron (BW)">Megatron</a> through time to the present day. This "Beast Megatron" seized control of the Decepticons, left leaderless by the mysterious absence of Megatron, and went up against Optimus Prime and the Autobots for control of the world's solitarium, but Prime was able to fend off the villains with the help of several Autobots and Maximals from throughout time and space who came through the Blasty Zone - <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Star_Saber_%28G1%29" title="Star Saber (G1)">Star Saber</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Victory_Leo" title="Victory Leo">Victory Leo</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Lio_Convoy" title="Lio Convoy">Lio Convoy</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimus_Primal" title="Optimus Primal">Optimus Primal</a>. Through interaction with these heroes, Prime gains the power of and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Energon_Matrix" title="Energon Matrix">Energon Matrix</a>.

Beast Megatron would not relent, and eventually discovered a massive deposit of solitarium beneath <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/New_York_City" title="New York City">New York City</a>. The Decepticons razed the city in search of the element until Prime and his forces arrived to save the day, this time aided by the enigmatic Autobot <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Reverse_Convoy" title="Reverse Convoy">Reverse Convoy</a>. Things were going smoothly until Reverse Convoy revealed himself to actually be the real Megatron, inhabiting the body of a Transformer from the planet Vehicon through use of his black hole interlink system. Now going by the name Rebirth Megatron, Prime's nemesis teamed with Beast Megatron to conquer their mutual foes. Prime managed to defeat the duo by combining his power with Lio Convoy's and Optimus Primal's.

Eventually, Prime returned all the displaced Autobots, Maximals, Decepticons and Predacons to their rightful place in time using the power of solitarium, and rid the Earth of Decepticons.

<a name="15_Go.21_Go.21_comics"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=19" title="Edit section: 15 Go! Go! comics">edit</a>] 15 Go! Go! comics</h4> [[Image:|right|180px|thumb|"Hot Rod?! Did you shrink in the wash?"]] [[Image:|left|180px|thumb|"How do you think I'd look in black?"]] Shortly before the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Unicron" title="Unicron">Unicron</a> War of 2005, an unknown saboteur badly damaged <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Teletraan_I_%28G1%29" title="Teletraan I (G1)">Teletraan I</a>'s databanks. Optimus Prime notified his Autobots of the attack and issued a command that the information be recovered as soon as possible. "<a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ravage_%28G1%29" title="Ravage (G1)">Black Panther Man</a>," stationed on the artificial Earth satellite <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Nana&action=edit" class="new" title="Nana">Nana</a>, volunteered for the important task and assigned <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Teletraan_15" title="Teletraan 15">Teletraan 15</a> to the case.

Teletraan 15 later traveled to the future, where <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Micromaster" title="Micromaster">Micromaster</a> <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hot_Rod" title="Hot Rod">Hot Rod</a> saved her from a <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Novaroid" title="Novaroid">Novaroid</a>. As Dark Nova and Ultra Megatron prepared to merge, Star Convoy arrived and asked Hot Rod to aid him in the coming fight. But before they could start the battle, an interruption came from an unexpected source: <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Galvatron_%28G1%29" title="Galvatron (G1)">Galvatron</a> emerged from a <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transwarp" title="Transwarp">Transwarp</a> portal and attacked!

On another mission into the future, Teletraan 15 and her companion <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Steeljaw" title="Steeljaw">Steeljaw</a> were aboard <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Jetfire_%28G1%29" title="Jetfire (G1)">Jetfire</a> as he was attacked by the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Decepticon" title="Decepticon">Decepticon</a> jets <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Smokescreen_%28G2%29" title="Smokescreen (G2)">Smokescreen</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dreadwing_%28G2%29" title="Dreadwing (G2)">Dreadwing</a> on his way to his commander. Fortunately for them, Battle Convoy (a.k.a. Laser Optimus Prime) appeared and severed Dreadwing's wing with a single mighty slash of his sword. Teletraan 15 thought that he looked sad and wondered if he had learned his sword skills during his <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Kiss_Player" title="Kiss Player">Kiss Player</a> days.

<a name="Kiss_Players"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=20" title="Edit section: Kiss Players">edit</a>] Kiss Players</h4> <div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Kiss_Players_%28franchise%29" title="Kiss Players (franchise)">Kiss Players</a> takes place between The Transformers: The Movie and the third season of the animated series. While there is no particularly large time-gap between these stories in American animated continuity, in Japan, since the third season was moved to 2010 but the movie remained set in 2005, there was a five-year milieu that made room for plenty of new stories to be told.</div>

[[Image:|right|150px|thumb|Optimus is the one on the left. With the dignity.]] Following Optimus Prime's death in the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Battle_of_Autobot_City" title="Battle of Autobot City">Battle of Autobot City</a>, Tokyo was devastated when <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Galvatron_%28G1%29" title="Galvatron (G1)">Galvatron</a> crash-landed into the city after being hurled out of Unicron's body by Rodimus Prime. The death and destruction that resulted caused a massive anti-Transformer sentiment to spring up, epitomized by the formation of the government organization known as the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Earth_Defense_Command" title="Earth Defense Command">Earth Defense Command</a>, who forced any remaining Transformers on Earth off the planet. Dissatisfaction with the E.D.C.'s extreme actions resulted in the formation of an underground resistance group led by the young <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Marissa_Faireborn" title="Marissa Faireborn">Marissa Faireborn</a>, a girl who had been rescued from danger by Optimus Prime in 1996, with the deceased Prime forming a rallying point for these commandos.

[[Image:|left|150px|thumb|She prefers the Japanese version's longer stacks.]] When Prime's corpse was covertly flown to Japan by the E.D.C., Marissa's commandos attacked the convoy transporting the Autobot leader's body. Believing that they had secured Prime's body, the commandos were taken by surprise and slaughtered by the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ne_squad" title="Ne squad">Ne squad</a> <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Kiss_Player" title="Kiss Player">Kiss Player</a> <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ringo" class="mw-redirect" title="Ringo">Ringo</a> and her <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autrooper" title="Autrooper">Autrooper</a> partner, who burst out of the torso of the decoy Prime body that had been atop the flatbed truck. As the sole surviving member of the squad, Marissa discovered that the true body was being transported within Prime's own trailer nearby. Slicing the trailer open, she was too late to prevent an E.D.C. Autrooper from partially fusing with Prime. Reflecting on her childhood memories of playing with the kindly Autobot leader, Marissa lovingly kissed his faceplate. In an explosion of energy that destroyed the trailer, the two <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/ParasiTech" title="ParasiTech">fused</a> and Prime was reborn in a new, living body. The pair had become Kiss Players!

As fugitives from the E.D.C., Prime and Marissa spent their days on the run and their nights hanging out at the beach. He longed for the day when he would be able to see her bathing in the sun, rather than the moonlight, although he also thought that all the soft-serve ice cream she was eating was making her a little fat. One night while Marissa was surfing, she had a squid latch onto her. Then a <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Legion" title="Legion">Legion</a> that had infused itself with both an octopus and shipwreck attacked her. With tentacles. Prime fought it off and saved Marissa, but the E.D.C. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autrooper" title="Autrooper">Autroopers</a> were soon dispatched to the scene, and the two had to beat a hasty retreat.

[[Image:|right|180px|thumb|"And THIS is for TRAILBREAKER, who DESERVED to have GOTTEN this MOLD INSTEAD!"]] Over the months that followed, Prime and Marissa battled Legions, led Legions (due to the Galvatron-infused cells inside Prime's new body, which sometimes overcame him with nightmares about his old enemy Megatron), fled from Hot Rod, who believed Prime to be an impersonator of his dead commander, and both fought and fled from the E.D.C.

Finally, teaming up with Hot Rod and his Kiss Player partner <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Shaoshao_Li" title="Shaoshao Li">Shaoshao Li</a> (who had adored Marissa since childhood and hated Prime for "stealing" her friend's affections), and the E.D.C. Kiss Player <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Atari_Hitotonari" title="Atari Hitotonari">Atari Hitotonari</a> with her Autrooper partner, Prime and Marissa entered the secret experimental facility beneath the Tokyo headquarters of the E.D.C. and discovered the sinister truth behind the shadowy organization. Everything that had occurred was part of an attempt by E.D.C. commander <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hitoshizuku_Ama%C5%8D" title="Hitoshizuku Amaō">Hitoshizuku Amaō</a> to resurrect her daughter, who had been killed in the 2005 catastrophe. Finding Galvatron's headless corpse imprisoned in the facility, the Kiss Players realized that the only way to repair things was to return the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Unicron" title="Unicron">Unicron</a>-created Decepticon's cells. Galvatron's body absorbed the Legions, the Autroopers, and the cells inside Prime and Hot Rod, who were returned to their former forms... which meant that Prime was once again dead.

Marissa did get a few chances to see her friend again - in 2007, she and her friends were transported back through time to 1984 where they witnessed Prime's battle with Megatron atop <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sherman_Dam" title="Sherman Dam">Sherman Dam</a>, and then later, forward in time, to 2010, where Prime (and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bumblebee_%28G1%29" title="Bumblebee (G1)">Goldbug</a>) helped her once more by rescuing her and her friends from the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sharkticon_%28G1%29" title="Sharkticon (G1)">Sharkticon</a> pit on <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Quintessa" title="Quintessa">Quintessa</a>.

<a name="The_Headmasters_cartoon"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=21" title="Edit section: The Headmasters cartoon">edit</a>] The Headmasters cartoon</h4> One year after Prime's resurrection, in 2011, the Autobots had entered into an even closer relationship with Earth and began the colonization of other worlds, the first of which was the planet <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Athenia" title="Athenia">Athenia</a>, where Optimus Prime was stationed. It soon became apparent, however, that when Prime had released the energy of the Matrix to cure the Hate Plague, the consequences were more far-reaching than he had anticipated - without the energy of the Matrix to act as a balancing factor, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Vector_Sigma" title="Vector Sigma">Vector Sigma</a> had become destabilized, and the Decepticons suddenly returned to exploit this, assaulting Cybertron in order to seize control of the mega-computer. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Four_Warriors_Come_Out_Of_The_Sky" class="mw-redirect" title="Four Warriors Come Out Of The Sky">Four Warriors Come Out Of The Sky</a> Prime took a squad of troops to aid in the battle on the planet, and when the arrival of the Autobot <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Headmaster_%28technology%29" title="Headmaster (technology)">Headmasters</a> tipped the battle in their favor, Prime broke off from the main attack and headed down into the depths of the planet, planning on stabilizing Vector Sigma at any cost. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Mystery_of_Planet_Master" title="The Mystery of Planet Master">The Mystery of Planet Master</a>

Guided through the dangers of the planet's catacombs by the spirit of Alpha Trion while the other Autobots searched for the Matrix on Earth, Prime eventually arrived at the computer, only to find his way barred by <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cyclonus_%28G1%29" title="Cyclonus (G1)">Cyclonus</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Scourge_%28G1%29" title="Scourge (G1)">Scourge</a>. Hot Rod then arrived with the Matrix, with which Alpha Trion merged, re-energizing it and transforming Hot Rod back into Rodimus Prime; for the first time, the two Primes fought side-by-side and defeated Galvatron. Before Rodimus could implement the Matrix to stabilize Vector Sigma, however, Optimus Prime sacrificed himself to perform the task, merging with the computer and restoring its balance to save the planet. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Birth_of_the_Fantastic_Double_Prime" title="Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime">Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime</a>

<a name="The_Battlestars"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=22" title="Edit section: The Battlestars">edit</a>] The Battlestars</h4> [[Image:|right|180px|thumb|"Occasionally you meet a nice one—Star Convoy, E.T. ... but usually they just turn out to be some kind of big lizard!"]] In a sinister plot to destroy the Autobots, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dark_Nova" title="Dark Nova">Dark Nova</a> duplicated Optimus Prime's <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spark" title="Spark">sparkless</a> body to create the evil <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/False_Convoy" title="False Convoy">False Convoy</a>. False Convoy battled the Autobots but was defeated. Optimus Prime's body was retrieved from Planet Lucifer and brought back online and upgraded into Star Convoy. He was then reunited with <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hot_Rod_%28G1%29#The_Battlestars" class="mw-redirect" title="Hot Rod (G1)">Hot Rod</a>, who became his <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Micromaster" title="Micromaster">Micromaster</a> partner.

With the likes of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sky_Garry" title="Sky Garry">Sky Garry</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Grandus_%28G1%29" title="Grandus (G1)">Grandus</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sixliner" title="Sixliner">Sixliner</a>, Star Convoy formed the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Battlestar" class="mw-redirect" title="Battlestar">Battlestars</a> and did battle with the Decepticons and Dark Nova's horde of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Great_Galaman" class="mw-redirect" title="Great Galaman">Great Galaman</a> drone warriors. Getting nowhere fast, Dark Nova then resurrected <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Galvatron_%28G1%29" title="Galvatron (G1)">Galvatron</a> (last seen buried in ice) as <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28G1%29#The_Battlestars" title="Megatron (G1)">Super Megatron</a> to counter Star Convoy. This didn't work all that well, and after defeating Super Megatron with the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Triple_Combination_Battlestar_Attack" title="Triple Combination Battlestar Attack">Triple Combination Battlestar Attack</a>, his foe was resurrected again by Dark Nova as Ultra Megatron. After disposing of him yet again, Dark Nova merged with Ultra Megatron into <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dark_Nova" title="Dark Nova">Star Giant</a>.

Star Giant proved to be virtually indestructible from the outside until Star Convoy got the bright idea of giving the villain <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Furmanism" title="Furmanism">the worst case of indigestion he'd ever had</a>. Holding Star Giant's massive mouth open, he ordered Sky Garry and Grandus to move in. After all three were swallowed, they began taking Star Giant down from the inside while simultaneously fighting off his various defensive systems. As soon as the trio escaped from Star Giant's interior, the monster exploded, leaving only his head slightly intact. As it happens, Megatron was housed inside Star Giant's noggin and survived the attack.

<a name="Nucleon_Quest_Convoy_bio"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=23" title="Edit section: Nucleon Quest Convoy bio">edit</a>] Nucleon Quest Convoy bio</h4> Following the defeat of Star Giant, the restoration of Cybertron (following its devastation in 2011) began, but the planet was in the throes of a chronic energy shortage. In order to re-energize the struggling planet, Optimus Prime upgraded himself into a Powermaster by fusing with the Nebulan scientist Hi-Q. Protecting his body with a Phase Modulation Shield, Prime ventured into a black hole to obtain the super-energy Nucleon, which was used to restore Cybertron to its former glory.

<a name="Generation_2_story_pages_and_mini-comics"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=24" title="Edit section: Generation 2 story pages and mini-comics">edit</a>] Generation 2 story pages and mini-comics</h4> [[Image:|right|180px|thumb|"SHALOM!"]] With Cybertron restored, Optimus Prime upgraded himself into a new <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Action_Master" title="Action Master">Action Master</a> body. Megatron eventually recovered from his defeat and turned over a new leaf, joining with Prime to form the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cybertron_Alliance" title="Cybertron Alliance">Cybertron Alliance</a>. Things were good for a little while, as Megatron's attempts at peace were genuinely sincere, and the alliance ushered in what would be called the Second Generation of the Transformers. However, after human soldiers killed one of his dearest comrades, Megatron adopted a new body and started the war anew. To counter Megatron, Optimus Prime upgraded his body into a new Missile Trailer mode. Rallying a new wave of Autobot warriors, Optimus diligently repelled Megatron and the Decepticons. Megatron eventually wore Optimus down in battle, though, blowing him away with a barrage of devastating attacks. Megatron finally succeeded in delivering a fatal blow to Optimus, shooting him at point blank with his cannon. Prime would have been done for, except that the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spark" title="Spark">sparks</a> of the previous Autobot Supreme Commanders within the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Matrix_of_Leadership" title="Matrix of Leadership">Matrix of Leadership</a> activated the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Reconfiguration_Matrix" title="Reconfiguration Matrix">Reconfiguration Matrix</a> to forge him a new body. Optimus Prime became Battle Convoy and easily trumped Megatron's power. After a lengthy and costly war, Battle Convoy managed to drive the Decepticon forces to retreat into deep space. Prime was last seen wounded, being aided off the battlefield by his fellow Autobots. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Generation_2_%28manga%29" title="Generation 2 (manga)">Generation 2 (manga)</a>

<a name="E-Hobby_Generation_2_storyline"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=25" title="Edit section: E-Hobby Generation 2 storyline">edit</a>] E-Hobby Generation 2 storyline</h4> When the universe came under threat from an <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Galvatron_II" title="Galvatron II">alternate-reality incarnation of Galvatron</a>, Prime used his <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Reconfiguration_Matrix" title="Reconfiguration Matrix">Reconfiguration Matrix</a> to once again transform his body into a form resembling his original. Armed with powerful solar-powered missile launchers created by the Decepticons that were so energy-consumptive that Prime required a sunlight-absorbing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_body" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:Black_body">black body</a> coating to operate them at full power, Prime put his new body to use rescuing Laser Ultra Magnus from Galvatron's clutches.

<a name="Generation_2_manga"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=26" title="Edit section: Generation 2 manga">edit</a>] Generation 2 manga</h3> [[Image:|left|200px|thumb|GAH, HE'S LOOKING AT ME!]] In the year 199X, the Decepticons had learned of a powerful new energy source known as <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Forestonite" title="Forestonite">forestonite</a> which just happened to be located (surprise surprise) on <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Earth" title="Earth">Earth</a>. Megatron sent his trio of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cyberjet" title="Cyberjet">Cyberjets</a> to Earth first to draw out the enemy Autobots. The Cyberjets made quick work of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Electro" title="Electro">Electro</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hooligan" class="mw-redirect" title="Hooligan">Hooligan</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Junpei" title="Junpei">Junpei</a>. 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. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Generation_2:_The_New_Battle%21%21" title="Generation 2: The New Battle!!">Generation 2: The New Battle!!</a>

<a name="Beast_Era"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=27" title="Edit section: Beast Era">edit</a>] Beast Era</h3> <a name="Beast_Wars"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=28" title="Edit section: Beast Wars">edit</a>] Beast Wars</h4> [[Image:|right|180px|thumb|You have to get up preeeeetty early in the timestream to beat Optimus Prime!]] The <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Beast_Wars_%28event%29" title="Beast Wars (event)">Beast Wars</a> raged on prehistoric Earth, eventually leading to the discovery of the buried Ark sometime after its crash on prehistoric Earth. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28BW%29" title="Megatron (BW)">Megatron</a>, 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Stasis_lock" title="Stasis lock">stasis lock</a>. Megatron hoped that this would result in the Decepticons winning the Great War and eventually <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Predacon_%28BW%29" title="Predacon (BW)">Predacon</a> control of Cybertron. Megatron unleashed a full-power weapon blast at Optimus Prime's face, near-fatally injuring him. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Agenda_%28Part_III%29" title="The Agenda (Part III)">The Agenda (Part III)</a> However, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimus_Primal_%28BW%29" class="mw-redirect" title="Optimus Primal (BW)">Optimus Primal</a> 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, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transmetal" title="Transmetal">Transmetal</a> "Optimal Optimus" form. Then, with the repairs complete, Prime's spark was restored, and he briefly activated before sinking back into normal stasis. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimal_Situation" title="Optimal Situation">Optimal Situation</a>

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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Golden_Disk_%28Voyager%29" title="Golden Disk (Voyager)">disk</a> on board. In the event that he lost the War, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transwarp" title="Transwarp">transwarp</a> technology to travel to Prehistoric Earth, locate the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ark_%28G1%29" title="Ark (G1)">Ark</a>, and change history by killing Optimus Prime. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Agenda_%28Part_2%29" title="The Agenda (Part 2)">The Agenda (Part 2)</a>

<a name="Beast_Wars_Metals_comic"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=29" title="Edit section: Beast Wars Metals comic">edit</a>] Beast Wars Metals comic</h4> [[Image:|right|100px|thumb|Cheetor, that's Prime's Spark, not a toy.]] Optimus Prime was blasted into pieces by Transmetal 2 Megatron. Fortunately, his spark remained pefectly intact—in the remains of his <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimal_Situation#Continuity_errors" title="Optimal Situation">Matrix-shaped Spark Chamber</a>. Megatron was going to destroy Prime's spark, but <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cheetor_%28BW%29" title="Cheetor (BW)">Cheetor</a> (now in his Transmetal body) saved it. Prime's spark was eventually swallowed by <s>the Munky</s> 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.

<a name="Beast_Machines"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=30" title="Edit section: Beast Machines">edit</a>] Beast Machines</h4>

Voice actor: <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Garry_Chalk" title="Garry Chalk">Garry Chalk</a> (English), <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Tilo_Schmitz&action=edit" class="new" title="Tilo Schmitz">Tilo Schmitz</a> (German)

An enormous statue of Optimus Prime, bearing two <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Golden_Disk" class="mw-redirect" title="Golden Disk">Golden Disks</a>, could be seen on Cybertron in front of the Hall of Archives. The statue was subsequently blown to pieces by the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Vehicon_%28BM%29" title="Vehicon (BM)">Vehicon forces</a>. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Fires_of_the_Past" title="Fires of the Past">Fires of the Past</a> Later, Megatron beamed a hologram of Optimus Prime down to the ruins of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Iacon" title="Iacon">Iacon</a> to confront <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimus_Primal" title="Optimus Primal">Optimus Primal</a>. Primal mistook the hologram for the real thing and shared with it the code for the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Oracle" class="mw-redirect" title="Oracle">Oracle</a>. 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spark" title="Spark">sparks</a> from Megatron's mind. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sparkwar_Pt._II:_The_Search" title="Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search">Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search</a>

<div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: Writer <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bob_Skir" title="Bob Skir">Bob Skir</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Golden_Disk_%28Voyager%29" title="Golden Disk (Voyager)">disks</a> from the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes, or that Optimus won them in the 2,395,989th Annual Cybertronian spelling bee.<a href="#cite_note-1" title="">[2]</a> We're betting on the latter.</div> <a name="Universe:_Primeval_Dawn"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=31" title="Edit section: Universe: Primeval Dawn">edit</a>] Universe: Primeval Dawn</h4> [[Image:|left|190px|thumb|"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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Primal_Prime" title="Primal Prime">Primal Prime</a>, then gave the Matrix to their new creation. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Primeval_Dawn_Part_1" title="Primeval Dawn Part 1">Primeval Dawn Part 1</a>

<div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: In the Beast Wars cartoon, Prime's spark was shown to be contained in a Matrix-like vessel. In <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Universe_%282003_comic%29" title="Universe (2003 comic)">Primeval Dawn</a>, that vessel was shown to be merely a container for his spark, and the actual Matrix was hidden underneath.</div>

<a name="Kid_Stuff_Talking_Story_Books"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=32" title="Edit section: Kid Stuff Talking Story Books">edit</a>] Kid Stuff Talking Story Books</h3>

Voice actor: Unknown

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

<a name="Big_Looker_Story_Books"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=33" title="Edit section: Big Looker Story Books">edit</a>] Big Looker Story Books</h3> [[Image:|right|150px|thumb|And the fluffy kitten played with that yarn all gosh-darn night.]] When a 2-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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cliffjumper_%28G1%29" title="Cliffjumper (G1)">Cliffjumper</a> 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. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Great_Car_Rally" title="The Great Car Rally">The Great Car Rally</a>

<a name="Dreamwave_comics_continuity"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=34" title="Edit section: Dreamwave comics continuity">edit</a>] Dreamwave comics continuity</h3> [[Image:|left|180px|thumb|What? OPTRONIX is evolving!]] Optimus Prime started life as Optronix (Orion to his friends<a href="#cite_note-2" title="">[3]</a>), a data archivist. After taking note of a battle in which the Autobot leader <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sentinel_Prime_%28G1%29" title="Sentinel Prime (G1)">Sentinel Prime</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Space_bridge" title="Space bridge">space bridge</a> explosion along with Megatron, but returned some time later, having spent a period of time on <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Quintessa" title="Quintessa">Quintessa</a>. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_War_Within" title="The War Within">The War Within</a>

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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Witwicky" title="Witwicky">Witwicky family</a>. 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ark_II" title="Ark II">Ark_II</a>, along with seven humans, including Witwicky patriarch <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sparkplug_Witwicky" title="Sparkplug Witwicky">Sparkplug</a>. Before the ship departed, Prime gave a piece of the Matrix to <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spike_Witwicky" title="Spike Witwicky">Spike Witwicky</a>, Sparkplug's son and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bumblebee_%28G1%29" title="Bumblebee (G1)">Bumblebee</a>'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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Lazarus" title="Lazarus">Lazarus</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Robert_Hallo" title="Robert Hallo">Robert Hallo</a>, 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/San_Francisco" title="San Francisco">San Francisco</a>. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Prime_Directive" title="Prime Directive">Prime Directive</a>

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, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ultra_Magnus_%28G1%29" title="Ultra Magnus (G1)">Ultra Magnus</a> arrived and bested him. The injuries Prime took in this conflict necessitated a prolonged restoration period in stasis... <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/War_and_Peace" title="War and Peace">War and Peace</a>

<div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: ...which turned out to be the remainder of Dreamwave's existence. Bummer.</div> <a name="Devil.27s_Due_G.I._Joe_vs._the_Transformers_comics_continuity"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=35" title="Edit section: Devil's Due G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers comics continuity">edit</a>] Devil's Due G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers comics continuity</h3> [[Image:|right|275px|thumb|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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cobra" title="Cobra">Cobra</a>. 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/G.I._Joe" title="G.I. Joe">G.I. Joe</a> who teamed up with Wheeljack and Bumblebee. After Wheeljack broke the remote control over the Transformers, Prime went after <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cobra_Commander" title="Cobra Commander">Cobra Commander</a>. 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Energon_%28G1%29" title="Energon (G1)">energon</a>, 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Fusion_cannon" title="Fusion cannon">fusion cannon</a> off his arm. Prime then teamed up with the Joes and used Megatron's cannon to shoot down the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=SPS_satellite&action=edit" class="new" title="SPS satellite">SPS satellite</a> that had gone rogue and was destroying the island.

With the battle over, Prime and the Autobots boarded a new <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ark_%28G1%29" title="Ark (G1)">Ark</a> ship built by G.I. Joe and returned to <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cybertron_%28planet%29" title="Cybertron (planet)">Cybertron</a>. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/G.I._Joe_vs._the_Transformers" title="G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers">G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers</a>

[[Image:|left|275px|thumb|War Convoy: TRANSFORM!!!]] On a Cybertron dominated by <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Shockwave_%28G1%29" title="Shockwave (G1)">Shockwave</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Teletran_3" title="Teletran 3">Teletran 3</a>. The computer then sent several Transformers to <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Earth" title="Earth">Earth</a> across different time periods. A team made up of Joes and Cobra agents were sent back and found Optimus Prime and the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Stunticon" title="Stunticon">Stunticons</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dinobot_%28G1%29" title="Dinobot (G1)">Dinobots</a>, Prime made an agreement with the Joes to destroy the technology that started the whole mess in order to protect Earth. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/G.I._Joe_vs._the_Transformers_II" title="G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II">G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II</a>

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.

[[Image:|right|175px|thumb|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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Serpent_O.R." title="Serpent O.R.">Serpent O.R.</a> 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. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/G.I._Joe_vs._the_Transformers:_The_Art_of_War" title="G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War">G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War</a>

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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Flint" title="Flint">Flint</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hawk_%28G.I._Joe%29" title="Hawk (G.I. Joe)">Hawk</a>. As they searched the area, the trio was attacked by <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bludgeon_%28G1%29" title="Bludgeon (G1)">Bludgeon</a> in his <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Pretender" title="Pretender">Pretender</a> shell. Prime whacked him with his <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Energon-axe" title="Energon-axe">energon-axe</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cobra-La" title="Cobra-La">Cobra-La</a>.

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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Unicron" title="Unicron">Unicron</a>. They were attacked again by Bludgeon and Cobra-La minions, but were led away by a ragged <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Joe_Colton" class="mw-redirect" title="Joe Colton">Joe Colton</a>, 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cosmos_%28G1%29" title="Cosmos (G1)">Cosmos</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Firewall" title="Firewall">Firewall</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Golobulus" title="Golobulus">Golobulus</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Earth" title="Earth">Earth</a>.

With the threat of Unicron gone, Prime relaxed with <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Eject_%28G1%29" class="mw-redirect" title="Eject (G1)">Eject</a> and Firewall by watching some reality TV, and sighed at the banality. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/G.I._Joe_vs._the_Transformers:_Black_Horizon" title="G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: Black Horizon">G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: Black Horizon</a>

<a name="IDW_comics_continuity"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=36" title="Edit section: IDW comics continuity">edit</a>] IDW comics continuity </h3> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<tbody><tr bgcolor="#ececec"> <td>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. </td></tr></tbody></table>

<div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_Origin" title="Megatron Origin">Megatron Origin</a> depicted that before the war, a robot that's a hybrid of the "Orion Pax" and "Optronix" designs appears listening to <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sentinel_Prime_%28G1%29" title="Sentinel Prime (G1)">Sentinel Prime</a>'s speech at the funeral of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bumper_%28G1%29" title="Bumper (G1)">Bumper</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Fastback" title="Fastback">Fastback</a>. He is standing with <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Elita_One" title="Elita One">Elita One</a>, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Alpha_Trion_%28G1%29" title="Alpha Trion (G1)">Alpha Trion</a>, and a white version of himself (presumably <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ultra_Magnus_%28G1%29" title="Ultra Magnus (G1)">Ultra Magnus</a>, possibly even <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dion" title="Dion">Dion</a>). Whether this is truly the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/IDW_continuity" title="IDW continuity">IDW continuity</a>'s version of pre-Prime Optimus or not remains unrevealed.</div> Galvanized by the death of Sentinel Prime, Optimus joined the Autobot forces under his successor <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Zeta_Prime" title="Zeta Prime">Zeta Prime</a>, and was assigned to a unit commanded by the veteran <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Kup" class="mw-redirect" title="Kup">Kup</a>. During his tour of duty his unit intercepted a message reporting of a planned attempt on the Prime's life. He approached former racer <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Blurr_%28G1%29" title="Blurr (G1)">Blurr</a> 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. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spotlight:_Blurr" title="Spotlight: Blurr">Spotlight: Blurr</a>

[[Image:|right|150px|thumb|Freedom is the right of all sentient and heavily-armed beings.]] An undisclosed amount of time later, Optimus would be chosen as the next Prime, and commanded the Autobot armed forces spread across the galaxy from the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autobot_Orbital_Command_Hub" title="Autobot Orbital Command Hub">Autobot Orbital Command Hub</a>. He was directly involved in the cataclysm (<a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/IDW_timeline" title="IDW timeline">just under 450 years ago</a>) that reduced <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cybertron_%28planet%29" title="Cybertron (planet)">Cybertron</a> to a dead husk, fighting alongside <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28G1%29" title="Megatron (G1)">Megatron</a> in an attempt to stop <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Thunderwing_%28G1%29" title="Thunderwing (G1)">Thunderwing</a>'s rampage. Their efforts were futile, and they only survived due to Cybertron itself swallowing Thunderwing at <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Thunderhead_Pass" title="Thunderhead Pass">Thunderhead Pass</a>. Megatron was unconvinced that Thunderwing was dead, and 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ironhide_%28G1%29" title="Ironhide (G1)">Ironhide</a>, who was stationed under <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Prowl_%28G1%29" title="Prowl (G1)">Prowl</a>'s team on Earth, saying that the Decepticon infiltration cell under <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Starscream_%28G1%29" title="Starscream (G1)">Starscream</a> had broken their infiltration methods and enacted <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Siege_mode" class="mw-redirect" title="Siege mode">siege mode</a> prematurely. Soon afterward, the Autobot science vessel <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Calabi-Yau" title="Calabi-Yau">Calabi-Yau</a> sent a distress signal from above Thunderhead Pass, and he ordered the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Wrecker" title="Wrecker">Wreckers</a> to withdraw from <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Varas_Centralus" title="Varas Centralus">Varas Centralus</a> and meet him on Cybertron. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Stormbringer_issue_2" title="Stormbringer issue 2">Stormbringer issue 2</a> Thunderwing had been restored by <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bludgeon_%28G1%29" title="Bludgeon (G1)">Bludgeon</a> and his followers, and though the Wreckers made short work of them, the real fight would be met with Thunderwing. After the Wreckers, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Predacon_%28G1%29" title="Predacon (G1)">Predacons</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Centurion_drones" class="mw-redirect" title="Centurion drones">Centurion drones</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ultra-Energon" title="Ultra-Energon">Ultra-Energon</a> and, ultimately, its life. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Stormbringer_issue_4" title="Stormbringer issue 4">Stormbringer issue 4</a>

[[Image:|left|150px|thumb|Don't crush the cameraman!]] <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Jetfire_%28G1%29" title="Jetfire (G1)">Jetfire</a> discovered information in Bludgeon's files about the mysterious new form of Energon found on <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Earth" title="Earth">Earth</a>. Linking it to the pulsewave transmission from Ironhide, Prime diverted his spacecraft to Earth and called <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Nightbeat_%28G1%29" title="Nightbeat (G1)">Nightbeat</a> in to assist him. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spotlight:_Nightbeat" title="Spotlight: Nightbeat">Spotlight: Nightbeat</a>. 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. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Infiltration_issue_6" title="Infiltration issue 6">Infiltration issue 6</a> Not only had the Decepticons broken their own infiltration protocols over what Starscream had dubbed <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ore-13" class="mw-redirect" title="Ore-13">Ore-13</a>, but after attempting to recover what appeared to be <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sunstreaker_%28G1%29" title="Sunstreaker (G1)">Sunstreaker</a>'s remains, it was also evident that some of the planet's native sentient lifeforms—<a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Human" title="Human">humans</a>—posed a threat possibly equal to that of their old enemies. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Escalation_issue_2" title="Escalation issue 2">Escalation issue 2</a>

Optimus Prime, now fully filled-in on Earth's happenings, decided that they needed reinforcements. He called Nightbeat, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hot_Rod" title="Hot Rod">Hot Rod</a>, and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hardhead_%28G1%29" title="Hardhead (G1)">Hardhead</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Brasnya" title="Brasnya">Brasnya</a> stirring up trouble, Prime ordered them into action.

<a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Blitzwing_%28G1%29" title="Blitzwing (G1)">Blitzwing</a> almost got the drop on Prime, but <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Roller" title="Roller">Roller</a> 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.

[[Image:|right|300px|thumb|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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Fusion_cannon" title="Fusion cannon">fusion cannon</a> clean off. Megatron, however, tireless thanks to Ore-13, prevailed, almost beating Prime into <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Stasis_lock" title="Stasis lock">stasis lock</a>. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Escalation_issue_5" title="Escalation issue 5">Escalation issue 5</a>

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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Decepticon_leader" title="Decepticon leader">Decepticon leader</a> 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. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Escalation_issue_6" title="Escalation issue 6">Escalation issue 6</a>

This near-death experience had left Prime somewhat unsettled. While his consciousness was in <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Infraspace" title="Infraspace">infraspace</a> downloading to his trailer, he sensed a presence of dread—the visage of his long-missing predecessor, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Nova_Prime" title="Nova Prime">Nova Prime</a>. Looking for answers, Optimus Prime left Earth temporarily to seek an audience with <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Omega_Supreme_%28G1%29" title="Omega Supreme (G1)">Omega Supreme</a> 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 faced down the rampaging <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Monstructor" title="Monstructor">Monstructor</a>, 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 do what comic G1 Primes do best: have angst-ridden introspection about himself and the tarnished legacy of the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Prime_%28rank%29" title="Prime (rank)">Prime lineage</a>. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spotlight:_Optimus_Prime" title="Spotlight: Optimus Prime">Spotlight: Optimus Prime</a>

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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ark-19" title="Ark-19">Ark-19</a>. As preparations were underway, Prime received a message from <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hound_%28G1%29" title="Hound (G1)">Hound</a> saying that Thunderwing had been stolen. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sideswipe_%28G1%29" title="Sideswipe (G1)">Sideswipe</a>, 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, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sixshot_%28G1%29" class="mw-redirect" title="Sixshot (G1)">Sixshot</a>. While moving the Ark-19, Prime and the others came under fire by Sixshot, who severely damaged their ship. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Devastation_issue_1" title="Devastation issue 1">Devastation issue 1</a>

[[Image:|left|180px|thumb|"And THAT'S for killing my brother in another timeline!"]] Ordering <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ratchet_%28G1%29" title="Ratchet (G1)">Ratchet</a> to get <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Jimmy_Pink" title="Jimmy Pink">Jimmy Pink</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Verity_Carlo" title="Verity Carlo">Verity Carlo</a> to safety, Optimus then instructed Nightbeat to upload all of Ark-19's data to <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ark-32" title="Ark-32">Ark-32</a> and for Prowl to activate the self-destruct sequence. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Devastation_issue_2" title="Devastation issue 2">Devastation issue 2</a> When Ark-19 exploded, it was assumed that Optimus was on board, but all was good at the end when he appeared with <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bumblebee_%28G1%29" title="Bumblebee (G1)">Bumblebee</a> and the others—ready to take on Sixshot. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Devastation_issue_3" title="Devastation issue 3">Devastation issue 3</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Orbital_jump" title="Orbital jump">orbital jumped</a> just in time to avoid destruction. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Devastation_issue_4" title="Devastation issue 4">Devastation issue 4</a> On Ark-32, after a conversation with Jetfire, Prime informed Prowl that they needed to retrieve <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Wheeljack_%28G1%29" title="Wheeljack (G1)">Wheeljack</a>, Hot Rod and Ironhide, and leave Earth to see to another crisis. The secure facility on <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Garrus-9" title="Garrus-9">Garrus-9</a> 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." <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Devastation_issue_5" title="Devastation issue 5">Devastation issue 5</a> Before leaving Earth, Optimus Prime redirected Hound's unit to rendezvous with Ark-32 at Garrus-9, and told Hound to impress upon Sideswipe the importance of their mission and how he didn't leave Earth or Sunstreaker behind lightly. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Devastation_issue_6" title="Devastation issue 6">Devastation issue 6</a>

[[Image:|right|250px|thumb|Think he can go one series without having a near-death experience?]] Optimus Prime and Prowl met with <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Fortress_Maximus_%28G1%29" title="Fortress Maximus (G1)">Fortress Maximus</a> and Jetfire on Garrus-9 and discussed the prisoners' breakout, and that 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, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dead_Universe" title="Dead Universe">Dead Universe</a> resident <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cyclonus_%28G1%29" title="Cyclonus (G1)">Cyclonus</a> attacked Hound's crew, but they received help from Ultra Magnus and drove Cyclonus to escape to <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Corata-Vaz" title="Corata-Vaz">Corata-Vaz</a>. There, he activated the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Nega-Core" title="Nega-Core">Nega-Core</a> and fought with Magnus and Hound's crew, whom 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 is guarding. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spotlight:_Cyclonus" title="Spotlight: Cyclonus">Spotlight: Cyclonus</a>

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' predecessor explained the nature of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Darkness" class="mw-redirect" title="The Darkness">The Darkness</a> before unleashing a portion on the Autobot leader. Shattered, Prime collapsed onto his hands and knees as Nemesis loomed. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spotlight:_Doubledealer" title="Spotlight: Doubledealer">Spotlight: Doubledealer</a>

[[Image:|left|200px|thumb|"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 savagely attacked Optimus Prime, whose attempts to reason fell on deaf ears. Just as Nemesis Prime seemed victorious, <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Galvatron_%28G1%29" title="Galvatron (G1)">Galvatron</a> attacked the fallen Prime from behind, killing him. Nemesis' death allowed the Darkness to finally enter Optimus, who tried to fight against its evil to no avail. Galvatron offered the Autobot a choice: kill himself by plunging into the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Solar_pool&action=edit" class="new" title="Solar pool">Solar pool</a>, or pass on the Darkness to Galvatron, who had coveted the Darkness for so long. Optimus seemed to willingly do so, 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 truly died long ago. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spotlight:_Sideswipe" title="Spotlight: Sideswipe">Spotlight: Sideswipe</a>

[[Image:|right|250px|thumb|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 Decepticons. Though they managed to briefly turn the tide, Devastator's appearance made the difference, which enabled Megatron to rip the Matrix of Leadership from Prime's chest. Prime was dealt another blow (mentally) when the Autobots were told that they were sold out to a traitor in their ranks. 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. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/All_Hail_Megatron_issue_7" title="All Hail Megatron issue 7">All Hail Megatron issue 7</a> With this defeat, the Autobots were forced to leave Earth to the Decepticons. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/All_Hail_Megatron_issue_1" title="All Hail Megatron issue 1">All Hail Megatron issue 1</a>

<div style="border: 2px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); margin: 0pt auto 0.2em; padding: 2px; width: 90%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-align: left;">Note: The events of Spotlight: Mirage possibly take place in an alternate/unknown continuity.</div> Optimus Prime commanded one of the last remaining pockets of Autobot resistance, hiding out in the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Pegasus_Star_Cluster&action=edit" class="new" title="Pegasus Star Cluster">Pegasus Star Cluster</a>. While awaiting the arrival of Bumblebee's team, he and Hound tried to work out how to convert the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Zodiac_Energy&action=edit" class="new" title="Zodiac Energy">Zodiac Energy</a> for their consumption. "Bumblebee's" arrival proved to be their downfall, as it was really the self-serving mercenary <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Mirage_%28G1%29" title="Mirage (G1)">Mirage</a>, 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 the Prime to back down. When Megatron betrays Mirage's word and orders 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. <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Spotlight:_Mirage" title="Spotlight: Mirage">Spotlight: Mirage</a>

<a name="IDW_Hearts_of_Steel_continuity"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=37" title="Edit section: IDW Hearts of Steel continuity">edit</a>] IDW <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hearts_of_Steel" title="Hearts of Steel">Hearts of Steel</a> continuity</h3> He 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<a href="#cite_note-3" title="">[4]</a>). <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hearts_of_Steel_issue_1" title="Hearts of Steel issue 1">Hearts of Steel issue 1</a> He spends most of the story in <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Stasis_lock" title="Stasis lock">stasis lock</a>.

<a name="IDW_Hearts_of_Steel_Concept_Art_micro-continuity"></a><h4>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=38" title="Edit section: IDW Hearts of Steel Concept Art micro-continuity">edit</a>] IDW Hearts of Steel Concept Art micro-continuity</h4> [[Image:|right|180px|thumb|Optimus Prime hates and ignores your lame "Thomas the Tank Engine" jokes.]] Optimus is depicted as turning into the front half of a fanciful red-and-blue locomotive. The rear half of the locomotive turns into a battle station. Since this altmode has no place in the story, these sketches constitute a <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Micro-continuity" title="Micro-continuity">micro-continuity</a> in which Optimus Prime and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28G1%29" title="Megatron (G1)">Megatron</a> are active in the late 19th century.

<a name="Commercial_appearances"></a><h3>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=39" title="Edit section: Commercial appearances">edit</a>] Commercial appearances</h3> Optimus Prime has appeared in more <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Commercial" title="Commercial">television commercials</a> than any other Transformer... just like with everything else. He has been voiced by Peter Cullen in every animation segment in which he's had a speaking role.

He was one of the featured characters in the first ever

appearance of the Transformers anywhere, an advertisement for the first issue of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Transformers_%28Marvel_Comics%29" title="The Transformers (Marvel Comics)">the Generation 1 comic</a>. 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.

In a commercial for the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Triple_Changer" title="Triple Changer">Triple Changers</a>,

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.

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.

Prime narrates two commercials around the time of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Transformers:_The_Movie" title="The Transformers: The Movie">The Transformers: The Movie</a>, describing the action as <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Springer_%28G1%29" title="Springer (G1)">Springer</a> battles <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Wreck-Gar_%28G1%29" title="Wreck-Gar (G1)">Wreck-Gar</a>, and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hot_Rod" title="Hot Rod">Hot Rod</a> and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Kup" class="mw-redirect" title="Kup">Kup</a> take on the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Sharkticon_%28G1%29" title="Sharkticon (G1)">Sharkticons</a>.

[[Image:|right|180px|thumb|Optimus Prime is so giving, he even gives other Transformers time in his commercials.]]

Prime was prominently featured in the ad for the first comic issue featuring the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Powermaster" title="Powermaster">Powermasters</a>.

On the rocky plains where practically every Transformer battle ever seems to happen, Prime arrives in his Powermaster body to back up two of his troops against Dreadwind and Darkwing. He's shown combining with <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hi-Q" title="Hi-Q">Hi-Q</a> and transforming, attacking with his trailer's battle station mode, then combining with the trailer to continue the attack. Who wins? Find out in <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/People_Power%21" title="People Power!">Marvel Comics</a>!

Prime also features briefly in <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Quickswitch" title="Quickswitch">Quickswitch</a>'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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Pretender_Classic" class="mw-redirect" title="Pretender Classic">Pretender Classics</a>

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.

Powermaster Prime and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Piranacon" title="Piranacon">Piranacon</a> are the representatives from each faction that <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Doubledealer" title="Doubledealer">Doubledealer</a> doublecrosses! Everyone wonders who that guy is that Prime's talking to... He looks kinda suspicious!

Optimus features prominently in the first <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Action_Master" title="Action Master">Action Master</a>

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!

A stock intro was used for several Micromaster commercials,

with Optimus opening his fist to reveal a Micromaster city within.

A similar sequence in another Micromaster has Prime opening his fist to find the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hot_Rod_Patrol" title="Hot Rod Patrol">Hot Rod Patrol</a> 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Interstellar_shuttle" title="Interstellar shuttle">captured</a> <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Attack_Copter" title="Attack Copter">vehicles</a> into the base. Prime is the first to notice that the vehicles are transforming and shooting things.

Prime and <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ramjet_%28G1%29" title="Ramjet (G1)">Ramjet</a> are the stars of the first <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Generation_2_%28franchise%29" title="Generation 2 (franchise)">Generation 2</a> commercial, animated with <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/CGI" class="mw-redirect" title="CGI">CGI</a>. 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Coleco&action=edit" class="new" title="Coleco">Coleco</a>'s <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Power_Cycle" title="Power Cycle">Power Cycle</a>, 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Bata&action=edit" class="new" title="Bata">Bata</a>'s licensed Transformers footwear.

<div class="noprint">Main article: <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29_toys" title="Optimus Prime (G1) toys">Optimus Prime (G1) toys</a></div>

<a name="Merchandise"></a><h2>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=41" title="Edit section: Merchandise">edit</a>] Merchandise</h2>

Main article: <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29_toys#Merchandise" title="Optimus Prime (G1) toys">Merchandise</a>

<a name="Trivia"></a><h2>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=42" title="Edit section: Trivia">edit</a>] Trivia</h2>

According to <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bob_Budiansky" title="Bob Budiansky">Bob Budiansky</a>, longtime comics writer <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Denny_O%27Neil" title="Denny O'Neil">Denny O'Neil</a> named Optimus Prime prior to Budiansky being brought on to the Transformers project.

According to the staff of <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Beast_Wars_%28cartoon%29" title="Beast Wars (cartoon)">Beast Wars</a>, Optimus Prime became a space explorer in the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Beast_Era" title="Beast Era">Beast Era</a>.<a href="#cite_note-4" title="">[5]</a>

[[Image:|right|125px|thumb|Prime's mom knows how to write in cursive.]]

By the time Optimus Prime appeared in <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Beast_Machines_%28cartoon%29" title="Beast Machines (cartoon)">Beast Machines</a>, 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 <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Pepsi_Convoy" title="Pepsi Convoy">Pepsi Convoy</a> that shows him in a refrigerator (along with <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Destron_Pizza" title="Destron Pizza">Destron Pizza</a>), 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.

Optimus Prime's Japanese name is "Convoy", which is named after his original name "Battle Convoy" in the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Diaclone" title="Diaclone">Diaclone</a> toyline, because the name "Optimus Prime" is difficult for Japanese kids to remember and pronounce. <a href="#cite_note-5" title="">[6]</a>

He <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Letters_page_%28Marvel_UK%29" title="Letters page (Marvel UK)">allegedly</a> hates the music of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B6tley_Cr%C3%BCe" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:Mötley_Crüe">Mötley Crüe</a>.

According to EJ Su, Optimus Prime's <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Holomatter" title="Holomatter">Holomatter avatar</a> is modeled after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_S._Grant" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:Ulysses_S._Grant">Ulysses S. Grant</a>. <a href="#cite_note-6" title="">[7]</a>

<a name="External_links"></a><h2>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=43" title="Edit section: External links">edit</a>] External links</h2>

Optimus Prime on TFU.info

Optimus Prime's Universe profile at NTFA.net

Powermaster Optimus Prime's Universe profile at NTFA.net

ToyBin Optimus Prime Toy gallery

<a name="Footnotes"></a><h2>[<a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Optimus_Prime_%28G1%29&action=edit&section=44" title="Edit section: Footnotes">edit</a>] Footnotes </h2> <ol class="references"><li id="cite_note-0"><a href="#cite_ref-0" title="">↑</a> Nicknames found in early Universe-style profiles published in <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=The_Transformers_Comics_Magazine&action=edit" class="new" title="The Transformers Comics Magazine">The Transformers Comics Magazine</a>. <li id="cite_note-1">[#cite_ref-1" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://bigbot.com/beast-machines-transformers-bob-skir/Beast-Machines-FAQ/Tue_12_Oct_1999.html Q&A from Bigbot's "bobskir.com"] <li id="cite_note-2"><a href="#cite_ref-2" title="">↑</a> The <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Keepers_Trilogy" title="Keepers Trilogy">Keepers Trilogy</a> novels set in Dreamwave continuity <li id="cite_note-3">[#cite_ref-3" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=d5d311674e796c81d010d26ac751389b&showtopic=10074&st=20&p=266183&#entry266183 Allspark forums post] by <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Guido_Guidi" title="Guido Guidi">Guido Guidi</a>, August 15th, 2006 <li id="cite_note-4"><a href="#cite_ref-4" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Beast_Wars_Universe" title="Beast Wars Universe">Beast Wars Universe</a> <a href="http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Special:Booksources&isbn=9784766938005" class="internal">ISBN 978-4766938005</a> <li id="cite_note-5"><a href="#cite_ref-5" title="">↑</a> Figure-Oh No. 114 <li id="cite_note-6">[#cite_ref-6" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://www.protodepot.com/archive/2007_11_01_archive.html Idea: Holomatter Projection]</ol>

Optimus Prime (G1)

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