Matrix of Leadership
| The name or term "Matrix" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Matrix (disambiguation). |
The Autobot Matrix of Leadership (sometimes the Creation Matrix) is an artifact of great power, traditionally carried by the current leader of the Autobots. By most accounts, it holds a part of the essence of the Transformers creator, Primus, although much about it, including its exact composition, remains a mystery. It generally appears as a hollow, spherical metal shell with two handles on either side and with a core sphere of blueish crystal at its center. The Matrix is the one thing, the only thing which Unicron fears.
Conceptual history
The Matrix and the concepts associated with it have continuously evolved over twenty-plus years, due to different Transformers fiction creating new ideas centred on it, which have in turn influenced its representation in other fiction, and so on, and so forth, and back-and-forth. The current nature of the Matrix as it is understood is beholden to quite a few different sources, and its development is described here to minimize confusion. For the specifics on the different interpretations of the Matrix in various continuities, see the "Fiction" section below.
It is not clear precisely where the "Matrix" idea originated—if, for example, it was a part of the franchise's original treatment or not—but the concept first appeared in the Marvel Comics Generation 1 continuity, where it was introduced as the Creation Matrix, a computer program housed within Optimus Prime's mind that could bring new Transformers to life.
The animated series made an attempt at introducing the Matrix concept into its continuity in the episode "Cosmic Rust", but the line, which dated the creation of the Matrix to 4.5 million years ago (which would ultimately conflict greatly with what would be learned of the Matrix in the future), was deleted during production. Subsequently, the animated incarnation of the Matrix, known as the "Matrix of Leadership," made its debut in The Transformers: The Movie, where it was presented as a physical object housed in the chest of Optimus Prime, and passed to Ultra Magnus and ultimately Rodimus Prime. Nothing of the Matrix's nature was actually divulged in the film, where it was treated as simply a magic talisman of prophecy that was the antithesis of Unicron. It was the mini-series "Five Faces of Darkness" which revealed the key featre of the animated Matrix—it contained the lifeforces of all previous Autobot leaders who had held it, collectively known as the "Wisdom of the Ages," which could be consulted for aid in moments of need.
Having already cannibalized many of the movie's best elements for use in his comic book stories, writer Simon Furman contradicted Bob Budiansky's US comic book stories by presenting the Matrix as it had appeared in the film, as a physical object, in his own UK storylines. Eventually, when Furman began writing the US series as well, the two concepts were reconciled and it was explained that Prime's head had merely contained residual Matrix energy, while the true Matrix had resided in his chest. The "lifeforces of previous holders" concept was also adapted into the comics, with the Matrix possessing a genetic memory of those that had held it. Most notably, in both UK and US books, Furman crafted a story to explain the origins of the Matrix, why Unicron was vulnerable to it, and how it could create new life, ultimately revealing it to be the essence of the Transformers' creator-god, Primus.
It was the Beast Machines animated series which made the next big addition to the growing mythology of the Matrix when it introduced the Allspark, the extradimensional source of all Transformers sparks living or dead, which was also known as "the Matrix." Although it did not explicitly make any callbacks to the Matrix as seen in the Generation 1 cartoons or comics, the implication was obvious—rather than contain anything, the physical Matrix object from those continuities was a gateway to the Allspark. Where the animated "Matrix of the Leadership" and the comic book "Creation Matrix" had previously seemed incompatible, this revelation united them conceptually—the lifeforces of the dead from the cartoon and the ability to bring new life from the comics could now both be tied to the features of the Allspark dimension.
Fiction
Marvel Comics continuity
Generation 1
When Primus created the Transformer race, before entering voluntary systems shutdown, he bestowed upon them a genetic Matrix containing his essence and the majority of his power, which could be used to give life to more Transformers so that the race might grow without his direct involvement. Primal Scream Known holders of the Matrix throughout history included the first Transformer, Prima, and subsequently, Prime Nova, Sentinel Prime, and in the modern era, Optimus Prime. Dark Creation One account mentions a "Primon" as the second holder, but no other sources include him. Reaching the Omega Point
By the time of the war on Earth, the fact that the Matrix was a physical object was generally unknown to all but Optimus Prime himself, who kept it within his chest. Operating under the misconception that the Matrix was a program within Prime's mind, Shockwave captured the Autobots and decapitated Prime, using the residual Matrix energy contained within it to bring life to the Constructicons. The Next Best Thing to Being There! Prime was able to transfer the remaining energy into the mind of the Autobots' human ally, Buster Witwicky, The Worse of Two Evils! thereby preventing Shockwave from animated his newest construct, Jetfire. Brainstorm! Deducing that Buster possessed the Matrix, Shockwave programmed the unliving Jetfire to capture the boy, but Buster used the Matrix to bring Jetfire under his control, thwarting Shockwave's plan and saving Optimus Prime. Buster returned the energy of the Matrix within his body to Prime. Prime Time!
The Matrix was also known to have an analog on Cybertron, the Matrix Flame, which burned constantly as long as the Matrix still existed, no matter where in the universe it was. It could also be used to channel the energy of the Matrix, which the Autobots on Cybertron did to bring life to their new warrior, Ultra Magnus. Not long after, however, the Matrix Flame flickered out when Optimus Prime was shunted into limbo by time-travelling Decepticons, leading the Autobots on Cybertron to send Magnus to Earth investigate. Prime was returned in due time, and the Matrix Flame re-ignited. Target 2006
Having deduced a new means of tapping the Matrix's power, Megatron had Bombshell plant a cerebo-shell within Optimus Prime. Megatron was able to use the shell to channel the energy of the Matrix when Prime used it to give life to the Aerialbots, employing it to animate his own new creations, the Stunticons. Aerialbots over America!
Prime's persistence in keeping the physical shell of the Matrix a secret proved to have been a mistake when the Autobot leader died. In accordance with Cybertron funerary practises, Prime's boaded was loaded into a funeral bier and launched it into space, unwittingly sending the Matrix with it. Funeral for a Friend! The craft eventually crashed on the distant moon of VsQs, where it lay undisturbed for a time. Left in solitude, the rudimentary consciousness of the Matrix formed from the genetic memory of its past holders began to desire new sensations, and began to hunger for new experiences. {{storylink|
It got a chance at new experience when a dying mechanoid crashed on VsQs and touched the Matrix. The mechanoid was a Deathbringer, which had been dedicated to ending unnecessary suffering, and was warped by the Matrix into a new and very powerful being who sought to destroy all life. Though he left the Matrix in Prime's body, he still carried some of its energy, and the Matrix reveled in the vicarious experience of evil. The Deathbringer found its way to Earth, where it rained destruction down upon a human city. Sensing the Matrix's power within the creature, Optimus Prime (since resurrected) was hesitant to destroy the only link they had discovered to the lost Matrix, but Nightbeat solved the problem by convincing the Deathbringer that since the Matrix's power was eating away at it, it should destroy itself. Deathbringer
Back on VsQs, the Matrix's curiosity found new expression when an insectoid creature crawled into Prime's corpse's chest cavity and became the next recipient of the Matrix's power. Dissecting and studying the beast, the Matrix was fascinated that the creature seemed to be meant to do nothing but destroy, so it re-created the thing into a larger, more powerful predator. Dark Creation The monster attacked a team of astronauts that had set up a research station on VsQs, killing nearly all of them, but at least one escaped and crashed in the seas of Pequod, another planet in the same solar system. His body infused with Matrix energy from the beast that had attacked him, the astronaut was swallowed by a klud, which ingested the energy. Deadly Obsession
Meanwhile, Optimus Prime became aware of the threat of Unicron, and realized that the Matrix would be necessary to defeat the Chaos-Bringer. Search parties were dispatched to track down the funeral barge, which piqued the curiosity of new Decepticon leader Thunderwing, who possessed an affinity with the Matrix and desire to possess its power for his own. As the opposing teams dodged each other, they eventually set their sights on Pequod, where the klud had been attracting attention because its species was supposed to have been extinct. Thunderwing used his Matrix affinity to psychically link with the Matrix-infused beast and see the memory of swallowing the dying scientist. Recognizing the "VsQs" stamp on his equipment, Thunderwing set out for that moon. Deadly Obsession
Once there, both sides battled the creature the Matrix had created, which had grown to enormous size, with Thunderwing ultimately killing the beast and taking the Matrix. Dark Creation The Decepticon immediately attacked the spaceborne Ark, manifesting the Matrix power in the form of a giant, vaguely humanoid energy field around himself. Soon, however, Matrix began to speak through him, delighting in the firsthand experience of evil, and Thunderwing realized he was being possessed. Thunderwing tried to mentally battle the Matrix, to no avail, but the Autobots exploited his erractic behaviour to impale him with a harpoon and blow him out the Ark's airlock into space. All Fall Down!
The Matrix took time to heal Thunderwing's body, then set out for Cybertron. Coincidentally, it arrived just as Unicron was trying to destroy the planet. The Matrix-creature fought Unicron, but Unicron soon realized that the Matrix had been tainted with evil, and that it was no longer a threat to him, given the infinitely greater magnitude of his own evil nature. Thunderwing was destroyed by Unicron's attack and Optimus Prime was able to recover the Matrix, cleansing it of the taint of evil and restoring its purity. Rocketing into Unicron's gaping maw, Prime released the Matrix's energy within the planet-eater's body, destroying him. On the Edge of Extinction! The explosion should have killed Prime as well, but his devastated body was saturated with Matrix energy, keeping it alive long enough for the suffering Prime to pass on leadership of the Autobots to Grimlock. Still Life! Prime's consciousness, however, was transferred to his Nebulan partner, Hi-Q, who was later recreated into a new Optimus Prime by the Last Autobot, complete with a reconstructed Matrix. End of the Road!
"All signs point to no."
In the alternate future timeline of Earth-120185, a dying Optimus Prime passed the Matrix to Ultra Magnus in 2006, and it was then used by Hot Rod to destroy Unicron, in the process transfiguring Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime. Transformers: The Movie Subsequently, in 2008, Unicron attempt to eningeer his resurrection, but Rodimus Prime trapped his mind within the Matrix. The Legacy of Unicron!
Later in 2008, the Quintesson General Ghyrik was able to steal the talisman from its owner at that time, Rodimus Prime. Ghyrik used the power of the Matrix to enhance his strength as he battled Hot Rod, but was duped by some impromptu ventriloquism from his opponent and soon lost the talisman. Space Pirates! Later, in 2009, Rodimus and several other Autobots travelled back in time to 1989. As the Matrix was unable to exist in two places in time at once, Optimus Prime was again shunted to limbo, but used the power of the Matrix to communicate with the other Autobots through Rodimus. When Rodimus was then defeated in battle, Optimus risked the security of the space-time continuum to use the Matrix as a stepping stone to return to reality, battling Galvatron. Time Wars
Return to Cybertron after their time-travel adventure, Rodimus and the Autobots found that the disruption of space and time had altered theire future, and that Galvatron was waiting for them. Galvatron attempted to force Rodimus Prime into a savage battle, hoping to corrupt the Matrix, but Rodimus realized his plan and stopped before it was too late. Aspects of Evil!
Later, Rodimus and the Autobots were on a hyperspace trip to Earth when they discovered that their craft's guidance systems had been damaged. During the flight, Rodimus Prime vanished The Void!, and Kup discovered that he was the saboteur, Edge of Impact deducing that he had been corrupted by an evil force from within the Matrix. Shadow of Evil Inside the Matrix, Rodimus battled with the essence of Unicron, trapped there since the events of 2008, until Kup wrenched the Matrix from his chest, freeing from the chaos-bringer's influence. But now, Rodimus knew that the evil of Unicron will be waiting for him within it... White Fire and in 2010, Unicron's essence succeeded in taking over Rodimus's body, transforming it into a duplicate of his own and attacking Cybertron once more, until Rodimus was able to defeat him from within and re-seal him within the Matrix. Aspects of Evil!
When last seen, in the far future of 2356, Unicron's essence remained sealed within the Matrix, causing Rodimus's body to steadily wither and weaken. Aspects of Evil!
Generation 2
Requiring the Matrix to bring the new warriors created by Bludgeon to life, Megatron defeated Optimus Prime in battle and tore the Matrix from his body with an energy siphon. The Gathering Darkness The Matrix's energy was then used it to give life to the Laser Rods and Rotor Force New Dawn, and subsequently, Starscream used the power of the Matrix on himself, merging himself with the Warworld and reshaping the interior of the ship. However, unlike with Thunderwing, Starscream found his own evil being subverted by the Matrix's goodness, and he returned the Matrix to Prime, for fear of being changed beyond recognition.
When Prime was consumed by the Swarm, he channelled the Matrix's purity and goodness into it, completely reversing the nature of the Swarm. Suddenly transformed from a destructive force into a force for life, it re-created Prime and departed into space. A Rage in Heaven
American animated continuity
The origins of the Matrix of Leadership are almost entirely unknown. Some rather unusual evidence suggests that it may be linked in some way to the assitant of the ancient genius Primacron, who created Unicron (see the character's own article for details), but even if that is true, it is wholly unknown how it came to be held by the Autobots and how it was elevated to the position of power it is known for.
Traditionally carried by the current Autobot leader, it serves as a receptacle for the lifeforces of past holders, known collectively as the "Wisdom of the Ages." Virtually all of its holders have been unnamed, but are known as the "Ancient Robot," the "Brooding Robot," the "Powerful Robot," the "Pre-Transformer," the "New Narrator" and the "U-Haul Robot." Many other Autobots have been seen within the Matrix, but their identities are unknown.
Following the death of the U-Haul Robot at the hands of Megatron, the ancient Autobot Alpha Trion kept the Matrix safe and hidden away, until a damaged young robot was brought to his workshop. Trion recreated him as Optimus Prime, new leader of the Autobots, and gave him the Matrix. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4
"No! Quit asking."
The Matrix of Leadership's first documented appearance in modern times occurred in 2005, when a dying Optimus Prime passed it and leadership of the Autobots to his chosen successor, Ultra Magnus. Before passing away, Prime spoke of a prophecy—that one day, "The Chosen One" would rise from the ranks of the Autobots, and use the power of the Matrix to light the Transformers' darkest hour. That darkest hour soon came upon Cybertron in the form of the world-eater, Unicron, who knew that the Matrix's power was the one thing that could destroy him. Recreating Megatron as Galvatron, he dispatched him to steal the Matrix, but when Galvatron obtained the talisman, he tried and failed to use its power against Unicron. Ultimately, the Chosen One who could open the Matrix proved to be the youthful Hot Rod, who reclaimed the Matrix and was transformed by its power into Rodimus Prime, before opening it within Unicron and releasing its power, which tore Unicron apart from within. The Transformers: The Movie
Later, when injured in battle, Rodimus's consciousness briefly entered the Matrix itself and witnessed a vision that led him to believe that the answer to the mystery of the alien Quintessons currently plaguing the Autobots was held within it. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2 To find his answer, Rodimus deliberately short-circuited himself and entered the Matrix a second time. Guided by the ancient Autobots within, Rodimus was shown the history of Cybertron and discovered the Quintessons' role in the creation of the Transformers. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4
The Matrix weighed heavily upon Rodimus, and he was all to eager to return it to Optimus Prime when it seemed that the Autobot leader had returned from the dead in 2006. It transpired, however, than Optimus had only been reanimated as a robotic zombie by the Quintessons, but the Matrix overrode the evil intentions the aliens had programmed him with, and he returned it to Rodimus before apparently sacrificing himself again. Dark Awakening
At one point, Rodimus was ambushed by the Stunticons, who stole the Matrix from him and brought the it to Galvatron, who attempted to use its energy to power his cannon, only to be tormented by the spirits of the Autobots within it. Galvatron instructed Scourge to dispose of the Matrix, but Scourge understood the true nature of its power and placed it within his own chest. Warped by its power, Scourge took control of the Decepticons and led them in an attack on Earth, only to be bested by Hot Rod, who reclaimed the Matrix once more. The Burden Hardest to Bear
When Optimus Prime was at last truly resurrected, he was forced to battle the Hate Plague-infected Rodimus in order to reclaim the Matrix from him, in hopes of consulting the Wisdom of the Ages to find a cure for the disease. Communicating with the mysterious It, he learned that the only way combat the madness of the plague was with wisdom, and opened the Matrix, expelling all of the wisdom within it to extinguish the disease (in the process claiming that this was also the Autobots' "darkest hour"). Although the Matrix was empited, leaving only a shell, Optimus claimed they would have to start filling it with wisdom again, from that moment on. The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2
In 2007, Optimus Prime used the shell of the Matrix as a substitute key to access Vector Sigma, where he consulted Alpha Trion on the mystery of the Plasma Energy Chamber. The Rebirth, Part 2
Japanese animated continuity
- For further information, see: Energon Matrix
In Japan, the original Matrix held by Optimus and Rodimus Prime was portrayed more as a power source than anything else, though its power did apparently determine which faction Vector Sigma would obey. (Once the Matrix was depowered in Return of Optimus Prime, Vector Sigma became open to either Autobots or Decepticons controlling it, and by extension the planet.)
In later Japanese continuity a Matrix was seemingly carried by any individual with high rank. Therefore, there are many distinct Matrices. (It is unknown what relation, if any, these have to the original.) They tend to be weapons of extreme power and last resort. Accessing them, or having two of them in close proximity, can "power-up" their possessors into temporarily enhanced forms.
- Beast Convoy
- Lio Convoy
- Lio Junior (a copy of Lio Convoy's)
- Big Convoy
Dreamwave comics continuity
Prior to Optimus, the Matrix was held by Sentinel Prime, an Autobot leader killed by Megatron in an attempt to gain possession of the artifact, intending to use it to power the planetary engine turbines he had discovered. But Sentinel had already given up the Matrix for reasons unknown (perhaps foreseeing his own death), passing it to the Council of Ancients, who chose a data archivist named Optronix as the new bearer. Optronix and the Matrix were lowered into the Oracle Tank, with the words "Fill this sacred vessel with the wisdom of the ages", though it may be that the council was referring to Optronix and not the Matrix. Like Hot Rod, Optronix—now Optimus Prime—is physically changed by the installation of the Matrix, his frame altered to become larger and more powerful. Soon after, he is attacked by Megatron who cracks open his form and exposes the Matrix, which shows both Optimus and Megatron visions of the future, seeming to transport them to Earth, then to Nebulon. It is implied that Optimus somehow uses the Matrix to force Megatron to forget these visions, though how much knowledge he himself retains is unknown.
Before the Autobots leave for Cybertron on the Ark II, Optimus Prime gives Spike Witwicky a piece of the Matrix to safeguard during their journey. The Ark II crashes, but when Spike and Optimus are reunited, Spike returns the piece to him. Optimus uses the complete Matrix of Leadership to awaken his deactivated troops and call them to him.
After returning to Cybertron, a chain of events ultimately leads Optimus Prime to a confrontation with Shockwave in the chamber containing Vector Sigma. Shockwave transforms and blows open Optimus Prime, claiming the Matrix for himself and using it to access Vector Sigma's databanks. Shockwave was defeated by Ultra Magnus and the Matrix returned to Optimus Prime, but the forceful removal of the Matrix from his body combined with the long period of time spent without it caused a great deal of trauma to his systems, necessitating an extended session in a CR chamber to recover, and suggesting that at least in the Dreamwave comics the Matrix actually integrates with the systems of its holder to some degree rather than merely residing inside them.
It appears that this Matrix does not hold the wisdom of past Autobot leaders, as another datatrak contained its wisdom.
Beast Era
Beast Wars
In the 1990s animated series, Beast Wars and Beast Machines series, the nature of the Matrix was explored and evolved.
These series used "the Matrix" as a term that referred not merely to the physical object, but to an actual other-dimensional realm—the Transformer afterlife also called the Allspark, the well of all sparks that are, have been, or ever shall be. From the Allspark springs all Transformer life, and when a Transformer dies, their spark returns to the Allspark, sharing its life experience with the collective, creating a huge store of accumulated wisdom and knowledge. Understanding this, it can be retroactively assumed that the physical Matrix object wielded by Autobot leaders in the cartoon continuity is not simply a storehouse of knowledge itself, but rather, a gateway to this afterlife realm. Similarly, this also explains its ability to bestow life as seen in the comic book continuity—by transferring a spark from the Allspark through its connection to the realm.
Universe: Primeval Dawn
After the Beast Wars, Tarantulas was reborn, intending to use his new Vok powers to steal the Matrix and warp reality to his liking. To protect the timestream, the Vok took the Matrix of Leadership from the unconscious Optimus Prime residing within the Ark, used it to create Primal Prime, then gave the Matrix to their new creation. In the following battle, however, Tarantulas was able to overpower Primal Prime and rip the Matrix from his body.
Beast Machines
Unicron Trilogy
Animated continuity
Optimus Prime tried to pass the Matrix on to Hot Shot before he warped into space with Jetfire, but Hot Shot refused it, not feeling himself worthy.
When Optimus died standing purposefully in the path of the Hydra Cannon blast meant for Earth, Prime's Mini-Con partner Sparkplug held on to the Matrix, floating helplessly until rescued.
Later, it was the Mini-Cons who resurrected Prime, entering the Matrix and reconstructing a new body for him. Some time later, Unicron forced Prime to face the fact that on some level he enjoyed the thrill of combat. Following Unicron's defeat, Galvatron challenged Optimus to one final, furious battle. Prime choose to discard the Matrix at this time, flinging it into the void of space, so that he could battle Galvatron not as the leader of the Autobots, but as himself. How Optimus Prime got the Matrix back after this is uncertain.
During the quest to stop the Unicron Singularity, Optimus Prime used the Matrix of Leadership to widen Vector Prime's dimension gates, allowing transport for larger numbers of troops.
Toys
Generation 1
- New Year Convoy (2002)
- He comes with the Matrix of Leadership!
- Galvatron II (2005)
- He comes with the Creation Matrix! It's green.
- Revoltech Convoy (2007)
- He comes with a Matrix accessory which does not open or store inside his chest.
Robots in Disguise
- Optimus Prime (2000, 2001)
- Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime has a little door on his chest that hides a sculpted Matrix. It cannot be removed.
20th Anniversary/Masterpiece
- Optimus Prime (2003/2004)
- Japanese ID number: MP-01
- 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime includes a removable vacuum-metalized Matrix of Leadership that can also be pulled open.
- Ultra Magnus
- Japanese ID number: MP-02
- He had it too.
- Convoy Perfect Edition (2006)
- Japanese ID number: MP-04
- He still had it here.
Armada
- Optimus Prime (Super Base, 2002/2003)
- Japanese ID number: MC-01
- The large version of Armada Optimus Prime has a non-removable Matrix of Leadership behind the grill on his chest. This feature was kept for the various redecos of this mold.
Cybertron
- Optimus Prime (Leader, 2005)
- Japanese ID number: GC-01
- Cybertron Optimus Prime has a removable Matrix of Leadership in his chest. This feature was kept for the "Galaxy Force Optimus Prime" redeco.
Classics
- Optimus Prime (20th Anniversary DVD Edition, 2006)
- Yep, this version of the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime mold still has the Matrix.
Trivia
- When asked about the visual design of the Matrix in an interview, Floro Dery's reply was, "The inspiration for the Matrix of Leadership is a thermonuclear bomb."[1] "Light our darkest hour" indeed.
