Prime (rank)
| The name or term "Prime" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Prime (disambiguation). |
Prime is a rank of highest distinction in many Transformers continuities. Typically, it is used as the identification for the leader of the Autobots, something that is bestowed only on those that carry the Matrix of Leadership within them. It is retroactively derived from Primus, the creator of the Transformers.
With the retcon that Primus is one singular entity that exists (and must exist) threaded through all Transformer continuities, the term Prime is likewise given one singular origin. It was, first of all, the designation granted by Primus to seven of the Thirteen original Transformers created, by his own hand, at the dawn of the physical universe to crew his planetary form.
In universes where the Transformers speak Japanese, the equivalent rank is Convoy.
Fiction
Marvel Comics continuity
"Prime" did not initially seem to hold any significance as a title or rank.
- Optimus Prime's Marvel Comics Transformers Universe profile describes his "Optimus" module as his humanoid robot component and his "Prime" module as his small cart-shaped component that is also known as Roller.
- The Decepticons did not know who held the Creation Matrix until Shockwave calculated with 99.7% certainty that it was Optimus Prime.[1]
- In a flashback to events early in the war, "Optimus Prime" was simply a Lieutenant Commander.[2]
Nevertheless, "Prime" eventually developed into a title of sorts. A direct lineage of Creation Matrix bearers was established, each of whom took on a derivation of the name of their god Primus. They were Prima, Prime Nova, Sentinel Prime, Optimus Prime, and Rodimus Prime. However, following the lead of the animated movie, Ultra Magnus briefly bore the Matrix without taking the title of "Prime" in the UK's future continuity.[3]
The Transformers cartoon
The evidence for "Prime" being a rank here is weaker than elsewhere, but the case can still be made. Though many Matrix-Bearers are seen, and all are by definition Autobot Leaders, only four are ever named; 2 Primes, 2 not: Alpha Trion, Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Rodimus Prime. Without knowing any other names it is hard to make a concrete case here for "Prime" being a title given only to Matrix-Bearers.
It is of note though that if it were, then "Prime" in this continuity would be a military/political title (since it is the "Matrix of Leadership"), rather than the religious title of the Marvel Comics.
"Prime" is a title/rank similar in use to Marvel Comics. There is a nearly complete linage of Matrix of Leadership bearers taking the rank. They are: Primon, Prima, Prime Nova, Guardian Prime, Zeta Prime, Sentinel Prime, Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Rodimus Prime. The AllSpark Almanac II
Beast Wars cartoon
It's only passingly touched on, but may be noteworthy that the phrase, "Who died and made you Prime?" was used by Maximal characters in Beast Wars, implying that, to them, "prime" was roughly equivalent to "leader". They also used the word to mean "great" or "good" in the phrases "That's just prime," (said sarcastically), and "Feeling prime."
Dreamwave Generation One continuity
This continuity also establishes Prime as designating the leader of the Autobots, but there is some muddled information. The Prime carried within him the Matrix of Leadership, but it appears that the Matrix doesn't contain the wisdom of past leaders, as that was held on a separate datatrak. Also, the Prime did not appoint his successor. A new Prime was chosen by the Council of Ancients, supposedly through divine authority.
It's unknown what powers the Prime shared with the Council of Ancients, but the Primes themselves had several powers. In addition to being commander-in-chief of the Autobot Army, the Prime also had the authority to order a planet wide evacuation. Autobots gave oaths of loyalty to the Prime, and were expected to risk their lives for the Prime's safety (whether the Prime wanted them to or not). The War Within #1
There are five known Primes in Dreamwave continuity, listed in More than Meets the Eye #8. These are Alpha Prime, Guardian Prime, Sentinel Prime, Optimus Prime and Rodimus Prime. The list does not specify chronology, and Rodimus Prime never appeared in any actual Dreamwave comics.
Unicron Trilogy
Prime is indeed a title given to leaders and Matrix-bearers here, as evidenced by both Vector Prime and Optimus Prime, but no other Primes are ever named. In Galaxy Force, Override (Nitro Convoy), Scourge (Flame Convoy), Evac (Live Convoy), and Metroplex (Megalo Convoy) all hold the title of Convoy as leaders of their respective planets, but this scheme does not carry over into the western translation, and so the Prime appellation does not apply. Likewise, in Super Link, the Japanese version of Energon, Rodimus is known as "Rodimus Convoy", hearkening back to the name of his G1 predecessor. But again, this does not follow through in Hasbro's materials.
Interestingly, Vector Prime is not known as Vector Convoy in Japan, but Vector Prime, while Optimus maintains the traditional Convoy title as Galaxy Convoy.
IDW Generation 1 continuity
Optimus Prime describes Primes as beings that define the eras they ruled. Thus, Nova Prime presided over an era in which the populace believed the Cybertronian race's destiny was in the stars, and commissioned the first Ark spacecraft. Spotlight: Optimus Prime The people of Cybertron believed the Ark was for exploration, but Nova's true goal was aggressive expansionism at the cost of other civilizations. Despite being a Matrix bearer (the exact circumstances of how he acquired the Matrix are unknown) The Divided Self, he was referred to by Omega Supreme as a "false Prime" most likely due to his behaviour betraying the ideals of Primus. Primus: All Good Things Nova was thought lost after he disappeared into the Benzuli Expanse while aboard the Ark. Spotlight: Galvatron
Nova was succeeded by Nominus Prime, who rose to become the leader of a corrupt Cybertron where the ruling elite oppressed the lower citizens whose roles in life were determined by the bodies they were built in. His rule ended when a group within the Senate conspired against him in order to take the power of the Matrix for themselves, Chaos Theory Part 2 only to find that his Matrix was a fake. They quickly had Nominus killed, covered it up and publicly announced that their head of security Sentinel, part of the conspiracy, was showing signs of Matrix affinity. Post Hoc
Thus Sentinel became Sentinel Prime, who during the Clampdown served as the head of the Autobot Security Services, the chief law enforcement and military body on Cybertron. However, he stressed that he was ultimately subservient to the will of the Senate who enacted the laws he enforced. Megatron Origin #3 His tenure was a short one, as he was killed by Megatron during the first Decepticon uprising Megatron Origin #4
Zeta Prime rose to power shortly after the deaths of Sentinel and the old Senate, and seemed to be a change in pace from their corrupt regime. Omega's Conundrum However, as the civil war spread across Cybertron, Zeta grew increasingly ruthless in his methods of fighting the Decepticons and didn't care what the New Senate had to say or what the common Cybertronian had to go through. Parasites He was destroyed by Megatron after his officer Orion Pax turned against him. Overthrown
Shortly after Zeta's death, Orion Pax happened upon the real Matrix, which called out to him and transformed him into Optimus Prime, the first Prime in ages to be chosen by the Matrix. Transformation After Cybertron was rendered uninhabitable, Optimus Prime was the apparent highest ranking Autobot, directing the galaxy-spanning conflict to deny the Decepticons conquest of additional planets. In this task, he occasionally sought the guidance of the ancient Autobot and weapon of last resort Omega Supreme. Spotlight: Optimus Prime While he was a fair and wise leader, the lineage of corrupt and militant Primes that preceded him had already tarnished the title of Prime in the eyes of neutral Cybertronians. Dinobot Hunt With the loss of the Matrix and the realization that the neutrals saw him as a warmonger and not a leader, Optimus Prime abandoned his title and went back to being Orion Pax once the war was over. The Death of Optimus Prime
Hot Rod called himself "Rodimus Prime" for a while, a name coined by Swindle in an attempt to appeal to the Autobot's ego. Seasons in Flight
In addition to these Primes, there appear to be at least two Primes predating Nova Prime. Spotlight: Optimus Prime
Movie continuity
The title of Prime was bestowed upon the civilian and spiritual leader of Cybertron but at the same time, aided the Lord High Protector in stewarding the AllSpark just as the Lord High Protector was co-ruler. Optimus Prime held this title before, during and after the war for the AllSpark as leader of the Autobots. Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday
According to The Quest For the ALLSPARK paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty."
This, along with the note from the Autobots version of the same DS game that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father, implies that “Prime” may have been their father’s name and that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" as well.
In Revenge of the Fallen, its revealed that the Primes were ancient Transformers, the first of the race and that the Dynasty of Primes led the race until the Fallen betrayed his brothers and they sacrificed themselves to prevent him from getting the Matrix of Leadership. By 2007, Optimus Prime was the only Prime known to still be alive (no one knew that Sentinel was still alive in the ruins of the Ark on Earth's Moon) and the only one who could defeat the Fallen as "only a Prime can defeat the Fallen." The Fallen had him killed by Megatron and tried his original plan to harvest Earth's sun for Energon, but was killed by the resurrected Optimus with help from Jetfire and thanks to the efforts of Sam Witwicky.
Eventually, the remains of the Ark are discovered along with the body of Sentinel Prime who is revived by the Matrix of Leadership like Optimus once was. Sentinel is revealed to be a traitor and in a battle, is killed by Optimus Prime with help from Megatron.
Transformers Animated
Prime is still a rank in this continuity, but (uniquely) it is distinctly lower than commander of all Autobots (that would be Ultra Magnus — the "Magnus" refers to his rank). This is revealed when Sentinel Prime attempts to give an order to Optimus Prime. Optimus is able to disregard this order because regardless of Sentinel's standing on the Cybertron Elite Guard, they are both still Primes of equal rank. The Elite Guard Both Ultra Magnus and Sentinel Prime have bars on their forearms, with more bars present for the superior officer. Optimus Prime lacks these, and as such it is unknown if they are only present on the Elite Guard. The rank of Prime seems to be roughly equivalent to the human naval rank of captain.
In addition to Optimus and Sentinel, there is also Rodimus Prime and Longarm Prime. Longarm was presumably given the rank as head of Cybertron Intelligence, although his predecessor Highbrow was never referred to as a Prime.
In the Animated universe, there is also the rank of "Minor", which lies below Prime. Some sources hint at a "Major" rank lying above Minor, but below Prime.
Fun Publications fan club comics
It is revealed that the first Thirteen original Transformers created by Primus to crew his planetary form were all designated Primes. In addition to this designation, each was given a specific task or role in sustaining the multiverse.
Vector Prime was granted guardianship of space-time. The Prime who would become The Fallen was charged to oversee the force of entropy. Another of these Primes was made the guardian of Rarified Energon. Logos Prime and Prima's function are still unknown.
These Primes are multiversal singularities (like their creator, only one version of each existing across all realities).
Shattered Glass
The title of Prime is not an honorary rank but the title of the diabolical leader of the Autobots. Optimus Prime stands as the current Prime. For now. Rodimus, Ultra Magnus or Thunderclash may very well usurp the title and position in the future.
Aligned
War for Cybertron
Following the War of the Original Thirteen Primes, the Covenant of Primus decreed there would only be one Prime ruling Cybertron at a time. It was technically Primus's right to appoint the Prime and bestow them the Matrix, but gradually his children became ignorant of his presence. It almost seems Sentinel Prime was the only Prime between the Age of the Primes and Optimus, as he fought off the Quintessons, established the Golden Age and tried to combat its decline by establishing the caste system, to Alpha Trion's displeasure. Sentinel was unworthy of the Matrix, and the Core said it was only after his death that Optimus could receive it for being a Prime was not a status Trion or the High Council could grant. The civil war began and continues as Megatron and Starscream both want to be Prime and bear the Matrix. Exodus
In Xbox 360/PS3/PC version of War for Cybertron, the Autobot High Council declare they exist to choose the Primes, and seemingly referencing the Thirteen, note they have watched as many Primes fell to their greed and pride.
Prime cartoon
Megatron traveled to Cybertron with Dreadwing to visit a tomb known to hold the remains of a Prime. He severed the arm of the Prime and attached it to his own body to gain control of the Forge of Solus Prime. With the Forge, he crafted the Dark Star Saber. Alpha/Omega
Notes
- In the UK Marvel Comics continuity story "Space Pirates!", Rodimus Prime lost control of the Creation Matrix and immediately reverted to "Hot Rod", apparently losing the rank of Prime along with the Matrix. Optimus Prime, on the other hand, continued to be known as "Prime" during the long stretch of time when the Creation Matrix was lost.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Prime (プライム Puraimu)
References
- ↑ The New Order
- ↑ The Flames of Boltax!
- ↑ In Target: 2006 part 7, the time-traveling Hot Rod called the 1986 version of Ultra Magnus "Ultra Magnus" even though he mistook him for the future Ultra Magnus who was the current bearer of the Matrix.
