Dynasty of Primes
- The Dynasty of Primes is a group from the live-action film continuity family.
The Dynasty of Primes was the ruling class of Cybertron eons ago. Formed by the first Thirteen Seven Cybertronians, the Dynasty ruled Cybertron and protected the AllSpark until they were betrayed by one of their own.
The only named Primes are Prima, the first Prime, Sentinel, who remembered his ancestry, Bendy-Bus, whose status is unknown, and Optimus, the last of the Primes.
| “ | Primes are born. Not made. | ” |
Fiction
IDW comics
Eons ago, the AllSpark created thirteen beings, the first Cybertronians, who had the ability to move between dimensions. They soon realized that the AllSpark's power, though vast, was not infinite, and required the energy of stars to be replenished. Once a nearby star went nova, the AllSpark created a worker race, the Transformers, who would assist the Dynasty in replenishing the AllSpark. One of the thirteen, later known as the Fallen, Defiance #4 believed the AllSpark was talking to him and that it wanted him to harvest any sun, local lifeforms or no local lifeforms, rather than spend ages searching. He harvested the sun of a living world behind his brother's backs, only to be caught and told off. This didn't stop him Tales of the Fallen #4 and eventually, the Dynasty ruled that all thirteen seven of them) would decide on the harvester's use.
In response, the Fallen assembled his own army, the Decepticons, and deliberately built a harvester on Earth... in order to draw his brothers into a trap. Tales of the Fallen #3 A great battle erupted as the Fallen fought to gain the AllSpark's power for himself. However, once he had destroyed his six twelve brothers' sarcophagi, he still had to face the final survivor, Prima, who tricked him into running out of power and then used the remaining power in the Dynasty's corpses to imprison the Fallen in his own sarcophagus. The last Prime then built a tomb for the Matrix out of the corpses and sacrificed himself to close it. Knowledge of the thirteen faded, and the Dynasty of Primes became little more than a myth. Tales of the Fallen issue 3 Tales of the Fallen #4 Defiance #4
Thousands of years later, the Science Division discovered the Fallen's sarcophagus and the remains of the other Twelve's sarcophagi. As the Fallen influenced Lord High Protector Megatron, the members of the Science Division, under the direction of their leader Optimus, studied the remains of the other relics and discovered the symbol of the Primes. This was the first proof that they had found of the Dynasty, and what's more, the symbol was etched on the head of the Science Division's leader, who was soon dubbed Optimus Prime by his fellow scientists. After the Autobots refused to follow Megatron's Decepticons, the term Prime came to denote Optimus as leader of the Autobots. Defiance #3
Revenge of the Fallen movie
- Voice actors: Michael York, Kevin Michael Richardson, Robin Atkin Downes (English), Banjō Ginga, Daisuke Gōri, Yasuyoshi Hara (Japanese)
At least by 17,000 BC, ancient beings known as the "Seven Primes," reached the Solar System in their quest to build a Star Harvester, but they discovered the chosen system contained a life-bearing world, and so six of the Primes objected to using the Harvester on the system's sun. The seventh, however, insisted on using the Harvester anyway upon weighing the longevity of his planet and his race against a seemingly meaningless organic world. This Prime quickly turned on his brothers and their creed, waging war against them, with those who agreed with his ideals by his side. After attacking and killing many of his fellow Primes and slaughtering a large number of early humans he was thereafter ever known as "The Fallen." The remaining Primes mounted an attack on their new nemesis and hid the Matrix of Leadership—without which he could not activate the harvester—in a tomb composed of their own bodies on the very planet he sought to destroy, using the last of their energy left from the epic battle to completely seal it.
According to Sam Witwicky, who had absorbed the AllSpark, Sentinel Prime led an expedition where it took him fourteen galactic convergences to get an echo of something, seemingly related to the existence of other dimensions where the theory of relativity was not applicable.
In the present day, their descendant Optimus Prime perished in battle whilst protecting the human adolescent Sam Witwicky, the chosen vessel of the AllSpark after the Cube's physical destruction. With the seemingly confusing knowledge of an advanced alien civilization in his mind, Sam and his companions set out to find the Matrix of Leadership after learning it might be the only thing that could resurrect Optimus—the last of the Primes—who was the only being who could defeat "The Fallen". Travelling to Petra in Jordan, Sam discovered the Tomb of the Primes hidden within, quickly discovering the small Matrix. His hopes were soon dampened however, when the artifact crumbled into dust upon it being moved. Nevertheless, he held onto his faith and gathered up the dust in a tattered sock, intending to revive Optimus with it in any way feasible.
During a climactic battle around the Star Harvester between the Autobots and The Fallen's Decepticon forces, Sam died in an attempt to use the remnants of the Matrix to resurrect Optimus Prime. Appearing to leave his body, the six Primes soon appeared before Sam, telling him that they had been observing him for a long period of time, praising his sacrificial acts to save the last Prime's spark. They pronounced him worthy of receiving the Matrix, revealing to him that it is now never merely found but instead earned, then instantaneously resuscitated him. Brought back to life by the six Primes, he was able to fulfill his destiny by reviving Optimus, propagating the complete destruction of the Star Harvester and the defeat of "The Fallen" and Megatron. Revenge of the Fallen
Revenge of the Fallen adaptations
According to Jetfire, the Dynasty of Primes was formed by the first Thirteen Cybertronians. These beings could not transform, but they and their transforming descendants possessed powers beyond that of the average Cybertronian. The Dynasty ruled Cybertron and protected the AllSpark, replenishing it with the energy harvested from stars. However, the Dynasty of Primes was also benevolent, believing that all life was sacred, and refused to harvest stars with worlds inhabited by sentient races. To better prevent abuse, the Dynasty guarded the Matrix of Leadership, an artifact formed by the AllSpark to power the Great Machines used to harvest stars. However, one of these Primes believed that they should harvest the star Sol, which promised to yield vast amounts of energy, even though Sol was orbited by a small world with primitive inhabitants, humans. After this plan was unanimously rejected by the others, this Prime betrayed and killed most of his brothers, but one survived and hid the Matrix in the Tomb of the Primes on Earth, fusing it shut with his own life essence. The Fallen, as the renegade Prime was now known, dispatched the Seekers to retrieve the Matrix, but they were unsuccessful and eventually abandoned. On Cybertron, the Fallen hunted down and killed every last Prime he could find, knowing that they were a threat to him. A single orphan was hidden away with no knowledge of his lineage: Optimus Prime.
In time, The Fallen encountered Megatron, and directed him to form the Decepticons, promising him the powers of a Prime in exchange for his loyalty. When Megatron left Optimus Prime in stasis lock, the last threat to the Fallen was removed, and he prepared for his return to Earth. However, Sam Witwicky, using the knowledge of the AllSpark within his mind, found the Matrix in Petra, Jordan. Unfortunately, it had turned to dust in the millennia in the tomb. When his heart stopped after an attack by Megatron, Sam communed with the sparks of the Twelve original Primes, who had judged Sam worthy of stewardship of the Matrix, and instructed him to merge the Matrix with Optimus. The Dynasty then returned Sam to life and transferred the knowledge of the AllSpark into the restored Matrix. With the Matrix restored, Sam used it to revive Optimus Prime and give him the knowledge of his ancestors. Unfortunately, the Fallen then attacked and stole the Matrix, activating the harvester.
Using parts donated by a critically injured Jetfire, Optimus went to the star harvester, recovered the Matrix, and confronted the Fallen. In the battle that followed, Optimus proclaimed that the Fallen had forfeited his right to be a Prime when he slaughtered his brothers, and told Megatron that Primes were born, not made. Realizing he had been betrayed, Megatron and Starscream abandoned the Fallen and used the space bridge he had created to escape. Optimus then impaled the Fallen through the head with his own spear. With the death of The Fallen, Optimus Prime became sole inheritor of the Matrix and the last of the Dynasty of Primes. Revenge of the Fallen Revenge of the Fallen
Titan Magazines
The original Transformers are explicitly stated to number only seven. There's also a legend they might actually be created by some guy called Primus, which they don't believe The Fallen Profile... but it's true! He was the first Cybertronian. Sentinel Prime Profile
They were imprisoned by the Fallen Jetfire Profile except when they weren't. The Fallen Profile
Toys
See also: Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys
Transformers (2007)
- Protoform Optimus Prime (Deluxe Class, 2007)
- Japanese ID number: MA-05
- Accessories: Gun with flame attachment
- Based upon the "Protoform" (Cybertronian) appearances of the Transformers in the Movie, Protoform Optimus Prime transforms into his "entry" mode. This mode somewhat resembles a cybertronic truck, with false wheels sculpted onto the sides, and Optimus Prime's trademark windows in front. A flame decoration piece fits to the back of the "vehicle", creating the illusion of a flaming comet's tail. The bottom of the vehicle has small wheels to roll the toy across smooth surfaces. Oddly, it has NO automorph gimmick at all, a feature most main-line figures have.
- In robot mode he resembles previous Optimus characters: his angular chest windows are reminiscent of Cybertron Optimus Prime, while his near-animalistic limbs and color scheme are evocative of Beast Wars Optimus Primal. He has excellent articulation due to his many ball joints, and is armed with a rifle. The flame attachment can fit onto the end of the (non-firing) gun barrel.
- Some packaging variants of this figure (perhaps a Wal-Mart exclusive) included a free movie poster depicting a Cybertronian eye overlooking Earth. While an added sticker to the outer plastic bubble says "Exclusive movie poster!", it is more of a preview of upcoming figures.
- This toy was repurposed as a member of the Dynasty of Primes in Tales of the Fallen #4.
Dark of the Moon
Cyberverse
- Sentinel Prime (Cyberverse Commander, 2011)
- Series 1
- Number: 002
- Japanese ID number: CV05
- Accessories: Primax blade, shield
- Sentinel Prime is in the first wave of Dark of the Moon Cyberverse Commander Class toys. He transforms from a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck to robot and back. He comes with his sword and shield, which he can wield in either hand. The sword stores underneath while the shield folds in half and becomes the fire truck roof and boom arm. Because the boom arm has a grip at the middle that allows Sentinel to hold it in shield mode, the grip can be used as a C joint bar in vehicle mode.
- Because of clearance issues, bringing and folding his arms to his back for vehicle mode can be rather difficult. The shoulders are more likely to pop off the plastic swivels they're on.
- On some (early?) Sentinels, the Rosenbauer logo on the right side of the truck is reversed.
- Dark Sentinel Prime (Cyberverse Commander, 2011)
- Series 1
- Number: 010
- Japanese ID number:
- Accessories: Primax blade, shield
- Dark Sentinel Prime is a redeco of the previous Cyberverse Sentinel Prime. He's... lighter, but has some evil-looking red eyes.
Voyager Class toys
- Sentinel Prime (MechTech Voyager, 2011)
- Japanese ID number: DA20
- Accessories: MechTech Boom Lift/Fusion Cannon
- Sentinel Prime is in the third wave of Dark of the Moon MechTech Voyagers. He converts from a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck to robot and back. He features an itty-bitty flip out nozzle on his front. His rotating and extending MechTech Boom Lift (which looks like a giant cannon due to the peg at the tip) becomes a Fusion Cannon when a large button is pushed, but only if the the button (which is rotatable) has its underside tabs aligned with its respective sockets on the weapon housing. The weapon can be locked in this mode if the button is rotated while pressed. The weapon itself features a MechTech port on each side panel, with the aforementioned peg at the tip of the Boom Lift.
- While his firetruck roof kibble is intentionally used as wings/a cape, he's still a pretty significant shellformer, flopping nearly his entire firetruck side panels and front (along with his roof) onto his back, with only his wheels, leg panels, and feet being integrated in any way with his vehicle mode.
- Like the Cyberverse Dark Sentinel Prime, this figure's Autobot symbols are deliberately scratched out. However, his box bio remains coy about his true nature.
Leader Class toys
- Sentinel Prime (MechTech Leader, 2011)
- Japanese ID number: DA02
- Accessories: Primax Blade, MechTech Shield/Bladed Blaster
- MechTech Leader Class Sentinel Prime converts from a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck to robot and back! In vehicle mode, he features a rotating, extending firefighting boom arm, a small flip-up nozzle on the front fender, and siren lights and sounds, activated by a small grey button on the roof of the cabin. There are two 5mm post hole MechTech ports in this mode; the one on the right hand side of the vehicle has a button inside, that when pushed in (by plugging in a MechTech weapon), activates a weapon deploying sound effect. Pressing the cabin roof button in this mode activates a weapon firing sound. Removing the MechTech weapon activates the transformation sound effect.
- A Stealth Force-style attack vehicle mode can be formed by opening panels on the rearward sides of the vehicle to expose hidden weapons (that look like missiles) and two more MechTech ports, activating the MechTech Shield's Bladed Blaster mode (by pressing the large button on it marked by the Cyberglyphics) and attaching that to the vehicle MechTech ports, and clipping the Primax Blade's handle into the two tabs on top of the Shield/Bladed Blaster's turret. In a reversal of his Cyberverse toy, Sentinel's double-bladed Primax Blade folds in half and stores underneath the grey panels forming the roof of much of the vehicle, while the MechTech shield is stored under the truck.
- In robot mode, when the button on Sentinel Prime's chest is pushed, his eyes light up, his chin moves and he says "I am Sentinel Prime!" Two more phrases, "Good to see you alive, Optimus." and "What has happened to the AllSpark?" are heard when a weapon is inserted into the MechTech port with the button inside of it and the chest button pushed. Unfortunately, the Canadian release only says "Sentinel Prime" because of language laws. The siren lights and sounds can still be activated by pressing the grey button back and to the left of Sentinel Prime's head.
- In this mode, Sentinel has four more 5mm MechTech ports: one each on either shoulder and one each on either forearm. If that's still not enough, the screw holes under his wrists can accommodate 5mm weapons as well, for a total of eight weapons beyond those included with the figure. The Primax Blade and Shield can both be held via their respective handles in either of Sentinel's articulated hands; the shield can also be plugged into the MechTech port in Sentinel's forearms.
- The Japanese release comes packed with a character card and an accompanying transparent plastic card of his MechTech weapon for the MechTech Wars online game.
Merchandise
Revenge of the Fallen
- Bendy-Bus Prime (2009)
- Bendy-Bus Prime is a life-sized non-transformable sculpture with the dimensions 13×11×6 feet. There was only one produced by Paramount Home Entertainment and Pinewood Studios or Propshop, which was given away on December 9, 2009 in a contest hosted by The Sun in conjunction with the release of Revenge of the Fallen on DVD.
- He is made out of 100 original bus parts, and even has an Oyster card reader.
Notes
- The novelization and comic book adaptation vary quite differently from the version told in the movie, as they were based on early versions of the final script.
- For example, IDW's film adaptation shows 13 Primes instead of 7. In a later comic, only 7 are shown.
- But then The Fallen's bio in the Revenge of the Fallen DVD/Blu-Ray bonus material says there were in fact 13.
- Hasbro tried clearing the matter up in a Q&A exchange, saying that there were 13 "Original Epic Warriors of Cybertron," but only 7 of them were Primes.[1] This distinction has not yet appeared in the fiction.
- More recently, a quiz in the Titan comic asked how many Primes there were, and the answer was "Seven (though you could have said 13!)". At least they're both prime numbers.
- Though barely glimpsed in the film, Josh Nizzi designed somewhat unique bodies and heads for each of the 12 during the film's pre-production. Interestingly, all of them appear to have energy glowing within their armor just as The Fallen does.[2] Only 7 of them made into the film, of course.
- The Dynasty is a bit more lenient in the IDW comics than in the film and other spin-offs: There, the Fallen killed a planet before, and their reaction to this deliberate omnicide is little more than wagging a finger and saying "now don't do it again!"
Foreign names
- Japanese: Prime Ōchō (プライム王朝 Puraimu Ōchō, "Prime Dynasty")
