1984 G1 Transformers Autobot Leader: Optimus Prime

OPTIMUS
PRIME

"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."

Allegiance: (duh!) Autobot
Function: Autobot Leader
(The greatest of all time!)

First Cartoon Appearance:
episode 1,
More Than Meets the Eye,
part 1

First Comics Appearance:
(Marvel) Transformers #1

Another very large pic of
Optimus Prime in robot mode

Profile: His origin has been told in several different ways. In the G1 cartoon series, (toward the end of season 2, "War Dawn") he was a young power-plant worker named "Orion Packs" who went on to become the great Optimus Prime. A slightly contradictory story was told of Prime's origin years later (2003) by Simon Furman, in the Dreamwave comic series, "The War Within". However he came to be, there is little disputing, that Optimus Prime is the greatest leader the Autobots have ever known. The following text is from the Marvel Comic series, "Transformers Universe."

If he had been on Earth he would be a doctor, a mechanic, a scientist & a warrior. But on Cybertron there is no difference between these professions. So Optimus uses his skills to heal and repair which are the same things to Autobots -to improve the world around him and, if necessary, to fight. Both in power and intelligence, he has no equal. He has the personality of an Abraham Lincoln. He can be immensely kind and his compassion extends to all that lives, including the creatures of Earth. Yet he will battle unceasingly to protect the weak and defend what he believes in. To accomplish this Optimus knows that the Decepticons must be defeated for all time.

This text description of OP's character "Bio" comes from the Dreamwave series, "TF: More Than Meets the Eye" #4 (which I highly recommend purchasing, if you haven't already!)
From the personal datatracks of Ironhide, Autobot Security:
I'd lay down my life fer Optimus Prime, no question. Sure, I got plenty of buddies in the Autobot army that I'd do anything for, but no one more so than Optimus. With Prime, you never gotta worry if he's thinking somethin' about you that he ain't sayin'. He's as honest and well, kind as they come. But more than that, he's a loyal friend whose absolutely dedicated to what he believes in. An that's what counts. You know Optimus ain't gonna leave you behind, and when he's on the job you can just feel in your circuits that he'll handle things no matter how grim it looks because you know he can. He's got all the capabilities you'd want in a military commander: he's fearless, intelligent, compassionate, and powerful. But what I respect most about him is that he wasn't always that way. I've seen him change and grow from a timid unsure archivist who just happened to be put in charge, to a wise and confident leader. I think that's why every Autobot'll gladly follow Primes's lead without him even having to ask. He understands what it's like to be in their shoes -confused, scared oilless and just trying to do what's right -so he'd never ask something of them that he wouldn't willingly do himself.

Abilities: In robot mode, Optimus Prime actually splits into three components. The Optimus module is the robotic sentient being that is the storehouse of his vast knowledge and strength. He can lift 4,000,000 lbs. and blow from his fist exerts a force of 12,000 lbs. per square inch. He carries a laser rifle and can burn a hole in the nosecone of a Decepticon jet fighter at a distance of 30 miles, aided by his outstanding visual acuity. His Prime module also known as Roller, is a smart cart shaped device that he uses to unobtrusively slip behind enemy lines. He can maintain radio control over it at distances up to 1200 miles. Having Roller present somewhere is like being there himself. He can operate by remote control his Combat Deck module up to a distance of 1500 feet. The Auto Launcher mounted on the deck can use a variety of artillery and radiation beam weapons, including most of those used by his fellow Autobots. The launcher also includes a highly dexterous grapple arm which allows it to load itself and change its weaponry. The communications disk antenna mounted on the launcher provides a link between Optimus and all his fellow Autobots within a radius of 50 miles. It can be adapted to a satellite hook up that increases its effective range 10-fold.

Weaknesses: Although Optimus Prime can function as three independent modules, injury to any one of the modules is felt by the other two. Roller is particularly vulnerable, especially in the behind the lines situations in which he specializes. However, the Optimus module is by far the most important component of the trio. Although he could survive without the other two, they could not survive without him. Otherwise, the only weakness he could be accused of having is being too compassionate and concerned about the safety of others. He would be a more effective military commander if he were more ruthless but then he wouldn't be Optimus Prime!

Shown below see "Roller" toy component to the left and cartoon depiction to the right. Most of the toys sold in 1984 and later included Roller in blue, but there is also a more rare grey version, seen in the 'what's included w/ this toy' picture from the directions and that is apparently what the animators worked with when illustrating this sceen from More than Meets the Eye, part 2.

Other Appearances: Whew! This could take awhile!!! No other character has made more appearances and had more different versions and forms! Well, it all started with this 1984 classic!

His first recreation came 4 years after the original, another fan favorite, the Powermaster form was released in 1987. (Sorry, no character page yet!)

He came back in a far less popular Action Master version in 1990.

Next came the first "G2" Generation 2 version in 1993. The cab looked almost exactly the same, red color scheme, but had trailor in a more ominous black color scheme. In 1994 there was the air powered rocket launcher. And in 1995 there were actually two versions of OP. The quite popular 'laser rod' (included electronic light up energon weapon) and the considerably less cool "gobots" version. A matchbox size simple TF that, truth be told, seemed very unlike every other Optimus Prime produced before (or after!)

The Beast Wars began in 1996. And with it, a character many fans related to Optimus Prime, called Optimus Primal. First a blue Bat. Then the Maximal Commander Gorilla we all grew to love!

There was the "Machine Wars" Optimus Prime released in 1997. Followed by the Transmetal Optimus Primal in 1998 (Robotic Gorilla w/ organic component humanoid form)... While the masterful Beast Wars story editors Bob Forward and Larry DiTillo explained that Primal was in fact, a different individual, with the same name, there is an interesting fact. At the end of the second season, in order to save Optimus PRIME, Op Primal took the spark of Prime and housed it in his body, 'transforming' him into, Optimal Optimus! The toy was released later in 1998. So, although they are different individuals, they shared the same body for a time, and presumably Primal took on some of the knowledge, wisdom and experience of the original Prime. To me, although different, they are most definately connected.

Following the Beast Wars, Optimus Primal returned to Cybertron and fought the Vehicon menace in "Beast Machines." For which several toys were produced. In 2000 there was a deluxe Optimus Primal as well as "Primal Prime." Read the Wreckers storylines produced by Botcon 2001 for details on this Prime's origin. In 2001 "Blast Punch" Optimus Primal and the begining of...

Robots in Disguise began in the latter part of 2001, an "alternate universe" of TF's with an Optimus Prime character that turned into a fire truck. Great toy, lousy shows... definitely a different individual with the same name.

The last (and best in my opinion) Optimus Primal figure was produced in 2002 "Air Attack" Optimus Primal (sorry no character page available yet) was sold as part of the RID line though he was a perfect replica of the 2000-2001 Beast Machines Op Primal.

Also in 2002, TF: Armada began and with it the next generation of Optimus Prime. I have many theories about the connection between Armada to the rest of the TF universe; which I won't get into in this area. Suffice it to say that Armada OP and the G1 original are in many ways connected.

In 2003 Optimus Prime was released in a more posable, show accurate ($10 deluxe) version as well as a recolored "Final Battle" Optimus Prime, a recolor of the previous year's Armada Prime.

2004 bought two new versions. The Optimus Prime of TF: Energon is a 'combiner' of sorts and is the latest version of the OP character from TF: Armada. The best version yet, came next "Masterpiece Prime" was and is today a fan favorite, made of die-cast metal, an accessories galore, this 20th anniversary version looks exactly like what we fans always pictured the G1 classic to be. I'm sure it's not the last Optimus Prime that'll be built. But at least in this fan's eyes, I do believe that this version will forever be remembered as the best.

2005, brought one of the most popular incarnation of Optimus Prime in awhile, Transformers: Cybertron Optimus Prime

2006 Galaxy Force Optimus Prime, a minor recolor of the Cybertron Original. Also, Transformers, "Classics Optimus Prime" and a recolor of the Armad Deluxe Optimus Prime.

2007 Optimus Prime... wow, lots of versions associated with the Transformers Live action Movie, Deluxe, Leader Class, Fast Action Battler, Titanium...